June Light

Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, Vol. 70, 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.

Office Administrator, Cheri Coffelt Working Remotely M-F 9:30 – 4:30

Church Office Open: Monday thru Friday 10:00 – 1:00

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

Our Incoming Minister

The Reverend Rod Thompson

A Preparation Update from Rev Rod
June means a lot of tasks to accomplish in anticipation for my move to Las Cruces. Here are just a few:

• Finding a place to live in Las Cruces (I’ll be flying out to find an apartment.)
• Once I have a place to live
  o Contracting with a moving company
  o Making travel arrangements for the cats (Butch and Betty – since no apartment will allow more than 2 cats, I have to find a new home for Emma)
  o Packing – and more packing
• Down-sizing (again) through a Kent UU Church Rummage Sale and Goodwill
• Hiram College Alumni Weekend (I’m on a committee)
• Hiram College Hall of Fame Selection (I’m on the committee to decide)
• Begin prep for the Seminar I am offering at the Central East Region Summer Institute in July

So, as you can see, I have a couple of busy months ahead of me. With each item I check off my lists (Yes, I make lists), my anticipation and excitement for joining you at UUCLC just grows and grows. See you in August!

Our President

Susan Hychka

Susan is taking a break this month. Her column will return in July.

.

.

.

Board of Trustees

Religious Education

Kellie Ingram, Director of Religious Education

“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it is always June?” -L.M. Montgomery

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times- June is my favorite month of the year! As I child I loved June because it was the start of the long summer break. Sunny afternoons spent with friends, riding bikes to the parks or pools or arcade. And as a mom, I’ve loved June because it was the start of the long summer break with my own kiddos! Afternoons spent with them and their friends, at the park or pool or arcades.

Only, this summer marks our district’s first full year of Year- Round School. Leaving kids, parents, and teachers alike, with a shorter, seven-week summer vacation. I still love June, but this year will be an adjustment. We’ve got a lot of fun to be had, in roughly a quarter of the time! Which leads me to Religious Education’s adjusted summer schedule.

For the last two summers our RE Program has hosted a Makers Camp. Camp has been an opportunity for our attending youths and their friends to join together for one week of community building and learning a variety of different “maker skill’s” taught by a variety of different UUCLC members and volunteers.

This summer, in an effort to make the most out of the shorter school break, Religious Education will be inviting our youths and others to join us for six weeks of- Maker Days! Beginning the 2nd week of June, we will be offering a variety of different opportunities for our youth to engage in. Friends are Welcome! Some of these events will be held on Zoom, some will be held at the church, and others will be invites to gather at different museums and parks around town, with the last event being a Summer Blow-Out, held on the church campus! If any of our UUCLC members and friends know of any youth interested in participating this summer, please reach out to DRE, Kellie Ingram for additional details.

Music and Choir

Catherine Massey, Director of Music

MUSIC NOTES

Bird songs are good for us.  An article entitled “Why Birds and Their Songs Are Good For Our Mental Health” (from The Washington Post, May 18, 2023) tells us that listening to bird songs in nature, or to recordings of them, is good for our moods. 

Researchers analyzed data from over 25,000 people and found a “significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds and improved mental well-being, even when accounting for other possible explanations such as education, occupation, or the presence of greenery and water,” persisting even hours after the reported encounters.  Luckily where we live hearing and seeing birds is accessible to most of us.  In my neighborhood we hear grackles, starlings, crows, sparrows, doves, the occasional thrasher, and the magnificent songs of mockingbirds in their season. 

The choir gave me a beautiful mug with a picture of a bird on it and the words “Start the day with a song.” It reminds me of hearing my grandmother singing hymns like “His Eye is on the Sparrow” in her garden early in the morning.  I love hearing the birds around me, and this summer I will miss some special bird songs we usually hear at our cabin because we’re doing some different things in June.  The hermit thrushes are my favorite, at dawn and dusk.

Benefiting from the ordinary birds that are around us brings to mind what I have told my students at the end of this, my last year of teaching.  I just completed a project four years in the making of dedicating our science building at Las Cruces High School to a colleague who left us way too soon, lost to cancer at age 42 in 2004.  We named the building “Russ Richards Hall:  Science, Health and Wellness” after a remarkable science teacher who taught from 1992-2004.  Besides teaching Biology and Health, he created and received a state teaching award for a high school course called “Responding to Emergencies” which led to students’ being allowed to ride with EMTs and obtaining licenses in that field of work.  He founded one of the first high school Health Academies.  As co-founder/co-sponsor of the Wilderness Club for students he led hiking in Mimbres, climbing in the Organ Mountain Needles, caving in the Black Range, and scuba diving in Mexico, opening up opportunities for students who had no prior outdoor or travel experiences.  He was a Fire Chief, a State Emergency Medical Technician, an Emergency Medical Services instructor, and a member of the New Mexico Critical Incident Stress Management Team.  He educated New Mexicans about injury prevention and emergency procedures.  He was also a PADI diving instructor. 

Russ was diagnosed with cancer in February 2003, and continued to focus on teaching his students until the week of his death at age 42 in 2004.  For his memorial service in our gym, every fire truck in the region filled our parking lot at dusk, with all their silent, strobing red lights aglow.

It’s remarkable that someone could impact so many in such a short time.  When telling my students about him, I asked them to do this: “Take a look around you–you will meet exceptional people who do much good in the world, and they are all around you, always.” Knowing that makes me happy—just like hearing everyday birds.

Administration

Cheri Coffelt

Summer Schedule!

The Church Office is now open most weekdays from 10:00 – 1:00. If you need to drop something off other than those hours, please call the office, and I will arrange a time with you. (575) 522-7281.

Committees and Programs

Communications by Lyn Pearson – webmaster@uuchurchlc.org

We’re done! All of the hardware needed to improve our streaming services is now in place. We hope you’ve noticed a marked improvement when you join us for Sunday services at home. You should now be able to hear everything: piano, choir, and speakers. We did have a glitch the last Sunday when Rev. Kowalski preached; there was a neighborhood-wide power failure that disrupted everything including TV screens, mics, air conditioners, lights, and so on. Outages such as that one are, unfortunately, beyond our ability to control. In any case, we hope you are enjoying our streaming Sunday services on YouTube.

CUUPS

“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

Yule: Celebrates the winter solstice.
lmboc: An ancient festival welcoming the first wave of spring.
Ostara: Celebrates the spring equinox
Beltane: Celebrates May Day
Litha: Celebrates the summer solstice
On Saturday, June 17, CUUPS will celebrate Litha at the Summer Solstice. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year. After the Summer Solstice, June 21, the sun will set a little earlier each day until Yule, so we recognize and give thanks for the warmth. CUUPS will meet at 6:00 for potluck and 7:00 for ritual. Come out and join us! Everyone is welcome.

Lughnasadh: Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season
Mabon: Celebrates the autumnal equinox
Samhain: Marks the end of summer, and the end of the harvest season. It signals the beginning of winter. On this day, pagans believe the veil between the living and the dead is especially thin.

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.

CUUPS was chartered by the Unitarian Universalist Association at the General Assembly in 1987 for purposes of enabling:

• networking among Pagan Identified UUs; providing outreach of Unitarian Universalism to the broader Pagan community continentally.
• providing educational materials on Paganism for Unitarian Universalist congregations and the general public.
• promoting Pagan – Jewish and Christian dialogue; encouraging the development of theological and liturgical materials based on earth and nature centered religious and spiritual perspectives.
• encouraging greater use of music, dance, visual arts, poetry, story, and creative ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration.
• providing support for Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalist religious professionals and ministerial students; and fostering healing relationships with our mother the Earth and all her children.

Facilities by Charlie Scholz – facilities@uuchurchlc.org

Good News From Facilities

We are planning to add two handicapped spaces to the existing ones in the North Parking Lot (the gravel lot) All four of these spaces will be paved with a two-inch thick asphalt coating and will be striped to conform to current code requirements. This fifty-foot wide and twenty-five-foot long pad will then accommodate 4 eight-foot wide parking spaces as well as three-foot walkways between each space and at each end of the pad.

At the same time this asphalt parking pad will be laid down, we will be adding a ten-foot by fourteen-foot asphalt pad for our bicycle rack. This will be placed next to the curbing of the fire lane and will abut the current entry walkway to the sanctuary.

The total cost of this project will be $8,000.

We are also in the process of estimating the cost of new, energy efficient windows for the Office/Library wing. The windows currently in place are single pane with wood frames. The 12 new units we are specifying for the two office areas will be similar to the ones we had installed in the Sanctuary. They will be made with reflective glass and have a lower screened panel that opens. In addition, the 20 clerestory windows, which are above the regular windows in the office areas and above the shelves in the Library, will also be replaced with double glazed fixed windows. No price on these windows yet, but we will keep you posted.

We had another bit of vandalism recently. Someone spray painted several of the lenses of our night lights in the breezeway by the Sanctuary and at the back side of the Office Library wing. Fortunately, we were able to use stripper to clean off the paint. A similar act of vandalism defaced our Black and Brown Lives Matter sign which hangs underneath our church sign at the corner of Solano and Wofford. That damage was also cleaned up by removing the spray paint.

We rearranged the chairs in the Sanctuary several times to accommodate the performance of Emma’s Revolution and for the Down to Earth Auction.

Hospitality

Thanks to the various covenant groups and committees that take turns supplying the goodies, setting up and cleaning up for fellowship after our Sunday services. You may have noticed the plexiglass box on the serving table inviting your free will donation. Your donation helps cover the cost of tea, coffee, creamers, cups, etc. that the Hospitality Committee ensures is on hand each Sunday so we can concentrate on the goodies and each other! Thanks for your generous support. Ed Gomolka and Bill Fitzgerald

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 Library Organization

It is always pleasant when you can find what you are looking for. In the library, we added many new sections as we put it all together during COVID restrictions. Now we find that some sections are too large for patrons to locate a specific book easily. Our UU section is one that has been newly reorganized by Reverend Nancy Anderson.

No books have been removed so your favorites are still there. They are just now under sub-categories. These have vertical markers within the section, like the section on World Religions. Within each new category the books are generally alphabetized by title. You can look for titles under UU History, Church Life, or Pastoral Care. The exception is Famous UUs, organized by author’s name. Books that are basically theology have been moved to the Theology section.

Thank you, Rev. Nancy for volunteering to do this task that is so suited to your unique talents. Your valuable expertise is greatly appreciated! See you in the Library!

Membership by Lyn Pearson – membership@uuchurchlc.org

Our committee: Cathy Cox, Janet Martinique, Lori Miller, Jodie Nachison, Lyn Pearson, Carol Stanfill, Mark Sukontarak, Rev. Nancy Anderson

Our latest project is developing a new member recognition protocol. We’re doing the same for long-term members as well. In addition, the committee endeavors to contact everyone who fills out one of our Welcome Cards, not only to welcome them personally but also to fulfill any requests for information.

We hope you’ll take a look at the brochure racks in the lobby and see all of the wonderful information we are providing to any interested person. Some brochures are general Unitarian Universalist Association brochures about various aspects of Unitarian Universalism, while others are specific to our own church programs. If you are a committee chair or program leader and would like us to develop a brochure for you, please contact membership@uuchurchlc.org.

Thanks to Our May Greeters

In May, our greeters were: Cathy Cox, Diane Lee, Gillian Leng, Tom Packard, Lisa Peterson, Donna Racz, Mark Sukontarak, Sara Thomas, Gayle Trantham, Jack Welch and Mary Whittemore.

Social Justice – SocialJustice@uuchurchlc.org

Volunteers from our congregation have been helping at reproductive health clinics in Las Cruces.  Cassie Calway of the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (NMRCRC) leads the training and scheduling of local volunteers.  You can reach Cassie at cassie@nmrcrc.org. 

Pride T-shirts at Sam’s Club

T-shirts are near the entrance, $8.98 in both adult and children’s sizes.  White shirt says LOVE with a rainbow heart for the O.

Change for Change

The Change for Change offering for June this year is the Border Servant Corps.  Thanks to all for past support for Change for Change.

Juneteenth is coming!  

Please sign up for our church tables at the NAACP banquet on Saturday June 17.  Please give your check to Jan or place it in the box in the library for the Little Free Pantry.  Cost of a seat at our table is $50.

Animal Advocates

On Thursday, April 20, we hosted a by-invitation meeting for supporters of Animal Protection Voters, the sister organization to Animal Protection New Mexico.  APNM/APV Executive Director, Lisa Jennings, APNM Board President Anne Coller and members of APNM/APV’s development office traveled to Las Cruces to discuss the successes of the 2023 legislative session in which two bills backed by APV, SB 215 making animal sexual abuse (bestiality) a crime; and  SB 271 mandating that abused, neglected, or homeless equines be diverted to equine shelters and sanctuaries rather than auction leading to possible slaughter for the horse meat industry. Both passed unanimously and were signed into law by Governor Lujan Grisham.  Ms. Jennings also reviewed service and legislative priorities for APNM/APV for the coming year and solicited input from animal welfare advocates and rescue leaders in our region.

Cans-for-Critters

Program coordinators, Jean Gilbert and Dave Steele, are pleased to report that revenue from the reclamation of aluminum cans has now surpassed $17,000 in the decade plus history of this initiative. The UUCLC and Good Samaritan Retirement Community are major contributors to this effort. The Good Sam connection was made possible by church members residing in that community.  Each and every dollar raised through Cans-for-Critters goes to individuals and organizations needing assistance in meeting the veterinary or basic needs of companion animals in the region.  Thus far we have been able to serve over 300 animals and the people who love them.  Thank you UUCLC!!!

The Little Free Pantry

UUCLC continues to serve those in our community in food stress.  Donations of money at the church’s website or meats/fruit or vegetables in small-portion, easy to open cans or packages are helpful.  

Climate Action Group by James Caufield

Don Kurtz presented a Roundtable, “Electrify Everything: 4 ½ Personal Decisions That Will Save the Planet.”  There were approximately 35 in attendance.  We have numerous other potential speakers, including people from Interfaith Power and Light, El Paso Electric. 

Members of the group watched the movie “Don’t Look Up”, a humorous take on our climate situation.  We are looking into licensing requirements for showing movies to the community, and we have a number of candidate films.

At every Sunday coffee, Ginny Herrick is presenting tips for reducing one’s carbon footprint.

Dave Rice and Charlie Welch have succeeded in contacting a person at El Paso electric.  Antonio Reyes is open to giving a presentation at our church about rebates for improvements, etc.

Dave Rice and Charlie Welch are working on the complex question of benchmarking and energy audits. Among other things they are considering purchasing and installing line meters that will give us real-time energy use of each building. Energy audits come in several flavors (free walk-through; a more intensive evaluation;; or from one of the NM-approved energy raters.) The UUA recommends benchmarking and evaluations now, but that improvements be put on hold until the guidelines are out for the Inflation Reduction Act, which may be affected by the outcome of the Congressional negotiations on the debt ceiling level.

Charlie Scholz, head of facilities, has asked for the Climate Action Group to research potential funding for church improvements.  As noted above, the federal guidelines are not out yet. Funding streams are complex so this is a big job and we’d like to have more people power. Collaboration across churches (i.e., Interfaith Power and Light) is very promising.  We shall discuss this at the next meeting.

David Rice and James Caufield have been reading The Great Displacement, about how more people in the U.S. will move because of the climate crisis than have ever moved before.  Poor design and preparation will result in the loss of homes and communities because of devastation and unaffordable insurance. Florida is in a particularly bad situation.

The Franciscan Retreat Center sponsored a three-day retreat on Laudato Si, the Pope’s encyclical on climate. James Caufield attended. Father Atkins of the Episcopal Church is an eco-theologian and is willing to speak on this topic.  The encyclical has now been made into a movie starring Tom Cruise as Pope Francis.

The Climate Action Group is requesting a service in September or early fall for purposes of educating, and also assessing attitudes of the congregation toward the climate crisis in general, and to see how people feel about our church working toward Green Sanctuary status. James Caufield, Katya Gonzalez, and Jane Asche will be working on a survey questionnaire with Mark Sukontarak advising.

Katya Gonzalez is providing the notes and organizational assistance; Cathy Cox and Dan Hawkens will be working on publicity and documents.

Sunday Services by Katie Fitzgerald – SundayServices@uuchurchlc.org

June Services

June is Bustin’ Out All Over with a great line-up of Services sure to appeal to you.

• June 4 Flower Communion led by Charlie Scholz and Rev. Nancy Anderson:  This year marks the centennial anniversary of the Flower Communion and you are asked to bring a flower(s) to share.
• June 11 Karuna Warren will lead the New World Drummers and the congregation with music to hear and to participate in.  Practice your toe tapping so you have the beat!
• June 18 Haney Pearson, assisted by Lyn Pearson, will lead a service recognizing JUNETEENTH honoring the date the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This document  called for the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy.
• June 25 Micah Pearson will lead a service about hope: “Is there hope for society?” Pause and let that sit with you for a moment. I know I had to. It’s a big question, right? So broad you can barely wrap your head around it. Yet, when you look at it more closely, you realize that it’s the wrong question. Come and think about it with us… and learn the power of a preposition.”

Tombaugh Gallery by Lurene John

A few nights ago I was driving past the church on Solano Drive and was delighted to see our beautiful stained-glass window lit up against the dark night. First dedicated in 2001, it was funded by friends and colleagues of Clyde and Patsy Tombaugh, as a gift to our congregation. It is a beloved feature of our Tombaugh Gallery and it is not uncommon to see visitors from around the country wanting to experience the window first hand.

As many of you know, the pandemic brought vandals to our campus who tossed a rock into the window. Fortunately minimal damage was caused but we needed to board up the window to prevent further acts of violence. A new stronger protective window is now in place and once again we can all enjoy our window. The restoration and preservation of the window is costing $6,846. The Gallery received a generous $2,000 donation from Lynn Hatfield, Rhianna Thomas’ mother. Lynn lives in Florida, is a stained glass artist, and has attended services with the Thomas family when she visits. There have been eight other donations totaling $1500 reducing the amount still owed to $3346 which will be paid by the gallery.

More Tombaugh Gallery news:

The Gallery Committee is still in need of volunteers to help us manage the art gallery, mostly to serve as docents. You will be fully trained and it is an opportunity to experience the fullness of our window during your shift.

Mark Moden in the Gallery

The current exhibit, “Pastels and Pencils” by Mark Morden continues through Friday, June 2. The response to his pastels and drawings has been very positive. 

Requests and Items of Interest

Request: Enter Our UUCLC T-Shirt Design Contest

It’s time for new T-shirts for our church! If you would like to submit a design for this, please do so during June. Designs should be no larger than 8 X 12 on the back, and no larger than 6 x 6 for the front.  The front and back should mention UUCLC and something we stand for. No more than 4 colors are preferred, unless a rainbow is represented, in which case 6 colors will be allowed. Submit your designs to Sara Thomas by June 30th.

 In July a final design will be selected by a team of judges. Previous T-shirt designs may be considered if not enough new designs are submitted.  Finally, in August, T-shirt ordering will begin, with delivery two weeks after ordering ends. Orders will be prepaid, with selections available in a variety of sizes and colors. T-shirt ordering will be announced in August, and a table in the lobby will have order forms ready.

Request: Sign Up For Qi-Gong

Request: Sign up for Qi-Gong+Indian-Club Movement 

Carol Allen, the instructor, invites you to sign up for Sesson 3 from  July 12 to September 27. This is 12 weekly classes on Wednesdays at 11:45 am in the Religious Education Building great room. The gentle movements increase strength and balance and improve concentration. There is a $15 registration fee and all money goes to the church.  Seven people can sign up. 

Open registration begins on June 28 – Please use this electronic signup form. 

Request: Tombaugh Gallery Docents

The Gallery Committee is still in need of volunteers to help us manage the art gallery, mostly to serve as docents. You will be fully trained and it is an opportunity to experience the fullness of our window during your shift. Contact Lurene John if you can spend 2 hours a week in the gallery.

Generous Giving by Jack Welch

Elwin Nunn’s recent Birthday was honored with a generous donation to our church from his daughter, Mickey Tuttle. Three members made contributions to our Little Pantry. Those individuals are Nancy L Anderson, Cathy Carver and David and Ilene Steele.  Thank you one and all.

Events of Note

JUN 16 – Eating Out

June 16th will be the date for June’s Eating Out. We will be at Santorini’s Mediterranean Eatery at 1001 E University at 5:30. Lebanese and Greek food. RSVP Janet Martinique at EatingOut@uuchurchlc.org or you can complete this form.

JUN 21-25 – 2023 UUA General Assembly

Save these dates. General Assembly 2023 will be held June 21-25 in Pittsburgh as well as virtually from right here in Las Cruces. More information will be forthcoming. The theme is Faithfully Becoming.

We are at a threshold moment for our faith, and will choose the next path in our journey. We will consider new articulations of Article II (including our Principles and Purpose) and elect a new President to lead our Association. These are decisions that will shape who we are and how we respond to and grow through these times. These changes offer us possibilities for becoming more connected, courageous, inclusive, generous, and continuing our ongoing journey of becoming Beloved Community.

Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly website

JUL 21 – 23 – Annual Church Gila Campout by James Basler

There are a number of historical, geological, & archaeological places of interest en route to the church campout and in the Lake Roberts area. If you are coming for the entire weekend, you should take advantage of this opportunity. While most of the church activities take place on Saturday, everyone will have a few free time hours Saturday afternoon that can be used for exploring.

City of Rocks

The quickest and easiest way to get to the campground is the I-10 route on our map and in our directions. It takes you past the City of Rocks State Park. Nature used weather to chisel out some interesting rock formations from an old lava flow. You can drive through to see them, or you can stop and take one of the hiking paths over and through the formations.

Emory Pass & the Black Range

An alternate route is to go north on I-25 to Caballo Lake. Then turn onto route 152 to Hillsburo. You are in mining country. There is a mining museum in Hillsburo and a mining ghost town Kingston, which you can visit further down the road. Next comes the long winding climb up the mountain to Emory Pass. Do stop at the lookout point. Continue on the highway through the scenic Black Range Mountains. The two routes from Las Cruces merge just before the turnoff from Rt 162 to the town of Mimbres. Note: The drive up to Emory Pass is not recommended If you are unaccustomed to driving on winding mountain roads or you have a fear of heights. There are sharp curves with a steep drop off on one side and a rocky cliff on the other side.

Archaeological Sites

Top on the list is the Gila Cliff Dwelling. If you haven’t seen it, this is a must. It is well preserved and the guided tours are very informative. The drive from Lake Roberts through the Gila Wilderness to get there is very scenic.

On a hill overlooking Lake Roberts, close to the road, is a site where the people dug out pit rooms in the earth and covered their homes with domed roofs. Dirt is good insulation. Not as much to see, but still interesting. There are also several fenced in Native American ruins within walking distance of our campsite. 

Boats and Fishing

You can rent a boat at the Lake Roberts store and row around the lake to explore it. If you are a fisherman, you may have found the challenge you’ve been looking for. Lake Robers is stocked with highly intelligent fish. They remove the bait from your hook with the skill of a surgeon. Sometimes they come up to the surface to give you a big grin. It’s had to get angry at a fish with a sense of humor. After a few years of me feeding the fish, but the fish not feeding me, I conceded to the fish and took up hiking.

Hiking Trails

There are a lot of hiking trails in the area. Some have interesting geology and others spectacular views.

Kennecott Open Pit Copper Mine

To get to the copper mine your route is the reverse of your trip in. Take Rt 35 back through Mimbres to Rt 162. Turn right on Rt 162. You are now on the quickest and easiest route to Silver City. But at about the halfway point you will come to the lookout point for the copper mine. It is 1.7 miles wide and about 1300 feet deep. It took a lot of truck loads of ore to make that huge hole. It is no longer in operation, but there will be signs at the lookout point describing its history

This is a great opportunity for a fun weekend visiting with old friends, making new ones, and touring places that give New Mexico its title as The Land of Enchantment. I hope to see you there. James J. Basler
Basler36@gmail.com

SEP 15-17 WomenSpirit Retreat is Coming!

Save the dates Sept 15-17^th for a relaxing yet energizing weekend in the mountains near Cloudcroft. This beloved annual event includes these workshops: Writing with Rabbitt, Sculpture with Jamie, Somatic Movement with Susan C, Zentangle with Carol, African dance with Marie, Collage with Laurel, and a hike with Rebecca. The theme is Creating Community and it will definitely do so in many ways. We enjoy making new friends, renewing old friendships, singing around the campfire, a talent/no talent show, tasty meals, playing games, rocking chairs on the porch, and beautiful mountain scenery in cool temperatures. Look for the registration forms to arrive the first week in June.  Questions? Ask Sara Thomas.

The Tombaugh Gallery

The current show, Mark Moden Pastels, will close June 2. There will not be an exhibition in the gallery during the rest of June.

The Tombaugh Gallery is normally open Thursday through Saturday, from 10am to 2:00pm and Sunday, 11:00am to 2:00pm. Gallery@uuchurchlc.org

Regularly Scheduled Activities

1st and 3rd Monday – Climate Action Group

The 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:00 PM May through December 18, 2023, join us on Zoom for a Climate Action Group meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88911933049?pwd=WkVPdTdyTitJbVpqdHA4U3JybC9VUT09

Every Tuesday

T’ai Chi, 10-11 AM in the Religious Education Building great room.

T’ai Chi, 5:45-6:45 PM in the Religious Education Building great room.

Library Hours – 1-3 PM in the library in the Administration Building

Every Wednesday

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

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

Qi-Gong meets at 11:45 AM-1:00 PM in the Religious Education Building great room.

The Bridge Group plays bridge every Wednesday at 2 pm 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.

3rd Thursday – 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.  In the church Library 6:30-8:00 PM.  Contact Brooks Lewis at DeathCafe@uuchurchlc.org or leave a voice message at 512-826-1472. 

Every Thursday

T’ai Chi, 10-11 AM in the Religious Education Building great room.

T’ai Chi, 5:45-6:45 PM in the Religious Education Building great room.

Library Hours – 1-3 PM in the library in the Administration Building

1st Friday Game Night on Summer Break

First Friday Game Night is on break until Sept 1^st. It may come back in a different format depending on desires. A survey will come out in August to assess what the people who love games and music would like to see.

Every Friday

Yoga, 12 noon until 1 PM in the Religious Education Great Room.

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

3rd Saturday – Desert Spirit 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 lascrucescuups@gmail.com.

Every Sunday – Library

Library Hours — 11:00 to 11:30 AM.

Crafters On Summer Break

Crafters will NOT be meeting all summer. We will start back on Sept 9^th, the second Saturday, at 1pm in the RE Great Room.  If you want to knit or crochet hats for the needy during the summer, please do. If you need extra yarn for this, contact Carol Stanfill.