To help with Sunday morning hospitality, click here.

This new section will contain abbreviated information about upcoming events that are further than two weeks out. Events that occur sooner may have a full article below.

Choir Rehearsal - on summer hiatus

Spirit of Life Reading Circle - on summer hiatus, to reconvene in September

EastVUU Social Night - August 22

All Community Water Ingathering - August 25

Congregational Conversation - 9/1, 10/6, 11/3

New Participant Welcome - 9/7, 11/2, 2/1, 4/5

Read with Rev. Sarah - October 16

VIP Public Action - October 24

New Participant Class - 10/26, 12/7, 3/22, 6/7

This weekend John and I celebrate 16 years of marriage. For both of us, this is a second marriage–one which we came to wiser because of what we learned the first time around. We never expected John to already be teaching this early when we got married in 2008, but it has happened. So while we both have to work on our actual anniversary, August 2, I’ll be off this weekend as a result. I hope you enjoy the hymn singing service led by Noell and Mary!

We had 160 participants in our multi-gen service last weekend, and created a beautiful piece of art together while we celebrated faith formation, thanked Kelsie and said goodbye. Some of you donated towards a VISA gift card I sent home with her. THANKS for your contributions of many kinds–for bringing food (Jenny Casillas Lopercio, Joanne Smith, Teri McGovern Nintzel, Deidre Mears, Bethany Bastert, Amanda Schneider, Tesha Hensley-Brown), for bringing your family, for those who helped welcome newcomers, for all the other ways you were and are practicing generosity with each other. Blessing our kids as they enter a new school year and reminding our kids and their families that we are committed to being an anchor for them is a sacred act. It’s important to me as a minister and a mom. As we enter this program year, I am looking for ways to deepen our connections and to make sure we are bridging the gaps between us. I am still planning for the year and scheduling, working with volunteers and leaders to cultivate new ideas. I love hearing from you and I’ve scheduled some different ways to hold conversations. I hope to see more of you!

Meet the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is excited to start a new congregational year with a few familiar faces and some new ones. David Sheh, Mark Foote, and Dan Sapakie were elected to serve two-year terms at last month's congregational meeting. Additionally, the Board appointed Lisa Bonine to fill a one-year vacancy. They join Nancy Egly, Tom Briggs, and Katie Hurstwicker. Get to know them by visiting our Meet the Board of Trustees page on the VUU website.

Thanks,

Mark Foote, President

More Updates

Another Goodbye! Our long time Maintenance Tech, Joe Martin, has had to resign suddenly due to health issues. Joe worked with us a long time, and we are sad to see him go. We’re grateful for the many years he has helped us maintain, fix, and replace items all across campus. Joe also did some janitorial tasks. We are in the process of contracting with a small company to pick up the janitorial work, but we are likely to need help with some tasks around campus in the meantime.  

If you are willing and able to help with cleaning or handyperson tasks, please contact Todd Sirrine, our congregational administrator, in the VUU office. 

HELP with IHELP! Laura Rohlfing, our IHELP coordinator, is ready to train a team of people to replace her later this year. Many Mondays, and sometimes other days, our sanctuary is a temporary shelter for 20-30 folks who don’t have a place to go. The non-profit we partner with, AZCEND, brings a shower truck and helps organize a meal and lunches for the next day. Our job is to help set up, serve, and welcome this group and then come by when they’ve left the next day and make sure everything is back in its place and cleaned up. Participants help with some of these tasks. This week I helped Laura, and we agree a small team of 4-8 people who share this responsibility is needed. A coordinator (preferably two people who share this task) is necessary for communication and leadership, but more hands are needed every week. There are some details, so a consistent team would be best. Want to know more? Contact Laura or come learn alongside us August 5, 19, or 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Sunday Service Set up and Clean up Nick Carr could use some extra hands on Sundays, including training someone to take his place on days when he can’t be at VUU (it doesn’t happen often, but when it does no one else knows what to do!) Come at 9:30 and get some on the job training!  

The VUU Library Donna Long is organizing a small group to help get the library organized and deal with excess materials. Have some time to help? Contact Donna.

Brown Bag Lunch with Rev. Sarah: Second Tuesdays beginning August 13 through December. Bring your lunch, feel free to bring something to share too. We’ll meet in the boardroom from 11:30 to 1:00. Come when you can, leave when you need to. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and chocolate.  

Coffee House Office Hours:  August 7, 10:30 - 1:00 Steve’s Espresso 1801 E. Baseline in Tempe. Come join me for a little coffee or tea and a chat. Want to pick my next coffee house hours for September in your neck or the metro? Send me a suggestion! 

Read with Rev. Sarah: I’ve been reading “On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World” by Danya Ruttenberg and it seems like a great book to discuss after the work we engaged with Rev. Sam last year. Pick up a copy from the library or a bookstore or a digital copy and prepare for a conversation. RSVP for October 16 6:45-8:15.  

-Submitted by Rev. Sarah

AZCEND awarded Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency

AZCEND, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing help and hope to neighbors in need, has been awarded the prestigious Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. This recognition conveys AZCEND’s commitment to responsible stewardship, excellence in delivering programs and transparency.

The Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency is awarded to nonprofit organizations that complete rigorous and detailed accounting of strategic goals, measurable impact, financial accountability, leadership and governance as well as diversity. According to Candid, fewer than 1% of all nonprofits in the United States have been awarded the Platinum Seal of Transparency as of 2023. Read more here.

What’s Up in Faith Formation?

Summer Sunday Fundays! 

Preschool to Fifth Grades 

August 4 and 11

We’ll take a couple of Sundays to have fun and build community before we head into the fall. Games, art and craft projects, slime and general controlled mayhem designed to make kids happy. Of course we’ll need some help. Click here to lend a hand.

Donut Sundays

Middle and High Schools

August 4 and 11

Maintaining a healthy diet is very important in the teen years. But, hey. Let’s get real. You gotta enjoy some controlled junque food days! Here are two Sundays when donuts rule! Break some (dough) together, plan and build community before we start our fall programming. Yep, we’ll need some dough-nations. Click here to help.

Parent Open House

All Classrooms

August 18

Parents! Plan to attend faith formation classes with your children on August 18 at the usual faith formation time. Learn about our fall classes and curriculum, meet your child’s teacher and Sara Sautter, our Interim Director of Faith Formation. Do a craft with your kiddo, get enrolled and sign up to help in your child’s class.

All Community Water Ingathering

August 25 

Our traditional Water Ingathering will be an all community Sunday with children attending with their parents. Look for new water based additions to the Fidget Library. Nursery and Preschool rooms only will be open. 

Tending the Flame

The Art of Unitarian Universalist Parenting

Teacher: Sara Sautter

Enroll here

Zoom link to be provided

Join us starting on September 18 on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm for a five-session Zoom-based parenting class. Learn to seize those teachable moments of everyday life for spiritual growth. We’ll explore Rituals, Traditions, and Spiritual Practices, as well as talking about the Tough Stuff and Big Questions.

Caring Neighbors

Current Neighborhood Coordinators will be staffing a table in the back of the sanctuary over the next few weeks. Stop by to meet us, before or after the service, and let us get to know you. We would like to hear your ideas for building community.

There are a few neighborhoods that are in need of a Coordinator. Please text or call Joyce Donahue at (480) 221-6837 if you are interested and would like more information.

-Submitted by Joyce Donahue 

Labor Day Weekend Camping with UUs at SAWUURA

August 30 - Sept 2

No fee and no crowds! 

Camp has water, composting toilets, an outdoor kitchen and ramada

Bring tents, sleeping gear, and your own food.

High Clearance Vehicle recommended

Families, children, friends all welcome! 

Information & registration at SAWUURA.org 

SAWUURA is a 100-acre property owned by UUs located in the Sierra Ancha mountains near Young, AZ

Building an I-HELP team…We need your helping hands!

Laura Rohlfing will be stepping down as the I-HELP coordinator in December. She tells me this job really needs a team, and she’d like to be training her replacements soon! This is an opportunity to support the guests who come and stay overnight with us a few times a month (usually Mondays). It involves communication with our partner organization (Azcend), helping set up and re-setting our kitchen and Sanctuary, organizing and communicating with volunteers to help with this and to provide food. I will be helping set up this team. It’s a great way to get to know each other and provide meaningful service. 

Anyone who is interested in the position or who would like further information is

encouraged to contact Rev. Sarah or Laura Rohlfing.

Thank you!

Rev. Sarah

Paz de Cristo

More Volunteers needed this month!

Continuing the Tradition… Keeping the Commitment… Living our Principles

August date: Friday, August 9, 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 of August, 8/9/24. Volunteers gather at the Paz kitchen/dining room from 4 to 7 pm to prepare several items for, and then serve, the evening meal. Additional tasks include cleanup of dishes, sweeping and mopping of floors. 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.

-Submitted by JoAnne McGrath

Partners in Education (PIE) Notice:

Service is Our Prayer |School Opens Aug. 1!

More Volunteers Needed for Rumbo al Exito

I just learned today that our English learners only receive 1/2 hour of special support each day with a teacher that is not allowed to speak Spanish with them and does not speak Spanish herself! Our program is essential! Only 45 percent of English learners graduate from high school! We need to give these kids a chance to succeed, and we need you!!! We are excited to return to our Rumbo al Éxito students. We need more volunteers to respond to Adams' request to assist many more English Learners. Please help us by volunteering and by spreading the word to your friends and family members who might be interested. It is a wonderful opportunity to give these kids a chance to succeed.

Please let us know if you, or anyone you know, would like to join in this important effort. Contact Randall Casillas, Perii Skolnick, or Beverly McCormick.

We are also looking for volunteers for the Art Masterpiece program and Arts and Craft projects. LOTS OF FUN! No art experience is necessary. Contact Perii Skolnick for more info.

Donations needed for Back to School, Teacher Appreciation breakfast, and classroom upgrades. Let's help the teachers create stimulating environments for their students. Teachers generally spend five hundred dollars out of pocket each year! Mail to Todd, 6400 W. Del Rio St, Chandler, AZ. 855226, or look for our table after services.

-Submitted by Perii Skolnick