beloveds…

we were never meant to

hide in closets

and we were never to be spoken of

in whispered corners by a

world filled with others

afraid of their own reflections

we are from the flame of

channing’s truth


olympia brown’s relentlessness


in lou alcott’s defiance of societal expectations,


and thoreau’s solitude of freedom –

freedom of solitude

we are here,

heirs of a theology that says

LOVE is love

the soul is not gendered

that covenants live in hearts

not courtrooms...

- "Beacons" (excerpt) by Rev. Kimi Floyd Reisch

This month, we begin with more Resilience and we end with Pride! Ours is a faith rich in tradition, yet vibrantly alive today. Just as we are proud of where individuals like Channing, Brown, Alcott, and Throeau have led us, we have great pride in our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer folks who today live out loud that "LOVE is love" and "You do you!"

MVUU is here as a secular faith community because of the example of resilience from the past and the present - and we choose to make it our future!

Nov 2 “One Year On”

Our “Rising Resilience” speakers, Deena and Chris, join us for a conversational reflection on where we are have been and where we are going as a country. 

Rev. Matthew, Deena Hayes-Greene, Chris Crass

Nov 9 “Our OWL is Wise”

"Our Whole Lives" - OWL - is our Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ age appropriate, fact based, sex and sexuality curriculum. Come and find out why it is the absolute, 100%, BEST thing that Unitarian Universalists are doing in the world right now. 

Rev. Matthew, Maria Menconi

Nov 16 “Our Values in Action”

Through the lens of our UU values, we welcome three outside organizations to speak about their work in our area. 

Melody Luepke & Samar Adi

Nov 23 Pulpitpalooza 

Rev. Inge Detweiler from Borderlands UU returns to our pulpit for a Baja 4 pulpit-switch. Rev. Matthew will be at Sky Island UU in Sierra Vista.

Rev. Inge, 

Nov 30 “All Our Joys & Sorrows"

As we share in our open mic joy and sorrow ceremony, our Nominating Committee will be leading us to perceive service at MVUU in new ways.

Nominating Committee, Samar Adi 

Update on Trans & Gender-Diverse Resolution

The resolution from Multifaith for Pride is moving forward through the Tucson City Council! 

As I shared in my last newsletter article on October 24th, I'm leading the Core team of Jewish, Lutheran, Episcipalian, and United Church of Christ religious professionals to pass a resolution celebrating and supporting the rights of transgender and gender-diverse folks in Tucson. 

We've already got the sponsorship of the Vice Mayor, Lane Santa Cruz and have the support of Mayor Regina Romero's policy staff. By the time you read this article, we will have met with Tucson Police Chief Kasmar to present the resolution and ask for his support.

You might be curious: Why are we meeting with the Chief when we are not seeking changes to laws or new ordinances to be written? One of our goals is to empower community leaders to build a culture of celebration and support beyond Tucson's already progressive stance. 

More to the point, the Tucson Police Department (TPD) has the most active presence of any government agency throughout Tucson. They directly impact the whole community. We are bringing our spiritual and moral authority to encourage TPD to use their power to deepen the character of the city.

Assisting our Core Team is our "Batter's Box." These are Tucsonans who have agreed to use their local gravitas to step up to the plate in support of the resolution. I'm pleased to share these folks are speaking on behalf of the resolution:

Ron & Nancy Barber, former Congressman

Betsy Boggia, League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, President

TC Tolbert, Tucson Poet Laureate

Hazel Heinzer, Families Transformed 

David Garcia, Barrio Restoration

Mo Goldman, Tucson Immigration Attorney

Eric Plemons, UofA Associate Professor of Anthropology

Colette Barajas, Centra Realty

Gayle Brickert-Albrecht, Tucson Commission on LGBTQ+

As you can see, the resolution is supported by folks with political, business, academic, legal, and artistic power in our area.

CLICK HERE to read the working draft of the resolution. Send me an email Matthew.FunkeCrary@MVUU.org, if you are interested in learning how you can support this or future organizing with municipal governments.

With Love as our guide,

Rev. Matthew

Sailing into New Waters

My Dear Mountain Vista UUs,

It is with a grateful, but sad heart, that I'm relaying to you all that Stephanie Morales, our Congregational Administrator, is leaving MVUU. Stephanie has been a member of our staff for over 2 years and has sailed with us through significant changes in our financial procedures helping us to navigate to clearer and calmer waters. She has recently found new employment that will draw upon her strengths as an advocate for individuals within complex systems. I'll miss working with her and wishes her all the best.

While today, Friday, November 7th, is her last day as our Congregational Administrator, she will be working as a consultant for MVUU for the next three weeks. We've come to this agreement as she understands that we are sailing forward with developing financial processes and wish to continue to be a part of our crew as we sail forward. She will be working for us after hours and weekends to complete a few projects, put the final touches on our office handbook, and assist on onboarding our temporary office manager. 

Please know that our office will be open next week with limited hours:

Tuesday, Nov 11, 10-12

Thursday, Nov 13, 10-12

Our Wise Workers Committee will be answering messages and preparing our Friday newsletter. We will be updating applications on our office computer, and Renee, Debbie, and I will be interviewing for a temporary office staff person. All this means that we need to pause reimbursements and check requests from Nov 10 - Nov 17. 

Our office will reopen on Monday, November 17th, with a temporary office manager as we introduce them to our congregation, with the help of our many leaders and our completed office handbook.

I invite you to join me in reaching out to Stephanie at Administrator@MVUU.org over the next three weeks to offer her your best wishes in her new employment. 

With love as our guide as we sail into new waters,

Rev. Matthew

On Sunday November 16 we will begin discussing our new book: Into the Unknown: The quest to understand the mysteries of the cosmos by Dr. Kelsey Johnson “A leading astronomer and gifted teacher takes readers on a wondrous tour of how science confronts the big questions about the origins, destiny, and fundamental nature of our universe  In Into the Unknown, astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson takes us to the edge of scientific understanding about the universe: What caused the Big Bang? What happens inside black holes? Are there other dimensions? She doesn’t just celebrate what we know but rather what we don’t, and asks what it means if we never find that knowledge. Exploring the convergence of science, philosophy, and theology, Johnson argues we must reckon with possibilities—including those that may be beyond human comprehension. The very places where we run smack into total ignorance are the places where the most important questions—about the philosophy of knowledge, the nature of our cosmos, and even the existence of God—await. As accessible as it is profound, Into the Unknown invites each of us to join in the great quest for knowledge.”

           Because of the holidays we will read and discuss this book into February 2026.  For more information contact John Clark at alvinjclark@aol.com.

You are invited to join us for our annual Thanksgiving potluck on

Thursday, November 27. We will start gathering at 1 p.m.

and work as a committee of the whole to set up tables for the feast

(inside and/or outside according to the weather) and share appetizers.

We expect to serve dinner around 2 p.m. 

We will be providing the main course of turkey. Please come as if you were going to picnic and bring everything you need: glasses, plates, silverware, beverage, napkins and a potluck contribution. Plan on taking everything back home with you, including leftovers. Please stay to help with clean up.

We could use donations of 1/2 a turkey or

 the equivalent in turkey breasts, and a ham. 

Sign up sheets will be at church on November 16 and 23. 

Thanks to Joel Yelland (before Thanksgiving), Vincent Pawlowski, and David for helping organize and execute this event. Please contact Alana Wyatt at church or by email: alanawyattphd@gmail.com for questions. 

A special thank you to Hobie Denny who first organized this event in 2010!

BOOKAHOLICS UNANIMOUS

We are a group of enthusiastic readers who meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 2PM by ZOOM. The next meeting is on Tuesday, November 25.  The book is James, by Percival Everett. If you are interested in joining us or have questions, contact Anne Leonard at anne@alartworks.com or call 520-307-8045. 

Southern Arizona Covenant of UU Pagans Repose Ritual

Before we dive in to that hectic time of year known as The Holiday Season, let's take some time to experience calm during our Repose Ritual. Join us in our Zoom room at 6:30pm on Saturday, November 22nd. Have a candle and lighter as well as something to eat and drink for use during the ritual. Join us here: https://zoom.us/j/8239364868?omn=94625953252

Thank you!

Humane Society Donations: Delivered! 

A huge Thank you from everyone at the Humane Society for all the wonderful gifts you brought them. They were very grateful and amazed at your generosity!! 

This event wouldn't happen without our wonderful and generous members. Please consider donating a few helpful items or your time during the event to help out.  Click on the following links :

For donations needed:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849AEAF2EAAF85-58813231-fall#/

For volunteers:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849AEAF2EAAF85-58813255-fall#/

Save the Dates for Cholla Chowtime!

Who: Adults at MVUU

What: Monthly Potluck Dinners

When: First Saturdays of January, February, March and April

Where: Private homes (with exceptions)

How: Commit to at least 3 Saturdays, or join the Substitute list

Why: Small group settings are the best for getting to know each other

Cholla Chowtime  2026

…The Interconnected Web of Dining Together…

Cholla Chowtime provides an opportunity to get to know each other in small groups

sharing a potluck dinner in a home once a month for four months. Ours is at the first of the calendar year when we have the most people in Tucson.

Dinner Dates

January 3, 2026

February 7, 2026

March 7, 2026

April 4, 2026

Check your calendars to see if you can commit to these four dates. Minimum commitment is for three dates, entered on the signup sheets.

The firm deadline for signing up is December 1. The Cholla Chowtime rotation schedule will be sent to all Regulars in plenty of time for the January 7 dinner.

Sign up by filling out a form at Coffee Hour or by clicking the following link:

https://mvuu.breezechms.com/form/f89eb36547

If you have questions, contact Michelle at mvedusdeeney@comcast.net or (520) 638-7516.

Save the Date: Sunday, December 14

It’s that time of year again! Fun, Friendship, and Frolic (FFF), MVUU's only annual fundraiser, returns to celebrate connection, creativity, and community.

After the Sunday service on December 14, the doors to the Oasis will open for an hour of excitement. You’ll have the chance to buy fun and frolicking activities and services that expand your circle of friends and spread joy throughout MVUU.

We’re now gathering donations of activities and services—creative, exciting, or delightfully quirky ideas that can be offered for sale. Perfect timing for holiday gifting! (No money is exchanged at FFF; statements will be sent to buyers shortly afterward.)

Last year, over 40 donations raised nearly $14,000 in just one hour! Let’s see if we can meet—or beat—that record in 2025.

A Few Highlights from Last Year

Activities:

· Dinners with international flair – Italian, Indian, Hungarian, Ashkenazic Jewish, German, vegetarian, and more

· High teas, games, and picnics under the sunset and moonrise

· Tours of museums, Tucson murals, and a historic ranch

· Classical music in a mining town, learning about international relations, and even Polish and Hungarian lessons

· Tap dancing and Robin’s Broadway Cabaret

Services:

· Airport rides

· Knife sharpening

· Pet or House sitting

Now it’s your turn—what can you offer? Think of activities you love—others will too! Team up with friends to host something together. Through FFF, we build community, share joy, and yes—frolic a little.

Donation forms will be available on tables on Sunday, November 2, 9, 23 and December 7. You can also submit donations early by submitting an online donation form at https://mvuu.breezechms.com/form/e699c930 or by contacting Renate Kloppinger at Renate@Kloppinger.org or 202 494 3846.

The FFF team could use a few extra hands—we’re fun, too!

Renate Kloppinger, Jane Paul, and Melanie Landa

Here's the scoop on MVUU coffee: Donna Bougie has found a helper for this social justice effort. She and David Forrester are now running the Cafe Justo table on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Stop by to pick up your Fair Trade brew and raise your coffee mug in greeting! 

FINDING HEARTS SUCCESS !!!

Finding Hearts is off to a successful restart at MVUU. Three of the four fall offerings were filled before the deadline. The FH Facilitators will be in touch with participants to confirm the times and places.

LOOKING AHEAD

Winter Groups will begin January 12, 2026 for 4 to 6 weeks.

Submission to lead a group is needed by December 12, 2025

Contact Alice Hutchison, Telephone: 520-329-8090 or Email: ahutchison87@gmail.com if you have questions.

MVUU Art Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10am - noon. We learn, create and visit Art.

              No experience or talent necessary! For more information, please contact Ginny Stack at (630) 841-8705 or tellginnycounseling@gmail.com.

Attention book people!

Since we now have a Little Free Library, it behooves us to keep it stocked with good children's books. Stacie Sosa and I are teaming up to help with that: check out the spiffed up laundry basket in the Oasis Room by the library. The children have decorated it to remind us to bring our children's book donations to the Little Free Library. Stacie will make sure that our LFL is replenished often enough to encourage repeat book-lookers. 

Yours in community reading, 

Melody Luepke and Stacie Sosa