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. So all you have to do is get the two signs and put them out, then return them after the service. 

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

Charity of the Month

The Green Basket Charity of the Month is Dancing in the Streets. Dancing in the Streets uses the power of dance to break down cultural barriers and enrich the community's artistic experience through the creation of a diverse dance school and company. Two of our RE students, Desi and Karina, participate in the program. http://www.ditsaz.org/.

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

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!

This project 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 

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

Plants Wanted

If you have small cacti or desert plants that you can donate to enhance our landscaping, please bring them and leave them near the Tuff-Shed in the patio west of the Goldblatt Building. Questions? Call John Fleming, 888-7059

Chamber Concerts September 29 & 30

Our own choir director, L.B., will be singing with Tucson Chamber Artists, Southern Arizona's professional chamber choir and orchestra, during the current season. The group will present How Sweet the Sound: American Folk Songs and Spirituals, Saturday, September 29, 7:30 pm 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.

Diary of a Weary Gardner

As you may or may not have noticed, there was no column last month. I was in Oregon helping my mother celebrate her 100th birthday.

When I left I had three barely surviving tomatoes, a healthy stand of okra in front. In back some barely producing squash, non-producing cucumbers, and two pumpkin vines going crazy and taking over the garden. No pumpkins, just vines. I took some of the okra with me and cooked it for Mother. She loves it.

On my return the back garden was basically dead. The tomatoes in front were still hanging on but barely and the okra was going strong. I'm putting okra in everything.

As soon as I get some energy, I'll get my winter garden started. I've been having good luck with that. But then who knows. Sometimes the garden gods smile on me, and sometimes they don't.

Alberta Gunther

Save the Date-April 26-28
 

This year we will experience another new way of meeting as UUs, April 26-28 we will go to San Jose for the first Regional Assembly for the Pacific Western Region. Our PSWD/deBenneville Pines annual meeting will be held as part of this event. So save the date to join with Unitarian Universalists from across the west.

Our Growing Fellowship

On August 10, a delegation from our congregation met with the UU Gateway Fellowship at La Palma Correctional Center for a writing workshop which the group had requested. There were a couple of non-UUs present also, who had expressed an interest in writing. During the two hours, we went over 12 pieces of writing, essays, poems, stories, haiku. There is a lot of talent in this group.

The writing workshop was a one-time event, but we have made a proposal to continue it at a different time. The MVUU group went again on September 14. We are always warmly received, inspired, and intellectually stimulated by these UU brothers of ours.

During July this fellowship was our charity of the month, and we collected over $400, which will go to buy UU hymnals, books, CDs, and other materials that the Fellowship has requested.

On September 14, Chaplain Brunk from the prison conducted an orientation for several more of our members who will be joining the Fellowship. We now have a total of 17 volunteers from our congregation, although not everyone can make it every time.

Did You Know?

There is a Global Chant Group, Crones of the Northwest Group, AA group, Wise Women Drummers, and a Tucson Women's Chorus Group that meet regularly in the Fireside Room? The groups rent our facility, but the events are open to anyone. Please check the MVUU calendar for dates and times, or email office@uucnwt.org for more info.

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.

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.

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.

Big Changes to the Sanctuary Décor!

Thanks for many compliments on the tasks we have completed. The new chalice designs, redesigning the speaker and chalice area, and painting the sanctuary space are in keeping with our mission: "Our sanctuary is a cared for sacred space evoking feelings of warmth and coming home."

The new name tag board is a success in that we can move it in or out and it is small enough that is does not impede traffic flow. However we are open to more permanent solutions. Also in the works are plans to improve the podium with coverings, build a riser to make the chalice more visible, and improve the flow of traffic. We welcome any help we can get, especially if you have handyman skills, as we work on various projects.

Future plans are in the works. Also, an ongoing responsibility is for the artwork, certificates and other documents important to the congregation. We are in the process of cataloguing our artwork and various mementos, certificates etc. Policy and procedures for their placement and the acceptance of gifts (material things) to the church are under development.

                                                   The Ambience Committee 

Green Sanctuary Meeting Sept. 16

Everyone is invited to this first Green Sanctuary meeting of the fall season, 12 noon in the sanctuary. No need to be a member of the committee to attend. Please see Roberta Price for more info.

Religious Education News

Classes Begin September 16

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. The organizer of the group is Alberta Gunther. Teachers are Gwen Goodman, Clint Ponder-Gilby, Emily Ricketts and Anne Tatum. Teen Assistants are Ali Brennan, Desi Hatunen and Rachel Kreger-Pratt. The Tiger students will meet in the Small RE Room.

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. Teachers are Margaret Fleming (lead), Galina De Roeck, Tandra Goodwin and Alana Wyatt. Teen Assistants are Lucius Eberlein, Erica Ponder-Gilby and Bibiana van der Heiden. TAMS will meet in the Large RE Room.

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. Email Donna at cdpratt1@live.com  for meeting times and locations.

RE Committee 

Anyone can join us. Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the month at 5:00 PM in the Large RE Room. Next meeting is October 3rd. Current committee members include Lara Brennan (chair), Steven Ballesteros (youth rep), Adria Brooks, Margaret Fleming, Jan Hatunen, Emily Ricketts, Bibiana van der Heiden (youth rep), and Sybelle van Erven. If you have a suggestion for RE but can't attend a meeting, please contact a committee member.

YRUU Sleepover

Saturday, September 22, 7:30 PM

All 9th-12th graders are invited to a sleepover. For more details, email Donna at cdpratt1@live.com.

Coming of Age Reunion--Class of 2011

Sunday, September 30th, 9:00 AM

Students and their mentors are invited to a breakfast in the Goldblatt Building.

Thank You to Everyone Who Donates Time, Effort and Supplies to the Religious Education Department!!!!

Interweave Bake Sale September 30

Interweave Committee is planning a 2nd Fundraiser to help with the expenses for the Desert in the Pride Booth this year. 

This is a plea for all of you wonderful folks who like to bake, to make a wonderful goodie that you would like to see sold at a Bake Sale on September 30, 2012 before and after the church service. We will be holding this event on the patio and outside in front of the Goldblatt Building--weather permitting.

If you can share a baked good, please let me know what you are making and the amount that you think it will sell for.

Again thanks to you all for all that you do and support to our programs at MVUU.

Congregational Start-Up October 12

The Rev. Dr. Ken Brown, District Executive, PSWD, will be visiting Mountain Vista UU for a special reason-Congregational Start-Up. For more than 20 years, UUA district executives have recognized the special event in Congregational Life-calling a new minister to their pulpit-by helping to kick-off the first year of the new ministry with the congregants, the Board, and the minister.

Everyone is invited on Friday night, October 12, to join the conversation about expectations and ideas forming around Ron Phares' new ministry here at MVUU. On Saturday, your Board of Trustees, together with Ron, will participate in exercises about roles, responsibilities, and goals, as well as form a leadership covenant. So, put Friday October the 12th on your calendar and join the conversation. Watch for more details.

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

Finding Heart Signups September 16 

Finding Heart facilitators have been busy planning for the new season of our small group ministry. And, again, we have a great line up-and it's almost complete. Most groups of six to twelve people begin with a six-week commitment and then choose whether or not to continue. They also do a service project for our congregation or the greater community. Signups start Sunday, September 16. 

Finding Heart groups starting in October and November include: "Finding Meaning in the Seven Principles" Monday evenings; "Reflecting on Sunday's (or another) Sermon" on Tuesday mornings, "Life Stories and Truths" mornings to be scheduled; "Adoptive Families--Joys and Challenges" evenings to be scheduled; "Coherence of the Heart in Challenging Times" Thursday mornings; and, back by popular demand, "Games--Brain Exercises" Thursday afternoons.

In January, some of the offerings will be "Aging--Friend or Foe" Tuesday afternoons; "Heart-to-Heart" Wednesday mornings; "Welcoming the Snowbirds" to be scheduled; and "Finding Heart and Soul Through Dreams and Poetry" to be scheduled.

Sign up sheets with exact times, days, and locations will be available after services for the next three Sundays-September 16, 23, and 30th. A brochure at the back of the sanctuary further describes this program that helps us get to know one another better and share our values. For more information, contact Elizabeth Reed at 520-269-3414 or reedeliz@gmail.com

Pride on Parade

Saturday, October 13, 2012 * Armory Park

Tucson Pride invites you and your organization to participate in the 2012 pride parade. Please join us in making this year's pride parade the biggest and most awesome yet.

The parade route and time have been set! Come join everyone on 6th avenue between 18th street and 12th street for Pride on Parade at 11:00 am. Participants need to arrive at 10 am.

Parade theme: this year's parade theme is "Pride links us together". Pride on Parade and Tucson Pride Inc. request that all participating contingents reflect this year's theme, interpreting it as you see fit in an acceptable and tasteful manner.

Tucson Pride Inc. Mission & Vision

* Our purpose is to unite, serve, promote, educate and represent the LGBTQ and allied community.

* Tucson Pride exists to ensure an environment of inclusion and equality, and be a leader in driving positive change.

520-622-3200 (messages)

https://www.tucsonpride.org/2012/pride-on-parade/ 

24th Annual AIDSWALK October 14

This event provides tremendous support to Southern Arizona in helping to provide services like medications assistance, food programs, case management, housing, prevention programs, HIV testing and more and has raised millions over the past two plus decades.

This year, we are excited to team up with another Tucson treasure, Tucson Meet Yourself, for this year's AIDSWALK! This innovative collaboration will help both events reach a whole new audience and means greatly expanded exposure for SAAF and AIDSWALK while also helping to maximize resources and save both non-profits on expenses. We are so proud to be a part of each other's events and are looking forward to long and beneficial collaboration for many years to come!  

This year's goal is to have 6,000 walkers and raise more than $150,000 to help support programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation.  

I hope you'll walk with your community and help to support a healthier community this October 14, 2012 in Downtown Tucson for AIDSWALK 2012.

 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  

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness has been selected as the 2012-13 UUA Common Read. In this remarkable book, civil rights advocate and litigator Michelle Alexander asserts that crime-fighting policies and systems in the U.S., such as the "war on drugs" and the incarceration system disproportionately and intentionally affect Americans of color. She describes multifaceted, lifelong discrimination and disenfranchisement that affect people who are branded "felon."

The UUA Bookstore is pleased to offer a discount of 10% on purchases of single copies. As always, we offer a discount of 20% on purchases of ten or more copies.

The UUA Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations. A discussion guide to The New Jim Crow will be available online in October, 2012, to help Unitarian Universalist groups reflect on the book and consider together what steps they are called to take, as people of faith, in response to Alexander's call for awareness and action.

This is the UU-UNO mission and vision:

Vision: A peaceful, just and sustainable world community as called for in the UN Charter.

Mission: The UU-UNO has a two-fold mission:

• We engage in the work of the UN to advance a peaceful, just, sustainable and pluralistic world community that promotes human rights.
• We engage and inspire Unitarian Universalists and others to support and participate in this work.

We try to do the same thing here at MVUU and in Tucson and in our country. The UN works in all countries in the world, to do the same thing we do here. Some of the issues the UN is working on are

• safe drinking water
• women's rights
• LGBTQ rights
• reproductive rights
• rights of indigenous people

My job as a Youth Envoy will be to keep everyone at MVUU updated on what the UU-UNO is working on and to also tell them what we are concerned about and what we are doing to help these issues.

UN Sunday is October 28. Many UU congregations have a special service and collection that day. The schedule at MVUU did not fit this. So we will do a UN day in November.

Peter Beckscehazy has applied to be our Adult Envoy with the UU-UNO office, so he and I will be a team.

If you have any questions about the UN and what UUs are doing there you can ask me. If I do not know the answer I will find out for you. My email is uubibiana@gmail.com

GA Action Team Report

The group decided on actions that we can take individually, with partners inside and outside the church, or in concerted effort with standing committees, or with board support. We went to GA for myriad reasons but we all feel strongly that we must act and not just discuss what we learned.

Pastor Ron informed us that Wednesday evenings will be devoted to adult education. Not every Wednesday night of the month is taken so we could, if we so desired, schedule time for action one of those nights.

Several proposals were passed by the participants.

Immigration/DOD/For-profit Prisons

Chuck will lead a series that will focus on Immigration, the effects of the antiquated Doctrine of Discovery, and how the for-profit prison system are inter-related. He will educate and urge actions we can take.  

Voter Registration/Citizenship Applications

Marion, in communication with Mi Familia Vota, the 22nd UU church, and any other partners, will alert us to opportunities to do voter registration. And Marion will also communicate volunteer opportunities for us to assist residents to complete applications for citizenship.

Reproductive Rights

Anne Tatum will lead a study and action group on Reproductive Rights as approved by the delegates to GA 2012.  

Animal Rights

We will send the Resolution on Animal Rights to the MVUU Board for approval and action.  

Respectfully submitted by the delegates and members who attended GA 2012 and by other interested members of MVUU

Goldblatt Building

No matter what we believe is our final destination, most of us want to preserve the memory of some of our antecedents, and fellow travelers, particularly those who supported us, agreed with us or exhibited the qualities we value.

From the start of our congregation 25 years ago, there have been periodic outbursts of interest in memorial gardens, plaques, and the naming of rooms and buildings. We named the Goldblatt Building for Bill and Helen Goldblatt, who helped start this congregation and supported us strongly with their time and their resources.

In order to continue recognition of their contribution I believe we should refer to the building as "the Goldblatt Building," and not announce from the pulpit that "refreshments will be served in the building to the right."

Leon Bennet-Alder

Welcome Our Newest New Member

Steven Rene Ballesteros

I am a lantern-carrying, humor-filled, ever-learning, ever-teaching sage. I'm young and I'm fun, yet I'm also old and serious. I've been through traumas and rare highs, such as traveling the world with the family that adopted me when I was three years old.  

I love "extreme," like crazy contact sports, cliff-diving, and intensive learning and worshipful experiences. I love theatre, athletics, Unitarian Universalism, leadership, gummy bears, running in the rain, and friendships. Learning is my passion, and I'm a rather good student. I speed-read and am very well-read. I love looking at the stars and sunsets and going for early morning jogs.

I want to be a UU minister or Professor of History or Philosophy, and a tri-athlete. At times, law enforcement and the military interest me, surprisingly enough. I love music, faith, and nature. I really want to be that renaissance character, and I'm on that journey. I love being multicultural and divinely experienced.   When I'm older, I hope to have a dust-washed look like George Clooney, with Ellen-like awesomeness. I love me, and I love being there for others.

I'm sixteen years old and have a cat named Felix. I love this Congregation and the people in it. 

Property Status Update-Certificate of Occupancy

September 2012

Throughout FY2011-2012, Larry Jagnow, then second vice president of the Board, worked methodically to pursue MVUU's goal of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy from Pima County for our existing property, considering the two properties as one. This effort had been continuing for several years with steady progress toward the goal that Mountain Vista UU become compliant with Pima County zoning regulations. He updated the Board of Trustees on September 11. In summary, while some progress has been made, we are not much nearer our objective.

Below are a brief history, recent developments, and what your Board is considering.

Brief History of the Property Status

In 2004, as our congregation was growing, Ibarra Rosano was contracted to develop a master plan for a new sanctuary and meeting area. At the same time, the firm was asked to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from Pima County. According to Ibarra Rosano, after their review of existing structures, it would be a waste of time and money to pursue a CofO for the existing structures because they were badly out of code. Specifically, the Goldblatt Building would need nearly $50,000 to $60,000 in upgrades to meet county specifications. They added that it would be better to pursue the CofO when MVUU builds new structures because that's what the CofO would then be based on. That is, MVUU would be tearing down existing structures and not be concerned with obtaining a CofO for them. In other words, one of two paths are possible for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy: (1) We build a new sanctuary and meeting area that meet building codes or (2) We spend a significant amount of money to upgrade our existing structures to meet the county building codes.

About the same time (2004), money contributed to a building fund went for the first step of our growth plan: purchase of the north property, which contains the barn. Unfortunately, member growth stagnated, and, in fact, declined around 2005. MVUU used various funds and resources to meet annual budget shortfalls each year. Last fiscal year the congregation approved a balanced budget at the May 2012 annual meeting and the current Board is committed to a balanced budget, also.

Recent Developments

In July 2011, Ibarra Rosano, after recommencing work for MVUU, developed a schematic that lists and illustrates the highly probable out-of-code violations that are apparent in existing structures. That document was considered by the Board on September 11, 2012, and forwarded to the Building and Grounds Committee to consider the various areas needing improvement.

In late 2011, when Larry Jagnow had his first meeting with the county zoning people, they advised him that he must first bring the county a "development plan," which actually it has nothing to do with development, per se, but is a document that shows our existing property and structures. The Board, through Larry, contracted with Cypress Development to prepare a Development Plan for $3,200, which the county reviewed in December 2011.

The county responded with several things to do, including more landscaping around the parking lot, a turnaround at the end of Cromwell Drive, and septic certification for both septic systems-north and south properties. About $3,000 was spent upgrading our septic systems and obtaining certifications. At this time, the county did not mention any work needed to our existing buildings. However, the county pointed out that the barn was in property line violation and a variance was needed for a CofO. According to county procedure, our neighbors were notified of the request for a variance. (We were considering the two separate properties as one.)

Subsequently, as reported in the April 2012 minutes and newsletter, the neighbors were notified, six protested, and work halted. We were then informed we could not receive a variance if even one neighbor filed a protest. Our choices are to either fight the protests (which may or may not be successful, and which will require $740 to start the process) or tear down the barn. At the same time, Conrad Paul, Betty Meikle, and our interim minister, Joy Atkinson, met with the neighbors to discuss their concerns.

In June 2012, Cypress, our contracted development firm, learned that the county requires a Tenant Improvement checklist be filled out for the Goldblatt Building. This checklist includes documents by a licensed registrant showing a code analysis that includes site plan, section views, plumbing plan, etc. Ibarra Rosano estimated this work would be about $10,000. The document is necessary because the previous owner never received a permit from the county changing the Goldblatt Building from a private residence to a meeting hall.

Our Sanctuary is another issue. It is currently in zoning limbo. Neither the county nor the state, which changed its jurisdiction over such structures in 2012, will agree that they have the authority to review and permit it. Ibarra Rosano did include this building in their listing of possible code violations.

What the Board Is Doing

Transparency: The Board wishes to ensure transparency in their deliberations. MVUU congregants will continue to be informed about the progress on our CofO and other issues that impact our community.

Sanctuary: Larry Jagnow has agreed to pursue with Cypress the jurisdiction (state or county) of the Sanctuary. Building and Grounds is reviewing the schematic (July 2011) of probable violations and will proceed as feasible

Goldblatt Building: The Board instructed Building and Grounds to review the schematic (July 2011), including a list of safetyviolations, and proceed as feasible. Meanwhile, knowing that the Goldblatt Building has several code violations, the Board is determining how to proceed ethically and morally. It is impossible to get permits to make improvements because the building has no CofO. Should we make them anyway for the safety of our congregants, children, and visitors? As an example, there are no proper or approved fire exits or quick release mechanisms in the doors.

The Barn: The Board is in an "information collection mode" while we consider several proposals offered- perhaps more may be forthcoming-concerning the barn. We are pondering several questions: Do we keep the barn, knowing that it is an irritant to our neighbors to the north? Do we start negotiations with our neighbors hoping that ultimately they will be favorable about the "community center" our barn might become. Is there some way to reduce the irritation and continue to use the barn for storage and some limited activities? What will the county actually allow?

All removal estimates are in the neighborhood of $7,000 total cost without removing the pad. One proposal includes potential cost sharing. Maintenance costs (spray washing, painting, etc.) to preserve the barn are yet to be estimated.

So first the Board needs to decide whether or not to keep the barn, based on the desirability of the building and the potential costs. Once that decision is firm, we can move on to the barn proposals and determine which one represents the most desirable solution.

Property: The Board is considering: Do we continue to consider the two properties as one for CofO purposes? Do we pursue our CofO on the south property only (it encompasses the sanctuary, parking lot and Goldblatt Building)?

Please address your comments and suggestions to the Board of Trustees either by email to president@mvuu.org or place your written information in the church office.

Be assured, you will be kept up to date.  Also be assured that the Board is interested in an ethical and moral solution to our property issues that can fit within our congregational resources. With your help and support we will continue this work. And we do so aware that "congregants create true spiritual meaningfulness, not the building. Facilities are only a tool, a means to an end... The church is a congregation, not a building." The congregation is us, and the end is the continuing pursuit of our mission. 

Volunteers of the Month

Sunday Services for September

Liturgical Theme for the Month: WELCOME  

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. Ted Warmbrand is the guest musical artist.T  

Liturgical Themes to Come

October: The Unknown

November: Grain