Circle of Life

* Ed Chester died June 5, surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service is scheduled for June 30 after the service.

A Super Service

Here's a huge hurrah for the YRUU kids and the service they put on last Sunday, June 9. Called "Art in Balance," it included a range of art forms, from Clarissa's poetry to Lucius's drawing on the cover to readings by Rachel and Braden, singing by Ali, dance, oratory, meditation, and beautiful flower arrangements for the three facilitators. It also included all the kids and the facilitators; there was a part for everyone, even some who hadn't participated in the past.  

And they all did superbly. Ashlen's meditation was beautiful and appropriate. Desi, who has often been excluded because of her limited speech, at last had a starring role. When I saw her up there dancing, so poised and so beautiful, I thought of how far she has come and was literally moved to tears. We have often seen Steven as a Worship Associate and a performer, so it was no surprise to find him articulate, thoughtful, and self-possessed, but who knew that Bibi, who used to be so shy, could give such an excellent homily--compelling, personal, and beautifully delivered.

I've known most of these kids since they were little and feel as if they are my extra grandchildren. It was so inspiring to see them perform so well. Thanks, kids. You are a credit to us all.

Margaret Fleming 

Pastoral Care 

The Pastoral Care Committee consists of the seven people and their phone numbers listed at the end of this article.  Bring us your sick, those in need. We can be of assistance from giving rides to doctors appointments, to bringing meals, to going grocery shopping, to visiting and/or phoning you, to doing a million and one other things that I can't think of right now but I'm sure you'll think of when you have the need. Everything is confidential.  

Your Pastoral Care Committee currently consists of Leon Bennet-Alder (306-1049), Judy Carlson (818-1980), Pat Desai (577-9642), Steve McGeeney (572-4741), Betty Meikle (990-4663), Paula Trahan (742-6657), and Pastor Ron Phares (661-0791). Give one of us a call if you need to! Times a wastin'!

MVUU Connect

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

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

Diary of a Hot Gardener

(Take that any way you want)

by Alberta Gunther

This month the news is mostly good.  In front I have okra growing nicely.  Should be a bumper crop. When I go to Oregon the first week of Sept., I'll take some to mother although she said I didn't cook them right the last time.  I had sauteed them and she wants them fried crisp.  I've had two tomatoes from my three plants and have eight green ones in various sizes.  It may be getting too hot now to keep setting toms but if the plants stay well, they'll produce again in the fall.

Out back I've planted green beans again.  I have such a time keeping them alive. The cucumber plants still look healthy and are blooming so maybe I'll get some.  I'd love to have enough to make some pickles. 

Happy Eating!

Greeters Needed    

 Minister's Column

Well, there you have it. That was my first year of full time ministry. That. Was. Awesome. I'm not speaking to my performance, but to my experience. I had an awesome experience. Awesome does not mean easy. It does not mean perfect or without struggle or grief. It means that when I look back on the year, I am struck by a feeling of awe.

If you remember the series of sermons I gave during the month themed "Becoming," you may recall that we discussed awe as being something that is overwhelming and therefor causes us to reconcile that sensibility into a new way of looking at the world. That has been my first year of full time ministry.

I have said it before, but it bears repeating. This occupation, driven as it is by passion, is powerfully formative. The energy for that formation comes down to the notion that I must practice what I preach. This has to do with my integrity as a person and my legitimacy as a faith leader. When that imperative is put into play with the marvelous personalities and ideas and opportunities and challenges that swirl into the Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation, it is as if I can feel, physically touch, the pressures of fate. And that is thrilling and challenging and humbling and inspiring. That is awesome.

Earlier this year, I wrote a letter column that spoke of the intensity of ministry. I have moved from intensity to awesome. That is a good thing. The difference is subtle but profound and I find I am hard pressed to describe it. I think it has something to do with the instinct to control. There was a point this year when I realized that I did not have to save the world. I know that sounds silly. I did not even know I was trying to do that. But once I realized it, I was able to shift from the sense of intensity--which can be great, but can also lead to sleeplessness and headaches--to the sense of awe.

I don't anticipate that sense ever departing. Or maybe if it does, it will be time for me to find a new path. I do anticipate next year being different from this year, however. There was a lot to learn this first year. Names, procedures, cultures, characters. And then at home we've gone from syllables to sentences and from diapers to--as I type--the glorious rite of passage that is the potty. We're talking basics. The fundamentals. It sets a trajectory.

Ice Cream Social June 16

There will be an Ice Cream Sundae Fund Raiser for Interweave on Sunday, June 16, 2013, after the service. There will be ice cream, toppings and just good fun. It is also Father's Day, so all you dads who love ice cream, come over to the ice cream bar at MVUU.  A suggested donation of $5.00 would be appreciated, but as usual nobody will be turned away. The proceeds of this fund raiser will be to help with expenses of having a booth at PRIDE again this year in October. 

Thanks to everyone for all the support you have given in the past to MVUU's Interweave chapter. If anyone would like to donate ice cream, toppings, bowls, etc., please let me know, and thanks in advance. 

Roberta Price

Religious Education News

Summer Religious Education Program

This summer our Share Your Passion program got off to a great start on June 2 as Reid Gilbert introduced the kids to mime, one of his many talents. Everyone participated, and they all enjoyed it.

On June 8, the RE Committee sponsored a potluck supper. Afterward, the younger kids went up to the garden with Betty Meikle to do some preparation of our plot there and to plant some seeds. The older kids, under the supervision of Adria Brooks, built a compost bin. So from now on, we can take our organic waste up there and use it to improve our garden soil. While the kids were gone, the committee members and parents had a conversation about RE and shared ideas for next year's curriculum.

Here is the Sunday schedule for the next 2 months.

June 16        Intergenerational Flower Communion service

June 23        BAKING COOKIES with Margaret Fleming

June 30        Visit to MODEL RAILROAD with Larry
                   Jagnow

July 7           ALL ABOUT WHALES with Jim Gessaman

July 21         ANTI-BOREDOM SUNDAY with Catalina Hall

July 28         MAKING UP A STORY with Alberta Gunther

August 4      INDIAN CULTURE with Pat Desai      

If you have a passion you'd like to share with the kids one Sunday, please let Donna or Margaret know.  We have room for a couple more. Even if you don't have teaching experience, this is something you can do. One of the RE teachers or committee members will be with you to serve as a liaison, find supplies, provide snacks, and help you with the kids.  

If you know of a child , (grades K through 2nd), who might be interested in attending an OWL Session at MVUU this Summer, please let Donna know. The child does not have to belong to MVUU. For more info on the OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality curriculum, please visit

Media Update

John Fleming pulling the snake out of the ceiling

At its May meeting, the Board approved the Media Team's proposal for a new system of audio-video equipment. The cost will be about the same as just upgrading the current sound system. Over the summer the media team, which is a task force of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, will be installing it and training members to use it. The team consists of Ron Bishop, Joe Bredau, Mike Brennan, John Fleming, and Wally Gerrard.  

Wally Gerrard wrestling with the snake

We've already installed a snake (a cable with multiple plug-ins for microphones and musical instruments) in the ceiling. We'll have cameras that can be controlled remotely from multiple positions. When the entire system is complete, we'll be able to video record Sunday services, the choir, weddings, memorials, and conferences, which can be posted on YouTube and Facebook if desired. Recording such events could be an income source for the congregation.

Ultimately we'll be able to show services and events in the Goldblatt Building for overflow crowds. We'll also be able to link with other congregations through a computer network. The equipment is mobile, so it can be used outside too. Those interested in technical aspects can click here to see an informational video. 

Peter Becskehazy is working with us to develop an internship program with Pima College, through which students interested in media can get some practical experience and academic credit.

Thanks to the Board for its support. We are truly reaching out.

John Fleming

Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 m, Writers' Workshop

1st & 3rd Mondays, 6:30 pm, MVUU Growth Group 

 
The group will be discussing It's Not What You Sell, It's What You Stand for: Why Every Extraordinary Business Is Driven by Purpose by Roy M. Spence Jr. and Haley Rushing. See full text in  March issue. 

"Sacred Poetry as Spiritual Practice" will take a break until September.