Borderlands is on the BUUV!
BUUV (pronounced büv) is Borderlands UU Virtual
What do you do when you are living through an unprecedented time of turmoil?
In answer, Rev. Matthew has been leading us to recognize what is happening, to grieve our losses together, and to find ways we can adapt. Since our last in-person Sunday worship, he has promoted that we can do more than survive these times, together we can thrive.
"That BUU has not been the same over the last year is a painful reality we all share," says Rev. Matthew. "None of us, myself included, knew how to carry out our mission or ministries when this started. Yet, by our covenant of love and a willingness to experiment, BUU has crafted virtual programing that has offered us connection, worship, and gathering though times we cannot meet in-person."
"That BUU has not been the same over the last year is a painful reality we all share," says Rev. Matthew. "None of us, myself included, knew how to carry out our mission or ministries when this started. Yet, by our covenant of love and a willingness to experiment, BUU has crafted virtual programing that has offered us connection, worship, and gathering though times we cannot meet in-person."
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Below, you'll find our many ongoing, virtual programs that we've crafted to connect, worship, and gather. You can learn and find links to join in, but most importantly you'll be able to see what BUU Members and Friends think about each program.
And stay tuned to this page for updates and invitations to new programs. We hope these resources will help you get into the BUUV! |
Connection
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Worship
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Gathering
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Connection
BUUB (Borderlands UU Broadcast)
Our Borderlands UU Broadcasts, affectionately known as "BUUB," have been coming to our email in-boxes since March 17, 2020. Each day offers something different and through this, we have stayed in contact and discovered new connections.
Monday Meditation, Tasty Tuesday Tidbits, Wednesday Weekly, Thursday Thriving, Friday Fellowship, Saturday Sabbath, and Sunday Service are all unique communications sharing the people and spirit of BUU. CLICK HERE to get more details about daily BUUBs.
Currently more than 250 folks receive our BUUBs each week. From a congregational poll in June we learned that most people do not read everything, but mix and match their favorite BUUBs to stay connected. We also learned that despite this, each day gets pretty much the same readership.
If you are not getting the daily BUUB, CLICK HERE to sign up.
Monday Meditation, Tasty Tuesday Tidbits, Wednesday Weekly, Thursday Thriving, Friday Fellowship, Saturday Sabbath, and Sunday Service are all unique communications sharing the people and spirit of BUU. CLICK HERE to get more details about daily BUUBs.
Currently more than 250 folks receive our BUUBs each week. From a congregational poll in June we learned that most people do not read everything, but mix and match their favorite BUUBs to stay connected. We also learned that despite this, each day gets pretty much the same readership.
If you are not getting the daily BUUB, CLICK HERE to sign up.
The BUUB has been one way for me to keep up with everything that's going on and get to learn more about the multifaceted amazing people in the BUU community. I love reading about everyone's spiritual practices, recipes, and personal reflections.
- Rylee Uhrich, BUU & UUCT Ministerial Intern
I look forward to reading the daily BUUB every morning. It is a great way of keeping in touch with other UU members and friends of UU during the week until we meet on Sunday.
- Dorothy McKenna
- Rylee Uhrich, BUU & UUCT Ministerial Intern
I look forward to reading the daily BUUB every morning. It is a great way of keeping in touch with other UU members and friends of UU during the week until we meet on Sunday.
- Dorothy McKenna
BUUDIE (Borderlands UU Direct Interaction Exchange)
Every week we focus on a single member to be our congregation's BUUDIE. We then reach out to connect with that person via cards, letters, emails, texts, or calls. Together we've recognized birthdays, blessed recoveries, honored service volunteered, and stayed in contact with folks we don't always see.
Each new BUUDIE is announced on Sundays during Fellowship and named in our BUUB: Wednesday Weekly.
Each new BUUDIE is announced on Sundays during Fellowship and named in our BUUB: Wednesday Weekly.
"Thank you!"
- The resounding response from our near 50 BUUDIES we've reached so far
- The resounding response from our near 50 BUUDIES we've reached so far
BUU Facebook Page
BUU is on Facebook! Are you? We started the BUU Facebook to expand our connections within and outside of our congregation. If you are on Facebook and want to connect with us CLICK HERE. If you'd like to learn more about Facebook we can help with that as well.
We're missing Arizona so very much: the sunshine, beauty and amazing people! The virtual presence of BUU is the main way we still feel connected! Thank you.
- Deb Mitchell (writing from Virginia)
- Deb Mitchell (writing from Virginia)
Virtual Art Gallery
Our Gallery at BUU had its first show in 2015 when we decided to fill the walls in our Fellowship Hall. We quickly learned how many talented artists we had in our small congregation. In addition, we hosted the Migrant Quilts one year and a joint show with other Unitarian Congregations another. We average around 15 artists each show – including painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, and fabric artists.
We've continued this tradition online with a virtual Gallery [CLICK HERE] and a sharing with the Baja 4 congregations [CLICK HERE].
We've continued this tradition online with a virtual Gallery [CLICK HERE] and a sharing with the Baja 4 congregations [CLICK HERE].
Being away for so long from my Arizona home and my UU community has been challenging, as has been living life virtually! I am grateful, though for the opportunity to connect with BUU through the various online venues that have been available.
- Susan Kirk (writing from Massachusetts)
- Susan Kirk (writing from Massachusetts)
Truth Polls
We have over 20 congregational polls from the start of the pandemic. All are open for you to view and engage and many are still open for you to participate in. CLICK HERE to check out our Truth Polls!
CLICK HERE to see our list of BUU's Truth Polls and the links to engage them.
CLICK HERE to see our list of BUU's Truth Polls and the links to engage them.
Each BUU truth poll encourages active participation. I’m not sure the other weekly BUUB’s lend themselves to that.
- BUU Member's response to our June poll about BUUB.
- BUU Member's response to our June poll about BUUB.
Accompaniment Project Forums
"The Path to the Accompaniment Project" is a forum series on Sunday afternoons at 2pm. It is a time to connect BUU with direct humanitarian aid groups. Each week another groups shares their the mission regarding immigration justice here in Southern Arizonas we chart together the trajectory that has become BUU's Accompaniment Project.
CLICK HERE to see the schedule, find the link to the forums and learn much, much more.
CLICK HERE to see the schedule, find the link to the forums and learn much, much more.
19 people joined from BUU, Sky Island UU, UUJAZ, and the Samaritans from Ajo and Green Valley ~ Sahuarita chapters. There was a genuine sense of connection, which feels like it is desperately needed at this time.
- Rev. Matthew
- Rev. Matthew
Worship
Baja 4 Worship Services & Vigils
It was Rev. Bethany from the UU Church of Tucson who invited BUU to join with Mountain Vista UU and Sky Island UU Church to plan and produce weekly Sunday worship together. From her initial invitation in to mid-March 2021, we will have shared in collaborative Baja 4 worship for a year.
Four ministers, three musicians, a ministerial intern, a lifespan learning coordinator and an Emmy award winning editor make up the Baja 4 worship team. They craft soulful and fun worship for every and all congregations. CLICK HERE to view all Baja 4 Worship services.
Four ministers, three musicians, a ministerial intern, a lifespan learning coordinator and an Emmy award winning editor make up the Baja 4 worship team. They craft soulful and fun worship for every and all congregations. CLICK HERE to view all Baja 4 Worship services.
While a virtual service hasn't fully replaced the in-person experience of joining Borderlands UU members and friends each week, it has given me an unexpected opportunity as a mother of two young children to participate and engage with Unitarian Universalism. I can watch the beautifully produced Baja 4 Sunday Service when I have time and fully enjoy it.
- Kiristin Wisneski-Blum
I find the Baja 4 worship services insightful & spiritually stimulating. Having the various ministers & other participants present each week widens the perspective & I really appreciate that. I’m aware of & grateful for the effort this collaboration requires.
- Martha House
- Kiristin Wisneski-Blum
I find the Baja 4 worship services insightful & spiritually stimulating. Having the various ministers & other participants present each week widens the perspective & I really appreciate that. I’m aware of & grateful for the effort this collaboration requires.
- Martha House
BUU Holiday Worship Services
Here at BUU we have crafted our own online worship opportunities. We gathered musical reflections for Thanksgiving Blues [CLICK HERE]. Karen Kluge directed a BUU-filled Christmas Eve & Christmas Day [CLICK HERE]. We enjoyed a self-guided New Year ritual [CLICK HERE]. And who could forget our April Fools' Day virtual service? (If you forgot, CLICK HERE.)
There's more to come! We are planning a special Easter worship to to honor the many gifts we have received from our ancestors. Look for that Sunday, April 4.
There's more to come! We are planning a special Easter worship to to honor the many gifts we have received from our ancestors. Look for that Sunday, April 4.
May I add huge appreciation for all the participants who joined Rev. Matthew to offer the BUU community a beautiful gift of spirit, bringing their talents and caring to share with all members in celebration of what is still true and holy… the Spirit of Christmas.
- Jeannie Macauley
- Jeannie Macauley
Prime Time
Prime Time is a series of 21 early morning recordings in response to a reading or meditation. Recorded before Rev. Matthew had his cup a' joe, they are short meditations on the times we are living through and our call to lean into our BUU community.
CLICK HERE to see our Prime Time list and links.
CLICK HERE to see our Prime Time list and links.
Wow! I'd really say all that? It was really early some of those mornings.
- Rev. Matthew
- Rev. Matthew
Gathering
Sunday Fellowship
Every Sunday at 11am, BUU Members, Friends, and Guests from 98 to 2 years old gather online for a time of Fellowship. We come with coffee or tea to check-in, participate in a pastoral moment, and hear some announcements. It's not coffee hour but, it has become a significant time for BUU folks to remain in touch. CLICK HERE to find our Zoom link each week.
To me, Sunday Fellowship has been a great way to widen and deepen my circle of friends. I've enjoyed getting to know people better over these months and appreciate how we've been able to stay connected, perhaps on a deeper level than when we met in person.
- Sonya Edwards
Our Fellowship hour is what I look forward to most every week where each of us can check-in and share what's on our mind and heart. This time on Zoom has been an essential part of my pandemic support system.
- Kristin Wisneski-Blum
- Sonya Edwards
Our Fellowship hour is what I look forward to most every week where each of us can check-in and share what's on our mind and heart. This time on Zoom has been an essential part of my pandemic support system.
- Kristin Wisneski-Blum
Theology Café
Rev. Matthew has defined theology as, "an understanding of the ultimate," and café as, "the variety that each day brings; sometimes I want coffee, sometimes a double chocolate, iced, soy mocha." The ultimate and daily variety come together on Thursdays at 11am in our small group Zoom meeting.
The Zoom link invitation comes out in every BUUB: Wednesday Weekly.
The Zoom link invitation comes out in every BUUB: Wednesday Weekly.
At Theology Café we talk about those things that are important to us — those experiences that touch us deeply and bring meaning to our daily lives. In this small group setting, I find I can share more deeply, I feel heard, and I strive to listen well.
- Jean Richon
- Jean Richon
Odyssey: Sharing the Journeys
Our Odyssey sharing takes place on Tuesday mornings at 11am on Zoom. This is a new program taking shape around one person sharing their spiritual journey. All are invited to come and listen and to find connections with the background, beliefs, and behaviors which arise out of each person's unique story.
You can find the invitation to join in the Odyssey in each week's BUUB: Monday Meditation.
You can find the invitation to join in the Odyssey in each week's BUUB: Monday Meditation.
It was a great experience to reflect upon my key life experiences and my spiritual journey, and then to openly share this with our wonderful community. It was an insightful and meaningful experience with a real sense of connection.
- Mike Norman
- Mike Norman
Dance Parties
We have already had two 30 minute virtual dance parties and have another planned for March 6 (invitation will come out in the BUUB: Wednesday Weekly). Our own Mixmaster K is host and DJ with a variety of genres for your dancing pleasure.
Encouraged:
Discouraged:
Encouraged:
- Costumes, funny hats, masks (no, the OTHER kind!)
- Creative decorations, lighting, or virtual backgrounds
- Stuffed animals (or real animals!)
- Dancing, sitting in a chair and swaying back and forth, or just smiling at your fellow BUUers dancing in the little squares on your screen
Discouraged:
- Forgetting to note it on your calendar and missing out on the fun!
Who would have thunk it would be so much fun to dance the time away on Zoom with BUU friends? Let’s do this again soon!
-Jerry Leggett
-Jerry Leggett
Holiday Parties
With no potlucks or in-person gatherings during most of COVID time, we've been having our holiday parties via Zoom. We've started having music, dancing, and personal stories around a holiday theme!
Invitations come through our BUUBs, so sign up [CLICK HERE] and join in!
Invitations come through our BUUBs, so sign up [CLICK HERE] and join in!
Our Halloween one had us dancing until our legs gave out, our Christmas one was lovely, and Valentines Day will be stories about how we met our spouse, best friend, dog, or the love in our life. Attendance is fun, so join us!
-Judy Harmer
-Judy Harmer