Congregation established 1836

Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois

www.firstuualton.org

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister

February 5^th

“Determinism, Fatalism, and Free Will”

Dr. Ronald Glossop, Professor Emeritus,

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

Ron will address the apparent incompatibility between determinism (universal causality) on the one hand and free-will (could we possibly act differently than we do or be different persons from what we are?) on the other.  He will explain that, while this issue is indeed an unsolvable riddle in the traditional supernaturalistic context, looking at freedom in a naturalistic context has very important implications for how we (and our children) can be more free and less determined by external factors.

February 12^th

Lincoln’s Birthday and Heritage Day

“ With Malice Toward None ”

Rev. Khleber M. Van Zandt

New books about Abraham Lincoln and his life posit different theories as to the reason for and evolution of his greatness. Whatever theory holds sway, his work and words still illuminate a path we must strive to follow.

February 19^th

“Credo: That to Which I Set My Heart”

Margret A. O’Neall

What is “belief” for the humanist, the theist, the atheist or agnostic, the earth-centered worshiper, the searcher for truth - to what does each of us set our heart?    What does it mean to call our church a faith community - what is it that we share? Unitarian Universalist churches are communities of covenant, in which we pledge to walk together in all our diversity.

Lessons from the heritage of our UU movement may inform our journey together, as we create a religious community that satisfies our hearts and our minds.

Margret A. O’Neall is a second-year seminary student at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago (also taking courses at Eden Seminary in St. Louis), and serves as Student Minister at First Unitarian Church of St. Louis. In her student ministry practice this year she is focusing on church stewardship and small group ministry. Margret’s full-time work is as a member of the faculty of the Saint Louis University School of Public Health.

February 26^th

“A Shortness of Breath”

Rev. Khleber M. Van Zandt

It is part of the human condition that we may be healthy and happy one day and then sick and miserable the next. None of us makes it out of here alive, but there are stories of lives well lived that can help us face the inevitable.

Special music by Judy Lindquist

COMMITTEE SUNDAY

February 5^th

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

This is the time set aside for committees to meet and plan future events and activities. Committees and their Chairs include: Members (Marcia Custer); Growth (Mary Johnson); Worship (Mona Hebert); Religious Education (Lisa Alton); Finance (Ted Loucks); Building & Grounds (Tom Allred) and Stewardship (Nancy Brunner). If you’re not already involved in a committee please find one that interests you and get involved.

February 12^th

• “Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work For Racial Justice” . The book used for this class is Uprooting Racism by Paul Kivel . This is an ongoing series held on the 2^nd Sunday of each month. The moderator for this series is Beth Nalick.

February 19^th

• “Understanding the Bible” is a monthly class led by Gerry Gilman on the 3^rd Sunday of each month. The class is based on a book written by the Rev. John Buehrens, former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

February 26^th

• “Our American Roots.” This is an on-going weekly program about the history of Unitarian Universalism. Khleber Van Zandt coordinates this program.

FEBRUARY IS

A First Glance

In early January, my wife Linda and I traveled to Texas. We spent a couple of days in Dallas with my dad and then drove to Austin to see her mother. While we were in Austin, an unthinkable thing happened - the only son of Linda’s cousin dropped dead on a basketball court.

This young man was only 31 years old and was the picture of health, having lettered in sports in high school and college. He still spent a lot of time playing and coaching sports, but didn’t let that get in the way of parenting his two kids, aged 7 and 5. In fact, his kids were in the stands watching him play the night he died playing the game he loved so much.

Linda and I stayed in town to attend the visitation at a local funeral home. About four hundred people stood in line that night to, yes, view the body, but mostly to greet the man’s mother and father and estranged wife.

The assembled crowd of mourners was a study in American diversity, at least for that rural area of Central Texas. There were different shades of skin color - white, black, brown. There were professionals and housewives, farmers and cowboys, young people and not so young. It was quite a tribute to the young man’s life and memory that he had touched so many lives in such a short time. Many of the gathered openly showed their emotions in a way that you don’t often see in such a community that tends toward a stoic “Marlboro Man” expression of woman- and manhood. It was a moving experience for many.

On the other hand, Linda and I also noticed how there had been a subtle separation of the groups - a demarcation of boundaries between folks, not according to race or class but according to the allegiances to the grieving mother, the distraught father, or the already - soon-to-be-ex wife. Feuds have a way of sifting down through communities and coming between people who were not involved in or even aware of the original arguments.

Church communities are not immune to such divisions.

As we head into a year when we need to begin to ask hard questions of each other in terms of social justice, outreach, and stewardship issues, we must keep in mind that we are one community, in covenant together, working to build up this church in honor of those who were here before and in service to those who need the vision and vitality that only a community of faith such as this can provide.

See you in church,

WORK DAY SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 4

Jamie Gross is scheduling a church Work Day from

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 4^th. There are always many tasks to get accomplished so pack a lunch and come spend a couple hours or the whole day, whatever fits in your schedule. Childcare will be provided.

Thumbnail Sketch of Upcoming Events

Read details in other parts of the newsletter.

Thurs., Feb. 2^nd - Anna Ds at noon at Lorli Nelson’s.

Thurs., Feb. 2^nd - Choir Practice - 7:00 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 5^th - UU and You! - 12:00 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 12^th - UU and You! - 12:00 p.m.

Tues., Feb. 14^th - Men’s Lunch Group - 11:30 a.m.

Tues., Feb. 14^th - Board Meeting - 7 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 15^th - Ethnic Lunch Group - 11:30 a.m. -

Everest Café, downtown St. Louis.

Thurs., Feb. 16^th - Choir Practice - 7:00 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 19 - Book Club - 11:45 a.m.

Looking Ahead

Sat., March 4^th - Work Day - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sat., April 8^th Canvass Kickoff Party

Women’s Alliance Meeting

(Anna Ds)

February 2^nd

The Anna D. Sparks Women's Alliance will meet, as usual, on the first Thursday of the month, February 2^nd.

It will be a luncheon meeting, at noon, at the home of Lorli Nelson. All women are welcome.

Anyone wishing to attend should call Lorli.

Here are the names of church members and friends who are celebrating birthdays this month. If this is ‘your month’ and your name didn’t get included, we’re sorry. For future months please let Mary Johnson know your birth month and day. (mejohnson@mindspring.com)

2 February - Mary Johnson

3 February - William Loucks (1998)

6 February - Nancy Brunner

9 February - Carolyn Hazzard

11 February - Gene Eaton

11 February - Chris Sutton

14 February - Yvonne McCall

17 February - Ron Glossop

23 February - Beth Bourland

28 February - Tom Allred

28 February - Max Sutton (1996)

In-Home Dinner Groups

It’s not too late to sign up to attend one of the series of in-home potlucks being held in February and March in the homes of members. The dinner groups are being arranged according to dates selected and whether or not children are included. You must sign up to attend, however. You can sign up by contacting Pat Moore In your reply please include your names, number and ages of children you would be bringing, and which of these dates would work for you (February 4, 11, 18, 25 or March 4, 11, 18, 25).

You will receive more information from your host regarding date, time, and meal assignment

RE NEWS

This is a kind of quiet time of year for RE. Regular classes have resumed after all of the Holiday activities. There aren't any other big celebrations until spring when we have Easter, Earth Day, and Family Day. Because of this, I use this time to begin to prepare for what we will be doing next year. This is the time when the RE committee and I begin to plan what curricula will be used next year and how the classes will be divided. We will be having a pre-view meeting for anyone who is interested toward the end of the church year. Please look for the date to be published in future newsletters.

This is also the time when I start looking ahead to filling teaching spots for next year. Anyone who has a particular teaching request for next year should talk to me early so that your preferred spot and teaching level can be secured. I would also love to hear from people who haven't taught before, but may be interested in learning what it is all about.

I wanted to update you on the social action projects that were completed in December. The Holiday Gift Shop raised $150. The children collectively decided to split this money evenly between three local organizations. $50 went to each of the Metro East Humane Society, The St. Louis Area Salvation Army, and the Metro-St. Louis Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. We also took a large bag of warm clothing to the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter and the Oasis Women's Center, both in Alton. I want to thank all of you for your support with these projects.

The UUA bookstore gives churches a unique opportunity to sell books that are published by Skinner House and Beacon Press as a fundraiser in our churches. The RE committee will begin hosting such a table within the next few weeks. This money will go into a special fund that can be used for any RE need that we may have. Suggestions for topics or titles of books may be made by emailing me at uujamie@sbcglobal.net or by letting me know in person.

Thank you, Jamie Gross

Feeling Adventurous?

Have a taste for something new?

Then the Ethnic Lunch Group is for you. Our first lunch was a short-notice affair on January 18^th at The Cedars Hall at St. Raymonds Lebanese Church near downtown St. Louis. We filled our trays with cabbage rolls, stuffed zucchini, spinach pie, hummus, beans and rice, spinach salad, and of course, baklava.

After lunch at St. Raymonds

Khleber Van Zandt, Photographer

Our second outing will be on Wednesday, Feb. 15^th at 11:30 a.m. at the Everest Café (cuisine from Nepal, India, Pakistan) in downtown St. Louis, 1916 Washington Ave.

This is a gender inclusive group - both men and women are invited to come. So we can have an idea of how many people to plan on, please let Cathy Tade know by February 13^th if you’ll be joining the group for lunch.

Welcome to New Members

John and Diane Herndon and Valerie Vogrin and Kevin Adkins signed our church membership book on Sunday, January 22, 2006. Please introduce yourselves to them and make them welcome!

Join the Choir

“Let me go wher’er I will, I hear a sky-born music still. . . But in the mud and scum of things there always, always something sings.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rehearsals

Thursday Feb. 2^nd - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 16^th - 7:00 p.m.

Singing at the Feb. 19^th service.

Questions, want to learn more?

Contact Willis McCoy

Sunday Pot Luck Lunch

February 26^th - the 4^th Sunday

Bring a dish to share and plan to stay after church to join in food and fellowship.

A-L will do Table Set Up

M-Z will do Clean Up

Everyone will be responsible for setting food out on the buffet table.

In Our Church Family

Nelson Shaner was hospitalized for two weeks with pneumonia but is now recuperating at home and would appreciate cards and letters.

Betty Yakubian is residing at Rosewood now and would welcome cards and letters.

Irene Mondhink expects to be at home soon and would appreciate cards, calls, and a few visitors.

Please contact Khleber and / or the church administrator, Becky Green, when members or friends of our church are ill or hospitalized.

Word Received of Former Member’s Death

Corinne Hawkins recently learned that Ray Mead, a former active member of our church who moved to Wichita, KS in the mid 1980s, died on August 28^th, 2005. His widow, Lorene, now lives in Colorado and would be pleased to hear from any of you who knew her and Ray

The Little Book of Alton meets on the 3^rd Sunday of each month starting at 11:45 a.m.

The book for the February 19^th meeting is:

THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY

by Thornton Wilder.

Come whether you have read the book or not. A synopsis will be given and then discussion can follow regarding the central questions of the book.

Please e-mail Janice Joiner for further information.

And Speaking of Books …

Come and Visit the RE Booktable, located in the Wuerker Room. Shop with us for your favorite books published by Skinner House and Beacon Press. Forty percent of the proceeds will go to benefit the RE department of this church. Questions, comments, or suggestions can be given to Jamie.

A Weekend in Chicago

The congregation of Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist invites you to join us for a weekend getaway to the city of Chicago, June 2^nd - 4^th, 2006.

For the two nights of your stay, you’ll be hosted by members of Countryside’s friendly and welcoming congregation in the northwest suburbs. Your weekend includes hearty dinners with entertainment, breakfast at your host's home, and a full-day visit to the city.

The highlight of the weekend is the city’s celebrated architecture. Countryside has arranged for our guests to enjoy two of the best architecture tours the city has to offer. See the soaring towers of the downtown area, acclaimed landmarks, and the new Millennium Park, which features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists, and designers.

After a busy Saturday in the city, you’ll appreciate the peaceful setting of Countryside’s award-winning building and prairie garden.

2006 Whale Coast Alaska

Five Alaskan UU fellowships invite other UUs to our eco0-cultural programs in June, July, and August. See the REAL Alaska! Alaskan B&B accommodations in UU homes in Anchorage, Seward, Fairbanks, Juneau and Sitka, with UU led tours, hikes and parties. Visit with Tlingit, Inupiat and other Native Alaskans. See whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bears, moose, caribou, wolves, puffins, eagles, and arctic birds in the wild from the inside Passage in the south to the far north Arctic ocean. Visit Denali National Park. Rev. Dick & Mary West-Jones, leaders. Website www.wuurld.org.

January 10^th BOARD MINUTES

(summarized by the newsletter editor)

Administrative Reports are now being distributed to board members prior to the Board Meeting.

Treasurer’s Report:

• 65% of pledges have been received to date.
• The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is up to $810 due to donations from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and special donations.

New Business:

• It was moved, seconded, and approved that Mary Weber be appointed Board Secretary, replacing Mona Hebert who resigned that position due to other time constraints.
• It was moved, seconded, and approved that Nancy Brunner to the Personnel Committee, replacing Bill Fischer who resigned that position for personal reasons.
• It was moved, seconded, and approved that Dennis Nalick be appointed to serve on the Endowment Committee.
• There was discussion regarding the need to raise awareness that all are welcome, regardless of race, gender, color, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or sexual identity, to participate fully in our church services and all church activities.

Executive Session. The Executive Committee of the Board approved an increase in hours up to 15 per week for the Director of Religious Education.

Minutes Submitted by: Mary Weber

“GUEST AT YOUR TABLE”
CONTRIBUTIONS

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee "Guest at Your Table" fundraising campaign is over for this year. We have once again given outstanding support, with total contributions of at least $1445. This is about equal to last year’s donations, which is very good, considering that many of you had already given donations to UUSC this year for Tsunami and Hurricane Relief.

Because our congregation has achieved 25-49 percent membership in U.U.S.C., we once again qualify as a "Creating Justice" Banner Congregation. If just a few more of you contribute, we will reach the “Vision of Justice” membership level, which we attained last year. In addition, our congregation has again pledged $1.00 per member from our budget to the U.U.S.C., which qualifies us for the James Luther Adams Award. Thanks also to the Anna D Sparks Women’s Alliance for making a pledge to U.U.S.C. every year.

A very special thank you goes to these individual members and friends who generously made contributions this year:

Paul and Joyce Berney

Lucy Bouton

Jim Elliott

Ronald Glossop

Corinne Hawkins

Paul and Mona Hebert

John and Diane Herndon

Michael and Rose Hoshiko

Jerry and Mary Johnson

Ted and Pam Loucks

Grace Madison

Jack and Ginger McCall

Willis and Brynda McCoy

Jim and Pat Moore

Dennis and Beth Nalick

Nelson and Sandra Shaner

Ruth Shaw

Kris and Cheryle Tucker-Loewe

Mary Weber

David and Audrey Wiseman

If you contributed directly to UUSC and did not get recognized, please let me know. If you missed the campaign, but still want to contribute, please send your check directly to the UUSC 130 Prospect Street, Cambridge, and MA 02139-1845 and identify yourself as a member or friend of the First Unitarian Church of Alton. Anyone who contributed late this year will be recognized in the next newsletter. Pat Moore, UUSC Service Representative