100 Boxes of Food Give Away

In an effort to step up to the increased food needs of our neighbors, we will be giving away 100 boxes of food on Saturday December 6th in the church parking lot. This started out as a care committee project for social justice but quickly grew to include other teams like property (we needed some strong backs) and Safety team (we needed their expertise). So now, if any one else wants to join in, you are welcome to join us! Please email LaDawn Edwards at sapphirestar@live.com if you want to participate. Time on Saturday will be 9:00AM— 2:00PM maximum. Please do not distribute this on Social Media. We have a carefully planned social media campaign that will bring in at least 100 cars but hopefully not 500 cars. You can see how this might get too big too fast. If you need to be at the church on Saturday morning for other reasons, please check with the Safety team who will be in the parking lot to coordinate where church people and volunteers need to park. The food for this event is being provided by One Generation Away. They are a non profit organization dedicated to rescuing good-quality food that would otherwise be thrown away. 

Celebrate Ron

After nearly 3 years of dedicated service, it's time to celebrate our pianist Ron Guthrie, as he and Susan embark on their next great adventure. And UUCH isn't the only one saying goodbye and thank you this week. If you didn't know, Ron has also served as the pianist at Temple B'Nai Sholom (TBS). Not only are we planning to celebrate Ron this Sunday 12/7 at UUCH, but we've also been invited to join TBS as they celebrate Ron at their Shabbat Service on Friday 12/12 at 7:00PM. 

Rabbi PJ and I are hopeful that part of Ron's legacy in this community will be lasting friendships and camaraderie between our communities. 

Please plan to attend one or both of these celebrations! 

— Rev. Jaimie

Share the Plate with Huntsville Utilities Project Share

During the fourth quarter of 2025, UUCH is sharing our plate proceeds with the Huntsville Utilities Project Share. All plate proceeds received from the Thursday before the first Sunday through the Saturday after the first Sunday will be split with Project Share. In December, this includes plate donations received from December 4th through December 13th.

Those in our community who are elderly, have disabilities, and are also low-income need our help to get through the winter. Project Share was launched in December 1988 to help these customers pay utility bills during the winter. One hundred percent of funds contributed to Project Share go directly to those in need.

During January, February, and March of 2025, Project Share assisted 811 families with paying their utility bills. During this time frame, a total of $193,436.50 was awarded to help these families with the gas and electric portions of their bills, an average of $238.52 per family.

In addition, thirty percent of Project Share Program donations go toward home improvements to create long-term energy savings. These funds are combined with grant awards and TVA contributions to make a significant impact in our community. Participants for energy improvements are qualified through HUD criteria for very low-income residents of Madison County.

For more information or to set up an automatic payment for your household, please visit their website here. Please consider giving generously to this important local organization.

Upcoming Adult RE Events

Adult RE is continuing our community-led discussion forum "Learn & Share", where individuals can come together to learn from other congregation members search for truth and meaning. The following topics are coming up this month:

• 12/7 at 9:30AM: The Jesuit Examen Prayer, a useful daily meditation
• 12/14 at 12:00PM: The Needs of the Immigrant Community from Hilda Eisler (Alabama Hispanic Association)
• 12/21 at 9:30AM: Having Hard Conversations Across Differences

See upcoming topics (and sign up to share a book/prayer/exercise that you're using) here.

AHA Holiday Gifts and Groceries

Thanks to your generosity, we have met our goals for both gifts and groceries that will be distributed to low-income Hispanic families on December 13th! Thank you to all who contributed! 

If you signed up to provide groceries, please bring them to the church as shown below:

• Non-perishable items can be brought to the church on Sunday, 12/7, or any time before 10:00AM on 12/13
• Perishable items should be brought to the church on Saturday, 12/13, between 8:00AM—10:00AM

If you would like to help with the distribution on 12/13, please contact Brad at social.justice@uuch.org.

Vegetarian/Vegan Group Dinner & Program

YOU are invited to a Vegetarian/Vegan Potluck Dinner and program on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 5:30PM in our UUCH Fellowship Hall. 

Following a delicious potluck dinner, we’ll share ideas about how to get started or continue leading a plant-based life. Not sure you’re ready yet? No problem! Questions are always welcome. This is just the place to begin or to continue your plant-based journey. We’re all about great, plant-based food, networking, learning, friendship, & FUN!  We’ll also discuss how to navigate the holiday festivities while maintaining healthy eating habits. GREAT info & tips - just in the Nick 🧑‍🎄 of time! Ho! Ho! Ho!

First-time folks don’t need to bring anything. Potlucks always mean plenty of food for everyone. Just bring your questions, your thoughts and ideas, your energy, and your enthusiasm. Those who have attended before are welcome to bring a yummy, plant-based dish to share.

Know others who love plant-based food or are a bit curious as to what plant-based eating is all about? Feel free to bring them. All are very welcome!

If you want more information or have questions, contact Cam at 256-783-9485/camrme@aol.com.

We plan to meet in the evening on the 2nd Sunday of each month in 2026, so mark your calendars!

We hope to see YOU on December 14th!

UUSC’s Guest At Your Table

UUCH is participating 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 around the world working for justice with our support. This year, the several grassroots partners are highlighted with the GAYT theme of “Planting Seeds of Justice.”

Every family is encouraged to help “plant seeds” by placing a GAYT box at your dining table and then contributing to this “guest” at every meal. Please see the table in the Fellowship Hall to pick up your box and some information about this year’s guests. Boxes can be returned to the church in January or contributions can be sent directly to the UUSC.

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

Pancakes and PJs Sunday, December 28th!

DRE Jes Zelaya is hosting our newest favorite tradition this year. Drop in anytime you like from 10:45AM—12:00PM for pancakes, coffee and fun. Please wear Christmas PJs or something festive and join in the fun. 

We will provide the pancakes and syrup. Contributions of special toppings, fruit, or other breakfast side dishes are encouraged. Sign Up Here to help flip pancakes or help with setup/clean up!

Save the Date— 1/24/26 Property day 

Mark your calendars for January 24th, our wintertime property day. Yes, it will probably be cold so we will be focusing on indoor projects. As always we will have activities for all ability and skill levels.

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.

• December 8th: UUA’s Side with Love “The Gathering” at 7:00PM via Zoom (Sign up here.)
• December 10th : SURJ Action Hour at 7:00PM via Zoom (Sign up here.)
• December 12th : UUA’s Side with Love Stop Avelo Action Hour at 10:00AM via Zoom (Sign up here.)
• December 13th: Hispanic Family Gift and Groceries Distribution at UUCH at TBD time (see Brad Korb or Gail Williams for more info)

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

• Food Bank of North Alabama: https://www.foodbanknorthal.org/volunteer/
• 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.

Circle of Candles

The UUCH Board lit a candle of Joy: "Since the spring of this year, on the last Sunday of the month, it has been our practice to light a candle of joy to honor a fellow Unitarian Universalist Church in our Southern region. On this last Sunday of November, we joyfully light a candle for our friends at the Manatee UU Fellowship of Bradenton, Florida. We send them our positive thoughts and good wishes; and are grateful for their presence in our wider UU community of faith, hope, friendship, and love."

Kathy Fisher-Mansfield lit a candle of Joy: "Happy Birthday to Doak on November 24th! I am grateful to my son and his family for working so hard to get the house and garage more ready for Doak to move in. It wont be long now!"