The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
November 16, 2017
Vol. 17 Issue 46
In This Issue
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Thu. 11/16
Essential Spirituality
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Adult Religious Education Room

Fri. 11/17
Awareness Thru Movement  
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Adult Religious Education Room

Sat. 11/18-19
YOUUTH Lock-In
11:00 a.m.

Sun. 11/19
Services
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
 
Give Us Hope rehearsals
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
 
Wed. 11/22
The UUkulele Fun Group
 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

UUCH Choir Practice
7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Music Room

Thu. 11/23
Thanksgiving!
We collected 202 HAP items in October.   
 
That is one of the best month's ever!!!
 
The Social Justice Committe e's goal is to collect at least 100 items during the month of October for the food pantry. Please put your nonperishable food item or personal care product donation in the basket in the church foyer for the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).  
   
Thanks for all you do!  
The UUkulele Fun Group 

The UUkulele Fun Group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 5:45. All skill levels welcome!
COME SING A SONG WITH US

The UUCH choir practices on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. in the choir room. Whether you know how to sing or would like to learn, we would love for you to join us!
Awareness Through Movement

 
Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

The Feldenkrais Method of Aw areness Through Movement meets each Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the Adult Religious Education Room. This Adult Religious Education (RE) class is drop-in, no experience necessary.  The class will be led by Sally Locklear.

Everyone is welcome.
 
For further information, contact Adult RE chair, Nancy Finley . If you need childcare for this event, please contact Nancy at least a week before the event.  

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UUCH 17-18  
Board Members
 
President:
Laurel Bollinger

Vice-President: 
Denise Runnels

Secretary:
Nancy Finley

Treasurer: 
Greg Howard

Trustees: 
Susan Coddington
Kathy Heath

Lynsie Lamitie


Ex Officio:
Reverend Alice Syltie


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 Laurel Bollinger, no later than one week prior to the meeting, i.e. the Tuesday before. You may phone her at home or send a copy of your request to
[email protected]The next UUCH Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 28th.

The Overlook is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church, 3921 Broadmor Rd. Huntsville, AL 35810

Minister:  

The Reverend Alice Syltie

Board President:  

Laurel Bollinger   

Editorial Board:  

Susan Coddington 

Kathy Heath 

 

Newsletter deadlines are each Monday at midnight.
Please send submissions to news collator Willette Battle at
[email protected].  

 

Office Hours:

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
Mon-Fri.

 

Office phone: 256-534-0508
email:
[email protected] .

Minister's email: [email protected].

Website: www.uuch.org 

 

Sunday Services are held 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Children's Religious Education held concurrently. Nursery available for age 3 years and under.

 

For further info on any event, call the church office:
256-534-0508.

 
Upcoming Service

Sunday, November 19, 2017
 
"Welcome Table Bread   
Sharing Service"
UUCH Worship Committee 
 
This Sunday we celebrate our Annual Bread Sharing Service, by breaking bread together and sharing stories of the origin of the bread we bring. This service is multi-generational, although nursery care will be available for babies and the very young.  
 
Bread is called the "staff of life," because it is a basic life-sustaining food. Some form of bread exists in just about every culture. Perhaps your family inherited a tradition of a particular type of bread from your ancestors. Or, maybe you enjoy bread from an ancestry you choose to claim.  
 
This Sunday you are invited to bring a loaf of bread, preferably cut into bite-size pieces, to share with the congregation. Our favorite breads usually have a story. If the bread you bring has significance to your own family, or to your ethnic, cultural, or religious heritage, you are invited to share that story during the service. If you bring bread that is gluten-free, vegan, etc., you may wish to label it for those who have special dietary considerations.  
 
Let us welcome one another to the table with story, song, and bread to share.
This Sunday in Children and
Youth Religious Education (CYRE)
   loaves
Children and youth are invited to participate in the All-ages Bread Sharing service in the sanctuary. RE groups will not be held. 
 
If you haven't already, please  register your child/youth for this year's CYRE program. For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education, or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair.
Bring Meal Pack Donations for Homeless Outreach THIS SUNDAY
 
All are invited to bring items this Sunday to donate for homeless meal pack outreach. Needed items include: individual servings of canned fruit (pull-tops), cracker packs, pudding cups, juice boxes, canned meat (pull-tops, e.g. Vienna sausage), travel-sized hygiene products, and gallon-sized Ziplock bags. T he Social Justice Committee and Children and Youth Religious Education Program will hold an RE Creative Action day on Sunday, November 26th, where children and youth will assemble the meal packs for distribution in the community.
All-Ages Holiday Movie Night December 2nd, 2017
 
 
Join the UUCH YOUUTH group as we host our 2nd Annual UUCH All-Ages Holiday Movie Night! We will be showing a treasured holiday favorite in the Fellowship Hall as we share freshly baked cookies, hot cocoa, and mulled cider.  
 
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday December 2nd and the movie will start at 6:30 p.m.
 
Childcare will be provided.
Calling All Children kids singing
Interested in singing a special song with the choir? The choir will be singing Give Us Hope on December 10th. This song has a special part for a group of children. If you have children (ages 7+) who would enjoy this experience, we invite you to sign them up. There will be two more 30 minute rehearsals after church starting at 12:15 p.m. on November 19th and December 3rd. If you have any questions, please call, text, or email the Music Director, Pam Siegler (931-307-4994).
It's Pageant Time!
Our UUCH Annual Christmas Pageant will be performed during the Worship Service on Sunday, December 17th! Children who participate in the pageant should:  
  • be at least 4 years old (we have parts for youth and adults too!)
  • be able to attend a short rehearsal during Religious Education (RE) on Sunday, December 10th
  • be able to arrive at church early (9:45 a.m.) on the day of the pageant (December 17th) for a quick run-through
  • be able to supply simple costume items (e.g., bath robes, etc.--no sewing or elaborate costuming required)
If you'd like to be part of this exciting production, please come to RE on Sunday, December 3rd, for our Christmas Pageant Prep day and Casting of Parts. Parents should plan to come to the RE area and confirm children's participation following the service. You may also contact Erin Reid at (256) 694-6786 or [email protected]. There are parts for Everyone!
Alabama Hispanic Association and UUCH Christmas Party Saturday, December 9th 
 
You can bring Christmas cheer to local Hispanic families. Alabama Hispanic Association (AHA) reaches out to selected families to provide a Christmas gift to children. UUCH provides a nice Christmas dinner and some of the gifts (from your donation gifts during the service).
Sign up online or on the Fellowship Hall poster.
 
So many ways to show your generosity in this community service event!
- Donate money to the UUCH youth for their  
  special shopping trip for some of the gifts
- Donate food (or money) for the lunch menu,  
  featuring turkey and ham
- Decorate Fellowship Hall & Food/kitchen setup
  (Friday)
- Serve and clean up
- Greet guests, especially if you speak a little  
  Spanish
 
Saturday: Volunteers 9:00am - 2:30pm   
Guests 10:30am- 1:00pm
Questions? Contact Betsy Applegate ([email protected]  ) or Gail Williams and Michele Clark ( [email protected] ).
 
There will be fewer guests this year (about 90) and one meal sitting, so there's no need for additional space for play in the Religious Education wing.
 
You'll want to be part of this wonderful, heart-warming holiday event. You're giving a special gift to the Hispanic community and to yourself.
 
Co-sponsored by Social Justice, Hospitality, and the Alabama Hispanic Association.  
Essential Spirituality, The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind
 
November 16th at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join UUCH Adult Religious Education as we read, discuss, and explore some exercises in Essential Spirituality - The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind by Dr. Roger Walsh, M.D., PhD.  
 
We have four copies of the book available for loan and they can be signed out in the Fellowship Hall or by contacting Shiela Burrows . The book is also readily available on-line to purchase. Our last session will meet tonight, November 16th, in the Adult Religious Education Room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  
 
Everyone is welcome!
Board Report October 2017
 
The UUCH Board met on October 24, 2017 for its regularly scheduled meeting. The Board discussed the feedback we have been getting from congregants and will be continuing the "Meet the Board" informal meetings once a month.  
 
The Board addressed concerns about covering sexton responsibilities without exhausting church leaders and continued its discussion of the evaluation of our office administrator position. In addition, safety policies and recommendations were discussed. A Communications Task Force will be established to assist the Board by suggesting church policies and procedures for our social media presence, website, and other public communications as well as updating our current newsletter policy.
   
The next meeting of the Board will be November 28, 2017. 
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday, November 12th, 2017, at our Circle of Candles:
 
Lauren Childers, a candle of joy: On the 9th, it was one year since I had walked into this church. I don't have time to express all the wonderful ways this church has improved my life. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make my life so fulfilling. You all have helped me believe in myself and believe in others. This place may very well have saved my life.  
 
Deborah Delacey, a candle of joy: We are excited to have Jane Hyatt visiting us. She has worked with, loved, and cared for our daughter, Ana Delacey, and is visiting from California as a surprise for Ana's 15th birthday. 
 
LaDawn Edwards, a candle of sorrow: My father-in-law, Roger Edwards, died November 10th after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He turned 78 on Halloween and will be remembered for his "Magical Jokers" stage act.