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2013 Re-
commitment to
the
2012 Justice GA
On Monday, January 21,
members met to re-commit
themselves to the goals of the
2012 Justice General Assem-
bly. The group agreed that
the following goals will con-
tinue our commitment to pro-
tect "the inherent worth and
dignity of all people". We
hope that EVERY member
and friend of West Valley
will find activities to partici-
pate in within these goals.
1. Phoenix Restoration Pro-
ject: Continue our affiliation
with PRP, focusing on pen-
palling and participating in
visitations that they schedule.
Make sure they know of our
willingness to meet and greet
released detainees, as well as
assist with temporary shelter.
Inform them that we are con-
tinuing to collect "personal
care items" but will deliver
these to Puente until needed
for meeting and greeting.
2. Puente: Continue collect-
ing and providing what we
can (clothing, food, toiletries,
toys and games) to assist in
the support of families in dis-
tress, through this organiza-
tion.
West Valley UU Times
October 2013
West Va l le y Uni tar ian Universal is t Church
Contact Information
Church:
623.846.6004
Office staffed Monday and
Friday mornings. Please leave
a message, and we’ll get back
to you.
Board of Trustees
Valerie Lynch, President
president @westvalleyuu.org
Onna Johnson, President-Elect
onnaj @cox.net
Roz Cook, Secretary rozcooksalot @gmail.com
Julie Tennant, Treasurer
treasurer @westvalleyuu.org
Brian Dwyer, At-Large [email protected]
Judy Armstrong, At-Large
judya @zona.net
Go-to People:
Facilities: Nancy Stier, patio
area; Tom Begush, buildings; Glenn Snyder, irrigation
Worship Services: Dorothy
Ward Membership:
Stewardship: Valerie Lynch
Religious Education: Nick
Reachmack, adults; Nancy Stier, children
Circle Suppers: Corielle
James Hospitality: Dianne Rodgers
Caring: Barbara Kovach
Leadership Development:
Board of Trustees Social Action: Trustees
Administrator: Ann Harper
wvuu5904 @gmail.com
Founded December 1983
Roy Zimmerman
Saturday, October 26, 7:30 pm
“Funny Songs and Bad Advice”
In the Sanctuary
Suggested Contribution - $18
Roy Zimmerman’s new show “Funny Songs and Bad Advice” contains plenty of both. The world is full of funny songs, but Zimmerman’s hilarious, rhyme-
intensive originals are also incisive calls to action, smart, savvy and undeniable. Consider “The Faucet’s
On Fire,” “I’m In,” or “Creation Science 101.”
Tell your friends. Let’s have an excellent turnout.
PAGE 2 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
Gavel Talk
Hi Friends,
I hope everyone is getting outdoors a bit to enjoy
the milder weather. October is one my favorite times
of year. I’m one of those crazy people who likes the
summer, but I don’t complain about the cooler 90s.
A great time to start construction I say!!
It is a very exciting time at West Valley UU as we
will soon break ground for our new sanctuary. As the
board held its September meeting, we learned that the
final plans are on their way to the city of Glendale
Planning Department. The architectural team we are
working with is very familiar with the city, so we are
hopeful that everything will move along as planned.
As I wrote last month, thanks so much to those who
have been part of West Valley for many years and
have shown support for this next step in our commu-
nity’s life. Thanks also to new members and friends
who have embarked on this journey with us.
Our fundraising plans for the coming fall and holi-
day season are moving right along. First, in October,
Onna and Noel Johnson will hold a garage sale with a
neighbor on October 18-19. They will be making a
donation to West Valley UU from the pro-
ceeds. Please speak with them if you would like to
participate. They would be happy to take some “good
stuff” off your hands. If you are free on those dates,
they would appreciate help with the selling/customer
relations.
A concert by our good friend Roy Zimmerman
will take place at WVUU on Saturday, October 26, at
7:30 pm. This will again be an evening of great mu-
sic and humor, along with benefiting our congrega-
tion. I hope you will make it point to attend!
Our Annual Holiday Clipboard Auction will begin
on November 10. We will be offering delicious
goodies that will be available for Thanksgiving, and
other items will be up for bid until December 15.
Popular items from last year included music lessons,
spaghetti dinner baskets, wines, homemade dolls and
show tickets, just to name a few. Please consider
making a contribution to the sale. This is a great time
to share your talents or ideas. Please let Onna John-
son (onnaj @cox.net) or me (vlmail @hotmail.com or
623-878-5444) know what you can offer as soon as
possible. The more creative, the more fun and more
funds are raised.
Our pledge drive continues! If you are new (or not
so new but forgot) we invite you to participate.
Please consider what you hope to contribute finan-
cially this church year and fill out the Pledge Form. A
reminder to everyone - any increases from last year’s
pledge will be matched up to $5000, thanks to a small
team of generous fellow members. If you have al-
ready pledged but would like to increase the amount
in light of this matching offer, it is easy to do. If you
have any questions, please see Onna Johnson, Wayne
Daniel or myself. Pledge forms are always available
on Sunday or just send an email with your intention
to: vlmail @hotmail.com. Thank you!
Everyone is welcome to participate in any of our
services, classes, programs or projects. For those
who are new it is a great way to get to know people
and get a feel for your congregation. We hope you
will join us in our journey here at West Valley. We
will be offering introductory to UU classes soon. I
invite you get more involved in any activity that inter-
ests you. If you enjoy working outdoors/gardening,
please be in conversation with Glenn Snyder, who
coordinates the care of our outdoor space. Do you
enjoy working with children as they explore our faith
traditions? Speak with Nancy Stier, who coordinates
our Sunday School program for children. For adults,
a film series around race is being planned. Find what
feeds your spirit!
Until next month,
Valerie Lynch, Board President
A Sign of Love
Excerpts from
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/a-sign-
of-love/
Neither my wife nor I had set foot in a church in
many, many years. She had always said she had no
interest in going back to any organized religion. As
we rounded the corner we saw a great big old church
with a giant sign out front that proclaimed: “We sup-
port marriage equality.” We decided right then and
there to check it out on Sunday morning.
The minister started talking about all the [lesbian
and gay] people who had been able to get married in
the last week. She talked from her heart about the
importance of standing on the side of love. About
welcoming all people and speaking out when things
are not right. Then she had all the newlyweds rise so
everyone could cheer.
This was our introduction to Unitarian Universal-
ism. A great big sign and a room full of people who
were standing on the side of love. I will forever be
grateful to the people who decided to put that sign
outside on that building. It was a sign of love, a sign
of hope, and a sign leading me to my spiritual home.
PAGE 3 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
“Race: The Power of an Illusion”
This is an amazing set of films that we will view
together this fall. The films show us how race is
NOT a biological reality - but that does not mean
racism isn't real.
Episode one: We can SEE that there are differ-
ent races. Right? Science says WRONG. Watch as
people discover their own genetic DNA matches
more closely with people they thought were
OTHER races. Feel your own myths and miscon-
ceptions fade away ! Thursday, October 10, 7 PM.
Please have wvuumembers
@gmail.com on your approved
senders list to receive news and
event information.
A startling series of three films that blast away myths
and misconceptions about what RACE is and isn't.
Come view with us on Thursday, October 10, Novem-
ber 14, and December 12.
Coming This Fall
HOSPITALITY NEEDS YOU
We can use your odds and ends of small to me-
dium serving bowls, metal spoons and storage con-
tainers.
Also, every week I get compliments on the food
– these go to you who bring such delicious, diverse
dishes to share. They make our Fellowship Hour
more warm and friendly for us and our visitors.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dianne Rodgers, Hospitality Chair
October 2013
PAGE 4 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sept. 29
10:30 am Wor-ship: Tom Be-
gush
30
7:30 pm
Men’s Al-
Anon, RE
Oct. 1
7:00 am: Grounds Main-
tenance Ser-
vice Opportu-
nity
7:00 pm Zen
Meditation-S
2
7:00 pm Audu-bon Soc.
Board, RE
3
4
9:00 am First Friday Break-
fast: Brothers,
8466 W Peoria
Ave
5
7:00 am: Grounds Main-
tenance Ser-
vice Opportu-
nity
6
10:30 am Wor-ship: Nick Reach-
mack
7
7:30 pm
Men’s Al-
Anon, RE .
8
7:00 pm Zen
Meditation-S
9
7:00 pm Sono-ran Audubon
Society, S
10
7:00 pm:
Movie “Race:
The Power of
an Illusion”, S
11
12
7:00 am:
Adventurers’
Club
13
10:30 am Wor-ship: Mary Roths-
child
14
Indigenous
Peoples’
Day 7:30 pm
Men’s Al-
Anon, RE .
7:00 pm Ar-
chaeological
Society, S .
15
6:30 pm: Memoir Writ-
ing Group, RE.
7:00 pm Zen
Meditation, S
16
17
18
19
20
10:30 am Wor-
ship: Terry Mead
12:00 pm Board
of Trustees, S
21
7:30 pm
Men’s Al-
Anon, RE
22
7:00 pm Zen
Meditation-S
23
24
25
26
7:30 pm
Roy Zimmer-
man, “Funny
Songs and Bad
Advice”
27
10:30 am Wor-ship: Daniel
Rodriquez
28
7:30 pm
Men’s Al-
Anon, RE
29
7:00 pm Zen
Meditation-S
30
31
Nov. 1
9:00 am First Friday Break-
fast: Brothers,
8466 W Peoria
Ave
2
7:00 am: Grounds Main-
tenance Ser-
vice Opportu-
nity
Garage Sale Fundraiser
(see pg. 2)
PAGE 5 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
Sermon Videos
Mitch James has been making video recordings of
most sermons, and has uploaded them to YouTube,
and to westvalleyuu.org.
In your browser, go to YouTube.com.
In the search box type “mstb5150” (without the
quotation marks) and press enter. You will be
taken to a listing of all the videos that he has
posted.
In westvalleyuu.org, click on “Sermons.”
Thank You, Mitch and Corielle!
October Speakers and Topics
Oct. 6 - Nick Reachmack “Words From a
Thresher’s Life.”
Nick will be sharing bits and pieces of useful -
and useless - information.
Oct. 13 - Mary Rothschild, Universalism "We're
Going to Graceland."
Oct. 20 - Terry Mead, “What will you harvest this
year?”
Oct. 27 - Daniel Rodriquez, "Protecting the
American Dream,"
There is a fight for immigration reform and a
fight for immigrant rights. But, only the fight for
immigrant rights has at its heart the revival and
protection of the American Dream. Daniel will dis-
cuss the challenges faced by immigrant youth
growing up undocumented in Arizona, the fight for
immigration reform, and why American citizens
are silent at their own peril.
The Board of Trustees will next meet
at 12:00 pm, Sunday, October 20, in the
sanctuary. Congregation members are al-
ways welcome. Board members, commit-
tee liaisons, chairs, coordinators, or rep-
resentatives should attend. Your input into
policy decisions and congregational activi-
ties is vital.
October Board Meeting
*QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!*
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before
they are considered assassinated instead of just
murdered?
Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'...
but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's
that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wear-
ing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before
we figured out it would be a good idea to put
wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby'
when babies wake up like every two hours?
PAGE 6 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
Editor’s Notes
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter,
let me know. 602.380.5608 (cell, 8:00 am to noon,
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm); wayne-daniel @live.com;
19225 N. Cave Creek Rd. #64, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
You can receive the Newsletter by email or snail-
mail and you can change methods at any time.
Stories, announcements, photographs, links, and
comments are accepted any time. The deadline
for the November newsletter is Friday, October
25.
Getting material in on time is critical.
Circle Suppers
Louise Slotta is hosting the October Circle Sup-
per on Saturday, October 12.
Louise will be making a Burmese dish, Chicken
Baked in Yogurt. Guests can bring the accompani-
ments. There is a sign up sheet on the entry table in
the Sanctuary. Louise can accommodate seven
guests.
Hosts for subsequent months are needed. Please
see the sign up sheet on the entry table.
Corielle James
Make contributions to West Valley via PayPal to
Shared Plate Sunday
At West Valley, the second Sunday of each
month is Shared Plate Sunday. Half of all cash col-
lected during the offertory, unless enclosed in an
envelope and designated for another purpose, goes
to further the work of a local charitable community
organizat ion. Puente Arizona (http://
puenteaz.org/) will be the Shared Plate recipient
on October 13.
Facebook group: West Valley UU Church - open
to all - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wvuuc/
We are also trying a Page in addition to the Group.
https://www.facebook.com/WestValleyUnitarianU
niversalistChurch This may give us some better
ways to communicate.
Adventurers’ Club
Fall colors. That’s what the Adventurers’ Club
seeks for the October hike. We’ll travel Waterline
Trail (also known as Waterline Road) above Flag-
staff. This is an easy stroll of two miles to a tunnel
blasted out of the mountain and only a 300-foot ele-
vation gain. Stronger hikers can go further—about
four or five additional miles to its intersection with
the Inner Basin Trail. The Waterline, which goes
through the heart of the Schultz Fire burn area, just
reopened recently. Contact Terry Mead for informa-
tion or to get on his email list.
tmead @meadandassociates.com.
October
Birthdays 7th - Frankie Avila
12th - Llew Howell
14th - Gary Bechter
15th - Mitch James
30th - Bill Dugan
Anniversaries none known
If yours is not listed, that is because the Adminis-
trator does not have the information.
This is the application that the on-line calendar at
westvalleyuu.org uses . If you also use Google Calendar,
you can link to the church’s calendar so that WVUU
events show up on your calendar. And no, people view-
ing the WVUU calendar cannot see what is on yours.
On the left side of the Google Calendar screen, it says “Other Calendars.” Click on the “+” to expand the
list, then type “[email protected]” in the box that says “Add a friend’s calendar.”
PAGE 7 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
SANCTUARY UPATE
The architect submitted complete plans to the
City of Glendale and the city is acting in true mu-
nicipal fashion. It seems our 2001 site plan is too
old, so we are required to get a civil engineer to
redo it. The architect has hired a civil engineer and
it will take the civil engineer about two weeks to
complete the “new” site plan.
Also, the new building plans must have fire sup-
pression systems such as a sprinkler system, so that
will be added to the plans.
Noel has contacted several building contractors
requesting bids and asked them to include a sprin-
kler system in their bids so that there will be no de-
lays with the bidding process.
The City of Glendale also required that the pro-
ject be assigned to one of their project planners
which will cost an additional $600 or so.
The permit process and the contractor bidding
preparation are running concurrently so there will
be no delay as far as the potential “ground break-
ing” date is con-
cerned.
The full site
plans are avail-
able on a table in
the sanctuary for
everyone to pe-
ruse!
We helped
Justesse Dwyer
celebrate her
first birthday
Ingathering Sunday: following our Water
Communion, Morgan, Emily and Lilly look on as
Lavender shares the remaining waters with new
patio plantings.
Sandra Mahoney: I am reading
Privileged Information, the first of
the twenty-book series by Stephan
White, who writes mysteries about a
psychologist, Dr. Alan Gregory, in
private practice in Boulder, Colorado.
I recently finished the last book in the
series, and the last book the author
plans to write. While lamenting being unable to look
forward to new ones, I looked over the list of the
books and discovered I had never read the first in
the series. These mysteries have entertained me for
years and I learned a little more about psychother-
apy, police procedures, and people with each book.
Paul Manget: One book I am currently reading is
Falling Upward: A Spirituality For the Two Halves
of Life by Richard Rohr. It provides a new perspec-
tive on spiritual development. The first half of life,
according to Rohr, is spent seeking successes and
positive feedback. It is essential because if we don't
get it, we will spend our lives seeking it or bemoan-
ing that we did not receive it from others. From
those successes we build a strong container or iden-
tity. We fill that container in the second half of life
with our true selves through spiritual growth. We
have to be able to renounce the status quo and move
beyond the successes of the first half to realize our
true identity or "soul" in the second half. It is a
fresh take on biblical and other religious themes.
Emily Whitmore: The book I’m reading right now
isn’t terribly exciting, but here it is: On Becoming
Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime
Sleep by Gary Ezzo. Scientists can
put a man on the moon, but they can-
not answer the most basic question of
early parenting: how to have a happy
and contented baby, who sleeps con-
tinually through the night like the
rest of the family, and a mother who
is not in a perpetual state of exhaus-
tion. Baby Wise is an infant management plan that
successfully and naturally helps infants synchronize
their feeding, wake-time, and nighttime sleep cy-
cles. Luckily, for us, it’s working, so far.
Ann Harper: Prompted by the current PBS “Great
Performances” series, I’m re-reading Thomas B.
Costain’s historical novel, The Last Plantagenets. It
is the final volume of the author’s tetralogy about
this long-ruling family in English history, exploring
the lives and exploits of Richard II, and the Henrys,
IV and V. I never seem to get enough of this stuff; if
only I could keep those names and Roman numerals
straight!
Nick Reachmack: Right now I’m reading:
Radio Eriwan Antwortet; Michael Schiff – German,
anti-Soviet, cold war era, satire.
The History of Last Night’s Dreams; Rodger Kame-
netz – Discovering the hidden path of the soul.
Guns, Germs and Steel; Jared Diamond – The Fates
of Human Societies.
Out of the Flames; Laurence and Nancy Goldstone.
So, What Are You Reading ?
PAGE 8 WEST VALLEY UU TIMES OCTOBER 2013
Service Opportunity
Hi folks.
The monthly cleanup has been moved from the second Saturday to the first Saturday each month.
It's a lot like work, but we have a good time. We have planting, planning, trimming and raking planned
for October 5..
We start at 7:00 am to avoid the heat. If you have any interest, questions, or suggestions give me a call.
Glenn: 623-556-7488.
PAGE 9 W EST VALLEY UU T IMES OCTOBER 2013
Our Unitarian Universalist Principles
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in soci-
ety at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us
to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and struc-
tures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as
ourselves;
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and
warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct
us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.
http://www.uua.org/beliefs/principles/index.shtml
MISSION The West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church provides a safe place to : Celebrate diversity, Draw inspiration for our lives, Foster social and environmental justice, and Compassionately support each other in our spiritual searches.
------------------------------------------------ SERVICES
Our Sunday Services begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a coffee house style fellowship hour. Professional child care is available. Children’s Religious Education takes place during the 2nd half of the service.
COVENANT
Love is the doctrine of our church.
The quest for truth is our holy rite;
And service is our prayer.
To dwell together in peace;
To seek knowledge in freedom;
To serve humankind in friendship;
Thus do we covenant.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
We are a welcoming congregation
WEST VALLEY UNIT ARIAN UNIVERSAL IST CHURCH 5904 W. CHOLLA ST . GLENDALE AZ 85304 -3205
