"One Man's Junk is Another Man's Treasure." 
The church is sponsoring its annual yard sale on Saturday, April 25th, and we need your junque!
You may now begin bringing your items to the church during the Admin.'s office hours, i.e.10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. (Better call first, just in case: 256.534.0508.) Storage is in the north wing of the building, so park in the north parking lot for your convenience, and ring the doorbell so Deedee can open the door for you.
Keep emptying your drawers, garages, attics, and closets! Please make sure that clothes smell fresh and that donated items are not torn or broken. Contact Bonnie Herold bherold51@gmail.com with questions.
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Kid Tested,
Bunny Approved
Just in time for Spring, Social Justice has re-stocked their stores with a fresh variety of Equal Exchange chocolates--including Easter candy!
Look for it after church on Sundays, on the coffee table in the Fellowship Hall.
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Upcoming Services
Sunday, March 29th, 2015
"The Rest of the Story"
The Reverend Alice Syltie
Last Sunday I hit the highlights of the "Marching in the Arc of Justice Conference" and the walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. I shared the overall spirit of the weekend and some of my insights and reflections on engaging our Unitarian Universalist values in current struggles. The weekend was a reunion for many who were on a life-transforming pilgrimage together fifty years ago. One speaker explained, "We are not here for a celebration, we are here to reconsecrate ourselves." I take this to mean recommit, or dedicate ourselves to a special purpose or service. This Sunday I would like to go deeper into the content of the conference and how it might inform our continuing march, and our own hopes of bending the arc a little more toward justice.
Sunday April 5th: Child Dedication Ceremony
In our Unitarian Universalist tradition we honor new life and welcome children into the world in a special Ceremony of Dedication. In the words of Shelley Denham's song "we dedicate our hearts and minds to the spirit of this child." This special Dedication and Naming service will be part of our Flower Communion Service on Easter Sunday, April 5th. If you would like to have your baby or child dedicated, or have questions about this, please contact Rev. Alice Syltie for information.
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This Sunday in RE
Game Day! Bring your favorite game to play with your church friends.
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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We Are Here, and Reaching Out!
2015 UUCH Annual Budget Drive
 The 2015 UUCH Annual Budget Drive (ABD) began Sunday, March 8th. The ABD slogan "We Are Here, and Reaching Out" recognizes our shared accomplishment of moving our church to Broadmor Road and making it home. It also reflects our mission statement to "let people know 'We are here' and that we welcome diversity."
Cottage Meetings were held on the last two weekends (Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 22). Thus far, we have received pledge commitments for just under $141,000 from a total of 54 donor families. For comparison, last year's ABD total was $194,470 from 89 donors. We are well on our way to a successful ABD this year!
We need the full participation of all members and friends to match last year's total and fund the church at our current level. The ABD pledges account for more than 90% of our operating budget. Pledge commitment forms were mailed last week to those who were not able to attend a Cottage Meeting. We ask that all completed pledge commitment forms be returned to the church office as soon as possible, preferably by Sunday, March 29th.
Thanks to those who have already made pledge commitments and to those who will soon make pledges for the church year that will begin on July 1st. To "Reach Out" and achieve our goals, every pledge matters!
BIG pledges. SMALL pledges. MEDIUM pledges. All pledges are important and appreciated as we "Reach Out" to each other, to our new neighborhood, to Huntsville, and to the wider world.
--Jon Fox and Jason Aycock, 2015 ABD C0-chairs
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Are You Ready to Become a Member?
 If you've been attending UUCH long enough to know that this church community feels like your spiritual home, you may be ready to take the next step and become a member.
We will recognize new members during the Sunday service April 5th as they "sign the book" and officially join our church.
If you are ready to become a member or would like to find out more about the process, please contact Pam Korb (membership chair) at bradkorb@mindspring.com.
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Easter Egg Hunt at Alice & Betsy's!
Sunday Afternoon, April 5th!
You and your family are invited to spend Easter Sunday afternoon with your fellow UUs in a day of relaxation and fun while welcoming the beginning of spring. (Rain or shine!)
What: Easter Egg Hunt
Who: Everyone is invited!
When: Sunday, April 5th, 2-5:00 p.m.
Where: Alice Dilbeck and Betsy Applegate's home, in the Monrovia area.
Suggestions for what to bring:
Yourself and family--Eggs for the hunt (plastic filled and "real")--Baskets for gathering eggs--Goodies to share for munching--Lawn chairs and musical instruments.
We'll have badminton, croquet, activities for all ages, and "sitting-on-the-porch-talking-as-we-watch-others-expend-a-lot-of-energy." What could be more fun?!
Children are advised to wear or bring play clothes to fully enjoy the outdoor activities.
Directions to Alice Dilbeck's and Betsy Applegate's home are in the fellowship hall by the coffee, or you can call (256-534-0508) or email Deedee at the church office (uuch@uuch.org) for a copy.
We're Egg-cited! We'll be HOPPY to see you!
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 Baby Shower!
Please join us in celebration with Claudia and Mike Carson, who are expecting a baby boy in May. A baby shower for the couple will be held in the Fellowship Hall at UUCH on Saturday, April 11 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Please RSVP to Kathy Heath at kheath@comcast.net or (256) 457-1753 if you plan to attend.
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We Want Your Shoes
 Wanted: New or Gently Worn Shoes. Have shoes cluttering your closet that you never wear? Sneakers, pumps, cowboy boots, you name it, the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP) can use them. 
Donated shoes will be sent to developing nations for sale by microbusinesses. These businesses provide income for families in need. In addition, HAP is paid for shoes it collects. A win-win "sit-shoe-ation"!
We will collect shoes until May 1st. You can place them in the food collection area in the foyer and fellowship hall. Questions? You can call Tonia at (256) 882-9891.
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UU Annual Assembly Coming Up!
 The 2015 joint Annual Assemblies will be held April 17th-19th, 2015 in Orlando (FLD), Montgomery (MSD), Greensboro (SED), and New Orleans (SWUUC). They will feature:
- an important vote which will help define our future relationships
- a message and Q & A session streamed live from our Orlando site from UUA President, Rev. Peter Morales!
- a joint keynote address from the Rev. Jeanne Pupke
- programming, fellowship, singing, and fun!
Registration is open! Please include a question for Rev. Morales to answer live during the assembly with your registration. To learn more and register click here .
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 Care List
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday, March 22nd, candles were lit for:
Denise Gyauch, a Candle of Gratitude: "Gratitude on my last day of serving as your Intern Minister, for all your generosity, patience, and support over the last 18 months, and for your love and blessings as I leave this place to embark on my ministry in the wider world."
Barbara Hitt, Candles of Gratitude and Concern: "Norma Harwood has asked me to thank her UUCH family for their support during her cancer treatment and Richard's hospitalization. She also thanks us for the donation made in his memory. Norma requests continuing healing thoughts and prayers as she faces serious lung surgery for a recurrence of cancer."
Ilene Sparks, a Candle of Sorrow: "I have been in denial. My precious companion, 'Kittie Kat', is slowly dying of kidney failure."
Laurie Keller, a Candle of Joy: "I saw church members, John Jeter and Paul Wieland, at the book signing held at the main public library on Saturday. Each man was signing a book he wrote. They make me proud to know them."
Bobby Hall, a Candle of Joy: "My father is doing well. He moved back into his house yesterday, where he will be living alone with a big flight of stairs. I am perfectly comfortable with that."
Lynsie Lamitie, a Candle of Joy: "My awesome dad turned 65!! AND it's Spring Break!!!"
Dan Nielsen, a Candle of Sorrow: "Our team leader at work passed away this week from cancer. Also from Abi Nielsen, "My granddad has brain cancer but he didn't die from it."
LaDawn Edwards, a Candle of Concern: "A friend is having a heart valve fixed next week. LaDawn received this news in an email, and she was impressed with his willingness to seek support for the sake of his wife."
If you have pastoral care needs, please contact the Reverend Alice Syltie at revaluu@aol.com. Care Chair Barbara Hitt will be out of town for three weeks. Please contact Care Committee members Jefflyn Weed (256-882-9604), Tim Miller (256-880-6792), or Nancy Stetson (256-650-6116), should a need arise.
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UUCH 14-15 Board Members
President: Denise Hunter-Gilbert
Vice-President: Angel Hundley
Secretary: Bobby Hall
Treasurer: Jerome Belcher
Trustees: Millicent Simmons, 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 UUCHBoardPresident@uuch.org.
Notice: Because of travel needs during spring break, the next UUCH Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, March 31st, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Thanks for your cooperation!
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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 uuch@uuch.org.
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: uuch@uuch.org.
Minister's 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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