Sunday June 23, 2025
"The Freedom to Change"
This Sunday, we will continue to explore the topic of freedom, with a lay-led service.
Ken St. John and Amanda Schneider will lead the service. Teri McGovern-Nintzel will lead us in the time for centering, and others will provide song leading and special music.
| |  | IN THE EDUCATION BUILDINGS | |
FAITH FORMATION
This week we are concluding our monthly theme, The Practice of Freedom. This week we explore freedom from oppression and the need to hide who you are by focusing on the freedom to be who you are. We also take time to acknowledge a sense of fear, as LGBTQIA+ freedoms are threatened, and trans folks are being erased.
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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
| | | Love is our doctrine · Service is our prayer · Justice is our calling | | | | | |
Calendar
Thursday, June 19
Friday, June 20
Saturday, June 21
Sunday, June 22
Monday, June 23
Tuesday, June 24
Wednesday, June 25
Thursday, June 26
Friday, June 27
Saturday, June 28
Sunday, June 29
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
more than two weeks out or without an article below
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Parents and Pastries - Jul 6
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EastVUU Dinner Ryu Sushi - July 10
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Singles Lunch - Jul 11
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Paz de Cristo Meal Prep - Jul 11
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Page Turners Book Club - Jul 17
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VUUJAZ Coffee Conversation - Jul 20
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I-HELP Meal Prep - Jul 28 sign up here
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Rev. Sarah is at the UUA General Assembly through Sunday, then on study leave and vacation. Sarah (and Desert Notes) will return in August
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UUA General Assembly
General Assembly is happening now, in Baltimore, MD. You can live stream the general business sessions here:
Sunday Morning Worship June 22 9-10:30a
Embrace the electrifying spirit of the year's largest UU gathering, where we come together in unity for an awe-inspiring Sunday worship celebration like no other! It's a vibrant, communal worship experience that promises to uplift your soul and ignite your passion. Don't miss out on this extraordinary gathering of hearts and minds!
Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk will lead the 2025 GA Sunday Service.
—Submitted by Linda Rand, DAC Chair
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Let's SprUUce Up Our Sanctuary!
Join the Facilities Committee on Saturday, June 21, from 8:00–10:00am to freshen up our sanctuary and grounds. There will be fruit and bagels. We hope to see you there!
Sign up here
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Summer Solstice Celebration
Come and join us for a family friendly Summer Solstice celebration on Saturday, June 21. The celebration will be held in the courtyard of the education building with classrooms 1 and 2 as backup if it is too hot. Gathering at 6:30pm, with a start time of 7:00pm. Bring your drums or percussion instruments if you have any. For more information or to help with the gathering contact Lisa.
—Submitted by Lisa Bonine
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Election Results
At the June 8 Annual Meeting the Congregation voted to:
- Approve the 2025-26 budget
- Approve the amendments to the By-Laws, and
- Approve Special Funds funding of (potential) unfunded portions of the Safety Grant if necessary.
The following members of our elected leadership teams were elected:
- Special Funds Committee - Chris Sar
- Leadership Development Committee - Valerie Miller, Carrie Hardee-Smith, Joel Sannes
- Board of Trustees - Lisa Bonine, Katie Hurstwicker, Nancy Egly, Paul Schneider
The Congregation and Board thank all who ran, all who serve, and all who consider serving.in the future. VUU runs on U!
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EastVUU Online: Personal Freedom
Thursday, June 26, 6:00pm
Lots of people are talking about Freedom and meaning different things. What does freedom mean to you on a very personal level? Is there something that keeps you caged? Is life trying to offer you a new form of freedom? Join us as we lift our spirits, expand our consciousness, and learn more about each other.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 812 3702 9733
Passcode: 597613
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Check out FUUNd's Last Chance Auction Today!
The Let’s Have FUUNd Together Auction is VUU’s largest annual FUUNdraiser. After the auction closes in February, this column keeps you informed about FUUNd events as they are held and advertises FUUNd events you can still get in on via the Last Chance Auction.
This last week, FUUNd lovers enjoyed VUUniversity: Retire Well!. And it’s not too late to get in on some events this summer. June and July’s open events include:
- Create an Inspirational Sign with a Cricut Machine (Saturday, 07/19 11AM)
- Get your bike ready for summer adventures with a tune-up by cycling enthusiast Ken S. (Ken and the Art or Bicycle Maintenance)
- Book a week at David S. and Jodi F.’s rustic Payson cabin (Escape to a Cabin in the Woods).
And finally, please don’t forget to look at the other VUUniversity classes that will be offered in July and August. For a modest fee of $20, you can attend one of the expert-led workshops listed below AND support VUU’s vital mission and programs. Space is limited so get your seat now!
- A Screening & Discussion of Alvin Ailey’s Dance Masterpiece, “Revelations” (Saturday, 07/12/2025)
- How to Play Scrabble Like a Champion (Saturday, 07/26/2025)
- Homeopathic Remedies for You & Your Family (Saturday, 08/09/2025)
- Abbott and Costello Re-visited (Saturday, 08/23/2025)
All Last Chance Auction items are being offered at a “buy-it-now” price. Payment must be made at the time of purchase. You can view the items, make your purchase(s), and pay via credit card at www.Auctria.Events/VUUFUUND2025. Email fuundtogether@vuu.org for questions or other assistance.
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In The Interim
During the 2025-2026 Congregational year, we will offer children, youth and adults monthly anti-racism classes and learning. We want this to be the beginning of a commitment to long-term anti-racist transformation work.
Some of you may have heard the Time for All Ages last Sunday when I introduced the UUA Mosaic Project while teaching the children about mosaics. We learned that a mosaic is a thing of beauty, a complex piece of art created by assembling fragments and found objects, broken pieces and recycled parts. So, too, is the assemblage that is our Unitarian Universalist theology: a work of art, always in progress, shaped by many hands.
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The UUA Mosaic Project includes resources, connections and support for Unitarian Universalists who are working to dismantle racism and oppression. The program includes classes, resources, training, groups, and gatherings. We hope that participation in the Mosaic Project will help us tell a new VUU story of belonging and liberation.
A team of interested members will be planning the details over the summer. If you would like to be part of that planning group, please click here to help us select the best time for our first meeting, which will be held virtually.
Help us live into our belief that the work for collective liberation can be as colorful, multi-faceted, and diverse as the tiles of a mosaic. Together, all of our contributions can create something beautiful.
| | Fellowship and Social Activities | |
Page Turners Book Club
Thursday, June 19 at 7:00pm
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 June 19 at 7:00pm. We will meet at the home of Johnnie Godfrey in Tempe (near Baseline Rd. and the 101). The book is State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
A novel replete with poison arrows, devouring snakes, scientific miracles, and spiritual transformations, "State of Wonder" presents a world of stunning surprise and danger, rich in emotional resonance and moral complexity. As Dr. Marina Singh embarks upon an uncertain odyssey into the insect-infested Amazon, she will be forced to surrender herself to the lush but forbidding world that awaits within the jungle.
For the meeting address or questions, please contact Johnnie at 480-231-8381 or email: membership@vuu.org.
-Submitted by Amy Monahan
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Singles Dinner Out
When: Friday, June 27, 6:30pm
Where: Thai Spices Thai Bistro
66 S Dobson Rd, Mesa
This has been a favorite for us for the past few years. They serve delicious Thai food, artfully plated. Your host will be Cynthia Lane. RSVP by phone or text to 661-204-3907.
—Submitted by Claudette Wassil
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I-HELP Sloppy Joes Dinner on June 23
We're having a fan favorite; Sloppy Joes! Please deliver ready-to-eat food items between 5:15-5:45pm on Monday, June 23.
Sign up to bring an item here. Thank you so much for your generosity!
I-HELP Support Needed Over the Summer
Over the summer both Rev. Sarah and Adrienne O’Donnell have travel plans (and Rev. Sarah will be taking her vacation and study leave time). This will take us away from helping I-HELP guests and dinner hosts get set up. If you have been trained or are willing to be trained to do I-HELP hosting, we need you! This basically is a commitment from 5:15–7:00pm, four or five times a month. The dates we need help are: June 23 and 30; July 7, 15, 21, and 28. Adrienne is available for some of these dates but needs help. The highlighted dates are the ones when we provide the meal and host. Please reach out to Adrienne if you can commit to one or more of these dates.
—Rev. Sarah
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VIP Small Group Conversation
aka House Meeting
What is a challenge that you or someone you
care about is facing right now?
When? Sunday, June 22, 12:15 PM
Where: Sanctuary Flex Room
Why? Get to know others, share concerns, and build relationships across the Congregation.
You are WELCOME here!
Sponsored by VIP Core Team and Caring Neighbors
Contact Barb Quijada or Nancy Wittenberg for more information.
These Small Group Conversations are held the 4th Sunday of every month. You are
welcome to come once or more often. There is no need to RSVP..
—Submitted by Barb Quijada
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Paz de Cristo
Donation of the Month:
Canned Beans and Chili (pull-tab lids preferred)
Paz Donation List
Please leave donations in the "Paz de Cristo" box in the sanctuary foyer.
Contact: Paul Reed
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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 appreciates your TAX CREDIT donations. Get dollar-for-dollar credit to offset AZ tax liability this tax season!
Contact: Adrienne O'Donnell
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation | vuu.org | | | | |
