By-Laws Amendment Vote: Principles and Sources

VUU members will vote on several By-Laws amendments at our annual meeting on June 9th, and the Board would like the Congregation to weigh in on a Sources and Principles Amendment in particular. This summer at GA, UU congregational delegates will vote on a rewrite of the UUA's Article II, which currently contains the Sources and Principles UUs are familiar with. Some members of VUU would like to add the Sources and Principles to VUUs By-Laws. The Board does not take a position on this amendment, but would like to support the democratic process in our congregation by allowing the Congregation to vote on this By-Laws change.  

During the Congregational Conversation on May 5th, there were calls for an amendment process for this proposal, partially regarding bullet 4 of the Sources section. The Board is evaluating the best path forward.

Section II.03 Principles

"We, the members of the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, covenant to affirm and promote:

● The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

● Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

● Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

● A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

● The right of conscience and the use of the democratic

process within our congregations and in society at large;

● The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

● Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.

Section II.04 Sources

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

● Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;

● Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;

● Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;

● Teachings of World Religions which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;

● Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As a free congregation we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support."

Input Wanted

On June 16th, VUU is going to have a service on the theological diversity of Unitarian Universalism, and we'd love to have your input. If you would like to speak on being a UU Buddhist, a UU Jew, a UU Christian, UU Pagan, etc. please send me a shout on mkevuu@gmail.com. We are envisioning three speakers on different faiths going for 5-7 minutes. Questions to consider: What do you find beautiful about your theology? What speaks to your soul? How does it flourish within UUism?

-submitted by Mary Kate Eckles

East VUU Meeting - Save the Date!

"Community Obliteration in Phoenix"

Thursday, June 13, 6:00 pm ZOOM Meeting

Presented by Pete Dimas, Ph.D.

During the 1970s and 80s, the City of Phoenix obliterated a community of over 6,000 residents to make way for airport-related economic development. This community, known as Golden Gate Barrio, was made up of multi-generational and politically active vecinos. At the heart of this barrio was Sacred Heart Church and, owing to an over 30-year struggle, that church is the only remnant of Golden Gate and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pete Dimas is a Phoenix native and a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He received his Ph.D. from ASU in History, Social Work Theory, and Public Policy Analysis. Pete is the author of Progress and a Mexican American Community’s Struggle for Existence, which tells the story of the evolution of Golden Gate, Sky Harbor Airport, and the resistance of the community to its demise. He is currently working on a documentary series, Arizona’s Mexican Heritage: An American Story.



Join Zoom Meeting here. All are welcome!!!!

Environmental Action Team (EAT) Meeting



Monday, May 20 at 6:30 pm

Join us on Google Meet (not Zoom). 

Since the April meeting didn't take place,

we'll open with a similar query to the one we planned for April: "Tell us about your most memorable Earth Day"

We'll also discuss upcoming plans for UU the Vote (surely of the utmost importance to many of us), as well as FLP (Food for Life and the Planet), updates on VUU's Solar goals, and our next Environmental Action events.

ALL Are Welcome!

-Submitted by Linda Stenholm

Summer 2024 Curricula

School curriculum is wrapping up, and summer classes are on the horizon! Just like last year, we'll merge classes to have three instead of six. This year, we're cutting summer to eight weeks, so that we align our calendar with local schools' schedules. The summer program will be from June 2 to July 21, with Water Fun Day on July 21. The new school year will begin on July 28.

We are looking for volunteers to help in the classrooms this summer. Please sign up here.

UU Emotions - Pre-K–1st Grade

Explore big emotions with books by Tom Percival. Curriculum includes a craft and/or activity that relates to the topic.

Culture Company - 2nd–5th Grade

Travel around the world, getting stamps in your very own passport. Learn about the cultures and histories of Australia, Ghana, India, Brazil, Morocco, and Greece.

Eat Around the World - Middle and High School

Gain an appreciation of the cultures of China, Ethiopia, and India through the lens of food. This curriculum includes cooking and eating food every other week. On alternating weeks, youth will learn about the racism these cultures experience, with a particular emphasis on food-related racism.

Michael Santoro

Shari Melton’s 45-year-old son, Michael Santoro, died suddenly and unexpectedly last Monday morning. His family with four small children live in Tempe, and Shari is with them now. She’s not ready to receive texts and calls, but cards would be appreciated. The address is 10543 E Palladium, Mesa 85212. Her partner Jerry Martin shares her grief. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of them.

Rachel Smith Memorial

Our dear member Rachel Smith will be remembered in a Celebration of Life at VUU on Friday, May 17 at 1:00 pm. All are welcome!

Please consider giving a gift to VUU or the Huntington’s Disease Society of America as a tribute to Rachel and how she inspired us.

Please note your gift is “In Honor of Rachel Smith.”

Thanks for your generosity!

Janice Miller

Circle Suppers Group

Would you like to get to know more people from the VUU community? Join the Circle Suppers group and participate in monthly potluck dinners. A purely social event, there are no requirements aside from having a good time. On the first Saturday of each month, small groups of 8 or 10 meet at a host’s house for a meal and conversation. The hosts and attendees are always changing, so each month you will get to meet and visit with new people. Participants are not required to host and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Singles, couples, and families are welcome, and you don’t need to be a VUU member to participate.

Contact: Nick Carr circlesuppers@vuu.org

Are you our next volunteer?

We are looking for three more volunteer drivers to fill in for those who have or will be leaving Arizona heat this season! 

Adding three more to the roster could assure a year round every-other-month commitment of just one Saturday for everyone. The reward you receive is knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

OUR MISSION: Saturday 9am pick up of food donations from a Mesa grocery store.  Drive of 20 miles to two Asylum Seeker Shelters within 5 minutes of each other. Staff is there on receiving end to unload. 

Involves a 1-2 hour commitment of your time and gas.

Call or text Sharon Kopina for more info at 602-668-7397.

See What Happens To Your Ballot!

Your UU the Vote Team is arranging a private tour of the MCTEC (Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center) so we can become educated on exactly what's happening with ballots after they are cast.

Enjoy a private tour exclusively for VUU members and friends. We will be selecting a date in early June - tentatively set for June 4th at 1 PM pending interest from the congregation - for the tour.

Please sign up at the UU the Vote table before or after services.