News from UUCNWT

You are experiencing a crisis or emergency
You are considering joining the church, or resigning from it
You would like to explore issues in your personal life
You would like help in planning a ceremony, such as a child dedication, wedding, memorial service, house blessing, etc.
You or someone you know is in the hospital, in a convalescent home or in prison, and could use a visit
You would like to discuss some aspect of church life
You have an idea for a Sunday service
You would like to explore further an idea or subject area that you heard in a sermon
You would like to discuss your personal spiritual journey
You simply want us to get better acquainted
You heard a great joke that you'd like to pass along!
And, if you can't decide whether or not it is appropriate to call me, CALL ME! I wish to be as available to you as I can be.

My regular office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10-3. However, I will be in the office at other times as well, and you can always call to make an appointment at some other mutually convenient time.

Warm Regards,
Joy

President's Column

If it is true that time flies when you are having fun, then I must be having the time of my life. Last month went by so quickly that I totally missed the deadline to write a column for the newsletter. Suddenly, it is fall, and the new church year is in full swing.

I could not be happier with the board of trustees I am working with. We had a retreat at the end of August, and we discussed many things with passion and concern, but managed to keep our wits about us and work together as adults. We deliberated, discussed, disagreed, and ended up with goals that are both achievable and ambitious at the same time.

These were the top three goals, although they are not listed in order of importance:

A realistic assessment of where we are as a congregation. This includes how well we function, how well off we are financially, where are we growing, where are we declining? What kind of congregation are we, and what kind do we need to be in order to achieve our other goals?
Right relations - total agreement is boring, but disagreement should not mean disagreeable. As a congregation I recommend a zero tolerance for bullying or behavior that is intended to intimidate instead of convince. But how do we deal with situations where disagreements become disagreeable, and where intimidation has replaced dialogue? Right relations should introduce practical activities and processes to get past situations that leave no one satisfied and less than nothing accomplished.
Congregational Growth - growth in numbers, growth in possibilities to participate, growth in opportunities for individual development, growth in our ability to sustain ourselves as a congregation, and growth in building relationships with the community.

As you can see, these goals are achievable. At the same time, achieving these goals is not a sure thing. They are board goals, but the board cannot achieve them alone. You can contribute. What are you doing to promote your own growth? Would you be willing to learn how to speak up to short circuit an unnecessary argument? Do you have an idea about what is working and what is not with the congregation? Speak up. Let someone who is heading up a committee know you would like to help out. Join a discussion group. A small group of committed people can always make a difference.

The W3 (Way We Were) Archiving Project Every Tuesday

Over the summer, three of us (Dale Golis, David Greene and Meg Kidwell) got to chatting over coffee about all the "stuff" we had accumulated in our lives, including photos and other memorabilia. Dale told us about her experience with scrap booking and showed us some of the beautiful albums she had created. That got us brainstorming about the possibility of initiating some kind of group activity with the purpose of learning and applying a range of techniques for recording and preserving the unique history of our congregation, as well as that of our own personal lives. We shared our ideas with our Interim Minister, Rev Joy, who enthusiastically encouraged us to move forward. She considers this type of activity to be an integral part of our interim transition period.

The W3 archiving project is envisaged as a relatively informal, fun, open-ended group activity with a strong social component that could result in serious practical and artistic outcomes.

We appear to have several members of our congregation who are experienced in a variety of archiving techniques and are willing to share knowledge and contacts in their various areas of expertise including:

Scrapbooking
The recording of oral histories
Video recording
Genealogical research
Etc....

We realize that our congregation already has available a wealth of historical records of various kinds and our purpose will be to build on this rich foundation by drawing on the archiving skills and expertise of interested members.

The main initiative for developing varied potential subprojects will lie with the participants themselves as the activities evolve.

Our first open meeting will be on Tuesday September 28, at 10 am, in the large RE room. At this session, Anne Tatum will share her experiences recording oral histories as an archiving technique. Anne will be sharing ideas that we can practice and get started right away.

We have reserved the large RE room, at the same time, on subsequent Tuesday mornings to open up the project to all those in the congregation who are interested and to initiate hands-on participation. Stay tuned for the announcement of further activities.

If you have questions please talk to David Greene (dgreene145@msn.com ) or Meg Kidwell (mgkaz@comcast.net ) and come and share your ideas with Dale on Tuesday mornings.

Fourth Sunday Program Illuminating and Sustaining

Another in our series of Fourth Sunday Lunches, to raise funds for the Community Garden, was held Sunday, September 26, followed by a Green speaker. David Schaller, who led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's sustainability efforts in the West and Pacific Islands for over a decade, is a co-founder of The Local Trust, a carbon offset nonprofit. He explained how The Local Trust program offers carbon credits to put carbon offset money to work right here in the Tucson community. Your money stays here and makes things happen, such as building more energy-efficient housing and sequestering carbon by planting trees that also provide wildlife habitat. We cannot make the carbon go away, but we can offset it.

More information about The Local Trust is available at http://gsa-usa.org/local_trust.php .

Share Produce

Please bring your homegrown produce to the Sunday Green Lectures to share with our collective ministry initiatives. Price your produce consistent with prices in our local supermarkets and plan to donate the proceeds to the Collective Ministry initiatives.

Last Sunday Marion Erickson brought a huge bag of fresh basil from her garden. She sold some of it to other members, and the rest was made into pesto, which will be for sale next Sunday to benefit the Community Garden.

Beloved: A Multifaith Pride Service

Tucson faith communities that celebrate the Love and Belovedness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, & two-spirit communities will gather for a Multifaith Pride Service at 7 pm, Thursday, Oct. 7.

The celebration will take place at Temple Emanu-El, 225 North Country Club, Tucson.

The evening will include music from Namoli Brennet, the Santa Rita chorale, Mary Lou Prince, the Metropolitan Community Choir, and more. The evening will also include prayers and reflections on the theme of being Beloved from many different religious traditions and faith leaders.

Childcare provided.
Refreshments to follow the service.

Hosted by the Wingspan Multifaith Working Group & the LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project

Activities and Events

Like to Hike?

We have a group who enjoy blue skies and rocky trails along with the company of other UUs on hikes that are mild to moderate. Starting this fall we'll have two hikes each month, with one being on the first Friday. If you'd like to participate, but have NOT recently received emails with hike information, please contact one of our hike coordinators, either Gene McCormick at genemick@comcast.net or Hobie Denny at hobied@gmail.com

Movie Outing Sunday, October 10

"The Social Network," time and place to be announced. This is a lively and critical documentary about Mort Zuckenberg, the founder of Facebook. Supper before or after at a nearby restaurant. Look for more info at Mountain Vista UU. jgwilcox@comcast.net 531-1413

Bookaholics Unanimous October 27

Remember Childhood's End from the 50's? How could you forget! We're taking another look to see how Arthur C. Clarke's story resonates from the benefit of decades. Read it again and come toss in your thoughts: October 27th at 6:45pm in the Fireside Room. You'll also want to be with us for November 17th's choice: Little Bee by Chris Cleave. We don't meet in December.
Contact: Elaine Harris azbooklover@comcast.net 290-1026

Kal Gal Exhibit Features Encaustics by Pam Ross

The Kaleidoscope Gallery presents the art of Pam Ross from September 12 to October 23. She specializes in encaustic paintings, although she has experience in other media. She is a graduate of of University of Arizona in studio and commercial art. She says: "It has always been my goal in life to create and experience beauty. It creates our joy and keeps our wonder of the world. Through change and curiosity we see today what we did not see yesterday. My artistic concept changes as our society, families, friends and lives change. Welcome change into our world and experience the wonder of the evolution of beauty through our artistic expressions."

Membership Committee Needs You

How would you like to play an important role in our religious community? We have openings in the membership committee right now, and one or more may be perfect for you.

Would you like to greet newcomers on Sunday morning?
How about serving coffee to members after the service?
Perhaps you could help follow up with visitors.
Does planning or helping run an orientation session for people interested in learning how to be members interest you?
Do you think it would be fun to organize monthly potluck dinners in homes that helps people get to know each other?
Do you have ideas about how to help members become even better members and get more out of their membership?
Do you think membership is important?

The mission of the membership committee is to welcome newcomers, provide them with information about Unitarian Universalism and our Congregation, and integrate them into our growing community. We also wish to challenge all members to broaden and enrich their experiences and commitment to our religious community.

If you believe members are important or if any of the activities listed above interest you, you may enjoy being part of the membership committee. Attendance at meetings is once a month, but opportunities to make a difference and enrich your own membership are endless.

If this sounds good, drop me a line or call me. Jane Paul at janerpaul@yahoo.com or 520-572-2011