The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
March 9, 2017
Vol. 17 Issue 10
In This Issue
ABD
Fellowship Dinner!
We depend on YOU to help UUCH "tend the flame" by signing up now to attend the Annual Budget Drive (ABD) Fellowship Dinner. The dinner will be held at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church on Saturday, March 25 th , at 6:00 p.m.
SIGN UP NOW!

If you cannot attend the dinner, we will contact you separately to arrange a personal meeting to complete your ABD Pledge form. 
Thank you! 
        
Kevin Betts (ABD Chair) 
Glen Clark (ABD Co-Chair) 
bags of food
We collected 124 items for HAP in February.
 
THANKS!
The Social
Justice Committe e's goal is to collect and donate 100 items per month. CAN you pick up an extra CANNED good, nonperishable food item, or personal care product next time you are out shopping? Please do, and put it in the basket in the church foyer to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP). Suggested donations:  
macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, dry beans and rice, boxes of cereal, bars of soap, canned meat, and peanut butter!

Thanks in advance!
Movement Class on Fridays!

Our Awareness Through Movement® classes focus on gentle movement that can assist us in being more comfortable and pain-free in our everyday activities.
Come learn how to use the core of your body to improve movement, balance, and chronic pain. 
Everyone is welcome! Class is drop-in, no experience necessary,  and is led by Sally Locklear. Wear comfortable, loose clothing, and bring a bath or beach towel to use as head support for comfort in side-lying.
ATM is held on Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m., with the exception of March 10th. 
For more information, contact Adult RE chair Nancy Finley at
  Adult.RE@uuch.org. UUCH Adult Religious Education focuses on the whole spiritual person--mentally and physically. Join us!


ARE YOU MAKING YOUR PLANS?
General Assembly 2017 
June 21-25, 2017
New Orleans, Louisiana
NOW IS THE TIME to begin planning your trip to our UUA's General Assembly! Important dates and programming updates may be found here:  http://www.uua.org/ga.
CLICK HERE to receive updates about General Assembly from the GA2017 New Orleans Local Arrangements Chair
This is close enough to drive from Huntsville! 

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March's Theme: Risk
     Upcoming Services
      
     Sunday, March 12th, 2017  
 
"Risking It All -- Stories of Courage"

History is full of brave people that dared to risk it all in the face of extreme adversity.  You have heard their names, but do you really know their stories? This week the Worship Team will dedicate our service to exploring what drove these braves souls forward in their quest for equality, liberty and the right to live as free people. We invite you allow the spark of courage in those that have gone before to ignite your own flame of passion and commitment.
                                             
                             Amanda Schuber
                               Worship Chair 
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education

We continue our "Storysharing" curricula based on our Soul Matters monthly worship theme of RISK with a children's chapel program in the RE area.

For information or to register a child, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education (DRE) at dre@uuch.org or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair, at children.re@uuch.org.
Please sign up now for the ABD
Fellowship Dinner!

Please help UUCH "tend the flame" by signing up now to attend the Annual Budget Drive (ABD) Fellowship Dinner. The dinner will will be held at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church on Saturday, March 25th, at 6:00 p.m. During this evening of good food, music, and fellowship, we will also each receive and complete our ABD Pledge form for the coming church fiscal year.
     
If you have not already done so, please click here   to sign up online. Sign-up will also continue to be available in our church fellowship hall.

If you cannot attend the dinner, we will contact you separately to arrange a personal meeting to complete your ABD Pledge form.
 

Thank you! 
        
Kevin Betts (ABD Chair)
Glen Clark (ABD Co-Chair)
  Are You Ready to Become a Memb er?
 
If you've been attending UUCH long eno ugh to know that th is churc h community feels like your spiritual home, you may be ready to take the next step and become a member. On Sunday, April 9th, we will welcome new members as they "sign the book" and officially join our church.
 
If you are ready to become a member or wo uld like to find out more about the process, please contact Pam Korb at   membership@uuch.org .
 
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Members may vote at all congregational meetings, be elected to the governing Board, be appointed as committee chairs, and participate in all activities of the congregation.
Because we are a covenanted congregation, members have certain responsibilities to the congregation and to each other. These responsibilities are best fulfilled by:
  • Regular attendance at worship. Weekly worship cements the bonds of community, and keeps our attention directed to our highest values, while nurturing our spirits.
  • Voting at congregational meetings. Responsible participation includes imagining the needs of the entire congregation, rather than focusing only on one's own needs or desires. Consider how issues affect all members of the congregation, as well as potential members and others in the world outside the congregation.
  • Making financial contributions. Not only does this provide for the support of the congregation, but it also serves as a spiritual discipline.
  • Contributing time and talent. Congregations succeed because their members find ways to give of themselves, whether through singing, financial management, educating children, sharing their passion for social justice, organizing, cooking, greeting, maintaining the building and grounds--the list of tasks goes on and on. Finding ways to give back that nurture your own soul helps support your personal growth along with the growth of our congregation.
  • Spiritual growth and development. Working deliberately at your own spiritual development is a gift to yourself, to the congregation, and to the larger world.
ONGOING HOMELESS OUTREACH COLLECTION
 
As a congregation-wide social justice activity, all are invited to bring to church an item to share with the church's homeless outreach.

The Social Justice Committee and Children and Youth Religious Education Program will be holding an RE Creative Service Sunday in March where children and youth will assemble meal packs for distribution in the community. Needed items include individual servings of canned fruit, cracker packs, pudding cups, juice boxes, canned meat (pull-tops, e.g. Vienna sausage), travel-sized hygiene products, and gallon-sized Ziplock bags. This will be an ongoing collection through  March 12th. 
        
Sponsored by the Alabama Hispanic Association in cooperation with your Social Justice Committee.

  "Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War"   
To Be S h o wn at UUCH
March 15th 7:00 - 8:30 pm

In March, we
will have a special film for our Wednesday night Adult RE Film Series. Martha and Waitstill Sharp, two young Unitaria ns, stood up against inju stice to defy the Nazi s and res cue dissidents, Jews, and other refugees during W or ld War II. Over two dangerous years, they helped to save hundreds of people fleeing the Nazi occupation across Europe. Their bravery and sacrifices have inspired a new do cumentary, "Defying the Nazis: The S harps' War." This powerful film is directed by Ke n Burns & Artemis Joukowsky, and narrated by Tom Hanks.

Along with other Unitarian Universalist churches around the country, we will be hosting a showing of this film as a tribute to our UU principles and values. It is appropriate for ages 7th grade and up; childcare will be provided for smaller children. Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend or neighbor and join us on Wednesday, March 15th immediately following the Wonderful Wednesday Supper. For more information, contact Nancy Finley
Adult.RE@uuch.org.
Social Justice Meeting  justice scales
Sunday, March 19 at 9:30 am
 
Please join us for our next Social Justice Committee meeting.  We will be discussing Spring projects and setting up for the homeless meal pack the RE kids and youth are working on.  Childcare will be provided, and we'll have bagels. 
Questions?  Tonia at (256) 882-9891 or  
bettsflock@gmail.com.
Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network

Hi all!

The Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network is using this photo from last year's conference as their title page for this year's registration! I think this is the workshop where we read/sang through new submissions by UU composers.

Can you spot anyone you recognize who is in attendance?

Thank you so much for supporting the professional development of our staff.


Pam Siegler  (Music Director)
 
It's that time of year again!

The time when you're ready and willing to clean out your closets, your drawers, your attics, and your garages. Toward that end, we'll be hosting the Annual UUCH Yard Sale at the church on Saturday, May 20th, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Mark the date, gather your goods (after making sure they're clean, stain-free, and intact), and start delivering them to the church where they'll be stored in the north wing. By early May, I'll ask for help in sorting and displaying. Finally, I'll urge you to sign up and help on May 20th. We haven't set up anything yet, but it's likely we'll be able to pick up large items the week of the yard sale. If you have questions, e-mail Bonnie Herold at bherold51@gmail.com or text/call (256) 289-1374.
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday,  March 5th, 2017  
at our Circle of Candles:

A candle of sorrow was lit for the immigrant families already torn apart or living in fear each day.

Amanda Schuber a candle of sorrow: This week marks seven years since my best friend Chris Trace took his life. Our world and our denomination lost a great soul with his death. I mourn him still every day. 
UUCH 16-17 Board Members
 
President: Laurel Bollinger 
Vice-President: Denise Runnels  
Secretary: Ed Bernstein           
Treasurer: Greg Howard   
Trustees: Susan Coddington, Kathy Heath,
   and Lynsie Lamitie 
 
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 President@uuch.org.

The next UUCH Board Meeting will be held
on Tuesday, March 28th, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Thanks for your cooperation!

From 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: Laurel Bollinger, Kathy Heath 

 

Newsletter deadlines are each Monday at midnight.
Please send submissions to news collator Willette Battle at
uuch@uuch.org.  

 

Office Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mon-Fri.

Office phone: 256.534-0508, email: uuch@uuch.org .

Minister's email: Minister@uuch.org.

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.