Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville

 Upcoming Services 

 August 29: “Spiritual Road Trip:
A UU Youth-Led Service on
How Our Church Helps Us Grow”
 
This Sunday, come experience a vibrant youth-led service on our church and how it helps us grow, individually and as a community.  Planned and led by the junior-and-senior-high church youth, this service includes stories, music, images, and more.  Come jump on the bus for our UU spiritual road trip.

Let’s Sing!

UUCH Choir rehearsals are every Wednesday evening at 7:15pm. We welcome (even celebrate!) new members, so please join us!

Reminder: Sunday, September 12th
there will be a  Congregational Meeting,
right after the
Worship Service.
Lunch & Childcare Provided!

This Sunday in Religious Education

What’s happening with the kids downstairs
while we are upstairs?  
This week, August 29th:
“Rain Sticks!”, With Vickie & Lydia Goodman!
Next Sunday, September 5th:
“RE Fun Clean-up Day”
Come on out and freshen up the RE area for our new year.  We’ll have a great time with treats and, of course, the Big, Bad RE Inspector!
 The new RE year begins September 19th!

Mary Ann Ely, “Beyond These Walls”
Capital Campaign Honorary Chairperson

It is a great pleasure to report that Mary Ann Ely has agreed to be the UUCH Capital Campaign Honorary Chairperson.  Mary Ann has remained active with UUCH since she joined the young UCH community in February of 1959.  By June of that year, the newsletter announced that new church officers had been installed at a dinner at the Russel Erskine Hotel. This list of officers included Mary Ann Ely–Church School Director.  Mary Ann has played so many roles since then.  To many of us “new comers” (think last 20 years or so), she is the reason that we have decent carpet in the sanctuary, new hymnals, enough chairs to sit on.  She is the lady who loves wildflowers, who writes articles each Spring, reminding us of the special ones on our property.  

 There is so much more that us newcomers do not realize as we reap the benefits of her efforts. Mary Ann has spent a lifetime at UUCH, with her husband Dick, with her daughers Madelynn and Melynda, and with all of us.  With her quiet, consistent manner, she has expanded fairness and justice in the world.  Mary Ann was the leader of one of Huntsville’s first integrated girl scout troops, which held meetings at UUCH.  She helped make a safe place for all people in the world.  And she understood that the space was important, and that sometimes the times called for change.  

 In December of 1963, Mary Ann, then the Religious Education Chairperson, was saying that RE was getting too crowded for the existing facilities.  Is it any wonder that now, in 2010, 47 years and several moves later, that she is saying “I think that it’s a great idea for UUCH to expand, and I am touched to serve as the Honorary Chairperson for the Capital Campaign.”

 It is we who have been touched by you, Mary Ann. Thank you for your leadership.

Who Are YOU?
Please remember to wear your name tag on Sundays–we want to learn everyone’s name!
(If you would like a name-tag of your own, there is a sign-up list on the name-tag table!)

Join us at NOON Thursdays!
Sept. 2nd:
Sitar on Jordan Lane
Sept 9th: Panera Bread @Airport Rd.

Do You Have UUCH-Related Photos?

We need them!  They can be hard copy; I will scan them.  They can be soft copy (greatly appreciated). We will be using some at the upcoming “Beyond These Walls” congregational dinner Capital Campaign kickoff.  We will be using others in future endeavors. And we will be attempting to start a digital record of our history together.  It would be great to have photos that show the outside of our various meeting places over the years, but all are welcome, particularly those with labels.  Please contact Alice Dilbeck at 256-656-7419 or amdilbeck@gmail.com.  I need your help now!  Thank you.

The Road to Our New Home
PSPC Report

The Property Sales and Purchase Committee (PSPC) review of the Jordan Park Church of Christ as a possible relocation site continues.  Members of the Board, Council, Capital Campaign and Strategic Planning Committees along with the Director of Religious Education and  Minister have visited and will discuss pros and cons of the location this week.  Arrangements are being made for all interested members of the congregation to tour the facility, and more information will be sent as soon as it is available. In the meantime, check the pictures posted on the church website under PSPC in the Member section or take a look at #7 on the map and notebook in the sanctuary with notes and several pictures.
 
In the meantime, the PSPC continues to actively seek other possible sites.  At present, all existing churches in our target area are being reviewed to determine whether they might our needs. After the list is shortened, we will decide whether to contact them, asking if the church happens to have plans for relocating in the near future.
 
The PSPC is also checking out all other site suggestions.  The Committee is finding that many vacant buildings are offered for lease rather than sale, and zoning restrictions prohibit churches in some otherwise desirable locations. For example, several Research Park sites have been suggested, but zoning does not allow churches.
 
The “For Sale” and “We’re Growing and Moving” signs will go up this week.  There was some delay due to weather and finding too much rock in the previously selected area.  Both signs will be hung on the arch over the road leading to the church.

NEWS FLASH:
UU’s believe in life after death!

You, too, can extend your influence on this congregation beyond the life itself.
On Sunday, Sept.12, at our congregational meeting, discover the virtues of a church endowment.  Until then, keep an eye on your newsletter for future articles, where we will discuss how other UU churches have benefitted from establishing Endowment Funds and explain the bylaw changes we need in order to establish one at UUCH.