September Light

^{Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, Vol. 73, Num. 9
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

Rev. Ali K.C. Bell

Rev. Bell’s Beacon

Shining reflections on faith, community, and belonging

Beloveds,

As we turn the page into September, our theological theme of Beginning and Belonging invites us to pause and notice what it means to arrive, to return, and to root ourselves in community. In Gathering is just around the corner, and we will celebrate with the beautiful ritual of our Water Ceremony—each of us bringing a bit of water to mingle as a sign of our shared lives and interdependence. This is one of my favorite Unitarian Universalist traditions, a reminder that our journeys flow together into something greater.

Looking back, August has already held so much new life in our congregation—from the Backpack Blessing, where all the bags brought by the community were blessed and each person received a turquoise heart as a symbol of love and support, to the warmth of summer worship, to preparing for the year ahead in Religious Education. Each of these moments has been a sign of the belonging we create together.

I also want to remind you that I serve you as a three-quarter-time minister. Each fourth week I am off for rest and renewal. Here are the weeks I will be away this fall:

• August 25–31, 2025 (back Tuesday, Sept. 2)
• September 28–October 4, 2025 (back Sunday, Oct. 5)
  I will also be away October 6–10, 2025 for Interim Ministry Training in Montgomery, AL.
• October 26–November 1, 2025 (back Sunday, Nov. 2)
• November 23–29, 2025 (back Sunday, Nov. 30)

Even when I am away, the ministries of this congregation continue—led by our dedicated lay leaders, staff, and the spirit of love that binds us together.

I look forward to beginning this new chapter with you—carrying the waters of our stories, our hopes, and our shared commitment to be a beacon of love in Las Cruces. In faith, Rev. Ali K.C. Bell

Our President

Linda Ruchala

The worst of the summer’s heat has not passed us and we can look forward to the cooling evenings on porches and lengthening time spent in the garden, on the hiking trail, or wherever else you gain perspective from the outside world.

September is becoming a month of celebration for us. In addition to the usual activities that occur on and off the church campus during the month, we have several special events coming up.

• Sunday, September 7 is our In Gathering service. This is a time for us to come together in celebration our committees and activities. I hope that you will check out the various tables, talk with committee representatives and volunteer for one or two committees that you find interesting. If you are a new member, it’s a great way of getting to know others and begin participating in the community.
• Saturday, September 20 is the 70^th anniversary gala celebration.  Our congregation began in 1955 when 14 people met together to form an initial covenant.  We are celebrating our local roots with food, conversation and fun. The IT staff, Membership Chair, and Rev Ali developed a group of 3 logos that reflect Unitarian Universalism and our church in particular – the final choices will be presented at the Gala and you will get to vote on the best one. The logo you choose will be used on our website, pamphlets, business cards, and other printed materials.

If you have received an E-vite for the gala, I hope you will respond so that we can plan our refreshments. If you have not received an E-vite, you are still welcome to attend!  We could use some volunteers during the event, a signup table is available outside of the sanctuary after services.

In the process of celebrating our history and looking forward to our next 70 years, we want to make sure that we recognize the names of our original members. If you happen to know of one or more of those persons, please send me or the Church Office an email.

I hope to see you at our services and our celebrations this month!

Board of Trustees

The Board had a full agenda this month! We welcomed Rev Ali to his first Board meeting. With a new minister, the Board also needed to reconstitute the Committee on Ministry and discuss the changes in staff supervision to make sure the staff are well supported in their roles.

The Board also continued its work in the annual church budget process. Last month, Board members made their financial pledges for the 2026 calendar year. This month, the Board developed the 2026 Board and Stewardship budgets. All Committees should have their 2026 budgets completed and submitted to the Finance Committee by the end of this month.

Finally, in the next month you will be seeing some new signs around our campus – the Board agreed with the Social Justice Committee that signs be posted prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from our church grounds without legally signed warrants for their presence. As is said in the Unitarian Universalist Association Action of Immediate Witness, passed at the General Assembly this year: “We reject policies and practices that deny immigrants their basic human rights — especially the right to due process protected under the U.S. Constitution and international law.”

Religious Education

Kellie Ingram, Director of Religious Education

Happily, we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures…” –Henry David Thoreau

Our Religious Education pumpkins maybe receiving just a little too much of that warm, desert sun! While they are growing and beginning to bud, some days they look more wilted than wonderful. Our younger religious education students look
forward to watering them every Sunday and charting their growth. As a matter of fact, they enjoy “watering” everything outside – from the sandbags to the sidewalks! Please feel welcome to take a look outside outside at the progress of our youths’ wonderful project (and feel free to give them welcome refreshment).

Speaking of Religious Education projects, this month our students will also be hosting another food drive for the churches very own, Little Free Pantry! Please join us the 14th of September as we aim to restock our supplies while also teaching our youths the importance of generosity (one of JET-PIGS favorite actions) and community involvement. Like previous drives we are asking for- easy open, ready to eat, prepared foods. Also drinks and travel size personal hygiene items. No donation is too small; every item
is appreciated. For more information, please reach out to .

Music and Choir

Erick Ramirez, Director of Music

This month, some members of the choir got the chance to prepare some music for a member that has been away for a bit due to illness, Haney Pearson. I had not seen him for a while, but I was so glad that he was in great spirits when we arrived. I didn’t know if he would be able to really participate, but was encouraged that he wanted to join right in and sing with us.

Sharing time with Lyn and Haney felt like home. As we have been talking about thresholds and beginnings this month, I was reminded that Haney is going through a threshold that I understand he has gone through before, but that has presented challenges, nonetheless. I am encouraged that we could be a part of bringing even the smallest amount of joy to them, and sharing the love of this community in their home.

Moving forward, I would encourage you to let me know if there are people in the community that you think would benefit from a visit from the choir. We are also going to prepare a no-frills CD of some classic Unitarian Universalist songs that we can distribute to those that may not be able to have a visit, but that would still like to listen and reminisce with the choir.

Thank you, family, and I hope to hear from you.

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

Roundtable Returns With Some Changes

Learning never ends. We are happy to announce that Roundtable programs are back. This time, though, we will meet the second and fourth Monday nights at 6:30 in the Library. Come join us to hear knowledgeable speakers talk about interesting topics. Roundtables might cover art, religion, local and national items of interest, history, travel, and much more.

These are “hybrid” presentations that are both live and virtual using Zoom. Coordinators are Jan Thompson and Elisa Sanchez.

Mark you calendar, you won’t want to miss this Roundtable! Monday, September 22 at 6:30 PM.

Project 2025: MAGA Gameplan. Where You Lose.

We are especially pleased and honored that Bill McCamley has agreed to be our first presenter on Monday, Sept. 22, at 6:30pm. Bill is a former County Commissioner, State Representative, and Cabinet Secretary and will speak in depth on the MAGA attempt to take over government, destroy Social Security, Medicaid, and Head Start, and set women back 150 years. He has done the reading of Project 2025 (all 900+ pages) for you.

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.}

Mabon is the Pagan celebration of the autumnal equinox. It is the second of the three fall harvest holidays, Lughnasa, Mabon and Samhain. Marking the balance of equal day and night, after this each day will get shorter and the night longer.

Join us on September 27, 6:00 PM for feasting and 7:00 PM for ritual. Please notice the date change. We will also burn the old basket and make the new one for everyone to tie their prayers on at Pagan Pride Day in October.

I wanted to point out the date change because many members of Desert Spirit CUUPS will be in Tijeris for Mabon. This is a statewide celebration and the gathering is usually about 200 people. There is a sharing of ideas, community meals, dancing, drumming and 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’ve been doing housekeeping chores this month including installing the new signs for handicapped spaces and reserved parking places. Thanks to Bill Fitzgerald for his good work in this area.

And by the time you read this we should have the AC working in the Tombaugh Gallery. The parts were due in on Wednesday August 27, with the installation scheduled for later that day.

We’ve also been busy working on the Facilities budget for 2026 which includes a large number of capital projects.

Finance by Ed Long and Shirley Davis –

Living With A Budget

Our church will plan the budget for 2026 and you will be asked to approve the 2026 Budget in December of this year. Having a budget makes sure there will be monies available for all church programs to succeed. Programs include spiritual leadership of the minister, the religious education of youth and adults, the music which inspires us, Social Justice which reaches out to the world, and the committees which care for the congregation.

All committee and group leaders are asked to submit a 2026 budget request.  By the time this article appears, we will have received those requests.  The Finance Committee will assemble a preliminary budget to present to the congregation in the latter part of September based on those budget requests and our best estimate of 2026 income.  The process will continue in October and November with meetings in person and by Zoom to review the potential budget.  Our work will culminate in a proposed budget to the Board of Trustees in November and a congregational vote in December.  Stay tuned!

Learn About InFellowship

Remember, InFellowship is a simple, secure way to keep track of your contributions and ensure your records are up to date. It’s also a good place to make Memorial and Celebratory contributions and set up any regular contributions, such as pledge fulfillment.

To get started:

1. Visit uuchurchlc.org
2. Hover over the “Members” tab and click on “Your Church Account”
3. Click “InFellowship Login” and enter the email address you’ve already provided to the church
4. Set up your password, if you haven’t already
5. Once logged in through “Your Giving”, look for the “History” tab at the top — there you’ll find a detailed record of your contributions for the past two years.

This is a great tool for reviewing your annual giving, confirming pledges, and preparing for tax season. If you have any questions or run into issues logging in, feel free to contact the church office for support or email .

Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to our UUCLC community! Shirley Davis and Ed Long

Generous Giving by Jack Welch

August was a big month for generous giving. We had fourteen special gifts for our “Change 4 Change Fund”. The generous gifts came from Marsha Adkinson, Jane Asche, Rev JeKaren Bell, Shree Brown, Andrea Dominquez, Stephanie Hart-Hults, Dan and Deborah Hawkins, Karl Kohl, Autumn Patton, Kat Rauvola, Dave and Ginny Rice, Elisa Sanchez, David and Ilene Steele, and Karuna and Marie Warren.

We thank the following for their support of our Social Action’s “Tents 2 Rents” Fund. Jane Asche, Bill and Kate Fitzgerald, Angela Keady, Jodie Nachison, Elwin Nunn, Dave and Ginny Rice, Dave and Ilene Steele, Jack Welch and Gayle Trantham, and Susan West.

Jennifer Trantham made a very generous gift to the church for the Zia tribe. The Zia have graciously allowed us to continue using their religious symbol, the Zia, in our sanctuary. We, in turn, donate money to their tribe each year. You’ll learn more about our agreement with the Zia tribe later this year.

In addition to the above we thank Cathy Carver and Rex Myers and Susan Richards for their donations for our “Little Free Pantry” as well as Kat Rauvola donating for grounds beautification. And, as always, Nancy L Anderson for her monthly gift to the “Ministers Discretionary Fund”.

Please notice that a few names were listed more than once. We are a generous congregation. 

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 –

New Books Making History Now

Sometimes an author or an intriguing title catches my attention, and I think someone else in our congregation might like them as well. That’s how it is with Heather Cox Richardson. I started reading and listening to her “Letters from an American” online newsletter. She is insightful as a historian and political commentator, explaining how our past has led to our present situations. When her books How the South Won the Civil War (2020) and Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America (2023) came across my computer screen, I had to order them.

Democracy Awakening is an inciteful look at this perilous point in our history, an explanation and analysis of how we got here, and what we should pay attention to in order to preserve our democracy. Although it only covers the first Trump presidency, its analysis is sound and its message of hope for our democratic government is still positive. How the South Won the Civil War explains how the ideology of the Old South was not defeated, but expanded into the West after the Civil War under the guise of cowboy individualism which put down strong conservative roots. Richardson’s plainspoken style is a delight to read. Come check out these wonderful books.

Membership by Lyn Pearson –

Join us at the 2025 In Gathering on Sunday, September 7

If you are new to this church, In Gathering is usually held at the beginning of September. Although we have services all year, In Gathering is when people have come back from their travels, kids are back in school, and the lazy hazy days of summer are over. In Gathering is an opportunity to gather together and share a meal after worship. The Membership Committee has feasted people at In Gathering for many years and we hope you will join us this year.

We’ll give you a great lunch with a wide variety of sandwiches, potato salad, macaroni salad, hummus, cheese and crackers, and non-alcoholic drinks and much more. We’ll have a celebratory 70th Anniversary cake (yellow with white icing) and 30 chocolate cupcakes with white icing. You’ll have plenty of time to chat with friends, old and new. Bring your appetite for conversation and food. We hope to see you there!

Rev. Ali is sure to present a wonderful service and we’ll celebrate with a water communion. A Water Communion is an annual In Gathering ritual where each member, if they wish, brings a small amount of water from a special place to a central communal bowl, symbolizing the mingling of diverse individual experiences into one shared community and faith.

In Gathering Message from Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of The Unitarian Universalist Association

Our Newest Members

Committee Fair

There will be tables at In Gathering where you can find out how our committees and programs serve the church and wider community. Visit as many tables and you can, ask questions, and meet the folks who make sure the church is welcoming and full of opportunities for engagement and community-building.

Coming Up – New UU Class

We will be starting a New UU class on Sunday, September 21.

If you haven’t taken this class, I urge you to take advantage of Rev. Nancy Anderson’s deep understanding and wealth of knowledge about Unitarian Universalism and this church. A bonus is that you’ll meet other members of the church with whom you might not have had a chance to engage.

The four sessions will be on September 21, 28 and October 5 and 12. Each class will be approximately 1.5 hours and begin at 11:30 AM after the Sunday worship service. Classes will be held in the church library.

This is a chance to learn about how our faith has developed and changed over hundreds of years, how our values were developed, what it means to be in a non-doctrinal, evolving faith, and much more. I assure you, these classes are worth your time.

If you are interested in taking this class, please register by calling the office at 575-522-7281 and telling Nancy Zacarias you want to attend.

Eating Out by Carol Allen –

We meet on the 3rd Friday at 5:30 PM – each month at a different restaurant. 

Our next September gathering will be on Friday, September 19, at 5:30 PM at Santorini’s located at 1001 University Ave. Parking lot from Hagerty Rd or going west on University Av. 

Make reservations by email to  no later than Wednesday September 17 at 12 noon. 

Thank you August greeters!

If you would like to be a greeter, we can train you! Please contact our Greeter Coordinator, Mark Sukontarak at .

2026 Pledge Campaign – Charlie Scholz

We are making great progress toward the official kickoff of Pledge 2026 on Sunday, September 21. We have already canvassed the Trustees and the Committee Chairs. The new Pledge Cards are printed and ready to go and the Brochure is almost finished. We’ll also be mailing pledge requests to Friends of the UUCLC soon.

Our revised timetable is as follows:

Charlie Scholz, Chair, Pledge 2026: Here’s to the Next 70.

Our New Sanctuary – Charlie Scholz

We will be showing a site plan and a speculative outline of a new building at the 70 th Anniversary Celebration on September 20th . You will be invited to comment on your experience with the current Sanctuary and your hopes and dreams for the new Sanctuary.

Social Justice –

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

This quarter, your Change 4 Change donations will go to KTAL Public Radio.

Please support the Tents to Rents program as it helps our neighbors who are homeless.  The Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces is again sponsoring this special program. 

The Tents to Rents campaign supports people living in Camp Hope, the tent city at the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, as they work towards transitioning into stable housing.  What impact does Camp Hope make?  The most recent statistics, 2024-2025, are that occupancy of Camp Hope is approximately 90% (over 14,000 nights of secure shelter).  The benefits of Camp Hope are personal security, reliable connection for transition to sound housing, and access to Community of Hope case management. 

You may make your donation by check to UU Church Las Cruces (Tents to Rents in memo line) or by credit card at the GIVE button on the church’s website  (look for the Tents to Rents button under Social Justice).

Animal Advocates Barking News and the Cat’s Meow

The passing of church member Janet Martinique left “orphaned” her two beloved cats—Sweetie Pie (age 11+) and Calle (age 2-3 years). Janet was staying in the home of Jane Asche while awaiting a move into a new apartment when she died. Jane continued caring for the two cats (bless you, Jane!) while Animal Advocates worked to find these precious animals sanctuary with a feline rescue group and got them into a local veterinary practice to update their vaccinations provide them with a clean bill of health. 

Sweetie Pie and Calle found safe haven at ACTion Program for Animals (APA) where they are being cared for “in style” by a well-respected rescue organization until good homes can be found for them. There is no time limit on how long APA will provide for them. Katie Fitzgerald, Linda Ruchala, and Animal Advocates organized a congregational fund drive for APA that raised over $500 in Janet’s memory that has been donated to APA. The total is likely much larger as many elected to make donations directly to APA.  Janet would be pleased.

Update!  We have just learned that Calle, now spelled Cali, has already been adopted into a permanent loving home. Submitted by Dave and Ilene Steele

Sunday Services by Katie Fitzgerald –

SEP 7 – Rev. Ali Bell, The Waters That Carry Us Home

We return from desert trails and mountain paths, from long travels and quiet rest. Some of us bring water gathered from sacred places; others bring stories carried in the heart. In this Ingathering and Water Communion, we honor the journeys that have shaped us and the community that receives us. What are the waters that have carried you here? What does it mean to belong—to this land, to this people, to this moment? In this service, we come home to one another.

SEP 14 – Jan Thompson, Elvira Masson, Ed Long, and Andrea Rodriguez; Meet The Moment

Every year in June, churches in the Unitarian Universalist Association meet for General Assembly. GA is where the churches conduct an official business meeting to discuss and make policy, vote on issues, and attend worship and learning sessions. Some of the most important business involves the formation of Statements of Social Witness and Actions of Immediate Witness. Your four Delegates to the GA will share their impressions, report on the highlights, and bring back ideas relevant to the church. We will be faced with many “moments.” Are we prepared to meet them?

SEP 21 – Rev. Ali Bell, Building A New Way

Belonging doesn’t just happen—it’s built. As Unitarian Universalists, we’re called to build a new way of being together that reflects our values: justice, compassion, truth-telling, and care. This service invites us to reflect on what it really takes to build community—not just structures and programs, but trust, accountability, and deep welcome.

SEP 28 – Katie Fitzgerald, Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement

As our Jewish brothers and sisters prepare for their most important holy day, we will explore it to determine what lessons there might be for us.

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.

Tombaugh Gallery by Lurene John –

The Tombaugh Gallery is reopening after summer vacation! We have an exciting lineup scheduled for this year including an Ornament and Gift Show for the holiday season. You’re welcome to participate in our Holiday show with your own arts and crafts. Contact Lurene at , for more details about the requirements if you are interested. Are you interested in being a docent in the Gallery? Please contact Deborah at . Training is being scheduled.

Masters of Their Art

Mary Beagle is the Tombaugh Gallery’s next featured artist in our Masters of Their Art Series. The exhibit opens on September 5^th with a reception and music music from 5 to 7 PM. The Gallery is open every Friday and Saturday from 10 AM until 2 PM and Sunday, following church services until 2 PM.

I like working with oils because of the way I can move them around the canvas. Painting Native American and Latin people helps me learn about the people and their cultures.

Mary has primarily worked with oil on canvas; her paintings reflect her love of native and Latino cultures and celebrations. Mary states, “I like working with oils because of the way I can move them around the canvas. Painting Native American and Latin people helps me learn about the people and their cultures.” As research for her work, Mary and her husband David have traveled to Native American gatherings throughout New England and the Southwest. Many of her Latino themed paintings are done from photographs taken around Mesilla and Santa Fe. Working as a team, Mary paints and David does all her custom framing. His frames are beautifully designed for each painting. He laminates different colored woods and inlays stones or silver objects to compliment the paintings. In addition, about 20 years ago Mary found a new medium of expression in limestone, alabaster, calcite and marble. Several of her sculptures will also be featured in the exhibit.

Mary’s art has been shown in galleries in Connecticut, Santa Fe, Tucson, and Las Cruces. Her work has also been featured in “Southwest Art”, “Art of the West” and “Cowboys and Indians” magazines.

Gallery Hours

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

UUCLC T-shirts are back in new colors!!

Last day to purchase, September 7. You can now buy them online. Go to the website and click on T-shirts at the very top of each webpage.

We have two new colors: purple and neon blue. Plus the previous colors: lime green, neon pink and yellow will also be available.

UUCLC T-shirts are great for wearing at Pride, Indivisible protests, church potlucks and picnics, or anytime. Important: The deadline for ordering is September 7. That’s so they will be ready in time for Pride.

To order, pick up an order form in the lobby on Aug 31. They are also available in the office during office hours. Cost is $20 payable to UUCLC. The T-shirt is a 50% Cotton 50% polyester blend with screen printed design like the last UUCLC T-shirt. They are round crew neck with short sleeves in a men’s style fit. You will be called when your T-shirt is ready for pick up at church. Questions? Ask Sara Thomas.

Death? Dying? Necessary?

Why do we keep talking about something we cannot change? Is it necessary to remind ourselves and others that there is one certain event we will not miss? Death.

Yes, I talk about it just about every day, either in my hospice work or with a friend who is “actively dying” and isn’t THAT an interesting phrase? Sometimes during a lovely dinner date with a new contact, the subject comes up and I get to know this person more deeply.

Death. Buddhist practice reminds me that it awaits me, maybe as soon as at the next out breath. How can I possibly live and be happy knowing this reality? The answer is that the surety of impermanence allows me endless opportunities to live fully in this breath, the only one I have for sure.

Once a month we meet to sit and listen with an open heart to others who feel something about death and dying. Feel free to join us the third Thursday of every month at Death Café, in the church lobby. And enjoy the breath you are breathing, right now. Namaste.

Events of Note

SEP 7 – In Gathering

SEP 20 – Our gala 70th Anniversary Celebration

Our beloved church is turning 70!Come celebrate with us on Saturday, September 20th from 4:30–7:00 pm, an evening filled with music, laughter, delicious bites, and joyful fellowship as we honor seven decades of community and dream together of the decades yet to come.

Please take a moment to RSVP through our Evite so we can plan for plenty of fun, food, and fellowship. We have 78 folks that have said yes so far!

We’d also love a few extra hands to help make the celebration sparkle — volunteers welcome!  Volunteer sign up will be in the church lobby after service on Sunday. For more information, please contact Danny Hawkins or call Nancy Zacarias in the office.

OCT 4 – Show your pride at Las Cruces Pride!

Save the date: Saturday, October 4th is the Pride celebration in Las Cruces. Celebrate LGBTQ+ with many friends in rainbow colors and fun activities, including a parade.  Our UUCLC booth (#28) will be in the center of the Las Cruces Plaza at the downtown mall. Wear those colorful UUCLC T-shirts and sign up to be a greeter at our booth, handing out our welcoming brochures and temporary rainbow tattoos. Or march in the parade at 4pm behind our church banner, it’s a short distance. 

Sign up after the Sunday service on September 7, 14, or 21 to help at our Price! booth, with the parade, or both.

Regular Opportunities for Engagement

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.

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 are 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 $10 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 3 – Summer 2025 – Jul/Aug/Sep -12 classes

• Tuesdays at 2 pm – Jul 8 thru Sep 23
• Thursdays at 12 pm – Jul 10  thru Sep 25 (NO class Sep 25) 

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

Registration for this class is with Carol Allen. 

If interested please contact either Carol Allen or the church office. Registration for this class is with Carol

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.

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

2nd and 4th Mondays

6:30-7:30 PM — Roundtable in the Library and on Zoom. Come and learn, come and listen, we’ll have terrific speakers who are knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects.

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 Café. 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 lobby.  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 Carol Allen 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 Casavant 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 .