01 2015 UU Newsletter draft.indd - Unitarian Universalist Church of

17540 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378-2581
Phone: 623.875.2550 Fax: 623.875.2552  www.uusurprise.org Email: uucsaz@aol.com
The Newsletter of Unitarian Universalist Church, Surprise, AZ is published monthly except August.
Minister: Rev. Terry Sims
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Walt F. Wieder
President: Reggie Johnston
January 2015
Newsletter Editor: Charlie Mannino
Email: uunewsletter@cox.net
Printing: Kathryn Pabich
From The Minister’s Desk
“Do you promise?” I wish I could remember
what first caused me to be cautious about making
promises. I suspect it involved my realization that
I could not guarantee the future, not even my
own behavior. I know that when the question “Do
you promise?” comes from a child, I am doubly
cautious. Especially with
children, I do not want
to promise something
that I cannot be sure will
happen. I do not want to
risk disappointing them.
As I often say when
officiating at weddings,
we do not know what the
future may bring. We do
not know everything our promises today will require
of us in the coming years. But we commit to keeping
them anyway. That requires an act of faith.
What does it mean to live in covenant with
each other? It is one thing to commit privately to
living out our principles. That is a promise we make
to ourselves. And those promises are critically
important. They help us live authentically and with
integrity, make us who we become. But they do not
involve promises to others.
The concept of covenant is at least as ancient
as the First Testament, when the Israelites saw
themselves as God’s people and God as their God.
That relationship existed because the Israelites
believed God made promises to them in return for
their promises to God.
A covenant is a set of promises that we make to
someone else. And s/he makes promises in return to
January 2015
us. Covenants are reciprocal. That means we become
accountable to someone else for the promises we
make to them, as they become accountable to us
for theirs. They have a right to expect that we will
keep our promises. What does it mean to live in
covenant? It means binding yourself to promises you
have to keep.
What promises are we willing to live by? Most
of those who are married made solemn promises
to our spouses. But the only other common
covenant I’m aware of is the covenant members
of a covenantal community like our congregation
make to each other. Saying that “love is the spirit
of this church”, as we do every Sunday morning in
our affirmation, means that we, every one of us,
personally commits to making it so -- for every
one of us.
Our right relations covenant is a set of promises
we have made to ourselves and to each other about
how we will treat each other. To communicate with
kindness. To look for and find what is best and
sacred in each of us. To care about the pain of every
member of our church.
There is nothing easy about living in covenant.
It asks a lot of us. It involves risk, indeed the
probability, that we sometimes fall out of covenant
with each other, disappointing ourselves and each
other. But we commit again to keeping the promises
of our covenant anyway. We begin again in love. It is
an act of faith. I’ll see you in church.
Faithfully yours,
Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org
1
President’s Report
Reggie Johnston, President
Happy New Year! Happy Anniversary!
We are celebrating our 40th year as a
congregation! In April we will
have special events, including
the unveiling of a musical
composition created for us
by Clif Hardin, a UU Music
Director and Composer. Liz
Merchant and Debby Bullins are
working with other members of
the congregation to have a big
celebration!
This month we are inducting our new Board of
Trustee members:
Vice-President: Julian Rush
Secretary: Cathy Mannino
Trustees at Large: Liz Swan and
Jason Hokaj, who is returning for a two-year term.
We thank Jeff Hickman, Vice President, and
Amy St. Peter, Secretary, for their dedication, hard
work, kindness, and perspective during their term
in office.
Thanks to the Technology Committee,
especially Charlie Mannino and Graham Taylor,
we will soon have an improved sound system,
including new microphones. No more “Is this on?”
“Can you hear me?”
Another area of thanks is to the Children’s
Religious Education group, which has donated funds
to set up a portable playground for the children
during the Social Hour. The far back corner of the
parking lot has been designated a play space, which
will be marked off with orange cones. The area will
be equipped with a tether ball, a moveable basketball
hoop, and other games, such as bean bag toss,
jump ropes, etc. Two parents will be setting up the
equipment and supervising the children. Amanda
Lauer and Jamie Hickman spear-headed this project.
The Adopt a School program is off to a good
start. We have officially agreed to adopt the Surprise
School in the Dysart School District. Julie Wambach
and Candy Cox report we have 30 plus people who
are completing their volunteer packets. There are
many ways for members to volunteer in addition to
tutoring. The school district only asks for 5, yes 5,
hours a year for you to be considered a volunteer.
This could be stapling together papers for a lesson,
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working on a bulletin board, reading to a child,
or any number of things. In addition, members
contributed tax dollars to the school with the help of
Linda Vitale. This is also going to be a big help. We
will make a difference!
UUSC
Darnell Kirksey
Happy New Year! Thanks to
all who donated to the Guest
at Your Table campaign. We’ll
let you know soon the amount
given by UUCSAz.
UUSC’s Ebola relief fund
goal was met. Over $100,000
was raised. The money will go
to two groups in rural areas
i Liberia
Lib i and
d in
i Sierra
S
in
Leone - places where help
is particularly needed. Also met was the goal to
provide container gardens for 100 urban families
in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The money will provide
training, a model garden, and supplies.
Justice Sunday is coming up in March. The
focus will be on how climate change threatens the
human right to water. One of the projects will be
a partnership with the Friends Service Committee
and the Franciscan Network to send young adults
to Washington, DC, on March 14-17 for advocacy
training relating to climate change.
Thank you for all you do.
District Assembly 2015
Sharon Beard, Denominational Affairs
Save the dates of April 24-25, 2015 for the
annual District Assembly, to be held this year at
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation in
Chandler, AZ.
Our theme is “The Vitality of Interdependence,”
and we have an exciting keynote speaker. The
Rev. Scott Tayler, Director of Congregational
Life, will bring a vision of the future of Unitarian
Universalism. Scott will share his perspective on
the importance of our interdependence as we move
forward in sharing our Unitarian Universalist faith.
Please have information for the Newsletter
submitted by Noon on the 15th of each month
to the Editor, Charlie Mannino at
uunewsletter@cox.net
Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org
January 2015
New Members
Take the time to say hello and welcome our
newest church member.
Beverly Friend was born in
Maine and is a proud “Mainiac.” She
continues to summer in Maine in
her cabin on Lake Maranacook, and
lives in Surprise the rest of the year.
She moved to Arizona because she
loves sunshine and she also loves
NBA basketball. She is a proud
basketball addict! Beve (a nickname she likes, the
second e is silent) lives a quiet, peaceful life after
being an Addiction and Mental Health Counselor
for decades. Beverly’s son, daughter-in-law and
1-year old grandson live in Nova Scotia. They like
to spend May and September together in both the
US and Canada. Beve’s hobbies include studying
the mind-body connection, reading, gardening and
kayaking. She has both a Catholic and Lutheran
background. A couple of years ago she read a dense
history of Unitarian Universalism and thought it
might be good fit. She came for a visit and decided
to join. Welcome, Beverly!
New Members Orientation
Debra Peevey
The Membership Committee and Rev. Terry
Sims are hosting a New Member Orientation on
Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00 pm. This will be an
interactive hour of questions and answers about
the Principles of Unitarian Universalism, Right
Relations and how our church works! If you have a
specific question, please send it to Debra Peevey at
dlpeevey@gmail.com so we can be sure to include
it. This hour- long session will immediately precede
the UU History Class that Rev. Sims will be teaching
at 7:00 pm. There will be a sign up sheet in the social
hour so we know how many refreshments to bring.
Have you named our church in
your will?
A simple codicil added to an existing will
can provide for continuance of our
liberal church ideals.
Ring, Happy Bells!
Liz & Debby, Co-Music Directors
Happy New Year! The Music Department is busy
planning the heart of our season, January through
May. We have many exciting things coming.
For those whose
resolutions include
“try something new,”
we encourage singing
with the choir. We
rehearse at 9 a.m.
the Sundays we sing
(usually three times
a month); there is an additional rehearsal one
Thursday a month. Contact Debby at bullinstax@
cox.net, 623-975-4183, or Liz at lizmerch48@gmail.
com, 623-584-0783 with any questions you might
have and a schedule of rehearsals and singing times.
Speaking of NEW, we have commissioned an
anthem to be written by UUA composer Clif Hardin
in honor of our 40th anniversary, debuting at our
celebratory worship April 5. We are grateful for the
Jim Flom Memorial Fund, which is underwriting
this special project. It will be a privilege for the
choir to sing, and the congregation to hear, this new
piece written especially for our congregation and its
anniversary.
Some up-coming special music events to put on
your calendar:
Sunday, January 25, 10-10:30 a.m.
Pre-worship mini-concert presented by pianist/
violinist Connie Jahrmarkt
Saturday, February 28, 7:30 p.m.
“Legends of the Celtic Harp” returns for an
evening of instrumental music, singing and storytelling.
As we begin our 40th year, we look to our
worship book Singing the Living Tradition for our
“marching orders”:
We are the hearts and minds, the hands and feet,
the embodiment of all the best visions of our people.
The new year can be new ground for the seeds of our
dreams. Let us take the step forward together, onto
new ground, planting our dreams well, faithfully, and
in joy. (Kathleen McTigue, Reading #544 SLT)
For info call: Robert Deadman at 623-546-9891
January 2015
Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org

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Generous Giving 2015
Candy Cox & Debra Peevey
Our 2015 Generous Giving Campaign is in full
swing and our early reports are very encouraging! We have received a total of 56
pledges representing $113,600. And - there are 57 regular pledging
units that have yet to turn in their
pledge cards. If those pledges
come in like the first 56, we will
have our best year in quite a while. Please remember to turn in your
pledge card - even if your pledge is
staying the same as last year. Together,
er just imagine
what we might accomplish!
Movie Night At UU
Linda Vitale
Join us on January 19th to watch the movie
CHICAGO. This 2003 musical film was nominated
for thirteen Academy Awards and won six of them,
including Best Picture. The film was critically
lauded. Set in Jazz-era Chicago, the film stars
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard
Gere among many others. The cast received
widespread universal acclaim.
A rousing and energetic adaptation of the
Broadway musical, CHICAGO, provides a surprising
level of depth and humor. The movie explores
the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption.
It centers on Velma and Roxie, two murderesses
who find themselves in jail together, awaiting trial.
Velma, a vaudevillian, and Roxie, a housewife, fight
for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.
Come and be entertained with memorable songs
and great choreography. The movie will start at 7
pm. Run time is 113 minutes. You’ll want to bring
some popcorn for this fun movie!
Adult Education:
Great Decisions 2015
Foreign Policy Discussion Series
Bonnie Saunders
Once again this year, Bonnie Saunders will
facilitate the Great Decisions Foreign Policy
Discussion Series at the church on eight Mondays,
beginning at 7:00 p.m. on February 2nd. The
briefing book, published each year by the Foreign
Policy Association in New York City, will be
available for $16 from Bonnie Saunders in January.
If you want to understand the background of various
international issues and the pros and cons of various
solutions to foreign problems, join this group. If
you want to participate in a lively discussion on the
eight hottest topics in foreign policy this year, join
this group. Foreign policy experts wrote the eight
articles, which serve as a focus for the discussion
and are often controversial. Mark your calendar. See
Bonnie in church or contact her for further details.
Topics and dates :
1. Russia and the Near Abroad – February 2nd
2. Privacy in the Digital Age – February 9th
3. Sectarianism in the Middle East – February 16th
4. India Changes Course – February 23rd
5. U.S. Policy toward Africa – March 2nd
6. Syria’s Refugee Crisis – March 9th
7. Human Trafficking – March 16th
8. Brazil in Metamorphosis – March 23rd
Name Tags
Janet Kafel
Magnetic name tags are now available for
purchase through Janet Kafel. They are $5.25 each.
To order yours, see Janet on Sundays at the table
by the front door of the Social Hall when she is at
church or, contact her at janetkafel@yahoo.com or
530-340-3230.
When you see a name badge with a green dot, it
signifies a new member. Take time to say hello, and
welcome them to our congregation.
We have a new Facebook page for the Church.
Please take a moment to check it out, say hello, like
and share as you wish. The best publicity is through
our own members.
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Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org
January 2015
The Monthly Book Report
MaryAnne Balzer
Hello Surprise UUs! Welcome to our first
monthly column featuring information from
your library room. Each month we plan to bring
you information on how to use the ibrary as well
as highlights from a few books currently on the
shelves. We hope this first column will increase your
interest in browsing the Library and in checking out
some of the great titles.
Let’s start at the beginning: How are books
arranged in the UU Library? Our library, like many
other collections, continues to use the Dewey
Decimal System to organize books. Many of us grew
up in schools and visited public libraries using this
system. First published in 1876, the Dewey system
still works well with its latest revision in 2011.
Useful to know: The Dewey system uses a three
numeral code to describe a book’s approximate
location based on subject, followed below by the first
three letters of the authors last name.
In addition to a Dewey number, our library
also helps you locate book subjects by having the
subject headings posted on the shelves. Also, we
maintain a Subject Catalogue in the library that you
may browse. It is housed in a drawer, alphabetized
by subject. The drawer is located next to the inside
door above the book return table. Look forward to
more on how the library operates and our catalogue
system in future columns.
Now, let’s look at a few of the current books in
the Library collection:
“Simply Pray, A Modern Spiritual Practice to Deepen
Your Life,” by Erik Walker Wikstrom, located on the
shelf at number: 204.3 Wik. The author is listed as
pastor of the First UU Church in Yarmouth Maine,
and he is a 30-year student of Zen Buddhism.
Paraphrasing book comments, the author helps
readers understand the forms of prayer shared by
all major religions and offers a practical new form
of prayer, along with practical suggestions for
composing prayers. The book is a fresh approach to
the age-old question—“why pray?”.
“Here If You Need Me, A True Story,” by Kate
Braestrup, located on the shelf at number: 92 Bra.
Reviewed as captivating, endearing, gripping, a wry
intelligent memoir. It is a journey from grief to faith
to happiness as the author holds her family together
following her husband’s death. She writes of how she
found God through helping others by becoming a
January 2015
chaplain to search and rescue workers. She ponders
the question why bad things happen to good people.
Moreover, she does it with grace and humor.
“One God, Shared Hope--Twenty Threads Shared by
Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” by Maggie Oman
Shannon, located on the shelf at number: 291.82
Oma. The book strikes a positive position regarding
shared links of philosophy found in the books each
faith reveres. The author quotes the Dalai Lama “…
it is essential that we extend our understanding of
each other’s spiritual practices and prayers…to do so
increases our opportunities for mutual respect”. This
is a beautiful and easy to read book of quotes on
topics mutual to all faiths.
Thanks for your reading patronage! Our library
is a functioning part of Church life because of you,
the readers. Any comments, questions, or just want
to talk books, contact your Librarians: Marylu
Rideout or MaryAnne Balzer.
Have a blessed day shared with a good book!
Grandmother Clock
A Grandmother clock is
still available and displayed in
the Social Hall and for sale to
benefit the Church.
A Colonial Clock
Company, Westminster chime,
with moving moon dial!
Delivered and guaranteed
for a year for the astonishing
price of only $250. Beautiful
sound! See Ken Saunders for
more info.
Pizza Potluck for mystery
elf reveal & Lego movie
Saturday Jan 24 5-8pm
All are welcome (even if you didn’t participate
in mystery elf). We will be serving pizza (for a
small donation) and there will be a sign up for
side dishes in January. Please be sure to sign up
so we have enough pizza for everyone.
After our social time we will show the “Lego movie.”
Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org
5
Annual UU Auction
Cheryl Garrett
Remember all that Pardi, Hardi, Mardi
fun time we had last year?
Well, it’s that lucky time of the year
again! We are gearing up for “Bringing in the Green”
at our annual UU Auction on Saturday, March 7 with
a St. Paddy’s Day theme.
The evening will begin at 4:00 PM with live Irish
music, interactive booths and a silent auction. It will
be followed by a catered Irish dinner (sign up and pay
in the social hall) and at 6:00 we will begin
with our spirited live auction led by that
wild auctioneer from last year.
How can you help?
First, donate a quality item/items for
the silent auction and bring those to
the church by noon on Friday, February 28.
Second, create an event to be “sold” at the live auction.
Paperwork for the processes for both of these auctions
are on the green paper sheets at the social hall table. If
you need help with the processes or just ideas, please
see Cheryl Garrett, Liz Swan or Candy Cox.
Third, BRING YOUR POT O’ GOLD!
Children are welcome. They will be provided a
free kid friendly meal and there will be sitters for them
during the live auction. Our interactive booths are
designed for both young and old participation.
Come and help us “Dublin’ R Pot O’Gold”!!!
Identity Theft Protection
Linda Vitale
ONE LAST CHANCE to attend my ID Theft
class. Because many of you missed attending my
class in December, I’ve had several requests to offer
it again this month. So, mark your calendar for
January 24th, if you missed my class last month. I
promise to teach you really important things that
you don’t know to help keep you safe out there!
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY 2 SECONDS
SOMEONE’S IDENTITY IS STOLEN? It is referred
to as “The Crime of the Century”. Linda Vitale is
here to help you fight back!
Attend her ID Theft, Fraud/Scam prevention
class on Saturday, January 24th from 1-3 pm. You’ll
learn how to outsmart the criminals before they
strike! You’ll be given the tools you need to learn
how to spot and avoid fraud. You’ll learn ways
to deter and detect Identity Theft. Learn about
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Electronic Pickpocketing via new contactless credit
cards. Awareness is your best weapon against these
crimes! What you learn will make you and loved
ones smarter and better protected. You will get
prevention tips, booklets and lots of resources to
take home. This is a topic that I’m very passionate
about! The class is free of charge to everyone. My
goal is to reach as many ‘ears’ as possible, so bring
your friends and neighbors too! You won’t want to
miss this VERY important class! To register, please
see the sign-up sheet in the social hall, call 623-2931953 or email me at littlelinda@cox.net
Landscaping
Virginia Taylor
Every Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 AM we meet to
work on various projects on the church campus. Hope you can join us for the fun and a great
workout! Just show up; bring your gloves for sure.
We have all the tools needed. Questions?? Call
Virginia Taylor @ 623 556 4739. Thank you!
Religious Education Report
Lisa Lawrence, DRE
Another eventful year has passed and RE
continues to grow and adapt with the addition of
increased classes and programming. Once again,
this year we held summer classes with a “Share
Your Passion” program where members of the
congregation shared their skills
and talents with the children;
then, in August, our very first
“Our Whole Lives” sexuality
education program for 4th6th graders was held; and in
November our very first parenting
workshop “Family Harmony,
Efficiency and Cooperation: The Art of Shaping
Family Life” was offered. The year will finish with
a flourish with our annual inter generational
Christmas Pageant.
Next year we plan to hold our second “Our
Whole Lives” program for K-1st graders focus on
community and stewardship with local service and
fundraising projects and learn about world-wide
conservation efforts. Mark your calendars for several
upcoming social events: movie nights, bowling
adventures, and picnics. I look forward to spending
time with all of you in the New Year.
Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org
January 2015
Social Activities
UU Committee Council Fair
Mary Anne Poggenburg
Bonnie Saunders, UU CC Chair
• Many of you attended the Thanksgiving potluck,
originally initiated and coordinated by Ken
and Bonnie Saunders and then set up by Board
Members. Thanks go out to all who helped out
with this event.
• The Annual Dinner was well received. Boston
Market came through again with a delicious
main course. Please note that we’ll do something
different for dessert next year! Thanks go out to
the “Bar Crew” - Liz and Virginia; the “Kitchen
Crew” - Mary Ellen, Nancy, and ??; the “Clean Up
Crew” - Amanda, Nancy, George & Jeff; and the
“Money Crew” - Pat
• Berta Czeczyk will organize the Christmas Potluck.
Social Hour will be at 2:00 p.m., followed by
shared potluck at 3:00 p.m. Advance signup is
required. Give her a call if you can help out with
setting up/tearing down the Potluck.
• Coffee volunteers are very much needed to sign
up in the orange Coffee Hour book! We anticipate
having coffee & treats only once or twice a month
unless we get more volunteers. Mary Anne
Poggenburg will be scheduling a “trainee Sunday”
in January 4th and February 1st.
• Watch for an announcement in the bulletin for a
Social Activities Meeting in January.
The Committee Council consists of Committee
Chairs and Leaders of such program activities
of the Church as designated by the Board. It has
responsibility for helping to establish and for
coordinating the programs of the Church. At
present, we have more than 20 active Committees:
Aesthetics, Auction, Denominational Affairs,
Finance, Generous Giving, Housing and Property,
Landscaping, Lay Pastoral Care, Library,
Membership, Memorial Garden, Memorial Services,
Newsletter, Nominating, Religious Education for
Adults, Religious Education for Children, Right
Relations, Social Activities, Social Justice, Sunday
Services, Technology, UU Service Committee, UU
United Nations Office. At present, we have need for
Chairs of several committees; all committees could
use some members.
To that end, we will have a Committee Council
Fair immediately after church on Sunday, January
25th. Many/most of the CC Chairs will be available
to talk about what they do and how members of the
congregation can contribute, either as a Committee
Member or even as a Committee Chair. Before that
day, members will receive a handout in an e-mail
blast that explains what these committees do.
“New to UU” Class
Last January, Rev. Terry facilitated an
exploration of theological themes that developed
historically and continue to be vitally relevant to
UU’s today. If you are interested in learning more
about Unitarian Universalism, but did not have a
chance to attend last year or want to refresh your
memory, please join us on Tuesday evenings,
January 13, 20, and 27. The first class on January
13 will begin at 7:00 and run until approximately
8:30, because Debra Peevey and Terry will conduct
a general orientation to our congregation for new
members from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.
The “New to UU” classes on Jan. 20 and 27 will
start and end one half-hour earlier, from 6:30 until
about 8:00 p.m.
Worship Service on February 8th
Rev. Terry will be attending an “Excellence
in Ministry” institute in California with about
400 other UU ministers from February 1 through
February 7. He is sure he will be newly inspired
when he comes back, but won’t have enough time
to prepare a sermon for February 8. So his sermon
will consist of answering at least some of the
questions you’ve had . . . and that Rev. Terry has
always been afraid you’d ask! Please be thinking
about questions you would like our minister to
address. You may submit your questions to Terry
or to Kathryn in the church office.

January 2015
Unitarian Universalist Association www.uua.org
7
17540 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378-2581
Phone: 623.875.2550 Fax: 623.875.2552
www.uusurprise.org Email: uucsaz@aol.com
First Class Mail
Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church
And 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 am
Sermon Titles For January 2015
1/4 - Rev. Terry Sims .................................................................................................................................Next Year, or New Year?
We begin this next year by remembering the past. But learning from our past is a very different thing than
continuing to live in it. It is the prospect of something new that holds the most hope for the future.
We will induct our new Board of Trustees this Sunday during the service. After the service, we will
observe the Eastern Orthodox Parastas tradition of remembering family members and others close to us who
are no longer with us. For the latter, please bring your photographs, keepsakes, or other items that help you
remember those you have lost.
1/11 - Rev. Terry Sims ..........................................................................................How Good Do We Want to Be?
Too often, we do not act in accordance with our principles. That is true for us as individuals, as a nation, even
as a religious body because living according to our principles comes at a cost. Are we willing to pay the cost
to be good?
1/18 - Rev. Terry Sims .................................................................................................. Resistance Is Never Futile
That is the message that rings most clearly for me this year as we prepare to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. We cannot ignore the events of our time but I find hope, even within the hard truths we must face
about the persistence of systemic injustice.
1/25 - Amy St. Peter ..............................................................................................................................For-giving
Insights and ponderings about what we give and get when we forgive and forget.
If you are not a member but would like to receive church announcements by email,
please send your email address and full name to uucsaz@aol.com.