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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson
3601 West Cromwell Drive, Tucson, Arizona
Living Green / Reaching Out
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November's Liturgical Theme: THE GRAIN
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SUNDAY SERVICES
10:30 am
Children & Youth
Religious Education
10:30 am
Minister
Ron Phares
rdphares@gmail.com
579-7094
Office Hours:
M,T,Th -- 1:30 to 4:30
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
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Board of Trustees
President:
Betty Meikle
1st Vice President:
Sybelle van Erven
2nd Vice President:
Jan Anderson
Secretary:
Elizabeth Reed
Trustees:
Jim Gessaman
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Circle of Life
We send healing thoughts and wishes to these persons and their families.
* Galina DeRoeck, who is recovering from hospitalization for some heart symptoms.
* Debbie Gessaman, whose mother died recently, surrounded by her family.
* Conrad Paul, whose mother died recently, surrounded by her family.
* Milt Francis, whose wife Donna died October 10 in hospice care.
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Show Entire Message
Certain software programs often cut off the end of the newsletter, which is not displayed unless the user clicks a button at the bottom of the first posting that says "Show entire message."
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Charity of the Month
The Green Basket Charity of the Month is Equine Voices. Equine Voices is a rescue and sanctuary dedicated to saving Premarin (PMU) mares and foals from slaughter. www.equinevoices.org
The amount raised in September for Dancing in the Streets was $614.65. Thank you for your generosity!
Please remember to make checks out to MVUU and put the name of the charity in the memo line.
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Greeter Breakfast December 1
Jane Paul will be hosting a breakfast for all Greeters, Substitute Greeters, or anyone who might be interested in becoming a Greeter. It will be on Saturday, December 1, from 8:30 until 10:30 am. at her home at 9922 N. Sumter Creek Pl. There will also be a short meeting. Please let Jane know if you would like to enjoy a great breakfast, get better acquainted with other Greeters, get more information, or provide some suggestions. Contact her by email at janerpaul47@gmail.com or by cell phone at 602-820-7756 |
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Apprentice Wanted
 John Fleming needs an apprentice-someone who wants to learn photography, videography, sound recording, and web design. The apprentice will receive a total media education, and John will give the person a certificate when it's completed. Contact him at
888-7059 or elfuturo@earthlink.net.
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GA Proposals Deadline November 1
We are now accepting program proposals for the 2013 General Assembly in Louisville, KY!
Building on the experience of Justice GA, the General Assembly Planning Committee, the UUA Board of Trustees and the Administration seek to create a General Assembly in 2013 that moves our Association "From Promise to Commitment."
Promises call us into relationship. The experience of making, breaking and remaking promises is the reality of our lived faith. We will gather in Louisville to examine and renew our covenant to our faith, one another, our congrega
tions and the larger world.
To merit consideration, program proposals submitted for the 2013 GA should explore the kinds of promises our religious communities are called to make as we seek to live out our UU values; how we make them, with whom, and how we hold ourselves and each other accountable.
All submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Program Development Group (PDG). The PDG is a diverse team of UUUA staff and GA Planning Committee members committed to provide excellent General Assembly programs aligned with the vision and mission of the UUA and its member congregations.
All proposals must be submitted by Thursday, November 1, 2012.
For more details, please click here |
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Final Exit Network Annual Public Meeting
November 17
Saturday, November 17th, 1 - 3 pm, St. Michael's Episcopal Church sanctuary, 602 N. Wilmot, 85711
The program is "What is a Good Death? The Right to Die with Dignity" with personal testimony about the FEN experience. www.finalexitnetwork.org
Info: John Abraham, jlavet@earthlink.net or 520-235-5646
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Announcements
If you would like to submit an item for publication
in the Newsletter, Friday eFlash or the Sunday Announcement Sheet, please send it to Publications@uucnwt.org. (We are no longer using the oos@uucnwt.org address.)
Announcements for the eFlash and Sunday Announcement Sheet should be submitted by 12 noon on Wednesday.
The Newsletter deadlines are the 12th and 24th of each month.
Pulpit announcements will be limited to activities taking place that Sunday.
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Work Party a Great Success
Thanks to Paul Bowers, Jim Gessaman, John Fleming, and Dick Hughes for their efforts in trimming branches, planting agaves, arranging stones, and disposing of debris at the landfill. Jim Gessaman and John Fleming managed the disposal. For Jim, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, his first visit to the dump.
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Ambiance Committee News
The Ambiance Committee has completed painting the sanctuary, restrooms and offices! Now, as we move into our winter season, we continue working on updating our space.
We have made some decisions about how to handle artwork donations. If you are interested in making a donation, contact Anne Leonard, 825-3449 or anne@alartworks.com. We look forward to your contributions and have developed some criteria for their acceptance. We hope to receive items of ready to hang art in good condition that will have some significance for the congregation. Please consider our space and storage limitations as well. The committee will be responsible for decisions regarding acceptance and placement.
We also welcome additional members to the committee. If you would like to participate, contact Darcey Spears. See her on Sundays, or contact her by phone or e-mail: 520-408-7141, darceyspears@gmail.com.
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Sermons Indexed
John Clark has been working for a long time on our archive of old sermons. The printed copies have outgrown our storage space, so John has scanned every page of every sermon since we were first organized as a congregation in 1988, as well as a few from even before that, and converted them to .pdf files so they can be stored electronically. Moreover, with his well-known penchant for sorting and classifying, he has indexed them all according to speaker, subject, and date. Thank you, John, for this Herculean accomplishment.
The files are all on our website now under Sermons. Check them out; they are fascinating reading.
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Social Action Corner Relocated
Social Action/Justice Information Corner has relocated to the west side of the Goldblatt Bldg. Please stop by to engage in conversation, get news, pick up free handouts, flyers, materials, buy UU books, and items relating to worldwide social action justice issues. Learn what we are doing here at MVUU, the UUA, UU churches elsewhere as well as in the Tucson community re these issues. Looking forward to visits from every one of you from time to time.
Emily Ricketts & Susan Glen
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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.
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Immigration Justice
Immigration justice is complex and multifaceted.
In order to help us better understand and engage it, the UUA and UUSC have supplied print and video resources as well as organizing tools. We also participated in a tremendous range of workshops and presentations during our Justice General Assembly in Phoenix, Ariz.
All of these have helped us deepen our work for immigration justice, as individuals and congregations. And yet sometimes the most powerful thing we can do to strengthen our own justice efforts is to go and see for ourselves.
The UU College of Social Justice [UUCSJ] offers two BorderLinks journeys this year: February 1-4 and May 24-27, 2013. These explorations are grounded in spiritual reflection and our Unitarian Universalist commitment to the long work of justice. Join us on a BorderLinks journey. Inspire yourself for the work of immigration justice.
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Primavera Tour
Our congregation member Joseph Scott is a member of the Primavera Foundation's Board. Joe suggested that because of the congregation's support over the years of Primavera programs with donations and the monthly 3rd Wednesday dinners at the 5 Points apartment complex, there might be interest to tour the Primavera sites. To tour, a maximum of 12 persons can be accommodated, mornings 9 to 11. Suggested dates are: Thurs. Nov 1, Tues Nov 6, Thurs Nov 8, Tues Nov 13, Thurs Nov 15, Tues Nov 27 Tues Dec 4, Thurs Dec 6.
If these dates are not good for at least 8 persons, Joe will look into other dates after the holidays and possibly schedule for afternoon tour hours. The tour is open to anyone. Contact me at church, or at 795 2153 or emilyrketts@msn.com to reserve a seat.
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Aluminum Cans
Please bring your empty aluminum cans to church and place in the special bin. Proceeds from cans go to the Camp de Benneville Pines Scholarship Fund. Thank you to Emily Ricketts for sponsoring this worthwhile project.
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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.
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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.
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Minister's Column
Windows open. It's that time of year, when we all remember why Tucson is such a fine place to live. Right now, the relief from the heat makes it easy to be grateful that the sun has migrated south for the winter. As is tradition going back far beyond our national Thanksgiving, many places in this country will celebrate the harvest this year. Indeed, that is in many ways where the Worship Associates and I took our cue from in selecting The Grain as November's liturgical theme. The Grain can mean many things. It may represent the bounty of the earth. But bounty is not limited to foodstuffs. Bounty can have to do with beauty, generosity, commitment, time, space and love. And so we dwellers of the Sonoran Desert may celebrate and express our gratitude for, among other things--but most ubiquitously and immediately for--the relief and beauty that winter brings to the desert.
Of course, there are many more circumstances for which we may be grateful. Some are obvious. Others are private. All of them are worth celebrating, or at least marking. In my family, we do this before dinner. Katie and I believe that saying a kind of Unitarian Universalist grace before our meal together grounds us ethically and emotionally. There's no head bowing or hand folding, although that would be fine. Rather, we simply take turns saying what we are thankful for--the food, each other, our girls, our church, and on and on. Sometimes the entire mealtime is taken up by these little expressions of thanks. Those are good meals.
I have read that habits like this can rework your brain chemistry and transform a person into a more kind and optimistic person. I don't know if such a ritual has wrought that kind of change on either of us. I'd like to think so. But in some ways, that is beside the point. Most important is the shift in weight that happens in that very moment. The little nuisances of the day and the sometimes rather large tribulations of life are put into perspective. That kind of weight is alleviated.
On the other hand, a new weight is accepted. This is the weight of connection. Our gratitude obligates us to some kind of reciprocity. That obligation and reciprocity connect us to the world, and more, to a certain perspective and attitude and behavior toward the world. It's a weight that feels good and right to assume. There's a line from a Colin Oberst song that says, "I've got debts I like to pay." Yes.
Bearing that in mind, there are a few trajectories surrounding my church life for which I am most grateful and excited. I would like to share these with you.
Health
Big news! I have a diagnosis! My third doctor referred me to my second physical therapist, who examined me for all of five minutes before reaching a conclusion. I almost kissed him. Evidently, I have two sets of vertebrae that are slightly twisted and therefore "stuck." As a result, all the nearby muscles must compensate and perform functions they are not built for. Hello, pain. Additionally, the nerve ganglia (or something) in this area wrap around into the gastro-intestinal system. Hello, abdominal pain. And somehow my lungs are affected as well.
The bummer is that most of my most dire symptoms were originally improperly treated, which resulted in side effects worse than the original symptoms and a stress level that induced the Bell's Palsy. The good news is that all of this is fixable. I am slowly building back the muscle needed to support my structure (15 lbs down), which will aid my recovery. No drugs needed, just work and patience.
And so I'm recovering quite well. Slow and steady wins the race. Thank you all for your well wishes, patience, and help during this time.
Worship
We really changed worship up quite a bit this month. I hope most of you find it satisfying, and appreciate your patience. Of course we are still working out a few kinks and discovering moments and methods that we can improve. Thankfully, we have a very considerate group of Worship Associates who will help me fine tune the Sunday experience. You may or may not notice minor tweaks. However, generally, the service will remain in a similar pattern for long enough for you to trust the rhythm. Our aim is to provide you with the most satisfying and comprehensive worship experience possible in order for you to have one more lens through which to process any religious experiences you might have--which is to say, your life.
Projects
The Mid-week Connection on Wednesday evenings continues apace. This is an intimate gathering of seekers looking to exercise their spirits with words and in body. It is a quiet experience, except when the drums are roaring. I encourage you to bring something to bang or rattle and an attitude of considerate curiosity. We have fun and find a level.
In mid-October, we held the first all-council meeting of the year. There gathered all committees and the Councils under which they are organized (Program, Ministry and Administrative). The goal was to encourage connectivity, cohesion, and identity through information sharing. We want the right foot to know what the left thumb is up to, so to speak, so that we may proceed, "as one strong body."
Early in the month we hosted our District Executive, Ken Brown, for a Congregational Start Up. He met with the congregation and with the board. There was a good deal of honesty and self-awareness revealed by the members of MVUU. Such an event certainly helps both the board and me focus on the most pressing and promising matters. Thanks to all who attended.
I am currently in the midst of teaching my first Path to Membership class. This is one of my favorite things to do as a minister. I get to know people in such an amazing way--and such amazing people! These classes are open to all, even long time members. So the next time (winter or spring) one is offered, do consider signing up.
All in all, it was a good month to get back into the swing of things. A month with much to be grateful for, a bounty of positive momentum. I look forward to many, many, many more.
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Betty's Blog
 Greetings dear People of Palpable Potential. MVUU programs, events and activities are already up and romping this church year. Sunday mornings see visitors and increasingly our dear rain-and snow-birds are returning to spend time with us during the winter. The Mid-week Connections service is off to a good start. MVUU writers are writing and sharing. MVUU readers are reading and discussing. MVUU musicians are getting together and making great music almost every Sunday morning. MVUU Councils, which are made up of the chairs of all committees, have met and are deciding on the projects and progress they will undertake this year.
The entire Sanctuary building has been painted inside. An ad hoc publicity team is forming and intends to help MVUU become much better known in our area. Years of past sermons (beginning before Rev. Susan Manker-Seale) are now available on-line because of the dedicated work of a volunteer, John Clark. His work was given to volunteer John Fleming and is now on our website. All Board Minutes are also being made available on-line. We the People of Palpable Potential are using our time, talent, and treasures to ensure that our works are up to date, our campus is looking rather spiffy and our outreach is beginning to reflect the energy and love we feel at MVUU.
One of MVUU's biggest and most fun annual fund-raisers is just around the corner. The Asian Fusion Service Auction is on Friday, November 16th. I don't know whether the theme has to do with the type of food that will be served or if it is to encourage us to dress in costume and maybe let down our hair. Our volunteer auctioneers certainly put on a show! If you have never attended an MVUU Service Auction, step right on up and have a great time. Participation in these social events, when we fellowship together, are some of my favorite times at MVUU.
The Auction will be a celebration to end an era. The unending 2012 elections will finally be over and many of us will be able to use 30% of our time to focus our thinking and volunteering on something other than politics. We will know who our next national, state and local leaders are. And, whether we are happy about that or not, we must go on. Our phones will stop ringing all day long, our emails and social networks will not have campaign materials popping up after every 3rd entry. But, all of this devotion to picking our leaders has led me to ponder: What might happen if UUs were mobilized to the same extent the political parties have organized their adherents? And, of course, how might UUs spend all the money that has been spent on this election. Stretches your imagination, doesn't it? Certainly stretches mine.
But, allow me to come back to Mountain Vista UU and our reality. We have a multitude of things to celebrate as we continue to build our momentum this year. And, while we are going forward strong, there are a few places where volunteers are still needed. Please step up and join the lay leadership. It is a rewarding place to be of service. Volunteer involvement is the life blood of our vital community. We would not be the same without each and every volunteer. There are so many ways to serve here at MVUU.
If you have audio-visual equipment expertise or some webpage knowledge, please see any Board Member or John Fleming. A new team has been formed which will operate the A/V equipment in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings. Sermons will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. John will train the A/V team and then move on to other projects that need his attention.
Last month I spoke of 2 positions which are still currently open, the Board Treasurer and Chair of the Green Sanctuary Committee. There are also 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. MVUU can help you put more meaning in your life. You can help put more life into MVUU's meaning.
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Midweek Connections
An ongoing Wednesday Evening Circle Gathering
Every Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 pm in the MVUU Fireside Room
Fifth Wednesday, October 31, is Focus and Fun Night on the UU Hymnal, learning a hard one, and singing the old favorites, led by Betty Meikle. Bring your bubbly! Alcoholic and non! 6:30-8 pm
Next Wednesday 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.
For more information, contact Robert Wallace or Kathy Kouzmanoff
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C O M I N G . . .
Annual Service Auction November 16
 Friday, November 16th, 2012, at 5:30 pm, here at the MVUU 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 Asian Fusion Auction Committee requests that your filled Donation Form be turned in and your Dinner Reservation be made by NOVEMBER 4th. For more info, see Clare Toth, Anne Tatum or Anne Jagnow.
The Auction Committee:Jan Hatunen, Anne Jagnow, Lara Brennan, Anne Tatum, Catalina Hall, Jane Paul, Clare Toth
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Thanksgiving Feast November 22
November 22 at 2 pm we will have a feast to celebrate the joy of living. We will offer our thanks for the good things in our life, especially our UU fellowship.
The event will be open to all of you; please invite friends if you wish.If weather is good, it will be held outdoors. If not, it will be in the Goldblatt Building. We will provide one roasted turkey.If the response is large, we may call on you for more turkeys.
In order for it to come together properly please send an email to me indicating:
1. How many people will be in your party?
2. What you are bringing: side dish, salad, dessert, (including vegetarian dishes).
3. Are you willing to work on set up? Clean up?
As we get your responses we will balance out the menu offerings and make adjustments.
Please bring your own beverage, plates and tableware and a gift of several non-perishable food items, or a toiletry care package to be given to those in need.
Please contact Hobie Denny at hobied@gmail.com or 253-857-5171
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Religious Education News
 Winter Camp at Camp de Benneville Pines
Junior High Camp: November 30 - December 2 Senior High Camp: December 27 - January 1 Elementary/Family Camp: February 16- February 18 See Donna for a brochure, or go to www.uucamp.org for more info.
Sunday, November 11th: "Connection Sunday:
Connecting to the Community"
The Tigers and TAMS will be visiting residents of a nursing home on Veteran's Day, November 11th. Mountain View Care Center is located at the SE corner of La Canada and Magee. We will meet at the church at 10:30 and carpool to the center. Parents and YRUU students are invited to join us, too. Drivers (must be 25 and older) are needed. If you can help, please let Donna know. Please watch for an email with more info.
Sunday, November 18th:Thanksgiving Service (Intergenerational) Students will be in the service the entire time. Nursery care is provided.
Sunday, December 9th: Winterfest (Intergenerational)
Mark your calendars and please plan to attend. Students will be participating in a skit written by Margaret Fleming.
Current wish list: Canisters of powdered lemonade mix.
If you have any questions, please call Donna, the Director of Religious Ed, at (520) 441-0870 or email her at cdpratt1@live.com
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More Luncheons
Put the following dates on your calendar to have lunch at church after the Sunday service:
- November 11: this day the service will be led by Peter and Bibiana, our Envoys to the UU-UN Office. That's why we will have an international lunch! We are asking everyone to bring a dish from a foreign country or culture. It can be a main dish, salad, dessert, bread, or a drink. Be creative (Google can help you out) and let's enjoy some new tastes! Please label with country and name of dish, and if you want add a little colored flag to your labeling.
- December 9: a wonderful Winterfest is being planned and to follow it we will have a lunch of casseroles. Bring your favorite casserole (crockpot or easy to warm up), dessert or something to drink.
- January 13: this is our Tucson winter and we'll have hearty soups (crockpots or easily warmed up), breads, desserts and drinks.
Expect a sign-up in your email inbox for each luncheon. If you don't see it, you can always mail us to let us know what you'd like to bring. As always, we are asking you to keep our vegan and gluten-free congregants in mind. Sometimes a small adjustment makes a dish gluten-free or vegan. For example, keeping the cheese, croutons, sauces on the side, or using vegan margarine instead of butter. Look at it this way: almost everyone can eat gluten-free/vegan, even those who do not have special requirements.
We hope you will all join us for fun and fellowship. Requested donation per person is $5, but of course we never turn any hungry person away. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for our youth to go to camp at PSWD's de Benneville Pines.
Sybelle UUSybelle@gmail.com Lara Larabuggy3@gmail.com
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Weekly Activities
Sundays, 8:30 am, Book Discussion Group
Our Current book is
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
by Oliver Sacks. We will be discussing a few chapters at a time until December 2. Please join us. For more information contact John Clark at alvinjclark@aol.com.
Mondays, 6:30 pm, MVUU-GCB
The group meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm in the Goldblatt Building. The current book we are discussing is
Launching a Leadership Revolution: Mastering the Five Levels of Influenceby Chris Brady and Orin Woodward.
Everyone is welcome. Contact Tom Bunch for more info.
Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, Bridge Club
Wednesdays, 9:30 am, Writers' Workshop
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
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Bi-Monthly Activities
1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:30 pm, Global Chant Group
1st and 3rd Thursdays 4:30-6:00 pm, Grief Support
For members of the GLBTQ Community, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, 4831 E 22nd Street, Tucson. This is an informal and relaxed group for anyone grieving a loss of any kind, no matter how long ago it was. We are sponsored by TMC Hospice. Before attending, please call Karla Brockie 269-9573.
1st and 3rd (and 5th) Fridays, 6:30 pm, Women's Circle
2nd and 4th Fridays, 6:30 pm, Spirit Circle
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Monthly Activities
Afternoon Movie Saturday, November 17
"The American President," at Hobie Denny's, 12419 W. Mile Wide Rd. A vegetarian soup lunch will be at 12:30, followed by the movie, a comedy Roger Ebert called one of the best movies of 2005. We are limited to ten persons by space considerations. Please coordinate your contribution to the lunch with John, john.wilcox2008@comcast.net or at 531-1413. We need bread, cheese, salad or fruit. Directions will be provided.
Bookaholics Unanimous November 28
At 6:45 we'll be discussing Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. This book promises to break your heart and put it back together. That's a big assurance, but readers report it to be so. We'll make sure there's a chair ready for you.
*On December 19th at 6:00 p.m. we'll gather at The Macaroni Grill at Ina and La Cholla to celebrate the end of our sixth year and look forward to our seventh. This event is open to all interested people, so consider it a good way to begin your membership in this vibrant and fun group. More details later.
In January we'll change our meeting times to the last Monday of each month. Upcoming reads: January 28th: Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James; February 25th: Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo; March 25th: Canada by Richard Ford. Naked or not, we've got you covered.
Contact: Elaine azbooklover@comcast.net 290-102
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Spiritual Exploration
by Sybelle van Erven
Here are some coming offerings for adult religious education.
- "Doctrine of Discovery and Corporate Prisons," planned by Chuck Tatum. It will be offered in the evening.
- "Issues of Reproductive Justice." Look for more information in the near future.
- I would like our congregation to participate in the UUA One Read for this year: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, for which the discussion guide will be available some time this month. If you are interested in leading this, please let me know.
- "Dream Group Sessions," led by Kathy Kouzmanoff. See article below.
I hope to hear from many of you with ideas and plans and questions. I can be reached by phone (471-3557) or email (UUSybelle@gmail.com).
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UUA Common Read
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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.
Those interested in doing this as a group could contact me,
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Dream Group Offerings
Tuesdays, 10:30-Noon: Book Discussion Group
* Quantum Mind (2000) The Edge between Physics and Psychology, 628 pages, 43 chapters. Let's study Jungian analyst Dr. Arnold Mindell's attempt to integrate quantum physics and analytical psychology. It may give us some further insight into the currently hot topic of consciousness and quantum science.
* Process Mind (2010) A User's Guide to Connecting with the Mind of God, 303 pages, 17 chapters
Sessions
Late Autumn Session: Quantum Mind, Parts I & II Tues. Nov 6-Dec 11 2012, six weeks 10:30-noon
Early Spring Session: Quantum Mind, Parts III & IV Tues. Feb 5-March 12, 2013, six weeks 10:30-noon
Late Spring Session: Process Mind Tues. April 9-May 14 2013, six weeks 10:30-noon
We'll follow this format: Check-in, share what you got out of the reading, with exercises as desired by the group from the book or of our own making, group discussion, and checkout.
Thursdays, 10:30-Noon: Dream Group
Same weeks as above, but on Thursday dates. (November group starts November 29, for four sessions.)
Enhance your dreams through basic techniques and group feedback. Good to bring dreams you have written down as a story, or fragment of the story, in present tense, with as much detail as possible. Confidential and respectful of your needs.
Groups meet at Home of Kathy Kouzmanoff, 10950 N La Canada #11202 Oro Valley AZ.No charge. (Donations for MVUU or Southern Arizona Friends of Jung gratefully accepted)
Signup is required and it implies a commitment to attend all or most sessions. Buy your own copy of the book(s) and dream journals. Please let me know ASAP, but by October 31 if you are planning to attend, so I can plan accordingly. I need at least 3 participants & a limit of 8.
Facilitator Kathy Kouzmanoff, M S, (414) 617-7979
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Animal Ministry Chapter Being Formed.
I'm delighted to announce that we are forming an MVUU Chapter of the UU Animal Ministry. This is a nationally sanctioned UU organization. Its goals are to recognize that the principles of Unitarian/Universalism should be extended to our animal brethren. This means that when we speak of recognizing the worth and dignity of all people, that it is logical to extend that to "all living things." It means that we should think about our relationship with animals and try to act in an ethical manner in our daily lives and interactions with them. If you are interested in joining the committee please email me at tjboothroyd@gmail.com
We will be planning an opening event and be holding a meeting soon. We would love to have all of you who have been touched by the animal world, or are in touch with that world in any way, to join us.T.J. Boothroyd
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MVUU's 2012 Alternative Holiday Giving
WHEN? Sundays after Church, 11:30-12:45, November 4, 11, 18, (not 25), December 2 and 9
WHERE? At a Social Action/Justice (SA/J) table set up near the Goldblatt Building
WHY? As St. Augustine said, "Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are."
Our 4th Annual Holiday Giving Market is a unique, "feel good about the holidays" kind of experience. What is an Alternative Gift? It's a humanitarian, helpful gift given to honor a friend, loved one, associate, or a stranger. Here are our two non-profit organizations for the 2012 season:
1. Alternative Gifts International (AGI)--This is the fourth year we have supported AGI, a smaller non-profit charity that in 2011 celebrated 25 years of service. This year, they are sponsoring 30 hand-chosen agencies that give people around the world "Gifts Inspiring Change" through donations of financial support.
- Look for their list of categories--Hunger, Education, Gender Equality, Child Mortality, Maternal Health, Medical Services, Environmental Sustainability, and Collaboration-in the ALTERNATIVE GIFT CATALOG 2012-2013 (www.alternativegifts.org), which will be available at our SA/J table. When you choose the project you want to support, you can be assured your donation will go there.
- Pick up a Shopping List at our table on November 4 to read about these projects. Volunteers will be happy to guide you through the purchasing process.
- The real beauty of AGI's program is that you can give $1 on up, meaning that MV's children, youth, and all adults can experience the joy of reaching out to others!
2. Interfaith Community Services (ICS)--This year, our local non-profit is one most of us will recognize; but for the first time, we will be contributing financial support to their "Gifts of Love" holiday program in one of two different ways:
a) Adopt a Family-The adoption can be done by individuals or by small groups within MVUU. You let SA/J volunteers know what size family you want; what dates you would bring your gifts to the family or to ICS; whether you want the family to know your identity; and if you're including food and/or grocery certificates. ICS will supply you with gender, sizes, and favorite colors for each child; whether the child has a "wish list"; and how the family wishes to receive your gifts. You may also choose to include a gift card for family adults from Target or WalMart.
b) Gift Card Drive-Separate from the above program, members can choose to purchase $20 gift cards for ICS clients requesting financial assistance (all are screened through ICS and Pima County databases). With these cards, clients who need meat, milk, or baby formula can purchase something they seldom receive. Cards can be obtained at any local grocery stores (please buy those that say "no cigarettes or liquor can be purchased").
Come talk to co-Chairs, Debbie and Jim Gessaman and other SA/J volunteers on Sundays, November 4, 11, 18 and December 2 and 9. If you have questions, please contact us at 572-6713 or by email at gessaman@biology.usu.edu.
The MVUU Alternative Holiday Giving Market is a perfect way to enter into the true spirit of the season. Think of your outreach as a Gift of Peace, one that comes from your abundance to share with world and local neighbors in order to create, person-by-person, a most peaceful, equitable global community.
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Stewardship Conversations
Coordinating Gifts of Time and Talent
"The key to growth is to intentionally invite new members to contribute in meaningful ways that match their personal gifts. Members stay when they develop personal connections and feel valued."*
In the last newsletter, Margaret Fleming eloquently described the numerous opportunities for voluntary participation in the activities of our MVUU community. However, the matching of members' interests with service opportunities and committee vacancies is currently somewhat hit-or-miss. Several years ago a former member, Dale Golis, recognizing the importance of volunteer coordination, stepped up to assume that role. She met personally with members and friends and initiated the updating of a skills and interests database to include both new and current members. Sadly, she was prevented from continuing this invaluable work by a terminal illness that took her from us in June 2011.
The good news is that the new Stewardship Committee now includes a Time and Talent team that will focus on the coordination and appreciation of non-monetary gifts. The team's task will include the updating of our "Skills and Interests" database on Congregation Builder, with emphasis on working closely with new members of our community. We will be coordinating this information with the needs and opportunities for service and ministry that are constantly changing. The celebration and appreciation of gifts of service will also be an important responsibility of this new stewardship team.
Two core stewardship members, Meg Kidwell and Ron Meikle, will lead this new volunteer coordinating effort, in close collaboration with the Membership and Nominating Committees. We ask for your interest and support in this new initiative.
Coming soon: We are instituting the "What's Happening?" table during coffee time after the Sunday service. This table will host people who are willing to talk with you about what is happening at MVUU. So if you have questions about upcoming events, ongoing activities, what a specific committee actually does, or how to get the Board to pay more attention to your proposal, just drop by "What's Happening" and get the scoop. Positions needing volunteer assistance will also be available at the table. Think of "What's Happening" as a one-stop MVUU information center. We look forward to talking with you.
Meg Kidwell
* Dea Brayden and the Rev. Peter Morales, Jefferson Memorial Church of Golden, Colorado.
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Sunday Services for November
Liturgical Theme for November: THE GRAIN
November 4, 2012
"Seed to Seed: the Cycle of Life"
Ron Phares
Seeds are the beginning of life and yet are distributed by vehicles about to give up the ghost. Thus death delivers life. Beautiful, tragic and unavoidable, we will explore how we pass through pain and into resolve where birth and death kiss and make life.
November 11, 2012
UU UN Sunday
"Beyond Borders: Breaking Barriers of Race and Immigration"
Peter Becskehazy and Bibiana Van der Heiden
We will celebrate the harvest of 50 years of UU service at the United Nations at the first ever MVUU United Nations Sunday. UU UN Youth Envoy Bibi Van der Heiden and UU UN Envoy Peter Becskehazy will lead the service. Please wear white and blue to commemorate this event.
November 18, 2012
"Bountiful Living"
Ron Phares
How does one cultivate an attitude of bounty? Why should one cultivate an attitude of bounty? What does one do with a bountiful attitude? In this special service we will celebrate the good fortune of our congregation by ceremonially welcoming a group of new members to our continental community.
November 25, 2012
"A Harvest"
Ron Phares
Join us for this celebration of the good in our lives. We will meditate on our contingency and contemplate our power. We will do this in words and also in deed as we ritualize our perspective with a ritual of communion that theologically encompasses our heritage, our present, and our future.
Liturgical Theme for December: GIFTS |
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