This talk will explain what mental illness is. Michaela will touch on some of misconceptions, talk shortly about medication and things to consider if you know or believe that someone is mentally ill. She will introduce NAMI, a support group,which helps people with mentally ill family members. NAMI – DAC is the local chapter.

In the past three months, we have heard descriptions of the critical problems facing our society during both the Roundtable and Sunday Services: Climate Change, Economic Justice, Societal Collapse, and War. During one of these presentations Melissa asked, where’snthe hope, and indeed there is hope in each of these areas. We will explore where the hope lies, and why these issues are difficult to resolve. We will also identify what needs to be done by those willing and able if we are going to be successful.

Labor Day is one of these kinds of days. It marks both an ending and a beginning. And it is definitely part of a transition. But there are many such events in our lives and our church. Join us as we celebrate all three. See you in church.

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Everything we need to know about living as our [true] self (unless I missed something … again)

Dr. Gutschick teaches at NMSU and is a cofounder of Global Change Consulting Consortium. He recently traveled to Indonesia (Bali and Sulawesi) with his family, and will present images of the fascinating people, culture, and landscape, as well as a documentary of what threatens this unique area – rainforest destruction in the name of our consumables. More information can be found at the website: http://events.ran.org/hotaugustnights/events/show/11783

Rev. DEBORAH HOLDER: Our Unitarian Universalist movement is being called to lead the way in co-creating beloved multicultural congregations and communities. Today, learning together to do “ministry in the borderlands” is understood to be a critical component of adaptive leadership that enables a congregation to thrive amidst changing national and regional demographics.

The Reverend Deborah Holder serves the Mountain Desert District Association of Congregations in the role of Program Consultant. She has the joy and privilege of consulting with our 44 UU congregations across the intermountain west. She is a graduate of Iliff School to Theology in Denver with a professional specialty in religion and social change, community organizing and social administration. She lives in Crawford, CO on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains.

In this sermon I’ll look at some of our religious predecessors that we don’t like to claim. We readily claim many of our country’s founding fathers and mothers and other famous persons as Unitarians and or Universalists, but there are some equally famous persons that we don’t talk about. Why? Is it that we don’t know about them? Or are we ashamed of them? Join us and find out. See you in church.

Reverend Thompson

I want to begin this, my first Ruminations, by thanking you all for the warm welcome you extended to us. It has made our entrance into your congregation that much easier and satisfying.

At my first service on Aug 22 I described the Tasks of Interim Ministry that I will be helping you to work through. For those of you who were not here, and as a reminder for those who were, here are those Tasks and the Questions I offered to help you explore the work we will be doing together.

1. Claiming and Honoring Your Past and Healing Wounds and Conflicts.
• Are there stories in your church that you wouldn’t tell a new member?
• Think about some people who have been active members for many years. What has kept them active and involved?
• What excites you about your church?

2. Discovering the Congregation’s Unique Identity, Its Strengths, Its Needs, Its Challenges, and Developing a New Identity.
• What are some of the words you use to describe your Church to would-be newcomers?
• What have you seen change since you’ve been here?
• What has happened in the surrounding community, or in your life, and how has that affected this congregation?

3. Clarifying the Multiple Dimensions of Leadership, Both Ordained and Lay, and Navigating the Changes During the Interim.
• Are you ready to step up to leadership in this congregation?
• If you were here when Nancy came, what leadership changes happened then? What were the significant issues around those changes?
• In what ways can this ministerial transition time be more positive for you?

4. Renewing Connections with the Available Resources, Financial and Otherwise Within and Beyond the Congregation and
the UUA.
• How would you describe your relationship with the Mountain Desert District?
• How would you describe your relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association?
• Who in this congregation is active in the larger denomination? And how might you get involved?

5. Enabling the Congregation to Renew Its Vision, Strengthen Its Stewardship, Prepare for New Professional Leadership, and
Engage Its Future with Anticipation and Zest.
• What would you like your congregation’s relationship with your new minister to be?
• What needs to be done before you are ready for your new minister?
• What are the signs you will look for that you are ready to move into the future and be ready to receive your new minister?

Your work during this Interim Ministry is finding answers to these and similar questions. I told you that this would be about your work
during this Interim Ministry, and dealing with these questions is a start. This is your work to do.

Rev. Rod Thompson
Interim Minister

– thoughts from your president

By the time you read this edition of the September newsletter, Rev. Rod Thompson will have introduced himself to the congregation at the Sunday Services on Aug 22. The church leadership is gearing up for a fast paced and productive fall with our new interim minister who has been very busy getting acquainted and engaged in all aspects of our work and activities as a church. Two of these activities which are related to one another should be on everyone’s radar screen:

1. Entering into the Design Phase of our Appreciative Inquiry Project (AI), and
2. A upcoming workshop with the Mountain Desert District consultant, Deborah Holder, on expanding “Cultural Diversity in Congregations.”

This workshop will tie very closely to this third phase of AI in that it will play an important role in deciding the ways and extent to which we will act on our values and dreams with regard to becoming a more culturally diverse congregation by intentional design.

Please note the workshop date on your calendar if you want to be a part of this important dialogue – Saturday morning, Sep 11, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. A light lunch will be served half way through the workshop.

Now on to the 3rd phase of appreciative inquiry, this phase involves four step-by-step tasks:

1. Identifyin a meaningful social architecture,
2. Selecting relevant and strategic design elements,
3. Identifying the organizational design preferences, and
4. Crafting provocative propositions.

This work is sometimes done in a long day when a group is participating in an intense four day AI Summit. However, it often is done over a period of months which is what we will be doing starting with Deborah Holder’s workshop. Once this work is done, we will be ready to enter into the fourth phase of Destiny, the actual implementation phase where very concrete actions plans will be in put in place for all design elements.

Jane Asche,
President

Some of us can remember Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical The King and I with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. While most of my students probably consider this ancient history, I still love the music and vividly remember the costumes. When Anna meets the little children she’s going to teach, they sing together the song “Getting to Know You.” While it serves to further the plot, I like to think that singing that song together really helped them get to know each other in a delightful way.

I feel like our choir, Rev. Rod and Mary Thompson and I acted out this scene in the past couple of weeks. Rod and Mary have joined us for a choir retreat and first rehearsal, and together we have planned a fabulous musical surprise for Rod’s first Sunday in the pulpit. One of our first acts in this new relationship was to sing and make music together. My house and the sanctuary have been filled with that music. I don’t think we could have asked for a better way to get to know each other.

I’m so pleased that our music program can support this interim ministry. The choir and some of our very talented instrumentalists are really stepping up to continue to provide quality music for all of our worship services, and to help lead the congregation in singing every week. Some of our choir members are willing to come in very small groups to your home to sing to you if you are housebound or needing this service for any reason. And we have some good ideas about how we might help support our Social Action Program as well. We’re delighted to welcome Rod and Mary, and we’re happy that they love music, too. Together we’ll help the ministry of our church through song, getting to know each other along the way.

Catherine Massey, Director of Music

There’s a buzz on in the Religious Education building! It’s been exciting meeting so many visitors this summer and I can’t wait to begin our fall programming. Our Nursery has expanded such that we now have two childcare providers on Sunday mornings, way cool.

For the first time we are offering two consecutive Our Whole Lives programs to begin on Sunday, Sep 12 at 10:30 am. The age groups are grade ages 4th-6th and 7th-9th, facilitated by Sarah Heartsong, Tom Packard, Eric Freudenthal and Traci Connor.

There will be classes for PreK children, early elementary age, upper elementary and middle school age and a senior youth group. Two members of our youth group are entering into their senior year and so we will plan on a Bridging celebration for them this spring. Bridging is a term used to describe moving from one life stage into another and for our rising seniors, it is our opportunity to recognize their accomplishments and celebrate them on their young adult bound journeys.

This year our curricula include a child’s version of the new Unitarian Universalist class, a Tapestry of Faith program for youth that culminates in their creation of a faith statement, Judeo-Christain stories, social justice work and community projects.

We welcome questions at any time and would like to remind everyone that as the program grows, so to does our need for help. Once a month or every other week, we need you at whatever level of commitment works for you. We supply all resources and lesson plans. Please speak with me or any member of the Religious Education committee for details.

“The participants in all educational work are not only the children but all the community.” This quote from religious educator Maria Harris reminds those of us who believe we are part of this community that we must step in from the side lines. The community, this community, by speaking together, worshiping together, living together, continually helps educate us in becoming who we are. Help us
provide for the children and youth that they too may benefit from the power of the community.

Susan Freudenthal, Director of Religious Education

There is a new superintendent at the center and we hope she stays for a long time. Her name is Jean Tomlinson and she is thoroughly educated and experienced in directing a facility like the J. Paul Taylor Center and implementing the relatively new model of rehabilitation (as opposed to retribution). She is working hard to expand programs and draw in as many community organizations as possible. The center provides an impressive array of services to the kids; among them are:

• Secondary and post secondary education with distance learning to any post-secondary NM institution,
• Peer tutoring and access to Graduate Teaching Assistance – 22 week semesters
• Pre-GED and GED testing services
• Library services
• Behavior management and individual weekly counseling
• Family counseling
• Substance abuse treatment with weekly counseling
• AA
• Men’s Wellness mentoring
• Weekly parenting classes
• Work-service programs such as Habitat for Humanity
• Weekly welding classes
• Weekly art classes
• Quarterly dinners/etiquette program (THAT’S US FOLKS!)
• Psychotropic management, i.e., depression, ADD/ADHD, and other psychiatric issues
• Weekly physician and nurse practitioner assistance
• On-call nursing coverage
• Dental services including hygiene, optometry, lab, and off-site hospitalization services

This is indeed impressive, but nothing beats the human touch from a community of caring people. That’s where we/you come in. We want to show these boys caring compassion to let them know that the world can be a very good place, and we must never forget that these boys, whom an adjudicating judge had determined are salvageable, will someday be our neighbors. If you’d like to conduct an art, writing, music or other short-term project at the center or if you would like to tutor regularly, please contact the church. Tutoring is especially needed in reading and language skills and you don’t need an educational degree.

Starting with Sunday, May 23 through early July, we will be set up in the corner of the Religious Education Great Room during coffee hour (both services) to receive your cash and school supply donations. This is a great fun program and we hope nearly everyone will find a way to participate consistent with their means and other commitments.

There are five ways to participate:

1. Give us your money and we will happily spend it for you. Make checks payable to “UU 2010 School Supply Project” and give them to whomever is manning the School Supply Desk. We will give you a receipt now and a thank you letter at the end of the year for tax purposes.
2. Go shopping, using the “UU 2010 School Supply Shopping List” (available at the School Supply Table), and tell us of any “good bargains” that you find so we can buy more. (We will also give you a receipt now and a thank you letter at the end of the year for tax purposes, if desired.)
3. Go shopping at our “Early Bird Special Table” and see what your money is buying without actually having to go “real store shopping.” We pre-purchased some basic supplies last September when the school supply “loss leader” specials were available, so these are real bargarins!
4. Volunteer to staff the School Supply Table one or two Sundays a month.
5. Volunteer to drive one or more vans to deliver the supplies to the MacArthur and Booker T. Washington Elementary Schools in mid-July, the day before school opens.

These are all fun activities! Please get involved–everyone likes kids and new crayons. Joyce Campbell-Layman and School Supply Committee (575) 521-5957 djlayman@msn.com

It’s up to UU

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.

Peace Village Kids

With sponsors from more than 50 community organizations, the fifth annual Peace Village, a multicultural, interfaith summer day camp, is moving to a new location. The first week, July 12-16, for those entering grades 6 to 10, will be held at Temple Beth El, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The second week, July 19-23, for children entering grades 1 to 5, will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mark your calendar NOW.

Throughout each week campers will learn about the practice of peace making, both by understanding the roots of violence, such as societal injustices and media modeling of violence, and by learning practical techniques to deal with violence in themselves and others. Techniques for peace making include: conflict resolution, meditation, the arts, nature studies, supporting sustainable living, and cooperative play. The curriculum for older students will also include a component on building responsible relationships. All experiences will be age appropriate and will model a deep respect for cultural and religious diversity. Both sessions of the camp incorporate an emphasis on community service. In 2009, campers worked with the Potter’s Guild to help produce bowls for the annual Empty Bowls event. They also spent time volunteering at the Community of Hope. Similar experiences are planned for this year, along with enrichment activities such as silk painting, drumming, meditation, massage, storytelling, and folding origami peace cranes.

Planning is well underway for summer 2010. This year the camp hopes to enroll 80 campers and to hire 10 to 12 intern counselors. New interns, recommended by co-sponsors or other community organizations, will participate in week one of Peace Village. The interns will then receive training as counselors during a July 17 retreat and work with the younger children during the second week of Peace Village. These teen interns develop their own peacemaking and leadership skills as they support the younger children and they also receive a stipend.

In 2009, Peace Village served 70 campers and 11 teenage intern counselors. Almost one-third of the campers were on full scholarship. More than one-fourth of the campers were from La Casa, a program that offers safe housing, counseling, and support services to victims of domestic violence and their children. The La Casa staff worked closely with Peace Village planners and teachers. All the core teachers were current or retired educators donating their time. A total of more than 100 volunteers, filling many roles, were involved in making the camp a success.

In order to make this year’s experience available to many children who cannot afford to pay, the camp needs your support. There are two major ways to contribute to the effort. First, the camp needs volunteers. Due to the fact that La Casa funding has been reduced, their staff will not be able to participate at the same level as in past years. There is a special need for bilingual (English/Spanish) speakers who can spend one or more days with the campers. From now through the actual dates of the camp there are many other opportunities for volunteers to share time and talent. Simply contact Becca Winship at Peace Lutheran Church (575) 522-7119. Second, monetary donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. A $100 donation pays the stipend for a teen intern counselor; $60 pays for a camper scholarship; and any amount helps with miscellaneous expenses. Monetary donations should be sent to Shirley Davis, Treasurer, Peace Village, 2000 South Solano Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88001.

Brochures containing complete information and a registration are available at Peace Lutheran Church, Branigan Memorial Library, COAS Bookstore, and Mountain View Co-op. For more information call check on-line at www.peacevillagenm.org .

The Tombaugh Gallery is calling for regional artists within a 150 mile radius of Las Cruces to submit proposals for exhibitions for calendar year 2011. Non-traditional media or subject matter is welcome.  All artwork must be for sale.  Submissions should contain a letter of proposal with information about the artist, type of work to be shown and a disk of 8 representative images as JPGs. For group shows, supply a list of all members and 1 or 2 images from each member.  If a show theme is being considered, please explain the theme fully.  Submissions must be postmarked no later than September 1, 2010, and will be reviewed by October 1, 2010.  Accepted applicants will be notified by October 15th and possible exhibit dates will be discussed.  If we do not accept your proposal, you will be notified by November 1, 2010.

Address submissions to: Margaret Berrier, Committee Secretary, Tombaugh Gallery Committee, 2000 S. Solano, Las Cruces, NM 88001. For details, e-mail to tombaugh-gallery@zianet.com.

Many people ask, “What are Covenant Groups and what makes them different from other groups?”

The Purpose of Covenant Groups is to support connections between participants, thereby strengthening congregational community.  In the Covenant Group, individuals and groups explore questions of meaning and purpose that we do not often have opportunity to talk about.  One does not have to consider one’s self to be especially “spiritual” in order to participate, but be willing to engage with others as you witness and affirm each other’s journeys.  Participants grow in their understanding of what is personally meaningful to them, while building a caring and supportive church community.

Service is also an essential aspect of covenant groups.  Each group performs some kind of service for the congregation and/or the greater community.  Such service highlights the interplay between giving and receiving in the development of spiritual growth.

The structure of Covenant Groups is also different from other groups.  They are not like a class, they are not like the Round Table and they are not a replacement for the Sunday Service.  The groups and their interconnections are unique in the life of the church.  Here are some of the characteristics.

1. Size: Groups are intentionally small, 6-10 members.

2. Structured Format: The structure of the group sets a tone for personal sharing beyond ordinary conversation or communication. Gathering, Opening, Check In, Topic, Sharing, Check Out, Closing.  Listening and non-judgment are critical aspects of the sharing time.

3. Frequency: Groups are encouraged to meet twice a month, and no less than once a month.  The more frequently the groups meet, the more effective they are.

4. Setting: Groups are encouraged to meet in private homes.

5. Covenants; Each small group is responsible for establishing a behavioral covenant specifying how members will be with one another. Each covenant should include the group’s commitment to  community service. Each group will determine to do one act of service each year that is beneficial for the church and/or the larger community.

6. Duration: The initial groups at UUCLC began in March 2006 and will continue through December 2006. At that time new people may join the program, and participants may decide whether they want to continue with their group, join another group, or move on to something else.

7. Empty Chair: Covenant groups often include an empty chair to symbolize that there are others who need inclusion.  It is also a reminder of the expectation that a new group will develop (be “born”) when membership in a group expands beyond 10 or so.  The initial groups for UUCLC will each determine through their covenanting process, whether or not to include an empty chair.

8. Facilitators: Volunteer congregants will be trained to guide the process of covenant groups. Several facilitators have already been identified.

Covenant Groups are one more way we share the ministry of our church, helping each other and making our church stronger.  You will be hearing more about this new program in the coming months, and I hope you will consider participating.  In the mean time, if you have questions, please feel free to ask one of the steering committee members.

Facilitated by Director of Religious Education, Susan Freudenthal

The Tombaugh Gallery seeks submissions for Juried Fine Crafts Exhibit in December 2011.

The Tombaugh Gallery of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces is calling for submissions for a juried Fine Craft exhibit to be held in December 2011. The exhibit will run from December 5 to 31st.

Specifications

This exhibit will be of contemporary craft work that is cutting edge and ensures the highest standard of workmanship. An innovative use of materials and aesthetic vision is encouraged rather than works

made by the assembly of components. The signature of the individual should be reflected in the work. The juror for the exhibit will be Suzanne Kane, award winning ceramicist and Archi Bray Fellow.

T I M E L I N E

November 5, 2010, application & $20 fee due

Eligibility

The Exhibit is open to regional artists 18 years or older living within a 150 mile radius of Las Cruces, NM. Work must have been completed within the last 2 years and not have been exhibited in any show or gallery in Las Cruces and must be for sale. Accepted media will be jewelry, basketry, fiber arts, glass, art quilts, ceramics, forged metal, wood craft, and furniture. Three dimensional work on a pedestal is not to exceed 24” X 36” in height. Jewelry submissions may consist of a group of 1-5 pieces under glass. Other media submissions may total 3 pieces.

Fee

There is a $20 entry fee. Completed entries are to be postmarked no later than November 5, 2010.

The gallery is located at 2000 S. Solano, Las Cruces, NM and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am – 2pm.

Application

Application and Prospectus

WomenSpirit has been an annual retreat since the year 2000 and is held on a long weekend every September near Cloudcroft, NM. Adult women from our church and the larger community join together for a weekend of companionship, relaxation, and spiritual renewal. There are opportunities for spiritual work and many fun, creative hands-on activities including: arts and crafts, writing, drumming, dancing, and music. Between the opening and closing ceremonies, there are always opportunities for hiking or curling up with a good book. The retreat fee is all-inclusive with linens, lodging, and good, hearty food. The 2010 retreat is scheduled for September 17th, 18th, and 19th.

WomenSpirit Registration 2010

WomenSpirit Schedule 2010

WomenSpirit 2010 What To Bring

Because it is illustrated, the report is about 3.5 megabytes in size and might take awhile to download.  You’ll need an Adobe reader to view the file.

Final Dream Summit Report