New UU Class at UUCH

Sunday, Mar 26th & Apr 2nd

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? You are invited to attend a two-part class at UUCH that explores important themes in UU congregational life.

We will discuss UU worship and theology, history, covenant and polity, faith development, social justice, and membership. This program is particularly focused on introducing newcomers to UUCH, but those of you who have been here for a while will also be able to share and connect with others as we explore our own beliefs and how they intersect with the UU tradition. Everyone is welcome!

Mark your calendars now for the Sunday mornings of March 26th and April 2nd from

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for this chance to learn, to share, and to be together. The classes will be held in the Adult Religious Education classroom at UUCH, located at the back of the Religious Education wing. Nancy Finley and Nick Wilbourn will facilitate the discussion.

Contact membership@uuch.org for further information. If you will need childcare during the classes, please contact us at least a week in advance. We look forward to seeing you there!

Submitted by Adult RE and Membership Committees

Letter from Sandra

"Faith minus vulnerability and mystery equals extremism. If you’ve got all the answers, then don’t call what you do 'faith.'” ~ Brene Brown

I am part of an inspiring and experienced group of Religious Education Transition Consultants who are connected to the Guild of Interim Religious Educators. One of my colleagues, Michele Grove, wrote an intriguing blog post about family systems, a philosophy that has inspired many Unitarian Universalist ministries. I know you learn a great deal from Michele’s professional experience. Her article is below:

“Going Beyond Family Systems Theory in the Interim Process”

Interim ministers and religious educators are transitional specialists who commonly work with a congregation for a short period of time as the congregation navigates the complicated network of transition between clergy and professional lay leadership. Interim ministry is built on the common understanding that church communities are complicated systems of people with different ideas, thoughts, and emotions. It may seem like the departure of one religious leader and the entrance of another should be a simple process; but the multiple layers of human experience and emotion response make this process more complicated. It is important to honor the confusion, self-doubt, grief, anger, and fear that is embedded in transitions. When done well, interim ministry does this with patience, compassion, and a non-anxious presence.

The creation of this interim ministry model in the 1970’s was built on an understanding of family systems theory. Family systems theory as it is outlined by Murray Bowen and Edwin Friedman sees the family as a tightly connected system where all parts affect the other. When one member or small group within the family interacts in positive emotional ways, it affects the entire family system for the better. On the other side, when one member or small group within the family interactions in negative or dysfunctional emotional ways, it introduces challenging influences on the entire family. Navigating family systems is something we all do in our immediate and extended family.

This theory has been successfully translated to congregations who often interact like a family. And for several decades, this theory which studies the multiple layers of interconnectedness and historical trauma has helped congregations understand why transitions between clergy and other religious leaders are more complicated. Congregations experience confusion, self-doubt, grief, anger, and fear just like families when navigating transitions. This is a good theory, and it has served congregations well for almost fifty years.



But it is important to note that these theories were developed by well-established, economically secure white men who possibly received more attention because of their race, gender, and economic status. Is it possible that there are other voices that do not receive as much immediate attention that can also speak to the underlying systems of congregations? Over the past several years, I have made it a point to dig deeper and find some of these diverse, astute voices who look at systems in different ways. What I have found is a gift beyond imagination. This is the first of several blogs I will write exploring these gifts. I look forward to exploring with you. If you have a thought or question, please leave a comment. I believe that the conversation is the best part of blogging! -Michele Townsend Grove (Townsend Grove Consulting and Coaching townsendgrove@gmail.com)

In vulnerability,

Sandra Greenfield (my pronouns are she/her)

RE Transition Consultant living on the tribal lands of the Cocheco in NH

sandra.l.greenfield@gmail.com

Cottage Meetings Start this Weekend!

The Annual Budget Drive (ABD) was kicked off last Sunday during the potluck! We heard about the role of the cottage meetings, we sang a song of gratitude, and (of course) we ate some great food (including a special cake!). The ABD is our annual campaign to collect pledges of financial support for the next fiscal year (beginning July 1), and we hope to get those pledges all collected by the end of this month. To that end, we hope that all households -- both members and friends -- who are at all able will attend one of our cottage meetings. There, we will have fun hearing the stories of other congregants and get to know one another better, we will hear more about the budget process and any particular needs for next year, we will have an opportunity to make our pledge, and once again we will eat some great food! Most of the cottage meetings are held in the homes of members, and others will be at the church (one of which is this Sunday, for lunch after the service). There are lunch, dinner, and happy hour formats to choose from, on dates scattered through the month. We will also have a zoom meeting at the end of the month for those who are unable to attend one of the meetings.

If you have not yet done so, please sign up for a cottage meeting at THIS LINK! Help ensure that UUCH has the resources to pursue its mission of building a beloved community, and a better world!

Sponsored by the Stewardship Committee

Adult RE sign up table

Have you notice the ARE signup table in the fellowship hall? Please make it part of your coffee hour routine to peruse our offerings for engagement in adult religious education.

Sponsored by the Adult RE Committee

SoulCollage Sunday Afternoons

Coming soon, we will be restarting our popular SoulCollage® group. Based on the work of Seena Frost, SoulCollage® is an easy, creative way to get in touch with your right brain, intuitive self. 

We will be using cut out images, our imaginations, a bit of glue, and some card stock to create a collaged card. By musing and journaling with this card, we can explore and express ourselves in ways we might not have thought possible. Finally, we will gather in a circle of community to share as each one feels comfortable.

All materials will be provided, but feel free to supplement by gathering images from magazines, online photo sharing websites, or bring photos of loved ones and pets.

Using images instead of language helps us to connect with the parts of ourselves that may be hidden from our everyday view. As we learn more about ourselves, we become able to recognize patterns in thought and action that no longer serve us. Each card is personal and unique because everyone chooses images that speak to them.

“The most original contribution to the battery of tools for deep self-exploration and psychology in years.” --Stanislavsky Geof, M.D. Ph.D. author of Psychology of the Future--Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research

Sponsored by the Adult RE Committee

Children's Books

Did you know that we have a full bookcase of children’s books? It is located in the Adult RE room. Feel free to peruse and borrow!

Sponsored by the Adult RE Committee

Share the Spotlight!

UUCH is a community of Shared Ministry, and we invite YOU to share the spotlight.

Have you ever admired or envied the person who reads announcements and gets the service going on Sundays? Have you ever wondered how EASY it is to do it? Do you want to practice your speaking in front of a loving audience without having to compose anything? Are you craving an opportunity to ring the bowl? Do you want to show off your new haircut?

Being a host for our worship services could be for you! You don’t have to be a member of any committee to try it. You can do it only one time, or you can continue to be part of the rotation. Whatever is right for you. It’s TOTALLY SCRIPTED! No worries, no need to ad lib. 

Contact Suzey Delacey at pseuzieq@gmail.com to get access to the spotlight.

Lunch at Luigi's Italian Grill in Madison

Hey! How about a nice lunch at a great Italian restaurant? Come join us at Luigi’s Italian Grill on Hwy 72 in Madison

When: Thursday, March 23 at 12 Noon

Where: Luigi's Italian Grill, 7559 Hwy 72 W Suite 112, Madison, AL 35758

Please sign up so we know how many to expect. SignUp Genius link.

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: Friday, March 31st at 6pm

Join us at UUCH on Friday, March 31 @ 6pm in the Fellowship Hall for dinner. a Ted Talk, and discussion. Topic: Give yourself permission to be creative by Ethan Hawke. In this short 9 minute talk, Mr. Hawke helps us understand about and why creativity is so important. This talk is a great way to wrap up our monthly theme of Vulnerability. After his talk, Teri Thomas will lead us in a discussion about what this means and how we can apply it in our lives inside and outside of UUCH. Please RSVP using the signup genius link at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aa4aa2ba2f4c43-uuch so we have an idea about how many people will be coming 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. Cost will never be a barrier from attending a UUCH Event. Please get in touch with Rev. Jaimie at minister@uuch.org if you need assistance.

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 Committee

Circle of Candles

Tim Miller lit a candle of Joy: "I finished my 7 weeks of radiation therapy for the cancer on my ear."

Holly Hopkins lit a candle of Concern: "My husband is Army National Guard and is deploying for a year to Poland. He is Leaving March 16th."

The Delaceys lit a candle of Sorrow: "Many of you know Amanda Schuber and Wanda Snoddy. Wand's dad passed away this week after and extended illness. Their kids have lost their beloved Grandpa."

Kathy Fisher lit a candle of Joy: "Overjoyed I am finally and officially out of physical therapy!"