UUCH Chalice
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The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville  
September 5th, 2013
Vol. 13 Issue 36
In This Issue
Yes We Can!
Coffee!
Social Justice Meets
Upcoming Services
Sunday in RE
It's OURS!!
Broadmor Work Day!
Time to Register for RE!
Day of Service & Unity
ARE Book Discussion
We Need Your Books!
Care List
foodbasket
WE CAN
REACH 100!

Your Social Justice Committee asks that we bring non-perishable food and hygiene items for the food basket this Sunday, to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program. The basket is in the church foyer.  

Our Goal: 100 Food Items per month!

It's Only Fair. 

  coffeecup

Fair Trade, Organic, "Kaffeeklatsch" coffee for sale!  Bags of coffee are available at the back of the sanctuary after Sunday services.

 

Proceeds are used to help fund Social Justice projects--everybody wins!
justice scales
Our next Social Justice Committee meeting will be Sunday, September 22nd at 9:30  am.  We will be discussing our fall outreach activities.  Everyone is welcome,  and we'll have bagels.  Questions?  Please call Tonia Betts at (256) 882-9891.

 

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Upcoming Services

UUCH Chalice
Sunday September 8th, 2013
 

 

"Ingathering Water Communion Ceremony: A Multigenerational Celebration"

     

The summer is waning and fall is on the horizon. We know this because Labor Day weekend is over.  Many of us are led to seek refreshment from water during the hot summer days.  Because this often involves travel, we celebrate this new season with an ingathering ceremony.  We bring water from the various places we've been to pour into our common bowl.

 

This year, the Worship Committee would like to offer an experience that accentuates the communion we share as we mingle the waters. As one member of the committee pointed out, as our church grows, our rituals need to adapt.

 

If you collected water from your summer sojourns, please bring it.  If you did not, we will have our own "holy water," on hand to share. Our children and youth will participate with us on this special Sunday.  As always, nursery will be provided for our babies and toddlers.
This Sunday in Religious Education

 

Children and youth will participate in the multi-generational worship service in the sanctuary. RE activities will not be held, although childcare for ages 0-3 will be offered in the Nursery as usual.  

The Fall RE program begins Sunday, September 15!!  

For more information, contact our Director of Religious Education,  Erin Reid.

We Have a New Property!

 

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Kevin Betts, President of the Board, signs the documents! 

On Friday, August 30th, 2013, the President of the Board of Trustees, Kevin Betts, officially signed the papers to purchase the property at 3921 Broadmor with the intent of making it our new church.  After years of searching, and significant work on the part of our congregants, our visioning has become a reality. 

 

Of course there is much still to be done, and the Renovations Committee is busy planning the necessary repairs and renovations.   

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Bobby Hall, Kevin Betts, Nancy Finley, Pam Korb, and Jerome Belcher at closing on the Broadmor property. 

As we get closer to our actual move, there will be formal celebrations and recognition of all those who have contributed their time and support to this effort.  We have reached an important milestone in the growth and vitality of our church, however, and we should all be proud! 

"New UU Class" Begins This Sunday, September 8th

 

rainbow chalice What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist?  Guided by the Tapestry of Faith Curriculum, we will offer a three-part series that explores important themes in UU congregational life--our worship and theology, history, covenant and polity, faith development, social justice, and membership.  This program is particularly focused on introducing newcomers to Unitarian Universalism, but those of us who have been here for awhile will also be able to share and connect with others as we explore our own beliefs and how they intersect with the UU tradition.   

 

Everyone is welcome! 

So mark your calendars now for the Sunday mornings of September 8th,15th, and 22nd for this chance to learn and share. Meet for coffee or tea at 9:00 a.m.; discussion starts at 9:15.  Pam Korb and Nancy Finley will facilitate the discussion.  Contact Nancy Finley ([email protected]) for further info.  Childcare will be available for this event.

Time for Sweat Equity at Our New Home!

 

Attention All Ages! It is time to start making the new church building our very own, using our very own sweat equity. We will be gathering on Saturday September 14th to begin cleaning up the new church property.  We'll start at 9am, and will finish by 1pm.  Our main tasks will be clearing brush and cleaning out whatever is left in the building.  It will be a fun time for all!      

 

Bring work gloves, pruning shears, and other tools. There will be jobs for every skill level, and a light lunch will be provided. Families are encouraged to participate with their children and youth for any amount of time, so our young ones too can begin to connect with our new building.  Children will be under their families' supervision for volunteer activities.  Childcare with space for rest and play will be provided all morning as needed. For further information, please contact Property chair George Fletcher at [email protected]. See you there!

Families Please Register for a New Year in Children and Youth Religious Education 

 

giving heart

Welcome back to the fall program of children and youth religious education at UUCH! If you haven't done so already, please register children and youth for this year's program by September 13th. Registration helps us plan for facilities, leadership, and safety needs. It also lets us be in touch with your family with special announcements and RE information. All participants in the RE program (ages infant to 18) should register each year even if you've registered before. Paper registration is available at the church, or you can register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WS8LDNP 

 

Children, youth, and leaders will meet in their RE rooms beginning Sunday, September 15th. As usual, children and youth will begin the service upstairs with our full multi-generational congregation and will go downstairs to their classes after the Story for Sharing. The worship service will include a ceremony of dedication for our RE leaders. After church the RE Committee will host an RE Open House and Ice Cream Social. All are invited! 

 

Our RE age-based groups for this year are: Nursery (for ages infant to 3, and staffed by experienced childcare providers); Peace (ages 4/Pre-K to grade 1); Justice (grades 2-4); Searchers (grades 5-7); and Over-Achievers (grades 8-12). There are many children and youth transitioning rooms this year, which is VERY exciting!  

 

This year's theme is "Good Churches Make Good Neighbors." The curriculum offerings give children and youth, at age-appropriate levels, the opportunity to explore diverse religions of neighboring faiths and the tools for respectful, accepting interfaith interactions. We will be continuing our special way of welcoming children, youth, and families when you arrive at church at the RE Welcome Area as you enter the sanctuary. Visitors will be greeted and given information about the program and the activities for the day. Returning children and youth will come here to pick up their name tags and also get a big, warm welcome to church. 

 

Please contact DRE Erin Reid with any questions at [email protected]
Interfaith Mission Service (IMS)
Day of Service and Unity

 

When: Saturday, September 21, 7:30 am-12:30 pm 

Who: You!  All ages are welcome--youth and children are encouraged to attend!

 

Where: Meet up at Faith Presbyterian Church, 5003 Airport Road, (at the corner of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive).

 

What is the IMS Day of Service and Unity?

chalice hands

The Interfaith Mission Service is a Huntsville-based cooperative of congregations, including UUCH, which works to bridge religious, denominational, cultural, and racial differences.  

 

The Day of Service and Unity was developed by IMS as a positive response to the tragedies of September 11, 2001.

 

It is a great opportunity for our congregation to join with other churches in a day of interfaith community service.  The day begins with a yummy breakfast, then participants divide into groups to volunteer at various locations such as the Harris Home, the CASA garden, Operation Green Team, etc.

 

How Do You Get Involved?

If you plan to attend, please let Tonia Betts know ([email protected]  or 256-882-9891) so we have a rough headcount. Of course, last minute additions are always welcome!

 

Why Should You Get Out of Bed at the Crack of Dawn on a Saturday Morning to Do This?

IMS does beautiful work to make Huntsville a more open-minded and tolerant place.  Let's have a strong UUCH turn-out in support of this great organization and work!

Adult RE: Upcoming Book Discussion

   

null Heads up everyone! The Adult RE committee is sponsoring a book discussion on the book Reason and Reverence: Religious Humanism for the 21st Century, by William R. Murry. For anyone who may have difficulty getting the book, we have a few to loan. Look above the coffee bar at the back of the sanctuary for a book sign-out sheet.  

 

Anyone needing the help is welcome to borrow a copy of the book; please read and return within a reasonable time so that others have the opportunity to read it as well. Jon Fox and Nancy Finley will begin the discussion October 6th. More details will follow in future newsletters and announcements.

UUCH Book Sale!

BooksaleArt  

Saturday, October 12, 2013

8 am-4 pm

(Free admission)

There will be no pre-sales!

 

HUGE selection of used books, audio, video, magazines,

rare finds and old favorites--get there before the good ones get away!

 

What Can You Do To Help? 

  • Invite your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers (book sale flyers can be found on the name-tag table).
  • Donate your books to this great cause (and get a tax deduction).
  • Bring your books to church from Sunday, Sept. 15th through Sunday, Oct. 6th.
  • Plan to stay after the Oct. 6th potluck for a book-sorting party!

Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to volunteer to work a shift at the sale.

 

"When I get a little money I buy books and if any is left I buy food and clothes."--Desiderius Erasmus

votives Care List 

 

In our Circle of Candles on September First, requests for candles came from: 

 

Pam Siegler--a candle of joy--"I am thankful to have friends and family  whose love surrounds me in the purest light I've ever seen or felt."  


Rev. Alice lit a candle of sorrow for the severity of the situation in Syria, for which there appears to be no good course of action. 

 

When you fill out a Circle of Candles form to be read during the service, please indicate on the form if you do not want your concern mentioned in this newsletter.   

 

If you have pastoral care needs, please contact the Reverend Alice Syltie at [email protected]. Barbara Hitt is Chair of the Care Committee, and may be reached at home, (256) 881.2531; on her cell, (256) 348.5845; or by email at [email protected].

UUCH 13-14 Board Members
President: Kevin Betts     

V.P.  Denise Hunter-Gilbert 

Secretary: Bobby Hall           

Treasurer: Jerome Belcher   

Trustees: Nancy Finley, Kathy Heath, & Laurel Bollinger  

Do you have an Agenda Item for the Board?  
The Board respectfully requests that all agenda items for the meeting be submitted to Board President Kevin Betts, no later than one week prior to the meeting, i.e. the Tuesday before.You may leave a copy of your request in his Mailbox at the church office, or contact him at

Next UUCH Board Meeting will be on September 24th, 2013 at 7pm. Thanks for your cooperation!

From the Overlook is a publication of

The Unitarian Universalist Church,

2222 Governor's Dr. Huntsville, AL 35801

Minister: The Reverend Alice Syltie

Board Pres: Kevin Betts 

Editorial Board: Laurel Bollinger, Kathy Heath 

 

Newsletter deadlines are each Monday at midnight!
Please send submissions to news collator Deedee Moore at
[email protected]  

 

Admin. Office Hours:  

Monday 10am- 1pm; Thursday 9:30am-12pm ; Friday

10am-2pm  

 

Office phone: 256.534-0508, email: [email protected] 

Minister's Phone: 256.539-9607, email: [email protected]

Web: www.uuch.org 

 

Sunday Services are held 10:45am to 12 noon;  

Children's Religious Education held concurrently.   

Nursery available for age 3 years and under.

For further info on any event, call the church office:
256. 534-0508.