June Light

^{Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, Vol. 73, Num. 6
Services Every Sunday of the Year
We are a transformational Force for Love and Justice in Our Community
We gather to inspire spiritual growth, care for each other and our community, seek truth, and work for justice.}

Our church administrator is Nancy Zacarias. The church office is open Mon.-Fri from 10 AM until 2 PM

Join our streamed worship service on YouTube every Sunday at 10 AM, See past worship services on our YouTube channel
Deadline for Light submissions is the 25th of every month

Our Minister

The Reverend Rod Thompson

Rod’s Ruminations

Miss Green made us memorize poems as part of my 8th Grade English class. I still remember a few lines from some of them. As I think about the month of June, I can’t not think about these lines, that I learned so long ago, from James Russell Lowell’s poem

The Vision of Sir Launfal

And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays…

June is going to be another busy month, for me and for the congregation. Elsewhere in this issue of The Light, you’ll read about what is happening in and around the church, but as a Short-Timer, this is what I’ll be busy with.

In addition to the usual Staff and Committee Meetings, I will share an Exit Interview with our Regional Congregational Life liaison, Tania Marquez. Your Board will also be doing the same. Most of the last half of the month will be spent on a road trip. First I’ll head to Hiram, Ohio for the Alumni Weekend of my college, Hiram College. From there I’ll drive to Baltimore for “Ministry Days” where our Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association spends 3 days in worship, workshops, and re-connecting with our peers. That time together then goes right into the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly for more worship, workshops, seminars, and the Annual Business Meetings of the Association. On my way home I’ll spend a few days with my family and friends back in Ohio.

I will be back in time for the Closing on my new home in Trails West Senior Community, scheduled for July 1st . That leads to my last month with you as your minister, but more on that next month.

Let’s have a great month.

Our President

Linda Ruchala

I have been out of town, but will be back by the time this is published. Rain followed us the entire time we were camping, I sure hope it will follow us back to Las Cruces! Otherwise, coming back refreshed and ready for the heat (I think!).

Board of Trustees

Religious Education

Kellie Ingram, Director of Religious Education

“There are two seasons when the leaves are in their glory, their green and perfect youth in June and this their ripe old age.” — Henry David Thoreau

June has always been my favorite month of the year! As I child I loved June because it was the start of the summer break, which meant staying up late and more time with friends. As a teenager, summer meant sleeping in because I was staying out late, spending time with friends! And as a mom, I’ve loved June because it’s meant more time with my own kiddos. “Quality Time” is my love language! And now, I will love June even more as a Grannie, since this is the month, my granddaughter is due! I cannot wait to see what late nights or early mornings will look like now..

Religious Education will kick off summer with an “End of School” party, held on Sunday, June 1st! We want to celebrate our youth by recognizing their dedication and hard work during the year-round school schedule. Childcare employees and RE committee members will join in hosting several different “party stations” including a candy and fruit station, a craft station, and a bubble station. We will also be offering outdoor games like “catch and toss”, cornhole, giant checkers and more! If you, or anyone else you know may be interested in learning more about Religious Education or it’s events, please reach out to DRE-Kellie Ingram at .

Music and Choir

Erick Ramirez, Director of Music

I have always liked this time of year, musically speaking. In many different communities, this time of year from May to July is referred to as “The Season of Family.” We celebrate holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Some communities have Children’s Day/Week, and other communities celebrate Grandparent’s Day. We venture out and spend time with each other, and we are reminded that life is connected.

Holidays like Memorial Day and US Independence Day remind us of the past; for some, that is attached to freedom and way of life. For others, it isn’t as peachy. Juneteenth calls us to celebrate the liberation and final disbursement of liberty to a people that for so long had been dehumanized. I mentioned this last Sunday that I come from an American colony. Several have approached me to ask what I meant. I tried to give a crack shot history lesson, but it didn’t really capture what that means. For the better part, it means that I still hope to sing one day a song of freedom that cherishes the sacrifices and oppression faced by my people: a song of dance, a song of cheer.

I focus on music in situations like this to remember my past and honor those that have come before by listening to the words, to the stories, found in music of communities all around me. That, I think, is the best part of being a musician, or a music listener at that: we get to hear stories, if we try. We get to share stories, when we listen. Our community is strengthened, our family grows, and we can truly celebrate this season of family.

Administration

Nancy Zacarias, Church Administrator

Office and library hours are Mon.-Fri. 10 AM until 2 PM. You can email the office at .

Committees and Programs

Caring Ministry

What Is The Caring Ministry

We are a committee of church members and friends who work to provide a variety of services to our church community. Currently the active members include Rev Rod Thompson, Hale Huber (chair), Linda Ruchala, Lori Miller, Sheree Brown, Vijay Bhalla and Susan West.

We have created a list of VOLUNTEERS (about 18 people) from the congregation who are willing to do some of the following:

• Provide transportation to medical appointments
• Make hospital and home visits
• Provide meals on a short term basis
• Visit home-bound members
• Make telephone visits
• Do emergency errands
• Provide bereavement home support
• Provide out of town hospitality
• Provide emergency pet care
• Transport medical equipment (walkers, crutches and more)
• Send cards

If you have a need for help, either as an emergency or a planned issue, you can call Nancy at the church office, send her email at or call Hale Huber directly.

CUUPS by Cassandra Calway –

_{“Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.” The Sixth Source of Affirmation of the Unitarian Universalist Association.}

Litha or Midsummer occurs on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Litha represents the peak of the sun’s power and the fullness of the summer season, celebrating the abundance of light, life and energy.

Desert Spirit CUUPS will celebrate on June 21, 6:00 for potluck and 7:00 for ritual.

Please take a look at our beautiful Wheel of The Year that is hanging in the Religious Education Building great room.

Yule: Celebrates the winter solstice.
lmbolc: An ancient festival welcoming the first wave of spring.
Ostara: Celebrates the spring equinox
Beltane: Celebrates May Day
Litha: Celebrates the summer solstice
Lughnasadh (Loo-nas-ah): Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season
Mabon: Celebrates the autumnal equinox
Samhain (saa-wn): Celebrates the end of harvest season

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) is an organization dedicated to networking Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists (UUs), educating people about Paganism, promoting interfaith dialogue, developing Pagan liturgies and theologies, and supporting Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalist religious professionals.

Facilities by Charlie Scholz –

Good News From Facilities!

We have been told that the Department of Energy grant we applied for two years ago is a go. This summer we will have to have an energy audit. It is anticipated that this audit will include a scope of work which will address our priorities.

With that in mind, the Facilities Management Committee met last month to go over the items we had prioritized when we submitted our application for the grant. They are:

1. Upgrading all HVAC systems This includes heat pumps for space and water heating.
2. Elimination of appliances requiring natural gas.
3. Modification of electrical distribution to improve the balance of loads between buildings.
4. Replacement of the roof of the office/library wing for improved insulation and elimination of old ducting. Replacement of the windows in this building. Change: The HVAC serving the library/office spaces will be replaced with mini-split units and the ducting will be eliminated.
5. Modify air circulation in the sanctuary to improve the air-quality in this space.

Finance by Shirley Davis –

Five months into the church’s fiscal year and the Finance Committee says “Thank You” for your continued generosity. Pledge payments are received electronically, and in the plate and in the mail. Thank you for using our electronic giving which lessens the work for Nancy, our Office Administrator. Your generous pledges keep our organization operating with our staff, our building and our caring for each other and the world. In the first quarter of 2025 the Change 4 Change collection provided $1,688 to the Dharmahorse Equine Sanctuary. You are a generous congregation.

If you have questions about the church finances, contact us at the above e-mail address. Ed Long and Shirley Davis, Co-Chairs

Generous Giving by Jack Welch

Our thanks go to Nancy L Anderson for her gift to our Minister’s Discretionary Fund as well as to Rex Myers and Susan Richards for their generous donation for our Little Free Pantry.

We had 12 special gifts in support of our Change 4 Change Fund. The donors are: Marsha Adkinson, Dave Brown, Dale Emmert, Holly Goettelmann, Stepfanie Hart-Hults, Danny and Deborah Hawkins, Rex Myers and Susan Richards, Jodie Nachison, Elwin Nunn, Bob and Joan Pipkins, Dave and Ginny Rice, and Dave and Ilene Steele. The recipient for this quarter’s Change 4 Change is the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope. Thank you all; your generosity is much appreciated.

Hospitality

Hospitality Rotation Schedule

This schedule is now permanently located on the Members page of our website under Sunday Hospitality Rotation. A new addition to the hospitality rotation is the Caring Committee, which will be handling 5th Sundays throughout the year.

Library by Rabbit Loring

Vacation!

June is usually our hottest month. It’s a great time to stay inside in the air conditioning and read good books. That is exactly what I’m planning to do.

By next month we should know what book has been chosen as the UU Common Read for the coming year. I’m looking forward to finding out what important issue was selected at General Assembly and, of course, I will get a copy for the library.

Book Club

We are reading An Elderly Woman is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten. We will meet on the 13th at 3:30 in the library. Please contact Deb or Danny Hawkins for more information.

Membership by Lyn Pearson –

Not that we’re keep count…

We currently have 164 church members. We hope each and every one of them is enjoying their membership, finding church services to be interesting and fulfilling, and finding their place in our community by participating all of the many opportunities we have for fellowship.

Coming Up

This is the month for Circle Suppers. We will be looking for both hosts and guests, so if you feel moved to commit now, by all means contact Carol Casavant at or at her personal email address for any additional information for either being a host or guest. Carol may still be looking for hosts and guests and if she is, please talk to her about what these dinners are all about and consider hosting or attending one of them.

Smile and say, “Cheese!” (if you’re able/willing) – it’s time for a new UUCLC Photo-Directory.

Rich Richins

With Reverend Ali coming soon, I felt it might be useful to do a new photo directory.  We’ve done this occasionally in the past – usually in collaboration with a local photo professional/studio.  I figured that I could do this myself, and with Lyn’s blessing I’m going to begin doing so beginning in late June.  I anticipate setting up on Sundays following the service for an hour or two and possibly doing some additional photo sessions on some weeknights as needed.  I’ll also be updating member/friend emails and your committee involvement.  I’ll gladly do photos of individuals, couples, families, and I’ll give you your copyright-free image(s) absolutely free (that’s a good price).  Please stay tuned for additional information regarding dates/locations. –

Eating Out

On June 20th Dining Out will be at Paisanos Cafe at 1749 Calle de Mercado in Mesilla, just off Avenida de Mesilla. This month Danny and Deb Hawkins will be taking care of questions and reservations. You may contact them directly at their personal email addresses to make your reservation or you can send email to You can also contact Nancy in the church office .

Reservations must be made not later than noon on Wednesday, June 18.

Welcoming Congregation

We just received our 2024 certification from the Unitarian Universalist Association along with kudos for all of our hard work meeting the five requirements for certification. We are well on our way toward this year’s certification and if you would like to help the Welcoming Congregation efforts this year, please contact Sara Thomas or send and email to .

Greeters

Our heartfelt thanks to our May greeters:

2026 Pledge Campaign – Charlie Scholz

We met last month to discuss our approach to the 2026 Campaign. We all agreed that this will be a critical year for our annual Pledge Drive. With the uncertainty of the national economy, the number of new members and the percentage of unpledged members, we felt must make a special effort to reach everyone and to raise the largest amount of money we can.

We talked about a number of ideas including:

1. Publicity: Announcements, “why I pledge” Testimonials and videos to be
   played on Sunday morning before and after the Service
2. Education: information about the Church, the cost of operations with
   emphasis on service and maintenance
3. Persuasion: Brochure of plans and needs, sales letter to all members and
   friends
4. Visitation: especially to new members and those who do not or cannot attend
   regularly.
5. Testimonials: First person accounts of what the Church means to me
6. Updates: on the progress toward the financial goals with graphs and charts

We also created a tentative timeline for the Fall Campaign with a kickoff on Sunday September 21 and a celebration of the success of the Campaign in December.

Social Justice –

The Social Justice Committee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 1:30 PM in the library and on Zoom.

Climate Action Group – Greg White

The Climate Action Group (CAG) is active! We meet by Zoom at 3:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month. Our emphases for this year are creating or supporting educational outreach programs, supporting efforts to make the Church and our campus more environmentally efficient, and supporting the Church through volunteer work.

For more information, contact Greg White personally or at .

Sunday Services by Katie Fitzgerald –

We welcome new members to our committee or any input or feedback you would like to share.  Contact Charlie Scholz or Katie Fitzgerald, in care of the Sunday Services Committee.

June 1, Truth Be Known, Sam Palahnuk

Unitarian Universalists are seekers of truth. What does that mean in today’s world?

June 8, 70 Years of Leadership and Vision, Rev. Emerita Nancy Anderson

Today we celebrate 70 years of existence of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces. On May 13, 1955, 14 people signed the charter creating the Unitarian Fellowship of Las Cruces. Over the years many people, both lay and professional, have led the congregation from Fellowship to Church, from Unitarian to Unitarian Universalist, from single minister to multi staff church. Our gratitude goes to all those who have assumed leadership to guide us to the present moment. Today we stand on the threshold of a new UUCLC guided by new leadership and new vision and upheld by those who came before.

We honor 22 people who have stayed the course as members for 25 to 60 years. We are blessed by their presence among us.

June 15, Father’s Day, Charlie Scholz

Let’s play our respects to our fathers or those who mentored and nurtured our growth as fathers do.

June 22, Journey For The Soul, John Seeley

St. Augustine “I sought my soul. My soul I could not see.” Come to hear how to find and nurture your soul.

June 29, The Messages Found In John Prine’s Music, Ed Long

There are spiritual messages to be found in the music of country star John Prine.

Tombaugh Gallery by Lurene John –

The gallery will be closed until September.

Gallery Hours (when the gallery is open)

First Fridays, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 2:00
Sunday, 11:30 to 2:00 Or by appointment (575) 522-7281

Requests and Items of Interest

Join the Mindfulness Group

We meet every Tuesday at 3 pm in the Religious Education Building great room to spend an hour with relaxation and mindfulness.

Join us for quiet meditation for 2 twenty minute sets with a short silent walk in between. 

This is a drop-in group. Donations welcome. 

Class Update for Qi-Gong+Indian-Club Movement

Carol Allen, the instructor, invites you to sign up at any time. 

This is a gentle exercise class done either standing or sitting in one place. It can increase strength, balance and concentration. There is a maximum of 7 students per class. 

Classes are held in the Religious Education Building great room. There is a one-time registration fee of $12 for the full session or a drop-in fee of $1 for a single class. All fees go to the church. The first class is free for potential new students or visitors.

Session 2 – Spring 2025 – Apr / May / Jun -12 classes

• Tuesdays at 2 pm – Apr 1 thru Jun 17
• Thursdays at 12 pm – Apr 3  thru Jun 19

If interested please contact either Carol Allen or the church office.

Events of Note

NAACP Juneteenth Banquet

The 2025 Juneteenth Banquet will be held at the Las Cruces Convention Center on Saturday, June 21, at 6:00pm. Pastor Michael E. Grady whose daughter was shot 4 times in the El Paso Walmart massacre but survived will be the keynote speaker.

Tickets are $75. To sit with other UUs, please make your reservation with Jan Thompson. Checks should be made payable to NAACP DAC. UUCLC usually fills 2 tables for this event. Let’s do it again. We are proud to partner with the NAACP.

September 26-28 WOMENSPIRIT Retreat Dates

Please save the dates Sept 26-28^th for 2025 WomenSpirit Retreat in Sacramento, NM. This is NOT the usual 2^nd weekend of September, but the 4^th weekend instead. The weather will be a bit cooler at this mountain retreat, but the weekend works better for many of the participants. Workshops are still being planned so we can’t announce those yet, but they’re always a variety of fun activities. Registration opens in June, with either online registration or paper forms available in the UU Library. Registration forms are also sent to past participants. This retreat is open to anyone identifying as a woman, age 18 or older.

Regularly Scheduled Activities

Always check the calendar on our website or, if you receive them, Week at A Glance email notices for changes to dates and times or events not listed here.

Every Monday

6:30-7:30 PM — Aikido in the Religious Education Building great room. Contact Trish Rude if you wish to attend this class. NOTE: The class does not meet the last Monday of every month.

Every Tuesday

10-11 AM and 5:45-6:45 — T’ai Chi in the Religious Education Building great room.

2-3 PM — Qi Gong in the Religious Education Building great room.

3-4 PM — Mindfulness — We meet every Tuesday at in the Religious Education Building great room to spend an hour with relaxation and mindfulness. Join us for quiet meditation for 2 twenty minute sets with a short silent walk in between. This is a drop-in group. Donations, which go to the church, are welcome. 

Every Wednesday

9-10 AM — Caring Conversations meets on Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87064121421?pwd=QmNhYVlrUTltK1cxRDhSRVdOU01rdz09, Meeting ID: 870 6412 1421, Passcode: 564007

9:30-11:00 AM — Weight Watchers in the Religious Education Building great room.

2 PM — The Bridge Group plays bridge in the church lobby. If you want to play, contact Nancy Anderson by email, phone, or at church to let her know you would like to be on her weekly contact list.

6:30-7:30 PM — Aikido in the Religious Education Building great room. Contact Trish Rude if you wish to attend this class.

Every Thursday

10-11 AM and 5:45-6:45 — T’ai Chi in the Religious Education Building great room.

12-1 PM — Qi Gong in the Religious Education Building great room. (beginning of March at 12 pm)

Every Friday

12-1 PM — Yoga in the Religious Education Great Room.

T.G.I.F. – Zoom Together. A great way to end your week with your fellow Unitarian Universalists. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5755227281?pwd=OEp3RTNkcWNid0tTNHFDNHEzUFNIUT09
Meeting ID: 575 522 7281
Passcode: 7777777

1st Thursday

7-8 PM — Sound Meditation and Relaxation in the Sanctuary for an hour of relaxation. Bring your yoga mat, if you like.

2nd Thursday

3:30-5:30 PM — Book Club. If you would like to join us, please email Danny or Deb Hawkins. We meet in the library.

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm — Shape Note Singing in the church lobby. Contact Cathy Cox for more information.

3rd Thursday

6:30-8:00 PM — Death Cafe. Please join us the third Thursday of each month for an opportunity to sit with others and share your experiences with death and grieving.  We meet in the church library.  Contact Brooks Lewis at or leave a voice message at 512-826-1472. 

4th Thursday

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm — Shape Note Singing in the church lobby. Contact Cathy Cox for more information.

2nd Friday

6:30-8:30 PM — Game Night. Join us in the Religious Education Building Great Room. Bring a snack to share and a favorite game. Hope to see you there.

3rd Friday

5:30-7:30 PM — Eating Out. A group of members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant on the 3rd Friday of the month. Please contact Janet Martinique at to make your reservation the Wednesday before the dinner.

2nd Saturday

1-3 PM — The UU Crafters Group meets the second Saturday of each month at 1:00 in the Religious Education building. Come join us to learn new crafts, share your projects, and have fun. All are invited, guys, gals, teens, members, non-members, new crafters, and experts. We share project ideas and always learn fun new crafts. Carol Stanfill and Sara Thomas. Questions? Email

2nd Saturday in Feb, May, Aug, Nov – Fine Dining Experience

Dinner at the J Paul Taylor Detention Facility with a group of 14-21 year-old young men. Contact Haney Pearson if you would like to participate.

3rd Saturday

1-2 PM — Drumming Circle. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience drumming with Yolanda Martinez in the Religious Education Building great room.

6:00-8:30 PM — CUUPS. This is the Las Cruces chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. We practice and educate others on Earth-centered spirituality. We gather monthly on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 6 PM for a potluck and either ritual or an informative class. All events are open to everyone interested in learning and/or growing in their spiritual path. Events held at the church unless otherwise noted. Visit http://www.facebook.com/desertspiritcuups or email .