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Congregation established 1836 |
Newsletter for
First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois
www.firstuualton.org
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FIRST UNITARIAN FOCUS
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Congregation established 1836 |
Newsletter for
First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois
www.firstuualton.org
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Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. |
April 2005 |
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April 3rd
“Test Everything … Hold
Fast to the Good” The Rev. Richard Haynes Part of Unitarian
Universalist religious practice is to test everything. We do that very well. But every human, and every human community,
has difficulty in holding fast to the good.
Can our church life help us to resolve this tension? Can we learn to
close the gap between who we want to be and who we really are?
Rev. Haynes is a 1995 graduate of Eden Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo. He is a Unitarian Universalist community minister who works in association with Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. He was the first non-Catholic Chaplain hired by St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kirkwood and is currently employed at that institution. He also performs weddings and does marriage counseling in the St. Louis area. April 10th “The Secret Life of Bees” Khleber M. Van Zandt V The novel by this name is about love, race, class, and
growing up with violence. We'll focus on author Sue Monk Kidd's treatment
of |
April 17th
“America's Basic Religion” Dr. Ronald Glossop
April 24th “Together Through
the Forest” Khleber M. Van Zandt V This Earth Day we'll see what lessons we can take from the changing of the seasons and how to apply those to our work together. Deadline: Send Newsletter items
by 15th of the month to the Church office AND to the Editor. First
Unitarian Church (618) 462-2462 PO Box 494, Alton, IL 62002 Email:
1stuualton@accessus.net Editor: Mary Johnson |
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Additional
Sunday Morning Programming 9:00 & 9:30 a.m. April 3rd - 9:00 a.m. -
COMMITTEE SUNDAY. There is a list on
the bulletin board in the Wuerker Room of all the committees. Find one that interests you and come on
Sunday to learn more about it. April
10th - 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - 1st session of Introduction to Unitarian Universalism (UU
101). 9:30 a.m. - Meditation led by Ted and Pam Loucks. April
17th - 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - 2nd session of Introduction to Unitarian Universalism (UU
101). 9:30 a.m. - Adult RE - On-going study of the book by Dr. John Buehrens entitled, “Understanding the Bible.” Led by Gerry Gilman. April 24th - Forum - 9:30 a.m.
- “I am an Alcoholic.” An Alton church member discusses how AA continues to be his
lifeline to sobriety. Memorial Services The Memorial Service for Joe Russo will be held at the church at
2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2nd. The Memorial Service for Dot Hull will be held at the church at
2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16th. |
The Ministerial Search Committee announces that Khleber M. Van Zandt V
is our Ministerial
Candidate The Ministerial Search Committee is very happy to
announce that Khleber M. Van Zandt V is our candidate to be the minister at the
First Unitarian Church of Alton. We
believe that his ministerial presence will provide the impetus for growth in
our church community - growth in individual spiritual and intellectual thought,
growth in community involvement, and an increase in the number of people
recognizing this as their church home. Khleber will graduate this May from Eden Theological
Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.
He has both a Bachelor of Science (1982) and a Master of Science (1983) in
Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. He joined Eliot Unitarian Chapel in 1984, and over
the years at Eliot served on the Board of Trustees, and on many committees
including Building and Grounds, Social Concerns, Music, and Communications as
well as working for a time at Eliot as a staff member. Khleber completed a year-long ministerial internship
at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas in May 2004. In 2002 and 2003 he worked part-time as a Chaplain at Barnes
Jewish Hospital and has also provided pastoral services in hospice settings. From 1983 to 2001, when he decided to enter the
ministry, Khleber owned a successful residential/commercial construction
business in St. Louis. He and his wife Linda have a blended family of seven
adult children living in various parts of the county. Church members will vote by paper ballot following
services on April 3rd on the question of calling Khleber as our
half-time minister. The Ministerial Search
Committee Nancy Brunner, Paul Hebert,
Mary Johnson, Ted Loucks, Pat Moore |
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Memories of Dudley Giberson By Grace Madison If ever there was a “pillar” of our church, it was the Giberson family. With two very active parents and six talented children they provided a core of most of the church’s activities. In a newspaper article announcing Dudley’s death, the activity director of Maryville Manor where he resided, described him as “a very kind and gentle man.” He may have changed when he got really old but I remember him as a feisty, intimidating patriarch who was a financial wizard and ruled the finance committee with an iron hand. When our family arrived in Alton in 1963, we found this to be a thriving church with a long-time minister and a very large religious education program. The decision was soon made to add a new wing and upgrade the kitchen. A building fund was started with good response but when we were ready to start building, we still needed about $100,000. Dudley and a couple of other members met with a local bank president and with a friendly handshake the money was obtained with a promissory note - no mortgage for this church! Dudley loved this church building. Through the years there were several times when the question of spending money for programs vs. building came up and Dudley invariably insisted that the building have top priority. When someone suggested that the church building be sold and the congregation relocated because of limited parking, Dudley would not hear of it. He was the building’s staunchest protector and defender. In 1990, Dudley was one of a 3-person committee appointed to consider starting a local endowment fund. Its main purpose was to be the care and maintenance of the church building. It is fitting that Dudley’s memorial service was held here at a time when this beautiful debt-free building is being lovingly cared for and well maintained. I wish Dudley could have visited recently to see it. You left quite a legacy, Dudley. May you rest in peace. |
By the Rev. Sylvia
Falconer (Sylvia was our minister
from 1979 - 1984) I am disturbed and sad
to hear of Dot Hull, Joe Russo, and Dudley Giberson passing away. They were such pillars of the church when I
came there. It is difficult to imagine
them in any other way than when I first met them. I loved canning with Dot and others in the church kitchen. Dot had those wonderful qualities of
efficiency, patience and humor that boded well in a kitchen full of hot food
and sweaty women. I loved seeing Dot
reacting to Jim’s quiet humor. I loved talking to Joe
about literature, music, art, just about anything. When I preached “In Search of the Chocolate Lily” he presented me
with a beautifully framed photo he had taken of a chocolate lily. It still hangs in my kitchen. I have several photos of my beloved Alaska
which Joe took. Joe was so supportive
during the first years of my ministry.
He was a true renaissance man. Entering Dudley’s
insurance office was like walking into the 1930s - rich woods, the tick of an old
clock and the smell of years of documents. During Fourth of July, the
Giberson’s hosted a party in their backyard to view the fireworks over the
river. Dudley was a gracious host
supreme. I always enjoyed their
hospitality.
Forum Coordinator needed For Next Church Year The Religious Education Committee is seeking a
volunteer to coordinate the Forum program starting next September. To learn more about what would be involved
in this service to the church, please attend the RE meeting on April 3rd or
contact Jamie Gross: |
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UU
101 - Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
The spring session of UU 101 will be held in two sessions
on April 10th and April 17th from Everyone is welcome to attend, but a special invitation is
extended to visitors, new members, and anyone generally interested in learning
about Unitarian Universalism. We anticipate that those of you who attend will have many
questions, and much of the format of the sessions will be informal discussion.
The following list outlines areas that we generally hope to cover.
Covenant
If you have further questions, call the church office on
Monday or Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30
p.m. at 618-462-2462, or email the church office at 1stuualton@accessus.net. You may also contact Marcia Custer, Chair of the Member Committee,
mcuster@siue.edu.
If you plan to attend please let us know by
contacting either the church office or Marcia Custer. |
THUMBNAIL
SKETCH OF UPCOMING CHURCH
EVENTS Sat., April 2 - Memorial Service for Joe Russo - 2:00
p.m. at church Sun., April 3 - Members vote after church
on calling Khleber Van Zandt as minister. Thurs., April 7 - Anna Ds at Alfie’s
Restaurant. Sun., April 10 - Introduction to UU,
Session 1 - 9:00 a.m. Sun., April 10 - Annual church pledge
drive (a.k.a. church canvass) begins. Mon., April 11 - Sierra Club - 7:30 p.m. Tues.,
April 12 - Men’s Lunch Group - 11:30 a.m. - Chinese Buffet Restaurant. Tues., April 12 - Board Meeting - 7:00
p.m. Sat., April 16 - Memorial Service for Dot
Hull - 2:00 p.m. at church. Sun., April 17 - Introduction to UU,
Session 2 - 9:00 a.m. Fri., April 22 - UU Theatre Group -
dinner at Pasta House at 6:00 p.m. and play at SIUE at 7:30 p.m. Sun.,
May 1 - Annual church pledge drive ends. |
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New Social Event UU Theatre Group A few weeks ago a group of us met to have an early dinner
and attend a theater production at Florissant Valley Community College, and
decided it should be an ongoing church event.
Anyone wishing to sponsor such an event should contact Marcia Custer at
618-656-8179 or mcuster@siue.edu in
sufficient time to have the announcement in the monthly newsletter. The role of
the sponsor is to find and announce the production, give a little summary if
possible, select a place for people to meet for a pre-theater dinner if they so
desire. And get a headcount so tickets can be purchased ahead of time. So, check your local area to see what live theatre is available and what the upcoming productions will be.
Marcia Custer will be the first sponsor in suggesting the
play Female Transport by Steve Gooch
and directed by Peter Cocuzza. This production is an account of the life and
death struggle of six women convicts forced together to overcome oppression and
survive the tumultuous journey from England to Australia in 1807. This play is
at the SIUE theatre. We will attend Friday April 22. Tickets are $10 and $6
for faculty, students, and seniors. The
curtain is at 7:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m. at the Pasta House
on Route Illinois 157 located just before the entrance to SIUE. Reservations must be in to Marcia Custer by
Tuesday April 19th. |
Men’s Lunch Group The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at 11:30 a.m.
on Tuesday, April 12th at the Chinese Buffet at 2610 Homer Adams
Parkway in Alton. This lunch meeting is
planned as a regular event on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Contributions Needed for
Medical Mission to Haiti Mona
Hebert will be going to Haiti later this spring and will have a collection
basket at church for donations of hygiene products. Items desperately needed are soap, shampoo, toothbrushes,
toothpaste, etc. Samples from hotel
rooms and dental offices are gladly accepted.
The various “dollar stores” are also good places to purchase such
items. Anything and everything is so
needed by the people of Haiti, especially after the hurricanes and floods. |
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RE News Dear
Parents and Friends, The
new division of classes that were started last month is going very well. We have yet to have a Sunday where that
extra class was not needed. We will be
starting to gear up for program planning for next year at April committee
Sunday. I would love to have some
parental input on our RE program. At
present there are no parents on our RE committee. I would also greatly encourage anyone in the congregation with
interest to attend. Your input would be
greatly appreciated on all levels of programming from early childhood to
adult. Committee Sunday meeting times
are listed elsewhere in the newsletter. We
had a Church work day on March 6th.
RE items that were completed that day included creating an Activity room
for older children to use during child care times instead of having everyone in
the nursery. The nursery was cleaned
and sorted to have all of the items for older child use moved to the new
room. The former Youth room downstairs
was also cleaned and sorted to make it a more appropriate space for a middle
school classroom. Please feel free to
stop by any of these rooms and see the changes that we have made. There
was an Easter Egg hunt Easter Sunday during the regularly scheduled RE
time. This is an event that is always
well received by the children of all ages.
I
will be planning a curriculum preview meeting with a lunch provided after a
Sunday service sometime later this spring.
Please keep a lookout in future announcements for the exact date. This meeting is open to anyone in the
congregation who is interested in seeing what the RE program will be working on
in the next church year. The only
request that I have is that you RSVP by the listed date in order to ensure that
there is enough food for everyone.
Child care will be provided. Thank
You, Jamie
Gross, RE Director |
Anna Ds The Anna D. Sparks
Women's Alliance will meet at noon at Alfies
Restaurant in Alton Square on April 7th for their monthly
luncheon. All women in the church are welcome. For further information please
call Lorli Nelson at 618/466-6517.
Sunday Pot
Luck Lunch
April 24th - the 4th
Sunday Bring a dish to share and plan
to stay after church to join in food and fellowship. A-L will do Clean Up M-Z will
do Table Set Up Everyone will be responsible
for setting food out on the buffet table. New
Member Recognition will
be held during services on
Sunday, April 24th. |
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March 8th
Board Meeting Summary Announcements - There will be a
Congregational Meeting after church services on Sunday, April 3, 2005. - Annual Member Meeting on Friday, May 20, 2005 starting at 7:30 p.m.
RE Director:
Worked 26 hours during month of February 2005.
Requested window be inserted in door at head
of stairs leading to children’s classes and in door leading to Minister’s office. Will contact Becky and Building & Grounds Committee to buy and install windows in appropriate doors. Activity Room for older kids has been cleaned up and is ready for the children. Needs some more items such as beanbag chairs. All children’s classrooms, nursery, and activity room need window
treatments. Children decided to donate $200.00 from Children’s Fund to Renee Kaufmann, DRE, Berrin Michigan UU Fellowship, for her trip to India through the international United Way to aid in the tsunami relief efforts. Ms. Kaufmann will come and speak (hopefully at an intergenerational service) for any congregation that contributes regarding her experiences in India. Treasurer: 71.45% of this year’s pledges have been
received. At this point, income received is ahead of expenses paid. Latest utility bill of $778.69 is lower than
last month so it seems to be starting to come down. Final payment was received
from American Ethical Union Society for rent of storage space. Have purchased new Wayside Pulpit Sign. Web Site Update: Thanks to Jerry Johnson and Jim Elliott for their work on the new
Website. |
Member Committee Updates:
Will have quarterly new member recognition instead of a yearly
recognition. Next new member recognition will be held on April 24, 2005.
President Elect Carolyn Hazzard will perform presentation of new member
packets.
New Member/Visitor orientation
sessions will be held on two Sunday mornings in April.
Volunteers are needed to help with orientation sessions. Talked about including digital photographs in next year’s Membership Book. Decided that for safety issues, would only have photos of adults identified by name. Possibly do group photo of children. Life Touch Portraits was mentioned as a company that will take pictures for free.
Need a volunteer to take digital pictures and help work out details of project. Volunteer Bulletin Board is hanging up in Wuerker Room. Hopefully this board will act as an impetus for needed volunteers.
Would like to have people sign up to mentor new members. Mentoring consists of making a connection with the new members and being available for questions. Kitchen Update: Was discovered that it was refrigerator not dishwasher that was
leaking. Decided that we needed both refrigerators. Anna D. Sparks Women’s
Alliance has offered to pay for a new refrigerator. Ministerial Search Committee Update: Khleber Van Zandt has been asked to be our ministerial candidate and he
has enthusiastically accepted. Have sent out information by e-mail and regular
mail regarding this and a special congregational meeting that will be held
after Sunday services on April 3, 2005 to vote on calling Khleber as our minister.
Canvass Kickoff Planning: There
will be no canvass kickoff party. April
10, 2005 is Canvass Kickoff Sunday. Will ask that all canvass pledges be
returned by April 30, 2005 New Committee Formed: Finance Committee requested that we form an independent, permanent standing committee to handle the church canvass. It was moved and seconded (Nancy Brunner - Gerry Gilman) |
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BIRTHDAYS 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).
3 April - Curtis Meyenburg 5 April - David Wiseman 8 April - Ted Loucks 10 April - Corinne Hawkins 11 April - BJ Hotson 16 April - Shannon Mullikin 27 April - Ginger McCall
Piasa Palisades Sierra Club brings APPALACHIAN TREASURES SHOW to Alton Multimedia presentation &
first-hand accounts from the struggle to Save The Heart of Appalachia from
Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Date: Monday, April 11th Time: 7:30 p.m. Join
Danny Dolinger, Appalachian Treasures Field Organizer, and a resident of the
Appalachian coalfields, as they discuss the social and environmental impacts of
Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining (MTR), and why help from the people of Illinois
is so important in stopping it. Dubbed
"strip mining on steroids" by coalfield residents, Mountaintop
Removal Coal Mining involves clear cutting native hardwood trees, blasting away
up to 1000 feet of mountaintop, then dumping the debris into nearby valleys. It has already turned 400,000 acres of
forested mountains into barren moonscape and buried 1,200 miles of streams in
West Virginia alone. Mountaintop
removal also occurs in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Meet the people who
are fighting to protect their homes, their families, and the mountains
themselves from the irreversible destruction. |
Pledge Drive (a.k.a. Church Canvass) April 10th - May 1st The
theme for the 2005-2006 pledge drive, “Forward
through the Ages,” is taken from the title of Hymn Number 114, and sets the
tone for what we hope will be a rewarding year of renewal and growth. This
year’s pledge drive goal is $72,000. The “kickoff” of this year’s drive is going to be
low-key. We are not going to have the
usual evening party, but members and friends of the church will receive an
introductory letter, a pledge card, and a description of the church’s financial
status to help them in planning their giving for the upcoming year. This material will be available at church on April 10th
and will be mailed out later in the week to those not at church that Sunday. If for some reason you do not receive a packet but
wish to support the church financially, please contact the Chair of the Finance
Committee, Ted Loucks (314-839-1327) or loucks@sbcglobal.net
and pledging material will be given to you. More details will be forthcoming at church regarding
this year’s canvass. “Thank You …” Says Pat Moore to all those who helped make the St.
Patrick’s Party a success. “Thank you”
to those who came early and helped with the finishing touches. “Thank you” to those who stayed late and
cleaned up. “Thank you” to those who brought
food and drink and to those who helped with collecting money and making name
tags and childcare. “Thank you” to
everyone who came and had a good time. [Editor’s note: A BIG THANK YOU to Pat and Jim Moore. Pat planned, organized, decorated, cooked
and orchestrated the evening which was full of Irish music, Irish trivia, and
good fellowship.] |
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