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10:30 am
Children & Youth
Religious Education
10:30 am
Minister
Rev. Susan Manker-Seale
877-8961
Director of
Religious Education
Donna Pratt
867-1400, 575-1992
Choir Director
Lyle Brown
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Congregational
Administrator
Dorothy Fausey
579-7094
Newsletter Editors
John and Margaret Fleming
888-7059
Deadlines: 12th & 24th |
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Board of Trustees
President:
Meg Kidwell
1st Vice President:
Betty Meikle
2nd Vice President:
Conrad Paul
Secretary:
Debbie Gessaman
Treasurer:
Bill Casey
Membership Auditor:
Anne Leonard
Trustees:
Jan Hatunen
Gene McCormick
Chuck Tatum | | Circle of Life
We send healing thoughts and wishes to all those in need, including:
* Paul Brown, as he recovers from a fall and also undergoes treatment for liver and pancreatic cancer. Cards may be sent to Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, Sonora Room 736, 13500 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Tucson 85755. Check with the nurse at 878-2658 before visiting.
* Faith Matievich, who is at home recovering.
* Marion Erickson, who is recovering from respiratory distress, and is back in Tucson again.
* Ruth Knittel, as she prepares for more chemotherapy. She will be moving to The Fountains next week.
* Roy Powley and Jean Kratsch, as they both struggle with cancer.
* Jayne Ann Pillman, who is homebound.
If you have a pastoral care need, please contact Rev. Susan at 203-4291.
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Interim Task Force Progress
The Interim Task Force has received the names of four applicants for the position of Interim Minister. The group is in the process of reading their sermons, interviewing them, and talking to their references. May 7 is the earliest date on which we can make an offer, and the task force plans to have a recommended name for the Board to vote on by then. |
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Coffee Hour
Tuesday coffee and treats that Paula has been filling in for Dale will be on hiatus until the beginning of October.
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Roofs
If you looked up when you approached the building, you may have noticed that we now have a new roof on the sanctuary. If you walk up to the north campus, you will see that we have a new roof on the barn as well. The roofers appear to have done a very professional job.
Both roofs were in extremely bad condition. The sanctuary roof had not been replaced for at least the 18 years we have owned this property, and we don't know how many years before that. The barn roof was probably not quite as old. When you consider that the average length of time for a roof to last in Arizona is 15 years, we really got the maximum use out of those two. It was well past replacement time. |
 Media Workshops
The Media Specialists are offering a series of workshops as fund-raisers for the media center. The first was a course in photography taught by John Fleming. There were 3 2-hour sessions. Everyone appeared to have enjoyed it and gotten a lot out of it, and some excellent photos were produced.
The suggested donation is $17 for each 2-hour session--no charge for kids.
May 18,19 PowerPoint Jim Gessaman
June 1 Mobile Web
(youth teaching older folks texting, etc.)
July 6 & 7 Advanced Photography John Fleming
To register for any of these, contact John Fleming. 888-7059 |
Marriage Debate May 11--You Won't Want to Miss It
Mountain Vista UU is proud to be a named sponsor of the Same Gender Marriage Debate to be held on May 11 in Tucson. The debate fits well with our values and especially the UUA Standing on the Side of Love campaign. Our Green Basket donations will go to help support the debate.
Speakers for the debate are Dr. C. Welton Gaddy to discuss Same Gender Marriage and Religious Freedom with Maggie Gallagher, President of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy and a co-author of The Case for Marriage. Ms. Gallagher is national figure opposed to same gender marriage.
Make sure you attend on May 11, 2010, 7-9 p.m., at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 West Speedway, Tucson, AZ. |
Graduation Announcement
 It's finally happening! After six years of study, I am graduating from Meadville Lombard Theological School with my Masters of Divinity (divine!). I am flying to Chicago for the commencement ceremony May 16. You are invited to an open house to celebrate at Dora's, my Mom's, house on Saturday, May 22, drop in from 4 to 8 pm, potluck drinks/hors d'ouvres/ desserts. Please call me for directions. My cell phone is 520-269-9573. Hope to see you there! Love, Karla
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Reinstating Monday Summer Dinners Out
Once again, we are having Summer Monday nights out for dinner. The following is a list of dates for the summer and places for your calendar.
June 21 Guadalajara Grill: NEW LOCATION 1220 E. Prince Rd. 6:15 pm
July 19 Blue Willow, 2616 N. Campbell 6:15 pm
August 2 Lovin' Spoonfuls, 2990 N. Campbell 6:15 pm
RSVP to Kay Richter (h) 299-5272 (o) 318-1301
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Susan's Musin's
I have some really fun news! Unitarian Churchmouse is on his way out to visit us, flying in his little red airplane from his visit with Rev. Jim Bridges in Washingtonville, NY. Churchmouse has been visiting UU congregations over the last few years, and his home is Boston, Massachusetts. Last summer, he took a road trip with Rev. Jan Christian, my colleague in Ventura, CA, and Rev. Ned Wight, my colleague and "adopted brother" in North Shore, Long Island. I was curious to know more about this little mouse after Ned and Jan told me last fall what fun they'd had with him.
So, somehow I became friends with him on Facebook, and that's how I discovered that he was lonely and had nowhere to go. I invited him to go camping with me this summer, and he said, "Squeak I come to you in my little red plane if you let me know an address where I can land it. Squeak there must be at least twenty feet of flat space, like a road or a yard, for the plane to land on, squeak though when I visited Cynthia the chaplain I landed on a boat and was caught with a hook."
 I assured him we had plenty of landing space, and then I told him if he wanted to come sooner than this summer, that we were having a "retirement/transition" party for me on May 8, and he got really excited and now he's coming early, probably in the air right now, and I'll be bringing him to church as soon as he arrives so he can meet all of you.
If you want to look him up on facebook, type "Unitarian Churchmouse" into the search box. I'll be taking lots of pictures to post on his page, and I'll write stories about our adventures. I hope you all will join me in welcoming him to our congregation, and in saying good-bye to my ministry with you. The party starts at 6 PM, Saturday, May 8, at our congregation.
My last Sunday service will be June 13, and that is also my last day of work. I will have one month of vacation, and one month on-call for emergency pastoral needs, so I'm still your minister until August 15, when, hopefully, the interim minister will begin (but she or he may be delayed to the beginning of September, depending on the church year where he or she has just been).
I've arranged for some Sunday services this month which have particular relevance to this time of transition. On May 2, I'll be sharing the pulpit with Karla Brockie, our student minister who we will be ordaining next Spring, and we'll talk about what makes for a successful ministry. And I invited my colleague, Rev. Alicia Forde, to come speak with us on May 23 about the needs of multicultural congregations, and I'll share the conversation with her as well.
The closure of my ministry is becoming more and more evident. People come to say good-bye, and I got emotional watching you young folks lead the service April 18. You are amazing, and I did witness many of you grow up to be such beautiful, creative, warm, caring people. I'm looking forward to our party together.
Love, Susan
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Congregational Meeting May 2
Remember to mark your calendar for the Annual Meeting on May 2 after the service at 12:00. The congregation will vote on the following slate for 2010-2011.
President Conrad Paul
First Vice President Betty Meikle
Second Vice President Chuck Tatum
Secretary Debbie Gessaman
Treasurer Bill Casey
Membership Auditor Charlotte Engvall
Trustee Ann Ellsworth
Trustee Keith MacLoughlin
Trustee Lisa Ponder-Gilby
Endowment Pete Adams
Endowment Larry Jagnow
Endowment Jim Gessaman
Endowment Paul Sobel
Endowment Evalyn Bennet-Alder
Nominating Ron Meikle
Nominating Meg Kidwell
Nominating Jim Gessaman
Next year's budget will also be voted on at the meeting. |
| President's Report
"This is something I have found to be true without exception: that when we, any of us, focus on things in our lives that are passing away, we get scared, we get anxious, we get depressed, we lose hope; and when we focus on things that are being birthed and are coming newly into creation, we get excited, we get imaginative, we get optimistic, we feel drawn closer to one another, we feel as if we have meaning and purpose in this life, and we have joy . . . . we are given change as an ingredient in life. We can be frightened and anxious and resistant to it or we can embrace it as a tool to transform us." --Jim Kelsey (1952-2007)
This is the quotation that Betty Meikle used when introducing the last of the Third Sunday Forums on Interim Ministry last week. When the late Bishop Jim Kelsey spoke these words in 2007, he was commenting on institutional change and its impact on congregations in the Christian church. However, these ideas have current relevance to many of us in our personal lives, in our lives as citizens of our country and our world, as well as members of our Mountain Vista UU congregation.
It is helpful to be reminded that in any changing situation that can produce anxiety and stress, we can choose to move our attention from what we are losing to the opportunities that lie ahead. Jim Gessaman at the start of our current pledge drive exemplified this positive approach to the future. He chose to take a positive forward-looking approach in proposing an ambitious budget with visionary goals that include
· the hiring of an interim minister to help us navigate the
unsettled waters of the transition to a new settled minister · strengthening our blossoming music program
· supporting the revitalization of our RE program
· reinstating adequate benefits for our office administrator
· implementing modest energy efficient features to reduce
utility bills · consolidating this year's outreach initiative to the local
community
The Board is wholeheartedly endorsing a positive approach to the future. This is not the time to pull back or freeze. This is a time of opportunity to explore our identity and how we can serve as a beacon for liberal religion in the rapidly growing area of North West Tucson.
Please support our congregation by attending and voting at the Congregational meeting next Sunday, May 2 at noon. If you are unable to be present, consider voting on our web site or using a paper ballot that is available at the office.
Meg Kidwell, President |
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Transition Celebration May 8
Join us on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at 6 pm in the Sanctuary for Rev. Susan's Transition Celebration, as we mark her transition from the ministry to her new life as a writer. There will be musical and dramatic entertainment by talented congregation members and a time to share reminiscences about Rev. Susan.
Please bring your favorite appetizer or hors d'oeuvre to share. No chips and dips, please, as they have already been provided. Beverages will be served. PLEASE RESERVE THIS DATE. Volunteers to help are still needed; please contact Jan Hatunen, preferably via phone, at 622-2812 or e-mail at jhatunen@cox.net
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Frameshifting May 16 The Social Action/Justice Committee presents David K. Banner, who will speak about Frameshifting, on Sunday, May 16, following the service, at 12 noon in the sanctuary.
What is Frameshifting, you might ask. David defines it with the question: Ever wonder why certain events allow you to expand your consciousness or alter who you think you are beyond what you normally experience? The power of Frameshifting gives you access to this experience at any time without adopting, changing, or fixing your beliefs!
Mr Banner, a former college professor, will share experiences he's had that triggered a shift for him. You can have such a shift, too.
Banner, an author, mentor, and educator, has written six books and countless articles about transformational leadership, ethics and integrity in business, and related topics. Most recently he completed a new book called Frameshifting: A Path to Wholeness. In it he offers insights on how to lead a richer, more fulfilling life. The thoughts and ideas presented in the book are the culmination of many years of searching, experimenting, and growing.
For more information please contact Paula Trahan at 742-6657 or socalgirl@comcast.net
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Kaleidoscope Gallery May-June Exhibit Features Larry Jagnow
Larry Jagnow joined the congregation in the summer of 2009, shortly after he and his wife, Anne, moved here from Jacksonville, Florida. Larry began painting in 2001, after retiring from health care in the Midwest. He typically paints landscapes, using acrylics. He is inspired daily by the beauty of nature, especially the mountains of the Southwest. He spends many a weekend with his wife and two dogs, driving the back roads in search of the "perfect picture."
 A graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Larry began his career in journalism. After serving in the U.S. Army as an officer, which included a Vietnam tour of duty, he became a public relations professional and worked in industry and education as well as health care. His last position was as a senior vice president and compliance officer for a hospital system in Illinois and Indiana. He and Anne have two adult children. |
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Activities and Events
Movie Night, Saturday, May 15
The Village Barbershop, 7pm, at Steve Weatherspoon's and Romy Fouad's home, 3232 W. Lost Starr Pl. This comedy is about a barber, who, when his partner dies, is forced to take on a woman cosmetologist who threatens a gender discrimination suit if he doesn't. Please bring a snack to share. Look for a poster, review, directions and a signup at UUCNWT. jgwilcox@comcast.net or 531-1413 Bookaholics Unanimous May 26
For May 26th's book selection, we've chosen The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It's won a plethora of prizes and awards and seems to be a favorite of readers all across the nation. The narrator, Enzo the dog, sees the world with humor and wonder, and his story rings with truth. All in all, it's a great summer read. Discussion is at 6:45 on May 26 in the Fireside Room.
Finally, a book about Southern women and their black maids. The Help by Kathryn Stockett, our June selection, has the voices and the turmoil of the 1060's right, and the lines not to be crossed by either group of women perfectly defined. We'll want to hear about your reaction to this book.
July 28th's selection is pending, but you can move right on to the book for August 25: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon.
Contact: Elaine Harris at azbooklover@comcast.net
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| Children's Religious Education
REMINDER: Please remember to donate empty aluminum cans to the RE Department! Collection containers are located by the Goldblatt Building.. A special thank you to Emily Ricketts for volunteering her time and effort each month to deliver these cans to the Aluminum Recycling Facility. Proceeds earned benefit the Camp de Benneville Pines Scholarship Fund so that deserving youths from UUMV can attend summer camp. Thank you for your support.
Please note the upcoming dates:
Sunday, May 9th: Mother's Day Service. All ages come together to celebrate our mothers and to recognize the work of our teachers. We will present a fun and inspirational play, "Are You My Mother?," written by Christiane Heyde, starring the children and some of the adults.
Also on Sunday, May 9th: Super Camp Sunday. Early registration discounts for Camp de Benneville pines. An information table will be set up after the service.
Class Notes
· The Tigers (the younger kids) will continue studying Famous UU's this semester. A teacher (or occasionally a member of the congregation) will dress up as a Famous UU from history and role-play with the kids! It will be as fun as it is educational!!!! Upcoming "special guests" include Francis David and Florence Nightingale.The TAMS (Middle Schoolers) will be exploring morality issues, spirituality and UU History.
The YRUU (High School Youth Group) is still going strong, and meets the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. If you didn't see their service on the 18th, you missed an awesome event. The group will not meet during the summer.
Summer Program Invites You to Be a Guest
This summer we will again have Culture Camp for the Tigers and TAMS. Each Sunday a guest (a congregation member or friend) will present a lesson on a different country. A typical lesson would include locating the country on a map, telling a little about it, maybe showing pictures, and then doing an activity related to the culture of that country: singing French songs, cooking a Chinese dish, playing a Moroccan game, trying on Indian saris--you get the idea.
Any of you in the congregation who have lived in or visited other countries would be most welcome to be our guest. A member of the RE committee or teaching staff would be there to introduce you to the kids and help with the lesson. If you can do this, please let Donna or Margaret know. There are only a few slots still open, so don't delay.
Thank you to everyone who has been supporting Religious Education at MVUU. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact Donna Pratt, DRE, at mklo@earthlink.net or 867-1400.
Adult Religious Education
Kathy Kouzmanoff will be going back to Wisconsin for the summer. There is one more Wednesday Growing Your Own Wisdom drop-in, 6:30-8, April 28.
The Growing Wisdom Book Group will alternate with the drop-in group on Wednesday nights beginning in the fall, instead of on Sunday. There are too many who can't make it on Sunday. Lifewheel will be the first book and continues to be available through the church office, for $20, or at Amazon or www.booklocker.com .
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