The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810  
January 10, 2019
Vol. 19 Issue 2
In This Issue
Upcoming Events  
 
Thu. 1/10
Huntsville Feminist Chorus
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Choir Room

PFLAG Support Meeting
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Adult RE Room


Fri. 1/11
Awareness Through Movement 
10:00 a.m.


Sat. 1/12
Poker Party at UUCH
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.  


Sun. 1/13 
Sunday Service
10:45 a.m.
Sanctuary

Music Committee meeting
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

CYRE Teacher and Volunteer Gathering
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.


Wed. 1/16
Wonderful Wednesday
Supper
6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
Fellowship hall

UUCH Choir Practice
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Choir Room


Thu. 1/17
Huntsville Feminist Chorus
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Choir Room
 

Fri. 1/18
Awareness Through Movement 
10:00 a.m.
Huntsville Assistance Program 
canned goods
227 food items were recently collected and taken to the Huntsville Assistance Program for distribution. 

The Social Justice Committee  has a goal to collect at least 100 items each month for the food pantry. 
 
Please put your nonperishable food items or personal care products donations in the basket in the church foyer for the Huntsville Assistance Program. 

They run low on cereal, canned fruit, mac and cheese, peanut butter, instant mashed potatoes, Hamburger Helper-type meals, and canned veggies -- but not green beans or corn.
   
They are always grateful for our donations. Thank you for your continued generosity! 

Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee
UUkulele Fun Group
The UUkulele Fun Group is open to everyone, regardless of skill level.
 
The group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.
Girl Scouts at UUCH

We are living the Girl Scout way at UUCH and looking for friends to join us! Girl Scouts at UUCH meet biweekly to enjoy adventures, friendship, and fun together.

Contact Harper Goodman for more information.
UUCH Choir

The UUCH choir practices on Wednesdays in the Choir Room. Our start time has changed to 7:00 p.m. Whether you know how to sing or would like to learn, we would love for you to join us! If you plan to attend but cannot, or if you have other inquiries, please contact Pam Siegler at 931-307-4994 or via email .
 From the 
Property Committee

Want to learn a new skill? We are looking for you! We do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever -- including  tool ownership. Feel free to come in disguise!

The  Property Committee needs the occasional help keeping the lights on in the church. Literally, we need people to help change light bulbs.

Come help on one project with no long-term commitment required. Or, for those who want to work with a team, we do have a few bigger projects, such as painting Rev. Ed's office and replacing boards on the playground fort.  

If you are interested in learning more, talk to Wanda Snoddy, Brad Korb, Tim Miller, or Jeanne de France. For those who are introverted, you can also email us.

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UUCH 2018-19
Board Members
 
President:  
Susan Coddington  
 
Vice President: 
John Schulz

Secretary:
Nancy Finley

Treasurer: 
David Bollinger 

Trustees: 
Ed Bernstein
Theresa Miller

Nick Wilbourn
 
 
Interim Minister:
The Rev. Edward L. Brock

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  no later than one week prior to the meeting (i.e. the Tuesday before). You may text or call her, or send a copy of your request via email. The next board meeting will be Tuesday, January 29.

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


Interim Minister:
 

The Rev. Edward L. Brock

Board President:  

Susan Coddington    

Editor:  

Nick Wilbourn 

 

Newsletter deadlines are each Monday at midnight.
Any committee with newsletter announcements should send submissions to news collator Willette Battle at
[email protected].  

 

Office Hours:

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Monday - Friday

 

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 p.m. Children's Religious Education held concurrently. Nursery available for ages 3 years and under.

 

For more info on any event, contact the church office.

 
Upcoming Service
 
Sunday, January 13, 2019 
        
" The Parable of the  
Prodigal Species"
   
The Rev. Michael Dowd
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE)

All ages will continue their lessons on INreach/ OUTreach, exploring how to create wonderful welcome at church and extend it beyond our walls.
 
Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be offered as usual.
 
For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education, or Steve Rittenberg, CYRE Chair.

CYRE registration is open! All families, new and returning, should register each year.  Click here to register! 

* BIRTHDAY IN A BAG DRIVE *
What is one thing that all humans have in common? Birthdays! Everyone has a birthday every year. Unfortunately, some of us don't have the means to celebrate that special day. For our CYRE outreach activity, we are decorating bags and birthday cards and filling them with everything needed for a birthday party. We need your help. 

We are still collecting items to go in our "Birthday in a Bag." These bags will be donated to a local food pantry to be given out to kids on their birthdays. 

We are looking for cake mixes, frosting, paper plates, paper cups, tablecloths, 9x13 aluminum baking pans, candles, party favors, and party hats. We will be packing these bags on January 20. Please put your donations in the big box labeled "Birthday in a Bag" in the Fellowship Hall. It would mean a great deal to us if you could help. We want to make sure every kid has a great birthday!  

This project was created by the children and teachers in the CYRE Peace and Justice rooms.
Future Worship Services
January's Theme is Possibility.

January 20
A Service in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Rev. Ed Brock

January 27
Amanda Schuber
Awareness Through Movement Begins Again January 11
 
The Feldenkrais Method of Awareness Through Movement class will start again with lessons that  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, led by Sally Locklear, is drop-in, with no experience necessary. Everyone is welcome. 
 
We will meet each Friday at 10:00 a.m. starting January 11 in the Adult Religious Education Room.
 
For further information, contact Adult RE chair Nancy Finley

Sponsored by the Adult Religious Education Committee
 
Poker Party at UUCH
Saturday, January 12  
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.   
 
Escape the dreary January weather, and join Gary and Barbara Hitt and others for a night of poker at the church. Beginners and experienced players are all welcome. We will start with a description of poker terms, rules, and commonly played games (no Texas Hold 'em or Strip Poker!). We will play for poker chips, not money. When we finish, the winner at each table will receive a prize, and new players will have learned an enjoyable card game. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.
 
This  item was sold at the Service Auction, and there are still places available for a donation of $25 each. If you would like to join in the fun, please email  Barbara Hitt .   
Wonderful Wednesday Dinner     
 
Please join us  Wednesday, January 16, from 6:00 - 6:45 in the Fellowship Hall . We will be serving pizza and salad. 

It's the perfect opportunity to share a mid-week meal with your UUCH friends, handy for folks who are going to be at the church for Game Night, Ukulele practice, or Choir rehearsal. Come join us! Donations are accepted.
Participate in the Ministry of RE

Our church and our CYRE program are growing. If you would like to participate in the ministry of volunteering with children and youth on Sunday morning, we have a need for you.

On Sunday, January 13, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., the Children and Youth Religious Education Program will hold a volunteer social, enrichment, and orientation for current and new CYRE volunteers. V olunteer opportunities include being a regular RE teacher 1-2 times a month or helping a few times a year for special activities. 

Please contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education, to explore what important role you could play.

It's fun, it's creative, and it builds our all-ages church family.

Submitted by the Children and Youth Religious Education Committee
Multigenerational Pickup Choir 
 
Want to be part of a choir but don't have the time?
 
Beginning this month, the UUCH Music Program will host a "pickup" choir opportunity for all ages. Many children, youth, and adults want to express themselves through music but can't come to regular Wednesday night choir practice. The UUCH All-Ages Pickup Choir  offers a flexible, multigenerational alternative. 
 
On Sunday, January 20, anyone who wants can attend a short rehearsal at 9:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. Singers ages 4 and up will run through the song a few times and then enjoy sharing the musical message with the congregation that same day.

For more information, contact Pam Siegler, Music Director.
singing chili
Chili Cookoff
 
The 25th Annual UUCH Chili Cookoff will be held Saturday, January 26, in the Fellowship Hall. You are encouraged to enter your own personal version of chili -- whether it's red, white, spicy, mild, vegan, vegetarian, or meaty.  Folks bringing chili for the competition must arrive at 4:30 pm. The event will last from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. 

In addition to yummy food, there will be jokes and entertainment galore. Please contact Susan Coddington if you would like to be a part of the entertainment. 

You can also help with decorating and/or cleanup, as well as by bringing side items such as cheese, cornbread, etc. Sign up on the poster in the Fellowship Hall or by going to our SignUp Genius page

The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12, with a cap of $20 per family. You won't want to miss this great fun-raiser!

Sponsored by the Hospitality Committee, with Fran Alexander leading the event
Knit Wits

The next Knit Wits meeting will be held on Saturday, January 26, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall . You can bring your lunch if you would like, just come to chat, or come to knit or crochet.

The Knit Wits are part of the Care Committee, and no skill at knitting is required! The Knit Wits make Care Shawls for church members undergoing health challenges, as well as baby blankets, and also take on a variety of other projects, such as the yarn-bombing on the playground fence. You are welcome to join the group, and if you wish to learn to knit or crochet, there are good and patient teachers who would love to help you learn or chat with you. We hope you can join us for a relaxing afternoon with friends. 

For more information, email Barbara Hitt.  
Time to Return
Guest at Your Table Boxes

Now that we are through the holidays, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Guest at Your Table program is wrapping up, and it is time to return your Guest at Your Table boxes!
 
Even if you didn't participate in the Guest at Your Table program, please consider giving to the UUSC in an effort to advance human rights for all.
 
There are three ways you can return your contribution to the UUSC:
  1. Bring your box to church, and place it in the basket in the Fellowship Hall (cash or check; if cash, provide the information on the side of the box)
  2. Send a check directly to UUSC at UUSC, PO Box 808, Newark, NJ 07101-0808
  3. Donate online here.
Thanks for your contributions!
"New UU" Class Starts February 3
What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? Guided by the Tapestry of Faith Curriculum, we will offer a three-part series that explores important themes in UU congregational life - our worship and theology, history, covenant and polity, faith development, social justice, and membership. This program is particularly focused on introducing newcomers to Unitarian Universalism, but those of us who have been here for a while will also be able to share and connect with others as we explore our own beliefs and how they intersect with the UU tradition. Everyone is welcome!
 
Mark your calendars now for the Sunday mornings of February 3, 10, and 17 for this chance to learn and share. Meet for coffee or tea at 9:00 a.m. in the Adult RE classroom; discussion starts at 9:15. Pam Korb and Nick Wilbourn will facilitate the discussion.
 
Contact Nancy Finley for additional information. Childcare will be provided.
 
Sponsored by the Adult Religious Education and Membership Committees
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday, January 6, 2019,  at our Circle of Candles:
 
Theresa Miller lit a candle of sorrow: My sister, Lois in Ohio, who we have lit many candles for because of her many health problems. This week, she has consistent pain from a spinal compression fracture. So, I'm praying for some relief for her for healing. 
 
Miranda Durbin lit a candle of joy and sorrow: I'm scheduled for Gastric Sleeve surgery tomorrow. It will be a joy to get my life back. But it's not going to be easy for the next couple of months. 
 
Ilene Sparks lit a candle of joy: My present address is 4200 Chris Dr. SW, Apt. 306, Huntsville, Alabama, 35802. Please come to see me. I am grateful that I am in my 4th month of my 98th year and still able to be here with so many wonderful friends.
 
Deborah DeLacey lit a candle of joy: Our son, Richmond, has such a giving heart that he grew his hair to donate it. This past week he cut off 12 inches to donate to Wigs for Kids and plans to do it again.
 
Angela Arnold lit a candle of joy: For my cousin, Madison, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas who survived brain surgery for the second time, while awake! Prayers and hope that the cancer stays away, this time for good!
 
Rachael Scheib lit a candle of joy: Rachel was able to travel to NYC. My partner's friends have been through so very much in 2018 -- spine surgery, breast cancer, and now, liver cancer. 2019 is all recovery!   
 
Cindi lit a candle of joy: Yeah Judy and Charlotte!
 
(A) Buela lit a candle of joy: Melissa, you are a joy! I light a candle for your hard work at life. So grateful you are in ours.