We CAN Reach 100!
We collected 113 items for HAP in November.
THANKS!
The Social Justice Committee'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! HAP is an interfaith network of Madison County congregations providing volunteers, information, and financi
al resources to help those in need. HAP focuses on those who need temporary assistance. HAP provides not only food boxes but also assista
nc
e with rent/ mortgage
and uti
lity bills.
From t
he HAP websit
e:
"HAP's primary goal
is to help clients
have
a better life. This does not always mean paying their bill w
ill be the answer. We endeavor to meet many needs whether they are emotional, financial, or spiritual. All of our clients are interviewed in person and as much time as is needed to 'peel back the onion' and get to the core of that person's particular problem is taken. We may need to refer this person for financial counseling, marital counseling, drug/alcohol addiction, or medical assistance.
We are a major referral source for services available within Madison County. All persons interviewed are encouraged to find a church family regardless of their denomination preference."
To read more about the Huntsville Assistance Program, please visit their website.
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December's Theme: Presence
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Upcoming Services
Sunday, Dec. 11th, 2016
"The Redemption of Scrooge"
The Reverend Alice Syltie
A new book is making the rounds in Christian circles this Christmas, The Redemption of Scrooge. One review explains that Pastor and author, Matt Rawle, "discovers the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol." This is interesting since Dickens wrote this Christmas story while he was most active in a Unitarian church. While not mentioning Jesus in the story, the heart of Dickens's social criticism and religious message shaped the Christmas message as it is received today. Perhaps Dickens's message that "the world would be a better place if, with a change of heart, people were to treat others with kindness and generosity," is worth another look, as we contemplate how we are present to the spirit of love during this season.
Friday, Dec. 16th:
"Winter Solstice Candlelight Service"
Rev. Syltie
Musical Prelude 6:45 p.m.;
Service begins at 7:00 p.m.
Open your spirit to the poetry and mystery of the winter season. Let yourself be present to the music of the harp, the chorus of voices, and the wisdom of the ages. In this darkest season of the year, surround yourself with the soft glow of candlelight, and the warmth of community. Our Winter Solstice Service brings us together in a moment of contemplation on the meaning of this season. This is easily the most beautiful and unique service of the year. All ages are welcome. Nursery care will be available for babies and toddlers.
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 This Sunday in Children and Youth
Religious Education
Christmas
Pageant Rehearsal! All participants should plan to attend. Parts are still available. More information is in the article below.
Nursery care (ages 0-3) will be offered as usual.
For more information, contact Erin Reid, Director of Religious Education (DRE) at dre@uuch.org or Audrey Fox, CYRE Chair, at children.re@uuch.org.
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Alabama Hispanic Association
and UUCH Christmas Dinner
This Saturday, December 10th,
11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
We need your help to bring Christmas cheer to local Hispanic families in need! Alabama Hispanic Association (AHA) reaches out to these families to provide a Christmas gift to children, and UUCH provides a nice Christmas dinner.
The party is this Saturday! We need your help now! Sign up online to bring a dish or to work a shift at the dinner.
(Click here to volunteer with the "Sign-Up Genius" list.)
Childcare will be available, or children are welcome to help out at the dinner.
Thanks so much to those of you who have donated money thus far. The UUCH Youth Group uses these donations to buy gifts for the older kids and teenagers that AHA does not have covered.
Social Justice co-chairs Gail Williams and Tonia Betts
will be happy to receive additional donations.
This is a great heart-warming holiday event--please be a part of it!
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It's Pageant Time!
Our UUCH Annual Christmas Pageant will be performed during the Worship Service on Sunday, December 18th!
Children who participate in the pageant should:
- be at least 4 years old (we have parts for youth and adults too!)
- be able to attend a short rehearsal during RE on Sunday, December 11th
- be able to arrive at church early (9:45 a.m.) on the day of the pageant (Dec. 18th) for a quick run-through
- be able to supply simple costume items (e.g., bath robes, etc.--no sewing or elaborate costuming required)
If you'd like to be part of this exciting production, there are still parts available! Parents please confirm children's participation by contacting Erin Reid, our Director of Religious Education, at (256) 694-6786 or dre@uuch.org.
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DVD Collection Donated to UUCH
One of our members, Michael Scarborough, has
generous
ly donated
to our church library an extensive DVD collection
gathered over many years. The collection, in four boxes, and a catalog of its contents, are in the large bookcase in the Adult RE/ Library
r
oom. The 21-page catalog contains over 900 entries grouped in 36 categories, which include:
- Movies (385 entries),
- Biographies (51 entries),
- Documentaries (61 entries),
- Physics (19 entries),
- Religion (12 entries),
- Over 370 entries in 31 other categories (Evolution, History...)
Church members are welcome to borrow a DVD for a period of two weeks by following the procedure described in the catalog. This is a wonderful opportunity to watch,
without commercial interruption, fascinating presentations on a wide range of topics, to see again your favorite movies, or to watch for the first time some of those you're sorry that you missed. Thanks, Michael!
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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!
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Soul Circles are Forming!
Don't forget--Soul Circles are forming! We are bringing small groups into the Soul Matters shared thematic ministry alongside our Worship and Religious Education ministries. Our "Soul Circles" will meet monthly. Each month, prior to meeting, group members will receive preparatory information designed to help them engage more deeply with the monthly theme we are experiencing in our congregational worship. Group members covenant with one another to practice deep listening, speaking from both the heart and the head as they share their soul-journeys through living into the monthly themes. Monthly meetings are scheduled to last no more than two hours.
If you would like to join a Soul Circle please contact John Czachurski at johncz711@comcast.net and let him know which of the following times you can be available:
- Sunday Afternoons (after Sunday Worship or Potluck)
- Sunday Evenings
- Wednesday Afternoons
- Wednesday Evenings
Please indicate all of the days/times that could work for you, so that we can more smoothly match available group members with available facilitators.
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 Care List
At our Circle of Candles on
Sunday, December 4th:
Jefflyn and Bob Weed
, a candle and joy: "The three poinsettias are given in honor of our three grandchildren--Connor, Quinn, and Charlotte."
Eleanor Schweinsberg
, a candle of sorrow: "Susan Watson, Alabama ACLU executive director, died unexpectedly Friday. I knew her personally. She worked for protecting reproductive choices for women and for recognizing same-sex marriage."
Sheila Burrows
, a candle of sorrow: "Please remember my aunt Phyllis Walters in your prayers. She passed away on November 27th at age 84."
Amanda Schuber, a candle of joy
: "Joy that I am officially back after my season of travel for the UUA. Concerned that the week after I stopped traveling, Wanda left for six weeks to work in Mississippi, so I'm solo parenting for a while which has been an adventure so far."
Tonia Betts
, a candle of joy: "Thank you so much to Matthew, Dakota, Sarah, Veronica, Willow, and Sage. These youth came out yesterday in the rain to shop for the AHA kids. And they stayed within our budget! Thank you to everyone who donated money to make this possible!"
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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, December 20th, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Thanks for your cooperation!
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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 Deedee Moore at uuch@uuch.org.
Admin. Office Hours: 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri.
For Wednesday access, please call in advance.
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.
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