The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
February 23, 2017
Vol. 17 Issue 8
In This Issue
 
We collected 146 items for HAP in January.
THANKS!
The Social
Justice Committe e's goal is to collect and donate 100 items per month. CAN you pick up an extra CANNED good, nonperishable food item, or personal care product next time you are out shopping? Please do, and put it in the basket in the church foyer to be donated to the Huntsville Assistance Program (HAP).  Suggested donations:  
macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, dry beans and rice, boxes of cereal, bars of soap, canned meat, and peanut butter!

Thanks in advance!
Great Opportunity to Help a Child!
  
Volunteer to Share Your Interests with Alabama  Hispanic Association (AHA) Children.
  
This is just a one time commitment!
      AHA needs YOU to help out with their tutoring program. Each Saturday morning from 2/25 to 4/15 in the Fellowship Hall, AHA needs someone to share a hobby, craft, etc. with the kids during "special activity" time. Ten children, ranging from elementary to high school, are participating. The special activity is scheduled for 11 to 11:30 am.
        You do not need to speak Spanish, and several other tutors, some from AHA, will be present in the Fellowship Hall with you. You do not need to be a teacher to do this, just to have patience and enthusiasm.

To sign up, follow this link to Sign up Genius HERE  or contact Tonia Betts at (256) 882-9891. Thank you!
        
Sponsored by the Alabama Hispanic Association in cooperation with your Social Justice Committee.  
Movement Class on Fridays!

Our 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 Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. until further notice.
For more information, contact Adult RE chair Nancy Finley at
 Adult.RE@uuch.org. UUCH Adult Religious Education focuses on the whole spiritual person--mentally and physically. Join us!


ARE YOU MAKING YOUR PLANS?
General Assembly 2017 
June 21-25, 2017
New Orleans, Louisiana
NOW IS THE TIME to begin planning your trip to our UUA's General Assembly! Important dates and programming updates may be found here:  http://www.uua.org/ga.
CLICK HERE to receive updates about General Assembly from the GA2017 New Orleans Local Arrangements Chair
This is close enough to drive from Huntsville! 
Looking for It? Check Lost & Found 
 
Where is that blue jacket? The car keys with my fob? My pink tam and scarf? My lettuce keeper? In the Lost & Found, of course! There are several youth jackets, work gloves, stuffed animals, earrings, rings, lots of eyeglasses, and more. Take a look. After several more weeks, it will all be donated.

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February's Theme: Identity
Upcoming Services
      
Sunday, February 26th, 2017  
 
What Does it Mean to be a Community of Identity? 
                                               The Reverend Alice Syltie 

What Does it Mean to be a Community of Identity?
The theme for February has been Identity. And the question we are asked to consider is "What does it mean to be a community of identity?" For members of a religious organization that welcomes diversity, this could be a challenging question. It's one thing for a religion to offer you an identity; it's quite another for a religion to celebrate your identity. At our best, we UUs seek both. What does a search for both involve?
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education

We continue our "Storysharing" curricula based on our Soul Matters monthly worship theme of IDENTITY.

For information or to register a child, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education (DRE) at dre@uuch.org or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair, at children.re@uuch.org.
"New UU" Class THIS Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
   
You don't have to be new to UU to join us for a fun discussion about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and learn more about UUCH. This program focuses on introducing newcomers to Unitarian Universalism, but those who have been at UUCH 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!

Join us this Sunday morning (February 26th) and again on March 5th for this chance to learn and share. So please come even if you cannot attend each session. Meet for coffee, juice, and snacks at 9:00 a.m. in the Adult RE room located at the end of the Religious Education (South) wing; discussion starts at 9:15. Nick Wilbourn and Pam Korb will facilitate. For additional information, contact Pam Korb (
Membership@uuch.org). If childcare is needed, please contact Nancy Finley (
Adult.RE@uuch.org ).
       
Hosted by your Adult Religious Education committee  
SIGN UP NOW!
What:     UUCH Church-wide Fellowship Dinner  
When:    March 25th, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where:   Weatherly Height Baptist Church
               1306 Canstatt Drive, Huntsville, AL 35803
     
Why: Please mark your calendars for a night of food, entertainment, fellowship, and information as we kick off our Annual Budget Drive (ABD) with a church-wide fellowship dinner. This year's ABD theme is "Tending the Flame." We will celebrate the things that make UUCH special to us and look ahead to what we can accomplish together in the future. While in past years we have had a series of ABD cottage meetings or one-on-one discussions over several weeks, this year we are having the whole church come together for one big event, so please save this date and plan to attend!
        
Sign up this week after church in our fellowship hall, or  
click here   to sign up online. It is important for us to get an accurate headcount early so we can plan accordingly for dinner and childcare.

Please note: this event will be held at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church, not at UUCH. We are expecting a very high turnout for this event, and it would be a little too crowded if we try to squeeze it into our own Fellowship Hall. Our friends at Weatherly Heights are kind enough to let us use their facility free of charge, a "good turn" we can repay to some other group in the future if we ever have the right opportunity!

Best,
        
Kevin Betts (ABD Chair)
Glen Clark (ABD Co-Chair)
2017 Alabama Arise Legislative Day
   
The 2017 Alabama Arise Legislative Day is Tuesday, February 28th in Montgomery. We will meet as a group to get briefed on the issues, attend a legislative reception, and visit our legislators.
   
For more information, please go to arisecitizens.org. To RSVP for the reception/lunch, please do so by February 17th, as seating is limited. For ride-sharing information, please contact Betsy Applegate at 256-426-4153. 

"Make plans to speak for a better Alabama!"                                                                                      
Social Justice Committee
UUCH All-Ages Movie March 4th
  weathered-movie-reel.jpg
The UUCH YoUUth Group will host the all-ages movie night on Saturday, March 4th, in the Fellowship Hall.  Kiki's Delivery Service is an animated film which follows Kiki, a young witch, as she leaves home to find her place in the world. This heartwarming story is fun-filled and can be enjoyed by all ages. 
 
Bring your favorite movie-themed snack to share. Kiki-related suggestions include baked goods, cat- or witch- themed food, and pancakes. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the movie begins at 6:30 p.m.
 
The YoUUth Group invites your donated items for its collection for Children's Harbor of Birmingham, a not-for-profit that supports long-term, seriously ill children and their families. Bring to movie night any item on this list here.  
 
Or you may contribute to the ongoing collection for UUCH Social Justice homeless meal packs ( see article in this newsletter).
 
All-ages movie nights are sponsored by the Children and Youth Religious Education Program. Please contact Audrey Fox (children.re@uuch.org) or Erin Reid (dre@uuch.org) if you have any questions. return 
food
ONGOING HOMELESS OUTREACH COLLECTION
 
As a congregation-wide social justice activity, all are invited to bring to church an item to share with the church's homeless outreach.

The Social Justice Committee and Children and Youth Religious Education Program will be holding an RE Creative Service Sunday in March where children and youth will assemble meal packs for distribution in the community. Needed items include individual servings of canned fruit, cracker packs, pudding cups, juice boxes, canned meat (pull-tops, e.g. Vienna sausage), travel-sized hygiene products, and gallon-sized Ziplock bags. This will be an ongoing collection through  March 12th. 
        
Sponsored by the Alabama Hispanic Association in cooperation with your Social Justice Committee.
 
                                                                                 return

  "Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War"   
To Be S h o wn at UUCH
March 15th 7:00 - 8:30 pm

In March, we
will have a special film for our Wednesday night Adult RE Film Series. Martha and Waitstill Sharp, two young Unitaria ns, stood up against inju stice to defy the Nazi s and res cue dissidents, Jews, and other refugees during W or ld War II. Over two dangerous years they helped to save hundreds of people fleeing the Nazi occupation across Europe. Their bravery and sacrifices have inspired a new do cumentary, "Defying the Nazis:The S harps' War." This powerful film is directed by Ke n Burns & Artemis Joukowsky, and narrated by Tom Hanks.

Along with other Unitarian Universalist churches around the country, we will be hosting a showing of this film as a tribute to our UU principles and values. It is appropriate for ages 7th grade and up; childcare will be provided for smaller children. Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend or neighbor and join us on Wednesday, March 15th immediately following the Wonderful Wednesday Supper. For more information, contact Nancy Finley
Adult.RE@uuch.org.
 
  New People Welcome in the  
        UUkulele Fun Group!
 
Anyone interested in getting together with other UUs to play the ukulele? We meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 5:45 to 6:45 pm 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.
Chili Queen Fran Alexander is Crowned!

It was quite an evening! For the next year, Fran Alexande
r can proudly wear the chili crown and cape and wave the Coveted Red Ladle! This is her second win and  we bow to her chili expertise.

Winners:
Best in Show: Queen Fran Alexander

Medium:
 Kim Burrows  
Hot:  David Bollinger
White:  Laurel Bollinger
Veggie:  Evan Miller
  
Luscious chili from 15 UU chefs made the blind taste judging difficult for judges Monty Moore, Bryan Walls, Jerome Belcher, and Malcolm Goodman. Decorations by Fran Alexander and her crew created our Chili Hall. Masters of Ceremony Fran Alexander and Susan Coddington guided the evening fun. 

Over 85 UUs and friends savored chili and fixin's as they were regaled with music and dancing coordinated by Susan Coddington. There's always something new with our talent. This year it was the sing-a-long, enjoyed by everyone! Thanks to Susan and Tim Coddington for setting up and running the sound equipment.

Special thanks to Brian and Diane Scanland, who  stocked and presided over the adult beverages table.

Thank you, thank you to all who participated by decorating and bringing chili, music, and side fixin's. Several of you get a very special thank you for staying to help clean up so that we ended on the same high note from the rest of the evening. 

Blessings to you, from the Hospitality Crew 
(Audrey, Betsy, Cherie, Diane, Fran, Jefflyn, Kathy, Mitzi & Steve)
Music Notes
Pam Siegler, UUCH Choir Director

Hi all! I wanted to take a minute to let you know what I've been doing in the Music Leadership Credentialing Program through the Unitarian Universalist Musician's Network. I'm finishing my second year with two courses, Music and Worship (M&W) and Directing and Managing a Music Program (DAMAMP).

M&W has helped me understand how to create transformational worship as part of a collaborative team. This builds on what Reverend Alice and Mari Hinckley and I learned when we attended Marcia McFee's weekend workshop a few months ago about collaborating to design worship as an experience for the congregation rather than a presentation. Understanding of the role and function of music in this worship creation and how to access appropriate resources within a Unitarian Universalist setting continues to be a joyful and fulfilling journey!

In the second course, affectionately called DAMAMP by the instructor, we not only use an online platform for discussing the 'nuts and bolts' that make up our music programs, but have also been exploring and discussing the culture that exists within our respective faith communities. I love being able to share with my fellow MLCPers how this congregation does things like spontaneously sing "This Little Light of Mine" during the Fire Communion or enthusiastically putting their hymnals down to clap on hymns like "Now Let Us Sing!"

This Sunday the choir will feature our sopranos and altos in an arrangement of Peter Mayer's Japanese Bowl. This was one of many new pieces I discovered at last year's UUMN conference. Tim Miller will accompany on guitar and Malcolm Goodman embellishes with his heartfelt harmonica.
votives
Care List
 
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday,  February 19th, 2017:   

Amanda Schuber and  Wanda Snoddy
lit a candle for their daughter, Samantha, who will be joining the Air Force.  
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, February 28th, 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 Willette Battle at
uuch@uuch.org.  

 

Office Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mon-Fri.

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.