Please Contribute for Creative Service Sunday  The Social Justice Committee and Religious Education Program will be holding a creative service Sunday in March where children and youth will assemble meal and hygiene packs for distribution in the community. Needed items include individual servings of canned fruit, cracker packs, pudding cups, juice boxes, canned meat (Vienna sausage), travel-sized hygiene products, and gallon-sized Ziplock bags. This will be an ongoing collection through March 16th. Thanks!
|
Manna House Prom Dress Drive  Clean out your closets, help the Manna House, and make a teen's prom dream come true!
Last year Great Labels Boutique in Madison raised over $2,000 for Manna House through its Prom Dress Drive. Any and all formal wear, dress shoes and accessories are accepted. The girls will be able to buy dresses for just $10 at Great Labels starting March 15th.
Please help Manna House provide Easter dinner for more than 2,000 people as you give your gently used dresses a new life.
For more information contact LaDawn Edwards at 319-431-7461 or sapphirestar@live.com
|
We CAN Reach 100!
The Social Justice Committee's goal is to collect and donate
100 items per month. CAN you pick up an extra CANNED good, nonperishable food item, or personal care product next time you are out shopping? Please do, and put it in the basket in the church foyer to be donated to
the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).
To read more about the Huntsville Assistance Program, please visit their website.
|
Why Pay More?
This Sunday, your Social Justice Committee will have Equal Exchange Fair Trade chocolate for sale in the back of the sanctuary.
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.
Plus, proceeds are used to help fund Social Justice projects!
With Fair Trade products, everyone wins!
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Services
Sunday, February 23rd, 2014
"Learning from our Past,
Listening to our Future"
John Czachurski, Student Minister
Our history as a congregation informs us about who we are. Our future calls us to make our dreams real in ways we cannot imagine. Come consider how our past has prepared us to evolve. How will we transform our church as we transform our world?
|
This Sunday in Religious Education
Peace Group
We Are Many, We Are One
"Everyone is Afraid of Something"
Justice Group
Holidays and Holydays
"Africa Day"
Searchers Group
Building Bridges
"Christianity, Part 1"
Over-Achievers Group
Building Bridges
"Christianity, Part 1"
Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be provided as usual.
For more information, contact Erin Reid, our Director of Religious Education (DRE) (256.694.6786 or eereid@hotmail.com).
|
From Your Minister
Dear Congregation,
Once the memorial service was over, and the extended family went home, I realized the real work of adjusting to losing David would begin. Although we posted nothing about the diagnosis or treatments on Facebook, once David had died, relatives began posting the news. As you might imagine, many friends and distant relatives were shocked. There are still people that I have not talked to, who may not know. These are words I posted, that I would like to share with all of you.
"It helps to count my blessings. My brother Keith Mesecher and my sister-in-law Marge Wurgel stretched their visit to almost two weeks. My congregation showed up with meals, sent cards, emails, and other expressions of care and support. Friends and relatives reached out in sympathy and came from far and near to share in the Celebration of David's life, held Saturday at our Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville. The service was everything I hoped for. The congregation attended to every detail of arranging the space, including flowers and the reception that followed.
My colleagues, the Reverend Julie Kain, UU minister in Pensacola, FL and the Reverend Fred Hammond, UU minister in Tuscaloosa, AL came to officiate at the memorial service, and provide pastoral care for this pastor, in addition to Julie's visit to my home to talk with my family. My clergy colleagues from various denominations in Huntsville were present at the service to offer similar support. The UUCH Choir, directed by Vanessa Mantis offered moving choral pieces known to be especially significant to David. Along with accompanying the choir, our excellent pianist, Kathy Fisher provided comforting gathering music prior to the service. Vocalist and guitarist, Alli Johnson, helped select two of David's favorite songs, which she played and sang beautifully, touching us deeply. Friends and relatives honored David with heartfelt tributes, as did our daughter, Janet Vignaroli, with a photographic slide show."
There are no words to express my appreciation to all of you. I am aware that some of you are wondering when I will be back at work full time. There seems to be no end to the surprises regarding details to take care of in this sort of situation. So, my plan is to continue to be available to the leadership and to attend to many aspects of my ministry with you. Angel Hundley and the Worship Committee worked with me months ago to prepare for the time when I might be pulled away. We are putting those plans in action now. I am going to be gentle with myself and see how this process unfolds. If there are important pastoral care needs, I will see to a response. I am also continuing my weekly supervisory meetings with our Intern Minister, Denise Gyauch, who may also be available for pastoral needs. So, although I may not be in the pulpit for a few weeks, I have not disappeared, and will still be working behind the scenes.
Again, please know how grateful I am for the love and support you have offered me and my family at this time.
In Love and Hope,
Rev. Alice
|
UUCH Fabulous Friday Potluck!
Sponsored by Interweave
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This month's Potluck and Game Night will feature an "impromptu" jam session. Musicians and non-musicians alike should have a great time. Bring your instrument be it a banjo or vocal chords. Or, if you are like me, bring food! Tim Miller, Tim Klug, and Alli Johnson will warm things up and anyone interested in joining the fun is welcome. This will be rather informal, so playing games and chatting are still expected while the music happens in the background.
 Interweave is an Outreach Group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) peoples and their friends and allies. We sponsor this "Potluck and Game Night" on the 3rd Friday of each month to ensure a "safe zone" for the LGBTQ, but EVERYONE that supports the LGBTQ community IS WELCOME.
This Month's Potluck/Game night will be held Friday, Feb. 21st, from 6:30-9:00 p.m., here at the church. Contact Denise Runnels for more information.
|
All-Ages Party at The Little Gym!
Sunday February 23rd, 4-6pm
 The Children's and Youth RE Program invites all church members, friends, and guests of all ages to a party at the Little Gym in Jones Valley, on Sunday, February 23rd, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Come on out for some family fun, games, and treats! Toddlers, children, youth, and grown-ups: ALL ARE WELCOME!
Wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to be barefoot in the gym. You won't believe how much fun we're going to have. We'll have a head-over-heels good time! The address for The Little Gym in Jones Valley is 2124 Cecil Ashburn Drive. Contact DRE Erin Reid at eereid@hotmail.com for more information.
|
This Sunday--Adult RE Discussion:
2013-2014 UUA "Common Read"
 Increasingly, Americans are choosing to dine at restaurants that offer organic, fair-trade, and free-range ingredients for reasons of both health and ethics. Yet few of these diners are aware of the working conditions at the restaurants themselves. But whether you eat haute cuisine or fast food, the well being of restaurant workers is a pressing concern.
Adult RE invites you to join in as we discuss what it means for us to be guests at the tables in restaurants across this country. We will discuss the 2013-2014 UUA Common Read, "Behind the Kitchen Door" by Saru Jayaraman this Sunday, February 23rd, at 6:00 p.m.
You can find a print version of the book at the UUA Bookstore (Click Here), Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books a Million. An eBook is also available if you prefer or if you are unable to get a copy for yourself we have a few on the coffee bar at the back of the sanctuary that can be checked out.
And coming in March: "Writing as a Spiritual Practice" with Erin Reid and Anna Weber!
|
What:
Annual Budget Drive Kickoff Dinner
When:
March 8th, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where:
Weatherly Heights Baptist Church,
1306 Cannstatt Drive, Huntsville
Why:
To share a delicious, catered meal in fellowship!
If you haven't yet done so, please sign up via Constant Contact, or by signing the poster in the church's foyer. Since the event is being catered, we need an accurate head count by February 23rd.
Join us for this evening of fellowship and fun!
March 8th! Save the Date!
|
Thanks From the Transition Team!  The Transition Team would like to thank everyone who came to the Open House at 3921 Broadmor Rd. last Sunday. It was a great day with around 90 people in our new building!  | | Lynsie and Her Mighty Transitional Muscles! |
Brad Korb from the Renovations Committee gave an update on work in progress and reviewed the plans for the coming months. Many of you shared ideas and insights with the Transition Team, and we appreciate your involvement.
 | | Larry, Brad, and Lydia Talk Turkey |
 | |
Bobby & Denise HG Figure It Out
|
 | Denise R. & Morgan Survey the Classrooms
|
Please continue to contact the Transition Team with your comments and questions at transition_team@uuch.org as we move toward making this new property our new church home.
The Team members are Rev. Alice (Chair), Tim Miller, Erin Reid, David Bollinger, Lynsie Lamitie, Denise Gyauch, and Nancy Finley (Board Liaison).
|
 Care List
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday, February 16th, candles were lit for:
The Howard Family: "Erin Howard won the county Spelling Bee! Erin is in third grade and competed with kids up to eighth grade. She will go to the State Bee on March 8th!"
Ed & Paulette Bernstein: "It was a joy to hear Tim Miller and George Fletcher in their wonderful Master Chorale performance yesterday (Saturday)!"
Care Chair Barbara Hitt is traveling for a few months. If you need assistance from the care committee, please call Millicent Simmons (256.551.0366) or Nancy Stetson (256.650.6116).
|
UUCH 13-14 Board MembersPresident: Kevin Betts
Vice-President: 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 Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. 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 President: 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 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; Thursday 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Friday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
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 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 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.
|
|
|
