Upcoming Sunday Services on ZOOM
Make sure you have a Chalice available to light before the Service begins.
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Services can be seen on Zoom every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Our Touchstones The theme for April is Mindfulness.
April 4th:
Sunday Service with Marci Beaudoin, Katie Seiferth, Todd Robinson and Melanie Cloonan-Schulte
Sermon: Poetry and the Examined Life
Join our Service every week at this link: Zoom Worship Service
Find previous services here.
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In the Meantime,
I am on the road this week, heading to Michigan to await an expected grandchild. But... BUT!.. I will be back in AZ soon. And no matter where I am physically I will be working for VUU.
That’s the gift of this awful pandemic, that we can be together even when we are apart. And that will continue even when we are able to be together in person. Thus one of the great tasks facing us, and all congregations, is being both virtual and actual from now on. What religious community means is changing, and it will be hard.
But it can also be liberating, much as my home state Maryland Blue Crabs shed their old shells to grow. The old shell that was ‘church’ with its focus on money and members and ‘marble’ is too confining. There is a new way forming, one based on meaning and mission and ministry instead.
For now, though, we are between the two - the old one that we know but cannot keep, and the new one that we do not know can cannot yet grasp. Truly, these are liminal times.
Are you tired yet? -FW-
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Happenings Announcements
Want an announcement in Happenings? Fill this out.
Questions about Happenings email Happenings@vuu.org
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Help Wanted
Can you help? VUU has as many needs while virtual as ever … in fact, perhaps more! All safely, socially distant, and many from home.
Thank you for how many of you have responded so far. We still have some positions to fill.
Happenings – Volunteer wanted to help from home with weekly newsletter. We are currently using mailchimp. Experience in an email blast program preferred. Contact admin@vuu.org.
Membership Team – Members wanted to greet newcomers, connect members, facilitate Journey to Membership classes. Contact minister@vuu.org.
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VIRTUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY JUNE 23-27, 2021
General Assembly (GA) is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s annual meeting. For more information on this year’s GA, click here. At each GA, member congregations are able to appoint delegates to vote on national initiatives; VUU is allocated six delegates. If you would like to represent VUU at GA, please contact DeeAnne McClenahan at deeannemcc@gmail.com.
If you haven't registered for Virtual GA 2021 already, there is no better time than right now! Registered attendees are among the first to hear program announcements, such as the Ware Lecturer and featured speakers, and only registered attendees will have access to the NEW! GA app. So, register early to join online discussions, familiarize yourself with the GA schedule, and find your place in our community of communities.
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Congregational Conversations - April 11th
This Sunday after service.
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FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMMING THIS SPRING
Registration link
 NO CLASSES FOR EASTER
ELEMENTARY:
2yr olds - 5th graders, Sundays 1-2 pm: CartUUns, Unitarian Universalist values through the animated short films of Pixar and Disney.
Please note:
1) Monthly "take home" bags of supplies will be created for each participant. Please indicate (on registration) if you can pick up bags at VUU, help deliver, or need delivery.
MIDDLE SCHOOL: 6th-8th graders, Sundays 2-3pm : Crossing Paths, Exploring the World's Religions using a UU theological framework. Virtual visits will enable youth to experience our "neighboring faiths.”
Please note:
1) Classes will be recorded and uploaded as PRIVATE to the VUU YouTube channel. Families will receive an email with the link to view the videos.
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EastVUU Meeting Thurs. April 22, 6:30-8:30pm
CHANGE OF PLANS! Thurs. April 22, 6:30-8:30pm. After careful consideration we have decided to continue our ZOOM meeting format for a bit longer. We will NOT be meeting in person but will enjoy a virtual game night instead. ALL ARE WELCOME.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/739743734?pwd=MXZST25uRUMvbjUrK0hXVlJWa2VzUT09
Meeting ID: 739 743 734
Password: 920559
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Adopt- A- Highway Clean Up
SATURDAY May 1 - Needs Volunteers
VUU is a Green Congregation and participates in the Adopt- A- Highway program 2times a year. We will meet at the Circle K Market parking lot at 3033 W Queen Creek Rd in Chandler at 7:45 am. We will distribute the equipment, go over the rules and have everyone sign a consent form. Please wear sturdy shoes and a hat. The gloves, bags, litter sticks and safety vests are supplied. No children under 12 please. We should be done by about 10:30. Please contact Pam Swan at pdswan@cox.net or 480-467-8978 by April 23rd to sign up.
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Page Turners
The Page Turner’s April book is Tell Me How It Ends – An Essay in Forty Questions by Valeria Luiselli. This is about the author’s volunteer work translating for child immigrants. It confronts with compassion and honesty the problem of the North American refugee crisis. The meeting will be on April 15 at 7:00pm. Anyone interested in discussing the book is invited to participate. If you would like to receive the Zoom link, email Amy at agmonahan@gmail.com
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Knit Wits
Knit Wits is looking for people who knit or crochet. We are a small group of needleworkers who has produced hats for IHelp, UMom, and Phoenix area children's hospital units. Now we are working on shawls to be given to VUU women experiencing significant health issues or grieving the loss of a loved one. Join us! We don't have meetings, we just knit or crochet! For more info, contact Sue Keen at jancarnation@yahoo.com or 480-570-1071.
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Food for Life and Planet
FLP Meeting 4/9: Spilling the Beans… In a Good Way! Beans are a wonderful source of protein, fiber and B vitamins. Research indicates they lower cholesterol and increase healthy gut bacteria. Many of us, however, feel challenged about their preparation, and some of us just plain don’t like the taste. On Friday, 4/9 at 10am, let’s share some recipes, restaurants that offer delicious bean options, and ideas about how to get more into our diets. Try a bean you’ve never tasted before and let us all know what you think! To get us started, here are 86 recipe ideas from Bon Appetit, some of which will appeal to our carnivore friends. Hope you can join us!
ZOOM Meeting Information:
FLP: Food for Life & Planet, Fridays 10:00 - 11:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82566280722?pwd=U3ViaWU0bG5RaDFpMXo4WmxWVVpudz09
Meeting ID: 825 6628 0722
Passcode: FLP
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Paz de Cristo
We are looking for volunteers to serve meals at Paz de Cristo. During this time of Covid, we need seven volunteers each month. All precautions are taken to ensure safety and social distancing. Want to sign up? Want more info? Click here. Thanks in advance!
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VUU Earth Day 2021
April 22nd is Earth Day and although we cannot be together to celebrate or take action, there is much we can do on our own and with families and friends to educate ourselves and to fall in love-- again and again-- with our beautiful planet. The Environmental Action Team (EAT) invites you to participate in a month-long Earth Day contest to win fabulous earth-loving prizes. From April 5 to April 27, receive one contest entry for every earth-friendly activity you complete. Choose from the activities provided or create your own! The link below will be live April 5th and includes all of the details. For more information, contact Sandy Whitley, Linda Ruehlman or Denise McLeod. Link to Contest: VUU Earth Day 2021
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 Saturday April 10th
Valley Interfaith Project and VUU want to know WHAT'S KEEPING YOU UP AT NIGHT? Register here to tell your story and listen to others as we prepare to organize for action in 2021-2022.
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 Do you and your family ever wonder what you can personally do to leave a smaller carbon footprint on our Mother Earth? Join us at the next EAT meeting to hear opportunities to do just that! Whether it be learning how our diets affect the planet or how communicating with our Members of Congress can make a difference, we all have a part to play in making our world safer place to live and thrive. Zoom with us to discuss ways to engage our Community in the work of solving climate change issues that affect us all. (Questions, contact Sandy at sandyariz@cox.net.)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94236434608?pwd=M29ZQllacmFyQU9HRCtuSnR5
dW0vQT09
Meeting ID: 942 3643 4608
Passcode: 992059
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 Our Dalai Lama and Friends virtual gathering meets every Sunday at 9 a.m. It be will on Zoom.
Here is the link.
Meeting ID: 388 347 383
Password: 347553
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Social Distance...But Make it Social Justice
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National Phonebank
April 17th, 2021
For the last two years, UUJAZ has worked in coalition with local partners around police accountability and ending police violence. Now they are working with that coalition to decrease police funding in this spring's budget cycle, and they want our help!
Join us on April 17th
Speak (virtually) to City Council
Tuesday, April 20th, 4:30pm
It's budget season, and we need all UUs who live, work, play, travel through, or care about someone in Phoenix to join us at a budget hearing. Not in Phoenix? Join the UUJAZ team to learn how to organize for your own city council!
In coalition with BIPOC led orgs, we'll join the public budget hearings to tell council to fund mental health care, affordable housing, job training, and social services, and to take that money from the bloated police budget.
Never spoken at a city council meeting before? Don't know what to say? Join Janine + Thoi at UUJAZ at 4:30 for a review of talking points, and tips for speaking to City officials.
If you can't be with us live, go ahead and register anyway to write a comment via the online system.
register here
Community Health and Safety Training and Phonebank
Tuesday, April 6th, 5 - 7 pm
Saturday, April 10th, 11 - 1 pm
Thursday, April 15th, 6 - 8 pm
Tuesday, April 20th, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Wednesday, April 28th, 5 - 7 pm
Anti-racism allies know that safety doesn't start or end with police. It comes from strong communities, supported by affordable housing, mental health care, programs for drug users, job training, and education. We have work to do in Arizona around engaging our peers in discussions about ending police violence. Will you join UUJAZ, Poder in Action / AZ Poder, and White People Against White Supremacy to call 24,000 people in March and April? Let's create community safety in Phoenix together!
Register for any of our phonebanking dates here.
DACA Clinic: Volunteers Needed
2nd and 4th Saturdays at First Church UCC Phoenix, 12-4 pm
DACA is back! and UUJAZ is proud to be partnering with Keep Phoenix Together to empower Dreamers by assisting them with their DACA application. This life-changing immigration policy was recently reinstated by court ruling, and your support can help give Dreamers the tools to apply for deferred deportation under DACA. Volunteers are needed at the Keep Phoenix Together clinic. Anyone who can spare a few hours on a Saturday afternoon can help, no special language or legal skills necessary.
Sign up to volunteer here.
If you cannot volunteer, you can also donate to the scholarship fund for DACA applications and renewals. Dreamers pay $495 every time they renew and your financial support makes this possible.
Donate here.
Book GroUUp
3rd Fridays, 12-1:30 pm
What legacy will you leave your beloved: your children, grandchildren, congregation, community, and/or country about how you worked to dismantle systemic racism during your lifetime? What will you bequeath to your beloved? What is your hope for their future, for Beloved Community?
Join Rev. Tina Squire and Steve Kraynak on the third Friday of each month for a justice-centered book discussion from the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist values. Here we will use reading, conversation, and writing to answer these questions.
April 16, 2021: Discuss BREATHE – A Letter To My Sons by Imani Perry
May 21, 2021: Read aloud our own letters we've written to our Beloved.
Register for Book GroUUp here.
Sign-Ups Open Now
Trans Inclusion in Congregations from Transforming Hearts Collective
Do you want to be part of the most impactful UU adult education we've ever experienced? You can learn more about how to create a more welcoming congregation, delve into our shared faith, connect with each other, and discover things you didn't know about yourself.
UUJAZ is thrilled to provide access to this online course on radical welcoming for all AZ UUs, thanks to a generous grant from the UU Funding panel. As a plus, this course on transformational culture shift counts towards your annual Welcoming Congregation renewal.
Valley UU - Starts April 27th - Valley Registration
Surprise UU - Starts April 27th - Surprise Registration
Mountain Vista - Starts May 9th - Mt. Vista Registration
Borderlands UU - Starts May 9th - Borderlands Registration
Sky Island UU - Starts May 9th - Sky Island Registration
If you’re interested in scheduling a course for your congregation, email uujaz.director@gmail.com.
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