UUCH Chalice
The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
November 26th, 2015
Vol. 15 Issue 48
In This Issue
A Word to our Sponsors
Filling the Basket
Holiday Coffee!
A Good Book
Upcoming Services
This Sunday in RE
Social Justice This Sunday
Christmas Pageant Time!
AHA Christmas Dinner
Care List
Let's Thank Them!
 As you start out to do your holiday shopping, please remember to support and thank our Service Auction business sponsors:  
Pizzelle's Confections, Kaffeeklatsch,
and Connie Ulrich Design!
We Can Do It!
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 the church foyer to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).
Special Holiday Offer!
The Social Justice Committee and the Kaffeeklatsch are excited to offer two special coffee blends for sale this holiday season:
Winter Solstice--a blend of 3 popular flavored coffees for a rich and unique coffee to warm your holidays.
Chalice--a blend of Kaffeeklatsch's Organic, Fair Trade coffees for a collaborative, well-principled flavor.
Great gifts for yourself and your coffee-loving friends and family!
To order, please see Denise Hunter-Gilbert in the Fellowship Hall after Sunday services (11/29-12/20) or email your order to Denise Hunter-Gilbert, or phone your order to her at 256.665.4042.
UUA Common Read: Just Mercy
The UUA's 2015-2016 Common Read is Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Author Bryan Stevenson advocates for those wrongfully trapped by the U.S. criminal justice system. UUCH Adult RE will host a book study on this in January, but you can order the book now from the UUA Bookstore!
ARE also has a few copies to lend: See Nancy Finley (finleyn@uah.edu)  for details. For more about the Common Read program, see the website.

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Upcoming Services
UUCH Chalice
Sunday, November 29th, 2015
 
 
"Forward Through the Ages: Prophetic Voices of Our Liberal Faith"
The Reverend Alice Syltie  

Our theological inheritance rests in a tradition that honors the words and deeds of prophetic women and men. Our ancestors from the two previous centuries are a rich source of our religious pluralism and inspiration. As promised, this Sunday I will continue to share and honor the history that shapes who we are, and who we may be, as a prophetic voice in challenging times.
giving heartThis Sunday in RE

Creative Service Day! Children and youth will partner with the Social Justice Committee to make meal packs for people in Huntsville who are homeless. The meal packs are distributed by First Stop, Inc.   
 
Questions about Religious Education at UUCH may be directed to Erin Reid, our Director of Religious Education (DRE) (256.694.6786 or eereid@hotmail.com) or Jessica Zelaya, RE Chair (256.322.2210 or asuriai@yahoo.com). Register online for the UUCH Children and Youth RE Program at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WS8LDNP. 
Social Justice Meets This Sunday!

justice scalesYour Social Justice Committee is meeting this Sunday morning, November 29th, at 9:30 a.m. We'll be setting up for the "meal-pack" event, and continue planning for the Alabama Hispanic Association dinner/party. Everyone is welcome, and we'll have bagels! For information or questions, please call Tonia Betts at 256.882.9891.  
Christmas Bells Christmas Pageant Preview!

Our UUCH Annual Christmas Pageant will be performed during the Worship Service on Sunday, December 20th, 2015. Children who participate in the pageant should:
  • be at least 4 years old (we have parts for youth and adults too!)
  • be able to attend a short rehearsal during RE on Sunday, December 13th
  • be able to arrive at church early (9:45 a.m.) on the day of the pageant (Dec. 20th) 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 6th, 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 eereid@hotmail.com. THERE ARE PARTS FOR EVERYONE!
Alabama Hispanic Association Christmas Dinner
Be Part of the Christmas Fun!
Saturday, Dec. 12th, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at UUCH
 
holly-berry-wreath2.jpg The Alabama Hispanic Association (AHA) and UUCH are partnering to serve Christmas dinner and distribute presents to families, children, and youth in need in Huntsville's Hispanic community. We need your help! Here are three great ways to get involved:
 
(1) Donate money to buy gifts for the older children and teens who will be at the party. This Sunday, November 29th, you can place a check in the collection basket (with "AHA" on the memo line) or you can give cash to Gail Williams or Tonia Betts. Last year, we provided gifts for about 20 AHA children and youth, and our UUCH youth enjoyed shopping for these gifts.
 
(2) Volunteer to serve at the dinner or provide a dish for it. You can sign up for this on the poster in the Fellowship Hall or online with Sign Up Genius by clicking here:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ea9a62aa3fd0-alabama. We need servers, cleaners, crafters, escorts, welcomers, etc. We need you! Youth and children are welcome and encouraged to attend. Also, you can sign up to help set up on Friday, December 11th--decorating, organizing presents, etc.
 
(3) Bring any extra coats, blankets, or other winter things you would like to donate. These will be distributed to those who would like them. Any extras will be saved for next year's UUCH yard sale. 
 
Thank you for your support! Please be part of this great event! Questions? Call Tonia Betts at (256) 882-9891.
votives Care List 
 
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday, November 22nd, candles were lit for:

Ed Bernstein, a candle of sorrow: "Paulette's stepfather passed away on November 13th after a long illness. After the recent loss of her mother, Paulette is at peace knowing that they are no longer suffering."
 
Will Garrison, a candle of joy: "Happy to be back after studying for the Ph. D. preliminary exam. And very happy that my fiancé Emily is now officially a Huntsville resident."
 
The Aycock family, a candle of joy: "We realize we are not alone. Thank you Denise Hunter-Gilbert and all the other amazing people for all the love and support we have received for the process of adopting Auggie, nicknamed for August, our little joy that started his journey with us last August. Also for Logan and Thomas who have stepped up with open hearts and have been such amazing big brothers--thank you, Logan and Thomas. Love, Mom and Dad."
 
Barbara and Gary Hitt, a candle of joy: "We are celebrating our 48th anniversary this week. As our daughters often tell us--we are lucky we found each other! "  

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 .
UUCH 15-16 Board Members

 

President: Laurel Bollinger 

Vice-President: Angel Hundley 

Secretary: Ed Bernstein           

Treasurer: Jerome Belcher   

Trustees: Millicent Simmons, John Fox, & Denise Runnels 

 

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 Laurel Bollinger, 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.

The next UUCH Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 at 6:30 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: Laurel Bollinger  

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.