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Smaller congregations can be just as effective when they have smaller committees than some believe. The usual thinking is that committees need to be large enough to do all the work or be, in the case of a governing board, representative of the various groups in the congregation.

Often, however, this expectation uses up available members, who might otherwise help in other areas where the need may even be greater., such as last-minute items that need immediate attention.

WVUU Church might think about this as the members decide which of the recommendations I made in my report they want to implement. It seems obvious that you can't do all of them at the same time, or even when they are spread out over months or a couple of years, if you continue to have an six to eight people on some committees while others have many fewer members.

So here is my suggestion. Downsize all committees in order to make no standing committee, including the board, made up of more than five people. In so doing, downsize the expectations of what a committee will do. If there is five people on a committee, there would be five major tasks, one for each member. A number of secondary tasks could be undertaken by one or more members, but no committee member would serve without one major responsibility. The major tasks may require someone to be responsible for completion on a weekly, or monthly basis, such as overseeing the greeters on Sunday mornings and following through with registered visitors. Minor tasks may once-a-month responsibilities, such as greeting at a Sunday service, or serving on a task force expected to make its report several months in the future, or serving as a canvasser once a year. By breaking down jobs, staffing with volunteers, each having defined responsibilities, all essential responsibilities can be covered with a smaller number of people, the work-load will be more evently distributed (since every able-bodied member is expected to do something, and fewer leaders suffer from burn-out.

Smaller committees require one more item. Members of the congregation and the board need to trust their leadership. Micro-managing by the board or nit-picking by a member are counterproductive to creating a level of trust that assumes that everyone will do the job they agreed to and do it as best they can, even though it may not live up to one or ten other members' standards. Leaders need to be granted permission to act, and not always have to check it out, delay action, or be so cautious lest they be criticized.

Charles A. Gaines

classes in painting, pottery, and art. She is an accomplished watercolorist and has thrown many beautiful pots. She is a member of the Glendale Rose Society and has 30 rose plants in her yard.

Marsha is expecting her first grandchild in March and will travel to be with her son, Michael, and his girlfriend in Portland, Oregon after her granddaughter is born. Marsha was married for five years to a native of El Claro, Sonora, Mexico. She lived in that small community for two years, perfecting her Spanish, which she had learned in college and used in her job as a telephone operator.

Although reared Catholic, she attended different denominations in the past and after moving to Phoenix, was unable to find a church she liked for several years. She joined WVUUC on January 7 and has volunteered to help with the Membership Committee. Please make a special point to welcome Marsha and if you haven't met her, introduce yourself!

Choir: Wayne Daniel, a WVUU newcomer, volunteered to organize and direct the choir. He has prior experience in this role and is looking forward to the fun and challenge. Meet him after service Feb. 11, or contact him at 602-493-2047, or danielaccounting@msn.com with "WWVU" or "Choir" in the subject line.

Wayne comes from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition. He has sung in several choirs and small groups in the Valley, and directed the Larkspur Christian Church (DoC) choir for 3 years. He also cantored Roman Catholic masses for 13 years.

In Sunday School

Through the months of February and March, the older kids in our church will be studying the life and teachings of Jesus.

The Eagles continue their exploration of how we, as Unitarians, live our Principles and Purposes. In February, they will be looking at two sources of Wisdom: Buddhism and Science.

Coming March 24th: A workshop on Spirituality and Parenting followed by a family potluck.

If you have any questions about this workshop, our Sunday school or children's programs, call Kathy at

623-915-2678.

EarthSong Chorale Plans

Organization Meeting

Bronwynn Torgerson, a Valley priestess and WVUU member, announces the launching of her newest endeavor, EarthSong Chorale. The show-up singing group plans to meet on the 3rd Saturday of every month at WVUU, with a first organizational meeting on Saturday, February 17th, 2007 from 1 to 3 p.m. at WVUU. A love offering of $1.00 per person will be accepted and given back to WVUU as a token of appreciation for use of the sanctuary space. The chorale is open to adults and children over the age of 12, when accompanied by a parent.

EarthSong will be learning to sing earth-honoring ballads by contemporary musicians, such as John Denver's "Sunshine on My Shoulders" and "Eagle and the Hawk", as well as Gordon Lightfoot standards like "Weeping Willows, Cattails and Roses". Selections will also be sung from UU songbooks which acknowledge the cycles of seasons, nature and Divinity in nature. There will also be chants and songs chosen from Pagan bards like Gwydion Penderwynn, Dar Williams, Lisa Thiel, the band Emerald Rose and others, which honor the God and Goddess as perceived in nature.

Bronwynn says that her hope is that the chorale will grow, as singers and musicians from the public, the Phoenix pagan community and interested WVUU'ers express an interest. When EarthSong has sung together for awhile, and acquired a truly great sound, Torgerson hopes some chorale members will be up for accepting invitations to perform at UU services, Interfaith events and local seasonal festivals.

Those wishing more information may contact Bronwynn at: (602) 843-0453 or email her at:

BronwynnTorg@yahoo.com.

Special Thanks to the Bechters

Within our church, visitors often find a warmth and sense

of belonging which in turn results in more visits, and fortunately, future membership. These positive feelings most often occur during conversations with friendly members over

a light lunch. Visitors and members alike benefit from this sense

of community, which is possible by the reliable efforts of Gary and Doris Bechter. The Bechters have been volunteering their time, often missing a portion of many services, so that we all have an opportunity for our portion of warmth and belonging. Many thanks to Doris and Gary for all they do, and to countless others for their generosity and time spent preparing food for the light lunches; these are the ingredients that make our church special.

Darryl Bailey

Mia and Larry Want Items For The Annual Silent Auction

Date: Saturday, February 24, 2007

Time: 5:00-8:00 pm

Theme: Dancing for the Bottom Line

The evening will include a silent auction to benefit the church. Wonderful donations are coming in! Please donate your items as soon as possible! Please see Mia or Larry after church to get a form. Extra forms are also available near the WVUU Sanctuary Calendar.)

The evening will include a pot-luck supper and line dancing for all who are interested!

Some ideas for donations could be:

*a special item that you have and want to donate

*a service that you could provide: a music

lesson, cooking lesson, horseback riding,

*a weekend get-away at your cabin or beach house

*a gift certificate to a local store/restaurant.

*a gift basket...this could be done as a family

or friends together.

*a gift certificate to a local spa.

So...come out and support your church! Have fun and lots of laughs!!

Maybe you'll come home with something special, too!

See you all the last Saturday evening in February!!

Mia and Larry

Dancing for the Bottom Line: February 24, 2007

WVUU Church's Annual Silent Auction

Donation Form

Name: ____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________________

Item/service to be donated:

___________________________________________

Minimum Bid: _______________________________________

**Thank you!! Please fill out this form and return it to either

Mia or Larry.

Suggestions:

__________________________________________________

Sunday, February 4, 2007, Kathyrn Sheffied, "Myths and Religion" As people and society we often come to a crossroads where we must choose our path. Since the beginning, myths have existed to help us clarify our choices. This Sunday will be the first of Kathryn Sheffield's six-session series, "Crossroads and Mythology," of sermons and Adult Religious Education classes on mythology starting February 4th after the service. She will be speaking the first Sunday of each month for six months and leading the Religious Education classes on mythology after each service. The cost is $5 for the class after the service.. The topics for each of the coming six months are: Myths and War, Myths and Personal Crises, Myths of Love, Myths and the Nature of Good and Evil, and Myths and Creativity.

Sunday, February 11, 2007 Rev. Charles Gaines "A Theology for the Latter Half" We don't need a mid-life crisis to change our life or our perspectives about life, either. It all comes from growing older. See how it went with Odysseus and others.

Sunday, February 18, 2007, Rev. Buzz Stevens -Feeling regret that you don't know your neighbors better? Is it important to connect deeply with those who live near you? Can it be done with more than one or two? Buzz Stevens, Methodist minister emeritus, shares his ideas on this topic

Sunday, February 25, 2007, Rev. Charles Gaines "What Would Lizzie Larrabee Say About It Now!According to recent studies, each generation is different, but there are also cycles of generations that make some similar with others. What does this say about the generation you represent and how you see other generations that are younger than your generation?.

West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

PO Box 2505

5904 W Cholla Street

Glendale, AZ 85311

Phone: 623-846-6004

Editor: Dorothy Ward, Publisher: Doug Pope

602-246-1246

Newsletter E-mail: UniqueDorothy@cox.net

This Church provides a safe place to celebrate diversity, draw inspiration for our lives, foster

social and environmental justice, and compassionately support each other in our spiritual searches.

We currently have 88 members and many more friends.

Our Sunday Services begin at 10:30 AM followed by a coffee house style social hour and light lunch.

CELEBRATING WVUU

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

At the bi-annual meeting of the congregation on January 14th, members took time to reflect on the accomplishments since our annual meeting and celebrate them with a "yippee or two."

Here is the list of the accomplishments we celebrated:

"Myths & Religions" series beginning in February has twenty-one people registered.

Our grounds have been beautified since last May.

We have a new shed.

The size of the Membership Committee has been expanded to five people.

The board takes time to review all action-items on its list of "things to do" - these are specific, achievable, have a time-table for completion and someone responsible for following up on it.

Five new members have joined the church, including Marsha Dominguez, one of our newest members in the church, last Sunday.

Consulting Minister Charles Gaines gave his report with twenty-one recommendations.

Recent sermons are again published on our web-site, after a two year lapse.

A Growth Workshop led by Charles Gaines was attended by nineteen members.

Coffee House showcased a lot of talents offered by our members.

There are more infants and young children seen in our church on Sundays.

A full-time minister - an intern at Starr King School - will be with us from September to May next year.

Welcome to

Marsha Domínguez, WVUUC's newest member.

Marsha has lived in Phoenix for 10 years and found out about UU churches while canvassing a neighborhood for the Democratic Party. She was paired with a member from UU Church in Surprise, they talked about philosophy, religion, and politics and she learned about Unitarian Universalism. She attended UUC and subsequently was referred to our church because it was closer to her home.

Marsha was reared in the San Joaquin Valley of California and attended Cal State where she received a teaching degree. She taught 3rd grade for many years. Following that, she worked in many different jobs for the telephone company in Tucson for 25 years and subsequently was transferred to Phoenix in 1996. Since her retirement five years ago, she has studied art at Glendale Community College, taking

(Marsha continued next page)