April 3

“The Idolatry of Inerrancy”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

We religious liberals often look askance at those who take sacred texts literally and uncritically as “the inerrant word of God.”  How is it possible, then, that we’d ever fall prey to the same failings?

April 10

“Time Between Times”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

For everything, there is a season.  Sometimes we cling to the safety of the known order.  Sometimes we yearn to reach out toward becoming our best selves.  Which will you choose today – clinging or yearning?

April 17

  **Earth Day Celebration**

“Taking the Pulse of the Planet”

Wayne Politsch

We will explore the current impact population and consumption has on the planet's ecosystems.  The "faith communities" have a critical link in making the transition to a vital planet for the next generation.  Get it wrong and we become fossils.

Thursday April 21

**Tenebrae Service**

7:30 pm

 “A Lifeline in the Abyss”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Tenebrae is a service acknowledging the shadows of life.  In the darkness of a candlelight worship service, we’ll read from the Passion narratives, recite the names of those who have died recently, and partake of Communion in our tradition: bread and wine shared in silence at a table open to all.

Please gather in the Kate Wuerker Room before the 7:30 hour and we’ll enter the worship space together at the appropriate time.

April 24

**Easter Sunday**

Intergenerational Worship 

“Paul’s Lawless Revelation”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

While building congregations in far-flung edges of the Roman Empire, the Apostle Paul was not immune to the human temptation to drive wedges between neighbors.  Near the end of his letter to his followers in Galatia, though, he experiences a moment of awareness of the Empire of God such as Jesus had described it in parables.

What are you doing Sunday mornings?

Are you taking the opportunity that our church offers to grow in mind, body and spirit?  You can attend a worship service, attend a lively discussion group, or spend a quiet period in meditation.  Review your choices and make the decision to participate in one of the early morning activities at church.

April 3^rd - Humanist/Non-theist Group Conclusion of Chapter 3 of “Good Without God” by Greg Epstein.

April 10^th - DVD Series: Lost Christianities with Dr. Bart Ehrman (kindly provided by Jerry Johnson).

April 17^th - Dr. Ron Glossop: We will discuss the philosophy of René Descartes (1596-1650), "The Father of Modern Philosophy."  His dualistic view that there are two different kinds of things, the physical and the mental, aimed to save Christian ideas from the implications of modern scientific discoveries, but he couldn't explain how these two different kinds of things could interact with each other.

April 24^th - Ethical Eating with Marcie Nagle

During the temporary absence of the Meditation Leaders, formal Sunday meditation is suspended through March.  However anyone may use the room to meditate if they wish.

A First Glance

They’re difficult to watch, those video clips from Japan that chronicle the massive earthquake and resultant tsunami on March 11.  So much devastation over so vast an area in such a short time.  How anyone escaped, even with a high-tech tsunami warning system in place, is hard to imagine.

The casualty numbers are bound to rise.  They are doing so as I write, in fact, as more and more bodies wash ashore and rescue workers plow their way through rubble and mud armed with heavy equipment, hand shovels, and hope.

Stories of miraculous survival are already rife.  One guy was found clinging to the rooftop of his house two days after the tsunami.   His house – with him on it – was several miles out to sea when he was spotted waving a little red flag in the air.

Tales of bravery will abound, too, no doubt.  Everyday people rise to great challenge far more often than we tend to imagine in our more cynical moments.  I don’t know whether the Japanese penchant for stoicism equates with bravery, or whether it’s simply something I’ll never understand.

An example:  I heard one report of a young woman who had been living in the disaster zone.  With all communication cut off and transportation almost impossible, it took her several days to get to her parents’ home in Tokyo.  When she showed up at their door, the parents were very excited to see that she was still alive.  The non-Japanese reporter expressed wonder when she heard the flash of emotion in their voices trail off after a short moment.  More than that, the reporter was shocked that there was never any touching among the mother, father, and daughter – just bowing to each other over and over.  Ah, culture.

Such a disaster can bring into question our most basic assumptions.  I saw one lady tell her story of leaving home just in time to get to safety, and finish it up by saying that she wasn’t sure whether it was a good thing to have survived or not.  With all the anxieties out there right now, there must be many of us feeling similarly.

As the late UU minister Forrest Church wrote, “We are one, and we are blessed.”  Even as we pray for the Japanese and for the freedom fighters in the Middle East and for all those in fearful situations in these anxious times, we must remember to take care of those near at hand as well. 

In these troubled times, be gentle with yourself.  Count your blessings, even when they seem in short supply.  And take time to breathe:  the rest of us need you more than you may realize.

See you in church,

This three-session adult education course will be led by our minister, The Rev. Khleber Van Zandt.

Here you will be introduced to the ideas, history, and people that make up the First Unitarian Church of Alton, and the Free Church Tradition of which Unitarianism and Universalism are a part.  Learning about the church and its traditions is a first step towards involvement in a community of faith dedicated to the preservation of religious freedom and the uplifting of the human spirit.

We will explore together the difference between the orthodox and the liberal ways in religion, as well as a brief history of the Western church. You will learn about our approach to religion and the core ideas of Unitarianism and Universalism.  You will also learn something of the rich and enduring history of the First Unitarian Church of Alton. 

Hopefully you will also learn something about yourself and the things you value and the things you believe, as well as meet and learn about other newcomers who are on the same pilgrimage of self-discovery.

There will be a signup sheet at church or let the church administrator know that you’ll be attending this series by calling (618) 462-2462 or emailing church@firstuualton.org by Friday, April 1^st.  Free childcare will be provided if arranged when you indicate your intention to attend the UU & You! classes.

Chalice 

            Circles

Fifty-Plus (50+) Chalice Circle – Saturday, April 2^nd from 10:30 am to noon – At Church. Contact Brynda McCoy if you plan to attend.  New members are welcome.  Those who wish to can go out to eat together after the meeting.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Saturday , April 16^thfrom 2 to 4 pm – At Church.    Contact: Beth Bourland.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Sunday, April 17 ^th from 12:15 to 1:30 pm –

In Emerson Place at Church – Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson.

Belleville Chalice Circle

Thursday , April 21^st at 7 pm – At the home of Jan and Don Allen in Belleville
Contact: Don or Jan.

Men's Chalice Circle

Tuesday, April 26^th at 7 pm – At Church – Contact: Khleber Van Zandt

The GLBT Chalice Circle

The GBLT Chalice Circle will not meet on April 24^th as that last Sunday of the month is Easter.  For updates on GBLT Chalice Circle, please go to website and join http://groups.google.com/group/stl-uu-lgbt-plus/topics.   Please contact Layne A. Simpson for more information.

Delores Ele wants to say “Thank You” to everyone for the cards and calls she received following the announcement that she broke her arm, and although she is on the mend, good energies are still welcome.

Two of the best words in the English language and even better when paired: FREE BOOKS!  We need to make room for more books and there's still time during the dull, dark days of winter to take some of the FREE BOOKS home to enjoy before spring gardening and all the other outdoor joys call us.  So come and take home as many as you want this month and enjoy FREE BOOKS!

Sandy Shaner

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

  2 April – Michelle Bryant

  3 April – Gabby Schreiner (1998)

  4 April – Margaret McCarthy (2000)

  5 April – David Wiseman

  6 April – Cathy Tade

  7 April – Martha Arnold

  8 April – Ted Loucks

10 April – Corinne Hawkins

10 April – Don Allen

12 April – Lily Tarbell (1994)

12 April – Deanna Stacy

13 April – Dylan Stacy (2000)

14 April – Ethan Grippi (2004)

14 April – Brynda McCoy

16 April – Dennie Lightle Jr. (1998)

18 April – Carol Conley

20 April – Ian Herndon (1995)

20 April – John Morgan

23 April – Gayle Borman

27 April – Ginger McCall

27 April – Lucas Koch (2004)

Campfest 2011

Planning Meeting

It’s not too late to be a part of planning our congregation- wide family friendly camp- out July 29 thru August 3.   We will meet in the Kate Wuerker room following 2^nd service on Sunday April 3. Come get involved in the church and be a part of this exciting planning team. See Sayer Johnson for more details.

Community

Outreach Offering

In April our Community Outreach Offering will be given to support the St. Louis Effort for AIDS.   This organization was suggested by church member Michelle Hudson.

St. Louis Effort for AIDS is an organization that has provided services for those affected by HIV/AIDS in the St. Louis area for more than 25 years. They provide free, confidential HIV testing, counseling & support for those who test positive, education & community teaching, and comprehensive case management for those living with HIV/AIDS, including medication and housing assistance. They also provide dog food and veterinary care for their pets under their Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS) program.  All funds received by EFA stay in the St. Louis Metropolitan area and directly assist our communities’ HIV+ citizens.

In addition, SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday April 28 is “Dining out for Life” and there is interest in getting together at various restaurants to benefit the programs and services of Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.   Michelle will provide additional information.

Anna Ds Women’s Alliance

The Anna D's will be meeting on Thursday, April 7 at 11:30 am at the St. Louis Buffet – 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL . RSVP to Audrey Wiseman.

Directions:   From Alton take highway 143 to highway 111 and follow 111 until you get near highway 255.   The restaurant sits back from the road in a shopping center on the left side of 111 before 255.

Men’s Lunch Group

All Men in our Church Family are invited!

The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at 11:30 am on Thursday, April 14 at the St. Louis Buffet, 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL. Contact Dick Blanton for further details.

Spiral Scouts will meet on Sunday, April 3 from 1 to 3 pm at the church. Contact Stacey Wolff, for further information about SpiralScouts.

SpiralScouts Meeting Dates and Badge Topics are as follows through June 2011.  (All meetings are from 1 to 3 pm at church.) Apr 03 Photography / May 01 Astronomy / June 05 Painting

Social Justice

Dear Friends in Justice,

First Unitarian Church in Alton is fully committed to being a Social Justice church, from our minister to the Board of Trustees and to our members of all ages. This not just a slogan or simply spoken to separate ourselves from more conservative churches.  Indeed we live, breathe and act for justice at all levels in our local community and beyond. I say this with all humility because I am not interested in self righteous grandstanding, but our church acts in the community and beyond to affect change and participate in being present to those who are marginalized.  The Social Justice Committee is comprised of many wonderful people who give of their time and talent to be present and to walk with those in need.  That being said, we can always use more people to help with the work of the committee; it is a commitment but a joyful endeavor and speaks to the heart and soul of First Unitarian Church in Alton.

We are living in challenging times and the work of justice is never done.  New initiatives will need to be started in the present time and the work will never end. In the coming months I will try to outline needs and social problems that exist in our community and beyond that we can and will be involved in.  Please contact me at any time if you have questions, suggestions or if you are at interested in becoming part of the justice work of this faith community.

With Peace and Love,

John Herndon

YOUR help is needed in sprucing up our building and grounds this spring!  We’ll have a work day on Saturday, April 16 from 9 am to 2 pm to do any number of tasks from window washing to minor repairs to painting to lawn work.

Bob Chapman and Bob Larson are our B & G Co-Chairs and they would really appreciate your participation in this work day.  There are tasks for everyone.  So come to this work day and make it a fellowship event!

Choir Rehearsals

Choir rehearsals are held the first three Thursday evenings (except this month) from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.  If you enjoy singing, please consider coming to a choir rehearsal to learn how much fun you can have and what a contribution you can make by being part of the choir.

April 7^th, 14^th, no choir on 21^st due to Tenebrae Service.  A different date will be arranged for choir rehearsal.

For further information contact Willis McCoy.

Report from the Church Treasurer

Total budgeted income received in February 2011 was $8,446.65; this was 5.09% of our annual budget.

Total budgeted expenses in February 2011 were $15,772.53; this was 9.50% of our annual budget.

So far this fiscal year, our year-to-date expenses are almost equal to our year-to-date income. From now on, timely payment of pledge commitments is critical to our finishing the fiscal year (on June 30^th) in the black.

Jerry Johnson, Treasurer

ECO-AWAKENING INTEREST GROUP

Following last month’s “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream” environmental symposium attendees from several faith communities decided to meet together at least one more time to talk about ways changes might be made locally to further environmental justice.  That group will meet at our church on Saturday, April 2 at 9:30 am.  Even if you didn’t attend the symposium but are interested in “doing something” and sharing ideas with others, please plan to come to this informal group meeting.  Please let the church office know you’ll be attending – church@firstuualton.org.

Wine Tasting Event

First Unitarian Church,

Kate Wuerker Room

7:00 pm, Saturday, April 30

$10 per person

We will have an assortment of wine, cheese, bread/crackers, and fruit.

A Silent Auction will be included in the evening fun.

Besides the entrance fee, everyone is invited to pay $1 a vote to make their favorite wine the BIG WINNER of the evening.

BRING Open minds, open mouths, open checkbooks for:

Fun, Informal, Educational Wine Tasting for those 21 and older who want to try wine for the first time, or want to know more about what they already like, or try some new wines.

Nursery care and childcare will be available. (Note: children may not attend the event in the Wuerker Room).

 Sign up sheet in the Kate Wuerker Room.

Racial Reconciliation Worship Service

Sunday, April 3 – 3:30 pm

Morning Star M.B. Church

1 East 6^th St., Alton

Sponsored by

The United Congregations of Metro East (UCM) Alton Area Cluster

Everyone is invited to the  Alton area’s fourth annual Racial Reconciliation Worship Service.    This service commemorates the anniversary (4/4/68) of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Participants will have the opportunity to ask God for forgiveness, make gestures of reconciliation to each other, and dedicate themselves to a decade of racial reconciliation in the Alton area.   Please come,  bring a friend, and put your faith in action.

Food Ministries

Coffee Hour

We need people to take their turn in coffee hour clean up. I know everyone has a busy life and this is one of the main reasons we need to respect everyone and take our turn.

1. Stay until everyone is finished with their drinks and snacks
2. Clear away all of the dirty dishes and food leftovers (this may involve putting some things in bags or containers and placing them in the refrigerator)
3. Cleaning all of the used dishes by washing in the sink, drying and putting away or loading them into the dishwasher and running it.

4^th Saturday Lunch

Fourth Saturday Lunch is a program the church has been running for awhile where volunteers create a hearty healthy menu that is served to the area homeless and needy. We also encourage our members to sit down with our guests and get to know them as they are our neighbors. There are many ways to get involved see Kathryn Chapman or the following people if you want to help.

April – Jennifer Herndon

May – Lorna McElhone

June, July, & August – Mary Johnson

September – Linda Van Zandt

Group Members

Anyone interested in being a regular member of the Food Ministries group (i.e. willing to set up coffee hour, work Saturday lunches, or be called on in the event of funeral services or other food related work) please make sure I have your name on my list so that I am able to call or e-mail you when we are in need of people to fill in or help out.

Reminder: There is a jar in the kitchen for collecting BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION.

Kathryn Chapman

APRIL RE Program News & Notes

Buy a Hymnal for the Church

We need more of the paperback “teal colored” Singing the Journey hymnals.  A generous benefactor has made a matching offer - for every hymnal you purchase, that purchased will be matched.  So for example, if 20 people each buy a hymnal ($18), the benefactor will pay for an additional 20.  You may ask that your hymnal be given in memory or honor of someone, or given in your name. Make your check payable to First Unitarian Church of Alton and mark “hymnal fund” in the memo line.  You may put it in the collection or send it to the church treasurer.  Contact Willis McCoy for more details.