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Unitarian Universalists from across Southeast Arizona
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We are the Baja 4!
Representing Unitarian Universalists across southeastern Arizona, we love beyond belief and find inspiration from a wide array of spiritual, religious, and secular sources. We come together as a Baja 4 because we know we are stronger together.
Learn more about each congregation!
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Celebrations and Special Days
It's always fun to celebrate and at the same time learn about cultures around the world. Here are a few things happening in October.
Fun and On The Fringe
- Country Music Month (designated Oct. 1970 by Richard Nixon)
- War of the Worlds radio lay causes mass hysteria - Oct. 30 (1938)
Interfaith
- Martin Luther posts 95 theses - Oct. 31 1517
- Samhain (Wiccan) - Oct. 31 - Nov. 1
Unitarian Universalist
- Michael Servetus burned at the stake in Geneva - Oct. 27, 1553
National & Cultural Holidays
- LGBTQ History Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15)
- ADHD Awareness Month
- Toni Morrison becomes the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature - Oct. 8, 1993
- United Nations Day - Oct. 24
- Halloween, All Soul's Eve - Oct. 31
- Dia de los Muertos - Oct.31 - Nov. 2
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Things That Make You Go... | |
Chloe (top) and Joy (above) got to meet Sonora this week at MVUU! | |
Sonora (above) driving home from the adoption agency. Safety first! | |
Baja 4 Mascot
Welcome, Sonora the Javelina!
Sonora uses them/them pronouns and will begin going on BIG adventures soon. Stay tuned for more!
PS. Sonora LOVES to get email! If you have any questions about the Baja 4 LFD Programming or just want to say "hi", reach out!
Baja4Sonora@gmail.com
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Meet the Baja 4 Team
In the coming weeks, we'll introduce you to the team putting together our programs for the Baja 4.
Hi! I'm Janice (she/they), and I'm the LFD person that helps organize Baja4 events for generations X, Y and Z. You most likely will see me working with TUUYA or posting events on FB, but I also help with Youth and All Ages events. I'm a lifelong UU who grew up in the RE and YRUU programs at UUCT. I have always considered UUCT my home congregation no matter where in the world I've lived. I identify as a UU Jewish Pagan Scientist. My background is in Child Development, Neuroscience, Photography/Design and Music.
If you were a superhero, who would you be?
I’m A (Super) Panda. I like black eyeliner, rainbows, and sparkles. I'm always down for wiggles, playing games and sending extra love. I have no desire to fight you, but I will do whatever I can to fight for you!
What is an easy way to do something nice for someone?
Stop and listen... being seen, even for just a moment, can be the nicest gift ever. (Jamili used my give chocolate response)
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We Are a People of Renewal
Our theme in worship and RE this month is "Renewal." What are we renewing? Where in your life do you feel the need for renewal (like getting more sleep?) and where do you feel full up? What commitments are you willing to renew and which do you need to let go? Our resources this month ask us to think about Renewal in terms of our commitments to our communities, to our churches, to each other, and to ourselves. Let's explore!
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Chalice Lighting to Share
Every Endeavor Begins With a First Step (adapted)
By Charles F Flagg
Every endeavor begins with a first step,
And encounters difficulty along the way.
We know the anguish of ignorance, of fear, and of tyranny.
Yet we know the beginnings of hope, and the renewal of life.
Blessed be the eternal power which inspires us to kindle this light.
Blessed be the source of light and of life. Amen.
Find more chalice lightings here.
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Why don’t we cover the desert with solar panels?
by Dan Kwartler
Renewal energy seems like an easy way to end climate change, but it is? Explore what would happen if we covered the Sahara Desert in solar panels, and the possibility of it solving our energy crisis.
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Return & Repair
Speaking of our faith’s commitment to covenant and the work of renewing our covenants with each other, Rev. Gretchen Haley writes:
“What our faith asks of us, what our faith imagines for us, is that somehow, right at that moment when our hearts break, we will find our way to see through that heartbreak. We will stay put – not close off, not run away, not hurt back – but keep on being in relationship, doing what we can to repair the world and each other.”
With these words in your mind and heart, make some time this month, identify a relationship of heartbreak in your life. Maybe it involves a friend or family member, maybe even someone who is no longer living. Maybe a neighbor. Maybe even an institution, like your church or our government. Whoever or whichever it is, make time this month to return to that broken relationship and work on repair. Simply ask yourself “Where have I withdrawn, been betrayed or broken something myself?” Your heart will know the answer. Listen to what it says. Then open your heart one more time and lean into that relationship once again, doing what you can to repair and renew it.
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Questions for Discussion
By yourself or with a discussion partner and ask each other one or more of the questions below. Don’t treat these questions like “homework” or try to answer every single one. Instead, make time to meditate on the list and then pick the one question that speaks to you most. The goal is to figure out which question is “yours.” Which question captures the call of your inner voice? Which one contains “your work”? What is that question trying to get you to notice or acknowledge?
Often it helps to read the list to a friend or loved one and ask them which question they think is the question you need to wrestle with!
- Whose way of being in the world renews your faith in humanity?
- How is “summer renewal” different from “fall renewal” for you?
- Are you sure it’s your body that’s tired, or could it be your soul?
- During fall, the trees turn their energy away from reaching out to the sun. Instead, they let go of their leaves and seek renewal in the rich soil where their roots live. How about you? Is it time to cease seeking nourishment from that which lies beyond your reach and instead enter a time of disconnecting and returning to the richer soil of that which lies within?
- When was the last time you allowed yourself a day in which nothing was produced, no items were checked off your list, no problems were confronted, no solutions were searched for?
- We’re taught that “time away” is about restoring ourselves in order to return to our work. But what if we saw it as making space to decide if it’s time to reconfigure ourselves and re-imagine what our true “work” is?
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How would your life change if you saw rest as “a form of resistance” against a culture that gladly “uses us,” deforms us and lures us into believing that exhaustion is a mark of success? (Tricia Hersey)
- You’ve been telling yourself you need rest, but what if what you really need is play?
- Which of your commitments to the greater good needs renewed this year?
- Have you ever been “washed clean”? (Is there something in you that longs for it now?)
- What would it look like to take a break from being a “giver” and allow yourself to receive?
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How are you staying close to those people and things that “reteach you your loveliness”?
- We regularly renew our homes and porches with a new coat of paint. This constant and tender care is what makes them beloved to us. What precious personal relationship of yours has paint that has grown dry and is starting to peel? And could use a bit of tender renewal?
- Is it time to renew that promise you made to yourself?
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What’s your question? Your question may not be listed above. As always, if the above questions don't include what life is asking from you, spend the month listening to your days to hear it. Or maybe the question or call you need to hear is waiting in one of the quotes listed below. Consider looking there!
Want to share your thoughts? Check out the blog on UU Quest!
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Tucson UU Younger Adults
Tucson UU Young Adults (TUUYA) (18+, Generations X, Y, Z though it skews a little older) –If you identify as a young adult and would like to virtually meet up with others. This group is open to all Tucson UU or UU curious people who would self-identify as a younger adult. Activities include movie watch parties online and other social events when we’re back in person. Join our Facebook page or reply to Jamili at dre.uuct@gmail.com and I’ll add you to our email list.
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Laughter Yoga
Tuesdays and Thursdays in November | 4:00pm | Zoom
Laughter Yoga is a unique concept that invites everyone to laugh without jokes, humor, or comedy. Through laughter exercises, hatha yoga breathing, and playfulness we will laugh into joy, health, and bonds within the Baja 4. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Mandan Kataria, today Laughter Yoga is practiced by thousands in over 115 countries.
Rev. Matthew is a practicing laughter yogi who trained under Dr. Kataria and is a certified Yoga Laughter facilitator. Members and Friends of BUU will be joining Rev. Matthew to assist in demonstrating laughter exercises, yoga breathing, and Bollywood dance! Learn more about Laughter Yoga: https://laughteryoga.org/
Ages: Everyone who wants to laugh
Dates and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-4:30pm
November 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18
Zoom in at: https://zoom.us/j/99073129659
Meeting ID: 990 7312 9659
Passcode: 574011
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Halloween Game Night with TUUYA
Oct 28 | 6:00pm | Zoom
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the week with a little lighthearted competition. We’ll play PG rated games like Kahoot, Jackbox Games, and Improv. Having the ability to open zoom and a 2nd browser (on a computer, tablet, or phone) will be helpful, but not necessary. Everyone is welcome (games geared towards people ages 10 and up).
Zoom in at: https://zoom.us/j/5716364277
Meeting ID: 571 636 4277
Password: 973902
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Parents and Guardians of Preschoolers
November, 2021 | 1-2pm | Zoom
Join on Zoom others with children ages birth to 6 years old to offer support as we come to understand our child's spiritual development, to build rituals that support this development, and to see ourselves as spiritual teachers. New to POPS? RSVP https://forms.gle/oV5r74oQBymLkkgJ9
Nov 6, 1-2pm --Children's Story Time --designed for children ages birth to 6+, but everyone welcome.
Nov. 13, time and location TBA --Grown Up meet up --designed for those adults raising children who are ages birth to 6, but everyone welcome. This is an amazing group of parents that come together once a month to talk about topics relevant to our daily lives. We offer support, words of wisdom, and connect to those around us. We hope that you join and share with us.
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2nd Hour
November 7, 2021 | 12:15-1:15pm | Zoom
Please join us for 2nd Hour: a once -per -month afternoon of a variety of educational, spiritual, interesting, and fun workshops. The final date for 2021 is December 5, 2021
See the UU Quest website for links and descriptions!
- Article X at UUCT with Stephen Kraynak
- Older Youth Game Time with RE Teachers
- Laughter Yoga with Rev. Matthew
- Working Through Climate Anxiety: Cultivating Hope with Hanna Coy
- Musical Memories with Brian Moon
- Social Justice Partner: Casa Alitas
**Seeking 2nd Hour Workshop Leaders**
Right now I’m building a schedule of workshops for 2nd Hour and would love to include you in the line up. What do you have to share with the world? Bring me an idea and we’ll work together to develop it! No need to worry about technical support. I’ll have assistants available to manage the Zoom, so you can simply lead.
If you have any questions or want to lead a workshop, please contact Jamili at DRE.UUCT@gmail.com.
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Heart Space: An Evening Worship
November 11 | 6:30pm-7:30pm | zoom
Evening Worship returns! In this dynamic, all-ages worship, we will experiment and play with different ways to be in a reverent community together. While we are still online, we’ll listen to music, listen to words, explore, and experiment. There will be creative, hands-on time and time for reflection, laughter, and joy. Please join us!
The room opens at 6:15pm for some social time and a heart-felt worship to follow at 6:30pm.
Zoom in at: https://zoom.us/j/5716364277
Meeting ID: 571 636 4277
Password: 973902
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Young Adult Revival Network: An Opportunity for Young Adults
We are proud to introduce YARN, the UU Young Adult Revival Network. YARN is a project to rebuild the continental UU young adult network! This includes our growing identity groups, our worship services, monthly leadership calls, three online conferences, and more. Curious to find out more? YARN is on:
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PS. Did I forget to mention our Parenting Club? It is a resource for Parents and Guardians and All People Who Are Doing The Work of Raising Children! Because raising children is amazing, magical, wonderful --and difficult, challenging, isolating, frustrating, we come together as caregivers for children to share this ride to see if we can make it a little smoother. Activities are online until it is safe to meet in person. Find us on Facebook or contact Jamili at dre.uuct@gmail.com
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