Letter from Sandra

I am filled with gratitude for the hospitality and graciousness I received last weekend as we spent the time envisioning faith formation and deepening our connection to each other and to our faith through worship.

The retreat on Saturday was attended by 24 people! Taking time on a Saturday to learn from and inspire each other is a big ask. And y’all rose to the occasion. Check out the timeline in the Fellowship Hall that documents much of the Religious Education History, starting in 1957. You will also find 22 short stories in index cards, 22 Faith Stories in six words.

The church and its programming have had more ups and than downs. The impact from the past few years has been devastating, especially to the children, youth and their families. I admire UUCH’s leaders for staying steady and investing time and treasure to provide a safe haven for deep personal discernment and faith formation.

Folks who attended the retreat made a variety of commitments to supporting the faith formation ministry, including the support of staff and volunteers. Here are the questions I asked and I invite you to answer for yourselves:

1. What do you want the children and youth in your congregation to gain from their religious education experiences? 2. What do you want the young adults and adults in your congregation to gain from their religious education experiences? 3. What does “lifespan faith formation” mean to you? 4. What personal strengths do you have that will help faith formation and its potential at this congregation? 5. How do you see yourself working with the settled religious educator? 6. What are your expectations of the settled religious educator? Of the parish minister (in terms of religious education)? Of the congregation? 7. Where do you see religious education/faith development going in five years in this congregation? How will you help in this process? 8. In general, how do you feel about the potential for lifespan faith formation to flourish in this congregation? 9. How might you demonstrate support for the settled religious educator? The RE Committee and volunteers? The parents and their children of your congregation?

The worship service that Rev. Jaimie and I led used a different format. I still hold the vision of you facing each other as you spoke aloud The Words of Aspiration. It was a powerful moment. And everyone did a fabulous job providing sound effects during the story, The Hole Boy. Many of you asked for the source of the story. The story is in an anthology called “Ancient Stories for Modern Times (50 Short Wisdom Tales For All Ages), retold by Faye Mogensen and published by Skinner House Books.

I will be partnering with you as you search for a settled Director. I am glad to have been to the church and to have seen Huntsville. It was fun and it was helpful!

In faith,

Sandra Greenfield

RE Transition Consultant

sandra.l.greenfield@gmail.com

UUCH Fellowship Dinner:

Ol' Heidelberg Cafe on Thursday, January 19th @ 5:30pm

Does your New Year's resolution include more time with UUs? Here's a great opportunity to make that happen. Come join us for dinner.

When: Thursday, January 19 @ 5:30pm

Where: Ol' Heidelberg Cafe, 6125 University Dr NW Ste E14, Huntsville, AL 35806

Please sign up here so we know how many to expect.

Money will never be a barrier to participating in Fellowship at UUCH. If you need financial assistance to participate, please contact Rev. Jaimie at minister@uuch.org.

Contact Sarah Rody at sarah.rody@live.com or Steve Rittenberg at srittenberg@gmail.com if you have questions. Thanks!

Sponsored by the Fellowship Committee

UUCH "TED Talk"

Join us at UUCH on Friday, January 20 @ 6pm in the Fellowship Hall for dinner, a Ted Talk, and discussion.

Topic: Leadership is Love by Dr. Mark Rittenberg.

In this short 15 minute talk, Dr. Rittenberg teaches us that leadership is about the Power of Human Connection. After his talk, we will discuss what this means and how we can apply it in our lives inside and outside of UUCH.

Please RSVP using the signup genius link here so we have an idea about how many people for pizza dinner. BYOB.

If you have ideas for future Ted Talks or would like to facilitate a UUCH Ted Talk discussion, please get in touch.

Childcare can be arranged if sufficient notice is given. Please contact us if needed.

*** We are asking for donations towards the cost of this event. Please consider donating $5 per person or $15 per family. But don't let the cost push you away.

Teri Thomas (terit4u@yahoo.com), UUCH Adult RE Committee Chair

Sarah Rody (sarah.rody@live.com) and Steve Rittenberg (srittenberg@gmail.com), UUCH Fellowship Committee Co-Chairs

Sponsored by the Adult RE and Fellowship Committees

Shambhala Open House and Book Discussion

The Shambhala Meditation Group that meets in our Religious Education space on Saturdays is having an Open House on Sunday, January 22nd at 9:30am. The Open House will provide an opportunity to learn more about meditation, find out about what the group is studying and learning and meet some of the people in the meditation group. There will be a short meditation instruction provided for those that are interested in learning how to meditate. All are welcome.

Anyone who is interested is also welcome to join our book study which will begin on Jan 28th at 9am after our 8am meditation. We will continue the book study through March. We will be studying The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times, by Pema Chodron. This is an excellent book that offers practices to help us understand and get through the difficult times of our lives.

This group is an extension of the Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center and is led here in Huntsville by Bill Elliott, who has been meditating and studying Shambhala Buddhism for 18 years. Shambhala is based on trust in human dignity offering a path of meditation practice and contemplative arts oriented towards modern life. The Shambhala communities around the world cultivate kindness, bravery, and genuine dialogue. The Shambhala vision is to inspire compassionate, sustainable, and just human societies.

Sponsored by the Adult RE Committee

Fellowship Brainstorming Dinner

Everyone (especially new UUs and those thinking about joining UUCH) is welcome to come to a brainstorming potluck dinner hosted by Cam Scales on Thursday, January 26. Arrive around 5:30 pm with dinner to begin at 6pm. We'll chat as we eat and finish up by 8pm. This will be potluck style with Cam providing the pasta, veggie sauce, bread, and drinks. Please use the Signup Genius link here to RSVP so we can have an idea about who is coming but also to round out the menu with meat sauces, salads, and desserts. (Please don't let the word "potluck" be a barrier to attending. You are welcome to sign up as just your own sweet, wonderful selves.)

What will we do this year? That's up to you! We currently go out to dinner once a month. We'll arrange a UUCH night at a Trash Panda game. Want to attend a game night at UUCH, see a movie at church or around town, or go to an event? Hike, bike, walk, jog? Dance, sing, buy some bling, take a fling? All possibilities are open! Please note that at our dinner you are not committing yourself to host, sponsor, facilitate, or plan anything. You are always welcome to provide that support but first let's decide what we want to do and then we'll figure out how and when.

Cam's address:



Cam Scales

19 Georgetta Drive (up on Monte Sano)

Huntsville, AL

We look forward to seeing you!

Sponsored by the Fellowship Committee

Annual Chili Fest on Saturday, January 28th

Our Annual UUCH Chili Fest is scheduled for Saturday, January 28th in the UUCH Fellowship Hall. The supper begins at 6:00 pm. You are encouraged to bring your own personal version of chili, whether it’s red, white, spicy, mild, vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. You can help with decorating and/or clean up, as well as bringing side items such as cheese, cornbread, etc. by signing up on the poster in the Fellowship Hall or by going to our SignUp Genius here.

There will be an Open Mic for those who want to perform; please contact Tim Miller.

Sponsored by the Hospitality Committee

Circle of Candles

Jordan Randles lit a candle of Joy: "I finally got the job at TOYOTA, and I not only completed the three week training but also got placed in an assembly position that works for me! The benefits are in and the pay is great, so I am filled with gratitude and can start making videos on YouTube again!"