Here's a chance to let your smiling face and personality be the first thing that visitors encounter when they enter the sanctuary on a Sunday morning.

We currently need substitute greeters to serve as pinch hitters when the regular greeters are absent. We usually have three greeters on duty each Sunday.

Don't worry that our standards might be too high. About three minutes of intense training is all that's needed for you to join the ranks of the GREETERS.

If you're interested please contact Gene McCormick at genemick@comcast.net

Karla to Be Ordained April 17

Karla Brockie will be ordained by our congregation on Sunday, April 17. The ordination service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson (22nd St and Swan) at 5:30 pm, with a reception to follow. The Rev Rod Richards, minister, UU Congregation of SE Arizona, will lead the service; Kellie Walker, Director of Music Ministries (VUU), will lead the music with combined choirs.

Book Sale

Thank you to Connie Armstrong, Chuck Gabriel, Masha Opp, Robert Brewer, Elizabeth Reed, Bill Casey, Stan Mitchell, and Catalina for bravely holding the Book Sale last Sunday the 10th. The weather the day before prevented the sale from being held in the church parking lot. The total receipts are not available just yet and we might just try to hold the Book Sale one more time. If anyone would like to have another sale and set up, sell, and clean up after, call Catalina 572-1881.

Howard Is Missing!

Howard Morton

That's right. Howard Morton, our founding father, is nowhere to be found. He must be hiding somewhere.

If you know where his framed photograph is, please let Dorothy know.

Justice GA

Help the UUA General Assembly plan for a special "Justice GA" in 2012 in Phoenix. As members of an Arizona UU congregation, you are invited to answer the following questions:

1. What are the top three goals you see as the most important for a Justice GA?

2. What three actions, activities, or workshops would be the most vital to a Justice GA?

3. What might be different about the display area? Opening ceremony?

4. What would bring you to the Justice GA in Phoenix 2010?

Please send your responses to Joy Atkinson at rejoy@aol.com. We will also provide some time after the service on Easter Sunday, April 24, for you to offer responses in person. The responses will be gathered and sent to the General Assembly Planning Committee to aid them in planning for an unprecedented General Assembly experience next year.

Green Sanctuary Goings On

Hello. I am Roberta Price, your newly appointed Committee Chair for the Green Sanctuary Committee. I am very honored to carry on this assignment in helping Mountain Vista UU to continue on with being environmentally aware in this slowly declining world of filling our landfill sites with paper, plastic etc.

The Green Sanctuary concept was adopted at the General Assembly 2 years ago, and Mountain Vista UU has completed all the tasks necessary to continue on with the Green Sanctuary Ministry.

Moving forward with the concepts necessary to keep us green, our first project for this coming Earth Day 2011 is the Sacred Water Sermon along with the 40/40 project kick off. Vince Pawlowski gave a sermon on April 10 to introduce it. You may have noticed the posters by the front door of the sanctuary explaining the 40/40 Water Conservation project. The website for the project is http://uuministryforearth.org/2011, and it is very informative. Also, there will handouts available on the table by the signup sheet for your choice of projects to conserve water for the next 40 days.

Also, at our March 20 Meeting, 2 guests from the Tucson Area Wiccan Pagan Network joined our meeting to explain their proposal to donate 2 trees to the congregation through the "Tucson Clean and Beautiful" program. Once we decide what type of trees we want, we will go forward with this project. Josh Gormally, our landscape architect advises that we need low water usage trees.

See you all next month with more information on Green Sanctuary goings-on.

Books for Music

Stop by the book table and pick out something that interests you--meditation, philosophy, religion--you name it. The books are published by UUA's Beacon Press, and all proceeds go to help buy music for the choir. Want to hear the choir sing something new? Well, buy a book! Books will be for sale on April 24, May 8, and May 15.

	Basics of Genealogy Join us on Tuesday mornings, as we continue to explore the fascinating process of researching our Family Histories with Karen Hahn, long-time genealogy researcher, and a member of our Congregation. Questions: contact Karen Hahn (Kayelache@aol.com).

UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund

The UUA has been in contact with our religious partners in Japan to express our concern and our willingness to partner with them in recovery efforts. Our partners, including Rissho Kosei-kai, Tsubaki Grand Shrine, the Konko Church of Izuo, the Tokyo Dojin Church, and the Japan Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom are all in discernment about the specific efforts they will be taking to support recovery work.

The UUA and UUSC will walk with them in the directions that are ultimately chosen and will make all appropriate decisions about the distribution of the funds. Please join with Unitarian Universalists throughout the United States by contributing to the UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund by making a gift online at www.uua.kintera.org/japan, or over the phone by calling UUA Stewardship and Development staff at (888) 792-5885.

Congregational Meeting May 1

The congregational meeting will be held after the service and a light lunch. Anyone may attend, but only members are eligible to vote. For the items to be voted on, refer to the notice near the end of this newsletter.

Workshop Postponed

Please note: the "Radical Hospitality and Stealth Greeters" workshop scheduled for Saturday morning, April 16, has been postponed until next fall.

Religious Education News

A Memorable Visit

The R.E. kids enjoyed a visit last Sunday from Joan Cass of the Tucson Wildlife Center, her assistant Nikki, and their great horned owl Bubba. Joan explained to the kids how they rescue injured and sick animals, and she gave them some pointers on what to do--and what not to do--if they find an animal or bird that needs rescuing. She showed a video of some of their animals. Then Nikki opened the large wooden box they had brought with them and brought out Bubba. He sat calmly on a stick she held for him and looked at the kids, turning his head back and forth (they can rotate 270 degrees) and occasionally opening his beak as if to make a comment. The kids really enjoyed the presentation and asked some very good questions, which Joan and Nikki were happy to answer.

RE Upcoming Events

Super Camp Sunday

On Sunday, May 1st, a table will be set up after the service for early camp registration for Camp de Benneville Pines. Register early and save $35 per child. If registering a second child, please deduct $15 from registration of the second child (sibling discount).

For more information click here

PSWD Elementary/Jr. High Camp

"Keep the Unity in CommUUnity"
Sunday - Saturday, July 10-16, 2011
For youth completing grades 3-7 (entering grades 4-8)
Cost: $390

PSWD Sr. High Camp
"Back to the FUUtUUre"
Sunday - Saturday, July 17 - 23, 2011
For yoUUth completing grades 8-12
Cost: $390

Youth Art Show

The RE Students have been invited to participate in an
Art Show!

Works of art will be displayed in the sanctuary for all to enjoy during the summer months. If interested in participating, please have works of art --photographs, drawings and paintings-- turned into Anne Leonard by Saturday, May 8. Items will be returned on Sunday, August 7. If possible, please have art work framed and ready to hang. (Please see Anne if you need help with framing. anne@alartworks.com)

Please see Anne or Donna if you have questions.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the RE Department, please contact Donna anytime at mklo@earthlink.net or 867-1400.

Barn Sale a Great Success

Everyone worked very hard and spent a lot of time together as Unitarian Universalists.

These people did the work, large and small:

Jean Kratsch, Robert Brewer, Dorothy Jensen, Christiane Heyde, Karen Hahn, Irene Sattinger, Meg Kidwell, Lara Brennan, Susan Glen, Sue Meada, Evalyn Bennet-Alder, Roberta Price, Ashlen, Ali and Shaylor Brennan, Betty Meikle, Paula Trahan, Jan Anderson, Anne Tatum, Cheryl Hiller, Ann Ellsworth, Anne Leonard, and Catalina Hall. New friends attending our church, Paul and Brian (a new couple), and Masha Opp (new to our church) stepped right up to help. Please thank all of them personally. If anyone was missed, we are very sorry.

The weather was record heat and miserable but people came, we got lots of stuff sold and made over $1850 for the church budget. For all that, people want to do it again. We are truly living our principles.

Catalina

Activities and Events

Movie Night April 24

Sunday, April 24, time to be announced, "Of Gods and Men" at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway. Supper after at Old Peking, 2522 E. Speedway. Look for a poster, directions and a sign up on the activities table. Please sign up to be notified of the times. jgwilcox@comcast.net 531-1413

Bookaholics Unanimous April 27

You don't have to love reading about football or war to be interested in Pat Tillman's story. We all read the headlines about the selfless young man who left a multi-million dollar career in the NFL to enlist in the Army. The headlines at the other end of his newsworthiness bellowed an unexpected account--well, several unexpected accounts. Look behind the banners at the truth as told by Jon Krakauer, a writer with the skills to do the job right. Where Men Win Glory; the Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer is our April book; meet with us for our discussion on Wednesday night, April 27th, at 6:45 in the Fireside Room.

Start right away on May's choice: The Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse. Two avid readers conceive an extraordinary bookstore that will sell only the finest literature. The store is a huge success, but soon violence threatens the store's very existence. A new premise--how refreshing! Join the fun conversation on May 25th.

Keep the gray cells churning by reading all of the following: for June 29th: an author discussion of the works by Jane Hamilton. (Read at least one of her books.) For July 27th: The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman. August 31st: The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.

Contact: Elaine Harris azbooklover@comcast.net

290-1026

Adult R.E.

American Transcendentalism Begins April 27

Four sessions: April 27, May 4, 11, 18 (7 to 9 PM)
Please note change of starting date from April 20 to April 27.

This class, taught by Rev. Joy, will explore the writings and contributions to American culture and to Unitarianism and Universalism of the American Transcendentalists--a philosophical and literacy movement of the 1830's and 40's that had a profound influence on our current identity. We will read and discuss the works of Emerson, Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Theodore Parker, Elizabeth Peabody, and several other Transcendentalists. To sign up, e-mail revjoy@aol.com
A charge of $15.00 will cover the cost of some of the reading materials.

Immigration as a Moral Issue

This course, developed by the UUA as preparation for the 2012 immigration focus of GA in Phoenix, was offered last month at UUCT. Several members of our congregation participated, and we want to offer it at our church in the near future. If you are interested, please let Margaret or John Fleming know.

UU Gateway Project Needs
Techno-Evangelists

The UU Gateway Project is coming to an end. Our one-year grant will run out in June. The original intention was to link congregations and expand our outreach through technology. We have made useful contacts with three other congregations: Sierra Vista, San Diego, and our sister church in Tucson. All of them have shown interest, but we have found that getting them on board is taking longer than we had anticipated. Even though $5000 in matching funds is available from the grant, they have been slow to sign on. More evangelizing is needed here.

Meanwhile we have developed a media center at our own church that can serve as a template for others who want to join the network. We are putting together a guidebook for other congregations to use to get their own media centers up and running.

Here's what we've done with the $5,000 cash from the grant:

· We have a video camera in place that we are using to record sermons.

· We have computers and projection systems in place in three locations: the sanctuary, the large RE room, and the Fireside Room. This makes possible PowerPoint presentations to accompany lectures or meetings.

· We have high-speed Internet access in all three locations.

· We have TV monitors in both rooms in the Goldblatt Building.

· Once we have added space for RE on the north campus, we can project services into the Goldblatt Building for overflow crowds.

· We have been posting sermons on YouTube. We now have 17 by Rev. Joy Atkinson and various lay members.

· We have started a Facebook page called UUs in Tucson.

· We have mailed out two full-color glossy newsletters to neighbors, members, and UU leaders (500-1000 pieces). A third is in the works. These can be used by other congregations with minimal alteration.

· We have printed 1000 business cards for our congregation to be used for evangelizing.

· We have organized workshops on media operation, photography, videography, and social networking.

We have applied for an extension of the grant for the coming year to continue our work of techno-evangelizing. We hope to work on the following:

· Continue and expand the program.

· Draw in other congregations.

· Offer the UUA course "Immigration as a Moral Issue" at our church.

· Set up workshops to train techno-evangelists, both youth and adults, to produce a documentary.

· Produce a documentary on immigration with participation of the youth in our RE program.

· Use Facebook and YouTube to deliver our documentary and our UU message.

We still have $5,000 in matching funds available to any PSWD church. What are you waiting for?

For more information, contact John Fleming, 888-7059 or

elfuturo@earthlink.net

The R.E. Garden

The RE garden is growing! Soon it will be time to harvest some of the cool weather vegetables (like the collards and onions and chard that are growing in the RE garden) before it gets too hot and they all dry up. If you don't know how to use the vegetables, let me know. Lots of recipes exist - even ones that taste great!

As you may know, right now is a great time to plant things. Today I stopped by and planted some corn and carrots. I planted carrots near the tomato plant that is already growing. Carrots and tomatoes make very good neighbors. They help one another grow and keep one another free of many pests. Corn likes to be near beans and squash. So, we can plant some of those later - maybe in May, if you have time. There is quite a bit of space left in our plot, so if you want to plant something, let me know and we will find a convenient time to plant and talk about the garden.

There is still time to start a few seeds for warm (hot) weather. Some plants like to be started in the ground. Others are happy to start in small pots and be put outside later in the spring. Now is the time to start things like cucumbers and melons and pumpkins and okra and eggplants and squash and peppers, both bell and hot types, and lots of other yummy veggies. You can start these at home in small pots and bring them to the garden when they get a little larger - or put them out in your yard. All you need to get started are some seeds, a little enriched dirt and some water. If you don't have seeds, ask friends who garden if they have any because those seed packets usually have too many seeds for one garden. Or, you can stop by a nursery to pick up seeds. Even grocery stores usually have seeds at this time of year. There are a few tips for growing seeds, but we can talk about that later. Another good way to get plants into a garden is to buy the plants that are already growing. Nurseries and other stores have many small plants that you can purchase and transplant into the garden.

While there is a long list of plants that can be started in small pots, some prefer being planted in the ground. These include beans, carrots, turnips, beets, peas and others.

Six plots are being gardened. If you have not seen our garden, please drop by any time. If you wish to get in to see the plants, or if you wish to rent a garden plot of your own. Please call me. If I don't answer my phone, please leave a message and I will get back to you.

Betty 990-4663

Housing Needed

A lifelong Unitarian Universalist and Pre-Med Public Health major from the Wayland, MA UU congregation is planning to come to Arizona to work with No More Deaths this summer, and she will need housing from June 6th to July 2nd while taking an EMT course here. If you can offer housing, please e-mail Rev. Joy at revjoy@aol.com .

Diary of a Part Time Gardener

By Alberta Gunther

Every time that I leave town, something dies or does not grow. This time was no exception. I planted a bunch of seeds before I left. Only the squash came up. And the peas that I had safely protected through our record cold, died, Actually they had lost all of their leaves. It looked like something had eaten them. I kept watering, but then they died.

I now have three tomato plants and one cucumber. So far they're doing OK. My radishes have gone to seed. The lettuce is still holding up and I have carrots. I plan to plant okra this month.

My yard is a disaster zone from the freeze. The lemon tree is coming back although in a smaller size. The feather tree, I don't know the real name, is about 3/4 dead, maybe more. The big leaf acacia is 99.9% dead. Who knew to plant freeze-tolerant trees in Tucson. However the miniature rose has never looked better. The freeze was apparently good for it.

All for now. More next month.

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE UUCNWT/MVUU CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SUNDAY, May 1, 2011, in the sanctuary at 12:00 p.m.
following our church service and a light lunch.

To All Members of UUCNWT:

The following matters will be considered and voted on by the Congregation:

· Approval of the Nominating Committee's Slate of Nominees for the Ministerial Search Committee:

Peter Becskehazy Betty Meikle

Evalyn Bennet-Alder Pat Reddeman

Gwen Goodman Anne Tatum

David Greene Sybelle Van Erven

· Approval of changes to the UUCNWT Bylaws:

Resolution #1

Subject: Board Composition

Be it resolved that the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson Board of Trustees, currently consisting of nine members, be reduced to seven members, effective July 1, 2011. Membership Auditor and one at-large trustee will be the positions eliminated. The board will consist of a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two at-large members.

Rationale for Changes

The membership auditor's functions can be assumed by the membership committee, by adding a requirement that a membership auditor be appointed to the committee. This will increase efficiencies relating to oversight of the UUCNWT members. Currently, duplications exit in what the auditor and membership committee do.

A reduction of two board members frees up those two members to do other work for the church. It also will enable the Board to work more efficiently.

These are the changes to By-Laws, Article V, Section 1.

Board of Trustees

At each Annual Meeting there shall be elected from the voting membership of the congregation a Board of Trustees: A President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, ~~Membership Auditor~~, and ~~three (3)~~ two (2) additional trustees. Each officer shall hold office for one (1) year, perform the duties pertaining to such offices, and be eligible for election for no more than three (3) consecutive years. ~~Each remaining~~ The additional trustees shall serve for staggered terms of two (2) years, to be elected annually~~. Initially, one trustee shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and two(2) trustees shall be elected for terms of two (2) years.~~ Each shall take office on July 1 and serve until the end of the fiscal year. The Minister shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting, member of the board.

Resolution #2

Subject: Stewardship, Finance and Endowment Committee Melding

Be it resolved that the Finance Committee be melded into the Stewardship Committee, and the functions of the Endowment Committee become a part of the Stewardship Committee's charter. Further, the board's Treasurer shall be named an ex-officio member of the Stewardship Ministry, effective July 1, 2011.

Rationale for Change

The melding of Finance and Endowment into Stewardship, with the addition of the Treasurer as an ex-officio member, better represents one of the important goals of this congregation: to enhance its stewardship program and coordinate financial functions. It also creates more synergy among finance and endowment functions. The dictionary definition of stewardship, in fact, is supervision or administration of finances and property. The continued separation of endowment funds from yearly operating income shall be guaranteed by specific language in the revised policy concerning stewardship. Finally, the addition of the Treasurer as an ex-officio member of Stewardship links its work directly to the monthly reporting duties of the Treasurer of the Board.

These are the changes to the By-Law Amendment #1: Endowment Committee:

~~BYLAWS AMENDMENT #I: Endowment Committee:~~

Section 1. The Congregation shall have a separate Endowment Fund to assure the long-range financial future of the congregation, to help the congregation manage and survive financial emergencies, and to fund capital needs and special projects that further the mission of the congregation.

Section 2. The Endowment Fund shall be governed by an Endowment Committee, which shall serve as custodian of the Endowment Policy. This policy may be amended or repealed by an affirmative vote of sixty-six (66%) percent of the members of the congregation present and voting at a duly called congregational meeting.

Section 3. The Endowment Committee shall consist of five voting members of the congregation, elected in the annual election. Except in the initial election when shortened terms will enable a staggered rotation of members, the term of each committee member will be three years.

These two actions require a Congregational Meeting for voting members.

· For your information, our Congregational Bylaws, Article I, Section 4, state: "All congregational meetings shall be called by the Secretary by causing a true copy of the notice to be mailed, or emailed, to every voting member of the congregation at his or her last known address at least fourteen (14) days before the meeting. The business to be transacted at any congregation meeting shall be specified in the notice of that meeting."

· In addition, you will receive information on organizational restructuring that does not require members to vote.

· In case you cannot attend, Absentee Ballots will be available at the church office by Friday, April 15, 2011.

Respectfully submitted,
Deborah C. Gessaman
UUCNWT/MVUU Board of Trustees Secretary

Welcome Our Newest New Members

Joe Scott

Joe and his wife Almut retired to Tucson from New Jersey almost two years ago. He was raised Baptist, but first heard of Unitarian Universalism related to the UU activists in the American Civil Rights movement. His first direct experience came when he and Almut were married by a UU minister in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1974. They have a son, Kai (age 31) who lives in Phoenix, and a daughter, Jasmine (age 34) in San Francisco.

Joe Scott When the Scotts moved to Englewood, New Jersey, Joe worked in community development with such non-profits as the Housing Authority and Work Force Services. It was here that Joe decided to look for "a structured religion that was inviting to all people." About ten years ago, he joined the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Palisades, a church intentionally created to be racially diverse. When another move took them to Paramus, New Jersey, he became a member of the Central UU Congregation of Paramus.

Joe has always liked to sing, and he joined our choir as a bass soon after he first visited MVUU, where he found the people to be "warm and friendly." About his decision to join, Joe says that he realized he could better voice his opinions if he were a voting member. We all welcome you to our community, Joe!

Edita Tomory

Edita's biography was in last month's issue, but her photo was unintentionally left out. Our apologies to her. You can read her biography by going to the newsletter archive.

Darcey Spears and Pat Reddemann

Darcey grew up at Unity Unitarian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. She's been a teacher's aide, a bank branch manager, a graphic designer, a concert promoter, a writer, and a software engineer. Writer is the only one that stuck and she's currently balancing work on a mystery set in Tucson with her day job as an interface designer. She was a YRUU Advisor and RE teacher for this congregation.

Pat was raised in the upper midwest, Milwaukee and Chicago area, and began attending UU here in Tucson. She works full time as a buyer and sales manager for a book distribution company. In her spare time she is a woodworking artist. Pat exhibits her work at art shows all around the southwest.

Both were very involved in this congregation beginning in 2000-2004 and are happy to be back in this loving community.

Donna and Milt Francis

Donna Francis Donna was born in San Francisco, but grew up in the DC area. She attended Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and earned a MA in history/urban history at the University of Chicago. She worked in the environmental and land use planning field, finishing her career as the environmental officer for HUD. That's where she met Milt 35 years ago.

When not in Tucson, they live at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Salida, a small rural community at 7,000 feet, 120 miles southwest of Denver. Donna says you have not seen mountains until you see the fourteeners in their back yard. Their son Ted and family are in Wichita.

Donna has been involved in historic preservation most of her career as well as now. She was a preservation commissioner in San Diego as well as in Salida. She is currently the president of Historic Salida, Inc.

Donna is an award-winning pastel painter and is also interested in gardening, reading, walking, and peace-related activities.

Milt Francis An active UU most of her life, Donna has served in various capacities including membership chair, RE coordinator, board secretary, publicity, women's issues, and fundraising. She is interested in areas of social justice/action and is deeply concerned about our immigration policies. She and Milt recently attended the Immigration and the Border class at the UUCT. Their Tucson home is in the foothills near Sabino Canyon. They would love to connect with any UUs in area.

Milt was born of Greek immigrant parents in Manhattan, NYC. He left in 1942 for WWII, in which he served in the Army until 1946. Milt graduated in Economics from George Washington University and began his career in federal housing programs.

At retirement in 1980, he was the Assistant Secretary for Housing at HUD in DC. After retirement, he and Donna ran an appraisal business in Southern California for 10 years. He has two sons and a daughter, and three--soon to be four--grandchildren.

Milt has been a Unitarian since 1955, serving on the boards of three congregations and board president for two terms at Shawnee Mission UU in Overland Park, Kansas. He participated in two ministerial searches and two times as a delegate to the UUA General Assembly.

A pacifist, agnostic, and a supporter of liberal and progressive causes, Milt resents the political, social, and economic course this nation is pursuing. He loves music, poetry, philosophical explorations, the natural world, and the artifacts of the past and present--the work of our hands. He feels privileged to join this merry band of UUs in the NW territory.

We are privileged to have them both as members.

Sunday Services for April

April 17, 2011: Palm Sunday

"Not My Will..."

Rev. Joy Atkinson

We accomplish so many things by sheer acts of will. But what happens if we can't control a situation? How can we let go enough to let something unfold in its own time, of its own accord? The sermon will explore the sometimes useful discipline of yielding and surrender.

April 24, 2011: Easter Sunday Intergenerational Service

"Practicing Miracles without a License"

Rev. Joy Atkinson

Join us for an intergenerational service of story, reading and song, as we gather to celebrate Easter, and the everyday miracles of our lives.