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Sunday, March 16
Remembering the Legacy of César Chávez
Rev. Sarah, Beatriz Arias Cisneros, and Sheila López have prepared a special program.
Marco Albarrán: Senior Curator Tempe Historical Museum
Marco will share excerpts from the exhibit he recently curated at the Tempe Historical Museum. He will highlight the life and activism of César Chávez with featured photos and information about César, his life, and his work as leader for the farm labor movement.
“CESAR SAYS” Zarco Guerrero
A Music and Theater Performance
Zarco Guerrero, co-founder of Cultural Coalition, portrays the life and times of this iconic historical figure through his unique masked characters and their reverent yet humorous style of storytelling. César’s words of wisdom and the history of the period are shared in this family friendly presentation. Carmen de Novais, will lead us in singing “Sí Se Puede”.
Refreshments and pan dulce will be shared after the performance.
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IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
This week includes an action packed All-community worship welcoming guests from the Cultural Coalition telling the story of the life of Cesar Chavez.
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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, March 13
- EastVUU Dinner 6p
- Ukester Friends 6p
- VIP Meeting 6p
Friday, March 14
- Singles Lunch Bunch 1:30p
- Paz de Cristo Meal 4p
Saturday, March 15
Sunday, March 16
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- EAT Planning Mtg 12p
- VUUJAZ Coffee Conversation 12p
- Coming of Age 12:15
- Grief Group 1p
Monday, March 17
Tuesday, March 18
- EastVUU Circle of Friends 1p
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Harvest the Power 6:00p
- LDC Meeting 6p
- I-HELP Shelter 5:30
Wednesday, March 19
- Game Lounge 6p
- Harvest the Power 6:30p
- VUU Voices 7p
Thursday, March 20
- Women's Singing Ensemble 3:30p
- Finance Committee 5:30p
- Ukester Friends 6p
- Page Turners Book Club 7p
Friday, March 21
Saturday, March 22
- New Participants Class 9:30a
Sunday, March 23
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- Adult OWL 12p
- CN/VIP Building Community 12p
- Coming of Age 12:15p
- Empathy Circle 12:15p
- Voices Lifted 12:15p
- Grief Group 1p
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
more than two weeks out or without an article below
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FUUNd Last Chance Auction Starts - Mar 13
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EastVUU - Mar 13, Mar 27
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Empathy Circles - Mar 23, 30 Topic or format requests
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New Participant Classes - Mar 22, Jun 7 RSVP here
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Volunteer at the AZCEND Food Bank with Rev. Sarah - Mar 28
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New Participant Meal - Apr 5 RSVP here
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Parents & Pastries - Apr 6
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Pacific West Region Meeting - May 29
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UUA General Assembly - Jun 18-22 Register Here
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Desert Notes will return in a few weeks. | |
PWR Business Meeting
Save the Date!
Greetings Pacific Western Region,
Please save the date for our 1st Annual Business Meeting!
We are meeting via Zoom on Thursday, May 29 from 8-9 pm MST. We will provide a regional update, approve the annual budget, and approve board members. As we approach the meeting, be on the lookout for further details, including meeting materials.
Blessings,
PWR Board
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March PWR Newsletter
The March PWR Newsletter is now available here. It highlights PWR and UUA news, as well as resources that maybe useful to VUU members. It's worth a read! Subscribe to the newsletter here.
More information on the PWR can be found on this website.
-Submitted by Linda Rand
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Special Funds Grant Dollars Remaining
As we approach the end of our fiscal year, the Special Funds Committee wants to remind you that we still have $7,760.15 available for grant distributions from the Endowment Fund for the fiscal year. Applications and instructions can be found on the VUU website at About VUU/Elected Leaders/Special Funds Committee then open SFC Grant Application and Process. Or use this link.
Here is a list of the Grants we have funded this fiscal year:
• $3,750 to help pay VIP annual dues
• $4,118 to VUU Music Ministry to attend AUUM conference
• $1,000 to Partners In Education (PIE) to help with administrative costs and materials
• $800 to Aesthetics Committee for screening and cabinets for the stage
• $2,030 to Faith Formation for improvements and supplies to include children in the sanctuary space
• $2,330 to the Immigration Action Team to support expenses for the sponsored families
• $5,400 to the Immigration Action Team to support rent and legal services for the sponsored families
• $10,000 for the new Interim Music Director position
Please contact Carl Anderson at 480-529-4365 if you have any questions.
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VUU Assessment
After our report on March 2, the Assessment Committee was asked to post these 2024-25 survey links a final time. if you want to keep them for your records, please copy the links and save them or remember to come back later to The Happenings Archive for them.
This year’s survey response matched average VUU worship attendance with 154 respondents between Oct. 31-Dec. 16, 2024. No participant answered every question. Twenty-seven of 154 chose to answer anonymously.
This is the link to the 2024-25 Congregational Insight Survey results video (26 Min).
This link is to the slides presented to the Board of Trustees and Committee on Shared Ministry in our January report and discussed at the Congregational Conversation on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
So far 50+ of us have viewed one or both of these reports online. It is important to remember that any survey is a snapshot in time; thankfully, VUU has turned several corners since the survey was taken.
Next year’s survey is nearly ready, will start sometime in October 2025 and that survey will be very similar to this one. That similarity will allow comparability of results across time. Rest assured, by then we will have updated a few of the questions for greater clarity.
Thanks,
Nancy Egly, Katie Hurstwicker, and the Assessment Committee
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Last Chance Sale for FUUNd
The Last Chance Sale for the 2025 FUUNd opens today, Thursday, March 13 at noon and will remain open throughout the year. All items will be sold at a “buy-it-now” price equal to the highest winning bid for that item. Payment must be made at the time of purchase. You can view the items, make your purchase(s), and pay via credit card here, which is the same website you used during the actual FUUNd auction.
Limited quantities are available, and several events are coming up quickly, so don’t delay! Items will remain open until sold. Questions can be emailed to fuundtogether@vuu.org .
Below is a list of the events/items with space available that are coming up in April. Please see the auction website for complete details. These are all terrific events!!!
Beginner Line Dancing Lesson (Saturday, April 5, 1:00 - 2:30 PM) Grab your "happy feet" and join VUU members of all ages for a FUUNdtastic afternoon of Line Dancing led by a professional instructor. No prior experience is needed -- EVERYONE can learn the basic steps to have a great time!
Tie-Dyed Easter Eggs (Saturday, April 12, 1:00-4:00 PM) - another FUUNd intergenerational activity!
EFT Workshop: Tapping Away Undesired Emotions and Pain (Sunday, April 13, 1:00 - 3:00 PM)
Hand And Foot Card Tournament (Saturday, April 19, 5:00 PM)
Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament with Dinner (Saturday, April 26, 5:00 PM)
Workshop on Creating a Connected World with Empathy Circles (Sunday, April 27, 1:00 - 2:30 PM)
Don’t miss out on the FUUNd! Get your bids in today!
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Register Now for the 2025
VUU Prescott Retreat
Dates: Friday–Sunday, April 11–13
Location: Friendly Pines Camp,
933 E Friendly Pines Rd, Prescott, AZ 85303
The Prescott Retreat is an amazing opportunity to connect with your fellow VUUers in a fun, relaxed, and welcoming environment. It’s a perfect setting to build meaningful relationships, enjoy shared experiences, and deepen your sense of community, all while having a great time.
Register Here. The deadline to register is March 28.
The cost is $160 per person (scholarships available).
Email Megan Kimball with any questions.
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New Participant Class
March 22
Want to learn more about VUU and Unitarian Universalism? Considering joining us? Come to this class and ask all your questions!
Refreshments provided. In the VUU Board Room on the education side of campus. RSVP here
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Monthly Financial Report
Two items of note: First, our 2025 pledge campaign is entering an active phase in March, so please participate and make your pledge for this calendar year if you can. If you have already pledged, THANK YOU!.
Second, there is an opportunity for financially aware members as we have two openings on the Finance Committee. Finance is a committee of the Board that meets monthly to review financials, update financial policies and draft a budget for Board and congregational consideration. For more information take a look at the Finance member position description here. The Finance committee charter can be viewed here. Our meetings are third Thursdays at 5:30pm. If interested contact DeeAnne McClenahan or David Sheh.
The first seven months of the VUU fiscal year are in the books and cash flow is troubling, in spite a couple of months of good pledge income. Pledges are still only 92.2% of budget year to date; we will be watching income closely over the next few months updating our End of Year (EoY) predictions as new data comes in.
Income is under budget, the current EoY projection of $30K shortfall in pledge income is concerning. Cash on hand has dropped, as there was another withdrawal from savings to cover January expenses. We may not have enough cash on hand to cover expenses if pledges remain below budget, so if you need to get caught up, now is a great time to do so!
Most expenses are under budget, except salaries which we have increased due to inflationary pressures. We have seen this in RE, tech booth, and cleaning services. Currently we think expenses overall will be at or near our expense budget for EoY.
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 play your part in our Pledge campaign!
The full FA report can be found at: Analyst Reports - Google Drive
-submitted by David Sheh, Financial Analyst
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Save the Date! Read with Rev. Sarah
March 26, 7-8:15 pm
Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families is the UUA Common Read this year. This volume includes photos which are also part of a a traveling exhibit. Jozeppi Morelli, one of the people featured in the book, frequently accompanies the exhibit at public events led by congregations and other organizations interested in learning about and growing support for trans and nonbinary people. Currently a resident of the Phoenix metro, he is working with Rev. Sarah on programs related to this read.
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EastVUU Online
Where is your faith? -- Thursday, March 27, 6:00pm
Where are you placing your faith in these difficult times? How do UUs bolster their faith when shared values and institutions seem to be crumbling? Let’s talk about what faith means to us individually and what works to keep our spirits whole.
New(ish) Zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 812 3702 9733
Passcode: 597613
-Submitted by Janice Miller
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Parents and Pastries
Our first Parents and Pastries was held on Sunday, March 9 on the playground. We will be hosting this event monthly on the Second Sunday of the month. Is your family new to VUU? Join us and get to know other parents while your children make new friends.
Next meet-up, Sunday April 6. Playground or Rooms 1&2 depending upon the weather.
-Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation
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CDC A(5N1) Bird Flu Response Update
This article summarizes the current situation with H5N1 Bird Flu in the USA. Risk is considered low unless you work with chickens or cows or if you consume unpasteurized dairy products. There is evidence of the virus being spread on the wind from dusts with animal feces.
-Submitted by Jerry Waters
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Update on Sandy Whitley
Sandy Whitley is continuing her recovery in Room 162 at the Santé Rehabilitation Center in Chandler, 825 S 94th St, Chandler, AZ 85224.
Her son Zach provides this current update:
As always, we appreciate all the visits and support, especially during weekday dinners.
Visiting hours are Mon-Fri are 4pm-8pm. You can just show up for visits; no need to make an appointment on the calendar link. Weekends are wide open for any time you wish to visit. No need to sign up, just show up.
We particularly appreciate her friends who sign-up to visit around mealtime to lend a hand if needed with her meals. M-F 4:45pm. Weekends 8am, 1130am, 5pm. You can sign up here.
-Submitted by Janet Cantley and Sandy's son Zach
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Fellowship and Social Activities | |
Connect at VUU!
Discover lasting friendships and shared passions on our Fellowship site.
Let's connect, share, and grow together at VUU!
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Empathy Circles at VUU: Hybrid Option Coming Soon!
I’m working on making Empathy Circles at VUU hybrid (in-person/online) to include those who can’t attend in person. This would allow experienced facilitators and interested individuals from outside our community to join, expanding the reach of this resource and potentially posing unique challenges. With both pros and cons considered, I believe this growth could strengthen our collective capacity to practice and embody diverse connection skills and expand our choices beyond habitual responses like comparison, judgment, avoidance, the need to be right, interrogation, defensiveness, fixing, pleasing, intellectualizing, interrupting, minimizing, withholding, and sarcasm—just to name a baker’s disconnection dozen.
To accommodate as many people as possible, I’m considering offering this up to four times per month, alternating between daytime and evening. I’ll be creating a Doodle poll with potential times—if you'd like to receive it, please reply here!
Save the Date
The next scheduled Empathy Circle is Sunday, March 23, 12:15-2:00pm in the chancel area of the Sanctuary.
-Submitted by Teri McGovern-Nitzel
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Singles Lunch Bunch
When: Friday, March 14, 1:30 pm
Where: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken 4723 E Ray Rd, Ste 3, Phoenix. Going west from church, Gus's is on the left/south side of Ray just pas 48th.
Gus's is the reigning champion of the National Fried Chicked Festival and GQ states that Gus's restaurant is one of the top ten restaurants in the world worth flying for a meal. And it's right in our back yard! Tasty vegetarian sides and a few vegan choices.
RSVP to Claudette by phone or text (preferred) 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 March 20 at 7:00 PM. We meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is From Here to Eternity – Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty.
Fascinated by our pervasive fear of dead bodies, mortician Caitlin Doughty embarks on a global expedition to discover how other cultures care for the dead. From Zoroastrian sky burials to wish-granting Bolivian skulls, she investigates the world’s funerary customs and expands our sense of what it means to treat the dead with dignity.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email: agmonahan@gmail.com.
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Chandler School District Action
On Tuesday, March 25, students will be returning from Spring Break and CUSD teachers are planning to welcome them back and to demonstrate our commitment to public education. Arriving between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, teachers will be outside with signs with statements like "We love public schools!", "We love [School's name]", "CUSD Pride!", and "We love ALL students!"
Teachers will need to go inside when our contract hours begin, so we need community members to continue to help us welcome students back and demonstrate our community's commitment to public education. Classes start at 7:25pm, so most students will be inside at that point.
Key points:
- Arrive between 6:30 and 7:00, dress in red [Red for ed]
- Stay on public sidewalks in front of or around the school, and be careful of traffic.
- Show your support! Brings signs of positivity
- Spread the word! Invite your friends, family, and community to join us in this heartfelt celebration.
-submitted by Kiersty Lemon-Rogers
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Partners in Education (PIE) - Be a Mensch!
Want to get a tax credit and help fund programs for the kids at a Title I public school? Our gifts to Adams Elementary School in Mesa help support Science Camp, Literacy Tutoring, and more. You can make a difference with a financial contribution to Mesa Public Schools, while receiving a tax credit 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!
—Submitted by Janice Miller
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Paz de Cristo
We are currently not collecting donations for Paz. We need someone to take over this role. Please reach out if you are interested.
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 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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Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
