In This Issue
-Quick Links
-Happening Soon
-Upcoming Service
-This Sunday in CYRE
-A Message from Pam Siegler
-Board Report
-UUCH Annual Certification
-New UU Class
-Virtual Auction Underway!
-Share the Plate Week
-Volunteer Help Wanted
-Valentine's Dinner
-Save the Date
-About Alabama Arise
-Little Food Pantry
-Donate with Text Message
-In Case You Missed It!
-COVID-19 Relief Funds
-Care List
-Upcoming Events
-Minister Info
-UUCH Board Members
-Church Info
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Happening Soon
Virtual Auction Continues through February 14
Saturday, February 6
New UU Class
10:00 a.m.
Sunday, February 7
Share the Plate Week Begins
Thursday, February 11
PFlag
6:30 p.m.
Friday, February 12
Valentine's Zoom Dinner
6:00 p.m.
For all upcoming events, please see Check Events tab at the top of the newsletter or see the upcoming week's list near the end of the newsletter.
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"An 8th Principle for Unitarian Universalism"
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
10:45 a.m.
Unitarian Universalism covenants around 7 principles that guide our lives and encourage us toward spiritual deepening. In 2013 Black UU leaders and theologians proposed an 8th principle to guide us toward more intentional racial justice work in our congregations. Let’s learn and reflect together on this new principle and how it might bring our congregation closer to the beloved community.
Meeting ID: 229 305 601
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This Sunday in Children and Youth
Religious Education (CYRE)
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Welcome to the month of BELOVED COMMUNITY. This Sunday we celebrate dedicated leaders in our faith with the lesson "Honor Your Black Leaders!"
VIRTUUAL CYRE meets at 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Children, youth, and families are all invited!
YOUUTH Group meets at 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Zoom links will be shared via email and our CYRE Family Facebook group. Contact Harper for more information.
Submitted by the Children and Youth Religious Education Committee
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February's Theme – Beloved Community
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When the Spirit Says Do: A Message from Pam Siegler, Music Director
Back in 2014, Spirit presented me with a wonderful opportunity to share my music background and experience to enhance the worship connection within and around our beloved community. With your support and a wonderful willingness to try new things, I have been blessed with more moments that made my heart swell than I can count.
Just as Spirit said to take the UUCH road and walk it, I am now hearing the guidance again. I have known for over ten years that at some point I would know it’s time to finish my wood-burned bark messages, walking sticks, and musical instruments and place them on trails in parks throughout the country. I purchased a travel trailer two years ago but hadn’t ‘heard’ the guidance until now.
I will be retiring on March 1. It’s hard for me to write this because I feel so sad, but at the same time, I am excited to know finally it’s time to take this next journey. I am joyful as I imagine how the ministry of music will continue at UUCH, take new forms, and enrich the life of the congregation with song.
Pam Siegler
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Board Report January 27, 2021
The UUCH Board held its regularly scheduled meeting on January 27th to conduct the business of the church.
The Board approved a proposal from UUA concerning whether the “Statement of Conscience (SOC) on Undoing Intersectional White Supremacy” should be placed on the final agenda to be voted on at General Assembly (GA) 2021.
Brad Korb reported updates on the sanctuary renovation project. He has met with our architect, and revised detailed drawings are currently being made. When they are complete, we will be able to gather bids and begin work.
The Church has moved from our old financial software system. From this point forward all the bookkeeping is on CDM+ software, which will also merge our directory and other documentation.
A Stewardship Team is active and is preparing for our Annual Budget Drive which will be held in March.
The Board continues to work on the Policy and Procedure Manual, and will have a mid-month meeting on February 13 to continue that process.
The Board reviewed the UUCH Covid Policy again, and reaffirmed that it fit our current situation.
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UUCH Annual Certification
Each January, UU congregations nationwide report specific data to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Because UU churches operated in a virtual mode during most of 2020, calculating the average weekly attendance for 2020 was more challenging than in prior years. Therefore, the UUA requested that average weekly 2020 attendance data be reported using number ranges.
The following UUCH information was reported to the UUA in January of 2021:
- Current membership: 165
- Average 2020 weekly total of all individuals attending Sunday services: 126-150 Average 2020 children/youth weekly attendance: 1-25
- Current RE registration: 40
- For the fiscal church year ended June 30, 2020: Total pledge income: $212,924 Individual & family pledging units: 95
- Total operating expenses: $234,441
Submitted by the Membership Committee
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“New UU” Class
Join Us This Saturday, February 6th
10:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to join in the “New UU” Class this Saturday, February 6th, from 10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. via Zoom. While this program is particularly focused on introducing newcomers to UUCH, those of you who have been here for a while may enjoy participating in the discussion on what it means to be UU. We will discuss our worship and theology, our principles, our covenant, and UUA history. We will also look at details about UUCH organization, committees, and the role of the minister.
This is the second week in a two-part series but even if you didn’t come to the first meeting, we hope you will enjoy this week’s meeting. It will be facilitated by Rev. Jaimie, Pam Korb, and Nick Wilbourn. Contact Adult.RE@uuch.org to register / if you have any questions, or just log in to attend at We look forward to seeing you there.
Submitted by the Adult Religious Education Committee
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Virtual Auction Underway!
Sunday at charityauction.bid/uuch, we had 27 Donors contribute 60 Item entries and 32 Bidders register to bid on them. Thanks to every one of you who has already donated and/or bid! Click the website page’s Auction button to see the catalog of items you can currently bid on.
We are still in need of new Donors and donations to raise the $5000 in proceeds that our 2020-21 church budget was based on. Click the website’s Donate button to add your new donated item (which can be a service, remember). One of your Stewardship Committee members -- Dan McKitrick, Bryan Walls, Lynda Lamitie, or Ed Bernstein – will review and accept your donated item before it can appear in the auction catalog and will contact you if additional information is needed to enhance the salability of the item.
BIDDERS: If you’re not already one, click the Register button at the auction website to bid before the auction ends Sunday, February 14, at 3:00 p.m. If you are already a bidder, you may have noticed in the Auction Catalog that items not already sold for a Buy It Now price are subject to the auction’s anti-sniping provisions: any competitive bid made during the last five minutes of the auction for a given item will extend the 3:00 p.m.deadline by an additional ten minutes for that item.
DONORS: See next week’s newsletter for an opportunity to drop off your physical item at UUCH’s Fellowship Hall if you cannot coordinate its delivery directly with the winning Bidder.
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Submitted by the Stewardship Committee |
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Share the Plate Week
February 7 - 13
Three weeks ago, we celebrated Martin Luther King Day. In 1966, The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Of all the forms of injustice, inequality in healthcare is the most shocking and the most inhuman.” Today, 55 years later, healthcare in our country remains available according to one’s ability to pay, not according to one’s need, and one American in seven lacks even basic health insurance coverage. This Share the Plate offering will be donated to the Community Free Clinic of Huntsville, a volunteer organization that provides free quality healthcare, health-related education, and medications to thousands of people in Madison County without health care benefits. Donations to this plate partner will be accepted this week through Saturday and the first week of March.
Submitted by the Social Justice Committee
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Volunteer Help Wanted!
Are you a UUCH member or friend who has been thinking about deepening your involvement, but perhaps wondering where to begin? Here is a specific example of a current need: UUCH is looking for a tech savvy (or tech-curious) volunteer to address occasional issues with computers, printers, smart devices, audio-video, and the like on the church premises. If you are interested, please contact Shalin Mody at technology@uuch.org to discuss it in more detail. If you are interested in finding other ways you might help with church ministries and activities, contact the Nominating Committee at nominating@uuch.org.
Submitted by the Nominating and Technology Committees
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Valentine’s Zoom Dinner
February 12th at 6:00 p.m.
Join us at 6:00 p.m. on February 12th for a Valentine’s-themed dinner on Zoom. Homemade or takeout, whatever makes you happy. Perhaps we can decorate our dining table for the occasion? It’ll be fun to see what everyone brings to “the table.” Let us know you’re coming: hospitality@uuch.org.
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Save The Date!
Saturday, March 6
All-Church Open Mic event Saturday evening, March 6. The Music and Stewardship Committees are co-sponsoring this fun Zoom-based event for everyone! Musicians and storytellers, if you have questions or want to do a Zoom practice run, contact the event organizer Tim Miller at stewardship@uuch.org.
Submitted by the Stewardship Committee
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About Alabama Arise
Arise envisions an Alabama where all people have resources and opportunities to reach their potential to live happy, productive lives. If this sounds like the Alabama you want to live in too, you should take action with Alabama Arise! This year, Arise members chose to work on important statewide issues like Medicaid expansion, untaxing groceries, voting rights reform, criminal legal reform, etc. These issue priorities would break down many of the policy barriers that keep people in poverty, but we need your help to make these policies a reality. Will you help us build a better Alabama? To get involved with Alabama Arise, visit www.alarise.org/get-involved/ or select to donate, see issues and events, etc. You can also reach out to UU Social Justice Committee member Gail Williams and Arise’s north Alabama organizer, Debbie Smith at debbie@alarise.org or 601-616-4867.
Submitted by the Social Justice Committee
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Little Food Pantry
Help keep our outdoor food pantry filled. It’s fun, feels good, and we are Doing Unto Others. Sign up here!
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Submitted by the Social Justice Committee |
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Donating by Text or Online |
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To give a plate offering to UUCH from your mobile device, text the amount (without dollar sign) to 833-559-0257, and follow the instructions. Text giving is by debit or credit card only.
Like our other online and mobile giving options, this option is through Vanco, is secure, and has a good option for "plate" donations.
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Submitted by the Finance Committee |
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"Imagine That"
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
January 31, 2021
Did you miss our virtual worship service on Sunday? Want a midweek re-watch?
Fear not, you can visit here to watch the recording.
Remember, the building is closed,
but CHURCH is open!
Submitted by the Worship Committee
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COVID-19 Relief Funds Available
Funds are available for members of the congregation who have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19.
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Care List
This Sunday at our Circle of Candles:
Daniel McKitrick lit a candle of gratitude: On behalf of your Stewardship Committee, we have 21 Donors who've donated 46 Items as of the beginning of this Sunday's service for you to review when our Virtual Service Auction begins at noon today. You can still be a Donor all this week, so go to charityauction.bid/uuch soon to Donate, review the offerings in the Catalog under the Auction button, and Register to bid.
Paul and Bridgit lit a candle of joy: Paul and I really enjoyed the "New UU" class which started yesterday. Thanks so much.
Jaimie Dingus (She/Her) lit a candle of joy: My joy every week is the incredibly talented and patient tech folks!
Kathy Fisher lit a candle of joy: For my daughter, Deidra Joy, whose birthday is Thursday.
Angela Arnold (she/her) : Words cannot adequately begin to express the gratitude I feel for your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU ALL💜
Lynda lit a candle of joy: great joy knowing the rollout of the vaccine has advanced to 65 plus! & educators!
Becky A lit a candle of joy: Yesterday, my 30 year old son told me that he has come to accept his Autism.
Renee Beckham lit a candle of gratitude: Prayers of Thanksgiving to have witnessed your Loving and Caring spiritual community in action supporting my neighbor and friend, Angela. ❤️
Barbara Hitt lit a candle of joy: Good to see you here, Renee. Welcome!
Willie Robinson lit a candle of joy: Joy! It's so joyful to know that we all care deeply for one another to be the light.
Rachael Scheib lit a candle of joy: great hurrahs to Barbara Hitt and her Care Committee on getting info out to those that are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
Dawn & Tim lit a candle of joy: I (Tim) am so happy to be home finally with my girls and this fellowship. Thank you. Our hearts go out to everyone suffering loss and hardship.
Paulette Bernstein lit a candle of concern: I have four relatives who live in Athens who tested positive for the virus. They are recovering at home.
Theresa and Tim Miller lit a candle of joy: A joy that my sister Janet and brother-in-law, Randy, as well as their daughter and granddaughter, have come through COVID-19 okay.
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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 and links
Virtual Auction Continues!
Thursday, February 4
Worship Committee
5:30 p.m.
Soul Circle - Group B
6:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 6
New UU Class
10:00 a.m.
Sunday, February 7
Share the Plate Week Begins
CYRE
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
10:45 a.m.
YOUUTH Group
4:30 p.m.
Monday, February 8
Social Justice Committee
5:00 p.m.
Hospitality Committee
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 10
Soul Circle (Group C)
1:00 p.m.
Susan's Happy Hour
5:00 p.m.
Meeting ID:
847 8458 5916
Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.
Meeting ID:
910 8283 2653
Thursday, February 11
Worship Committee
5:30 p.m.
PFlag
6:30 p.m.
Friday, February 12
Valentine's Zoom Dinner
6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 14
CYRE
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service
Rev. Sara Green
10:45 a.m.
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Minister
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
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UUCH 2020-21
Board Members
President:
John Schulz
Vice President:
Nick Wilbourn
Secretary:
Nancy Finley
Treasurer:
Bob Locklear
Trustees:
Suzey Delacey
Jack Long
Bryan Walls
Minister:
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
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, February 23, 2021.
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Office Administrator
Holly Hinkle
Main Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday
9:30 am-1:30 pm
*Please email office if you need building access.
Phone:
256-534-0508
For more info on any event, contact the church office or visit our website.
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The Overlook is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church,
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810
Editor-in-Chief:
Laurel Bollinger
Editor:
Holly Hinkle
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PO Box 5545
Huntsville, AL 35814
(256) 534-0508
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