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Happenings At A Glance

Upcoming Sunday Services on ZOOM

Make sure you have a Chalice available to light before the Service begins.
Services can be seen on Zoom every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Our Touchstones The theme for May is acceptance.



May 9th: 
Bridge Ceremony
Sunday Service with Marci Beaudoin, Rev. Fred Wooden, Katie Seiferth, & Melanie Cloonan-Schulte

Join our Service every week at this link: Zoom Worship Service

Find previous services here.

VUU News

In the Meantime,

 

Cinco de Mayo makes me uneasy.  It came into existence to honor a community within the US and is more popular in America than in Mexico.  In recent years the Mexican community has been critical of folks dressing up in so-called Mexican clothes and drinking cerveza and tequila the way we down Guinness and Jameson on St. Patrick’s Day.  Rightly so.  Not only is this commercial exploitation it is what we call cultural appropriation.  

And folks now say they are not sure what is the right thing to do when it comes to observing other cultural practices, and that’s good.  But it brings uncertainty and discomfort, which is hard.   

In anti-racism work we are taught to ‘embrace discomfort’ meaning to expect it and realize discomfort is part of learning and changing.  Further, my or your personal discomfort does not mean rejection or condemnation or hostility from someone else.  That took a while to learn.

I began doing anti-racism work in UU circles back in 1995, and I was involved in learning about racism in UU history as far back as my seminary days in the 1970s.  Ours is not a noble past, though there are some noble individuals and actions.  Learning that, and unlearning what I thought I knew, was uncomfortable, confusing, and challenging.  There is much more I have yet to learn which will make me uncomfortable again.  But I have learned some lasting lessons that help:

  • Racism is deep and wide, both in society and in me

  • I must interrogate myself about racism every day

  • Even if I were perfectly non racist, racism would still exist

  • Being anti-racist is not about fixing me or you, but about healing society

  • I will never be done with this work

  • Anti-racism must be a spiritual practice 

There are other lessons but these are what keep me going when I inevitably stumble.  It’s hard work.  But being connected to others helps a lot.  For me, I have been an active part of three anti-racist groups in my home town - on the board of the local Urban League, an active member of my local NAACP, and as part of the black pastors group that extended membership to white colleagues committed to be their allies.  

You have options through the UUA, through Meadville Theological School’s “Beloved Conversations,” and more.  In fact, part of the search process for the UUA involves a program called Beyond Categorical Thinking that engages them and you in noticing the biases and assumptions that have too often prevented non white, non straight, non able bodied candidates and others from being fairly considered.  That would be a great beginning for lots of VUU folks who want to know where to begin.  

But do not stop there.  Make anti-racism, anti-oppression, multicultural work part of your spiritual life - meditating, gathering, listening and learning as you do in worship.  I guarantee it will be worth it.    -FW-

Happenings Announcements
Want an announcement in Happenings?  Fill this out.

Questions about Happenings email Happenings@vuu.org
Music Ministry
 
Adult Choir
Virtual Rehearsals
The choir will also meet as part of the Arizona UU Video Choir led by Katie and Benjie Messer from UUCP for it's final video project for Spring. The rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 7-8 pm on zoom, on May 12 and May 19. You can check out many of our choir videos on our VUU YouTube channel. Please email Katie, musicdirector@vuu.org, if you are interested in joining or have any questions.
What’s Going on with the Capital Campaign?
 
The board decided a few weeks ago that it was in our best interests to terminate the Capital Campaign as it stood (with the emphasis on building a new sanctuary) and to ask members and friends to commit their funds to a new Capital Campaign and Recovery Fund.  Toward that end, we’ll be having a Congregational Conversation (on May 23) to cover the ins and outs, and will vote as a congregation at the Annual Meeting (on June 6).
 
The vision for the campus shall remain the same – and all the work that went into creating that vision with the guidance of Wendell Burnette Architects will help us on the path.  A new sanctuary will no longer be the first phase of the project, for a few reasons.  First, the pandemic has given us a new vision of worship and becoming a multi-platform congregation – that is, we may never again meet only in person, but are likely to continue streaming and welcoming members and visitors from across the world.  Wherever you are, you will be welcome to worship “at” VUU.  Second, the pandemic has created not only financial stress for individuals in our communities, but for the organization as well.  We’ve lost pledge, plate, and activities income from not being together.  Wendell Burnette Architects will be hired to continue to steward these projects while keeping a design and fiscal eye on the long-term vision.

We’ll be asking you to commit (or recommit) funds to a revised campaign that will include the projects of the Capital Planning Committee and the creation of a VUU Recovery Fund.  The Recovery Fund will help to prop up the operating budget of VUU for the three years we expect it will take to recover fully from the losses we’ve experienced.  If each of us will commit or recommit to those two funds, at a recommended 75%/25% split, we will be able to spend existing carryover operating funds next fiscal year (2021-22) as we search for and hire a new settled minister, and carry the recovery funds into the future.  All the while, we’ll be upgrading our existing buildings with an eye toward the same vision we laid out three years ago.  A vision that includes greater community and multi-cultural outreach, a facility with a commercial kitchen, new bathrooms and showers to better serve our AZCEND (IHelp) ministry, better accessibility for both an aging and disabled population and for our youngest members, who we would like to serve more fully on the sanctuary side of the property.
 
Join us in conversation and a vote, and watch your mailbox for details of how you can support the vision.
 
DeeAnne McClenahan, on behalf of the Board of Trustees
deeannemcc@gmail.com
Inquiring Minds Want to Know: When are We Meeting Again??
 
With the vaccine rollout going well, and light at the end of the tunnel, it’s not surprising we are having more people ask, “When can we meet again?”  The answer is not an easy one, but we have guidance from the UUA, and our Covid Team has been meeting for a year now, watching the metrics, and reporting to the leadership of the congregation.
 
At this time, we expect to resume Sunday gatherings in person by September, and probably not much sooner (except that small numbers of vaccinated individuals may be allowed to join in the sanctuary on days that the service is broadcast from there).  There are many factors being weighed, including our commitments to AZCEND/IHelp.  The IHelp (housing the unhoused) program is phasing into a more regular rotation, but do not have as many church spaces as prior to the pandemic.  We are committed to them for two weeks each month through August.
 
Unfortunately, current metrics the last few weeks in Maricopa County are trending up, and percent positivity is more than twice our goal (of 2.0%).  The good news, of course, is that the fully vaccinated population continues to rise; still, more than 2 of 3 people in Arizona are not fully vaccinated.
 

 
The COVID Team met last week and provide the following guidance for small groups meeting during the coming few months.  For all-adult small groups, indoor meetings are acceptable under these circumstances:  1) vaccinated individuals only, and 2) masks are preferred, not required.  For adult-and-youth groups, indoor meetings are acceptable under these circumstances:  1) all adults are vaccinated, 2) all participants are socially distanced, and 3) all participants wear masks when indoors.  Small group meetings outside of the VUU facility (Connection Circles, for example) may happen at the desire and comfort level of participants.
 
Public health members of the COVID Team anticipate that a vaccine will be approved and available for age 12-16 approximately June 1, and for those under 12 in September.  It was agreed that we should continue to delay opening worship, even to all-vaccinated, to a) avoid setting up inequities, and b) avoid decisions that precede good information regarding vaccines versus variants.
 
As always, the safety and health of each of us and the communities to which we belong remain at the forefront.

Youth Programs

FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMMING THIS SPRING 

Registration link
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.

In the Community






The Spectrum Connection Circle is going strong, and welcoming new members to join us.  We are a diverse group of individuals along a broad age, sexual orientation, and gender identity spectrum.  We meet 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 6-7:30p on Zoom.  Contact Haleigh at hwright6@outlook.com to ask question or for the link to join.  We’d love to see you there! 
EastVUU Meeting Thurs. May 13th, 6:30-8:30pm 

“Emerging from our Covid bunkers”—The pandemic has changed our lives, priorities, relationships and values. What do we take from this life-altering experience? ALL ARE WELCOME.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/739743734?pwd=MXZST25uRUMvbjUrK0hXVlJWa2VzUT09
Meeting ID: 739 743 734
Password: 920559 

Save the date: Thurs. May 27, EastVUU Social Night, 6:30-8:30pm. Activity to be determined by Covid status and weather. ALL ARE WELCOME
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.
Valley Interfaith Project

VALLEY INTERFAITH PROJECT (VIP) AND VUU ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VACCINATION GAPS IN MARICOPA COUNTY. Join us as we work on housing, public education, workforce development, and other issues to make AZ more family friendly. For more information go to https://www.valleyinterfaithprojectaz.com or contact Barb Quijada at bflemingq@gmail.com

The Page Turner’s May book is The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt. Why do people so readily assume the worst about the motives of their fellow citizens? In The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of our divisions and points the way forward to mutual understanding. The meeting will be on May 20 at 7:00 p.m. 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
Environmental Action Team
The May meeting of the Environmental Action Team will be challenging we will be evaluating EAT survey and Earth Day Challenge results to determine our Congregation’s prime areas of interest and then using that information to focus future EAT efforts to provide action and informational opportunities. This is a great chance for voices to be heard about how to best share information that can have real environmental impacts. Bring your best ideas! 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.)
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

Social Distance...But Make it Social Justice


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.


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
Black Lives Matter 
Artist: Ashley Lukashevsky, Website, Instagram
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