This week our community got some long-awaited, exciting news! The UUCH Board has been working thoughtfully all year to maintain policies that have kept us safe and connected throughout the pandemic. With the decreasing cases in our area and the increased access to vaccines, the board was able to change our current restrictions and make plans for the future. If you missed the email, go back and take a look at our two phases. But the short version is this summer we get to experiment with in-person gatherings, meetings, classes, picnics, etc. And in September, as long as cases continue to go down, we will open up the sanctuary for in-person worship! This is such great news, and this plan truly balances our commitment to safety and our understanding of how deeply our community yearns to be together.

I’m going to lead the charge, and invite you to join me every Wednesday this summer from 11:00 AM – 12:30 AM for Outdoor Office Hours with Rev. Jaimie. I will be out under the trees in the front yard, weather permitting. Stop by for 10 minutes or the whole time, and check-in with me and other members of our congregation. I hope to see many of you there, and look out for more opportunities to gather in person this summer!

The UUCH Board met for its regularly scheduled meeting on May 25, 2021. The Board worked on preparations for the Annual Congregational Meeting, which will be held on June 13th. The proposed budget for 2021-22 was approved. The Board approved the slate of Board members for next year and the slate of Nominating Committee members proposed by the Nominating Committee. The Board also discussed proposed bylaws changes to be presented to the congregation. All these items will be mailed to the membership and will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Quotes for renovations in the sanctuary were discussed, and the Board recommended that we will need to increase the amount budgeted for these renovations. This issue will also be presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting. The anticipated timeline for the completion of these renovations is the end of the summer.

In recognition of changing COVID-19 rates, a new policy for UUCH Multiplatform Ministry Tiers was developed and approved. This policy will provide guidance for regathering in ways that allow more flexibility while maintaining a safe environment for in-person gatherings. This policy will be sent to all the membership. We have positions for delegates for the UUA General Assembly. Rev. Jaime will gather names for those people attending from our congregation who may wish to be a delegate. In the Minster’s Report, Rev. Jaimie announced that she has been selected to be on The Presidential Search Committee which selects nominees for the position of President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. She is also thinking a lot about the summer programs here at UUCH and how to get people involved. Staff changes are going to be a big focus for the next few months. The Board is currently working on the Ministerial Performance Review.

The Board discussed fundraising projects by individual committees. These are typically discouraged because we need to have a wider view of fundraising for all the church needs, and many diverse fundraisers can distract from this. However, there are special times when a committee fundraiser might be appropriate. These would need to be approved by the Board.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board will occur on June 29nd, 2021 at 6:30 pm.

As I come into my last week of service as DRE, I want to express to you how much it has meant to me to have these years as staff at UUCH. I have experienced a true spiritual community of all ages—both in and out of the RE rooms. The level of love and support that this church offers to children, youth, families, and people at every stage of life is remarkable and unique. I have felt privileged to be a part of making beautiful space for our whole lives.

Even so, the true work of religious education has been accomplished by you, the congregation. The congregation is the curriculum. The safe space that you offer, the caring, healthy relationships you nurture, the principles you explore and practice, and the programs you support are life-changing and life-saving. They will echo far into the future of all the young lives you touch.

Though I had to make the hard decision to leave this position in order to honor my health and life needs at this time, I do want you to know that my health is strong and improving. I appreciate, more than words can say, the support of the Care Team and individual members as I went through my surgery and recovery. This helped immeasurably both in body and in spirit. Another sign of a wonderful community!

I look forward to being in a relationship with you again as a congregant down the road. Thank you, thank you, once more, for the opportunity to be a part of transforming our lives and our world in principle, and covenant, and just plain old grace.

Erin Reid

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. That remains true even when we cannot gather physically. The UUA Board of Trustees has passed a resolution making the 2021 UUA General Assembly a 100% virtual event. Anyone may attend Last year; GA had more than 4,900 registered attendees participate from remote locations around the world. Although we give up the face-to-face interaction, we retain our dedication to community.

Circle 'Round for Justice ● Healing ● Courage is the theme for General Assembly 2021. General Assembly is a time to circle ‘round in community. We circle ‘round in care and healing; for liberation and justice; and for love and courage.

Registration is required for All Participants

Open to the public: General Sessions, Service of the Living Tradition, Synergy Bridging Worship and Sunday Morning Worship will be streamed live and publicly accessible; registration is not required to view these events.

(SOLD OUT) General Assembly Swag Package

UUCH has openings for delegate positions at the General Assembly. If you are planning on attending GA, and would be interested in representing our congregation as a voting delegate, please contact Rev. Jaimie at Minster@uuch.org.

Sunday, June 6 – Saturday, June 12

June is the final month for our plate partner Still Serving Veterans (SSV) a Huntsville-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Veterans find good-quality, meaningful jobs, access to VA benefits earned through military service, and connections to community resources. SSV also strengthens Veteran communities through leadership and collaboration. For more information, please visit their website at www.ssv.org.

Angela Arnold (she/her) lit a candle of joy: My mother Donna is visiting me from Columbus, GA.

Deborah Delacey (she/her) lit a candle of concern: I will be having bilateral total knee replacement surgery on Thursday. I am so nervous!

Heather Kyemba lit a candle of joy and concern: I am excited but nervous about going back to work in person soon.

George Fletcher (he/him) lit a candle of joy: I went hiking with my son and daughter-in-law last weekend in Chattanooga and lived to tell the tale!

BayLee Wright lit a candle of joy: I currently have 100’s in both of my online master's courses.

Kathy Fisher lit a candle of joy: Thrilled to be starting lessons in person this next week, AND to be starting 8 new students!

Nick Wilbourn (he/him) lit a candle of joy: This week Zac was offered the job he had been waiting to hear back about for a month.

Erin Reid (she/her) lit a candle of joy: A family member is home from the hospital and doing better.

Robinson Familia lit a candle of concern: For my sister, Joan, in California, who fell this week. She has black eyes and a lot of contusions but luckily no broken bones.

Frank Looney lit a candle of joy and sorrow: Due to some unhappy circumstances, my wife and I will be taking custody of our 15-month old niece. Both a joy and a sorrow.

Deborah Delacey (she/her) lit a candle of sorrow: Shooting in San Jose right near our old UUSJ congregation.

Bryan Walls lit a candle of joy: i will be at work in person one day a week starting this Wednesday. A positive change.

Jack Long lit a candle of sorrow: Echo died 4 years ago on Sunday.

5:30 PM

9:30 AM

Alia Shinbrough

4:30 PM

1:00 PM

Thursday, June 10

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:00 PM

9:30 AM

10:45 AM

Following Service

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.

Calendar: https://calendly.com/rev-jaimie-dingus

Email: minister@uuch.org

John Schulz

Nick Wilbourn

Nancy Finley

Bob Locklear

Suzey Delacey

Jack Long

Bryan Walls

Rev. Jaimie Dingus

The Board respectfully requests that all agenda items for the meeting be submitted to Board President John Schulz via email no later than one week prior to the meeting (i.e. the Tuesday before). The next board meeting is scheduled

for Tuesday, June 29, 2021.

Monday – Thursday

9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

256-534-0508

Email: uuch@uuch.org

For more info on any event, contact the church office or visit our website.

The Overlook is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church,

3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810

Editor-in-Chief:

Laurel Bollinger

Holly Hinkle

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