Tucsonitarian Page 2

UUCT Welcomes New Members!

Our congregation has four new members this month:

Jackie Wright

Benjamin Wright

Angela Ontiveroz

Alma Byrd

Let’s all of us seek out these new folks and make them feel welcome!

UUCT Finance Report

by Margot Garcia - VP Finance

July 1 starts a new fiscal year and we will be operating according to the budget adopted at our Annual Meeting in April. A copy of the detailed budget has been posted on the UUCT website.

In May, we deposited $38,679.16 and withdrew $60,030.41 for a negative net of $21,351.25. We were able to cover this shortfall without resorting to credit reserve because of the balance we had built up in the checking account over the last several months. The big shortfall can be attributed to several things: this was a three-payroll month accounting for over $11,000; some checks written in April were not cashed until May; the final bills for the search committee were paid off (total $9,506.96). The first June deposit was for $16,000, so that will bring the checking balance of $6,000 to $22,000, more where we like it. The restricted funds in the money market are at $39,140.54, savings holding the capital campaign fund are $5,917.30, and the Endowment Fund is at $49,293.44.

Reah Barrows, a long-time and loyal member, gave UUCT a $20,000 bequest some months ago. The Board asked the Finance Committee (FC) for advice on spending it. The FC discussed all the many needs the building has for repair and maintenance. It has recommended the following expenditures, many of which have already been made:

Electrical panel upgrade $1,153

Goddard bathroom repair $1,627

Painting RE classrooms $3,750

Re-carpeting RE classrooms $4,358

Total $10,888

We plan to send $5,000 to our Endowment Fund, leaving $4,112 for another building project.

The “Share the Plate” program has been very successful this year. Here is the report:

January - Sister Jose Women’s Shelter $292.50

February – NAMI $384.75

March – UUJAZ $479.98

April – Sierra Club Foundation $106.56

May – Hermitage Cat Shelter $380.00

June – SAZCUUPS $117.06

We have entered the electronic age for check deposits. The church will be processing checks on site and sending the information electronically to the bank. We will hold the cancelled checks for 2 years.

The Church is able to take donations of stock to fulfill pledges or as donations or gifts. Please see Margot Garcia or Byron Skinner for details.

We continue to investigate the pros and cons of having the ability to donate using a QR code and/or by text. There are costs associated with each method.

Please keep sending in your pledge payments. They are especially important in the summer months when people go on vacation and regular routines are disrupted.

Announcements

School Supplies

Gifts Of Love Backpack and School Supply Drive (ICS): Help children in need get a good start to the school year! Donate backpacks and school supplies for students in grades K-12. Donations accepted NOW THROUGH JULY 27. Most needed supplies can be found by clicking here.

Donations may be dropped off at the church during office hours or on Sundays. Please contact Marsha Newcomb, ICS Faith Council Representative for UUCT if you have further questions: marshanewcomb@gmail.com.

Help Needed! Monsoon Season Approaches

Monsoon is here! Pima Emergency Management now has sand bags available at Reid Park. Each vehicle can get 10 bags. You need to bring your own shovel to fill the bags. If you have a truck, and a strong back, we could use some volunteers to bring some sandbags to the church before the rains hit. They can be dropped off anytime behind the Holland Sanctuary. Please let Mary know if you can help: mwiese@uuctucson.org

Summer Religious Education News

by Jamili Omar

Summer brings a new format for classes in RE. We will be combining ages to provide 2 options for kids 5-19. Older youth can pick which class they prefer -- and change their mind every week!

Nursery: Open to children from birth to 10 years old, we offer a loving and stimulating environment for the very youngest in our church family. Our nursery, staffed by paid and trained caregivers, gives our little ones a place to move around and play with people their size! Parents are welcome to stay with their children. King Room (In the Children's Courtyard)

Makers: Open to youth 5 to 19 years old, Makers will face a different challenge every week! Students will explore their own beliefs about big ideas such as welcome, kindness, courage, and beauty through creations of their own devising. Art, movement, construction, and music will be our inspiration and expression. Servetus Room (In the Children's Courtyard)

Leaders: Open to youth 12 to 19 years old, the Leaders program will explore leadership -- their own and that of others -- through TED Talks, discussion and service to the congregation. Emerson Room (The Orange Room in Goddard Hall)

New RE Teacher Training

I will be offering a New Teacher/Substitute Training later in the summer, so if you're interested in teaching RE, but haven't contacted me yet, there is still time!

Young Adult Meetup

Do you identify as a young adult? Would you like to meet up with other UU young adults? The first meetup was a smashing success and the group looks forward to many more! To stay in the loop make sure that Janice (Janicesignin@gmail.com) or Jamili (DRE.UUCT@gmail.com) has your email or join us on Facebook by searching Tucson UU Younger Adults (TUUYA).