"Love invites us to recognize all beings as sacred and celebrated. Our differences are appreciated and valued: all are equally sacred regardless of culture, theology, and experience." - anastasia birosh, part-time seminarian and part-time church administrator

Pluralism is not often considered a spiritual value, but for Unitarian Universalists who have long affirmed and promoted the inherent worth and dignity of every person - it is a core value. We cherish and celebrate each and every person's individuality including their unique blend of background, belief, and time on this earth. 

On Sundays in May, we will explore pluralism as a core value of our faith from the fandoms that you have long loved to our many means and methods of creating the future. 

May 18 Joys & Sorrows

As our Pastoral Associates share what the coming Desert Ritual Year holds, they will lead us through our open mic Joys & Sorrows ritual. 

MVUU Pastoral Associates Team

May 25 "Taking Action Now"

We explore even more ways for you to bring our MVUU values to life and take action in the world. 



"Summer Sojourns"

It's time. The long, hot, dry summer is here. Everyone feels it deep in our roasting bones: time to take a summer sojourn. 

It really is everyone, not just those who leave the desert for six months for other climates. We all know that the Sonoran summer is hot and getting away to cool down is necessary. Much like flipping over a (veggie) burger on the grill, you don't want to char.

Ofelia Zepeda, Tohono O'odham elder, poet, and University of Arizona professor names it this way: 

My O'odham world is turned upside down.

July, with temperatures etched in the triple digits, 

we head for California.

Yosemite, in July we wear jackets

and light sweet smelling fires in our tents

each morning to take the edge of the cool off.

- "An O'odham at Yosemite," excerpt

Yosemite would be satisfying, but you don't have to go nearly that far. Leaving behind the heat of the desert floor for nearby canyons, Upper Sabino or Madera, or going a bit higher, Mount Lemmon or the Sky Islands, you can switch your internal thermostat from oven roasted to cooled by nature. It's refreshing to the body and soul.

I'm feeling it's that time myself. I'll be taking a sojourn or two (or three) away from our church house seeking that deep renewal that only summertime trips can bring. I'll keep y'all informed on the timing and turn on my email auto response when I'm gone. 

Until we see one another again, happy sojourns!

Rev. Matthew

Hi MVUU! 

We invite you to join the protest at the Telsa Dealership on Saturday (May 17^th, 8:30-10:00 am) if you are considering this as one important expression of our community values.

For those who wish, let’s meet on the Northeast corner of Oracle and River. Parking is best in the old bowling alley parking lot, on River just West of the intersection.

In struggle,

Tom & Ruth, Lee, Samar, Mike, Paula, Jerry, Mary Nell, Bonnie, Jane & Conrad, Ann, Curtiss, Kaaren, Eb, Melanie, Jennifer, Cheri & Allen, Lisa & Jim.

PS: More to come, in a couple of weeks, regarding a very BIG special Tucson protest on June 14 called No Kings Day planned in coordination with other towns and cities in Arizona and the country.

tom.bunch@mvuu.org

Upcoming Board of Trustees Election:

June 8, 2025

One of the key responsibilities of the Nominating Committee (NC) is to identify and nurture leadership within the congregation for our Board of Trustees. To fulfill this duty, NC members have dedicated considerable time to engaging with fellow members, exploring their interests and capabilities, and thoughtfully vetting candidates to form the proposed slate. As you prepare to cast your vote, please note that you are selecting a slate of candidates as a cohesive unit, rather than voting for individual candidates.

The election for the proposed slate of Board and elected Committee positions will be held on June 8, 2025, at the Annual Congregational Meeting. If you are unable to attend in person, we do have Absentee Ballots available which include instructions for returning your response. Mailed-in ballots will be due by 5pm on June 5th, 2025. Please contact Stephanie Morales, Administrator, at administrator@mvuu.org and she will send you a ballot. 

For those of you who will be at the services on Sunday but cannot attend the meeting, you can get an Absentee Ballot at that time.  

OWL happening at MVUU!!

Are you or someone you know interested in taking our OWL class? We welcome everyone! Grandchildren, parents, relatives, neighbors, friends, community members, and all others. There is a class for all stages of life from ages 5-95.  Our OWL facilitators are working hard to offer classes that is right for you! We will be planning our upcoming OWL classes this summer and need your input!!  Please let us know which classes you might be interested in. Filling out this form does not automatically register you for these classes but we do ask that only those that are seriously interested attending to fill it out. We are trying to gauge the interest in our program, which sections to offer, and when to offer it that works for everyone. 

Fill out this form by May 19th or email Stacie Sosa with any questions. Feel free to share this link with anyone who might be interested.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMJLS1UuXs4W8XgVsXv1j3-AcHX5pjPPd-yuCup6Oukd_nag/viewform?usp=sharing

Thank you!

Some MVUUers who attend Sunday services by Zoom would like to increase the sense of fellowship by remaining online after the service for our Social Hour. Bill Killian has agreed to facilitate a few times a month. Other host facilitators are being sought. Interested? Just stay online Sunday and we'll see what happens. On Zoom you will be able to mingle with others through chat, and we’ll get to wave to the sanctuary congregation. Hope to see you soon.