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Sunday, April 6
Imagining Together: The Future of Faith Formation at VUU
UUA staff Tania Marquez and Melissa James join VUU to lead worship and a post-service workshop (register here). These are both the culmination of eight months of interim work in our Faith Formation program. We have tried many new things—welcoming children of all ages into our worship service regularly, changing our curriculum to explore the same theme our worship services explore, and adding ways for new families to engage with VUU. Now we need you to help us imagine and plan for what comes next!
Also, we will welcome our new members! Ken St John serves as Worship Associate, and Lynn DeMuth leads the Spirit Choir with the VUU Band also performing. Coming of Age Soup Lunch will be served.
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
Our theme this month is The Practice of Joy. All month long, we will be looking at where joy can be found, and we will begin by exploring how joy is found in “foolishness.” Think fun, silliness, jokes, and the good-hearted frivolity that makes us happy to be alive. We will be taking inspiration from the well-loved and widely-used saying, “For the fun of it!” This session will also give us a chance to celebrate and have fun with April Fool’s Day.
Parents and Pastries will not take place this Sunday as originally planned. Instead, please plan to stay for our Faith Formation workshop after worship.
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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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Next Weekend is VUU Prescott Retreat
From Friday, April 11- Sunday, April 12, the Prescott Retreat is a chance to make VUU friends, soak in the beauty of nature, and have a wonderful time with your VUU Family! Rev. Sarah will hold a Saturday evening service there. All are welcome!
There's still time to sign up! Deadline is now Sunday, April 6. Click Here to Register.
Location is Friendly Pines Camp, 933 E Friendly Pines Rd, Prescott, AZ 85303. The cost is $160 per person, which includes two nights and five meals. We also have a scholarship fund available if finances are a concern. Email Megan Kimball with any questions.
—Submitted by Megan Kimball
| | Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | | | | |
Calendar
Thursday, April 3
- VUU Ensemble 3:30p
- Ukester Friends 6p
- VUU Band Rehearsal 6:30p
Friday, April 4
Saturday, April 5
- "Hands Off" Protest 10a
- Beginner Line Dancing Lesson 1p
- Social Suppers 5p
Sunday, April 6
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Spirit Choir 9:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- Soup Lunch 11:45a
- FF Workshop 12:15p
- Adult OWL 12p
- Coming of Age 12:15p
- Grief Group 1p
- Deadline to Register for Retreat
Monday, April 7
Tuesday, April 8
- I-HELP Shelter 5:30p
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Harvest the Power 6p
- Special Funds 6p
- Men's Group 7p
Wednesday, April 9
Thursday, April 10
- EastVUU dinner 6p
- VUU Band Rehearsal 6:30p
Friday, April 11
- Singles Lunch 1:30p
- Prescott Retreat 2p
- Paz de Cristo 4p
- Game Night 5:30p
Saturday, April 12
- Prescott Retreat
- COA Credo Retreat 10a
- Disability Awareness Event 11:30a
Sunday, April 13
- Prescott Retreat
- COA Credo Retreat
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- VIP Discussion 11:45a
- Aesthetics Meeting 11:45p
- Adult OWL 12p
- Immigration Action Team 12p
- Coming of Age 12p
- Voices Lifted 12:15p
- Grief Group 1p
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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Pacific West Region Meeting - May 29
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New Participant Class - Jun 7 RSVP Here
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UUA General Assembly - Jun 18-22 Register Here
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Last weekend our community hosted our first Transgender Day of Visibility community resource event on Saturday and a service on Sunday centered on the stories and experiences of trans and non-binary folks and their families. I am so grateful for the many people who volunteered on Saturday to help make our campus a welcoming and safe place for members of the larger community to come and connect with each other. We enjoyed food and conversation, yoga and workshops; we made collages and shared ideas for future gatherings and resources that are affirming for the trans/NB community. Shout out to Adrienne O’Donnell, Heather Rose, Christine O’Donnell, Paul and Kanasha Reed, Donna Long, Sheila Lopez, John Dunegan and Sol Oglesby-Dunegan for helping in many different ways! Participants shared in a closing circle how meaningful the event was and also how healing it was. My heart was very full!
Sunday worship was also amazing. If you missed it, and want the link, please email me. We’ve made it an unpublished link to protect our speakers from harassment or other forms of violence. We had over 70 views before we moved it to unpublished, so I know many of you were able to see it. Many of you mentioned a commitment to reading the “Authentic Selves” book, and Christine O’Donnell and I are committed to organizing some more conversations about it. I was grateful for the music and the way VUU embraced our speakers and our own learning. This is what Unitarian Universalism is really all about!
—Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan
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New Member Recognition Ceremony this Sunday
Please help me welcome these new members! We’re so excited you’ve joined us.
- Paul and Kanasha Reed
- George Wheaton
- William Emerson
- Katherine (Katie) Jones and J.C. Jones
- Janee Aronoff and John (Jack) Mitchell
- Emma Porter
- Abby (Bee) Tomes
- Christine O’Donnell
- Heather Rose James and Maia Rodman
- Patricia Reed
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Indivisible has organized a "Hands Off" protest scheduled Saturday, April 5.
From their website: "This mass mobilization day is a message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the United States, people are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country."
The event in Phoenix is scheduled 10:00 am-12:00 Noon and will be held at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, 1700 W Washington St.
You can register HERE.
For those who would like to carpool, we will meet in the VUU parking lot at 9:00 am sharp.
Please participate if you can. This is important! Our voices must be heard.
—Submitted by Denise McLeod
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2025 FUUNd Last Chance
The Last Chance Sale for the 2025 FUUNd is open. All items are being offered 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
FUUNd events started happening in March, and we have already had: Backyard Yoga with Tea and Coffee, a Five-Course Chinese Banquet, a Three-Course Gourmet Pizza Party, Learn to Crochet a Granny Square, and a Spring Garden Luncheon.
This Saturday, April 5, 1:00-2:30 pm: Beginner Line Dancing Lesson
It’s $25 and is happening in the VUU Sanctuary. We’ve got 23 participants so far but let’s fill the Sanctuary! Last minute decision-maker? Pay at the door with cash or check. No pre-registration required.
Email fuundtogether@vuu.org for questions or other assistance.
Come join the FUUNd! Get your bids in today!
—Submitted by Tricia Merrill
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New Participant Activities
Saturday, March 22, VUU held our quarterly new members class. As an ice-breaker, Rev. Sarah led us through the "spectrums" activity we recently exercised during a VUU service. During this outdoor activity, Rev. Sarah names two ends of an extreme of various beliefs and values with space (about 20 feet) between those points. Then everyone in the group pics a spot between those points where they land in their belief or value, between the two extremes. This activity is not only a great way to contemplate our own values, but such a great way to get to know each other while having fun! Rev. Sarah also gave a brief history of the origins of Unitarian Universalism and answered questions, all while eating delicious treats and having wonderful discussions.
Attending members: Janee, Jack, Emma, Bee, Rowan, Heather, Maia, Kim, Christine, Katie, Joyce, Doug and Rev. Sarah
The next new members class is Saturday, June 7 (RSVP Here).
The new members brunch which was scheduled for Saturday, April 5 has been postponed due to the desire for many VUUs to join the 'Hands-off' march this Saturday. We will come up with a new date for the brunch and send out a communication.
—Submitted by Doug Nintzel
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Dreaming Together; Naming the Now and Making Our Dreams Possible
UUA/VUU Visioning Workshop. Sunday, April 6
Let’s dream together! This Sunday, April 6 Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) consultants Tania Marquez and Melissa James will be at VUU to help us dream and re-envision the role of faith formation at VUU. After eight months of experimenting, learning, and (yes) changing it is time to dream about the future.
The goal of the workshop is to build upon the lessons learned during the interim time to create a new programmatic vision for the role for lifespan faith formation in the larger picture at VUU. We want a faith formation program that is robust, growing, in line with VUU’s mission, inclusive and reflects the values of the members of our faith community.
How does VUU live into the idea that “The Congregation is the Curriculum?”
How does VUU support lifespan spiritual growth?
How does VUU shape new Unitarian Universalists?
I’m excited that we are engaging in this workshop and hope you will join us! We’ve changed the original meeting times to allow members to attend the Saturday, April 5 protests in town.
Sunday, April 6
10:30 am: Worship with Tania Marquex and Melissa James
11:45 am-12:15 pm: COA Soup Lunch
12:15 pm: The Future of Faith Formation at VUU
- Naming the Now
- Dreaming What’s Possible
- Making the Dreams Come True
RSVP here. Play and activities will be available for children during the workshop.
—Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation
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Spirit Choir This Sunday
The VUU Spirit Choir sings this Sunday, April 6! Please arrive at 9:30 am at VUU ready to learn a song which we will sing at the service. If you can carry a tune, come join us!
—Submitted by Lynn DeMuth
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Support Sandy Whitley
Visit Sandy Whitley at Sante of Chandler and see the progress she is making!
Visiting hours are 3:30-8:00 pm weekdays. 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekends.
Sign up here to “Dine with Sandy.”
—Thank you, Janet Cantley
| | | | Fellowship and Social Activities | |
Page Turners Book Club
The Page Turners Book Club is open to all members, visitors, and friends of VUU who enjoy reading and discussing a variety of books. The next meeting is Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 pm. We will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus.
The novel is the story of May Dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who, under the auspices of the U.S. government, travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the Cheyenne Indians. The covert and controversial "Brides for Indians" program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, is intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man's world.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email: membership@vuu.org.
—Submitted by Amy Monahan
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Singles Lunch Bunch
When: Friday, April 11, 1:30 pm
Where: Aubergine Kitchen, 1939 S Val Vista, Mesa (near Baseline and Val Vista, east side of Val Vista just north of Baseline in the same plaza as First Watch)
Healthy bowls, salads and melts. Many vegetarian and gluten free choices.
RSVP to Claudette by phone or text 973-768-6047. (Texts preferred.)
—Submitted by Claudette Wassil
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Camp de Benneville Pines Spring 2025
Restore and rejuvenate in the Mountains! You are invited to join us this spring in the mountains.
Friday, April 11-Sunday, April 13.
In April we kick off with the UU Men's Fellowship where this year's theme of "Brotherhood and Friendship" will be explored. All are welcome!
Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4
In May, we are offering our annual Women's Retreat where you are encouraged to "come as you are" to be seen and received in a safe space with other women.
Friday, May 16-Sunday, May 18
You have another chance to come to camp in May for Yoga Camp for Adults (16+). The theme is "Breathe into the Fullness" and includes movement for all levels, breathing practices, meditations, music, tools for healthy and holistic living, and more!
Register today! Contact registrar@uucamp.org. There really is something for everyone!
—Submitted by Patricia Reed
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Resilient Relationship Team Training
Interested in Resilient Relationship Team Training?
A group of us will be gathering for potlucks and training starting in April, using this UU Institute Tending Covenant training resource. In a low pressure, no homework, no deadline environment with yummy foods to share, we will explore how to weave ourselves into a community that practices conflict as learning, growth, and faith formation opportunity. Want to join us? Contact Teri McGovern-Nintzel.
—Submitted by Teri McGovern-Nintzel
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Event to Support Invisible Disabilities
Sol Oglesby-Dunegan is planning an event for Saturday, April 12 to deepen awareness and support for invisible diabilities. "Poems I Wrote From My Bathroom Floor" is a poetry and spoken word event for those with POTS, EDS, and Epilepsy to share their experiences as disabled people in our society. There is a $5 entrance fee, and it is a fundraising event. All money earned will be split three ways and donated to three organizations that work closely to help those with these disabilities. The program itself runs from 11:30 am-2:00 pm, and doors open at 11:00 am. There will be resources available for those interested and a Q&A circle will run after the program ends. Volunteers to help with set up, take down, and donation collection are needed. Come and bring some friends! Contact Sol for more information or to volunteer.
—Submitted by Rev. Sarah
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The future of healthcare in Arizona is in jeopardy
Federal spending cuts are being considered that could reduce access to and eligibility for Medicaid (provided through AHCCCS in Arizona). Medicaid is the foundation of health care in Arizona and any cuts will impact everyone, not just Medicaid patients. Cuts will also dramatically impact our state economy.
Over the next month, the VUU VIP core team is organizing with our VIP partners and others, building coalitions to educate elected officials and our community about this important issue.
Join us on the patio outside the sanctuary after the service on Sunday, April 13 and April 20. We want to share information and collect stories of how potential spending cuts will impact you and your family. Be a part of the conversation—we need to hear from you!
We also invite you to attend a VIP Delegates Assembly and Action to Protect Medicaid being held at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church (PVUMC) on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30pm. Please join us in protecting the future of healthcare services in our state and communities!
—Submitted by Barb Quijada
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Resistance Volunteer Fair
Feeling frustrated with current events? Enraged? Sad? Us too! Join us to plan a Resistance Volunteer Fair aimed at connecting people to opportunity. We'll bring in area organizations committed to helping those most impacted by our current shift in policies. Groups will represent our LGBTQIA+ friends, our immigrant neighbors, our trans family members and our Latino friends. We'll invite groups that work on housing and food insecurity, gun safety, voting rights and more.
Contact Amanda Schneider or at 480-567-2155 to express your interest and join our first planning meeting!
—Submitted by Amanda Schneider
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Paz de Cristo
Volunteers needed this month!
Continuing the Tradition… Keeping the Commitment… Living our Principles
April date: Friday, April 11, 4:00-7:00 pm
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 of the month, April 11. 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 here.
—Submitted by Joanne McGrath
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Linktree for Action Ideas
Are you interested in connecting to organizations doing advocacy and organizing on various issues? I made a linktree with links to organizations planning actions and advocacy. Want to know what’s happening or what you can do? Check out some of these organizations. Want to add a link? Contact Rev. Sarah at minister@vuu.org.
—Submitted by Rev. Sarah
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Partners in Education (PIE) – Your tax credit helps kids!
Want to get a tax credit and help fund programs for the kids at a Title I public school? Our gifts to Adams Elementary School in Mesa help support Science Camp, Literacy Tutoring, and more. You can make a difference with a financial contribution to Mesa Public Schools, while receiving a tax credit equal to your gift (up to $200 for single filers/$400 jointly).
Pick up a contribution form that designates Adams School from the PIE table at VUU on Sunday or follow these instructions to donate online:
To donate, click here and sign in. Search for “8002” or “GENERAL-ECA”. Look for Adams Elementary and add amount to cart, then check out. When you file your
tax return, deduct an equal amount from taxes due (up to AZ tax liability). Thanks so much on behalf of the kids and teachers!
—Submitted by Janice Miller
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April Donation of the Month: Canned Beans and Tuna
After a brief break we are again collecting donations for Paz de Cristo. A big thank you to Paul and Kanasha Reed who have agreed to be the donation coordinators for Paz!
This month's suggested donation is canned beans and tuna. Pull-tab lids are preferred when available. As a reminder here is a list of what they take: Paz Donation List. Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer. Contact Paul Reed with questions.
—Submitted by Megan Kimball
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Paz de Cristo
April Donation of the Month:
Canned Beans and tuna (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 | | | | |
