Calendar of Events

February 15, 2024

Vol. 24 Issue 07

In This Issue


-Upcoming Service


-Nursery Care 


-Building Repair


-RE News


-Help a Local School


-Buddy Breakfast


-Circle of Candles


-Calendar of Events


-Free Tax Service


-Donate Online or

by Text


-COVID Policy


-Submit to the Newsletter


-Minister Info


-UUCH Board Members


-Church Info






Upcoming Service

Why We Should Be Talking about Capital Punishment--and How to Start the Conversation

Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy

10:45 a.m., Sunday, February 18, 2024


Despite Alabama's commitment to the death penalty and the recent media coverage of several high-profile executions, Alabamians don't currently have many spaceseducational, religious, or otherwisefor discussing the ethics and practice of extreme punishment. Today we will consider why it is important to initiate these discussions in our homes, communities, and other spheres of influenceand some strategies for navigating difficult questions.


Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy is an associate professor of English and PI for the Restorative Justice Lab at the University of North Alabama. This program offers a certificate in Restorative Justice at Limestone Correctional Facility, the largest prison in the state. Her work with Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty—made up of men on Alabama's death row—appears in Mississippi Quarterly, Critical Criminology, and most recently in the edited collection Ghosts Over the Boiler: Voices from Alabama's Death Row.

Worship Zoom Link

This Sunday Events Following Service


Coffee Hour

Fellowship Hall


Choir News


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.

Update on Repairing the A-Frame Beams


It has taken a while, but the contract with Rhodes Construction has been signed and the subcontractor, Dajon Associates, will begin repair work on the beams soon, though the exact date has not yet been scheduled. The work will be performed in three phases.



  • In Phase I the steel plates on beam 7 will be removed, after supports are installed, and the end will be amputated to determine the full extent of the decay. That will take only a few days.
  • Phase II will involve designing and fabricating the steel replacements. That will take a few weeks, but will be off-site.
  • For Phase III, the ends of all of the beams with decay will be amputated and the steel replacements inserted. That will also take a few weeks. It is expected that the supports for the beams will only be outside of the building, but it may be necessary to provide support in the sanctuary. If so, that will be done in the least disruptive manner, though it may involve temporarily removing some pews.


Thanks for your patience and support as we address this critical repair for our building!


- Property Committee

RE News


Pre-K – Fifth Grade


The theme this month is The Gifts of Justice and Equity. This week we explore how to build a better world so that justice and equity are a part of society. And since this month is Black History Month, we focus on how African-Americans have led the way in bringing justice and equity to our country and how uncovering the unjust parts of our US history is also a way of addressing the harm of our US past.


YoUUth Group (Middle and High School)


This week we have chosen to invite our YoUUth Group to have a seat at the table with grown-ups as we listen to a presentation from our guest speaker Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy on capital punishment: why we should be talking about it and how to start the conversation. After the Story For All Ages concludes, we will dismiss our younger siblings to RE and YoUUth will remain in the sanctuary.


_________________________________________


Who: The Transforming Hearts Collective (facilitated by Rev. Jaimie and Kristen)

What: Transgender Inclusion in Congregations

When: 2/22/24 6 PM - 7:30 PM

Where: Fellowship Hall


UUCH is so excited to announce that the Board has approved the purchase of this course for the entire congregation and staff. There will be many upcoming opportunities to learn the material and engage in thoughtful discussion. Rev. Jaimie and Kristen will kick off the first workshop beginning 2/22 and continue on a weekly basis and will conclude on 3/28. We welcome anyone and, while we would love it if you could attend all six, we realize the constraints of modern life. If you can only make it to one or a few, we still encourage you to join us whenever you can. We are happy to provide popcorn since it is a wonderful symbol of transformation! Please bring your own drinks or refreshments and we also ask that you be prepared to clean up after yourselves at the conclusion of the workshop. If you would like more information about the course, you can visit The Transforming Hearts Collective here.

Support Literacy in the Community!


Highlands Elementary School, a Title 1 school, is having a book fair and we would love volunteers. Our very own Deborah Delacey is the librarian at Highlands, which is the local elementary school to the church. Funds generated from sales go directly back into the library, helping to diversify the collection with books that speak to our shared values and represent our diverse population. The book fair will take place beginning Monday, March 4th through Thursday, March 7th from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm in the school library. Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated. For more information about volunteering, please contact Deborah Delacey at: deborah.delacey@gmail.com

News from your Stewardship Team


We are excited to announce our upcoming pledge drive in March. Our theme will be “Together We Can”! We are seeking members willing to host a cottage meeting--a small gathering of 6-12 people where we share our stories and dreams for this beloved community and answer questions about the pledge drive. If you are interested in hosting, please contact stewardship@uuch.org


We are also excited to share this retrospective of 2023 in pictures. What a year we had! What will we accomplish next year?


View at this link: UUCH In Action 2023 slideshow


Finally, we are seeking three leaders for our spring fundraiser. We intend to conduct a book sale in April or May. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please email stewardship@uuch.org

Buddy Breakfast


Have you ever thought to yourself, "Who are these kids that come to the front for their stories each week and then disappear to classrooms?" Well, now is your chance to get to know one of these young people. ARE and CYRE are joining forces to pair an adult with a child to share a pancake breakfast on Sunday, February 25. A signup sheet will be in the fellowship hall. Spaces are limited for adults, so sign up soon if you want this opportunity. Registration closes on 2/18. Contact Teri Thomas (terit4u@yahoo.com) for any questions or to sign up virtually.

Free Tax Service


Come and have your tax returns prepared for free! This free tax service is open to any income and any age. It is sponsored by the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and the IRS. Visit www.seniorview.com>PROGRAMS>TAX AIDE to see tax sites in our area.


  • Main Location: Studio 60 Senior Center, 2200 Drake Avenue, Huntsville
  • Times: Mon – Thu, 8:30 – 3:30, Fri 8:30 – 11:30
  • Dates: February 5 – April 11, 2024
  • Appointment Process: Come in person to fill out a request for appointment, pick up a tax package for completing at your convenience. You will be called back ASAP with an appointment date and time.


For more info, please contact Khoe Tran, CPA, at kqtran1@yahoo.com


Circle of Candles


John Jeter lit a candle of Sorrow: "Kathy Ambers, a friend of our family, passed away last Sunday morning after many health problems."


LaDawn Edwards lit a candle of Joy: "Thanks to everyone who helped with my husband's memorial service. I felt so loved and helped by my church family. Because of our tech team, Chris's sister and business friends in Iowa could also share in the beautiful service."


Nancy Pettus lit a candle of Sorrow: "Jane Welty took a fall this week. Ward hopes to move her to the memory care floor this week. Please keep Ward and Jane in your thoughts."


Zena Tucker lit a candle of Sorrow: "Gloria Anne Tucker, Zena's mother-in-law, is in the hospital with serious issues. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated."


The Braswell Family lit a candle of Sorrow: "Our family is mourning the loss of Leah's service dog and our family pet, Kara, who passed unexpectedly."


Barbara Hitt lit a candle of Joy: "I was very proud to pin my father's Eagle Scout badge on my grandson Elliott's uniform yesterday at the Court of Honor in Birmingham at which Elliot attained the rank of Eagle Scout."


The Delacey Family lit a candle of Joy: "Last night we belatedly celebrated the 8th anniversary of our gotcha day when we officially became the Delacey Tribe."


Melodie Brier lit a candle of Joy: "Melodie is thrilled to announce the arrival of great-granddaughter, Jenny Sky Guadalupe. Mom, Nicole, and baby are both doing well after the emergency c-section."

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

The food pantry is a huge success, being utilized by numerous people!
If you are able to pick a day to re-stock the pantry, please do so, using the Sign-Up Genius link below.

There are also baskets in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary entry foyer for food collection. The collected food will ultimately be used to fill the pantry on days not chosen on the sign-up genius.

Canned meats, soups, veggies, mac-and-cheese, bread, fruit, fresh veggies--all kinds of foods are welcome.

Thank you for being so generous. We are making a difference!
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.

Minister
Rev. Jaimie Dingus

Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
Make an Appointment with the Minister

UUCH 2023-24

Board Members

 

 President:

Susan Coddington

 

 Vice President:

Bryan Walls


Secretary:

Nancy Finley


Treasurer: 

David Bollinger


Trustees: 

Will Garrison

Darlene Patten

Cam Scales


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 will be announced as soon as possible.

Office Administrator

Ryan Vidal Gonzales


Main Office Hours:

​ Mondays 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Tuesdays through Thursdays 10:00 AM to 1:00 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


Editor-in-Chief:

Laurel Bollinger


Copy Editor:

Ryan Vidal Gonzales

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PO Box 5545
Huntsville, AL 35814
(256) 534-0508
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