Congregation established 1836

October 6^th 10:00 a.m.

Presented by Michael Tarabulski

Worship Associate:   Robert Kokenyesi

October 13^th 10:00 a.m.

Pastor Amy Brooks

Worship Associate:  Joy Hoeft

October 20^th 10:00 a.m.

            “LOVE – Living Our Values Everyday.”
            A conversation about First UU Alton and Our Social Justice Priorities.

Presented by John Herndon

Worship Associate:  Peg Flach

October 27^th 10:00 a.m.

Pastor Amy Brooks

Worship Associate:  Robyn Berkley

THE OCTOBER 27^th SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT THE MOOSE LODGE IN EDWARDSVILLE - 7371 Marine Road.   THERE WILL BE NO SERVICE AT CHURCH.   As a church fundraiser, after the service we will be helping with the Moose Lodge’s bimonthly chicken dinner.   More details about the dinner (11a.m. – 3 p.m.) are on page 2 of this newsletter.

A Letter to the Members of the

First Unitarian Church of Alton

From Lee Suarez, Church Board President

Dear Congregation of the First Unitarian Church of Alton:

As incoming President, at the Annual Meeting in June 2019, I indicated that we needed to start a Congregational Conversation regarding where we house our Congregation and its activities.   My research showed that we started this conversation around 2011.  It’s time to resume that conversation.

The expenses, the economy, the changing dynamics of church attendance are all factors in needing to have an Open Congregational discussion on this subject.   The old methods are not sustainable, and WE must start the process NOW to build our Future.  As UUs we rely on our diverse perspectives, because every voice matters.   That’s who we are.   That’s the way we will find our answers.

There will be many questions that need to be asked for us to come to some solution for our church building.  Only by coming together can we find a viable and creative solution.

We are planning a series of meetings to continue what we didn’t complete in 2011, and this time come to decisions and a path forward.   We hope everyone can be part of these meetings even though we know that we all have busy schedules.

(Letter continued on page 2)

(Letter continued from page 1)

We will make every effort to schedule multiple meetings in different time frames, and to be sure that everyone can follow our progress, we will be emailing (or snail mailing) informational papers to all throughout the process.

Please plan to come together in this effort to speak your truth and to listen to the truth as others see it.   Together we can do what is best for the Congregation now and in the future.

We Value Your Involvement.   Our first Congrega-tional meeting to start this conversation will be on Sunday October 13^th after the church service.

Lee Suarez- President /

Char McAllister- President Elect

Are You Receiving the UU World Magazine?

All members of the church should automatically be receiving the quarterly magazine published by the Unitarian Universalist Association.  If you are not receiving this magazine please contact Phillip Harris in the church office (618-462-2462 or www.firstuualton.org) to have your name added to the subscription list.   The magazine is a “perk” of church membership and there is no charge to you.

Church Grounds Cleanup will be

Saturday October 12^th & Thursday October 24^th
8:00 a.m. to from 11:30 a.m.

Come join us in keeping our Grounds maintained.  Plans are to complete clearing the hillside by the Wuerker Room before cold weather arrives.  After working in Grounds cleanup, we go out to lunch in the area, if you so desire.

Char McAllister

Sunday, October 27^th

OUTREACH SUNDAY

in Edwardsville

Winner, Winner,

CHURCH & Chicken Dinner!

10:00 a.m.  Our UU Service will be led by Rev. Amy Brooks and held at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge,
7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville, IL.

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.   As a CHURCH FUNDRAISER, we will help the Moose folk with their bimonthly chicken dinner.    This dinner is open to the public:   tickets are available at the door.    Invite your friends and family to the 10:00 a.m. service and/or the chicken dinner!

A hearty meal is $9 for adults:   fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, fresh salad.  For children, the ticket cost is less, or free, depending upon the child’s age.  We will provide enhanced options for vegetarian and gluten-free friends, available on request.  Eat in, or eco-friendly, compostable takeout containers are available.  Scrumptious desserts available for purchase.

Volunteers are needed to …

• Provide baked goods for bake sale
• Help serve, clean up, restock beverages, wash dishes.  We need 5 people to help in 2 shifts:   10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  If 3 hours is testing your comfort level, a one hour shift would be appreciated too!
• Plan and provide viable gluten-free and vegetarian options

Contact Peg Flach to volunteer to help or donate desserts.
pegflach@gmail.com  or by phone

YOUR BOARD IN ACTION

Through December, the Church Board will meet on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.   The day of the week may change in 2020.

To see the latest news from the Board, check the Board’s Bulletin Board in the Wuerker Room at Church.

For a list of all Board Members and people in Church Leadership positions see page 7.

4^th Saturday Distribution Program Update

Our monthly distribution efforts serve those in our community in need of personal and household care products.   Such items cannot be obtained through the government’s SNAP program.   Besides getting products from “I Support the Girls” in Edwardsville, we are now a Partner Agency with the St. Louis Area Foodbank and are able to get some items at low cost through them, but it’s “hit and miss” as we are dependent on what sort of donations they receive, and since they focus on food, often the items we need aren’t available.   However in September we made two pickups of boxes of miscellaneous care products, most of which fit our inventory categories and the other items were put in the hospitality room “grab” box.   In September we also provided a chili and cornbread lunch for those who came by.

Donations of products (e.g., laundry detergent, toilet paper, diapers, body wash, deodorant, socks, etc.) are always needed, as is ongoing financial support.   Thanks to all of you who contribute in any way.

Mary Johnson, Sabrina Trupia, Carol McGrew, Robyn Berkley

Are You Looking for UU books and gifts?

Check out “inSpirit the UU Book and Gift Shop” at https://www.uuabookstore.org/
or download the catalog at
http://www.uuabookstore.org/Assets/PDFs/InSpiritCatalog2019.pdf

Upcoming Social Events for 2019

Saturday October 19^th:   Let’s celebrate Octoberfest together at the Hofbrauhaus in Belleville.   Those who went last month had a great time and we’d like to do it again.   We have reserved tables starting at 4:00 p.m.   You may order food and/or drinks individually.   Be ready for clapping, singing along, dancing, swaying, and lots of laughs, as we enjoy a good time together.   Contact Pat Moore ahead of time so that they can set up the right number of tables.   You may call at home, email her at patjimmoore@charter.net, use Facebook UU Friends, or tell her in person.   We will need a count by Oct. 15.

Saturday Nov. 9^th:   Join the Anna Ds for High Tea at noon in our own Kate Wuerker Room.   The cost will be $30, and space is limited to 40 lucky folks, so reserve with Peg Flach as soon as you can.   You may invite guests.   We will also be having a silent auction of Joan Hashimi’s beautiful teapot collection, which her family generously donated to the church.   Proceeds from the auction and tea will be donated to the church in Joan’s memory.   Let’s dress in our hats and gloves and celebrate in true English Victorian fashion.

Thursday Nov. 28^th:   Our usual Thanksgiving Dinner together for those who aren’t celebrating with family (or bring your family with you).   We will be coordinating the potluck closer to the date, and we usually plan to eat at around 1:00-2:00 p.m.   If you want to hang around after dinner, there will be plenty of time for conversation and/or games.

Sunday Dec. 1^st:   Regular potluck and annual “Deck the Halls” together.   Let’s spruce up the place for the holidays.

Saturday Dec 14^th:   You are cordially invited to the beautiful home of our President and Vice-President, Lee Suarez and Char McAllister, for an Open House.   Time and details will come later, but save the date now.

Your social committee for 2019-2020:

Pat Moore, Robyn Berkley, Peg Flach, Jamie Lewis, Kayci Combs-Lueker and Mary Lu McManus

Let us know if you would like to join us.   Do you like to plan parties, help with plans, or just clean up?

Pat Moore

Photos from Sunday September 8^th
Ingathering Roundup and Barbeque

In Our Church Family

Gerry Gilman has been moved to Meridian Village Care Center in Glen Carbon where he is receiving rehab.

Our condolences to Carol McGrew on the death of her father, Glenn David Bell, on August 27, 2019 in Stockton California.  A memorial service was held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Stockton on September 3.

Willis McCoy, a former member of our church, known for his musical contributions to our congregation and to the community, died on Saturday, August 24, 2019 in Northfield Minnesota.   A Memorial Service is tentatively planned for Friday, November 29, 2019 in Northfield.  More details will be announced when available.

News about

Our Extension Groups

As the new church year gets underway, our Extension Groups will start up again.

The Glen Carbon / Edwardsville Group (Glen/Ed) will meet on the 2^nd Saturday of each month (October 12^th) at 4 p.m. at “A Holistic Approach,” 88 South Main St. in Glen Carbon.

The North County gathering will be on the 3^rd Saturday of each month (October 19^th) at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of Village North Retirement Center.   The Center is at 11160 Village North Drive, little bit west of Christian Hospital off Dunn Road.

You are invited to choose to attend either of these two gatherings, no matter where you live.   These meetings provide an opportunity for discussions, sharing, and a time to get to know each other better.

Children’s Religious Education

RE will begin on October 6^th and will take place every other Sunday.   All ages will be in one class.

In a meeting with members of the congregation and the kids it was decided to focus on the Seven UU Principles.   The curriculum we’ll be using is called “Faithful Journeys” and includes stories, movement activities, and crafts as well as a time for sharing by the children and teachers what they did over the week that reflects one of the Principles.

In October, RE will held on October 6^th and October 20^th.   In November the children will meet on November 3^rd and November 17^th in preparation for presenting a skit entitled “Thanksgiving Soup” at the November 24^th Bread Service.

A big change in RE this year is that the children and youth will start in Emerson Place rather than the sanctuary.   Most weeks they will go into the service during the Time For All, so they will be in the sanctuary for the end of the service.   There may be a few weeks where that may not happen if the class is in the middle of a big discussion or project.

Please let me know if your child will not be there in November.

                                         Joy Hoeft

Summary of the Church Board Meeting of September 10^th, 2019

              We hope you have noticed that we are posting meeting agendas before each Board meeting and Minutes several weeks later (after they are approved by the Board, generally an email process).   If so, you may have noticed that the September 10, 2019 Agenda included a great deal of business.   And I am pleased to let you know we made it through the entire agenda within our allotted two-hour time.   (Hint, hint:  Anyone who is REALLY curious can absolutely join us to see our collegial process in person.)

              We began the meeting with a joyful item:   this was the first meeting for Ben Hoeft and Isabella Navarre who are our Youth Representatives this year.   And we were most grateful for their comments and perspective during a discussion of our social media presence, what’s working, what could be improved.

              Following a pattern Lee has set this year, we have been scheduling a deep dive into a single topic for the beginning of the meeting, and this month it was a review of 4^th Saturday efforts by Sabrina Trupia and Mary Johnson.   Details of that discussion are in the Minutes which will be posted soon.

              We then spent a chunk of time with Phillip Harris, our Church Administrator, discussing financial issues.   A copy of the summary report he provided will be attached to those same Minutes.   (Seeing a pattern here?   We would really like for you to locate those Minutes on the Board bulletin board and read them rather than depending on newsletter articles like this one.)

              And I may have “buried the lead” in this article to see how many read this far.  The Board at its retreat the previous Saturday discussed a new organizational structure; you guessed it, a copy will be at the back of those Minutes on the Bulletin Board.   In summary, though, we clarified roles for the Board, the Minister and the Office Administrator.   We collapsed many of the “committees” (most of which haven’t been inhabited by volunteers in a long time) into three major areas:

Stewardship = the Endowment Fund and Budget

Building, Grounds and Sunday Support = (the latter includes snow shoveling and kitchen clean-up)

Membership = Social Events, Social Action (4^th Saturday), and Communications (Newsletter, Web Site, Social Media)

The Minister’s primary areas of organizational responsibility are:

·        Worship (and Worship Associates)

·        Pastoral Care (guiding the Pastoral Care Committee as well as personal connection by the Minister)

·        Religious Education (Children, Youth, and Adult)

We did a lot of Church business, listened carefully to information we need to know and laughed a lot.   The only thing that could make Board meetings better is YOU – YOU learning about YOUR Church, YOU to volunteer in support of YOUR Church, YOU to make a difference in this world that only YOU can make.

              See you in Church!

Sandy Shaner, Board Secretary

You are invited to

Tea with the Anna Ds

on Saturday, November 9^th

At High Noon

In the Kate Wuerker Room

First Unitarian Church, Alton IL

Suggested donation $30 per reservation ***

Limited availability

Plan to “tart up” in your best finery:  hats, gloves, a tad of rouge and lipstick (or not)!  Our tasty afternoon “tea” will include a goodly amount of tasty meal items as well as variety teas, special treats, entertainment … and more!  All genders welcome.

Also, in memory of long-time Anna Ds member Joan Hashimi, her family generously donated 25 of her lovely teapots to First UU … as well as some other items special to Joan.  We plan to keep a few teapots for church use and, utilizing a Silent Auction format, allow friends to attain wonderful keepsake items as a special remembrance of Joan.

We are taking limited reservations until October 31.  Please contact Peg Flach by phone or at pegflach@gmail.com to confirm availability and for prepaid reservation details.

*** several donated reservations are available for anyone who finds the cost to be prohibitive:   just make a reservation “as a friend of Anna Ds”!

(continued on next column)

NEEDED for this event:

• Several 2 or 3 tiered serving stands.   (You know you have one hidden away somewhere:   we’d like to borrow it!)
• Volunteers to help prep, cook, clean up (yes, we will be using our lovely china!).

Contact Peg Flach for reservations, to volunteer, or to loan tiered serving stands.

INTEREST GROUPS:

The Anna D. Sparks Alliance (aka Anna Ds)

will meet on October 3^rd @ 11:30 a.m. at Meridian Village

Ginger McCall has invited the Anna Ds to meet for lunch at Meridian Village.   The address is 27 Auerbach Place, Glen Carbon, IL 62034 (right off IL 157 near the Moto Mart station).   The phone number is 618-288-3700.

Here’s the link to their web site if you’ve never been there -
https://www.lssliving.org/communities/meridian-village-glen-carbon-il/

The Dining Hall is inside the main (tall) building.  We’ve always enjoyed the food there, and the only thing to remember is to bring cash since they don’t handle credit cards AND there is no tipping.

Please let me know by Monday, September 30 if you plan to attend.   I’m looking forward to seeing you (and Ginger) there.       Sandy Shaner wrgma2@gmail.com

Men’s Monthly Lunch

October 10^th @ 11:30 a.m.

The men’s Lunch Bunch meets on the second Thursday of each month.   Join us at the Best Buffet, 615 Wesley Dr. in Wood River.   All men in our church are invited.   For further information contact Paul Hebert.

CHURCH LEADERSHIP as of October 2019

2019 - 2020

Board Members

Lee Suarez - President

Char McAllister - President-Elect

Chris Strangeman - Past President

Sandy Shaner - Secretary

Phil Embree - Treasurer

Aiden Crist - Member at Large

Jennifer Lewis - Member at Large

Isabella Navarre & Ben Hoeft - Youth Representatives

Building & Grounds

Co-Chair - Tom Cochran

Co-Chair - Michael Tarabulski

Grounds - Char McAllister

Endowment Fund

Jerry Johnson

Tracey Howe-Koch

Fund Raising

Co-Chair - Peg Flach

Co-Chair - vacant

Membership

Co-Chair - Mary Weber

Co-Chair - vacant

Newsletter

Mary Johnson

Pastoral Care Associates

Rev. Amy Brooks

Dee Evans

Ruth Maskow

Pat Murrell

Sandy Shaner

Mary Weber

Pledge Drive

Char McAllister

RE Council

Joy Hoeft

Jennifer Lewis

Kayci Combs-Lueker

Social Events Coordinator

Co-Chair - Pat Moore

Co-Chair - vacant

Social Justice

Co-Chair - John Herndon

Co-Chair - Ed Navarre

Social Media

Nathan Brown

Sunday Support Services

Paula Moore

Carol McGrew

Worship Associates

Chair – Amy Brooks

Robyn Berkley

Peg Flach

John Herndon

Joy Hoeft

Tracey Howe-Koch

Jerry Johnson

Robert Kokenyesi

Michael Tarabulski

4th Saturday Distribution Program

Mary Johnson

Sabrina Trupia

Carol McGrew

Robyn Berkley

If you have questions, concerns, or helpful ideas regarding any of the church activity areas given above, please get in touch with one of the people listed in your area of interest.

The Alton Overnight Warming Centers Initiative is a collaborative approach to addressing a critical need for persons experiencing homelessness during the coldest nights of the year.   There are public warming centers during the day but there is nowhere to go overnight.  In an effort to seek safety and connection for our neighbors this initiative seeks to pull churches, nonprofits, county officials and community members together in order to provide sanctuary to those who need it most.   Several potential host sites have been identified to be used on a rotating basis.  There will be training for volunteers on October 19^th at Deliverance Temple (1125 E 6^th St. in Alton).   For more information send an email to
altonwarmingcenters@gmail.com