|
|
|
Baja 4
Unitarian Universalists from across Southeast Arizona
| | |
|
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!
| | | |
|
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 this month.
Interfaith:
Unitarian Universalist:
National & Cultural:
For Fun and On the Fringe:
| | | |
|
We Explore Commitment
The theme this month is Commitment and we are exploring what is important to us. Here is what is important to us as Unitarian Universalists:
● We are committed to curiosity.
● We are committed to change.
● We are committed to conscience.
● We are committed to compassion.
Commitment means that we act on what we value and hold important. What does your faith encourage you to commit to? Let's explore!
| | | |
|
Chalice Lighting to Share
Covenant
Rev. Peter Friedrichs
Enriched by our differences,
And joined together in our search for meaning,
We covenant with ourselves and each other:
To seek truth in a spirit of love;
To strive for justice; and
To serve others with a joyful heart
Find more chalice lightings here.
| | | |
|
Courage for Racial Justice, Courage for Collective Liberation
Multiple offerings:
- Monday, Jan. 24th in Phoenix 6:30 - 8:30 pm
- Wednesday, Jan. 26th in Sedona 10:00 am -12:00 pm
- Wednesday, Jan. 26th in Prescott 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Anti-racism and racial justice are core to our spiritual/religious values and taking action for justice and collective liberation is a way that we live our values, in our congregations, and in our communities. Join us for an interactive workshop with longtime social justice educator, author, and organizer, Chris Crass, one of the leading voices in the country calling for and supporting white people to work for racial justice. Whether you’ve been active for decades or a few days, this is an opportunity to develop a stronger culture of inspiration, resilience, and courage for racial justice.
Register for this workshop here
|  | |
Creating a New Way: Workshop for Men on Courage for Feminism and Anti-Racism
Thursday, Jan. 27 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Both in person at UUCT and on Zoom
For white men and boys who want to live with social justice values in our hearts and minds, rather than the messages that blame people of color, women, LGBTQ+ for our pain. For white men and boys who want beloved community, who believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all, and want to be courageous against systems of oppression that divide us. This interactive workshop will be an opportunity to explore what it means to be feminist and anti-racist and ways that we can reject and heal from patriarchal masculinity and work together to live our values and root our identities in love and collective liberation.
Register for this workshop here
| | | |
Portrait of Commitment
Natasha is a a long-time volunteer at UUCT in the RE and Our Whole Lives programs. She shares with us her passion and commitment to this program and what motivates her to continue. If volunteering with us interests you, reach out and we'll find where YOU fit!
| | | |
Need a story about involuntary commitment? How about the myth of Sisyphus? | |
|
The Myth of Sisyphus
by Alex Gendler
Sisyphus was both a clever ruler who made his city prosperous, and a devious tyrant who seduced his niece and killed visitors to show off his power. While his violation of the sacred hospitality tradition greatly angered the gods, it was Sisyphus’ reckless confidence that proved to be his downfall -- resulting in Zeus condemning him for all eternity. Alex Gendler shares the myth of Sisyphus.
| | | |
Five Commitments to Yourself
It’s hard to imagine keeping commitments to others if we can’t keep commitments to ourselves. In fact, many say it is loyalty to ourselves that ultimately gives us the strength, groundedness and self-confidence needed to follow through on the promises we make to those around us. And yet we rarely devote the same level of intentionality to self-commitments that we give to our commitments to others.
So let’s use this month to be more intentional about the promises we make to ourselves! This is a particularly insightful exercise to do with the young people in your life! What do they commit to (for now)? What were their commitments in the past?
First identify three commitments you’ve already made to yourself. We bet it will be harder than you think. Very few of us carry our self-commitments at the forefront of our awareness. But the importance of doing so can’t be overstated. As Stephen Covey has said, “Anything less than a conscious commitment to the important is an unconscious commitment to the unimportant.” If you find this harder than you expected, enlist a loved one or trusted friend. They can probably name your existing self-commitments easier than you can.
Next identify two new commitments you want to make to yourself. Odds are they’re long overdue.
Then write all five of your commitments on a 3x5 card and place it on your bathroom mirror, bedside table or desk for the remainder of the month. Treat this as both an act of awareness and an act of accountability.
To help you along your way, spend some time with this wonderful poem by Laura Mancuso: My Commitments to Myself: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/meditation/my-commitments-myself
| | | |
Coming Events
What's Happening This Month?
| | | |
|
Laughter Yoga
Tuesdays and Thursdays | 4-4:30pm | 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
Zoom in at: https://zoom.us/j/99073129659
Meeting ID: 990 7312 9659
Passcode: 574011
Contact information: Please contact Rev. Matthew with laugher and questions: minister.borderlandsuu@gmail.com
| | | |
|
On The Patio
Saturday, Jan. 29 | 3-5pm | On the UUCT Patio at 4831 E. 22nd Street
Introducing, Open Patio Hours! Come enjoy some fellowship and community on the patio at UUCT. The focus of these events is mostly social with optional participatory activities and the occasional opportunity for causing some holy trouble. This Saturday event is created with families with young kids in mind; UUCT will pay for playground monitors so the kids can play while parents and guardians take a break.
Please wear a mask. All are welcome!
| | | |
|
UUCT TBIRDs + MVUU Snowbirds Picnic
Jan. 20 | noon | Himmel Park
Fully immunized UUCT and MVUU seasonal members, visitors and friends will gather 1/20 at noon on the east side of centrally located Himmel Park across from 2nd St. Set your GPS for 1000 N. Treat Ave, a block south of East Speedway where you will find ample on-street parking. All should bring deck chairs along with their lunch to join the circle. Himmel features many colorful Vermillion flycatchers chirping away.
Contact Howard.tolley@gmail.com for picnic info or to sign up for TBIRD/Snowbird winter 2022 announcements, including last minute weather related updates for January 20 get-together.
| | | |
Movie and Discussion: “Living and Dying: A Love Story”
Jan 22 | 2-4PM | Zoom
**Content Warning** This series will examine frankly and directly death and end of life choices. Please consider the appropriateness of this event for younger people.
As a part of the Death with Dignity Film Series, we will watch this film, a 2018 documentary by Sher and Rob Safran documenting the last week of Sher’s parents’ lives. Charlie, a retired surgeon with Parkinson’s, and Francie with heart disease, chose to exit together using Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. Watch the 45 minute film with us on Zoom, and stay around for a discussion after.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98044280689
Meeting ID: 980 4428 0689
Password: 973902
| | | |
|
Parenting of Preschoolers (POPS)
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. Zoom link will be sent out to all that are registered for the classes. Not registered? Please fill out this form https://forms.gle/oV5r74oQBymLkkgJ9 and we will add you to the emailing list. Thank you!
January 29, 1-2pm --Grown Up meet up --Designed for those adults raising children who are ages birth to 6, but everyone is 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.
| | | |
|
Movie Night! Sponsored by Tucson Area UU Younger Adults (TUUYA)
Jan 29 | 6:30pm | Zoom
Films and friends! Let's gather [virtually] to share an evening of movies. We will be watching a new release from a famous studio who has a mouse as a mascot. Rated PG the film is about The Madrigals, an extraordinary family who lives hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift -- every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals' last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.
Bring friends, a snack, and tissues (I’m serious about the tissues!)
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/5716364277
Meeting ID: 571 636 4277
Password: 973902
| | | |
|
2nd Hour
Feb. 13, 2022 | 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.
See the UU Quest website for links and descriptions!
**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.
| | | |
|
Camp!
Pacific Western Region camps will be open summer of 2022 to middle and high school youth with age specific programming. Woo hoo!
All staff and participants will adhere to strict safety guidelines including up to date methods to ensure COVID precautions are maintained.
- QUUest Camp - July 3-9, in Casper, WY with a bus from the Denver area
- Camp Blue Boat - July 17-22, in Ellensburg, WA
For more info go to uua.org/pwrcamp or email our Camping Ministries Director, Jessica Laikeman, at jlaikeman@uua.org
Interested in being on staff? Applications are up at bit.ly/PWRCampApp2022
See you in the woods this summer!
| | | | | | |
