The Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation
1650 Abrazo Road, NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Welcome to the UU Westside Congregation! Unitarian Universalists strive for a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We assert no religious creed; rather we are united by our shared search for spiritual growth.
We are Unitarian Universalists Video.
Copyright Unitarian Universalist Association.
Come see our gorgeous new paint job! Before and after pictures are below, and what a difference a little paint makes. We’ve created some mosaic benches and maintaining our river of peace rocks. Plus, we have installed new heating and cooling systems.
We are an open and affirming congregation.
UUWC continues our Values development to clarify what timeless values we will embody in all we do. This is not intended to replace the UU Principles but rather to emphasize how we, at this time in our congregation, intend to focus our actions in our daily and congregational life.
In our Phase Two Values Exercise process, members of the Council, the Committee on Shared Ministry, and representatives of the general Congregation met for more than two hours on 8/10 to work with the groups of values ideas that were produced in the Congregational Values Exercise.
We studied examples from several other congregations and spiritual organizations. Lively discussion ensued about word meaning and how to articulate the best expression of what we heard our congregational members telling us. You will notice that we used verbs to express our intention to be in action.
Please read through the Proposed UUWC Values Statements below. We invite you to “try them on” and discuss with others. If you’d like to express your feedback on the Values Statements in writing, please email to NikaQuirk@mac.com.
We will also include time for feedback in our September Townhall.
Thanks for continuing to participate in our ongoing congregational exploration of who we choose to be and how we wish to be known in our larger NM community.
Nika Quirk, your Council Moderator
| Congregational Values Grouping (from Phase 1 – June 2, 2024) | Proposed UUWC Values Statements (from Phase 2 – August 10, 2024) |
| Authenticity-Honest Sharing; Humbleness (Generosity of spirit, Judgment free, Attempting to Understand others); Listen to Others | Communicate Compassionately:with humility, communicate in ways that include authenticity, listening, and seeking to understand without judgment |
| Building community with Love; Commonality: Community (Safety, Respect, Openness, Support of Others) | Build a Safe, Loving & Diverse Community: commit to our own, one another’s, and the congregation’s well-being |
| Hope with Action; Generosity of Service; Advocacy; Work for Justice | Work for Justice:serve in ways that build hope and alleviate suffering |
| Mutual Respect; Respect for All; Openness; Golden Rule | Respect and Honor the Interdependent Web: nurture sustainable relationships of care, respect, and mutuality |
| Spirituality/Logic & Reason; Spiritual Journey; Interdependent Web; Science (Listening/Vision) | Explore the Wonder of Life:through sacred, secular and scientific ways of understanding, engage in exploring and sharing the wonder and awe of the unity of life |
8/22/2
Sunday Services
Sunday Programs begin at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary
View archived recorded services at YouTube: UUWC Services
We hope that you will come to join us in person this Sunday. Please see our Facebook page for upcoming themes and subjects.
We ask that you follow all State Guidelines and wear mask/ facial coverings accordingly.
Click photo for Youtube page
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JOIN OUR COMMUNITY EVENTS
We have 3 Community groups
- Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation Antiracist Group
- Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation Labyrinth Group
- Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation Asylum Seekers
On November 16th I will be cancelling the Border Group and Labyrinth group due to the ART show. Through the winter months, the labyrinth walk will be starting at 11 am. instead of 9 am. This is due to temperature and not needing to groom the labyrinth in the winter.
November 15th our Anti-racist group will meet 9-11 am at “Whispering Bean”. We will be discussing, “Biased”: Uncovering the Hidden
Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do. The author is Jennifer L. Eberhardt, Phd
LABYRINTH WALKING OPPORTUNITIES
The purpose of this group is to offer opportunities to walk our two labyrinths; as well as learning about the use of labyrinths. Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer.The Labyrinth represents life’s path and is a form of meditation. Every 3rd Saturday of the month we meet at 9am in the summer and 11 am in the winter. We begin in the santuary. At the events, we will have a brief overview of the labyrinth and how to walk its path. You are welcome to join me whether there are two or ten people. Hope to see you at UUWC. Our labyrinth are always open to the public dawn to dusk.
Next Event: September 21st 9-10 am: meet in UUWC sanctuary. If you want to help groom, meet at 8 am.ANTI-RACIST BOOK CLUBThe purpose of this meet-up is to grow in our understanding of systemic racism in our country and its impact; as well as, how we can become an antiracist vs. “not a racist”. Come join us in our learning.Next Event: September 20th 9-11 am we will be discussing “White Fragility “ by Robin Diangelo chapters 1-6.Location: Whispering Bean by Sprouts on Corrales Rd.We will continue and complete our discussion of “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Mekadem: Radicalized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies.
(Discussing Part 3 plus chapter 17
Heads Up: Our next book will be “White Fragility” by Robin DiangeloASYLUM SEEKERS MEETINGWelcome to “No Human is Illegal”. This group was created to support asylum seekers NGO’s in New Mexico.This is a humanitarian group.Things are constantly changing at our borders. Sad to say, asylum seekers are the ones who suffer during all these changes.
We will be using this time to learn more about what is happening at the border and ways we can help.
Next Event: September 21st at 10 am. We will be listening to a Border Chronicle podcast entitled “Beyond El Mayo and Drug Cartels “. If you like, bring your looms or crochet hats to work on while we listen.
Help Feed the Kids in Rio Rancho!
Please click the above link for more information about this community outreach program and make sure no Rio Rancho school child goes hungry
We thank everyone for the donation of their time, talent, and money to help alleviate hunger among Rio Rancho public school children.
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The Sandoval Signpost published an article about Feed Rio Rancho Kids receiving attention and a financial contribution at a recent United New Mexico soccer match. The story is available here.
- Our congregation strives to nurture each other’s spirits and put faith into action through Social Justice work in our community and the world. Find out more about Unitarian Universalism, or watch We Are Unitarian Universalist.
- Please assist our Immigrants at the New Mexico Border Project. Information here.
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Outreach Projects
Join Us in the Creation of the Peace River
Bring a painted rock and give it a home in the Peace River outside the Social Hall. Quotes, animals, geometric figures, in memory of, and solid colors are but a few ideas of how you can leave your mark on the Peace River. If you need rocks, paints, or someone to pick up your painted rocks, contact coordinatoruuwestside@gmail.com
Westside Reads: Little Free Libraries
UUWC has an on-site Little Free Library. It also has placed a number of Little Free Libraries in Westside neighborhoods. Please take a book, and leave a book.
Pastoral Care at UU Westside Congregation
Rev. Dr. Nancy Hitt is available for pastoral care. If you need someone to talk to about life stresses and events; if you want to debate theology and the meaning of life, or if you want to discuss sensitive decisions that you are struggling to make or live with, she is available to work with you. You may ask for a phone meeting, for email conversation, or for a Zoom meeting. You may also ask for an in-person meeting either in your home or at the church. You may reach her via email at ministeruuwc@gmail.com.
UU Westside Congregation, 1650 Abrazo Road, NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Mail to: PO Box 15146
Rio Rancho, NM 87174
505-896-8192 ~ coordinatoruuwestside@gmail.com
