Sunday June 8, 2025
"Glitter Blessings"
As we begin Pride month, Rev. Sarah and Obi Duru offer Glitter Blessings and an invitation to all of us to think of LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations as an opportunity to embrace human wholeness and spiritual groundedness in which we honor our identities and affirm
our differences as holy gifts.
Celebrating Pride together is a way to practice intentional, radical welcome. Come in whatever way you feel most fabulous! We will also recognize the service of volunteers at VUU, thank folks who served in elected positions who now step down and everyone else who has contributed to an excellent year of VUU activities, services, and ministries. This month’s theme is freedom.
Annual Meeting June 8 12:00
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
Our theme this month is The Practice of Freedom, and this week we focus on Freedom and Juneteenth. We lift up that while Juneteenth is a celebration of the freedom of enslaved people and filled with joy, it is also a reminder that there is still anti-racism work to be done.
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DALAI LAMA AND FRIENDS
8:30 am Meditation
9:00 am Discussion
In person, in the board room, and
Via Zoom here
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Find Jesus Game
Ryleigh found his hiding place and he has been rehidden!
| | Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | | | | |
Calendar
Thursday, June 5
Friday, June 6
Saturday, June 7
Sunday, June 8
Monday, June 9
- Pastoral Care Team Mtg 6:30p
Tuesday, June 10
Wednesday, June 11
Thursday, June 12
Friday, June 13
Saturday, June 14
Sunday, June 15
Click here for the most current calendar, to view locations, contact information details for above events
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Abbreviated information about upcoming events
more than two weeks out or without an article below
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UUA General Assembly - Jun 18-22 Register Here
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Page Turners Book Club - Jun 19 Read the book
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Summer Solstice Celebration - June 21
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After an exciting, fun and exhausting trip with 13 teenagers and four other adults, I am just trying to catch up with the many little tasks that need my attention. I hope to be able to write more next week!
…Cheers, Rev Sarah
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Input for the VUU Congregational Annual Report 2025
If you are the chair or lead of a committee or activity, please submit a report in the Google document that I shared with you. I have tried to share it with everyone who needs access, but if I missed you or shared with the wrong leader, please let me know. We need submissions to be complete by June 7. Thanks to everyone who has already submitted something!
-Submitted by Rev. Sarah
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VUU Annual Meeting June 8
Join us after service on June 8th for VUU's annual meeting. The agenda includes elections, reports from the president, minister, finance committee, a by-laws amendment for GA delegate selection, the budget for the coming year, Safety Grant improvements and a related vote, and lunch.
May 4, 2025 Congregational Conversation Slideshow
June 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes
June 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes
Online Participation and Voting: The meeting will be broadcast on YouTube through the same link as Sunday Service.
To establish a quorum, and administer voting, we will use the same method of online voting as we have done for the past few years. At the beginning of the meeting, we will ask online participants to register via a QR code or link provided via the YouTube chat.
During the meeting we will provide another link to vote for candidates and motions. We will monitor the YouTube chat to navigate any issues.
Congregants can also vote by absentee ballot if they are not going to be in attendance either virtually or in person. If you cannot attend either virtually or in person and would like to vote absentee please contact Dan Schulte at dlschulte@msn.com and he will arrange to send an absentee ballot to you.
–Submitted by Mark Foote, Board President and Dan Schulte, LDC Co-Chair
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VUU Candidates
Please click on the links below to see bios of the candidates for our election on June 8. Note that Paul Schneider was unable to submit his bio earlier, but he did speak at the Meet the Candidates event last week.
Board of Trustees: Lisa Bonine, Nancy Egly, William "Bill" Elliott, Katie Hurstwicker, Paul Schneider
Leadership Development Committee: Valerie Caviar Miller, Jodi Freeman, Beverly McCormick, Carrie Smith-Hardee
Special Funds: Chris Sar
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VUU Finance Reports
Thanks to everyone who participated in our congregational conversation on May 4th! One of the items we will be voting on at our annual meeting on June 8th is our 2025-26 congregational budget. This budget takes into account the drop in revenue, and consequently makes staff cuts, most notably in reducing Director of Faith Formation (DFF) to 1/2 time and the Director of Music Ministries (DMM) to 1/4 time.
There are many other changes, to see them all please follow this link.
NOTE: this is a new spreadsheet from last month, with updated Pledge and EoY estimates based on April numbers. (There are 2 workbooks, a summary and a detailed spreadsheet with comments). Click here to view Analyst Reports.
--Submitted by David Sheh
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VUU New Participant Class
June 7 from 9:30am - 1:00pm is our next class for folks to learn about VUU. We will also have lunch together to make up for missing our last scheduled brunch so that folks could protest together. Please RSVP. Class is led by Rev. Sarah and the Membership team. We will meet in Classroom 1&2.
--Rev Sarah
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Bring on the Summer FUUNd!
The Let’s Have FUUNd Together Auction is VUU’s largest annual FUUNdraiser. After the auction closes in February, this column keeps you informed about FUUNd events as they are held, and advertises FUUNd events you can still get in on via the Last Chance Auction.
This last week, FUUNd lovers enjoyed a watercolor workshop while a few of our more daring members experienced indoor skydiving!!
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As the school year ends and summer activities ramp up, the Last Chance Auction has some great opportunities available. June’s open events include:
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Family FUUNd and Games with the Minister! (Friday, June 6 7-10pm)
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VUUniversity: Retire Well! (Saturday, June 14 1:00pm)
Get your trail bike ready for summer adventures with a tune-up by cycling enthusiast Ken S. (Ken and the Art or Bicycle Maintenance), and/or book a week at David S. and Jodi F.’s rustic Payson cabin (Escape to a Cabin in the Woods).
And finally, please don’t forget to look at the VUUniversity classes that will be offered in July and August. For a modest fee of $20, you can attend one of the expert-led workshops listed below AND support VUU’s vital mission and programs. Space is limited so get your seat now!
- A Screening & Discussion of Alvin Ailey’s Dance Masterpiece, “Revelations” (Saturday, 07/12/2025)
- How to Play Scrabble Like a Champion (Saturday, 07/26/2025)
- Homeopathic Remedies for You & Your Family (Saturday, 08/09/2025)
- Abbott and Costello Re-visited (Saturday, 08/23/2025)
All Last Chance Auction items are being offered at a “buy-it-now” price. Payment must be made at the time of purchase. You can view the items, make your purchase(s), and pay via credit card at www.Auctria.Events/VUUFUUND2025. Email fuundtogether@vuu.org for questions or other assistance.
Check out FUUNd's Last Chance Auction Today!
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Summer Solstice Celebration
Come and join us for a family friendly Summer Solstice celebration on Saturday, June 21st. The celebration will be held in the courtyard of the education building with classrooms 1 and 2 as backup if it is too hot. Gathering at 6:30 pm with a start time of 7 pm. Bring your drums or percussion instruments if you have any. For more information or to help with the gathering contact Lisa.
-Submitted by Lisa Bonine
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EastVUU Dinner
Thursday, June 12, 6p
Let’s enjoy some Mexican food at Mi Amigos, 1264 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa!
All are welcome!
Save the Date: EastVUU Online, Thursday, June 26, 6p
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Meet Meg Our New Music Coordinator
Come on June 10 at 7 pm to meet our new Music Coordinator, Meg Palermo. Share your ideas and passions and get to know her background and values as a music leader. We’ll serve some refreshments and build a shared playlist in Spotify.
--Rev Sarah
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Sandy Whitley Update
In the June 6th Caring Bridges update, Sandy’s son Zach writes that his mom is settling into her new residence with a “smaller home environment and attentive care.” He is grateful for all the support and encourages visitors. Visiting hours are 10 – 6 daily. Cards and visits to 4820 S. Robins Way, Chandler, AZ 85249.
--Submitted by Janet Cantley
| | | | Fellowship and Social Activities | |
New Puzzle and Game Library
Are you looking for a way to spend some quality family or individual time inside during the hot summer days? Visit the Flex Room in the sanctuary and look through our new Puzzle and Game library! Take a game or puzzle home and bring it back when you are done. No checking out necessary, we work on the honor system!
We are collecting games and puzzles for all ages so if you have any to contribute, please leave them on the shelves in the Flex Room!
If you have any questions, call Carl Anderson.
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Paz de Cristo
Volunteers needed this month!
Continuing the Tradition… Keeping the Commitment… Living our Principles
June date: Friday, June 13, 4pm - 7pm
Location: 424 W Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ
Click here for the sign up link
Families welcome!
Please join us as we keep VUU’s 34-year tradition of serving the evening meal to Paz de Cristo guests on the second Friday, June 13, 25. Volunteers gather at the Paz kitchen/dining room from 4 to 7 pm to prepare several meal items and then serve the evening meal. Additional tasks include cleanup of dishes, sweeping and mopping of floors and taking out the trash. If you are joining us for the first time, don’t worry, Paz staff and experienced VUU volunteers make the work easy and fun and the evening goes fast.
Seventeen volunteers are needed for the evening and can range in age from 12 on up. Volunteers must be able to stand and participate in tasks during the entire evening. Have questions? Contact Joanne at 602-620-3100. Please sign up for this rewarding experience at www.vuu.org/paz.
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IHELP Over the Summer
Over the summer both Rev. Sarah and Adrienne O’Donnell have travel plans (and Rev. Sarah will be taking her vacation and study leave time). This will take us away from helping IHELP guests and dinner hosts get set up. If you have been trained or are willing to be trained to do IHELP hosting, we need you! This basically is a commitment from 5:15-7:00 four-five times a month. The dates we need help are: June 16, 17, 23 and 30; July 7, 15, 21, and 28. Adrienne is available for some of these dates but needs help. The highlighted dates are the ones when we provide the meal and host. Please reach out to Adrienne if you can commit to one or more of these dates.
--Rev Sarah
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Action Alert: Call your U.S. Senators and demand that they fight to save Medicaid (AHCCCS in AZ)
Senator Mark Kelly (602) 671-7901 Phx Office, (202) 224-2235 DC Office
Senator Ruben (480) 697-3600 Phx Office, (202) 224-4521 DC Office
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UU The Vote
“No Kings in America!” Protest
In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the current administration. Protesters will carpool to the AZ Capitol from VUU (or meet there*)
7:30 am (carpools will leave at 7:40 am)
VUU parking lot
Saturday, June 14
9:00am Protest begins
Bring lots of water, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat or decorated umbrella for shade.
Bring protest signs with large “No Kings!” letters! We will have 3 large “No Kings in America!” flags to carry, too.
When it becomes too warm, we will leave, taking care of each other’s needs. Showing up is the important part!
Contact: Karen Stucke
* If you are not carpooling, please email your phone# to me ahead of the protest.
Need help making a sign or wish to donate some sign-making materials? Contact Karen.
A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Sign up here (optional) to attend and get additional info and reminders, at the Arizona Capitol.
East Valley folks (or anyone) can protest in the East Valley by signing up here.
Contact for East Valley: Janice Miller
--Submitted by Karen Stucke
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Gen XYZ & UU the Vote No Kings Day Event
No Kings Day (June 14) is coming up, and it's hot out. If you can't protest, come take action with Gen XYZ! Gen XYZ (in conjunction with UU the Vote) is having a No Kings Day event June 14 from 9am-12pm inside classroom 5. We'll be crafting protest signs, signing up for request to speak and learning how best to use 5 calls. All are welcome!
-Submitted by Adrienne O'Donnell
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Paz de Cristo
June Donation of the Month:
Canned Beans and Chili (pull-tab lids preferred)
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Paul Reed
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Border Support
Donations needed for asylum seekers at the border:
- Small handheld fruit cups
- Small handheld juice
- Veggie cups or squeezies
- Used clothing (all sizes, all seasons)
Please put donations in the "Refugee Aid" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Sharon Kopina
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Partners in Education
Adams Elementary appreciates your TAX CREDIT donations. Get dollar-for-dollar credit to offset AZ tax liability this tax season!
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
