The Overlook
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville 
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810  
June 25, 2020
Vol. 20 Issue 26
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 and links.  
 
 
Sun. June 28 
Worship Service
10:45 a.m
   

Mon. June 29
Social at the Church Garden 
10:00 a.m.  


Tues. June 30
Council Meeting 
6:30 p.m. 
 
 
Wed. July 1
Happy Hour with Susan
5:00 p.m. 
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 847 8458 5916
 
 
Thurs. July 2
White Fragility Book Discussion 
6:30 p.m. 
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.

Sign up HERE to help provide items and fill the pantry.

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, July 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:
Tuesday:  
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday:
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
* Please email office if you need building access outside of the posted times. 
 
Minister's Office Hours:
By appointment only.  
 
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

"Pride Service"
Worship Team
June 28, 2020
10:45 a.m.
 
June is the month when LGBTQIA people try to be more visible, wearing their rainbow gear and celebrating with festivals, parades, and other public events. With everything going on in the world, however, Pride events have been canceled. This Sunday we will explore how far we have come since Stonewall and what lessons we can learn from the journey.

All are invited to wear Pride gear if you have it.

Meeting ID: 229 305 601
This Sunday in Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE)
   

Bird Feeders with Barbara
 
Join us virtually this Sunday, June 28, from 3 - 4 p.m., for a special volunteer-led activity: Bird feeders with Barbara Hitt. Enjoy making pine cone bird-feeders while learning about the birds of your own backyard! Families, we encourage you to collect a pine cone for each of your children this week. Nut butter and bird seed will be delivered to you.

Following our weekly CYRE session, we'll have our bi-weekly Junior/Senior High YOUUTH Group (for upcoming grades 7-12) from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Meeting links and supply coordination will be emailed to registered families. More details about our summer schedule can be found on our CYRE Facebook page and via email.

Calling All Volunteers! 
In the summer months, the CYRE program takes a special break from the regular fall and spring curricula. We invite UUCH members and friends to plan a virtual learning session for the children and youth. You'll be part of a teaching team, as either the lead teacher or a helper, and we'll be sure to have a regular CYRE teacher there as support. Even children and youth can partner with an adult to lead a session! We invite you to sign up to lead a session that shares a special talent, hobby, skill, or learning area of yours. Learn more info and sign up HERE.
 
If you are interested in joining us but you're not registered in the CYRE program, send an email to DRE Erin Reid . You can also click here  to register your children and youth. We'd love to include you in our joyful and welcoming community of all ages. 

Sincerely,

Harper Goodman
Children and Youth Religious Education Assistant
 
Submitted by the Children and Youth Religious Education Committee 
New Church Office Mailing Address 

 
Update those address books, because we have a new church mailing address. Please send all mail to our new P.O. Box, effective immediately. 

P.O. Box 5545
Huntsville, AL 35814 

Submitted by the Office
White Fragility Book Discussion Starts Next Thursday, July 2
 
UUCH Adult Religious Education is sponsoring some book discussion groups to look at some contemporary books addressing ways to dismantle racism in our society and world. These meetings, like all our current church events, will be held online via Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend and strengthen our understanding of these vital social justice issues.  
 
The first book we will examine is White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo. The book invites conversations about how race, either interracially or among white people, can - whether one is aware or not - reinforce racial hierarchy. It is an excellent point of departure for conversations on how we can learn skills to disrupt racism as a Unitarian Universalist faith commitment and practice. You may wish to check out this short video, "Why ' I'm not racist'  is only half the story. In the video, DiAngelo introduces the ideas she explores more deeply in her book.
 
Everyone is welcome to attend! We will split the discussion into two meetings, with the first half of the book discussed on July 2 at 6:30 p.m. and the second on July 9 at the same time. Nancy Finley and Brad Korb will facilitate. Please do not hesitate to come even if you don't have time to finish the book. There will be important issues discussed from which we can all learn. The book can be purchased in ebook or audiobook formats online. We have several hard copies to share, so contact us here if you would like to borrow a book.
 
If you are interested in attending, please email to register, and we will send you the Zoom link. We would like for people to register so we can create enough Zoom meeting rooms to accommodate good discussions.
 
Coming Later in July:

The second planned book for discussion is Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Dr. Joy DeGruy. Summer Peters and Sally Locklear will facilitate this book discussion. More information on the book will be coming in future newsletters, but you might wish to watch this short video by Dr. DeGruy to learn more about her ideas.
 
Submitted by the Adult Religious Education Committee
COVID-19 Relief Funds Available
 
 
Funds are available for members of the congregation who have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19.
 
If you are a member of UUCH and have financial needs caused by the pandemic, please contact Rev. Ed, Board President John Schulz, or a member of the Care Committee.    

Submitted by the Minister  
Donate via Text Message  
 
  
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.
 
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 
Worship Service Recording 
June 21, 2020
 
 
  
Did you miss our virtual worship service last Sunday? Want a midweek 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 
Little Food Pantry Needs You
Our outdoor food pantry is being heavily used, with an estimated 12 visitors per day, both families and homeless individuals. YOU can help keep it stocked by signing up on the SignUp Genius.  

Items to consider buying include the following: 
c anned meats, cereals, mac and cheese, pasta, peanut butter and jelly, ravioli, energy bars, fruit cups/cans, pasta and alfredo sauce, soups, packets of dried potatoes, beef stew, canned milk, instant ramen, baby wipes, peanuts, canned veggies, beanie weanies, oatmeal, onions, bananas, potatoes, 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. It would help if you checked the SignUp Genius and maybe come on off-days. There is a black storage box located just outside the door in which you can place extra pantry supplies. Thanks to everyone who has helped keep the pantry stocked for our hungry neighbors.  
 
Submitted by the Social Justice and Care Committees  
Cooking in Hard Times 
  How to Brew Better Tea  
 
If you ask ten different tea experts about how to brew tea, you will probably receive ten slightly different answers. The world of tea is complex, and the drink is the oldest known to man, except for water and human milk. Let us explore creating a beverage that is a delicacy.
 
First, the finest teas are loose-leaf teas. Tea bags are very convenient but hold the "crumbs" of the tea leaves rather than the whole leaves. Don't be afraid to try loose-leaf teas! There are a variety of devices to help you in brewing, such as tea balls, tea strainers, or the French Press for coffee, which you might already own.  
 
After purchasing your tea, store it in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. Measure your tea using a teaspoon (or one teabag) for each cup. If you are making iced tea, you may use more since the ice can dilute your brew. Your tea merchant may advise you, or your tea package may have instructions.  
 
Start with fresh, cold water, preferably spring water, or filtered water, not from a hot water tap. The type of tea determines the preferred water temperature and the length of time for steeping. A general guide is as follows:  
  • Black teas steep for 3 minutes, with water just below a boil.
  • Oolong teas steep for 3 minutes, with water not quite boiling.
  • Green teas steep for 1-2 minutes, with temperature 150-175 degrees F.
  • Herbal teas steep for 5 minutes (or more), with water brought to a boil.
Let your taste be your guide in exploring the wide, wonderful world of teas!
 
Submitted by the Hospitality Committee 
votives
Care List - 6/21/20
 

John and Jessica Schulz lit a candle of sorrow: Sad to be losing Rev. Ed and thankful for all he has done to help our congregation.

Lynsie Lamitie lit a candle joy: We are so grateful for all of the love and support we've received from our church family since we've brought Ruthie home. The Care Committee fed us for two weeks, and it was so wonderful to know we had a meal coming that we didn't have to plan or cook. We also got other gifts and words of encouragement. Thank you so much! We feel lucky to be a part of this loving community.

LaDawn Edwards lit a candle of joy: This morning, for the first time in a LONG time, my brother answered "how are you?" with the optimistic "We're doing OK." He went on to say that his hours at work had stabilized, his roommate was starting to see an income from his new business, his vehicles were all functional. and he was feeling hopeful. I wish this kind of stability to all of you and yours. <3 <3 <3

Paul & Bridgit De Moor lit a candle of joy: Oh! Super duper gratitude to Rev. Ed, who has most certainly been a wonderful temporary addition to our UU congregation. We will miss you, dude!

John Czachurski lit a candle of concern: My 96-year old Dad had a port placed to drain fluid from his lung. I'm helping him use it and change the dressing every other day.

Nick Wilbourn lit a candle of joy: I'm grateful for the positive and affirming decisions from the Supreme Court this week regarding LGBTQ workplace protections and DACA.

Lynsie Lamitie lit a candle of concern: Maria's dad is in the hospital this Father's Day getting ready for open heart surgery on Tuesday. Prayers are welcome and appreciated.

Kathy Fisher lit a candle of gratitude: Thank you, dear Rev. Ed! I have loved working with you! You have been wonderful in your capacity of interim minister, just what what we needed! My best to you!