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Congregation established 1836 |
Newsletter of the
First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois
www.firstuualton.org
Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister |
FIRST UNITARIAN FOCUS
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Congregation established 1836 |
Newsletter of the
First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois
www.firstuualton.org
Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister |
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November 1st (Daylight
Savings Time Ends) “Just
Hospitality” Rev. Khleber Van Zandt The late Yale theologian Letty Russell’s life’s work was to overcome the oppression and exclusion of those who are “different,” which she said includes all of us in some way. She said we don’t just practice hospitality for no reason - by welcoming the stranger, we entertain angels without knowing it. November 8th “A
Universalism for Everyone” Rev. Khleber Van Zandt The Rev. Forrest Church passed away recently, but his final book is an expression of the Universalist ideals he loved all his life. How do Church’s thoughts advance the Universalism that’s been part of the American religious landscape since 1770? November 15th “When
Fear Cramps Your Heart” Rev. Khleber Van Zandt In Phillip Booth’s poem, “First Lesson,” a parent offers wisdom to a daughter on how to survive “the long thrash to (her) island.” As we gather for a spiritual all-swim this Sunday morning, we’ll explore the depths of this ostensibly secular poem using the lens of religious imagination. |
November 22nd (Traditional Bread Communion) “Countless
Gifts of Love” Rev. Khleber Van Zandt “We have been greatly blessed” are words we often use to announce the offering during worship. But how often do you feel the truth of them? Even if some days are better than others, you may still be able to notice countless gifts of love in your life if you take the time to notice. Please bring a small loaf of bread from your particular tradition, family or personal, to share during Bread Communion at this intergenerational worship service. November 29th “Who’s Your
Neighbor?” Dick Blanton,
a member of our church, will be in the pulpit Dick will put a modern twist
on the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan. To Contact Rev. Khleber Van Zandt Email: kvanzandt@uuma.org Cell Phone: |
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Adult Religious Enrichment
(ARE) Sunday mornings
@ 9:30 am in Childcare is
available. Nov. 1st – Thoughts on Immortality. A recent email thread allowed some of us to discuss our thoughts about immortality, come join in the discussion. Nov 8th – Peacemaking with Dr. Ron Glossop. Nov.15th – What Moves Us Unitarian Universalist Theology - William Ellery Channing This workshop invites participants to engage some of the major theological perspectives of our tradition and to test those theological points of view against their own lived experience. What Moves Us will satisfy the hunger of longtime Unitarian Universalists for challenging faith development materials. Nov. 22nd – Non-Theist/Humanist Group. Continuing look at Edward Ericson’s
The Nov 29th – Open
Church History Update 1960s to Present The History Task Force, comprised of Grace
Madison, David Wiseman, Audrey Wiseman and Midge Hallett, has completed the Church History Update. The History
was sent by email attachment to members having email. It is also
available on the church’s homepage, along with an earlier history covering 1836
to 1986. Hard copies will be available
at church for $5.00. The Task Force wishes to thank Janice Joiner
for proofreading and editing. |
I
recently received a very good question via e-mail, to wit: “Some of us are trying to put together a protocol to
deal with people who come to the church asking for money and assistance. I would like the protocol that is put in
place to be in line with the church view.
I’ve heard you say that even hustlers deserve help and I’m wondering if
you believe that in its entirety or if you might qualify it to some
extent. I need to do some more thinking
about this topic but am having trouble deciding what to do with your
comment. Signed, Marcie” Dear
Marcie, Let
me begin by pointing out that I have no special lock on “the church view”
– whatever your opinion, it
should become part of whatever “church view” we have collectively (which is not
to say that in our tradition all ideas have equal value, but that all people
do . . .) Addressing
your main concern, though. For myself, I
vacillate between a ‘smart’ response to those who want something and a ‘loving’
response to those in need. On the one
hand, it certainly seems silly by any measure of conventional wisdom to give of
your own limited resources to people obviously only out for a free ride. Just because someone asks for beer money,
does that mean that’s the best kind of help to give them? Surely not.
But a more difficult question: if
a mom with five kids tells you they have nowhere to stay at night, should you
use your resources to find her a place?
If your answer is yes, then what if you later learn that she often buys
illegal drugs for herself? Obviously,
these are extreme examples. But
everybody who comes asking for help is an extreme example. And in any given situation, it’s very hard to
identify the facts and even more difficult to separate them from deeper
realities. More
to the point, in my contrarian view, that’s not the only way to think about
these issues. The
way I read religious texts is that one is called to give, regardless of the
situation or the facts or the conventional wisdom, and in fact to give in
spite of those things. I take it
that this injunction to give is as much about oneself as it is about the other
person: to approach life from an
attitude of open-mindedness, open-heartedness, and open-handedness is to be
connected to the universe in ways other than through the things we own. If we can’t do that, then the things we own
have begun to own us. Many
of us think from time to time about the questions, “Who am I?” and “Who are
we?” But we don’t ask ourselves often
enough, “Whose am I?” and “Whose are we?” If and when we get those answers right – not
from a conventional-wisdom viewpoint but from a far deeper place within us - I
believe we will begin to give more freely than we ever imagined. All my best in your policy-making endeavors, And see you in church,
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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 and give her that information. 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) 11 November – Pat Murrell 12 November – Jamie Gross 14 November – Monica Moore 15 November – Eilene Taylor 15 November – Liz Rogers 17 November – Diane Herndon 25 November – John Herndon 25 November – Maia Dothager (2007) 29 November – Robert Chapman
Check
out the Boutique every Sunday in November and December for Coffee,
Chocolate and introducing Gift
Baskets
for the Holiday Season. $10 for one pound bags of Fair Trade Coffee. $3 for Fair Trade chocolate candy bars. Gift Baskets individually priced. |
The A suggested donation list for November includes: sweet potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, cake mixes, icing, cans of pumpkin, and fruit juices. Money donations are needed for turkey purchases. Thank you for your support. Jen Politsch
Religious Education (RE) Committee Monday, November 2nd at 7 pm. Growth Committee Sunday, November 8th at 11:45 am.
Annual Gift Bargain
An
opportunity for buying the small gifts on your list will come on November 15th
when the hand-crafted, one of a kind, star design pot holders will be on
sale. These potholders are made by
Corinne Hawkins, and the proceeds are given to the church. The potholders are $4.50 and they will be
available in the Kate Wuerker Room both before and after the church service. |
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Interest Group Gatherings
Spiral
Scouts The next Spiral Scouts meeting will be on Sunday November 1st at 1 pm at the church.
For more information go to the Spiral Scouts website, or contact Sayer Johnson or Jason Dothager .
Green Sky Sangha The Green Sky Sangha meets every Wednesday at 7 pm and invites anyone interested in meditation to join them. No prior knowledge of meditation is required. The group practices various forms of meditation and discusses ideas related to Buddhism. Dee Evans
The Anna Ds will have their
monthly lunch meeting on Thursday, November
5th at 11:30 p.m. in the Rendezvous Room at |
All the men in the church are invited to attend. The
Men’s Lunch Group will meet on Thursday,
November 12th at the St. Louis Buffet, 672 Wesley Dr., Wood River, IL.
DAO Ceremony A Dao ceremony, under
the auspice of the Green Sky Sangha, will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November
1st at the church.
In Our Church Family Roger Thorogood, husband of Lorna
McElhone, is now in Our sympathy goes to Sandy and
Nelson Shaner on the death of |
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RE News and Notes New RE Administrator First Unitarian of Alton welcomes Steven Mead as the Acting Religious Education Administrator. Steven’s Unitarian background, raising a family in the UU tradition, and RE teaching and curriculum development will serve us well. Steven will use his talents to help make the RE program the best it can be right now, to posture the program for future growth, and to (dare we dream this?) prepare the way for a full time Religious Education Director. So, say hello—he’s not nearly as quiet as he might first appear! You may contact Steven through the Church office, or directly at steven.mead1776@gmail.com. Steven’s regular office hours are Sunday 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and virtual office hours are Mon. through Thur. from 7 to 9 pm. Steven’s church home is Eliot
Chapel in November’s RE Theme: Offer fair and kind treatment; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. November RE Notes: ·
Children’s Chapel will be on Sunday, November 1st. Children will have their own worship service
in · Our Intergenerational Bread Service will be on Sunday, November 22nd. Children will participate in the entire worship service. |
Accessing the Wider UU Community
Link to the “Global Sisters” newsletter http://portal.icuuw.com/icuuw/Newsletter/ICUUWFallNewsletter09.pdf Central Midwest District of the UUA – one of the 20 Districts of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Unitarian Universalist Association http://www.uua.org/
Involvement in Inter-Faith Organizations Pat Murrell has been approved by the Church Board to be our representative to UCM – the United Congregations of Metro-East. Their website is http://www.ucmetroeast.org/. UCM is a “Peace and Justice Institution” made up of 26 faith communities working to further social justice and community organizing efforts in areas such as education, the environment, transportation, housing and jobs. It is a member of the nationwide Gamaliel Foundation. http://www.gamaliel.org In |
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LGBT
FILM SERIES - Free (Childcare
provided if requested by the Tuesday before the showing. Call 618-465-0140 if
childcare is needed.) Saturday,
November 7, 2009 Torch
Song Trilogy (1988) (120 minutes) (Rated R) TORCH SONG TRILOGY chronicles
a New Yorker's search for love, respect and tradition in a world that seems not
especially made for him. Saturday, November 14, 2009
Everything Relative
(1996) (110 minutes)
(Rated R for a sequence of strong sexuality, and for language).
The lesbian “Big Chill.” A group of college friends reunite for a weekend of fun, laughter, tears and love. Saturday, November 21, 2009 Boys Don’t Cry (1999) (118 minutes) (Rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape
scene, sexuality, language and drug use) The story of the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female. Saturday, November 28, 2009 Steam (2007) (120 minutes) (Not rated) Three very different women find comfort and wisdom in a weekly retreat to the steam room. Doris (Ruby Dee), recently widowed, discovers a deep connection with a charming neighbor, while Laurie (Ally Sheedy), a divorced single mother, begins dating her son's younger soccer coach, and Elizabeth (Kate Siegal) a beautiful college student, develops a relationship with Naila, a sexy bisexual. |
Total
budgeted income for September 2009 was $11,462.63; this was 8.3% of our annual
budget. Total budgeted expen-ses for September 2009 were $9,776.81; this was
7.1% of our annual budget. Our
income was about the same as that of last month, but our expenses were lower,
so the church’s pledge surplus gained a little bit during September. I
mailed a signed contract and a check for one-half of the contract
price to Jourdain Roofing for repair of the slate roof over the sanctuary.
This money was taken out of the Reserve Fund (a non-budget account) that
was established a few years ago to provide money for "rainy day"
expenses. Contributions to the Reserve Fund are certainly welcome.
The roof repair was completed in late October. As
of September 30th, we have paid one-fourth of our annual dues to the UUA and
the Central Midwest District. This year our church will be paying a total of
$35 per member to these denominational organizations. Jerry Johnson, Treasurer
4th Saturday Lunch – A Social Justice Venture Our lunch on November 28th will include all the “fixins’” of a Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanks to generous financial contributions we will be able to purchase turkeys … but will need people to cook them. If you would be willing to prepare a turkey for the November lunch, please get in touch with Mary Johnson. We will of course also need all the other usual contributions … dressing, potatoes, cranberries, etc. If you haven’t contributed to one of our Saturday lunches, this would be a good month to start. A signup sheet will be available in the Kate Wuerker Room. Joining our guests at the lunch table is part of the fun of the day, and especially at Thanksgiving having church members share this meal with our guests would make it a truly family event. 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. |
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Join the Party! Decorate the Church on Sunday, December
6 right after church. Stay and share the
joy and excitement in
seeing the church
transformed. We will order Subway
sandwiches chips, fruit and
drinks for all the
CHOIR REHEARSAL SCHEDULE The choir will rehearse on the first three Thursdays of each month from 7 to 8:30 pm. November’s rehearsals are on November 5th, November 12th, and November 19th. If you enjoy singing, come to a rehearsal and see what fun it is. For more info. contact Willis McCoy. |
Friday,
November 6th at
church – 6 to 8 pm. Contact Kristen O’Steen. Renegade Women’s Chalice Circle Saturday, November 21st at church – 2 to 4 pm. Contact Marcia Custer. Parents Seeking Peace Chalice Circle Sunday, November 15th – 12:00 to 1:30 pm in Emerson Place at church. Contact: Diane Thompson or Sayer Johnson Covenant Group Chalice Circle
Thursday, November 19th – 7 p.m. At the home of Jan and Don Allen in Belleville. Men's Chalice Circle Tuesday, November 24th – 7 pm at church. Contact: Khleber Van Zandt.
November 22nd Bring
a dish to share and plan to stay after church to join in food and
fellowship! Please bring a dish that
serves at least 6 to 8 people. When
at all possible, in an effort to be more conscious of the environment and to
reduce the trash that our church might add to the ever growing area landfills,
we are using the church’s china plates instead of disposable ones. A-Mc will do Table Set Up M-Z will do Clean Up PLEASE PLAN TO DO YOUR SHARE IN SETTING UP AND CLEANING UP. DON’T LEAVE THE TASKS FOR A FEW PEOPLE TO DO. |
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Please
introduce yourself to our newest members and their families and make them feel
welcome! Addresses and phone numbers are
not included in the online version of the newsletter. Please consult the print version or speak
with the individuals themselves for additional contact information. Weaver, Joe* [9/27/2009]
Chapman, Kathryn* & Robert* [10/4/2009]
Darek, Anne* [10/4/2009] & John Morgan
Moore, Monica* [10/11/2009] & Nathan
Copley, Bob* & Nancy* [10/18/2009]
Johnson, Eric* [10/18/2009] & Marty |
Outreach
Offering General Information: One-half of the cash collection and one-half of any undesignated checks put in the collection on the 2nd
and 4th Sundays are given away to charitable causes. The entire
amount of a check designated for a specific cause is donated to that cause.
The money donated does not
include pledge checks or money otherwise earmarked by the giver. In
November our Community Outreach
Offering will be given to the Boys & Girls Club of Alton. Through the use of many volunteers the Club
provides after school activities at two sites – the Catholic Children’s Home
and Our
Community Offering will help provide holiday gifts for about 100 children, ages
6 to 11.
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