To help with Sunday morning hospitality, click here.

Abbreviated information about upcoming events that are further than two weeks out. Events that occur sooner may have a full article below.

All-Community Water Ingathering: Next Sunday, August 25

Choir Rehearsal - on summer hiatus

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

Congregational Conversation - September 1, October 6, November 3

New Participant Meal - September 7, November 2, February 1, April 5 RSVP here

Brown Bag Lunch with Rev. Sarah - September 10, October 8, November 12

Read with Rev. Sarah - October 16 RSVP here

VIP Public Action - October 24

New Participant Classes - October 26, December 7, March 22, June 7 RSVP here

New Office Mate!



You’re probably thinking this post is about Sara Sautter, our new Interim Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, but it’s about our new mascot and office ESA (emotional support animal)! Milo is Todd’s new companion, and he comes to the office to make sure we have some joy and to oversee our work. He doesn’t bark or shed, and he’s happy to give some cuddles as needed.  

Brown Bag Lunch series

I enjoyed my first lunch bunch on Tuesday with a few folks. They didn’t all make it into the picture, but the dessert Barbara Face made did! We talked about VUU ideas and the Olympics and recent political rallies some of us attended and many other things. 

Once a month I’ve made a spot for these drop-in conversations at VUU, and I hope you’ll drop in next month on Tuesday, September 10 to check it out. I can’t promise Barbara’s dessert of upside-down plum cake will be there, but perhaps someone else will have something tasty to share…. Rev. Sarah

VUU the VOTE Letter/Postcard Writing Party

Join us this Sunday after the service to write Get-Out-the-Vote letters and postcards to registered voters. It’s more important now than ever! Bring your downloaded list and letters from Vote Forward (see instructions below) or just show up, and we will provide you with what you need for letters and/or postcards.



DATE: Sunday, August 18

TIME: 12:00 Noon–1:30 pm

PLACE: VUU Board Room (in the Office Building across the parking lot)

For more information and to RSVP, please email Denise.

To download list and letters: Visit UU the Vote’s letter-writing partner, Vote Forward. Register and download the names of 20 registered voters who need encouragement! Print the letters and addresses out and you’re ready to go.

Thank you!

VUU’s UU the Vote Leadership Team     

Submitted by Denise McLeod

Ushers Needed

Ushers do various tasks on Sunday morning: greet people in the lobby, prepare the joys and concerns candles, count people, count money, take collection etc. The usual commitment is one recurring week per month (1st Sunday, 2nd Sunday, etc.) but there is room for all levels of involvement. Collectors don’t necessarily have to count money, and if you can’t commit to a specific recurring week, floaters are always needed. Also needed: dedicated money counters and greeters (these individuals don’t necessarily need to help with collection). If interested, please email usher@vuu.org.

-Submitted by Rev. Sarah

Music Program Retreat

August 24, 12:00–2:00 pm Online

In June, Rev. Sam completed her work with the music program around conflict resolution by helping us define our problems and possibilities. Next, we will begin to lay out an interim process to help us resolve and heal the problems we named. What is interim work and what are our end goals?

Please attend a Music Program Retreat/Workshop on Saturday, August 24 from 12:00–2:00 pm on Zoom, to learn what interim work looks and feels like and help map out our interim work for the year ahead. All participants in VUU’s music program and folks who want to understand how we move forward together are invited to attend. We will record the meeting for folks who cannot attend and allow space for questions and concerns.

This gathering will be facilitated by Bailey Whiteman, who has years of experience supporting UU music programs and congregations through interim periods. You can learn more about Bailey here.

To register click here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Together let’s remember that “the people are not the problem - the problem is the problem.” Click here if you’d like to review the problems and possibilities that we named with Rev. Sam that will shape our work ahead.

EastVUU Social Night

Notice: CHANGE OF PLANS!

Thursday, August 22, 6:00-8:00 pm

Join us for a night of fellowship at The HUB: Grill and Bar-Stapley. 1860 S. Stapley Drive Mesa, AZ 85204. All are welcome!

Environmental Action Team Zoom Meeting

Join us for an Environmental Action Team (EAT) planning meeting on Monday, August 19. We will meet on Zoom at 6:30pm. We’ll discuss the upcoming national elections and the things we can do to get involved to promote a healthy climate, plus any other concerns you may wish to address.

Please RSVP Linda Stenholm, 480-849-2643 (text) or by email for a Zoom link and/or with any questions.

Our 7^th Principle: Respect for the Interdependent Web of Existence of Which We Are a Part

Hello, VUU! 

I’m Sara Sautter, and I am your new Interim Director of Faith Formation. I’ve worked at six UU congregations over the past 25 years. This will be my fourth interim congregation. 

Thank you for your patience as I learn about your congregation and your faith formation program. During my first week I have been focusing on getting children and youth enrolled as well as making sure we have volunteers in each classroom. 

In particular, we lost staff in the nursery, and we need an adult in there to help our teens that help in this room. If you want to play with babies or in any other age groups over the next couple of weeks, please click here to sign up. Volunteering is not just for parents. We need you!



It's STILL Enrollment Time in Faith Formation!

Are your children enrolled in Faith Formation yet? It’s that time of year. If you have already signed up on Cognito form, thank you! If you have not yet signed up your children, please use this enrollment form found in Breeze. Enrolling with the Breeze form automatically links your children with your Breeze profile and alleviates the need to re-input data from an outside source into Breeze.

Enrollment provides us with much needed safety information for our children. THANK YOU!

Caring Neighbors

Needed: One Caring Neighborhood Coordinator

Are you someone who enjoys connecting helpers with congregants in need of help? Are you willing to send emails and/or make calls to make these connections?

Ahwatukee South (85045, 85048) is the only neighborhood without a Coordinator.

You do not have to live within the zip codes listed above to be a Coordinator.

If you are interested and would like more information, stop by the Caring Neighbors table at the rear of the sanctuary before or after service on Sunday. You may also reach out to Nancy Wittenberg (480) 283-4725 or Joyce Donahue (480) 221-6837. We will be happy to chat with you.  

-Submitted by Joyce Donahue 

Building Community “House Meeting”

Small Group Conversation

Sunday, August 25, 11:45 am

VUU Sanctuary Flex Room

Considering the Question: What is a challenge that you personally are facing or that your family is facing right now?

You Are Welcome Here!

Sponsored by VIP & Caring Neighbors.

For more information, contact Barb Quijada.

-Submitted by Barb Quijada



Singles Dinner Out

WHEN: Friday, August 23, 6:30 pm

WHERE: Thai Spices,

66 S Dobson Rd, Mesa

480-649-3423

Your host will be Cynthia.

RSVP to Claudette by phone or text 973-768-6047

Calling All Young Adults

Be part of an amazing Young Adult Camp from August 30–September 2, where adventure meets spiritual growth! Come join us for a fun and relaxing 3-day weekend up in the beautiful San Bernardino National Forest at Camp de Benneville Pines! Young Adult Camp is an annual summer retreat for 18 to 35 year-old Unitarian Universalists and people of all faiths.The theme for this year's Young Adult Camp is "In Touch." You are invited to spend a weekend reconnecting with yourself, others, and the natural world. Immerse yourself in archery, canoeing, swimming, and unstructured free time amidst stunning mountain views and starry skies. Enjoy fabulous meals, lively dance parties, and deep conversations with friends old and new.

Explore UU spirituality, engage with social justice initiatives, and create lasting memories in a welcoming, supportive community. Don't miss out on this magical retreat where you can laugh, grow, and enjoy time in nature. Reserve your spot today and answer the call of the mountain! Click here for more information.

Partners in Education (PIE)

Such exciting news! Last year we started a partnership with 6 Westwood High School students as volunteers in our Rumbo al Éxito afterschool bilingual program. They were wonderful! This year they have recruited 6 more students, bringing them up to 12 student volunteers! We are so excited to be building partnerships with other community resources. It takes a village! We are asking our congregants to join in this exciting project. We need you and your friends in the community. Let's reach out to grow this essential service to these kids. Contact Beverly McCormick, Perii Skolnick or Randall Casillas for more information.

-Submitted by Perii Skolnick