UUCH Chalice
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The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville
3921 Broadmor Rd, Huntsville AL 35810  
November 27th, 2014
Vol. 14 Issue 51
In This Issue
Food Collection
Call us!
Coffee & Chocolate
Upcoming Services
This Sunday in RE
From Your Minister
Social Justice News
Time for the Pageant!
AHA Christmas Party!
Solstice Service
Care List

We CAN  

Reach 100!

canned goods

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 either the church foyer, or the breezeway in the RE entrance hall,  to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).


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Telephone Number Restored 
Success! Our old phone number
(256) 534-0508
has now been moved to the new facility.
EE Choc Bar
Hot Chocolate on a Cold Day!

Your Social Justice Committee is once again selling Fair Trade chocolate varieties from Equal Exchange, including Cocoa powder! 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! These items will be available in the Fellowship Hall after Sunday services.

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Upcoming Services

UUCH Chalice
Sunday, November 30th, 2014
 
    

"The Spirit of Taiz�"

The Reverend Alice Syltie and
Pam Siegler, UUCH Choir Director  

 

This Sunday, as our country reacts to the news from Ferguson, Missouri, let us come together in prayer and song in the tradition of the Taiz� Community. Brother Roger, who founded the Taiz� Community in France was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education in 1988. In 1940, at the start of World War II, Brother Roger and his sister sheltered Christian and Jewish refugees, until the Gestapo received word of their activities and they were forced to flee. Brother Roger returned to Taiz� in 1944 to found the community devoted to a ministry of unity. Today, people from every continent visit the community to take part in the weekly meetings.

This Sunday in RE
 

Creative Service Sunday! Children and youth will join the Social Justice Committee in assembling meal packs for homeless outreach.  

 
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 [email protected]).  
From Your Minister
 

The news from Ferguson, Missouri has set our country aflame with frustration and anger. My sincere hope is that the weeks and months ahead will usher in new and accelerated efforts to address the racial inequities that plague our nation. Years of accumulated injustice have led to the passionate reaction to the news that Officer Darren Wilson will not stand trial for the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. I am sure many of us are feeling sad and helpless in the face of such an overwhelming and frightening situation. Agreement or disagreement with the grand jury's decision, in this particular case, is not the issue at this point. Our country is in turmoil and it is heart breaking.

 

As a religious and spiritual community, we are committed to the ideals of compassion and justice for all people. We are dedicated to the work of building Beloved Community. Now is a good time to remember the statement issued by our UUA president, the Reverend Peter Morales, on August 20th of this year: "Ferguson is not (only) about Ferguson. It is about the systematic dehumanizing of people all over America. As Unitarian Universalists, we have faith that it need not be this way. We can create a world that is accepting, fair, loving, and diverse. We know we can make a difference. Look at our work for justice throughout our history."

 

Let us continue to walk this journey together in faith.

 

In love and hope,

Rev. Alice

justice scalesSocial Justice News!

 

Social Justice Meeting This Sunday

The Social Justice Committee will meet this Sunday, November 30th at 9:30 am. We will set up for the meal pack for the homeless which the RE kids will work on, and we will discuss ideas and upcoming activities. Please join us for bagels and fun!

 

Plastic Shopping Bags Needed

The Knit Wits and the Social Justice Committee need your plastic shopping bags to crochet plastic ground blankets for the homeless. It takes 700 bags to make one blanket, so BRING 'EM ON! Please place them in the box under the staircase in the foyer. Thank you!

 

Chocolate, Coffee, & Food Baskets on the Move

Looking for fair trade chocolate and the coffee sign-up sheet? They are now in the Fellowship Hall.

And what about the HAP food collection basket? There is one under the staircase in the foyer and one in the breezeway near the RE wing.

      

Thank you for your continued support of these Social Justice projects!

Christmas Pageant Preview!
 

The Annual Christmas Pageant will be performed during the Worship Service on Sunday, December 21st, 2014. 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 14th
  • be able to arrive at church early (9:45 a.m.) on the day of the pageant (Dec. 21st) for a quick run-through
  • be able to supply simple costume items (e.g., bath robes, etc.--no sewing or elaborate costuming required)

If you'd like to be part of this exciting production, please come to RE on Sunday, December 7th, when we will be choosing parts. Parents should plan to come to the RE area and confirm children's participation following the service. You may also contact Erin Reid at (256) 694-6786 or [email protected]. THERE ARE PARTS FOR EVERYONE!

You're Invited to the Alabama Hispanic Association's Christmas Party 

 

On December 13th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Alabama Hispanic Association (AHA) will have its annual Christmas party in our Fellowship Hall. UUCH members and friends are encouraged to attend the party--it will be a great opportunity to get to know the AHA and their work!!

UUCH is partnering with the AHA to bring Christmas cheer to some of the poorest in our community. Thanks to your generous support, we have raised $1087.00 to buy gifts for the children attending the party. Youth from our RE program will do the shopping, and our gifts for the teenagers along with other gifts for the younger children will be distributed then.


What is the Alabama Hispanic Association?

The AHA reaches out to help meet needs in Madison County's Hispanic community through education and support. AHA made its home in the Highlands United Methodist Church building, which is now our new UUCH facility at Broadmor! We are happy to continue partnering with the AHA as we move into our new church home.
winter road
Winter Candlelight Service

Friday, December 19th, 2014

Music for centering at 6:45 p.m.;  

Service begins at 7:00 p.m.   

Take refuge from the commercialism of the season and enter a space of peace and wonder. Let music and poetry, a chorus of voices, and the wisdom of the ages nurture your spirit as we approach the Winter Solstice.

votives
Care List  

 

At our Circle of Candles on Sunday, Nov. 23rd, candles were lit for: 

 

Betty Goodman: "A candle of Joy--my grandson Avery turned seven today! He brings me much joy every day."

 

Larry and Lydia Goodman: "A candle of Joy celebrating Lydia's birthday, number 79, on Tuesday, Nov. 25th."

 

Kathy Fisher: "On December 5th, I'm going to have surgery to remove bone spurs in my shoulder and repair the torn rotator cuff. I will be in a brace for 4 to 7 weeks, so I will miss playing all our beautiful Christmas and solstice music, but will be happy I get to sing instead."

 

Levi Griffin: "I recently had my two year anniversary with the love of my life. Blessed beyond measure to have her."

 

Pam Siegler: "My sister's back operation went well, and she is healing quickly. And happy birthday, Avery!"

 

Barbara and Gary Hitt: "Please light a candle of Sorrow for our young friend, Ed Lyons, who lost his three-year battle with cancer on November 9th, leaving his wife Susie and three little girls, Lauren, Allie, and Anna Clare."

 

Mona Smith: "Mona is still at Redstone Village recovering from her broken femur. She appreciates our caring church community, the calls, cards, and visits."

 

Becky Ellingwood: "A candle of Concern for Becky Ellingwood who remains in the ICU. She continues to make progress and is moving both sides of her body. We also hold Becky's family, Nancy and Abby, in our thoughts and prayers."

 

(You can get online updates and leave messages of encouragement on the Caring Bridge website for Becky. The URL is www.caringbridge.org/visit/beckyellingwood/journal or you can go directly to caringbridge.org and search for Becky's name. You can also click on the Guestbook link to leave a message.)    

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 14-15 Board Members

 

President:  Denise Hunter-Gilbert

Vice-President: Angel Hundley 

Secretary: Bobby Hall           

Treasurer: Jerome Belcher   

Trustees: Becky Ellingwood, John Fox, & 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 Denise Hunter-Gilbert, no later than one week prior to the meeting, i.e. the Tuesday before. You may leave a copy of your request in her Mailbox at the church office, or contact her at [email protected].

Notice:
Next UUCH Board Meeting will be on
Thursday, December 4th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Thanks for your cooperation!

From the Overlook is a publication of

The Unitarian Universalist Church,

3921 Broadmor Rd. Huntsville, AL 35810

Minister: The Reverend Alice Syltie

Board President: Denise Hunter-Gilbert 

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: 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri.

For Wednesday access, please call in advance. 

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 10:45 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.