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Sunday, December 29
Happy New Year!
As we navigate through this bustling season, we warmly invite you and your loved ones to gather with us for the final service of 2024 at VUU! Your presence is not just welcomed; it is cherished! So, come as you are, and let’s create a memorable conclusion to the year together!
We are grateful to have Joel Sannes as our worship associate, who always adds a meaningful touch to our services. Additionally, Lynn DeMuth will lead us in music, uplifting our spirits and filling the sanctuary with joy.
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IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
NO FAITH FORMATION CLASSES THIS WEEK
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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 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
- No Faith Formation
Monday, December 30
Tuesday, December 31
Wednesday, January 1
Thursday, January 2
Friday, January 3
Saturday, January 4
Sunday, January 5
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- Congregational Mtg 11:45a
- Soup Lunch for COA 11:45a
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 Online - Jan 23
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Soul Matters - Jan 28
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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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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.
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Coming of Age Soup Lunch Fundraiser
Plan to stay after worship on the first Sunday of each month (Next one is January 5) to enjoy a hot bowl of homemade soup, a salad, and delicious bread - all for a good cause!
Coming of Age (COA) 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
On the twelfth day of the FUUNd auction, my bidding won for me:
12 Yummy Cookies
11 Boxes De-cluttered
10 Homemade Deserts
9 Crafting Classes
8 Game nights
7 Days of dog sitting
6 Tasty dinners
5 Made-to-order Quiches
4 (-ty) Dancing Lessons
3 Course Pizza Party
2 Petroglyph Hikes and
1 Cabin in the Forest
Actually the auction lasts for 14 days, not 12, but in order for this to come to fruition we are in dire need of more donations. There are a wide range of donation options. Please refer to the list of last year’s auction items for ideas, talk to someone at the Auction table, or email fuundtogether@vuu.org. The donation deadline is fast approaching (January 5). To donate, go to the auction website www.auctria.events/VUUFUUND2025 and choose "Donate Auction Item" from the menu at the top. And thank you to all the people who have already signed up to give of themselves.
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Congregational Meeting
Join us for a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 5 immediately after service.
Yes! There will be pizza, and the agenda is as follows:
- Establish a quorum
- Principles and Sources by-laws amendment vote
- Pledge Drive Update
- Mortgage Update
- GA Delegate Selection Process
- Congregational Survey Report
The meeting will be available online through the same link as Sunday Service.
Voting will be available digitally through a link provided during the meeting.
Sincerely,
VUU Board of Trustees
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Monthly Financial Report
The first 5 months of the VUU fiscal year are 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
It's the time of yearly transition when we often look for ways to improve in all aspects of our lives. We make resolutions; we set goals; we make promises, etc. etc. While you're considering how you'd like to focus such energy, may I suggest joining our Soul Matters small group program - if even to give it a try for a month!
The Soul Matters small group program gives participants an opportunity to go deeper into the VUU theme of the month. When you join the program, you will receive a PDF each month that defines the theme and includes meaningful readings, exercises, podcast recommendations, movies, music and much more - engage as far as you have time and interest to devote. You are invited to share your journey with the theme with other Soul Matters participants in an online meeting that meets monthly for about an hour and a half. There is no cost (except your time) to join; there is no commitment requirement; this is an open invitation to engage the theme and then share your thoughts and experiences. We currently meet each 4th Tuesday 6:30pm - 8:00pm via google meet. To join Soul Matters send an email request to soulmatters@vuu.org.
The December issue is available here.
-Submitted by Barbara Face
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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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Fellowship and Social Activities | |
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 | | | | |
