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USH-Enews December 11, 2008
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Seasonal Banner created by Sue Kinney with help from Diane Cadrain.
The USH-Enews is a weekly email newsletter produced for members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford. The USH web address is: http://www.ushartford.com/ Check at the end of this USH-Enews for information on submissions, subscriptions and escape from the mailing list. And, to read the monthly Meetinghouse Messenger (newsletter) on the web or to find past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.
Office hours: Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours by appointment.
Worshipping Together Since 1830
Sunday, 9:45 AM and 11:15 AMphoto
Sunday - 14 December - “Blessed Assurance: Winter Holy Days as Alternative to Anxiety" Though worship services have traditionally been considered "adult religious education" of a sort, they have focused on a narrow range of experience such as prayer, musical performance and singing, sacred readings, and silence. Today we experiment with a contemporary ritual that is even more clearly an example of Life Span Religious Education for adults, with a focus on the spiritual discipline and reward involved in our practice of "gifting" during the winter.
Music - Bill Willett, the "Dean of Music" at USH, brings both his recorder artistry and his oboist friend Peter Wortman to our services. Both are members of Bill's woodwind quintet which plays in the Hartford area, including the Meeting House later this year. Peter recorded a CD of New Age music, English horn and piano with Tom Schmutzler some years ago. The musical pieces this Sunday may have been "New Age" when they were written - by Elizabethan and Baroque masters and by the composer of film scores for "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." Bill and Peter make a great team at both ends of the musical spectrum.
REflections on Children's Programming -
Religious Education Classes:
Spirit Play: Indigo Promise Story: Enemies
Second & Third Grade: Hanukkah
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Wise King Solomon
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Celebrating Winter Holidays
Youth Group Activities: NO YOUTH GROUP MEETING THIS WEEK
Multigenerational Service/Guest At Your Table Boxes - Our four o'clock Christmas Eve service on 12/24 will be a multigenerational service. Guest At Your Table boxes will be returned during the service. Regular classes will be held on the previous Sunday, 12/21.
In Gratitude - Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with set up, clean up and execution of the Festival of the Season. In particular, I appreciate the members of the Youth Group who entertained and inspired the younger children. - Gail M. Syring, DREFrom the Editor: Contributors please take note. The next USH-Enews issued on December 18th will cover at least two weeks as none will be issued on the 25th. Early information such as service listings and music planned for January should be submitted for publication on the 18th. It is possible something will be issued 30, a Tuesday, rather than on New Year's Day.
Here at the USH-Enews we are maintaining full staffing levels. No layoffs are contemplated now or in the future. The Co-Editor has been unrivaled in her close attention to production detail. Our financing is secure. Recycling of electrons is automatic and machines ultimately will be recycled for reuse of component parts and various rendered metals. In a related personnel matter, the Meeting House Gnome will remain fully employed.
This Week’s Feature Articles
BJ's Thoughts on the Worship Exp225555555555555555555555555555555555555555erience much Discussed in recent months
DRE's Monthly Column Time Spent With People we Love
What Else is Happening at the Meeting House
Welcome Activities Update
Art by Dick Hall
January 4th Speaker a Dynamic Person
Senexet Retreat Follow-upRead BJ’s thoughts on the ongoing Emergence of a Worship Experience at USH, articulated in our USH Strategic Plan, that matches our theology and our social values.” See the Blog now.
Monthly Column from the DRE - All right, I’ll admit it. In print. One of my favorite albums growing up was the Bobby Sherman Christmas Album. I played that LP over and over until the needle on my turntable needed to be replaced. (If you have no idea what that means, feel free to contact me on Facebook and I’ll explain it.) In particular, the song: “Love is What You are Getting for Christmas” has stayed with me, and with the miracle of the internet, I can share it with you.
Although this piece probably ranks something below the Twinkie in musical nutritional value, the sentiment is a timeless classic. Love is what we can give each other for Christmas. Or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule and every other variant on the celebration of light. Time spent with the people we love, heartfelt words of gratitude or encouragement, authentic connection between us, these are gifts more valuable than any item purchased on Black Friday.
Guest At Your Table boxes will be returned during our Christmas Eve Family Service. Please consider discussing the power contained in the decision of where we spend our money with your families. A dollar will go much farther in that cardboard box than it could at the mall this year, and one meaningful action will create memories that will last far longer.
No matter what our family holiday traditions are, our connections with this astonishing community of faith ensure that love is what we will get for Christmas. The only thing I wonder is how to get it under your tree? - Gail M. SyringHoliday Gift List—What ELSE is happening in December at the Meeting House? - What would the experience of gift creation be like if we did it with feet firmly planted in peace of mind and body?
Christmas was born to celebrate the birth of one known as the prince of peace, a birth heralded by angels proclaiming the age of peace on earth, a birth that promised to bring us a peace that passeth understanding. My fellow Alabamian Helen Keller said, “I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace.” Join us at the Meeting House for worship the remainder of this month as we gather in faith and seek understanding.
December 14--- we take a look at how to turn holidays into holy days, and enjoy the music of our own Bill Willett.
December 21--- we welcome two infants into our congregational family, and celebrate HILARITAS!
Christmas is a celebration of the gift and power of innocence, and so we continue our tradition of Hilaritas (live joyfully and be proud of who you are!) as we "don we now our gay apparel" of holiday whimsy. Let our garments reflect the greens, reds, sparkle and childlike wonder of Christmas on this day, and help to build a lovely memory in the hearts of our children of something magical that happens at the Meeting House on the Sunday before Christmas!John will bring us good cheer on the piano, and Rev BJ explores what a return to innocence might look like.
December 24
At 4 PM bring the children and all family visitors to the multigenerational service celebrating the birth of Jesus, which will close with a "passing the candle flame from person to person" which many of us associate with Christmas Eve.
At 10 PM, we commemorate the arrival of the holiday with a more contemplative service, accented with passing the candle flame as a fitting symbol of the first silent night.
December 28
Join us in this contemporary and alternative experience of worship as a holistic event, encompassing great celebration and joy at the arrival of the new year , as well as a more solemn farewell to the old year. Wear your pjs, and bring the newspaper. We dare you! - Rev BJ
Welcome Update - Great turnout for Welcome Team training sessions last month! New procedures result.YEA! and THANKS! - to all of you who attended the training sessions!
More than 60 of the folks who fill the twelve Sunday Welcome Host roles needed each week turned out for one of the two training sessions! MANY ideas came forth, as we discussed ways to improve our welcoming effort and help it run more smoothly. Since ALL of us have a part in creating a welcoming atmosphere at the Meeting House, a series of Welcome Updates will appear in the USH-Enews in an attempt to keep you up-to-date as new or adjusted procedures are implemented. A few changes have already been made, while others are in the works, and still others will be considered later. For starters:
LOBBY DOORS and LATE ARRIVALS:
1) A QUIET sign will be held up in the lobby after the bell is rung, five minutes before the start of the service. (We’ve even provided a kitchen timer to help Welcome Table hosts remember to ring the bell!) It is hoped this will encourage folks to quiet their voices and take their seats in the Sanctuary before the service begins.
2) Late arrivals will be asked to wait quietly in the lobby and take seats during musical interludes. After the holiday greens come down, the ushers will slide the glass doors between the lobby and the sanctuary partially closed, as the service begins, leaving a 5-ft. opening (as was done in past years). This will signal the start of the service and hopefully help promote a sense of worship.
According to BJ: “Theologically there is much precedent for opening and shutting doors during worship --to show that we leave the public world and enter a liminal space between the worlds when we worship, a place set apart or 'sacred'. To me it is not unwelcoming to ask folk to wait behind a partially closed door, but a sign of great respect for what is going on in there--and for the people who are already there and in the zone...like the theatre or opera ...nobody feels unwelcome there when asked to wait.”
Videos For Visitors: Another new addition: the availability of a 10 min. UU video developed by UUA for visitors. In "Voices of a Liberal Faith," members and ministers share their thoughts on worship and fellowship, explain the goals of religious education, explore the historic roots of our religion, and celebrate the spirit of social justice that inspires our faith.
A TV will be set up in Fellowship Hall during coffee hours, with this short video on a DVD ready for viewing. Any of you can encourage visitors to take a few minutes to go to the TV to view it – we encourage you to take time to watch it with them - it is nicely done, and opens doors for conversation. If you’d like to check it out at home, go to this link at the UUA website.
Keep an eye out for future Welcome Updates - these are offered in the hope that you will all feel ‘in-the-know” and part of our welcoming effort at USH. - Anne Bailey, Membership Sub-Council CoordinatorA sample of art by our own Dick Hall currently displayed in Fellowship Hall. Be sure to see the exhibit !
Charlie Clements to Speak at The Unitarian Society of Hartford on January 4th - Several local social justice agencies, including the Horace Bushnell Children’s Food Pantry, the Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice and True Colors will participate in a community social justice fair on January 4th at the Unitarian Society of Hartford when the church welcomes Charlie Clements, the President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, to their pulpit. All are welcome at 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM, as Dr. Clements discusses human rights and humanitarian issues. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.
Dr. Clements is the author of Witness to War: An American Doctor in El Salvador, also the subject of an Academy Award-winning documentary by the same name. After serving as a pilot during the Vietnam War, he attended medical school and became a physician. While treating Salvadoran refugee patients in California, he developed an interest in working as a civilian doctor in rebel-held territory north of San Salvador, El Salvador. Entering El Salvador in 1982, he performed surgery by candlelight, with no anesthesia, using razor blades for scalpels and dental floss for sutures.
He is well-known for his efforts to end U.S. intervention in Central America in the 1980s, and to raise awareness about the danger of landmines, and access to clean water. As president of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), he helped to lead efforts resulting in the signing of the Treaty to Ban Landmines in Ottawa, Canada, and represented PHR at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
His founding of Americans for Peace in the Americas led to him joining the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee as the Director of Human Rights Education; and later he became their president. He created the start-up SatelLife, a not-for-profit with the mission of establishing e-mail networks in Africa.Alliance Women’s Retreat at Senexet - Imagine, if you can, a couple dozen Unitarian women - ranging in age from Bev Prager to Bety Arnold—spending a weekend together in a Victorian house way out in Woodstock, Connecticut.
It happened around the end of October, this retreat sponsored by the Alliance Ministry to Women (the former Women’s Alliance, a name beloved by us old-timers). This is the same group, of course, that brought you last Sunday’s wonderful bake sale. The retreat was wonderful and successful in many ways.
It began with the beautiful autumn drive to Woodstock (and the later humorous exchanges on the many ways many managed to get lost), and continued with the choosing of rooms at Senexet, a retreat house run by our “own” Kit Northup. Kit, a former president of the USH, organizer of Paddy’s Pub and Victorian balls at the Meeting House, has been running Senexet for many years. Kit and her staff provide sheets, towels, soap, shampoo, Kleenex—and meals to die for.
The retreat is for fun, fellowship, relaxing, hiking, doing yoga, talking about books, reading poetry, watching a DVD on poet May Sarton talking about poet May Sarton, playing fun/silly games, and, of course, EATING. We groaned in delight over the amount we consumed during five gourmet meals—and who eats dessert at lunch, except at Senexet?
For many years, the Alliance retreat was an eagerly-awaited annual event. October’s retreat was the first in several years. Because of the enthusiastic response, it will, hopefully, become an annual event once again.
Senexet House was established as a retreat by a group of Unitarian laypersons in 1932. The house itself was built around 1886 to encourage and enlarge the spiritual and religious life of those who came to it. Over these many years, it has been used for weddings, spiritual and meditation groups, Buddhist retreats, leadership groups, book groups, workshops, family reunions, committee meetings, holiday parties, and men’s and women’s groups. - Kayla Costenoble
What Else is Happening & Announcements
Deliver 2008 Births Information - On Christmas Eve, December 24, at the 4:00 PM Family Service, we will honor the fact that as Sophia Fahs wrote, “Every night a child is born is a Holy Night…” We will then read the names of children born to this congregation in the year 2008. To do so, we need the names and dates of birth of your children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren who came to us this year. Please email or call Director of Religious Education, Gail M. Syring at dre@ushartford.com or 233-9897 with the name, birthday, and relation to you of that special child.
Go Green With Your Greetings with seasonal “eCards” ~ no postage,
Use a series of nature-based themes to say 'Hi' to loved ones. Anne Bailey has created a CD using a variety of photos with glimpses of the natural world at different times of year.Each card contains the message "Thinking of You," and includes extra space in which you can add a short personal message.
The card & message can be saved and attached to an email and then be used again and again, with new messages each time. Directions for use are included.
Available for $5.00 each at the Green Gift Table in Fellowship Hall. Proceeds benefit the USH Green Sanctuary project.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!
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. 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.
The most needed food items* for the Food Pantry are:
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.
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You may still 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 Meetinghouse or send the completed form to Janice Newton by email or regular mail by December 15. Proposal forms are available in the office or at the USH website under Spiritual Life - Adult Programs.
The Sunday Programs Registration table will resume January 4th. In the meantime, it's not too early to mark your calendars for 2 events in January.
Friday Night Dinner and Movie, January 9. The featured movie will be Pete Seeger - The Power of Song. You may reserve your place by calling the office at 233-9897.
Sunday afternoon program, January 18, in Fellowship Hall at 1:00 pm. The film Teaching Peace in the Time of War, sponsored by the Information and Advocacy Sub-council, will be shown. Soup will be available to purchase before the film.Caring Network -"You can not recover the word after it is said." 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 CalendarThursday, 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
Monday, December 15
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
Tuesday, December 16
6:00 pm Worship Associates
6:45 pm Caring Network
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, December 17
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 18
7:00 pm BTWWDA Facilitators, Library
7:00 pm NVC Gathering, Minister’s Study
Friday, December 19
5:30 pm Family Friendly SGM, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, December 20
3:00 pm Dix Concert snow date, Sanctuary (see 12/13)
Sunday, December 21
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
3:00 pm Rental, ChapelItalicized entries are non-USH events.
Please notify Brian Mullen of all additions or changes to the calendar. Follow this Link to all our scheduled events!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) MoreA 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 -
Warm thanks to all who created the Festival of the Season last Saturday. We attended for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the holiday atmosphere, activities, food, and fellowship. - Ed Stubbs and Nita Hansen
Hi:
This 72 year old kid loved the music, carols, food, community and the crafts. Please thank and the many people who made it happen.
Chris McClurg
Did You Know? - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council -
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!
Nuts and Bolts: The member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process, within our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
Generally, USH-Enews will be posted on Thursday. Send email related to the USH-Enews to dcnewton at ushartford.com If you have announcements or articles you wish to be published, send them along with the subject line USH-Enews by 4:30 PM Wednesday evening. Comments are always welcome. If you wish to have your name removed from the distribution list or have learned of the electronic publication and wish to have your email address added, just ask. © Unitarian Society of Hartford