February 6

 “Happiness, and Then Some”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

In a recent book, Harvard fellow Sissela Bok explores the notion of happiness as it has evolved down through history from Aristotle to the postmodern age.  If her assessment is correct, then happiness is not particularly necessary for living a good life.  Nor is it enough.

February 13

9:30 am

“The Second Inaugural Sermon: 

With Malice Toward None”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Lincoln set a standard for oratory in American politics that has rarely if ever been matched, and his Second Inaugural Address - more ‘sermon’ than ‘speech’ – is a succinct statement of belief in the American experiment.

11:00 am

“The Tailor of Gloucester”

As the centerpiece of this morning’s worship, the children of our Religious Education program will present a play entitled, “The Tailor of Gloucester.”  They’ve been rehearsing throughout January and are very excited to bring us this exhilarating and touching holiday story of how kindness can bring about a change of heart.  Cats!  Bats!  Music!  Mice!  Don’t miss this Sunday!

February 20

** Heritage Sunday **

“Unanticipated Results”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Whenever we act and however well we’ve planned, we’re likely to get a few unanticipated results.  Many of those who’ve supported this congregation over the last 175 years would be surprised at what they’d find if they visited with us again. They’d have to wonder at the unanticipated results their support of this church has wrought.

February 27

 “For the Love of Our Church”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

As we kick off our annual stewardship campaign, we find ourselves facing some momentous decisions.  In the next few weeks, we can decide to let things slide, or we can sit back and barely maintain the status quo, or we can stand tall, reach out, and fully embrace the promise of this great community.  We begin the decision-making process today by first considering the love we have for our church.

This February is a Month of Sundays

Celebrating Our Love for Our Church!

What are you doing Sunday mornings?

Are you taking the opportunity that our church offers to grow in mind, body and spirit?  You can attend a worship service, attend a lively discussion group, or spend a quiet period in meditation (new time 10:10 am).  Review your choices and make the decision to participate in one of the early morning activities at church.

Feb. 6 – Humanist/Non-Theist Roundtable Chapter 3 of “Good Without God” by Gregory Epstein.

Feb. 13 – Dr. Ron Glossop – We will discuss the philosophy and theology of Thomas Aquinas, whose ideas have been influential in Roman Catholic thought since the 14th century.  His five arguments for the existence of God have been the basis for much of the discussion of this issue.  Thomas's views can be summarized as a synthesis of Aristotle's philosophy and Christian thought.

Feb. 20 – Tapestry of Faith: “Building the World We Dream About” – Session 1, part 2.

Feb. 27 – Marcie Nagle – “Ethical Eating.”

A First Glance

Our whole country was stunned recently by the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson on Saturday, January 8^th.  Rep. Giffords and many others were wounded and at least six killed, allegedly by a single gunman with a grudge against the government and an inability to understand or participate in civil discourse. As I sit down to write this month’s column, we still have more to learn about the motives of the shooter, the prognoses of the victims, and the effects this tragedy will have on how we behave with one another in America.

The victims in Tucson ranged in age from 9 to 79.   The youngest, Christina Taylor Green, was born on 9-11-2001, during the attacks perpetrated on America that day by some Saudi Muslim extremists.  Christina died during this latest attack on America, this one by a lone secular American apparently needing psychological and emotional care.

The most recent news about this tragedy I’ve seen as I sit here is that members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church are threatening to picket Christina’s funeral because they believe that “God hates Catholics because Catholics worship idols.”   In response, some members of the Tucson community have planned an “Angel Action,” by which they mean to show up at the funeral in homemade angels’ wings to try and block the Westboro protestors from the sight of those attending the funeral.

I wish Lorna, Sayer, Carl, and I had thought of that when we went to Bethalto on January 6^th to counterbalance the Westboro people who’d said they’d be at Lance Cpl. Kenny Corzine’s funeral.  We didn’t wear any wings that day, but enough people assembled in support that the Corzine family wasn’t bothered with encountering any nonsensical and hateful protestors.

Terrorism crosses all national, ethnic, and religious boundaries.   You just can’t know who’s planning what next, whether it’s church people full of hate or atheist sociopaths out to get even for imagined wrongs.

Sometimes the world is a strange, strange place.  The news sounds worse and worse:  more and more natural and man-made disasters, more and more people hungry and lost and in pain.   And as I said in this space last month, “Absolute safety is not something we’re guaranteed ...”   Oh that it were.

Even without such existential guarantees, however, it sure is good to have a church like ours where, when strange things happen in a strange, strange world, we know we can find warm hearts and understanding ears in a welcoming atmosphere.

See you in church,

Awakening the Dreamer,

Changing the Dream

A Symposium for those concerned with the earth and its future.

Saturday, March 5

Registration 8:30 am

Program 9:00 am – 1 pm

Abandon the “Old Dream” of acquisition, consumption and putting personal gain above communal good, and be part of the ”New Dream” of social justice, environmental sustainability, and spiritual fulfillment.

The Awakening the Dreamer symposium will inspire participants to play a local role in creating a new future.

Through watching an excellent video and participating in group interactions you will:

·         Become deeply aware of the scope, complexity and urgency of the issues facing our planet today;

·         Examine the worldview that has brought us to where we are today;

·         Experience yourself as able to make a difference in how the future of the planet unfolds;

·         Come away with a deeper level of readiness for effective action and with a profound sense of hope and purpose

Place:  St. Ambrose Parish Center

820 West Homer Adams Parkway,

Godfrey IL

Cost:  $15; Students $5

Registration options:

1. Send your check made out to OEI to:

La Vista Ecological Learning Center,

4300 Levis Lane , Godfrey IL

2. Register through PayPal: http://www.lavistaelc.org

3.  Buy tickets from Mary Johnson or Wayne Politsch or contact them for further information.

Co-Sponsors: The United Congregations of Metro East (UCM) Alton Area Cluster, the Oblate Ecological Initiative, and the Sierra Club.

Mark Your Calendars!!

For the love of our church!!

February is a special month!!

As the “For the Love of Our Church” 2011 Stewardship Campaign begins on Sunday, February 27, the Board of Trustees and the Stewardship Committee hope to engage all members and friends of the congregation in meaningful dialogue about our church community and the meaning and value it holds in each of our lives.  In preparation for the upcoming campaign, you are invited to attend one of the 'Cookie Conversation' sessions that will follow each of our 9:30 and 11:00 worship services on two Sundays, February 27 and March 6, to meet and greet the Stewardship Committee, ask questions, and set up times for follow-up one-on-one visits.

If you feel called to support the church by participating on the Stewardship Committee, please see Sayer Johnson, Marty Johnson, Matt Koch, Linda Van Zandt, or Robyn Berkley.

All in the name of love!!

Sayer Johnson

Member of the Stewardship Committing

POT LUCK LUNCH

Sunday, February 20

NOTE – THIS IS A DIFFERENT SUNDAY THAN USUAL. 

RED FOOD POTLUCK

In order to spice things up, or at least perhaps peak your interest, we are giving the February potluck a theme.  So break out your best recipes featuring RED foods and show them off Sunday February 20^th.

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

THANKS TO SANDY SHANER we are becoming “greener” at our food events by using microfiber cloth napkins instead of paper ones that just get thrown away into a landfill.

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 SET-UP

Me through Z will do CLEAN-UP

Choir Rehearsals

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.

February 3, 10, 17.

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 February – Mary Johnson

  6 February – Nancy Brunner

  6 February – Kristen O’Steen

  8 February – Nancy Conniff

11 February – Gene Eaton

14 February – Megan Bryden-Wasoba

14 February – Yvonne McCall

15 February – Amanda Grippi

17 February – Ryan Wasoba

17 February – Ron Glossop

23 February – Beth Bourland

23 February – Jack Morgan (2003)

25 February – Mike Fischer

26 February – Donna Young

28 February – Rachel Berg

Chalice 

            Circles

Fifty-Plus (50+) Chalice Circle
Saturday, February 5 from 10:30 am to noon – At Church. Contact Brynda McCoy.

Belleville Chalice Circle

Thursday, February 17 @ 7 pm – At the home of Jan and Don Allen in Belleville Contact: Don or Jan.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Saturday, February 19 from 2 to 4 pm – At Church.    Contact: Marcia Custer.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Sunday, February 20 from 12:15 to 1:30 pm – In Emerson Place at Church

Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson.

Men's Chalice Circle

Tuesday , February 22 @ 7 pm – At Church

Contact: Khleber Van Zandt.

The GLBT Chalice Circle

Sunday, February 27 from 12:15 – 2 pm – At church
This Chalice Circle will meet the last Sunday of the month for the next five months.   Please contact Layne A. Simpson for more information.

Campfire Chili &

Dessert Cook-Off

Who’s invited?  The whole dang family, that’s who!

When: February 26, 2011, 6:00 pm

Where: Kate Wuerker Room

What to bring:  Chili entry (bring enough to feed 8-10)

OR Dessert Bake Off entry (bring enough to feed 8-10)

Come on down for the Hoedown by the fire (fake indoor fire, that is). We'll also play some games together (trivia or some such nonsense). If you don’t cook chili or bake desserts, bring a bag of chips, cornbread or a drink to share. Get rid of those winter blues by joining us for songs around the campfire!

Linda Van Zandt

Community

Outreach Offering

February’s Community Outreach Offering will help enable one or more low income families to purchase shares in the Community Supported Garden at La Vista in Godfrey, IL http://www.lavistacsa.org/.  Families pay 10% of the cost of a share.

 “Community Supported Agriculture  (CSA) consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Members or shareholders of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land. Members also share in risks, including poor harvest due to unfavorable weather or pests.” — USDA definition

Whole Shares (weekly) and Alternative (every two weeks)

shares are available.  A whole share is $550 and an Alternate Share is $300.

4H – Help Haiti to Health & Healing

                Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has had a devastating earthquake, was hit by a hurricane, is suffering a cholera outbreak, and has a government in chaos, all within one year.

                On Sunday, February 13 at 5 pm at College Ave. Presbyterian Church (CAPC) in Alton, there will be a worship service and a live Skype connection with a worker in the Presbyterian Joining Hands in Haiti program, who will speak about what he is doing there to address issues of poverty and hunger.   You will also have the opportunity to ask him questions.

                Following the program a Haitian meal will be served.   The cost of the dinner is $7.50 for adults and there will be an opportunity to contribute more to this cause if you wish.   For tickets contact Jan Hines at CAPC or talk to Mary Johnson at our church.

Everyone is invited to an upcoming art show where artists Mary Lu McManus and Gene Ursprung will have their work featured.  The show will be held at By Design, 136 Front Street (located in the building behind The Telegraph) from March 4 through April 8.  The phone number for the gallery is 618-433-1400.

Willis McCoy will be playing the flute opening night, Friday, March 4, from 5 - 8 pm.

Parking is available on both sides of The Telegraph block.

Report from the Church Treasurer

Total budgeted income received in December 2010 was  $14,183.54.  This was 8.54% of our annual budget.

Total budgeted expenses spent in December 2010 were $13,726.48; this was 8.26% of our annual budget.

Just to give members an idea of an area of expenses that they can have an effect on, I would like to report that the natural gas bill for December was $798.86.  This contrasts with a bill of $249.66 for November. I know that December was a lot colder than November, but usually our natural gas bill doesn't reach this level until January. If you are heating the Wuerker Room or Emerson Place for a meeting, please be sure that the thermostat is no longer on "Hold" when you leave.  Hit the "Run Program" or "Run Schedule" button to ensure that the normal schedule is restored.  You can check the setting by hitting the down arrow button, which should cause a setting of 55 or 60 degrees to be displayed. 

Jerry Johnson, Treasurer

Getting to Know You!

Introducing Patrick Murphy

Patrick Murphy was a child of the depression, so it’s no surprise that his early life wasn’t easy.  At the age of 12, he had to quit school and go to work to help out his family.  Later, he was able to get his GED and to take college courses as needed for work.  He spent 37 years working for a national known elevator company.  Starting as a helper, he worked his way up to mechanic, then supervisor and finally a regional representative.

However, that was only one of Patrick’s many vocations and interests.   He admits that when he gets interested in a subject, he has to dive in all the way.  He was a professional bassist for 30 years and toured with a jazz quartet.   He was a hypnotist with an office in Clayton and founder of the St Louis Chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotists.  He spent three years working on the suicide hot line, a job he found quite rewarding and not at all depressing.  In the years he worked, not one person was lost. 

 Patrick is also a master and teacher of Reiki, the Japanese Buddhist healing art.  Reike also inadvertently lead him to his first visit to our church.  He was attending Reike gatherings in Alton, but at one session, the usual meeting place wasn’t available.  So another attendee, Carol Wolff, our former pastor, suggested our church.  At one point, Patrick needed to use the bathroom.  Carol fibbed and told him that she wasn’t able to turn on the lights, but gave him directions to find his way in the dark.  When he returned, in Patrick’s words, the group was waiting to see he had had the pants scared off of him.  The rumor is that, in the dark of night, ghostly voices can be distinctly heard coming from our cellar, until some human being interrupts.  

 Later, when he learned that other friends who he admired worshiped here, he thought he would try us out, too.  At the first service, he felt as though it grabbed him.  He knew immediately that this was, and is, the place for him.

In his busy life, Patrick has had a time for a family.  He has three daughters and one son living in Brentwood, Arkansas, Kentucky and Florida.  He now lives with two wonderful canine companions, Bonnie and Casey, aka the “Wonder Dog.” (You can read more about Casey elsewhere in this newsletter.)

                        Contributed by Mary Weber

FOOD MINISTRIES

Welcome to the New Year.  In an effort to continually improve our community gatherings I have been asked to refresh everyone’s awareness of protocol for coffee hour and pot luck.  Please take time to read and feel free to ask questions.

COFFEE HOUR

Coffee hour is in a transitional phase.  It was once hosted by individual members.  We are now working towards having it provided by the church.  This means that the budget (made up from pledges and other sources) will eventually include the expense of coffee hour.  We still need everyone to take part in some way.  Please sign up for one clean up in this new year, become one of the coffee crew and learn how to set up the coffee hour station, or consider donating financially while we are in this transition.

Clean up detail includes the following.  There is a signup sheet in the Wuerker room for Coffee Hour Clean up.  We are asking everyone to sign up for just one weekend a year in which they commit to the following:

1        Stay until everyone is finished with their drinks and
snacks

2        Clear away all of the dirty dishes and food leftovers (this may involve putting some things in bags or containers and placing them in the refrigerator).

3        Cleaning all of the used dishes by washing in the sink, drying and putting away or loading them into the dishwasher and running it.

4        Wipe off tables and chairs.

It is really a great disrespect to expect that a few members will have to continuously give up their Sundays just to make sure the kitchen is clean before going home.  We enjoy volunteering, but just like everyone else we have lives outside of the church.

POT LUCK

Potluck is for everyone.  We hold it the 4^th Sunday of each month (with a few exceptions, please note February’s date).  We split the alphabet in two and ask the first half to set up and the second to clean up.

Setting up includes:

·         Setting up chairs and tables. 

·         Setting the tables with placemats and silverware.

·         Placing food items on the serving counter.

·         Clearing all food from the counter and making sure it is taken home or disposed of.  Clearing, washing, drying, and putting away all dishes.

·         Taking down tables and chairs – leaving up four tables and accompanying chairs.

·         Vacuuming the floor and washing all tables and counters.

RED FOOD POTLUCK

In order to spice things up, or at least perhaps peak your interest, we are giving the February potluck a theme.  So break out your best recipes featuring RED foods and show them off Sunday February 20^th.  NOTE:   THIS IS ONE WEEK EARLIER THAN USUAL.

FOURTH SATURDAY (4^th) LUNCH

Fourth Saturday Lunch is a program the church has been running for a while, where volunteers create a hearty, healthy menu that is served to the area homeless and needy.  We also encourage our members to sit down with our guests and get to know them as they are our neighbors.

How you can help:

1        Sign up to provide a dish.  The menu sign up is available in the Wuerker room usually by the 2^nd Sunday of the month.

2        Attend on the day of the lunch to aid with setting up chairs and tables, putting together take home bags, serving, or cleaning up.  It is not necessary to stay for the whole lunch and all help is needed and appreciated.

3        Provide financial assistance. Some members have found it convenient to donate funds.  Donations may be given to Jerry Johnson or Kathryn Chapman.  Just specify what it is for and we will apply it as requested.  As a stay-at-home mother, I often have the time to shop and cook, but lack the funds to make enough food necessary for the number of guests at our lunches.  Funds allow me the ability to put extra dishes on the table for our guests.

I am not able to stress how very much we appreciate all of the help the members and friends of our church provide.  We touch many lives with what we do and they touch ours in return.  Thank you.

JOINING THE Food Ministries GROUP

Anyone interested in being a regular member of the Food Ministries group (e.g., willing to set up coffee hour, work Saturday lunches, or be called on in the event of memorial services or other food related work) please make sure I have your name on my list so that I am able to call or e-mail you when we are in need of people to fill in or help out.

Reminder:  There is a jar in the kitchen for collecting BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION.  These small symbols mean money for schools.  They are found on a number of packaged items from Kleenex to breakfast cereals.

Kathryn Chapman,

Food Ministries Coordinator

Dycie Madson, a longtime resident of Alton, and a friend of the church, died in Chico, California on January 4.  She had recently moved there to be near her daughter.

Dycie was a gifted artist, and expert in nearly all media, as well as being an accomplished poet.  She was a professor in the Art Department at Monticello College (later Lewis & Clark College) for twenty five years. A memorial service, attended by 90 people, was held at our church on January 15.

The congregation sends its sympathy to Diane Thompson and to Kevin, Amelia and Maggie McCarthy, at the death of Diane's father, Pat Thompson on Thursday, January 20.  Mr. Thompson died in Long Island, NY after a lengthy illness.

Confluence Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS)

Contact Jimmy Christodoulou for meeting information.

INTEREST GROUP GATHERINGS

Anna D’s Women’s Alliance

All Women in the Church are Invited to the

Anna Ds Luncheons

The Anna Ds will meet at 11:30 am on Thursday, February 3 at the Grace Manor Restaurant

1801 N. Main St. in Edwardsville.

It is located on Highway 143 just at the western edge of Edwardsville on the South side of the road as you approach Edwardsville from the West.

http://www.gracemanorrestaurant.com

RSVP by January 31 to Brynda McCoy or Marcia Custer .

Future months:  March - Brynda McCoy; April - Audrey Wiseman; May - Lorna McElhone;
June - Joan Hashimi

SpiralScouts

Spiral Scouts will meet on Sunday, February 6 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.) Feb 06 Drama / Mar 06 Drumming
Apr 03 Photography / May 01 Astronomy / 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, February 10 at the St. Louis Buffet, 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL. Contact Dick Blanton for further details.

CSAs - Fresh Produce from Farm to Table .

The Community Supported Garden at La Vista will be hosting a FREE program about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) at our church on Monday, January 31 , from 7 to 8 p.m.  The program is entitled "CSAs - Fresh Produce from Farm to Table."  Everyone is invited to attend.   Come find out what Community Supported Agriculture is all about.

You’ll learn about the CSA movement and the benefits of eating locally grown produce.  Questions? Call 618-467-8827.

Campfest 2011

Looking Ahead to Summer
for First UU Alton!!

Love the great outdoors? Want to get to know your church community members better? Want to learn how to make a heck of a s’more?

Well, mark your calendars for the first Campfest!!

We have reserved a group camp at Pere Marquette State Park.
Camp:  Ouatoga
Arrival:  7/29/2011 to Departure: 8/4/2011

Rustic cabins ... swimming pool ... community meals games … talent show … chalice circles …memories for a lifetime … more details soon.

If you are interested in joining a FUN committee please see Sayer Johnson.

                As an addendum to Patrick Murphy’s profile earlier in the newsletter, we’re also featuring (at Patrick’s request) Casey - easily recognized from his many visits to church with his best friend, Patrick.  Casey, a bearded collie, has had an amazing journey in life.  He spent his firs two years enduring starvation and abuse in a puppy mill.  He was finally rescued and boarded briefly in a kennel in Kansas City until Patrick came to adopt him. 

                However, after his ordeal, socialization was extremely difficult.  Casey was terrified of people and kept trying to escape.  Finally, after 3 and ½ months with Patrick, he did escape and was hit by a car.  Even with an injured leg he eluded the hundreds of people searching for him for 16 days.  Then 20 days after his rescue, his injured leg had to be amputated.    

                Since then, despite his handicap, Casey has led a fulfilling and inspiring life.  Only 6 months later, he passed the test for his Canine Good Citizen Badge and became a therapy dog. He’s still very nervous around people, particularly children.  However, when he puts on the red collar with his therapy dog tag, he knows it’s time to go to work and he becomes calm and relaxed.  He used to make 21 visits a month to nursing homes, schools and libraries. He even served as poster boy for the rock band “3 Legged Dog” and in 2008, he was chosen as the face of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.    Lately, the injuries and illnesses caused by his puppy mill days are catching up with him and he’s had to cut back to one a month.  But, certainly, Casey has had an extraordinary life and has more than earned the title of “Wonder Dog.”

February RE Program News & Notes

RE Thank Yous!

1. The downstairs hallway was repainted, and it looks lovely and clean.  Thank you to Pat Moore, Mary and Jerry Johnson, and Lorna McElhone.
2. Thank you to Pat Moore for adding Amelia to Zora, Twenty Six Women Who Changed the World to our RE library collection.
3. Thank you to Jennifer Herndon, for supplying pizza for attendees of the RE Town Hall meeting.

Spring Teacher Recruitment

The RE Spring semester begins February 20 and continues through May 29^th.  We need four teachers to make our program a success.  The spring semester will be devoted to Judeo-Christian figures, stories, and themes.  With the right amount of teachers, that means a commitment to teach about five Sundays.  Our kids are a fun bunch — come grow some souls with us.

• (1) First-Third Grade teacher
• (3) Fourth-Sixth Grade teacher

See Steven Mead or any of the RE Committee members (Tracey Howe-Koch; Jennifer Herndon, Cathy Tade; Marty Johnson) to volunteer.

Child Dedication

Rather than holding Christian-style baptism ceremonies, most Unitarian Universalist congregations have child dedication services for infants, young adopted children, or young (and sometimes not-so-young) children whose families have recently joined the congregation.

Parents bring the child to the front of the sanctuary at a designated time in a regular Sunday worship service, and the minister presides over the ceremony.  The dedication ceremony is generally a celebration of the blessing of new life, an expression of the parents' hopes for their child, and a call to the parents and the congregation's members to lead and nurture the child's spiritual life as it grows.

Parents whose family may be interested in participating in a Child Dedication ceremony, please contact Reverend Van Zandt:   314-223-0551 (MO cell) 618-520-0567 (IL cell).

Winter Intercession Play — The Tailor of Gloucester

First through sixth graders are devoting their January Sundays 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, Stewardship Sunday at the second service.  A host of parent and teacher volunteers are making this an especially wonderful experience.  Music by Verdi, Handel, and Orff—how will that happen, you ask?  Join us for the Hullabaloo-yah Chorus on the 13^th and find out!  We resume exploration of world religions and wisdom tradition when the spring semester resumes February 20^th.

RE Town Hall — January 9th

Thank you to everyone (over 25 souls) who participated in the recent RE Town Hall meeting—a fine exercise of the Unitarian Universalist fifth principal:  all people need a voice.  The RE Committee obtained valuable input on a number of important topics relating to the RE Program.

Steven Mead, DRE