The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville AL 35810  
February 2, 2017
Vol. 17 Issue 5
In This Issue
Sharing Sunday 

On the first Sunday of each month, we Share the Plate during the offering, Share our lunch with each other during Potluck, and Share our Bounty by filing the Food Basket! Please don't forget to bring non-perishable food and hygiene items for the food basket, to be donated to HAP. All donations are welcome and appreciated!  
We CAN Reach 100!
   
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!
Movement Class Now on Friday!

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. [except Feb. 10th] 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.
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.
Do You Have Trouble Hearing During Worship Services?
UUCH has purchased a number of devices to help hard- of-hearing members of the congregation listen to services. Need one? Just ask the greeter Sunday as you come in and return the device after the service!

SHARE OUR POSTS!
Quick Links...
Join Our Mailing List
February's Theme: Identity
Upcoming Services
      
Sunday, February 5th, 2017
             
         " Who Are You?"
            
The Theme for February is Identity. Through the month, we will ponder the question, "Who Are You?"

As Unitarian Universalists, we discover that "who we are" is indelibly linked to "Whose we are." We are shaped by external and internal forces, in our journey of becoming. As we come together as individuals, we create the identity of our community. What amazing things could happen if you lived into your best, most passionate, loving self?
 
The Reverend Alice Syltie   

Also this Sunday, we Share the Plate with Manna House. For more about this organization, see the article belowReturn
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education 
   
We continue our "Storysharing" curricula based on our Soul Matters monthly worship theme of IDENTITY.
 
       
Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be provided as usual. 

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.
This is POTLUCK SUNDAY!
 
Please join us for a potluck immediately after the worship services. Bring a dish and let's eat together! Fellowship served up with potluck food. Get to know your fellow UUs! 
 
Hosted by your Hospitality Committee
UUCH Annual Chili Cook-Off Warms up  
Saturday, February 4th

    

UUCH chili will warm up a cold winter Saturday. Someone will win the coveted red ladle, but everyone will have fun at this all-ages event. Bring your chili, side dishes, and hot talent to this fun evening!
  
Register your chili and sign up for a side dish on the
website
located here.
Signups include chili, cheese, sour cream, crackers, salads, cornbread or rolls, and desserts.       
Open mike entertainment is an important part of the evening! Contact Susan Coddington  

(susan.coddington@rteamworks.com or 256-520-3490)  

if you'd like to be part of the show! Rumor has it that UUkulele's may play!

        

Chili Chefs bring their chili at 4:30 for judging. No cost of admission for them.

      
For others, doors open at 5:00 p.m. and eating begins at 5:30 p.m
. Admission is $5 each for those 12 and older; Children 3-11 are $3 each; with a family cap of $15.
         
Hosted by your Hospitality Committee

Exploring SoulCollage ® 
Have fun and be inspired!
   
The 7th UU principle calls us to respect the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. When we reflect upon this principle, we understand this web to be complex and multidimensional. The process of SoulCollage® as presented by Seena B. Frost reveals a scaled down yet similar complexity within ourselves. As we build our deck of cards and come face-to-face in a visual way with the various aspects of ourselves and our own complexity, we may have a better understanding of how the innumerable and various aspects of all existence is similarly interconnected.
    
SoulCollage
® -- What is it?
...an intuitive process for creating an incredible deck of cards with deep personal meaning....
SoulCollage® -- How?
...create personalized 5x8 cards by cutting and pasting images from magazines
SoulCollage ® -- Why?
     
...discover and remind yourself how complex, talented, versatile, and unique you are. Show yourself to others and connect with the larger spiritual dimensions that inspire you.
SoulCollage® - come to know your whole self.
        
Everyone is welcome! No experience necessary!
All you need to know is how to use a pair of scissors and a glue stick.
       
Denise Runnels and Nancy Finley will co-facilitate this Adult RE workshop in the UUCH fellowship hall on
Monday evening, February 6th, from 6:00pm - 8:30pm.      
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
     
"New UU" Class Starts February 19th
     
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 focused on introducing newcomers to Unitarian Universalism, but those of us who have been here for awhile 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!
    
So mark your calendars now for the Sunday mornings of February 19th, 26th, and March 5th for this chance to learn and share. Meet for coffee and breakfast snacks at 9:00 a.m.; discussion starts at 9:15. Pam Korb and Nick Wilbourn will facilitate the discussion. Contact Nancy Finley (Adult.RE@uuch.org) for further information. If you need childcare during this time, please contact Nancy at least a week before the event.
       
Hosted by your Adult Religious Education committee  
Great Opportunity to Help a Child!
  
Volunteer to Share Your Interests with Alabama  Hispanic Association (AHA) Children.
  
This is just a one time commitment (or more, if you wish!)
      
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 11:00 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.  
SAVE THE DATE!
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!
        
More details will follow in the coming weeks...
        
Kevin Betts (ABD Chair)
Glen Clark (ABD Co-Chair)
TOP We Share the Plate* with Manna House

The Social Justice Committee selected Manna House as the First Quarter Share the Plate Charity.

Manna House provides families in the Huntsville/Madison County area with food, clothing, hygiene & baby items.

*When we "Share the Plate," all cash collected on the first Sunday of each month in the quarter (January, February, and March), along with any checks noted as "Share the Plate," will be halved with Manna House. 
 
Tonia Betts (Social Justice Co-Chair)                                                                          Return 
The first Southern Region Chalice Lighters  
      
The first Southern Region Chalice Lighters call is to support extending the Pledge to End Racism program from First UU Church of Richmond to all interested congregations in the Southern Region. This program is designed using a leadership development model so participants gain skills and develop competence in not only talking about racism, but in facilitating discussions about race, and then working together to organize Living the Pledge workshops for people throughout their community.
       
For more information, please
CLICK HERE
       
Donations may be made electronically at this link:
CLICK HERE or snail mailed, payable to First UU Church of Richmond, with a memo "Chalice Lighters," mailed to First UU Church of Richmond, 1000 Blanton Ave., Richmond, VA 23221
       
This Chalice Lighter call will end on March 6th.
votives
Care List
 
At our Circle of Candles on Sunday,  January 29th, 2017: 

The Gamsons
, a candle of sorrow: "For the immigrants and refugees we have closed our doors to." 

Nancy Finley,
a candle of sorrow and joy: "For the pain of Refugees around the world trying to find safety." "For the Pride in our Unitarian Universalist Association" for taking a stand on this. Standing on the Side of Love

Rev. Alice Syltie
, a candle of sorrow: "I am feeling emotional today as it is January 29th, and this day marks three years since the death of my husband, David."

Pam Korb, a candle of sorrow: "Please keep Alice and Betsy's daughter, Rachael, in your thoughts as she is at Mayo Clinic this week for a battery of diagnostic tests. Hopefully the doctors can shed some light on the health issues that Rachael has been dealing with for years."

Cheri Smith
, candles of joy and sorrow: "I want to thank everyone for the help after my surgery. I also need prayers for my brother Jeff who is in Hospice. He is the one who had a liver transplant. My daughter Vicky's cancer has spread and we need prayers for her. We go back to UAB next week." 

LaDawn Edwards
: a candle of joy "Saturday marked a milestone for out Girl Scout Troop with our first cookie delivery. I'm so grateful to Michelle Clark, Mari Hinckley, and Dan Weiderecht for their cooperative support.
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.