Congregation established 1836

Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois

www.firstuualton.org

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister

March 1^st

“American Idols”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

The traditions from which we spring have a long history of concern over the worship of false idols.  Our Golden Calves still come in many forms and we should be careful about what we worship, what we place on the altar, what we give our lives to.

March 8^th

“Nose Wiggling 101”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

A few weeks ago, someone at church asked if I thought I could teach another person to wiggle their nose.  The more I think about it, the more I think this might have deep implications for our Pledge Drive.  If you can’t yet wiggle your nose, come and have a go.  And if you can already wiggle it, come be a part of a group nose wiggle.

March 15^th

“Yes!  Now Is the Time!”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

So many things block us from experiencing life in all its fullness that saying Yes! becomes a lifelong spiritual practice.  If this congregation is to continue to inspire lives of love and service which strive toward justice and compassion for our community, our neighbors, and our world, Now Is The Time to open our hearts and minds and say Yes! once again.

March 22^nd

“A Communion Primer”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

In Reading #435 from the back of our hymnal, Kathleen McTigue poetically defines “communion” as “the reflection of our own eyes.”   Since Communion will be served at our Tenebrae service the Thursday evening of Holy Week, this Sunday we’ll talk more about what the Christian ritual of Communion might mean to us UUs.

March 29^th

“What Is Existentialism and

Why Does It Matter?”

Dr. Ronald Glossop, Professor Emeritus, SIU-E

Almost everyone has heard of “existentialism” but very few understand what it is or why it is significant.  We will discuss the meaning of this term and how existentialism is related to the ideas of prominent thinkers such as Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Voltaire, Hume, Kant, Dewey, Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Tillich, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus.  Finally we will consider whether existentialism makes any difference to us.

March 1^st – Humanist/Non-Theist Discussion Group.

March 8^th – Speaking of Faith with Krista Tipett;

Gregory Epstein (Humanist Chaplain Harvard University) Part I

March 15^th – Gregory Epstein, Part II

March 22^nd – Women’s Justice Discussion

March 29^th – Peacemaking led by Ron Glossop

Mark Your Calendars:
A Quick Guide to this Month’s Happenings

A First Glance

Our “Now Is The Time!” Pledge Drive is upon us, and so much is happening! 

Herewith, some highlights:

Lots of painting and repairing and redecorating is being done around our building and grounds, and there’s even talk of replacing the western façade of the RE wing to be more “green,” make the building more usable, and save on utilities throughout the year. 

If you’ve been to church, you know attendance is spiking, and the number of kids in the nursery has been astounding.  To keep up in the nursery, we’ve hired a professional nanny service for Sunday mornings and extended their hours into the afternoon so that young parents can attend the various chalice circles and other meetings going on before and after church.  In next year’s budget, we want to include a paging system that will allow parents to keep in closer touch with caregivers in the nursery, and we want to purchase a safety crib that in an emergency will allow caregivers to get all the kids out of the nursery quickly and safely – not that we’ve ever had such a thing, but we want to be prepared!

The Social Justice Committee has lists of projects they’re working on.  The 4^th-Saturday Lunch program has taken off, and we’re now preparing lunch for “those in need of a hot meal” each month.  Our ties to the United Congregations of Metro-East (UCM) are as strong as ever; we’re active in UCM’s Alton Area Cluster with an Anti-Violence initiative, with an environmental project called Caring for Creation, and in the Decade of Racial Reconciliation. 

The building is a busy place throughout the week.  Adult RE still offers programs every Sunday morning that educate and challenge, and the Anna D’s women’s alliance continues to gather each month.  The Sierra Club uses the Wuerker Room for monthly meetings as does the Women’s Drum Circle.  An HIV support group will hold its first monthly meeting in March, and we are in talks to start a community-wide LGBT youth group.  Our Pagan Group has reorganized and reenergized itself, and our Buddhist meditation group, the Green Sky Sangha, has spruced up Emerson Place and meets there each Sunday night.

In the church office, we’re moving more and more of our administrative systems online to save paper and copying costs, and we’re working to synchronize the online systems of the staff with those of key leaders like the Board, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Speaking of online, if you haven’t been to our website (firstuualton.org), you ought to go.  We’ve learned that almost all our first-time visitors find us by going to the website, and we’ve received notes and visitors from Alton and all around the world who say they’re listening to the services and sermons we post on the web every week. 

No better time than the busy, busy present for a Pledge Drive.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  It’s an exciting time to be a part of First Unitarian Church of Alton!   Come and see!

See you in church,

Our Pledge Drive

Now Is the Time!

Our 2009-2010 Pledge Drive, “Now Is The Time!,” kicked off on February 22^nd with special guest, Rev. Brian Covell of Third Unitarian in Chicago, in the pulpit. 

On subsequent Sundays of the Pledge Drive, members of the congregation will tell us “What This Church Means To Me,” and the Stewardship Committee will make budget information available to help each of us make an informed, thoughtful decision about our level of financial support of the congregation.

Everyone is invited as the Pledge Drive concludes on March 21^st with a gala Celebration Dinner featuring “locally-grown” entertainment by Dennie Lightle, Jr., and his band, “Cold Explosion.”  At the dinner, pledge cards will be distributed, filled out, and collected.

Our church is growing and we are ready to move forward into a future shaped by our prophetic faith.  Our goals will be accomplished only through time and hard work, but they also require the financial support of our members and friends.  Now Is The Time to commit ourselves to keeping up the spirit of sharing all year round and to supporting the mission of this congregation in the Riverbend area and beyond.

With Peace and Love,

John Herndon

President Board of Trustees

Central Midwest District Assembly

April 24 – 26, 2009

Waukesha, Wisconsin

The Central Midwest District is one of 20 districts working to further liberal religious values as part of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  The District covers all or part of five states – Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan and Indiana, and serves more than 80 congregations with over 12,000 members.

Assembly Theme:   “Leadership in Times of Profound Change”

Keynote:   Sharon Daloz Parks – author, lecturer.

Her latest book is “Leadership Can Be Taught:

A Bold Approach for a Complex World.”

Forum:  UUA Presidential Candidates,

Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman and

Rev. Peter Morales

Complete details about the District Assembly at: www.cmwd-uua.org

Register online at: www.regonline.com/690962

Dear Friends,

There are many times when something happens at church that makes me proud to be a member; sometimes it is a special sermon by Khleber, or someone speaks from the heart at joys and concerns. It can also be a special day at church when I am reminded of the rich history and the special people who have carried our church throughout the years. Meeting the Rev. Sylvia Falconer on Heritage Weekend has been an experience I will carry with me for a lifetime. The spiritual, and intellectual depth and the strength that she exudes has given me a glimpse of why our church is filled with so many people who are willing to live the principles that Unitarian Universalism proudly professes. Sylvia is one of many builders of the foundation that keeps First Unitarian Church in Alton grounded in service and commitment. I know there were many other ministers here who did extraordinary things, but I have personally not met any of the others and consider myself blest to have met Sylvia and Khleber with whom I find strength and courage. I was especially touched to learn more about Martha Holden; I have noticed her work around as long as I have been coming but I never knew the story behind her art. Every so often I learn more and more about our church and that makes me thankful to be included as a member. I am very proud to say I am a member of First Unitarian in Alton; and now I can say I am a proud recipient of the legacy of Martha Holden and Sylvia Falconer.

With Peace and Love, John Herndon

President, Board of Trustees

Community Women’s Drum Circle

Sunday, March 15^th from 6 to 8 pm. All women in the church are invited to come.   You may bring any kind of drum (even children’s plastic drums, maracas, any percussion instrument will do.)   No experience in drumming is necessary.   For further information contact Layne Simpson.

GROWTH COMMITTEE- March 8th

The Growth Committee will meet the second Sunday of every month immediately following the worship service and prior to choir practice.  While that gives us only 30 minutes for each meeting, it will force us to stay on topic and focus, so a short meeting can be a good thing.  We now have four members, but we need more.  Please come and join us as four of us can't do it alone.  We need the help.  Everyone is welcome, but if you want to make the growth of the church the way you provide service to our church, then this committee is the place for you to be.

Dee Evans,

            Chair, Growth Committee

Mentoring New Members

When agreeing to be a new member mentor, you are offering to help integrate that member (or friend) into the congregation and the work of the church.

                      Some Specific Suggestions:

Sit down with the person (people) during coffee hour and go over the new member packet and especially help and encourage the filling out of the interest/talent questionnaire. If possible get that done and collect it. Give it to Brynda McCoy or Marcia Custer who will see that it is seen by committee chairs who in turn could recruit new members for help.

Have them to dinner or out to eat after church on Sunday.

Get acquainted with them and introduce them to various members of the congregation.  Try to help them meet as many as possible who might have similar interests, etc.

If they have not taken a UU & You! class, encourage them to do so.

Give them a tour of the church so they know where the various meeting rooms are, the library, etc.

Show where to sign up and find guidelines for ushering, coffee hosting, greeting, etc.

Brynda McCoy

Building and Grounds Update

A very successful workday was held on February 7^th, with many indoor projects getting accomplished or started toward completion, and thanks to the unexpectedly beautiful weather, we even got a few things done outdoors.  Everyone agreed that it’s fun to work together, and was a great time for fellowship and getting better acquainted.

Thanks to all these folks for their hard work:

Jerry Johnson checked out all the lights, indoor and out, and replaced bulbs as needed.  He even had to find some tiny specialty bulbs for the exit lights. Mary Johnson cleaned all the outdoor entry-ways and washed all the plant trays, plus more. Jim Moore cleaned litter and sticks off the lawn and raked out the remaining mulch. Tom Sakalauski worked extremely hard on repairing the men’s urinal and replacing old corroded drain pipes.  Nancy Sakalauski repainted the men’s restroom. Sayer Johnson painted the women’s restroom, with help from her daughter Devin, and is going to rehab and paint the walls of the girl’s restroom. Alex Gross put new doorstops on the swinging doors in back of the sanctuary. Jamie Gross did all kinds of cleaning and organizing. Pat and Jim Moore put back up our outdoor banner and moved various indoor wall hangings. Kevin McCarthy was on hand for help with wall hangings and other projects. Diane Thompson put a final coat on the women’s restroom walls. Amelia McCarthy and Andrea Gross, washed interior walls and trimmed dead plants from the front landscaping. Megan Gross and Margaret McCarthy helped their big sisters. Don and Jan Allen cleaned out the stairwells and window wells, painted the west vestibule, did some weather-stripping of doors, and cleaned the janitor’s closet.  Dick Blanton, repaired outside light fixtures. Tom Kinsella installed new brochure racks and helped with lighting fixtures. Pat Blanton moved all the books for the book sale onto the red rack. Brynda McCoy cleaned the kitchen, some walls, and washed the white chair covers. Pat and Jim Moore purchased and hauled in the supplies and hauled away the yard waste. I probably didn’t include everything done, as people were doing so much.

Thanks also go to Joy Hoeft for reframing our traditional Transylvanian embroidery, which hangs on the front wall of the sanctuary.  The old frame had was broken. Alex Hoeft has been shoveling the snow and keeping us supplied in sidewalk supplies.

Keep purchasing soda from the refrigerator. Some of our profits will be used for repair of the ice-maker, and for a few other small items needed around the building. I could still use a volunteer to take care of this job.

We all need to continue thinking about major projects that need to be done to maintain our beautiful old building, and about how we can fund them.

Please continue to keep me informed of things that you notice that need attention.

Our next workday is tentatively planned for April 18, and will focus on some outdoor work on the landscaping, plus more cleaning, painting, and repairs indoors. Put the date on your calendar now and plan to come lend a hand. Watch your March newsletter and emails for updates.

Pat Moore

Building and Grounds Chairman

We are having more and more people attending Sunday morning services and we need additional hymnals.

If you would like to purchase a hymnal to donate to the church you can do so for $28.00.  You may give the hymnal in memory of, or in honor of, someone, or just give it in your own name. Bookplates will be placed on the inside cover of each hymnal.

To purchase a hymnal, please make your check payable to the First Unitarian Church and indicate “for hymnal” on the memo line.  Attach a note to your check indicating what wording you want on the bookplate and put the check in the collection plate.  The hymnal campaign will run through March.

Questions?  Talk to Willis McCoy or email him.

Treasury Note

Total budgeted income for January, 2009 was $8,822.58; this was 6.4% of our annual budget.

Total budgeted expenses for January, 2009 were $11,691.78; this was 8.5% of our annual budget.

This month’s deficit of $2,869.92 is understandable due to the various one-time major expenses that were paid in January.  Because of last month’s surplus, our budget surplus still appears adequate to see us through the rest of the fiscal year – as long as previously-made pledge commitments are met.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE PROJECT

Coffee will be available for purchase on the first Sunday of each month.  Whole bean, drip grind, regular, decaffeinated and flavored coffee will be available.  

Look for Linda Van Zandt at the Equal Exchange table in the Kate Wuerker Room.

Green Sky Sangha

New time

for the Buddhist Meditation Group –  7 pm every Sunday.

Join us for a short respite and relaxation, where you can take time out of your hectic schedule to concentrate on yourself while learning. 

New Format

We had a monk from the temple in Florissant visit us.  We would like to have them continue to periodically visit us.  For this reason, the format will change.

Meditation

We will practice sitting meditation which will be concentrating on the breath and doing the active rhythmic motions taught by the monk. We will do walking meditation.

Teaching

There will be a short teaching session.  For this session, we will ask for a volunteer who will prepare a short talk on a topic of their choice on a Buddhist teaching.  For example, topics could be compassion, happiness, suffering, one point of the noble eight fold path, the meaning of dharma, the meaning of a sangha, mindfulness, the four noble truths, awareness, and so on.  There are materials in our Buddhist library in Emerson Place about these topics and if you go to the web site of the Buddhist temple in Florissant – www.self-aware.net  there are explanations of various concepts.

To join us, you don't have to know anything about Buddhism.  We are learning to meditate using methods Buddhists teach. The Unitarian Universalist site also has information for those Unitarians who use Buddhist practices if you want to know more.

All are welcome.

Dee Evans

Heritage Sunday

On Heritage Sunday, February 21^st, we celebrated the church's history with remarks from church historian Midge Hallett, and we welcomed the return of the Rev. Sylvia Falconer who shared memories of her ministry here and memories of one of our church artists, Martha Holden.  Ms. Holden was a church member from 1959 to 1980 and was a potter, teaching ceramics and owning a pottery retail shop.  Some of her pottery and art pieces (such as in the photo above) can be found throughout the church.  Following her death in 1980 the church established a Martha Holden Memorial Scholarship Fund at SIUE and from that fund an award is given annually to a graduate student in ceramics.

Women’s Alliance Annual Scholarship

The Women’s Alliance of the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis is announcing its annual scholarship competition for 2009-2010.  The scholarship of $3,000 will be given to a woman 25 years or older, responsible financially for continuing her education, a member of a St. Louis Area UU church or fellowship and a registered student.  It will be awarded on the basis of scholarship, character, and need.  Application packets are available by contacting their church office.

All Men in the Church are Invited to the

Men’s Lunch Group

The Men’s Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, March 12^th at the St. Louis Buffet, 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL.   Contact Nelson Shaner for further details.

CRISIS FOOD CENTER DONATIONS

Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food for the Food Pantry basket.  Your generosity goes far in helping those in need get food to meet their daily needs.

Jen Politsch

Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly (MUUSA)

Want to spend a week with other UUs and take part in a wide variety of workshops and activities in a relaxed, lake-view setting?  Then MUUSA is for you.  This week-long gathering will be at the YMCA Trout Lodge near Potosi, MO from Sunday, July 12^th through Saturday, July 18^th.  There are programs for all ages, and middle schoolers and high schoolers each have their own programming and lodging.  You can enjoy tennis, boating, hiking, horseback riding, miniature golf, plus morning, afternoon, and late after-noon workshops led by UUs.  Go to www.muusa.org for further information.  A few MUUSA handouts will be at church.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MARCH 15^th.

Join the Choir!

We’d like to expand the choir and we encourage all who enjoy singing to come to a rehearsal and see how much fun we have.  All voices and ages are welcome.  Rehearsals begin at 7 pm on Thursday evenings and at noon on Sundays.

The rehearsal schedule for March is:

Thursday, March 5^th

Thursday, March 12^th

Thursday, March 19^th

Sunday, March 22^nd

Contact Willis McCoy for further information.

RE MINDERS

Please remember to bring in your ink jet cartridges for recycling.  There is a labeled bin for these in the foyer.

We are collecting personal care items as our service project for the month of March.  They can be brought in and placed in the RE office downstairs.  These items will be given to a Buddhist organization in St. Louis that distributes care bags to those in need.

Easter falls on April 11^th this year, and we will again be hunting canned goods.  Donations of non-perishable food can be brought in before then and placed on the table in the RE office. After the hunt these will be donated to a local pantry as our social action project for April.

Come to Walking – Yoga – Meditation

This weekly gathering will be held on Friday mornings, from 8 am to 9:30 am, starting up again on March 6^th.  We will walk briskly for a half hour near the church, then do yoga for another half hour, then meditate for around 20 minutes.  We should be done by 9:30 am.  Rain or shine or cold … dress for the weather, and bring a yoga mat if you have one. 

Paula Tarbell is the facilitator, and can be reached by e-mail.  Let her know you are planning to come so she can contact you if for some reason a week has to be cancelled.

CHALICE CIRCLES

Third Sunday Chalice Circle

March 15^th

11:45 am to 1 pm at church.

This Chalice Circle is discussing the Unitarian Principles.  We have a program that we follow. Contact Sandy Shaner for further information.   Everyone is welcome.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Sunday, March 15^th – 12:00 to 1:30 pm in Emerson Place at church.   Contact: Diane Thompson or Cheryle Tucker-Loewe.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Saturday, March 21^st – 2 to 4 pm.   Contact Marcia Custer for more information.

Men's Chalice Circle

Tuesday, March 24^th – 7 pm at church.   Contact: Khleber Van Zandt.

Greeters Needed!

Remember how it was when you first came to church?  You might not have known anyone and you didn’t know what the service would be like, or what your kids would be doing, or where to hang your coat, or where restroom was.

You now have a great opportunity to help new church visitors feel welcomed and more at home by volunteering to serve as a Greeter on Sunday mornings.

If this is something you think you’d enjoy doing, talk to Willis McCoy or Dee Evans at church or email either of them.

March 22^nd

After church

Potluck Lunch

Bring a dish to share and plan to stay after church to join in food and fellowship!  If possible please bring a dish that serves at least 6 to 8 people. 

When at all possible, in an effort to be more conscious of the environment and to reduce the trash that our church might add to the ever growing area landfills, we are using the church’s china plates instead of disposable ones.

A-Mc will do Table Set Up

M-Z will do Clean Up

Everyone needs to help.  Please do your share in setting up and cleaning up.  Kitchen camaraderie helps you know someone better.

4^th Saturday Lunch –

A Social Justice Venture

There are an estimated 800 homeless people in Madison County.  These include people staying in shelters such as the Salvation Army’s Booth House and at Oasis.  During the week before our lunch, flyers about the lunch are distributed at those two sites, as well as given out with food bags at the Food Pantry and made available to those who attend the weekly Tuesday lunch at Deliverance Temple (COGIC) hosted by a local Baptist church.

March 28^th is the date for our next 4^th Saturday Lunch for those in need of a hot meal.  A signup sheet will be available so you can decide how you would like to help us with this lunch program.  Our guests seem to have enjoyed each of our past lunches and we encourage you to participate by bringing food and joining our guests for lunch.

If you have questions, contact Mary Johnson.

Anna Ds

(Anna Davenport Sparks Women’s Alliance)

All women in the church are invited to the March meeting of the Anna Ds on Thursday, March 5^th. We will meet at 11:30 am at the

Methodist Village, 4601 Wesley Way, Godfrey, IL 62035.   

When you arrive at the reception desk please stop and purchase your lunch ticket before going downstairs to the dining room.

Brynda McCoy is the host for this month’s meeting.  Please let her know by Monday, March 2^nd if you will be coming to lunch.

Anna Ds Hosting schedule April – June, 2009

April 2 – Audrey Wiseman – Place to be decided.

May 7 – Pat Moore – At restaurant.

June 4 – Lorna McElhone – Place to be decided – will include a book discussion of “A Mercy” by Toni Morrison.  Contact your library to get a copy to read before June.

Gender Equality

Sexuality Education Call-In Days

March 23 and 24: Ask Your Elected Officials to Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education!

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) views sexuality education as an issue of justice.  It is our religious faiths and values that compel us to support justice and equity for people of all genders, races, backgrounds, income levels, abilities, and sexual orientations. We support age-appropriate, medically accurate, and fully inclusive sexuality education in schools and communities and congregations.

Call Your Members of Congress and Ask Them to Get REAL!

Support the interfaith delegation at the Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) March 21st - 24th as Unitarian Universalist youth and adults lobby their representatives in Washington, DC, to pass the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, soon to be introduced into the 111th Congress. REAL will provide funding to states for medically accurate, age appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education in public schools that includes information about abstinence and contraception from both values-based and public health perspectives.

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 (church@firstuualton.org) and give her that information.

  3 March – Jerry Johnson

  4 March – Chad Keller

  5 March – Eowyn Wolff (2004)

  7 March – Dennis Nalick

  8 March – Nathan Tarbell (1991)

15 March – Pam Loucks

15 March – Sarah Dothager

16 March – Avery Myers (1996)

17 March – Megan Gross (2003)

25 March – Gerry Gilman

28 March – Emma Ray (1993)

Books Recently Added to the Church Library

The gift of faith: tending the spiritual lives of children / Jeanne Harrison Nieuwejaar

268.4 N 1999

It’s my party too: the battle for the heart of the GOP and the future of America / Christine Todd Whiteman

322.1 W 2005

Truth, torture, and the American Way / Jennifer K. Harbury

323.09 H 2005

Thy kingdom come: an evangelical’s lament: how the religious right distorts the faith and threatens America / Randall Balmer

322.1 B 2006

Breaking free: women of spirit at midlife and beyond / edited by Marilyn Sewell

810.8 B 2004

AND SPEAKING OF BOOKS … OUR BOOK SALE IS ON-GOING SO PLEASE BRING TO CHURCH SOME OF THE BOOKS YOU NO LONGER WANT.

Community

Outreach Offering

General Information:  One-half of the cash collection and one-half of any undesignated checks put in the collection on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays are given away to charitable causes.  The entire amount of checks designated for a specific cause is donated to that cause.  The money donated does not include pledge checks or money otherwise earmarked by the giver.   In January, $287.50 was given to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) for their peace and justice work.

March’s Outreach Offering:

The outreach offering in March will be supporting a program that assists a multi-racial group of students in issues such as literacy, interpretation, literary art and cultural awareness.  We will be supporting the work of Dr. Howard Rambsy, the Director of the Black Studies Program at SIUE, and member of the Department of English faculty. He specialized in 20th Century African American literature, the Black Arts Movement, Richard Wright, and textual scholarship.  Last year he started the Poetry Correspondence Program as an effort to expose high school and middle school students to ideas and concepts related to African American culture and history by reading African American poetry.  He also wanted to get the participants in contact with college students as a way of encouraging a larger number of students to advance their education.

He has a group of undergrad and grad students at SIUE who send letters about African American poetry to middle school and high school students each month.  There are about 225 letter recipients in the program, the majority of which are from the Alton schools, but also letters go to students at East St. Louis High and McClure High School in Florissant.  Last summer he received a grant which made it possible to distribute copies of volumes of poetry by Langston Hughes to all of this year’s participants.

He has received much positive feedback from the language arts teachers at these schools.  Besides the educational worth of the project, the students get a sense of self-worth by receiving the letters.  The university students benefit by contributing to a worthwhile service project.

The funds collected from this month’s Community Outreach Offering will be used to assist in special projects of this Poetry Correspondence Program.  One such project involves Dr Rambsy’s SIUE students designing and producing postcards focusing on aspects of a few of the poems that they have been writing about to the middle and high school students.  The postcards are visually stimulating

and multiple copies of blank ones will be distributed to all the students in the correspondence program so that they in turn can easily write to someone else and further extend the idea of corresponding about poetry.

For further information go to

http://siueblkstudies.blogspot.com/2008/09/launching-poetry-correspondence-program.html

RE NEWS

Dear Parents and Friends,

Our church is a very busy place to be lately.  There are people coming and going before during and after service on Sundays as well as many other times during the week.  All of this makes our church a very exciting place to come for worship and fellowship.

I have heard quite a few comments lately about how there are so many new little ones that it is getting difficult to remember who belongs to which family, especially with all the growing and changing that goes on at such a young age.  With the adults having trouble keeping it all straight, it is no wonder that the children don’t know all of the adults.  Keeping this in mind, many parents have asked me to alert all of you to an issue that has been cropping up from time to time.

Lately, after Sunday service when the doors have already been locked, people have been going outside.  The issue comes when they want to come back inside and find the door has already been locked.  Frequently, there are children playing in the foyer, and when the adult knocks the children are unsure about answering it.  We are asking for your understanding that the children are being told not to open the door at church, just as they are told not to answer the door at home, unless they know the person on the other side.  Please be patient and know that they are also being told to go and fetch an adult that they do know to answer the door and let you in. 

Thanks for your patience in this matter.  It is only when we all work together that we can make our church the safe space in which to nurture our children, mind, body, and soul. 

Thank you,

Jamie Gross

Women's Weekend – April 18 ^th -19^th , 2009

Women’s Weekend is sponsored by the women of Eliot Unitarian Chapel and is open to other Unitarian women and their friends. We provide a wonderful variety of workshops, meditation, networking, a coffee house, a white elephant sale, craft materials swap, massage therapy, indoor swimming, relaxation and socializing.  The cost to attend starts at $50 for the day or $90-$100 for a comfortable room and four meals.  Join us April 18-19, 2009 at Pallottine Renewal Center, 15270 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO, 63034.

Women can register on-line to attend the annual Women's Weekend at www.eliotchapel.org/WW .  This site contains all the information about the activities and registration information.

Deadline to register is Tuesday, April 7^th. Contact Carolyn Burke.

Several women from our Alton church usually attend this Women’s Weekend since the Renewal Center is only 12 miles from Alton.  The day fee of $50 includes three meals.

This year’s theme is “Music of Your Heart.”  There are a wide variety of workshops and activities – learning to play hand bells, exploring environmentally conscious concerns, organizing your life to fulfill your purpose, searching family history, making jewelry, meditation, water aerobics, healthy spirituality, sing-a-long to favorite tunes, Viking knit chain, yoga. 

Interested?  For more information go to the website listed above.  Copies of the information will also be at church.   For additional questions contact Mary Johnson.