To help with Sunday morning hospitality, click here.

Abbreviated information about upcoming events

more than two weeks out or without an article below

• Volunteer at AZCEND Foodbank with Rev. Sarah - Feb 28 Sign Up Here
• Congregational Conversation - Mar 2
• Empathy Circles - Mar 2, 16, 23, 30 Topic or format requests
• New Participant Classes - Mar 22, Jun 7 RSVP here
• Read with Sarah - Mar 26 Read the book
• New Participant Meal - Apr 5 RSVP here
• UUA General Assembly - Jun 18-22 Register Here

Azcend Eggs benefit: Thursday, February 27, 7:30 am Check-in & breakfast begin;

8 – 9 am Program; Join Rev. Sarah at a breakfast event supporting Azcend. This is a great way to learn about the other programs that Azcend provides to our community and how we can be partners in this work. I’d love to have a tableful of UU’s again this year!  

Current Side With Love resources from the 30 Days of Love Campaign: are available here.

Security Needs: I am looking for 3+ people willing to be trained (it’s simple training) on how to secure our space when we are in worship if ICE or disruptors show up on our campus. Let me know you are willing. minister@vuu.org

—Rev. Sarah

FUUNd Raises over $23,000!!!

The 2025 Let’s Have FUUNd Together auction raised $23,345 thanks to our 66 donors and 118 bidders, and to the tireless efforts of our amazing auction committee – Pam Swan, Bill Haskell, Rick Hinrichs, Jim Horton, Linda Horton, Amanda Lee, Tricia Merrill, Ann Sebren, Linda Stenholm, Barbara Sorauf, and Debbe Simpkins. The committee also thanks Rev. Sarah, Todd Sirrine, the VUU Board, the Happenings Team, and Nick Carr for their support of our efforts.

Bidder and donor statements were emailed to everyone last Sunday, 2/16. If you can’t find yours, please email fuundtogether@vuu.org for assistance.

A payment link is included at the end of your bidder statement labeled "Checkout". Simply click this link and follow the prompts. You will have an opportunity to review your charges before finalizing your payment.

Payment in full is due by Sunday, February 23. If your payment is not received by the deadline, your credit card will be charged automatically on February 24.

Please watch the Weekly Happenings for FUUNd updates throughout the coming year. We will be featuring photos of VUUers having FUUNd at the events they won, and advertising unsold items that will be available when the Last Chance auction opens in March.

—Submitted by Debbe Simpkins

In the Interim

Save the Date - UUA/VUU Visioning Workshop, April 5, 2025

As I move into the final months of my interim work at VUU, Rev. Sarah and I are bringing Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) consultants to VUU to help us re-envision our faith formation programs. After nine months of experimenting, learning and (yes) changing it is time to assess what we learned. 

The goal of the workshop is to use the lessons learned during the interim time to create a new vision for the future of lifespan faith formation programs. We want that vision to be one that is robust, growing, in line with VUU’s mission, inclusive and reflects the goals of our parents and members of our faith community. More information to follow as we continue planning with UUA staff.

We will meet tentatively from 10:00am - 3:00pm with a Day Camp for children available. Mark your calendars. If you are ready to RSVP, please sign up here.

Sara Sautter

Interim DIrector of Faith Formation

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!



Help VUU come alive with the sound of music!

Love to sing but can't commit to a regular rehearsal? Sing with the VUU Spirit Choir. Show up early on the first Sunday of the month, learn a song, and sing at the service. We will learn rounds, chants, call-and-response, and other simple pieces. You don’t need to read music or be an experienced singer. If you can carry a tune, come join us! Contact Lynn DeMuth for more information.



Want to join the VUU Ensemble? This group rehearses the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 3:30 in the Sanctuary. If you have an alternative work schedule or can’t/don't want to commit to weekly evening choir rehearsals, please join us. We rehearse two-three-part choral pieces and sing one Sunday each month. Some musical experience is helpful but not a must. Contact Lynn DeMuth for more information.

We’ve started jam sessions for the rotating band! If you want to play in the band but have not received emails inviting you to choose a service to participate in or inviting you to jam sessions, contact Noell.



Are you passionate about collaborating with vocalists and ensembles? We're seeking talented musicians to join our expanding network of accompanists. We're particularly interested in individuals with experience supporting diverse musical styles and genres, ranging from classical to contemporary. If you have a strong background in musical accompaniment and a passion for supporting singers and groups in achieving their artistic best, we invite you to send a brief description of your experience and musical specialties to Lynn DeMuth and/or Noell Hyman. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can collaborate!

Demystifying Dementia

Earlier this year, Melissa Bush told the congregation that Lay Pastoral Care Associates and Caring Neighbors are planning to provide information about the challenges of aging and its impact on older individuals, families, friends and the wider community. Dementia is a major health problem that affects many people. It is a growing health crisis in Arizona.

Our first event will be a workshop, "Demystifying Dementia" presented in the Sanctuary this Saturday, February 22, 10am - 12pm

Topics will include:

• An overview of dementia
• How dementia impacts the individual, caregivers and families
• The importance of becoming dementia aware and dementia capable

Melissa Bush, RN, MSN, A/GNP, has been an adult and geriatric nurse practitioner for over 30 years. For the last 15 years, she has worked in hospice care. Her particular area of interest is dementia and improving the quality of life for all of those affected.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend. Feel free to invite family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers who may not be affiliated with VUU.

We will be meeting in the Sanctuary. There is no charge to attend.

-Submitted by Joyce Donahue, Caring Neighbors Co-Chair

EastVUU Online

Roz on DEI and Her Story

When: Thursday, February 27, 6pm

Where: Zoom (link below)

Rosaland Hawkins has shared her wisdom and pastoral care from the VUU pulpit as a Worship Associate. Join us on Zoom to hear more of her story and reflections on social justice. Roz had a career that spanned many industries, locations and roles, including the implementation of DEI programs. Let’s be enlightened by her experiences and engage in a conversation about continuing to bend that arc toward justice.

New(ish) Zoom link: Join Zoom Meeting

Save the Date: EastVUU Dinner Social, Thursday, March 13, 6p

-Submitted by Janice Miller

Doug Feisler

Carlin Knight's husband, Doug Feisler, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday 1/28/25 for cardiac issues and has been moved to a rehab facility. He's doing well but no word on when he can return home. Cards would be appreciated and can a be sent to 9026 E Nacoma Dr, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

-Submitted by Carlin Knight

Update on Sandy Whitley

Sandy Whitley’s treatment (including PT and speech therapy) for meningoencephalitis is progressing. She is in Santé Rehabilitation Center in Chandler. Her friends are encouraged to visit after 4 pm weekdays (Dinner at 5pm) and all day on weekends especially during mealtimes (7:30 am, 11:30 am and 5:00pm) You can schedule a mealtime visit here.

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

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 February 20 at 7:00 PM, we will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101).  The book is The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hell for all the slaves, but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans. In Whitehead's ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor--engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Like the protagonist of Gulliver's Travels, Cora encounters different worlds at each stage of her journey.

For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email here.

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

I-HELP Program

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

Contact Adrienne to sign up.