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 

Charity of the Month

The Green Basket Charity of the Month is Equine Voices.

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

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.

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    

"Simple Steps to Happiness" Oct. 9 

Christiane Heyde, who is a member of our congregation, is completing her ministerial internship at the UU Church of Tucson on 4831 E. 22nd Street. She is inviting us to attend an adult education class she will be teaching there,

dysfunctional behaviors to keep us from experiencing these unpleasant feelings.

I am planning a 6 week course to address these issues. In my personal life as well as my ministry experience and counseling practice, I have come to appreciate our range of human emotions. I believe that these actually hold a lot of wisdom for us. Both pleasant and unpleasant feelings can provide us with gifts and valuable information, which can then guide us to a joyful and fulfilled life.

course "Simple Steps to Happiness," beginning on October 9. We will explore the benefits of all emotions, and ways to reduce anxiety and suffering while feeling empowered and happy in our lives. It will be most beneficial to attend all 6 classes, but you are welcome to drop in at any time if you cannot make all of them. The suggested donation is $5 a session, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The class is open to the public, so feel free to spread the word and invite others.

"Simple Steps to Happiness"

6 Session Adult Education Class by Christiane Heyde

Awareness Room, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson

Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30 pm, October 9 - November 12

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 Oct. 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.

Announcements  

Café Justo

Order your  Café Justo--the Coffee for Social Justice and Ethical Drinking too!

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  

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.

Greeters Needed      

Here's an opportunity to meet 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

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.

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.

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

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.

I feel like I have been on another planet for a few weeks. But lo, a newsletter column is written! This is what progress looks like, I suppose. I am actually in the office as I type this, which is another step on recovery road. Rest assured, Mountain Vistans, you have a minister. I look forward to gradually increasing my presence and capacity over the next couple of weeks and to be back in the pulpit for my next regularly scheduled Sunday in October. That's the plan anyway. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to resuming my full responsibilities as your minister. I love my job. I miss it.  

Since we last saw each other, I have been through the wringer. As it turns out some of the treatment I received caused as many problems as the original symptoms. One of these is a condition called Bell's Palsy. It has many causes, some of them nasty. But the most prominent cause is stress. In my case, this was the stress of hospital living, medications and inconclusive diagnostics combined with the cumulative years of stress that likely started this whole ordeal. What this means is that half of my face, including lips and eye, is effectively paralyzed. The result is slurred speech, a watery eye that won't blink and, I think, the persistent feeling that I tread a quarter-deck at middling seas.  

Fortunately the condition is temporary and almost always clears itself up within a month. I am treating it aggressively with acupuncture at Tucson Community Acupuncture, where I have received fine treatment and a very compassionate pay rate. I am kind of a special challenge for them, I think.  

I would like to thank all those who held us in your prayers, meditations and thoughts. I am deeply grateful for your patience and to the work of all who had to pick up the slack in the wake of my sudden absence. MVUU is blessed with a board who conducts themselves ministerially with compassion and wisdom, and a Worship Team that is capable and quick on its feet. Another note of gratitude goes out to all those who made meals for me and my family. They were delicious and most helpful.  

In fact, we have felt very much supported throughout the whole ordeal by this church. The pastoral response was amazing and ease-giving. I learned a thing or two from you all about pastoral care. On behalf of myself, Minnie, Cora, Katie, and all the grandparents who came in to help out, I thank you from the bottom of my healthy, healthy heart (I know it's healthy because they ran every test they could think up).

For now, please accept my thanks and know that I am recovering. I don't anticipate a quick recovery, but rather a gradual one and that is fine, such as it is. When I'm back all the way, I know it will be better than ever. There was much learning and wisdom gathering throughout this experience. It has refined my perspective and carved out more space for compassion. For that, I am grateful for the trial.  

I apologize for the self-centered nature of this column. I would rather write about the state of MVUU or reflect on some theme or aspect of ministry. However, having not had the opportunity to speak with so many of you for some weeks now, I felt it might be good to give you all a little status update and general view of my extra-planetary disposition.

Blessing to you.

Nanoo nanoo,

NEW!

Midweek Connections

An ongoing Wednesday Evening Circle Gathering

Hear and be heard, deepening the connections and spiritual life already inherent at MVUU.

First meeting Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 6:30-8:00 pm in the MVUU Fireside Room

Pastor Ron Phares will preside; please bring musical instruments, a pillow on which to sit, and a finger food to share with two or three people. Plates and napkins will be provided.

• Pastor Ron will lead the gatherings twice a month;
• Adult RE will lead once a month;
• Bake House group members will lead once a month. Bake House is a recently formed group of six church members and friends, to design ongoing opportunities for personal/transpersonal/spiritual development at MVUU.
• 5th week Wednesdays are for fun and focus on the UU Hymnal, re-visioning traditional words, learning tough songs and singing our favorites. Bring your own bubbly, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Meeting Format: centering; 10-minute presentation; individual response, no cross talk; sharing with cross talk; closing

For more information, contact Robert Wallace or Kathy Kouzmanoff

Betty's Blog

The Board has met every week for five straight weeks; we have been educating ourselves regarding the church and its mission. To ensure we keep the welfare of our congregation uppermost in our discussions and decisions we use four guideposts - the MVUU Vision Statement, the MVUU Mission Statement, the MVUU Covenant of Right Relations, and the UUA Principles. Each guidepost is physically placed on the meeting table adjacent to the chalice. Each meeting begins with one of us relating how one of the guideposts, or an element of a guidepost, has affected our behavior toward another person or group during the week. This is our practice for walking our talk.

Several visitors have graced our meetings. Know that you are always welcome. As a Board we observe quiet times for coming into focus and returning to focus. You will be asked to observe these as well, and to speak only when recognized from the Chair.

We have begun this new church year in a very fortunate position. One of the participants in Tom's weekly book discussion group called what she feels at MVUU the People of Palpable Potential. I like that call!

At the end of the 2011-2012 church year, many changes were apparent inside and outside the MVUU congregation. The sanctuary had a nice coat of stucco and new paint. Benches on the east and west sides of the building welcomed outdoor religious education classes and both casual and serious discussions of theology and toads, desert gardens and greater sharing of the mysteries of life. More mature landscaping created more shade and our favorite mesquite tree was attracting more conversations and confessions than ever before. And, inside we were changing. We adopted a Covenant of Right Relations to guide how we relate to one another. We crafted new Vision and Mission Statements to guide us toward our future. We called a new minister. The 2011-2012 Board dealt with hard decisions and handed us a balanced budget, the first in several years. Many congregants attended the Justice General Assembly in Phoenix at the end of June. At the request of some MVUU members, Congressman Raul M. Grijalva attended the GA. Additional excitement and news coverage came about because of a visit, by thousands of GA attendees and others, to Sheriff JoeArpaio's infamous "Tent City."  

So, we have begun this new church year in a fortunate and upbeat position.  

How it ends will depend on what each of us does to make of MVUU what we want our very own church to be. The time and talent of many are needed to make MVUU an open, joyous, welcoming liberal religious community. Will we have more fully realized our worth as a faith community by the end of June 2013? Will we have adopted a positive attitude for our future? Will we be using our time, talents, and treasure to enhance our own lives and bring the good news of liberal religion to the lives of others in the larger community? Or shall we just wait and hope for someone else to do it all? I sincerely doubt that this last question is true because there have been changes in the energy level of the congregation. It is as if MVUU is on the threshold of being the vibrant congregation we said we wanted in the 2011 survey. It is as if it is time to smile, step up to the job, and celebrate the wonder of being MVUU.

Our new minister is young, with a young family, and is invested in building community and in effective, relevant social action. Ron Phares is intellectually inspiring, spurring us to find more meaning in our daily lives. He speaks from the heart and says religious words in the pulpit that we may not have heard for many years. Shocking? Ron invites us to try a new understanding by bestowing honest meaning to words that were once rebelled against. Most of all, Ron calls us to be our best in relationship with one another, with MVUU, and with the mystery of life.  

MVUU has a cadre of dedicated leaders, but we need more. Currently MVUU has an opening to serve as Board Treasurer. This is not a difficult task since the bookkeeping tasks are done by others and you will start with a set of "clean" books, reviewed by a certified QuickBooks specialist. There are people who will assist you as you begin the job and throughout the year.  

MVUU has many committees with members committed to doing outstanding jobs, but we need more members to fulfill the goals of some committees. MVUU has an opening to become Chair of the Green Sanctuary Committee. This committee sponsors the 4th Sunday Green Talks and was instrumental in establishing the Community Garden on our north property. Assistance for all committee chairs comes from the Board and from other leaders within the church. If you are unaware of the various committees and what they do or unsure of what a chair of a committee has to do, ask a board member - they can help you find the perfect place to make use of your time and talents.  

There are programs and activities for all ages and interests, but MVUU can use more. What are your ideas? How can you help implement your ideas? Check out the new services on Wednesday evenings beginning in October. Information is elsewhere in this newsletter.

There are one-time, once-a-week and once-a-month tasks to be done if you haven't time for one of the jobs mentioned above. Let us know. MVUU can help you put more meaning in your life.

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.

Lunitarian Weekend October 12-14

Come join other UUs in Puerto Peñasco, (Rocky Point)

Camp or park your RV at Playa Bonita Resort

Or stay in a comfortable, inexpensive hotel next door.

We have 3 slots already reserved on the beach for use by all who come to participate in this weekend of relaxation and run with other UUs and friends. There are many things to do: banana boat riding, ultra lite planes, exploring the tide pools, bonfires and music on the beach, great food and drink. This is the weekend of extreme tides, which makes the trip extra special.

Ride sharing and carpooling will be available. For more information, contact Jan Hatunen at 622-2812 or jhatunen@cox.net

Religious Education News

Coming of Age Reunion- Class of 2011

Sunday, September 30, 9:00 am

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

RE Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 3, 5:00 pm, large RE room

TAMS Giant Banana Split Party

Saturday, October 6th, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Fireside Room

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

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.  

If you can help by bringing some desserts/cookies/fruit to accompany the coffee and tea we will have, please let Sybelle know at UUSybelle@gmail.com or 471-3557 (and juices are welcome too!).

Weekly Activities

Anyone interested in writing is invited to join the Writers' Workshop on Wednesday mornings from 9;30 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 10 copies.

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

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   

Movie Outing October 6, 4:45 pm  

"Samsara,"  Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway. Roger Ebert gives four stars to this documentary, which he calls "A trance about the planet where we live." Supper after the movie at Old Chicago, 2960 N. Campbell Ave. Please notify John at john.wilcox2008@comcast.com or 531-1413 if you are coming in order to be notified of any time changes.

Still Time to Sign Up  

 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.

Message from TIHAN

Thank you all for your participation in making Poz Cafe a great success!

With support from Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation and St. Mark's United Methodist Church, we served 122 people this month! We distributed 68 care packages filled with donated toiletry items for our Care Partners living with HIV/AIDS.

And of course we can't forget the great meal and the hugs and the "safe space" that you help create at Poz Cafe every month, where our clients can meet others living with HIV, increase their social support, and know that there are caring people from faith communities who welcome them and are working to end the stigma that still exists.  

Pat Desai and Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network

Help a Student in our Midst!

Hi, I am seeking a one-time hour or two from teachers (retired or otherwise) for a Master's project. I am in an Instructional Design program and am developing a very small piece of instruction. My learners are identified as educators from K through college level. I left the majority of my contact base in Minnesota, so am sending my plea to you!

Quite simply, I need volunteers to independently take this training while it is in the development stage, so I might refine. For the phase I need people to read through the paper-based instruction while I observe and periodically ask questions. This can be done in your home or wherever you wish to meet--at your convenience--sometime in late October or early November. I estimate no more than two hours would be needed. For the next phase I am seeking a total of eight volunteers to read the instruction, take the final assessment as well as complete a short feedback form. I estimate this to take 60- to 90 minutes. This would take place the first or second week of November at your convenience. This is not group instruction, but an independent activity.

The instruction is a relatively simple soft skill of the most effective ways to seat and address a Deaf student that might be in the class room. The majority of work for the class is writing the design document which identifies taxonomy, assessment, etc., etc. and is not a part of what I am seeking.

I would like to offer house sitting, window washing, babysitting, cookie baking, dinner out or something as a measure of appreciation! Please call or email if you wish to discuss or are willing and able to assist. Thank you for reading this! Pass the word.

Sher Hakes

952.334.9892

sherri.h@mac.com

Board Highlights--Keeping Everyone Up to Date

Mountain Vista UU Board of Trustees  

NOTE: These Highlights are from the draft minutes August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 2012. Final minutes in their entirety will be posted outside the Office after approval and include any reports submitted.

Finance Report: As of August 31, 2012:

• Year-to-date income was $31,401,01 ($6,447 more than expected per budget)
• Year-to-date expenses were $28,474,.62 ($775.85 less than expected per budget)

Property Status Update: Larry Jagnow presented a report of history and current status. This has been forwarded (via the newsletter and a Flash email) to the congregation with the items that the Board is considering. (It is posted outside the office on the Board bulletin board.) Two action items for Larry are:

• Continue pursuing jurisdiction of the sanctuary (county or state).
• Form a Facilities Study Team to gather the details of the options and present a report to the Board by the end of the year.  

Building & Grounds Committee chair approval: Approved Jim Gessaman as Acting Chair of Building and Grounds.

Fair Share to PSWD and UUA: Payment of the budgeted ($3,735 total) was forwarded. This budgeted amount is not the entire allotted Fair Share.

Audio/Visual Team for Sanctuary: Proposal accepted. This will provide for persons being available to run equipment at all gatherings in the Sanctuary. The Team will prepare the guidelines and training.

Congregational Start--Up: Ken Brown, District Director of PSWD will be here Friday evening, October 12, to meet with members of the congregation about hopes for the new ministry of Ron Phares.

Right Relations Team: A team will be formed by Debbie Gessaman to determine the "next steps" since the adoption of our Right Relations Covenant.

Lock Proposal--Larry Castriotta, Management Committee: Approved the proposal to have a locked office door and to change the locks on the building doors because so many keys are in circulation.

Stewardship Conversations

Joyful Giving

To receive and enhance our community's gifts. This Stewardship Committee mission statement is given meaning by 5 components.

• The annual pledge drive
• Stewardship education
• Joyful giving
• Ministry and good works
• Planned giving.

We Celebrate Our Joyful Giving!!!

$48,000 was the approximate total of quantifiable Joyful Giving last year (July 1, 2011-2012).

Joyful Giving represents close to 28% of our total financial gifts.

$17,100 of Joyful Giving went "beyond our walls to... Promote positive change in the world" (words of the MVUU Mission) Monies going beyond our walls (in blue below) amount to around 10% of the total gifts received.

Beyond what we can quantify, there is an abundance of non-monetary Joyful Giving at MVUU. Each time someone buys paper towels, or cookies, or a poster, or office paper, or gas to deliver recycled cans with their own change of their own pockets, they do so to bring and receive joy.

We all have a spiritual need to give. MVUU is serving that need. Our gifts continue to serve, us and those who receive them. THANK YOU to everyone who gives in Joy.

Sources of the Gifts

Green Basket Charities                    $6,200

UUSC Guest at Your Table                 1,400

UUA Chalice Lighters                        1,300

School Tax Credit                              4,700

Primavera                                         1,800

Youth on Their Own Gift Cards              600

Alternative Gifts International              1,100

Service Auction                                 9,000

Plate Collection                                 5,800

Unrestricted Donations                       5,900

Bridge Club                                       1,800

Fundraisers for Youth Camp and GA    1,700

Piano                                                1,500

Concrete Ramp                                  1,000

Gateway Project                                   600

Ambience                                            600

Religious Education                              300

Sanctuary Flowers                             1,200

Barn Sale                                         1,300

Book Sale                                           200

Total                                             $48,000

Numbers in the table were rounded to the nearest $100, and some were based on estimated value. Apologies to those whose gifts that were not identified in this article. This is just the beginning of Stewardship's tracking and celebrating Joyful Giving. We need your help in identifying missing gifts. Please email and let me know what and how much.  

Please address comments on this article or contribute your own Stewardship story to any member of the Stewardship committee, or Tom Bunch at sparky9132000@yahoo.com

Upcoming Sunday Services 

Liturgical Theme for September: 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. 

Liturgical Theme for October: THE UNKNOWN

October 7, 2012
"Blind Spots, Denial and the Betrayal of the Self"

Ron Phares

The Unknown within each of us can be the cause of many of our failings. How do we discover where we are blind? How do we know what we live in denial of? How do we avoid self-sabotage? Conrad Paul is Worship Associate. The choir will sing.   

Ron Phares

Theology and consciousness. Why is there something instead of nothing? Is Mystery a satisfying god or a theological cop out? And finally, surf's up. Irene Sattinger is Worship Associate.

October 21, 2012

"Living with Ambiguity: Embracing Mystery and the Unknown"

Tom Lindell

Humans are often in denial about mystery and the unknown because they prefer to deal in a "black and white" reality in which they are comfortable. It is, therefore, ironic that we daily deal with mysteries and things we may never fully understand, because they are not always obvious. Openly dealing with ambiguity, without expectations, is a healthy outlook because one begins to accept that we do not always have answers for everything-nor will we. Perspectives from science can be helpful in this discernment. John Clark is Worship Associate. The choir will sing.

October 28, 2012
"Deus ex Machina"

Ron Phares

God in the machine. If god's in there, what else is? A timely meditation on the meme's of zombies, ghosts, and the presence of the dead. Barbara Gates is Worship Associate. Eb's Band will provide music.

Liturgical Theme for November: Grain