Congregation established 1836

Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois

www.firstuualton.org

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister

November 5^th

“Looking Back, Looking Forward”

Dr. Ronald Glossop, Professor Emeritus,

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

Looking back at what has happened is easier than looking forward to what might happen.  The definiteness of what has transpired has a greater impact on our thinking than the indefiniteness of what could happen in the future.  We can have holidays to celebrate what has happened in the past but not for those things we hope will happen in the future.  Memory is stronger than imagination.  Yet, a most important insight for any kind of problem-solving is that past cannot be changed.  We need to learn from the past but then focus our thinking on what can be done in the future.

November 12^th

“Our Puritan Ethic”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Our puritan forebears bequeathed to us the beginnings of the democracy we’re still trying to perfect.  They were also religious reformers who excluded dissenters from their communities.  How do we carry on their legacy?  Do we want to?

We will celebrate the church’s 170^th birthday today (1836 -2006).

November 19th

- Our Traditional Bread Service -

“Needing to be Kneaded”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

The process of making bread requires that dough be left alone to rise, then beaten and broken before being left to rise again - a loaf of bread needs to be kneaded in order to reach its full potential.

Please bring a small loaf of bread from your particular tradition,
family or personal, to share during Bread Communion at this intergenerational worship service featuring special music.

The offering today goes to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund to help people in need, both in our congregation and in the wider community.  In this difficult economic climate, many people contact the church each month seeking assistance with utility bills, transportation, housing, and medical expenses for families and children.  This fund allows us to target those most in need and to help in ways that make a real difference in the daily lives of many people.

November 26^th 

“Life in the Village”

Margret O’Neall

From our earliest days on earth, humans lived in tribal communities or small towns where people’s lives were interconnected in many ways.  Modern life can take us far from the interdependent village settings of our past.  What is so important about those human connections?  Why does it take a village to raise a child?  And how can we re-create and sustain the positive aspects of the village in our lives?

Bio: Margret A. O’Neall is a long-time member of First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, and now serves as its Student Minister.   She coordinates the Covenant Group program at the church, and helps support other processes in church life.   Margret serves on the faculty of Saint Louis University School of Public Health and is entering her third year of part-time study for the UU ministry at Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago.

(Note that some of these offerings are
on different Sundays than usual.)

November 5^th 9:00 a.m.

Breakthrough: Women of Spirit at Midlife and Beyond  (Last Session)

Session 5:  “Reading the Signs.”  Homework:  Complete the worksheet given in Session 4 entitled "Reading the Signs."  Read and take discussion notes on the essays on pages 139 - 204.  Beth Nalick facilitator.

November 5^th 9:30 a.m. – NEW Program

What in the World?

A discussion group led by John Herndon will meet by the fireplace in the Kate Wuerker Room at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the most recent issue of the UU World magazine.  Bring your copy (extras will be provided for newcomers), and get ready for a lively, thought provoking, and uplifting discussion.

November 12^th  9:00 a.m.

Ongoing Series: The Welcoming Congregation Workshop. The workshop is designed to help congregations develop individual and institutional strategies in order to become more welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families. 

November 19^th 9:30 a.m.

Forum: "What is the relation between philosophy and religion?"  Our September 17^th discussion of this topic indicated that there is a lot more to be said about it.  Think about this:  What do philosophers do which religious believers don't do?  What do religious believers do which philosophers (as philosophers) don't do?  Ron Glossop is the discussion leader.

November 26^th 9:30 a.m.

In Search of the Historical Jesus – Lecture 14

“Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet”

A First Glance

Are we there yet?

From the way I’m feeling, I’m guessing we’re getting somewhere. 

I’m just not sure where.

On October 1^st, we hung a banner on the front of the church that says, “Civil Marriage is a Civil Right.”  A reporter and photographer from the Alton Telegraph were there to capture the festivities, and the resulting photo appeared the next day - front page, above the fold - along with a very positive article, thanks to Cynthia Ellis of the Telegraph. 

This was way more positive publicity than the church is used to receiving, I imagine.  But the more than one hundred comments posted on the newspaper’s website in response to the article and photo were way more negative in many cases than I or many of our members are used to hearing.

The next Sunday, we celebrated, and I sermonized about faith and freedom and responsibility.  I also said we shouldn’t pat ourselves on the back too quickly for being on a righteous path - we must be very careful because as human beings we are so prone to enjoying the trap of self-righteousness, of being absolutely sure that our way is the best way, of believing that our goals are the same as God’s.

As I write, about two weeks after the banner went up, I’ve received one e-mail saying we went too far too fast on this issue.  I’ve received yet another one from a person who questions whether s/he can stay in our church because we didn’t do enough. 

Does this mean we’re in the right place?  Is the center always desirable?  Or should we desire to go farther and faster, forget about relationships and strive for the right?  (Or the left, as the case may be…)

I find myself standing on something I used to think of as terra firma.  But the sands here are shiftier than some of us - me included - may be emotionally prepared for, especially because of the depth of the feelings involved and the passion with which people express themselves.

Are we there yet?  Probably not, but if I’m feeling this uncertain then I’m guessing that, at the very least, we’re on the right path to learning and to spiritual growth.

Maybe the journey is indeed its own reward.

See you in church,

Let’s Get Acquainted

This month we’re getting to know Gerry Gilman and Marcia Custer and Annie Kelley.  Make a point of saying “hello” on Sunday.

From Gerry Gilman:  I’m the guy at Church who talks with an Ozark twang and you usually see me waiting for Marcia Custer.

I was born in Southeast Missouri and until I went into the Air Force in 1950 I lived in Flat River which is now renamed Park Hills. When I wasn’t being reprimanded in school for talking too much I really liked History. As far as I was concerned getting out of school was my main objective in life until in the eighth grade I amazingly was awarded the D.A.R. award for being the top History student in my class and the teachers told me that if I would apply myself I might be able to go on to College and fortunately for me there was a Junior College in Flat River that I attended.  Since I was the first one in my family to attend college I was considered the family scholar. This was probably a good thing for me as my brothers became miners and farmers I probably would have had a hard time doing either one of these occupations.  After my two years at FRJC I figured that was education enough for me and I needed a job. Some of my friends told me they were looking for teachers and at that time if you had two years of college and could pass a written examination you could get a   teaching certificate.  I was able to do this and in the fall I started teaching in a one-room country school in Washington County, Missouri. I actually enjoyed this teaching experience and was informed that to continue teaching I was required to work toward obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a Bachelor but I was always interested in Science so I enrolled at Southeast Missouri State for my 3^rd year of college .and actually passed all the classes.

In the summer of that year North Korea invaded South Korea and the U.S. became involved in this police action.  A boyhood friend of mine was killed in action during the first months.  He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in combat and this event took on a personal meaning to me. After serving four years in the service I returned to Cape and received my BS Degree.

At this time the G.I. bill was in effect and as I began teaching in Farmington, Missouri I was able to attend Graduate school and obtained advanced degrees to continue teaching.   My teaching career finally brought me to North St. Louis County where I spent my last twenty seven years in Education.

I was fortunate enough to get mixed up with Marcia during this time and we were married in the Alton Church in 1981. Our Honeymoon was a weekend at Pere Marquette.  Marcia can speak for herself but I am sure we both agree we have enjoyed our being members of this church for these past twenty six years and becoming friends with so many great people.

From Marcia Custer:  Gerry and I discovered the Alton Unitarian Church when we were looking for a place to be married (25 years ago) and we found a home. We had both been married before and we suddenly became a “blended family” and for me instant grandmotherhood.

We were both in the middle of busy careers; mine was nursing in general and public health nursing in particular.  I’ve done graduate work in community mental health, pediatric nurse practitioner, public health, health services research, and ended up teaching for twenty plus years at the SIUE School of Nursing.

For any of you (male or female) looking at career possibilities (new or change of) you can’t beat nursing.  You can do anything from research, hospital, home health, administration, working at Walgreens as a nurse practitioner, military etc, etc, or take a sabbatical to take care of your family, neighbors and relatives.

I’m now retired completely and serve on the Professional Advisory Board for the Madison County Health Department, play some bridge, and try to keep up with Gerry to prevent my brain cells from going South.  Those plus reading, traveling, grand-parenting, church work and bicycling make us wonder how we ever managed careers. We are everyday thankful for good health, family and friends, and especially our church community. 

Gerry & Marcia with their grandchildren.

Let’s Get Acquainted, Continued!

I am Annie Kelley, a new member of UU, joined on the 11^th of June, 2006.   I found my way here by meandering through the countryside, via a Lutheran church in Dorsey as a child, a Unitarian church in California, a Unity church in Portland, OR, a Methodist church in North Carolina, and then a Unity church, also in NC.   Always looking for a place where I fit, but never quite finding it. I moved back to Illinois in May of 2005, and after the initial settling in, started looking yet again. I had checked out UU Alton’s website on the ‘net and thought I’d drop in and see what was shakin’.   I was immediately taken in by the strong social conscience I found here, and soothed by the acceptance of whatever I believed or didn’t believe – 2 of the things I sought at every church I ever attended.

I am married to a wonderful man named Patrick for the past 15 years. I have a grown son named Tom who was married here at the church in June of 2006. Khleber performed a wonderful ceremony for them and I finally got to see my only son take that leap of commitment at 35 years of age. He and Anna his wife have 2 boys, Tristan and Brenden. So I get to be a grandma!   I live north of Bunker Hill on a little piece of heaven, with 2 dogs Seamus and Molly, 5 cats - Lily, Leo de Catrio, Sammy, Frankie and Dino. I have a cockatiel named Chico. We have a couple of 30 gallon aquariums. I have 5 Rhode Island Red hens and a Rooster. I am a guest columnist for the Alton Telegraph this year, which I am enjoying immensely. My life is soothingly busy and never dull. I am a platelet donor, a Sierra Club member, and an Audubon member. I love the way the people I know from these organizations are sitting next to me at church more often than not.

I sing in the choir when I can, and look forward to getting more involved in the church. In my spare time, I garden and read and bird watch. I have tutored in the Literacy Council in North Carolina, and hope to do that again someday. I am retired/disabled due to an Ubiquitous Event in July of 2001, so it gives me time to do things I like, mostly. I am so grateful to be a member of this congregation of caring, socially responsible people.

Here are the names of church members and friends who are celebrating birthdays this month. If this is ‘your month’ and your name didn’t get included, we’re sorry. For future months please let Mary Johnson know the day and month of your birth.

  1 November – John Hoad

  1 November – Gary Smithe

  2 November – Sandy Shaner

  3 November – David Weber

  5 November – Severine Rebmann (2000)

11 November – Marissa Stacy (1996)

12 November – Jamie Gross

15 November – Eilene Taylor

17 November – Diane Herndon

25 November – John Herndon

28 November – Kirk Folk

Sunday Pot Luck Lunch

November 26^th – the 4^thSunday

Bring a dish to share and plan to stay after church
to join in food and fellowship.

A-Mc will do Clean Up

M-Z will do Table Set Up

Everyone will be responsible for setting food
out on the buffet table.

Alton Symphony Wine Tasting

Fund Raiser

On Sunday, November 19^th at 3:00 p.m. there will be a wine tasting at our church to benefit the Alton Symphony.  There is a $25.00 fee per person.  There will be a variety of 12 fine wines from all over the world to sample and purchase.  Tasty hors d’oeuvres will be served.  An Alton Symphony Orchestra string ensemble will perform.

Please send reservations by Nov. 13th.to: Alton Symphony Orchestra, Box 1205, Alton IL 62002

Payments for the wine may be made by check on the day of the event. 

Anna D. Sparks Women’s Alliance

The November Meeting of the Anna D. Sparks Alliance will be a “Brown Bag” lunch at the church at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 2^nd. Dessert will be provided.

Corinne’s Potholders Once Again on Sale

Several years ago a ‘challenge’ fund was begun with the idea that individuals would do something to raise money for the church and ‘challenge’ others to match their efforts.  Corinne Hawkins has been continuing this tradition with her annual potholder sale.  She will be having the handmade, colorful quilted potholders on sale on Nov. 5^th and Nov. 12^th.  Each potholder is $4.25 with proceeds going to the church.

Banner Unveiling

At 10:15 on Sunday morning, October 1^st two banners were unveiled on the wrought iron fence facing 3^rd Street.  One read “A church of open hearts and open minds.”  The other read “Civil marriage is a civil right.”

The Rev. Khleber Van Zandt read the following words as the banners were unveiled.

“As we unveil this simple sign as a symbol of our commitment to the cause of human rights, we are prayerfully mindful of those who have suffered rejection, who have been assaulted, who have been killed simply because of the way they were created by the Creator. 

Here we stand, saying today that our marriage laws are wrong:

–  our marriage laws are wrong to continue to exclude people who live together as families in good faith and commitment;

–  our marriage laws are wrong to support only those who toe this culture’s line on hetero-privilege;

–  our marriage laws are wrong to afford protections only to those couples who happen to be a man and a woman.

There comes a time when good people must stand up for the rights of the oppressed.

There comes a time when Families come in many shapes and sizes. 

Laws do not make families - love makes families, and our laws ought to protect all families formed in love.

Good people must work to right the wrongs of the past.

There comes a time when we must raise our voices against the tyranny of the majority.

There comes a time, the time has come, the time is now.”

RE NEWS

Dear Parents and Friends,

November brings with it many opportunities for celebration and celebration planning, which can be just as fun.  We will be having our intergenerational Bread Service on November 19^th.  We also can begin to accept donations for the Holiday Gift Shop which will be held on December 3^rd starting at 9:00 a.m. to allow plenty of shopping and wrapping time for all.  Donations must be of items that are suitable for a child to give to a family member, and items that are given can either be for adults or children.  If you have any questions about how this works, please feel free to come and see me.  The 4-6 grade class will also be working on a gift project that starts this month. 

We will be having our parent orientation session for the Our Whole Lives (OWL), Sexuality Education Curriculum for parents of children who are in grades 7-9.  This is a required session in order to enroll your child in our OWL class.  It will take place after service on November 5^th until approximately 2:00 p.m.  If you are unable to attend, but would still like to have your child enrolled in this class, please come and talk to me so that we can arrange another orientation class.  The class for the children will likely start in January and run one Sunday a month after service until June.  Children do not have to be members of our RE program prior to this class in order to join, but parents MUST attend an orientation session to enroll their child.

Very soon we will begin having a structured activity available for those children who are in grades 1-6 at 9:30.  This is in addition to child care which will still be available for children in Kindergarten or younger and the youth group that meets for grades 7 and above at this time.  This activity will take place in the youth room by the nursery. 

The RE book hutch is open on every Sunday before, during, and after service for your book browsing/shopping needs.  Books make great gifts, and it is that time of year.  I will always take request for new titles to carry, and remember, buying at church gives the RE department 40% of the sales.

Please remember to bring in your empty ink jet cartridges and place them in the basket in the foyer.  You can save the Earth and help the church at the same time.

 Thank You, Jamie Gross

Holiday Fellowship Event

Welcoming Congregation

Movie and Discussion at SIUE

On Friday, Nov. 17^th at 7:00 p.m. our Welcoming Congregation group will join with a community of faith at SIUE to present the movie, “ Call Me Malcolm,” which follows the experiences of a transgendered minister.   Along the way, Malcolm meets with other transgendered people, with people who have studied gender issues, and with people who knew Malcolm when ‘he’ was a ‘she.’  Produced in affiliation with the United Church of Christ, the film has won many awards at festivals internationally.

This will be the first program we’ve done at the Religious Center on the campus of SIU in Edwardsville.  Students and faculty will be invited as well, which should give us a chance to meet people who may be interested in joining us in our social justice activities. 

Discussion will follow the movie presentation.

U U   P A G A N S

Meeting on   Nov. 26^th

Come Join the Alton UU Pagans on the fourth Sunday (Potluck Sunday) in November.  This will be a meeting to build up for the December Yule celebration.  Bring yourself, bring a friend, and bring your voice.  It will be a musical evening. As always, childcare is provided for the younger ones, and older children may participate at their parent’s discretion.  If you have a special song you would like to add to the festivities or a story to share, let me know and I will work it into the program.   Stacey Wolff

Addition Proposed to Church Bylaws

The Church Board approved the following addition to the church bylaws.  This change will have to be approved by the membership at the semi-annual meeting to be held on December 3^rd

In Section 3 of Article IX regarding Committees, the Board approved adding Social Justice as a standing committee.  The second sentence of the section would then read … “Standing committees include: Building and Grounds, Finance, Growth, Members, Religious Education, Worship, Personnel, Stewardship, the Committee on Ministry and Social Justice.”

The Semi-annual church business meeting will be held on Sunday morning December 3^rd.  Breakfast will start at 8:30 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 9:15 a.m.  All church members are encouraged to attend.

Building and Grounds News

We had a very successful workday on Sept. 30^th in spite of the very small turnout.  Jobs accomplished included some inside repairs, some cleaning, hanging of the banners in front, and lots of work outside on sidewalk grass removal, leaf raking, weeding, and ivy trimming. Thanks to Marcia Custer, Gerry Gilman, Mary Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Jim Moore, and Pat Moore for spending their Saturday at the church to help out.

Other recent committee accomplishments include: finding the source of the basement flooding, hauling away ruined furniture, order of a new vacuum for use by the janitor, laying of rugs in the cellar, hauling away of debris, cleaning of gutters and installation of gutter guards, and installation of window film in RE rooms to block the view of window wells.

For those of you who were aware that we had a litter of kittens born in a window well at the church and living around the church since birth, I want you to know that the they are being “live trapped” by the animal control authorities, who will access their adoptability.  No one had come forward from the church to adopt them, so trapping seemed the most humane and responsible answer to keep them from continuing to multiply. (Note from B&G chair: “They are adorable!”)

Our next workday will probably be in early December, but a date has not been set at the time of the newsletter deadline. Watch for an email reminder and announcement during church meetings.

There are always lots of jobs to get done.  If you have any time to help – a day off, a Saturday, or a Sunday afternoon, please let me know and I’ll see that you have the tools to do the job and a way to get into the building.  You don’t need to wait for an official workday.  Any day can be your workday for the church.  Could you wash a few windows, rake some leaves, paint a door, do a few repairs, clean the kitchen, paint a ceiling????

Remember – we’re all members of the Building and Grounds Committee.  Have anything to suggest for Building and Grounds?  Put a note in my mailbox or the suggestion box or email me at patjimmoore@charter.net.  Pat Moore

Reconstruction work in New Orleans

Diane Thompson writes …

As many of you know, I recently had the chance to go down to New Orleans and speak with many of the groups involved in doing reconstruction work in New Orleans, rural Louisiana, and Mississippi.

I was shocked by what I saw and heard.   What remains to be done is vast.   Families are still homeless.   Along wide sections of the Gulf Coast, only the casinos have been rebuilt.  Much of the money that was sent was squandered or diverted.  In Mississippi, for example, the rules governing the allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant money have been relaxed, so that federal dollars need not go to low and moderate income families.  The damage of the storms came on top of wide spread, entrenched poverty, which was and has remained particularly sharp in rural areas. We have had many moving sermons in church in the last year about how to respond to what the hurricanes revealed as to the deep divides in our society.  I am hoping many of you will join me and my family in going to work in rural Louisiana, to put our hands where our hearts and money have gone before.  For myself, I feel this is a moral imperative.

I have spoken with Southern Mutual Self-Help.    Southern Mutual has been working in rural Louisiana for a long time, since the late 1960s, and has a strong local and national reputation for empowering those it seeks to help, for using volunteers effectively, and for delivering results. It is the only organization working on the ground in the battered areas that received wide-spread praise among the community activists and national policymakers I spoke with.  Here is a link to the volunteer FAQs section of their web page. http://www.southernmutualhelp.org/ruralrecoveryvolunteersFAQ.cfm I also recommend that you check out their history page – it speaks very movingly of their significant achievements. 

We need to find out how many people want to go and when. Southern Mutual has openings for a group of 10-20 volunteers for any week in January and February. They can use unskilled and skilled construction work and office work, including data entry and filing.   They currently have someone interviewing recipients about the aid they have received in order to help them figure out what is working and what isn't. If you have other ideas or skills, they can probably use them.  We can take children with us, so long as we commit to supervising them.  The costs of travel and food we would have to bear ourselves.   There is a church – Methodist I believe – that houses groups of Southern Mutual's volunteers. It sleeps up to 34 people.  If we came down as a group, we could stay in the church.

If you are interested in going, please contact me, Diane Thompson directly, by e-mail at dthompson@lollaf.org. Please let me know what week(s) you could go, and what skills you have that you would like to volunteer. The weeks in January and February 2007
(Monday through Sunday) are as follows:

  January   1-January     7

  January   8-January   14

  January 15-January   21

  January 22-January   28

  January 29-February   4

February   5-February 11

February 12-February 18

February 19-February 25

(And for those of you who wanted to go over Christmas break – sorry, several Jewish groups beat us to it, and spring break is full of college students--in January and February we just have to compete with the Iowa farmers and the snow birds from Vermont.)

COME SING WITH US!

CHOIR REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, Nov.  2^nd– 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 16^th– 7 p.m.

Sunday,   Nov. 19^th– 9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Sunday,   Nov. 26^th– following Potluck

Contact Willis McCoy for further information.

wbmccoy@charter.net

Covenant Groups Forming Soon

Members and friends of Unitarian Universalist churches all over the country are finding that Covenant Groups (also called Circle Groups, Chalice Groups, or Small Group Ministry) are a good way to get to know other members better, and to connect on a deeper level than we can do at coffee hour and committee meetings.  As one group facilitator in another area church puts it:

Being in our Covenant Group is a joy, like coming home to a warm fire on a winter's evening.  I feel free to share about my life and spiritual meaning and grateful for other group members telling their stories round our fire, of their lives' joys and challenges and of their deep meanings and musings.  We weave a living tapestry with our stories and with our diverse voices, each a vibrant strand in the whole.

Covenant groups are usually composed of 8 - 10 people that meet to talk, learn, work, and play together over time.  Members may tell their life stories, offer support, and engage in work to serve the larger community.  These groups will offer expanding opportunities for growth, caring, and connection within our congregation.

Each covenant group will meet regularly (usually once a month) for an hour or two at a scheduled time and place.  Each group will have a trained facilitator, a set meeting structure that allows time for personal sharing and spiritually-focused discussion, and structured discussion content that is agreed upon by the group and facilitator.  Each group also chooses and carries out a service project for the church once or twice a year.

More information will be forthcoming in this newsletter and during worship services.  For more information, please contact Marcia Custer at mcuster@siue.edu, or our minister, Khleber Van Zandt at kvanzandt@uuma.org.

November 19th

- Our Traditional Bread Service -

Please bring a small loaf of bread from your particular tradition, family or personal, to share during Bread Communion at this intergenerational worship service featuring special music.

Potluck Coordinator

Those of you checking the Volunteer Sign Up Board to take your turn as Coffee Hour Host will note that the 4^th Sunday will indicate Potluck Host

What's That? 

Simply that instead of bringing refreshments and cleaning up, you will oversee potluck (be the boss). Personally I think it's the easier job.

Make sure that:  Coffee is made – Tables are set up (there are usually plenty of volunteers) – the buffet table has plates, napkins and silverware – the food gets put out (check ovens and refrigerators, since some people forget to put out their stuff) – and most important put appropriate laminated labels around on tables to indicate who is cleaning up.  Otherwise you may end up cleaning up rather than supervising.

Marcia Custer

International Lunch Group

We’ll meet on Friday, November 17^th
at 11:30 a.m. Sameem’s Restaurant

3191 S. Grand Street

St. Louis, MO

RSVP by Thursday, November 16th

Questions:  Contact Cathy Tade

cathytade@msn.com