In This Issue
-Upcoming Service
-COVID Policy
-Congregational Survey Results
-Become a Member!
-Join Our Team
-Fellowship Committee Book Discussion
-Outdoor Dining
-Ala Hispanic Ass. Christmas Party
-Workday Wrap-Up
-Opera Huntsville & Demi
-LFP
-Donate with Text Message
-In Case You Missed It
-COVID-19 Relief Funds
-Care List
-Upcoming Events
-Minister Info
-UUCH Board Members
-Church Info
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Happening Soon
Outdoor Worship
Nov 21, 10:45 am
Fellowship Com. Book Discussion
Nov 18, 7pm
Ala Hispanic Ass. Christmas Party
Dec 4, 10 am- 1 pm
For ALL of the upcoming events, please click the "Check Events" button at the top of the newsletter or see the upcoming week's list near the end of the newsletter.
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Outdoor Service THIS WEEK!
As our church makes headway in re-gathering in person, we are proceeding cautiously through the Holiday season in order to assure our congregation's safety. We will meet in an outdoor service on the lawn at UUCH this Sunday November 21 for worship at 10:45 am! Please bring lawn chairs to keep our service socially distanced. We cannot wait to welcome you back!
The Order of Service email Sunday morning will either confirm the outdoor service or let us know that it has been rained out.
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"Grateful, Grateful, Grateful"
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
10:45 AM, Sunday Nov. 21
This Thanksgiving Sunday, return home to UUCH for a special outdoor worship service. Be with friends old and new, reflect on the beauty of fall and take in the seasonal reminder to practice gratitude.
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UUCH Board Updated COVID Policy |
Information about the full COVID-19 policy can be found below. Additionally, the October Board report can be found here.
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Congregational Survey
Many thanks to those who participated in the Committee on Ministry’s (COM) Congregational Survey last month! 80 people completed the Survey, and overall, the survey reveals mixed, complex responses to change moving forward. However, we did see a strong consensus that in-person activities should be safely resumed but also that Zoom options should continue for those who prefer or require online services.
Perhaps the most interesting data point we received: approximately 97.5% of the adult participants in the survey are fully vaccinated. (Only 2 out of the 80 respondents expressed reservations about revealing their status or about becoming vaccinated.) In other words, the congregation’s vaccination rate is far higher than the county or state averages and is nearly universal.
Members of the congregation stated that both masking and social distancing are essential to indoor activities while social distancing is preferred for outdoor activities. The congregation seems open to the Board issuing mandates for such practices. Of course, individuals responding to the survey did not have the information about the quite high vaccination rate of the congregation in general.
The COM has given a more extensive report on the survey results to the Board, and we can already see its impact on our practices moving forward! Many thanks to the Board for its careful consideration of COVID-19 risks and policies, and to the congregation for its patience with our desire to continue as a congregation concerned about the safety and well-being of every member.
From The Committee on Ministry (COM)
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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 of this congregation.
Later this month or early in December, Rev. Jaimie plans to welcome new members 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 as soon as possible.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Members may vote at all congregational meetings, be elected to the governing Board, be appointed as committee chairs, and participate in all activities of the congregation.
Because we are a covenanted congregation, members have certain responsibilities to the congregation and to each other.
These responsibilities are best fulfilled by:
- Regular attendance at worship
- Voting at congregational meetings
- Making financial contributions
- Contributing time and talent
- Spiritual growth and development
Submitted by the Membership Committee
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TONIGHT!
Fellowship Committee
Book Discussion
The Falling Woman: A Novel
Join the Fellowship Committee for its Zoom book discussion on November 18th at 7pm about the novel, "The Falling Woman" by Richard Farrell
Join us in the Zoom meeting here.
Registration is not required, but if you are coming, please drop us an email at srittenberg@gmail.com so we can plan for the group.
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Have you heard?
We are in the search process of selecting a new Director of Religious Education and Office Administrator!
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UUCH Fellowship
Offsite Dining Event
When: Thursday, December 9 @ 5:30 pm
Where: West End Grille, 6610 Old Madison Pike, Suite 109, Huntsville, AL 35806
Our Oct and Nov dining events have been fun for everyone! Please join the UUCH Fellowship Committee for this month's dining adventure. Join us on Thursday, December 9 at West End Grille, 6610 Old Madison Pike, Suite 109, Huntsville, AL 35806. We will enjoy dinner and Fellowship. Look for the UUCH t-shirts. Safe to assume we will be inside this month.
Next Offsite dining event: TBD.
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Alabama Hispanic Association Christmas Party
The Alabama Hispanic Association will host its annual Christmas Party on Dec 4th at UUCH from 10 am - 1 pm! The party is done drive-by style this year in the church's parking lot.
Our church has a loving relationship with this group, and we desire to continue to uplift the association in any way possible. Please make monetary donations for the 29 youth we’re helping. Donate by check or on our UUCH website.
We are also collecting new or lightly used stuffed animals for the younger kids choosing. Bring to our outdoor service 11/21 or drop by the church during office hours T-Th 11 am- 3 pm.
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Church Workday Wrap-Up
At least 15 people came to the church on Saturday, November 13, to help get the building and grounds ready for a return to in-person services and events. It was a beautiful day to be outside, and the front lawn and flower beds were cleaned up and a good start was made at removing the privet, mimosa, and other invasive plants along the edges of the property and around the "fort" in the playground. Pine cones and pine needles were removed from the courtyard, pinecones were removed from the playground, and the building gutters were cleaned.
Inside, the furniture was returned to the chancel and a couple of additional pews were installed in the sanctuary. Batteries were replaced in the clocks that had stopped (so time, once again, marches on!) and several light fixtures had bulbs replaced. (A few of the lights need more than just bulb replacement.) Work was also done in the Music Room, patching a hole in the wall and rewiring a light fixture. To everyone who helped, thank you! If you wanted to help but were unable to attend on the 13th, don't despair, there will be another opportunity, especially if you like to paint or remove invasive plants or can rewire light fixtures!
Submitted by the Property Committee
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Opera Huntsville Concert
Catch our Music Minister, Demi VanderWerff, as she performs live for Opera Huntsville, 6pm on Tuesday November 30th at Fractal Brewing Company.
This fun night features four local singers performing some of opera's greatest hits accompanied by Christopher Powell.
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Little Food Pantry
The LFP needs your help. Please sign up on the signup genius. For newcomers to buying food for it, here are some suggestions:
Proteins: canned tuna, Vienna sausages, ham, mac & cheese, pintos, beanie weenies, spaghetti & meatballs, pb & j.
Other: canned veggies, pasta, cereal, grits, soups, pancake mix, bananas, onions, potatoes, cabbage, apples.
Use your imagination! And a HUGE thank you to all of you who’ve filled it month after month. The need is there.
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Submitted by the Social Justice Committee |
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Donating by Text or Online
Our e-giving partner, Vanco is migrating to a new mobile app: “Vanco Mobile.” After September 30, giving with the GivePlus+ app will no longer be supported. To continue giving with a mobile app, download the Vanco Mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to your mobile device and follow the instructions here. If you have already set up a login for GivePlus+, it will work on Vanco Mobile.
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By Text:
To give a plate offering to UUCH from your mobile device, text the amount (without dollar sign) to 833-559-0257, and follow the instructions. Text giving is by debit or credit card only.
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Online:
Like our other online and mobile giving options, this option is through Vanco, is secure, and has a good option for "plate" donations as well as "pledge" and "AHA".
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Submitted by the Finance Committee |
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"Remembering Who We Are"
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021
Stream last week's service anytime you want it here!
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COVID-19 Relief Funds Available
Funds are available for members of the congregation who have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19.
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Care List
This Sunday at Our Circle of Candles:
Trao (he/they) lit a candle of joy: for my first cousin getting MARRIED yesterday!! This involved my sister flying back in from CA for the first time in like 3~4 years, and so everyone actually being together again
Gary and Barbara Hitt lit a candle of joy: "My aunt will celebrate her 100th birthday this week! My mother and both of her sisters lived to their late 90s and now Aunt Mary will be 100 on the 17th. She is in good shape, both mentally and physically, and feisty as ever."
Sarah Miklavic-Kinley (she/her) lit a candle of joy: that my entire home is healthy and feeling well this week and I received answers from my heart monitor. All good news! 🌞
Theresa Miller lit a candle of healing: for my 83 yr old sister, Janet, who fell and hit her head and broke her kneecap this week.
Kristen Ogwaro lit a candle of joy: for my partner and I going to Uganda for 5 weeks.
Gloria Guay lit a candle of sorrow: "My son lost his stepmother to Pancreatic Cancer on Friday two days before her 76th birthday."
Nancy Finley lit a candle of joy and gratitude: to Paul and the Property Committee for putting together a wonderful church work day yesterday. It was nice to see people's faces out in the fall sunshine.
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Upcoming Events
If you encounter a problem with a link, please check our Facebook page and website for possible updated information and links.
Worship Service
10:45 AM
Outdoor Worship
Nov 21
UUCH Lawn
Soul Circle (Group B)
7:00 PM
Choir Practice
7:00 PM
Fellowship Committee Book Discussion
November 18, 7:00 PM
Alabama Hispanic Associate Christmas Party
December 4, 10 AM - 1 PM
UUCH Parking Lot
Opera Huntsville feat. Demi
November 30, 6 PM
Fractal Brewing Project
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Minister
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
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UUCH 2020-21
Board Members
President:
John Schulz
Vice President:
Nick Wilbourn
Secretary:
Nancy Finley
Treasurer:
Bob Locklear
Trustees:
Suzey Delacey
Shalin Mody
Nancy Pettus
Minister:
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
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 John Schulz via email no later than one week prior to the meeting (i.e. the Tuesday before). The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
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Office Administrator
Demi VanderWerff, interim
Main Office Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
*Please email office if you need building access.
Phone:
256-534-0508
For more info on any event, contact the church office or visit our website.
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The Overlook is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church,
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810
Editor-in-Chief:
Laurel Bollinger
Copy Editor:
Demi VanderWerff
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PO Box 5545
Huntsville, AL 35814
(256) 534-0508
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