Congregation established 1836
FIRST UNITARIAN FOCUS
|
Congregation established 1836 |
|
Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M
October, 2018 - “Persistence”
|
October 7th 10 A.M – Potluck Dinner!
Pastor Amy Brooks Worship Associate: John Herndon
October 14th 10 A.M
Phillip Harris Sermon: “Persistence throughout the Protest: My Story of during the Ferguson Unrest”
Worship Associate: Robin Crane
October 21st 10 A.M.
Pastor Amy Brooks Worship Associate: Peg Flach
October 28th 10 A.M.
Mary Johnson
Presenting Faith Rocket Sermon
“Persistence in the Times of Struggle”
Worship Associate: Joy Hoeft |
Sunday October 7th Share your favorite foods with your church family and stay to help clean up after - all are welcome!
PASTOR AMY’S CORNER
Mea Culpa
Tomorrow, every Fault is to be amended; but that Tomorrow never comes. ~ Benjamin Franklin
Of recent weeks many of us have followed along in sick horror as reports from Pennsylvania revealed that priests kept secret over a thousand identifiable cases of abuse of children. In my home country of Australia, the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse have been similarly damning.
These actions are a violation of the trust that is placed in religious institutions, and I abhor the actions of the abusers and of those who covered up their crimes.
There is a righteous indignation that rises up from within me whenever I read another story about a child being abused in a religious setting, and about the people who protected abusers instead of protecting the vulnerable. And I am mindful that anger is so much simpler when it is directed at our others. It is so easy to judge our neighbours for their failings and forget there is a need to clean our own house. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
I wonder about the people who have encountered harm within the halls of Unitarian Universalist churches. I wonder about those who have experienced pain within our own walls. Whose stories have yet to be told? And, most importantly, where am I complicit in all of this? Where have evil actions been allowed to continue Mea Culpa or ‘through my fault?’ What can I do to change this?
It can be overwhelming to imagine how to respond when we are confronted by systemic violence. I suggest that something is always better than nothing. Revolution begins with one person, sharing one story: naming the evil, uplifting the good, and claiming as their own the agency to make change happen.
The Seekers
Change in
Adult (18 and over) Religious Education group
Beginning in October, 2018, Seekers will be facilitated by a group leader on the second and third Sundays only, after church, in Emerson Place, this month to occur on October 14 and 21. On the other Sundays, the group will be self-led by those attending. UU's love to discuss ideas, and all adults are encouraged to use this forum to discuss the sermon and related ideas. We always have lively and interesting discussions and we encourage all adults to participate. It is recommended that personal sharings be held to 2-3 minutes so that all may have an opportunity to participate. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Common Read
Have you been wondering when are we going to start the Common Read book again? (The Common Read is a book chosen by a Unitarian Universalist Association panel which all UUs are encouraged to read for the year.)
Answer: After careful discussion with Pastor Amy and our religious education professional, Zipporah Lee, the book "Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry" is on hold for now. However, watch for further developments (currently in the works) on the important issue of race.
|
Religious Education Updates
The Eliot Chapel Youth are visiting on Nov. 4th to worship with us & also to tour the building after worship. Please welcome them warmly as they join us. Religious Education for Youth & Children is currently being held in Emerson Place due to the need for slight building updates. We plan to share the space kindly with Seekers and any other group that wishes to use that space on a Sunday morning. The Religious Education Schedule has changed! In an effort to move toward sustainable youth & children's RE here at First UU Alton, there have been adjustments to how RE is scheduled on a Sunday morning. Youth now meet for RE every 1st and 3rd Sundays. Elementary now meet for RE every 2nd and 4th Sundays. 5th Sundays, all children & youth remain in worship. If anyone has further questions about these arrangements, please contact Zippy, whose information is found in the church directory.
New Church Office Hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm |
|||
|
|
||||
|
From the Board
We reviewed experiences with the new electronic giving app as well as plans for the NoCo and GlenEd satellite start-up meetings.
We discussed our continuing concern over the lack of member interest in filling the continuing vacancy in the President-Elect position. This is becoming increasingly worrisome since a person in that position would NOW be learning about the Board activities and responsibilities so that they could succeed Chris as President on July 1.
And we discussed items for the Board’s “annual retreat” which is scheduled for September 22. More on that later.
If you have any questions, please find a Board member and ask.
Sandy Shaner
Besides donations of personal care items
we need donations of a few hours of your time.
We almost had to cancel September’s distribution
because most of our regular workers were not available.
Fortunately some people were able to change their plans at the last minute
and we opened as usual. However, we need additional people to be trained
in the processes involved in this community outreach program.
So, October’s distribution is on October 27. If you are willing to come
from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to learn about the distribution tasks involved,
please contact
Thanks, Mary |
Wash, Dry and Put Away!
Join us for our Third Annual Trivia Night Friday, October 19th at Kirkwood Community Center Follow Link Below for More Information and Registration https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=stlefa&id=52 ~
St. Michael’s Parish, 415 E Main St., Staunton, IL – Exit 41 off I-55. Saturday, October 6th kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with a 5k run and the Auction will begin at 9:30 a.m. Great food & refresh-ments, Laser tag and other games, amazing raffles, a country store and live music by Hella Snaps from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday, October 7th begins with a polka Mass at 10:00 a.m. Our famous chicken dinner from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and entertainment all day including live music by Wildfire from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Visit our website for a full schedule of events at: www.stmichaelsoctoberfest.com.
Thank you for your assistance and we hope that you will all be able come visit our parish celebration.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
|
Social Justice Committee Minutes for 09-15-2018
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Anna Ds – Women’s Alliance Oct. 4th 11 a.m.
At our September meeting we decided we wanted to return to Fazzi’s in October, and Mary Weber has made arrangements for us to do so. Here’s the summary: Fazzi’s 1813 Vandalia St. Collinsville, IL 62234 Phone: 618-344-5440
Please either respond to this email or call Mary Weber with your RSVP by Monday, October 1.
If you would like to bring canned food for Oasis or personal care items for 4th Saturday distribution, we’ll make sure they get to the right place.
See you soon! Sandy
Oct. 11th 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 Paul Herbert. |
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Board of Trustees
|
|||
Return to First Unitarian Church of Alton - Newsletter Archive Page
