April 21: Good and Evil: Our Responses to this Eternal Human Choice and Dilemma.

May 5: More than a Fairytale: The Faith of a Unitarian Storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen. NOTE: New Service Times will be 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. from now until we go to a single service for summer.

  "On Spiritual Cobwebs, Spring Winds and Paying Attention to What Really Matters."

Spring is the traditional time for sweeping our houses clean of winter clutter, dust and dirt. We open our windows to the shining world outside and let the strong spring winds bring clarity and light inside. There is a blessed interlude now before the simmering heat of summer drives us back inside, a time to enjoy and explore the beauty around us. Our bodies do not strain from cold or heat and we can rest in the moment. Every step seems lighter, easier and as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: It is a pleasure just to draw breath

Let us use this interlude wisely and reflect on what really matters in our lives. We all accumulate what I call spiritual cobwebs, the equivalent of mental dust bunnies that obscure our clear thinking and clutter our view. The "to do lists" that never ends, the things and people that needs our attention, the everyday problems that pop up, why even opening my mail can distract me and throw me off track. Lately I have felt out of kilter, off center, weary and in dire need of some mental housecleaning. And I was not really looking forward to this minister’s meeting in Birmingham, yet another thing to do…

But I was wrong. My Unitarian Universalist colleagues, some 500 of them, created a passionate, inspiring, prophetic and nurturing community. This was just what my spirit needed. The Convocation was intense, beginning each day with worship followed by two speakers, small covenant groups, and two more lectures, afternoon workshops, evening vespers and if we wanted more lectures and meetings. So my head is full, my soul is on fire and I have a lot to digest and use.

A bonus for me was an all day Selma trip with 50 other UU ministers led by Rev, Orlof Miller and Clark Olson who were with James Reeb when he was beaten and later died. It was a privilege to share their trip back to such painful, hopeful and life changing days in the struggle for justice.

Like a strong wind these days in Birmingham and Selma cleared away my mental clutter and reminded me of what really matters. And gave me many good ideas and much grist for my sermon mill.

Soon we will all have an opportunity to explore what really matters for our congregation’s future. We will have a Visioning Weekend May 17- 19. I urge you to mark your calendar and participate in this process. We want and need your input and are looking forward to hearing what really matters to you.

Spring is arriving by fits and starts. The smell of orange blossoms fills the air. It seems a little cool and breezy for this time of year, but savor it and store the thought of it to pull out in August! Church is in full spring swing. A good time was had by all at the Heart and Hand Auction on March 2. We had our Prescott retreat and we move on to April. April 13 is our Spring Recital, a lovely evening of classical music presented by many talented professional musicians from the congregation as well as some guests. Related to that we will have a special fund-raising concert for our Long Range Planning/Capital fund on May 4. Tickets for both are now on sale. April 21 is our spring annual meeting. At this meeting we will hear reports from the minister, president and committees, elect the congregational leadership and vote on some changes in our by-laws. All members have received a copy of the proposed by-law changes by mail. If you have not gotten yours, please contact the office.

April 26, 27 and 28 is the Pacific Southwest District and DeBenneville Pines annual meeting in Tucson. The main portion of the meeting will take place Saturday, with many interesting workshops. VUU is very much involved with this event. Joanne Smith is running for re-election for PSWD president,

Jack Ripple is president of the DeBenneville Pines board and our own Kellie Walker is a workshop presenter. This meeting has been held in California in the past, making it difficult for a lot of Arizona folks to attend. There are many California churches compared to Arizona, but they do not exceed us in spirit, energy or enthusiasm. Let’s show them our Arizona spirit by attending the conference in great numbers. Both weekend and Saturday only registration options are available and a full program is planned for children of all ages. Information and forms are available from Joanne Smith, Rhoda McDuffie or by the office.

The Long Range Planning and Growth Committee is busy planning for our important mission and goal setting weekend, May 17-19. They are seeking volunteers to facilitate small group meetings and homes to hold the meetings in. Please consider being a group leader or host. Call Duke Mertz, 480-345-2626 to volunteer.

Are you a morning person? Do you like the peace of the early part of the day? Do you like to park close to church? Then consider the 9:00 service. It is peaceful, uncrowded and there is ample parking.

Valued Volunteers: Thanks to Debbe Simpkins and Inge Tonkovich for chairing the Heart and Hand Auction. Numerous people helped with the many tasks including a bunch that just showed up on auction day to help get ready. Thanks to you all. John Sadowsky has stepped down as chair of ushers. (Hint: job opening here) and we thank him for his long service in this position. Conrad and Jane Paul started and host the Great Books discussion group monthly. This group is open to all who want to read and participate. For information call them at 480-892-4930. Thanks to Jane also for organizing our dinner groups. Welcome to Vicki Kulik, our new VUUpoint editor. Thank you for taking on this important job.

Marilyn Huerter

Seven of our young people attended the third and final COA retreat in March, the "Vision Quest", held at Chapel Rock in Prescott. It was a chilly weekend, but the kids were great, and I think they really got a lot from the experience. They still have some requirements to complete before they "graduate" from the program in May.

Saturday, May 11 - 6:00-8:00 PM

Don’t miss this fun activity that’s great for all ages, families or singles. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE; NO tickets at the door! Don’t be disappointed. Get tickets at the RE table on Sunday mornings. Questions? Ask at the RE table or call me.

It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! This year our theme is "Share Your Passion!" What do you enjoy doing? What kind of work do you do? Do you have a special interest? A hobby or craft? This is a great way to let our children get to know

church members, and for you to get to know our kids, too. You can choose the date(s) and the age level you’d like to work with. There’s only one service during the summer months, so it’s easy. Please help us out this year, and get the kids involved in something you enjoy. If you have questions, I’ll be happy to help answer them.

Good news! A new adult RE course is starting up in May! Kat Henderson and Dick Krueger will be teaming up again to facilitate "Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age: Why I Am a Unitarian Universalist", by Jack Mendelsohn, UU minister for over 50 years.. Sign-up sheets will be on the RE table out in front. We need to know how many will be attending, as we have to order the books - cost $14.The class will be held on the 5 Thursday evenings in May, at 7:15 PM. Child care will be available for a small fee.

The first part of "The Parent Trilogy: Three Programs for UU Parents and other Adults" will be starting in August. This has been requested by many parents, but you don’t have to be a parent to attend! We ALL raise our UU kids, so put it on your calendars.

Also coming in August will be "Rise Up and Call Her Name", a "herstory" of women and religion all over the world. This is an oldie but goodie that we haven’t done in a while, and is definitely worth repeating. Men invited, too!

Look for sign-up sheets for both of these in the near future.

A special Family Choir is forming for our Mother’s Day services on May 12. This for any youth in 6-12^th grades, along with a parent or adult parent substitute. We will rehearse in the sanctuary on Wednesday evenings: April 3, 10, 17 and 24, from 6:30PM to 7:15 PM, and then sing for the services on May 12. A great way to try out singing in a choir, without the long-term commitment.

Don’t miss our Annual Spring Recital (formerly our Winter Recital) on Saturday, April 13, 7:30PM at the Church. This event will feature classical chamber music from our own Ryan Marvel on piano, as well as various other musicians including Carol Matthusen on cello and Lorraine Rice on organ. Elegant deserts cap off the evening and are included in the price ($8 advanced tickets sold between and after the Church services, or $10 at the door). Pianist Mamak Dahnad and soprano Magda Silva will be giving a preview of their May 4^th program consisting of amusing pieces having to do with the relationship between accompanist and performer. The May 4^th evening will be a benefit for our Long Range Planning Committee, and if you buy tickets for both events at the same time, you will save money!

The older one gets, of course, the longer one’s personal story becomes. I will try to keep this to within a reasonable length!

I was born in New York City, and my only sister arrived 2 ½ years later. The summer I turned three my family, which included my maternal grandmother, moved to Paterson, New Jersey, where I grew up. My grandmother had bought the same house my mother had been born in! That fall, however, tragedy struck: my 33-year-old father died of a heart attack, from a congenital heart defect, and my mother was a widow at 30 with two babies. His death was probably the most potent, life-altering event of my entire life. Not a day went by that I didn’t think of my father and how different my life would have been if he had lived. I didn’t really come to grips with it and chase away the demons until I was in seminary, some 40 years later.

It was always expected that I would go to college. My mother, who had remarried, had been unable to get a college degree, so she wanted it for her girls. She indoctrinated us early and continuously about the importance of education. But I decided I didn’t want to go to a nearby institution. My family life was full of conflict - between my mother, step-father and grandmother - and I wanted to get as far away as possible! I chose a New York State Teachers College in Fredonia, NY, 50 miles west of Buffalo, NY, on Lake Erie. I was really quite shy at the time, and looking back, it was a huge step for me, but I did very well, and was SO glad to be away from home! I majored in Music Education, and planned to be a High School band leader But after meeting the man who was to be my first husband (who was a teacher on Long Island); I realized I’d never get a job there. Remember, this was 1958, and many doors were closed to women! So being of practical mind, I switched my major to Elementary Education.

Jennifer was born seven years after George Kesner and I married, and we adopted two-year-old Matthew a few years later. But the marriage was floundering, and we separated after almost 18 years together.

During my first marriage I had taught elementary grades, and then became a substitute teacher when my children were young. But I got tired of just maintaining order in the classrooms, and changed occupations to go into real estate. I worked for five years, and even got my broker’s license. But after my divorce, I realized I wanted something more, and applied to Union Theological Seminary in New York City, to become a UU minister.

My mother was a fundamentalist Christian, and we had attended an American Baptist church all during my childhood. But when I went away to college, I realized no one at home would know if I went to church or not, so...I didn’t go! Freedom! But I had early on realized that there was much I didn’t agree with in my church, and hard as I tried, I couldn’t believe. When I met George, he was a "collapsed" Catholic, who had been introduced to Unitarianism. (It merged with Universalism in 1961.) I remember the first time I attended church with him - it was at North Shore Unitarian Society in Plandome, NY (now the richest UU church in the world, Shelter Rock). I felt like I had come home! This was what I believed, where I belonged religiously and spiritually

Life at seminary was wonderful - and also the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I was a single parent with two young children, I commuted three hours round trip from Long Island to NY City, and I drove a morning school bus run before I got on the train. And I did this for four years! Fortunately, my mother lived nearby and was able to help me with the kids. But it was so stimulating to be in that academic and spiritual environment. I felt truly alive! (And I love New York!)

During my last year of seminary, when I was Intern Minister at the Plandome church, I met Joe Huerter. Church is a good place to meet people! Joe was a UU who had just started coming to Plandome. Our first date was to a Renaissance Faire put on by his previous UU church. The rest, as they say, is history. We were married two years later at that same Renaissance Faire, in full costume, with all six of our children in attendance. It was a fun wedding! And it was a good marriage, too. We were together almost 22 years when he died this past Christmas.

When Joe and I married, his youngest child was only 9, and he was not ready to leave him and Long Island. But there were no ministerial positions open there, so I put my career on hold. We were still very involved in the UU church, however. When we finally decided to get out of the rat race of Long Island a few years later, we chose rural West Virginia. We fell in love with the rolling green hills and the laid-back life-style. It is such a lovely place. However, the nearest UU church was 85 miles away! This small fellowship of about a dozen people met only twice a month, so we trekked over the hills to be with them. It was good to find other UU’s in the "Bible Belt".

All my education was not for naught working with babies up to age three in at-risk situations, such as poverty, ignorance drugs, abuse, and/or developmental delays. It was sometimes heart-rending work, and hard to stay objective, even with my seminary counseling training.

In the meantime, my daughter Jenny had moved here to Arizona, the last place I ever wanted to live! But she had given me my first grandchild, Josh, and it was excruciatingly painful to be a long-distance grandma. So Joe and I left West Virginia in December, 1991, to come here.

One of the first things we did after arriving was to join Valley UU Church. It was so good to be in a larger community of UU’s again! We quickly became involved, and soon I was elected to the Board of Trustees and then as Vice-President. But that year the Director of Religious Education position opened up, and I realized that this would be a great opportunity for me to really use all my education.

This is now my third year as Director of Religious Education, and I love it! It is challenging but extremely rewarding. I have a great committee who is extremely supportive and who care about me. I couldn’t have made it through this past year without them. The families I have gotten to know are interested and involved. And the teachers are dedicated and responsible, and really make this program work. I feel fulfilled spiritually and emotionally. Once again, I feel that I have come "home". This is where I belong, for as long as I can be of help to this church and this community.

 Marilyn Huerter

Where will we be five years from now? If you want to have a say in answering this question, make sure you sign up for one of our "Searching for the Future" meetings which will be held in the middle of May.

Jeri Moulder, our VUU Growth Consultant, will return to host an additional series of planning sessions designed to find out where we are going:

Check our table outside the church on Sunday, April 21, the date of the Congregational Meeting for sign up sheets bearing the names of the individuals who have volunteered to host the Saturday sessions. This will give you the opportunity to select the meeting place nearest you.

We plan to also list the names of the facilitators for each location, in case you would like to make your choice based on your favorite presenter.

In either event, make sure you sign up early, so you can choose the time and place most convenient for you. Don’t miss your chance to have your say in the future of Valley UU.

Summer Appetizers on the Back Patio,
Followed By

Mamak Dohnad, Pianist, Magda Silva, Soprano

Exciting changes continue in and around the office. Last month we found a new editor for the VUUpoint: Vicki Kulik. If you would like to assist her by being an alternate month or back up editor, give her a call. If you would like to help with the newsletter in other ways, join the Mailing Crew! They meet the fourth (usually) week of the month on Tuesday to fold, tape and label the newsletters. A smaller crew meets on Monday of that week to print and collate the newsletter. The job could not be completed with out these brave volunteers.

This month we are proud to introduce a new employee: Debra Porter, Clerical Assistant. She will be working in the office 15 hours per week. In the coming weeks our office hours will increase, as she learns the ins and outs of our particular office and begins to work on her own. We are all looking forward to working with her.

Final Note: Have you lost something in the last six months? Look in the Lost and Found Box. It is located under the small table just inside the office door. It is pretty full. Also, remember – all the things you need to borrow from the office are located on the small table. Please use the phone in the hall by the bathrooms. If you must use the phone on my desk, kindly take your coffee cup and cake plate with you when you go. Thanks.

 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WISHES
TO LONG-TERM MEMBERS!

VUU would like to recognize the people who celebrated their 10 Year (or more!) anniversary of being a Member of this Church. We appreciate everything they have contributed over the years to help make this a welcoming and growing community. When you see them, tell them "Congratulations!"

A gentle form of Hatha Yoga is now being offered at VUU. Each Monday evening from 7 - 8 PM in Classroom B (downstairs), Linda Martin registered and certified yoga instructor, is teaching the classes. All are welcome--it is beginning level class.

Please bring a pillow, small blanket, and/or any form of mat that you might have.

Classes are $10/class or $32/month.
If you have any questions or comments, please call Linda at the church

U.U. WOMEN’S CIRCLE -----
OPEN TO ALL ----

This group, which welcomes everyone, meets once a month—sometimes in a member’s home---sometimes in the church Cottage — UU Building #3. The regular meeting day is the second Thursday — 1:00 PM. The April 11 meeting will cover the subject of how historical persons may influence us.

The APRIL meeting will be held at
1PM at Sally Buntschuh’s:
Call Sally for directions at the church.

The April topic will be on:

"A Historical Person

Who Has Influenced Me".

The May meeting will be on Thursday the May 10^th and the subject will be an interesting one on personal motivation:

"What Gets Me Up in the Morning?"

Location TBA

Remember, all women of the church are welcome.

Thank all of you who contributed to the National outreach – a reply to the gluttony of the Annual Super Bowl—football and eat, eat, eat.

Nationally, over $3,000,000 was donated, plus tons of donated non-perishable canned goods. And---best of all—the money collected remains in the area of collection.

Valley UU donations of $194.00 goes directly to our special object of giving:

C You and your family EAT!

C You want to find ways to SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH

You appreciate CONVIENCE

Do you shop at FRY’S--BASHA’S?
C Certificates for $5, $10, $20

SAFEWAY?

C Electronic cards for $10, $20

ALBERTSON’S?
C No money up front
Scan at time of sale

C Each Store gives VUU back 5%

If every family in our congregation purchased our certificates-----if the sales averaged only $200 per month

It would mean an additional $12,000 annually for VUU!

 

Certificates available every Sunday after each service at the card table across from the Hospitality Table

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Come to a Barnraising
West Valley UU Church!

Our congregation is almost ready to move the buildings onto our land at 59^th Avenue and Cholla! Before we do we must prepare the land. We need a few people who are able-bodied enough to take care of the finishing touches.

We need YOU -- UUs from Chandler and Paradise Valley and Surprise—to help us with three different projects:

Planting Trees:

The landscaping plan is awesome. We will have 80 trees and 100 bushes to plant and it will need to be accomplished quickly. There may be more than one planting day to choose from.

Spreading Gravel:

The City of Glendale requires 2" of decomposed granite on all our planted areas. That's about 100 tons!

Finishing the Buildings:

After the exterior of the two buildings has a coat of stucco, we will need to paint the outside--a painting party!

Our workdays will probably begin in April and continue through May and June.

Are you ready to volunteer now? Do you have a church group that would commit a day to extend the influence of Unitarian Universalism to the West Valley? When you come we will have sandwiches and cool drinks.

The dates for landscaping, gravel spreading and painting cannot be set until the City of Glendale gives the okay. As soon as we can set the dates we will notify your church. For more information about how this could be a great opportunity for you and others in your congregation, call:

Sandra Mahoney, WVUU President
623-486-4685
Rev. Linda Bunyard, 602-992-2668.

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??UU Camp in Arizona??



Sierra Ancha Wilderness Camp

Memorial Day Weekend
May 24-27

Did you know Arizona has a Unitarian Universalist Wilderness camp in the Sierra Ancha Mountains? It is an excellent place for spiritual reflection, relaxation, "quality" family time, and meeting other UUs. The Sierra Ancha Wilderness Unitarian Universalist Religious Association (SAWUURA) is a 109-acre, primitive retreat in scrub oak and ponderosa forest just south of Young, Arizona, completely surrounded by National Forest.

The 19th Annual Memorial Day Weekend event will be May 24--27. There will be a full program of activities and meals will be provided. Tent camping is ideal, but there are also sites available for small campers, and some cabin space.

For a registration form, please contact: Karen Stucke, 480-829-8059 karen@sjstudio.com

If you are willing to share your talent by leading an activity, contact Eb Eberlein in Tucson at: skyis@azstarnet.com

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2002 VUU BOARD CANDIDATES

Election Sunday April 21 at VUU Congregational Meeting

President
Debbie Dinyes

I am a life-long UU and a member of VUU for 29 years. I have volunteered in several areas of the church over the years and am currently serving as president of the board of trustees. I am running for president again because I feel that continuity of leadership is important at this time. I have both more to learn and more to contribute and I hope you will permit me to serve the congregation again this coming year.

Vice President
Lynn DeMuth

I have just completed a term as Vice President.  I have truly enjoyed serving on the Board of Trustees and the executive committee, as well as planning and facilitating the committee council meetings.  Not only have I learned a lot about our church's history, structure, and management but I like to think I've played a small part in making Valley UU a stronger church.  I have been a member here since 1993; in that time I've served on the ministerial search committee, sung in the choir, taught preschool and kindergarten/first grade for the Religious Education program, served on the Heart and Hand Auction committee, and performed various and sundry tasks when needed. 

I think VUU has a strong and dynamic future as a liberal religious community.  With hard work and commitment from the congregation and leadership, we can face that future with confidence.

Secretary
Sharon Osborn-Popp

Sharon has been a member of VUUC for twelve years.  She and her husband, James, moved to Arizona from New Jersey, in 1989, when James entered law school.

They have two children, Thomas, 9, and Pamela, 7.  Sharon recently obtained her Ph.D. from ASU and works as a consultant in measurement, statistics, and evaluation. She has been a member of the VUUC Personnel Committee since the mid-90s and is very happy to be part of the VUU community.

Thanks,

Treasurer
Conrad Paul

Conrad has been treasurer of VUU since July 2001.  He joined the church in November of 2000.  Conrad has been a member of Unitarian or Unitarian Universalist congregations for his entire life.  Prior to coming to Arizona, he and his wife, Jane, lived in the Chicago area and belonged to the Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine where both served on the board of trustees, as well as served on several committees in the Church.  Conrad and Jane came to the Valley when Conrad took a position with Motorola.  Prior to that Conrad worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. for almost 18 years.



Assistant Treasurer
Dick Krueger

Member of VUU since February, 2001. Co-facilitator of an 8-week class in personal ethics. Vice-chair of the Social Action Committee. Assistant Treasurer since August of last year and crazy enough to volunteer to keep doing it if the congregation so wishes.

Board of Directors
Tracy Austin

Our family moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1994. Soon after, we joined VUU. My husband, Jim Middleton, our eight-month-old daughter, Rachel, and myself were welcomed to the church by Mary Lou Coy! Two years later our son, Wil, was born.

I have enjoyed participating in my children’s religious education at VUU by serving as a teacher and being a member of the R.E. Committee for four years, two of those years as co-chair. This year I had the opportunity and pleasure of being a part of the Madrigal Dinner decorating committee.

Before moving to Tempe I lived in Chico, CA and Madison, WI. My educational back ground is in psychology. In my "life before children I was employed a counselor in a group home for the chronically mentally ill and in the area of Supported Employment (the integration of people with developmental disabilities into our community via the work force).

Since my daughter’s birth I have had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom for both of my children.

Board of Trustees


Jim Bennett

I'm Jim Bennett and I'm running for VUU Board of Trustees.  I'm a third generation UU and have been a member of VUU since 1994.  I have previously been on the Building & Grounds Committee and the Committee on the Ministry. I work as programmer/analyst for the City of Phoenix.  In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my wonderful family, doing household projects and doing stuff on computers.

Dave Lewicki

Dave Lewicki and family (wife Angela and their four children) found and joined VUU two years ago. Dave earned his BSEE from Michigan State University in 1980 and has worked for Motorola in various capacities for the past 22 years, the latest being the Director of a $100M+ business unit.

Dave will bring his leadership skills and energy to the Board to help propel VUU into its next growth phase, and his business skills to the on going operations of the church.

"I have found my intellectual, spiritual and social home here at VUU. Now it's time for me to give something back.…I want to contribute where I can help the church the most. I would be honored to serve our church community as a member of the Board."

 



Kevin Erdmann

I met and married Jennifer Brady at the University of Oklahoma and received a Bachelors of Business Administration there. I started a signage subcontractor business there in 1993 and we moved ourselves and the business to Tempe in 1996.  We recently moved to Gilbert.

At VUU, I have taught RE on Sundays and attended the Historical Jesus/Christian group, and Men's Group meetings.  Also, I have occasionally assisted with building and grounds projects such as the altar wall.  I am currently a member of the Worship Committee.

Mike McBeath

Mike McBeath and his family began attending the Valley UU Church soon after they moved here from Ohio in 1998. He and his wife, Karen, joined about a year later. Mike is a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at ASU where he specializes in perception.

He and Karen have two children, Jasmine, age 14, and Ross, age 11. You may know Mike as the harmonica player who has performed at several Cabarets and other church events. He is also the fellow who auctioned a very unusual basket at the recent Heart and Hand Auction. He has enjoyed working with MUUGS to create the haunted house at several church Halloween parties, worked as an usher, assisted with buildings and grounds, and helped as a substitute teacher at Sunday School.

Mike would add a positive and innovative voice to discussions of Church policy and direction.

Nominating Committee

Donna Bennett

My name is Donna Bennett and I have been a member of VUU for 8 years.  I grew up going spirituality to a Baptist and then a Lutherans church but never felt like I fit in.  I was introduced to Unitarian Universalism by a friend and later married a 3rd generation UU.  We have 3 children Brandon (15), Amanda (9) and Olivia (8), who have grown up in the warm and loving community here at VUU. 

I have been on several committees including the RE and Hospitality Committees.  I have taught RE 4 out of the past 8 years and been on the canvass committee and helped out with special projects and activities. 

I am a mentor in a 4th/5th grade classroom at Horizon Community Learning Center (a charter school, where my children also attend).  I love to spend time with my family, read and do crafts; beads and scrapbooking are my current passion.

Mary Jo Bitner

I have been a member of VUU since 1991 and, with husband Rich Bitner, am raising our two daughters in this church community. 

I served as a member of the RE Committee for ten years, as a Trustee on the Board, and currently serve as a member of the Caring and Concerns Committee and neighborhood liaison for the Mesa West neighborhood. 

I have also been actively involved with MUUGS as a parent and co-chair. Through these various commitments, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many of our members. 

Outside of VUU I have been employed as a Professor in the College of Business at ASU for fifteen years.

Laurel Hardin

I was a member of VUU church when it was on River Road. I moved to Tucson and returned to Tempe in 1987 to rejoin the church. I sang in the choir, taught in the Religious education classes and I also took care of the babies in the nursery. I co chaired the RE and worship committees for a year each. I then served on the board as secretary and would be pleased to serve on the nominating committee.

Al McGarrity

I'm originally from Chicago, a Vietnam-era veteran (US Air Force Medical Corps), and Karen and I have been UU's since 1998. Prior to moving to Phoenix, we belonged to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, MA.

My current involvement with Valley UU church is being a greeter once a month, and playing keyboards in the VUU House Band.

Thanks

Neria K. Ryder

I’ve been attending the Valley Unitarian-Universalist Church since 1976 and became a member in 1876. Before that, I "found" the Unitarian Church in Harvard Square in 1952 and knew immediately that it would be it would be my church for the rest of my life. It would be easy to tell little stories to illustrate my qualifications for a position on the Board of the Special Funds Committee, but resisting that, early on, high school economics, then college economics and best of all, my father teaching me and my children about the stock market. I managed Mother’s estate after Daddy died in 1981 and personally entered the market in 1986. I’ve lost money, but gained it back, and am well aware of the fiduciary responsibility involved in managing our church’s money. I would like to serve on the Special Funds Board 

Thanks for your consideration.…….

Special Funds Committee

Lloyd Harrell

Member of the Church for about 6 years. Served almost 2 years on the Board.  

As you know, I participated in the "Coming of Age" Program with a fine young man.

Helped with several MUUGS events. Zach, our grandson, is in the RE Program so we are involved with him. During the canvass, I helped out and made several solicitations.

Recently, retired from city government after having spent more than 35 years in various management positions.

General Information

The election is Sunday, April 21 during the congregational meeting, at VUU Church, after the second service.

Amendments to the church by laws may be presented for vote.

Any position is technically open to other nominations even on the day of the election.


The By laws require that candidates for the Board each be a member of VUU for six months, and for Special Funds Committee, a candidate must be a member for a year. 

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VUUpoint is published by:

The Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

1700 W. Warner Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224

Phone: (480) 899-4249

Fax: (480) 899-2408

Web page: http://vuu.org

Email: vuu@qwest.net

Church Office Hours: M & Th 8-4;

T 8-12; W 8-1; F 12-4.

Minister’s Hours:

Wed afternoon and evening, by appt.

Thurs & Fri Daytime, appointments available. Monday is her sacred day off.

Call the Church office for an appointment, (480) 899-4249

Services: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. (NOTE: On May 5th the times will start being 9:30 and 11:15 a.m.)

The VUUpoint is published monthly from August to June by the Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, and distributed free of charge to members and friends. The annual subscription rate for others is an identifiable contribution of $15 or more.

Articles, announcements and other VUUpoint material may be e-mailed to vuu@qwest.net If possible, send as an attachment. Typed, printed or legibly handwritten material is also acceptable and may be dropped off in the VUUpoint box just inside the office door.

VUUpoint Deadline: 3^rd Sun of month!