SUNDAY SERVICES

10:30 am

Children & Youth

Religious Education

10:30 am

Minister

Ron Phares    

rdphares@gmail.com 

579-7094

  
Director of

Religious Education 
Donna Pratt  441-0870

mklo@earthlink.net   

Choir Director

L. H. Brown

579-7094

lbrownvh@yahoo.com 

Congregational

Administrator

Donna Pratt  579-7094,   406-5121, (cell) 441-0870  

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:

Jim Gessaman 

Sign Placers Wanted

We need volunteers to put out our directional signs on Sunday mornings.  

The fire/ambulance station at the corner of Thornydale and Cromwell has agreed to let us store the signs inside their utility room, just to the left of their back door. So all you have to do is go in--there's no door-it's an open entry--take the two signs and put one on the median strip and one on the sidewalk in front of the station. Then, after the service, you retrieve the signs and store them away until the next week. That's all there is to it.

If you can do this once a month, or more often, please contact John or Margaret Fleming at 888-7059 or elfuturo@earthlink.net   

Thanks for your help.

It's Back! Café Justo

It's time again to order yourself a few pounds of Café Justo--the Coffee for Social Justice and Ethical Drinking too!

For a September 2nd delivery, just email or call Elizabeth Reed and help kick off this year's Social Action/Justice project that supports a small co-op of Mexican coffee growers and roasters. Through your support and that of many other congregations, these folks are now earning a livable wage from Café Justo. This coffee is fair traded plus shade and organically grown. To learn more about Café Justo and view what's available, go to http://justcoffee.org and "meet" the coop members.

You may order regular, decaffeinated or a mixture; beans or ground. The coffee comes in dated, sealed 1-pound bags. Regular costs $9; decaffeinated and 50/50 blends cost $10. Mountain Vista UU does earn almost $1 per pound sold.

Want more info or to place your order? Contact Elizabeth at 520-269-3414 or reedeliz@gmail.com 

by August 25th for a September 2 delivery. Once you order, you will be contacted each month for your next order.

Announcements  

Greeters Needed      

Here's an opportunity to meet a new people. We currently need volunteers to serve as regular or substitute greeters. 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

The Free Community Sing Returns!

Saturday September 1, 2012,  2 - 4 pm

First Christian Church - Little Chapel, SW corner of Speedway and Euclid

I hope you are feeling like singing together. It's been a long while for me what with all that's taken place since the last time.

I think you'll enjoy the blend of songs I'm cooking up for you, old new borrowed and blue. Being there's so much to sing for and about.

The Little Chapel is a cozy space on the north east side of the Church. You will be able to enter on the Speedway side or if you prefer thru the usual backdoor by the Pre-school, off the parking area.

As usual no songbooks or instruments...just voices and good will expected.

Ted Warmbrand

623-1688

MVUU Connect

This is a fun and easy way to stay connected to your UU Friends! Click here to access 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 or church practices or policies.

What Is GMO?

GMO-Free Tucson (non-genetically modified) is sponsoring two showings of the new movie "Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives" on the northwest side of town.

Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 N. Naranja Dr. Seating opens at 2:30 pm; movie starts at 2:45 pm.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Wheeler-Taft Public Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr. (southeast Corner of Silverbell and Cortaro) Seating opens at 5:30; movie starts at 5:45.

Also, on September 9 at 5:00 pm, GMO-Free Tucson is sponsoring a Pure Food Dinner at Harvest Restaurant, 10355 N. La Canada Drive. With an emphasis on organic, seasonal, and local ingredients, Harvest restaurant is serving a special Non-GMO (non-genetically modified) Pure Food Dinner. Customers can order either a three-course vegan or three-course organic chicken dinner for $25, plus tax and gratuity. Both options are also gluten-free. For more info, visit www.gmofreetucson.org. Reservations required: call 731-1100 OR 293-0697.

For more information about GMOs, visit the national Non-GMO Project website at nongmoproject.org or The Institute for Responsible Technology at responsibletechnology.org. For more information about local Tucson events related to the project, visit gmofreetucson.org..

Arizona: A Broken Economy, a Broken Education System

What's your take on education in Arizona?

Saturday, September 8, 10 am

St. Odilia's Catholic Church, 7570 N Paseo del Norte

Guest panelists

Secretary of State Ken
  Bennett
Education: Dr. Albert
  Siqueiros  

Business: David Crowe  

For more info: pimacountyinterfaith.org

14th Annual Yoga and Wellness Retreat  September 7-9 

at Camp de Benneville Pines, Angelus Oaks, CA
Friday, September 7 - Sunday, September 9, 2012

Prison Fellowship Orientation  September 14 

We have scheduled an orientation on September 14 at 1:00 for those who wish to become prison volunteers. All those of you who have expressed interest in joining the prison fellowship and plan to take the orientation will need a criminal background check. Please fill out the required forms and get them back to Margaret ASAP. Donna will have copies in the office if you didn't get yours via e-mail.

Chaplain Brunk from the La Palma Correctional Facility will conduct the orientation here in our sanctuary. If you would like to be part of this inspiring fellowship, or if you have any questions, please contact Margaret Fleming , (margefleming@earthlink.net 888-7059) or Paula Trahan (742-6657, socalgirl@comcast.net)

Chamber Concerts September 29 & 30

Tucson Chamber Artists, Southern Arizona's professional chamber choir and orchestra, presents How Sweet the Sound: American Folk Songs and Spirituals, Saturday, September 29, 7:30pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley; and Sunday, September 30, 3:00pm at Vista de la Montana Methodist Church in Catalina/Saddlebrooke.  

Works include favorite African-American spirituals, old American hymns and music of Aaron Copland and Stephen Foster. Tickets are available at 401-2651 or www.TucsonChamberArtists.org.

2012 UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage

The next UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage is scheduled for October 6-13, 2012, and registration is now open. This unique bus trip is much more than a Civil Rights history tour through Alabama and Mississippi. We will be visiting historic sites and meeting veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, and but will also be spending time together and with guests exploring what racism, white privilege, and barriers to equality look like today in Southern towns we visit---and in our own hometowns.

Beyond experiencing first-hand the civil rights legacy, our goal is to develop commitment, vision and mechanisms within our group to work on issues of race, injustice and inequality that still bedevil our congregations and our society. The Living Legacy Pilgrimage is hosted and organized by the Reverend Gordon Gibson and Judy Gibson; the Reverend Hope Johnson; the Reverend James Hobart; Janice Marie Johnson; Annette Marquis; and Donna Sequeira, and co-sponsored by the Southeast District of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

For more information and to register, please visit www.uulivinglegacy.org. Don't miss your chance to be on the bus! Register early --costs are discounted for those who register before May 15.

Trip to Northern Arizona

Registration is now open for an exciting trip to Northern Arizona October 13-20 to visit Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest among other interesting sites.  

This trip is sponsored by and is a fundraiser for the 22nd Street church, UU Church of Tucson. You will travel on a comfortable tour bus and stay at moderate hotels such as Best Western and Holiday Inns.

We have space for 24, and the cost is $1099 per person for a double room. Single room rates are also available. If you register now, you can cancel until July 1st, but after that we are committed to paying the hotels, etc., so no refunds after that date. Payment must be made in full by August 19.

For information and registration, click here. 

Journey with UUs to Argentina

Buenos Aires and moonlight at Iguazu Falls! We leave time for serendipity to happen, take time to soak it in, and be mindful of what we are experiencing. February 23 - March 3, 2013. www.nuuc.ca Neighbourhood UU Congregation's journey for UUs everywhere.

Minister's  Column

I hope you all are having as much fun as I am. Way back during candidating week last spring, my sense was that Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation was bursting with enthusiasm and just ready to take off. I am delighted to find that this impression has proven true. Not only that, but many of the dreams I have dreamt about the possibilities of the Unitarian Universalist faith-way were being dreamt by dreamers at this very church. The serendipity of thought has been stunning and even a little frightening.

Frightening? Yes, a little. Sometimes the discovery of one's strength can be unsettling as it opens new doors of possibility and responsibility as well. And I am discovering quite a bit of strength in MVUU. I remember when I was a little boy, I was causing a ruckus of protest over something I was supposed to do or have done. Anyway, I was a mad little man and I kicked the wall. My foot went clean through. My first thought was, "Oh no!" My second thought was, "Dang, I kicked a whole in the wall. That's kind of awesome." And then, in little kid thinking, I thought, "I am stronger than I thought I was. I need to be more responsible about that."

So the anecdote is a rough fit for the current circumstance because in no way am I angry. Just the opposite. But I relate it to try and depict that feeling that arises when discovering one's power as an individual or, in this case, as a church. We are one strong body. And we are about to become much stronger. And I think it is fair to anticipate some quirky reactions to that increase in strength. And that is so incredibly exciting that I find it hard to finish the newsletter article because it is hard to sit still.

So, what am I talking about specifically? Well, for one you have elected a fantastic board with diverse personalities that work well together and comprise a measured and administratively holistic perspective on and concern for MVUU. I can also tell you that the Worship Associates and myself will continue to investigate and refine the crafting of Sunday morning worship in order to provide MVUU with a memorable, effective and beautiful experience in the sanctuary. Religious Education is exploring how to provide the most opportunities for spiritual formation to the congregation's young people and adults. Everyone is interested in getting the most out of this experiment we are running together called church.

Another example that I am supremely geeked about is one that I've mentioned from the pulpit a time or two. Starting in mid September, we will be offering a weekly opportunity to enrich your spiritual life in community. This evening gathering will emphasize the experiential and the spiritual. The aim is to increase our sense of connectivity to each other and to the beauty within us and all around us. The weekly program will consist of three practices shaped by two elements. The practices will be embodiment, economy of words and deep listening. The elements will be an embodied activity, usually drumming, followed by period of Quaker style reflection and measured sharing on a given topic. Big noise followed by much quiet. We will set a reverential tone and see where this balance of body and mind, rhythm and quiet, unconsciousness and insight take us.

Please plan on bringing a noise maker (a drum, violin, didgeridoo, rattle, chime, bells, etc.), a cushion or pillow for sitting and a willing heart. Twice a month, I will facilitate this evening. Once a month it will be lay facilitated. This will always be on the same day of the week. The fourth week will be filled by a curricular offering from adult Religious Education that concerns spiritual work or a social justice focus.

As the time draws closer to the launch of this mid-week praxis, I will be announcing it from the pulpit. We will also use e-blasts and other means to invite and inform you all.

Yet another incredible thing about my time here thus far is the realization that there are a fair number of members and friends with whom I have not yet had the chance to interact. Some of you are just making your way back from summer journeys. Some of you just keep to yourself a bit more. In either case, I really do look forward to getting to know you and to getting to know all of you better.  

Greetings, Everyone -

September is here! It is one of my favorite times of the year. Summer is (almost) over; at least the temperatures in the foreseeable future have dropped to two digits rather than three. Monsoons will soon be over, but the green and flowering hills will last a bit longer, and we at Mountain Vista UU will begin sharing another year of "being green" together.

September holds a "coming-home-feeling" for me. Vacations are ending. Those who live in two parts of the country are returning for the winter warmth of Tucson. Our friends are coming home. It is time to greet all and become reacquainted with that good feeling of settling into the more formal part of our church year. Religious Education classes are beginning. Committees are revving up. Activities are already being planned.

September is particularly exciting this year. We have a new minister, Ron Phares, who has already been in the pulpit several times. We have a new Board of Trustees that has met socially and in retreat, and has had two board meetings prior to the end of August. We have a balanced budget which covers almost everything, but Our Fair Share of denominational costs is a bit short. This is an issue we can address in a little later.  

Our sanctuary has taken on new life, thanks to a team that worked all summer. Stewardship also has a head start on many of us. Chaired by Tom Bunch, the group members have been meeting all summer long, every week. One guess about the topic they've talked about... Growth.   And, right now, we have lots of enthusiasm, anticipation, and energy. There are smiles and hugs and happy greetings to exchange. Look around; see anything you want to get involved in?

The hottest topics I've heard around MVUU are Growth and Stewardship. Some are talking about these topics quite differently this year. Well, Stewardship was already mentioned in the previous paragraph. But, what about Growth?

A Note on the Gathering of Waters Ceremony

All around the nation, Unitarian Universalist congregations will be celebrating ingathering Sunday in September. It has become one of our ways of honoring the journeys we are each on ever and always. It is a wonderful expression of welcome, which, lo and behold, is our liturgical theme for the month!

In order to create a ceremony that truly honors each of us, we are going to alter the ritual ever so slightly (but importantly!) this time around. Typically, when you add your water to the shared waters, you would announce the place from which you brought the water. It's my experience that this practice is problematic as it can induce feelings not conducive to effective worship: envy, pride, shame, etc. In short, we run the risk of increasing the traps of ego in worship. Egad.

In order to avoid this eventuality, we will announce, not the location of the water's origin (as if water has an origin), but rather the character of the experience involved around getting that water.

So, when you add water to water, rather than saying, "This water comes from Siberia," you can say, "This water is about finding light while getting lost." Or instead of saying, "I got this water from my tap," you might say, "This water is about nourishment." Or rather than reporting that you went to Maui, you might say, "Utter relaxation."

I believe this will cause greater consideration of the experience of retrieving the water, deepen the sharing, and create a more welcoming ceremony.

Then at coffee you may bump into someone and ask them, "Can you tell me more about your experience of 'intrigue and decisiveness?'

If you need clarification, please ask one of the Worship Associates or myself. We will do our best to clarify.

May your water be potable,

Pastor Ron

Religious Education News

At the recent RE Swim Party at Tucson Racquet Club we had 36 in attendance, including two new families. There was plenty of pizza and desserts for all. When not swimming, the kids enjoyed a fun soccer game organized by Adria. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all. 

Upcoming Classes

September 2- Art Activities (Labor Day Weekend)

September 9- Water Communion (Intergenerational Service)

September 16- RE Kick-Off for 2012-2013 School Year

2012-2013 Curricula

Tigers - (Pre-school - 4th grade)

This year's curriculum, "We Believe" deals with UU identity. The second Sunday of each month will be Connection Sunday, where the kids will make connections with classmates, with the congregation, and with the community.

TAMS - "The Awesome Middle Schoolers" (5th -8th grade)

The curriculum this year is "Traditions with a Wink," which deals with UU history and identity. On the second Sunday of each month, the kids will join the Tigers for Connection Sunday.

YRUU - High School Youth Group

The youth will co-lead the group with adult advisors Adria Brooks and Katie Phares. The activities will include a balance of worship, learning, leadership development, social action, and fun social gatherings.  

Workshop for RE Teachers (Parents invited, too!!!)

Saturday, September 15,9 am - Noon, Fireside Room. More details to come.

Summer Program

The "Share Your Passions" summer program was a great success. A HUGE THANK YOU to all our presenters: Diana Chapin-Tsai, Zae Bear, Alberta Gunther, Sybelle van Erven, Clarke Gillette, Lara Brennan, Leon Bennet-Alder, Bibiana van der Heiden and Jim Gessaman.

Wish List

We need snacks!!! At the end of each RE Class we like to provide a little snack and drink to the students. Our snack closet is running on empty. Please, if you can, donate a bag of goldfish or other snack-size crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, popcorn, etc. We are also in need of canisters of powdered drink mix. THANK YOU!

2012 Labor Day Weekend Family Camp
August 31 - September 3, Friday Night - Monday Morning  

Join us for a weekend of family fun. Head to the hills for a relaxing weekend out of the heat & under the stars. 

• Bird and bug watch
• Hike and explore the creek.
• Play games or relax in a hammock
• Read or write
• Be in the talent show
• Sing around the campfire
• Cook s'mores
• Clap the sun down
• Smell forest fresh air
• Stargaze or look for cloud shapes
• Worship in the Sacred Grove of the Ancients
• Help with a service project
• Lead your own event.
• Bring a shirt, scarf or cloth to tie dye

Food will be provided and expertly prepared with all of our help. The menu will be a mouth watering, healthy assortment.

Plan to arrive Friday night or Saturday morning, set up your tent or stay in one of the RUSTIC Summer Cabins. It will be chilly at night, so be prepared. The road has been greatly improved, but it is steep & rocky in some places. Your car should have high clearance, like a Subaru. Pets are not invited for group events.  

Fees are $30 per adult and $20 per child.
Register by Sunday, August 26th at www.SAWUURA.org or by contacting Jan Hatunen at jhatunen@cox.net or at 520-245-4377 or by mail at 2167 W Ocelot, Tucson AZ 85713. 

For more information, go to www.SAWUURA.org.

Charity of the Month      

The Green Basket Charity of the month is Friends of Ironwood Forest. Some of our members are active in this organization and have joined work parties there. 

Please remember to make checks out to MVUU and put the name of the charity in the memo line.

Weekly Activities

Anyone interested in writing is invited to join the Writers' Workshop on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00. Participants share their writing, critique each others' work, and offer suggestions for such aspects of writing as plot development, organization, tightening, and word choice. Come any time for one session or a series of sessions. If you have writing to be critiqued, please bring at least 9 copies.

For more information, contact Margaret Fleming at 888-7059 or margefleming@earthlink.net.  

Wednesdays, 7 pm, Conversation about Stewardship   

The MVUU Community Growth; Stewardship, Leadership, & Membership group is discussing Community, The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block. Anyone interested is welcome, whether you have read the book or not. For more information, please contact Tom Bunch at www.sparky9132000@yahoo.com

Thursdays, 6:45 pm, Tucson Women's Chorus

Thursdays, 7:00 pm, Choir Practice

Saturdays, 6:30 pm, AA Beginners Meeting 

Bi-Monthly Activities

1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:30 pm, Global Chant Group

 
1st and 3rd Thursdays 4:30-6:00 pm, Grief Support
Group  

Monthly Activities

Bookaholics Unanimous August 29  

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. For this hot desert month, you'll get to read about climbing a cold mountain--how about that for clever scheduling? For September 26: In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.   

Finding Heart Starts in October 

Finding Heart Ministries will kick off the 2012-2013 year in October. Groups will begin in October and January. Start thinking about taking part in this small-group approach to getting to know congregation members and friends better, sharing and laughing together, and working on a small service project to benefit our congregation or community. If you've been a member in the past and would love to facilitate a group, join the facilitators on Saturday morning September 15 in the Fireside room. Want more info?? Contact Elizabeth Reed at 520-269-3414 or reedeliz@gmail.com.

PRIDE in the Desert October 13

The 35th Annual Pride in the Desert Festival will take place at Armory Park and on 13th Street. We are bringing the event LOCAL. Not only are we moving downtown, but we are filling our stage with only local entertainers. Come see them shine all in one place!

Parade at 11:00 am  

The Parade Route and Time has been set! Come join everyone on 6th Avenue between 18th Street and 12th Street for Pride on Parade at 11:00am.   

Riverpark Inn is the Official Pride Weekend Hotel! When booking your room ask for the Tucson Pride Rate. Be a VIP for the Weekend! One pass will include all 3 official PRIDE events!

Under the newly formed partnership with Fluxx Production there will be a pool party and sing-along movie event to kick off the PRIDE weekend in Tucson. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Hotel Congress After Party

Hotel Congress will be the place to be after lights turn off at Armory Park. Fluxx Production will hosting the official Pride After Party at Hotel Congress. Look for details as the plans get finalized!

With your support of Tucson Pride, Inc. more than $50,000 has been given back to our Tucson community.Thank you for your continued support of our fundraisers! Thank you to all our sponsors for supporting Tucson Pride, Inc. in our 35th year of celebrating PRIDE.

 C O M I N G . . . 

Annual Service Auction November 16

Friday, November 16th, 2012, at 5:30 pm, here at the MVUUC church, the Asian Fusion will start with food, fun, and the auction.

Now is the time for our MVUU Members and friends to become creative in their donated items for the auction. Here are some suggestions for a start:

• Dinners, meals and outings
• Baked goods like cakes, cookies, breads
• Services like driving to airport or doctor's office,
• Computer help, household tasks, etc.
• Items like theme baskets (food and beverages)
• Gift cards: restaurant dinner, dinner theater, play or performance tickets
• New handmade / handcrafted items
• Garden or home decor: potted plants ready for transplant  

UU Animal Ministry Outreach

UUAM celebrates the goal of a more compassionate world! Please join us.

• With lovingkindness, we advocate greater moral consideration of animals.
• With humility, we are rethinking our treatment of other species.
• With gratitude, we cherish our multispecies planet.
• With joy, we practice compassion.
• Still, at times, this prophetic task challenges the spirit-
• And when we walk together, the way becomes easier and more joyful.

How Can I Be in Touch with UUAM?

Join the listserv community and say hello! http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/ufeta More information is at our website: http://www.uuam.org/

What is the Reverence for Life Program?

UUAM created this program in 2010 to provide steps for greater Unitarian Universalist engagement about how we relate to other animals. Several UU congregations piloted the program beginning in 2011, and now the RFL program is available for everyone. Learn more here:http://www.uuam.org/reverence.php

Announcing two free webinars starting in September 2012

"Transforming Belief into Practice" is a 1-session webinar designed for UUs interested in beginning, supporting, or growing animal ministries in their congregations. "Compassionately Creating the Beloving Transpecies Community" is an 8-session course covering communication skills, spiritual practices, ethics, animal behavior and communication, and more! Learn more here: http://www.uuam.org/reverenceclasses.php

Board Highlights

Keeping Everyone up to Date

Mountain Vista UU Board of Trustees

NOTE: These Highlights are from the draft minutes. Final minutes in their entirety will be posted outside the Office after approval and include any reports submitted.

August 18 and 19, 2012

Finance Report: As of June 30, 2012, income was up due to the success of the pledge drive for FY 2011-2012: 

• Year-to-date income was $146,131 ($864 over budget)
• Year-to-date expenses were $166,102 ($24,458 less than budget)
• Operating deficit was $19,971 (which is less than had been expected)  

RE Committee chair approval: Lara Brennan was approved as the Chair of the RE committee.

Board Meeting Dates

The Board will meet on the third Tuesdays of the month from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm throughout the year. But, to begin the year, they will meet on four consecutive Tuesdays:

August 28

September 4 (this meeting only: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm)

September 11

September 18

Next Meeting: 6:30, August 28, Fireside Room

Sunday Services for September

Liturgical Theme for the Month: WELCOME  

September 2, 2012
"Reflecting Pools: Preparation for Ingathering"
Ron Phares 

As we ready ourselves for the Ingathering ceremony, we will reflect on the significance of water and how it reflects our Unitarian Universalist principles. Romy Fouad is Worship Associate. 

September 30, 2012

"Demystifying Islam: a Personal Story"

Romy Fouad  

Islam in this country has gotten a bad name and many people think of it as the opposite of the "Judeo-Christian tradition." The fact is that all three share a tradition and are related in more ways than many people realize.This sermon, however, is not a historical or theoretical analysis of the faith, but rather a personal perspective gained from living with a moderate Muslim for twenty some years, visiting family in Egypt, and living in Damascus for a year. The personal exploration attempts to clarify some common perceptions about the faith, address personal confusions, and propose acceptance of differences. Sher Hakes is Worship Associate.  

Liturgical Themes to Come

October: The Unknown

November: Grain