September 5^th

“Deep Time; a Reflection on Evolution and Spirituality”

John Herndon

Member of the congregation since 2006.

The earth is at least 4 billion years old but humans have existed for only a mere fraction of that time; what is it that binds us together with the earth and all the living beings who move together throughout time?  William Faulkner said he did not believe in a past, that all existence moves in a continual cycle and rhythm bound together throughout time.  I will reflect on my own thoughts about how I am connected to time and all things.

September 12^th

Ingathering – 10:30 am

“Our Hearts' Own Song”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

On this first Sunday morning of the new church year, we will gather to renew our covenantal commitments to one another and to share the love, hope, and faith of what one of my favorite hymns calls “our hearts’ own song.”

You are welcome to stay for the

All-Church Picnic after the service.

September 19^th

Two Services!

  9:30 and 11:00 am

“Recovering Noah”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Some of us remember Noah as the guy who was told by God to build an ark and then wait for it to start raining.  But the story is more complicated than that:  there are at least two gods active in that section of the text.  Maybe it’s no wonder Noah can’t keep it together in his personal life!

September 26^th

“My Journey”

Dick Blanton

Member of the congregation since 2008.

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.

Sept. 5^th:  Non-Theist/Humanist Group:  We will begin reading and discussing the book “Good without God” by Gregory Epstein. The book is available through any book outlet, generally in stock or it can be easily ordered. Please let John Herndon know if you are having trouble obtaining the book.  The author Greg Epstein is an ordained humanist rabbi and the Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University.  He was a featured speaker at the 2010 UUA General Assembly in Minneapolis.  More information can be seen at www.harvardhumanist.org

Sept. 12^th:   A new Series of talks on Philosophical Schools of Thought by Dr. Ron Glossop. The series will begin with a look at Greek philosophers before Socrates whose interests focused on the basic nature of realty.

Sept. 19^th:  The conclusion of the UUA Tapestry of Faith series – What Moves Us.  The featured thinker for the conclusion is the author of the entire series Thankdeka. The presentation is on Thandeka’s theology of personal experience.

Sept. 26^th:  Tapestry of Faith.  We will examine current offerings by the UUA in the “Tapestry of Faith” series and choose what we can study next.

A First Glance

Rather than attempting to be inspirational in this space this month, I feel the need to make an announcement:  Linda and I are going to Italy!

The Board has granted me a one-month sabbatical from late September to mid-October.  The Worship Committee is all set to cover those Sundays; the Caring Committee will have a professional in place to cover the weeks I’ll be away.

Linda and I have been planning for awhile and I’ve learned more than I ever thought I should know about Italian history, geography, trains, culture, even the differences between American and Italian restrooms (rather than put too fine a point on this, I’ll let you do some research yourself).

But we’re not going to Italy because we think it’ll be cushier than what we’re used to at home.  We’re going, at least partially, as a reward for Linda finishing her Bachelor’s Degree.  Also, with her cancer diagnosis a couple of years ago, we’ve cut short the lead-time on both our “bucket lists.”

I want to go, at least partially, to follow in the footsteps of Theodore Parker who went to Italy in the late 1850’s for health reasons, died there, and is buried in the English Cemetery in Florence.  I want also to follow Margaret Fuller, who went to Italy to cover a revolution in the late 1840’s, found a husband, had a child, and then on her way home in 1850, drowned in a shipwreck off Fire Island, New York.

Come to think of it, I want to do better than either Parker or Fuller - I want to make it all the way home!

Besides seeking out all the Unitarian/Universalist sites I can find, I want to poke my head into every church we pass, gaze up through the oculus in the Pantheon and take a stroll on the Appian Way, worship with the faithful and climb the dome at St. Peter’s, dangle my feet in a Venetian canal, walk the alleyways of Assisi, and drive the back roads after sleeping in a castle in Tuscany.  Along the way, I envision sampling local foods and wines and olive oils, and while doing so, meeting the people, learning the language, and generally absorbing all the history and art and culture I can.

I hope this will turn out to be not simply a vacation, but the trip of a lifetime that stimulates and inspires and revitalizes my ministry.  And I hope to come home and share what I learn with you.

See you in church,

Newcomers Coffee House

Everyone is invited to come on Saturday evening, September 11^th at 7 pm for another “Newcomers” Coffee House. 

THIS ISN’T JUST FOR NEWCOMERS … BUT FOR EVERYONE IN THE CHUCH TO COME AND GET BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH OUR NEWCOMERS!

Bring snacks and drinks to share.

Childcare will be provided.

YOU are encouraged to come prepared to perform if you would like – music, poetry, etc.

Contact Brynda McCoy for further information

________________________________________

Please volunteer to serve as an Usher

Being an Usher is a very important way you can serve our church. When a visitor comes to church for the first time the Usher may be the first person they see.  The Usher’s friendly smile and greeting and the Usher’s helpfulness in getting newcomers settled and answering basic questions like “Where do my kids go for Sunday School?   Where is the rest room?   Is there a nursery?” goes a long way in establishing a rapport with visitors and is a crucial first step in encouraging them to return.

If you would like to serve as an Usher please sign-up on the volunteer sheet in the Wuerker Room or get in touch with Mona Hebert.

A Musical Drama

Saturday, September 18^th

7:00 pm at The First Unitarian Church of Alton

Written by Teresa O’Flynne, Kenton Brandon-Fritzius, and Zach Matthews.

Produced and Directed by Teresa O’Flynne.

Performed by The Metropolitan Community Church of Great St. Louis Dramatic Arts Team.

Nothing In Common is an original production, beautifully presented by the Dramatic Arts Team from The Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis. It’s a glimpse at love, through a queer kaleidoscope of color and light. Love is truly a many splendored thing!

Rated PG-13 (appropriate for teenagers but not for younger children).  Childcare will be provided.

There is no charge, but free will donations accepted.

For further information, contact Layne Simpson.

COME TO THE MOVIES!

Saturday, September 4^th – 6:30 pm

“INVICTUS” (2009)

Starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon; directed by Clint Eastwood.

Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Bring a beverage and snacks to share.  Questions:  Contact Janice Joiner.

Chalice

            Circles

Belleville Chalice Circle

THURSDAY, September 16^th – at the home of Jan and Don Allen in Belleville – 7 pm Contact: Don or Jan.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Saturday, September 18^th– at church – 2 – 4 pm.

Contact: Marcia Custer .

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

SUNDAY, September 19^th – in Emerson Place at church – 12 to 1:30 pm.
Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson

Men's Chalice Circle

TUESDAY, September 28^th – at church – 7 pm.

Contact: Khleber Van Zandt.

Remember to bring canned and non-perishable food donations to support the Alton Crisis Food Center.   The collection bins are in the RE Foyer.

Meet the New Folks

Neil and Nan Adams

Neil and Nan signed the book on March 14, 2010 after attending our church for about a year.  Nan is a retired teacher and Neil was a chemical engineer.  They live in Moro, but spend a part of each winter in Corpus Christi.  They love the change of seasons; however the winters here can be a little bit long.  They enjoy the tropical Texas plants and are intrigued by water birds. 

They are planning a hiking trip in Utah, but will be returning in time for the wedding of Neil’s granddaughter.  Neil has one daughter, Debbie Kennedy, who also has a daughter, Nicole, who will be married in September.

Fellow members of the Sierra Club and other nature groups first introduced them to our church.  A Sierra Club meeting is actually where they first met.   They are also deeply involved in The Nature Institute and the Gordon Moore Park, Heartland Prairie Project.   Nan would really like to let folks know about this important work.  The Alton Parks District and The Nature Institute are teaming up to re-establish a natural prairie. This work began over 30 years ago and 28 acres have been established. Currently two more acres are in development. Every Tuesday from 6 - 7 pm guided walks are conducted. You are invited to come for this easy walk.   Monthly workdays are planned and volunteers are needed to help cull invasive plants, cut firebreaks and collect seeds.  Anyone who would like to help out, or who just has a common interest, take time to meet Nan and Neil.

Written by Mary Weber

Ken and Joy Hoeft - kjabhoeft@gmail.com

Liz Rogers – proud2beme0212@yahoo.com

CHURCH COMMITTEE NEWS

Building & Grounds – Tom Sakalauski is the new B & G Chair.

Parent /Teacher RE supper and meeting –

6 – 8:30 pm, Wednesday, September 8^th

Church Board Meeting – 7 pm

Wednesday, September 8^th

Pastoral Care Team Meeting – 6 pm

Thursday, September 23^rd

Social Justice Committee Meeting –

During potluck lunch – Sunday, September 26^th

“Now Let Us Sing …”

If you enjoy singing, please consider coming to a choir rehearsal to learn how much fun we have and what a “joyful noise” we make.

We rehearse the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Thursdays of each month from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.  September’s dates will be Sept. 2^nd , Sept. 9^th, and Sept. 16^th.

New Choir Members are welcome at any time.

For further information contact Willis McCoy.

Sunday, September 26^th

The congregation shares in a Pot Luck Lunch on the 4^th Sunday of each month.  Please plan to stay after the service for food and fellowship.

If you can, bring something to serve 8 to 10 people and PLEASE help with either set-up or clean-up.  We don’t want anyone to have to work alone in the kitchen doing dishes after everyone else has gone home.

A through Mc will do CLEAN-UP

Me through Z will do SET-UP

Treasurer’s Note

Total budgeted income for July 2010 was $7,048.97; this was 4.2% of our annual budget.

Total budgeted expenses for July 2010 were $16,599.97; this was 10.0% of our annual budget.

These numbers for July didn’t look so good, but when I compared them to the numbers for July, 2009 they were similar. It must be that July is just a slow month with a lot of up-front expenses.

We have recouped about one-fourth of last fiscal year’s deficit through late payment of pledges. I am hoping to receive some more late payments in the future.

Jerry Johnson, Treasurer

4^th Saturday Lunch

September 25^th

Watch for a signup sheet at church and emails requesting volunteers to provide food and help.

Our lunch buffet line opens at 12 noon.  We ask that if you are bringing food that you arrive at least by 11:45 am.  Set-up help is welcome anytime after 10:30 am and cleanup help is always needed after lunch is over.

You are also welcome, and encouraged, to stay and have lunch with our guests. Usually we have between 30 and 40 guests, including children ranging from toddlers to teens.

The 4^th Saturday Lunch program is under the auspice of Food Ministries, headed by Kathryn Chapman .

Community

Outreach Offering

Last church year we made a multiple-year commitment to financially support the education of three Unitarian young people from the Khasi Hills of India.  This is the 2^nd year of our sponsorship commitment to Indahun (9^th grade); Rynsong (10^th grade); and Diamond (college).  They are all associated with the Unitarian Church in Shillong, India.  Our commitment is for $600 per year.

September’s Community Outreach Offering collected for our students will be sent to the Unitarian Union of North India through the offices of the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council in Bedford MA.

Anna Ds Women’s Alliance

At 11:30 am on Thursday, September 2^nd, women of the church are invited to The Oatman House Tea Room at 501 East Main St. in Collinsville IL for the first Anna Ds meeting of the new church year.   Ruth Shaw is this month’s host and would appreciate receiving your RSVPs by Monday, August 30^th.

Directions:   If coming from the Edwardsville area, take Highway 159 to Main St. in Collinsville, turn left, and go two blocks.

The Oatman House http://www.oatmanhousetearoom.com/ is across from the Senior Center.

The Anna Ds as a church organization was formed by the First Unitarian church women in 1898 with the

“. . . avowed purpose of working for charity and for ministering to the needy.” It was named after Anna Davenport Sparks, the first woman to be treasurer of the church and whose untiring efforts in many areas brought much good to the church and to the community.

Men’s Lunch Group

Confluence Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS)

Contact Kristen O’Steen or Jimmy Christodoulou for meeting information.

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.

  1 September – Bill Fischer

  1 September – David Birchmier

  1 September – Dee Evans

  3 September – Jim Moore

  4 September – Elizabeth Leavell

  4 September – Riana Herndon (2004)

10 September – Denise Maxwell

10 September – Mary Lu McManus

10 September – Roger Thorogood

11 September – Alex Reiheld (2007)

12 September – Bradley Partain (2000)

13 September – Phil Finley

13 September – Betty Yakubian

14 September – Mona Hebert

14 September – Teri Brickey

14 September – Jackson Smithe (2004)

16 September – Janice Joiner

16 September – Meredith Johnson (2000)

19 September – Jen Politsch

19 September – Kelvin Crone-Willis (2002)

20 September – David Kraus

20 September – David Stacy

23 September – Matt Hallett

26 September – Nathan Moore

Highway Cleanup - Saturday September 25^th

Meet at church at 8 am

It’s time again to clean up our assigned section of Highway 67 (in Missouri between Highway 94 and the Mississippi River bridge) as part of our community service outreach.   Orange vests, trash bags, and water supplied; bring gloves.   Questions:   Contact Mark Tade.

Below is the list of members of the Caring Ministries Committee.  You may always contact one of them in time of illness, loss, crisis, or other need.  Since Khleber will be in Italy on a one month Sabbatical from late September through mid October it is especially important that you keep this list of contact people available in case you or your family is in need of pastoral support.

Marcia Custer  mcuster@siue.edu

Sharon Johnson  sharonjohnsonmsw@gmail.com

Pat Moore  patjimmoore@charter.net

Ronnie Schoenborn  veronica@noots.com

Cheryle Tucker-Loewe  cheryle726@gmail.com

Audrey & David Wiseman

audreywiseman@gmail.com

dwiseman2@charter.net

Khleber Van Zandt

314-223-0551 (MO cell); 618-520-0567 (IL cell)

kvanzandt@uuma.org

September RE Program News & Notes

Save the Date—Parent/Teacher Fall RE Orientation

Mark your calendar for Wednesday night, September 8, 6:00-8:30 pm. 

Light supper of sandwiches, drinks, and dessert at 6:00 followed by Teacher and Parent RE orientation; child care provided.  Come meet and mingle and see some of our curriculum materials.  We will be reviewing our Teacher Resource Manual, showing two short films, and comprehensively discussing what makes our program great.  There will be time for questions and answers.  The evening is oriented toward both parents and teachers.

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."—Saint Ambrose (340-397) Italian religious leader. 

Our grateful thanks to our Summer RE Program Teachers:

Amanda Grippi  ♦  Amy McMurray  ♦  Cathy Tade  ♦  Cheryle Tucker-Loewe  ♦  Eric Johnson  ♦  Jennifer Herndon

Lily Tade  ♦  Marty Johnson  ♦  Mary Johnson  ♦  Matt Koch  ♦  Melissa Prado  ♦  Nance Conniff  ♦  Ron Glossop

Suganya Dhanamitt  ♦  Tony Grippi.

Teaching Ministry—Three Volunteers Sought for Fall Semester

The fall Religious Education (RE) Program semester runs from September 19^th through the end of the calendar year.  Our Sunday morning RE program is an opportunity for children and adults to come together to share in exploration of our liberal religious heritage, our common values, and our individual journeys toward truth.  Our goal is to cultivate and sustain in our young people a love of the spiritual life, a foundation for a personal theology, and a confidence in their ability to be stewards of their own souls.

One of the vital components that makes First Unitarian of Alton a “special place,” the RE Program runs only by the dedication of volunteers who teach our children.  We have adopted team teaching consisting of at least four teachers per class.  To join a Team is a semester commitment.  The advantages of the team teaching approach as we see it are:

·         The adults on the team are able to attend worship services one or two Sundays a month and the children get to know more adults and share mutual interests and ideas with them.

·         New people can ease into teaching this way, without bearing the full responsibility for the class.

·         The team approach can adapt to those people who say they are willing to help, but do not want to lead, or they want to teach only every other Sunday, or just for a month at a time.

·         Working with a team is inspiring and builds friendships.

·         Can readily accommodate the need to find substitutes so that teachers can go hiking over the weekend, or visit relatives, or go to church without creating a big problem.

·         Can readily accommodate one child or a group of children who are demanding too much of the teacher's time and attention—a teammate will be able to deal with this situation without holding up the entire class.

We need three more teachers—one for our Spirit Play children (Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten) and two for our 1^st through 3^rd graders.

Spirit Play

The Spirit Play curriculum is a UU adaptation of the Godly Play curriculum by Jerome Berryman, combined with aspects of the Montessori Method, by Maria Montessori.  The purpose of religious education in the Spirit Play classroom, as we see it, is to help children find their own answers to some existential questions:

·    Where did we come from?

·    What is our purpose?

·    How do we choose to live our lives?

·    What are our gifts?

·    How do we use them?

·    What happens when we die?

·    Why do we die?

·    Why are we lonely and sad sometimes?

The structure and key elements of the classroom are based on the Montessori Method.  Some special teacher training and preparation is necessary.

First through Third Grades

Picture Book of World Religions is our fall 2010 curriculum:  Appealing, age appropriate activities such as Hanuman the Monkey King stick puppets, Arabic alphabet calligraphy, date recipes for Ramadan, peacock feather art, paper airplanes, and sand play for Zen gardening.  This curriculum introduces Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism to our children.

To volunteer, please contact Steven Mead, Director of Religious Education (DRE).

Fall 2010 Religious Education Program

This fall we switch our “Pillar” from Unitarian Universalist Heritage to World Religions and Wisdom Traditions.  This pillar explores many sacred and secular sources from which Unitarian Universalism draws from and is informed by.  This includes familiarity with Jewish and Christian scriptures and stories, how these stories came to be written, and what they teach us about living in today’s world.  Curricula may include basic tenets of the faith, symbols, events, people, rituals, and for older children, the differences and similarities to other religions.  Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are included as are Chinese and Japanese religions, and Native/Earth centered religions

Fall 2010 RE Program Schedule

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

We have recently had some near-misses between rambunctious youngsters and our older congregants during the fellowship hour after church.  We ask parents, friends, and members to expect our children not to run and to be respectful of one another.  Help do your part.  It is a loving act to set boundaries and teach children self-control.  Please, when at intergenerational events or church meetings, look after your/our kids.

Nursery Notes

New!  We will be establishing a requirement for parents to sign their children in and out of the nursery, beginning September 19, 2010.

Food:  Light snacks may serve; please make sure our childcare workers know about any food allergies.

Families with young children can count on the loving care provided to children ages 6 weeks to 3+ years in our Nursery.  Children may be dropped off at the nursery beginning at 9:15 a.m.; please pick them up promptly after the service.  Our nursery is staffed by professional child-care providers who are assisted by church volunteers.  Nursery care is available free of charge during and after services.

Our child-friendly nursery space is well stocked with toys, books, and hugs.  Very simple activities are introduced for the older two and three-year-olds.  Parents who wish to keep infants with them are welcome to bring babies to the sanctuary.

Families should provide the Nursery workers with a labeled bag containing any items necessary for the care and comfort of their children, including diapers and wipes.  Donations of diapers and wipes for emergencies are always welcome.

We request that children who are ill or feeling unwell not be brought to the nursery to avoid discomfort and stress to the children as well as to avoid the spread of contagious illnesses.  As general guidelines, please do not bring children who in the past 24 hours have experienced:

Fever - rash - diarrhea - vomiting - runny nose (unless the mucus has been clear)

Looking Ahead

Come November, we will participate in the Guest at Your Table program.  During Guest at Your Table, participants keep a colorful Guest at Your Table box—with photographs of special guests from around the world—in a prominent place in their home, like the dining room table, or better yet the laundry room.  Get a head start by saving your spare change (go through those pockets!).  We will collect the boxes in January; all contributions go to support the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in their vital work to advance social justice throughout the world.

Steven Mead, DRE

• The first phase is an understanding on the part of the church leadership that there is a need to become more environmentally friendly.

• The second phase is that a “Green Team” or Committee needs to be put together to oversee the management of the process.  This “Team” would not necessarily take on all the activities involved but help with planning and support to other committees as they “green up” their efforts.

• The third phase is to do, or have done, an environmental assessment to find out where the church currently is with respect to its impact on the environment.  The church did a simple assessment several years ago and looked at waste reduction, energy conversation, use of non-disposable materials for church functions, use of non-toxic cleaning supplies, etc.  However a true “energy audit” would be valuable.

• An action plan is then developed based on the survey results, listing specific activities and projects to be carried out over the next 18 months in the four focus areas which would help those areas become more “green.”  At that point the church can apply to the UUA to become a Green Sanctuary candidate.

• Once all the activities and programs have been carried out, documented, and evaluated, the church can then submit to be approved as a Green Sanctuary.

If getting involved with the “Green Team” is something that interests you, please get in touch with Mary Johnson.