Calendar of Events

January 16, 2025

Vol. 25 Issue 03

In This Issue


-Upcoming Service


-Sunday Events


-Nursery Care


-Note from Rev. Ruth


-CYRE News


-We Need Your Help


-New UU Classes


-Guest at Your Table


-Habitat for Humanity Build


-Upcoming SJ Events


-Calendar of Events


-Update on the Little Pantry


-Donate Online or

by Text


-COVID Policy


-Submit to the Newsletter


-Minister Info


-UUCH Board Members


-Church Info






Upcoming Service

What We Normalize and the Stories We Tell

Rachel Rogers

10:45 a.m., Sunday, January 19th, 2025


Martin Luther King, Jr. taught about a concept called “creative maladjustment,” which calls us to refuse to normalize and adjust to the injustices of this world. Much of how we participate in the world is dictated by the stories we consume and then believe about why things are the way they are and how we have come to be the people that we individually are. What steps can we take to open our eyes to the broader stories we tell and use that understanding to help shape how we stand against that which causes harm? How do we remain dedicated to our calling to be agents of change and both sources and recipients of divine love? Let’s explore this together. 

This Sunday Events

Coffee Hour


Begins directly after Service.


Music News


Sing with the UUCH Choir in 2025! We rehearse most Sundays after church and we would love to welcome YOU to the group! No experience is necessary, just come and sing!


Choir rehearsal this Sunday is at 12:10, after coffee hour.

Nursery Care

Nursery care will be available during the service
from 10:30-12:15.

Little ones can be signed in and out upon arrival and departure in the RE wing.

Note from Rev. Ruth


Greetings Siblings and Kindred!


Sometimes I feel like a child wading in the ocean. One moment I am managing the smaller waves of minutiae (laundry, car maintenance, grocery-shopping, pest control, pharmacy pick-up, hemming pants, etc.) and then a big wave knocks me down (snow storm!). As I struggle to get to my feet, spitting out salt water, another wave smacks me in the face and down I go, squealing and sputtering (2 car insurance payments and husband's new hearing aids all due at once?)! Anyone else struggling to stand up in the surf?


We can get through these weeks. There is meaning and purpose even in the most mundane tasks. There are folk who depend on those tasks for their well-being, including ourselves! Moments of joy can be found in every day, and there are good things to look forward to. Most importantly, our lives do not happen in a vacuum. We are a community!


You are not alone!  

Please contact the UUCH office or send me an email if I can be of assistance.


In hope,

Rev. Ruth

uurevruth@gmail.com

This Week in CYRE


In this session, we lift up our theme of The Practice of Story as we honor Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. His story of wanting a brighter future for his children and the world’s children helps us understand that stories can be a driving and inspirational force for social change. By telling a new or different story about what the future can be, we gain the confidence that our current story isn’t inevitable or “just the way it is.” Stories help us imagine a new way, and if we can imagine it, we can build it.

Resolve to Volunteer!



Volunteers are the lifeblood of the church, and with Rev. Jaimie on Sabbatical, there’s even more to do! The start of a new year is a great time to wade in a little deeper and say yes to the work of UUCH.

 

The UUCH Council is made up of the leaders of various committees. Fill out the following Google Form to let them know your area(s) of interest.  


In the form, there's a one-line description of needed volunteer functions and committees.


Check areas you might be interested in helping out:


  • Adult Religious Education Chair: Teri Thomas - adult.re@uuch.org Lead a class, book discussion, help plan Adult RE event or function
  • Care Co-Chairs: Nancy Pettus and Melodie Brier - care@uuch.org Take a meal to someone in need, send a sympathy card, take some to an appointment, more
  • Children & Youth Religious Education (CYRE) Chair: Holly Baker - cyre@uuch.org Lead a class, assist with class or event, other youth support
  • Fellowship Co-Chairs: Steve Rittenberg and Sarah Rody - fellowship@uuch.org Organize a fellowship event, help with one, more
  • Finance Chair: Bob Weed - finance@uuch.org Count donations from services, budget planning
  • Hospitality Chair: June Norton - hospitality@uuch.org Help with potluck, coffee hour, events for planning, setup, cleanup, and execution
  • Membership Chair: Pam Korb - membership@uuch.org Greeters for services, support new member classes
  • Property Chair: Wayne Schroer - property@uuch.org Help with cleanup days, maintenance, more
  • Sabbatical Committee Chair/Liaison to the Board: Cam Scales - sabbatical@uuch.org Worship coordination, pulpit hosts, planning
  • Safety Co-Chairs: Shalin Mody and Trao Wesley - safety@uuch.org Safety monitoring for services, events
  • Social Justice Coordinator: Brad Korb - social.justice@uuch.org Help coordinate events, participate
  • Stewardship Chair: Zena Tucker - stewardship@uuch.org Annual Fund drive, service auction planning and execution
  • Technology Chair: Matthew Bollinger - technology@uuch.org Audio and video for services and events, tech support for office, network, more

New UU Classes start Jan 19th!


New UU Class series at UUCH

Sunday, Jan 19th, Jan 26th, & Feb 2nd

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.


What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? Newcomers and long-time members alike are invited to participate in the upcoming New UU classes. The 3-class series will be held before church on Jan 19th, Jan 26th, and Feb 2nd from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Adult Religious Education classroom at UUCH, located at the back of the Religious Education wing.


These classes are a great way to get to know others while learning about Unitarian Universalism and our local congregation. The classes are for sharing and learning, with no expectation that attendees will subsequently join UUCH. However, if you may want to become a member of UUCH in the future, attendance at New UU Classes is strongly encouraged.


Nancy Finley and Pam Korb will facilitate the discussions. Childcare will be provided. The first two sessions will cover UU beliefs and theology, while the third will introduce specifics about our local congregation. Each class deals with different topics, so attending all classes is ideal. However, if your schedule only allows you to attend one or two, we can provide materials for the missed class or meet with you separately to talk about the missed information.


Contact membership@uuch.org to let us know you plan to attend or for more information.

UUSC's Guest At Your Table


UUCH is wrapping up our participation in the annual Guest At Your Table (GAYT) program sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The GAYT program has introduced generations of Unitarian Universalists to grassroots partners working for justice around the world with our support. This church year, we are celebrating Guest at Your Table’s 50th anniversary with the theme “Expanding the Welcome Table.”


Now that we have hosted our “guests,” it is time to return our boxes and donations to the UUSC. You can do this in one of 3 ways:



  1. Return your box to UUCH. There is a table/basket in the Fellowship Hall in which to return your box. Make sure to fill out the label on the side of the box so you get credit for your contribution.
  2. Make an on-line donation to UUSC at uusc.org/givetoguest
  3. Mail a check directly to UUSC at:

Guest at Your Table – UUSC

P.O. Box 808

Newark, NJ .7101-0808


If you have any questions, please email Brad at social.justice@uuch.org

Habitat for Humanity Home Build


UUCH members and volunteers from other churches are making good progress at the Fazzingo/Turner house at 216 Lake Drive in Huntsville! Interior painting is in progress!


Your help is needed! Volunteers will be working at the site most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays depending on weather and subcontractor activity.


All volunteers must take a volunteer orientation class that is given virtually every week. The dates of the training vary, so please contact Brad at social.justice@uuch.org for the latest schedule.


If you have any questions or are interested in helping out, please email social.justice@uuch.org

Upcoming Social Justice Events


Your participation is needed! Below is a list of local social justice events sponsored by groups that UUCH and/or our members support.



Here are some standing opportunities to get engaged with local organizations:

  • First Stop:
  1. Provide a meal for unhoused people (https://firststoporg.galaxydigital.com/)
  2. Donate urgently needed items (https://firststop.org/category/needs-list/)
  3. Other volunteer opportunities (https://firststop.org/ways-to-volunteer/)

 

For more information about a particular event or to list an event, please email social.justice@uuch.org.

Upcoming Events
Click the calendar to see all of our upcoming events!

Little Food Pantry

Many of our neighbors and many unhoused people visit our LFP frequently, and over the holidays and the colder part of the year, their needs increase. Consider buying a few extra cans of soup or veggies to contribute—your Board made a 5-can donation pledge from each of us as one of our Service Projects for the year! For suggestions of what to donate (and what not to donate), check out this list: Pantry Food Items. Remember that many families don’t have the experience or the equipment to handle dried beans, and that the unhoused particularly benefit from cans that don’t require can openers. A little help from us can go a long way Please, if you are able to fill it up, please note your name in the Genius. Also, you can bring non- perishables to church, as there are baskets. A big thank you to all who do contribute!

Sign-Up Genius
Submitted by the Social Justice Committee

Donate Online

via CDM+ Engage

Online:

Like our other online and mobile giving options, this option is through CDM+ Engage, is secure, and has a good option for "plate" donations as well as "pledge".

Donate
COVID Policy as of 10/25/2022

Submit to the Newsletter


Do you have news to include in the newsletter next week? Please submit your article to the newsletter through our request form no later than 10:00 am each Wednesday. Please make sure to complete a new request form each time you make a submission to the newsletter.

Sabbatical Minister

Rev. Ruth Vann Lillian


Contact:

uurevruth@gmail.com


UUCH 2024-25

Board Members

 

 President:

Susan Coddington

 

 Vice President:

Bryan Walls


Secretary:

Laurel Bollinger


Treasurer: 

Khoe Tran


Trustees: 

Darlene Patten

Cam Scales

Vickie Goodman


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 Susan Coddington via email no later than one week prior to the meeting (i.e. the Tuesday before). The next Board meeting is January 22nd, 2024

Office Administrator

Ryan Vidal Gonzales


Main Office Hours:

​ Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Tuesday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

or by appointment.


*Please call/email the office in advance if you need building access.


Phone: 

256-534-0508

Email: uuch@uuch.org


For more info on any event, contact the church office or visit our website.

Contact the Office
Visit the UUCH Website

UUCH News is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church,

3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810


Copy Editor:

Laurel Bollinger


Editorial Writer:

Ryan Vidal Gonzales

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Huntsville, AL 35814
(256) 534-0508
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