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The monthly newsletter of the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson
4831 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85711, 520-748-1551, www.uuctucson.org.
To view previous editions of the newsletter, click here.
Newsletter editor: Craig Rock at newsletter@uuctucson.org.
Send us your UU stories, poems and photos.
Navigating this 4-page newsletter: Link onto the desired page at the top or bottom of each page.
UUCT on Sunday, June 18. Younger UUs visiting from Grass Valley CA, Reno NV and Albuquerque NM. As part of one of the tours offered by the UU's College of Social Justice, these students visited various organizations working on humanitarian border issues. More news on social justice on page 3 of this newsletter. Photo by Gary Luce. Photo used with permission.
President's Column
by Frank Valdes
Happy New (UUCT) Year! I am referring, of course, to our July to June operational year which just started. I have a fondness for this new year's day as it also coincides with my birthday. Like any new year it is a time to look backward and forward.
A more detailed look back may be found in the Annual Report, now on line, click here. Looking back to the start of the last fiscal year, I had recently taken office as president after leading a successful interim search that brought us Rev. Lyn in October. Rev. Diane had left on vacation and then to her new position in North Carolina. My first task was to arrive at a balanced budget to present at a special June Congregational Meeting following the failure to adopt a budget at the Annual Meeting. We took the step of proposing a half-year budget because of the all the changes taking place and to provide time to form a new Finance Committee. That committee developed a good Spring budget and the budget for the new year, approved at a well-attended and supportive Annual Meeting. The financial situation is tremendously improved since the start of the last year.
My second major task for the new year was to begin work on a new governance plan since, rightly or wrongly, the executive team approach was a source of contention for a significant number of people. With the congregation's input the Board proposed and you adopted a new governance plan, which includes a larger, "portfolio" Board.
Other priorities were to address problems with volunteerism, reinstate and revitalize committees, and to stabilize the turnover of the Board of Trustees (with several appointments) and make the Board meetings a positive force for change and supporting the congregation. We were successful in these goals.
So what's in store for the new year? From my president's perspective I see continued good news from our finances, a Board that will take on governance in a new way and start some strategic planning, an even better pledge and budget season, a congenial Annual Meeting and, most significantly, the call of a new minister. Along the way we will continue to have regular talk-backs, topical Congregational Forums, and conversations between the Search Committee and the congregation in the form of surveys, workshops, and informational meetings. Of course, we will continue to have interesting worship services (both traditional and alternative), RE, adult, and OWL programs, even more community life events, involvement in social justice issues, and a growing and thriving congregation.
So I DO see a happy new year ahead.
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Thank you from new RE Director
Jamili Omar
A big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has so warmly welcomed me to UUCT! The love you all have for this church and our children truly shines.
The summer months for RE will be a time of reflection and planning. We are relying on our current (and fabulous) Elementary and Middle School teachers to continue their great work into the fall, while creating a Pre-K class (4 and 5 year-olds) and refocusing Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) for our oldest youth.
However!
There is always room for more adults of all skills and talents to work with our youth! We need more dedicated teachers, but also have opportunities to support RE through occasionally leading youth, guest lecturing on a topic of your own expertise, and even “office work.” If you’re interested, please contact me at DRE.UUCT@gmail.com and we will find a spot for you!
If you’re looking to enhance your own skills, there are opportunities to learn with UUCT this summer.
Newsletter Contents
Page 1 - Update from President Frank Valdes; Process for Ministerial Search Committee; Editor's News and Notes.
Page 2 - Finance Committee Report; Summer Solstice Celebrated; Share the Plate - Diaper Bank; Announcements, TUCD Supply Drive, UU General Assembly News.
Page 3 - Border Patrol Raids No More Deaths Camp; Free Film Showings in July; Speech to Unite the World. Help Wanted Hospitality for Sanctuary Coalition.
Page 4 - Balkan Summer Film Series at Gloria's; Life in a Day Film; David Frost Interview with Gael Garcia Bernal; and Fundraising Appeal from UU's Camp de Benneville Pines.
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Editor's News and Notes
by Craig Rock
As we struggle or meditate to get through summer's heat, this issue of the Tucsonitarian will attempt to provide some good news and good videos to help balance some of the challenges presented by our nation's leaders, lawmakers, and lobbyists.
Reverend Lyn Oglesby is on vacation and study leave until mid-August. In case of emergencies you may call her at 302-747-6633. She wishes all of us a lovely summer. Mary Wiese is on vacation and will return on July 6.
The ministerial search committee has published its search guidelines for us all to view. See the bottom of this page.
Border Patrol Raids No More Deaths Camp
On page three, you can read about the recent Border Patrol raid on the first aid encampment operated by No More Deaths (NMD), a ministry of our church. Several major media outlets covered the June 15th effort to halt the humanitarian aid provided by NMD volunteers. In the the coverage on National Public Radio, it was incorrectly reported that the camp would be closing down its lifesaving operations. Please consider signing the petition expressing your concerns and/or contacting your Congressional representatives directly. Information is at the end of the page 3 article.
The following segment of "This American Life" features a talk by Francisco Cantu, a former border agent who now teaches English at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His talk starts at the 12:30 minute mark on this YouTube audio. The talk captures Francisco's life as as a border patrol officer before teaching. (Approximately 30 minutes)
Health Care Proposals
The important issue to watch this month is what Congress might do with the Republican proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act. At publishing time, it is unclear if or when there will be a Senate vote on their proposal and what form that proposal will take. It's embarrassing that despite our country's wealth (and the number of millionaires), we have a segment of the population that strives to limit or eliminate medicare and medicaid benefits for those who can't afford insurance. If any legislation is passed, it should limit the profits made by investors in the health care industry, including pharmaceutical companies. You can only wonder how much more stress our economic system can take before these exorbitant health care costs, along with increased defense spending, take even a greater toll on the average American family. How many lives are lost or cut short because of this blatant greed? Send Senators Flake and McCain a message today and tell them how you feel. Phone numbers are on the bottom of page 3. More information will come in weekly E-Blasts as needed.
Reaching Out, The Future of Unitarian Universalism
Those of us attending the summer discussion group on the book "Turning Point, Essays on a New Unitarian Universalism" had a lively session in June. According to what we read so far, what's at stake is a bleak future of Unitarian Universalism itself if it doesn't adapt to fast-changing conditions that require a more outward approach to challenges faced not only by UUs but also by our neighbors and community. Of course, this is not only a challenge for our religion but for for other religions as well. The authors featured in the book also address our outreach challenges resulting from the superiority complex that often characterizes UUs due to our education, wealth, and history. Another issue addressed in the book is the devotion to individualism among UUs to the point of having difficulty working on communal projects. As you can see, there are many sides to these issues. The two remaining sessions are after Sunday services at noon in the Servetus room on July 16 and August 13.
UUCT Settled Minister Search Committee Begins Its Process
On the weekend of June 9-10, the UUCT settled minister search committee participated in an organizational retreat facilitated by the Rev. Anne Hines, Ministerial Transition Coach. The seven members got to know each other better, engaged in an overview of the year-long search process timeline, developed its covenant, and decided how it will make decisions.
As adopted on June 10, 2017, our statement of covenant is as follows:
We, the members of the UUCT Settled Minister Search Committee (SC) agree to the following:
Rule of Confidentiality
Out of respect for our committee, its work, our congregation, other congregations, and the ministers in the search process, we will conduct all our search committee business under the rule of confidentiality.
Covenant of Respectful Relations
Step 1: In case of any misunderstanding, concern, or disagreement with another SC member, the aggrieved individual will speak directly and privately with the person(s) involved to clarify the matter and resolve the issue.
Step 2: If the aggrieved SC member is not willing to do step 1 alone, he/she will ask another SC member to serve as a witness and accompany him/her while he/she speaks directly and privately with the person(s) involved to clarify the matter and resolve the issue.
Step 3: If the aggrieved SC member is unwilling to do either Step 1 or Step 2, he/she agrees that the matter is closed, and he/she will not speak of it again. He/she agrees not to engage in triangulation or gossip about the matter.
Step 4: If the aggrieved SC member has done Step 1 or Step 2, but has not found resolution to the matter, he/she may take the matter to the whole SC, the minister or other mediator.
Step 5: If the matter is still not resolved to the satisfaction of the aggrieved SC member, he/she agrees that the matter is closed, and he/she will not speak of it again. He/she agrees not to engage in triangulation or gossip about the matter. He/she may choose to resign from the SC.
Search Committee Ground Rules
1. We will be on time and attend all SC meetings, or promptly notify the SC chair.
2. We will, if possible, participate virtually via speaker or cell phone if we cannot attend in person.
3. One of us will speak at a time and stay on topic.
4. We will check for SC email twice each day, and promptly respond as needed
5. We will “reply all” on email only when necessary.
6. Our discussions will be brief and to the point.
7. We will consider more than one option before reaching conclusions.
8. We will speak with one voice.
Procedures
• We will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30 -9:30 pm and decide weekly if we will meet the following week.
• We will have a chalice lighting and brief check-ins and check-outs.
• SC meeting minutes will include only decisions made and action items, and are confidential.
• We establish a quorum of five for deciding lesser issues.
• We agree to use “consensus minus one” as a procedure for deciding important issues.
• We will use Google Docs for all SC resources.
• We will use a process observer for all SC meetings. 6.10.2017
We also spent time discussing our preferences for the various SC tasks and worked with Rev. Anne to help distribute the workload as evenly as possible. Among the roles and responsibilities assumed by the committee members are the following:
Aston Bloom – Congregational Record
Beth Britton – Cottage Meeting Coordinator
Janet Moore – Treasurer
Margo Newhouse – Hospitality
Steve Kraynak – Chair
Todd Maynard – Packet / Website
Wendy Gordon Weeks – Neutral Pulpits
The UUA Transitions Office Settlement Handbook notes the following about the ministerial call:
No choice is more important to the future of a Unitarian Universalist congregation than its call of a minister. A thorough, uncorrupted, and mutually respectful search process is the essential first step in the hoped-for partnership of lay and ordained leaders. For both minister and congregation, the process is strenuous, exciting, and informative. It can also be frustrating and discouraging. But generations of lay leaders and ministers testify that such a process, followed well, richly repays the time and effort it requires.
If our search process goes well, the search committee will recommend a ministerial candidate to the congregation for its consideration and vote in the spring of 2018.
Please read the UUCT monthly Tucsonitarian for ongoing information about the search committee process, and read search committee news in other UUCT media.
Please contact any member of the search committee with any questions you may have about the search process.