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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson
3601 West Cromwell Drive, Tucson, Arizona
Our mission: to welcome, care for, and inspire.
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July's Liturgical Theme: VARIETY
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SUNDAY SERVICES
10:30 am
Children & Youth
Religious Education
10:30 am
Minister
Reverend Ron Phares
rdphares@gmail.com
579-7094, 661-0791
Office Hours:
T, TH, Fri. 9:00-12:00
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
Larry Jagnow
1st Vice President
Sybelle van Erven
Treasurer
Larry Castriotta
Trustees
Joe Bredau
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Circle of Life
*Jean Kratsch died on June 26. She was surrounded by family and passed quickly and gracefully. Our thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends.
The memorial service for *Ed Chester that was scheduled for June 30 will not take place on that date. It has been postponed until a time when all his family can be present.
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Charity of the Month
The Charity for July is the Primavera Foundation.
Please remember to make checks out to MVUU and put the name of the charity in the memo line.
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Minister's Vacation
Ron will be out of the office for a family vacation followed by a belated honeymoon from July 7 -24.
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Grocery Gift Cards
Easiest way ever to help our church! Just see Alberta Gunther and let her know which store you frequent. She will explain how each time you visit the store can result in money to MVUU! She has accounts set up with Albertson's, Fry's, Basha's and Safeway. It is quick and easy to get started.
Help our church each time you shop! Please sign up today.
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June 30 Last Chance for Triple Match Challenge
For a limited time only, your gift to the Friends of the UUA will go three times as far! The grant makers from the UU Veatch Program at Shelter Rock and leaders from the President's Council will triple every dollar you give until June 30, 2013.Please give generously today at giving.uua.org
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Farewell from Your Own
 Dear MVUU members and friends,
You have been my home congregation since 1998 when we moved here, and Chris and I were still married, and Daniel was turning 3 years old. You have been a crucible for my transformation from member to DRE, and to student minister, and finally you were my ordaining body in 2011. Here I learned the dynamics of church work, how to preach, what is essential for good educational programming, social justice work as personal growth, and good pastoral care. You have nurtured Daniel's growing up into leadership, active at Camp DeBenneville Pines, and this year a Board member of the PSWD. Through the women's and spirit circles, I have had a safe and affirming space in which to become my whole self. I am forever grateful!
Now Daniel will be off to university at the Barrett Honors College of Arizona State University (I know, a Sun Devil!), and his dad's house will be home base. I will be saying goodbye to the Sierra Vista congregation on June 30, and to TMC Hospice on July 12; I am off to become the new Assistant Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, North Carolina, starting August 1. I will be having an open house at my Mom's on Wednesday, July 10, from 3 pm to 7 pm, and would love to have you stop by to visit and say our goodbyes. Bring what you like to drink, and if you like, a finger-food snack to share. Dora's address is 6376 E. Placita Divina, 85750, near Ventana Canyon Resort in the Las Ventanas neighborhood, north of Sunrise off Kolb. My cell phone number is 269-9573. I look forward to seeing you!
Thine,
Rev. Karla Brockie
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Religious Education News
Summer Schedule June 30 Visit to Larry Jagnow's fabulous MODEL RAILROAD
and communities.
July 7 ALL ABOUT WHALES with Jim GessamanJuly 14 ABCs OF AUTO MAINTENANCE & REPAIR with
Keith MacLoughlin (adults welcome too) 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. Please help us make our summer RE program a success--sign up now by e-mailing Donna at mklo@earthlink.net or calling (520) 441-0870. Many dates in July and August are currently open. OWL If you know of a child (grades K through 3rd) 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: http://www.uua.org/re/owl/ |
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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Connecting with Longstanding MVUU Members
 It is getting more difficult to identify some of our congregants who surround us at Sunday services, who socialize at coffee hour afterwards at the Goldblatt Building, and who are present at our various events and programs? We are privileged to have had many new members join us in the past few years and although they may be familiar with and perhaps have gotten to know some of our longstanding members, especially those who have served in high profile leadership positions at MVUU, the Membership Committee is trying to "fill in the gap."
We are initiating a new project to formally re-introduce longstanding members to the entire congregation in much the same way that brand new members are presented via a brief bio and photo in the newsletter. Our goal is to enhance the connections among all of us.
Beginning with the charter members who formally founded our congregation in the late 1980s, the Membership Committee has already begun asking them and others to write short, 300-word, autobiographical sketches that will be scheduled to appear in our newsletter. They will be given the flexibility to include information of their own choice including their long association with MVUU. So stay tuned for these sketches and accompanying photos that will begin to be included in our newsletter as early as mid-July
Chuck Tatum, Chair, Membership Committee
ctatum@email.arizona.edu
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Long-Range Planning Group
Mountain Vista UU needs a few visionary people with some business skills to form a long range planning group, which will gather information and report to the congregation. Its members will serve 2 or 3 year terms. See full text in April 15 issue.
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Bake House Planning
 The Bake House group is planning silent retreats, courses on UU history and theology, and poetry. All are welcome to join this planning group. See full text in April 15 issue. Contact Kathy Kouzmanoff, kathykouzmanoff@mac.com, or Reverend Ron for more information.
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MVUU Finance Study Group
Are you interested in understanding the recent history, current status, and potential future of MVUU finances? I am. Let's have a study group (this is not a committee, sad to say) to educate ourselves. All are welcome; 5 have so far indicated interest. Email me for more information and a detailed description.
Tom Bunch, Stewardship, sparky9132000@yahoo.com
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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.
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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Board Highlights
Keeping Everyone up to Date
Mountain Vista UU Board of Trustees Meeting June 18, 2013
NOTE: These Highlights are from the draft minutes. Final minutes in their entirety will be posted outside the Office after approval and include all reports submitted.
Treasurer's Report
As of May 31, 2013, the balance sheet is correct. As of that date, our total liabilities and equity are $777,792.12. Our net income as we near fiscal year-end stands at $12,920. And we have $54,683.36 in our checking account at Hughes Federal Credit Union. This is in addition to the $75,000 in the "savings account" at Hughes.
Policies Approved
NOTE: To download Bylaws, Policies, and Committee descriptions, go to the MVUU website at mountainvistauu.org and click on Congregational Manual.
- Hospitality Policy--Revised (The procedures for the Coffee Hour Team and the Food Services Team are being developed separately.)
- Finance Committee Description--Revised
- Directed and Non Directed Gift Policy--New (approved at May 2013 meeting)
Buildings and Grounds
Your Board approved funding for a new and improved handicap parking lot coming soon.
Childcare for Adult Religious Education
Your Board approved to fund childcare without requiring prior parent request for all Wednesday evenings.
Next Meeting: To be announced
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Weekly Activities
 Sundays, 8:30 am, Book Discussion Group
Our current book is You Are Not Your Brain by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding. We started the book on June 16 and will continue discussing it through July 28. It is a book that presents a method for "changing bad habits, ending unhealthy thinking and taking control of your life". It also presents a theoretical context for the method. On July 21 we will choose a new book. Please join us Sundays at 8:30 am in the small RE room. For more information contact John Clark at alvinjclark@aol.com.
Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, Bridge Club
Wednesdays, 9:30 am, Writers' Workshop
Thursdays, 6:45 pm, Tucson Women's Chorus
Thursdays, 7:00 pm, MVUU Choir Practice
Saturdays, 6:30 pm, AA Beginners Meeting
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Bi-Monthly Activities
MVUU Growth Group
Here is the current schedule for discussing More than Money: Portraits of Transformative Stewardship, by Patrick McNamara.
Wednesday, July 3, chapters 1-4. (Betty will not be able to make this, Peter is a maybe.)
Monday July 15, chapters 5-8. (Irene and Peter will not be able to make this.)
Monday July 29, chapters 9-12.
If you are reading the book, I would love to hear from you on your summer schedule and I am very willing to keep juggling.
Following this book, Growth Group and Stewardship will head in different directions with the Growth Group (and maybe those interested in the coming Long Range Planning Group???) taking up Holy Conversations; Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations, by Gil Rendle & Alice Mann. Stewardship continues with our second summer reading book Ministry and Money: A Guide for Clergy and their Friends, by Dan Hotchkiss.
Stay tuned for schedule changes or email (sparky9132000@yahoo.com) for the latest.
"Sacred Poetry as Spiritual Practice" is taking a break until September.
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
 Movie Night Saturday, July 20"In the Family" 6:30 pm, at MVUU Goldblatt. Cody and Joey are a gay couple who are raising 6-year-old Chip in a happy, healthy family. Then Cody is killed in an accident. Chip stays with Joey and custody becomes a problem. Roger Ebert called " In The Family" a courageous first feature and a completely absorbing story about doing the right thing. Please bring a snack to share. You don't have to host a movie to attend. Please contact John if you are planning on coming at john.wilcox2008@comcast.net or at 531-1413.
Bookaholics Unanimous There will be no meetings in June and July. On August 26 we take a quick trip to Antarctica to discuss Endurance, Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Alfred Lansing (1914, complete with photographs). Welcome, newcomers and members. For more information contact: Anne Leonard anne@alartworks.com or 825-3449. |
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Upcoming Sunday Services
Liturgical Theme for June: BALANCE
June 30, 2013
"High Wire Without a Net: Why Religion Matters"
Reverend Ron Phares
Why does religion matter? What are the stakes? What are the possibilities? What can we realistically hope to expect from our faith? And is balance the key to it all?
Sunday Services for July
Liturgical Theme for July: VARIETY
July 7, 2013
"Come, Come, Whoever You Are"
Steven Ballesteros
We are part of a world that is full of lessons and opportunities. This service is entitled "Come, Come, Whoever You Are," as a hint of the direction in which I will take our caravan of thoughts on that Sunday. The hymn lends itself to several integral pieces of our ever-engaging faith. These important topics include forgiveness, living to our fullest potential, being human, and of course...being a Unitarian Universalist. You'll find that these topics overlap quite a bit, and I encourage you to take part in that Sunday's service with an open heart and mind, as we explore what it means to accept others and be the best you can be, both as an overall faith and as an individual. John Clark is Worship Associate.
July 14, 2013
"Music in Worship"
L.H. Brown
Our MVUU Choir Director L.H. Brown (LB) discusses the history of music in worship and its place in the UU worship service of today. Conrad Paul is Worship Associate.
July 21, 2013
"Private Prisons, Public Problems"
Caroline Isaacs
The for-profit incarceration industry is one of the main drivers of mass incarceration in America. Federal detention contracts account for roughly half of the contracts of the two largest prison corporations, with state prison contracts making up the other half. Thirteen percent of Arizona's prisoners are held in private prisons (the 11th highest rate in the country). By contrast, about 49% of federal immigrant detainees are held in facilities run by for-profit corporations. There is ample evidence that these facilities do not save money, do not provide quality services, and do not increase public safety. In addition, the industry has a pattern of mismanagement, abuse, neglect, lawsuits, and cost overruns. But even more fundamentally, profiting from the incarceration of human beings is immoral. This is why a growing number of national churches and denominations are actively engaging in the movement to end privatization and mass incarceration in the US. Evalyn Bennet-Alder and John Clark are Worship Associates.
Caroline Isaacs serves as program director for the AFSC office in Tucson, Arizona. The office works on criminal justice reform, including prison conditions, watchdogging and policy change at the state level aimed at reducing the number of people incarcerated in Arizona. A large part of the work has been organizing against the proliferation of private, for-profit prisons. Under her leadership, the office has organized public hearings, mobilized constituents to speak out, and done extensive media work on the issue.
July 28, 2013
"Grab Bag"
Rev. Ron Phares
Deep thoughts, musings, misgivings and whimsy. Bring your own! You will be called upon! We have a variety of experiences, reflections and talents. This is the time to put some of them on display. Fresh off his long overdue honeymoon, Rev. Phares will share a few of the things he has been thinking about and ask for you to do the same. To allow for as many to speak who wish to, please confine your musings to a sentence or two or a haiku or a line or two from a song. All subjects welcome! Steven Ballesteros is Worship Associate.
Liturgical Theme for August: LEARNING
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