Woohoo!
In November, we collected 162 items for the Huntsville Assistance Program food pantry. We also collected lots of items for the Alabama Kidney Foundation stocking stuffing.
Great job--thanks everyone!
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Do You Have a Guest At Your Table?
By welcoming a "guest at your table," you are helping nurture a spirit of gratitude and the UU values of justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. For more information, please pick up a "Stories of Hope" brochure on the table in the church foyer, or go uusc.org/guest
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Buy Fair Trade for the Holidays!
This Sunday, Equal Exchange Fair Trade chocolate will again be for sale in the back of the sanctuary.
In addition to the yummy chocolate bars, we will be selling hot cocoa, baking cocoa, and chocolate chips for the upcoming holiday baking season and cool weather. Proceeds are used for social justice projects, and our congregation's purchase of Equal Exchange products supports UUSC.
We also have
Fair Trade, Organic, "Kaffeeklatsch" coffee for sale!
Remember, Fair Trade products help ensure that: 1) Unjust labor practices, such as child slavery, are not used. 2) Farmers and workers are paid fair wages and have a voice in the organization to which they sell their products. 3) Environmental sustainability is held as an important goal. With Fair Trade products, everyone wins!
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Upcoming Services
Sunday December 8th, 2013
"Under the Bodhi Tree" The Reverend Alice Syltie
December 8 is Bodhi Day. Tradition holds that it is the day that Siddhartha Gautama, while sitting under the Bodhi tree, attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. From the innocence of a child came the compassion that led the young prince in his pursuit of liberation from suffering. This same innocence and compassion is at the heart of the Christmas spirit. Our yearning for joy and enduring peace are the prevailing sentiments of the season. Our question for this month is "What does it mean to live a life of innocence?" How might this question guide us in finding the joy we seek in this season of innocence and wonder?
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This Sunday in Religious Education
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal! All children, youth, and adults who plan to participate in the Christmas Pageant on December 15th should attend this rehearsal during RE time. We will do a complete run-through of the pageant in our fun RE-style. You do not need to wear your costume to this rehearsal. We still have room for more participants. See the article below for more information
Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be provided as usual.
For more information, contact Erin Reid, our Director of Religious Education (256.694.6786 or eeried@hotmail.com).
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Parent Meeting--This Sunday, Dec. 8th--for OWL Participants (Ages 11-12)
 The Children and Youth Religious Education Program will host Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education programs for youth ages 11-12 in January 2014. The facilitators will offer a parent meeting December 8th, 12:30-2:30 PM, at the church to give parents/guardians vital information related to the program. Parents/guardians who are interested in enrolling their youth in OWL must attend this meeting. Childcare will be provided downstairs. This meeting is for parents and guardians only.
OWL offers a beautiful curriculum in keeping with UU values for building holistic identity and sexuality awareness in young people. OWL fosters authenticity, safety, age-appropriate understanding, self-worth, and, in general, provides the tools a young person needs to make healthy choices. The class will be led by a committed team of trained facilitators.
OWL class size and the number of families we can accommodate at the orientation are limited. Please RSVP to DRE Erin Reid at eereid@hotmail.com by December 6th.
Read more about OWL at http://www.uua.org/re/owl/
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Starting This Sunday: Adult RE "Sources" Series on "Christian Teachings"
 The Adult RE "Sources Series" to examine our Six UU Sources continues in December with our source that draws from Christian teachings. Our previous sources workshops have been very interesting with lively discussion, and you are encouraged to join us even if you have missed these earlier workshops. We will base this discussion on Zealot, by Reza Aslan, a book exploring the historical Jesus through both biblical and extra-biblical sources. Aslan presents the historical Jesus as a political radical executed for sedition, whose apocalyptic vision centered on social justice and equality. The book has received both high praise and high criticism, depending upon the reviewer--let's see what it has to say to Unitarian Universalists!
You can find both print and eBook versions of the book at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, or if you are unable to get a copy for yourself we will have a few on the coffee bar at the back of the sanctuary that can be checked out. Of course, we should have ample talking points even if you can't get the book read before the discussion. Dr. Laurel Bollinger and Denise Runnels will facilitate this discussion. Dr. Bollinger has taught courses at the graduate level in the Bible as Literature, and looks forward to this conversation! We will meet Sundays December 8th and 15th at 6pm. Please contact Nancy Finley at least one week before the discussion if you need childcare.
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Christmas Pageant--Parts Still Available!  Children and youth who were not able to be present for pageant casting are still welcome to join in the fun! Parents/guardians may email DRE Erin Reid and indicate what part your child/youth would like to play. Parts available are shepherds, lambs, camels, angels--and any animal! The Annual Christmas Pageant will be performed during the Worship Service on Sunday, December 15th, 2013. Children who participate in the pageant should: - be at least 4 years old (we have parts for adults too!)
- be able to attend a short rehearsal during RE on Sunday, December 8th
- be able to arrive at church early (10:00 a.m.) on the day of the pageant (Dec. 15th) for a quick run-through
- be able to supply simple costume items (e.g., bath robes, etc.--no sewing or elaborate costuming required). NOTE: We have some cloth robes, both colorful and white, that were recently added to our costume collection, which might be useful for angels, magi, or shepherds!
For further information, contact Erin Reid at (256) 694-6786 or eereid@hotmail.com. THERE ARE PARTS FOR EVERYONE!
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Winter Candlelight Service
Friday Dec. 20, 2013
Music for centering at 6:45 pm
Service begins at 7:00 pm
Take refuge from the commercialism of the season and enter a space of peace and wonder. Let the music of the harp, a chorus of voices, and the wisdom of the ages nurture your spirit as we approach the Winter Solstice.
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Care Shawls and Comfort Throws
 Are you a knitter or crocheter looking for a new project? Or would you like to learn to knit and/or crochet? Help the UUCH Care Committee produce Care Shawls and Comfort Throws to show our members we care about them when they are going through difficult times or celebrating good times. If you are interested in helping by knitting or crocheting shawls, donating yarn, etc., please contact Audrey Fox ( audrey.fox@gmail.com). We would like to get everyone together occasionally to knit, crochet, chat, and visit as we work on the shawls/throws and share our time and expertise with each other.
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"New UU" Class Starts January 5th  What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? Guided by the UU Tapestry of Faith Curriculum, this three-part series explores important themes in UU congregational life such as worship, theology, history, covenant, faith development, social justice, and membership. This program focuses on introducing newcomers to Unitarian Universalism, but those who have been at UUCH for a while 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 January 5th, 12th and 19th 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 Pam Korb (bradkorb@mindspring.com) for further info. If you need childcare during these classes, please contact Pam at least a week before the event.
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 Care List
On Sunday, December 1st, our Circle of Candles included:
Dual Candles for Josh Hamilton: "I had an interview for a job in Huntsville-I really want this job. My Sorrow: Please pray for my mom, she is not doing very well."
A joy for Bonnie and Steve Herold: "We're so glad to have our son Nathan with us."
A Joy for Ward Welty: "Ward is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his retirement from Alabama A&M University, December 1st, 2003."
If you have pastoral care needs, please contact the Reverend Alice Syltie at revaluu@aol.com. 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 bghitt1@comcast.net.
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UUCH 13-14 Board MembersPresident: 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
There will be no Board meeting in December. Next UUCH Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 28th, 2013 at 7pm. Thanks for your cooperation!
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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
10am-2pm
Office phone: 256.534-0508, email: uuch@uuch.org
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.
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