Sunday July 27, 2025
"Filling Our Cracks with Gold"
This service will feature Peter Mayer's song, "Japanese Bowl," which is about the Japanese art of Kintsugi, fixing the broken pottery with resin dusted with gold. The sermon is titled "Filling Our Cracks with Gold" and will examine how we might turn the cracks in our lives into scars filled with gold, helping ourselves and perhaps also the world. Mary Rothschild leads our service with Worship Associate Ken St. John.
Music will be led by Beth Wyman, will include congregational singing, and we will have a special soloist singing "Japanese Bowl."
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
Fall classes begin this Sunday!
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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
| | | Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | | | | |
Calendar
Thursday, July 24
Friday, July 25
Saturday, July 26
Sunday, July 27
Monday, July 28
Tuesday, July 29
Wednesday, July 30
Thursday, July 31
Friday, August 1
Saturday, August 2
Sunday, August 3
Click here for the most current calendar, to view locations, contact information details for above events
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LAST SUNDAY'S PARTICIPATION
Worship Attendance:
114 in person, 32 online
Weekly Pledge/Plate Collection:
$13,089 actual, $9,059 budget
Month to Date Pledge Collection (July):
$26,700 actual, $36, 224 budget
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Abbreviated information about upcoming events
more than two weeks out or without an article below
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Ukester Friends - Aug 7
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EastVUU Dinner - Aug 14
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Congregational Conversation - Oct 5
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Rev. Sarah returns to VUU in just a couple of weeks! Watch here for her weekly words, and join us on August 3 when she'll be in the pulpit.
In the meantime, know that Jesus has been found and rehidden by Lynn DeMuth. if you find him, take a picture and send to Rev. Sarah, then re-hide him somewhere safe but findable.
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UUA General Assembly (GA) Outcomes
The Denominational Affairs Committee (DAC) will host a GA feedback session for VUU at the Congregational Conversation on October 5—stay tuned!
The committee welcomes Pat Reed as a new member, and invite others to join to keep up on happenings at the UUA and the work they do on our behalf.
Questions or comments can be sent to dac@vuu.org.
--Submitted by Linda Rand
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Connect and Serve
Welcome to DeeAnne McClenahan in her new role as Volunteer Coordinator for our congregation! She brings twenty years' membership, experience, and organizational talent to this role. A lifelong UU, her passion for our community and her deep appreciation for the power of volunteerism will help us all to make meaningful connections with and contributions to our vibrant congregation.
With so many opportunities to serve—from social justice initiatives to worship support, from hospitality to music and beyond—DeeAnne is here to help connect each of us with ways to contribute that will bring benefit and joy to all. She believes that volunteering is not just about giving time, but about discovering connection and purpose through service.
We have an incredible community of talented, generous, and committed individuals, but we don't yet know what everyone has to offer. Connect here, and find the perfect way to share your gifts!
Watch this space for some specific Help Wanted listings, and a new skills and interest survey.
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EastVUU Online
Your Journey
Thursday, July 24, 6:00p
How goes your journey? In traveling your life’s path, what has been most fulfilling? Most difficult? How has your spiritual journey supported you? What do you want for the path ahead? Let’s get perspective together!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 812 3702 9733
Passcode: 597613
Save the Date: EastVUU Dinner, Thursday, Aug. 14, 6:00p. Join us for Hong Kong-style favorites at Mekong Palace Dim Sum, 66 S Dobson Rd, Suite 120, Mesa. All are welcome!
—Submitted by Janice Miller
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Some FUUNd Items to Take Advantage of ANYTIME!
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.
Recently, FUUNd lovers enjoyed VUUniversity: A Screening & Discussion of Alvin Ailey’s Dance Masterpiece, “Revelations”, Creating an Inspirational Sign with a Cricut Machine and a Julyberfest! Dinner
And finally, please don’t forget to look at the other 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!
- 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)
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Get your bike ready for summer and Fall 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).
These two plus many other events are available at the FUUNd Last Chance Auction where 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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AMAZE
AMAZE, the online animated puberty video series, is conducting a nationwide search for young people ages 13-17 to become ambassadors for the project. The project is to help make AMAZE better for other young people. In return, youth will get the chance to go behind the scenes with the AMAZE animation team, and they also provide training on speaking with the media, building an effective resume, and much more! Oh, and yes…they get paid.
| | Since all youth ambassadors are under 18, it's essential that a parent or guardian is aware of their participation. Please visit this website to find complete details about the Youth Ambassador Program. If parents have any questions at all, we respond at the info@amaze.org email very fast! We can even set up a phone call or Zoom to chat, and answer all questions. | |
Update on Sandy Whitley
Recently, Zach and Jeremy Green, Sandy's sons, posted a difficult message for all of us at VUU who love and are inspired by Sandy as our dear friend and 1) a founding leader of our VUU Environmental Action Team, 2) an engaged civic leader and Precinct Committee-person in LD9, 3) a fellow hiker and passionate outdoor enthusiast as well as 4) a resilient and determined voice advocating for an environmentally sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. Sadly, based on Sandy’s most recent MRI brain scan results, Sandy’s sons have made the difficult decision to honor their Mom’s living will and initiate hospice care for Sandy at her group home in Chandler. Zach and Jeremy are also encouraging us all to visit ASAP. Sandy’s group home is at: 4820 S. Robins Way, Chandler, AZ 85249-3024. Visiting hours are from 10am to 6pm daily with no prior visiting time notification necessary.
In gratitude and with sadness, Janet Cantley and Bill Elliot
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Unpacking for a Friend
So many VUU'ers helped good VUU friend Jenny P. in her recent move! With ongoing medical issues, Jenny could really use some help from anyone available to get the kids' rooms unpacked and set up. If you can pitch in, please text Jenny at 480.209.4850.
| | Fellowship and Social Activities | | |
Singles Dinner Out
When: Friday, July 25, 6:30pm
Where: India Oven, 1315 S Gilbert Rd, Mesa
(just N of Gilbert Rd exit off the 60)
They serve a very tasty buffet of mild Indian food, or order from the menu. Vegan friendly. RSVP to this email or contact Claudette by phone or text 973-768-6047.
—Submitted by Claudette Wassil
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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 August 21 at 7:00 PM, we will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is Prequel – An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow.
Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve American democracy back to World War II, when a handful of committed public servants and brave private citizens thwarted far-right plotters trying to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis.
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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Game Night Lounge
Our recent VUU Game Night Lounge was a vibrant gathering of over 20 participants spanning all ages, from toddlers to teens and adults. The evening buzzed with activity as we dove into and played fun games, created unique arts and crafts, shared delicious food, and watched the children play in delight. Laughter and lively conversation filled the room, and our furry friend Ella the dog brought extra smiles to everyone, especially the youngest attendees, who again, took it on to teach her good manners. It was a wonderful night of connection, creativity, and fun—thank you to everyone who joined and helped make it special!
Join us the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 6-8p, Rooms 1-2. The next game night is August 6th.
--Submitted by Doug Nintzel
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Attention, Chandler Residents
VIP Call to Action: The Chandler VIP strategy team continues to work on influencing local government to increase affordable housing in Chandler. Currently we are using opportunities for community input into the next Chandler General Plan, particularly the Comprehensive Housing Plan component. This plan will guide Chandler’s development for the next 10 years. The next community update of the plan will be presented at the General Plan Resident Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 29 at 4:00pm, at the Chandler Nature Center in Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona. We strongly urge VUU members and friends who are residents of Chandler to participate in this important meeting. For more information, contact to Barb Quijada or
Nancy Wittenberg at vip@vuu.org
You can also provide input by attending a Chandler Listens
Workshop on Tuesday, August 5 at 5:30–7:30pm or Saturday, August 9
at 11:00am–1:00pm. The workshops are the same, both held at 300 S
Chandler Village Dr, Chandler, AZ 85226.
—Submitted by Barb Quijada
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Paz de Cristo
Volunteers needed this month!
Continuing the Tradition… Keeping the Commitment… Living our Principles
June date: Friday, August 8th, 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, August 8, 2025. 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.
--Submitted by Joanne McGrath
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Indian IHELP Hosting Dinner
Can you help next week with the IHELP Dinner Monday, July 28? The dinner is provided; we just provide sides, ice, and some help with serving this time.
Sign up here to help on July 28.
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Paz de Cristo
Donation of the Month:
Hamburger Helper and Macaroni and Cheese
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Paul Reed
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Immigrant Support
Donations gratefully accepted:
- Small handheld fruit cups
- Small handheld juice
- Veggie cups or squeezies
- Used clothing (all sizes, all seasons)
Please drop donations in the "Refugee Aid" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Randall Casillas
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Partners in Education
Adams Elementary appreciates your TAX CREDIT donations. Get dollar-for-dollar credit to offset AZ tax liability for 2025.
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
