Photo by: Kevin Girouard December 2024 | |
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USH E-News: December 11, 2024
"Nourishing Spirit, Building Community, Working for Justice"
50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
Tel: (860) 233-9897
Email: office@hartforduu.org
www.hartforduu.org
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Minister
Thursday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – noon
or by appointment.
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Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Karolina is away
December 20 – January 5.
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Next week is the last USH E-News edition of 2024.
We are taking a break and will resume publication on
January 8, 2025.
Worship Reminders will continue each week.
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Sunday Morning Service
December 15, 10:30
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"The Stories of Christmas"
Reverend Bob and Miriam Byroade lead us in a Christmas-themed service featuring organ, piano, and wind instruments with Sam and guest musicians Ben Mabrey and Greig Shearer.
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Rev. Bob Janis, Minister
Miriam Byroade, Worship Associate
Sam Moffett, Director of Music Ministries
Benjamin Mabrey, Guest Organist
Greig Shearer, Guest Musician
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Benjamin Mabrey – Guest Organist
Benjamin Mabrey is a Western Mass native -having performed at venues throughout the greater Pioneer Valley as a pianist/accompanist in chamber groups, a church pianist/organist/choir director, and musical director for numerous theater groups throughout the Northeast. Now residing in CT, Benjamin is an active member at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford where he sings in the choir and works as Assistant Director of Operations for Music at the Red Door. He teaches voice and piano at Miss Porter's School in Farmington and oversees the music lessons program.
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Greig Shearer – Flutist
Greig Shearer played principal flute in the Hartford Symphony for 27 years, retiring in 2019, and continues to teach at the Hartt School. He received degrees from the New England Conservatory and the Manhattan School. He is married to Evan Williams, and they have one son, Owen, who is an audio engineer in NYC.
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Miriam Byroade - Worship Associate
Miriam was raised Episcopalian but participated in the Youth Group at the Universalist Church in West Hartford while in high school. She is currently enrolled in the Clinical Professional Counseling program at Central CT State University. When she's not reading a textbook these days, she's active in public library advocacy and has been on the Manchester Public Library Board since 2013.
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Can't be here in person for worship?
Join us on ZOOM 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 931 0388 7934
Passcode: 128493
Virtual Coffee Hour to follow
* Note: Zoom Coffee Hour ends at noon
Worship is also streamed on Facebook —
follow our page and receive notifications every time we go live.
Couldn't get to USH, and missed the livestream?
Watch any service, anytime, here on Vimeo
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Upcoming Worship Services, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, December 22 – Winter Solstice Service – Deities, Devotion, and Chanting: Worship Leaders Margaret Leicach, Dana Donovan, Reverend Bob, and Michael Michaud. Sam will lead chanting using simple wind instruments and drum.
Tuesday, December 24, 202 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Carol Sing begins at 4:30 p.m. Reverend Bob/Margaret Leicach, Worship Associate/Sam Moffett, Director of Music Ministries.
Sunday, December 29, 10:30 a.m. – “The seasons of waiting…”, Sue Smolski & Ann LaPorte-Bryan, Worship Leaders/Carol Simpson & Bob Hewey, guest singers/Sam Moffett, Director of Music Ministries.
Sunday, January 5, 2025, 10:30 a.m. - “Infinite Games” Reverend Bob/Ben Harvey & Sue Smolski, Worship Associates/Sam Moffett, Director of Music Ministries
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Reverend Bob is looking for a few jolly elves to be readers for the Christmas Eve service. No experience necessary; all ages are welcome — we have shorter readings available for newer readers. If interested, apply to Rev. Bob c/o Santa at minister@hartforduu.org. Thank you!
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Message from Reverend Bob...
I always love Unitarian Universalist congregations around the winter holidays. Where else can you go to a Christmas Eve service (December 24), a bible study (December 12) a multi-faith Solstice celebration at our Sunday service (December 22), and a gorgeous medley of Sondheim hits, with a cheesy Santa story to connect them all (last Sunday)?
Thank you again to all the singers, musicians, and actors who made the Sondheim service so fun. It was one for the ages. Hope you're having yourself a merry little December – amidst life's uncertainty and challenges, we need a little joy, too.
Blessings,
Rev. Bob
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Music Sunday "coda"
A few after-notes —
The creative muse visits when she chooses — and she doesn't always take notice of mundane things such as, well, print deadlines. Early last week, then, Mademoiselle Muse paid a call on Reverend Bob, who then was inspired to write a short script, blending the music with elements of Christmas prep for the Claus family up at the North Pole. (The result was wildly successful — if you weren’t here for the live performance, RUN to your favorite device, call up the Vimeo file, and enjoy.)
Now, the process of putting together a worship service involves marrying a collection of related yet disparate moving parts — message, delivery thereof, music, visual enhancements, a sense of wonder, a little tech blended in, and text products (specifically, a printed order of service). Each element has its own timeline… and the closer you get to “curtain time”, the greater is the likelihood that a change in one of these affects another.
Thus, late-in-the-game enhancements were introduced after the order-of-service was “put to bed”… printed, collated, placed neatly into baskets. And some people did not receive full "playbill" acknowledgment of their participation in the magic created that day. So…
In the “Santa” story, the cast included:
Reverend Bob – Narrator
Carol Simpson – Mrs. Claus
Bob Hewey – a newly-slimmed-down Santa
Elf – Evan Williams
And the Universalist Church choir, which presented such a lovely taste of Stephen Sondheim’s luminous Broadway legacy:
Susan Adams
Justin Banks*
Haley Burns
Patrice Fitzgerald*
Peggie Geiger
Winston Hill
Ted Hine#
Brad Hurley
Susan Hussey
Richard Leslie*
Doreen Linton
Carol Mader
Jennifer Madison
Mary-Anne Mulholland
Carol Mumford
Darlene Oksanen
Michael Patterson
Charles Rooney
Carol Sexton
*Soloist #Choral Director
Thanks again, to everyone involved in creating this delightful and meaningful holiday experience
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Soup Sunday 12/15!
Help our youth support the Church Street Eats soup kitchen — join us in Fellowship Hall following the service.
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YEAR END APPEAL
There's been much excitement and growth at USH since Rev. Bob joined us. Some benchmarks we've noticed:
• Sunday attendance is up, both at the Meeting House and on Zoom
• Old friends are coming back
• Visitors drop in, intrigued by our building and then returning
• We again have young families with us, and RE is expanding. Our youth love helping on Soup Sunday, and the soup we buy in Fellowship Hall covers the cost of the soup donated to Hartford shelters. It feels good to help our neighbors.
And there's more...
• Adult programs are in full swing.
• Rev. Bob has added a monthly First Thursday vespers service.
• He's also created a series called “Big Bob’s Blowout Bible Bonanza” — he and we look for meaning in selected Bible passages. (This is something, we venture to say, you won't find in every UU congregation.)
- Insightful Sunday services led by our dedicated worship associates and Rev Bob are varied, and enrich our minds
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Periodically, we have visiting musicians and pulpit guests to further enhance services. USH’s theme this year is “Living into Possibility,” and the results are evident. USH’s November calendar lists seventy (70) separate events at USH!
However, staff, our building upkeep, utilities, special programs – all require financial commitments. While our Spring Stewardship drive did meet its goal, our operating budget was only balanced by using remaining funds from the COVID Paycheck Protection Program to fill the gap. USH needs additional money to continue “Living into Possibility.”
That is why we ask you to give USH a special year-end gift, if you are able to do so. USH will use your money wisely. If possible, please send it to USH by December 31. 2024, with Year End Appeal in the memo line. You can also give online here.
Thank you for helping USH.
~ Jim Venneman, Chair, Council on Finance
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Looking forward to seeing you this Thursday, in Fellowship Hall, 6:30–8:00 p.m. for our Bible session. All are welcome
BIG BOB’S BLOWOUT BIBLE BONANZA is your chance to learn more about this critical set of books. We’ll go over the “when, where, what, why, and who wrote it” of the various books of the Bible. We’ll discuss different approaches to Bible study. We’ll reflect on the emotional impact of certain passages. We’ll look at it structurally, post-structurally, historically, critically, as literature, you name it.
You don’t have to agree with the Bible. You don’t have to like it. But if you’re interested to learn a bit more with others here at USH, you are most welcome to join us. Bear in mind, this is a Bible study which includes a certain amount of skepticism as well as the acknowledgement that there is much inspiration contained within the pages. We will honor different viewpoints, prioritizing those that allow for the possibility of one’s being wrong.
THE INFO: Come on down to any and all of these dates on THURSDAYS 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Session Three: Thursday DECEMBER 12, 6:30 p.m.
Session Four: Thursday JANUARY 30, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Session Five: Thursday FEBRUARY 13, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Registration is encouraged (but not required) which will add you to the mailing list for this group.
Register to minister@hartforduu.org.
Let’s get Biblin’!
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Final Sunday for the Holiday Regifting Sale!! Plenty of gift quality items left as well as unique “finds” for all ages.
Join us Sunday 12/15 from 11:30-1. Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.
EXCITING NEWS!
We will have a raffle for another beautiful Tina Davies quilt and a silent auction for two donated tickets for the Hartford Symphony!
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Twilight Fire Circle:
Yule Celebration
Saturday, December 21
Here at USH
Gathering begins at 3 p.m.
Join us in a Saturnalia celebration for Yule
Saturnalia is the ancient Roman celebration of misrule at the winter solstice. Join us in a time of merriment, mischief, and magic! Ritual will be followed by a potluck dinner. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share with others. There will be plenty of food for all so a dish is not required to join us in the celebration. We will also hold a gift exchange. If you wish to participate, please bring a small gift (or regift) of under $20 – humorous or serious.
We want to remember those who are less fortunate than us. We will be collecting donations of canned or dry goods for the Horace Bushnell Food Pantry in Hartford. Please, give from your heart as you are able.
Everyone with an open heart is welcome to our celebration. If all you can bring is yourself – then – so mote it be! Welcome! Feast and be merry!
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USH Ornament Stories
This ornament reminded me that at one time I made and gifted handcrafted Christmas ornaments. This Santa's expression always brings a smile.
-Sue Smolski
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Happy Holidays from your friends at
The Village for Families and Children 2024
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Donate for Mother Rose’s Boutique
On Sunday, John and the Youth Group again cook up gallons of soup, for USH and for the hungry folks down at Church Street Eats. After we enjoy our soup, John will transport the surplus to downtown Hartford so the folks there can have a good, nutritious lunch. Let's also go the extra mile, helping our neighbors and friends who can use a little extra boost... donations can be dropped off in the bright pink (rose) bin in Fellowship Hall.
Mother Rose's Boutique is a sister project to Church Street Eats, collecting donations of (mostly) used clothing.
Is there something you could donate? Perhaps a pack of new socks, undergarments, or toiletries? Donations of men's clothing are most needed. All sizes are helpful, but generally Large and Extra Large are most requested. Our contributions, so far, to this legacy of Mother Rose at Church Street Eats have been so appreciated.
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December GNO — IRIS
Our Good Neighbor Offering for December benefits IRIS — Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services. IRIS has been serving refugee populations in Connecticut since 1982 when it organized to resettle refugees who had fled the Vietnam conflict. It then supported refugees from Sudan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Nicaragua, and, more recently, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and undocumented immigrants from around the globe.
IRIS operates out of offices in Hartford and New Haven. It has played a leadership role, both in CT and nationally, in developing programs to guide and train community volunteers through the process of resettling a refugee family.
Please give generously throughout December.
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Horace Bushnell 2024 Gift Drive
Thank you everyone for your generosity! We are certain your many gifts will bring endless smiles this holiday!
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Horace Bushnell Food Pantry and Coat Drive
We are the everyday givers here at USH. Keep up your amazing efforts and thank you!
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EXPLORERS LESSON: The Explorers lesson from Soul Matters addressed the difference between presence, rather than presents, and the importance of slowing down and enjoying the gifts you already have. Thanks to Laura Cipriano for her outstanding teaching of a very busy and lively class, which included making snowflakes from beads and pipe cleaners. Hang them from your tree? :-)
THE YOUTH MEETING INCLUDED PLANNING FOR A BAKE SALE AND PLANNING FOR A 'CON' EVENT IN JANUARY: The youth group meeting included planning for a bake sale (12/22) and planning for a CON event (/11-12). Some activities for the Con are (tentative) a pizza party, some gaming (on the Nintendo switch and our TVs) and other activity options and incorporating the January Soup Sunday, which is being moved up.
December 15 IS SOUP SUNDAY: All youth and older explorers may participate. Nani will cover the youngest kids.
YOUTH BAKE SALE ON DECEMBER 22: The youth will have a bake sale on December 22 after the service. Come buy some baked goodies for your holiday celebrations.
January 5: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MOVIE FOR YOUTH: In a slight switch to the movie schedule, the movie Didi (Tomatometer 96%) will be shown on January 5th (revised schedule attached). This is a coming of age drama portraying Chris, a Taiwanese-American eighth grader at the beginning for the social media phenomenon. Dìdi's world premiere was at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic and U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award: Ensemble. It has been named one of the top 10 independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. IMPORTANT NOTE: This film is NOT for young kids, but is recommended for teens and adults. Parents kindly note what common sense media states: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/didi
YOUTH CON JANUARY 11-12: As mentioned above, the youth are planning a CON, which will be at USH from about 6 pm on Sat. Jan. 11 to about 11 am on Sun. Jan. 12. More details to follow.
SEEKING OWL TEACHERS: Are you interested in teaching OWL - the UU and UCC originated sexuality education program? We have not had any volunteers yet - but would love to get some.
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January 2025 Board Meeting:
Tuesday, 1/14, 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Link
2024 – 2025 USH Board of Directors —
Nancy Kemmerer: President
Nina Elgo: President-Elect
Jon Covault: Treasurer
Gloria Mengual: Secretary
Laura Cipriano: Community Within Council Chair
Laurie Kelliher: Membership Council Chair
Jim Venneman: Finance Council Chair
Rick Tsukada: Spiritual Life Council Chair
Paul Cipriano: Administration Council Chair
Judy Sullivan: Social Justice Council Chair
Have a question or comment for the board? Send an email to: ushboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
The latest financial reports for FY 2024-2025 have been posted;
click HERE to view.
See the 2023/24 Annual Report HERE
The Board Meeting Minutes through October 2024 have been posted.
Click HERE to view the USH Directory, Reports, and other church business information online. Contact Karolina Wojtysko for the username and password.
Link for Welcome Team Sign-Up Genius Quarter 4 2024
Link for Welcome Team Sign-Up Genius Quarter 1 2025
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The deadline for USH E-news submissions is
noon Tuesday!
Please write in the 'Subject' field "USH Enews", and include the dates that your submission should be featured. Announcements about upcoming events appear for two consecutive weeks maximum, unless other arrangements have been made with the editorial team.
When forwarding information concerning an "outside" event or organization, please pre-edit your copy in order to keep the piece to 200 words or less. Note that all material is subject to editing prior to publication. Also, please submit editable material (text and images separately, rather than "poster" format).
Articles should be sent as email file attachments, (MS Word preferred) and images need to be sent separately as jpeg, jpg, png, tiff, bmp, or gif files.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Editor-in-Chief: Tina Davies
Production and Technical Expertise: Karolina Wojtysko
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USH Calendar of Events
The calendar for December 2024 can be viewed HERE.
Please consult our Online Calendar regularly for all upcoming events coordinated by the
Unitarian Society of Hartford
To submit a Calendar Request or Zoom Meeting click HERE.
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