The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
October 12, 2017
Vol. 17 Issue 41
In This Issue
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Thu. 10/12
Essential Spirituality
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Adult RE Room

Fri. 10/13:
Awareness Thru Movement  
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Adult RE Room

Sun. 10/15:
Church Services
10:45 p.m.
Sanctuary

Hindsight, Humor, and Hope: Who, Me, An Elder?
12:15-1:45 p.m.
Adult RE Room
 
Wed. 10/18:
Wonderful Wednesdays Supper
6:00-6:45 p.m.
Fellowship Hall

Wednesday Night Film series
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall

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

Thu. 10/19:
Essential Spirituality 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Adult RE Room
"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.  Please inform us of your donation and intent to participate before our calling tree effort begins. There have been very few items donated so far. Let's make this the event that it has historically been! 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 you are 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  David Bollinger 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.
 
September HAP   Count total was 102!  
The Social Justice Committe e's goal is to collect at least 100 items during the month of October 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 15th, 2017
 
"Called? Who Me?"
Jessica York
   
The theme for General Assembly 2018 is "All Are Called." What are we called to do? To be? When have you answered life's call and where has it taken you?  
 
Our guest presenter, Jessica York, is Co-director of Ministries and Faith Development at the Unitarian Universalist Association, where she was called to serve ten years ago. She previously served as the director of religious education at the UU Church of Birmingham, chair of the LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association) Integrity Team, chair of the district religious education committee, and a member of the MidSouth District Board of Trustees. She is a native of Birmingham, where she lives with her partner, Ralph, two dogs, and a cat. 
This Sunday in Children and
Youth Religious Education 
  
Children's Chapel. Children and youth will participate in a multi-age worship service designed just for them. Chapel will take place during regular RE time after the story for sharing when children, youth, and teachers move to the RE area. This is a creative, active, special time together.
 
For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair.    
Adult RE Program
  
HINDSIGHT, HUMOR, AND
HOPE: WHO, ME, AN ELDER?
Sundays, October 15th & 22nd
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
 
It's not too late to join our "Elderhood" class! 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?
 
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 and 22nd, 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 about this class, contact Nancy. If you need childcare, please contact Nancy at least a week before the class.   
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 maximum is $15.
 
For Adult RE, there will be a film discussion after the Wonderful Wednesday Supper.

--Hosted by your Hospitality Team
weathered-movie-reel.jpg
Are White People Afraid to Talk About Race?

Wednesday Night Film Series
 
The theme at the church for this month is "courage." Next Wednesday, October 18th at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, we will look at what it takes for white people to learn to be genuine allies for racial justice. We will view a series of short videos that address white privilege, strategies for difficult conversations, and tips from racially oppressed groups for being a true ally. The videos will be followed by a discussion where hopefully we can all learn from each other.
 
Everyone is welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided. For more information, contact Nancy Finley.
 
Come early and enjoy Wonderful Wednesday Dinner! 
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.
6th Annual Come Out,
Cook Out, and Camp Out!
October 21st 

 
Interweave's annual evening of fun, camping, and cooking out on the fire will be Saturday, October 21st. Join us beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Monte Sano State Park at our primitive camp site.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and join us for food, fellowship, and campfire singing. If you'd like to bring some food or other supplies, please sign up Sunday in the fellowship hall or online .  

Please note: you do not have to camp out overnight. You're welcome to drop by and stay for us as long as you'd like Saturday night!
 
For more information or if you have questions, contact Nick Wilbourn or Denise Runnels.
Calling All Children kids singing
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+) who would enjoy this experience, we invite you to sign them up. 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.
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.
Song and Chants for Unity and Protest Teach-in 5:00-6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 29th

UUCH will host this opportunity to learn songs and chants for unity and protest gatherings. Song leaders from AshaKiran, Faith in Action, Temple B'nai Sholom, the Alabama Hispanic Organization, as well as our own Pam Siegler will teach short, easy to remember music the community can use as we show up for social justice and unity.
 Next Steps Task Force Check-In
 
Renovations Town Hall Meeting on October 29th

We have been working with our architect to evaluate possible tasks to be included in the next phase of renovations. As the Next Steps Task Force works to determine what our next steps should be, with respect to possible renovations and what changes are most important to us, we would love to hear from you.

Please join us for a brief town hall meeting immediately following the service on October 29th. The task force has been researching possible improvements to accessibility and space limitations and would like to solicit feedback from the congregation.

Your input is important to us as we move forward in the planning process, and we want to make sure your voice is heard.
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. On Sunday, November 5th, we will welcome new members 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 by October 29th .

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
  • Voting at congregational meetings
  • Making financial contributions
  • Contributing time and talent
  • Spiritual growth and development
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 12th 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!
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday, October 8th, 2017, at our Circle of Candles:
 
John Czachurski, a candle of sorrow: My Mother passed after 92 years well-lived. Family from near and far came to commemorate her life and lay her to rest this weekend. It has been good to be together. My heart goes out to my Dad for the struggle he has ahead, after 70 years of marriage. 
 
Barbara Hitt for the Care Committee
a candle of gratitude: I talked to Millicent Simmons this week and she said to thank everyone for the memory book we sent to her with photos and personal messages. She said she misses everyone, but is making new friends in a UU church in Salt Lake City. Also, it is wonderful to see Laurie Keller back with us. Welcome Laurie
 
The Betts Family, a candle of joy: We are happy to be celebrating Autumn's 12th Birthday!