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Sunday, January 5
Happy New Year!
Our theme this month is Story. Mary Rothschild will lead the service and we'll hear stories from VUU members Ken St. John, Rick Hinrichs, and Mary Kate Eckles.
Mark Foote will accompany Amanda Lee and Noell Hyman for some special music.
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The service will be followed by a Congregational Meeting (there will be voting, so please attend), and a soup lunch fundraiser (see below).
Proposed Amendment to ByLaws
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IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
We are now in our fifth month of exploring this year’s overarching frame: The Practices of Our Faith. Using our practice-oriented frame, we’ve lifted up our long-loved UU commitment to “deeds, not creeds.” We are also connecting to our UUA’s new core value of love, with us viewing each month’s theme as a way to embody liberating love in our daily lives. A major goal this month is to help our children understand and explore that we are made of two different types of stories, collective stories and individual stories, and that we use both of these to build our identities as individuals and communities.
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DALAI LAMA AND FRIENDS
8:30 am Meditation
9:00 am Discussion
In person, in the board room, and
Via Zoom here
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Coming of Age Soup Lunch Fundraiser
That’s right! Coming of Age youth will debut their new Soup Lunch fundraiser on Sunday, January 5. You can look forward to homemade soups (vegetarian and vegan available), bread and salad for a minimum donation of $10.
You can look forward to Soup Lunches on the first Sunday of every month through June. Have great food and support a good cause at the same time. Win win!
-Sara Sautter, Interim Director of Faith Formation
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Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | |
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Calendar
Thursday, January 2
- Singing Ensemble 3:30p
- Ukester Friends 6p
Friday, January 3
Saturday, January 4
Sunday, January 5
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation 10:30a
- Congregational Mtg 11:45a
- Soup Lunch for COA 11:45a
Monday, January 6
Tuesday, January 7
Wednesday, January 8
Thursday, January 9
- EVUU Gathering 6p
- Ukester Friends 6p
Friday, January 10
Saturday, January 11
Sunday, January 12
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- No Faith Formation
Click here for the most current calendar, to view locations, contact information details for above events
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Abbreviated information about upcoming events that are
further than two weeks out.
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Ethics for Unitarian Universalists - begins Jan 8 Sign Up
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Game Night - Jan 10
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EastVUU Online - Jan 23
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Soul Matters - Jan 28
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New Participant Meal - Feb 1, Apr 5 RSVP here
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VIP Leaders Retreat - Feb 1
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FUUNd Auction - Feb 2-16
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New Participant Classes - Mar 22, Jun 7 RSVP here
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VUU Camping Retreat - Apr 11-13 at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott
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Desert Notes will return soon
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Val Pal Starts NOW!
Our Valentine program, Val Pal, is signing up adults and children starting now! If you are an awesome adult that would like to sponsor a child click here. If you are a parent with awesome kiddos that would like to meet an awesome adult, click here.
Wait. What is this valentine program again?
Bridging that gap that is as big as the parking lot between the sanctuary and the education buildings is the goal of a new Valentine program being launched now. Val Pal is a program that helps adults in our congregation make new friends among our children. And children to make adult friends.
Adults sign up to sponsor a child. Parents sign their children up to participate in Val Pal. Between January 12 and February 9, adults will send weekly cards, stickers, riddles and clues about who they are through the mail to their sponsored children. On Sunday, February 9 we will host an after church snack party where the new friends meet each other and share some snacks, games, a few stories, and make new friends!
Easy, simple - and life changing.
Participating children should be between the ages of four and twelve. Participating adults should be at least 18 years old, be members, friends or visitors with at least six months of attendance at VUU.
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New PreSchool Curriculum Starts January 5
Introducing The Rainbow Connection
A central concept of Unitarian Universalism are the values that all congregations affirm and promote. These values are considered to be strong moral guides that each of us may use to guide our lives.
Although preschool children are too young to memorize the exact language of each value, we can begin to acquaint them with the ideas behind them. We can focus on the attributes inherent in each.
The Rainbow Connection uses story books for preschoolers to discuss those values inherent in Unitarian Universalism, helping preschoolers to explore the values that unite us as UUs.
At the preschool age, children begin to understand the concepts of justice and fairness and begin to learn about what is “right” and “wrong”, or “good” and “bad”. Story books are chosen to help illustrate the values supported by Unitarian Universalism.
Because socialization and comfort are important goals for this age, each class contains a fun craft project, time for songs and games, and time for free play with friends.
If you would like to review the entire curriculum, please contact Sara Sautter at faithform@vuu.org.
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FUUNd Together Auction
The holidays may be over, but you can help make sure there are still plenty of FUUNd things to do in 2025 by getting your auction donation in TODAY!
The deadline for donating to the 2025 FUUNd auction is January 5. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far. If you haven't PLEASE DONATE NOW! Just click on this link: www.auctria.events/VUUFUUND2025 and choose "Donate Auction Item" from the menu at the top. So that we can have as much FUUNd as possible in 2025
Not sure what to donate? One exciting change to the 2025 FUUNd is that we hope to offer more opportunities for VUU members to learn new skills and expand their knowledge. The idea is to create a VUUniversity by drawing on the vast expertise of our members to offer classes, lectures, and seminars to each other. Or Click here for an inspiring list of last year’s auction items.
Need a co-host or other help with your event or need a little more time to work out the details? Just let us know. Email fuundtogether@vuu.org.
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Congregational Meeting
Join us for a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 5 immediately after service.
The agenda is:
The meeting will be available online through the same link as Sunday Service.
Voting will be available digitally through a link provided during the meeting.
Sincerely,
VUU Board of Trustees
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Monthly Financial Report
The first 5 months of the VUU fiscal year are in the books and cash flow is beginning to look problematic. Pledge income is under budget again in November, so we need to get caught up on our pledges! Income and expenses are both under budget, however the shortfall in pledges is becoming concerning. So please watch your email for your year end giving statements from VUU and give whatever you can. Thank You!
Cash on hand has dropped, there was another withdrawal from savings to cover expenses. While there will likely be funds to cover Q3 expenses, we may not have enough cash on had to cover expenses if pledges remain below budget.
The new mortgage rate that goes into effect in March will be 7.25%, 3% higher than we are paying now. We have this covered in this year's budget, and will have to account for these higher payments in next year's budget as well.
ALSO, it should be noted we will need to balance our FY 2025-26 budget, this will require substantial pledge increases to fund operations next year.
So please pay attention to Pledge campaign notices when they arrive.
As always, Thanks!
The full FA report can be found here.
-Submitted by David Sheh
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Soul Matters
It's the time of yearly transition when we often look for ways to improve in all aspects of our lives. We make resolutions; we set goals; we make promises, etc. etc. While you're considering how you'd like to focus such energy, may I suggest joining our Soul Matters small group program - if even to give it a try for a month!
The Soul Matters small group program gives participants an opportunity to go deeper into the VUU theme of the month. When you join the program, you will receive a PDF each month that defines the theme and includes meaningful readings, exercises, podcast recommendations, movies, music and much more - engage as far as you have time and interest to devote. You are invited to share your journey with the theme with other Soul Matters participants in an online meeting that meets monthly for about an hour and a half. There is no cost (except your time) to join; there is no commitment requirement; this is an open invitation to engage the theme and then share your thoughts and experiences. We currently meet each 4th Tuesday 6:30pm - 8:00pm via google meet. To join Soul Matters send an email request to soulmatters@vuu.org.
The January issue is available here.
-Submitted by Barbara Face
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MUSIC STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE
We acknowledge both the complexity of the situation and the time that has passed during which we have been in an unsettled, contingent period. We are working thoughtfully on a more detailed communication and appreciate your patience as we strive to provide clarity and understanding.
-Mary Erickson, for the Committee
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Fellowship and Social Activities | |
Singles Lunch Bunch
Friday, January 10th, 1:30 pm
Wildflower Cafe, 6428 McClintock Dr., Tempe (Tempe Square Shopping Center on the SW corner of Guadalupe and McClintock)
BONUS: After lunch we’ll visit the Turnstyle Consignment Shop and/or Changing Hands Book store, both next door.
RSVP to Claudette by phone or text 973-768-6047. (Texts preferred.)
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IHELP
Thank you to all who donated to make a successful IHELP Christmas. We were able to do a craft activity with our guests and they loved their gifts and gift cards. Your generosity went a long way as we were able to give out $15 gift cards! If you are interested in learning more about IHELP, we'll be training on January 20 at 5pm in the sanctuary kitchen. Contact Adrienne O'Donnell.
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Paz de Cristo
January Donation of the Month:
- Canned Mixed Vegetables
- Canned Corn
- Canned Fruit
Pull tab lids preferred
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer & gift cards in lockbox on wall.
Contact: Megan Kimball
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Border Support
Donations needed for asylum seekers at the border:
- Small handheld fruit cups
- Small handheld juice
- Veggie cups or squeezies
- Used clothing (all sizes, all seasons)
Please put donations in the "Refugee Aid" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Sharon Kopina
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Partners in Education
Adams Elementary's after-school support group for English learners (Rumbo al Exito) and their Art Masterpiece program need:
- School supplies
- Art Supplies
- Tax Credit Donation (Public School)
Bring donations to the Welcome desk after services.
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
