Sunday October 5, 2025
“The Building Blocks of an Anti-Racist Community”
As Unitarian Universalists, we say we are for equity and justice. But how do we show that our words align with our actions? How do we take steps towards real transformation within ourselves and in our society? Mosaic is a platform that provides resources, programs, training, groups, and gatherings to foster belonging and liberation within Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities.
Reverend Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan is back in the pulpit this weekend to share a sermon inspired by the Mosaic platform. Tara Sowers will assist with the service today and will share a reflection on how radical compassion can help to build what Dr. Martin Luther King called "The Beloved Community." Music will be led by Meg Palermo, Lynn DeMuth, and The Spirit Choir.
Stick around after the service for a Congregational Conversation.
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS |
Faith Formation
"Cultivating Compassion"
Faith Formation Classes:
- Preschool (3/4 yr. olds)
- Kinder/1st Grade
- 2nd/3rd Grade
- 4th/5th Grade
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Middle School (6th–8th)
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High School (9th–12th)
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DALAI LAMA AND FRIENDS
8:30a Meditation
9:00a Discussion
In person, in the board room, and
Via Zoom here
| | | Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | | | | |
Calendar
Thursday, October 2
Friday, October 3
Saturday, October 4
Sunday, October 5
Monday, October 6
Tuesday, October 7
Wednesday, October 8
Thursday, October 9
Friday, October 10
Saturday, October 11
- Program Committee Mtg 9:30a
Sunday, October 12
Click here for the most current calendar, to view locations, contact information details for above events
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LAST SUNDAY'S PARTICIPATION
Worship Attendance:
127 in person, 22 online
Weekly Pledge/Plate Collection:
$4,620 actual, $7,241 budget
September to Date Pledge/Plate Collection:
$29,335 actual, $28,964 budget
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Abbreviated information about upcoming events
more than two weeks out or without an article below
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Game Lounge - October 15
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Singles Dinner - October 24
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I-HELP Meal Prep - October 27
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Soul Matters Sharing Circle - October 28
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Cabaret - February 13
| | Desert Notes will return soon. | | |
New Member Orientation Class
Save the date! New to VUU Class will be held on Sunday, October 12 from 12:00-3:30 pm in the VUU Board Room.
RSVP Here
Lunch and learn with us!
Even if you’re not NEW…maybe there are things you wish you KNEW about VUU???
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Congregational Insight Survey 2025
Please come to the Congregational Conversation on Sunday, October 5 to hear about and support the Assessment Committee's launch of the 2025 Congregational Insight Survey.
The survey will be available for completion Sunday, October 5-Sunday, November 2. By clicking the above link, you could be the first person to complete it!
Contact the Assessment Committee with any questions.
Thank you,
—Nancy Egly, Katie Hurstwicker Co-chairs and the VUU Assessment Committee
Lynn DeMuth, Tom Briggs, David Sheh, Jodi Freeman
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"Whole Church" Faith Formation
Hello VUU! Please read this article. We’re in a place of reckoning around how we create community and grow Unitarian Universalism. Let’s have a conversation about how we bridge generational differences and what this model offers/doesn’t offer us.
—Submitted by Rev. Sarah
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Save the Date: Saturday, October 11, Program Committee Meeting
Calling all leaders of committees and project leads at VUU, as well as all elected VUU leaders! The Committee on Shared Ministry and the Board would like you to save Saturday, October 11 for a meeting of the minds, the “Program Committee,” which is a chance for us to communicate and strategize together. We will meet via Zoom from 9:30 am-12:30 pm, with a break in the middle. If your team doesn’t have a “lead” please identify at least one person to represent your group! RSVP here.
—Submitted by Rev. Sarah
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EastVUU Potluck
Thursday, October 9, 6:00 pm
"Day of Remembrance"
Bring a dish to share with UU friends as we continue our fall tradition, honoring loved ones who have passed. Bring a photo for the Ofrenda anda story, if you'd like to reminisce with us. Claudette is hosting at her home, 1213 N. Palm St., Gilbert, AZ 85234. All are welcome!
EastVUU Online
Save the Date: Thursday, October 23, 6:00 pm
"Compassion"
—Submitted by Janice M.
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The FUUNd Continues...
This last Saturday (September 27) a group met in the VUU Board Room for the Soul Collage Workshop led by Rev. Sarah. It was a great exercise in soul searching. Some of the comments about the workshop included: "(it was) kind of a mental reset. It was just what I needed,” and, “thank you for the good, calming energy that everyone brought." Pictured are some of our Soul Collages.
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The next events with openings are:
- Backyard Movie Night for the Whole Family (Friday, October 10 at 5:30 pm)
- VUUniversity: "We are called to preach!" Early Unitarian and Universalist Women Ministers Challenge Their Faiths (Saturday, October 11, 1:00-3:00 pm)
Come join in on the FUUNd.
Email fuundtogether@vuu.org for questions or other assistance.
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Upcoming Faith Formation Activities
This week (October 5), all of our classrooms will engage in the next lesson in the Mosaic curriculum for their age group. At a time when our country is divided over race and identity, this is an important moment to learn about how to be anti-racist and to celebrate each other’s unique identities and experiences.
October: The rest of October will be dedicated to the theme of Cultivating Compassion, and the Middle School kids will begin to learn about Unitarian Universalism. Our All-Community worship will be on Sunday, October 12, and the Middle School kids will also attend our service on Sunday, October 26 so they can talk more about what a UU worship service is about and what it means to be a UU.
The High School class (9th-12th grade) is also following the themes, and trying to create a schedule that works for them. I know many are in OWL. Please have your High School student complete our survey to see what they want from time together and at VUU.
Please enroll your kids and bring them to Faith Formation classes! We are working on hiring a new director, and we have teachers committed to leading your kids in class to learn together and build friendships with shared values.
With gratitude and faith,
—Rev. Sarah, Senior Minister and Acting Faith Formation Director
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Spirit Choir
The VUU Spirit Choir sings this Sunday, October 5! Please arrive at 9:40 am to VUU, ready to learn music that we will sing at the service. If you can carry a tune, come join us!
—Submitted by Lynn D.
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Sandy Whitley
Sandy celebrated her birthday with family and friends on Sunday, September 29.
—Submitted by Janet C.
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Quarterly New Member Class
On Sunday, September 21, VUU held its quarterly new member class. The event began with delicious food and light conversation, setting a welcoming tone for the afternoon. Sean, Stacey, Megan, Jim (to Rev. Sarah's left and behind her) and Ashley (far right, front row) were our guests.
As an ice-breaker, Rev. Sarah had participants pair up to discuss the values they are letting go of and the values they are carrying forward. After this activity, the group reconvened and shared their conversations, providing an opportunity for everyone to learn more about each other.
Rev. Sarah then led the group in the "spectrums" activity, a popular exercise at VUU. For this outdoor activity, she created a space of about 20 feet, with each end representing an extreme of a particular belief or value. Participants then chose a spot along the spectrum that best reflected their own views. This exercise was not only a great way to contemplate personal values but also a fun and insightful way to get to know one another better.
The class also included a brief history of Unitarian Universalism, followed by a Q&A session. The event concluded with a tour of the VUU facilities.
—Submitted by Doug N.
| | Fellowship and Social Activities | |
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America has no kings.
Power belongs to the people!
No Kings National Day of Mobilization
Date: Saturday, October 18
The Unitarian Universalist Association has signed on as an official partner of the No Kings National Day of Mobilization! If you would like to show solidarity in building a multi-racial and just democracy please sign up with the links below to participate in these events! Many of us participated in the first "No Kings" Day in June. Let's do it again! Our visibility makes a difference.
Would you be willing to coordinate a group of VUU folks at one of these No Kings events? To be a coordinator, please send an email to Karen Stucke. Include which location you will attend and provide contact information to reach you. You can determine a meet-up place at the event, or choose to meet at VUU to carpool.
Cole Park on the Bridge, Tempe — 8:00-10:00 am
Sign up here
NW Corner of Val Vista Dr & Baseline Rd, Mesa — 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Sign up here
3 S Arizona Ave, Chandler — 8:00-10:00 am
Sign up here
Arizona State Capital, 1700 W Washington St
Downtown Phoenix — 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Sign up here
—Submitted by Karen S.
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Soul Matters Sharing Circle
VUU follows a monthly theme program called Soul Matters. The Sharing Circle complements our worship services, where ministers and service leaders also weave the monthly theme into sermons, music, and rituals. As such, it offers a chance to engage more deeply with yourself, the theme, and our community. At the start of each month, participants receive a resource packet filled with reflections, practices, and readings to explore at their own pace. As the hymn reminds us: “Let it be a dance.”
But the Sharing Circle is about more than conversation. It invites us into a unique way of being together—courageously practicing vulnerability, honesty, and heart-centered connection. Through deep, intentional listening, we create spiritual community that helps us step out of our heads and into our lives. The circle encourages us to disrupt routines, shift perspectives, and open ourselves to new growth. In doing so, we make space for spirit and practice discernment in everyday living.
Come as you are: whether you attend every month or occasionally, whether you engage the materials deeply or simply listen, your presence matters. Unitarian Universalism values the lifelong spiritual journey—and Soul Matters Sharing Circle is a beautiful way to live into it.
For more information and to be added to the email list send an email to soulmatters@vuu.org.
—Submitted by Barbara F.
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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 Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 pm. We will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez.
Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico's history, Olga Dies Dreaming is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife and the very notion of the American dream--all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email: membership@vuu.org.
—Submitted by Amy M.
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Join Rev. Sarah at AZCEND's Annual Gala!
Spirit of AZCEND Gala & Casino Night
Dinner, Drinks, Live Auction, Casino Games
Friday, October 10, 6:00 pm
Marriott Phoenix Chandler
Let’s celebrate the lives that have been changed at AZCEND!
Visit website for tickets.
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Paz de Cristo - Volunteers Needed
Continuing the Tradition… Keeping the Commitment… Living our Principles
October Date: Friday, October 10, 4:00-7:00 pm
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, October 10. Volunteers gather at the Paz kitchen/dining room from 4:00-7:00 pm to prepare several meal items, and then serve the evening meal. Additional tasks include cleanup of dishes, sweeping and mopping of floors and taking out the trash. 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 M.
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Upcoming VIP Activities
VUU’s VIP Core Team was glad to work with VUU’s Caring Neighbors and Lay Pastoral Care Associates to present last Sunday’s (September 28) “The Spirituality of Asking for Help” service. Special thanks to Worship Associate Amanda Schneider and Music Coordinator Meg Palermo for their guidance in structuring a meaningful service. If the service moved you to get more involved in intentionally building relationships across the congregation, please reach to any of the groups via our links on the VUU website.
Happening Now. VIP has joined the YES on 409 campaign. Our core team is preparing to present a Civic Academy to educate voters on Proposition 409 and its importance to continuing Public Health Care in Maricopa County. Watch this space for dates and times to attend a Civic Academy and become a more informed voter.
Mark Your Calendars!
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Partners in Education (PIE)
Volunteers needed! Join our wonderful Westwood High School translators in providing critical bilingual skills to our Adams Elementary students. With their excellent support, we are able to include adult volunteers with limited proficiency in Spanish. Please contact Randall Casillas for more information.
—Submitted by Perii S.
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Paz de Cristo
Donation of the Month:
Hamburger Helper and Macaroni and Cheese
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Paul Reed
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Immigrant Support
Donations gratefully accepted:
- Small handheld fruit cups
- Small handheld juice
- Veggie cups or squeezies
- Used clothing (all sizes, all seasons)
Please drop donations in the "Refugee Aid" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Randall Casillas
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Partners in Education
Adams Elementary appreciates your TAX CREDIT donations. Get dollar-for-dollar credit to offset AZ tax liability for 2025.
Contact: Perii Skolnick
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
