Newsletter - Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The View
January 2015
Sunday Services
All services are held at 10 am unless otherwise noted.
Sunday service topics may change without notice at the
discretion of the speaker or because of other circumstances. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.
January 4: Spiritual Practice as
Justice Work
Over the past year our guest speaker has been
thinking about how Unitarian Universalists
approach justice work. We can get ‘burnedout’ on the many issues that come up, feeling
they are too big and too many to address. Her
sermon explores how to create a practice that
nourishes our spirit so that we can make our
justice work part of our spiritual practiceand perhaps explore what a spiritual practice
means for a Universalist Unitarian.
January 11: A Clear View: How Do
You Dialog About Different Religious Beliefs?
As Unitarian-Universalists, how do we comport ourselves in relationships and dialog
with family and friends when we run up
against religious beliefs that are vastly different than our own views? How do YOU proceed with family, friends and coworkers who
believe differently than you do? With intolerance, impatience, a closed or open mind, acceptance?
In this service you'll see a reader's theater
play about a situation that happened several
years ago. This thought-provoking play,
which offers touches of humor, is entitled "A
Clear View" and was written by the Unitarian Universalist minister, Reverend Amanda
Aikman. Ultimately this play responds to
Rodney King's question, "Can't we all just
get along?"
Granite Peak
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
882 Sunset Avenue
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 541-0000
Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation members offer this service:
January 18: A Martin Luther King, Jr.
Service: A Call for Holy Boldness in
Today’s Justice Work
Today, Unitarian Universalism demands of
us a holy boldness if we are to promote justice in this nation and in the world. We cannot hold the values we proclaim, inherited
from the Jews, and remain silent while innocent black and Latino men are killed by police brutality in our country, while human
slavery, misery, and degradation continue at
the present pace in our country. Our country’s social inequality demands “a holy boldness,” – not a quiescent compliance. As the
lyrics from “Ella’s Song” lifts up “We who
believe in freedom cannot rest…We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes…”
demands of Unitarian Universalists that we
not rest but work with a passionate holy
boldness that would rouse praise even from
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Inside this issue:
Sunday Services
1
Sunday Afternoon
Services
2
Seeds of Support
2
Service
Cancellation Policy
3
Mary Ann’s
Musings
3
Membership
Classes
3
Threads from Rev.
Jackie’s Web
4
Religious Education 5
Program
The Wi$dom Path
6
Social Justice &
Lovejoy Dinner
6
Prison Action
Group
6
Book Club
7
Music Notes
7
Drum Circle
8
January 25: A Practice to Hold Onto
Membership Corner 8
Do you have a spiritual practice – something
you do that connects you to the miracle of
“being here at all?” What are the benefits of
having such a practice – for us and for our
larger world? Our guest speaker, Rev. Joanne
Giannino, invites us: “Come, let’s imagine
together.”
UUJAZ
8
“Vows of Love”
9
Rev. Joanne Giannino is a Unitarian Universalist minister currently serving as Interim
Minister at Beacon Unitarian Universalist
Congregation in Flagstaff.
.
“The Cosmic Walk” 9
Hill Towns of Italy
9
Our Principles
10
Memorial Tree
Update
10
Congregational
Dinner
10
Newsletter
Deadlines
10
The View
January, 2015, Page 2
Sunday Afternoon Services
The Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation has
developed a pilot project for a Sunday Afternoon Service.
We have entitled this the
“Service of Spiritual Practice”
The services will be held on January 11, January 18 and
January 25. They will start at 4:00 pm in our sanctuary at
882 Sunset Ave. in Prescott.
Services will be experiential and will provide opportunities to explore spiritual practice together with others.
The three services will be based on the Granite Peak
monthly theme for January which is Justice.
Our first Sunday Afternoon Service will focus on our
Unitarian Universalist spiritual practice of
Standing on the Side of Love.
All are welcome to join us!
Seeds of Support
The January Seeds of Support collection will go to WEB
(Women’s Empowerment Breakthrough). Since 2003,
WEB has been dedicated to organizing and hosting programs that provide young women the opportunity to participate in educational and experiential activities that address social justice issues particular to women. These programs provide innovative and supportive environments
where teenage girls can explore, define and achieve their
goals.
WEB was conceptualized in 2002 after a review of local
statistics revealing that adolescent girls are facing challenges such as negative body-image, eating disorders,
teenage pregnancy, sexual violence, and low self-esteem.
WEB’s creation was based on the firm belief that in order
for teens to articulate their boundaries and make healthy
life choices, they must be supported, feel connected, and
develop a strong sense of selfworth and commitment to their
broader community.
In the fall of 2003, WEB
launched its first 3-day retreat as
the result of Prescott College
graduate, Courtney
Osterfelt’s Senior Project. In its
second year, The WEB Conference doubled in size serving
over 70 girls from eight different high schools. Each year
WEB grows stronger as more passionate and dedicated
volunteers, community allies, and teen leaders join in the
effort. The Conference takes place every September at
Mingus Springs Camp on Mingus Mountain.
This Seeds of Support collection will be taken the first
Sunday of January - in the form of cash or checks, made
payable to Granite Peak with “WEB” in the memo line.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Granite Peak’s Service and Other Events
Cancellation Policy
Please note that Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s services or other sponsored events may be
cancelled during snow or other weather emergencies
(when weather is bad enough that the authorities don’t
want people out and about). If there is such a city/countywide emergency, and the minister and the Board of Trustees’ President deem it appropriate to cancel a service or
event, if possible, the cancellation(s) will be sent out
through an emergency GPUUC E-nnouncement, put on its
website, and a message will be on the GPUUC’s office
phone answering system.
The Board encourages people to use discretion and not
attend any service or event if they feel the weather conditions are not suitable for driving, regardless of whether a
service or a GPUUC event had been officially cancelled.
~ The Board of Trustees
The View
Mary Ann’s Musings
President, GPUUC
I found this from Alfred Lord Tennyson: “Hope smiles from the
threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier.”
We all stand on the threshold of a new year with the opportunity to become happier with ourselves. our church
community, and the larger world. Today we can commit
ourselves again to transform our relationships, safeguard
our planet, and model our UU values for our children, our
families and our friends. We can’t do it alone so we come
together in this beloved community to work together to
become the changes we want to see in the world.
May happiness stalk you, find you, and fill your life this
New Year.
Our Covenant: Love is the doctrine of
this congregation, the quest for truth
its sacrament and service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace, to seek
knowledge in freedom, to serve others
in community, thus do we covenant
Pathway to Membership
Course Being Offered
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is the last time that this
Course will be offered in time for
you to officially be able to participate in the vote to
call a new minister!
If you or someone you have talked with is interested in
becoming a member of Granite Peak, we are offering the
Pathway to Membership course. The course is a requirement to become a member. It involves two classes.
The first class is Saturday, January 31, 9:00 am to 4:00
pm at Granite Peak. It covers our American Unitarian and
January, 2015, Page 3
Universalist historical roots and the ethics and morals that
we covenant to affirm and promote.
The second class is Thursday, February 5, 6:30 to 9 pm at
Granite Peak. It covers Granite Peak’s history, its governance processes, by-laws and policies, membership expectations and it will share the many opportunities which exist
to become involved in the life of congregation.
However, whether or not you need to take both classes
depends upon your history with Unitarian Universalism. If
you are new to Unitarian Universalism (UU) you will need
to take both classes. If you are a Unitarian Universalist
from another UU congregation then you only need to take
the Thursday evening class, though you are welcome to
participate in the Saturday class too. That class is a very
rich introduction to our American roots and people who
have taken the Saturday course loved it!
If you’re already a Granite Peak member or someone who
is just interested in knowing about Unitarian and Universalism, but not interested yet in becoming a Granite Peak
member, you can register for one or both classes.
For those taking the course to become a member, a New
Member Ceremony will take place during the Sunday,
February 8 service.
Pre-registration is necessary and the deadline to register is
Monday, January 26. You can register at the Welcome
Table in Davis Hall or email the office. Again, both classes are free and will be held at Granite Peak.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Again, if you want to be able to
participate in the special Congregational meeting and vote
to call a new minister in April, 2015, Granite Peak’s
Bylaws say, “The right to vote at Congregational meetings
shall be restricted to those persons who have been members for at least sixty (60) days.” So this is the time to take
this Course as it will not be offered later in enough time to
meet this requirement.
“Any improving person becomes tolerant of those who
hold different or even opposing views; for he finds that
today he doesn’t exactly agree with his yesterday’s self.
Holding no grudge against his earlier unenlightened self,
how can he logically think ill of another for not agreeing
with his present view.
The View
Threads from
Rev. Jackie’s Web
Rev. Jacqueline Ziegler,
Interim Minister’s Column
Greetings Good People,
Part I
I hope your holiday season was wonderful in that you
had opportunities to enjoy the company of family and
friends and time to relax and reflect. I look forward to
seeing all of you and hearing some holiday stories.
I have to say that I am excited about all of the wonderful services, programs, and activities Granite Peak has
planned for the new year.
Part II
I realize I haven’t seen certain people at Granite Peak
for some time now. I wonder why they haven’t graced
their beloved community with their presence. So, I offer
this message from one of my Unitarian Universalist
colleagues, The Rev. Patrick O'Neill. It’s his "Annual
Letter to a Missing Member." He writes:
“As you probably know by now, it is not my practice as
a minister to chase after anyone who happens to be absent from church for a while. Unless I hear directly that
there's a problem or an illness, I assume that friends
will always return to church when circumstances are
right. Weekly attendance at a UU church is by no
means mandatory.
Of course, we hope folks will come to church as a practice, a regular part of their weekly routine. But we also
know there are times when that won't happen. So when
an old friend does reappear after an absence, I don't
ask where you've been. I just say "Great to see you!"
To be perfectly honest, in a church as large as ours,
with as many people as I greet each Sunday, I can't always notice who is absent on a given week. But you
may be sure that your absence is felt in our midst. This
is, after all, a different place without you.
As I've said before, I view church membership and participation as a cyclical thing. There will be times when
the church is more or less a part of our lives. But the
January, 2015, Page 4
connections do remain. The "interdependent web" that is
the church continues to attract new friends and attendees
each week. Oh, your place remains reserved until you tell
us otherwise, you may be sure. But this fact is true also:
the church is shaped and directed by those who lend it
their presence. There is no status quo in a living community.
If lately, for whatever reasons, you’ve been away from
church, I want you to know you still have a cherished
place among us. We’ve been growing and changing a bit
since you were here last, as has no doubt been true for
you too. It would be great to see you back among us
again, and for you to meet some of the new friends who
now make this church their own. We’ll keep a light in the
window.”
I could not have said this any better. I hope we’ll see you
soon.
Part III
The past 18 months have been busy ones for me and for
Granite Peak’s leaders. Together we’ve accomplished a
number of important tasks to help pave the way for your
next called minister to be able to focus his/her energy during the first year on building a relationship with the Congregation. Here are some, not all, of the tasks that have
been achieved:
Offered a series of very successful “Heart to Heart
Gatherings”
Bylaws were updated
Staff meetings were instituted
Job descriptions for staff members were updated
Goals and objectives were set for the 2014-2015 year
A Personnel Committee has been set up and
has created a covenant and a number of policies and procedures, with more still be created
A Lifespan Faith Development Committee has been
created to support and guide the work of the Director of
Lifespan Faith Development.
Beyond working with Granite Peak’s leaders on important
interim tasks, I’ve offered workshops and meetings to
Granite Peak’s leaders that provided them with opportunities to explore, define and/or clarify their roles as well as
Granite Peak’s mission and vision. The workshop “The
Almost Church Revitalized” is one that I feel was very
The View
useful –- and I believe the Board of Trustees and other
leaders who participated in it would agree.
As you may realize now, I am becoming a “short timer”
in that my time as your interim minister is going to come
to an end in the not too distant future. However, I’ll still
be working on interim tasks to help with the transition to
a new minister. For example, I’ll be offering a reflection
on the nature of professional ministry as well as a reflection on congregational polity. So for my remaining time
with you, know that I’ll still be actively involved in helping Granite Peak prepare for its next called minister.
If you’d like to have a greater sense of what I’ve done
over the last 18 months, you can look at my monthly
report to the Board of Trustees (and thus the members of
the Congregation) called “Rev. Ziegler’s Monthly Activity Report.” You can find them on Granite Peak’s website. I do these reports so people have a better idea of the
many roles and responsibilities that are involved in being
a professional minister. However, I want to say right
now that your new minister may not want to create such
a document; indeed few ministers do. Again, I create
them to let congregants know that professional ministry
involves A LOT more than creating and delivering a sermon!
Good people, I look forward to seeing you at Sunday
services and around town.
In the spirit of love, Rev. Jackie
Director of Lifespan
Development Corner
Barbara
This will be my last DLFD Corner
until we begin the next congregational year with our new minister in
July 2015. As I will begin student
teaching in January my hours will be cut back and many
responsibilities will be covered by the Lifespan Faith Development Committee.
All of these years of working on my elementary education
degree were never so I could leave Granite Peak and teach
in a classroom, but done to lift up my job as a religious
educator. I feel so fortunate to have been able to do work
that I love for so long. Being Director of Lifespan Faith
Development has given me the opportunity to teach and
January, 2015, Page 5
nurture our children, youth and adults in their personal
and our shared Unitarian Universalist values. This is
meaningful work.
Peace and Love.
Children’s RE
Sunday morning
R.E. classes
The topic for themed ministry in
January is Justice. I am looking forward to exploring
with the kids all the ways we can create justice in our
lives and the larger world.
Youth Group
Our youth group will continue to be greeters the
second Sunday of each month before their regularly
scheduled meeting.
Guest at Your Table –The youth will be leading the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Guest at
Your Table program through the month of January. You
will be given the stories of those that will be helped by
this month long collection the first Sunday of January. I
hope you all will contribute change (or bills) to your envelope every time you sit down to a meal and support the
“guest at your table”.
Environmental Problem Solving - The youth group will
be doing an intensive training about Environmental Problem Solving over the next few months. With help from a
grant from the EPA, through Prescott College, this training will help our youth do a presentation at this year’s
Adult Faith Development
Barbara
9 am forum: Join us on Sunday Jan. 4
for a 9 am forum surrounding our
monthly theme of “Justice”. More details to come in the Weekly View.
Hold the dates: February 7 and 28, 2015 (9 to noon) for
a two part communication workshop . Conversational
Covenants: The Conscious and Unconscious
“Agreements” that Guide our Everyday Talk. Watch for
details.
The View
The Wi$dom Path: Money, Spirit, and Life
The Wi$dom Path: Money, Spirituality
and Life” is an Adult Program to be offered on 3 consecutive Saturdays in
January (17, 24 and 31) from 9:30–4:00 pm. The purpose of the program is to create a path for individual UUs
to gain a deeper understanding of their past, current, and
potential behaviors in relating to and using money within
the context of their UU values; and the impact that has on
the way they conduct their lives. This leads to an understanding of how money can become a more effective
force towards creating lives of meaning and value for
each of us, and toward creating positive change in our
congregation and in our society.
January, 2015, Page 6
the Daily Courier. Throughout all these activities he has
exemplified UU values and principles. We look forward to
celebrating Ron and his work at our April 18 dinner.
Social Justice Reflective Service
Everyone is invited to attend the Wednesday, January 7
Social Justice Reflective Service. We start at 7:00 am in
the sanctuary. Our congregational theme for January is
Justice, so this is a great opportunity for new folks to join
this service. We gather for a moment of quiet contemplation and sharing among folks who want to deepen and
strengthen their commitment to Justice in our community
and our world. Along with short readings and periods of
silent meditation, we can share stories, insights and observations. Come prepared to listen and be heard and to gather energy for the work of creating Justice.
It is designed to be relevant to all adult congregants-embracing the wide range of economic circumstances
typically found in UU congregations. Workshop leader
Dan worked closely with the UUA staff in the development of this program. He will be assisted by Donna , Jo
and Mike , all of whom were in the first sessions of this
program last year. Register with Barbara early--space is
limited and we could not accommodate all who wished to
participate last year. Join Dan as he leads the following
series of workshops: Saturdays 1/17, 1/24 and 1/31 from
9-4 pm. Space is limited, so please register at the Activities Table or contact the office.
Social Justice
Ministry
Paul
Social Justice Coordinator
2015 Albert Lovejoy
Honoree
The Social Justice Ministry Council is pleased to announce that The Albert Lovejoy honoree for 2015 is Ron
Barnes.
Ron will be honored for of his long-standing involvement
with Social Justice issues that extend back at least 50
years. We especially noted his recent involvement in the
Prescott area. This is exemplified by his development of
the Prescott Area Leadership program and the Hungry
Kids program. Additionally, he is a regular columnist for
Prison Action Group
December brought the close of our first full year of Sunday
Services at the Yavapai County Juvenile Detention Center.
Eight Granite Peak members and one PUFF member
brought 6 services to the kids who found themselves there
for various offenses. In these services we sing, talk about
Unitarian Universalism and the seven principles and have a
short question and answer time at the end. The questions
they asked were heartfelt and moving.
For all of us it was a powerful experience to be able to provide this service for these kids and believe we are making a
difference by introducing them to our faith that does not
judge them and encourages them to ask questions.
The View
January, 2015, Page 7
Our next service is scheduled for February 15, 2015. We
invite other members of Granite Peak and PUFF who
have the desire to make a difference in these kids’ lives to
be involved in these special services.
The next Prison Action Group meeting will be on January
11, 15 minutes after the service. In this meeting we will
be planning our own community coach program and be
setting a date for the full day free community coach training that the Yavapai Reentry Project is providing for
Granite Peak members. This is in preparation for the
members of the Prison Action Group to begin offering a
Unitarian Universalist faith-based community of support
for someone reentering Yavapai County after being incarcerated in the Arizona Department of Corrections prison
system. If you are interested in participating in this program we invite you to join us at this meeting or for more
information contact Hanne .
Radical Tapioca
Fruit Soup
Literary Guild
Norma
Everyone who loves reading is welcome to join us for
brunch and book discussion on the second Saturday of
each month from 10 am-12 noon. Our location and hostess rotates each month, and the following list indicates
known locations at this time. The hostess of the month
will send out email reminders and directions to her home
as the date approaches. For those months in which no
host/hostess has been assigned, pleases watch for updates
in the Weekly View or call Norma West (928-710-7618 ).
January 10, 2015: Doc, Mary Russell, hosted by Norma .
February 14: On Gold Mountain, Lisa See, hosted by
Udelle .
March 14: The Almond Picker, Simonetta Agnello
Hornby, hosted by MaryAnn & Elayne.
April 11: Canada, Richard Ford.
Music Notes
Joan
To all our fellow congregational and community friends:
We, the Gloria Choir, would like to extend our abundant
thanks for your continued support, and encouragement for
what, after many month's of hard work, we created on
Saturday afternoon. Vivaldi's "Gloria" was our Christmas
gift to you as well as to ourselves, and your gift to us was
your obvious pride, and sincere appreciation of our collective accomplishment.
The Vivaldi "Gloria" was a success far exceeding the
dreams and expectations of our choir. Two hundred and
sixty-six people attended the concert. Including the instrumentalists, soloists, and choir, three hundred people
squeezed into the sanctuary. Wow! The free will offering yielded enough money to reimburse the musicians and
soloists with several hundred dollars extra for incidental
expenses. Thank you to everyone who helped make this
concert such a milestone in Granite Peak's music program.
The entire choir would like to thank Chris again for his
dedication to this project. He extended rehearsals by thirty minutes this fall, made CDs of the music and its individual parts, continually reassured the doubters that it
could be done, and was always patient in rehearsing the
tricky sections over and over until everyone was comfortable with his/her part. Thanks again, Chris.
In January, the choir will sing on the 4th and 18th.
The View
Second Monday
Drum Circle
Hanne
Our drum circle is an open drum
circle meaning we do not direct the
drumming. Each person drums the rhythm that comes
from inside and no experience is necessary. Those who
come to our drum circle say that “Drumming excites
their spirits and opens their hearts”. We invite you to
come drum with us on January 12 at 6:00 pm and share
in this joyous experience. We will be drumming in the
Granite Peak sanctuary. All are welcome and extra
drums are always available. See you there.
“The spirit of the drum echoes the unity and heartbeat of
Mother Earth, and the spiritual world. The call of the
drum signifies a gathering of people, a prayer for peace
and healing.”
Membership Corner
By Karen Hagberg
Membership News
Welcoming visitors and encouraging
membership is part of your membership responsibility.
We thank you for actively making visitors feel comfortable on Sundays, and encourage you to help us more directly by volunteering in the membership committee, or at the
welcome table and at the Visitors’ café. Our next membership meeting will be on Monday, January 12 at 10 am.
Join us!
Welcome New Members
In late November Granite Peak welcomed seven new
members; David , Karen , Nancy & Frank , Catherine ,
Stephen and Eva . They are already actively involved in
our congregation and we are glad they are here! Their
contact info is listed in this newsletter.
New Member Classes
Are you or someone you know interested in joining our
congregation? Membership has several steps which include attendance at two membership classes. Our next
scheduled classes are Saturday, January 31, with a follow
up meeting Thursday, February 5. Remember to be eligible to vote in the new minister selection you must be a
member 60 days prior to elections. Please stop by the
January, 2015, Page 8
welcome table or visitor’s café to sign up, or contact Rev.
Ziegler. For specific information about this these classes
see the article “Pathway to Membership Course Being
Offered” on page 3.
Visitors’ Café-–Help Wanted
Located in the corner of Davis hall we now have a Visitors’ Café. This table is a place newcomers can learn more
about Granite Peak, our activities, meet members, and
learn more about becoming a member. We need your
help! We are looking for folks to take a turn at the table,
(even just once!). You get your coffee, sit at the table, and
get to know visitors. We will have information pamphlets
for you to share, and we will have someone sit with you
your first time. This is a very important opportunity for us
to welcome visitors and encourage new membership.
New Welcome Table Wanted
We are looking for a tall hall/pub size table to serve as the
welcome table. We feel that it will be easier for visitors to
step up to a taller table when they first arrive. If you have
or know of such a table that we could use. Yes, we will
pick it up
2015 UU Day at the Legislature,
SAVE THE DATE!
February 16 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm join UUJAZ and
UUs from across the state at the 2015 UU Day at the Legislature. Meet and talk with our Legislators and make connections between our Arizona UU Congregations. Contact Bev for more information .
UUJAZ 2015 Day at the Legislature Training
Are you ready to meet our AZ legislators and join with
other UUs on February 16? Attend the UUJAZ DATL
Prep workshop on January 25 at about 11:45 am in the
sanctuary. We’ll provide an overview of the day, explain
techniques to build relationships with your legislator, and
offer possible talking points on important issues facing
our state. Contact Paul with any questions.
The View
Rev. Ziegler Is Offering Again:
“A Recommitment to
Vows of Love” Ceremony
Before the Sunday, February 15 service, promptly at 9:15
am, Rev. Ziegler will offer a simple yet meaningful
“Recommitment to Vows of Love” ceremony. This ceremony is offered to all straight or gay couples who want to reaffirm their marriage
or union vows, whether they’ve been
together for one or sixty years. If you’re
interested in participating, let Rev. Ziegler .
As this ceremony was so well-received last year and so
many couples expressed wishes that she’d offer it again,
Rev. Ziegler decided to do so. It is a ceremony she’s offered at all of the other congregations she’s served.
The Cosmic Walk:
Experience the Evolution of the
Universe Through a Unique Visual and Sound Performance
At 6:30 pm on Friday, February 6 (or 20) in Granite
Peak’s sanctuary, Rev. Ziegler and others from the Congregation will present a profoundly
unique visual and sound experience of
the evolution of the Universe. It is called
“The Cosmic Walk.” It starts with the
Big Bang and takes you through the evolution of Earth today. The Cosmic Walk
places the evolution of the Universe and Earth into a sacred and spiritual dimension for the atheist, humanist,
agnostic or theist. It’s a powerful presentation that people do not forget.
Note that this program is suitable for children who are
able to quietly sit for the duration of the presentation.
The larger Prescott community will also be invited to
this free presentation. We want to let the public know
that Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that believes evolution and religion are fully compatible.
In conjunction with this event, for the Sunday February 8
(or 22) service Rev. Ziegler and others will offer The
Evolution of the Universe as Our Origins Story: Explor-
January, 2015, Page 9
ing Cosmology. The Friday evening performance and the
Sunday service are perfect to bring your science-oriented
friends.
Watch for more information through the announcement
inserts in future Orders of Service and the Weekly View.
Take a Mindful Journey with UUs to the
Hill Towns of Italy
July 26 to August 4, 2015
Offered by: The Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist
Congregation, Toronto, Canada. Deposits needed by February 1, 2015.
Experience the enchanting hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria, view the awesome landscapes, admire the incredible
art, taste the wine, enjoy fresh pasta, and all the delights
this area of Italy offers us. Spend three nights in Florence,
and three each in the hill towns of Siena and Assisi, staying in charming accommodation. We’ll explore Cortona,
made famous by the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun,” see
the Renaissance architecture designed by a humanist Pope
in Pienza, meditate to Gregorian chanting at the 12th century Abby St. Antimo. The hill towns of San Gimignano,
Montalcino, Montefalco, Bevagna, and Spoleto are also on
our itinerary. We’ll learn each town’s story from its art,
food, and inhabitants.
Because we are booking a small monastery guest house
accommodation, we need to make deposits by February 1,
2015. Please see the Itinerary and costs at http://nuuc.ca/
spiritual-growth/spiritual practice/mindful-journeys/ Or
email Beverlz@me.com for more information. She is a
member of Neighbourhood UU Congregation in Toronto,
Canada.
“Any improving person becomes tolerant of those who
hold different or even opposing views; for he finds that
today he doesn’t exactly agree with his yesterday’s self.
Holding no grudge against his earlier unenlightened
self, how can he logically think ill of another for not
agreeing with his present view.
The View
Memorial Tree
Update
Norma
If you’re new to Granite Peak or have been around awhile
and are wondering what the tree sculpture adorning the
wall on your right as you enter the sanctuary is, I will try
to fill you in. It began several years ago when a group of
folks in our congregation decided it would be nice to have
a visible and attractive memorial to all our members who
have died. Surviving family members, friends, and/or acquaintances obtain an application form, fill out the required information on the deceased, and submit it along
with a check for $30 and a short biography of the person.
An inscribed leaf, with the name and birth and death years
of the deceased is made locally, and is applied to the tree.
The person’s biography is added to the Memorial Binder
which will be kept in the Granite Peak office for the present. My plan is to eventually purchase a simple table to
be the permanent home for the book near the Memorial
Tree.
I will be the contact person for obtaining and processing
the applications as well as providing information and answering questions; and Randy Phillips will order the
leaves. Applications will also be available in the Granite
Peak office.
We seem to be current with the leaves we have on the tree
presently, but if you notice that someone is missing please
don’t hesitate to call or email me (Norma .)
January, 2015, Page 10
Our Principles: Unitarian Universalists hold the Principles
as strong values and moral teachings. As Rev. Barbara Wells
ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine,
but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every
person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human
relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth
and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the
democratic process within our congregations and in society at
large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace,
liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all
existence of which we are a part.
Newsletter Deadlines: NOTE TUESDAY 6 am
Please send all articles to:
G.P. Office at granitepeakuu@gmail.com
February Deadline: January 20, 2015
March Deadline: February 24
Congregational
Dinner
Save the Date! Saturday March 7,
2015 will be the Congregational Dinner.
Granite Peak UU Congregation
882 Sunset Avenue
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 541-0000
G.P. Office at granitepeakuu@gmail.com
We’re on the Web!
Find us at:
http://www.prescottuu.org