Our Semi-annual congregational meeting has been scheduled for January 21st.   We will be asking our church members to vote on amending our bylaws during this meeting in order to meet the necessary requirements for a 501(c)3 status.   A copy of the bylaws, with the recommended revisions, will be sent out as an attachment by email and copies will be available in the Wuerker Room at church.

The Seekers

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Newsletter Deadline is on the 15th of each month.
  Send info. to Dorothy Wilson and to Becky Green at church.

Pastor Amy’s Corner

Begin

“I made no resolutions for the New Year.   The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.”
 ~ Anais Nin

Friends, welcome to 2018.

Now that we are all here I invite you to take a look around and familiarize yourself with the place.   Much will appear to be as it seemed in 2017, perhaps there will be some small changes.   Maybe there are still constants that bring comfort, maybe there are entrenched evils that require our efforts to change.

In many ways these are thoughts that could be shared in January of any year.   There is truth to the thought that the first day of the year is no more special or magical than any other day when the clock strikes midnight.   Times and dates are, after all, human constructs.   Anais Nin, above, reminds us that self-evaluation is a constant task.

That said, there is something special about the idea of starting anew.   It is the promise of hope for the future.   It is the comfort of knowing ourselves to be a people of agency, who are equipped to navigate through the upheaval and the wonder of this universe.

And so, however you celebrate the marking of a new way, my wish for you and for us all is that we enter into the January of this new year with open hearts and minds.

You are a miracle.   May we continue to astonish one another.

Amy

1^st Sunday Pot Luck Dinner, Sunday January 7^th

Start the 2018 out right!   Spend a little time catching up with your friends after the service.
We’ll have good conversation, share good food and enjoy our church community

CHALICE LIGHTERS

Can We “Pay It Forward”?

Remember, the larger UU churches of the STL area contributed considerable funds to our Alton church, a generosity which has been helping us for quite a few years.   It’s our turn to “pay it forward” now, and here’s an easy way to do it:   we EACH make at least a $20 Chalice Lighters contribution.

The regional Chalice Lighters program is totally dependent on contributions from individual UU members.   Churches do not contribute as organizations, but they CAN apply for grants from the Chalice Lighters program IF a significant number of their members contribute to the funding of the program.   Of course, Chalice Lighters would like regular monthly contributions; more money does more good.   But, members are counted as contributors for any (7/1 through 6/30) fiscal year in which they give $20 or more at least once.   As of early November, we still have too few contributions to be eligible, as a church, for a Chalice Lighters grant.   Can a few more people contribute at least $20?   Every little bit helps.

Chalice Lighter grants are flexible.   Funds, to the degree available, can be provided to churches for program growth, including staffing, and for maintaining or expanding the church physical plant, or even for starting a new congregation.   Our church, however, cannot apply until we have a higher rate of contributions.

Here’s how to contribute your $20 or more:

§   On-line through:

https://midamericauua.org/programs/chalice-lighters

-OR-

§   Via snail-mail to:

Chalice Lighter Program

MidAmerica Region Unitarian Universalist Association

2355 Fairview Ave N., #312

Roseville, MN 55113

Sharing reflects caring.   Let’s Pay It Forward!

SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETING IN JANUARY

Suggested Date:  January 18, 2018

Suggested Place:  Some restaurant in Edwardsville

Suggested Time:  11 AM

Social Justice has many aspects.  The Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) has projects that we can choose to work on with them.  We would be joining other UU churches in Southern Illinois that are working with UUANI.  Or we can design our own short term project.

Why Edwardsville?  Why not?  We can pick any town when we need to have future meetings.  We have members from many places.

Please contact Dee Evans via e-mail or Facebook to give your feedback on the date, a suggested restaurant in Edwardsville, and the time.

The Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness

Needs Volunteers for Two Activities

 (1)   Point-n-Time Count

Volunteers will be assigned to a team to help count and administer a survey to persons living on the streets.

When:  Monday, January 29^th, 2018 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Where:  Throughout Madison County

Orientation:  Will be announced

(2)   Project Homeless Connect

Religious Education for Children and Youth

Welcome to Zipporah Lee, our new RE Coordinator

The elementary RE class is learning about world religions, beginning with some ancient religions.   We hear their stories, songs, and customs.   The kids have enjoyed this and are making great connections between these religions and some modern ones we see today, including our own.   They are looking forward to learning about lots of other religions as the year progresses, as are the teachers!!

The Youth Group is digging deep into a Social Justice curriculum.   They explored Maslow's Hierarchy of Basic Needs and how meeting basic needs is a justice issue.   There was much discussion on this topic.   The Call for Understanding encouraged the youth to increase their understanding of justice issues, the meaning of "abilities", and the importance of nonviolent communication.   Moving forward, the Youth Group will concentrate on Empathy and how it connects to our Principle of affirming and promoting the inherent worth and dignity of every person.   We’ll explore how the values of Courage and Cooperation are needed to bring about a more just world.

Nursery Care

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Classes

Our Whole Lives is a program of lifespan sexuality education with curricula for all ages up to young adults.  Our Whole Lives takes a holistic view of sexuality.   It provides accurate, age appropriate information while helping people clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.   Our Whole Lives is based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council.

Juliette Crone-Willis and Robyn Berkley will be teaching OWL classes to the youth group beginning in January.   They will be meeting in Emerson Place from 10 am to 12:30 about every other Sunday beginning January 14th.   More information will be posted in "Church This Week."

4th Saturday Personal Care Item Distribution

Saturday, January 27th

Personal Care Distribution in January

During November and December we did not put out a list of needed items as the Distribution Team decided to “spend down” some of the funds that members and friends have so generously donated over the last months in support of our church’s social justice effort.   However, in this New Year we are once again going to ask for donations of either needed items or financial support.   A list will be available at church and on UU Friends, but items always in demand include:

Toilet paper, laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, hand lotion, shaving cream.  Other items needed are paper towels, counter wipes, dish detergent.

Our inventory room is at the bottom of the stairs in the RE wing.  You may take your donated items downstairs or leave them upstairs marked as personal care items and we’ll see that they get downstairs.

Checks may be made out to the First Unitarian Church with 4^th Saturday Distribution noted on the memo line.

The Team thanks everyone for their ongoing support.

Wash, Dry and Put Away!

When you enjoy some coffee and a cookie with your conversation after church,
we count on YOU to keep our church home clean and tidy.

I AM WILLING

February 2nd - 4th, 2018

Unitarian Church of Evanston

Once upon a time in every district in the UUA, there was a Women & Religion Committee charged with creating a woman's space for the exploration of women's spirituality.   Our committee (for the MidAmerica region) is one of three left of the original 21.

We gather one weekend a year to explore, learn, and celebrate our Woman Spirit.   Through music, worship, workshops, and a spectacular keynote speaker we rejoice in a woman-only conference.

This year singer and activist Holly Near will speak, inspire and serenade us.   If you have not attended before this is your year to be renewed and energized by experiencing WomanSpirit!!!

Anna Ds – Women’s Alliance

January 4^th, 11:30 a.m.

Our winter schedule begins in December, so for the next three months, we’ll meet for Chinese at the Best Buffet, 615 Wesley, Wood River, IL 618-258-1888.

There’s plenty of room for everyone and no reservations are required, so just come enjoy good food and good company.

Men’s Monthly Lunch

January 11^th

11:30 a.m.

The men’s lunch bunch (Retired old Men Eating Out) meets on the second Thursday of each month.   Join us at the Best Buffet at 615 Wesley Dr. in Wood River.   All men in our church are invited (retired or working, old, or not).   For further information contact Paul Herbert.

WhaleCoast Alaska 2018

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Alaska? If so, WhaleCoast Alaska 2018 is for you!  Four Alaska UU fellowships invite you to experience our eco-cultural and spiritual program this summer.

See Alaska through the eyes of local UUs, with friendly homestays and unique tour activities.  See wildlife, including moose, bears, caribou, whales, bald eagles, seals, and otters.   Visit Denali National Park.   Experience Native Alaskan culture.  Forget the cruise ships – our program is the best way to visit Alaska! Tours led by Dave Frey, member of the Fairbanks UU congregation and Alaska travel expert.   Find out more about this Alaskan trip of a lifetime.   For complete information go to:

www.WhaleCoastAK.org,

email:   dfrey@whalecoastak.org or call 907-322-4966.  Discount for groups of 8 or more.   We would love to share our Alaska with you!

David Frey

Whale Coast Alaska Tour Director

www.WhaleCoastAK.org

dfrey@whalecoastak.org

907-322-4966

UU WORLD

UU World , the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association, celebrates liberal religion and the people it inspires.   Meet extraordinary individuals, see how Unitarian Universalist communities put their values into action, and explore the ideas and traditions that ground them.

The quarterly print and digital magazine is published in March, June, September, and November, but the website publishes news and original online-only content every week.  We also publish a weekly email newsletter and audio recordings of selected stories.

Members of Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States receive a print subscription as a benefit of membership, thanks to the generosity of congregations to the Annual Program Fund.

To sign up for UU World’s free email newsletter go to:

www.uuworld.org/subscriptions/emailnewsletter

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

2017 - 2018

Board of Trustees
Board President - Michael Schmidt
President-Elect - Paula LaFond
Past President - Dee Evans
Treasurer - Robin Crane
Secretary - Pat Moore
Member-At-Large - Phil Embree
Member-at-Large - Tracy Howe-Koch

Committee/Team Leads
Transitions Committee - TBA
Social Events - Vacant
Interfaith and U.U. - Vacant
Social Justice - Dee Evans
Fundraising - Dee Evans & Peg Flach

Pastoral Associates
Marcia Custer
Sandra Shaner

Religious Education Council
Chair - Joy Hoeft
RE Coordinator - Zipporah Lee

Stewardship Committee
Building & Grounds - Phil Embree
Canvass 2018 - Paula LaFond
Endowment Fund - Jerry Johnson, Ron Glossop & Tracy Howe-Koch
Finance - Matt Koch
Membership - Mary Weber
Sunday Support Ministries - TBA

Worship Associates
Mary Johnson
Robin Crane
Joy Hoeft
Robert Kokenyesi
Dorothy Wilson
Mike Tarabulski
Ruth Maskow
Sabrina Trupia