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Calendar of Events

September 28, 2023

Vol. 23 Issue 40

COVID Policy as of 10/25/2022

In This Issue



-COVID Policy


-Upcoming Service


-Nursery Care 


-Rev. Jaimie's Highlights


-Former Member Memorial


-CYRE News


-Liz Hurley Run


-Sanctuary Survey


-Share the Plate


-Children Books


-Adopt a Flower Bed


-Staff Vacations


-Circle of Candles


-Calendar of Events


-Little Food Pantry


-Donate Online or

by Text


-Submit to the Newsletter


-Minister Info


-UUCH Board Members


-Church Info






Upcoming Service

Blessing of the Animals

Rev. Jaimie Dingus & Kristen Warrington, DRE

10:45 a.m., Sunday, October 01, 2023


Joining us in our interdependent web of existence are animals who bring, love, humor, and wisdom to our lives. Whether these creatures are big and small, wild or domestic, loved up close or appreciated from afar, they are a special part of the world we share. In this service, we bless the animals who enrich our lives or whose memory continues to impact us. Join us for a special outdoor service. Furry and scaly friends are warmly welcome to come to church this week.


Remember to brings your pet and that the service will be outdoors!

Worship Zoom Link

This Sunday Events Following Service


October Potluck


Dear UUCH Members, Family and Friends of UUCH come join us as we break bread and welcome in a lovely fall potluck on Sunday 1 October 2023. As always we welcome all dishes; side, main, dessert, big, small, little and all. The Hospitality Committee and Kaffeeklatsch sponsor and enjoy setting these wonderful events up for each and every one of you who comes and congregates with us. Furthermore, we love to share in this time and enjoy that delicious and filling fellowship with you all.


Choir News


Blessing of the Animals calls for some special music, so Theresa and Tim Miller and friends will lead us once again in All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir. No choir rehearsal this Sunday due to the potluck

Nursery Care

Nursery care will be available during the service
from 10:30-12:15.

Little ones can be signed in and out upon arrival and departure in the RE wing.

Letter from Rev. Jaimie


Dear UUCH,


When I candidated to become your minister, we talked about how this congregation needed to reflect on and rewrite or renew our Mission and Vision Statements. View our current Statements here. As we start year 4 together, after the time of pandemic lock down, enormous shifts in staffing, and the work of regathering as a multiplatform community, it is finally time to focus on Mission and Vision!


Here is how the process will go:


This Fall there will be three in person workshops and 1 virtual workshop on Sundays after church. Each will be the same, so no need to attend more than one, and they will give us time to learn, reflect, talk in small groups and offer feedback. (Childcare will be available for all In-person workshops)


Once we have done that information gathering, a small group of leaders will do the writing and wordsmithing work in order to create a solid draft.


Then we will wrestle with our draft all spring. We will reflect on it in worship, community life, and in more formal feedback sessions.


At the end of this good work, a final proposal will be brought to the congregation to be approved at the Congregational Meeting in June.


I will be there to answer questions along the way, but for now, please mark your calendars and plan to attend one of the 3 Mission Vision Workshops this fall.


Sunday, October 29th, 12:302:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 12th, 12:302:00 p.m. ONLINE

Sunday, November 19th, 12:302:00 p.m.


If you can please RSVP here, but either way I hope you attend one of these sessions!

Former Member Memorial Service


Visitation for Stan Brockway is Friday at Laughlin funeral home on Bob Wallace from 6-8 pm, and the celebration of life is Sat. 2:00 at First Christian church on Whitesburg.

CYRE News


Pre-K – fifth & sixth – 12th Grade

This Sunday is a sacred time that many of us look forward to all year long! It is time again for Blessing of the Animals and a reminder of the interdependent web and connection to all life on Earth. For some obvious reasons, this service will be held outside so please plan accordingly. So that our children may fully experience and appreciate this celebration, this Sunday will be a multi-generational service. As always, our nursery is open for parents who need childcare for our youngest members. Activity packs will still be available, we ask that all items be placed in the bag and returned at the end of the service. We can’t wait to see you all as we await the paws, tails, multiple-legged and furry friends who attend for their annual blessing!


Upcoming Events:

10/1 - Blessing of the Animals

10/8 – Practice with Choir, 10 AM

10/28 – Trunk or Treat 5PM – 8PM


Quick reminder about some of our announcements, the children and YoUUth Group have been practicing and preparing to sing with the UUCH Choir for service for 10/8. We are asking that everyone arrive around 10 AM for one final practice with our magical music director, Ms. Lori. 


**Donations/Loans Needed**

The CYRE Committee is hosting a Trunk or Treat this year and we need your help! We are looking for Halloween decorations, inflatables, and outside games (cornhole, etc) from anyone who would be willing to loan these items for the event. Also, if you are interested we could use donations of small items that could be handed out for prizes. Please contact Kristen Warrington at dre@uuch.org for if interested.

Save the Date - Liz Hurley Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 21


Please make your plans now to join the UUCH Fellowship Committee at the 2023 Liz Hurley Ribbon Run to support breast cancer research.


Join the Huntsville UUters at the 20th Liz Hurley Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 21. Click here to join our team. If you don't have an RunSignUp account, you will be asked to create one.


Money will never be a barrier to participating in Fellowship at UUCH. If you need financial assistance to participate, please contact Rev. Jaimie at minister@uuch.org.


We look forward to seeing you! Contact Sarah Rody at sarahsrody28@gmail.com or Steve Rittenberg at srittenberg@gmail.com if you have questions.


Sponsored by the Fellowship Committee

Sanctuary Aesthetics Survey


Dear UUCH,

Leaders in our congregation including members of the Worship Arts Team, have begun a conversation about how our Sanctuary looks, specifically the stained glass windows that adorn our space. Follow this link to learn more about the conversation and to complete a survey and share your thoughts and ideas!

New UU Classes Start Oct 8th


New UU Class series at UUCH

Sunday, Oct 8th, 15th, 22nd

9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.


What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? You are invited to attend a three-part class at UUCH that explores important themes in UU congregational life.


We will discuss UU worship and theology, history, covenant and polity, faith development, social justice, and membership. This program is particularly focused on introducing newcomers to UUCH, but those of you who have been here for a while will also be able to share and connect with others as we explore our own beliefs and how they intersect with the UU tradition. Everyone is welcome!


Mark your calendars now for the Sunday mornings of Oct 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 9:00 a.m.10:30 a.m. for this chance to learn, to share, and to be together. The classes will be held in the Adult Religious Education classroom at UUCH, located at the back of the Religious Education wing. Nancy Finley and Pam Korb will facilitate the discussion. Childcare will be provided.


Contact membership@uuch.org for further information. We look forward to seeing you in class!


Submitted by Adult RE and Membership Committees

Share the Plate with Village of Promise


During the fourth quarter of 2024, UUCH will be sharing our plate proceeds with Village of Promise. 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 October, this includes plate donations received from September 28th through October 7th.


Village of Promise empowers families to advance out of poverty using a multigenerational approach, promising support through a continuum of services and inspiring them to achieve their goals and contribute to their community. Village of Promise is a Family Advancement Center. Together, with their community partners and investors, they provide educational programs, sustainable tools and opportunities that empower children and their families to advance out of poverty.


Each Village of Promise family develops an “individualized family advancement plan” that addresses four key areas of their lives: Education, Social and Emotional Growth, Physical Health & Wellness, and Professional Development. Village of Promise provides programs and a support system that empowers each family as they strive to reach their goals, advance out of poverty and give back to the Huntsville community. Village of Promise is committed to supporting families who want to move forward in their lives.


Please consider giving generously to this important local organization.


Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee

Children’s Books Collection


Books for children of all ages are still being collected for donation to the Village of Promise, a local non-profit founded to address the needs of children and families in distressed, high-poverty neighborhoods. The Village of Promise provides programs for entire families in an effort to help break the cycle of poverty; it is particularly focused on improving children’s reading skills.


If you have children’s books that you no longer need and would like to donate them, please bring them to the Church and place them in the bin located in the Fellowship Hall.


Thank you so very much for your support!


Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee

Adopt a Flowerbed


One of the joys of moving to our current home on Broadmor was having a lawn and more formal gardens facing the street. One of our first Work days at this property included dividing bulbs to share and fertilizing the well established roses. Those beds have gotten fewer blossoms every year, maybe because the oak and sweetgum trees are blocking most of the sun. Property committee would appreciate some volunteers to adopt a bed or two in order to weed and maintain them. 



Please contact LaDawn Edwards at 319-431-7461 if you would like to participate. 


Sponsored by the Property Committee

Fall Vacations


Our staff will be enjoying time away with friends and family over the next couple weeks:


Ryan and Kristen will be out September 29th and will return October 9th


Rev. Jaimie will be out October 9th and will return October 21st


Happy Fall!

Circle of Candles


Angela Arnold lit a candle: "2 life changing things happened on the same day last week- I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and I retired from NASA, still deciding whether or not these are joys or sorrows. However, I am glad to be able to move forward. Also keep George Fletcher in your thoughts."


Lynda Lamitie lit a candle of Joy: "My sister Elaine, has returned home from the hospital and will continue her therapy."


Deb Delacey lit a candle of Joy: "I am so excited that the choir is back and singing. They add such an uplifting spirit to our service. The chick with the pink hair has an especially amazing vibe!"

Upcoming Events
Click the calendar to see all of our upcoming events!
Little Food Pantry

The food pantry is a huge success, being utilized by numerous people!
If you are able to pick a day to re-stock the pantry, please do so, using the Sign-Up Genius link below.

There are also baskets in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary entry foyer for food collection. The collected food will ultimately be used to fill the pantry on days not chosen on the sign-up genius.

Canned meats, soups, veggies, mac-and-cheese, bread, fruit, fresh veggies--all kinds of foods are welcome.

Thank you for being so generous. We are making a difference!
Sign-Up Genius
Submitted by the Social Justice Committee

Donate Online

via CDM+ Engage

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".

Donate

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.

Minister
Rev. Jaimie Dingus

Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
Make an Appointment with the Minister

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 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, at 6:30 pm.

Office Administrator

Ryan Vidal Gonzales


Main Office Hours:

​ Mondays 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Tuesdays through Thursdays 11:00 AM to 2:00 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.

Contact the Office
Visit the UUCH Website

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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