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At All-Virtual GA, Unitarian Universalists Center Love and Pledge Bold Social and Climate Justice Action
At All-Virtual GA, Unitarian Universalists Center Love and Pledge Bold Social and Climate Justice Action
Earth Day Worship Celebration: April 22, 2025 – 8:00pm ET • 7:00pm CT • 6:00pm MT • 5:00pm PT
As Unitarian Universalists, we are positioned to be faith leaders at this critical time in our country’s history. And it can feel overwhelming. Where do we start? We run the risk of becoming quick to act without listening to each other and the communities most impacted by climate disruption.
This Earth Day, UU Ministry for Earth will help us deepen practices that put Love at the center of our climate justice work. Not to avoid acting, but to prepare us for action.
We will hold the service online, and we can also provide written worship materials for your congregation’s or group’s use. We ask for a donation for those materials. Register for the online service and/or the written materials here.
Monday – April 21
Tuesday – April 22
11am – Noon Truly Mindful Tuesday Meditation. Tina will be present. All are invited to try different forms of meditation together each week.
12:30 – 2:30pm Tina’s Office Hours – Please make an appointment so you won’t have to wait.
6pm SIUUC Gardening Forum
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94884266239
Phone: 1 253 215 8782 ID: 94884266239
If you would like to be included in the Garden Forum weekly email synopsis and email discussions, please contact Edna at skyislandchurch@gmail.com.
6:30 – 8pm Dharma Buddhists Meditation
Wednesday – April 23
6 – 7:30pm Wondering Wednesdays
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99892265318
Phone: 1 669 900 9128 ID: 99892265318
Come join us for Wondering Wednesday at 6pm on Zoom, where we are always wondering how everyone is doing, and catch up on the latest in the SIUUC Community. Feel free to pop in for some friendly conversation and maybe a chuckle or two.
Thursday – April 24
Friday – April 25
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.
RECURRING MONTHLY ACTIVITIES
First Friday:
9am First Friday Hike
6pm PFLAG Monthly Meeting
11am Second Friday – Church Ladies Lunch at the Country House Restaurant
11:30am Third Thursday – Men’s Luncheon. Contact Pat Aronna if you plan to attend.
Third Friday:
11am – 3pm EAF
1pm – ??pm Board Games
12pm Third Sunday – Board of Directors meet at the church following Sunday Service
10:30am Fourth Sunday 2nd Collection
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SERVICE FOR APRIL 20
“Do Not Give Death the Final Word”
Easter has always meant to me that even the worst destruction is never completely final. When you look over a desolate fire-damaged landscape, the tiny shoots of plants reappear. When someone dear to you has been taken away by death or geography, your memories of them come flooding back and their advice never dries up. Even when you feel alone, humiliated or ignored, the thoughtful support of one person who sees you can warm you for a lifetime. For me the words life, love, and compassion have the final word. Which ones do for you? There will be a time during worship for you to say your final words out loud. Even if you are not confident the best always survives, what do you want to shout out as an aspiration?
Becky Tanner invites you to bring an Easter bonnet, or festive hat if you have one, to wear or at least wave about during the postlude.
In-Person and on Zoom:
Phone: 1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 989 1828 0553
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REV. TINA’S WEEK
The Baja 4 ministers met, as usual, on Thursday to plan a joint service for June 1. As June is a month with five Sundays, we always do some kind of “pulpitpalooza,” either a pulpit exchange or videos we make together and share. June 1 feels more involved, even including a musician and video editor you might remember from when we put joint services up on YouTube during the pandemic.
That Sunday we will be saying goodbye to Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe, who began her time as lead minister at the UU Church of Tucson in 2018 and is now taking on a new challenge as the settled minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, NY (pending congregational approval after her upcoming candidating week there). Many of you have come to know Bethany when she preached several times at Sky Island or as one of our ministers on YouTube during COVID. It is bitter-sweet to have her go; her new call will help her grow into an even finer minister but we will miss her. We are considering a Wizard of Oz theme for June 1, with beginnings, journeying together and endings in mind. We will have a card out in the fellowship room for you to sign for Bethany; please take time to let her know what she has meant to you over these years.
Rev. Tina’s Office Hours:
My office hours next week will be Tuesday, April 22, 12:30 – 2:30. Please make an appointment so you won’t have to wait.
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Annual Stewardship Campaign
At this time of year, we need to remind everyone to pledge their continued support of our church. We are so appreciative of your past donations and rely on you to keep our church operating. Please pick up a pledge card for the upcoming fiscal year. If you need a card sent by mail, please contact Robbie Rouse at scratchclaw2004@gmail.com.
You don’t need to be a member to pledge your support. All pledges will be gratefully received and well used.
The completed cards can be dropped in the offering basket, placed in the designated box in the community room, or mailed to the church.
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Mindfulness Meditation
Come for mindfulness meditation each Tuesday from 11am – noon at the church. We take turns leading it, but don’t feel that you have to. Come and try it out, no experience necessary.
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Wondering Wednesdays
Come join us for Wondering Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. (local time) on Zoom, where we are always wondering how everyone is doing, and catch up on the latest in the SIUUC Community. Feel free to pop in on the rest of us for some friendly conversation and maybe a chuckle or two.
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First Friday Hike (Optional) and Picnic
Pena Blanca Lake and Canyon
Friday, May 2 | 8am
Last month’s hike was postponed due to bad weather. We will try again in May:
Surprisingly few Arizonans are aware of this small but very pretty spring-fed lake in Santa Cruz County. It is just off Ruby Road between Nogales and Rio Rico. The road goes all the way to Arivaca and is amazingly scenic, especially in good wildflower years. We will stop before it gets rough but if you have high clearance I recommend that you take a day sometime to do the entire loop through Arivaca and Amado. We will do an easy hike of about 2 miles (or more if you wish) into Pena Blanca Canyon followed by a picnic at Pena Blanca Lake. Bring a lunch or something to share if you like. We will be stopping first at the lake to claim a picnic table. If you don’t want to hike you may stay at the lake to fish, read, hike the short paved trail or just chill out.
Note the meeting time of 8am at the church to accommodate the longer than usual (but scenic) drive and the potentially warm May weather. Or you may meet us at the gas station in Whetstone (please let me know) around 8:30 or at the Steakout Restaurant in Sonoita around 9:45. Contact Molly with any questions: mandfar@gmail.com.
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Teresa Longmore is now home and asks for prayers for the treatment she will need to have in Tucson.
Susie Fawcett is back in Haven in Sierra Vista and she welcomes calls and visitors.
Jean MacKeen is back home at Hummingbird after some time in the hospital.
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
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!