Tucsonitarian Page 2
UUCT Finance Report
by Margot Garcia, VP Finance
The church started off the new fiscal year with $3,719.18 in its checking accounts. This is the carry-forward from the last fiscal year into the new one. We also have $7,622 in prepaid pledges that is now income.
In June, we deposited a total of $36,367.84 into checking and spent $39,132.70, for a net loss of $2,764.86 for the month. We were able to sustain this from the earlier buildup of cash, leaving us still with a positive balance in the bank at the end of the month. We have a balance of $39,984.32 in the Money Market account which holds the restricted funds, $6,726.04 in savings, the capital fund campaign balance, and $49,330.98 in the Endowment Fund held by the UUA for us.
We don’t have the financials yet for May due to the vacation of the bookkeeper, but we are up to date with all bills paid, payroll made, and money still in the bank.
I am pleased that the Finance Committee members have agreed to serve for another year. They are Bruce Saunders, Carolyn Cooper, Linda French, Janet Moore, Larry Newhouse, Bill Hoffmann, and Rick Meyer. Byron Skinner will continue as Treasurer and Kathy Hueser as Financial Secretary with JD Garcia and Janet Moore as Assistant Financial Secretaries. We have the valuable services of Jim Periale taking the many pages of the financial reports and turning them each month into a two-page summary that is given to the Board and made available to the congregation in the office. It is also online in the Board materials section with the finance report.
This is a low time for people paying their pledges. Please finish up last year’s pledge if you can. And we have started the new fiscal year, so please donate according to your 2018-2019 pledged amount.
SAZCUUPS Updates
by Julie Olson
TONIGHT August 1 - Holland
SAZCUUPS members Jackson and Leigh Mileur will be leading our first ritual of the harvest, Lughnasadh. Please join us tonight (August 1) in Holland Sanctuary. We'll start gathering at 6 pm; the ritual will begin no later than 6:30 pm. We ask all attendees to arrive prepared and in a fit state (sober and healthy) for events. Free admission (donations gratefully accepted). Casual dress. All ages welcome. Bring a snack to share and whatever you want to drink.
August 11 - Metaphysical Fourth Avenue Stroll
Our social event this month is Metaphysical Fourth Avenue on August 11 from 2-4pm. We'll take a stroll down 4th Avenue and shop at two locally owned metaphysical stores. Meet at 2 pm at the Dry River Witches Collective (414 E 7th St). We'll then walk to Celestial Rites (543 N 4th Ave). Our final stop will be Dairy Queen (501 N 4th Ave) for an ice cream break. We can carpool from UUCT if people like. Childcare is not available for this event, but children are welcome.
Julie Olson and Carrie Cooper were honored to be guest ministers of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Chautauqua in July. Representing both UUCT and the Southern Arizona CUUPS chapter, they spoke to more than 200 people throughout the week about the "two great faiths that overlap in circles." It was a wonderful opportunity for both outreach to others and reinforcing relationships with UUs in New York.
In addition to preaching to the estimated 150 people that attended Sunday services in the Hall of Philosophy, Julie and Carrie led a discussion circle with fellow UUs on the grounds and attended a meeting for Women in Ministry. It was very interesting to speak with Christian religious leaders about being UU and have the chance to clear up some major misconceptions about our spiritual practices. Julie also led a PFLAG meeting at the UU house later in the week.
From the UUA Website
UUA Common Read 2018-19
Justice on Earth
A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations.
Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Common Read is chosen by a committee including both headquarters and field staff of the UUA. Anyone may nominate a book. Read the criteria for Common Read selection. Nominate a book for 2019-20 using our online form.
Common Read 2018-19.
The Common Read Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2018-19 Common Read: Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and Environment, edited by Manish Mishra-Marzetti and Jennifer Nordstrom (Skinner House Books, 2018).
At a time when racial justice, environmental justice, and economic justice are seen as issues competing for time, attention, and resources, Justice on Earth explores the ways in which the three are intertwined. Those on the margins are invariably those most affected by climate disaster and environmental toxins. The book asks us to recognize that our faith calls us to long-haul work for justice for our human kin, for the Earth and for all life. It invites us to look at our current challenges through a variety of different perspectives, offers tools to equip us for sustained engagement, and proposes multiple pathways for follow-up action. Justice on Earth is available at inSpirit: UU Book and Gift Shop. A discussion guide for congregations, offering both a single session and a three-session format, will be available online October 1, 2018.
If you are interested in participating in a book group on Justice on Earth, contact Craig Rock at newsletter@uuctucson.org.
Share the Plate - August 19
Intermountain Academy
by Carolyn Saunders
As we approach back-to-school time, many children look forward with excitement to reconnecting with teachers and friends after summer vacation. But for some children this can be an extremely stressful or unwelcome time. One school in Tucson, Intermountain Academy, our August Share the Plate recipient, seeks to meet the needs of children with special needs who find school environments especially challenging. Intermountain Academy’s autism specialists motivate children to love learning, make friends, and grow their independence.
Intermountain Academy offers the greater Tucson community a positive teaching environment for youth with specialized needs – a school that builds on each individual child’s strengths and interests. The Academy currently supports children with autism (grades K-12) with a provision of measurable academic achievement following an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) model.
Visit their website, https://intermountaincenters.org/community-services/academy/, to read more about the 45-year history and work of this organization.
In an article in the Arizona Daily Star in September 2017, discussing autism in Arizona, the report said:
“There are no specific numbers for Tucson, but to illustrate how many families with children on the spectrum are searching for schools — Intermountain Academy has a waiting list of 200 children.
“Though the school plans to add two classes per year until it reaches its full capacity of 120, it still won’t be able to accommodate that entire waiting list.
“To help fill the need, Intermountain Academy hopes to expand to another campus in the future,” said Paul O’Rourke, the school’s director of communications.
Through our generous donations, we can help support Intermountain Academy’s mission of providing the highest quality, community-based, individualized services to at-risk Arizonans. Intermountain Academy is part of the Intermountain Centers, and contributions provide critically needed funds which enhance the lives of over 5,000 children and adults and their families each year.
Remember, when you contribute on a Share the Plate Sunday, all undesignated cash and any checks marked specifically as “Share the Plate” in the memo line will be divided between UUCT and our selected organization. Thank you for your generous donations to help the needy in our community.
What is Realm Connect?
by Sam Meyer
Realm is the software that UUCT currently uses for several administrative tasks. Your yearly giving statement at tax time comes from Realm. Yellow cards for visitors are entered into the online Realm database so that we can track new friends. Our church directory has also moved online and instructions to log in and maintain your profile are available. This information is updated every 3 months by office staff and the membership team. If you do not have a computer or other mobile device, you can get a printed copy of the directory. (That has the downside of needing to be reprinted as members are added or removed.) ACS, the parent company of Realm, also manages VANCO, which handles our credit card purchasing system for things like the auction, automatic monthly donations, and online giving.
UUCT is upgrading our Realm
In planning sessions among RE, admin, and OWL teachers, there was a need for better database management as the OWL program continues to grow. Due to the low cost, a decision was made to upgrade our current database to help us manage and navigate this year. What was the cost? There was an upgrade setup fee of $50, plus our monthly cost went from $62 to $93. OWL is giving back to the church and paying for the upgrade costs for the first year.
Connect is the App for Realm
You can go to the Google play store or the istore and download “Realm Connect”. The app will allow you to easily edit your profile and control your privacy settings. You can join groups and participate in group discussions with those in your groups. You can use the app to create events and send out (or receive) invitations to events like the yard sale or auction. Event management will allow you to handle RSVPs, post comments, and see what everyone is bringing (such as food for a potluck!)
The church directory is now on this app! You can open the app, search for a name, and call, text, or email any church members easily. Online giving is available from your phone. Forget to bring cash for lunch or a fundraiser? You can now donate (and monitor all your donations) from your phone or other mobile device.
Also available with the upgrade is the ability to electronically check in adults (or youth) at special events or even a weekly class. This will allow leaders to see who missed a session and make up a missed lesson.
Remember
1. We’re updating the administrative tools our staff uses to run the daily operations of our church.
2. We’re adding more ways to communicate and connect as Unitarian Universalists, all while leaving current methods in place.
3. YOU determine how much you want to make this a part of your experience with UUCT but we encourage you to participate.
You’re Invited August 12
To give everyone more information about Realm, help with group leaders who have questions, and assist with downloading the app, Sam Meyer is doing a short presentation and helping to get everyone connected on August 12 at 12:00. Plan to attend!
BLM/SURJ Summer Book Club - August 26
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.
