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Sunday, July 7, 2024
My Unsung Heroes
Join Worship Associates Ken St. John and Barbara Face for this service that we're calling "My Unsung Hero," which is modeled after the short essay that is at the end of every podcast on "The Hidden Brain" with Shankar Vedantem. A listener submits a very short recorded essay (2-3 min) about a time when a stranger helped them in some way that was often life changing and when the event ended the helping stranger was never seen again. The stories are always seemingly simple and yet heartfelt in both earnestness and awe. I want to do this as a service because it seems a good time to focus on kindness that spans political beliefs and lines in the sand. We'll have a few people share their stories and then also ask folks in attendance if they have a story to share.
Lynn D. and Noel H. will provide the music.
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IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
All Age Game Day on Sunday
- Preschool (3/4 yr olds)
- Kind/1st Grade
- 2nd/3rd Grade
- 4th/5th Grade
- Middle School (6-8th)
- High School (9-12th)
Check out the curriculum below.
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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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Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | |
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Calendar
Thursday, July 4
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Sunday, July 7
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- All Age Game Day 10:30a
Monday, July 8
- VIP Planning Meeting
- Pastoral Care Team Meeting 6:30p
Tuesday, July 9
- VIP Meeting 9a
- EastVUU Women's Group 1p
- Special Funds Meeting 6p
- Men's Group 7p
Wednesday, July 10
Thursday, July 11
Friday, July 12
- Paz de Cristo Meal Prep 4p
Saturday, July 13
Sunday, July 14
- Dalai Lama and Friends 8:30a
- Sunday Service 10:30a
- Faith Formation Classes 10:30a
- Immigration Action Team 11:45a
- VUU the Vote Letter Writing 12p
- Voices Lifted 12:15p
Click here for the most current calendar, to view locations, contact information details for above events
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Rev. Sarah is on study leave.
Desert Notes will return soon
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General Assembly
The Unitarian Universalist Association's Annual Meeting
The annual General Assembly was held June 20-23. Seven delegates from VUU attended the assembly, voting to represent VUU. They were David Sheh, Anne Schneider, Linda Rand, Nancy Egly, DeeAnne McClenahan, Jodi Freeman, and Jerry Waters.
Election Results:
View the Sunday Service from GA here. (Surprise - Rev. Sarah is in the service!)
View GA business discussion here:
General Session I
General Session II
General Session III
General Session V
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Lead Teacher for Nursery
The congregation is seeking a part-time Lead teacher for the nursery. Position includes taking care of children during before service programs, during service, and (occasionally) after service programs. More information about the position is available here.
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New Women's Support Group
There is a very successful Women's Support Group affiliated with EastVUU. Several people have expressed the desire for a similar group that meets closer to VUU.
The new group will be open to any women who are affiliated with VUU and will be limited to 12 participants. Members must be willing to commit to meeting twice a month for 6 months. The day of the week, time of day and meeting place will be determined by the members of the group.
Potential members are encouraged to sign up now: Contact Joyce Donahue by text or phone at 480-221-6837.
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VUU Voices Choir - Wednesdays 6:00-7:30p (on summer hiatus)
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One Hour Choir - First Sundays 9:00-10:00 am (on summer hiatus)
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Chalice Ringers - contact Katie Sieferth if you are interested.
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Drum Circle - contact Katie Sieferth if you are interested.
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Play with the Band! - contact Katie Sieferth if you are interested (on summer hiatus)
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East VUU Meeting - Save the Date!
Zoom Meeting, Thursday, July 11, 6:00 pm.
What happened at UUA General Assembly? Let’s talk about the latest developments in our denomination. All are welcome!!!
Click here for Zoom link
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Garry Klepser
Garry Klepser died peacefully on Friday, June 14th. Garry’s sister Jayne Metcalf (2831 Maplewood Dr, Columbus, Ohio 43231) and daughter Katie Anderson (8303 Faust Ave, West Hills, CA 91304) were by Garry’s side when he passed. His family plans to hold a celebration of life service for Garry at VUU at a yet to be determined date in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you have memories of Garry that you would like to share, please email them to PastoralCare@vuu.org so that we can share them with his family as well as gather our memories of Garry together to explore the creation of an online VUU Memory Book.
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Fellowship and Social Activities | |
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 July 18 at 7:00 pm. We will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101).
The book is Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds by Merlin Sheldrake. Entangled Life is a mind-altering journey into this hidden kingdom of life and shows that fungi are key to understanding the planet on which we live, and the ways we think, feel and behave. The more we learn about fungi, the less it makes sense without them.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email Amy.
-Submitted by Amy Monahan
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Spirit of Life Reading Circle
Our Reading Circle is on summer hiatus and will reconvene in September.
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Summer Programs Update
Summer programs are almost finished, as the beginning of the school year is just around the corner. Here is what we've been up to so far this summer:
- Preschool-1st graders have been learning about dealing with tough emotions using a group of great books by Tom Percival.
- 2nd-5th graders have been learning about the cultures and complicated history of a handful of countries by "traveling" to them. They've made their own passports!
- MS and HS youth have been learning about racism through the lens of food, and have been cooking every other week. This past week they made the Ethiopian dish Tikel Gomen with injera. Here's the recipe if you want to try it at home.
- The two Dungeons and Dragons groups are halfway through their latest campaign, seeking to escape from Avernus, back to the material plane. Wednesday nights at VUU are filled with imagination, problem solving, and laughter!
- Water Fun Day will happen a little early this year, as most schools in the Valley are now following the year-round model. At this yearly event, we will have a small pool for younger kids, and a bouncy castle water slide for older kids. 2024 Water Fun Day will take place on July 21st. Kids can start in the Education Complex at 10:30. Make sure to wear bathing suits, sun screen, and bring a towel!
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VIP Update
Mental health and affordable housing are issues that VIP has been organizing for the past two years. We intend to build on the relationships we’ve formed and continue the work to shape policy — meeting with city council members and legislators over the summer and into the fall.
Mark your calendar: October 24 has been set for the large VIP Public Action in the fall. The next planning meeting is Monday, July 8 on zoom. Email Barb Quijada if you would like to be involved.
VUU VIP Core Team members are Barb Quijada, Kathy Melamed, David Melamed, Linda Stenholm, Bill Elliott, Nancy Egly, Nancy Wittenberg, and
Amanda Schneider. Our next meeting may be changed to offsite. Please contact Barb Quijada if you are interested in joining us on Tuesday, July 9 at 9:00. All are welcome!
-submitted by Barb Quijada
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July Donation of the Month
Please support our focus charity, Paz de Cristo, by bringing in donations of hamburger helper and/or macaroni & cheese (any type) during the month of July. Drop your donation in the designated container in the foyer of the sanctuary. With your help VUU can continue to help Paz de Cristo fill its critical needs. Thank you for your support.
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Paz de Cristo
Ten More Volunteers needed this month!
Continuing the Tradition…
Keeping the Commitment…
Living our Principles
Friday, July 12, 4-7pm
Location: 424 W Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ
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 of July, 7/12/24. Volunteers gather at the Paz kitchen/dining room from 4 to 7p to prepare several items for and then serve the evening meal. Additional tasks include cleanup of dishes, sweeping and mopping of floors. 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 at www.vuu.org/paz.
-Submitted by Joanne McGrath
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Dear Friends,
Many thanks to ALL who so generously participated in our most recent I-HELP dinner. We had a delicious meal featuring sloppy joes and baked beans which was very much enjoyed by guests and volunteers alike.
A special "thank you" to Ariel Virshup and Brian, Deb Lusk, Marilyn McDermott, Mark Beehler and Pat Flahart. You not only donated menu items, you stayed to serve and participate in clean up! I am extremely grateful for all of your assistance.
I am also taking this opportunity to announce my impending resignation from the VUU I-HELP coordinator position effective December 31st. I am hoping that this will allow enough time for the recruitment, training and mentoring of a new I-HELP coordinator. Any interested candidates are encouraged to contact me at I-HELP@vuu.org.
-Submitted by Laura Rohlfing
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More Volunteers Needed!!!
Rumbo al Éxito
The good news is that our dual language afterschool program is off to a great start. The challenge is that Adams wants us to expand the program to meet many more students' needs. Please help us by spreading the word to your friends and family members who might be interested in volunteering. It is a wonderful opportunity to give these kids a chance to succeed. Please let us know if you, or anyone you know, would like to join in this important effort. Contact Randall Casillas or Perii Skolnick.
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Border Support
Due to the recent ruling of only 2,500 (this is border wide) Asylum Seekers, numbers have dropped to none at local shelters. Those that do are coming out of detention centers with a clear path to continue on as documented to their family or sponsors.
Refugee Aid has repositioned itself to be accepting donations that will be sent to the border for the shelters that are quickly amassing for women and children. Your donation of fruit or vegetable cups, or squeezes is life blood.
I will be driving your supplies to the border in July and meeting with my humanitarian friends who distribute to those whom the cartel bring to Sassabe. They unknowingly cross and then are deported back into Mexico.
-Submitted by Sharon Kopina
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Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
