Sunday July 13, 2025
"Turning Toward Wholeness: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Renewal"
Join us this Sunday as Tara Sowers and Amanda Schneider lead a meaningful service exploring the true essence of forgiveness—what it means to forgive and be forgiven, and how we can move toward healing, renewal, and peace after trust has been broken.
We will also take time to honor and celebrate Sara Sauter as we bid her farewell and thank her for her dedicated service as our Interim Director of Faith Formation.
Our music will be led by Beth Wyman and Melissa Bush, whose voices and songs will offer comfort, inspiration, and hope.
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
The theme class this Sunday will be The Gifts of Justice and Equity. In this session, we explore the differences between the words “equity” and “justice.”
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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 10
Friday, July 11
Saturday, July 12
Sunday, July 13
Monday, July 14
Tuesday, July 15
Wednesday, July 16
Thursday, July 17
Friday, July 18
Saturday, July 19
Sunday, July 20
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:
102 in person, 30 online
Weekly Pledge/Plate Collection:
$5448.55 actual, $9,059 budget
Month to Date Pledge Collection (July):
$5,448.55 actual, $36, 224.00 budget
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Abbreviated information about upcoming events
more than two weeks out or without an article below
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Men's Group - Jul 22
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EastVUU Online - Jul 24
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I-HELP Meal Prep - Jul 28 sign up here
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Game Lounge - Aug 6
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Ukester Friends - Aug 7
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Congregational Conversation - Oct 5
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Grade K-1st OWL - Parent Orientation on Feb 1 enroll here
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Thank You, Sara!
On Sunday, July 13 we will celebrate and say goodbye to Sara Sautter as our Interim Director of Lifespan Faith Formation. Her last day is Thursday, July 31. We will release her from her covenant with us and have a send-off party after service as part of coffee hour. I will provide a card, a cake and some party vibes—please come ready to celebrate our shared work this year and our accomplishments as we continue to transition in this position.
I have appreciated having a seasoned leader in this position who is well connected in LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association) and who identifies as a long-time UU. Sara has helped us look more closely at the gap between youth and family spaces and our Sunday worship/planned activities and consider ways to be more inclusive of families and youth. She has also brought her experience as a membership coordinator to help us think about how we engage with new people and how we can communicate more inclusively so that new participants can find their way at VUU. She has also brought new programming and ideas to adult faith formation. We still have a lot of work to do, and we will be doing it with less paid staff. I hope some of you will feel the call to step into leadership with faith formation and help us continue this important and vital work. Thank you, Sara! See you all Sunday!
—Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan
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UUA General Assembly (GA) Outcomes
Elections were held at GA in June for a number of positions. The following positions were uncontested: Board of Trustees (4 positions), Commission on Appraisal (4 positions), and the Nominating Committee (3 positions).
The one contested election was for the UUA Moderator, the highest volunteer position in the UUA and one that is very influential.
Details on election winners and vote counts are available here.
Also at GA, the delegates voted on Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) and Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs).
AIWs express the conscience and carry the authority of the delegates at the GA at which it is passed. AIWs are initiated by individual delegates and move through their entire creation and adoption process during a single GA. On a poll of delegates taken prior to GA, the following three AIWs (out of a total of five) were selected to be on the final agenda for further discussion and affirmation:
The delegates voted to adopt these AIWs during GA.
CSAIs are issues selected by UU member congregations for three years of study, reflection and action. The delegates voted to select the CSAI "Abolition is Faith Formation" for study. In the third year of the CSAI process, delegates at GA can vote to approve a Statement of Conscience resulting from three years of congregational feedback on the CSAI.
The Denominational Affairs Committee (DAC) will host a GA feedback session for VUU at the Congregational Conversation on October 5—stay tuned! In the meantime, questions or comments can be sent to dac@vuu.org.
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VUUJAZ Coffee Conversation This Sunday
The mission of VUUJAZ is to promote social justice work at VUU by helping the many diverse social justice groups and projects communicate with one another, share stories and good ideas, recruit new persons to specific social justice initiatives, and respond quickly when new advocacy opportunities or needs arise.
Join us this Sunday, July 13 after the service for coffee and conversation. Linda Stenholm will be facilitating. VUUJAZ is open to all members and friends. Contact person is Anne Schneider.
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May Financial Analyst Report
May marks the 11th month of our fiscal year. Our gross income year-to-date is $577,805, or $41,051 (6.7%) below budget. Please note that income number includes $59,027 of one-time money. Pledges are $50K (-13.4%) under budget year to date. Pledges were $23K under in May; and are projected to be $54K short for the year by June. This is the time to get caught up if you have not already done so. Thank you to everyone who is supporting our congregation!
Total expenses YTD are under budget by $26K: Property, staff insurance, and committees continuing to account for most of the underage. Staff salaries are considerably higher and will end the year over budget as the tech booth supervisor’s salary is above budget, and raises have been given to several employees. Religious Education supplies are also substantially over budget.
End of year (EoY) estimates put expenses $31K under budget, and income is looking at least $43K under budget, estimating a $12K shortfall if pledges do not rebound in June. A negative carryforward is almost certain. Carrying a shortfall forward will create a larger deficit in the FY 2025–26 budget; details will depend on EoY giving; this is a good reason to encourage everyone to continue to catch up with their pledges. The savings account remains at $40K.
The full May report can be found here.
—Submitted by David Sheh
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Some FUUNd Items to Take Advantage of ANYTIME!
The items below as well as many others are available at the FUUNd Last Chance Auction.
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Get your bike ready for FUUNd with a tune-up by cycling enthusiast Ken S. with Ken and the Art or Bicycle Maintenance.
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Book a FUUNd week at David S. and Jodi F.’s rustic Payson cabin with Escape to a Cabin in the Woods.
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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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Give Youth the Tools to Thrive: Sign Up for Our Whole Lives Today!
Support your teenager to navigate life with confidence, integrity, and compassion. Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education program. Supporting the “three Rs” of sexuality education—respect, relationships, and responsibility—OWL empowers youth with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed, healthy decisions.
VUU is excited to offer OWL classes for both 8th–9th graders and 10th–11th graders beginning this fall. Grades K–1 will be offered in the Spring (more info coming). Each group receives tailored content that meets them where they are developmentally—creating space for meaningful conversation, peer connection, and personal growth.
OWL opens the door to honest, accurate, and inclusive education that aligns with VUU values. Youth appreciate the safe, respectful environment to explore topics that matter—from identity and relationships to consent and communication.
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Spectacled Owls (8th–9th graders):
26 weeks, starting Sunday, August 31, 2025–Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 12:45–2:15pm Sunday afternoons. Mandatory Parent Orientation is Sunday, August 24, from 12:45–2:45pm. Cost is $55, with a $15 discount for pledging VUU Members and Friends.
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Burrowing Owls (10th–11th graders):
13 sessions, starting Sunday, September 7, 2025–Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 12:45–2:15pm Sunday afternoons. Mandatory Parent Orientation is Sunday, September 7, from 12:45–2:45pm. Cost is $55, with a $15 discount for pledging VUU Members and Friends.
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In The Interim
Yes, we know. It is disappointing to move to a part-time position in faith formation staff. While many of the core duties of the Director of Faith Formation can be done with a part-time director, we will need the help of dedicated volunteers, to make up the difference. Here are the teams we anticipate needing to maintain our robust programming at VUU:
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Fun and Merriment Team. These are the people who will help plan and carry out the fun events in faith formation. Events include a water day, Halloween party, Hanging of the Greens, Santa at VUU, Valentines, Easter Egg hunt. The team can choose to do more or less of these events.
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Service Trip Team. These are the folks who will plan, schedule and fundraise for the youth service trip. Traditionally VUU youth have gone to Mexico. Several UU congregations have connections with the Hopi nation in Canyon de Chelly right here in Arizona. The group will work with youth to plan and carry out the service trip which is slated for Spring Break 2025.
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Sunday Support Team. These are the folks that will order, receive, and stock supplies and books for Sunday morning. They will maintain the VUU Supply Room and the VUU Children's library. The team will also maintain the fidget library, the infant toddler area, and the Soul Works tables.
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Adult Faith Formation. This is the team that will work with Rev. Sarah to plan, schedule, and implement adult faith formation classes throughout the congregational year. Aging, Your Unitarian Universalist Elevator Speech, UU Values, and UU History are a few ideas.
Interested in helping? Click here to find a way to plug in.
—Submitted by Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation Ministry
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Diane Hansen
I received a call from Diane Hansen letting me know that she has been in the hospital. She has permitted me to share this update. At this time, she is unsure when she will be discharged.
She does not want visitors, but cards would be appreciated. Her home address is 1853 W. Canyon Way, Chandler, AZ 85248
—Submitted by Kat Karpinen
| | | | Fellowship and Social Activities | | |
Singles Lunch Bunch
When: Friday, July 11, 1:30pm
Where: Pacific Seafood Buffet
3110 N Arizona Ave, Chandler
All you can eat of a fabulous selection of seafood and more! RSVP to Claudette by phone or text 973-768-6047 (texts preferred).
—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 Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm. We will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is Project Hail Mary by Andrew Weir.
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. His crew mates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
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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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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Good Trouble Lives On - Thursday, July 17
Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of nonviolent action dedicated to addressing the challenges to our civil and human rights. It's a powerful reminder that in America, the power lies with the people.
On Thursday, July 17—the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing—we’re taking action across the country to defend our democracy and carry forward his legacy of Good Trouble.
VUU's UU the VOTE has selected a few ways to participate:
1. Good Trouble Lives On: Tempe Pedestrian Bridge
Thursday, July 17
6:30–9:00 am
Cole Park, 2000 E Carson Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282
This is more than a protest; it’s a moral reckoning. A continuation of the movement Lewis helped lead, and a new front in the struggle for freedom. This event meets ADA standards. Text Karen at 480-600-1574 to receive the meeting place.
Register here.
2. Good Trouble Lives On: "Voting Rights: The Struggle To Be Counted" (a film viewing/discussion)
Thursday, July 17
4:30–6:00 pm (AZ time)
Virtual event: Join from anywhere
The film "Voting Rights: The Struggle To Be Counted" traces the long and often brutal struggle by African Americans to obtain and maintain the right to vote. "A Voteless People Is A Voiceless People!"
Register here to receive the link to watch the film.
Thank you!
—UU the VOTE co-leaders, Karen Stucke and Denise McLeod
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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 this tax season!
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
