8:15 am Email John Clark

Water Communion & New Member Sunday, led by Rev. Matthew Funke Crary

10:30 am Join Zoom

9 am Email Ann Bowling

7 pm Join Zoom

6 pm at MVUU Email Chris Tackett

9 am Email Bonnie Grant Baird

2 pm Email Barb Seyfried

LOW Risk in Arizona

Our building is open. Sunday services are in-person and/or online. We do request that attendees continue to wear masks while indoors unless actively eating or drinking.

Transparency...

I recently had the experience of a congregant expressing concern over a perception that MVUU was in some financial crisis. While I quickly rebutted that perception since we are not in a financial crisis, it did give me a nudge to find ways to be more transparent and open regarding the state of MVUU financially as well in other areas such as growth and mission. In fulfillment of that goal, the Board will host a “State of MVUU” congregational meeting this Sunday, January 22, following our regular service. We will provide a financial overview of where we are as of December 2022, the state of our mission both internally and externally, and recommend several important changes to the bylaws that will make our work smoother and easier for the future. These bylaw changes require a vote of the congregational membership to implement.

This meeting is NOT a substitute for our annual meeting in May but is another step to be more transparent to interested congregants. While only members can vote on the bylaws, anyone may attend the meeting in person or by zoom. We have much to be thankful for and we hope to share a snapshot of where we have been and where we are now as well as our hopes for the future of MVUU.

Lori Rehfeldt, from MVUU, has put together an excellent video, and it is another way to learn more about Haiti and the Darien Gap. She starts with some Haitian music and vivid pictures of what it is like today in Haiti. Next you see the PBS documentary on the Darien Gap. And finally, she shows what it must be like after arriving in the US, with some staccato sounds as pictures of migrants are processed. And, in the end, she focuses on the future, and baby Kerwensley, as he carries the hope of the next generation. Thank you Lori.

Click Here to Watch the Video

The Darien Gap: What migrants face as they journey through the deadly Darien Gap. Excellent 10-minute description of the migrant journey through this dangerous jungle in Central America. Click Here to Watch the Darien Gap Video

Short Summary of Haitian History Click Here to Watch the Haitian History Video

Mesquite Madness! Last Chance Sale

Thanks to our beautiful patio, we had a spacious place to mingle and place bids. Thanks to all the crew who helped make it happen. Thanks to all Donors and Bidders who were a joy to work with. And a final thanks to everyone for their generosity. We raised $10,664. 

For those of you who missed the event, here is our Last Chance Sale. Deadline to buy is Saturday, Feb 11. Please Email Jane Paul.

We would Iike to invite you to help two of our families over the next few weeks.

Susan Rubenstein recently broke her pelvis and also has Covid. Elliot Rubenstein, her husband, is working hard to help her with recovery and healing. And Larry Castriotta is now home from the hospital recovering from a recent fall.

On Sunday, Jan 22, we will begin discussing our new book, The Song of the Cell: An exploration of medicine and the new human, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. This book is “an exploration of medicine and our radical new ability to manipulate cells.” 

The discovery of cells—and the reframing of the human body as a cellular ecosystem—announced the birth of a new kind of medicine based on the therapeutic manipulations of cells. A hip fracture, a cardiac arrest, Alzheimer’s dementia, AIDS, pneumonia, lung cancer, kidney failure, arthritis, COVID pneumonia—all could be reconceived as the results of cells, or systems of cells, functioning abnormally. And all could be perceived as loci of cellular therapies. Told in six parts, laced with Mukherjee’s own experience as a researcher, a doctor, and a prolific reader, The Song of the Cell is both panoramic and intimate.” 

We will be reading and discussing this book well into March 2023. For more information contact John Clark at Email John Clark.

Roughly equal numbers from each Congregation attended the December get together, and turnout should grow with late returnees and newcomers discovering Tucson’s appeal as winter storms batter their home communities. As always, permanent residents checking out the seasonal members/visitors are welcome. The final two city wide lunch dates in this winter season on the third Monday of February (President’s Day) and March both fall on the 20th of the month. Any questions, Email Melanie Landa or call/text (536) 320-6106.

We are a group of enthusiastic readers who meet the last Tuesday of the month at 2 pm by zoom. We select a variety of books based on what has intrigued members. We have a full schedule of great books for the new year. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 2 pm. The book is Matrix by Lauren Groff. If you are interested in learning more about the group Email Anne Leonard or call (520) 307-8045.

This is your chance help to raise funds to update our MVUU library, a major resource for information supporting our UU values and history. AND at the same time you will have a chance to buy some really great books for your enjoyment at a really good price.

The sale is Sunday, Feb 5, 2023, during fellowship hour, in the Oasis room.

We need you to Donate books. Bring fiction, non-fiction, young adult and

children’s books -- any book in good condition is welcomed. Please drop off your donations at the church. Or, if you need us to pick up your books, please email our Library Team at kaaren.boothroyd@mvuu.org.

The January Woven Basket is our major fundraiser for the year. Our goal is to raise enough money to complete the accompaniment of the Sylvestre/Dorvincil family to full legal status, full time employment, continued improving health, and all the things they need to become a part of the Tucson community. We hope you will give generously to this effort and please know that your contribution makes a meaningful difference in the lives of this family. Thank you! We deeply appreciate your support.

Donate via MVUU as the Woven Basket Partner: You can make your donations online at http://mvuu.org/donate/ or by sending a check to the Church Office. The mailing address is: MVUU, P. O. Box 91080, Tucson AZ 85752. Please make checks payable to "MVUU" and indicate that this donation is for the Woven Basket/Contigo in the memo line.

Donate to MVUU online

For login directions Email Erin Chadwell, MVUU Administrator

Newsletter Deadlines: The next newsletter will be published Friday, Jan 27. Submit articles to editor@mvuu.org by 12 pm, Monday, Jan 23. No Exceptions. Articles may not exceed 250 words. Thank you.