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Sunday, December 22
"Winter Solstice”
This service will celebrate the pagan observance of winter solstice. Based more in ritual and rhythm, this service is perfect for those who appreciate seasonal metaphors and spiritual practices that are more embodied. In addition we’ll be joined by some members of the Soulstice Band! Come make merry with us!
Christmas Eve Services
Tuesday, December 24, 3:00 pm. “All Ages No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant.” In the past, VUU has held a Christmas pageant led by the kids that involved several Sundays of rehearsing. This year we change it up a bit! We’ll have a no-rehearsal pageant that invites audience members to choose a part in the pageant when they arrive! It's narrated, so no lines to memorize! No rehearsal necessary. We’ll sing the songs and tell the stories of the birth of Jesus together, with costumes and imagination. Children attending will get a stuffed animal to take home. If you want to donate a stuffie (new or gently used!) please bring it this Sunday. In addition, we will have the photo booth again for families to get a little something to remember the night with.
Tuesday, December 24, 7:00 pm. “Christmas Candlelight.” A traditional lessons and carols service that emphasizes the possibilities of peace and love that come with stories of the birth of Jesus. How can we live in to these possibilities in the coming year?
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IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
This week we begin to explore The Practice of Presence through the lens of the Winter Solstice. Winter is a time of dark and cold, and often the messages we receive from our culture and society is that the darkness brings threats. This session invites children to use the pagan tradition and understanding of solstice to see things differently. Instead of something to be afraid of, times of darkness can be seen as spaces of rest, renewal and even rebirth. And from this perspective, we are all called to take on the practice of looking for and being present to the many gifts hidden in and emerging from the darkness.
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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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Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | |
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Calendar
Thursday, December 19
- Women's Singing Ensemble 3:30p
- Board Meeting 5:30p
- Ukester Friends 6p
- Page Turns Book Club 7p
Friday, December 20
Saturday, December 21
Sunday, December 22
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- Empathy Circle 12:15p
- Voices Lifted 12:15p
- VIP House Meeting 12:15p
Monday, December 23
- Finance Team 5p
- I-HELP Meal 5:30p
Tuesday, December 24
- Christmas Pageant 3p
- Christmas Candlelight 7p
- Men's Group 7p
Wednesday, December 25
Thursday, December 26
- Women's Singing Ensemble 3:30p
- Facilities Committee 6p
Friday, December 27
Saturday, December 28
Sunday, December 29
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
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 that are
further than two weeks out.
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FUUNd Donations - Now through Jan 5 Donate here
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Ethics for Unitarian Universalists - begins Jan 8 Sign Up
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EastVUU Dinner Out - Jan 9
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EastVUU Online - Jan 23
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New Participant Meal - Feb 1, Apr 5 RSVP here
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VIP Leaders Retreat - Feb 1
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FUUNd Auction - Feb 2-16
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New Participant Classes - Mar 22, Jun 7 RSVP here
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VUU Camping Retreat - Apr 11-13 at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott
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Desert Notes will return soon
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In the Interim
An Apology
On Sunday, December 15 we used a slide in the Time for All Ages that was inappropriate. I take responsibility for this and am asking for your forgiveness. I inadvertently used the un-cropped version of a slide of ancient villagers and it was missed during our runthrough. Some male genitalia was evident in the slide. I was mortified.
I am sorry for this error and hope you will trust me to do better in the future.
Val Pal Starts NOW!
Our Valentine program, Val Pal, is signing up adults and children starting now! If you are an awesome adult that would like to sponsor a child click here. If you are a parent with awesome kiddos that would like to meet an awesome adult, click here.
Wait. What is this valentine program again?
Bridging that gap that is as big as the parking lot between the sanctuary and the education buildings is the goal of a new Valentine program being launched now. Val Pal is a program that helps adults in our congregation make new friends among our children. And children to make adult friends.
Adults sign up to sponsor a child. Parents sign their children up to participate in Val Pal. Between January 12 and February 9, adults will send weekly cards, stickers, riddles and clues about who they are through the mail to their sponsored children. On Sunday, February 9 we will host an after church snack party where the new friends meet each other and share some snacks, games, a few stories and make new friends!
Easy, simple - and life changing.
Participating children should be between the ages of four and twelve. Participating adults should be at least 18 years old, be members, friends or visitors with at least six months of attendance at VUU.
COA Soup Lunches
Plan to stay after worship on the first Sunday of each month to enjoy a hot bowl of homemade soup, a salad and delicious bread - all for a good cause!
Coming of Age will sell lunch for all and help us build community at the same time. Win win!
Minimum donation is $10 but more is always welcome and appreciated as the group will use these funds to pay for their heritage trip to Boston in June.
-Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation.
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FUUNd Together Auction
Tis the Season for Giving. How about giving a little bit of your time and talents to the 2025 Let’s Have FUUNd Together Auction? There are only 2 1/2 weeks until the donation deadline (January 5th)! If you have an idea but not all the details, we still want to hear from you NOW.
One exciting change to the 2025 FUUNd is that we hope to offer more opportunities for VUU members to learn new skills and expand their knowledge. The idea is to create a VUUniversity by drawing on the vast expertise of our members to offer classes, lectures, and seminars to each other. For other ideas of what you can contribute browse the inspiring list of last year’s auction items.
Donations can be made via the auction website www.auctria.events/VUUFUUND2025 or by picking up instructions and the QR code at the FUUNd table on Sunday mornings. Need more information? Stop by the FUUNd table or email fuundtogether@vuu.org. We hope to hear from you soon!
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Need more information? Stop by the FUUNd table or email fuundtogether@vuu.org.
We hope to hear from you soon! Let’s get together and have some FUUNd while raising some FUUNd to help support VUU’s covenant of love, service, and friendship!
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Monthly Financial Report
The first 5 months of the VUU fiscal year is in the books and cash flow is beginning to look problematic. Pledge income is under budget again in November, so we need to get caught up on our pledges! Income and expenses are both under budget, however the shortfall in pledges is becoming concerning. So please watch your email for your year end giving statements from VUU and give whatever you can. Thank You!
Cash on hand has dropped, there was another withdrawal from savings to cover expenses. While there will likely be funds to cover Q3 expenses, we may not have enough cash on had to cover expenses if pledges remain below budget.
The new mortgage rate that goes into effect in March will be 7.25%, 3% higher than we are paying now. We have this covered in this year's budget, and will have to account for these higher payments in next year's budget as well.
ALSO, it should be noted we will need to balance our FY 2025-26 budget, this will require substantial pledge increases to fund operations next year.
So please pay attention to Pledge campaign notices when they arrive.
As always, Thanks!
The full FA report can be found here.
-submitted by David Sheh
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Soul Matters
Soul Matters is a theme-based monthly online publication. December’s theme is “Presence.” After an introduction, a series of small-group exercises (A-F) are offered, followed by a list of reflective questions and short quotations referred to as “Wise Words“. This rich resource concludes with links to related music, videos, podcasts, and articles. At least one VUU Connection Circle selects exercises or other Soul Matters resources as the focus for each of its twice monthly zoom meetings. The December issue is available here.
-Submitted by Mary Erickson
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MUSIC STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE
We acknowledge both the complexity of the situation and the time that has passed during which we have been in an unsettled, contingent period. We are working thoughtfully on a more detailed communication and appreciate your patience as we strive to provide clarity and understanding.
-Mary Erickson, for the Committee
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Adah Beehler - Graduation Announcement
Join her family in congratulating Adah Beehler - our very own Faith Formation Assistant - on her Dec. 16 graduation from the ASU Barrett Honors College.
On the dean's list, and graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Philosophy, Religion, and Society, Adah completed her degree in just 3-1/2 years!
Well done, Adah!
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Fellowship and Social Activities | |
Small Group Conversation ("House Meeting")
Topic: What is a challenge that you or someone you care about is facing right now?
When? Sunday, December 22, 12:00pm
Where: Sanctuary Flex Room
Why? To help build Congregational Relationships
You are Welcome Here!
Sponsored by VIP & Caring Neighbors.
Contact Barb Quijada or Nancy Wittenberg for more information.
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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, December 19 at 7:00 pm; we will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is Mr. Timothy by Louis Bayard.
It's the Christmas season, and Mr. Timothy Cratchit, not the pious child the world thought he was, has just buried his father. He's also struggling to bury his past as a cripple and shed his financial ties to his benevolent "Uncle" Ebenezer by losing himself in the thick of London's underbelly. A different kind of Christmas story, this breathless flight through the teeming markets, shadowy passageways, and rolling brown fog of 1860s London would do Dickens proud for its surprising twists and turns, and its extraordinary heart.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email Amy Monahan.
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I-HELP Dinner
On Monday, December 23, help us serve our I-HELP guests and celebrate the holidays together! Sign up here.
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Christmas Gift Tree
Want to help bring Joy to our refugee families this holiday season? Be a part of the Immigration Action Team's Holiday Gift Tree.
Make a contribution and we will distribute it for you and add a bow to the Gift Tree. We'd love to see the tree covered in bows this year. By giving funds (rather than wrapped presents) directly to the families it gives them control of how and where they spend, and allows the parents to be the providers of gifts to the kids (instead of it coming from VUU).
You can give at the Gift Tree Table this Sunday before and after services.
For folks joining us online, see below for ways to give too!
We accept Cash on Sunday mornings, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle (all at 480-861-2916, Mark B's number), and via VUU.org, select "Give" and then select "Give to...Refugee Assistance"
We will add a bow to the tree if you are not there to do it yourself.
Feliz Navidad!
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Another Small Step for Affordable Housing
Thanks to VUU members and friends who participated in the VIP Press Conference at Chandler City Hall in support of the Sonoran Landings 55+ affordable housing project in Chandler. Thanks to Rev. Sarah for co-chairing, and to Roz Hawkins for speaking.
Unfortunately, the Supervisors tabled the issue at their Dec.11 meeting, and we'll have to wait to see whether or when they will vote on the zoning change needed for the project to proceed.
-Submitted by Barb Quijada
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Partners in Education (PIE)
You can make a big difference for the kids at Adams Elementary School in Mesa by making a financial contribution to Mesa Public Schools, while receiving a tax credit for a Public School, 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: Sign in to the Mesa Public School's Online Payment System here. 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 Arizona tax liability). Thanks so much on behalf of the kids and teachers!
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Paz de Cristo
December Donation of the Month:
- Gift Cards for Groceries or Gas
- Tax Credit Donation (QCO)
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer & gift cards in lockbox on wall.
Contact: Megan Kimball
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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's after-school support group for English learners (Rumbo al Exito) and their Art Masterpiece program need:
- School supplies
- Art Supplies
- Tax Credit Donation (Public School)
Bring donations to the Welcome desk after services.
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
