About Us
WHO WE ARE
We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of Love, justice, and peace.
We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything.
We need not think alike to love alike. We are people of many beliefs and backgrounds: people with a religious background, people with none, people who believe in a God, people who don’t, and people who let the mystery be.
We are Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, atheist and agnostic, believers in God, and more.
On the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, we are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
We seek to welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith.
If you are new to UUism, you will find many answers to your questions at the Unitarian Universalist Association website. The links below provide access to some useful information there.
Principles & Purposes
Newcomers to UUism
UUism: The Uncommon Denomination
Founded in 1975, by a small but mighty group of retirees, our founders’ vision was to establish a liberal religious presence in the West Valley. For nearly 50 years, UUCS has been an oasis of progressive faith to our members and visitors. We are a growing multi-generational congregation of more than 150 members.
Our members come from nearly all west valley cities. Our location at the eastern edge of the city of Surprise is a convenient and easy drive from Glendale, Peoria, El Mirage, and the Sun Cities. Over the last 15 years, as new families moved into the West Valley, the number of families with children in our congregation has significantly increased.
Service and volunteerism are important in Unitarian Universalism, our members are involved in almost every aspect of the operation of our congregation. From decisions about the order of service and the coffee we serve, to the organization of the ushers and the maintenance of our facilities; member volunteers make it happen.
Our members are also active in social justice work as well. Our congregation has relationships with several organizations in the community, including Moms Demand Action, an organization focusing on gun safety legislation and HomeBase, a transitional living shelter for adults aged 18 to 26. Our congregation has also been extremely active with UU the Vote, a nationwide campaign to encourage voter participation.
Inseparable from one another, these shared values are:
Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it. We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
Transformation. We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity. We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities
Our Inspirations and Sources:
Direct experiences of transcending mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration. These experiences open our hearts, renew our spirits, and transform our lives. We draw upon, and are inspired by, sacred, secular, and scientific understandings that help us make meaning and live into our values. These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which these sources were created and are currently practiced. Grateful for the experiences that move us, aware of the religious ancestries we inherit, and enlivened by the diversity which enriches our faith, we are called to ever deepen and expand our wisdom.
Inclusion:
Systems of power, privilege, and oppression have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with particular identities, ages, abilities, and histories. We pledge to replace such barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect. We strive to be an Association of congregations that truly welcome all persons who share our values. We commit to being an Association of congregations that empowers and enhances everyone’s participation, especially those with historically marginalized identities.
Freedom of belief:
Congregational freedom and the individual’s right of conscience are central to our Unitarian Universalist heritage. Congregations may establish statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union so long as they do not require that members adhere to a particular creed.
Hans Deutsch, an Austrian artist, first brought together the chalice and the flame as a Unitarian symbol during his work with the Unitarian Service Committee during World War II. To Deutsch, the image had connotations of sacrifice and love. Unitarian Universalists today have many different interpretations of the flaming chalice, including the light of reason, the warmth of community, and the flame of hope.
Roth, was a retired dentist and a member of the UU Church of Surprise, Arizona, and had made 132 chalices, most in use by UU congregations. His chalices range from 9 to 23 inches in height and feature two interlocking hoops above the chalice bowl.
The first one he made was used at General Assembly 2005 in Fort Worth. Roth made the chalice for his own church as well and now one of the special pleasures for our members is attending services and seeing it lit each Sunday.
Mordecai liked to sit in the front row of the Sanctuary and just look at it. When you see the details, the spaces between the elements, you can’t help but feel just as he did. The chalice just keeps giving back to us every Sunday. It was indeed a labor of love for Mordecai when he created and began making these chalices.
Mordiecai once explained that the design for the interlocking rings just kind of evolved. “Once I got started the process just took on a life of its own.” He used the “lost wax” process, where wax in a mold is replaced by hot metal. “It’s not all that different a process from making a dental crown,” he noted. If you visit our Congregation in Surprise, AZ, you will find our Chalice on display in the Sanctuary. Designed and fashioned by our own Mordecai Roth, it is a spiritual gift left to us by a generous and caring member. Mordecai Roth passed away in 2013.
Karen Richter
Karen Richter is pastor and teacher at Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise in Surprise, Arizona. She is a sexuality educator/trainer with the Our Whole Lives curriculum, a yoga practitioner / teacher, and a spiritual director with an emphasis on vocational discernment and family life as a spiritual discipline.
Karen’s passion for social justice is focused around children’s advocacy, sexuality education, nonviolent action / police abolition, anti-racism, and the spiritual care of activists. Her previous experience includes time in United Church of Christ settings, higher education, and nonprofit community development.
Lisa Lawrence
MUSIC DIRECTOR
2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Brooke Gaunt
Emily Whitmore
Janet Murphy
Rich Manalis
Our congregation is governed by its bylaws.
The bylaws specify that we have a Board of Trustees elected at our annual meeting who serve for a 2 year term.
Visitors are welcome, but comments should be withheld until the end of the meeting. To view the most recently approved board meeting minutes, click below.
The Board of Trustees establishes committees to carry out most of the operations of the congregation. Committee chairs are either appointed by the Board or the Nomination Committee. The committees and their chairpersons are listed below.
Priscilla London (priscilla.london@yahoo.com)
Building & Grounds
Steve Calkins (steveandcarolcalkins@hotmail.com)
David Moore (mooredavid06@gmail.com)
Finance
Janet Murphy (uucsaztreas@gmail.com)
Hospitality
Vacant
Investment
Bill Hughes (bhu8040@aol.com)
Joan Carlson (jms342x@gmail.com)
Membership
Maria Runde
(mariakr.uumembership@gmail.com)
Music
Amelia Davis
(Amelia.ann.davis@gmail.com)
Nominating
TBD
Questers (Adult RE)
Carol Calkins (carolpcalkins@gmail.com)
Children’s RE
Lisa Lawrence (familyministry@uusurpriseaz.org)
Social Justice (UUJAZ)
Emily Whitmore (emilyawhitmore@gmail.com)
Stewardship
Janet Jeffrey (uucsazstewardship@gmail.com)
Worship Service
Minister Karen Richter (minister@uusurpriseaz.org)
Technology/Sound Booth
Kiefer and Destiny Cover (destiny.cover017@gmail.com/kiefer_cover@hotmail.com)
For technical issues contact
Patrick Rose
(roseaaronpatrick@yahoo.com)
John Benfield (johnmbenfield@outlook.com)
Web Manager
Brooke Gaunt (UUPresident24@gmail.com)
We welcome you!
Sundays at 10:30am
17540 N Avenue of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378
(623) 875-2550
A Progressive, Inclusive Faith Community