To help with Sunday morning hospitality, click here.

Announcement

The VUU Office will be closed on Monday, February 17 for President’s Day. Rev. Sarah will be on retreat with UUMA chapter Monday-Thursday, February 17-20.  

Abbreviated information about upcoming events that are

further than two weeks out.

• FUUNd Auction - Feb 2-16 Register Here
• Grief Covenant Group - Feb 9-March 23
• Read with Sarah - Feb 12, Mar 26
• EastVUU Buffet Dinner and Bingo at Tempe’s Friendship Village - Feb 13
• Empathy Circles - Feb 16, Mar 2, 16, 23, 30 Topic or format requests
• VUUJAZ Coffee Conversation - Feb 16
• I-HELP Program - Feb 17, 18, 24
• Page Turners Book Club - Feb. 20 Read the book
• VIP Documentary Film Screening - Feb 22
• EASTVUU Online - Feb 27
• Volunteer at AZCEND Foodbank with Rev. Sarah - Feb 28 Sign Up Here
• Congregational Convo - Mar 2
• VUU Scouts - Mar 2
• New Participant Classes - Mar 22, Jun 7 RSVP here
• New Participant Meal - Apr 5 RSVP here
• VUU Retreat - Apr 11-13 at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott Register Here
• UUA General Assembly - Jun 18-22 Register Here

Many of you have been asking about ways to respond to things happening in our state and country. If you’d like to help organize a VUU rapid response team that can assess actions and share information with the rest of the congregation, contact me at minister@vuu.org. (Use “rapid response” in the subject line, please.) This could look like organizing a group to head to a city council meeting, or a protest site, or sending responses to state legislation. Please set yourselves up through Request to Speak via this link: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. This is a way to respond to bills (like the awful anti trans bills that keep coming up!) A rapid response team could get the word out and organize responses. They could also research events happening to share important information with everyone. I recommend setting up accounts in Signal (for now, there may be other places we use to communicate in the future). This will allow us to share sensitive information in a more secure (nothing is perfect) space. We can also invite each other to area trainings and planning sessions as they are shared with us. Here is some other information on digital security. On this note, staff could use some help from a tech savvy person in updating and assessing these needs for our computers. Especially me…let me know if you are up for helping us in this way.  

On that note, I was able to join a large group of mostly Mexican immigrants (some from Central America, also) in a demonstration protest near downtown Chandler this week. A simultaneous protest was taking place in Phoenix. There were so many young people and families there. Their largest sign said “Don’t Bite the Hands That Feed You.” It was a joyful gathering–music, and cheering, flags, and many cars driving by and honking. In the face of stark political realities, our communities are responding with vigor and a deep sense of connection and power. Many “Know Your Rights” workshops are being held all over the country, discretely shared in ways that evade public scrutiny but insure the folks that need the information are getting it. I am attending a workshop developed by Corazon AZ, Valley Interfaith Project, Pima County Interfaith, Northern Arizona Interfaith, and Arizona Faith Network designed for faith leaders and congregational leaders to support our organizations in engaging in the work of advocating, organizing and supporting immigrants in our community. Some of our immigration action team will also be attending.  

We are in this together. One of my favorite podcasts and places for reflection and learning is End of the World Show which features adrienne maree brown and sister Autumn Brown. I’ve also enjoyed Stories of Rebuilding which features Deepa Iyer and Adaku Utah from SolidarityIs. What are you reading, listening to, or watching that is helping you learn, grow, stay grounded and prepare to respond?

—Rev. Sarah

The FUUNd Auction is Live - Help Support VUU!

The 2025 Let’s Have FUUNd Together auction is live! So far over $9,500 of our

$25,000 goal has been raised to support VUU’s mission and programs. If you haven’t

yet looked at the catalog or registered to bid, it’s time for YOU to get involved! With 85

unique items on the auction this year including our brand new VUUniversity series, we guarantee that everyone will find at least one thing worth bidding on!

You can look at the auction catalog, register, and place your bids on your phone or from your computer. Simply go to www.auctria.events/VUUFUUND2025 or click on the QR code below and choose “Register.” Assistance is available via email at

fuundtogether@vuu.org or text at 480-244-6570.

FUUNd auction team members will be on the Sanctuary patio Sunday to answer

questions and to offer help. Details on each of the auction items will be displayed at

colorful tables for your viewing pleasure. Bidding ends in 10 days on Sunday, February 16th at 2:00 PM.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Have FUUNd in 2025!

—Submitted by Debbe Simpkins

The Good Ideas Policy

Do you have a good idea for VUU? Ideas for a program or an event that helps us live our faith in the community? Or one that brings the community into our doors?

Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation wishes to encourage good ideas for new programs at the congregation. We understand that good ideas from among our members can be a source of creativity and innovation. The Good Ideas Policy provides guidance and equity to lay leadership and members of the congregation to evaluate potential new programs for Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Learn more on our website here.

ADULT OWL Introduction Workshop Session

Sunday, February 23

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a program which recognizes and respects diversity of all involved while offering a series of sexuality education classes to address sensitive topics and supports open communication within families. Every question is welcome.

An introductory session is being offered Sunday, February 23 at 1:00 pm. This is a 12-week class with a 1-2 hour introductory workshop session used to determine the customizable content and time commitment for the remainder of the sessions. For example, in the introductory workshop session, participants may decide to do all 12 workshops or to do only some workshops. If doing only some workshops, the participants decide which ones. Participants are not required to attend or belong to any particular group or faith.

Adults—Recommended age groups for each adult age range are listed. Register for the one aligned with your needs and interests!



Young Adults: 18-35

Adult: 36-50

Older: 50+

Tell us which date and time suits your needs! 

Email faithform@vuu.org for details!



A UUA Pacific Western Region Series:

Responding to Now

Save the Dates!

February 6 | March 6 | April 3

8:00pm - 9:30pm MST via Zoom 

Click here to register

In this political climate, we need one another more than ever. This series of three workshops offer leaders of UU congregations and covenanting communities the opportunity to receive, and give, moral and practical support for facing the challenges of religious leadership in 2025. Topics will include leading strategically in anxious times, dealing with conflict and difficult behavior, and creating meaningful connections for people of all ages, all in the context of a spiritual community that is called to uphold human rights and dignity. 

*Once registration is open, time/time zones for each date will be posted. 

—Submitted by Linda Rand

Seeking Aesthetics Committee Members

Interested in keeping our sanctuary both beautiful and functional? Consider becoming a member of the Aesthetics Committee. Contact one of our members (Mary Erickson, DiAnna Farmer, or Ruthie Graham) for more information or check out the committee's responsibilities on the VUU website.

Read with Rev. Sarah

Wednesday, February 12, 7:00-8:15pm

Transforming Conflict

Discussion via Zoom

Join Rev. Sarah in reading Rev. Terasa Cooley’s book Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil. Rev. Cooley believes that it is possible for “conflict experienced in the context of faith [to] transform both us and our congregation.” She says that “today’s world requires all of us to learn new ways of being in relationship to one another that is not just yelling over the fence at each other or running fast the other way.” As we work our way through change and difference, we may observe that when we are dealing with these challenges, it is easy to “conflate discomfort with threat, to mistake internal anxiety for exterior danger, and in turn to escalate rather than resolve.” If these ideas resonate with your experience of conflict, it’s time to pick up this very accessible read and join me in thinking about how we can be a community that transforms conflict into engaged relationships that work together for solutions. 

Register in advance for this meeting. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Book available from Rev. Sarah or here.

EastVUU Buffet Dinner and Bingo

When: Thursday, February 13, 6pm

Where: Friendship Village, 2645 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282

Our February social night will be hosted by Joe and Jeanne Gerber at Friendship Village in Tempe, AZ. We will dine in the Courtyard Buffet Private Dining Room. Please arrive between 5:50 and 6:10 to get through the buffet line, which closes at 6:30. Your meal will cost $21 (cards only, no cash, no potluck). We will play Valentine’s bingo with prizes, and also have plenty of time to socialize with UU friends. The restaurant is in the main building just left of entrance gate on Circle Drive. Join us for a fun night!

An Update on the Music Ministry Retreat

Over 30 people brought many perspectives and a wide range of musical talents and interests to the January 25 four-hour music retreat. Newcomers and long-time members attended, and included song leaders, singers including choir members, instrumentalists, and more. The retreat was planned and presented by Rev. Sarah, Lynn DeMuth, Noell Hyman, and Teri McGovern-Nintzel. Several key topics were covered.

• An overview and definition of the interim music ministry in which VUU currently is engaged.
• A group discussion of what music does and can look like at VUU, given the array of talents and resources that exist in the congregation. Participants agreed that we are the music makers and supporters, part of our shared vision for music ministry at VUU.
• A facilitated empathy session inviting participants to reflect, share stories while listening for common values, and explore how understanding our love of music can deepen community connections.
• Identifying next steps for involving more musicians in choir, other vocal ensembles and/or solos/duets; including a band and other instrumental groups in Sunday services; and hosting musical events outside of Sunday services.

Our time together was over before we could address a couple of important agenda items, so a follow-up Zoom meeting will be scheduled. You are invited to contact member/s of the music steering committee if you are interested in supporting music ministry at VUU. Please contact Lynn DeMuth or Noell Hyman or any of the other members below.

—Members of the committee include Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan, Lisa Bonine, Nancy Egly, Mary Erickson, Laurie Fagen, Roz Hawkins, and Teri McGovern-Nintzel

Update on Sandy Whitley

Sandy is making steady improvement, including feeding herself and working on speech therapy. She has moved to a new skilled nursing facility. The family, in collaboration with the nursing staff, have requested that we allow her time to adjust to her new surroundings and her focus on physical and speech therapy. They will let us know when it is a good time for visiting.

If you would like to follow get updates on Sandy, here is her Caring Bridge link. Once you're on Sandy’s page, you can click the Updates tab to be sure that you’re seeing the most current progress report.

—Submitted by Janet Cantley

Brown Bag Lunch with Rev. Sarah

Tuesday, February 11, 11:30 am-1:00 pm

in the VUU Board Room

Celebrate an early Valentine’s Day together! Feel free to bring a treat to share.  

Partners in Education (PIE)

Are you preparing your taxes? 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 and 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!

I-HELP Program

February 17 and 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Help host and serve a meal for folks staying here overnight.  

February 24. Help prepare, host and serve a meal for folks staying here overnight

*Sign up genius published a week ahead

Contact Adrienne to sign up.

This last week VUU folks put together a taco bar and served dinner (see photos below). It was a lot of fun!

A Pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama

The Ecumenical Catholic Communion's Truth & Reconciliation Commission invites you to join us on "A Pilgrimage To Montgomery, Alabama."

Tuesday-Friday, April 8-11

Rev. Joan Crawford, who has led workshops and worship for us, has extended this invitation for folks to join the ECC on this trip to visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. I am considering joining them, and hope some of you may have the opportunity to also join. If I am able to attend, I will plan follow-up education and reflection opportunities for our whole community to share the experience and growth from this trip. Please contact me at minister@vuu.org for more information on costs and registration.

—Rev. Sarah