Windows on the west side of sanctuary

January 2013

January 6, 2013

“Begin Again”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Facing the beginning of a brand new year, lots of us have things we want to let go of – memories, feelings, unproductive behaviors and habits.  Today’s the day to get rid of those things that hold us back from movin’forward.
Liturgist: Mike Acharya

January 13, 2012

—  Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting  —

 at 12:15 after second service 

“Toward Possibilities”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

In Turning to One Another, Margaret Wheatley wrote, “There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”  Our work together as a congregation is just that:  figuring out what we care about, and exploring possibilities for change in ourselves and the world. Liturgist:  Patty Moore

Special music by “No Strings Attached”

January 20, 2013 –

— Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day —

“Dr. Martin Luther King”

Robyn Berkley

Liturgist: Mike Bechtol

January 27, 2012

“What Can They Expect of Us?”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

We are living through times that try people’s souls.   Future generations will not remember what we said about the multitude of gun-related tragedies happening around us, but if we allow them to continue – 2^nd Amendment or not -   they will know we failed as a society.  
Liturgist:   Marci Bennett

Adult Religious Education (ARE)

At 9:30 am

January 6 – Tracey Howe-Koch

The Bible.  {Topic from December.}

Please join us for a discussion of Paul (Saul) and his conversion on the road to Damascus.  We will be focusing on Acts 9:1-30.  We will be discussing his role in spreading Christianity and what we might take from his experience in evangelizing Unitarian Universalism.  Everyone welcome!  Questions, please contact Tracey Howe-Koch.

January 13 – Dr. Ron Glossop

American Philosophy.

Our 5th session on "American Philosophy" will focus on John Dewey  (1859-1952), internationally known 20th century American pragmatist.  We will discuss his pragmatic naturalism, his view of logic (the use of intelligence in problem solving), and the role of philosophy and the philosopher in society.

January 20 – Eric Johnson

Theology Funshop. 

January 27 – Michelle Bryant Barbeau

Earth-based Spirituality.

At 11:00 am

January – Each Sunday

Cheryle Tucker – Spirit of Life.  Spirit of Life classes seek to bring meaning, beauty, inclusivity, and growth to Unitarian Universalist adults as they deepen their spiritual awareness and connections.  Join us as the new year begins.

A First Glance

As we face 2013 together, it may be worth reflecting on the year just passed.  I don’t wish to remain mired in calendar pages already crossed off, but it seems instructive to think through and assess what has happened in our communal life so we can get on with our collective vision of movin’ forward.

First of all, we’ve lost so much this past year:  good people have died, others have been very ill, jobs have gone away, relationships stretched to breaking, long-held dreams dashed – and all this within our own local church community, saying nothing of the troubles in the wider world.

There have been challenges in what the church has undertaken this year:  construction on a new kitchen is not yet complete;  the Kate Wuerker Room flooring we thought we’d get done must now wait;  the work on the façade remains in planning stages.

In the administrative structures of the church, we’ve weathered Marty’s resignation from the presidency by turning to a strong team of experienced leaders, and after some bumps we’re far down the path toward automating the congregation’s financial systems.

These transitions have been difficult and will continue to be.  And if you're feeling troubled or anxious about any of this, perhaps you could come sit for awhile by the new fireplace insert in the Wuerker Room, revel in the warmth of that inviting hearth, and reflect on these words from Margaret J. Wheatley in her Turning to One Another:

“There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

Ask ‘What’s possible?’ not ‘What’s wrong?’  Keep asking.

Notice what you care about.  Assume that many others share your dreams.

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.  Talk to people you know.  Talk to people you don’t know.  Talk to people you never talk to.

Be intrigued by the differences you hear.  Expect to be surprised.

Treasure curiosity more than certainty.

Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible.  Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.  Know that creative solutions come from new connections.

Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.  Real listening always brings people closer together.

Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.

Rely on human goodness.  Stay together.”

Happy New Year, with faith, hope, and love.

See you in church,

Calling All  “Newcomers” and “Oldcomers”:

Join Us for the Inaugural Meeting of

Soup&Conversations

On January 6, you’re invited to join us in Emerson Place about noon after the late service to meet new friends while sharing a light lunch.  This will be an opportunity to get to know church leaders, members, and friends, to find out more about the church and its traditions and history, and to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

Please sign up in the Kate Wuerker Room, email the church at church@firstuuchurch.org, or just show up!

Community Outreach Offering

The COO will go to Meals on Wheels program of Senior Services Plus (SSP) in Alton.  All the meals are prepared at Senior Services and approved by a licensed dietary nutritionist.  Homebound seniors 60 or older may qualify to receive the Meals on Wheels service.  People under the age of 60 and who are disabled may qualify.  Temporary delivery of home-delivered meals is also available for those recovering from a physical setback. If you are interested in learning if you qualify to receive meals from SSP call 618-465-3298.

The donation through this month’s Community Outreach Offering will help to offset the cost of food, containers, and delivery.

If you have a suggestion for an organization we should support with our Community Outreach Offering, please contact Cheryle Tucker.

In November our congregation lost two of its long-time members. 

Gene Eaton died on Sunday, November 25, some days after suffering a fall at his home.  He requested that no public services be held for him.  His body was buried next to his wife at the cemetery in O’Fallon IL on November 29.  Gene will be remembered for his honesty, his openness and for his love.

Corinne Hawkins died on Wednesday, November 21, having been hospitalized for some weeks following heart surgery.  Corinne donated her body to Washington University Medical School. 

Corinne’s daughter, Linda Leathers, is inviting all who knew Corinne to come to a “Celebration of Life” between 10 am and 2 pm at Pere Marquette Lodge on Monday, January 21.  She asks that we bring a memory to share, and between now and then, “… in my mom’s name give somebody you love a flower while he or she can still appreciate it.  Put a smile on their face.”

Corinne had a long and meaningful connection with the church, joining in 1957 and serving in many, many ways.  One of her more recent fund-raising projects was to sell her lovely, intricate, handmade potholders, with the proceeds going to the church.  Over the last couple years she also made 900 dresses for little girls in Haiti.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Every 3^rd Saturday.

Saturday, January 19 at 11:30 a.m. Due to the uncertainty of the construction time-line at church the meeting will be held at Princivalli’s at the corner of Henry and 3^rd.

Contact new facilitator Dee Evans for further information.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Every 3^rd Sunday.

Sunday, January 20 from 12:15 to 1:30 pm in Emerson Place at Church .
Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson.

The GLBT Chalice Circle

Every 3^rd Sunday

Sunday, January 20 at 12:15 pm in the 7^th grade classroom downstairs at Church.

Contact Staci Bratten.

Fifty-Plus (50+) Forum -

First Saturday of every month January 5, 2013

Due to the ongoing remodeling at church, we will meet at Princivalli’s Restaurant at the corner of Henry and 3^rd. Sts. in Alton at 11:00 am.  We’ll be continuing our faux “Angie’s List” process, this month dealing with medical recommendations.

Sandy Shaner

Spiral Scouts – Every SUNDAY from 1 to 3 pm. 

This program for children and youth includes interpersonal skills, traditional woodland lore, camping, and outdoor living skills.   Please use this email and our facebook, as it will give updated information about what we are, upcoming events and what is going on in our meetings.

Amy Eichen

The Anna Ds –

1^st Thursday of each month.

On Thursday, January 3 at 11:30 am, the Anna Davenport Sparks Alliance will have their first meeting of the new year at the Best Buffet - 615 Wesley Drive in Wood River, off Highway 111.  It is on the hill across from WalMart and Office Max. The restaurant phone number is (618) 258-1888.

Sandy Shaner is the hostess for this month.   RSVP to her by email .

All women from the church are invited to Anna Ds luncheons.

4^th Saturday Lunch January 26

Trish Botsko is the 4^th Saturday Lunch Coordinator and Sabrina Trupia coordinates the Personal Care Item distribution. 

We are very grateful to the First Presbyterian Church down the street from us for graciously allowing us to use their kitchen and fellowship hall for our 4^th Saturday lunches in November and December. 

Due to the ongoing renovation of the church kitchen we are uncertain where the 4^th Saturday lunch will be held in January.  We are hoping our space will be ready by then.

Details about the lunch will be available at church, on UU Friends, and through “This Week at Church” so watch for more information.

TUESDAY, January 8

7 pm to 8:30 pm

The proposed discussion topic for this month’s meeting is “What is the role of MOVEMENT” in the worship experience.”

If you are interested in talking about “Worship” – in the abstract or concrete – or learning more about what goes into making a worship service – or sharing how you think or feel about “worshipping” make plans to attend the Worship Associates on January 8.

For more information contact:   Khleber Van Zandt.

A WORKING Fireplace!!

Thanks to Char McAllister and Lee Suarez, we can have a fire in the Wuerker Room fireplace with the push of a button on a remote control.   Ah, what would those Unitarians of 1904 thought as they sat around this same cozy fireplace after hauling in arm loads of wood year after year and cleaning out the ash pit in the basement over and over and over.

Working with suggestions from Jim McKeever Lee installed the gas insert in mid-December and our flame glowed!   It provides both warmth and a touch of comfort as well as elegance to our fellowship hall.

Your ATTENTION is Needed to

Maintain the Church Building

If you notice something in the church building that needs attention or repair, please contact our Building Co-Chair Lee Suarez.

We are anticipating that the work on the kitchen and coffee center will be completed soon.  An issue regarding asbestos abatement had delayed construction for 10 days but the issue was resolved to the satisfaction of the Ad Hoc Architecture Committee and without an additional expense.  

More Notes from Board Trustee & Newsletter Liaison -

Sandy Shaner

Since the last newsletter the Board has met twice – November 19 and December 10 – focusing at both meetings on finances and construction.  The good news in finance is that we generated about $2,500 from the Dios de los Muertos party and about $1,200 from the Jacoby holiday concert (both amounts after minimal expenses).  We are working with the Stewardship Committee on several additional fundraisers during the first six months  of 2013 since the budget line item for fundraising revenue is $10,000 which needs to be met.  Keep your ears open for more news about parties and other exciting events which will also raise money for the church.  And, if you have ideas for fundraising opportunities, please talk to Jennifer Timpe.

We also talked about the status of renovation and construction in the building.  The kitchen is coming along and Lee Suarez, chairing the Building Committee, is making great strides toward maintaining and upgrading the rest of the building. The new water fountain was especially timely without access to ice and water in the kitchen during construction.  Installation of a gas burner in the fireplace will also be most welcome as winter arrives and opening of the red door from the outside otherwise sends chills rolling across the room.  Sayer Johnson continues to work with members of the Ad Hoc Architectural Committee on upcoming projects.

We’re all excited about progress being made and hope you are proud of the changes at our special place.

Effective with Marty’s resignation as President of the Board, Sayer Johnson has moved from the position of Past President into the President’s position.  Cheryle Tucker has moved back onto the Board as Past President.

January Birthdays

Most people enjoy getting a card, email, or phone call on their birthday.  Below is the list we have of church members and friends celebrating birthdays this month.  If you do not think the church office has your birthday on file, please contact Becky Green at church@firstuualton.org and give her that information.

11 January – Juliette Crone-Willis

16 January – Alex Lewis (2010)

16 January – Jane Russo (1998)

18 January – Audrey Glossop

19 January – Javion Herndon (2007)

21 January – Rowan Dothager (2002)

25 January – Caleb Tucker-Loewe (2000)

25 January – Erin Herndon (1992)

25 January – Tom Kinsella

25 January – Jennifer Timpe

26 January – Rachel Lappin

28 January – Sallie Oldt

30 January – Deb McNaughton

30 January – Lily Dothager (2007)

30 January – Vivienne Dothager (2007)

31 January – Pat Blanton

Joining the church on December 2, 2012

Jaimie Hileman

jaimiehileman@hotmail.com

(See in Directory with Sarah Lazarz)

Ethel Potts

O’Fallon, IL 62269

ethel.h.potts@gmail.com

Please introduce yourselves to Jaimie and Ethel and extend a welcome to them.

Our Church to Host a Free Conference -

Interested members and church friends encouraged to attend.

On Friday, January 25 there will be a “Leadership Conference for Returning Citizens” held at our church from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  It will spotlight the needs, barriers, stories of achievement, and pathways to success for individuals returning to the community following a time of incarceration and parole.

This conference is sponsored by the Returning Citizens Coalition and will have as its keynote speaker, Clark E. Porter, MSW, Program Support Specialist, US District Court Eastern District of Missouri.  Mr. Porter will offer encouragement and motivation to pursue solutions through education, moral recognition therapy, and individual case management – based on his own experience as a returning citizen.

The conference will include fresh start stories from local returning citizens and informed statements of support from Coalition allies at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, US Attorney’s Office, Alton Police, and local area employers who all provide the foundation for greater community awareness, enrichment, and action.

The coalition includes:  Lewis and Clark Community College, Community Learning Center, Wellspring Resources, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, YWCA, United Congregations of Metro East, Principia College, Alton Police Department, and numerous volunteers.

WhaleCoast Alaska 2013

Four Unitarian Universalist Fellowships in Alaska invite you to an unforgettable All-Alaska tour for thirteen day from July 12 to July 24.  You will experience the best that Alaska has to offer, from the Southeast coastal waters to the sunny Interior, from remote wilderness to modern cities.

Travel by train, ferry, and plane to see whales, seals, bears, moose caribou, glaciers, islands, fjourds, mountains, Native American artists, dancers, and Alaska’s finest museums.

Real Alaska!  UU homestays, dinner parties, & services with Anchorage, Fairbanks, Sitka and Juneau UUs.

See Www.Whalecoastak.Org or Contact Dave Frey, Longtime Fairbanks UU Registration Director at dfrey@WhaleCoastAK.org or mail to:   675 Gold Vein Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712.  Telephone: 907-322-4966

Below is the current list of members of the Caring Ministries Committee.  You may always contact one of them in time of illness, loss, crisis, or other need.  Keep this list of contact people available in case you or your family is in need of pastoral support.

The Caring Ministries Committee is ready to welcome several more members! If you are interested in engaging in conversations with other church friends and getting to know them on a deeper level, please consider joining our group! Please contact Sabrina Trupia.

Central Midwest District of UUA Presents

Winter WomanSpirit 2013 Conference

Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church West ( www.uucw.org )

13001 West North Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53005

There Is Something About The Women:

The Art of Activism

Featuring

Holly Near

Dates:

February 1st – Conference Opening Ceremony

February 2nd – Workshops, Lunch Included and Closing Ceremony

February 3rd – Sunday Worship Service

Holly is an entertainer, teacher and activist whose career as a singer has been defined by her passion for human dignity. She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador for peace whose portrait hangs at The Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio along with those of other social change artists including Paul Robeson, Marion Anderson, Pete Seeger, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte and Woody Guthrie – www.hollynear.com

Holly will present Saturday morning’s keynote speech and will lead a workshop on the Art of Activism Saturday afternoon. Holly is the pulpit guest on Sunday morning.

Conference Cost includes Friday Opening Services,

Saturday Workshops & Lunch

Early Registration: 140.00 through 12/31/12

Late Registration: 155.00 through 01/31/13

At the Door: 175.00

Saturday Concert: 35.00

Register at http://www.womenandreligion.org

Lodging

Radisson / (414) 257-3400

2393 Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226

Use code Woman Spirit Conference when registering

$94.00 / night – reduced rate through 12/31/12

January RE Program News & Notes

Let’s Put On a Show!

The RE Winter Intercession Play

"We've gotta have a great show, with a million laughs... and color... and a lot of lights to make it sparkle.  And songs - wonderful songs.  And after we get the people in that hall, we've gotta start em in laughing right away.  Oh, can't you just see it...?”

— Judy Garland, "Babes In Arms", 1939.

The RE Winter Intercession Play is There Be Dragons, an original adaptation of Robert N. Munsch’s, The Paper Bag Princess.  Written and directed by Steven Mead, DRE; music by Nat King Cole; music maestro:  Neil Hershey.  Rehearsals for 1^st-6^th graders begin January 6 and continue for each Sunday thereafter, culminating in one performance in the second service on February 10, 2013.  Adult volunteers sought.  This activity has become one of our church’s favorite family Sundays.

Mark Your Calendars!  2013 Senior High Regional CON

9-12^th  Grade Parents:  First Unitarian Church, St. Louis, 5007 Waterman Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri, hosts the spring district senior high CON, April 19-20, 2013.  To be eligible to attend, First Unitarian Alton youth must attend at least 50% of the times our Youth Group meets between now and then.  Midwest District CON is attended by youth from parts or all of five states:  Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, and Indiana.  So, mark your calendars!

Demon Java

“Waiter, waiter, percolator!
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jiving and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup”

—Oakland & Drake

Remember, twice a month, the Youth Group sells fair trade coffees and teas in the Kate Wuerker Room after both services on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.  All proceeds go the Youth Group fund — this is their only source of funds this year — support our Youth!

Steven Mead, DRE

314.239.5694 (cell)

dre@firstuualton.org