News from Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville

As you all know, Reverend Alice has announced her plans to retire at the end of this church year. Although she will be with us until the end of July, we plan to start celebrating her a little early, to begin the process of saying goodbye to someone who has made such an impact on our church and to allow for participation from members before we all embark on our summer vacations.

Please mark your calendars for a celebration of Reverend Alice's legacy of service and leadership on April 22nd.

We will have an opportunity during that worship service to look back at the many gifts Reverend Alice has given our church, and you will not want to miss it!

HAP Collection!

We had another great HAP collection--161 items!

The Social Justice Committe e has a monthly goal to collect at least 100 items during each month for the food pantry. THANK YOU for all of your continued generosity!

Please put your nonperishable food items or personal care products donation in the basket in the church foyer for the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).

Thanks for all you do!

Awareness Thru Movement Class

For a healthy New Year, join our Awareness Through Movement (ATM) class.

These classes focus on gentle movements 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! Classes, led by Sally Locklear, are drop-in with no experience necessary . 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 Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

For more information, contact Nancy Finley at [email protected]. UUCH Adult Religious Education focuses on the whole spiritual person--mentally and physically. J oin us!

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UUCH Calendar

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Mid-South District

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, February 27th.

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.

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:
256-534-0508.

Upcoming Service

Sunday, February 11, 2018

"Keep Truckin' Forward"

Seven Principles of
Persevering in Love

Join members of the Transformers and YOUUTH Religious Education (RE) groups as we present our "Seven Principles of Persevering in Love." We will share songs, stories, and our own words for how Unitarian Universalist principles empower us to keep going in even when results seem far away.

Transformers and YOUUTH RE Groups

Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education

The Reverend Alice Syltie

This Sunday in Children and

Youth Religious Education (C YRE)

Peace, Justice, and Searchers Groups will meet as usual in their Religious Education rooms to continue with lessons on "Living Our Principles." Transformers and YOUUTH will remain in the sanctuary to participate in the youth-led service.

Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be offered as usual.

If you haven't already, please register your child/youth for this year's CYRE program. For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education, or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair.

Talk to the Board

It is always important to promote healthy communication between the leadership and all members of our church community. As Reverend Sytlie is planning her retirement and this is a transitional year for our church, it is especially important that we strengthen our commitment to being available to the congregation. Over the next few months, our Board, our Leadership Council, and Reverend Syltie will be working on the many issues that relate to this transition. The Board recognizes that members of the congregation may have questions.

In keeping with our goal of open communication, some Board Members will be available once a month after Sunday services to talk to members about any concerns about the church. These "Talk to the Board" meetings will be informal, with no agenda but to provide a forum by which we can make sure we are hearing the congregation. The February "Talk to the Board" meeting will be held this Sunday, February 11th, in the Adult Religious Education Room immediately following the church service. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Time to Return

Guest at Your Table Boxes

Now that the holidays are over, 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!

There are three ways you can return your contribution to the UUSC:

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)
Send a check directly to UUSC, PO Box 808, Newark, NJ 07101-0808
Donate on-line at https://donate.uusc.org/checkout/donation?eid=75595

Thanks for your contributions!

New UU Class

Starts February 11th

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 11 th , 18 th , and 25 th for this chance to learn and share. Meet for coffee or tea at 9:00 a.m. in the Adult Religious Education classroom; discussion starts at 9:15 a.m. Pam Korb and Nick Wilbourn will facilitate the discussion.

Contact Nancy Finley ([email protected]) for further information. If you need childcare during this time, please contact Nancy at least a week before the class.

The UUkulele

Fun Group

The Ukulele Fun Group occurs every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. and is open to everyone, regardless of skill level.

COME SING A SONG WITH US

The UUCH choir practices on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. in the Choir Room. Whether you know how to sing or would like to learn, we would love for you to join us!

UUCH Annual Certification

Each January, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) asks UU congregations nationwide to report specific data. The following information was reported by UUCH to the UUA in January of 2018:

Current membership: 170

Average Sunday attendance: 109
(calendar year 2017)

Current RE registration: 80

For the church year ended June 30, 2017:

Total pledge income: $183,822

Individual & family pledging units: 94

Total operating expenses: $209,288

For comparison purposes, the following was reported in January of 2017:

Membership: 160

Average Sunday attendance: 112
(calendar year 2016)

RE registration: 80

For the church year ended June 30, 2016:

Total pledge income: $183,822

Individual & family pledging units: 87

Total operating expenses: $208,824

----From the Membership Committee

UUCH Board Report January 2018

The UUCH Board met on January 23, 2018, for its regularly scheduled meeting.

Transition Planning related to the retirement of Reverend Syltie was discussed. We are now consulting with a Southeast Region Transition Coach regarding our needs for obtaining an interim minister (which is a traditional process after the retirement of a minister). Our plans are to apply for an interim minister who would likely start in August 2018, after Reverend Syltie's retirement at the end of July. The transition will include a Celebration of Reverend Syltie's time with us. This celebration will be held on April 22nd and Lynsie Lamitie will lead the organization of this event.

In other business, the goals for the Annual Budget Drive were discussed and the theme "Paving the Path" was approved. Glen Clark and John Schulz will co-chair the drive.

The Religious Education Director's request for a temporary assistant funded within the current budget was approved.

The Board reviewed the Next Steps Task Force report on members' opinions about the use of the funds from the sale of our old property. A Task Force to consider proposed renovation of the sanctuary (the most requested renovation from our December town hall meeting) will be formed.

The Board discussed the Statements of Conscience presented by the UUA and forwarded its comments.

Jerome Belcher stepped down from the Nominating Committee, and the Board discussed alternatives for his replacement.

Care List

This Sunday, February 4, 2018, at our Circle of Candles:

Pam Siegler and Erin Reid: a candle of sorrow; Asks for your well wishes in this moment for their cat, Bandon, who is journeying with Maddie now. Thank you.

La Dawn Edwards: a candle of joy; I am grateful for a hug from Abi Nielsen.

Ruth Votava: a candle of joy; My sons and I want to thank the Unitarian Universalist Church for the food, flowers and kind condolences given in honor of Noland. Dave and Nick grew up attending the Unitarian Church and your remembrances meant a lot to us all. Love Ruth Votava.

John Jeter: a candle of joy; It's great to be back with my UU community. Also lucky to return on a pot luck Sunday

Foster Perry and Vally Perry: a candle of sorrow; Foster and Vally Perry mourn and share the loss of a wonderful musician and dear friend, Donna Galebach Butler.

Steve Rittenberg: a candle of sorrow ; Thank you for all the support received this week as I needed to say good-bye to my dog, Oddball. Sharing pictures and stories made the loss easier to bear.

Kathy Fisher: candles of joy; Sunday was my daughter's birthday. Her middle name is Joy and that's what she has brought to my life every day and the choir anthem is the very first piece I played for the choir in 1996.

a candle of sorrow: My older son is facing a hideous situation over which he has no control. I see a long year of advocacy ahead.

Reverend Alice lit a candle for Laurie Keller who was in the hospital after a fall and due to be released on Thursday. For more information on her condition, friends can contact Reverend Alice.