Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

June 2005

June 5^th

9:00 a.m. - Committees meet

10:30 a.m. - Worship Service

“Stranger on the Mountain”

Khleber M. Van Zandt V

In our global village, we sometimes encounter people very different from us who have deep spiritual truths to teach if we but keep an open mind. Herein, observations from a long, hard climb.

June 12^th

9:30 a.m. - Meditation - Led by Ted and Pam Loucks

10:30 a.m. - Worship Service

“Lament and Celebration”

Khleber M. Van Zandt V

A glimpse backward at our UU heritage and forward at our UU possibilities before traveling to the 2005 General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas.

This being the end of our regular church year, the service will include Volunteer Appreciation and a Pot Luck lunch will follow the service.

Informal Summer Services Begin

10:30 a.m.

June 19^th - August 10^th

(no services on July 3^rd)

Nursery care available for small children. Activity room open for older children - reading and art materials available.

June 19^th - “Sermons of Joe Russo” - David Wiseman will share words of wisdom, insight, and humor from the writings of Joe Russo.

June 26^th - “The World of Esperanto” - Ron Glossop

Will discuss the world language Esperanto and his experiences in the Esperanto community, including last summer in China and this past March in Brazil at the farm-school “Bona Espero” (Esperanto for “Good Hope”) when mistreated children are educated and given a home and where Esperantists from all over the world come to help as volunteers.

A listing of the remainder of the summer’s Sunday services can be found on page 2 of the newsletter.

Deadline: Send Newsletter items by 15^th 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

http://www.firstuualton.org

Editor: Mary Johnson mejohnson@mindspring.com

A First Glance

“Welcome!” they said.

The first time I came to this church last November that was the first thing I heard from people, “Welcome!” I felt welcomed then and I feel even more so now. People still seek out my family - my wife, my daughters, and my sons - to tell them how nice it is to see them at church.

It took a long time to get to this place, more time than we may have expected. But here we are, on the other side of a long and arduous search process, ready to get to work.

The coming months will be an exciting time as we seek to learn each other’s traditions, languages, and idiosyncrasies. We will begin to live into the covenant we made together and to live it out as best we can.

After returning from the UUA General Assembly in Fort Worth, I will spend the summer getting to know more of you better, moving into the Minister’s Study at church, and beginning the planning process for the 2005-2006 program year. There is a lot for me to learn and I appreciate all the help I’ve received so far. I’ve already been meeting with the Board of Trustees, and I look forward to meeting with other committees to learn how the work of the church is being done and to begin developing together our common vision for the future.

I want you to know that, since you have called me to be your minister, I will be just that. I may not always be in the office, but I will always be just a phone call or e-mail away. I have two cell phone numbers so that you can phone me free of charge from either side of the river. The numbers are 618-520-0567 for Illinois and 314-223-0551 on the Missouri side. My e-mail address is kvanzandt@uuma.org and I generally check it several times a day. Please don't hesitate to contact me one way or the other.

I believe the experience of all our newcomers can be similar to mine. As they come through our doors, newcomers should feel immediately that the members of our church are open and affirming, and welcoming of everyone who comes to us - singles and families, married and divorced, adults and children, partnerships recognized by the state and those that are not.

“Welcome!” Indeed!

Faithfully, Khleber

SUMMER SERVICES, continued

July 3^rd - No service

July 10^th - “George Bernard Shaw’s Religion” - Jim Elliott uses excerpts from Shaw’s “The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God” and “Don Juan in Hell.” When the Black girl goes searching for God, she is dismayed when she finds that God is portrayed in many divergent ways in the Bible. In “Don Juan in Hell” Shaw tells what happens when the seducer Don Giovanni meets his victim and her enraged father in the afterlife.

July 17^th - “The Health Benefits of Meditation and Yoga” - Ted Loucks.

July 24^th - “Coyotes and Other Tricksters: The Role of the Contrary in Society” - Chris Sutton will discuss how from Hermes and Old Man Coyote to Hunter S. Thompson and Michael Moore, the contrary have performed a vital role to their respective cultures. We’ll discuss how the actions and stories help keep a society healthy.

July 31^st - Wayne Politsch

August 7^th - “Translating Jesus” - a new sermon sent to us on audiotape and in print from Dr. John Hoad.

August 14^th - “The Entire History of the Unitarian Universalist Movement and Institution in Twenty Five Minutes Flat” - a sermon written by the Rev. Mark Belletini which will be read aloud by various members of the congregation.

THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF UPCOMING

CHURCH EVENTS

June 2^th - Anna Ds - 12 noon at Irene Mondhink’s.

June 4^th - Start-Up Workshop with Angela Merkert from the CMwD - 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - for Board Members, Minister, and Committee on Ministry.

June 4^th- Sierra Club Conference - 1:00 p.m. -

7:00 p.m. - “Health: Your Earth, Your Life” at Lewis and Clark Community College.

June 14^th - Men’s Lunch Group - 11:30 a.m. at the China Buffet.

June 14^th - Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Email from former member

Marge Peterson

Jim Elliott forwarded a note he received from Marge. She’s now living in a Retirement Home in Virginia, near Washington DC. She’s had to undergo several surgeries in the last two years and cannot get around as much as she used to, but is still interested in all the history around her. If anyone would like Marge’s email address, please get in touch with Jim.

A Thank You

From Mona Hebert

& Tim Randolph

Tim Randolph, the leader of the Haitian Medical Mission that Mona will go on in June, has sent a ‘thank you’ note to the congregation for their support. He writes that the donations of money, toiletries and dental supplies are crucial to the medical work being done and that these contributions will go directly to the Haitian people.

CONGRATULATIONS

KHLEBER!

VanZandtPortrait02

Our minister, Khleber M. Van Zandt V,

received his Master’s of Divinity degree in a graduation ceremony Friday evening,

May 13^th at Eden Seminary.

Ordination and Installation Ceremony

The ceremony whereby Khleber will be ordained as well as installed as our minister will be held on Sunday, November 13^th.

Directory Update

Khleber Van Zandt now has an Illinois phone number as well as a Missouri one.

618-520-0567

314-223-0551

Denominational Events

The Music Committee of Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood will host a “Cuban Choir Party” on May 26 at 7:00 p.m. to hear about Cuba first hand from Mark and Carol Slegers. Mark is the Music Director of the First Unitarian Church of Portland Oregon, and recently took the church choir to Cuba. Questions? Call Jan Chamberlin, Music Director.

Summer WomanSpirit Retreat at Camp Ronora

The CMwD Women in Religion Committee announces the 12^th annual summer retreat at Camp Ronora in southwest Michigan, August 5 - 7. This retreat provides a time and a place to connect with the elements of land, sky, fire and water, as well as with each other, and with our inner selves. Remembering and experiencing ancient Earth-based religions, we celebrate these elements unencumbered by the restrictions of daily responsibilities. We play and dance under the sun, moon, and stars. We acknowledge our power and worth, and the power and worth of all. For further information go to

http://www.womenandreligion.org

UU Presence at Pridefest

The Pridefest of St. Louis is from June 25^th-26^th. The theme is Come Alive in 2005. SLAUUC has allocated $400 for a booth, brochures and banner. Several groups have been interested in being a presence at this annual event. To have a booth, we need people to work a shift either Saturday or Sunday. The parade is on Sunday at 12:45 p.m. so Sunday will be our busiest day! We need commitments for both days, though!!!! Please contact Gail Rock EGRockStL@aol.com to get signed up! We need to have our reservations in by June 1^st for a booth.

booth.

UUA VIRTUAL TOUR

Take a Virtual Tour of the Unitarian Universalist Association at 25 Beacon St. in Boston. http://www.uua.org/aboutuua/tour

Way to Go Britney!

Congratulations to Britney Brunner, who graduated from Hazelwood Central High School on May 24^th. Britney will be going to Florissant Valley Community College in the fall to get her general studies courses completed, and then plans to either go into Massage Therapy or Radiography.

Good Luck Cory!

Cory Green, son of our Church Administrator, Becky Green, graduated from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto on Friday, May 20^th. He plans to attend the Illinois Institute of Art starting in July.

RE News

Dear Parents and Friends,

The RE year has come to an end, and I would like to take this time to thank everyone who has made it possible. Thanks to the teachers who taught for us all year. Thanks to the parents who brought the children to class instead of sleeping or doing one of a hundred other things. Thanks to the kids for showing up and participating in all of the classes and projects that we have done this year. Thanks to the people who came to the RE committee meetings and provided ideas and feedback for the program. Thank you to everyone that pledged this year so that we could have the funds necessary to run a growing program. Thank you all of you.

It is now time to look ahead to what is next. This summer, as last summer, we will be participating in the Heifer International Read-to-Feed program. This is a program where the children will be reading books from two different book lists that I have. One list is books that illustrate or promote the 7 principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalism. The second list is books that illustrate the type of work that Heifer International does. We are asking that church members pledge to support the entire program, usually with a flat pledge, instead of supporting the individual readers. An information table will be set up in the Wuerker Room to do this.

Now is also the time to look ahead into the next church year. Summer will go by quickly, and we need to be prepared to start teaching next September. I have teaching positions open for all grade levels. Please find the place that you are most comfortable and volunteer to help out. Please see me to find out about the curricula that we will be using. I always like to match teachers with the subjects that they are interested in.

Once again, I thank all of you for your part in making this past year a successful RE year.

Jamie Gross

Anna Ds

The Anna D. Sparks Women's Alliance will meet at noon at Irene Mondhink’s home on June 2^ndfor their monthly luncheon. All women in the church are welcome. For further information please call Lorli Nelson.

Church Pledge Drive Update

As of 5/21/05 we have received pledges totally $66,133 towards our goal of $72,000. Of the fifty-four pledges received, twenty-two are increases from last year, and fourteen are from new pledgers. The average pledge is $1225.00. There are still several pledges expected to be turned in.

If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please do so now.

Sunday Pot Luck Lunch

(Note it’s the 2^nd Sunday in June)

June 12^th

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 Members of the

Board of Trustees Elected

At the church’s annual business meeting on Friday evening, May 20^th the following were unanimously elected to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Stacey Wolff - Acting President Elect

Nelson Shaner - Board Member

Gene Eaton - Board Member

Other members of the ’05-’06 Board are

Carolyn Hazzard - President

Mona Hebert - Secretary

Jerry Johnson - Treasurer

Cheryle Tucker-Loewe - Past President

Corinne Hawkins - Board Member

Gerry Gilman - Board Member

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 June - Kris Tucker-Loewe

4 June - Marcia Custer

4 June - Mark Wolff

8 June - Ruth Shaw

9 June - Wayne Politsch

9 June - Eric Sturley

17 June - Jeanne Sturley

21 June - Joy Hoeft

23 June - Bailey Brunner (1991)

Sierra Club’s

Sustainability Conference

“Health: Your Earth, Your Life”

Saturday, June 4^th

1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, IL

Keynote Address: “Sustainable futures: Finding Hope in a Time of Hopelessness” by Anna Lappe, co-author of Hope’s Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet

There will also be Workshops, a Farmer’s Panel, Organically and locally grown dinner, Tour of La Vista Community Supported Garden.

Registration is $30 per person.

cfavilla@ezl.com

CHECK OUT THE CHURCH’S NEW WEBSITE AT

http://www.firstuualton.org

Men’s Lunch Group

The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14^th at the Chinese Buffet at 2610 Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. This lunch meeting is planned as a regular event on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month.

May Board Meeting Summary

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Start-Up Workshop will be held at First Unitarian Church on Saturday, June 4, 2005 from 8:30a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Workshop will consist of Khleber Van Zandt, Angela Merket, Board Members and Ministerial Search Committee Members.

A Potluck Sunday will be held on the last Sunday of the “regular” church year, June 12. Summer Services will begin on June 19^th and go through August 14^th (excluding July 3^rd).

REPORTS:

RE Director: Preview Meeting was held on Sunday, May 1, after morning services, for those interested in next year’s children‘s religious education program. Jamie is attending St. Louis Area Cluster Meeting for UU RE Directors on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. She has scheduled a RE Teachers Appreciation Luncheon on June 5. The children will again be participating in a Read-A-Thon to raise donations for Heifer International beginning June 13- August 14. A book table will be set-up in the Wuerker Room containing books from 2 recommended reading lists (UUA & Heifer International). Children can borrow the books to take home or to read during Sunday services.

Office Manager: Becky has checked into the possibility of having the trash picked up by the city and learned that churches are not allowed this service unless they pay for a dumpster. The church does not have any good place to locate a dumpster so Becky will continue to look for a better way of storing the trash until it can be disposed of. The Alton Telegraph did a very nice news article on the church calling Khleber as their new minister. Jim Culp, a reporter with the Alton Telegraph, has asked to do an interview with Khleber on his goals and ideas for the ministry here.

Jamie has asked to have blinds ordered for the new youth Activity Room and have received some bids for that project. Funds will come from the RE budget. Peg Flach and her son, BJ Hotson, have done some cleanup and landscaping in front of the church.

Treasurer: 81.15% of this year’s pledges have been received. Income received is still ahead of expenses paid.

Minister: Khleber has visited with people on pastoral care list and hope to visit with more soon. He has an Illinois phone number #618-520-0567 and a Missouri phone number #314-223-0551 so members can have easy access. Sunday, November 13, 2005 is when Khleber’s Ordination and Installation Ceremonies will be held. Cheryle Tucker-Loewe and Mary Johnson have already agreed to serve on the Ordination & Installation Committee. More volunteers will be needed.

Other Business A meeting of Committee Chairs will be held after summer services on Sunday, July 10. Lunch will be included. Building & Grounds Chair (Tom Allred) mentioned about 10 items that need to be addressed to maintain and improve the aesthetics of our building. Dave Weber is repairing light fixtures in the basement.

Nominating Committee: The following people have agreed to be nominated for Board positions: Gene Eaton, Nelson Shaner, and Stacey Wolff. Approval of 2005-2006 Proposed Annual Budget: Although the pledge goal has not yet been but the budget needs to be submitted to members at annual meeting, it was decided to make an adjustment in proposed budget. Motion was moved and seconded (Carolyn Hazzard - Gerry Gilman) to approve revised budget. Motion carried.

Minutes submitted by Mona Hebert; summarized by newsletter editor.

Editor’s Request