UMC of Hartford Update

[Bryan Hooper]

Friends,

I wanted to inform you about a few upcoming events and opportunities:

West End Community Center "Tell-a-bration"

The West End Community Center is hosting a celebration event for our
community on Saturday, March 29. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with
storytelling by members of the Hartford Public Library staff, and
drumming with Alvin Carter, Sr., starts up at 6:15 p.m. You are
invited to bring a cultural dish to celebrate our diversity and
heritage in food. The West End Community Center is located at 461
Farmington Avenue.

Chancel Choir to Perform in Bach Cantata

On Sunday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m., the United Methodist Church of
Hartford Chancel Choir will participate in the Young Musicians and
Choral Concert at Beth El Temple in West Hartford. Joined by
Connecticut Children's Chorus, the Beth El Temple Choir, the Choir of
the Unitarian Society of Hartford, and the Choir of Boston Hebrew
College, our choir will sing Bach Cantata #34. Other musical
selections to be performed during the evening include Max Bruch's Kil
Nidre with cellist Peter Dzialo, Franck's Symphonic Variations with
pianist Tamilia Azadaliyeva, and Dvorak's Romance for Violin and
Orchestra with violinist David Siegal. Tickets are available for $15
or $10 for students and seniors. Children under 12 are admitted free.
Since the concert tends to sell out, you are encouraged to call for
tickets in advance at 860-233-9696. Beth El Temple is located at 2626
Albany Avenue in West Hartford. Our choir has been working very hard
to make this event a success! Come out and support the choir and enjoy
a wonderful evening of great music.

The Faith We Sing

A new supplement to the hymnal is now in our pews. Called The Faith
We Sing, the supplement is intended to enhance and expand the current
offerings found in the United Methodist Hymnal. The new hymn book
consists of both old classics that you will remember and new additions
that will freshen our catalog of music. Each Sunday, we will use at
least one hymn from The Faith We Sing, usually as the second hymn, to
help acquaint you with the new material. You will also be given an
opportunity to support this new musical addition by dedicating the
supplements to the memory of or in honor of a loved one. Please note
that you can always identify hymns from The Faith We Sing in your
program because they will be numbered in the 2000's.

Young Adults Gather Next Week

Our new Young Adult group will gather after coffee hour for a time of
fellowship at a nearby restaurant. If you are in your 20's or 30's (or
just feel young!) you are welcome to join us. Pastor Bryan will be
joining the group so if you have any questions, feel free to speak to
him. We will continue to gather for brunch and coffee on Sundays
after fellowship at the church.

Book Group Meets April 2, 7:00 p.m.

Join us for a lively discussion of Marcus Borg's Meeting Jesus Again
for the First Time. This concise book introduces the reader to recent
scholarship from the "Historical Jesus" perspective. New discoveries
have allowed scholars to imagine who Jesus really was with
unprecedented clarity. Borg's book is a quick read, and is certain to
challenge and engage you. Join us in the parlor at 7 p.m.

Adult Forum Resumes April 13 (NOTE CHANGE)

Pastor Bryan will return to lead the Adult Form for a few weeks. He
will lead a study of the first eleven chapters of Genesis, often
called the "primeval history" because it discusses the earliest
history of the world, starting with creation. We will explore the
relationship between "creation" and "evolution," examine the story of
Adam and Eve from a feminist perspective, examine the first covenant
made between God, Noah and all of creation, and read about a scandal
or two along the way. Come and join us for a new look at some old
stories. We meet in Wesley Hall each Sunday at 11:30 a.m.