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Sunday Morning Worship Service
10:45 a.m. to 12:00 pm
2222 Governor’s Drive
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256)534-0508
Email us at: uuch@uuch.org
Click here for map
All are welcome. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville is an open, welcoming faith community. Whatever your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.
Coffee and conversation follows each worship service.
Our Vision: An inclusive, diverse religious community that nurtures each other in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning, inspiring all ages to individual and social transformation.
Our Mission: Our inspirational, challenging, and diverse ministries will:
• Foster lifelong spiritual growth
• Strengthen our bonds of community
• Support strong social justice action
• Let people know “We are here” and that we welcome diversity.
“Enter the Year of the Dragon”
The Reverend Alice Syltie
Chinese communities around the world are welcoming the year of the Dragon as the Lunar Chinese New Year celebrations get underway. In Chinese Astrology the dragon is a symbol of good fortune, bringing hope for the Four Blessings of the East: wealth, virtue, harmony and longevity. While Chinese New Year is not specifically a religious holiday, the fifteen-day celebration incorporates myth and folklore of religious significance. Come prepared to experience some of the joy of the holiday, while exploring ancient and modern understandings and traditions.
This Sunday is another opportunity to return your Guest at Your Table gift box. In recent weeks, UUSC Guest at Your Table boxes and Stories of Hope have taught us about real people engaged in struggles for justice in the United States and around the world. It has also taught us about our power to change the world when we share our blessings to support the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the many amazing people they partner with.
Before bringing back your Guest at Your Table donation, it is extremely helpful if you convert your cash and coins to a check made out to “UUSC” and don’t forget to complete the form on the box (or envelope). We’ll announce the results of our Guest at Your Table program as soon as possible. On behalf of UUSC, we thank and commend every person who has chosen to share their blessings through Guest at Your Table.
Your gift to Guest at Your Table is tax deductible–be sure to complete the form on your box. And remember, gifts of $100 are eligible to be matched by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, to double the impact of your support!
Peace Group Wonderful Welcome Lesson: “The Gift of Protection”
Justice Group Faithful Journeys Lesson: “Speak Out”
Searchers Toolbox of Faith Lesson: “Spirit of Life”
Over-achievers Justice Makers
Our “New UU” Class began last Sunday, January 22nd, and continues for the next 2 weeks. Feel free to come to the next two, or just one if you can fit it in. You are guaranteed to learn something new about UU!
This class is designed to let you learn more about the history, structure, and aspirations of the UU Church organization as a whole, and of our church in particular. Join Membership Chair Tim Miller, Adult Religious Education Chair Nancy Finley, our Reverend Alice Syltie, and several other church leaders to find out if this is the place you can call your religious home. (Not just for newcomers, though–anyone is welcome to attend, and you long-time members might enjoy this, too.)
Everyone is Welcome! The class continues for the Sunday mornings of January 29 and February 5. Take this chance to learn and share together what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. Meet for coffee or tea at 9:00 a.m.; discussion starts at 9:15. Contact Nancy Finley (through the church office- uuch@uuch.org) for further info. Childcare is available for this class, so come on in, Parents!
The Reverend Fred Hammond, minister of the UU Congregation of Tuscaloosa and Acting Mid-South District Program Consultant, recently sent a thank you letter to all of the children in our RE program. Our RE groups had donated a total of $34.86 to the Mid-South District’s Tornado Recovery Fund.
Rev. Hammond said, “Your generosity of spirit helped us know we were not alone in recovering from the devastation…
Thank you for keeping the chalice flame alive.” We are fortunate to have such a loving and caring group of children here at our church.
Why Are There So Many Songs About Rainbows?
Film writer and popular culture scholar Jennifer Garlen will attempt to answer this question and more in a discussion of Unitarian Universalist values, the experience of joy, and the Muppets!
Peace Group Wonderful Welcome Lesson: “The Gift of Mutual Caring”
Justice Group Faithful Journeys Lesson: “Ask Questions”
Searchers and Over-achievers
Middle and senior youth will attend the upstairs worship service in their RE groups in support of their fellow youth Harper Goodman’s music for sharing, and to hear “the Muppet sermon”! Sit with your fellow youth for the service (or with your family), and enjoy some upstairs time with the congregation, and conversation after.
This Sunday, January 22, we will begin turning our little boxes back in. If you can count your coins and convert that amount to a check, it would be very helpful. You may make the check payable to either UUCH or the UU Service Committee, either way is fine. And make sure to fill out the form on the side of the box: the UUSC likes to know who is helping! We’ll be gathering up boxes (and envelopes, if you prefer) through the end of the month. Thanks for your participation!
Our “New UU” Class begins this Sunday morning, January 22nd! If you want to know more about Unitarian Universalism, here’s your crash course!
This class is designed to let you learn more about the history, structure, and aspirations of the UU Church organization as a whole, and of our church in particular. Join Membership Chair Tim Miller, Adult Religious Education Chair Nancy Finley, our Reverend Alice Syltie, and several other church leaders to find out if this is the place you can call your religious home. (Not just for newcomers, though–anyone is welcome to attend, and you long-time members might enjoy this, too.)
Everyone is Welcome! So mark your calendars now for the Sunday mornings of January 22, 29, and February 5 for this chance to learn and share together what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. Meet for coffee or tea at 9:00 a.m.; discussion starts at 9:15. Childcare is available for this class, so come on in, Parents!
This year’s UUCH Adult Religious Education Committee is composed of Mona Smith, Jay Stark, Denise Runnels, Matthew Jordan, Deedee Moore, Carey Snowden and Nancy Finley (our Chair). We are excited about helping to provide some intellectual, spiritual and social opportunities for our congregation. At our most recent meeting, we threw several irons in the fire and forged a plan of action to educate and entertain you throughout winter, spring, and on into the summer months!
Starting off with a bang, this Sunday is the first of the New UU Class series! The info on this class is in the article above.
In February, Rev. Syltie and Jan Hosey will begin facilitating a series of leadership classes, with the purpose of showing us how to link our spirituality to our actions in service work within the church and in our larger community. The dates and times for these classes are still in the works.
March brings a Film Discussion night; we will show selections from the “My Favorite Universe” series of lectures by famed astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson, with popcorn during and a lively discussion afterwards. Shuttle rides to this night-time event will be provided for those of us who dislike driving after dark. Please contact the church office (256 534-0508, or uuch@uuch.org) if you’d like to get picked up that evening.
During late March and early April, Matt Jordan and Carey Snowden will be leading a series of discussions on Karen Armstrong’s book “Twelve Steps of Compassion.” We are hoping as many UU’s as possible will read the book, and be able to join in with at least part of the discussion. There are plans to involve our Children’s RE classes during this event as well, and Rev. Syltie may plan some worship services around the book, so this may be an “Immersive” event!
Also in the works:
Late Winter/Early Spring, Denise Runnels is making plans to hold “Meditative/Mindful Walking” hikes on Monte Sano when the weather gets more hospitable.
In May, Nancy Finley and Matt Jordan will be leading Sunday morning book discussions on this year’s UUA Common Read: Eboo Patel’s memoir Acts of Faith. (For more on this “Common Read” see http://www.uua.org/re/multigenerational/read/index.shtml.)
During the Summer, Deedee Moore is hoping to get a Chanting Group going, both to learn the background of traditional chants from various cultures and to try our voices at doing some chanting ourselves.
So keep your eyes on the newsletter for further information about these events. Everyone is welcome in any and all of these classes! Child care & transportation needs can be addressed–please let ARE Chair Nancy Finley or the church office know of your concerns. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to participate is able to attend.
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