Author: Nick Laux

  • September Navigators Update

    September Navigators Update

    Our navigators program at UUCP is doing a new series called “Species of the Month”. This month will be the Arizona Poppy. Our Species of the month will be a way for the community to learn a little more about nature via our compass newsletter and social media. For folks that are not able to easily access the outdoors, hopefully this will provide a way to increase your knowledge about nature from a place where you are more comfortable. For folks that are able to easily access the outdoors hopefully this can assist you in identifying a few more species and developing a deeper relationship with the world around us.

    Learn more about this month’s species in detail, read more.

  • Notes From Your Dance Partner

    Notes From Your Dance Partner

    As we gather this Sunday for our beloved Water Communion, I am reminded of why this ritual holds such a special place in our hearts as Unitarian Universalists. The Water Communion symbolizes the coming together of our diverse and unique journeys. Each droplet of water we share represents our personal stories, our travels, and the experiences that have shaped us over the summer. Yet, as these waters blend, they form a communal pool—symbolizing our shared values, our commitment to one another, and the unity that binds us as a congregation. It is a beautiful reminder that while our individual paths may differ, we all contribute to the greater whole.

    The Water Communion is more than just a ritual; it is a profound expression of our covenantal relationship. It is a time when we consciously reaffirm our connection to each other and to the world around us. We celebrate the ways in which we have grown, the lessons we have learned, and the strength we draw from being part of this beloved community. This tradition not only honors our individual experiences but also deepens our sense of belonging, reminding us that we are never truly alone on our journeys.

    As we pour our waters and our stories into the communal vessel, I am filled with excitement for the year ahead. This moment marks the beginning of our program year, a time when we embark on new explorations of faith, justice, and community building. With the strength of our shared waters, I am confident that we will navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to grow, support one another, and make meaningful contributions to the world around us. I am truly excited for all that this year will bring and am grateful to be on this journey with each of you.

  • In Memoriam of Marg Stallworthy

    In Memoriam of Marg Stallworthy

    Marg joined UUCP in 1980, 44 years ago. She was a strong and kind woman, eager and willing to share her talents with the community. Marg was a CPA and added a lot of advice and expertise to the congregation, especially in the area of finance, helping both the congregation and the Foundation through some difficult and transitional times. Marg was a friend to many in the congregation. She loved to travel.

    She will be interred in our UUCP Memorial Garden later this Fall. We are working with her sister Katherine on arrangements and we will let you know if there will be a memorial service. Marg, we thank you for your contributions and the loving energy you brought to UUCP and the broader community.  

  • Homecoming Weekend

    Homecoming Weekend

    Join us for a special Homecoming Weekend on September 7th and 8th as we celebrate the start of a new season with our annual Water Communion.

    Saturday’s events include:

    • Kid and Family Orientation
    • Popsicles and set-up
    • Building Blessing
    • Building Tours
    • Community Potluck (please bring a dish if you’re able)
    • Karaoke
    • 12:30 to 3:30 PM
    • 4:00 PM
    • 4:30 PM
    • 5:00 PM
    • 6:30 PM

    Sunday’s events include:

    • Worship Service
    • Lunch available for $5/plate by the anarchists
  • Creating Theology Together

    Creating Theology Together

    CREATING THEOLOGY TOGETHER—A New Resource for Building Faith Community.

    Our identity and theology are shaped by our lived experience. By understanding our personal theology, we can engage and deepen our commitments in covenantal faith community. Then we can name and claim our shared theology, to inform and shape a public theology that grounds our faithful actions in the world.

    This is an in-depth curriculum, with an innovative edge—it is being run by Ministers and Religious Educators from congregations all around Arizona.  This is an opportunity to meet other UUs in the state to go deeper into what you believe and how to put it in action. 

    This curriculum was developed in response to the well-known Building Your Own Theology by Rev. Dick Gilbert.  From that course, Rev. John Morehouse wrote a dissertation called Creating Theology Together. In it, he wondered how moving beyond our focus on the individual search for truth and meaning might create space for a shared theology in UU congregations. We’ve created CTT to ground and center a congregation’s social justice work in UU theology and mission, and to inspire a deeper commitment to covenantal community, and to our faith’s values and principles.

    You can learn more about the curriculum here:  https://www.meadville.edu/light/fahs-collaborative/fahs-curriculum-catalogue/creating-theology-together/

    WHEN: October 2024 through March 2025

    It will include 3 in-person Saturdays and 6 online Mondays 

    • Saturdays, from 10am-4pm: 10/12, 12/7, and 3/1. 
    • Mondays (online), from 6-7:30pm: 10/28, 11/18, 12/16, 1/13, 2/3, and 2/24

    The Saturday sessions will be in congregations around Arizona. At this point, we are planning on one gathering in the Phoenix area, one in the Tucson area, and one in Northern Arizona. Specifics and exact location are TBD. We anticipate there will be opportunities for carpooling and home-stays.  While we understand that participants may not be able to attend every session, we’re asking you to prioritize the 3 in-person sessions and at least four of the online sessions. 

    COST: We are offering a sliding scale for this class so that it can be accessible to everyone.  We suggest a sliding scale between $0-$150.  If you can pay the full amount, you make it possible for those who cannot. 

    WHO:  This curriculum is aimed at anyone 14 years old and up.  If you are middle school age and are interested, talk to your Minister. 

    Multiple ticket prices available for all budget levels. Select the option that’s best for you. Register by September 30th.

  • The Latest on Our “Great Space Shift”

    The Latest on Our “Great Space Shift”

    Phase 1 of construction was completed just in time to turn over the “keys” to our new tenants, ELLE Learning, on August 9, for their spaces in rooms 12, 15, and their storage closet. They are very excited to be here and sharing our spaces. Although the main construction is over for now, there is still a lot of work to do as we move from room to room setting up new spaces for Children’s Ministry, administration, volunteers, and Adult Faith uses. 

    Stephanie, our Business Administrator, has moved from Office 1 down the hall to room 11 with the Property Team. Much work is involved in all the spaces for our hardworking Property Team, getting network wiring moved, fire extinguishers, first aid, door stops, etc., and settling into new spaces and cabinets. Remember the last time you moved?? Yeah, like that!! 

    Childrens Ministry moved the Youth Chapel/YRUU to Room 1, and now needs to move all kinds of gear to rooms 3 & 4, 9, and 10B. It’s a LOT, and there needs to be a toddler safe space in one of those areas before the kiddos can occupy them. So for now, the kids are still with us in the Sanctuary, but the work is on-going for room readiness. If there’s a call for volunteers – please help out!

    Speaking of volunteers – room 10A is the new space that will hold the printer, the mailboxes, the safe, the walkie/talkies, safety stuff, name tag stuff, paper cutter, etc. We still have to move and organize all that.

    Extra tables and chairs are being figured out as to where they go to make the other rooms ready for our adult programming in our shared spaces. 

    The great news is that we now have 5 rooms equipped with a TV for hybrid meetings!

    Another change is in the two large multi-stalled bathrooms. The end handicapped stalls now have new extra tall toilets, with tall chair height toilets being in the secondary stalls with grab bars. There are new toddler sized toilets in the odd shaped end stalls of each bathroom.

    DEEP BREATH!! It’s change!! AND it’s very exciting! Please be patient with the process and all the people involved. Our next step is to start fundraising for our bigger changes to come!! Thanks for being in Community at UUCP.