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Sunday, September 8, 2024
“The Spirituality of Cybersecurity”
This Sunday, our congregant Hannah Raya will present on the Spirituality of Cybersecurity. How do we cultivate compassion, right action, and acceptance in a world increasingly online and where there are those out to scam us and do harm? Hannah and worship associate Melanie Cloonan-Schulte will explore the tension between trusting others and personal safety, and how bringing empathy to bear is always the right answer.
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IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
Enroll for 2024-2025 Faith Formation Classes Here
We have begun our new curricula for Faith Formation classes, Soul Matters. This year’s overarching frame is The Practices of Our Faith. We’re using this frame to focus on how Unitarian Universalism is a lived faith that inspires us to act, live, and love our values out in the world. Our classes help children and youth connect to our UUA’s core value of love, with each of our monthly themes being framed as a practice that helps us embody love in our daily lives.
This September explores the practice of Invitation. All month long we lift up a different way that invitation shows up in our religious lives.
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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, September 5
Friday, September 6
Saturday, September 7
- New Participant Brunch 9:30a
- Social Suppers 5p
Sunday, September 8
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- Immigration Action Team 11:45a
- Voices Lifted 12:15p
- OWL Class Grades 5/6 12:15p
- Parents of OWL Class 12:30p
Monday, September 9
Tuesday, September 10
- Brown Bag with Rev Sarah 11:30a
- Special Funds 6p
- Men's Group 7p
Wednesday, September 11
- EastVUU Postcard Party 2p
- VIP Planning Meeting 6:30p
- No Choir - summer break
Thursday, September 12
- Ukester Friends 6p
- EastVUU Zoom Program 6p
Friday, September 13
- Paz de Cristo meal prep 4p
Saturday, September 14
Sunday, September 15
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- VUUJAZ Coffee Convo 12p
- OWL Class Grades 5/6 12:15p
- Parents of OWL Class 12:30p
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. Events that occur sooner may have a full article below.
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Choir Rehearsal - on summer hiatus
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Spirit of Life Reading Circle - on summer hiatus, to reconvene in September
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New Participant Meal - Sep 7, Nov 2, Feb 1, Apr 5 RSVP here
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Brown Bag Lunch with Rev. Sarah -Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 12
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EastVUU Dinner - Sep 26, Pita Jungle 6p
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Congregational Conversation - Oct 6, Nov 3
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Read with Rev. Sarah - Oct 16 RSVP here
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VIP Public Action - Oct 24
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New Participant Classes - Oct 26, Dec 7, Mar 22, Jun 7 RSVP here
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VUU Retreat - Apr 11-13 at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott
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This coming Sunday I will have the rare opportunity to be at VUU on Sunday but not in the pulpit! I look forward to being in a support role and seeing VUU from a different vantage point. The next weekend I will be attending a memorial service in Dallas for a close friend who died in May.
Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan
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Virtual Hymnal for UUs is on the way
The UUA's UU WorshipWeb, in collaboration with the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries, has launched the development of a digital hymnal, thanks to the appointment of a Virtual Hymnal Task Force.
"Our mission," shares Camille Hatton, consulting manager of the Task Force, "is to create a living collection of song resources on an accessible, equitable, online platform grounded in UU values. This virtual hymnal will empower Unitarian Universalism to fully embrace our prophetic calling as a joyful, liberatory, and anti-oppressive faith."
Read more here.
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Attend the AZCEND Gala or Empty Bowls Event with Rev. Sarah
AZCEND provides direct services to Chandler and Gilbert residents that include a food bank, supports for two senior centers and meals for seniors, early childhood education and school readiness supports, rent and utility assistance, emergency shelter via I-HELP, and much more. I’ve been on their board for a year; this is the non-profit that we work with to house folks through I-HELP in our sanctuary a few times a month. I am currently serving as the Vice President of the Board.
Spirit of AZCEND Gala and Casino Night
We have an upcoming Gala event on Friday, October 11 at 6:00 pm. The event will feature dinner and drinks, a live auction, and casino games. I’d love to have a VUU table! Let me know if you plan to attend, donate toward the live auction, or make a donation in lieu of attendance. For more information, visit the event website.
Empty Bowls Event
On Wednesday, October 16, 10:00 am-6:00 pm, AZCEND will also host an Empty Bowls event at the Chandler/Gilbert Community College campus where you can learn more about AZCEND as well. The bowls are 10 dollars apiece, and lunch is an affordable soup and bread. If you live out that way, this is a relaxing way for us to meet up, as well. Helping raise funds for our partner organizations extends our shared work, values, and commitments in our community–we help more of our neighbors together in ways we can’t alone. More information here.
-Rev. Sarah
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New Participant Brunch
When: Saturday, September 7, 9:30-11:30 am
These will take place on the Education side of campus in Classroom 1/2 which has a kitchen. We will send an email inviting participants to sign up to bring something to share if you choose. We'll have vegan and gluten-free options; let us know if you have other dietary restrictions or other ways we can accommodate you.
Children, spouses, friends are welcome! Anyone who wants to learn more about VUU can come. We'll take some time to get to know each other–new participants and current members–and we'll share a meal. A tour of the campus, weather permitting, is included. Register Here!
-Rev. Sarah
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"Mindfulness Foundations for Living and Being" Course
Dates: Thursdays September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost: $100 which includes all 6 sessions.
In this time of change and concern as we head into the fall, how can we learn to meet uncertainty with some degree of ease and steadiness? This six-week Introduction to Mindfulness course, offered online over Zoom, blends Buddhist teachings on the foundations of mindfulness with research-supported practices to cultivate focused and embodied present-moment caring awareness for a greater sense of ease and well-being. Each class will build on the previous one, so it is important to be able to make a commitment to attend regularly. We will practice a variety of mindfulness meditations and explore practical ways to integrate mindfulness into daily activities at work, home and in relationships. This course will be taught by Ann Sebren, Ed.D., Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional. Ann has been teaching mindfulness for 15 years and has decades of university experience teaching courses related to health, wellness,
and stress management.
Register through the FUUNd website. If you have questions or need assistance registering please email fuundtogether@vuu.org.
-Submitted by Debbe Simpkins
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Announcing VUU Small Group Sharing Circles! *Intro Sessions Added!
Join us for a monthly journey discovering our monthly themes with Soul Matters. “The Soul Matters Sharing Circle, LLC is a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations who follow the same monthly themes so we can more easily share small group material, as well as worship, sermon, music, and children’s religious education resources. We are a web of support and connection. Companions traveling a new journey together each month.” From Soul Matters Sharing Circle.
Small group sharing circles is a way of moving from just talking about the monthly theme to experiencing it. As such it is a new and unique way of being together. We’ll move from the safety of analytical/abstract analysis of the themes to courageously diving into vulnerable, honest and heart-centered sharing. Small group sharing circles are focused on deepening our spiritual connections with each other by utilizing three listening practices including:
- Listening to each other deeply and with discipline
- Listening to our lives and seeing life as a companion and a host of holy moments versus a challenge
- Listening to our deepest selves
Soul Matters small group sharing circles open the potential to connect to the larger whole. We hope you’ll join us for a year of exploration and spiritual connection. For more information and to sign up, please complete this form. We’ll get back to you with dates and times for our first meetings in September.
NEW INFORMATION:
We have scheduled two Soul Matters Sharing Circle Small Group introductory meetings in September. Both meetings will take place remotely using Google Meet (similar to zoom). We prefer that you register, but registration is not required. Next week, we’ll include a link to the materials we’ll be using for the sessions. (It is only necessary to attend one intro meeting.)
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Session 1: Tuesday, September 17 at 1:00-2:30 pm. Meeting link
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Session 2: Wednesday, September 25 at 7:00-8:30 pm. Meeting link
-Submitted by Barbara Face with Rev. Sarah and DFF Sara
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Join VUU, Showing Pride In Chandler!
Seeking folks interested in planning and implementing VUU's booth at Pride in Chandler, Saturday, November 16 from 4:00-9:00 pm
Plan, Set-up, Represent VUU, Interact with the community, or run a crafting table...There are lots of ways to participate.
Email Mark B with your interest and he will add your name to the planning committee that will start meeting in early October.
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VUU Voices Choir - Wednesdays 6:00–7:30p (on summer hiatus)
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One Hour Choir - First Sundays 9:00–10:00 am (on summer hiatus)
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Chalice Ringers - contact Katie Sieferth if you are interested.
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Drum Circle - contact Katie Sieferth if you are interested.
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Play with the Band! - contact Katie Sieferth if you are interested (on summer hiatus)
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EastVUU Zoom Program
When: Thursday, September 12, 6:00–7:30 pm
Rev Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan will share a new lens on repentance, atonement, forgiveness and repair—from personal transgressions to our culture’s most painful issues. All are welcome!
Join Zoom Meeting
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Environmental Action Team (EAT) Zoom Meeting September 16
Here's some Nice News: The last of the four dams in the Klamath River along the California-Oregon border was demolished last week, opening the door for a thriving salmon population (see photo). Read more about it here.
Join us for an Environmental Action Team (EAT) planning meeting on Monday, September 16. We will meet on Zoom at 6:30 pm.
We’ll discuss the upcoming November 5 elections, including the down ballot. Many of these propositions and candidates could have an impact on our environment. As always, ALL are welcome.
Any questions? Please RSVP Linda Stenholm, 480-849-2643 (text) or email her for a Zoom link and/or with ANY questions.
Our 7th Principle: Respect for Our Interdependent Web of Existence
-Submitted by Linda Stenholm
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Register for a New Adult Faith Formation Class!
I have been working with UU’s across the state to lead a shared curriculum. I invite you to consider joining us for this adventure!
–Rev. Sarah
Creating Theology Together—A New Resource for Building Faith Community.
Our identity and theology are shaped by our lived experience. By understanding our personal theology, we can engage and deepen our commitments in covenantal faith community. Then we can name and claim our shared theology, to inform and shape a public theology that grounds our faithful actions in the world.
This curriculum was developed in response to the well-known Building Your Own Theology by Rev. Dick Gilbert. From that course, Rev. John Morehouse wrote a dissertation called "Creating Theology Together." In it, he wondered how moving beyond our focus on the individual search for truth and meaning might create space for a shared theology in UU congregations. We’ve created CTT to ground and center a congregation’s social justice work in UU theology and mission, and to inspire a deeper commitment to covenantal community, and to our faith’s values and principles.
You can learn more about the curriculum here.
When: October 2024 through March 2025
Three Saturdays (in person), from 10:00 am-4:00 pm: October 12, November 7, and March 1.
Six Mondays (online), from 6:00-7:30 pm: October 28, November 15, December 16, January 13, February 3, and February 24.
UU Congregation Phoenix has agreed to be our registrar for this event, and you can sign up here. Multiple ticket prices available for all budget levels. Select the option that’s best for you. Register by September 30.
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Meet our New Nursery Caregiver
Hello! my name is D’Mesha or Dee (whatever one is easiest for you), I’m 34 years old, born and raised here in beautiful hot Phoenix, Arizona. I am a mother to a very energetic, athletic boy named Anthony. He is 11 years old; he is my absolute world and baseball is pretty much all of his. We love being outside as much as possible on our free time. I am very passionate about children, their growth and development, as importantly allowing children to be children, problem solve and having fun while doing it. Throughout the week I am a behavioral specialist for a visually impaired school, preschool to 4th grade, which also serves multiple diagnoses. I absolutely love what I do. I’m so grateful to be here and so excited to meet everyone.
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Fellowship and Social Activities | |
Brown Bag Lunch with Rev. Sarah and VUU Friends
When: Tuesday, September 10, 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Bring your lunch and come join us for conversation and community. Bring yourself and whatever else you want to share–a dessert, a story, a snack, a question–you choose!
-Rev. Sarah
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Singles Lunch Bunch
When: Friday, September 13, 1:30 pm
Where: Green Corner Restaurant,
1010 W. Southern Ave, Unit 7, Mesa
(corner of Alma School and Southern)
This restaurant has a delightful selection of Mediterranean food, reasonably priced with large portions.
RSVP to Claudette by phone or text 973-768-6047.
-Submitted by Claudette Wassil
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Page Turners Book Club Meets September 19
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 September 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 The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs. See the book here.
Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, A.J. Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the hundreds of less-publicized rules. The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal, and will make you see history's most influential book with new eyes.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email Amy.
-Submitted by Amy Monahan
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UU The Vote Opportunities to Get Involved
There are 61 days to the election. The time to act is now!
Postcard Writing
Pick up a packet of postcards at the UU the Vote table at the back of the sanctuary after Sunday service. Postage is provided.
Poll Monitoring
Register for training here.
Volunteer with your Legislative District
Contact your LD for partisan opportunities. Visit this website.
Phone Banking
Help Get out the Vote for Prop 139 - Arizona Abortion Access Act! Sign up here.
Many other opportunities are available to get involved and WE NEED YOU! Visit the UU the Vote table at Sunday service to find out more. Or send an email to Denise McLeod to be added to the email distribution list to receive weekly updates on opportunities for action.
WE ALL MUST DO SOMETHING!
Your UU the VOTE team:
Sandy Whitley, Denise McLeod, Karen Stucke, Mark Beehler
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Paz de Cristo: A couple more volunteers needed this month!
Continuing the Tradition… Keeping the Commitment… Living our Principles
Date: Friday, September 13, 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, September 13. Volunteers gather at the Paz kitchen/dining room from 4:00-7:00 pm to prepare several items for, and then serve, the evening meal. Additional tasks include cleanup of dishes, sweeping and mopping of floors. 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 here for this rewarding experience.
-Submitted by Joanne McGrath
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Support Unite Here!
If you enjoyed meeting the two union members who came to VUU last weekend and you didn't get a chance to donate to support workers, you can do that here, and you can learn more about Unite Here through their website.
-Rev. Sarah
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“Democracy means participation; but participation is not primarily about ‘taking part,’ as in elections or office holding. It means originating or initiating cooperative action with others.” – Sheldon Wolin, “Contract and Birthright”
On Thursday, October 24, at 6:30 pm, VIP will hold a large Public Action. We are anticipating 500 people in attendance—members of VIP’s 30 member institutions and invited guests including State Legislators, City and School Council members, and other public officials. VUU’s VIP Core Team has pledged to have 50+ VUU members and friends in attendance. We want you with us! This is not a call to join the Core Team or the Chandler Strategy Team or the Housing or Mental Health teams—though we’d love to have you do that. This is a call for support for the work we’ve been doing and the work that is planned for the year ahead. The location—in central Phoenix—is still being determined, but the date is set! Mark your calendar now for October 24.
Other important dates:
Fall Action Planning Zoom Meeting: Wednesday, September 11, 6:30 pm
VUU Caring Neighbors & VIP small group conversation House Meeting: Sunday, September 22, after the service in the sanctuary Flex Room
For more information, contact Barb Quijada
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I-HELP Needs You!
We are currently seeking volunteers for the position of VUU I-HELP Coordinator(s). The current coordinator will step down NO LATER THAN January 1, 2025.
Coordinator responsibilities include:
- Serve as liaison between AZCEND/I-HELP and VUU
- Plan and coordinate monthly I-HELP meals at VUU
- Supervise and assist outside I-HELP meal providers at VUU
Ideally, the coordinator role would be filled by a few people who would share the responsibilities. Training and mentorship will be available until the end of this year. Interested? Intrigued? Want more info? Contact VUU I-HELP coordinator or Laura Rohlfing.
Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to EVERYONE who participated in last Monday's meal by providing food, financial donations, helping to set up, serve, and clean up, and making sure that our guests had a positive and memorable experience. Thank you ALL so very much!
A special "Thank You" to Leira Virshup, a first time volunteer, awesome worker, and all around good sport. We hope to see you again in the near future!
With deepest gratitude,
Laura Rohlfing, VUU I-HELP Coordinator
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Partners in Education (PIE)
Join our volunteers at Adams Elementary School, helping disadvantaged kids get an educational boost!
After School Tutoring: “Rumbo al Exito” Adams School has asked us to assist 75 students who are still learning English. Eighteen students are registered and participating now. We have been gathering and training on assessment tools, new curriculum materials, and student proficiency levels. We have recruited 10 student tutors from Westwood High School! If you don't speak Spanish, you can help with recruitment and fundraising. This is a huge need and SO important! This program may become a model for other schools. We need you and your friends in the community. Let's reach out to grow this essential service to these kids. For more information contact Randall Casillas. Photo shows Rumbo al Exito tutors working with English-language learners.
Classroom Instruction: Art Masterpiece Program
We are looking for volunteers to teach the Art Masterpiece program and Arts and Craft projects. LOTS OF FUN! You don't need any art experience, but must attend one district training class, offered next at these times:
Tuesday, November 5, 9:00-10:30 am
Tuesday, November 12, 7:00-8:30 pm
Thursday, November 14, 9:00-10:30 am
Contact Adrienne O'Donnell.
-Submitted by Janice Miller
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Paz de Cristo
September Donation of the Month:
Pasta Sauce (any kind)
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer.
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
Bring donations to our table after services.
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
