Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix

Author: Nick Laux

  • Notes From Your Dance Partner – December 8, 2022

    Notes From Your Dance Partner – December 8, 2022

    In the Christian calendar, we are in the season of Advent. I love the concept of Advent–the time of waiting for the world to change and also a celebration of some of our greatest ideals–faith, hope, love and joy.  

    During Christian services, they light a candle each Sunday for each week–and each principle–of Advent. I invite you to ponder them for yourselves, however you think of this season. And, like everything with Unitarian Universalism, I invite you into the paradox of these values. 

    I share the words of Unitarian Universalist David O. Rankin, from his book “Dancing in the Empty Spaces”:

    During the Advent season, we celebrate the qualities of faith, hope, love, and joy. Yet these must be viewed through the prism of paradox.

    No Faith is worthy without the capacity to doubt all things—for then it is only credulity.

    No Hope is possible without the specter of defeat in the wings—for then it is only dreaming.

    No Love is strong without the dread of loss in the heart—for then it is only passion.

    No Joy is complete without the certainty of sorrow in the future—for then it is only frivolity.

    Thus, it is wrong to mislead people with simplistic notions, for they distract us from the fullness of life. After all, the seas have storms, the clouds have lightning, and the roses have thorns—forever.

    – David O. Rankin

    I wish you all a blessed season of Advent.

  • Celebrate Winter Solstice with UUCP Navigators!

    Celebrate Winter Solstice with UUCP Navigators!

    We will only have one navigators event this month, but it will be something you don’t want to miss! This month’s Navigators event will be a campfire at Stephanie Vidmosko’s House on December 19 at 6:00pm. 

    Stephanie will provide hot tea, cider and cocoa. We hope all our Navigator members can make it to this fun event! In January we will resume our regular schedule of events. 

    For more information and directions, contact the Navigators group.

  • Earth Justice Meeting, December 11 Cancelled

    The EJM group will not hold our regular meeting December 11, 2023. Our next meeting will be January 8, 2023. Happy Holidays!

  • Thursday Night Drop-in Small Group

    This small group is an excellent way to make connections within the UUCP community for both people new to UUCP and for those who have been involved in UUCP for years. Our format is very informal as we connect with each other and/or discuss each month’s theme. Come join us!

    Our group meets on Zoom at 7:00pm the third Thursday of every month from October through May.

    Meeting ID: 848 5724 6721 Passcode: 804963

    For more information, contact Dan Coleman at opensgm@phoenixuu.org.

  • Hey Guys! Have a Merry, Plant-Based Christmas!

    The Earth Justice Ministry has long advocated a plant-based diet. Last week, in the Wednesday Mesa Community section of the AZ Republic, a noted doctor who studies and writes about men’s health issues. He drew from a review of 13 studies on erectile function, and 5 on prostate health.

    One study found that men who eat three or more servings of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage) a week had a 41% decreased risk of prostate cancer compared with guys eating less than one serving a week

    All found that a plant-based diet has a positive effect on both. So he recommends 7-9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day and a reduction of red and processed meats.

  • Share the Plate: Arizona Helping Hands

    Share the Plate: Arizona Helping Hands

    The Arizona Helping Hands group is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential services to children in foster care through their programs that promote safety, permanency and health.

    Arizona Helping Hands focuses their work on providing programs for foster and kindship families. Programs include providing children with a safe place to sleep and other basic needs, school supplies, birthday gifts, footlockers (for keeping personal items safe) and safety items.

    Arizona Helping Hand’s mission is to change the lives of children living in foster care, providing them an opportunity to thrive. Visit azhelpinghands.org for more information.

    Please Donate to Share the Plate