USH-Enews for December 4, 2008 Print Only Edition

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Sunday - 7 December - Music Sunday This month you will experience services across a broad spectrum of UU worship, reflecting our diverse interests in things ultimate. The Dec 28th service, led by a former UHS youth member and now worship associate, Jenn Cook, will bring you a service we might call 90% contemporary. On December 7, Music Sunday, will be what Mattie calls a “predominantly traditional” worship experience. - -Rev BJ

Music - Music Sunday - Daniel Pinkham was the Music Director and resident composer at King’s Chapel, the pre-eminent UU church in Boston. His “Christmas Cantata” tells the story of the shepherds and the chorus of angels witnessing the holy birth in the humble stable surrounded by animals. Pinkham composed this well-known piece in 1957 yet it still sounds fresh, both rhythmically and harmonically experimental. The brass ensemble and organ echo and amplify the choir in exciting and emotional passages.

Pinkham didn’t invent the brass-choir-organ combination. He had many models for this, particularly among the Venetian composers of the Renaissance. The 17th century German composer Michael Praetorius studied the Venetian style and created brilliant examples of his own. “In dulci jubilo” (“In sweetest jubilation”) combines trumpets and trombones with the voices in this familiar Christmas carol.

One of the sections of Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata sets the words “O magnum mysterium,” “O great mystery, that the animals saw the birth of the baby, lying in the manger.” This same text inspired the popular California composer Morten Lauridsen, who used the words without any instrumental accompaniment. Our choir sings this difficult and transcendently beautiful anthem at both the December 7th and December 14th services, as a contrast to the brass works of Music Sunday and also by itself in an Advent service. Poster

And..The Alliance Bake Sale is after the service so be sure to bring some cash to purchase the goodies!

From the President: Even though Thanksgiving is over, I’m continuing to think about gratitude. In the past, I have attempted to make it a year-round practice with which I have had varying degrees of success. Although I know I have much for which to be thankful, there are times when I don’t feel so thankful. In some of those instances, I have tried reading an inspirational poem, singing a favorite hymn, or simply reminding myself of my many blessings. Sometimes these methods work, sometimes they don’t. And when they don’t work, I try not to berate myself too much. I remind myself that sometimes I just have to accept that I’m not always going to feel grateful and happy, and that in time, I will feel that way again. So, ultimately, I can try to prompt and encourage my own feelings of gratitude, but they can’t be forced.

In recent sermons, Reverend BJ has challenged us to cultivate gratitude for those things that are difficult in our lives. So far, I’ve been contemplating the current financial situation, and how it is actually helping me rethink some of the extravagances of the holidays. I am planning a more frugal Christmas than usual, and its simplicity is quite liberating. I would rather the economy wasn’t so awful, but I appreciate the new perspective it has given me.

Another source of gratitude for me is my service to the Society. Helping with the work of the church isn’t always easy, but I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with wonderful people. I learn much from the leadership and the staff, and I find their commitment to the Society both inspirational and humbling. I am generally wary of singling people out for praise, as I will most surely forget to mention people who deserve it.

Many of you contribute to our congregation in countless ways, and I am truly, most deeply, grateful.

This month, however, I do need to recognize the Membership team, so energetically and ably led by Anne Bailey. She recently facilitated two Welcome Team trainings, which were attended by over 60 people. The creativity and energy around how to enhance the warm reception of our guests, friends and members, was energizing, as was the response of attendees, and others, to take on new welcoming tasks. We are indeed blessed to have this group working so tirelessly. And as an additional result, my task of cultivating gratitude becomes effortless when I think about how fortunate I am to work with such people, and to be a part of this congregation. - Heather Ferguson-Hull

Holiday Poinsettias - It is our holiday tradition to decorate the chancel with poinsettias for our Multigenerational Holiday Services on Sunday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 24!

Plants will then be distributed during Christmas week to our members and friends unable to join us for services at the Meeting House. Please consider "sponsoring" one or more of these plants.

Large, single plants will be $11 each. If you prefer to take your plant with you, please make note of that when ordering. Prepaid orders must be received in the office no later than Tuesday, December 9. Checks may be made out to “USH” with “POINS” designated in the memo line. Send to USH, 50 Bloomfield Ave, Hartford 06105. You may also order by phone with a credit card. Thank you for helping to spread good cheer! - RR

Hanging of the Greens - A dozen folk gathered for our annual celebration to honor the coming of light and life during the winter season. We hung evergreens and enjoyed a contemplative and interactive worship experience. One participant and friend of our Meeting House, Ginny Allen, wrote the following:

A group met together
for the hanging of greens.
We draped them and hung them
by whatever means.

We hoped that all others
would admire our work,
and appreciate our design,
which was not just a quirk.

We then sat together
and explored customs past,
from a time when the Druids
their clothing did cast (off).

We sat in the darkness,
we emerged into light.
The sharing was meaningful
on this most special night.

A word from Rev BJ: Our Chapel of All Souls
Don’t miss the paper mockup in our USH Chapel of a formal art project being considered. Former Franciscan priest and icon artist Seriphim Seskevich came to see me one day, and said “I want to be a part of the love in this place.” We explored what that might look like, and Ser came up with what is already a fabulous gift of love—the plan for a rich three dimensional aesthetic representation of our inclusive faith, inviting all humanity to share an experience of reverence for life.

The chancel artists, the aesthetics committee, and others are involved in imagining how we might make this many splendored dream a reality . An installation which includes diverse art forms, materials, and styles, it will be something worthy of Payson Miller’s dream of an aesthetic house of Unitarian worship. The bust of Rev. Miller, for whom the Chapel is named, now stands prominently displayed in the ambulatory, welcoming all who will come.

Where are you on the Worship Spectrum? - As a new member of the Worship Sub-Council this year, I have been privileged to be part of a group that works with Reverend BJ studying worship as a whole and our own worship experience here at USH.   I have been in awe of the amount of time and thought that goes into planning each individual worship service, within the context of a whole year of worship.

We begin our monthly meetings with an educational session provided by BJ, studying and talking about various aspects of worship theory. Most recently we have been talking about the spectrum of worship styles, from traditional to contemporary. We did an exercise where we listed parts of the worship service we considered to be either traditional or contemporary and then ranked our own services on a scale of 1-10. Surprisingly, we were in almost total agreement in our ranking – considering ourselves to be somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

And why, might you ask, is this important? What’s the big fuss? Aren’t we all happy with the way things have been done for the past many years?

If you look at the two major evaluations done in the past few years (the strategic plan and the Charette) you will find that worship style and content are front and center in our minds as a congregation. The strategic plan outlines many strategic initiatives including a plan to “incorporate more diverse forms of worship and music that broaden our experiences, reaching out to incorporate styles and content that speak to many different cultures”.   The results from the Charette process expressed a desire for an abundance of styles and forums for worship experience.

So what is it about all of this that makes some of us uncomfortable? Are we afraid that we might abandon all that we know and love from the past? Afraid of the unknown? Are we envisioning something we don’t think we can embrace? (who knows – we might end up dancing in the aisles and singing out “Hallelujah” and how would that fit with our notion of self?)   Change is always somewhat frightening – but it can be liberating too. Just think if we, and those who came before us, did not embrace change in all the areas of our lives that we take for granted – medicine, technology, art, music, and so on. I, for one, know that I am glad someone experimented with anesthesia so that I didn’t have to go through heart surgery without the freedom from pain that I experienced.

As members of the Worship Sub-Council, we are continually exploring how our worship services fulfill our vision of worship from the strategic plan to “foster spiritual renewal, development, and a strong sense of community for our diverse and growing congregation”. We are planning a series of congregational conversations around this topic in January and look forward to your participation. We will be offering meetings the weekend January 16th – 18th on Friday night, Saturday morning and sometime on Sunday in an effort to reach a broad audience (stay tuned for exact times).   We look forward to hearing your thoughts, your concerns and your dreams. - Sue Kinney Chair, Worship Sub-Council

Whole lot of welcoming going on Except for those of us who were raised right here at USH, we remember our very first visit to the Meeting House. We hold in common that experience of walking in to a building filled with new faces, witnessing new rituals, going downstairs to coffee hour for the first time, meeting someone new who made us feel welcome.

Making sure that all visitors have a welcoming experience is the focus of our Welcome team. This month, more than 50 volunteers gathered at two training and feedback sessions led by the always-able Anne Bailey, Membership chair. Accompanied by Joy Barrnett, Welcome team coordinator, Anne introduced revised procedures for the roles of usher, greeter, lobby welcome table host and downstairs visitor table host.

Volunteers broke up into discussion groups and then gathered to share their best ideas to make USH a most welcoming place. The suggestions were varied and creative, and many focused on making the visitor experience more personal while providing visitors with more information about our congregation.

(Note: Every Sunday, 12 volunteers are needed to staff the Welcome teams for two services. If you would like to be one of those friendly faces welcoming our visitors, please call the office.) -Sarah Gilligan

Advent, Hope and Waiting for Godot - “Some UUs might wonder what in the world do we light advent candles for” were Reverend BJ’s opening words on Sunday, November 30. The word advent means “It’s coming,” she explained. The Christian interpretation is waiting for Jesus. A Jewish text reads, “They who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.” Another interpretation is that it is a mystery not to be explained. “The idea of something coming for good has captured our imagination,” Reverend BJ said.

Having carefully studied the history of the Unitarian Society of Hartford, she reminded us that in the past we have lit candles red and green candles at this time of year But Reverend BJ opted to return to the more traditional green wreath surrounding candles starting with one very dark one and ending with a white one. These are symbols, she said, of the cyclical part of our lives, and “no matter how dark it gets, we circle around together and things get lighter.” The advent wreath, she explained as she lit the first and darkest candle, is something both profound and human.

During the Prayer and Contemplation part of the service, Reverend BJ asked that we “unlock the door of our hearts to welcome this season of miracles to be hospitable to what was and what never was.”

An intriguing sermon began with a dialogue between two characters in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”—Reverend BJ as Estragen and Carol Davidson as Vladimir. In the play these two (male) characters spend two days waiting for Godot, whom they really don’t know and who never arrives. In fact, they can’t even agree on whether or not they are in the right place or that this is the arranged day for their meeting with Godot. As one of the men says, “All mankind is us, whether we like it or not.”

In the play, nobody comes and nothing ever happens, but the play does take us somewhere. Reverend BJ said “Waiting for Godot” has been interpreted in many ways—political, Freudian, Jungian, existential, Biblical, autobiographical. Reverend BJ said she has been fascinated by the play for 35 years, but it wasn’t until her most recent reading of it that she saw it as a morality play. It reminds us of the kind of lives we create for ourselves. “If we don’t see with eyes of gratitude and make generosity a natural part of us, nothing will ever change.”

Reverend BJ suggested that if we continue to hope Godot is coming, we will be able to “walk and run and fly…and can live as fully as we ever dreamed possible.” We have an opportunity to walk or run or fly into a bright new tomorrow. She implored her congregation not to be like Godot’s two characters engaged in easy, lazy skepticism but, instead, show “whole hearted openness to people who believe differently,” “We are so blessed to have each other,” she concluded, “but we must leave arrogance, hubris and righteousness here, or we will be cut off from the rest of the world.” - Kayla Costenoble

A Thanksgiving Homily - And More - At one point during the festive Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 23, Reverend Barbara Jamestone (Reverend BJ) said, “It takes a lot of people to put together a worship service.” And Sunday’s service was certainly proof of that.

In her welcoming remarks, Worship Associate Jen Cook described us as a “group growing in spirit and service.” The Chalice lighting became an evolving story, with a dozen persons helping to set a table. Two persons at a time transformed this bare table by placing on it:

-       a lace cloth
-       a lighted candle (faith, hope, love, truth)
-       flowers (mystery and beauty of creation)
-       bread and wine (gifts of the earth)
-       empty box (to fill for those in need)
-       purple dots (gratitude for our abundance)
-       sparkling butterflies (transformation)

The small table at the foot of the Chancel echoed the lavish and colorful Thanksgiving display on the Chancel under yet another new banner displaying the words “Cultivate Gratitude.” We are indeed grateful for Sue Kinney’s and Diane Cadrain’s banner and for Kathie Ferguson’s table display.

Religious Education Director Gail Syring directed her “A Time for All Ages” to members of the youth group gathered around her on the Chancel floor. The group had just completed its annual sleeping outside to get a tiny taste of what being homeless is all about. The money collected from the offering will go to My Sister’s Place, a Hartford shelter for battered women and their children. Max Ellis, a high school senior speaking for the youth group, said he has participated in the sleep-out for the past four years, because “I want to make a change, to help people when they really need it.”

“You empower me with your trust and confidence,” Reverend BJ said at the beginning of her very personal Thanksgiving Homily. She said that the idea of thanksgiving has been used throughout time to underscore certain values. Starting in 1840 and for the next 18 years, Sandra Hale, editor of Goody’s Ladies Book, campaigned for America to put aside materialism and have a national day to give thanks for all we have and to return to family values. Based on her lobbying, President Lincoln declared a national day of thanksgiving. Later, the thanksgiving story was used to emphasize inclusivity, then to champion civil rights and justice for all people.

Reverend BJ listed the values that “give me comfort and courage” in these early years of the 21st century. They include self determination and remembering who we are; multi-culturalism and welcoming and working with strangers; balance and recognizing “there’s a risk in every step;” and generosity, “Think about the hard things in your life.” Reverend BJ concluded, “Generosity comes out of the heart that has practiced being grateful for what we have.”

Sunday’s music was also very special. It included what has become the USH’s unofficial Thanksgiving hymn—our own Tom Schmutzler’s “For Wondrous Things.” The chorus’ musical call to worship, “The Evergreen Tree,” was a carol composed by Erica Quin-Easter, accomplished musician and composer and daughter of USH member Paul Quin. Proud father and daughter were part of the congregation. - Kayla Costenoble

The Purple Dot Game - “It is vital to develop feelings—Gratitude, reverence, and holy awe are feelings that, when cultivated, will, in later life come to expression as the power of blessing, as the out-streaming gift of human love.” Rudolf Steiner
- see Rev BJ’s blog for continuation

Rev BJ’s Purple Dot Repository of the Week
To prime the purple pump in YOUR heart, BJ shares some things she appreciates and onto which she has symbolically popped a purple dot:

*Ed Savage, for his tireless and disciplined commitment to make available the recordings of our worship services at the MH.
* Katie and John for moving solos and piano at the service on 12-30
*Nita Hansen for her gracious generosity in ‘putting on’ the Friday Movie Night for a long time.
*Louise Schmoll for the holiday chancel angels, and the other beautiful banners she has made; also for helping to create efficient and beautiful food refreshments for memorial services at USH.
*Gregory Nickett and Cyprian Martin, for leaping into the work of our Social Justice Council as new members
*Oakley Bittel (the dog) and the others who ‘Hung the Greens” and then shared a restful and renewing winter worship moment on Sunday evening last.
*Shai Cassell for tirelessly and caringly communicating about and offering us opportunity to be of service through ICEJ
*Peter Magistri, Ken Bartschi, Nita Hansen, Ron Friedman, Martha Page, and Joan Kemble for trusting me and caring enough for me to offer spirited disagreement lately!
*the Chancel Choir and Mattie for the MANY hours of careful preparation for the winter music service on 12-7—don’t forget to bring an offering to support the Music program!
*Each person who stands in line on Sunday mornings to give me a hug.

Update to New Member bulletin board: Please take a look at the new photos and 'bios' posted on the bulletin board in the lower lobby - our latest new members. If you don't already know them, you might look for them and get acquainted!

Attention all armchair travelers - For those of you who missed the two travel videos that have been presented by Anne Bailey (Paddling in France and Hiking in Patagonia), she has produced DVD copies of these that you can watch on your own TV at home. These can be purchased for $5.00 each at the calendar sale table in Fellowship Hall.. Proceeds will benefit projects supported by the Alliance Ministry to Women. Thank you Anne!

All Women of the Society are warmly invited
to a Holiday Pot Luck Party Noon on Tuesday, December 9 at USH - Please bring unwrapped donations for the women and children at Interval House ~ diapers and/or children's books ~

Please sign-up on Alliance Party List
on Standing Bulletin Board in Fellowship Hall
by Sunday, Dec 7 or call Nita or Louise (242-2953)

2007 list of Top 100 Movies of All Time ”The Grapes of Wrath” (1940) is number 23 on the American Film Institute’s 2007 List of Top 100 Films of All Time 2007 list of Top 100 Movies of All Time

“John Ford's memorable screen version of John Steinbeck's epic novel of the Great Depression--often regarded as the director's best film--stars Henry Fonda as Tom Joad. . . . In a stirring film that stands as a microcosm of the depression experience of millions, Ford gives poverty a human face in a way that was rare then and even rarer in the decades to follow as Hollywood films with a sense of class consciousness dwindled like a species nearing extinction." (from synopsis on Rotten Tomatoes website

We'll be showing this film on Friday, December 12. If you prefer a vegetarian meal to the probable meat and pasta entree, please indicate this when you make your reservation. You can reserve at the Programs Table on Sunday, December 7 during coffee hours or by calling the USH office at 233-9897; please reserve by Monday, December 8.

As usual, we'll be setting up about 4:45 (help always appreciated), libations and popcorn at 5:30, dinner at 6, with movie and optional discussion following. - See ya at the movies! Nita

Come On A My House - We who are not the world’s neatest housekeepers LOVE being chosen to host a Small Group Ministry (SGM) program. Why? Because you know there will be at least one day each week during the eight-week session when the books and papers making their home on the dining room table and all other flat surfaces will miraculously disappear—at least before and during an SGM meeting.

Being a host is a rewarding job, in many ways. You don’t have to travel; SGM members come to your house. You get a chance to display interesting coffee mugs. You drag in a couple of extra chairs to arrange in an inviting circle in your living room. You also dust off an attractive (or not) candle holder and candle to serve as a chalice and initiate a search for matches. And you are the one who gets called by an SGM member who has an emergency and can’t come that night. If you’re one of those always-planning-ahead persons, you’ll be sure to have some extra goodies around in case someone forgets it was his turn to bring munchies for the break.

But best of all, you get to participate in eight wonderful SGM sessions and become friends with and learn a lot about a group of new persons each session. - Kayla Costenoble

Hear Ye! Do your holiday Shopping at the Meeting House - Holiday Green Gifts - Last call for your order sheets!!!!! They (with payment) are due this Sunday Dec 7. Let us help you get your shopping done early with gifts that help our mother earth. Please bring in your orders this sunday or mail them with a check to USH. Thank you from the Green Sanctuary Sub-Council

Neighborhood Captains Needed! - You are invited to be part of a great opportunity to help build community in our Unitarian Society. We are developing additional ways for our community members and friends to get acquainted with one another, help each other, play together, and share connection generally. A planning meeting will be held after services on Sunday December 21 for interested potential Neighborhood Network Captains . You can find your region listed in the back of the 2008 -2009 Directory. Contact Amy Hines at amyhines92@msn.com for more information.

Let’s all remember to “CARE and SHARE” Every Week - with our neighbors, whose hunger and challenges continue to grow.

Cereals -      Peanut Butter! Peanut Butter -
Tuna -      Chunky Meat & Vegetable Soups
Oatmeal -    Canned Vegetable, Fruits and Meats- Rice - Beef Stew   Spaghetti and Canned Sauces Beans - 100% Fruit Juices -  Mac & Cheese

*Canned, bagged and boxed foods only. Glass shatters! Thanks!

Also helpful, and always received with a warm smile, are:
Grocery Store Gift Certificates
Cash Contributions
Checks made payable to “Horace Bushnell Food Pantry”

It feels great to give. Giving is receiving. Give and receive a gift, every day.

Remembering Our Neighbors - Large bins in our front lobby hold our ongoing collections for the HORACE BUSHNELL CHILDREN’S FOOD PANTRY and SOUTH PARK INN. For the Food Pantry, our goal is for each person to bring one nutritious non-perishable food item each week to help alleviate the growing disparity in Connecticut between the wealthy and the poor. More

Two Year Calendars - will are available for purchase. These handy pocket sized calendars are still just $2 each or 3 for $5. Look for the sales table in Fellowship Hall beginning November 9.

Purple Dot Season: Thanks to Giving - I’m tickled to announce the USH communal spiritual discipline of expressing gratitude with purple dots will continue in the 2008 holiday season, between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. More

There is still time to submit a proposal for a program (workshop, event, etc.) to include in the Winter/Spring Programs catalog for 2009. The deadline to receive the form is Monday, December 15. You may leave the completed form in the Adult Programs mailbox in the office at the Meeting House or send the completed form to Janice Newton by email or regular mail by December 15. Proposal forms are available in the office, at the USH website under Spiritual Life - Adult Programs or at the Programs Table on Sunday, December 7.

The next Friday Dinner and Movie night will be December 12. See article above.

Stop by and look at the offerings in the Book Cart located next to the Programs Registration Table. We just might have the book you're looking for to give during this holiday time.
Dancing with the Sacred by Karl Peters.

Old School by Tobias Wolff.

The Gift of Faith by J. H. Nieuweharr.
Respectful Parents Respectful Kids by Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hudson.

Caring Network -"You can not recover the stone after the throw" If you know of any member experiencing some difficulty, please contact Diana Heymann, Chair of the Caring Network (heydiana(at symbol)comcast.net) 860.461.0908 or call the office so we can provide some assistance. A wide range of community services is also available to those in need by calling InfoLine at 211. Please contact Diana if you are able to volunteer your services.

On the Calendar

Thursday, December 4
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Stewardship Sub-council, Murray
7:00 pm BTWWDA Facilitators, Library
7:00 pm NVC Gathering, Minister’s Study
7:00 pm Worship Discussion, Servetus

Friday, December 5
1:00 pm Transitions Group, David
Circle Dinners, various sites
Festival of the Season Set-up, building wide

Saturday, December 6
3:00 -7:30 pm Festival of the Season, building-wide Family Event

Sunday, December 7
9:00 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:45 am WORSHIP SERVICE W/SPECIAL MUSIC, SANCTUARY
10:45 am Coffee, Fellowship Hall
10:45 am Music rehearsal, Chapel
11:15 am WORSHIP SERVICE W/SPECIAL MUSIC, SANCTUARY
12:15 pm Coffee, Fellowship Hall
1:00 pm BTWWDA, Emerson
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, December 8
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus

Tuesday, December 9
12:00 pm Alliance Holiday Party, Library
7:00 pm Board of Directors, Library
7:00 pm Willett Woodwinds, Chapel
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, December 10
5:00 pm Green Sanctuary Sub-council, Library
5:45 pm Meditation & Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, December 11
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Friday, December 12
5:30 pm Dinner & Movie, Grapes of Wrath, Fellowship Hall
5:30 pm Univ. Hartford, parking lot usage

Saturday, December 13
10:00 am Rental, Chapel
3:00 pm Benefit Concert for Burns Academy of Latino Studies (Benjamin Dix, piano), Sanctuary

Sunday, December 14
8:45 am Building & Grounds, Murray
8:45 am Comfort Shawl Knitters, Lower Lobby
9:00 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:45 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
10:45 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:45 am Coffee, Fellowship Hall
11:15 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:15 pm Coffee, Fellowship Hall
1:00 pm Neighborhood Network Captains’ Meeting, Library
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
5:00 pm Rental, Fellowship Hall

External Events and Educational Notes

Help Rebuild the Macedonia Church of God - This mostly black church in Springfield, MA was nearing the end of a long building process. The building was 75% completed when it was burned to the ground on election night, November 4, 2008. - A long article about this, A Time of Hope, Marred by an Act of Horror, (good while the link is current) was written by Dan Barry, It appeared in the New York Times on November 16 and can be read online. It gives much background about the congregation and their many years in Springfield. The Rev. Georganne Greene, minister of the Springfield UU church took part in an interfaith service to benefit the Macedonia Church on November 26 and she sent the following information for those wishing to contribute to this cause.

Check made to "Macedonia Church Fund" - Sent to: Morrison Mahoney Tower Square - 1500 Main St.., Suite 2400 - PO Box 15387 - Springfield, MA 01115

Hartford Seminary is offering a January intersession class that may be of interest -

Traditions of Change: American Literature of Reform (HI-676)
Monday, Jan. 12 through Friday, Jan. 16 - 9 AM. to 4 PM (Make-up day: Jan. 17) More

Further Down The Road (About 30 Days)

January 4th is Justice Sunday at USH … Save the Date - More

A Matter of Opinion: (space for comment on USH issues from members and friends) - Editor retains the right to make minor changes – letters should be issue oriented -

Let's go green! Linked is a flyer for a green company that USH has signed on with to receive 25% of every on-line purchase individuals make. Print your copy of the brochure and order now!