AUGUST 7

“Musical Odyssey Sunday”

Eric Johnson

Come and enjoy the spirituality of music sprinkled with poetry and readings.  Many of your fellow congregants will be playing and reciting and YOU are encouraged to contribute as well.  If you would like to be a part of this service simply contact Eric Johnson.  Following the service will be the introductory meeting of the Music Chalice Group.  If you've always wanted or always have been involved in music you are invited.  Desire to participate is the only requirement.

AUGUST 14

“Recovering Noah”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Some of us remember Noah as the guy who was told by God to build an ark and then wait for it to start raining.  But the story is more complicated than that:  there are at least two gods active in that section of the text.  Maybe it’s no wonder Noah can’t keep it together in his personal life!

AUGUST 21

“American Grace”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Bowling Alone author Robert Putnam’s newest book examines how religion both unites and divides Americans.  Putnam posits that we of different religious persuasions get along surprising well because we personally know people of other faiths - which I believe affirms our continuing ecumenical and interfaith outreach efforts

AUGUST 28

“God, and Other Four-Letter Words”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

The dust-up between traditional Christians and what we might call “the new atheists” landed on front pages last year when Pope Benedict visited with Queen Elizabeth in the UK.  Why must fundamentalists on both sides insist on using the smallest possible definition of “God”?

Church Clean-up &

Spruce Up Day

Saturday July 30 – morning & afternoon

There’s a lot of yard work to be done (ivy growing up the church walls, a vine taking over the RE porch, grass taller than the day lilies in the flower bed in the front  ... and the list goes on.).  Other tasks may include window washing, minor interior repairs, straightening and reorganizing rooms, painting, etc.  ALL HANDS WELCOME!

Also, if at anytime you see something at church that needs the attention of the Building & Grounds Committee, please note it on the orange colored paper on the clipboard in the Wuerker Room.

A First Glance

Sometimes I read other churches’ newsletters, mostly so I can keep up with what other people are doing out there.  Sometimes what I read hits very, very close to home.  Here’s an example:

“It seems obvious to me that (our church’s local) area can support a strong liberal church, and equally obvious that it needs a strong liberal church.  You, the present members, are committed to getting a full-time minister and to making the church grow in numbers and in program.  (During last Sunday’s service), we looked at some of the problems that growth can bring, and someone said that their assumption had always been that growth would solve problems, not make them!  True, it will solve some, but it will bring new ones, too, and it’s a good idea to be aware of possible problems and be ready for them.

“Some potential problems are:  divisiveness due to different values and goals of new and longer-term members;  …conflict over programs;  issues concerning building use - two groups of people wanting the same room, for instance, or some groups leaving rooms in messing states.  Some of these problems will happen if the church grows.

“This doesn’t mean that the church shouldn’t grow.  Far from it.  It only means that those of you who have become accustomed to a rather calm state of affairs will have to prepare for something a bit different.  The difference will cause some difficulties, but it will also bring the excitement of things going on, of (our church) once again being ‘THE place to be...’  

“To have that vitality and activity, it’s worth risking a few problems.”

Sounds just like First Unitarian Church of Alton, doesn’t it?  And in fact it is.  This is from then-minister Maryell Cleary’s column in the November 16, 1977, edition of our own church newsletter, and she sounds downright prescient in her assessment of both the positives and the negatives that growth in numbers can and will bring.  If anything, she may be guilty of soft-pedaling the difficulties of living within a community “plagued” with dynamism and change:  when was the last time this church experienced what Rev. Cleary calls a “calm state of affairs”?  Her prophecy of “something a bit different” seems to have become the “new normal.”

The vitality Maryell thought worthy of risk has come to pass.  The level of activity is still rising, the dynamism continues, and change is still in the air.  Some days it’s not easy hanging on for such a wild ride.

But it sure can be exciting.

Coming in September!

An Invitation to all women

Plan to join us on Saturday, September 17 at 10 am for the first of five sessions of the UUA curriculum -

 CAKES FOR THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN

- sponsored by the Renegade Women's Chalice Circle.  Peg Flach and Janice Joiner will be leading this session, with the 4 remaining sessions to be announced.

See JEREMIAH   7:18 and http://cakesforthequeenofheaven.org/ for more information.

Plan for the day:

10 am. program

12 noon-ish Brown Bag lunch break.

Beverages and (of course) cake will be provided.

If extra time is needed, the session will conclude after lunch.

No child care will be provided for this event.

RSVP to Peg Flach by September 10, 2011

Shoes Into Water

A Social Justice Project in September

http://www.shoeman.org/

We will be collecting shoes at church in September to help in a clean water project for Kenya.  More details in next month’s newsletter.  So, when your kids get new school shoes, or you think you’ve got to get new shoes ‘cause yours are “too scruffy” – don’t put your old ones in the back of the closet – put them aside and plan to donate them to the “Shoeman” in September.

Choir Rehearsals Begin Thursday, August 4

If you enjoy singing, consider joining the choir this church year.

Rehearsals are held the first three Thursday evenings each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Rehearsals in August will be on Aug. 4, Aug. 11, and Aug. 18.

We sing a variety of musical selections, and participate in the Sunday worship service at least once a month.

For further information contact Willis McCoy.

   Chalice

            Circles

Belleville Chalice Circle

T hursday, August 11 at 7 pm.   Contact Don or Jan Allen for the location.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Saturday, August 20 from 12:00 noon to 2 pm at church. The discussion topic will be “transitions.” Contact: Beth Bourland.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Sunday, August 21 from 11:30 am to 1 pm in Emerson Place at Church.   Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson.

Men's Chalice Circle

Tuesday, August 23 at 7 pm at church.

Contact: Khleber Van Zandt.

The GLBT Chalice Circle

Sunday, August 28 at 11:15 am  
Look for them on facebook under “GBLT UU Chalice Circle - Alton, IL."
For updates on GBLT Chalice Circle topics, etc., please go to the website and join http://groups.google.com/group/stl-uu-lgbt-plus/topics. 
Contact Layne A. Simpson for more information.

clean up after coffee hour

There’s been a good response to the request for people to help clean up after coffee hour.  We only need one more person for August 21. 

There are open slots in September and October, so please consider joining a clean up crew.  The signup sheet is in the Kate Wuerker Room.   

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.

8/03     Nan Adams

8/03     Akilah Hudson (9)

8/04     Jim Elliott

8/07     Zoe Christodoulou Monroe (10)

8/07     Jack McCall

8/10     Beverly Carter

8/10     Lorna McElhone

8/11     Robbie Reiheld (7)

8/14     Lily Tade (16)

8/16     Anna Whitaker (15)

8/18     Matt Koch

8/23     Paul Hebert

8/23     Danny Key (10)

8/24     Amelia McCarthy (15)

8/25     John Barbeau

8/29     Corbin Prado (6)

8/29     Marilyn Prado (6)

That Perfect Summer Read

There's still time to find it at the Church used bookshelves or to donate it for someone else to enjoy.

The bookshelves work best with turnover, you donate, buy (25 cents for small paperbacks, 50 cents for large paperbacks, $1 for hardbacks), and donate again for someone else to enjoy. There's still time to enjoy some good reads before fall yard work calls your name, so check out the shelves.

Sandy Shaner

Anna Ds Women’s Alliance

The Anna Ds will not meet in August.

The next meeting will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 1, at the home of Corinne Hawkins.

Fifty-Plus (50+) Forum

The first meeting of the” Fifty Plusers will be on Saturday, September 3, from 10:30 am to noon, with the opportunity to continue the camaraderie by going to lunch together afterwards. 

This group was formed to replace the 50+ Chalice Circle.  All men and women 50 and over are invited to come.

The Fifty-Plus Forum will be coordinated by Sandy Shaner, Pat Murrell, and Mona Hebert.

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, August 11 at the St. Louis Buffet, 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL.  Contact Dick Blanton for further details.

The Seekers – Book Group

August 31

The Seekers meet at 7 pm on the last Wednesday of each month to discuss whatever it is the group is reading for that month or ideas that come out of that reading.  The book for August had not been chosen by the time the newsletter was published, but watch your email for announcements of the current read. The group is open to everyone … and you don’t necessarily have to have read the book to join in the discussion.  Join us in August and help choose the next book.

4^th Saturday Lunch – August 27

Helping at our 4^th Saturday lunches are a way you can contribute your time and talent and also share a meal with people you might not otherwise ever meet.

Everyone has a story.  Come eat with our guests, learn about their stories, and share your stories with them.

We need everyone’s support in this ongoing social service program.  There will be a signup sheet in the Kate Wuerker for July’s meal.  Sign up to help or to bring food – or both.  Sign up early so those organizing the lunch won’t have to scramble at the last minute to get enough food. 

For the last couple months we’ve had 40 to 50 guests.

Coordinators:  August – Mary Johnson / John Herndon

Coordinator: September – Linda Van Zandt

Community

Outreach Offering

The recipient for August’s Community Outreach Offering had not been determined by the time this newsletter was published.  Watch your “This Week at Church” announcements for information regarding upcoming recipients.

If you have an organization or group in mind that you believe would be a good match to receive our Community Outreach Offering, please contact our Social Justice Chairman, John Herndon.

We’re Happy to Welcome into Church Membership …

David Williams II and  Wade Gibson who joined the church on July 10. 

davidw705@yahoo.com (David)

wade66@msn.com (Wade)

Angie Payne and Debbie Miller who joined the church on July 17.

angiepayne32@yahoo.com

Home addresses and phone numbers are not given out in the online version of the newsletter.  Please check the printed copy at church or contact people by email to get this information.

The congregation offers its sympathy to the family of Joseph Sutton who died July 2, 2011 at the age of 91. 

He had been very active in the church in the past and served as church board president more than once.  He was often involved in political and grassroots efforts to bring about a better world.

One of our church members, Ginger McCall writes, “At a crucial time in the church, Joe took on the leadership role which helped the congregation maintain stability.”

Joe served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and after the war graduated from SE Missouri State University.  He was an English teacher in the Alton School District until he retired in 1985.  He was also jazz enthusiast.

Joe is survived by his wife Sue, his son and daughter-in-law Chris and Julia Sutton, his daughter Jan Harmon, and grandchildren Emily and Max Sutton.

A memorial service for Joe was held at church on July 7^th.

Church Directory Updates
 

Phone & email changes:

Liz Rogers

moviesbooksnwomen@yahoo.com

Melanie Rogers

luvmakesafamily@yahoo.com

Address & Phone change:

Janice Joiner has a new address and phone number.  Please contact her for it.  Addresses and phone numbers are not given out in the online version of the newsletter.

jjoin1776@charter.net

Congratulations!

  to Amanda Beneze and Sharon Opp!

Amanda and Sharon were united in marriage on July 22, 2011 in the Sanctuary at First Unitarian Church of Alton.

The Rev. Khleber Van Zandt officiated at this, his first

Civil Union Ceremony recognized by the State of Illinois.

The Bailey family, Lou and Leah and their three little boys, Eliot, Dennis and baby Philip, are among our newest members.   

The family lives in Florissant, but Lou’s job is in Collinsville.  He works on government contracts for Tetra Tech, a company that provides environmental engineering and consulting services.  He has a somewhat unusual hobby; he plays Frisbee or disc golf, which is very different than playing Frisbee in the back yard.  Lou says that the sport is becoming more popular with about 20 courses now in the St. Louis area.

Leah enjoys sewing and knitting and is a Leader for the Florissant La Leche League group, providing breastfeeding support to moms and babies.  She stays very busy home schooling her two older boys, Eliot who is in the 2^nd grade and Dennis who is in pre-school. 

Her home schooling was partly responsible for their finding our church.  Leah was in the same home schooling group as Juliette Crone-Willis.  Leah and Lou’s religious backgrounds were Episcopal and Catholic, but they felt that neither was a good fit for who they have become.  Juliette suggested that they visit us and invited them to come on the Sunday that the children performed the Tailor of Gloucester.  They immediately fell in love with the church and each time they returned, the feeling of belonging became greater.  They were happy, too, that the boys really look forward to RE.  Dennis particularly enjoyed the Spirit Play class. 

Please welcome Lou, Leah, Eliot, Dennis and Phillip Bailey to our church family.

Mary Weber