The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810  
April 23, 2020
Vol. 20 Issue 17
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
 
Please note that all meetings, worship services, and gatherings will be  held online until further notice. Please check our Facebook page and website for updated information.  
 
LINKS TO ALL MEETINGS WITH OUR MINISTER CANDIDATE CAN BE FOUND HERE.  
 
Sun., April 26
Sunday Worship Rev. Jaimie Dingus
10:45 a.m.
 
Town Hall with Rev. Jaimie Dingus  
12:00 p.m.
 

Tues, April 28
Coffee Chat
with Congregation (led by Amanda S.)
9:00 a.m. 
 
Web of Life Garden Group  
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. 
Click Here to Join
 
UUCH Board Meeting
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 
 

Wed, April 29
Coffee Chat
with Congregation (led by Susan C.)
10:00 a.m. 
 

Thurs., April 30
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Betsy A.)
10:00 a.m.
 
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by LaDawn E.)
3:00 p.m. 
 

Fri., May 1
Coffee Chat with Congregation (Led by Brad K.)
1:00 p.m.  
  
Happy Hour with Congregation (led by Barbara H.)
5:30 p.m.
 

Sun., May 3
Worship Service  Rev. Jaimie Dingus
10:45 p.m.
 
Congregational Meeting
12:00 p.m. 
 

*Please see newsletter articles for times and links to meet with Rev. Jaimie Dingus.
 
UUCH Free Food Pantry 
UUCH's Free Food Pantry is installed in the parking lot and is now stocked. The Social Justice Committee will restock the pantry with non-perishables, as needed, and you can, too.

See the Social Justice Committee for more information on what items are in need.

Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee

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UUCH 2019-20
Board Members
 
  President:  
John Schulz
 
 Vice President: 
Denise Runnels

Secretary:
Nick Wilbourn

Treasurer: 
David Bollinger 

Trustees: 
Ed Bernstein
Jack Long
Bryan Walls

 
Interim Minister:
The Rev. Edward L. Brock

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 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, April 28.
The Overlook is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church, 3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810

Interim Minister:
 
The Rev. Edward L. Brock
Board President:   
John Schulz    
Editor:   
Nick Wilbourn 
   
Office Hours:
Monday:  
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 
1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
 
Minister's Office Hours:
Wednesday:  
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday:  
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Other times by appointment.  
 
Office Phone: 
256-534-0508
Office Email:
uuch@uuch.org
Minister's E mail: minister@uuch.org
Website: www.uuch.org  
 
Sunday Services are held 10:45 a.m. to
 12:00 p.m. 
Children's Religious Education held concurrently. Nursery available for ages 3 years and under.
 
For more info on any event, contact the church office.
 
Upcoming Service

Trust in These Times
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
April 26, 2020
 
Two months ago we were certain of so much. As that certainty has shifted into unknowns and possibilities, many of us are left scrambling, wanting to feel grounded and connected. In the chaos and confusion, who, what, and when can we trust? UUCH's candidate for settled ministry, Jaimie Dingus, reflects on the covenants, those promises that hold us in Unitarian Universalist community, and invites us to explore a spiritual practice of making covenants for ourselves. 

Click here to join our virtual worship service at 10:45 a.m. this Sunday, April 26; Meeting ID: 229 305 601
     
April Theme -  Liberation 
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE)
 
CYRE hosted our first Virtual CYRE gathering on Saturday, April 18, led by Harper Goodman and me. Thanks to Harper for helping to launch this check-in. We had a great time collaborating, preparing activities, and learning the tech! We had our opening circle with our usual traditions and singing, and then we split into older and younger groups for activities, games, and sharing. I was with the older youth, along with two of their regular teachers.

We were so happy getting to be together, and we shared poignant stories about our experiences during this time in which we are living: what we miss, what we are enjoying at home, and how we imagine an outcome or change from this time period that we can help create. Some of our outcomes included reforming healthcare so that everyone has the supplies and care they need, living with gratitude, being together with friends and family in a deeper way, making more decisions based on love and justice rather than fitting everything into a schedule, and playing a musical instrument really well.

We will be doing virtual CYRE and youth gatherings again, so watch for upcoming announcements. 

Also, the virtual worship service on May 10 will be our annual celebration of multi-generational community, which will include creative participation from children, youth, and adults. Families, mark your calendars now!

Submitted by the Children and Youth Religious Education Committee
Music Ministry
 
Please don't forget to take a moment to submit a word you think of every morning when you get up that completes our thread song: Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on _______.

Last Sunday we used the words from the participants of the special CYRE service held Saturday, April 18! Those words were love, cooking with my family, and peace. Through the course of this month of Liberation, we have also used bird songs, community, sunshine, freedom, and blossoms. If you'd like to share a word that uplifts your day ,send me a quick email.
 
I promised a couple weeks ago that I'd share the second revision of my philosophy of music, and the final product, we were asked to develop in the Music Leadership Certification Program (MLCP). What follows are my final thoughts:

Music ministry is inviting souls on a journey that will feed them what they need. Music connects us in the interdependent web, touching everyone differently in many different forms, but feeding everyone because it speaks a universal language to individual needs in a particular moment.
 
When I lead in music ministry, I feel the common heart of who I am with and trust that what I bring to this common heart through music is something that feeds it and keeps it alive. It's this mutual trust that opens me to guidance of the spirit.
 
And on my wall to look at every day, I'll put:
Spirit, guide me in offering this music so it feeds all who hunger for your grace.  

Blessings,

Pam Siegler 
Music Director

Submitted by the Music Director
Rev. Jaimie Dingus as Our Candidate for New Settled Minister

On Sunday, April 19, the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) was pleased to announce our selected candidate to be the next settled minister at UUCH, Rev. Jaimie Dingus. Rev. Jaimie is a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School and is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. She has most recently been an intern minister at the UU Church of Reading, MA. Rev. Jaimie has also served in several different ministerial capacities at various UU churches in the greater Boston area, including student minister, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, membership coordinator, children's RE assistant, and communications director.
 
Please visit the  website that Rev. Jaimie established to introduce herself to UUCH. At this website you can become familiar with her background, listen to her introductory video, and hear examples of sermons she has given.  
 
The announcement at last Sunday's service contained remarks by each member of the MSC stating their perceptions of the qualifications, attributes, and gifts that Rev. Jaimie would bring to the ministry at UUCH. The each expressed their enthusiasm for the selection of Rev. Jaimie and their excitement for the congregation to meet her and learn about her exceptional gifts. If you missed last Sunday's service,  click here to view the recorded version.
 
MeetingsThe next two weeks will be a busy time at the church, as each of you will have opportunities to get to know Rev. Jaimie during our virtual Candidating Weeks, from April 20 through May 3. All the events and meetings will be held electronically due to the circumstances related to the global pandemic, but we feel confident that you will have adequate opportunities to become very familiar with her qualifications and talents. During these Candidating Weeks, Rev. Jaimie will lead two Sunday services, on April 26 and May 3, so you will have the chance to see her lead worship. This Sunday, April 26, there will also be a town hall meeting for the congregation so we can all learn more about Rev. Jaimie together. If you would like to submit a question for Rev. Jaimie to address during the town hall meeting, please click here .
 
There will also be many other chances to talk with Rev. Jaimie during the Candidating Weeks. She will meet with the staff, the Board, the Council, and many of our church committees so she can learn about us and the work we are doing together. There also will be many "Coffee and Chat" Zoom meetings for congregational members who wish to virtually meet with Rev Jaimie in a smaller chat room to ask her questions and share their thoughts.
 
The following is the schedule for the open meetings of Candidating Weeks:

Sunday, April 26, at 10:45 a.m.
Sunday Worship led by Rev. Jaimie Dingus
 
Sunday, April 26, at 12:00 p.m.
Town Hall with Rev. Jaimie Dingus (If you would like to submit a question for the Town Hall, click here.)
 
Tuesday, April 28, at 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Amanda S.)
 
Wednesday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Susan C.)
 
Thursday, April 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Betsy A.)
 
Thursday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by LaDawn E.)
 
Friday, May 1, at 1:00 p.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Brad K.)
 
Friday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m.
Happy Hour with Congregation (led by Barbara H.)
 
Sunday, May 3 at 10:45 a.m.
Worship Service led by Rev. Jaimie Dingus
 
Coffee Chats and Happy Hours are limited to 12 participants and will require you to sign up.  Please  click here  to select the date and time in which you would like to participate.
 
Please take advantage of these times to get to know our candidate so you will be prepared for our final vote on May 3 about whether to call Rev. Jaimie as our next settled minister. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the MSC , and we will get back with you.
 
This is an exciting time for our congregation!

Submitted by the Ministerial Search Committee 
Better Breathing and Stress Reduction


During times of stress, we all tend to hold our breath. How can we let go of this habit and improve our capacity to breath? The Feldenkrais Method®, with its ability to improve movement and awareness, can be helpful for times such as we are currently experiencing.
 
Moving air into and out of the lungs is accomplished by movements of a system of muscles, including the diaphragm, muscles between the ribs, and other muscles in the chest, neck, and back. The diaphragm and intercostal  (or "between the ribs") muscles do most of the work of moving air, but if the accessory muscles become stiff, expansion of the rib cage can be limited. Maintaining elasticity in these muscles is critical for the health of the respiratory system and for maximizing its capacity.
 
Join us for a series of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lessons with a focus on breathing. These lessons will be taught via Zoom. We will be lying on the floor, or a bed, or you can sit and imagine you are lying. Ideally you would arrange your camera so you can be seen, but as long as you can hear the instructions, you will be able to follow the lesson. In the Feldenkrais Method®, the teacher rarely demonstrates. Instead the student listens to the instructions, approximates them as closely as they can, and figures out what works for them. Each person finds how they can improve, instead of how to achieve a fixed goal. So you can make the impossible possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant.
 
Our final meeting will be Friday, April 24, from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
   
Click Here for Friday's Class  
Meeting ID: 833 893 149 and Password: 317497 
 
Submitted by the Adult Religious Education Committee 
Worship Service Recording 
April 19, 2020
 
 
Did you miss our virtual worship service last Sunday? Want a mid week re-watch?  
 
Fear not, you can click here  to see the recording.   
 
Remember, the building is closed,  
but CHURCH is open! 
 
Submitted by the Worship Committee 
Donate via Text Message  
 
  
To give a plate offering to UUCH from your mobile device, text the amount (with dollar sign) to 833-559-0257, and follow the instructions.
 
Like our other online and mobile giving options, this is through Vanco, is secure, and has a good option for "plate" donations.  
 
Text giving is by debit or credit card only. To give from your bank account, you can still use the UUCH website or the GivePlus+ mobile app.
  
Submitted by the Finance Committee 
Breath In - Breath Out 
 
 
Social Distancing is becoming more or less routine now as we approach week 4 of the Alabama lock down. Perhaps you are appreciating the white collar employment that allows you to telecommute and mull over options for your $1,200 stimulus payment, or (more likely) you are scrambling to keep your household's head above water as at least 1 source of income has suddenly evaporated.
 
Here's a little good news buried in the massive first coronavirus bailout bill -- lots of people who lost income during the pandemic (directly or indirectly) will not have to pay rent/mortgage payments for 12 months. Click here for more information. The important part of this provision is that the property's mortgage is held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, so you may have to ask your landlord if you qualify.
 
On a smaller scale, what to do when the worry is so great that your body just CAN'T relax?  Try breathing exercises! 
 
Everyone from Indian Yogis to Navy SEALS have incorporated this concept as a way to separate emotions from the physical body and short-circuit a panic attack before it can take over.  
 
  1. Hold your right thumb over your right nostril, and slowly exhale completely. (Start with a 5-count and work up to 10.)  
  2. Slowly inhale. (Start with a 5-count and work up to 10.) 
  3. Release right nostril, and completely close left nostril using pointer and middle finger of right hand. Slowly exhale. Slowly inhale.  
  4. Repeat for 2 to 5 minutes, noticing how the heart rate slows and the mind begins to focus on breath itself.  
This is an ideal way to prepare the mind and body for a meditation session.
 
And, finally, keep those cards, calls,  and letters going out to folks who are staying in. Thoughtful communication make all the difference in our much quieter world.
   
Submitted by the Care Committee 
Save the Date

The following are opportunities for the UUCH Congregation to become acquainted with our ministerial candidate:

Sunday, April 26, at 12:00 p.m.
Town Hall with Candidate

Tuesday, April 28, at 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Amanda S.)

Wednesday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Susan C.)

Thursday, April 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Betsy A.)

Thursday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by LaDawn E.)

Friday, May 1, at 1:00 p.m.
Coffee Chat with Congregation (led by Brad K.)

Friday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m.
Happy Hour with Congregation (led by Barbara H.)

Coffee Chats and Happy Hours are limited to 12 participants and will require your to sign up.  Please click here to select the date and time in which you would like to participate.

Submitted by the Ministerial Search Committee 
Like a Good Neighbor. . . 
We Fill the Pantry

The Little Free Pantry has been well used in recent weeks, with an estimated 12 people visiting per day. Even with daily restocking we sometimes find the shelves completely empty. Do you have a little extra you could share with needy families? Maybe you tried a new type of pasta that your spouse didn't like and are wondering what to do with the other 11 boxes. Just email and we can do a porch pickup to maintain your social isolation.

Any food added to our Little Green Food Pantry would be helpful. We need a variety of items, including c anned meats, cereals, mac and cheese, pasta, peanut butter and jelly, ravioli, energy bars, fruit cups/cans, pasta sauce, soups, packets of dried potatoes, canned milk, instant ramen, baby wipes, canned veggies, oatmeal, etc. 

Please contact the church office if you would like to schedule a drop-off and request assistance. Or feel free to stop by and stock the pantry on your own. There is a black storage box located just outside the door that you can place extra pantry supplies in. We have a list of volunteers who will be stopping by to put extra supplies in the building and restock the pantry as needed. 

If you would like to sign up to bring food and restock the pantry, please click here to choose a slot(s). 

Submitted by the Social Justice and Care Committees  
Cooking in Hard Times
Dan McKitrick shared his recipe for "Garbage Stuffed Peppers." Dan claims to be the 1973 Warwood High's Betty Crocker Homemaker Award winner, in the top 25 statewide!
 
Dan has a repertoire of highly adaptable "garbage" recipes that make use of odds & ends & leftovers.
 
Dan's Garbage Stuffed Peppers
  • 3 wrinkly (or not) green peppers (Aldi's come prepackaged in threes)
  • 1 small box quinoa/brown rice (or Rice-A-Roni, or Zatarain's rice mix)
  • 1/2 lb. ground sausage (I prefer hot) or Quorn meatless grounds, or mushrooms
Cut the tops off of and hollow the peppers, dicing the salvageable parts of the tops and putting them in a skillet, to which you add 1 tsp. olive oil, the sausage, and other diced veggies:
 
  • 1 huge or 2 regular onions (because I love 'em)
  • 2-4 carrots
  • 2-4 stalks celery
  • 1/2 beefsteak tomato
  • Optional: that 1/3 jar salsa that was lost in the back of the fridge, or 1 can diced tomatoes (a pantry must); mushrooms showing their age, diced; any other edible leftover veggie.
Sauté the sausage and veggies until the sausage is slightly browned.  Add the water called for on the rice box and bring to a boil.  Add the rice mix (and seasoning pack if separate), and simmer (covered) for the time called for on the rice box.  Pre-position the peppers in a casserole dish large enough to just accommodate them AND the leftover stuffing you will have.  Stuff the peppers, leaving enough room on top to add  1/2-1 cup leftover meat sauce, or leftover chili, or ketchup, to your taste. 
 
Optional: Once stuffed peppers are surrounded by the leftover stuffing, top all with shredded cheese.
 
Bake at 375°F for 90 minutes. Since I didn't parboil the peppers first (one step too many!), I tented foil over the casserole the first hour, but it didn't seem to significantly steam the peppers, and they retained a slight crunch that I liked this go-around.
 
Submitted by the Hospitality Committee
Soul Matters Small Groups
Soul Matters Small Groups are continuing to meet through Zoom! During this time of physical separation, UU "Soul Matters" Small Groups are a wonderful way to deeply engage in and with our church, build and strengthen connections with others in our spiritual community, and find wisdom and meaning along our own personal journeys.

We currently have five groups running at UUCH, and we encourage more people to participate in the program. Participants often say it is on of the most impactful activities they do at our church, and it's a great way to get to know yourself and others!

Soul Matters Groups are designed as a companion program to a congregation's worship and religious education ministries, using monthly themes such as "compassion", "forgiveness", or "truth" that are integrated in all aspects of the church. Being a part of a small group allows you to go deeper in the themes that are being discussed in worship or in children's curriculum.

What do you do in a Soul Matters Group?

Each month, participants are given packets that contain resources for individual exploration that include questions, exercises, readings, music, videos on the theme, and individuals can choose how they want to engage with the topic before meeting with the group. Participants then come to the group to discuss the theme. You control your own pace and the depth of your study, but there are plenty of materials to engage you through the month.

Soul Matters Small Groups follow a special format, designed to make sure that everyone who wishes to speak is heard, and that we listen to one another without debate, judgement, or interruption. Trained facilitators will guide the group through the format and help to make sure that the environment is a welcoming and moderated space for all to share and learn. Groups will meet by Zoom once a month at the same time, and meetings are usually about an hour-and-a-half long. If Zoom is new to you, don't fret! We have several experienced users that would be happy to walk you through how to participate in a virtual meeting by phone or computer.

How can I join a group?

If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact Adult RE chair Lynsie Lamitie.
 
Submitted by the Adult Religious Education Committee
votives
Care List
 
This Sunday, April 19, 2020,  at our Circle of Candles:
   
Due to technical difficulties, we are unable to list out individual Joys and Sorrows from the April 19 service.  We apologize and hold all the Joys and Sorrows of our community and our world in our hearts until we meet again.