The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
October 5, 2017
Vol. 17 Issue 40
In This Issue
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Thu. 10/5
Essential Spirituality
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Adult RE Room

Fri. 10/6:
Awareness Thru Movement  
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Adult RE Room

Sun. 10/08:
Church Services
10:45 p.m.

Talk to the Board
12:00 p.m.
Meeting Room in RE Wing

Tue. 10/10:  
The Knit Wits
6:00 p.m.
Jefflyn Weed's Home

Wed. 10/11:
UUCH Choir Practice
7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Music Room

Thu. 10/12:
Essential Spirituality  Adult RE Room
6:00-8:00 p.m.
"Over the Rainbow"
UUCH Service Auction 2017
The UUCH Service Auction takes place Saturday, November 4th at 6:00 p.m. We need your donations to make this annual event a success. Donation deadline is October 30th. The food, fun, and fellowship are not to be missed!

Want to volunteer during the auction? We need table monitors, spotters, and runners as well as people to help with setup and cleanup. If you can volunteer to help, please send an email to

Remember, there are 3 ways to donate. To sign up your talent or other contribution:
1) Fill out the forms available in the Fellowship Hall;
2) Send an email to [email protected] with details about your contribution; or 
3) Fill in an online form
 
The forms and email also let us know your coming and pre-register you as a bidder. Check out during the night of the auction is based on the order by which you register, so make sure you register early!
 
We will once again offer you an opportunity to win a lovely quilt during a raffle. The lucky winner will be able to select one quilt from several options. You can view the selections the winner will choose from in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. See Shiela Burrows after the service this Sunday to purchase your raffle tickets.
 
Childcare will be provided. Door prizes will also be given away throughout the evening - you must be present to win.
  canned goods
More Pantry Items Needed for HAP    
The Social Justice Committe e's goal is to collect items for the food pantry. CAN you pick up an extra CANNED good, nonperishable food item, or personal care product next time you are out shopping? Please put your donation in the basket in the church foyer to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).  
Thanks for all you do!  
COME SING A SONG WITH US

The UUCH choir practices on Wednesdays at 7:15pm
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.
Our "Feldenkrais Method of A w areness Through Movement" class continues each Friday.  This series of lessons focuses on improving balance and breathing by improving the use of the muscles that support the hips and low back. These lessons use small, gentle movement, imagination, and sensing. Mats will be provided, but feel free to bring anything you might need to make yourself comfortable lying on the floor. If you are unable to lie on the floor, please let us know and we will make an accommodation for you.
This Adult RE class is drop-in, no experience necessary.  The class will be led by Sally Locklear. Everyone is welcome. We will meet each Friday at 10:00 a.m.
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.

UUCH Adult Religious Education focuses on the whole spiritual person--mentally and physically, so come join us!


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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, October 24th. 

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, October 8th, 2017  
 
October 11th is recognized as National Coming Out Day, a day founded in 1988 by Robert Eichsberg and Jean O'Leary marking the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.  While much progress towards equality and recognition has been made since then, coming out for the LGBT community is not something that happens only once in a lifetime. It is a daily series of decisions based on comfort and safety.  
 
Join us this Sunday as Lauren Childers and Amanda Schuber explore the personal impact of this daily journey of identity and visibility. 
This Sunday in Children and
Youth Religious Education 
  
RE groups will meet to continue our exploration of "Living Our Principles."
 
If you haven't already, please be sure to 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.    
Talk to the Board
 
The UUCH Board is dedicated to promoting healthy communication between the leadership and all members of our church community. As Rev. Alice is on sabbatical and is planning her retirement, we plan to strengthen and renew our commitment to being available to the congregation. Over the next few months, our Board, our Leadership Council, and Rev. Alice will be working closely to finalize plans relative to the retirement of Rev. Alice. While our leadership is still in the very early stages of planning, the Board recognizes that this transition will generate a range of emotions and that members of the congregation may have questions.
 
In keeping with our goal of open communication, some Board Members will be available once a month after Sunday services to talk to members about any concerns about the church. These " Talk to the Board" meetings will be informal and will provide a forum by which we can make sure we are hearing the congregation. The first Talk to the Board meeting will be held October 8th in the Meeting Room in the RE Wing immediately following the church service. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Calling All Children
Interested in singing a special song with the choir? The choir would like to sing
Give Us Hope in December. This song has a special part for a group of children. If you have children (ages 7+) that would enjoy this experience, we invite you to sign them up after church on Sunday, October 8th, from 12:10 - 12:30 p.m. in the Music Room. There will be four 30 minute rehearsals after church starting at 12:15 p.m. on October 22nd, November 5th, November 19th, and December 3rd. If you have any questions, please email Pam Siegler or call 931-307-4994.
Knit Wits

The Knit Wits will meet at Jefflyn Weed's home on Tuesday, October 10th, at 6:00 p.m. This group is part of the Care Committee. No skill at knitting is required! The Knit Wits make Care Shawls for church members undergoing health challenges, new baby gifts, and take on a variety of other projects, such as the Yarn-Bombing on the playground fence. You are welcome to join the group. If you wish to learn to knit or crochet, there are good and patient teachers who would love to help you learn.
Email Barbara Hitt for more information.

Wonderful Wednesday Supper!
  
Join your old friends and make some new ones as we break bread and enjoy each other's company.
We will be serving pizza (including gluten free and vegetarian), salad, and cookies
veggie Renoir
Wednesday, October 18th at 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.  

Family friendly pricing: Adults $5, 3-12 $2, under 3 free. Family Max $15.
 
For Adult RE, there will be a film discussion after the Wonderful Wednesday Supper.

--Hosted by your Hospitality Team
weathered-movie-reel.jpg
Film Discussion on "Courage"

The church theme for October is "Courage." In keeping with that theme, Adult Religious Education will have a film discussion on courage on October 18th at 7:00 p.m. (right after the Wonderful Wednesday Supper) until 8:00 p.m. All are welcome for a stimulating film and discussion. Join us.  
Childcare will be provided.
6th Annual Come Out,
Cook Out, and Camp Out!
October 21st 

 
Don't miss out on this wonderful annual tradition sponsored by Interweave. Consider what vegetable(s) you'd like to share and plan to join us at Monte Sano State Park beginning at 5:00 p.m. on October 21st.   
 
More information will follow soon.
Questions? Ask Denise Runnels.
Adult RE Program
  
HINDSIGHT, HUMOR, AND
HOPE: WHO, ME, AN ELDER?
Sundays, October 15th, 22nd, 29th
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
 
* Please Note - the dates for this class have changed. There will be no class on October 8th, but there will be classes on October 15th, 22nd, and 29th.   
 
It's not too late to join our "Elderhood" class! Last Sunday, 25 interesting and fun "elders" and friends gathered to focus on how to think about aging, making the best of our wisdom, spirit, and connections. This UUA "Tapestry of Faith" program is intended to help us design our later years into a time of discernment, soul stretching, and new life possibilities. We explore together ways to live this stage of life with meaning and intention, and ponder deep questions such as, Who am I now? How comfortable am I with my mortality? What are my challenges and joys? We will have three more sessions, so there is time to join us.
 
While this program is open to anyone, it is particularly intended for anyone over the age of fifty-five. First time visitors are welcome. We will meet on Sundays, October 15th, 22nd, 29th right after church services (12:15 p.m. until around 2:00 p.m.). We will eat together first, so bring a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided.
 
The class is facilitated by Dee Dee Moore and Nancy Finley. If you have questions, contact Nancy. If you need childcare, please contact Nancy at least a week before the class.   
Go, UUCH, Go!
  pink awareness ribbon
We've formed a team, we have a date; now all we need are some team mates! All abilities are welcome!
 
The 14th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run will be on Saturday, October 21, 2017, and UUCH once again has a team sponsored by our Social Justice Committee. The 5K course will take walkers and runners through beautiful downtown Huntsville on a lovely Fall day. The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. followed by awards at 9:30 a.m. and the Survivors' Walk at 10:00 a.m. 
 
Proceeds from the 2017 Ribbon Run will be used to purchase an additional 3D tomosynthesis mammography machine, making breast cancer easier to detect. 
 
To register as a team member, go to Liz Hurley Ribbon Run, search for Teams, and enter Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville. 
 
Support your fellow UUs and friends who have already been touched by this awful disease. Register now and start stretching! All abilities are welcome!

Look for additional information to come about meet up place and time. For questions, contact Becky Ellingwood.
Ghosts & Goblins, Creatures & Critters, Kids & Adults--come one, come all to our all-church Halloween Party! Friday, October 27th, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 
 
The Halloween Party is an all-ages party, for children and adults alike, sponsored by the Children and Youth RE Program. We'll have dancing, a cakewalk, and other surprises. Favorite dance tunes for all generations will be provided by the Music Machine DJ. Fun for everyone! 
 
A sign-up poster for the party can be found in the Fellowship Hall after the church service or sign up online.
Essential Spirituality, The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind
 
Every Thursday evening through 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. Based on over twenty years of research, Essential Spirituality shows how we can apply the seven practices central to all the world's major religions in our daily lives to cultivate kindness, love, joy, peace, vision, wisdom, and generosity. Dr. Walsh, who is both a spiritual practitioner and an award-winning scientist, believes that each of the major spiritual traditions has both a common goal and seven common practices to reach that goal. Essential Spirituality integrates the spiritual principles of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism into what Walsh believes is one truly rewarding way of life in which kindness, love, joy, peace, vision, wisdom, and generosity become an ever growing part of everything you do. Come join us as we discover how his views might be consistent with our principles as Unitarian Universalists.
 
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. We will continue to meet each Thursday evening from October 5th through November 16th in the Adult RE Room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you need childcare, please contact Shiela Burrows or Nancy Finley at least one week before the event.
Everyone is welcome!
Board Report September 2017
 
The UUCH Board met on September 26th, 2017, for its regularly scheduled meeting. The agenda included an update on the Next Steps Task Force which is currently working on getting bids for potential building improvements as approved in our May Annual Meeting. The Board also discussed the establishment of a task force to research office administrator positions in UU churches and evaluate our current position and needs. In addition to other regularly scheduled business, program chair vacancies were discussed and a request from Social Justice and Care Committees to sell "Standing on the Side of Love" tshirts with UUCH name was approved. The Board continues to review information generated from our Leadership Development weekend.
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday, October 1st, 2017, at our Circle of Candles:
 
LaDawn Edwards and GS Troop 10507, a candle of some joy: Appreciation to Alice and Betsy for hosting our first camp-out. We are glad for the loving support of our church community. 
 
Anonymous, a candle of joy: Congratulations to the Girl Scout Troop on its first overnight camp-out and bridging! The girls cooked supper over a campfire and completed a service project. Very important and successful events! 
 
Deborah Delacey, a candle of joy: Suzanne, my amazing wife, officially received her DNP doctorate degree in nursing. 
 
Barbara Hitt for the Care Committee
a candle of gratitude: For everyone who rose to the occasion on short notice and helped make the memorial service and potluck for Norma Harwood such a meaningful event for her family and friends. They thanked me profusely for everything we did, and told me that we were the most caring, loving, helpful, and organized people they have ever encountered.  
Special helpers were Nancy Finley and Becky Ellingwood, Betsy Applegate, Brad and Pam Korb, David and Matthew Bollinger, Fran Alexander, and June Norton
 
Ilene Sparks, a candle of joy and sorrow: Thanks again, again, and again to my many wonderful friends who surrounded me, sent many loving and complimentary greeting cards, telephone calls, and lunch. I felt, and feel, much loved.  Sorrowful for the Puerto Ricans and Mayor of San Juan for the devastation and suffering of the people. 
 
Mona Smith, a candle of joy and sorrow: I'm glad to be back. It's been so long I thought that I should get a visitor's badge. My beloved sister-in-law died September 11th after 7 years of Alzheimer's. I ask for energy and prayers for the family as they adjust to life without their heart.