We Are Unitarian Universalists

We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace. We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything. We need not think alike to love alike. We are people of many beliefs and backgrounds: people with a religious background, people with none, people who believe in a God, people who don’t, and people who let the mystery be. We are Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, atheist and agnostic, believers in God, and more. On the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, we are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We seek to welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith. Get involved!
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Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. 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.”
  1. 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
  2. 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  3. 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  4. 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  5. 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  6. 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
  7. 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
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Proposed 8th Principle:

 
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
UUJAZ’s mission is to engage Arizona Unitarian Universalists in justice-making through:
  • nurturing congregational social justice ministries;
  • connecting UU activists and congregations across the state;
  • partnering with like-minded justice organizations;
  • empowering UUs to work for socially just public policy.
 Website and Calendar of Events HERE, Facebook, and Instagram;
New events listed every week on their calendar.
Sign up for their newsletter HERE
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Climate Justice Focus Group
Starting in September 2021Are you interested in joining a focus group, for the reimagining of UUJAZ’s Climate Justice program? Fill out this poll to choose a time that works for all of us, and we’ll meet starting in September!Fill out Climate Justice Focus Group poll here.
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Book GroUUp: 3rd Friday: 12 – 1:30 pm
Join Janelle Gelsinger on the third Friday of each month for a justice-centered book discussion from the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist values. See schedule and Register for the Book GroUUp dates HERE
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Unitarian Universalism seeks world community with peace, liberty and justice for all & respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Climate chaos will cause the exact opposite.
Averting the climate crisis is critical to the vision and lived expression of Unitarian Universalism. To this end, the UU Ministry the Earth, the Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the United Nations, and and the Unitarian Universalist Association Green Sanctuary Program launched the Create Climate Justice initiative, with three current priority focus areas:
  1. Strengthening Unitarian Universalist communications and mutual support networks for Climate Justice
  2. Mobilizing UUs in solidarity with Indigenous front-line communities
  3. Supporting the Just Transition to an ecological civilization through partnerships and civic engagement
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, the President of the UUA, shares this imporant message and invitation:

New Things To Do at Sky Island UU

You are invited to join the family and friends of 

Suzanne Gilbert Dickinson Herron

(May 23, 1935 – November 9, 2021)

in the Celebration of Sue’s Life.

We will gather at the Sky Island UU Church

at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022

with Rev. Tina Squire and Lex Herron leading us in a tribute to Sue’s life well lived in words and songs.

Please, wear a smile and bright colors suitable for a celebration!

Coffee and Cake will follow the service.

Face Masks Are Required.

If you can’t attend in person, here is the zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/96215023540
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Mask Guidelines
We are asking everyone to wear a mask for the Sunday services whether or not you have been vaccinated. Both the Delta and Omicron Variants are highly contagious and even vaccinated people who are asymptomatic can transfer COVID to others. Right now all of Arizona including Cochise County is at a HIGH level of transmission. The CDC recommends wearing a mask inside for everyone-vaccinated or not- and maintaining social distancing at a HIGH level.
With this in mind, the Board has suspended the social hour and refreshments after the services. Singing will continue with masks on.
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Service for Sunday, January 16, 2022:

We will shift from our January theme of commitment to consider a holiday usually celebrated January 6 – “Epiphanies:  When Wisdom and the Scared Show up in Unexpected Ways and Places.”

Please think about times you have had an “a hah!” moment, with sudden insight or a strangely warmed heart, and come prepared to share if you feel comfortable doing so.

 Come join in with song, words, and fellowship!

Presented By:  Rev. Tina Squire

Sunday: @ 10:30am Church Service
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Wondering Wednesday January 12
For Wondering Wednesdays we are continuing to read, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Next week, we will consider the next six chapters “Burning Cascade Head,”  “Putting Down Roots,” “Umbilicaria:  The Belly Button of the World,” “Old  Growth Children,”  “Witness to the Rain” and “Windigo Footprints.
You can order this book from the UUA InSpirit Book store HERE
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HAPPY SKY ISLAND UU HIKERS ENJOYING RAMSEY CANYON FALL COLOR!
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February’s Hike
We will be going to White Water Draw to see the sandhill cranes, Friday Feb 4.  The consensus is that this should be an annual trip.  Let’s make it a potluck.  I’ll be sending in a newsletter notice with the details.
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Second Collection for January
January’s Second Collection will go to the UU Service Committee’s Guest at Your Table program.  Please donate by tapping the DONATE button below. When you get to the part that says, “Use this donation for…” type in “2nd collection” or “Guest at Your Table”. You can also drop a check off at church and leave in Tricia’s file folder on the wall, or mail a check to the address at the bottom of the newsletter. Be sure to put “2nd collection” for the notation or memo. There will also be an in-person collection at the 1/23 service.
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Caring Corner
If you have a joy you’d like to share or a sorrow you’d like people to hear, please send an email to skyislandchurch@gmail.com
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Local & Regional Activities

San Juan Bosco Shelter in Nogalas Needs Help
Many of you know of the San Juan Bosco Shelter in Nogales, Sonora.
They have been tending to the needs of migrants arriving there from all over Mexico, Central and South America hoping for a chance to apply for asylum in the United States.
Now, due to the recent floods in Nogales and the rapidly increasing number of migrants arriving there, as well as those being dropped off by the Border Patrol after being deported, the center is overwhelmed and desperate for help. As Unitarian Universalists, will you be able to help using this LINK ?
Thank you! Gracias!
Jay Jenkins

Pacific Western Region News

Pacific Western Region Logo <p>Pacific Western Region Newsletter for January 2022 ______________________________ Pacific Western Region (PWR) Regional Assembly We are excited to announce that our Regional Assembly will fully embrace safety and inclusivity with two forms of gathering: online and in-person. The online experience of our worships, workshops, small groups, and service projects will be full and robust, using the Whova platform that was so successful for the 2021 UUA General Assembly. You can find connections, make friends, even help create border justice in our online weekend conference. The in-person experience will be at a comfortable seaside hotel in San Diego, where you can mingle with actual in-person UUs from all over the Western US: dining together outdoors, meeting together in small groups, watching worships and workshops together, and having some of those casual yet life-changing conversations that can so much more easily happen in person. The in-person version of the border justice project (on Friday) will include a trip to the US-Mexico border, weather- and virus levels-permitting. Folks attending online and folks attending in-person will be interacting with each other through the Whova and online platforms, bringing everyone together as one for this meaningful event. As we emerge from the most stringent restrictions of COVID, it will be so good to be together. Reflect, Rejoice, Renew! Pacific Western Regional Assembly San Diego, CA and online February 4-6, 2021  
   

Recurring ZOOM Links

For all Zoom meetings, if you need to call in by phone, you can call 1-253-215-8782.  The meeting ID is the last 11 digits of the corresponding link.
For those using Zoom for communications, please update your Zoom application if you haven’t done that recently. They keep making changes and updates and it’s good (and free) for you to keep your Zoom program at a current status.
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Wednesday 8AM meditations and phone in information is:  HERE
or copy and paste:  https://zoom.us/j/97417456265 phone: 669 900 9128     #97417456265
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*Wondering Wednesday Zoom Meetings:  6:00 to 7:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 998 9226 5318 One tap mobile +13462487799,,99892265318#
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Sunday: @ 10:30am Church Service
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*Sunday Social Hour at 11:30AM is:
or copy and paste: https://zoom.us/j/97380861311
phone: 669 900 9128   #97380861311
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*Garden Forum Tuesdays at 5PM:
Join Tuesday Zoom Meeting:
 https://zoom.us/j/94884266239  Meeting ID: 948 8426 6239
One tap mobile +12532158782,,94884266239# US
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