Sunday October 12, 2025
“Cultivating Compassion”
This Sunday is our All Community Worship on Cultivating Compassion led by Ken St. John and Rev. Sarah. We’ll also celebrate National Coming Out Day during our centering time. We’ll share stories about important UU’s whose compassion and commitment to living authentic lives made a difference that we still remember. *If your family or kid would like to help with the chalice lighting and extinguishing, let me know. Music from the VUU choir, band and special guests.
Our soul works tables will be creating blessing bags to offer to folks who are unhoused. Can you help us with these items? (email Rev. Sarah at minister@vuu.org with what you can contribute). I will need adult volunteers to help at the soul work tables. If you can bring some: Travel-size toiletries: deodorant, soap, shampoo, comb; socks (new, clean, warm); granola bars or soft cereal bars; water bottles or juice boxes; apple sauce – the ones in a pouch; thin blankets; rain ponchos
We'll make caring cards/messages to add to the bags.
Finally: Art for Adults! We’ll have a couple of tables also out to make signs for the next weekend’s protest and the Pride parade. I’d especially like to invite you to make signs supporting our trans community and immigrants.
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS |
Faith Formation
Children join the service this Sunday!
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 9
Friday, October 10
Saturday, October 11
- Program Committee Mtg 9:30a
- VUUniversity 1p
Sunday, October 12
Monday, October 13
Tuesday, October 14
Wednesday, October 15
Thursday, October 16
Friday, October 17
Saturday, October 18
- No Kings Day of Mobilization
Sunday, October 19
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:
106 in person, 27 online
Weekly Pledge/Plate Collection:
$7,298 actual, $7,241 budget
September Pledge/Plate Collection:
$30,370 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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Soul Matters Sharing Circle - October 28
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Cabaret - February 13
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New Participant Classes - Nov 16, Jan 25, Feb 22
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After a week of restoration, I was glad to be back in the pulpit this weekend. I know many families were still on fall break–I wish my kid’s school was on the revised year round schedule, too! In any case, a number of you commented on the service as especially moving, from the music to the readings to the reflections, and a few asked to read the script. Tara and I offer you this text only version that has both of our reflections. In case you’d like to see the YouTube recording, here it is.
Several of you also seemed interested in the book I referenced, and attendee Sean Smith offers this book discussion invitation: If you're interested in reading and talking about the book entitled Calling in: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel by Loretta J. Ross, you're invited to contact Sean Smith here. He advised me that he bought the book and would love to engage with anyone interested in talking about it! I hope some of you will take him up on this–I think the book is very powerful. I told Rev. Sam Wilson, (who worked with us on conflict transformation a couple of years ago), that I was reading and preaching on it, and she said she had also just picked it up and started reading it. This made me smile.
The Mercury made it to the WNBA playoff finals and this also made me smile, although we’ve lost the first three games. It’s further than I expected for us to come this year, so I am enjoying it while I can. Soon I’ll have to pick up another pastime! Luckily the weather is now San Diego weather and I can enjoy South Mountain again. All of this to say, it’s October in Valley of the Sun, let us rejoice!
– Rev. Sarah
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New Member Orientation Class
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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VUU Congregational Insight Survey 2025
Grab a beverage and take some time to share with us. We want to hear from at least 200 VUU participants.
VUU is ours and each of us has a say in what happens here. Please share your responses to the Congregational Insight Survey with us. Survey completion dates this year are October 5 - November 12.
Email the Assessment Committee if you have issues with survey completion or questions for the committee.
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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Help needed!
Janice P. and Cliff T. have been working on clean up projects in the Office building and they need some help this Sunday after service getting some larger items out of the building and to a thrift store to be donated. Much of this is furniture like book shelves, storage shelving, filing cabinets and chairs. We have a goal of cleaning up the majority of the office building and painting the DFF office before the end of November. If you have a truck and/or a healthy back and some strength, and a little extra time after service on October 12 or sometime this month, we need you!
Please contact Janice P. or Rev. Sarah if you can help.
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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 and a 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!
Social Justice: No Kings Day
Saturday, Oct 18, 9am – 12pm
Join your UU friends at this nation-wide protest to protect U.S. democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law. EastVUU participants can share the morning together at the Mesa location designated by Indivisible, Val Vista and Baseline. Sharon Kopina will be the EastVUU rally leader, and will meet up on the sidewalk on the east side of Smoothie King, 1940 S Val Vista Dr., Mesa. Bring your home-made sign with your passionate message! Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen, maybe a chair, and only stay as long as you’re able. Let’s send a big message to Washington DC!
EastVUU Online
Save the Date: Thursday, October 23, 6:00 pm - "Compassion"
—Submitted by Janice M.
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Looking for Something FUUNd To Do This Friday or Saturday?
How about a Backyard Movie Night for the Whole Family - Friday, October 10 5:30pm. Join the Hurstwicker herd at their Gilbert hacienda to watch a family friendly movie on the big screen in their family friendly backyard. Pizza and drinks will be served! All ages are welcome! The cost is $15. Contact Katie H. here or (480)859-8559 for more details.
Or try VUUniversity: "We are called to preach!" Early Unitarian and Universalist Women Ministers Challenge Their Faiths - Saturday, October 11 1-3pm in the VUU Board Room. No need to purchase or RSVP ahead of time, just pay $20 at the door. A lecture about some of the early women ministers in both the Unitarian and Universalist faiths, their struggles to be ordained, and their devotion to the principles of equality, politics, peace, and loving their neighbors. About your instructor: Mary Rothschild is an Emeritus Professor of Women's Studies at Arizona State University. She has been a member of VUU since 1985 and led many Sunday services over the years. As an historian and a UU, Mary has a special interest in the role women clergy have played in Unitarian Universalism over the centuries.
Pictured below -The Felted Fox Workshop
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Care Bank
The Caring Neighbors Team is updating our list of folks who stand ready to help on occasion as needed. We keep a list, called the “Care Bank” of those of you who can write an occasional card, drive someone somewhere, provide a meal, make a phone call, etc. Having this Care Bank means we don’t have to ask our entire universe for help when something comes up and a member/friend needs special attention. Adding your name to the Care Bank means you might get a call or email a few times a year to come through with a small act of kindness. It helps our Caring Neighbors Team know who to contact when things come up. And it helps you give a little of yourself without committing to an ongoing job.
We love you for responding today so that we can call on you in the future! Just click here: Care Bank Response.
Submitted by DeeAnne M.,
Volunteer Coordinator
| | 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 S.. 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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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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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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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!
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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I-HELP Can use Your Help
Sign up to bring food to the sanctuary kitchen for our unhoused overnight guests, or come help set up, serve a meal, and clean up together. Families and new folks are welcome. This month we serve on October 27.
Sign Up Here
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Food and Clothing Drive
Chandler4Change, a diversity and inclusion action group, is planning a Walk4Unity December 7. They have asked VUU and other organizations to donate gently used clothing and nonperishable food to be respectfully given to those in the community in need.
VUUJAZ (Justice Arizona) will have a table on the patio before and after the service for at least the next two Sundays, October 12 & 19. We will split all donations with Refugee Aid. Please bring any gently used clothing and nonperishable food items with you to the service and help us help others in our community. Thank you so much!
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Upcoming VIP Activities
The VUU VIP Core Team presents a Civic Academy to educate voters on Proposition 409 and its importance to continuing Public Health Care in Maricopa County. Hear more about it after church Sunday, October 19.
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Partners in Education (PIE)
Do you want to feel good? Join our wonderful team of VUU and community volunteers, as well as our amazing Westwood High School translators, s in providing critical bilingual skills to our Adams Elementary students. Bolunteers with limited proficiency in Spanish are welcome. Please contact Randall 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 | | | | |
