The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810  
August 9, 2018
Vol. 18 Issue 32
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
 
Sun. 8/12
New UU Class  
9:00 a.m. 
ARE Room  
 
UUCH T-Shirts For Sale!  

Sunday Services
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sanctuary
 
Sat. 8/18
Leadership Retreat
 
Sun. 8/19 
New UU Class 
9:00 a.m.
ARE Room
 
Sunday Services
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sanctuary
HAP Needs YOU!
 
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 donation in the basket in the church foyer for the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).  
   
THANK YOU for your continued generosity! 
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.

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UUCH 18-19
Board Members
 
President:  
Susan Coddington  
 
Vice-President: 
John Schulz

Secretary:
Nancy Finley

Treasurer: 
David Bollinger 

Trustees: 
Ed Bernstein
Theresa Miller

Nick Wilbourn


Interim Minister:
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 to
[email protected]. The next UUCH Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 28.

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    

Editorial Board:  

Kathy Heath
Nick Wilbourn 

 

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.  
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 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 at 256-534-0508.

 
Upcoming Service

Sunday, August 12, 2018
        
"Are We There Yet
  Amanda Schuber
 
We spend countless hours getting from "here to there," but how often do we actually appreciate the journey for all that it has to offer? This Sunday we gather to explore the adventures that wait if we stop and take the time to say yes to life's twists and turns.  
This Sunday in Children and
Youth Religious Education (C Y RE)  
 
Summer Religious Education continues with Art for the Fun of it!, led by Lynda Lamitie, with Betsy Fletcher and Steve Rittenberg assisting.

Social Justice Meal Packs - Update! 
The RE kids made 126 "deluxe" food packs for our homeless population, those living in "tent cities" out in the woods. We were told our homeless friends love the UU food packs!   

For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education, or Steve Rittenberg, CYRE Chair.
New UU Class
  August 12, 19, and 26
 
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 for the Sunday mornings of August 12, 19, and 26 for this chance to learn and share. Meet for coffee or tea at 9:00 a.m. Discussion starts at 9:15. Nancy Finley and Bobby Hall will facilitate the discussion. Contact Nancy Finley at  [email protected] for more information.
 
If you need childcare during this time, please contact Nancy at least a week before the event.
Board Report July 31, 2018
 
The UUCH Board met for its regularly scheduled meeting on July 31, 2018.
 
Our new interim minister, Rev. Brock, joined the Board and briefly discussed the role of the interim minister and the goal of guiding us to a successful search for a settled minister. The Board and Council members will have a retreat on August 18 with Rev. Ed to prepare for the coming year and overview the coming two-year interim period.
 
In other business, a Communication Task Force will be formed to examine our online presence and policies surrounding this.
 
The Board is forming a Church Safety Task Force to review church procedures and is updating the Church's Safety Policy for Children and Youth.
 
The Board approved plans for a church fire drill on October 7 during Fire Prevention Week.
 
The Church will be joining the "Compass for a Cause" program at Compass Bank, which will accrue benefits for the church if congregants have accounts at the bank.
 
The Board will be reviewing our policy manual and committee structure during the coming year and discussed updating our accounting and office software.
 
The next scheduled meeting of the Board is August 28, 2018.
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. We are recruiting girls and helpers for the 2018-19 school year.

Please stop by our table in the Fellowship Hall after Sunday services in August to learn more about our troop! Or contact Harper Goodman for more info at [email protected].
UUCH T-Shirts for Sale!
 
The Social Justice and Care Committees will be taking orders for UUCH t-shirts in the Fellowship Hall after the Sunday service. We are sticking with the traditional yellow shirt color because we have made a name for ourselves as the "yellow shirt people" when we show up en masse at various gatherings around town to show our support for justice, equality, science, and other worthy causes.  
 
UUCH member Frank Davies is making the shirts for us at his store, Logos Screen Printing, at 3806 Governors Drive. Thanks, Frank! 
 
The shirts will sell for $10 for adults and $8 for children. Sizes are S, M, L, XL, and XXL for adults, and S, M, L, and XL in youth sizes. (An XL youth is the same size as an S adult.) Payment can be made by cash (exact change is appreciated) or check when you place your order. Make out your check to UUCH, and note "t-shirt" on memo line.
 
Order yours now!
Want a deeper experience in your church community?  
  
Join a "Soul Matters" Small Grou p
 
UU Small Groups are a way to feel truly enga ged in our church, to deepen connections with o thers in our spiritual community, and to enha n ce o ur personal journeys to wisdom and meaningful lives. We currently have three groups run ning at UUCH, and this fall we are reorganizing t o encourage more people to participate in the program. Those who have participated often say it is the most m eaningful thing they do at our church!
 
What are "Soul Matters" Small Groups?

"Soul Matters" is a UUA program that offers a distinctive, small-group curriculum. Like other small-group programs, its central goal is to foster circles of trust and deep listening. Soul Matters small groups, however, are not a stand-alone program. They are designed as a companion program to a congregation's worship and religious education ministries. Congregations using Soul Matters have monthly themes, such as compassion, forgiveness, or truth, which are integrated into all aspects of the church. Being a part of a small group allows you to go deeper in the themes that are being discussed in worship or in religious education curriculum.
 
What do you do in a Soul Matters Group?
 
Each month, participants are given packets that contain resources for individual exploration that include questions, exercises, readings, music, and videos on the theme, and individuals can choose how they want to engage with the topic before meeting with the group. Participants then come to the group to discuss the theme. You take it at your own pace; there is not a lot of required reading, but there are plenty of materials to engage you through the month. You spend as much, or as little, time as you wish with the materials before the meeting.

Groups typically meet once a month at the same time, and meetings are usually 90 minutes long. The format is designed to make sure that everyone who wishes to speak is heard and that we listen to one another without debate, judgement, or interruption. Questions provide opportunities for the group to explore the theme together.
 
Trained facilitators will guide the group through the format and help to make sure that the environment is a welcoming and moderated space for all to share and learn.  
 
How can I join a group?
 
In the next few weeks, we are reorganizing the groups for fall. If you are interested in participating, please contact Nancy Finley at [email protected] with times you are available. Currently, we have groups that meet on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. If those times slots are not available for you, we may still be able to find a group for you. New groups will be formed based on interest and scheduling needs. We hope to have all groups up and running sometime in September. If you have any questions, talk to Nancy or to any of our other current facilitators: Lynsie Lamitie, Susan Coddington, Jon Fox, and Pam Korb. They will be happy to discuss the program with you.  
2018 UUCH BOOK SALE

Sign-up sheets for volunteering for the book sale can be found on the "What's New at UUCH" bulletin board.
 
Dates and times for the sale are:
 
Friday, September 28
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, September 29
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
 
Sunday, September 30
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Please contact Dan McKitrick at [email protected] or by text at 256-426-6906 for more information. Pickup of books from your home will resume in late August.  
 
To date, we have presorted over 100 boxes of fiction and nonfiction books in anticipation of the sale. To facilitate ongoing sorting efforts by the Book Sale Committee, please make use of the used book collection table and tub in the sanctuary vestibule when you bring in donations. Whole boxes of books may be placed on the floor beneath the sorting tables in the north wing exterior hallway.  
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday, August 5, 2018,  
at our Circle of Candles:
 
LaDawn Edwards  lit a candle of joy: Because so many friends are concerned about the health of their aging pets, I am especially grateful for the reasonably good health of the two dogs who share my home. For Sophie and Lucky and all the animals you love, I shine the light on that special joy. 
 
John Czachurski lit a candle of sorrow: For the untimely passing of UUA Board Member, Dick Jacke, with whom I once served on the Annual Program Fund Committee. Dick's gifts and spirit will be missed.
 
John and Jessica Schulz lit a candle of sorrow: We learned of the death of our friend, Bernie Englander, a long-time friend and founding member of Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Escondido, California. Bernie lived to the ripe old age of 100. He was a great guy and will be missed.   
 
Jack Long  lit a candle of joy: I just spent five days in Fort Walton Beach with my daughter, Sara, and two grandkids. Sunburns for all. 
 
Kathy Fisher lit a candle of sorrow and joy: Tuesday is the second anniversary of the death of my mentor and dear friend, Don Walters, a dear soul. Also, happy birthday to my sister, Lynna