Interior window and chandelier;

Photo by Nancy Conniff

July 2014

July 6, 2014

“You + Me = We”

Paul Fischer

Liturgist: Sabrina Trupia

July 13, 2014

“The Hepatic Theory of Moral Insight”

Jeremy Colton

Jeremy offers a tool to help us resolve moral conundrums.

Liturgist:  Paul Fischer

July 20, 2014

“If at first you don't succeed…”

Sabrina Trupia

What's so great about perseverance?  Why is it good to tough it out, keep at it and not walk away from difficult, boring, mundane or unwanted situations?

Liturgist:  Mary Johnson

July 27, 2014

Title to be Announced

Michelle Bryant Barbeau

Liturgist:  To be Announced

Interim Minister

The Church Board has selected The Rev. Sunshine Wolfe as our interim minister.  Rev. Wolfe is just finishing an interim ministry in Montgomery, AL, and will be joining our congregation in August.   If you would like to learn more about our new minister during the summer transition time, you can check out Rev. Wolfe's website: http://www.sunshinejeremiahwolfe.com/.

Members of the Transition Team working with Rev. Wolfe are Sayer Johnson, Marcia Custer, and Sarah Lazarz.

There will be no 9:30 ARE during the summer.

The 11:15 ARE program will be coordinated by Dee Evans.  The discussion topics for the summer sessions are chosen each week by the participants.

SUMMER SPEAKER SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST

10 am

August 3 – Sayer Johnson

August 10 – Ron Glossop

August 17 – TBA

August 24 – TBA

August 31 – TBA

Directory Update

A new church directory was sent out via email on June 9.   If there are changes to be made in your contact information, please let Becky Green know or call 618-462-2462.

New Address:

Chris & Lisa Strangeman

Edwardsville, IL 62025

Dear Friends,

This is an open letter to All our wonderful loving church family.  Char & I want to let you all know how special the Alton UU Church and its congregation has been to our lives.

From the first moment (Sunday) we walked into the church, Char and I were accepted as partners with no hesitation.  We have NEVER experienced that before in our 32 years together. You have allowed us to find a spiritual home which we never had before. This church (you) has allowed us to transform into the couple we always wanted to be.  We are loving caring people and found the same here.

In the past 7 months so much has changed for us:  (1.) We got married on June 2, which we never thought would happen in our lifetimes. (2). Another change in our lives, we are relocating to Southwest Florida where we just spent the winter.

Our home in Jerseyville sold within 26 hours after putting it on the market.  We made new friends this past winter in Florida and they are opening their home to us until we find our own home.  We will be moving July 17.

          Words can really not express how much this church has meant to us and your unconditional love.  When we have an address we will send it along. Please feel free to come and visit us.

The Welcome Sign is out, as it was for us

Lee Suarez & Char McAllister

Report from the Board

Sandy Shaner,

Secretary

We hope that the weekly updates at services and in the “church this week” e-mail are keeping you updated on our progress in securing, first, an interim minister and, eventually, a settled minister. In addition to all the business behind the selection of Rev. Sunshine Wolfe, we’ve continued regular business.

            After the May Board meeting we held an electronic conversation and approved the selection of Bob Larson to complete the unexpired term created by Lee Suarez’s resignation. Immediately prior to the June Board meeting, we met with Lisa Presley, one of the Congregational Life Consultants for the Mid-America Region, to document our experiences with Khleber during his ministry. She will document the interview for us to review for accuracy (which we did subsequently) and which she will then share with both Khleber and Sunshine before the Interim Ministry begins.  

            At the June meeting we updated our policy on bank signatories to reflect the FY14-15 officers, discussed our policy and charges for use of the building for weddings, and selected three members to ask to serve on the Transition Team. The UUA defines this group members who are widely known and respected and well acquainted with the congregation’s history. Their role is to provide the Interim Minister with insight, organizational and facilitative talent, and willing hands as the ministry proceeds. We will report soon on the members who will serve the Congregation in this way. As always, please let us know if you have any questions, especially during this transition period.

Church Potluck Lunch

July 6, 2014

1^st Sunday of each Month

We hold our potluck lunches on the 1^st Sunday of each month.  Bring a dish to share on July 6^stand stay after the service to join with friends and newcomers in an enjoyable tradition. Volunteers are needed to help set the tables and help clean up, so please enjoy both the food and the sharing of the tasks.

Worship Associates Team

Monday, July 7

7 to 8:30 pm

Have you wanted to share in bringing new perspectives to Sunday morning worship?  Would you would enjoy a deeper study of what happens (emotionally, spiritually, intellectually) during worship, and how to make those experiences more meaningful to yourself and the congregation?  If so, please plan to attend the Worship Associate Team meeting.

LIVING SIMPLY

UNITY CIRCLE

The Unity Circle, facilitated by Sharon Johnson, will meet on Sunday, July 20 from 11:15 to 1:00 pm.

Everyone is welcome. Participants should join if they are able to commit to joining us monthly for 6-12 months, as this Unity Circle is intended for relationship building.

This Unity Circle is intended for deep listening, and not feedback or advice.

Donations to the

Alton Crisis Food Center

People need food year round. Please continue to bring your donations of non-perishable food for The Crisis Food Center.  The Center is in need of canned green beans, corn and other vegetables; tuna; canned meat; peanut butter; boxes of mac ‘n cheese; and basic food staples.  The food collection box is in the RE foyer.

Personal care items should be put on the shelves in Emerson Place.

Interest Groups

Our next Anna D’s meeting will be held on Thursday, July 3 at 11:30 am at Bella Milano in Edwardsville – 1063 State 157.    The restaurant is visible from the road.  RSVP to our hostess Joan Hashimi by Tuesday, July 1.

First SATURDAY of every month

July 5, 2014

10:30 am to noon at church

We invite anyone who is over 50 or even getting near that milestone to join us. We have a lot in common: long work lives, preparation for or entry into retirement, a vast array of interests … and we love sharing all of it.

Men’s Monthly Lunch

July 10 @ 11:30 am

The Men’s lunch bunch meets the second Thursday of each month.  Join us on Thursday, July 10 at 11:30 am at the Best Buffet at 615 Wesley, Drive in Wood River, IL.  All men in our church are invited.

Renegade Women -

topical discussions

1 pm to 3 pm every 3^rd Saturday.

July 19, 2014

The Renegade Women will continue meeting throughout the summer. For information, contact Dee Evans.

The theme for this church year is “Women in Organizations.”

Fourth Saturday Lunch & Personal Care Items

for those in need

July 26

11:30 am

Information about what is needed for May’s lunch will be available at church, via email from the Church Office, on UU Friends, and on the First Unitarian Church of Alton’s Facebook page.   Questions – contact Robyn Berkley

Our distribution of personal care items has become very popular – as many of these needed items cannot be purchased through the government’s “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program” (SNAP - formerly known as food stamps).    If you can contribute any of the following items, your donation would be very welcome.  Toilet paper – feminine hygiene products – shampoo – laundry detergent – bleach – baby wipes – diapers/pull-ups – Afro-American hair products – cleaning supplies – toothpaste - soap.   Questions – contact Sabrina Trupia

July Birthdays

Most people enjoy getting a card, email, or phone call on their birthday.  Below is the list we have of church members and friends celebrating birthdays this month.  If you do not think the church office has your birthday on file, please contact Becky Green at church@firstuualton.org and give her that information.

7/06  Joan Hashimi

7/09  Jonah Koch, (13)

7/09  Sabrina Trupia

7/18  Staci Bratten

7/19  Heather Kirk

7/20  Kevin McCarthy

7/21  Paula Moore

7/23  Dan Conniff

7/23  Catherine Oldt, (18)

7/23  Ronnie Schoenborn

7/24  Midge Hallett

7/25  Josephine Costarella

7/25  Jean Kirts

7/26  Lyric Johnson (7)

7/26  Cheryle Tucker

7/28  Michael Andrews (10)

7/28  Erkin Baker

7/29  Grace Madison

7/30  Alex Hoeft

Save the Date!   The Garden Ministry is hosting a 100 Mile Dinner Party on August 23 to support the UUSC 100 Garden Project. This project sponsors gardens in Haiti to help in their reconstruction efforts after the devastating earthquake in 2010.  This fun, family friendly get together will highlight the best food within 100 miles of our congregation. More information will be forthcoming, so stay tuned!  Questions?  Contact Tracey Howe-Koch.

Below is the list of members of the Caring Ministries Team.

Marcia Custer is the Coordinator. You may always contact a Team member in time of illness, loss, crisis, or other need.   Keep this list of contact people available in case you or your family is in need of pastoral support.

The Caring Ministries Committee is ready to welcome several more members! If you are interested in engaging in conversations with other church friends and getting to know them on a deeper level, please consider joining our group!  Please contact Marcia Custer for more information.