Last Sunday, September 15, marked the 50th anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. As part of our month long exploration of Kinship, I intended to honor the memory of the four girls killed in that horrendous act, and to acknowledge that event as one that, as President Obama said "galvanized Americans all across the country to stand up for equality and broadened support for a movement that would eventually lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." It was a moment of recognizing our kinship across lines artificially drawn, lines that create barriers between people.  At an event in Oakland, California, Angela Davis offered these words of caution to those gathered: "remembering and paying tribute to this tragic event, let us not pretend that we are simultaneously celebrating the end of racist violence, and the triumph of democracy." The statements by Obama and Davis are worthy of our consideration.  

On Monday, I read a post from a friend from the Birmingham UU Church who now lives in another area of the country.  She was disappointed that her "otherwise wonderful church did nothing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing" on that day. I think because 50 years later the date fell once again on a Sunday, it made remembering the day in worship even more significant. Of course, the 16th Street Baptist Church planned and held a major anniversary event, and congregations across the nation paid tribute, as well. 

I am immensely grateful to all the Worship Committee members and others who are pitching in to help create wonderful worship while I am having an unexpectedly long stay with David at MD Anderson. By the time you read this article, I hope to be home again.  And on a Sunday in the near future I will share with you stories in memory of Unitarian Universalists who responded with courage and compassion on that day 50 years ago.  

In Love and Hope,

Rev. Alice

UUCH's Interweave is an Outreach Group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) peoples and their friends and allies. On the 3rd Friday of each month, we hold a "Potluck and Game Night" to eat, play, and have a good time in a "safe zone" for the LGBTQ. We hope that our allies will come out and join in the fun so that we have a good mix of LGBTQ and A's participating. Everyone is Welcome.

This Month's Potluck/Game night will be held Friday, Sept. 20th, from 6:30-9pm, here at the church.

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?

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 (kevin.m.betts@saic.com  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!

Join all ages for a screening of Star Wars, Episode IV, the original, this Saturday, September 21st.  We will gather at the church at 6 pm with snacks and treats; show time is 6:30 pm.  Bring themed refreshments to share, wear a costume, be prepared for Jedi awesomeness. This event is sponsored by the Children and Youth RE program. All are invited! Contact DRE Erin Reid for more information at eereid@hotmail.com.

What Can YOU Do To Help?

Contact pamkorb@mindspring.com or uuch@uuch.org to volunteer to work a shift at the sale.

Friday, October 11th,
12pm-7pm!
Saturday, October 12th,
8 am-3pm!

(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!

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

Our next Social Justice Committee meeting is this Sunday, September 22nd at 9:30  am.  We'll discuss fall outreach activities and more.We'll have bagels. Everyone is welcome! Childcare is available for this meeting.  If you have questions, you may call Tonia Betts at (256) 882-9891.

It is time to get our old church ready to sell. We will be gathering on Saturday, October 5th to clean up the Governor's Drive church property.  We'll start at 9 AM, and will finish by 1 PM.  We will mostly be clearing brush and making the grounds presentable.  It will be a fun fun time for all!  There will be jobs for every skill level--and a light lunch will be provided.  

If you have the, please bring work gloves, pruning shears, hand saws, and rakes!   

Families are encouraged to participate with their children and youth for any amount of time.  Children will be under their families' supervision for volunteer activities. Childcare with space for rest and play will be provided all morning as needed. 

If you have any questions, please contact Property chair George Fletcher at  fletcher35801@comcast.net.  

See you there!

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 lend. 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.

For the 4th year, UUCH is forming a team to enter the 10th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run to benefit breast cancer awareness. This is an all ages 5K run/walk that takes place on Saturday October 19th. This year the men's & women's events are combined, with the race starting at 8am.   

The race winds through downtown Huntsville, starting and ending at Huntsville Middle School.  On a beautiful Fall day, what more could you want than exercising with friends while raising money to find a cure for an illness that has touched so many in our church community.     

To register, go to www.lizhurleyribonrun.org and sign up to join team "Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville".  Cost is $20. Registration is limited to the first 6500 people. Last year they had to close registration early after they met that goal, so sign up early. You must register by October 8 to be officially counted on our team, but you can still register individually after that date. Look for further team announcements like where to meet on race day for our annual team photo.

Last Year's Winning Team!!

Please contact Becky Ellingwood (beckyel22@gmail.com) if you have any questions. 

Start stretching now. Go Team UUCH!

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 uuch@uuch.org  

Admin. Office Hours:  

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

Minister's Phone: 256.539-9607, email: revaluu@aol.com

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.