Congregation established 1836
FIRST UNITARIAN FOCUS
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Congregation established 1836 |
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Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M
February, 2019 Monthly Theme “Truth and Lies”
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Sunday. February 3rd Monthly Potluck Luncheon
Pastor Amy Brooks Worship Associate: Robert Kokenyesi
Sunday. February 10th
Robyn Berkley Worship Associate: Michael Tarabulski
Sunday. February 17th
Pastor Amy Brooks Worship Associate: Sabrina Trupia
Sunday. February 24th
Robert Kokenyesi Worship Associate: Joy Hoeft
A great big Welcome to Nathan Brown , who “signed the book” on January 6th, joining our congregation! |
We welcome our new co-Presidents Elect (with future movement into the President and Past President’s position) - Lee Suarez and Char McAllister! See the Board report below for more information.
Potluck Luncheon Sunday February 3rd Share the warmth of community, good conversation and plenty of good food. Bring a dish to share or maybe help with clean up. All are welcome!
A new, rotating model of religious education has been implemented with youth meeting on 1st and 3rd Sundays and elementary aged children meeting on 2nd and 4th Sundays. On 5th Sundays, all young persons stay in worship with their families along with additional planned special services throughout the year (e.g., Ingathering). The 2019 religious education curriculum will be matched with the monthly worship themes to promote conversations between you all and our young persons. After some entertainment and use of the “Tapestry of Faith” curriculums provided by the UUA, leaders and I have discovered that the model provided in Tapestry does not fit the particular needs of our congregation. As always, the need for leaders for our religious education programming increases this coming year. I hope that you all will consider lending some of your time to share your wisdom with our young leaders and learners. |
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2019 R E Wish List: o Schedule at least one intergenerational visit & worship experience with a gathering of persons from another religious tradition. o With Main Street United Methodist, plan & attend a 3-day youth retreat experience with the “Urban Forum” at Kingdom House STL o Update our nursery area with the help of our Sunday morning nursery staff.
It’s been a busy time for the Board between its December and January meetings. Here’s a quick list with more information on several points: · Preparing for the January 6 semi-annual congregational meeting, · Continuing to canvass members about volunteer opportunities, · Declining a request from Post Commons for expansion of its current liquor license, · Enjoying the give and take of the semi-annual congregational meeting, · Rejoicing as the congregation accepted the nomination of Lee Suarez and Char McAllister as co-Presidents Elect (with future movement into the President and Past President’s position), · Greeting both Char and Lee to their first Board meeting on January 10, · Providing an opportunity for Hugh Halter of Post Commons to address the Board about its decision not to support the expansion of the Commons’ liquor license.
Now for a few details If you didn’t attend the congregational meeting (or even if you did) and you’d like to see Minutes of that meeting (including the Endowment and Treasurer’s Reports), please let me know and I can send you a copy. |
While the volunteering of Lee and Char provided the opportunity to take a deep breath knowing that the Presidency positions (Pres Elect, President, Past Pres) have been filled for the near term, there was still some concern that a President-Elect would be needed from the June annual congregational meeting. If you know Char and Lee from their previous service in the Church, you know that both are thoughtful, can-do members. At the January Board meeting they demonstrated their commitment with an offer that Lee to move into the President position for next fiscal year and Past President the next year while Char remains in the President-Elect position for FY19/20 then moves through President and Past President the next two years. The Board gratefully accepted their offer and the promise of leadership continuity for the next 2-3 years. We hope that the membership will also see this continuity as an opportunity to support the commitment of Lee and Char by engaging in one or more of the many levels of Church service still available. The other major activity of the Board during this period was the request by Post Commons (in the old Post Office across Alby from our lower entrance). While the Commons already has a liquor license to sell/dispense liquor in that location, it was requesting the approval of the three neighboring churches to broaden its license to allow it to sell liquor to be taken from the building. We received the request at the Church office in mid-December but were unaware that an answer was needed by the end of 2018. Once we learned of the immediacy of the request, the Board engaged in a conversation and decided not to support the Commons’ request. Subsequent to that action, Mr. Halter asked to address the Board at its January 10, 2019 meeting. Following that presentation, the Board determined that it would let its original decision stand and would not to support the Commons’ request. Anyone with questions about this issue – or any other issue -- is urged to contact any Board member. See you in Church! Sandy Shaner, Secretary
Thank you, Robyn, for volunteering! |
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Congregational Covenant Approved May 17, 2015
To strengthen and nurture with love, compassion and respect, we covenant to:
Honor and make space for our diversity, respect our volunteers, leaders and staff by supporting balance in their lives and in their personal and professional pursuits; Encourage each member to develop a personal spiritual practice that cultivates honesty and acceptance; Remembering our humanness we acknowledge our imperfection and extend forgiveness to ourselves and others; Engage within our own and larger community with integrity, by taking responsibility for our actions, facilitating right relationships, and living into the Journey. (The acronym for our Covenant is HERE)
Social Justice Committee Meeting February 17th 11:30 A.M.
This month’s Social Justice meeting will have a guest speaker, Louis Goseland, who is a community organizer for Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans who is experienced working with UU churches . His, and our, objective is building organizing capacity in the Metro East area. This is a real opportunity for us to learn from a real go-getter, professional.
Regional Assembly 2019 "Intersectionalities"
The 2019 MidAmerica Regional Assembly is coming sooner than you think! This year, our RA will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St Louis, April 5-7, 2019, so Save the Date!
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This church has started the process of expanding into the Edwardsville and Glen Carbon areas and North County in Missouri, with one meeting a month at each location. The Glen/Ed group will meet on Saturday, February 9th at 4 p.m. at A Holistic Approach, 88 South Main Street in Glen Carbon. The North County gathering will be on Saturday, February 16th at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of Village North Retirement Center. The Center is a little bit west of Christian Hospital at 11160 Village North Drive, off Dunn Road. Watch your “Church This Week” email notifications and this newsletter for updates.
Saturday February 23rd at 10:00 a.m. (Re-Posting Mary’s Great Article from January, just in case you missed it)
4th Saturday Personal Care Distribution – The Way It Works The average attendance at this community service project has grown from 40 to 60 in two years. In November 2018 we had a record 86 adults come by for personal care products. Folks start lining up outside the Alby St. door around 9 a.m., although unless the weather is bad (too cold or too hot) we don’t open the doors until 10:30 a.m. Distribution begins at 11 a.m. We have a helper named Roger who knows most of the people who come, and he has them sign in as they arrive and gives each person a line number. Once people come in they are invited to go to the Hospitality Room down the hall where they can get coffee, lemonade, and cookies. Sometimes we have additional items like clothing or toys in the Youth Group room for people to select from. Seating is available in both rooms. |
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We provide two white boards listing the products available for the month. People are encouraged to take a note card and write down the items they want. Everyone always gets two rolls of toilet paper, and then they can choose 4 or 5 more items – 5 if they bring a reusable (non-plastic) bag. We have been handing out reusable bags since the program began. Over 80% bring their reusable bag each month. Water and condoms are available and do not count as one of the 4 or 5 items ... but are limited to 4 condoms and 2 bottles of water per person. At 11 a.m. Roger starts calling people by number, three people at a time. Each person hands their note card and bag to one of the church workers in the distribution room (first room at the bottom of the stairs) who then calls out the items wanted and the other workers in the room go from shelf to shelf adding the requested items to the bag. All the products distributed are provided by church members and friends – or are purchased using funds donated by church members or friends. This 4 th Saturday Program is wholly dependent on YOU donating needed products or money. Items always needed: Toilet paper, Laundry detergent (some free and clear), Body wash, Shampoo, Baby wipes, Diapers, Liquid dish detergent, Deodorant, Lotion, Kotex pads. Other items are listed in “Church This Week” and on UU Friends. February 23rd and helpers as well as products and financial support are needed. Thank You for YOUR participation in our church’s community service efforts.
Guest at Your Table (GAYT) is UUSC’s annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. Since UUSC works in over 25 countries, with over 75 grassroots partners, there are thousands of individuals involved in and who benefit from the work that our members make possible. The program is an opportunity to celebrate grassroots partnership, support human rights, and learn about just four of these individuals – the “guests” in Guest at Your Table. Look for the donation box in the Wuerker Room to support this critical mission. 2018-2019 Theme: Justice Across Borders From the Northern Triangle of Central America, to deserts of Mexico and Arizona, to detention centers in the United States, the road away from danger is paved with injustices. Partnering with grassroots allies along the Central American migration trail, UUSC addresses root causes, supports migrants in transit, |
and protects the right to seek asylum. Join with UUSC for Guest at Your Table to learn more about UUSC’s and our nation’s involvement in Central America – historically and presently – and our courageous Migrant Justice partners.
Please send articles, news items or save-the-date reminders for the monthly newsletter to Dorothy Wilson and to the church administrator Phillip Harris.at church@firstuualton.org All items are due no later than the 20th
Please Join the Discussion At the “Y”! Watch the Movie – January 9, 2 - 4 p.m. White Like Me: Race, Racism & White Privilege in America featuring Tim Wise. Held in the lobby of the Alton YWCA Round Table Discussion – Feb. 9, 2 - 4 p.m. Share thoughts and experiences from the movie. Held in the lobby of the Alton YWCA. Book Discussion – March 2, 2-4 p.m. Read the book “White Like Me” and come together for further discussion. Held in the lobby of the Alton YWCA.
RSVP YWCA of Alton 618-465-7774 |
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Hello! We would like to invite Alton members to join Eliot Chapel on a March 22-24 bus trip to Montgomery, Alabama to visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, The Legacy Museum, Rosa Parks Museum, and the Freedom Rides Museum. We will be taking a 55-passenger bus and staying downtown at the Double Tree by Hilton which is within easy walking distance of all the major museums and freedom and justice sites. Find all the details at: http://www.eliotchapel.org/montgomerytrip
Wash, Dry and Put Away!
February 7th, 11:30 a.m. We've moved to our winter schedule for the 2-3 months (Jan/Feb/March maybe) most likely to bring us weather that can keep us in our homes for our own safety. Every 1st Thursday of these three months, we have a "come as you are" gathering at 11:30 at Best Buffet in Wood River on the hill across from Wood River Wal-Mart; the formal address is 615 Wesley Drive and the phone number is 618-258-1888. They are always open, we don't need a reservation and won't disappoint anyone if 2 or 12 arrive. If the weather is good, please come and join us. If the weather turns sour or is predicted to do so, stay safe and warm at home.
Since January and February locations are decided, let's think a bit about where we want to go in 2019. Here's a list of 10 restaurants I believe we've enjoyed . Please add others by return email or during discussion on Thursday. |
Taj Indian - Edwardsville Queen's Cuisine - Edwardsville Fazzi's Greek - Collinsville Castelli's - Alton Madison's Tea Room - Wood River United Methodist Village - Alton Meridien Village - Edwardsville Maryville Winery - Maryville Hofbrauhaus - Belleville Bella Milano - Edwardsville
If you can bring a food donation to any meeting for the Food Crisis Center basket at church, please do.
If you have any other questions or information you'd like circulated to the group, just let me know.
See you Thursday at Best Buffet! Sandy
Men’s Monthly Lunch February 14th, 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. |
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CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Board of Trustees
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