Congregation established 1836

Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois

www.firstuualton.org

November 6^th

“Where is God?:  Locating the Holy in Our Lives”

The Rev. Patrick Price

As religious liberals we are glad of our freedom FROM others telling us where to locate the holy in our lives.  Unfortunately, we often don't exercise our freedom TO locate the holy in our lives.   What is it and where might we find it?

The Rev. Patrick Price is a 1995 Graduate of Meadville/Lombard Theological School (UU) in Chicago IL, where he has just been appointed as Minister In Residence for the Winter 2006 quarter.  While serving as the settled minister to the UU Fellowship of Columbia SC, from 1995-2004, he was a member of the Thomas Jefferson UUA District Healthy Congregations Consulting Team.  The Rev. Price currently lives in Geneva IL where his wife, the Rev. Jennifer Innis, serves as Interim Associate Minister.   When he is not consulting, preaching, or officiating, he likes to read religion, science, history, and fiction.  Patrick also enjoys a variety of films, dark chocolate, and going to the gym.

November 13^th

“Using Religious Imagination”

Khleber M. Van Zandt

Words and language can bring people together or tear them apart.  Often we let the “misplaced concreteness” of our own definitions keep us from experiencing the poetry of our lives.  Paying attention to our religious imaginations may open up new ways of seeing and hearing the world around us.

November 13^th

7:00 p.m.

“A Service of Ordination and Installation”

At this special evening service Khleber M. Van Zandt V will be ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry, and be installed as the minister of the First Unitarian Church of Alton.  A reception will follow.  Everyone is invited, but a reply is requested before October 30^th if you plan to attend.

November 20^th

“Oh Beautiful for Pilgrim Feet”

The Rev. Khleber M. Van Zandt

This is our traditional bread service.  Please bring a small loaf of bread from your particular tradition, family or personal, to share during Bread Communion.  This intergenerational worship service will celebrate our diverse backgrounds as well as our links to those seekers of religious freedom, the Pilgrims.

November 27^th

“The Future of Community:  Forest or Desert”

Mark Wolff

A look at a forest culture and a desert culture and how the peoples of each view, and relate to, their community, and the communities of others.

Mark Wolff is involved in various activities at our church, especially in Religious Education.  He and his wife Stacey have two children, Freya and Eowyn.  Mark works as a government analyst.  His undergraduate work was in history, an area in which he still maintains a great interest.

Adult Religious Enrichment Programs

9:30 a.m.

November 6^th

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

November 13^th

• “Uprooting Racism:  How White People Can Work For Racial Justice.”  This is the third in a four-part series that is continued on the 2^nd Sunday of each month.  The moderator for this series is Beth Nalick.

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

November 20^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. 

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

November 27^th

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

Anna Ds Meeting

The Anna Ds Sparks Women's Alliance will meet in the Church’s Wuerker Room at noon on Thursday, November 3^rd for a “Brown Bag” luncheon.

All women in the church are welcome. For further information please call Lorli Nelson.

A First Glance

       “Provocative,” she said.  She was describing the curriculum we were using in the UU & You! orientation class.  Others chimed in, “This is not language I’m comfortable with.”  Or, “I’m bothered by these concepts.”  And, perhaps the most-often-repeated statement: “I just have so many questions.”  Questions are what we’re all about.  As the old joke goes, “How do you get Unitarians out of the neighborhood?”  Answer: “You burn a question mark on their lawn.”  As we’ve learned during our Centennial Celebration, there was indeed a cross burned on our lawn back in the 1960’s.  Maybe that’s why we’re still here - the culprits burned the wrong symbol.

We come together from many paths, bringing different understandings, different symbols, and different baggage from our religious and spiritual journeys.  One of the things we do together here at church is to sort through those understandings, those symbols, that baggage and see if we can begin to understand and re-imagine difficult concepts, old words, and ancient symbols in new ways.  Thus we might begin to lighten our loads by jettisoning the unnecessary baggage that holds us back from becoming who we’re meant to become.

Of course, we sometimes need to be comforted, to have a safe place to come when we’re troubled, to sometimes find easy friendships with like-minded people.  But when that’s all we do, we miss at least half of what we’re here for.  Yes, we should offer comfort where it is needed: “visit the sick, clothe the naked, feed the hungry,” it has been said.  But we can’t stop there.

If we are called to comfort the afflicted, we are also called to afflict the comfortable.  We are called to change things for the better as best we can whether that means marching on the steps of City Hall, picketing the Statehouse, writing our members of Congress, or challenging assumptions right here in our midst.

Change often doesn’t come until the pain of not changing becomes too great. Sometimes we need a little comfort, but sometimes we need a little challenge - sometimes we need to be provoked.  

So, “Provocative,” she said.  “Yes,” we should say, “good.”

See you in church.

Thumbnail Sketch of Upcoming Events

Read details in other parts of the newsletter.

Thurs., Nov. 3^rd - Anna Ds - 12 noon.

Tues., Nov. 8^th - Men’s Lunch Group - 11:30 a.m.

Tues., Nov. 8^th - Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 10^th - Choir Practice - 7:00 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 13^th   -  Ordination and Installation - 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 17^th - Choir Practice - 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 19^th - Square Dance - 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 24^th - Thanksgiving Feast at church -

1:00 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 27 -  Potluck Lunch following services.

Men’s Lunch Group

The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8^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. 

RE NEWS

Dear Parents and Friends,

We are beginning to get into a very busy time of year.  As the Holidays approach, schedules seem to get more hectic.  I hope that all of you will still take the time to come and be with one another here at church on Sunday mornings.  We have had good attendance in all of our classes this year, and I trust that the children are forming good relationships with one another and with the larger church community.

We have several events coming up that I would invite you to mark on you calendars.  During the month of November, I will be accepting donations for the Children's Holiday Gift Shop which will be held during RE time on December 4^th.  These items need to be of nice quality since they will be given to family members by the children who are shopping that morning.  Children who are shopping that morning are asked to give a donation that will then be given to a charitable organization of the children's choosing. 

There will be an intergenerational Bread Service on November 20^th.   This means that the children will be in the sanctuary for the entire service.  Child care will be available for those under the age of four.  The ushers will have crayons and coloring pages available at the back of the sanctuary for children to use if needed.

We will have another intergenerational service in December.  The family Holiday service will be on December 11^th.  As it was last year, this will be a series of stories and songs of the Holiday Season, and I will need some assistance from the children during the service.

When the church is decorated for the Holidays on December 2^nd a mitten tree will go up in the foyer.  Donations of warm clothing may be brought in and hung on this tree until December 18^th when the children will take the donations and sort them to be given to area shelters.

Even though this is a busy time of year, I will always make time for any questions or feedback that any of you, parents and non-parents alike, may have.

Thank you, Jamie Gross

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)

1 November - John Hoad

2 November - Sandy Shaner

3 November - David Weber

7 November - Audrey Hazzard

12 November - Jamie Gross

15 November - Eilene Taylor

A Grand Happy Birthday Celebration

On Sunday, October 16^th, church members and friends celebrated the 100^th birthday of our Sanctuary and Wuerker Room at a party coordinated by Nancy Brunner.  We ate ice cream and cake - blowing out candles and singing ‘the birthday song.’ 

On display were photos and documents from years and decades past, giving us the opportunity to see ‘the way it was’ and to read about the church in materials selected from the church’s archival collection.  A BIG THANK YOU goes to Nancy for putting on this birthday celebration.

ROAD CLEANUP Thank You

Those participating in the church’s community service road clean-up last month were:  Art Hoover, Mary McGowan, Khleber Van Zandt, Mary Weber, and Jerry and Mary Johnson.   We covered two miles of roadway in our pick up efforts.  Thank You to all those who participated.

The Itsy  Bitsy Alton UU Theatre Matinee Group

Interested in the theatre?  Janice Joiner would like to get a group together to enjoy live stage productions on Sunday afternoons.  She’s suggesting the following upcoming productions as potential venues and hoping that others will join her for one or more of these events.

November 20^th - 2:00 p.m. - Alton Little Theater - “Death in England."  Tickets $12.00. 

December 4^th - 2:00 p.m. - Repertory Theatre, Loretta Hilton on Webster Campus - “All the Great Books Abridged.”  Tickets $18.00 - $61.00.

January 15^th - 2:00 p.m. - Repertory Theatre - “I am My Own Wife.”  Tickets $18.00 - $61.00.

Janice will be making reservations on Thursday, Nov. 3^rd for the Repertory Theatre tickets so don’t delay in contacting her at jjoin1776@charter.net if you’re interested in any of The Rep performances, or for the Alton Little Theatre production.  There will also be a sign-up sheet in the Wuerker Room.   

Going to the theater as a group will allow people the opportunity to talk afterwards about the play, giving impressions, reactions, and interpretations.  There are also several good restaurants near The Rep for after-theatre refreshments.

“We Gather Together in Joyful Thanksgiving”

The Members Committee will again be hosting a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 24^th in the Wuerker Room.  If you won't be going out of town and wish to celebrate this holiday with church family please join us.  We will gather at 1:00 p.m. and sit down at our harvest table at 2:00 p.m.  The Members Committee will provide the turkey and beverages. Those who wish to attend are asked to sign the list which will be in the Wuerker Room.  Those who are able are asked to bring a side dish and to provide this information on the sign up sheet as well.

REPORT ABOUT MY VISIT TO UNITARIANS IN TRANSYLVANIA - Part 2

(Part 1 was in October’s newsletter)

by

Ronald J. Glossop

Alpar drove me around to visit several Unitarian pastors and churches in the near-by villages.  These are very old churches, a few looking a bit like castles.  The parsonage is always right next to the church, a good arrangement since several of these ministers do not own an automobile.  The pastors not only preach and conduct the christening, marriage, and burial services but also supervise the care of the church building and the parsonage.  They also are involved with tasks such as gardening and caring for fruit trees to supplement their meager salaries.  Sometimes the church customs are ancient, such as having men and women sit in separate parts of the church and even entering the sanctuary through different doors.  An interesting tradition to me was the creation of what one might call a "eulogy pole" (about 8 feet high and about 6 inches by 6 inches, made originally of stone but for the past 400 years of wood) for leaders who have died.  These poles to honor the deceased are like stacked geometrical shapes which have special meanings for someone knows the code.   A great challenge for these old churches in the rural villages of Transylvania is to hold on to their young people since there are few jobs available in these areas. 

During my travels in Romania I was able to see the great contrast between the progress in the cities such as Brasov and the pathetic conditions in the rural areas.    My stay with Julia Sigmond in the city of Cluj introduced me to a very different aspect of Unitarian life.  The large church there was in the center of the city, and it was obvious that many in the congregation were well educated and fairly well-off compared with the people living in the small villages.  I traveled with members of this congregation by minibus to the international festival I mentioned previously, about three hours each way.   The next day (Sunday, August 14) there was a very special service attended by a couple of representatives from the United States who had also been at the festival the previous day.  The sermon was preached by Dr. Judit Gellerd, Unitarian minister who once studied in the United States and who has been very active in building up contacts between Unitarians in this country and those in Transylvania and Hungary. 

There was also a special reception for her after the service.  The second edition of her book PRISONER OF FREEDOM, a book about her famous father Imre Gellerd, had just been published.  He died 25 years ago after being persecuted by the Communist government of Romania for refusing to accept a position he had been offered in the government.  He refused that rather high post, choosing instead to become a Unitarian pastor in a village church where he felt he could do more to help ordinary people.    Before ending this report I should mention that many of the villages I visited were devastated by flooding just two weeks later. These people were already struggling to deal with their daily needs, and then on August 24-25 suddenly and without warning they were hit by floods where rivers rose so fast that some houses were swept away before

people were able to escape while others had water up to the ceiling.  Farm animals were lost.  (Many of these farmers rely on horses and oxen rather than tractors.)  The Unitarian-Universalist Partner Church Council (UUPCC) can provide information on how to get financial aid to the devastated areas.  Let me also note that while in Romania I saw two new churches in bigger towns that had been or were being built with financial assistance from partner churches in the U.S.

Sunday Pot Luck Lunch

November 27^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.

CHOIR Rehearsals

Singing is uplifting and fun! 

Anyone who enjoys singing is encouraged to join our church choir.  

Our rehearsals are from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Rehearsals in November are on Thursday, November 10^th at and on Thursday November 17^th.  On November 10^th the choir from Eliot Chapel will be rehearsing with us in preparation for the joint choir performance at Khleber Van Zandt’s ordination on November 13^th.

For further information contact Cheryle Tucker-Loewe.

CHALLENGE GRANT TO BENEFIT THE UUSC GULF COAST RELIEF FUND

A generous challenge grant has been offered by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock to benefit the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund.  Beginning with contributions dated October 2, 2005, Shelter Rock will match each dollar given to the fund, up to a total of $500,000. 

In addition to the grant to the hurricane relief fund Shelter Rock also donated $100,000 to flood relief in Transylvania. That is not a matching grant.

Relief Fund to Help South Asia Quake Victims

News from http://www.uuworld.org

A fund to help victims of the earthquake that devastated parts of Pakistan and India on Oct. 8^th has been created by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).  The UUSC has relationships with social service organizations in the region and will work through them to ensure that aid gets to those who need it most.  Donations to the UUSC-UUA South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund can be made online at www.uusc.org or by calling 800-766-5236 or by mail to UUSC, PO Box 845259, Boston MA 02284-5259.

Swing Your Partner - Square Dancing is Back

The first (of what we hope will be many to follow) square dance of the year is scheduled at the Alton Unitarian Church for Saturday evening November 19^th at 7:00 p.m.  This has been a favorite activity for many of us in the past, and we thank the Thompson Family for sharing their love for music and dancing with us, and Erwin Thompson in particular for his expertise in fiddling and calling. Come one, come all, absolutely no experience required.  Put on your dancing shoes and bring a snack to share.  See you there.

“Getting to Know You”

Meet … Sandy Winningham Shaner

By Audrey Wiseman

The Bishop said, "If you don’t agree, then you don’t belong.” Sandy realized then, that although she was reared Catholic, it was no longer for her.  About this time she came across the Jefferson Bible, a book she could agree with it.  “Jefferson was a Unitarian.”  Sandy looked up Unitarian in the phone book and found us and started coming to the summer sessions, and just kept coming.  Nothing sent her away, she said and she does find a sense of community here.

For thirty years she has worked at Metro-Transit, MetroLink; and the last fifteen as Director of Customer service. She has an undergrad in public policy at St. Louis University, and received her master’s degree in counseling at UMSL.  She grew up near Dellwood in North County.  She has two children from a previous marriage; a daughter in Glen Carbon who has three children and a son who is unmarried.  Time and attention go to grandkids, four dogs, (huge), and one cat.  She and Nelson have been married for twenty-two years in June and they live in Wood River.  She is a "fibers person" and will have her Fibers Piece on display in November at the Jacoby Art Center on East Broadway in Alton.