Share the Plate with First Stop

During the first quarter of 2025, UUCH is sharing our plate proceeds with First Stop. All plate proceeds received from the Thursday before the first Sunday through the Saturday after the first Sunday will be split with First Stop. In February, this includes plate donations received from January 31st through February 8th.

First Stop encounters the homeless where they are, connects them to critical services and support, and empowers them toward independent sustainable living. First Stop partners with agencies in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to offer case management, medical care, mental health care, and other services to the homeless community. Through Outreach efforts, a bustling Day Center, and comprehensive Case Management program, they help to provide a path out of homelessness. This approach is intentional in its focus on empowering (not enabling) the homeless community towards independent living.

For more information, please visit their website at https://firststop.org

Please consider giving generously to this important local organization.

You’re Invited to Ecstatic Dance Huntsville’s Imbolc Party!



Join us as we celebrate the turning of the seasons and honor Imbolc, the midpoint between winter and spring. Imbolc invites us to ignite the first light of spring and kindle the fire in our hearts for a new year.

The vibrant ecstatic dance culture is a judgment-free, substance-light, and soul-lifting environment. We are into self-expression and self-exploration through music. If you dance, come! If you don't know how to dance, this is the only (and best!) way to learn. Our indoor event will feature an electrifying EDM soundtrack designed to inspire and deepen/help you heal your experience of the self, and your place in the cosmos.

What to Expect:

• Warm-Up Rituals: Ground your energy and set intentions for the dance.

• Open Dance: Move however your spirit calls you—no experience needed, no wrong way to dance! Lots of crazy people doing their own thing and indirectly supporting you to do the same.

• Closing Circle: Connect, reflect, and share the magic of the night.

What to Bring:

• Comfortable clothing for free movement

• Water bottle to stay hydrated

• An open heart and your beautiful energy

This is a safe space to connect with yourself, others, and the vibrant pulse of life. Come as you are, bring a friend, and let’s celebrate the spark of new beginnings together.

Note: This is a minimal-substance event. Please help us maintain a clear and grounded atmosphere.

We can’t wait to dance with you!

Cost:

• $20

• Pay cash or digitally at the door

EDH Team

https://www.facebook.com/share/14mrnUV8MX/

Final "New UU" Class This Sunday at 9 a.m.



What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? This program focuses on introducing newcomers to Unitarian Universalism, but those who have been at UUCH 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!  

This last class in the 3-part series is designed to provide specific information about UUCH structure and history. Even if you missed one or both of the classes so far, please join us this Sunday (Feb 2nd) for a chance to learn and share. Meet for coffee, juice and snacks at 9:00 a.m. in the Adult RE room located at the end of the Religious Education (South) wing; discussion starts at 9:15. Nancy Finley and Pam Korb will facilitate. Handouts for any missed sessions will be available. Contact membership@uuch.org for more information.  

2024, Year in Review

Your Stewardship team compiled a few photographs of UUCH activities last year. We hope you enjoy this auto-advanced slideshow lasting about 2 minutes. Faces of children younger than 18 are intentionally hidden.

View the Slideshow here!

FREE TAX SERVICE

Come and have your tax returns prepared for free! This free tax service is open to any income and any age. It is sponsored by the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and the IRS.



• Location: Studio 60 Senior Center, 2200 Drake Avenue, Huntsville, 35805
• Times: Mon – Thu, 8:30 – 4:00, Fri 8:30 – 12:00
• Dates: February 3 – April 15, 2025
• Appointment Process: Come in person to fill out a request for appointment, pick up a tax package for completing at your convenience. You will be called back ASAP with an appointment date and time. You can request a late March or early April appointment if waiting on tax documents.

For more info, please contact Khoe Tran at kqtran1@yahoo.com

Patio Garden Next Steps

The board has approved the final design and given the property committee the go-ahead to start implementing the Jane Welty memorial patio garden. The Hispanic association has agreed to help us with some labor. Thank you to everyone who gave input on the patio garden. We were able to get input from several diverse populations of people within our membership. We were able to include almost everything that was wanted.



You can see the plan and photos posted in the Fellowship Hall.

We want you to be a part of this beautiful addition to our church environment. Come out to participate in any and all of these property work days. We will have several because this is a big project and we plan to have it done in time for Rev. Jaimie and Will's welcome back party in early May. We are also looking for some scouts that need some community service hours. If you have connections with a scout troop, please let us know. We will also be looking to borrow the following:

• Truck and trailer for hauling drainage gravel and topsoil
• Wheelbarrows and shovels
• Pressure washer

Work Dates:

• February 22
• March 8
• March 22
• April 5
• April 26

Mark these Property work days on your calendar and let Property know if you have any of these connections or tool at property@uuch.org.

Make a Flag for Our Garden

The purpose of a Tibetan prayer flag is to spread prayers of good throughout the world.We are going to hang prayer flags in our new patio garden. Rather than just order some mass produced commercial flags, the property committee wants to give you the opportunity to offer your prayers of good out into the world. Each Sunday in February there will be individual flags and permanent sharpie markers available in the fellowship hall. The edge that is hemmed is the bottom. Use the provided pieces of cardboard to protect the tablecloths from the permanent markers and decorate your prayer flag. Thank you to Susan Cottington for her generous contribution of time, talent, and beautiful batik fabrics for this project.  

UUSC's Guest At Your Table

UUCH is wrapping up our participation in the annual Guest At Your Table (GAYT) program sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The GAYT program has introduced generations of Unitarian Universalists to grassroots partners working for justice around the world with our support. This church year, we are celebrating Guest at Your Table’s 50th anniversary with the theme “Expanding the Welcome Table.”

Now that we have hosted our “guests,” it is time to return our boxes and donations to the UUSC. You can do this in one of 3 ways:



1. Return your box to UUCH. There is a table/basket in the Fellowship Hall in which to return your box. Make sure to fill out the label on the side of the box so you get credit for your contribution.
2. Make an on-line donation to UUSC at uusc.org/givetoguest
3. Mail a check directly to UUSC at:

Guest at Your Table – UUSC

P.O. Box 808

Newark, NJ .7101-0808

If you have any questions, please email Brad at social.justice@uuch.org

Habitat for Humanity Home Build

UUCH members and volunteers from other churches are making good progress at the Fazzingo/Turner house at 216 Lake Drive in Huntsville! Interior painting has finished and flooring is in work.

Your help is needed! Volunteers will be working at the site most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays depending on weather and subcontractor activity.

All volunteers must take a volunteer orientation class that is given virtually every week. The dates of the training vary, so please contact Brad at social.justice@uuch.org for the latest schedule.

If you have any questions or are interested in helping out, please email social.justice@uuch.org

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.

• January 20^th through February 14^th: 30 Days of Love with UUA’s Side with Love (https://sidewithlove.org/thirty-days-of-love)
•  February 15^th: Huntsville Green Team Cleanup at Terry Heights at 9 am (https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-calendar-event/terry-heights-cleanup-day-2/)
• February 25^th: Faith in Action Alabama Huntsville Hub meeting at 5:30 pm at St. Mark Baptist Church on Moores Mill Road (See Brad Korb for more info)
• March 5^th: UUA Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation via Zoom at 6 pm (https://secure.everyaction.com/XYsCO0ZhfkCGG3BCj3A14Q2)

Here are some standing opportunities to get engaged with local organizations:

• First Stop:

1. Provide a meal for unhoused people (https://firststoporg.galaxydigital.com/)
2. Donate urgently needed items (https://firststop.org/category/needs-list/)
3. Other volunteer opportunities (https://firststop.org/ways-to-volunteer/)

• ShowerUp (showers for unhoused people): https://app.initlive.com/web-admin/app/#/join-party?k=aagp6mlprpk46k
• Land Trust of North Alabama: https://landtrustnal.org/support/volunteer/

For more information about a particular event or to list an event, please email social.justice@uuch.org.