The Jane Welty Memorial Garden is Finished!

Howard Williams says that, according to his Grandmother, a cake is done when it comes out of the oven, and finished when the icing is on it. I am proud to announce that the Jane Welty Memorial garden is FINISHED!!! Like Ward said in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, it is a gift to everyone--church members and guests. In case you didn't know, you can access the garden any time. The chain link gate at the north end of the parking lot is not locked. You can park on the north end and walk around the building to sit in the garden. So if you need to be in nature and escape the city, you are welcome to come sit, meditate, listen to the birds, and commune with nature in the garden. Enjoy!

Like all beautiful spaces, it will require some maintenance. Ways that you can help keep our space beautiful: Pick up pine cones and deposit them in the rust colored big planter on the far north end of the garden. The young adults are doing fire pit gatherings on the solstice and equinox dates. Pine cones burn great. Put cushions away back in the deck box, and be sure the umbrellas and awning are closed when you leave. Leave no trace. 

UUCH Rummage Sale and Outdoor Market, Saturday August 23, 2025

Our Rummage Sale and Outdoor Market is coming soon! The event will be Saturday, August 23, 2025, 8am to 2pm. Bring your donations to church Sundays August 3rd, 10th, and 17th. Our storage location is the Music Room; please keep safe access to the piano and tables. Look for more weekday times to donate in future newsletters or email stewardship@uuch.org for more donation times. 

In addition, we are seeking vendors for our first ever Outdoor Market. Space rental is $10 for a 10’ by 10’ spot. Non-profit partners of UUCH may reserve a table gratis, but must use the SignupGenius to reserve a spot. More details are within the SignUpGenius link and on flyers at church. 

Register for one of our 30 spots using our Signup Genius link here.

Payment can be made online from our church “Donate” website and choosing “Yardsale” here.

Checks may be mailed to UUCH P.O. Box 5545, Huntsville, AL, 35814.  

We are looking for brave souls to help us make this the best event possible! All hands welcome. Look for signup in the hospitality hall and in a signup genius soon. For more info contact Zena Tucker or email stewardship@uuch.org.

Grief Support Group

The UUCH grief Support Group meets every first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in the Adult RE room. All are welcome. Feel free to invite anyone who would benefit from processing their loss and grief in a non-dogmatic support group. We share books and other resources. Last month we had a wonderful discussion and sharing of ideas about how to keep and dispose of your loved ones' physical possessions. The photo is of teddy bears made from a husband's Hawaiian shirts. 

At our next meeting on August 6th, we will be sharing poetry. If you have a piece of poetry that helps you express or endure your grief, feel free to bring it with you. For the September 3rd meeting we will be discussing incomplete grief. That is the kind of grief where we don't know for sure that the person died. For example: situations where people are missing or estranged from us. 

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.

• July 24^th: ACLU Our Bodies, Our Futures- People Power Action Call at 7 pm via Zoom (https://act.aclu.org/a/july-action-call)
• July 27^th: Love Huntsville’s Dinner for the Unhoused at 6 pm at the Slab *Please consider bringing a gallon or two of water Sunday for the people at the camp. They will be able to refill them at the new Spicket that’s been installed there.*(see Gail Williams)
• August 3^rd: Blood Drive at UUCH after the potluck lunch (see Melodie Brier)
• August 6^th: Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Action Hour at 7 pm via Zoom (https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/794925/)
• August 9^th: Huntsville Green Team’s Merrimack Village Cleanup Day at 3317 Clopton Street SW from 9 am to 11 am (https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-calendar-event/merrimack-village-community-cleanup-day/)
• August 11^th: Side with Love’s Gathering at 7 pm via Zoom (https://secure.everyaction.com/XnqNDTSYpEC18n0-j2Yc3w2)
• August 19^th: Faith in Action Alabama Huntsville Hub meeting at 5:30 pm (TBD location; see Brad Korb)
• August 20^th: Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Action Hour at 7 pm via Zoom (https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/794925/)

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/)

• ShowerUp (showers for unhoused people): https://app.initlive.com/web-admin/app/#/join-party?k=aagp6mlprpk46k
• Land Trust of North Alabama: https://landtrustnal.org/support/volunteer/

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