Rev. ROD THOMPSON: This is a sermon focused on the fifth of our Unitarian Universalist Principles. As members of a congregation in the Unitarian Universalist Association we are called to “affirm and promote” these principles. What does that mean? How difficult can that be? I’ll share my thoughts and listen to yours in a Community Response time after the sermon. See you in church.

Rev. ROD THOMPSON: On Sep 30, 1770, John Murray, one of the founders of the Universalist Church in America, preached his first sermon in America. On that sermon he went against the harsh Calvinism of his day and preached hope and courage, kindness and the everlasting love of God. How has that message changed in the years since? Join us as we explore the forgotten half of our denomination – Universalism.

New Mexico always ranks as one of the poorest states; far below the states surrounding us. Is this our destiny or is there a way for us to climb out of the basement? Jim will discuss the implications of national economic conditions as they relate to the New Mexico Economy.

Dr. James Peach is a Regents Professor in the Department of Economics and International Business at New Mexico State University

This is the title of an article written by David Firota who believes that adoration of celebrities has changed our culture. This includes the political scene and the way the government operates. Our discussion will focus on the social structure, but we may also have time for someone to explain why Paris Hilton and the Kardashians are so famous.

Barbara Myers is a retired sociologist and long-time member of our church.

This program is not finalized yet, but we are working with Lucia Veronica Carmona, Lead Organizer of the Colonias Development Council, to come up with a program. I expect the topic to be one of the following:

• Water Rights – Government power of eminent domain versus rights protected under the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty between Mexico and the US
• The Colonias Development Council
• Taskforce for Immigrant Advocacy and Services in Southern New Mexico (TIAS-NM)

No Kill success stories in the United States are growing year-by-year. What do these success stories tell us about where Las Cruces stands in the world of modern, progressive approaches to companion animal-welfare issues? We will highlight the way those communities got to the point where they save more than 90% of their homeless animals, and what our community needs to do to get to that point too.

Michel Meunier is President/Executive Director of Action Programs for Animals (APA)

UUs Join the UU-UNO in Celebrating UN Sunday

In celebration of the founding of the UN on October 24th, 1945, the UU-UNO invites congregations and individual UUs to deepen their understanding of the United Nations by devoting one service in October to reaffirming the connections between Unitarian Universalist principles and vital issues dealt with at the UN.

This year, congregations throughout the United States and Canada celebrated United Nations Sunday. At the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto, ON, Children grade 1 and older were invited to stay and learn about the importance of their UU voice at the United Nations and their responsibilities as global citizens. In The Woodlands,TX, youth envoy Alex Sherwood presented his sermon ”UU-UNO: Advocate for Worldwide Girl Power and Women’s Rights.” At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, NM, the congregation celebrated being the first Blue Ribbon Congregation in New Mexico. In Port Charlotte, FL envoy Rosemary Hagen, educated her congregation about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through photos and costumes. In the photo on the right, UU-UNO Director, Bruce Knotts presented the UN flag to the children of the Unitarian Church of  Montreal, QC with help from their minister Rev. Diane Olenick Rollert.

The gallery is booked through December 2011, but artists are encouraged to apply for showings in 2012.

2012 planned exhibitions

The Gallery presents “Arcs and Echoes” by contemporary painter Jill Somoza for February.  The exhibit will run through Mar 2.

Jill was born in London in 1941 but lived in Germany until she was 15, enjoying paintings by artists like Emile Nolde and Max Beckman. When she first saw paintings by Jackson Pollock and De Kooning her first year in college, she was struck by the raw emotion and the great vitality in those paintings and the “feel’ of the color in its drips and brush strokes. Twenty years later she was similarly moved by the paintings of Robert Rauschenberg who seemed to strew images around in his paintings without concern for any sense of pictorial reality. Due to his method of transferring images, they had an interesting ephemeral quality which attracted Somoza.

When she began to paint on vinyl instead of canvas or paper, she liked the translucency the vinyl gave her, capturing some of the ephemeral feel she identified in Rauschenberg in this new material. She did transfer images in the beginning, but then noticed that when she changed the shape of her paintings from rectangular to odd, the figurative element she seemed to want, was taken care of by the shape of the painting. The unusualness of the shape also helped to reinforce the idea of the painting as a thing in itself, rather than a representation of something.

The pieces chosen for this show were all done in the past two years. Before this she played more with overlapping panels, something she does less often now, opting for a more simple line. The curved wood has added another dimension in its simple line as well as for the shadow it casts. These paintings are probably more accurately elaborate sketches of fleeting feelings, drawn in wood, vinyl, color and line.

The Tombaugh Art Gallery is located at 2000 S. Solano and is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am until 2 pm.

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NMSU Unitarian Universalists

NMSUU meetings, events, dates, and more

NMSU Interfaith Council

Our Vision

• Share and promote Unitarian Universalist values on the New Mexico State University campus;
• Provide spiritual support through alternative worship experiences, regular meetings, helping students in times of need, and through fun, frequent, spiritual and social fellowship for like-minded NMSU individuals, groups and our wider community;
• Support service opportunities through social justice activism;
• Promote inclusion among our diverse campus community through increasing awareness and understanding of a variety of needs and beliefs, both in our smaller group as well as the larger community;
• Connect campus and community, while networking with campus groups (both secular and faith-based), and organize off-campus and out of state trips, teaming with other groups to promote common causes;
• Have regular monthly meetings, maintain a chartered campus group, and always plan fun, social activities together; and
• Nurture both our spiritual and physical bodies and always keep in mind our UU values throughout all we do together.

Our Schedule

1st Wednesday of the month

Join in Community Night at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2000 S Solano, in the Religious Education building to eat at 5:30 (NMSU students eat for 1/2 price $3, first time guests are free, both need to RSVP by the Sunday prior.) and meet at 6:30.

2nd Thursday of the month

Worship on campus at 6pm location TBA (contact Sarah Heartsong or Debbie La Porte for details)

3rd Sunday of the month

Lunch and Great Conversation (topics TBA) 12-2pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2000 S Solano, in the Religious Education building

Upcoming Events (check here for details as they develop)

Healthy Relationships retreat at a hot spring resort in Truth or Consequences, February, 2012;

Participation in Justice General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Phoenix in June 2012

WomenSpirit Will Be Sep 9-11, 2011 – Save The Date

WomenSpirit will be held this year from Friday to Sunday, Sep 9-11. We welcome adult women from the community and the congregation to join us at the Sacramento Methodist Assembly grounds near Cloudcroft. The weekend will feature an expanded program beginning on Friday afternoon, with time to relax in the beautiful natural setting before dinner and a formal opening ceremony.  We invite you to engage in community building, art, music, dance, crafts, spirituality, and just plain fun. For more information contact the Planning Committee Chair Teri Gillen: terigillen@yahoo.com.

We are a church whose mission is to live and to spread our Unitarian Universalist values in the world.

Our church members give generously of their time and money to the human service organizations that make life better in our community and in the world. These organizations meet environmental, educational, health, or social service needs or they promote the democratic process: all are important.

These are some of the many local organizations our members are supporting with their time and money:

Education:

• Alameda Elementary School
• Booker T. Washington Elementary School
• Central Elementary School
• Dona Ana Elementary School
• MacArthur Elementary School
• Valley View Elementary School
• Educational Outreach Program of the Las Cruces Symphony Association

Environment:

• Southwest Environmental Center

Health Care:

• St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic
• Mesilla Valley Hospice
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (Dona Anna County)

Human Services:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Las Cruses
• Casa de Peregrinos Food Program
• Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico
• El Caldito Soup Kitchen
• Jardin de Los Ninos
  RSVP (Rio Grande Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
• UU Friends of the J. Paul Taylor Center
• Women’s Intercultural Center

Affordable Housing:

• Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity
• Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation

Democracy:

• League of Women Voters
• Southern New Mexico Common Cause

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, that moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men that challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
• Wisdom from the world’s religions that inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Humanist teachings that counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions that celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

We are grateful for the religious pluralism that enriches and ennobles our faith and inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

Reverend Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association and President Peter Morales are pleased to present a new video series, “A Religion for Our Time.” These short videos will highlight inspiring work in Unitarian Universalist congregations, including innovative projects relating to worship, religious education, social justice, membership, and fellowship.

Below, is the first episode describing the Ogden OUTreach Center, the UU Church of Ogden’s drop-in program for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender youth and young adults.

A 15 year old student says, “Ever since I was 7 years old we’ve been attending this church. I’m 15 now and have lots of friends here. Each class we tell what happened during our week”.

An 11 year old says, ” I liked making pinwheels after we read a story about the Wind.” On Sundays, most of the younger children stay in the sanctuary for the first part of the service then go their classes. The adults enjoy having the children included and they can be kids too! We always have a children’s story.

Engaging our teens

This is from an 18 year old student, “We are about 40 kids between two and eighteen who attend weekly classes. The curriculum is continually updated so as not to bore us!”  “We get to decide on many of the subjects we feel are important to us!”

Our Religious Education Handbook has more details about the following:

• Sunday social action projects
• Unitarian Universalist principles
• Building our own services
• Spirituality and the arts
• Coming of Age
• Our Whole Lives (OWL) classes

This young lady is 14 years old, “In the past the Social Action Project involved learning about the local animal shelter, baking and selling “pet cookies” and donating the proceeds to the shelter during our first-ever “Blessing of the Animals” Sunday. On animal Sunday, pets came to church in all shapes and sizes! This shows that we shouldn’t care just about ourselves but also our four legged friends!”

This young woman is 17 years old, “I like singing in front of the congregation because they are so supportive and appreciative, and tell me how proud they are of me! I enjoy meeting together in class because we all get along even though we are all so different. We can say what we want because we are all friends, respectful of each other’s ideas and thoughts.”

This young man is 17 years old, “We have really interesting conversations in our class.”

A 15 year old says, “I enjoy debating in class about other religions. Sometimes we go to people’s houses just to have a party or go swimming.”

This young fellow is 13, “We get to make food and eat it!”

And this young lady is 15, “My favorite adults are so supportive in a different way because they relate to us at all levels. At church we can hang out with our friends and do good things which are community oriented.”

Thanks for listening to our youth. Religious education has been an important part of our congregation since our founding in 1955. We feel a deep commitment to the growing number of children who grace our congregation. In turn the children teach us, as children always do, lessons of patience, love, joy and hope. There is someone at every service willing to talk to newcomers about our facilities and programs. Please come visit!

OWL: Lifespan Sexuality Education Curricula

Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults (ages 18-35), and adults.

Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human
development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.

Our Whole Lives uses approaches that work. The curricula are based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education,
and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS).

Our Whole Lives covers topics and skills that both parents and students want to have available but schools are less likely to cover. The Kaiser Family Foundation has an interesting report on this subject called “Sex Education in
America: A View from Inside the Nation’s Classrooms.” New national surveys are challenging the convention that Americans are reluctant to have sexual health issues taught in school, the surveys show that most parents, along
with educators and students themselves, would expand sex education courses and curriculum.

Our Whole Lives Values

• Self Worth
• Sexual Health
• Responsibility
• Justice and Inclusivity

Each level of Our Whole Lives Offers…

• Up-to-date information and honest, age-appropriate answers to all participants’ questions
• Activities to help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills
• Effective group-building to create a safe and supportive peer group
• Education about sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment
• Opportunities to critique media messages about gender and sexuality
• Acceptance of diversity
• Encouragement to act for justice
• A well-designed, teacher-friendly leaders’ guide
• Parent orientation programs that affirm parents as the primary sexuality educators of their children
• Sexuality and Our Faith, an optional religious component for Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ settings

Our Whole Lives is appropriate for use in a variety of congregational, school, and community settings, including classrooms, after-school programs, and youth groups. Although developed by two religious organizations, Our
Whole Lives contains no religious references or doctrine. Religious references are contained in a Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ companion publication, Sexuality and Our Faith.

We explore several major world religions.  Using our own Unitarian Universalist identity as a lens through which to view Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, we will learn the basics of each of these religious traditions. While each age level curriculum is more complex than the one just below it, at all levels learn respect, understanding and appreciation for those whose beliefs are different from ours.

Our high school age group will continue on their Coming of Age path and includes the following components:

• Unitarian Universalist history and our living tradition
• World Religious traditions
• Building a personal spiritual path
• Social justice work

We normally invite leaders from within the congregation to speak throughout the year to the group including the congregational president and our minister.

The Emerson group will be celebrating several major holidays from the world religions program and the Primary class will be using a pre-k curriculum titled Chalice Children.

Our program is offered during the 10:30 AM service, however childcare is available at both services.
All classes and childcare are in the Religious Education Building; the Nursery is in the Yellow Room.

A live audio feed of the worship service is available in the Nursery along with several comfy arm chairs for nursing Moms.

See you on Sunday!
Susan Freudenthal
Director of Religious Education