UUCH Chalice
The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
October 20th, 2016
Vol. 16 Issue 42
In This Issue
foodbasket
We Can Reach 100!
Your Social Justice Committee asks that we bring non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for the food basket each Sunday, to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP). Collection Baskets are located in the Foyer and in the Fellowship Hall.
Our Goal: 100 Food Items per month!

About HAP:
HAP is an interfaith network of Madison County congregations providing volunteers, information, and financial resources to help those in need. HAP focuses on those who need temporary assistance. HAP provides not only food boxes but also assistance with rent/ mortgage and utility bills.

From the HAP website:
"HAP's primary goal is to help clients have a better life. This does not always mean paying their bill will be the answer. All of our clients are interviewed in person. We may need to refer this person for financial counseling, marital counseling, drug/alcohol addiction, or medical assistance. All persons interviewed are encouraged to find a church family regardless of their denomination preference."

ATM: Awareness Through Movement
UUCH Adult Religious Education focuses on the whole spiritual person--mentally and physically.  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 Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m., until further notice. For more information, contact Adult RE chair Nancy Finley at Adult.RE@uuch.org. If you need childcare for this event, please contact Nancy at least a week before the event.
 
Lunch w/the Dead!
Tuesday, Nov. 1st, 11:00 a.m.--1:00 p.m. 
Join us near the North wall of Maple Hill cemetery for our annual Lunch with the Dead! Bring your own lunch, and something to sit on. Park by the North Wall gate (on Wells) and you'll see us up the hill a ways. Maple Hill is always beautiful on November the 1st!
If it's sprinkling, bring an umbrella. If it's pouring, we'll just wait until next year! (And say thanks for the rain!) Bring your friends!

Safe Space for Children and Youth
For the safety and enjoyment of our all-ages community, parents/guardians are asked to supervise children and youth in the church facility and grounds when they are not in their planned RE activity.

Propose a Program for the 2017 General Assembly
It's time to submit program proposals for the 2017 UUA General Assembly! GA 2017 will be held June 21-25 in New Orleans, LA. We are especially looking for proposals that address the 2017 theme: Resist and Rejoice! The proposal deadline is Monday, Nov.1 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Learn more on our website.

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October's Theme: Healing 
Upcoming Services
UUCH Chalice
Sunday, October 23rd, 2016
 

"Boldness. Compassion. Reverence.
Our UU Brand Identity"

Angel Hundley

Last week Reverend Carlton Smith told us that we were a people of boldness, compassion and reverence. He was referring to our UU Brand Identity.
 
From the Unitarian Universalist Association website, 
" Working from the core values of boldness, compassion and reverence, which were identified through extensive conversations with UUs from across the country, the brand identity includes graphics, text and images that communicate these values from the first impression...The more UU congregations, groups and individuals who use the brand identity, the louder our voices can become and the more likely we are to break through the media noise with our message of healing and hope. "
 
This week we will present some of the UUA's findings leading to the identifying of those three core values and reflect on how we might live and project that identity in our congregation and our 
individual lives. We will also enjoy some harmonica and ukulele playing, as well as sing guitar led hymns. It's going to be a bold service. Full of compassion and reverence. Join us...  
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education 
        
We continue our "Storysharing" curricula based on our Soul Matters monthly worship theme of HEALING. Children and youth will explore how healing relates to being our true, authentic selves. Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be offered as usual.
 
Register for the UUCH Children and Youth Religious Education program by going to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WS8LDNP. Paper registration forms are also available at the church.
For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education (DRE) at dre@uuch.org or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair, at children.re@uuch.org )
Return to Treasure Island This Saturday Night at UUCH Service Auction 2016!

The islands are finally in view off the starboard bow! The UUCH Service Auction takes place this Saturday, October 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
 
If you haven't pre-registered as a bidder and let us know you're coming, please email Service.Auction@uuch.org. Pre-registration will make sure you "sail in" and "sail out" on auction night.
 
In the meantime, make sure you, your family, and your parrot are ready for the bounty of food, drink, and treasure that awaits you! There will be silent and live auction items including many items you'll definitely not want to miss--including the quilt raffle!
 
We still need helpers to sign up to bring sweet or savory foodstuffs to stock up the galley! Please sign up online by clicking here! 

Dinner and beverages will be provided and childcare will be available. Door prizes will also be given away throughout the evening--you must be present to win!  
Join the UUkelele Fun Group!

Anyone interested in getting together with other UUs to play the ukulele? We are starting an informal "fun" group on October 26th, and will meet every other Wednesday from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. to enjoy ukulele playing. This group is for all levels of familiarity with the ukulele--from the "very beginner" to more "seasoned" players. We will learn from each other, jam, share music, and simply enjoy this lively instrument. No prior experience necessary; this is an easy instrument to learn. All ages welcome.
 
So join the ukulele bug that is sweeping the country, and come make a little music with us. This group is sponsored by UUCH Adult RE. Contact Nancy Finley finleyn@uah.edu or Glen Clark   glenclark1973@gmail.com for further information.
All-Church, All-Ages Halloween Party!

child-ghost-costume.jpg
Ghosts & Goblins,   Creatures & Critters, Kids & Adults--come one, come all to our all-church Halloween Party! Saturday, October 29th, 6:30-9:30 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 helping with the party can be found in the Fellowship Hall after church services--or sign up online by clicking Here!

For more information contact Audrey Fox, RE Chair (256-698-3203, Children.RE@uuch.org).
Are You Ready to Become a Member?

If you've been attending UUCH long enough to know that this church community feels like your spiritual home, you may be ready to take the next step and become a member. We will welcome new members during the service on November 6th, as they "sign the book" and officially join our church.
 
If you are ready to become a member or would like to find out more about the process, please contact Pam Korb (Membership chair) 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.
UUs Represent at the Ribbon Run!

Front row: Nancy, Tonia, Wren, Denise, Rose, & Autumn;
Back row: Kevin, Sage, Steve, Monica, Tim, Becky, & Theresa
 
The 12 members of Team UUCH did us proud at the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run last Saturday! More than 6000 runners participated in the Ribbon Run--and three of our members won medals for their age categories! Tonia Betts and Tim Miller got silver medals, and Rose Betts won the bronze! We're so proud of you! Run, UUs, RUN!
Wi$e Principles of Personal Finance and the Power of Financial Planning
Class Continues Friday Evening, October 28th! 
 
Do you want to learn how to use money as a tool in living a contented, generous life? Do you need help figuring out how to make ends meet?
 
money_grass.jpg Join UUCH Adult RE as we look at managing money as a spiritual practice. Through a book study and group discussion of wise advice, we will look at attitudes about money and learn how to manage it in a way that leaves room for matters of the spirit.
 
The four-session class (which began Sept. 30th) will meet every other Friday at 6:30 p.m. (So October 28th and November 11th remain).

Everyone is welcome. Married couples and life partners are strongly encouraged to attend together (child care will be provided). Parents, bring your teenagers! Sign up in the Fellowship Hall after service or email Michelle Clark at michelle_e_clark@yahoo.com. Copies of the book and workbook are available courtesy of the Social Justice Committee. You do not have to have attended the first class--catch up now! Facilitators Jon Fox and Michelle Clark look forward to seeing you there!
Help Prepare Local Seniors for Winter

Your Social Justice Committee invites you to participate in a community service project with CASA (Care Assistance System for the Aging) in Madison County. For several years, UUCH has participated in the annual Taking Energy Measures Personally=$avings (TEMP$) program sponsored by CASA. The TEMP$
program is an annual one day event in which teams of CASA volunteers weatherize the homes of clients by putting plastic on windows, insulating pipes, caulking breaches, installing smoke detectors, replacing storm doors and performing other small repairs. Special skills are not required, but an interest in basic household type repairs and/or interest in interacting with seniors in our community are desired.
 
The TEMP$ program work day will be Saturday, November 5th, starting at 9:00 a.m. and lasting for 3 to 4 hours. The homes that we will be working at this year have not been determined yet, but we will try to get homes near our church.
 
Please contact Brad Korb at bradkorb@mindspring.com  or 256-895-9303 if you have any questions or are interested in participating.
Quilt Raffle at the Service Auction!

QuiltsYou can own one of these lovely quilts!
Last-minute Raffle tickets will be available at the Service Auction--where we'll draw the name of the lucky winner! One winner will select their choice of the five quilts (Pictures Here), that have been on display in the Fellowship Hall.  

Many thanks to quilter Shiela Burrows for her generosity and talent!
votives Care List
 
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday,  October 16th, candles were lit for:

Haley Clark , a candle of joy: "Last night at the Girl Scout hike we saw lots of cool nature formations like spider webs. The dinner and music were really fun."
 
Amanda Schuber and Wanda Snoddy , a candle of joy: "Our daughter, Samantha, was accepted into UAH for next fall. We are thrilled and extremely proud. Can't wait to have her as a more steady fixture here at church."
 
Nancy Finley , a candle of joy: "Thanks to Denise Runnels and Interweave for organizing the fun camp-out for our church last night."
 
Anonymous, a candle of joy: "Thank you to Denise and everyone else who worked to make the Interweave camp-out a success!"
 
Theresa Miller , a candle of joy: "Team UUCH represented us well at the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run yesterday with three of our members receiving medals for their age categories: Tonia Betts and Tim Miller got silver medals, and Rose Betts got a bronze medal, way to go! We had 12 participants from UUCH, and there were over 6000 runners at the Ribbon Run."
 
Tonia Betts , a candle of joy: "Thank you to everyone who came out for the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run yesterday. We had a great UUCH team!"
 
Betsy Applegate , a candle of joy: "Giving thanks for Alice Dilbeck working in Ohio this month. She's here in spirit. And giving thanks to Catherine Hall and Mona Smith who are both doing well in rehab. They would be here if they could."
 
The family of Mary Ann Ely, a candle of joy: "We know that she would be very happy about the new building and especially about the room named in her honor."
 
Bob Weed , a candle of joy: "As we get older many of us sometimes feel like we are "Knockin' at Heaven's Door." But even though "The Times They are A-Changin," the poetry and music of Bob Dylan makes us feel "Forever Young." Congratulations to the troubadour of my college years for winning the Nobel prize."
 
LaDawn Edwards , a candle of joy: "A Nobel Laureate for Literature for Bob Dylan and his lifetime of poetic, loving, justice-making, lyrics."

If you have pastoral care needs, please contact the Reverend Alice Syltie at Minister@uuch.orgBarbara Hitt is Chair of the Care Committee, and may be reached at home, (256) 881.2531; on her cell, (256) 348.5845; or by email at care@uuch.org.
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 leave a copy of your request in her Mailbox at the church office, or contact her at President@uuch.org.

The next UUCH Board Meeting will be held
on Tuesday, October 25th, 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 Deedee Moore at
uuch@uuch.org.  

 

Admin. Office Hours: 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri.

For Wednesday access, please call in advance. 

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.