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Desert Notes

Love is our Doctrine. Service is our prayer. Justice is our calling.

Desert Notes – November 14, 2024

Dear Ones, It was wonderful to see so many new people in the Sanctuary last Sunday and to see so many members who hadn’t been here in awhile. We hope you’ll come back and find a way to get involved–that you’ll find this to be a place where your belonging is only based on your willingness…
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Desert Notes – November 7, 2024

Even as I knew this scenario was possible, the election results have hit me hard. Not because anything will immediately be different, but more because I don’t know what will happen and how it will impact me, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my community, my country, the world around us. All of us.  Yesterday we held…
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Desert Notes October 31, 2024

As many of you know, I sustained a small injury while canvassing voters a couple of Saturdays ago. I have a small break in my right fibula, which means I am in a boot for 4-6 weeks, and I am not able to drive at the moment. This has meant major disruptions to both my personal and…
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Desert Notes October 17, 2024

I enjoyed my retreat with colleagues in Rancho Palos Verdes and also camping with my family. I am catching up on emails and other administrative tasks. I enjoyed the AZCEND Gala last week, and I am looking forward to the Valley Interfaith Event next week. I am also officiating a wedding for Alison Cantley and Rick D’Andrea. This weekend…
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Desert Notes September 26, 2024

I will be attending a retreat with other UU clergy beginning Sunday, September 29 through Thursday, October 3, and then I will be joining my family on Fall Break for a camping trip. I will not be available by email during this time and will be available only for emergencies. You can contact the pastoral care team or our Congregational…
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Desert Notes September 19, 2024

After returning from the Dallas area late Monday night, I came to VUU Tuesday morning to host a press conference for Corazon AZ that highlighted the problems with Proposition 314. With partner faith communities, we talked about how this proposition targets immigrants in ways that could dangerously compromise our communities and our neighbors. Here are my remarks. We had…
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Desert Notes September 12, 2024

On September 21 I’ll be attending an ordination for a new UU colleague in Tucson, Jamili Omar. She has been working in Faith Formation with the UU congregations south of us, and will continue to do so as an ordained minister. I love going to these services; I get to see my UU colleagues, meet members at…
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Desert Notes September 5, 2024

This coming Sunday I will have the rare opportunity to be at VUU on Sunday but not in the pulpit! I look forward to being in a support role and seeing VUU from a different vantage point. The next weekend I will be attending a memorial service in Dallas for a close friend who died in May.  …
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Desert Notes August 29, 2024

This weekend’s multi generation service was so full of joy for me! Watching our kids make pictures on the river (which will hang in the Sanctuary for a week) and dance, sing, light the chalice, make the sounds of rainstorm–all of it felt so open hearted and inclusive. As each of you added water to the…
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Desert Notes August 22, 2024

Last weekend our service focused on what it means to do interim work together and what liminal time offers us. If you missed it, take some time to go back and listen. Adjusting our expectations and learning together, taking risks and discerning together–these are the hallmarks of a productive interim period. The ideas, commitments and changes that emerge from this…
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