January 2^nd

“Let It Go!”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Too often as a New Year begins, we can find ourselves burdened with emotional luggage we’d be better off leaving behind.  Join with fellow travelers today in a communal ritual of absolution as we bring our baggage to the altar, touch it with a healing fire, and allow the flames to set us all free.

January 9^th

“American Grace”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, has a new book out that 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.

January 16^th

To Be Announced

Eric Johnson

Member of the congregation.

January 23^rd  (Semi-Annual Meeting)

“Appreciation for Our Gifts”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

At a workshop on Saturday, January 22^nd, to which all our members and friends are invited, we want to articulate what makes our church what it is today and to explore how we might create a sustainable future for the congregation of tomorrow.  Come hear my own thoughts on this topic during either worship service this morning, and then stay for the Potluck Lunch and Semi-Annual Meeting afterwards.

January 30^th

 “My Journey”

Dick Blanton

Member of the congregation.

Dick will talk about his journey to the First Unitarian Church of Alton and the various detours he has made along the way to becoming a Unitarian Universalist.

What are you doing at 9:30 on Sunday mornings?

Are you taking the opportunity that our church offers to grow in mind, body and spirit?  You can attend a worship service, spend a quiet hour in meditation, or attend a lively discussion group.  Review your choices and make the decision to participate in one of the 9:30 am activities at church.

A First Glance

Sandy Wood knew everybody.  I myself had met her only in passing, but some of the members of our church were some of Sandy’s best friends.  She was one of those people with an unbelievable number of connections, not least of all because of the countless activities she was involved in, which seemed to include every political or environmental issue, organization, or activity you can think of.

In early December, Sandy was brutally murdered in her home in Alton, apparently by a man with a long history of criminal dysfunction.

At Sandy’s memorial service, her friends and family told stories that brought her back to life once again:  people who had worked beside her on environmental issues; kids who had been in the Sunday school class she taught years ago as the pastor’s wife; young farmers who had lived in her basement during their internships at a local community farm; her own children who were still stunned at losing her.  Sure, there was pain and grief in abundance, but there was also joy in the celebration that Sandy had ever been among us at all.

Contrary to the cliché, time won’t heal all wounds.  As time goes on, in fact, the pain of Sandy’s loss may get worse before it gets better.  Our hope is not that the pain of her loss will pass completely away; our hope must be that we will be changed by that loss as much as she changed the world with her presence and through the way she lived and loved.

Yet another thread of emotion, another element of grief running through those gathered at Sandy’s memorial was intense anger that this had been allowed to happen.  Why was a man known to exhibit violent criminal behavior let loose on the streets?  Perhaps the system will look at how it deals with such offenders and take steps to keep us safe.

Absolute safety, however, is not something we’re guaranteed, either in life or in a community of faith.  Of course we need to feel safe enough to take some risks.  Ultimately, though, it’s the balance between safety and risk, between comfort and challenge, that builds in us the courage to face all that life holds. 

Yes, some days will be dark, and some mornings it will be hard to see the sunrise.  Even more reason to pay attention to the connections you have, to give your family members a hug, and to tell your friends that you love them.

See you in church,

CONGREGATIONAL STEWARDSHIP CONSULTANT’S VISIT in JANUARY

In 2011 our church will celebrate the 175^th anniversary of its founding.  To start off the year, the Church Board, at the suggestion of the Capital Campaign Committee, has invited Kay Crider, a consultant with the Unitarian Universalist Association Congregational Stewardship Services, to make an “Assessment Visit” to our church on the weekend of January 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd.

The purpose of this visit is to provide our church with an objective eye to gather information and identify strengths, opportunities, and areas needing improvement.  Kay will meet with the church staff as well as lay leaders and committees and conduct an “Appreciative Inquiry” workshop for the congregation.

Her recommendations following this visit will help the Board determine our church’s readiness to begin a Capital Financial Campaign to make improvements critically needed so our church facility can be more accessible, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and energy efficient.

Kay has already been sent a packet of written information about our church, and during her weekend visit she hopes to talk with many members of the congregation in a series of meetings to learn about people’s hopes and dreams for the church’s future.

On Friday afternoon, Jan. 21^st, Kay will have separate meetings with Becky Green, Steven Mead, and Rev. Van Zandt.  In the evening she’ll have a dinner meeting with the Board.

On Saturday, January 22^nd, Kay will meet personally with key leaders and committees.  Committee Chairs will contact their committee members, encouraging their attendance.  If you serve on any of these committees, please mark your calendars. The schedule is as follows:

Capital Campaign Committee:  9 – 10 am.

Stewardship Committee:  10 – 11 am.

Finance Committee: 11 – 12 pm,

4^th Saturday Lunch 12 noon – 1:15 pm; Kay will

    interact with Social Justice and help with the lunch.

Member Services Committee: 1:15 – 2 pm.

“Appreciative Inquiry Workshop” 2 – 3:15.

RE Committee: 3:15 – 3:45 pm.

Worship: 3:45 – 4:15 pm.

Meeting with other church members who wish

    to talk with Kay 4:15 – 5 pm.

On Sunday Kay will again meet with the Board and later share her summary with the Congregation at the beginning of the Semi-Annual meeting.

You may be asking yourself – What is an Appreciative Inquiry Workshop?  -- and why should I attend?

To quote Kay Crider –

“An Appreciative Inquiry Workshop involves reflecting on both what is meaningful to congregants about their church today and brainstorming their hope and dreams for the mission and vision of the church going forward.  They share this information with others attending the workshop, first in one-on-one conversations and then later with the whole group.

Appreciative Inquiry is a positive approach to planning your congregation’s future.  Its principles include valuing your strengths, discovering what gives your church life and vibrancy today, and envisioning how to create a sustainable future.  At Saturday’s Workshop we will explore several questions.  Why do you come to this church?  Where do you want to go together?  What do you want to become together?  How can you get there together?  How can you pay for it together?

The Appreciative Inquiry process works best when the entire congregation participates as a faith community.”

We encourage you to attend YOUR committee meeting as well as the 2 pm workshop on Saturday, January 22^nd, and help plan for the future of your church.

The Capital Campaign Committee

John Herndon, Mary Johnson, Matt Koch, Mark Tade

UU&You! 3.0

7 to 9 pm. Wednesdays, January 19^th, 26^th, and February 2^nd.  For UU&You! 3.0, we’ll follow John Buehrens and Rebecca Parker’s A House for Hope: the Promise of Progressive Religion for the 21^st Century to further deepen our understandings of current topics in UU thought. 

Since the book is arranged to correspond with six parts of Parker’s ‘theological house’ concept, our three classes will cover two parts in each class:  for the first class, the garden and walls;  for the second, the roof and foundation; and for the third, the rooms and the doorway.  You can order the book online or borrow from church, and sign up in the Kate Wuerker Room for the class or contact the church office.

Rebecca Ann Parker is President of Starr King School for the Ministry and an ordained Methodist minister in dual fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. John Buehrens is Minister of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist congregation in Needham, Massachusetts. He served as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association from 1993 to 2001.

Offered for the second time, UU&You! 2.0 will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays – February 1^st, 8^th, and 15^th.  In UU&You! 2.0, we’ll use the Forrest Church/John Buehrens book, A Chosen Faith, to explore Unitarian Universalist history, attitudes, and traditions. 

The book is arranged as a commentary on the sources of our faith:  the experience of transcending mystery, the lives of prophetic men and women, and wisdom from the world’s religions including Jewish, Christian, Humanist, and Earth-centered religious teachings. 

To get the most out of this class, you’ll want to order A Chosen Faith from a website like Amazon or borrow a copy from church, and then read Parts 1 and 2 for the first class, Parts 3 and 4 for the second, and Parts 5 and 6 for the last.  Sign up on the clipboard in the Kate Wuerker Room or contact the church office to let us know you want to attend.

POT LUCK LUNCH

Sunday, January 23^rd

(Semi-Annual Meeting to Follow Lunch)

The congregation joins in a Pot Luck Lunch on the 4^th Sunday of each month.  Plan to share food and fellowship following the 2^nd service.

If you can, bring something to serve 8 to 10 people.

Set-Up Help is needed with placing the tables and chairs, putting out placemats and silverware, and getting food onto the buffet table

Clean-Up Help involves clearing off and wiping down the tables, carrying dishes (not just your own) to the dish bins or the kitchen, scraping dishes, and washing dishes or preparing them for the dishwasher, folding up all but four tables, putting chairs away, vacuuming, and straightening up the furniture around the fireplace area.  Trash also must be taken out.  All this takes a long time if only a couple people are working at it, but if lots of people give a little time, then fewer people have to give a lot of time.

PLEASE help with either set-up or clean-up.

A through Mc will do CLEAN-UP

Me through Z will do SET-UP

Building & Grounds Notes

Thank you to Pat Moore, Lorna McElhone, Jerry and Mary Johnson for painting the walls and ceiling of the downstairs RE Hallway.   It was a two-day effort, and the hallway looks much cleaner and brighter now.

Choir rehearsals are held the first three Thursday evenings in each month from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.  If you enjoy singing, please consider coming to a choir rehearsal to learn how much fun you can have and what a contribution you can make by being part of the choir.

January rehearsals:  January 6^th, 13^th, 20^th.

For further information contact Willis McCoy.

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.

  2 January – Alex Gross

  3 January – Lisa Smithe

  7 January – Drew Partain (1999)

11 January – Glenn Brunner

11 January – Juliette Crone-Willis

16 January – Jane Russo (1998)

18 January – Audrey Glossop

19 January – Javion Herndon (2007)

21 January – Rowan Elizabeth Dothager (2002)

25 January – Caleb Tucker-Loewe (2000)

25 January – Erin Herndon (1992)

25 January – Tom Kinsella

25 January – Jennifer Timpe

28 January – Sallie Oldt

30 January – Deb McNaughton

30 January – Lily Dothager (2007)

30 January – Vivienne Dothager (2007)

31 January – Pat Blanton

Chalice 

            Circles

Fifty-Plus (50+) Chalice Circle – WILL NOT MEET IN JANUARY AS THE SCHEDULED MEETING DAY IS NEW YEARS DAY.   The next meeting will be on Saturday, February, 5^th from 10:30 am to noon. Contact Brynda McCoy.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Saturday , January 15^th – 2 to 4 pm – At Church.    Contact: Marcia Custer.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Sunday, January 16^th – 12:15 to 1:30 pm –

In Emerson Place at Church –   Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson.

Belleville Chalice Circle

Thursday , January 20^th – 7 pm – At the home of Jan and Don Allen in Belleville.
Contact: Don or Jan.

Men's Chalice Circle

Tuesday, January 25^th – 7 pm – At Church –    Contact: Khleber Van Zandt.

The GLBT Chalice Circle will be having its inaugural meeting on Sunday, January 30^th, 2011 after church from 12:15 - 2:00 pm.  This is not a potluck Sunday, so bring snacks if desired. Please contact Layne A. Simpson for more information.

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Thank You” to everyone who contributed to the Alton Community Christmas collection.  All your donations were picked up on December 13^th and will be distributed to people in need this holiday season.

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Community

Outreach Offering

The Community Outreach Offering in January will be given to the combined GBLT group of the four local Unitarian Universalist churches.  The group will then decide to which related cause the money will be given.    
This group is for the St. Louis area Unitarian Universalist sexual minorities community, their friends and allies.

The following, submitted by Layne Simpson, is a description of the GBLT group.

A group of sexual orientation and gender identity minority Unitarian Universalists has coalesced in the metro St. Louis area. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer UUs and their friends met at First UU in Alton to share a meal together, socialize and plan for future activities. All four metro St. Louis UU congregations were represented: First Church in St. Louis, Eliot Chapel and Emerson members joined Alton's sizeable contingent. In addition to creating social opportunities within the UU LGBTQ community, attendees are interested in working with LGBTQ youth and elder organizations. Many members marched with their respective churches at St. Louis Pridefest over the summer. The group hopes to make a strong showing at the 2011 St. Louis Pridefest in June. Other possible activities include a Valentine's Day dance and a "We Are Family" picnic. To join the group's Google group email list, send a request to samsfriends.email@gmail.com.

FOOD MINISTRIES

Everyone needs to take a turn at cleaning up from the coffee hour after the 2^nd service.

If enough people volunteer no one will have to do cleanup more than ONCE A YEAR.  There is a cleanup signup sheet in the Wuerker Room.  Please take a moment and sign up next time you’re at church.

Kathryn Chapman,

Food Ministries Coordinator

Meet the Multi-Talented Becky Green –

Our Church Administrator

Becky Green has been our church administrator for the last 10 years.  She has Associates Degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science from Lewis and Clark Community College.

She owned and operated several small businesses including Wallpaper for Less in Bethalto.  She has been married for 25 years and has three sons, two granddaughters and another one due in April.  Her husband, Earl works at GKN Aerospace in St. Louis.   

She was raised on a farm in Hettick, Illinois and now lives on a mini-farm in Bethalto with her husband, youngest son, two cats and a dog.  Over the years they have had chickens, swans, rabbits, turtles, cats, dogs, and a horse.  The animals moved on to make way for motorcycles, 4 wheelers, a tractor, and a golf cart. 

Many things have changed since she first started working in the church office.   The typewriter is gone, the cardboard boxes of papers have been filed in file cabinets, most of the archives are saved to the computer, and the amount of paper used has been reduced as many tasks are completed electronically.

Although she has flexible hours at church and also works from home, you can usually find Becky in her office on Mondays and Fridays.

Interest Group Gatherings

All Women in the Church are Invited to the

 Anna Ds Women’s Alliance Luncheons

The Anna Ds will meet at 11:30 am on Thursday, January 6^th at Methodist Village - 5201 Asbury in Godfrey, IL. 

The lunch will be held in a private area of the main dining room.  Please pay $6.75 at the reception desk when you arrive.   Nancy Copley will need to know the number of attendees by January 2nd,  so RSVP to her.

Future months:  Feb. - Marcia Custer; March - Brynda McCoy; April - Audrey Wiseman;

May - Lorna McElhone; June - Joan Hashimi

SpiralScouts

Spiral Scouts will meet on Sunday, January 9^th [note change to the 2^nd Sunday just for January] from 1 to 3 pm at the church. For further information about SpiralScouts, contact Stacey Wolff.

SpiralScouts Meeting Dates and Badge Topics are as follows through June 2011. (All meetings are from 1-3 pm at church.)

Jan 09 Art Award

Feb 06 Drama

Mar 06 Drumming

Apr 03 Photography

May 01Astronomy

June 05 Painting

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, January 13^th at the St. Louis Buffet, 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL. Contact Dick Blanton for further details.

Confluence Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS)

Contact Jimmy Christodoulou for meeting information.

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January RE Program News & Notes

This Fall

Was a busy time for the RE program.  Children “traveled” the world over, studying world religions and wisdom traditions.  First through third graders learned about Hindu, Islamic, and Buddhist traditions, celebrations, leaders, stories, and how these relate to our Unitarian Universalist faith and traditions.  Fourth through sixth graders traveled an even wider path through Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Native American traditions.  Our chapel worship included themes of Goodness, Family, and Celebration that we explored through acting, discussion, and music.  Our social action included activities that raised money for UNICEF and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee as well as activities that helped families escaping domestic violence and those dealing with chronic hunger and poverty.  Our high school Youth Group went to the fall “CON” and worked through an adult curriculum on faith.

And so we went about the business of growing souls of beauty, compassion, and wholeness.  We learned things that adults forget:

“When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work.  I told her I worked at the college – that my job was to teach people how to draw.  She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, “You mean they forget?”– Howard Ikemoto

How can we forget that “the Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.  So do we.”?  What a Special Place this is, full of special people that on Sunday morning need do only two things:  have fun, and learn something — that goes for both our children and youth and those that teach them.

January — Intercession Play

The Tailor of Gloucester

First through sixth graders will devote the month of January to preparing and rehearsing the short play, the Tailor of Gloucester by Brian Eslinger — this is an adaptation of a 1902 story by Beatrix Potter.  We will perform for the congregation on February 13^th.  Spirit Play children and Youth Group will maintain their normal RE schedule and programming during January.

Children will gather each Sunday in the Emerson Room and rehearse from 11 to 12; we will have six rehearsals before the performance.  Two important things actors and their parents should know: 

1. Actors (especially those with speaking roles) must come every Sunday in January so as to be able to learn and act their part with confidence.  We will have parts for all who attend regularly.
2. Actors must learn their lines at home.

Thank you to the following volunteers!:  Amanda Grippi; Eric Johnson; Kathryn Chapman; Lily Tade; Linda Van Zandt; Marty Johnson, Mary Johnson, Michelle Hudson.

I’ll be at charges for a looking-glass

And entertain a score or two of tailors – Richard III

RE Town Hall — January 9th

Bad weather in December prompted us to postpone the RE Town Hall scheduled for December 12^th.  We want to hear your voice!  The RE Committee has two proposals under consideration, both of which we feel the need to gauge the congregation’s opinion on:

1.      We are exploring swapping the RE program time from the second service (11 am) to the first service (9:30 am) — Youth Group excepted

2.      We are exploring swapping the Spirit Play room (upstairs) with the Youth Group room (downstairs)

What are your thoughts?  What are ours?  Join us for a half-hour or so town hall meeting after the 11 am service January 9th in the Emerson Room to discuss these proposals.  The RE Committee will use this information to make decisions on both of these proposals.  Exercise your 5^th UU principle:  All people need a voice!

Guest at Your Table 2010 — Bring in your collection!

Bring your Guest at Your Table boxes to church, Sunday January 9^th.  Steven Mead will coordinate the collection.  The gathered funds will be donated to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.  UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.  Thank you for your participation.  For more information you can visit:  http://www.uusc.org/guest.

The Library Fairy — Reprise

You may not know it, but we have a modest RE library — it lives in the RE Resource Room downstairs; it covers just five feet of shelf space.  The UUA bookstore has a number of items that would make wonderful additions to our collection.  So, we are seeking donations throughout the church year.  Some of theses books are for children, some for parents, some for teachers, and some belong in our RE professional library collection.  How to do this?  Simply buy a book from the UUA and have them ship it to the church.  We will add a bookplate dedication in your name.  Just go to the UUA Bookstore website at www.uua.org/bookstore and pick out any of the following:

• Magic Wanda’s Travel Emporium — Joshua Searle-White
• Unitarian Universalism is a Really Long Name — Jennifer Dant
• Kindness — Sarah Conover
• Ayat Jamilah:  Beautiful Signs — Sarah Conover and Freda Crane
• Harmony — Sarah Conover and Chen Hui
• The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family — Patrick Lencioni
• Living Simply with Children — Marie Sherlock
• From Age-ing to Sage-ing — Ronald Miller
• One Hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World — Margaret Silf
• The Power of Kindness — Piero Ferrucci
• Jesus and Buddha — Marcus Borg
• In this Very Moment — James Ishmael Ford
• Celebrating the Pagan Soul — Laura Wildman
• Growing a Beloved Community — Tom Owen-Towle
• World’s Religion — Huston Smith
• Claiming the Past, Shaping the Future — Roberta Nelson
• The Safe Congregation Handbook — Patricia Hoertdoerfer
• Welcoming Children with Special Needs — Sally Patton
• Think Twice in a Jar
• When Youth Lead — Jill Schwendeman
• Youth Group Handbook

Or if something else catches your eye, buy that too!

Steven Mead, DRE