September 2, 2012 – 10:00 am

“Justice is Love in Action” (sermon on DVD)

Rev. John Crestwell

This service will be a combination of “live” readings and music, well as DVD selections from the Sunday morning worship service at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s 2012 General Assembly.

There will be gathering music starting at 9:45 am from the General Assembly DVD.

Rev. Crestwell is the Associate Minister of Outreach, Leadership and Evangelism at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, MD.

September 9, 2012 – Ingathering Sunday

9:30 and 11:00 am

“Reunion Time”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Church consultant Lyle Schaller once compared the American congregation to a family reunion.  Of course this is not an entirely positive image for a church, especially because families can be so resistant to including outsiders.  At our church reunion, let’s find ways to help everyone feel welcome!

September 16, 2012 – 9:30 and 11:00 am

“Pride & Prejudice”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Over the summer, several of our members who are Eagle Scouts sent back their badges to the Boy Scouts of America to protest that group’s banning of persons of non-majority orientations.  It’s a sad day when such a venerable organization that’s done such good work with so many youth over so many years can’t or won’t stand on the side of love.

September 23, 2012 – 9:30 and 11:00 am

“Water Carriers in the Desert”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Many people, including several UU’s, have run afoul of Arizona law enforcement simply by taking bottled water out into the desert and leaving it there for people and families who are walking toward economic freedom in the U.S.  What more (or less) can we (and should we) do?

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 – DR. LEON BURKE

(SEE NEXT PAGE)

September 30, 2012 – 9:30 and 11:00 am

“Making Music is Dangerous!”

Dr. Leon Burke

Dr. Burke will explore how music moves us and can have unintended consequences.  He will also enrich our services with his music.

Dr. Burke is the Musical Director of the Alton Symphony Orchestra and is the Choir Director at Eliot Unitarian Chapel in Kirkwood.  He also is the Conductor of the University City Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and is an adjunct faculty member at East Central College in Union, MO.  He is also employed as an environmental consultant with United Infrastructure Corporation.

September 2 – No ARE

At 9:30 am

September 9 – Dr. Ron Glossop – American Philosophy.  This year our monthly philosophy forum will be on "American Philosophy."   Our first session will be on the 18th century Enlightenment Deistic views of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson.  The focus on implications of the scientific ideas of Isaac Newton [no miracles] and on promoting reason and the human rights of all rather than just accepting traditional religious and political views was central to the American and French Revolutions.

September 16 – Eric Johnson – Theology Funshop.  Learn about concepts in Theology in a fun and exciting way, by interactive discussion.  No curriculum!  No reading! No previous experience or knowledge required!  Just bring your pre-existing conditions ... human conditions and enjoy as we try to understand and put into current context theological concepts, especially those concepts within our religious tradition.  You want to learn about Unitarian Universalist theology?  Here's your chance.

September 23 – Michelle Bryant Barbeau – To be announced.

September 30 – Cheryle Tucker Loewe –
What We Choose:  Ethics for Unitarian Universalists.
We are regularly faced with moral choices, big and small. How should we respond to a tricky family or relationship situation? What is the right thing to do when faced with a dilemma at work? What is the most ethical course for a community, state, or nation to follow, and how much am I prepared to invest in advocating for that course? How does morality or ethics enter my food and eating choices? How should morality or ethics enter my consumer decisions? How do we treat others? What must I do to follow the values of my Unitarian Universalist faith tradition?

At 11:00 am

September 9 through October 7 – Spiral Blanton –

Exploring our Connection and Relationship with the Environment.   We’ll be looking at how we affirm and promote the 7^th Principle of UU congregations, “Respect for the interdependent web of which we are a part.”   The class will include writing, meditation, observation, and discussion.

Picnic in the Park – Ingathering Sunday

When: September 9, 2012 immediately following
the 11 o’clock church service.

Where: On the lovely grounds next to the church.

What to bring: A side dish or dessert to share.

Family event for all ages.

Soda, bottled water, grilled hot dogs & hamburgers available for small donation.

A First Glance

When I returned to the pulpit after a couple weeks off over the summer, I delivered a sermon asking a couple of questions, "What can we do about the troubles in the world?  And just how far should our reach extend past our own noses?"

One of my points was that we should get right with ourselves before trying to fix anyone else.  And another of my points was that, in my experience, we often do not reach far enough.

I have said it before, that I think the best sort of sermon is part of a broader conversation and begs the response of the hearers whether in their own lives or more publicly in some way.  After that sermon on August 12^th, Dr. Ron Glossop sent me an email detailing his own answer to the questions asked that day from the pulpit.  With his permission, I’ll share the body of his comments:

"(W)e need to act collectively rather than just individually.  We have not only our own local congregation but the whole UUA (including the UU Service Committee and the UU-UN Office) to address global problems.  In fact, I thought that this morning's sermon provided a wonderful opportunity to challenge our members to give some financial support to these two denominational efforts as well as to the UUA itself.

 Beyond our UU denomination, the best hope for humanity is the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), both national and international, which are always in need financially.  Think of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Greenpeace, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, the United Nations Association, Citizens for Global Solutions, Democratic World Federalists, the Universal Esperanto Association, Doctors without Borders, the organizations addressing particular diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer and AIDS and macular degeneration, etc. and etc.  The non-governmental organizations are our best hope because, for the most part, unlike governments, people working for them are not paid well and usually do not get much glory.

 When anyone wants to help address the many problems confronting humanity, there are plenty of NGOs which can use our help.  We can't afford to ignore them and the important role that they play in addressing the big problems confronting humanity."

In my opinion, Dr. Glossop is quite correct in pointing out the depth and breadth of organizations already working for relief of the world's problems.  And I appreciate that there are a number of ways to get involved in social justice efforts of all kinds.

I also stand by my assertion that heading out to address the world's problems without first examining and then staying in close touch with one’s own interior life is short-sighted at best and, as we too often see, even a prescription for disaster.

See you in church,

A Night to Remember

A “Pajama Party” to Welcome Our Newcomers

Saturday, September 15 

7:00.-9:00 pm in the Kate Wuerker Room

Everyone is invited … not just “newcomers.”  This will be an opportunity for us all to get better acquainted as our newcomers are introduced.

To help everyone feel “comfy” you may wear your pajamas, robe, or favorite loungewear and bring along your pillow or favorite stuffed animal.

What’s your favorite nighttime snack?  Bring it to share with the other pajama clad fun seekers.  Coffee, tea, lemonade, and soft drinks will be provided.  Bring your favorite adult beverage for yourself if you wish.

There will be special “music of the night,” as well as games, entertainment and décor to evoke the nighttime theme.

Childcare will be available in the nursery for infants through 4 years of age from 7 to 10 pm.  There will be special activities for children in K through 6^th grades.

After-Party Dancing 9-10 pm.   Please sign up in the Wuerker Room or by emailing Pat Moore.

Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle

Every 3^rd Saturday.

Saturday, September 15 from 12 noon until 2 pm at church.
Contact Beth Bourland for further information.

Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle

Every 3^rd Sunday.

Sunday, SEPTEMBER 16 from 12:15 to 1:30 pm in Emerson Place at Church.
Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson.

The GLBT Chalice Circle

The last Sunday of each month.

Sunday, SEPTEMBER 30 at 12:15 pm at church.

Contact Staci Bratten.

4^th Saturday Lunch – September 22

Trish Botsko is the 4^th Saturday Lunch Coordinator.   Paula Moore will be hosting this month’s lunch.

More and more guests are coming to these lunches.  Our fellowship hall is usually full to overflowing.

There will be a “food needed” signup sheet in the Kate Wuerker Room.  Please contribute something to the meal and stay to share lunch with our guests as well as helping arrive early to help set up or staying to help clean up.

Volunteering at our 4^th Saturday Lunch is a way you can give of your time and talent and also share life stories with our guests whom you might otherwise never meet.

At these lunches we also give out personal care items such as toilet paper, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, etc.  Please donate some of these basic need items.  Sabrina Trupia collects and organizes the personal care items.

The Fifty-Plus (50+) Forum

WILL NOT MEET IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

It will meet again on Saturday, October 6.

The Anna Ds will start their new meeting season by sharing a meal at the Best Buffet and Grill on Thursday, September 6 at 11:30 am.   The Buffet is at 615 Wesley Dr. in Wood River, IL.

Please let Sandy Shaner know that you’ll be coming.

On the first Thursday of each month a different woman hosts the meeting at a location of her choice – church, home, or restaurant.

Anna Ds dues are $10 per person and are payable at the first meeting.   All women in the church are invited to attend the Anna Ds luncheons.   You need not be a member to come to one of the lunches.

Men’s Lunch Group

2^nd Thursday of each month

The Men's Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, September 13 at 11:30 am at a new buffet luncheon location, named Best Buffet & Grill at 615 Wesley, Dr. Wood River IL.
Contact Dick Blanton for further details. All men in our church family are invited!

Choir Rehearsals in September

We enjoy having new voices join us, so think about making the choir part of your spiritual practice!

Choir rehearsals are generally scheduled for the 1^st Sunday of each month and the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Thursday evenings of each month.  This schedule will hopefully give everyone who wants to sing in the choir an opportunity to get to at least one rehearsal each month. September’s rehearsal schedule is as follows:

Sunday, Sept. 2 NO CHOIR REHEARSAL

Thursday, Sept. 6 from 7 to 8 pm

Thursday, Sept 13 from 7 to 8 pm

Thursday, Sept. 20 from 7 to 8 pm.

The Choir will be singing for services on September 9 and September 23.

For further information contact Willis McCoy or Joy Hoeft.

Notes from Board Trustee & Newsletter Liaison Sandy Shaner

As I explained in the last newsletter, I'll be providing a quick summary of what the Board did at each monthly meeting, this time from our 8/13/12 meeting.

We spent a fair amount of time discussing the Treasurer's Report, how the Treasurer is still valuing the help of the former Treasurer in the transition, and the need for some help in data entry from at least the past year so that we can get year-to-year comparisons. Michelle, the Treasurer, also noted that the ushers are now counting the Sunday collection, after which they give it to her to verify, do her record keeping and make the bank deposit.   

We reviewed the Minister's report and agreed it met our desire to know what the committees have done, what they're planning to do and whether they need help. We also celebrated the fact that the roof replacement over the Kate Wuerker Room, the RE Wing, and the front towers is basically complete!

We had a great discussion of progress being made by the E-Reach Committee that is still working with Becky to ensure that any changes they make don't make more work for her. They're looking at potential redesign of the web site and issues related to options for change, including everyone's desire for both public and separate private sections accessible only by members. They also have a communications goal of sending more information to the web site with Becky able to send just a simple e-mail to tell us there's something new to see.  

We learned that the Youth Group will begin again in September and that their plan for the year includes visiting other churches – UU and non-UU – and connecting with other youth groups. 

There are several important dates in our future: 8/25 Board Retreat to discuss issues for the upcoming year, 9/9 Ingathering Sunday, 9/16 Volunteer Fair.

Please plan to join us and other members for the two September events.  See you there!

Worship Associates Meeting
Wednesday, September 5^th

7 pm to 9 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 newly formed “Worship Associates” Team meeting.
For more information contact: Eric Johnson or Mary Johnson or Khleber Van Zandt.

UUUth

Children’s Choir Forming

Do your children enjoy singing?  There’s going to be a choir for them.

The first rehearsal date is still to be announced.  Please contact Joy or Ken Hoeft for further information.

In following months, the UUUth choir will meet for one hour on the second Sunday of each month immediately following the 11 am service.    The children will be singing for both services on the third Sunday of each month.  A firm commitment to attend both the rehearsals and the 3^rd Sunday performance is expected.  Rehearsals will be in Emerson Place.  Please contact Joy or Ken Hoeft.

Our Sympathy is extended to Yvonne McCall whose mother,
Mary Yvonne Caskey (Evon) 98, passed away peacefully on
Thursday evening, July 12, 2012 in Fairfax, Virginia.
She is survived by her five children, including Yvonne McCall,
long time member of this church.

By having a reverence for life, we enter into a spiritual relation with the world. By practicing reverence for life we become good, deep, and alive.

—Albert Schweitzer

The Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry is sponsoring two exciting webinars. "Transforming Belief into Practice" is a one-session course that discusses Albert Schweitzer's ethic of Reverence for Life and how to develop an animal ministry within your congregation. "Connecting Our Hearts to All Life: Compassionate Relationships, Care, and Advocacy" is an eight session course delving deeper in to our relationship with animals.  For more information, please visit the following website: www.uuam.org

Have you checked out all the amazing work the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is doing?  It is inspiring! Their major project areas include:

1. Right to Water
2. Fair Wages
3. Humanitarian Relief
4. Civil Liberties

They also sponsor service trips and, with the UUA, have developed the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice.  This organization works with local organizations to make positive changes.  In the next few months, I will highlight some of their important work and how you can become more involved.  Please check out their website: www.uusc.org and find them on Facebook and Twitter.  Any questions, please contact Tracey Howe-Koch.

Church members Kevin McCarthy and Eric Johnson returned their Eagle Scout medals to the Boy Scouts of America in protest of that organization’s decision to continue its ban of gay scouts and leaders.

Below is part of a letter written by Kevin to Robert J. Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive and the BSA Executive Board

“…. I earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1982 as a member of Troop 70, Newtown, Connecticut, Fairfield County Council (Connecticut Yankee Council). The skills, values, and experiences of Scouting were fundamental to forming my character and are an inextricable part of the person I am …. The Scout Oath and Law have always been close to my heart as a code of conduct.

So it is with a heavy heart that I must return my Eagle badge and medal.

The repeated, deliberate, and insistent actions of the BSA to deny the Scouting experience to openly gay individuals is simply at odds with the ideals of Scouting as I understand them. As a straight man, I know that among the fundamentals of being Morally Straight is being true to yourself and inclusive with regards to sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and religious faith. The BSA has sadly and willfully failed to live up to all of these ideals. Bigotry has no place in Scouting.

Through this protest, and other actions, I hope to encourage you to reconsider your position. Not only are many youth losing out on the experience of Scouting, but the institution of Scouting is deprived of their considerable contributions. This is not just wrong, but a tragic waste of human capital.

I will never cease to hold the highest ideals of scouting and the honor of being an Eagle Scout in my heart. But until the BSA can live up to these same ideals I must, regrettably, sadly, disassociate myself from this organization.”

Community Outreach Offering

If you have a suggestion about an organization we should support with our Community Outreach Offering in the new church year please contact Cheryle Tucker-Loewe, our Social Justice Chair.

September’s COO will go to the Girls Foundation of Tanzania

http://girlsfoundationoftanzania.org/
The Foundation provides intellectual and financial support for adolescent girls in Tanzania. The Country Director of the Foundation is Zara Bott-Goins who attended our Religious Education classes as a child.   She writes on the website: “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to work with these amazing young women in Tanzania. I look forward to learning with them and to helping develop the Girls Center into a place of inspiration, learning, and strength. I hope that through our work we can also raise awareness about the vital importance of educating girls and women everywhere.”

Volunteer Job Fair – Sunday,

September 16

With which church committee, team, or task force would you like to share your energy and talents?   You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about where you can make a difference by talking with the people already involved in the work of the church and seeing if Committee X, Y, or Z is doing the kind of things you’d like to be involved with.

Meet Spiral Blanton

 A lot of you already know Spiral.  She came back to our area last February to help out her parents, Pat and Dick, who are members here.  However she really began feeling UU might be for her when she read through back issues of her parents UU World magazine. 

Ecological and social justice activism have been central to her life for a long time.  While living in the Northwest for many years she worked to protect ecosystems and challenge corporate power in a variety of ways such as non-violent direct action (treesitting, road blockades, sit-ins), public outreach, and participating in a citizen monitoring project on public lands.   Seven years ago she began focusing on sustainable food production and spent several years working with a non-profit farm in Albuquerque.  Her interests include music, writing and living in community. 

Spiral lives with her dad in East Alton and is currently planning to facilitate an Adult RE class in the fall focusing on the intersection of ecology and spirituality.  At the beginning of July, she decided to become an official UU and signed the book.  Please welcome Spiral Blanton to our congregation as our newest member.

Add Spiral’s address to your Church Directory: 

East Alton, IL

spiralblanton@gmail.com

Voter Registration Drive

Like a lot of other places in the U.S., Madison County has tens of thousands of people who are eligible, but not registered to vote in local and national elections.  In some areas of the county, as many as 50% of eligible voters are not registered.  Of those who are registered, many do not actually participate in elections.  As UUs there are seven principles our congregations affirm and promote.  The fifth one is: “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large."  A group from our church is currently working to put this principle into action by registering eligible voters, particularly those who may face barriers in doing so.  We are involved as part of a larger effort by the United Congregations of Metro-East (UCM.)  UCM is an interfaith and multiracial organization designed to address social injustice in our region by bringing together participants to make an impact on our surrounding communities. 

So far we have been out registering folks in our neighborhoods, at community events, and at schools.  We will have registration tables set up for Fourth Saturday Lunch in August and September and after church services on Sundays.  To register you need to be: a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by November 6, and have two valid forms of ID (including one with your current address).  While our registrar group can only sign up Illinois voters, we encourage our Missouri members to register over there.  We will be stepping up our activities between now and the October 9^th deadline.  Even if you are not a registrar, we welcome help with scheduling our group to attend events and go places in the community where we can sign people up.  For more information contact Spiral Blanton.

Reminder:  If you promised to pay your pledge to the capital campaign monthly, please remember to write that check if you don’t have it automatically withdrawn from your account.

THE ROOF - the first project to be paid for with your capital campaign dollars – is finished!  Hurrah!     Thanks to Lee Suarez and Sayer Johnson for overseeing the work.

In August,  Karlas Construction, a locally owned construction company in Wood River installed a new .060 TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) high quality membrane flat roof over the Wuerker Room, the RE Wing, and the sanctuary towers.  TPO is a heat reflective and UV/ozone/chemical exposure resistant material.  Also installed was a one-half inch recovery board to help aid the insulation of our building. The membrane was mechanically attached to the many vents and chutes on the roof.  The product is guaranteed for ten years and the workmanship for five. The project was done on time (early even we had a completion date of September) and right on budget. The total cost was $29,500.

The second project, the kitchen renovation, is in the beginning stages.  Our architect, Jamie Henderson, has prepared preliminary drawings after discussions with the “kitchen planning committee,” and a design plan is expected soon for our review and approval.  We hope to have the kitchen finished by the end of December.

Below is the current list of members of the Caring Ministries Committee.  You may always contact one of them 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.

September 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 don’t think the church office has your birthday on file, please contact Becky Green at church@firstuualton.org and give her that information.

9/1       Dee Evans

9/3       Jim Moore

9/4       Riana Herndon, (8)

9/9       Isabella Navarre, (7)

9/10     Mary Lu McManus

9/10     Roger Thorogood

9/11     Alex Reiheld, (5)

9/13     Phil Finley

9/14     Teri Brickey

9/14     Mona Hebert

9/15     Tony Grippi

9/16     Paul Fischer

9/16     Meredith Johnson

9/16     Janice Joiner

9/19     Kelvin Crone-Willis

9/19     Emily Ferguson

9/19     Jen Politsch

Good Reads – Selections from the

UUA Bookstore

Most are available for e-readers.

Be the change:  poems, prayers and meditations for peacemakers and justice seekers /
Stephen M. Shick

Everyday spiritual practice:  simple pathways for enriching your life / Scott W. Alexander

Faith without certainty:  liberal theology in the 21^st century / Paul Rasor

Growing beloved community:  twelve hallmarks of a health congregation / Tom Owen-Towle

Simply pray:  a modern spiritual practice to deepend your life / Erik Walker Wikstrom

September RE Program News & Notes

REgistration for 2012-2013

Unless you registered very recently, please update your family’s information this year.  Thanks for your help.  See Steven Mead, DRE.

Religious Education Parent and Teacher Orientation

September 12, 7:00-9:00 PM

Mark your calendars for Wednesday night, September 12, 7:00-9:00 PM for our annual Parent / Teacher Orientation.  Join us in the Emerson Place Room for the evening’s program.  Childcare will be available; neither food nor refreshments will be served.  There is so much new this year:  new classrooms, new curricula, and new teachers.  It promises to be an exciting year of journey and growing.

Fall Semester Begins

September 16, 11:00 AM

Our RE Program church year begins, Sunday, September 16.  We open a new classroom for 7-8^th grades, plan on presenting a winter play, and continue to offer a comprehensive religious education experience, including active and reflective learning, worship and social service opportunities, and intergenerational church fellowship.

What will our children and youth learn this year?

Our 2012-2013 Religious Education (RE) Program curricula focuses on our Unitarian Universalist Heritage.  This “Pillar” explores Unitarian Universalism’s Seven Principles, our Six Sources of sacred and secular wisdom, as well as our forebears such as John Adams, second president of the United States; Susan B. Anthony, champion of women’s rights; Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross; and many others.  Above all, we strive to understand the divine inspiration in all of us, embrace our potential for goodness, and cherish the earth and revere life.

Grades 1-2:  Faithful Journeys

In Faithful Journeys, participants embark on a pilgrimage of faith, exploring how Unitarian Universalism translates into life choices and everyday actions.  In each session, they hear historic or contemporary examples of Unitarian Universalist faith in action to enable children to develop a strong Unitarian Universalist identity of who we are, what we believe, and how we live in faith.

Love Connects Us celebrates important ways Unitarian Universalists live our faith in covenanted community.  These sessions explore our legacy, from both Universalism and Unitarianism, of “living our connections” in loving service, inquiry, and action for social justice.  Children learn how our actions create a new heritage of connecting in love.

Amazing Grace presents fifth and sixth graders with the tools to understand right and wrong and act for good based on their new understanding.  Through Amazing Grace, youth will come to recognize and depend on their Unitarian Universalist identity and resources as essential to their journey toward understanding, independence, and fulfillment of personal promise.

Traditions with a Wink! presents young teens with a survey of Unitarian Universalists traditions together with powerful stories and visions of hope as they begin the process of shaping their own faith.  "A Chosen Faith" by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church, serves as the unseen framework for this introduction to faith development.  We open a new classroom this fall for this age group!

Steven Mead, DRE

314.239.5694 (cell)

dre@firstuualton.org