|
|
|
|
|
3601 West Cromwell Drive, Tucson, Arizona
Our mission: to welcome, care for, and inspire.
|
|
November's Liturgical Theme: THE GRAIN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
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:
M, TH, Fri. 1:30-4:30
by appointment
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
Larry Jagnow
1st Vice President
Sybelle van Erven 2nd Vice PresidentGwen Goodman
Treasurer
Larry Castriotta
Trustees
Joe Bredau
|
|
Circle of Life
Cheryl Hiller has been under the weather lately and would appreciate some company and help with dinner and appointments. Please call Elizabeth Reed 269-3414 to volunteer.
|
|
|
Charity of the Month
The Green Basket charity for November is the Tucson Indian Center, promoting wellness and providing social services for native Americans.
Please remember to make checks out to MVUU and put the name of the charity in the memo line.
| |
|
Concerts November 2 & 3
Tucson Chamber Artists, Southern Arizona's professional chamber choir and orchestra, of which our own LB is a member, will be presenting an upcoming concert featuring Mozart's C-Minor Mass, among other pieces. Concerts will be November 2nd (Catalina Foothills High School, 7:30pm) and 3rd (Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 3:00pm). The program will also feature Flutist Alexander Lipay on Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 1. For more information and ticket prices, visit tucsonchamberartists.org
|
|
|
Mata Ortiz Pottery Sale November 3
Sunday, November 3
UU Church of Tucson
4831 E. 22nd Street
11:45 am - 3:00 pm
Come out and enjoy purchasing a treasure from the miracle village of Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico. Your purchases help the people there who have suffered an economic downturn because of reports of border violence in recent years.
Prices begin as low as $5 to $10 and go up from there. These are the best prices offered anywhere, with no overhead charged by the Church. The sale is part of the social outreach of the UU Church.
There will be food available at modest prices and entertainment, including a demonstration of making and decorating a pot.
Cash preferred; checks accepted; no credit cards please.
For further information, contact Susan Call, 520-886-2281.
| |
|
|
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.
| |
|
Pastoral Care Committee Recruiting New Members
Do you like helping others who are in need? Please consider joining the Pastoral Care Committee. Committee members help congregants with rides to doctor's appointments, errands and meal preparation, etc. Committee members also visit convalescing congregants at home or in the hospital, when requested.
If you are interested in this rewarding volunteer opportunity, please contact Roberta Price at berta194366@yahoo.com
or speak with Rev. Ron.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christiane's Ordination News! (Finally!)
 Hi, my dear UU friends! Most of you know me as a member of this awesome congregation, where I was active for years, heading the Worship Associates, serving on the Pastoral Care Team, sharing children's stories and plays, and giving sermons - and lots of hugs! I miss you all a whole bunch! I finally finished the studies and internship. I thought I would be right back with you, enjoying my friends and the amazing community in this church. Instead, I received a surprise: Right after my internship, I was hired as the minister of the UU Church of Southeastern Arizona in Sierra Vista. I only had two Sundays this summer where I got to visit with you, and some of you heard me give a sermon on one of those days. Now I am busy yet again, and I realize I will not be participating as a member with you again-at least not for a long time.
The good news is that you are still my congregation, and you are the ones who get to ordain me, on Sunday, November 17, at 5 PM! For space reasons, the service will be held at the UU Church of Tucson, at 4831 E. 22nd Street. I am counting on you all showing up in force, and cannot wait to celebrate this day and ceremony with you! There will be a nice spread at the reception following, so it should be a great party! Rock on!
It is about time, too! Many of you know that I initially received my ministry degree in 1980, and this 33 year struggle to finally be approved for ordination has been a long road--with many setbacks and challenges. Now I am setting that struggle and pain aside, and I am filled with joy and gratitude. I look forward to celebrating with the congregation which has embraced me and my family (Melva, Clarissa, and Steven) with open arms from the first time we started attending.
It was your encouragement and support that gave me the courage to once again pursue ordination, and it is therefore quite fitting that all of you get to ordain me. On November 3, you will vote to ordain me, and then you are all are invited to the 5 pm service on Sunday, November 17, and to the reception following.
An ordination team has formed and is helping me plan this event. We are keeping it low budget, but there are still some expenses. Please consider contributing to the ordination costs. Writing a check and adding the word "ordination" in the memo line will get your contribution into the ordination fund. You can either mail the check to the church or drop it in the offering basket. With all my heart I thank you for the support and encouragement I have already received over the last many years, and for your generosity now. I can't wait to celebrate this ordination celebration with you!
With much Love and Gratitude,
Christiane
|
|
|
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Mountain Vista UU Congregational Meeting
Sunday, November 3, 2013, in the sanctuary at 12:00 noon
To all Members of MVUU,
The following matter will be considered and voted on by the Congregation on November 3, 2013. A quorum is required.
Shall Christiane Heyde be ordained to the Unitarian Universalist Ministry under the sponsorship of this congregation?
|
|
|
Thanksgiving Feast November 28
November 28 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 weather is good, it will be outdoors. If not, it will be in the Goldblatt Building.
We will need two roasted turkeys. if you are willing to provide one, please let me know. If the response is large, we may put out a call 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?
When we get your responses we will balance out the menu offerings and make adjustments.
Please bring your own beverage, plates and tableware
Please bring 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
| |
| |
Calling all cowboys and cowgirls...
A Fistful of Dollars!
 Our Western-themed Service Auction annual fundraiser, will be held Friday evening, January 10, 2014. Start thinking about what you could donate to the cause. Perhaps you can provide a service, host a dinner, lead an outing, or fill a basket of goodies.
Auction info and donation forms will be available outside on Sundays starting October 20. Contact Anne Tatum (742-4007) ahtatum@mindspring.com, or Michelle Vedus-Deeney (638-7516) mvedusdeeney@comcast.net, if you have questions or want a donation form sent by email. They will gladly help with ideas for donations.
Happy Trails!
Jane Paul, Chair
Service Auction Committee
janerpaul47@gmail.com
|
|
|
Religious Education News
November 3 Regular Class
November 10 Regular Class
November 17 Regular class
November 24 Thanksgiving Service (students will be in the service the entire time)
ASSISTANCE WITH WINTERFEST
The students will be performing a Winter Solstice play for the congregation on Sunday, December 15th. We need help!!! If you can help us create costumes and props, please let Donna or Margaret know. Also, if you enjoy working with children and can help with the directing of the play, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
WISH LIST
1. Snacks--Please help by donating some healthy and simple snacks. Suggested items include raisins, popcorn, pretzels, granola bars, goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, etc. We also need canisters of powdered lemonade. We appreciate your generosity!
2. Rocking Chair or Glider--our rocking chair recently broke. If you have a rocking chair or glider you can donate to the nursery, it would be greatly appreciated.
3. Toys--
the nursery is in need of new toys. If your child or grandchild has outgrown some toys, dolls, dress-up items, etc, please consider donating them to the nursery. We could also use some sand box toys for the playground.
If you have any questions, please call Donna, the Director of Religious Ed, at (520) 441-0870 or email her at cdpratt1@live.com
| |
|
|
Attention Fry's Shoppers
It's time to log into Fry's so the church can continue to receive a percentage of your shopping dollars. If you are computer savvy, it should be easy. If you are like me, it will take some diligence. If you are hopelessly lost, get help or ask me. First you will need a V.I.P. Card from Fry's.
1. You will need to go to www.FrysCommunityRewards.com and select 'create an account'. Follow all the instructions and you will get a confirmation email.
2. Go to www.FrysCommunityRewards.com and sign in. Hopefully you will have remembered your password. Select 'My account' then select 'Account Settings'. Click on 'edit' under 'community rewards'. After filling out more info go to...
3. 'Select Your Organization.' Our number is 80134. Click on UU church and then on "save changes.'
4. If this has been done right, you should find our church on your account Summary page.
I will have a more detailed copy of instructions at the church.
Happy eating...Alberta Gunther
744-1629
| |
|
Are you
* a person of color, a multiracial/multiethnic person, and/or someone with racial/ethnic/cultural heritages that are marginalized today?
* a person whose visual, hearing, mobility, mental health, intellectual, learning/attention, and/or other physical abilities (including chemical sensitivity and food allergies) make it difficult to participate fully in mainstream spaces? * lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or otherwise have a sexual orientation or gender identity/expression that doesn't conform to cultural norms?
If you have one or more of these identities and are a UU or have a current or former affiliation with Unitarian Universalism, you are invited to participate in the UUA's Multicultural Ministries Sharing Project to help our faith grow and best minister to you and your family in the 21st century.
|
|
|
Attention Bashas' Shoppers
In the past, some Bashas' gift cards have lost the coding on the magnetic strip. When that happens, the clerk has to type in the numbers that are just above the magnetic strip.
Look at your Bashas' card. If you have difficulty reading the numbers, they do fade with use, it may be time to replace it. I have new cards available for $25. Finish the card you are now using, then throw it away and buy a new one. Saves hassles at the check out counter.
Alberta
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stewardship Conversations
Celebration of Joyful Giving 2012-2013
To recognize, receive, and enhance our community's gifts.This Stewardship Committee mission statement is given meaning by 5 components.
- Financial commitment drive
- Stewardship education
- Joyful giving
- Time and Talent
- Planned giving
One aspect of Joyful giving is a financial contribution beyond the annual financial commitment drive. As part of our mission "To recognize ... gifts," it is vital that we know what they are (Education), and celebrate them.
$64,300 was the approximate total of quantifiable Joyful Giving last year (July 1, 2012-2013). This is up from $47,000 the previous year.
- Joyful Giving again represents around 30% of our total financial gifts.
- $16,800 of Joyful Giving went "beyond our walls to... promote positive change in the world" (From MVUU's Mission)
- Monies going beyond our walls (in blue below) amount to around 8% 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. Each contribution of time and talent is a welcome act of Joyful Giving.
We have a spiritual need to give. MVUU is serving that need. As you give we know that you experience the joy inherent in cultivating generosity as a spiritual virtue.
THANK YOU to everyone who gives in Joy.
Sources of the Gifts:
|
Joyful Giving
|
| |
|
| |
Green Basket Charities
|
$ 8,200
| |
School Tax Credit
|
$ 4,100
| |
Primavera
|
$ 1,200
| |
Living Tradition Fund
|
$ 1,000
| |
UUSC Guest at Your Table
|
$ 800
| |
Alternative Holiday Gifts & ICS
|
$ 700
| |
UUA Chalice Lighters
|
$ 500
| |
UUA Humanitarian Crises
|
$ 300
| |
Service Auction
|
$11,400
| |
Unrestricted Donations
|
$10,800
| |
Ambiance
|
$ 7,500
| |
Ambiance Sanctuary
|
$ 7,300
| |
Plate Collection
|
$ 5,600
| |
Bridge Club
|
$ 1,500
| |
Sanctuary Flowers
|
$ 1,200
| |
Fundraisers for youth camp & GA
|
$ 1,200
| |
Barn Sale
|
$ 800
| |
Coffee sales
|
$ 210
| |
|
| |
Total
|
$64,300
| |
Total Beyond our walls
|
$16,800
|
|
| |
Last Year
|
| |
Total
|
$47,700
| |
Total Beyond our walls
|
$16,000
|
Numbers in the table were rounded to the nearest $100, and some were based on estimated value. Apologies for those gifts that were not identified in this article. This is just the second year 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 its chairperson, Tom Bunch. Email Tom at sparky9132000@yahoo.com
|
|
|
Weekly Activities
Sunday Morning Book Group, 8:30
Our new book is Denial: Self-Deception, False Beliefs, and the Origins of the Human Mind by Ajit Varki and Danny Brower. This book offers a powerful warning about the dangers inherent in our remarkable ability to ignore reality-a gift that will either lead to our downfall, or continue to be our greatest asset. Come join us Sundays at 8:30am 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
Saturdays, 6:30 pm, AA Beginners Meeting
|
|
|
Bi-Monthly Activities
MVUU Growth Group
1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 6:30 pm at the church. We are interested in learning and discussing topics important to MVUU Community growth; Stewardship, Leadership, Membership and Outreach.
1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:30 pm, Global Chant Group
1st and 3rd (and 5th) Fridays, 6:30 pm, Women's Circle
2nd and 4th Fridays, 6:30 pm, Spirit Circle
| |
|
Monthly Activities
Bookaholics Unanimous October 28
Bookaholics Unanimous meets the last Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Goldblatt Building. We select a variety of books based on what has intrigued members. The one who suggests the book generally leads the discussion of that book.
Our next meeting is Monday, October 28. The October selection is Villette by Charlotte Brontė. This is a classic and we will have our literature guru, Barbara Gates leading the discussion.
First First Friday Hike of the Season November 1
We will meet at the trailhead at Honey Bee Canyon at 9:30 AM. To find the trailhead, go about 7 miles north from the intersection of Oracle and Ina. Turn left onto Rancho Vistoso Blvd. (the first light north of Tangerine) and go 3.1 miles to a parking area on your left. You will actually have to pass the parking area and then make a U-turn as soon as you can to get back to it. There are 2 trails here, one to the north and one to the south of the bridge you cross just before you turn into the parking lot. The hike that heads north is 2 mi. hiking in a dry wash and the one to the south goes through a scenic canyon and includes a bushwhacking opportunity to get to the top of the ridge. We can decide which one to follow when we get there, or do both! The trail is sandy, so you may want to wear gaiters if you have them. There are ramadas with picnic tables, so bring a bag lunch if you would like. Dogs are welcome.
Please send me an email (debigirl53@gmail.com) or give me a call (520-488-1513) if you plan to hike. If you are unsure of the directions we can carpool from my house, meeting at 9:10.
Movie Night November 16
 "In the Loop," 7 pm, Saturday, November 16 at Joe and Pat Bredau's, 1562 S. Lost Starr Dr.
"In the Loop" with James Galdofini, is a British comedy about the political events before the invasion of Iraq, with James Gandolfini. Rolling Stone's Peter Travers says,
The whole cast is stellar. And it proves that smart and funny can exist in the same movie. Please bring a snack to share. We are limited to twelve persons by space considerations. Please let John know if you are coming at john.wilcox2008@comcast.net or at 531-1413. Directions are available.
Bookaholics Unanimous November 25 Jack Kerouac's On the Road, will be reviewed at the November 25 meeting.
Welcome newcomers and members. For more information and the schedule of upcoming books contact: Anne Leonard anne@alartworks.com or 825-3449.
| |
|
|
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS--Keeping Everyone Up To Date
Mountain Vista UU Board of Trustees
October 15, 2013
Next Meeting: 6:30 pm, November 19, 2013 Fireside Room
Congregants are always welcome to attend meetings. Those who wish to speak will be allotted five minutes within an Agenda item or after the Treasurer's Report if not an Agenda item. Please contact the President at least one week before the meeting.
- Income for September was almost $7,000 higher than budget and expenses were $6,000 higher than budget due to us paying our entire UUA dues of $8,600 versus the budgeted amount.
- Membership on October 7 was 153, counting 1 new member.
- Based on the Treasurer's recommendations, insurance coverage for Directors and Officers liability and for sexual misconduct will be increased.
- Task Team: Process to determine whether we stay or move.
- Jim Sauer, Pat Reddemann, and Larry Jagnow will begin the research phase. Conrad Paul will join the team at the point of report writing.
- Management Committee Structure, and its Policy and Procedures were approved as proposed.
- We agreed to be in Covenant with UU Justice Arizona Network (UUJAZ).UUJAZ will become part of a national network. We will nominate and send a rep to the steering committee. The UUJAZ Field Coordinator will provide MVUU with tools for community organizing and connecting with other UU congregations.
Growth Seminar discussion
Peter Bowden, National UU Growth Consultant, will lead a seminar in Growth and Social Media to be held January 4, 2014 at UUCT. Fee per person is $35.
$150 to become a Sponsoring Congregation and $80 for scholarships was approved.
Congregational Meeting set for November 3, 2013.
Members will decide the question Shall Christiane Heyde be ordained under the sponsorship of this congregation?
Process to enhance financial stability and plan for future needs (Board Goal #2)
A team will be formed with Tom Bunch, Stewardship; Jan Hatunen, Finance; Larry Castriotta, Treasurer; Pat DeSai, Chair of Endowment Committee; and Joe Bredau, Board Member. They will meet at least quarterly and report to the Board.
|
|
|
|
Sunday Services for November
Liturgical Theme for November: THE GRAIN
November 3, 2013
"Six Feet Under Part I: ... to Dust"
Rev. Ron Phares
MVUU celebrates Dios De Los Muertos. We recognize the wisdom of the culture from which Dios De Los Muertos came to us. Today, we Celebrate The Dead and their enduring spirit. We consider the power of creation that death begets. Bring photos of your dearly departeds to place on the altar during the service. In a format similar to water communion, you will be asked to remember aloud the name of the person in the photo and their relationship to you.
November 10, 2013
"Six Feet Under Part II: Gestation"
Rev. Ron Phares
We will tie part one and three of this sermon series together. The first and last of this series will focus on ritual and congregational participation. This sermon will give further depth to the rituals through a sermon that bridges Dia De Los Muertos and the Communion Service of Soil.
November 17, 2013
"The Assassination of John F Kennedy 50 Years Later: An Immigrant's Perspective"
T.J. Boothroyd
As a boy growing up in England, TJ loved America and longed to be an American. His love grew into an admiration of John F. Kennedy. When TJ arrived in California less than three years after JFK's assassination, he was aware of the dark shadow still cast by that fateful day as well as by the subsequent murders of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. He heard and read about a Strategy for Peace and an end to the Vietnam war that JFK was pursuing before his death. Questions arose. Were the murders related? And did JFK's secret Strategy lead to his ghastly demise?
This sermon will explore these and other questions that are raised by James W. Douglass in his book "JFK and the Unspeakable." In that work, Douglass references Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk who eerily foretold JFK's assassination in a letter to a friend in 1962. Douglass concludes that the "Unspeakable" is a reality that can be traced, suggested, recognized, and pondered; and only by encountering it and unmasking it will we free ourselves and the Country to revive the noble ideals on which the country was founded.
November 24, 2013
"Six Feet Under Part III: From Dust..."
Rev. Ron Phares
The Communion Service of the Soil. Bring dirt to participate in a ritual of silence and interiority as we welcome the darker months with meditations on and thanksgiving for the life within and life giving properties of soil, metaphorical and actual.
Liturgical Theme for December: GIFTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
