This Sunday--Please Contribute for the next "Creative Service Sunday"  The Social Justice Committee and Religious Education Program will be holding a creative service Sunday on March 23rd 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!
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Good News!Awareness Through Movement Classes will start up again on April 19th, and will be held every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. through May 24th! Join us!
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We CAN Reach 100!
In February, we collected 99 items for the HAP food pantry, plus lots of items for the meal packs for the homeless. Great job everyone!
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.
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Affordable Luxury.
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!
 With Fair Trade products, everyone wins!
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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.
For more information contact LaDawn Edwards at 319-431-7461 or sapphirestar@live.com
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Upcoming Services
Sunday, March 16th, 2014
"Surviving the Flood--Together"
Laurel Bollinger
One of the central tasks of religion has always been theodicy--that is, figuring out why bad things happen to good people. Even the oldest of our stories wrestle with that question, often through legends of a world-consuming flood. Such stories look for ways to make us less vulnerable--to give us greater control over our own destinies. Can such ancient stories--the Epic of Gilgamesh, Genesis, the Qur'an, the Popol Vuh--offer us ways to address our own vulnerability in the modern world?
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This Sunday in Religious Education
Peace Group
We Are Many, We Are One
"All Kinds of Families Are for Caring and Sharing"
(Correction: Last week's class was
"Our Good Wishes Can Come True")
Justice Group
Holidays and Holydays
"Easter"
(Correction: Last week was "B'hai")
Searchers Group
Building Bridges
"Islam, Part 2"
Over-Achievers Group
Building Bridges
"Islam, 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).
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ABD Dinner Was Fun For All!
Thanks to everyone who made the Annual Budget Drive dinner a success! Ed Bernstein, my co-chair, and his wife Paulette spent a great deal of time paying attention to all the details; the abundance of appetizers, drinks, fruit, and cake were entirely their doing. Thanks, also, to Gail Williams for providing the lovely centerpieces, Audrey Fox for contributing a vegan dessert, Pam Korb for her tireless efforts in keeping up with the attendees and providing name tags, and Millicent Simmons, Brad Korb, and my husband Steve Herold for easing the set-up process.
Of course, Tim Miller did an outstanding job arranging the program of delightful music--kudos to Deedee Moore, Vanessa Mantis, Alli Johnson, Howard Williams, Steve Lewallen, Theresa Miller, the band, and the choir--and short speeches (for which we're especially thankful). While thanking those who contributed, we can't forget Quinn Hunter-Gilbert and Matthew Bollinger for memorable performances on Deedee's version of "Come Together" and to Fran Alexander, Michelle Korray, Kevin Betts, Jon Fox, and others for making clean-up a snap.
Finally, thanks to EVERYONE for showing up and making this a successful evening all the way around!
As UUs, you'll be glad to know that the evening ended on a note of social consciousness; the Downtown Rescue Mission accepted our very delicious left-overs from Zoe's Kitchen with gratitude.
--Bonnie Herold, ABD Dinner Co-Chair
Expect a Call!
By this point, everyone should have received the mailing that includes their invitation to participate in the personal visit activity and information to help think about their own commitment. Expect a call soon from your canvasser! Please contact Tim Miller at 256-880-6792 or at tim.miller.hsv@gmail.com if you have not received a mailing and/or a call by now.
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Adult RE "Sources" Series Continues:
Writing as Spiritual Practice
If you missed the first session of the Adult Religious Education "Writing as Spiritual Practice" series, you are not too late! All are welcome to participate in the next sessions on March 16th and 31st at 6:00 p.m. We had an outstanding first meeting with deep reflection on our first UU source, the cultivation of spiritual practices, and writing as one of those practices. We also wrote, of course!
This series continues the examination of our Six UU Sources with a focus on the first source, "the direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life." We are exploring direct experience through creative writing as a form of personal spiritual practice. The emphasis is on writing as a vehicle for deepening one's connection with life. Through language, sensory image, voice, rhythm, and the ability to notice the quirky details of existence, writing--and the deep self--can come alive! All sessions will include opportunities for writing--and sharing, if you choose. You do not have to have previous writing experience to participate in this series, just a willingness to play!
Erin Reid and Anna Weber are facilitating this series. Anna Weber teaches poetry and creative writing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Erin Reid is the Director of Religious Education at UUCH and recently completed her MFA in Creative Writing. Anna is a poet, and Erin concentrates on fiction. Everyone is welcome.
Please contact Erin Reid at least one week before the discussion if you need childcare (eereid@hotmail.com).
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Put On Your Happy Feet!
All-Church Movie Night--Sat. March 15th!
 Join all ages for a screening of Happy Feet on Saturday, March 15th. We will gather at the church at 6:00 p.m. with snacks and treats; show time is 6:30 p.m. Bring themed refreshments to share, your best penguin dance moves, and your smiler!
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.
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Fire Up Your Crockpots for the Annual UUCH Chili Cook-off!
 Calling all chili lovers! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 12th, unlock your Secret Recipe, and rev up your taste buds for an evening of flavor devoted to tomato, bean and spice! Who will win the coveted Red Ladle?
In order to better accommodate the adoring food fans, admission will be limited to 90 ticketed diners and chefs. All chefs entering a crockpot full of chili (mild, medium, hot, white, or vegetarian) will receive one free ticket. Everyone else 13 or older pays $5 each. Kids 3-12 are $3 each with a family cap of $15. (Childcare provided, as usual.) Chili should be delivered by 5:00 p.m. for judging that begins at 5:30 p.m. Music and other live entertainment is being organized by Susan Coddington.
Sides, chili fixings, crackers, baked potatoes, and little kid food will be provided. The hospitality committee would appreciate donations of cornbread or desserts. See Denise Hunter-Gilbert for tickets, which go on sale Sunday, March 16th. It's a small price to pay for such a legendary culinary competition!
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UUCH Fabulous Friday Potluck Sponsored by Interweave
 Let's Play! Interweave is an Outreach Group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people 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, March 21st, from 6:30-9:00 p.m., here at the church. Contact Denise Runnels for more information.
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Social Justice News
 Our next Social Justice Committee meeting will be Sunday, March 23rd at 9:30 a.m. We'll discuss activities for the spring and summer, and then we'll set up for the children's meal pack assembly for the homeless. Everyone is welcome, and we'll have bagels! If you have questions or need child care, please contact Tonia Betts at 256 882-9891.
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Save the Date:
All-Church Work Day at Broadmor  Attention Everyone! It is time for another fun workday at the Broadmor property. We will be gathering on Saturday, April 5th to roll up our sleeves and accomplish some of the tasks needed to get us closer to moving to our new church. There will be varied tasks for everyone at many different skill levels. Can you paint? Can you do paint prep-work, like taping? Can you use a screwdriver? Can you gather pine needles? Can you move pews? Can you make coffee and help with refreshments? All together we can make it happen! We'll start at 9:00 a.m., and will finish around 12:00 p.m. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. Here are some of the jobs we hope to accomplish: - Paint the RE Wing Hallway
- Unbolt and move pews to prepare for carpeting
- Paint awnings
- Install new smoke detectors throughout the building
- Exterior cleanup (branches, pine needles, mulching, etc)
- Remove chancel rails
Please bring work gloves, screwdrivers, cordless drills, paint brushes and rollers, rakes, step ladders, crow bars, and other basic tools. Children will be under their families' supervision during these activities. Childcare with space for rest and play will be provided for small children as needed. Remember, the address for our new church is 3921 Broadmor Road. For further information, please contact Brad Korb, Renovation Chair, at bradkorb@mindspring.com. See you there!
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Broadmor Briefing
The renovation effort continues at Broadmor with our general contractor finishing up work with exterior painting, handrail replacement, and drainage improvements. At the same time, we are working with potential contractors to obtain bids for the sanctuary HVAC replacement, sanctuary bathroom remodel, and RE Wing window replacement. We also continue to talk with potential contractors and receive bids for fire protection hardware replacement (emergency lights, exit signs, and fire extinguishers) and carpet replacement. The Renovation Committee is sponsoring a property work day at the Broadmor facility on Saturday, April 5th. Reference the related article above for details and we hope to see you there!
--Brad Korb, Renovations Chair
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 Care List
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday, March 9th, candles were lit for:
Nick Wilbourn: "I'm happy to have my brother Jeremy visiting for the first time today."
Cheryl Barr: "Prayers needed for my son-in-law Brad, who is recovering from a subdural hematoma."
Scott & Jessica Zelaya: "We would like to ask for well-wishes and positive thoughts as we go to Birmingham on Wednesday for an important appointment with our fertility doctor. We hope to begin a new treatment plan next month."
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).
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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 UUCHBoardPresident@uuch.org.
Notice: Next UUCH Board Meeting will be on Thursday, March 20th, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. The Board will be meeting at our new church building at 3921 Broadmor Road. 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 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.
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