SUNDAY SERVICES

10:30 am

Children & Youth

Religious Education

10:30 am

Minister

Rev. Joy Atkinson

revjoy@aol.com 

262-8480

Office Hours:

10 am - 3 pm, T, W, Th
 
Director of

Religious Education 
Donna Pratt  406-5121

mklo@earthlink.net   

Choir Director

Lyle Brown

579-7094

lbrownvh@yahoo.com 

Congregational

Administrator

Donna Pratt  579-7094,
 406-5121

office@uucnwt.org  

Office Hours:

8 am - 1 pm  MWF

Newsletter Editors  John and Margaret Fleming
888-7059

margefleming@earthlink.net 

Deadlines: 12th & 24th

Board of Trustees

President:

1st Vice President:

Treasurer:

Jim Gessaman 

Circle of Life

* Marion Erickson is recovering from her surgery.

* Elaine Harris has a broken arm that is healing.

* Ann Ellsworth is recovering from surgery.

* Jean Kratsch is back among us, almost fully recovered from her back surgery.

Service Auction Raises $9,000+

The Service Auction, held November 4, was a great success. Costumes from the Roaring Twenties were in evidence everywhere, and the desserts were fabulous. There are so many people to thank, in no particular order. Some people did double and triple jobs. This is a very labor intensive event.

Clare - Emotional support, historical voice

Jane Paul - an amazing computer program that had everything

Conrad Paul

Anne Jagnow

Larry Jagnow

Jan Hatunen - incredible food

David Hatunen

Joe Bredau

Pat Bredau

Ann Tatum

Arnold Van der

Heiden

Christiane Heyde

Evalyn

Leon

Catalina

Robert Brewer

Dick Hughes

Cheryl Hiller

Elizabeth Reed

Jim and Debbie Gessaman

Tandra Goodwin

Steve McGeeney

Darcey Spears

Pat Reddemann

Peter B

Mark Toth

Stan Mitchell

Mike and Lara and Ashlen, Ali and Shaylor Brennan

Bibi van der Heiden

Sybelle van Erven

Steven Ballesteros

And everybody who brought desserts.

Urgent Help Needed:

Warm Up Occupy Tucson!  
We've learned from the leadership that the Occupiers are FREEZING at night. Please bring blankets, sleeping bags, and other warm things to church on the next few Sundays. There will be a tub in Goldblatt for them.  

Members of Judy Carlson's Finding Heart group will deliver them to many grateful, brave souls now spending their nights in flimsy tents. These will be donations; not to be returned. Questions? Ask Cheryl Hiller at cphiller@msn.com or Barbara Gates at bgates@udel.edu.

Green Basket

The Green Basket for November is a little different. It is not a charity but a collection to purchase a book called Bless All Who Serve. Our church will purchase books and distribute them to Davis Monthan and Fort Huachuca chaplains.

Name Tags Need Names

We currently have a huge surplus of name tags with no names on them. You don't have to be a member of our congregation to wear one of these beautifully crafted tags. Whether you're a member, friend, visitor, or have an old blurry tag, just ask one of the greeters for a form, fill it out, and turn it in to a greeter. Then in a week or two you should find your new tag hanging on the wall.

Diary of a Hopeful Gardner

By Alberta Gunther

November and my garden has promise. In front I'm now eating radishes although they were rather slow. Lettuce is coming but has a long way to go. Then I either have spinach coming up or a crop of weeds. I can't tell. As usual, no green onions. Why do I even try?

In back there are signs of carrots and beets. I somehow seem to have some really slow seeds. It took the carrots about a month to come up. The beans and peas are even slower. Just this week I saw what seems to be a couple of seeds coming up. Maybe I'll have something to eat by spring.

Just a brief note about pack rats. Last month in the paper was a story about a plant sale at the County Extension. They were selling primarily blackberry and grape vines. It seems that all grape vines look alike when they are dormant. But not to worry, all the containers had tags telling what the variety was. Two of the grape varieties had yellow tags. Who knew that pack rats like yellow. All the yellow tags were stolen. Buyers would have to wait until the grapes grew to know if they had a red or white.

While I was in Chandler last Thursday through Sunday, the garden had no problems. However I forgot to water the little plant I got last spring at church. I had it in my kitchen window and it died.

Until next time,  

MVUU Connect

This is a fun and easy way to stay connected to your UU Friends! This is our Electronic Community Bulletin Board. Use it to share short messages. Post any notices of interest to our community that would not be official MVUU announcements, newsletter articles, or posted on our website. This group is not intended for discussions on religious questions, church practices or policies.

If you have not received your invitation, and would like one, please let Donna know in the office, 579-7094, or email her at office@uucnwt.org

Grocery Gift Cards

Easiest way ever to help our church!!!! Just see Alberta Gunther and let her know which store you frequent. She will explain how each time you visit the store can result in MONEY to MVUU! She has accounts set up with Albertson's, Fry's, Basha's and Safeway. It is quick and easy to get started. Help our church each time you shop! Please sign up today!

Arizona Immigration Ministry Statewide Web Conference November 18 

We are going to have a meeting of the statewide task force by web conference Friday, November 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Please reply to John Fleming by Tuesday at noon if you want to participate. Then, by Wednesday you will be receiving an email from him with the "GoToMeeting" web address for the Friday meeting.

Agenda items will include:
* Updates on Justice GA

* Updates on migrant justice activities in the Arizona congregations
* "Racism, Oppression and Immigration Workshop," West Valley UU will be hosting a training, with an expert facilitator, Jan 28th & Feb 4th at 8:30 a.m. We'll have more details at our web conference.

Halloween and Día de los Muertos  Inspire Colorful Costumes

The service on October 30 was marked by a procession of kids (and a few adults) wearing their costumes. At the party afterward, prizes were given for the best child's (under 6) costume, the best child's (over 6), and the best adult. Winners were Sa'id Badareen, Janan Power, and Karen Hahn. Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of Sa'id.

Survey Summary Available On-Line

The Executive Summary of the Mountain Vista UU Survey is available to all on the congregation website (uucnwt.org). We on the Ministerial Search Committee encourage you to read it to learn about the makeup of our congregation and our priorities in seeking a new minister. Those who do not use computers can order a printed copy by calling Anne Tatum, MSC Chair, 742-4007.

Thanksgiving Feast at MVUU November 24

November 24 at 2 pm we will have a feast to celebrate the joy of living.
We will offer our thanks for the good things in our life, especially our UU fellowship.

The event will be open to all of you, and please invite friends. If weather is good, it will be outdoors. If not, it will be in the Goldblatt Building.

We will provide two roasted turkeys. If the response is large, we may call on you for more turkeys.

In order for it to come together properly please send an email to me indicating:

1. How many people will be in your party?
2. What you are bringing: side dish, salad, dessert, (including vegetarian dishes).
3. Are you willing to work on set up? Clean up?

When we get your responses we will balance out the menu offerings and make adjustments.

Please bring your own beverage, plates and tableware, and please bring a gift of several non-perishable food items, or a toiletry care package to be given to those in need.

Please contact Hobie Denney at hobied@gmail.com or 253-857-5171

Activities and Events

"How to Boil a Frog" November 27

This is a comedic documentary about Overshoot: too many people using up too little planet much too fast. Yes, we've taken the kind of material that makes people jump off bridges, put it in a blender, and churned out a Smoothie o' Fun that gives you the Big Picture of what the hell is going on with our so-called civilization, and tells you what you and I can do about it that will not only actually make a difference (no light bulbs!) but also make our lives better right now! More fun! More friends! Free food! It's a bargain.

Movie time is 12:30 pm after a lovely lunch provided by the members of UUCNWT's Community Garden and Green Sanctuary committees. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon following the Sunday morning service - suggested donation is $5.00 per person, but remember no one is turned away.

Bookaholics Unanimous November 30 

Note date change. Bookaholics will be meeting Wednesday, November 30th at 6:30 pm in the Fireside Room. The group will discuss two short but powerful memoirs by Jeannette Walls: "The Glass Castle" and "Half Broke Horses." For more info, contact: Elaine at azbooklover@comcast.net 290-1026  

Kaleidoscope Gallery Presents Final Show

The Kaleidoscope Gallery will be presenting its final exhibit until December 3. The featured artist is Bethanne Simpson, a fine watercolorist. She is a signature member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild who has shown her work in Michigan, California and Arizona. "My love of watercolor as a medium started early in my study of art. The flow of the water as well as the mark of the brush continues to intrigue me. My career as an illustrator cemented my love of form." While on exhibit, the artwork may be viewed after services at 11:30 am on Sundays and by appointment. Contact Anne Leonard at either 825-3449 or anne@alartworks.com

Our deepest apologies to Bethanne and to Anne Leonard for the unfortunate conflict between our special service/meeting and the artist's reception on November 6. Members can make it up to Bethanne by buying her paintings. They can make it up to Anne by thanking her for the fine job she's done heading up KalGal all these years. 

Religious Education News   

Upcoming Events

Sunday, November 20: Intergenerational Service, including graduation for OWL students. Students will be in the service the entire time. Nursery will be available for younger kids.

Monday, December 5: RE Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm, Fireside Room. All are welcome.

Sunday, December 11: Winterfest Service. Students will be presenting a play during the service, so please plan to attend. There will be a fundraiser luncheon following the service.

RE Classes: 10:30 on Sundays. Students report to the sanctuary for a Story for All Ages on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday each month. Once dismissed, Tigers (K-5^th graders) will meet in the small RE room. TAMS (6^th-8^th graders) will meet in the large RE room.

Wish List: We are in need of canisters of powdered lemonade mix.

Thank you: The RE Department would like to thank Bonnie Grant-Baird for donating a bunch of child-friendly scissors for the children.

If you have any questions, please call Donna any time. 405-5121

Immigration Activities

"Immigration as a Moral Issue" is a series of 6 sessions, the first of which was held Monday, November 7. We want to reemphasize that anyone is welcome to come for any session. We will be having some speakers that you may want to hear.  

On November 21, we will have Professor Andy Silverman of the UA College of Law, who has a great deal of experience in immigration issues and is an excellent speaker. On December 12, our guest will be Ofelia Rivas, a member of the Tohono O'odham nation, who has a very interesting story to tell. There may be others. Stay tuned. And join us any Monday evening through December 12 at 7:00 in the large RE room.

The TAMS class is also learning about immigration issues. A few weeks ago they participated in an elaborate scenario in which some of them took the parts of immigrants crossing the desert, and others were Border Patrol agents trying to catch them and detain them (in the furnace closet). Another time they picked some virtual vegetables (and a few real ones) in the community garden to see how it feels, if only for a few minutes.

The Arizona Immigration Ministry is planning a statewide web conference on November 18 (see lead article).

Happy Anniversary Camp de Benneville Pines!

Have you ever searched for a subtle light to guide your path, thought it would be impossible to find, and then found it in abundance?

During the planning for the 50^th anniversary of Camp de Benneville Pines this summer, Camp Director Janet James needed historical materials to share with member churches of the PSWD. Written anecdotes and black and white photographs slowly emerged to tell the tale of the Boy Scout camp that became our UU conference center in 1961.

Janet wondered if these few found items would be enough to convey the crucial development of the camp to modern audiences.

One day she received a phone call from Medford, Oregon. The caller had bought a trunk from a garage sale and discovered an 8 mm film can inside, titled "The building of Homet Lodge, de Benneville Pines".

Curiosity, potential profit, and the internet brought the caller straight to Janet. Originally looking to sell the film, the caller was swayed by Janet's enthusiasm and agreed to part with the film for the mere cost of postage.

Beautiful Homet Lodge in 1964

Too often do we take the present for granted, unburdened by the effort required to create the sanctuary we now enjoy. By shovels and hand picks UU's from all over the district laid the water system by hand. With crews of church teens they erected cabins.

With the help of contractors, Homet lodge was built. Take a moment to view our parents' and grandparents' leap of faith as they labored together to construct our beautiful mountain camp 50 years ago.

Camp de Benneville Pines is owned by the collective membership of the PSWD. We are one of the few districts in the country to own its own retreat center. What a treasure we have in de Benneville Pines!

New Program of the Membership Team--Be a Buddy

The Membership Team is now asking for members to step forward to be a Buddy to a new person in the congregation. When you volunteer as a Buddy, you serve as a liaison between a new person and our congregation-introducing the new person to Unitarian Universalism and to others in the congregation, and communicating about the many programs we have.

It is hoped that each Buddy will have at least 2 years of membership in the congregation and will commit to one to three months of service as a Buddy. The Buddies will assist people in making connections and learning about the congregation, but they are not expected to provide pastoral care.

Help give newcomers a head start-become a Buddy!

To learn more about the Buddy program, contact Steve McGeeney and Tandra Goodwin: steveandtandra@q.com, 247-0241 or 572-4741

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Look for Guest at Your Table (GAYT) information table outside the Goldblatt Building early in November and in all UUCNWT publications. GAYT begins Sunday, November 20 (Thanksgiving week), runs through the holidays, and ends January 1, 2012.

UUSC holiday cards are available for purchase on line. I am not ordering any to sell here at church this year. A color brochure of the designs will be on display in one of the glass display cases on the Goldblatt building and also at a table I will set up outside Goldblatt Building early in November.

Emily Ricketts, UUSC Rep

Welcome Our Newest New Members

Barbara Leinweber

I like to watch the sun rise every morning, usually when I'm out running. Lately I've started taking my digital camera with me to take pictures of the mystical colors and shapes that can be seen at this special time of the day. Sometimes I email friends my pictures of "Tuesday beauty," "Wednesday beauty," and so on. Then those friends email pictures of ordinary things looking mystical and beautiful to their friends and family out of state to make them jealous. And maybe I sort of watch my own slide shows from my sent box when I need cheering up at work.

My weird email address stands for "reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species," some research I was doing eight years ago. Now I'm with a startup biotech company developing products to isolate DNA from all sorts of stuff. I have a patent application pending on a product to be used for cervical and prostate cancer screenings.

Terri Hartman

I moved to Tucson from Charleston, West Virginia, when I was 14. I was raised Lutheran but began to question religion when I was 15. I have a lot of interest in Buddhism, although I do believe in God as well.  

I have a wonderful six-year-old daughter named Maia and have been married for 14 years to a special education teacher named Eric. I have been an RN for 10 years, and I plan to go back for my doctorate as a nurse practitioner. My number one hobby is singing. I grew up in musical theater, and I currently take vocal lesson and sing in the choir here at Mountain Vista.  

My philosophy of life is to not worry too much about the future, as we never know if we will be here another day. I try not to sweat the little stuff. My greatest achievement is raising my wonderful, loving daughter, who brings so much joy to my life.

Volunteer of the Month

Sybelle van Erven

Sybelle is a bundle of energy. She is involved with so many church programs and projects that we wonder if she ever gets home to Benson. Presumably she does, since she is co-owner of a flower shop there and brings beautiful flower arrangements to church almost every Sunday.  

This year Sybelle is very active on the Ministerial Search Committee; she is a co-facilitator of the OWL program, along with Jim Gessaman and Lara Brennan; she is also a facilitator for the YRUU teens. Organizing is one of her many strengths; she organized the OWL program, and last spring she organized the entire mentor program for Coming of Age, which was a major factor in its success. Sybelle is a member of the R. E. Committee and has been for the last several years. She is involved with planning for the 2012 Justice GA to be held in Phoenix and regularly disseminates information to other members via e-mail, Facebook, and personal contact.

In addition to all these major programs, Sybelle and Lara are often to be found cooking up fund-raising luncheons to help send our kids to camp and this year to GA. How does one person do all this? We wish we knew her secret.

Imagine Giving the Whole World a Merry Holiday! 

Update on Gift Cards*** 

What would an "Alternative Christmas" look and feel like? That's the question Debbie and Jim Gessaman asked each other after moving to Tucson five years ago. We wanted to do good works and stay within their retirement budget. And, because our family of grandchildren was still expanding, we wanted them and their parents to understand the importance of reaching out to others in need.

We discovered "Alternative Gifts International," an organization that supports human and environmental causes in the U.S. and across the world. Simplifying Christmas by outreach to others gave us more time to help the needy, to enjoy family and friends, to relax and renew, to be more grateful, and to focus on Peace all year long.

1)     Alternative Gifts International, whose motto is, "Gifts Inspiring Change," has 35 projects that can be supported with individual donations as little as $1 or as much as $55.

Starting Sunday, November 6, and continuing to December 11, materials will be available at a table under the mesquite tree. We'll have a sign-up sheet available if you'd like to volunteer. Helpers will record your donation and give donors a beautiful card to send family members in whose name you've donated your gift. No donation is too small to be meaningful.

Here are two ideas for using AGI projects to teach the true meaning of Christmas giving:

1. As parents and grandparents, you can choose projects that are meaningful to your family members, for instance, animals for children, health care for babies, medicine for the sick, trees for a family. You will receive a holiday card to send to each person.   

1.  You can take an additional AGI form to mail to your children and grandchildren. Let them choose projects; and have them return the form to you by Sunday, December 11.

Either way, it's been proven that helping others raises your "emotional IQ," teaching empowerment, generosity, empathy, and compassion. 

2)     Youth On Their Own (YOTO), an organization that supports high school graduation and continued success of homeless youth, is our local non-profit charity. We will dedicate our Sanctuary holiday tree to YOTO's needs for $10 gift cards from Target, Fry's, Safeway, McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, or WalMart.

***Deadline for gift cards is Sunday, November 27; give to Jim or Debbie Gessaman at church. Sunday, December 11 will be the deadline for AGI donations at MVUU.

Our congregation has been yearning for meaningful outreach, and here are holiday opportunities that both simplify our lives and enrich others'. Let's go for it and get all of us involved!!  

Sunday Services for November

November 20, 2011

Intergenerational Thanksgiving Service

"Only Gratitude Helps"

Rev. Joy Atkinson

Gratitude is a deep feeling that can help us get through even the toughest challenges of life. Join us for a celebration of the attitude of gratitude that the holiday of Thanksgiving helps us to cultivate. Children will be present for the entire service. Barbara Gates is Worship Associate. The choir will sing.

November 27, 2011
"Bringing Justice to Phoenix"

Carolyn Saunders

Carolyn Saunders will present a sermon about the upcoming General Assembly in Phoenix in June 2012. Justice GA 2012 will be unlike any other General Assembly. It is a commitment Unitarian Universalists have made to respond to one of the greatest moral issues of our time. But it is first and foremost a religious gathering. You are invited to be there to bear witness, to stand on the side of love and to grow in spirit as well as serve the cause of justice. Come to hear more and get inspired to join us in Phoenix next year! Christiane Heyde is Worship Associate.

Carolyn Saunders is a member and financial secretary of the UU Church of Tucson, vice president of the Pacific Southwest District Board of Trustees, and the District Coordinator for GA 2012. She and her husband, Bruce, have lived in Tucson for the past 12 years.