Apr 2: Baja 4 LFD News

Baja 4:

Stronger Together

Unitarian Universalists from across Southeast Arizona

Representing Unitarian Universalists across southeastern Arizona, we love beyond belief and find inspiration from a wide array of spiritual, religious, and secular sources. We come together as a Baja 4 because we know we are stronger together.

Learn more about each congregation!

Amado: Borderlands Unitarian Universalist
Sierra Vista: Sky Island Unitarian Universalist Church
Tucson (Northwest): Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Tucson (Eastside): Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson

Coming Events

What's Happening This Month?

Death and the Arts Small Group Ministry with Rev. Karla

Email Karla (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if interested, and she will include you in a Doodle poll to determine day and time; meetings will be twice a month on Zoom

This is an open circle (drop in) small group Ministry for the Baja 4 considering death, mortality, and loss through the arts. Each session will include worship, contemplation, and sharing around a different piece of visual art, music, literature, or film. Rev. Karla will welcome you on Zoom twice a month.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98044280689

Meeting ID: 980 4428 0689

Password: 973902

Laughter Yoga

Tuesdays | 4:00-4:30pm | Zoom

Thursdays | 1:00-1:30pm | Zoom

**Everyone of ALL AGES Welcome**

Laughter Yoga is a unique concept that invites everyone to laugh without jokes, humor, or comedy. Through laughter exercises, hatha yoga breathing, and playfulness we will laugh into joy, health, and bonds within the Baja 4. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Mandan Kataria, today Laughter Yoga is practiced by thousands in over 115 countries.

Rev. Matthew is a practicing laughter yogi who trained under Dr. Kataria and is a certified Yoga Laughter facilitator. Members and Friends of BUU will be joining Rev. Matthew to assist in demonstrating laughter exercises, yoga breathing, and Bollywood dance! Learn more about Laughter Yoga: https://laughteryoga.org/

Zoom in at: https://zoom.us/j/99073129659

Meeting ID: 990 7312 9659

Passcode: 574011

Contact information: Please contact Rev. Matthew with laugher and questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Youth Meet Up

April 9 | 5pm to ??? | Zoom

For youth ages 10+

Join some of our wonderful UU Youth Leaders for a fun hour or so of games! We’ll have a little lighthearted competition on a game of our choice (think PG rated games like Kahoot and Jackbox Games). Having the ability to open zoom and a 2nd browser (on a computer, tablet, or phone) is important. This is a super FUUN event so don’t miss it!!

https://zoom.us/j/5716364277

Meeting ID: 571 636 4277

Password: 973902

Heart Space: Imagine, If You Will…

April 14 | 6:30pm-7:30pm | zoom

Evening Worship returns! In this dynamic, all-ages worship, we will experiment and play with different ways to be in a reverent community together. While we are still online, we’ll listen to music, listen to words, explore, and experiment. Rev. Matthew will join us for some creative play as he leads us in Laughter Yoga. If you’ve always wanted to try it, here’s your chance. Please join us!

The room opens at 6:15pm for some social time and a heart-felt worship to follow at 6:30pm.

Zoom in at: https://zoom.us/j/5716364277

Meeting ID: 571 636 4277

Password: 973902

Games IRL (In Real Life)

April 16 | 9:30am-12:30pm | UUCT at 4831 E. 22nd Ave

It’s the event you’ve been waiting for! Bring your favorite table-top games and the whole family! We’ll set up as many games as we like and when the kids get tired of playing, they can run off to the playground where our dedicated nursery staff will keep an eye on them.

**New** Feel free to bring your breakfast or lunch! We will stop for a break when we get peckish to order a pizza (vegetarian option available, but no gluten free).

Baja 4 Climate Justice Team: Film Screening Event

April 23 | 2:00-5:00pm | ZOOM and UUCT

How can we bring accountability over the climate crisis? YOUTH v GOV follows 21 young Americans suing the world’s most powerful government to protect their constitutional rights to a stable climate. If they win, they will change the future. Don’t miss your chance to catch the film on APRIL 23rd, 2-5PM, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson on 22nd St. There will both in-person and Zoom attendance options, with a post screening discussion planned.

**This event is geared towards people 13 and older. Younger children are welcome to attend with parental supervision.

Several young people from various U.S. cultural backgrounds standing on the steps of a federal building. Many of them have fists or hands raised in poses of triumph. Most of them are smiling or cheering.

Photo credit: Robin Loznak

Parenting of Preschoolers (POPS) –Grown Ups Meet Up

April 30 | 1-2pm | Zoom

This monthly group is designed for those adults raising children who are ages birth to 6, but everyone is welcome. This is an amazing group of adults that come together to talk about topics relevant to our daily lives. We offer support, words of wisdom, and connect to those around us. We hope that you join and share with us.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97578924511

Meeting ID: 975 7892 4511

Passcode: 973902

Celebrations and Special Days

It's always fun to celebrate and at the same time learn about cultures around the world. Here are a few things happening this month.

Interfaith:

Passover (Jewish) - April 16-23
Vesak - Celebration of Buddha's Birthday, Enlightenment and Death) (Buddhist) - April 8, 2021, and others (more here & here)
Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday (Christian) - April 14
Good Friday - (Christian) April 15
Easter (Christian) - April 17
Ramadan (Islam) - April 3 -May 3 (more here and here)

Unitarian Universalist:

William Ellery Channing’s Birthday - April 7 (1780)
Death of Sophia Lyon Fahs - April 14 (1978)
Hosea Ballou’s Birthday - April 30 (1771) (more here)
Climate Justice Month - March 22 to April 22

National & Cultural:

Arab American Heritage Month
Jazz Appreciation Month (more here)
National Poetry Month (more here)
Martin Luther King Jr gives his “mountaintop speech” - April 3 (1968)
Martin Luther King Jr Assassinated - April 4 (1968)
Vimy Ridge Day (Canada) - April 9
Fair Housing Act passed - April 11 (1968)
Richard Allen and Absalom Jones organized the Free African Society - April 12 (1787)
Freddie Gray is arrested in Baltimore and dies after sustaining injuries in police custody - April 12 (2015)
Earth Day - April 22
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day - April 26 (more here, hereand here)
Day of Silence (LGBTQ) - April 27 (more here and here)
First day of LA riots, sparked by acquittal of four white cops in the beating of Rodney King - April 29 (1992)

For Fun and On the Fringe:

April Fool’s Day - April 1 (more here and here)
Star Trek Day - April 5 (more here)
National Tell a Story Day - April 27
National Superhero Day - April 28 (more here)

We Imagine...

The theme this month is Imagination. Our ability to imagine is a powerful, wonderous thing! We can imagine creating a better world. Our imaginations can also "run away with us" and bring fear, anxiety, and worry. How can we use our imaginations to fully develop our inherent goodness and possibility? To create a world we long to live in? To invent new things and make good trouble? Let's explore!

Chalice Lighting

In the Soft Light of this Flame

Rev. Scott Tayler

In the soft light of this flame may our lives shimmer anew.

May we notice new possibility in those relationships that seem lost.

May the turning of year give birth to a dream.

May the emerging light pull a new story into view.

May what is, give way to what might be.

May we believe again in the world we imagine.

Find more chalice lightings here.

A riddle of ice and fire dragons - Henri Picciotto

A riddle of ice and fire dragons with Henri Picciotto

Can you IMAGINE the solution to this riddle? It’s your first day as Center Realm’s official cartographer, and you’ve already got a big problem. Center Realm is home to three elder dragons: two ice, one fire, and they’ve lived in harmony for centuries. But scouts have sighted three fire dragons and five ice dragons flying towards the region. Can you figure out where to place the new dragons? Henri Picciotto shows how.

Dinner or Drive Time Discussion

Let’s pretend we find this magic seed called a “new you” seed. This is a magical seed which allows us to become anything we wish.

We believe that we are born with lots of possibilities. Our faith tells the parents in the UU Child Dedication Ceremony “Don’t put any limits on imagining what your baby/child can become!” and this seed could represent that. And with our imaginations, we can picture this seed as a magical way to plant the idea of becoming anything we wish.

How would you grow? like Jack in the Beanstalk’s magic seeds? Or would it grow like an avocado seed?

What will it grow into? Lead with your imaginations!

Roxaboxen by Alice Mclerran

This book invites us to reflect on how the children in the book used their imaginations to “think outside the box.”

Become an Inventor!

Share this book and video. What does it inspire in them?

Maybe challenge them to think of a problem and how they could solve it. My oldest child really disliked getting immunizations when he was younger. When we were waiting at the doctor's office, he said he would invent a soft thing like a marshmallow to go over the needle so that the shot didn't hurt! Sometimes being inventive does come from a problem we want to solve!

Looking For More?

If you're curious about what else is happening in Lifespan Faith Formation, check out: https://dreuuct.wixsite.com/uuquest

PS. Have you joined the Parenting Club group on Facebook? Everyone in the Baja 4 is welcome!

Something for Everyone

Education | Fellowship | Service

April 23, 2021

We welcome diversity. We commit to undo racism and all other oppressions in ourselves, our church, and our community.

UU Quest

Whether you're looking for details on current Religious Education programming or at home resources to do with your family, UU Quest is the place! It is filled with information, links, activities, chalice lighting words, and more.

https://dreuuct.wixsite.com/uuquest

2nd Hour

May 9 | 12:15-1:15pm | Zoom

Please join UUCT for 2nd Hour! It is a once -per -month afternoon of a variety of educational, spiritual, interesting, and fun workshops.

See the UUCT website for links and descriptions! https://uuctucson.org/education/2nd-hour.html

Learn about The World's Religions

April 25 | 1:30-2:30pm | Zoom

**Alternate time after the finance meeting**

This week join us in learning about Indigenous African religions and their counterparts in the Americas (like voodoo and santeria) which have long been considered "frightening." Because these are often closed traditions, many people rely on media representations, most often found in horror movies, to form their opinions of these traditions. Lynn Brown, scholar and practitioner will talk about these traditions, their history and to dispel some of the myths.

Who: Everyone ages 12+

When: Sunday from 1:30-2:30pm

Where: on Zoom, meeting ID 571-636-4277

Curious? https://dreuuct.wixsite.com/uuquest/crossingpathsoverview

8th Principle Decision is May 2, 2021

It is less than a month until the annual meeting! Are we ready to affirm the 8th Principle? If you are having doubts, the board and others behind changing UUCT to be actively anti-racist is willing to listen.

Information on the 8th principle is here. If you are not ready to vote to "covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions,” email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and cottage meetings will be made available.

Parents and Caregivers of Preschoolers

Join any time!

Join the Baja 4 families in this POPs is a video-based, at-home curriculum grounded in Unitarian Universalism and designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 2-5.

By engaging with POP videos, parents and caregivers will come to understand their child's spiritual development, to build rituals that support this development, and to see themselves as spiritual teachers.

Each month,

On your own, watch three short videos on the theme of the month.
With our POPS adults, meet once a month to check in and share.
With our children, join other kids for story and crafts time!

All activities are optional and free for Baja 4 families!

Questions? Contact Jamili at:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Curious?

Join any time!

Check out the POPS website

UU Quest has more details

Then, register with Baja 4 here! You'll get the password for videos after you register.

Website Help

The website team would like to consider future directions for UUCT Website you have experience with developing, designing, managing, maintaining or publishing to a website please let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have ideas and want to participate in the discussion you are also invited to make your interest known. At this point we are only asking people with expertise and ideas to participate and share in discussions. If we decide to make significant changes we will need your help.

Family Resources

Are you ready for some faith development as a family? I am collecting resources for at home religious education both on the Parenting Club facebook page and in a google drive. The folder is available to everyone! You'll find activities that take 5 minutes and ones that take 5 days, so you're in control of how much time you spend on RE.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18E0X5KLfoOY6tpGu-74PmWEW9N2IqDrq?usp=sharing

Vigils For Justice

Every Tuesday Morning | 8:00am

The Social Action Committee is sponsoring vigils in front of our church each Tuesday morning from 8:00 to 9:00. We have dozens of signs covering current topics which align with UU Principles. We also encourage the sincerity and creativity of home-made signs. We are supporting causes UUs believe in and advertising the values of our congregation. Please don a mask and join us.

Beyond the Baja 4

The Church of the Larger Fellowship is the the longest online UU worship and fellowship organization serving folks around the world. They are compiling a list of UU options that are online and open to all. See details or sign up for the email list here: https://www.communitynowuu.org/

Stay Connected to UUCT

Parenting Club Facebook page: For resources and support from other folks who are parenting. https://www.facebook.com/groups/439341513150633/

Tucson UU Young Adults: Do you identify as a young adult? Would you like to meet up with and interact with other UU younger adults in Tucson? Then you're in the right place! This group is open to all Tucson UU or UU curious people who would self identify as a younger adult. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TUUYA

Meeting List: The front page of our website now lists the Zoom links for every congregational event happening online. You can list your event there by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To book a "Zoom Room" for your group's meeting, contact me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Questions? Jamili Omar | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RE at Home Resources

Are you interested in "doing church" with your littles? I am collecting resources for at home religious education both on the Parenting Club facebook page and in a google drive. The folder is available to everyone! You'll find activities that take 5 minutes and one that take 5 days, so you're in control of how much time you spend on RE.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18E0X5KLfoOY6tpGu-74PmWEW9N2IqDrq?usp=sharing

A new activity this week is Sabbath week 3 from Soul Matters. Follow the customizable activity guide to add more elements to our home altars/chalice homes. Missed Week 1 & 2? It is available in the same folder.