News from UUCNWT

The following are the questions that Arizona congregations are asked to answer regarding the special "Justice General Assembly" to take place in Phoenix in 2012. I collected some responses after the service on Easter, but would like to give you all another opportunity to have input before I send the compiled responses. I need responses by this Saturday, April 30th.

1) What are the top three goals you see as most important for a Justice GA?
2) What three actions, activities, or workshops would be 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 2012?

Please send any responses to me at revjoy@aol.com
Thank you, Joy

Annual District Assembly

The Annual Meeting of the Pacific Southwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena, CA. The annual meeting of de Benneville Pines, Incorporated will also be held on the same date and at the same location.

The tentative agenda for the PSWD meeting includes annual elections, approval of the 2011-2012 budget, the Board's vision for the District's future, reports, elections and such other business as may be properly presented.

The tentative agenda for the de Benneville Pines, Incorporated meeting includes annual elections, reports from the President and staff and such other business as may be properly presented. A detailed preliminary agenda will be sent to you prior to the meeting.

District Assembly is a singular opportunity for you to meet with a significant number of other Presidents and share issues and concerns with your peers as well as board members. This year is especially significant as both the Pacific Southwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and Camp de Benneville Pines celebrate their 50th anniversaries in 2011.

All are welcome. Please contact Conrad Paul if you would like to attend as a delegate.

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 email Rev. Joy at revjoy@aol.com.

Greeters Needed

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

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.

Words of Joy

There is evidence that even as we multiply our contacts on Facebook and other internet venues, people in our modern society are generally becoming more socially isolated. One study found that while in 1985 nearly three quarters of people reported having a friend in whom they could confide anything, two decades later only half said they had this kind of support and intimacy from one person. Also, the number of people Americans reported having in their closest circle of friends dropped in those two decades from three to two.

Rev. Joy In this time of increasing isolation, people need opportunities to connect with others face to face. This need increases the importance of voluntary communities like congregations--where people can network with others, find and strengthen friendships, and share their lives in more depth than is possible through our many technological connections.

To be effective in creating deep human connection in our congregations, we need to be as hospitable as we can, both to those we know and those we have yet to become acquainted with. We need to practice hospitality as a kind of religious discipline. UUA President Peter Morales has written about how we can do this:

First, we can begin by being open and loving with those we already know, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and extending ourselves to others. But we can not and must not stop there. If we stop there we draw a circle that keeps others out, a circle that disconnects us. We must go much further. A true religious hospitality reaches out to those we do not yet know. This can be as simple as greeting those seated near you on Sunday morning and working up the courage to talk to a stranger during coffee hour. It means warmly welcoming those who come looking for a religious home.

Let us work on practicing this religious hospitality among ourselves and toward the stranger who visits us for the first time. In this way we can serve the community by helping to answer the modern human cry for a sense of connectedness, and we can both deepen and grow our liberal faith, extending a warm welcome to all who enter our doors.

Congregational Meeting May 1

in the sanctuary at 12:00 p.m.
following our church service and a light lunch.

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:

Inquirers' Meeting May 15

Considering Membership?
Or just want to know more about us....

Come to an Inquirers Meeting after the service at noon on May 15 to learn about this congregation, its programs, and Unitarian and Universalist history. Talk to Jane Paul if you have questions.

Ice Cream Social
May 15

An ice cream social will be held after the service on May 15. This is a fund-raiser for camp for our youth. Come, eat ice cream with various toppings, and socialize.

Activities and Events

Movie Night May 21

"Bagdad Café," Saturday, May 21, 7 pm, at Judy Carlson's, 13956 N. Green Tree Dr., Rancho Vistoso, Oro Valley. Bagdad Café is a comedy about a German tourist who is dumped by her husband in front of a down-and-out motel/café in Bagdad, Arizona, and about what happens to her and the quirky people there. We are limited to ten persons by space limitations. Please bring a snack to share. Look for a poster, review, directions and a signup at Mountain Vista. john.wilcox2008@comcast.net 531-1413

Bookaholics Unanimous May 25

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

R.E. News

Upcoming Events

Sunday, May 1st- YRUU Youth-led Service (Intergenerational Service-students in sanctuary the entire time)

Sunday, May 8th- Connection Sunday (Students will be working in the Community Garden. The previously-planned Ranch Field Trip had to be postponed because the owner had a death in the family.)

Sunday, May 15th- Regular classes (start in the sanctuary for a Story for All Ages)

Sunday, May 22nd- End of the Year Party

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).

PSWD Elementary/Jr. High Camp

"Keep the Unity in CommUUnity"

Sunday - Saturday, July 10 - 16, 2011

For yoUUth 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

For more information, click here.

Summer RE Program

This summer we are planning a Share Your Passion program, in which various adults will visit and share their passions with the kids. Some examples are scrapbooking, drumming , bird-watching, genealogy, singing, and public speaking . Any of you who have a passion you'd like to share with the kids one Sunday, please let Donna or Margaret know. Even if you don't have teaching experience, this is something you can do. One of the RE teachers or committee members will be with you to serve as a liaison, find supplies, provide snacks, and help you with the kids. We will continue with the story on the first and third Sundays.

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

Water Warriors

We are calling them our "Water Warriors", those members and friends who took the UU Ministry for Earth's 40/40 water challenge. They committed to 40 days of action on a water issue of their choosing beginning on Earth Day. We have 41 participants as of 4/26!!

Those who took the challenge are Vincent Pawlowski, Marion Erickson, Paula Trahan, Maria Parham, Jim Gessaman, Anne Tatum, Debbie Gessaman, Dorothy Jensen, Catalina Hall, Robert Brewer, Kay Richter, Anne Leonard, Roberta Price, Jean Kratsch, Barbara Gates, Beth Kern, Judy Carlson, Joan Allemon, Rev. Joy Atkinson, Lisa Ponder-Gilby, Tom Bunch, Irene Sattinger, Rev. Karla Brockie, John Wilcox, Evalyn Bennet-Alder, Helen Wilcox, Clint Ponder-Gilby, Terry Pawlowski, Ron Meikle, Cheryl Hiller, Jan Anderson, Alberta Gunther, Emily Ricketts, Ashlen Brennan, Ann Ellsworth, Josh Gormally, Valerie Power, Janan Power, Margaret Fleming, Bill Casey and Elizabeth Reed.

If your name is not on this list and you would like to participate, choose an action, sign the sheet and start counting days to 40.

Questions? Contact Marion Erickson at 797-1174 or marione@Juno.com

Spaghetti Dinner & Movie Night May 21

YOU ARE INVITED to a spaghetti dinner and movie night sponsored by the Interweave Group of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson on May 21, 2011 @ 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary.This event is to help raise funds for Gay Pride to enable the UU Congregation of Northwest Tucson to have a booth at the Gay Pride event held in October at Kino Sports Complex.

Suggested Donation of $5.00 at the door

What is Interweave?

Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns

The mission statement for Interweave reads as follows: "Interweave is a membership organization affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is dedicated to the spiritual, political, and social well-being of Unitarian Universalists who are confronting oppression as lesbians, gay men, bisexual persons, transgender persons, and heterosexual allies. It celebrates the culture and lives of its members." Interweave membership is open to all interested UUs of any sexual or affectional orientation. It has chapters in many Unitarian Universalist congregations and districts, as well as a Continental chapter. Membership in Interweave involves two primary goals:

· the creation of local groups for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender Unitarian Universalists for support, socializing, and sharing life issues, and

· outreach to the larger bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender community to publicize the religious alternative offered by Unitarian Universalism.

If you are interested in attending this exciting event on Saturday, May 21, 2011, please RSVP no later than May 14, 2011 - Contact persons are Roberta Price - 520-406-2259 or berta194366@yahoo.com or Lincoln Statler - 520-409-6916.

Please come to this wonderful event - you will be pleased that you did - open to all and everyone who wishes to attend--bring your friends and family along for a great night of fun and fellowship.

Welcome Our Newest New Members

Tandra Goodwin

Tandra Goodwin I was raised Catholic until I was about 13. It never fit and I was always looking at other religions to fill the gap. I tried Judaism, metaphysical, and Tibetan Buddhism. I finally started participating in Spring Forest Qigong about four years ago and began to be more in balance and become happier.

In May 2010 my husband Steve and I were on an Adopt-A-Native Elder Food Run. There were 19 adolescent and 12 adult volunteers who belonged to the UU Church in Midvale, Utah. I loved their positive energy and their philosophy of life so in June we started attending UU here and Tucson and we love it.

I was raised in Salt Lake City and was in the substance abuse field for 27 years. We owned an outpatient substance abuse program for 16 years. I enjoy cooking, eating, socializing, reading, walking, swimming, yoga and practicing Spring Forest Qigong.

We visited Tucson in March 2009 and decided to buy a house, sell our business and sell our house in Salt Lake. We were able to accomplish this in eight months, which, in the worst economy in history, appeared to be a miracle for us. I am truly happy to be a resident of Tucson and a member here. .

Steve McGeeney

Steve McGeeney I was raised Catholic and left that faith after my tour of duty in Vietnam in 1966. In 1980, I immersed myself in the metaphysical community and came to believe in reincarnation (due to flashbacks to a previous life). I liked Unity's approach to Christ so I joined the Salt Lake City Unity Church and enjoyed my years there.

Upon moving to Tucson in 2009, I looked into UU and liked the humanitarian and liberal approach to life. I've always been very accepting and receptive to people of all types regardless of creed, color, and sexual orientation. UU fits my belief style.

I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and I like to visit at least every other year, as it is such a beautiful part of the country.

My career was mostly in the field of substance abuse (1973 - 2009). I worked 15 years for the Southern Pacific Railroad as their Employee Assistance Counselor. I left the Railroad in 1993 and started my own substance abuse outpatient treatment program and philosophy with Tandra.

I wrote a 307 page instructor's manual and a 204 page workbook manual for substance abuse people. I also wrote 44 lesson plans that are built on personal empowerment strategies. In 2001, I wrote Transforming Your Destiny and it was published. This book is based on transforming one's life from substance abuse to quality living.

My hobbies include traveling, writing, and helping the Navajo elderly

Salt Lake

Jessica Babcock (Broussard)

Jessica Babcock My dad was a minister for the Disciples of Christ, Protestant Church. My mom taught at a Catholic School then Special Education in public schools. I was brought up through my dad's church and baptized. Through the years, I've always had a lot of questions about my religion. There were parts I agreed with and some I didn't. One question I always had was why each religion said they were the only way to get to heaven, the next level, promised land, etc. I'd always felt that each person should decide for himself or herself what their path was. What was right for me may not be right for another person but we need to accept each person's path whether we agree with it or not.

The most important thing to me was to be a good person and always do my best to show that to my children. So many people are only good at church. They seem to believe what they do outside of the church makes no difference. With their children, it's more of a do as I say, not as I do. I realize we all make mistakes but it has always been difficult for me to justify someone's behavior when he/she acts so religious on Sunday and that's all. Our children and those around us should know the person we are not only by what we say but also by what we do. In my book, actions always speak louder than words.

These beliefs are what brought me to this Church. I've been struggling to find a church that accepts autism. Even with all of the information out there, so many churches say they accept autism but their actions show otherwise. I've never felt accepted in those churches. At the UU, I feel they accept autism and will embrace it. The love I've felt here has been a true love and a true acceptance.

I grew up in Indiana and Dallas, Texas. I've been here in Tucson since May 1999. I'm a published author and have a four-year degree in Strategic Management from the University of North Texas. My hobbies are crafting and right now it's making jewelry. My interests are writing, reading, crochet, computers, beading, sewing, stained glass, and cooking.

Roger Broussard

Roger Broussard I was born in 1960 in the town of Port Arthur, Texas. My family background is of hard working Cajun folk who moved to Texas from Louisiana to find work. I was raised Catholic and attended Catechism until High School age, through the sacrament of Confirmation. I consider myself a non-practicing Catholic as I disagree strongly with a number of the church's tenets and dogma. I believe the Protestant religions offer nothing more than different forms of window dressing.

I have always felt that there is no single path to the Truth or salvation, as I believe is a loving God that doesn't try to trick or fool His people. I believe we are all of one people everyone everywhere. And I wish to experience and celebrate that diversity in a positive, non-judgmental way. This is why I was interested in the UU church as way of expressing and evolving my spirituality.

I attended Texas A&M University and have a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. I started working in the defense industry in 1984 at Texas Instruments in the Dallas area until Raytheon bought it and moved to Tucson in 1999. I am still with Raytheon working as a Systems Engineer on Missile Systems. This is kind of ironic, as I am basically a pacifist; but the work is interesting and it pays well.

My primary passion is music. I have a large CD collection and play the guitar. I even have the equivalent of a small recording studio in my home. Computers are also a hobby of mine. I can build them, repair them, program them, and network them. We have seven PC's and laptops at our house and a number of other networked devices. I've recently begun to create my own web sites. I used to play golf and other sports regularly but nowadays I work on my yard, house, and pool.

Robert Broussard

Robert Broussard

I was raised Christian, and christened Catholic. My Mom and Dad brought me to this congregation.

I grew up in Carrollton, Texas and in Tucson. I would like to start a company named Firebox; a game publisher and developer. I would also like to have an Internet radio station where I'm DJ MaxFire. My hobbies are playing video games, reading, computer drawing, and karate. I'm interest in writing my own Manga book series called Gamer Raver.

Sunday Services for May

May 1, 2011

"Getting to Know Me & Why This Matters"

YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists)

The Young Religious Unitarian Universalist (YRUU) class has come together to create this youth-led service for them and for you. Join them as they share more of themselves, what they are learning, how their life and UU experiences have impacted them so far and pointed them to what's important in their lives. As they get to know themselves, they are learning that they have impact and that they have a choice about what that impact will be, as is the case for each of us. They will encourage us all to think about our own impact and, given that, what we are committed to in this life right now and going forward.

May 8, 2011: Mother's Day
"Mothering Ourselves"
Rev. Joy Atkinson

Self-love was once considered sinful and later psychiatry identified it as "narcissistic" But loving, caring for and "mothering" ourselves contributes to our own health and the well-being of our society. This Mother's Day service will focus on how we can "mother," care for, and even love ourselves.

May 15, 2011
"The Footprints of Gossip"
Rev. Joy Atkinson

Gossip is such a delicious temptation, but it can be so destructive! The sermon will explore the phenomena of rumor and gossip in human experience, their effect on communities (including religious communities) and how we can become effective "gossip busters." We will also consider the potential uses of our recently re-worded Covenant of Right Relations.

May 22, 2011
"The Human Side of Immigration Policy"

Margaret Regan

Margaret Regan, the author of the book The Death of Josseline, will speak about the human side of immigration policy. Margaret is a writer for the Tucson Weekly. She presents the perspectives of the people involved in this daily drama including: the migrants, the border patrol, the ranchers, and the activists from No More Deaths. Her book is available for sale from the Book Table.

May 29, 2011

TBA