The Jane Welty Memorial Service will be this Saturday, April 6th at 1:30pm at UUCH with a reception to follow. All are welcome! A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to help with the reception, sign up here . | |
New UU Class
If you’ve been attending UUCH long enough to know that this church community feels like your spiritual home, you may be ready to take the next step and become a member of this congregation.
Later this month, Rev. Jaimie plans to welcome new members as they “sign the book” and officially join our church. If you are ready to become a member or would like to find out more about the process, please contact Pam Korb at membership@uuch.org.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Members may vote at all congregational meetings, be elected to the governing Board, be appointed as committee chairs, and participate in all activities of the congregation.
Because we are a covenanted congregation, members have certain responsibilities to the congregation and to each other. These responsibilities are best fulfilled by:
- Regular attendance at worship
- Voting at congregational meetings
- Making financial contributions
- Contributing time and talent
- Spiritual growth and development
Submitted by the Membership Committee
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Book Discussion Coming Soon!
The book "Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most" by Volf, Croasmun, and McAnnally-Linz is based on one of the most popular classes in Yale’s humanities program. The first meeting for this group will be after church on April 14, to outline the approach to reading and discussing it, and to decide upon our meeting schedule. Tim Miller will be the leader of this group, and it is his nephew Matthew Croasmun who is the second author. Dr. Croasmun will visit the group on April 28. There is one book available at the church for perusal, and it is noted that it may be purchased in either physical or digital form at the links at lifeworthlivingbook.com. Please indicate your interest ASAP by either signing the sheet in our fellowship hall, or to Teri Thomas (Adult RE chair) at adult.re@uuch.org.
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Thank You to UUCH Greeters!
We appreciate the warm smiles and welcoming presence provided by the following people who served as UUCH Greeters at one or more worship services during Jan, Feb and Mar 2024:
Betsy Applegate, Jo Broussard, Nancy Finley, Vickie Goodman, Kathryn Heath, Brad & Pam Korb, Lynda Lamitie, Sandy Moore, Darlene & David Patten, Vally Perry, Steve Rittenberg, Sarah Rody, Cam Scales, John & Mya Sharp, Nancy Stetson, Zena Tucker, Bob Weed, Gail Williams
Thank you for providing this simple yet important service to our church family!
Click HERE to sign up to greet on an upcoming Sunday.
Submitted by the Membership Committee
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Special Music Event to be Hosted by UUCH!
On Saturday, April 27, at 10:45 am, UUCH will host a unique music event in our sanctuary. A Jazz Mass composed by Keith Taylor, well-known community jazz pianist and an Instructor at UAH, will be presented by a ten piece jazz band of professionals led by Keith, along with an experienced group of choral singers, led by D. Royce Boyer, Professor of Music Emeritus at UAH. This will be in some respects a traditional music service, though not a worship service. Piano prelude starts at 10:45 and the Mass/concert at 11:00 am. Admissions at the door of $20 will be added to the UAH student jazz scholarship fund. All students may attend free, and for UUCH members and friends the $20 is a suggested donation.
The event will also include a Beatles song, a sacred harp hymn, poetry, and hymns from our hymnal -- a very eclectic assortment of music! Attendees are requested to bring a small bell to embellish some of the music selections.
Contact chorus and church member Tim Miller or the church office for more information.
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Share the Plate with Alabama Birthing Center
During the second quarter of 2024, UUCH will be sharing our plate proceeds with the Alabama Birthing Center. All plate proceeds received from the Thursday before the first Sunday through the Saturday after the first Sunday will be split with Village of Promise. In April, this includes plate donations received from April 4th through April 13th.
Alabama Birth Center is a nurturing and holistic healthcare facility dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive maternity care. Their center is staffed by skilled professionals, including midwives, who prioritize a woman-centered approach to childbirth. They offer a welcoming environment for expectant mothers, emphasizing natural birthing options and a supportive community. At Alabama Birth Center, they strive to create a safe and empowering space for the beautiful journey of pregnancy and childbirth.
People who desire out of hospital births have few options. There is a growing demand for midwifery care; however, this care is not readily available for those with limited resources as these services are usually paid out-of-pocket. The Alabama Birthing Center seeks to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all persons, and to remove the barriers of these services for low income families.
The Alabama Birthing Center believes that midwifery care in a birth center offers a wonderful option for birthing families who would like a happy medium between hospital birth and home birth. Their center offers all the comforts of home while also being easily accessible to both Crestwood and Huntsville hospitals, where their Certified Nurse Midwives hold delivery privileges. For more information, please see their website here .
Please consider giving generously to this important local organization.
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UUCH Members Visit State Legislature
On Tuesday, April 2nd, several UUCH members participated in the Alabama Arise Legislative Day in Montgomery. They learned about Alabama Arise's legislative priorities, met many similar-minded people from across Alabama, and had a chance to speak with their state senators and representatives about these issues.
Alabama Arise is a statewide, member-led organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Their membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. UUCH is a contributing member, along with many of our church members. You can learn more about AL Arise here.
Way to go folks!
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Save the Date
The 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 23rd. Make sure it is on your calendar.
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Upcoming Social Justice Events
Your participation is needed! Below is a list of local social justice events sponsored by groups that UUCH and/or our members support.
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April 6th: Earth Month Kickoff Cleanup at 9 am in Brahan Spring Park. Learn more here.
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April 11th: Huntsville Community Connections at 9 am non workforce development. Learn more here.
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April 13th: Edmonton Heights Cleanup at 9 am. Learn more here.
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April 15th: UUA's Side with Love Monthly Mixer at 7pm (Zoom) Learn more here.
- April 16th: Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Lobby Day in Montgomery.
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April 18th: UU the Vote – Getting Started Community Gathering (Zoom). Learn more here.
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April 25th: UUA’s Side with Love Faithful Grounding (Zoom). Learn more here.
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May 4th:Ditto Landing Cleanup from 8 am to noon. Learn more here.
For more information about a particular event or to list an event, please email social.justice@uuch.org.
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March Board Report
The UUCH Board met for its regularly scheduled meeting on March 27th.
Topics of discussion included budgets for church standing committees and how to determine the amount of in-kind donations given by volunteers in committee work. Ways to schedule and organize church-wide fundraisers and events were discussed, and the role of these fundraisers in the overall budget was considered. The Board authorized the purchasing of tables that fit in the hall for church events.
Rev. Jaimie gave her report and noted that it is a very busy spring at the church. She specifically mentioned that the “Teaching the Transforming Hearts Collective Workshop” has been very useful and hopes to do it again. The Personnel and Finance Committees are working on staff salaries and thinking about support for Rev. Jaimie’s sabbatical.
The Treasurer, David Bollinger, reported that the church finances are good with expenses below, and income above, predictions for this point in the year.
Darlene Patten reported of the great experience she and Nancy Finley had at the Soul Sumitt Leadership Conference in Atlanta, and expressed hope that some of our leaders will be able to attend in the future.
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on June 23, 2024.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held April 23, 2024.
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Circle of Candles
The Property Committee lit a candle of Joy: "We want to thank all the members of our church family that came out yesterday to help with property day. Turn out was great and we got lots accomplished. Thank you all!"
Heather Kyemba lit a candle of Joy: "My daughter, Sophia, and her friend, Daniel, came up from Tuscaloosa for Easter. So good to see them."
Paul & Bridgit DeMoor lit a candle of Joy: "The "Resilience" Feminist Chorus Concert was absolutely fabulous! We are so grateful for each and every singer who shared their talents! We are grateful for a supportive community making the Feminist Chorus Possible."
LaDawn Edwards lit a candle of Joy: "My brother, Tyler Smith, has moved to Huntsville. I am so glad to have his company and help in caring for our mother, Kether."
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Upcoming Events
Click the calendar to see all of our upcoming events!
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Little Food Pantry
Signups for the LFP have slowed to a trickle unless you are filling it without signing up in the signup genius. It’s hard to know. Our LFP is a much needed service to the neighborhood. Fill it with nutritious foods. Folks rarely take garbanzo beans or lentils (even though they are nutritious). Let’s try to keep the pantry going! Please, if you are able to fill it up, please note your name in the Genius. Also, you can bring non perishables to church, as there are baskets. A big thank you to all who do contribute!
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Submitted by the Social Justice Committee | |
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Donate Online
via CDM+ Engage
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Online:
Like our other online and mobile giving options, this option is through CDM+ Engage, is secure, and has a good option for "plate" donations as well as "pledge".
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Submit to the Newsletter
Do you have news to include in the newsletter next week? Please submit your article to the newsletter through our request form no later than 10:00 am each Wednesday. Please make sure to complete a new request form each time you make a submission to the newsletter.
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Minister
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
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UUCH 2023-24
Board Members
President:
Susan Coddington
Vice President:
Bryan Walls
Secretary:
Nancy Finley
Treasurer:
David Bollinger
Trustees:
Will Garrison
Darlene Patten
Cam Scales
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 Susan Coddington via email no later than one week prior to the meeting (i.e. the Tuesday before). The next board meeting will be Wednesday, April 23rd.
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Office Administrator
Ryan Vidal Gonzales
Main Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Tuesday and Thursdays 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
or by appointment.
*Please call/email the office in advance if you need building access.
Phone:
256-534-0508
Email: uuch@uuch.org
For more info on any event, contact the church office or visit our website.
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UUCH News is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church,
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810
Editor-in-Chief:
Laurel Bollinger
Copy Editor:
Ryan Vidal Gonzales
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PO Box 5545
Huntsville, AL 35814
(256) 534-0508
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