Tucsonitarian Page 1

Beyond Our Walls

and into the Community

by Frank Valdes (President, UUCT Board)

What's out there beyond our walls? I suspect I'm like many of you in that my comfort zone is inside the physical and metaphorical walls of UUCT. We grow spiritually through our worship, we enjoy each other's company, and we jump in to help with the many activities and duties in our congregation. We also pride ourselves in keeping aware of the outside world by following the news and societal progress in the many media forums that now abound. But Unitarian Universalism has always had a component of actually affecting/ transforming the outside world (principally in areas of social justice) that is also a part of our UUCT mission.

At the personal level we are typically uncomfortable with spreading the word about Unitarian Universalism; in my outside world I almost never talk with friends and co-workers about my faith. This is because of the social conventions that one should avoid politics and religion among our acquaintances (especially at work) and differentiating ourselves from evangelicals and proselytizers. This is an individual and personal challenge which is definitely hard. This is one reason we come together in various ways.

This past month or so the Board of Trustees has been looking outward. As most of us are aware, we are part of a larger movement. Outside of our congregation there is the local cluster of UU congregations called the Baja 4. Then there is our Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) of AZ, NV, and SoCal. Extending beyond just our corner of the country there is the Pacific Western Region (PWR) encompassing all of the west coast. And, of course, there is the national UUA. Less known are international groups such as the International Council of UUs (ICUU). You can find out more through our website under "ICUU World Prayers” under the "Worship" menu.

Your Board of Trustees recently met with the boards and ministers of the Baja 4. This educational retreat allowed us to understand the similarities and differences in the issues we face within our congregations. It also forged connections that allow us to undertake activities together. An example is having a booth at the Tucson Festival of Books. To keep us connected, the Board appointed Walker Smith and Susan Rock to be on the Baja 4 Council which meets regularly. They will keep you informed about the work of the Baja 4. One way is through the minutes of the Baja 4 Council posted in the minutes section of our website.

We also recently covenanted with the Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona Network (UUJAZ). That covenant is a promise to participate in social justice issues with other congregations in Arizona, to provide financial support to the extent we can, and to lend leadership and foster communication through a UUCT representative. The Board appointed Samantha Meyer to be that leader. She will bring news from UUJAZ to us in our various communications such as the emails, newsletters, and our website. (Photo: Frank Valdes signing on to UUJAZ with Rev. Lisa)

Bringing together the Baja 4, UUJAZ, and PSWD, there is an innovative event that will touch many people in our district and beyond. This is the PSWD Justice District Assembly 2017 which is being hosted by the Baja 4. Our congregation will be called on to make this important event be a success as one of the local hosts. We will be supported in this by UUJAZ and the PSWD. While this DA takes place at the end of March, planning and work on this has been under way for some time and we are now calling for UUs in our district, including you, to educate yourselves on the issues, plan to attend and register early at the beginning of the new year. Please visit http://justiceda2017.weebly.com/ and check our website for information.

UUCT is playing its part to shed light on the problems of migrants and the border by supporting No More Deaths' investigation of concerns with the actions of Homeland Security. In particular, NMD is gathering information through the Freedom of Information Act, though it is running into stonewalling. If necessary, NMD will press its FOIA requests through the courts and UUCT will be involved through our management commitments to NMD. Right now NMD is simply asking the agency why the requested information has not been provided as mandated by the FOIA.

We recently heard about how organizations of various types, including our UUA, have come together to fight the power of corporate money and the legal fiction that constitutional rights apply to non-humans. One way is to stand with the Move to Amend Campaign. UUCT is being asked to take our place in this campaign by adopting a motion to be considered at our next Congregational Meeting on Dec. 11th. We are looking to engage you in discussion in advance of the meeting.

Changing the topic back to within our walls, I want to call your attention to two activities which are coming up. One is the Interim Start Up workshop described elsewhere in this issue and facilitated by our PWR. I want to strongly urge you to participate in this important step towards working through our interim period and on to a new settled ministry. The other activity is the Community Connections forum on Nov. 6th. I participated in a "Meet and Greet" with Rev. Lyn (I hope you all are also doing this!) where one topic turned to opening up our connections through activities we enjoy doing together. As Rev. Lyn exhorted us in her first Sunday message, we will have fun together! The forum will be a brainstorming and organizational meeting for activities that small groups can do for fun. Hopefully everyone will be able to get connected with people who share like interests and have fun together.