USH-Enews December 17 & 24, 2009

USH-Enews December 17& 24, 2009

Jump to: Sunday Service; Calendar; What's Happening; Feature Articles; External Events; Further Down the Road; Social Justice Journeys; Green Topics ; A Matter of Opinion;

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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 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.

Neapolitan Presepio Unveiled at the Unitarian Society of Hartford

With its vibrant profusion of colors and textures, the newest piece of art installed in the Payson Miller Chapel forces even the most harried to stop and consider its beauty. Created by Artist and Iconographer Seraphim Seskevich in the Neapolitan style, this Presepio, or crèche explores not only the gospel story of the birth of Jesus, but the essential human need for connection, sustenance and inspiration.
St. Francis of Assisi is credited for creating the first Nativity scene by filling a manger with hay, surrounding it with an ox, an ass and the people from the neighboring countryside and celebrating mass outside. This tradition evolved over five centuries to the birth of the Neapolitan Presepio in Italy.

The characteristics that make this artistic tradition unique are the elements of daily village life that are represented along with the Nativity. While the three kings are traveling across the bridge to bring gifts to the Christ child, the inhabitants of the town are going about their daily tasks: tending animals, making music, selling fruit. The spectacle intends to portray a particular moment in time, but like theatre cannot be separated from its scenery. The distinctive facets of the scene are set in dichotomy: the rich and the poor, the artisan and the shepherd, one man sleeping while another toils. Yet somehow the differences create a rare harmony; a balance is maintained. The sacred and the mundane are intertwined, each dependent on the other for their existence.

Seskevich collected the Presepio statues for thirteen years and then spent six months creating the crèche. He began with the three kings, dressing them in resplendent brocades, furs and pearls. He wanted that level of detail in each element of the crèche, from the inn where Mary and Joseph were turned away to the traditional fruit market. For Seraphim, the heart of the Presepio is the footbridge that spans the river filled with frolicking animals. On that bridge stand a lion and a lamb in peaceful companionship. They are the epitome of contradiction, symbols of the differences among people, among religions. In Seraphim’s interpretation, the miracle of the Nativity is that those who are so different can find common ground.

This theme of peaceful co-existence is reflected in the other art installation in the Chapel, “Via Affirmativa,” also conceived and created by Seskevich. The installation employs representations of seven major religious traditions, which the artist describes in these words: “Both the crèche and the art installation show that all people can live together. The essence of every religion is the same, and so are we at our core.” The text is not finished, but you may see Via Affirmativa here.

In the Orthodox tradition, The Seraphim are the highest choir of angels, continuously shouting praises to God. It is said that such a bright light emanates from them that nothing, not even other divine beings, can look upon them as they burn eternally with love and zeal for God. Seraphim Seskevich may be robed less brilliantly, but the soul in his artwork burns with equal love and zeal.

The installation may be seen from the east side of the Ambulatory in the Chapel - Gail M. Syring

Worshipping Together Since 1830
One Service 10:30 AM

This is a USH-Enews Double Issue.

Sunday 20 December - Hilaritas: Goddess of Good Cheer - Our annual commemoration of the happy and familial spirit of the winter holidays. Wear your holiday garb and enjoy the musical gifts among us, as we celebrate our human potential to create light in darkness. - Rev BJ More

24 December (4 PM) Our family Christmas Eve Sanctuary Service highlights the gifts of our young musicians and a congregational candle lighting ceremony along with reflections on the reason for the reasons for this season - Rev BJ More

10 PM CHAPEL Lessons, Carols, and Candles - A meditative candle lighting service after the Anglican tradition of musical gifts interspersed with numinous texts—Rev BJ

Sunday 27 December - Traveling with Elvis: What Should I Bring? - What are we bringing with us into the new year, intentionally and not so intentionally? Jen ruminates on the objects and ideas about the world she brought with her on a trip to India, which included a bust of Elvis, rain gear, and knowing which side of the street traffic should travel on. As we prepare for adventures large and small for the new year, what objects and ideas can we pack to help us along? - Jen Cook

Jen Cook grew up in the Unitarian Society of Hartford, attending RE classes, and youth group here. She graduated from the Hartford College for Women (twice) and the University of Hartford (once.) She lived in DC for close to a decade where she was a member of All Souls Church, Unitarian. Professionally, she is a Jen of many trades, including book seller, dog walker, teacher, writer, editor, gift shop manager, and scooter sales person, but she is currently working with adults with intellectual and other disabilities at a day program with FAVARH. She has also crossed India in an autorickshaw.

January

3 January - Identity and Epiphany - A celebration of all that has never happened before, in the context of a conviction that there is nothing new under the sun. - Rev BJ

Music - The music for 20 December Sunday fits in with the lighter mood of Hilaritas, and features the musical gifts of two very good musical friends of the Meeting House. USH member/friend Patrice Fitzgerald and her husband Richard Leslie bring a variety of talents to the service. They both will sing; Richard will play trumpet; and they’ll even do a dramatic reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Songs include “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” and a melding of “The Little Drummer Boy” with “Peace on Earth.”

A special treat will be Evan and Alec Ferguson-Hull playing a saxophone duet on “Deck the Halls.” Hearing our youngest generation of musicians grow and progress is an exceptional reward in our services.

While you “don your gay apparel,” be sure to warm up your vocal cords too in preparation for joining in the holiday carols in this warm service for the season.

REflections on Children's Programming

Multigenerational Worship Service

This Sunday, December 20th, we will gather together to celebrate the spirit of Hilaritas! Please come dressed in your finest holiday apparel, or as your favorite Christmas character. Joyful singing and stories will be shared by all.

There will be no individual classes this week as all children are invited to participate in the worship service. There will be childcare for children under three in the nursery.

Service Project for Children

Next Sunday, December 27th in lieu of Religious Education classes, we will gather in the second and third grade classroom to participate in a group project. There will be no individual classes this week as all children are invited to participate. There will be childcare for children under three in the nursery. - Gail M. Syring, DRE

Things You Could Do for USH

REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE

What Else is Happening

Still Need a Green Gift? Our new USH reusable bag (made from recycled plastic bottles), Chico bags and SKOY - 100% biodegradable reusable cloth (the equivalent of 15 paper towel rolls) are great stocking stuffers and will be sold at the Green Table in the next couple of weeks. Only $5 each! Good for mother earth and USH.

Tai Chi Class for Beginners Contemplated - Options for times are Wed. evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. or Mon. or Tues. afternoons at a time to be determined. If you are interested please call Ginny Hedrick at 860.677. 9272. If possible classes could start in Jan. 2010.

Winter Ember Days 12/16 12/19 More

Adult Programs - The fall programs are winding down and it's not too early to think about possible programs to offer in the winter/spring term. Perhaps you or someone you know has an idea for a course, workshop, or Sunday afternoon program that you would like to see included.

To obtain a Program Proposal Form, you may go here. From the Spiritual Life pull down menu (on the left side of the home page), click on Adult Programs. In the first paragraph, click on download the form in Microsoft Word. The form is also available at the USH office. Please attach a detailed paragraph in Microsoft Word (if possible) about the program to the completed Proposal Form that can be used for promotion. Please email the completed Proposal to Janice Newton or Nancy Reed no later than Monday, January 4 so that your proposed program can be reviewed and included with the other 2010 Winter/Spring Programs for Adults and Families..

Caring Network- Replacing a negative memory with a positive one heals it. The Portable Life 101 - 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.

Further Down The Road (About 30 Days)

Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH

Light on Sudan on the Shortest Day

see also Rally and Vigil Planned December 21 More

The Connecticut Coalition to Save Darfur is sponsoring two Hartford area events on Monday, December 21. There is a morning rally near the State Capitol in Hartford and an evening candlelight vigil at 6 PM on the campus of St. Joseph College in West Hartford. There will also be a pasta dinner at USH in Fellowship Hall at appproximately 7:15 PM. The pasta dinner will feature a full meal with bread, salad, and dessert, and will have educational activities as well as an opportunity for dialogue with Darfuri survivor, former refugee, and now expatriate living in the US, Mr. El-Fadel Arbab. The dinner will be a fundraiser as well as an educational event.

The net proceeds will be divided between the Fur Cultural Revival, a non-profit human rights organization that advocates for peace and justice for Darfur and Darfuris and the USH Youth Group Spiritual Ski Retreat Fund. The events of the day will be sponsored by three local non-profit groups including USH, the Connecticut Coalition to Save Darfur, and the Saint Joseph College Social Work Student Alliance. We would appreciate everyone's support and participation.

We look to open peoples hearts and increase people's awareness of just what is happening in this far away land where the millions of Sudanese who live in insecurity, disempowerment, and oppression are just as human as you and I."These events together constitute a "Light on Sudan on the Shortest Day," a day of hope, awareness, and solidarity for the Darfuri victims of genocide, the enduring insecurity of three million refugees in and around Darfur, and the threat of a return to violence and civil war in southern