Congregation established 1836

Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois

www.firstuualton.org

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister

January 1^st

“Toward a Language of Equality”

Stacey Wolff

Stacey Wolff, a member the church Board of Trustees, will be speaking about terms used to define women and minorities, and the need to move toward a language of equality.

January 8^th

“World Citizenship”

Dr. Ronald Glossop

Ronald Glossop, Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, will discuss why it is time for us to think of ourselves as citizens of planet Earth and not just of one country, plus present some of the ways in which we can practice world citizenship in our lives.

January 15^th

“The World’s Religions and World Peace”

Dr. David Oughton

David Oughton, a teacher of religion at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis will look at how in order for the world’s religions to be positive forces for peace, they need to emphasize the values of tolerance, understanding, cooperation, appreciation, and commitment to the process of creative interchange.

January 22^nd

“Love & Struggle: a Poetic Pastiche of Models & Mentors”

Professor Eugene B. Redmond

Eugene Redmond is a Professor of English Language and Literature at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. His remarks, interspersed with poetic readings, will focus on how he, as an artist and activist, has been shaped by educational, cultural, literature, religious, social, and ideological figures and movements.

January 29^th

“Channing’s Religion”

Rev. Khleber M. Van Zandt

William Ellery Channing is one of the pillars of our Unitarian tradition. We’ll browse through the issues he was facing in his day, and see if we can lean anything from the way he dealt with questions about church, faith, and social responsibility.

January 1^st

• No 9:30 a.m. programming today.

January 8^th

• “Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work For Racial Justice.” This series is continuing into the new year. The moderator for this series is Beth Nalick.

January 15^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.

January 22^nd

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

January 29th

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

A First Glance

Warning! This column is about a very difficult subject for some of us: money!

In this season of changing calendars, it is traditional in many circles to turn one’s mind to thinking of making resolutions for the New Year. Whatever one needs or wants to change about oneself is fair game for this activity. Some of the resolutions that seem to show up on my list every year are to eat healthier, to exercise more, to lose weight (or at least to slow the expansion of the growing middle ground I occupy). And to give more.

The change of the calendar year also means that a new tax season is upon us. Those of us who are blessed financially should have thought about rearranging our investments before New Year’s Eve to minimize our tax liabilities in the coming year.

NOTE: the church is willing to help on both counts.

As far as liabilities go, your membership in the church can help allay quite a few liabilities. Certainly, it is not a liability to have covenanted with others to build a community of faith that seeks to reach out to others in times of their need. It is not a liability to have found a group of folks with whom to worship and practice our Free Faith. It is not a liability but in fact an asset to have friends who will walk with you in your own times of crisis. It is, on the only bottom line that counts, an asset rather than a liability to have the church in your life.

One way to lessen your own tax liability and to build a stronger community is to give more in charitable contributions. The church is only one such organization, but we hope you feel its importance.

Several recent situations have caused me to wonder why we don’t talk more at church about pledging, about endowment giving, about the importance of money in general. I think it’s commonly understood that “you can’t take it with you.” What’s less commonly understood is how important it is to share with others while you’re here or how important it would be to the work of the church to have a stronger planned-giving program.

Here’s a resolution worth considering: Include the church in your giving plans, both the ones you’re making now and the ones you must make for the long term. It will help you now, it will help your community now, and it will help ensure a strong church for the future. See you in church.

Thumbnail Sketch of Upcoming Events

Read details in other parts of the newsletter.

Thurs., Jan. 5^th - Anna Ds at church - noon.

Thurs., Jan 5^th - Choir Practice - 7 p.m.

Mon., Jan. 9^th - Sierra club - 7:30 p.m.

Tues., Jan 10^th - Men’s Lunch Group - 11:30 a.m. -

Chinese Buffet

Tues., Jan. 10^th - Church Board - 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., Jan. 19^th - Choir Practice - 7 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 21 - Quarterly SLAUUC meeting - 10 a.m. to

2 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 21^st - Dinner and Party at Church - 6 p.m.

Sun., Jan 22^nd - Potluck after church.

Sat., Jan. 28^th - Square Dance at church - 7 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 29^th - UU & You! begins - 12 noon.

Chu vi volas lerni Esperanton?

Any interested person (including anyone over ten years of age) is welcome to attend Ron Glossop's class to learn Esperanto, the designed world language, on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks from January 9^th to February 13^th (including a meeting on Jan. 16^th - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday).

The class will meet at the Non Profit Development Center (NPDC), 425 Spencer Road, St. Peters MO 63376, about 1 mile southeast of Mid Rivers Mall.

For directions, contact Ron Glossop at rglossop@mindspring.com.

A $20 donation is being asked to cover the cost of the handouts to be distributed, but it can be waived for those who are students.  There will be no books to buy.  Make checks out to "Ethical Society" and mail them to Mid Rivers Ethical Society, 425 Spencer Road, St. Peters, MO 63376.  Also please let Ron know if you are planning to participate or inform Bob Greenwell, class coordinator at bobgreenwell@sbcglobal.net.

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)

2 January - Alex Gross

11 January - Glenn Brunner

25 January - Caleb Tucker-Loewe (2000)

26 January - Doug Leavell

30 January - Deb McNaughton

RE NEWS

Dear Parents and Friends,

The Holiday season is always busy and this one was no exception. The Gift Shop was held on December 4 this year and we raised $145 dollars. This is almost double what we made last year. The children will now get to decide which charitable organization that they wish to give this money to.

Many of the children assisted with the Family Holiday Service that was held on December 11^th. Many candles were lit, and nothing caught on fire. Cookies were passed out to everyone. All in all it was a successful event.

The Christmas Pageant was held on Friday, December 16^th. I hope that anyone who attended enjoyed it. It is possible that this could become an annual Holiday event.

On December 18^th the mitten tree in the foyer was processed and the goods are being delivered to the Oasis Women’s Center and the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter. We appreciate your generosity in giving those donations. The children enjoy decorating the tree and sorting all of the warm clothing.

We will not have regular RE classes on January 1^st, but we will have a special activity planned for all the classes combined together. Our regular RE classes will resume on January 8^th. I still have a few teaching spots open for this spring, and I have begun to look at curricula choices for the next church year. Your comments and questions are always appreciated.

Thank you,

Jamie Gross

Welcome New Members

Please extend a Welcome to Membership to the following individuals who have recently joined the church. We’re happy to have you with us.

Mark and Cathy Tade of Edwardsville

Nancee Magilson of Alton

St. Louis Area Unitarian Universalist Council (SLAUUC) Meeting to be in Alton

The quarterly SLAUUC meeting is scheduled for Saturday January 21^st 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. at our church. We will meet in the Wuerker Room. Among the issues to be discussed are preparations for the UU General Assembly to be held in St. Louis in 2006. Anyone interested in SLAUUC activities is welcome to attend.

Jim Moore

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Report from the Endowment Committee

Grace Madison reported at the Semi-Annual meeting on Dec. 2^nd that our endowment fund total has reached $100,000. Our investments have done quite well this year. Pax World Balanced Fund, the first socially conscious mutual fund, and a favorite of UUs everywhere, is now ranked 5 stars by Morningstar. It is encouraging to see that a fund that is probably the most socially responsible can also be leading in financial performance. For more information about Pax World go to www.paxworld.com.

UU Partner Church Travel Information
  
If your church is not planning a trip this summer the UU Partner Church Council is planning 5 "Group Tours" to give interested individuals the opportunity to experience these life-changing visits with our co-religionists in Transylvania. Details on all these trips - including daily itineraries and registration materials are posted on the PCC website at:
  http://www.uupcc.org/trips.html
  If you have questions about the UUPCC travel service or need more information about one of our tours, please contact me at jdaleuupcc@yahoo.com   
   John Dale
  UUPCC Travel Service

Among Our Church Members
and Friends

Congratulations to Jamie Gross, our Director of Religious Education, who graduated from SIU-E on December 17^th with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies with a minor in Religious Studies

Jim and Pat Moore are the proud grandparents of a new grandchild. Truman Kehl Moore weighted in at 9 lb., 1 oz. on December 9^th. Truman, and his big sister Tabitha Ashley, are the children of Greg and Tanya Moore or Superior, Wisconsin.

Rosemary Mullikin was installed as the presiding officer (Worthy Matron) in the Walton Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Alton on December 10^th.

Bette Yakubian was hospitalized at Alton Memorial in early December with a moderately severe stroke. Cards would be welcomed.

Note from Abigel Kiss

Dear Alton Church Friends,

I realize I haven't written for a long time but I am soooo busy!!! I am trying to finish up this semester, taking two classes, I have two part time jobs and an internship plus I am trying to be a "good wife" meaning finding time to clean and cook occasionally. But life is good. I have two more classes left of my master's degree, one of which I will take next semester, and one maybe in the summer and then all I have left is my thesis to write.
This semester I took a History class about World War I and a Humanities class, called "the quest" but I feel that I took on a big load when I accepted an internship with the immigration office, helping one of the immigration counselors and then besides having my video store part time job I accepted a job that is bringing me much satisfaction and pleasure. Working for the same Refugee and Immigration Services where I did my English tutoring I am now an English as a Second Language Tests administrator testing refugees and immigrants to see how they are doing with their English after having had English tutoring. I have started this just a month ago, did a couple of training sessions in Richmond and I am enjoying myself. Brent and I get along very well, he is a wonderful man, a great support for me. We had a great time in Transylvania this summer visiting my relatives and traveling all around the region.

Sunday Pot Luck Lunch

January 22^nd - 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 Clean Up

M-Z will do Table Set 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 January will be on Thursday, January 5^th and Thursday, January 19^th. We will be singing at the January 22^nd service.

For further information contact Cheryle Tucker-Loewe (ctucke@siue.edu ).

Getting to Know …

Beth and Dennis Nalick

Until 2001 Beth lived in New Orleans. Dennis is a native of St. Louis where he practices law. Beth graduated from Loyola University where she majored in education and then became a secondary education teacher, moving on to special education. Before she retired she was a curriculum specialist. They are relative newly weds having only been married since 2001. Presently she is teaching our Forum one Sunday a month about a subject of which she speaks passionately - the tragedy our society continues to propagate, prejudice.

Beth has two daughters, Meredith, twenty-four and Emma, twelve. Already Emma is a horsewoman, as is Beth. They have two horses, Pico who is a Peruvian Paso and Diego, an Appaloosa. But that is not the end of the list of pets. They also have Skippy who is a Jack Russell Terrier, and Gabby who is a Sharpei. Of course, there are also cats, Boots and Robert. And a Hermit Crab. So far unnamed.

Besides horseback riding Beth enjoys the hobby of cooking, and Dennis and Beth both love to travel. This year they have been to London, Paris and Provence France, Chicago and New York.

Audrey Wiseman

Party - Party - Party

On Saturday evening January 21^st three world famous chefs will prepare a sumptuous Cajun Banquet for your dining pleasure. This will be followed by the delightful dancing, humming, clapping music of our own Tom Allred's Band.  This is an event you do DO NOT WANT TO MISS.  Final details are in the planning, but be sure to get it on your calendar. There will be a small charge to defray the cost of food, and childcare will be available.  Further details will be forthcoming, and a sign up sheet will be posted in the Wuerker room after the first of January. If you want more information, or are willing to help on the planning, decorating, culinary, or clean-up crew contact Marcia Custer, mcuster@siue.edu

And More Dancing …

At 7:00 p.m. on Saturday January 28^th you’ll have another chance to swing your partner as we’re having another square dance. 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, kids and adults, absolutely no experience required. Put on your dancing shoes and bring a snack to share. See you there.

Uprooting Racism

by Paul Kivel

This book will is used in the 9:30 a.m. Adult Religious Enrichment program led by Beth Nalick on January 8^th.

“Uprooting Racism” is a supportive how-to book by Paul Kivel designed to help white people act on the conviction that racism is wrong. It helps us understand the dynamics of racism in our society, institutions, and daily lives. The book features timely discussions of affirmative action, immigration issues, institutional racism, humor, political correctness, and the meaning of whiteness. It includes specific consideration of Latino/a, Asian Americans, African American, Native American and Jewish issues. It also explores how entrenched racism has been revealed in the new economy, voting rights, increased anti-Arab attacks, and health care policy.

Winter WomanSpirit Retreat,

January 27-29, 2006

The CMwD Women and Religion Committee is pleased to announce the 18^th annual winter WomanSpirit retreat hosted this year by Countryside Church UU in Palatine, Illinois. This year’s theme is Life Changes: Our Transforming Power and our keynote speaker is, Selena Fox, psychotherapist, teacher, author, and founder of Circle Sanctuary, an international nature spirituality resource center.

Women of all ages, colors, lifestyles, and activities are welcomed and celebrated as we gather to sing, dance, learn, pray, by, sell, eat and grow together. We offer a special maiden program for girls, ages 6-18, and childcare for all children 5 and younger. Brochures and registration forms are available at church and online at www.womenandreligion.org.

Little Book of Alton

The Little Book of Alton will meet on the 3^rd Sunday of each month from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  This time change will give us the opportunity to have lunch solo or as a group.

The January 15^th book selection had not been made at press time but will be announced at church and via email.

Questions?  Please e-mail jjoin1776@charter.net.  No reservation necessary, though having recently read the book IS.  It's helpful to bring your copy for resolution of questions, concerns, surprises we find in the text.

In-Home Dinner Groups

Sign up now to attend a potluck dinner in the home of one of our members. The dinner groups will be arranged according to dates selected and whether or not children are included. You must sign up to attend by Jan. 22^nd. You can sign up either in the Wuerker room or to Pat Moore at patjimmoore@charter.net.

In your reply please include your names, number and ages of children you would be bringing, and which of these dates would work for you - February 4, 11, 18, 25 or March 4, 11, 18, 25.

You will receive more information from your host after dinner groups have been formed.

UU Theater Group

Play list for the Alton Little Theater.

PROOF - January 29^th - 2:00 p.m.

THE BOYS NEXT DOOR - March 19^th - 2:00 p.m.

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS -

May 7^th - 2 :00 p.m.

Season passes are available for the balance of season for a total of $30.00. Reminder: call 618-462-6562 for reservations or visit the website www.altonlittletheater.org for more information. Questions? Contact Janice Joiner jjoin1776@charter.net.