From H E Minister’s Desk
17540 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378-2581Phone: 623.875.2550 www.uusurpriseaz.org Email: uucsaz2@gmail.comThe Newsletter of Unitarian Universalist Church, Surprise, AZ is published monthly except August.Minister: Rev. Terry SimsMinister Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Walt F. WiederPresident: Pat LindgrenNewsletter Editor: Charlie Manninouucsnewsletter@gmail.comPrinting: Kathryn PabichApril 2019From The Minister’s DeskIwonder whether I would prefer to live in auniverse of moral absolutes. In that fantasyworld, I can imagine that always knowing whatwas right might not make it any easier alwaysto do it, but at least one would know where onestood. On the other hand,moral relativism allows foradjustments that I mightwelcome.In the sermons on lastmonth’s theme of “truth”,I said that I acknowledgethe postmodern viewthat there are no absolutetruths, only relative onesthat are always shadedby different perspectives. More and more, I findmyself captivated by the idea that moral truthsshift depending on the position one occupies in themoral dilemma.Let me illustrate by giving a real-world,mundane example. As a shareholder/owner inmy former law firm, I helped decide salaries andbonuses for our firm administrator, secretaries, andnon-shareholder lawyers. I started out on the otherside, the “labor” side rather than the owner side. Ialways felt tension between labor and managementon such issues.What fascinated me about observing thatprocess from both sides was that whether a bonuswas deemed fair or generous usually depended, notsurprisingly, on what one’s perspective was. My ownview of what was right changed when my positionchanged. Employees tended to judge fairness andgenerosity by what they assumed was the relativewealth of the owners and what the owners couldgive without really “feeling it.” Owners tendedto base employee bonuses not on their own networth, what they received as owners, or what theycould give away without really “feeling it,” but onwhat they guessed would be significant in light ofemployees’ lower income and net worth.Generosity and fairness arise outside thefinancial realm, too. In personal relationships, Idoubt that there is an objective reality. If I want todo something and you want to do something else,assuming neither choice is wrong of itself, thereis no right or wrong, only conflicting preferences.What makes our choice right or wrong is how wetreat the other person in the relationship. Ideally,each person in the relationship would decide thatthe right thing for them to do would be what theother wanted. I don’t think I know any relationshipsthat work that way all the time.But it seems to me that in trying to live anethical life, the only corrective to narrow selfinterest is to try to see and understand other pointsof view, to put ourselves in others’ positions, andhope they will do the same for us. That lodestar oftrying to see other perspectives runs throughoutour UU Principles: the inherent worth and dignityof every person; justice equity, and compassion inhuman relations; acceptance of one another; a freeand responsible search for truth and meaning; theright of conscience. We also find that lodestar in ourmany and varied Sources. And it is in communitythat we learn about perspectives outside our own.I’ll see you in church.Yours in our faith,
News about Homeless YouthConnection: VolunteerOpportunities in April 2019Passover SederSaturday April 20, 5PMMaggi MahanJoin us at a Passover Seder to be held at ourUUC. We will enjoy an evening of traditional Sederfood and an abbreviated Seder service, co-led byRich Manalis and Susan Lee Walling. Whether theSeder is a part of your family tradition or a newexperience, we hope you will join us for a delightfulevening of food, wine, song and a chance to socializewhile taking part in this special spiritual event thatcelebrates freedom!Because of limited space members andchurch attendees will have first “dibbs” on signingup – but, to confirm your reservation, you mustsign-up AND PAY no later than March 31 (unlesswe fill up earlier in which case we will maintain awaiting list). Sign up begins February 24. The cost is 20 per person, preferably paid by check. Childrenof members/church attendees who are 14 years oldor younger may attend free of cost. Please sign upeach of your children who will be attending withyou at the time you sign up. There will be plannedactivities for the children related to Passover.If there are still spaces available, on April 7, youwill have an opportunity to sign-up and PAY for upto two guests per household, again on a first comefirst serve basis. Cost for guests is 30 per personand must be paid by check.This year the committee will be doing the prepwork and cooking, mainly in the UUC kitchen,BUT we do need volunteers to set-up the social hall,set the tables, set up the buffet, serve, clean-up andbreak down the room. Please sign-up to volunteerfor one of these assignments (if you are physicallyable to do so) when you make your reservation onthe sign-up sheet. The Passover Menu will be postedat the table adjacent to the sign-up sheet.In past years, the Seder has sometimes been fullysubscribed and gotten rave reviews – so we suggestyou sign-up and pay early. Your payment is yourconfirmation of a place at the table.For more information and to sign-up and pay,visit the Passover Seder table in the Social Hall afterservices on or after February 24th or contact SusanLee Walling, 602.750.3293.We have received the following message from HYC.We need some helping hands! There are twovolunteer opportunities in April: AZ Gives Day andPhoenix PrideThese two events will raise awareness for thepopulation HYC serves and the money needed tosupport continuous efforts for addressingteens experiencing homelessness.First Opportunity Event: AZ Gives DayDate: Tuesday, April 2ndAvailable Shifts: 3 PM to 6 PM and 6 PM to 9 PMLocations: Homeless Youth Connection, MainEvent and Dave & BustersAZ Gives Day is a 24-hr online giving event forcharitable organizations who have qualified andHYC is happy to be apart of the action. We areneeding an online presence like never before, and wehave created multiple events to help aide our efforts.We know this is easily achievable with our uniquepartnerships and the huge support of our dedicatedand passionate volunteers. We are hosting a uniquecelebration at two entertainment venues (Dave &Buster’s Glendale and Main Event Avondale) for achance to make a huge impact for HYC youth.What will be your role? Event Setup; WelcomingGuest; Helping Guest with Raffle Table; EventBreakdown; Transporting items to venues.Second Opportunity Event: Phoenix PrideParade and FestivalDate: April 6th & 7thAvailable Times: 9 AM - 1 PM40% of Youth Experiencing Homelessness Identifyas Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT).Up to 1.6 million youth experience homelessnesseach year in America. HYC will stand, walk, hopskip and jump with pride as we support our studentswho identify as LGBT, and we are hoping you willtoo. We are looking forward to a large crowd of HYCsupporters, marching in all colors of the rainbow, asyou’ll stand together with HYC students and staff,full of PRIDE! We will also be needing volunteers tohelp staff our booth during the festival.Interested in volunteering? Please contact MaggiMahan at magathalee@gmail.com or 303-884-6157for more information.2Susan Lee WallingUnitarian Universalist of Surprise www.uusurpriseaz.orgApril 2019
BUUK CircleJulie WambachBUUK Circle meets SECOND Tuesday evening6:30-8:30 pm in the Choir Room. Please join uswhether you’ve finished the book or haven’t yetstarted it. For more information, contact JulieWambach azwambach@icloud.com. We havetwo months before summer and will continue inOctober.April 9, 2019 - “Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’reWrong About the World - and Why Things areBetter Than You Think” by Hans Rosling, AnnaRosling Ronnlund and Ola Rosling.Offers ten instincts that interfere with ourgetting correct answers to important questions andour being systematically just plain wrong.“One of the most important books I’ve ever read- an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about theworld.” - Bill Gates“Factfulness by Hans Rosling, an outstandinginternational public health expert, is a hopeful bookabout the potential for human progress when we workoff facts rather than our inherent biases.” - FormerU.S. President Barack ObamaMay 14, 2019 - “Born on Third Base: A OnePercenter Makes the Case for Tackling Inequality,Bringing Wealth Home, and Committing to theCommon Good” by Chuck Collins.Born on Third Base is a term used for thoseborn with a silver spoon in their mouth, but whoarrogantly maintain they are self-made. In hisearly twenties, the author of this book gave awayhis inheritance and has devoted his working life towriting and teaching about inequality.Collins asks, “Can we suspend both class warslong enough to consider a new way forward? Is itreally good for anyone that most of society’s wealthis pooling at the very top of the wealth ladder? Doesanyone, including the one percent, really want tolive in a society plagued by economic apartheid?”October 15, 2019 - “The Tribe: On Homecomingand Belonging” by Sebastian Junger.Junger points to the levels of depression andloneliness among us today brought on by thedifficulty in finding a group we can call our own.April 2019“Combining history, psychology, and anthropology,TRIBE explores what we can learn from tribalsocieties about loyalty, belonging, and the eternalhuman quest for meaning.”Musings from the Loft!Debby Bullins, Music DirectorApril is one of my favorite months. It brings newbeginnings, nature in bloom and a new start for theyear. I know most attribute thatto the New Year but I like April.It is a time that I like to bringthings into my life that give mecomfort, calmness, serenity anda feel of spiritual wholeness.I have several tools that I tryto use meditation, deepbreathing, nature walks,enjoying the night sky and of course, music. Thepoetry and lyric melodies in music soothe my soulas nothing else has ever done.One of my favorite hymns is “The Oneness ofEverything” by Jim Scott. His lyrics touch me deeply.“Far beyond the grasp of hands, or light to meet theeye, past the reaches of the mind. There find the keyto nature’s harmony in an architecture so entwined.Like the birds whose patterns grace the sky andcarry all who join in love expanding. The messageof peace will rise in flight taking the weight of theworld upon its wings. In the oneness of everything.”I am grateful for this church, this UU community inSurprise, AZ. I encourage all to reflect on what thischurch and its community means to each of us andgive generously.I am reminded of a song by Leonard Bernstein, “MyHouse”.“Will you build me a house? A house that really willbe mine! Then let me give you my design – A simplescheme of the house I dream of. Build my house ofwood, Build my house of stone, Build my house ofbrick and mortar; Make the ceiling strong, Strongagainst the storm, Shelter when the days growshorter; But build my house of love, and paint myhouse with trusting, and warm it with the warmth ofyour heart; Make the floor of faith, Make the wallsof truth, Put a roof of peace above; Only build myhouse of love.”“Music can change the world because it canchange people!” - BonoUnitarian Universalist of Surprise www.uusurpriseaz.org3
172LAK. “When first published this book redefinedhow Americans think and talk about politics throughthe lens of cognitive political psychology. Now, thisclassic has become all the more relevant as liberals andconservatives have come to hold even more vigorouslyopposed views of the world with underlyingassumptions of their respective worldviews at the levelof basic morality. Even more so than when, Lakoffwrote, liberals and conservatives simply have verydifferent, deeply held beliefs about what is right andwrong,” from the 4 star Amazon review.The Monthly Book ReportMaryAnne BalzerWelcome to our Spring reading list of threevaried and excellent reads in their topics. Thesebooks are also very popular check out items hereat UU Surprise. Please be sure to stop by the UULibrary Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. to talk booksand pick out your next read for the upcoming week!“Attitudes of Gratitude,” subtitled ‘how to giveand receive joy every day of your life’, by M.J. Ryan,number 179.9RYA. This book, published 10 yearsago, remains a very popular check out item from ourLibrary and is a 4.5 Amazon book. “Gratitude is asimple, profound practice that can change your life.Taking the time to notice and reflect upon the goodthings restores us to the natural place where we noticewhat’s right instead of wrong, opens our hearts, andcreates happiness. In a series of brief, evocative essays,the author teaches us how to unlock the fullness oflife through the simple joy of living from a gratefulheart,” from the review.“Listening for Our Song,” subtitled ‘collectedmeditations’, by Margaret Beard, editor. This bookcontains over 50 meditations suitable for publicand private use. It includes inspiring observationsabout the natural world, solitary reflections, andcelebrations of family and community life. This isa very popular check out item in our Library. “Themeditations prompt the quiet reflection we need tocounter the busy days of our lives. Ranging fromsolitary reflections to social commentary, from wryhumor to poignant memory, these readings urge usto reconnect with our inner selves.”Enjoy the spring warm up and have a great dayshared with a great UU read!“Moral Politics,” subtitled ‘how liberals andconservatives think’, by George Lakoff, number Visit our web site forcurrent informationwww.uusurpriseaz.org4Unitarian Universalist of Surprise www.uusurpriseaz.orgApril 2019
RE ReportLisa Lawrence, DREWhat’s going on in children’s RE this Spring?5th-6th Grade OWL has taken flight! March 10thwas the first class of the OurWhole Lives sexuality educationclass for 5th and 6th graders.Classes are Sunday morningsfrom 9:00-10:00 a.m. and will runthrough May 19th.The new Disability AwarenessClass began on March 3rd.It’s designed to help childrenbetter understand what itmeans to live with a disability and to encouragethem to be accepting of differences. In the first twointroductory classes we talked about the wordsdisability, impairment and empathy. We spent a lotof time talking about language and the perceptionsit can create. We all agreed that some of the languageused to describe individuals with disabilities soundedmore like name calling. This discussion was followedup by practicing “person first language” whichalways puts the person in front of their disabilitybecause individuals ARE more than their disability.Next month we will focus on vision and hearingdisabilities.We are still looking for guest speakers that havepersonal experience with disabilities to come andspeak to the children on any of the above relevanttopics. A template and assistance would be providedto help develop a presentation, so, please, don’t letthat deter you! If you would be interested in sharingyour experiences, please contact me at uucslisal@gmail.comThe weekend of April 20-21st is reason tocelebrate three times over. We will be honoringPassover, Easter and Earth Day! Be sure to signup for the family Passover Seder on April 20th.It promises to be family friendly with some funactivities for the children. Then, following serviceon April 21st, we will have our annual Easter EggHunt on the grounds outside the church. Duringclass on the 21st our theme is “Earth Day, FunDay”. Children will be embarking on a classroomadventure to the Budongo Forest of Uganda,examine their own environmental footprints andApril 2019decode a distress message from Nanuq the polarbear. They won’t want to miss this!The Camp DeBenneville Pines ScholarshipCompetition will draw to a close on Sunday, May 5th.That way, our top two attendance holders will be ableto register for camp before the “Early-Bird” discountends on May 15th. Winners will be awarded in ashort ceremony following service on 5/5.This contest has really helped our Sundaymorning attendance, and I know that our winnersare going to have a wonderfully enrichingexperience at camp as well. I am hoping that wewill be able to offer this scholarship contest againnext year. If you would like to make a donationtowards this scholarship program, either now or inthe future, please contact children’s RE director, LisaLawrence or Reverend Terry Sims.UU Endowment FundNaming the Endowment Fund of the Churchas a beneficiary of your estate or a specificasset, such as an IRA or life insurance plan,provides a simple way to begin your legacynow by providing for our church work in thefuture. If your circumstances change,you can alter your plans at any time.For further information call:Brooks Marshall at 623-362-1195.We Are Here To Be Of Assistance!Lay Pastoral Care CommitteeIf you, your family or another member of ourcongregation are experiencing illness, hardship,isolation or are in need of support, please contactLenore Gaudin (623-933-0186) or the church office(623-875-2550) or speak with any of the committeemembers on Sunday at church. We wear a secondname tag that says Lay Pastoral Care.Please have information for the Newslettersubmitted by Noon on the 15th of each monthto the Editor, Charlie Mannino atuucsnewsletter@gmail.comUnitarian Universalist of Surprise www.uusurpriseaz.org5
Rave Reviews forLights, Camera, Auction!Held on Saturday, March 2ndThe UU Stars - our amazing volunteers - worked their behindthe scenes magic on Friday and Saturday to create a specialevening for all. We have an amazing community and should allbe proud of the wonderful way we work together for a commoncause. And to all of our special guests - thank you for joining usfor an evening of fun, entertainment, lively conversation, goodfood, and an opportunity to support the church. Guests arrivedfor the evening to walk the red carpet under the marquee toattend the premiere event and socialize with established and newcelebrities. Red Carpet photos were taken by John Marshall whostepped in for the photographer who was held up at the Oscars,and we can’t thank John enough for volunteering moreinformation about how to purchase your photos will be shared in an email bulletin.The evening began at 3:30 pm with guests pursuing numerous choices of fine goods to bid on during theSilent Auction, while sipping on prosecco (donated and served by Liz and Frank Swan) and enjoying appetizers(the shrimp rolls were particularly popular). For shrimp pinwheel recipe go to inwheels/f5fff531-08f0-493b-a460-608e0adb475c (we used puff pastry, pam/oil on knifehelps with cutting the rolls - tip courtesy of Mary Ann Balzer)Dinners, trips, and other activities went to the highest bidders at the Live Auction from 5 to 6 pm. Dinnerservice began at 6 pm (Starstruck Shrimp, Celebrity Chicken, and Red Carpet Pasta). The competition for 19tables during the Dessert Dash was intense and profitable. As dinner and dessert were finished, many finalizedtheir purchases (others did so the following day).The gala was a success with over 11,000 being raised to support the operations of the UU Church ofSurprise (final numbers being calculated). A debriefing meeting was held on March 10th to review what workedwell and gather suggestions for the 2020 Auction.KEEP the DATE: Saturday, March 1st, 20203:30pm at UU Church of SurpriseTheme: “Take Me Out to the Ballpark”So those heading north during the summer, remember to bring your favorite baseball cap and tee-shirt back withyou for the casual park vibe.Co-chairs: Mary Beth Chrest, mbchrest@gmail.com or 503-317-1182; and Janet Jeffrey at jjeffrey@yorku.ca or416-602-5928.6Unitarian Universalist of Surprise www.uusurpriseaz.orgApril 2019
April 2019Unitarian Universalist of Surprise www.uusurpriseaz.org7
17540 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378-2581Phone: 623.875.2550www.uusurpriseaz.org Email: uucsaz2@gmail.comFirst Class MailAffirmationLove is the spirit of this churchAnd service is its law.This is our great covenant:To dwell together in peace,To seek the truth in freedom,And to help one another.Join us for Sunday service at 10:30 amIf you are not a member but would like to receive church announcements by email,please send your email address and full name to uucsaz2@gmail.com.Sermon Titles For April 2019The Theme for his month is “Salvation/Wholeness”4/7 – Rev. Terry Sims . Salvation as IntegrationNo one gets saved as someone else. Not even a better version of themselves, although we can all strive forimprovement. No, if we are to be saved, it must be as our whole, fragile, broken selves, but with hope for healing.4/14 – Rev. Terry Sims. Salvation in This LifetimeRecently I gave another talk about our faith to non-Unitarian Universalists. After I had told them that some ofus are humanists and agnostic about many theological issues, including the possibility of an afterlife, someoneasked me directly, “So what does salvation mean for Unitarian Universalists?”4/21 – Rev. Terry Sims. Getting Saved TogetherThe question of salvation is almost always considered from the standpoint of whether an individual will besaved. But in a deeply intertwined world, during Passover, on Easter, and on the eve of Earth Day, I want toknow what will save all of us together.4/28– Emrys Staton .The Controversial ControversyA look at the role of controversies in Unitarian Universalism. How they push, inspire, challenge and define ourreligious identity.
Mar 04, 2019 · Passover Seder Saturday April 20, 5PM Susan Lee Walling Join us at a Passover Seder to be held at our UUC. We will enjoy an evening of traditional Seder food and an abbreviated Seder service, co-led by Rich Manalis and Susan Lee Walling. Whether the Seder is a part of your family traditio
Independent Personal Pronouns Personal Pronouns in Hebrew Person, Gender, Number Singular Person, Gender, Number Plural 3ms (he, it) א ִוה 3mp (they) Sֵה ,הַָּ֫ ֵה 3fs (she, it) א O ה 3fp (they) Uֵה , הַָּ֫ ֵה 2ms (you) הָּ תַא2mp (you all) Sֶּ תַא 2fs (you) ְ תַא 2fp (you
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE PRIME MINISTER? The Prime Minister's job is to make our country as good as it can be. But every Prime Minister Australia has ever had has been a grown-up! What if the grown-ups weren't in charge? What would kids do if they ran the country? We could have subma
Aug 23, 2021 · POSITION DESCRIPTION EXECUTIVE MINISTER June 2021 The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (ABCORI) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Executive Minister. The Executive Minister serves the Region as Pastor and Chief Executive Officer,
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CLERGY CODES DM Diaconal Minister (2004 Discipline ¶ 369.1) DC Deaconess (¶ 1913.2) DR Retired Diaconal Minister (consecrated under provisions of 1992 or earlier Discipline)(¶ 357) AF Affiliate Member (¶¶ 334.5, 344.4, 586.4) OR Retired member of other Annual Conference AM Associate Member (¶¶ 322, 369.1, 635.2h) RD Retired Deacon in Full connection (¶ 357)
deacon or minister. When it uses the word ‘minister,’ it is not talking about an ordained pastor. It means: to be a servant, attendant, wait upon. It is used to describe a minister, one that waits on guests (as a waiter or waitress), a person who supplies food and the necessities of life. Sometimes the servant would care for the poor or sick.
