Sunday Services for May 2002
9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
May 5: More than a Fairytale:
The Faith of a Unitarian Storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen.
Yes, the creator of the ugly duckling and the little mermaid was a Unitarian. He was also a far more ironic, serious and complicated writer than most of the English translations and certainly all the Disney movie adaptations would suggest. His life was a struggle against internal insecurities and outward snobbery. It was also a testament to the strength of the human and creative spirit.
May 12:
All Music Service! Please join us as our choir combines with the choir from the First UU Congregation of Phoenix to sing Vivaldi's Gloria and other music. On this Mother's Day the music is the sermon, our children's choir will sing, and a small orchestra and our brass group will play. Not to be missed!May 19:
Celebrating the Future: Recognition of Coming of Age Participants,Arnold Farley will speak on the significance of our youth "Coming of Age" program. A Potluck in honor of RE teachers will follow the second service.
May 26
. Minister's Surprise:To be determined.
Minister's Dusty Desert Corner.
May is a hopeful month. We are will be making plans for the future with our excellent consultant Jerri Moulder. Soon then we will have a map so we will know where this parade is going and can decide on the best route to take to get there. This is exciting and important work we are about to do here.
I believe wholeheartedly in the power of this congregation to do just about anything it decides to do. The piano we listen to every Sunday is a good example. It came to us entirely because of planning and generosity of this congregation. So this is an invitation be part of our team, join our mapmakers and if you have not signed up already for one of the short group meetings please do so. We need and want every members input so that it will be our joint vision, mission and five year plan.
This will be a short message. As I write this I am on my way to Denmark where my brother is very ill. I want to thank you for all the caring and support you have shown me at this time. And since we are close to May maybe some of the hope will carry into this end of April too.
Lone
Schedule of Events:
Goal Setting Weekend
May 17-19
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:
May 17 - Friday evening, Jeri will train approximately 20 of our members to serve as facilitators
May 18 - Saturday morning, afternoon or evening, the facilitators will conduct 3-4 hour sessions attended by 8-10 VUU members at meetings held in member homes or at the Church.
May 19 - Sunday afternoon, immediately after the second service, the facilitators draft a new VUU vision and mission statement to be presented to the Congregation in early June.
Board Bits
By Debbie Dinyes,
Board President
I was recently asked an interesting question by a person from another church, "Who makes the decisions in your church?" This was in reference to making our future building plans. I replied without hesitation, "The congregation makes these decisions and I see that their decisions are carried out." I think the answer surprised this person. Perhaps he was used to another way of doing things. This got me to thinking about how things actually do get decided around here. The elected leadership sees that the business of the church is carried out by the various committees. The minister supervises our staff and in turn answers to the congregation through the elected leadership. The power flows from the congregation through the leadership. As a whole the congregation does not involve itself in the details, nor does the board. The details reside with the committees and paid staff. With so many people involved, communication is an important thing. Amazingly, it actually works pretty well most of the time
The congregation has an important opportunity to make some big decisions about the direction of this church the weekend of May 17-19. This is when we will have our mission and goal-setting sessions. There will small groups meeting all over town on May 18. The results of these sessions will be used to craft a new mission statement and to develop a five year strategic plan for ourselves. On June 9 the mission statement will be presented for your approval and in September the strategic plan will be presented. I urge you to sign up for a group on May 18. Be a part of the decisions about our future together.
Summer is fast approaching and with the heat seems to come the money slump. Somehow things move slower and so does our income. The expenses, however, do not slow down. You can help avoid this summer cash flow slump by making sure that your pledge is paid on time. If you are able, pre-paying two or three months is very helpful.
I want to acknowledge the service of our board members whose terms are up: Johnnie May, Garry Cantley, Janey Marquez and Jamie Tillman. Thank you for your time and effort. Welcome to our new board members: Sharon Osborn-Popp, Jim Bennett, David Lewicki and Kevin Erdmann. I look forward to working with you. As for the returning members, Lynn DeMuth, Conrad Paul, Dick Krueger, Janet Nash, Debbe Simpkins and Bev McCormick, here we go again!
Valued Volunteers: Thanks to Donna Behrendt, Kat Henderson and others on the Membership Committee for the wonderful notebook, "Opportunities for Participation". Janet Nash ably organized the Prescott retreat again this year. We have a new Building and Grounds committee: John Matthews and Jerry Norland. Thanks also to Ken St. John who is taking over usher recruitment and coordination.
JoAnne Smith Day
Every year in the Spring, the Special Funds Committee reviews a list of the members of VUU who have worked long and hard on behalf of our Church, and selects one of them to be honored at our Annual Recognition Day.
Joanne Smith is currently serving as president of the Pacific Southwest District, which encompasses Southern California and Arizona. She has also served tirelessly in just about every job there is to do in the Church over her 17 years as a member of VUU:
She has served as newsletter editor, chair of the religious education, worship, canvass, fund raising and long range planning committees. Plus, she was a member of the Board of Directors, and served as its Vice President and
President. (Wow!)
♫ Music Notes ♫
Kellie Walker
Director of Music Ministries
Our Music Committee is being revitalized and we welcome new members. We need people with skills other than musical performance to help us plan and carry out the various special evening events the Music Committee sponsors (such as ourFall Cabaret and our Madrigal Dinner). So don't be shy about letting us know you’d like to help -we need people who are good with publicity and food planning especially, and who would like input into setting long-term goals for our music programs.
Our next meetings are after the second services (ll:30) on Sundays May 5 and May 19 (bring a dish to share at the new member potluck on the 19th). Please contact me if you have further questions.
Thanks to all who made our April 13 Recital so wonderful. We had about 60 people in attendance, handmade over $300 profit for the church. But the music, desserts, and conversation were what really made the evening special.
A big thanks to performers Ryan Marvel, Lorraine Rice, Carol Matthusen, Nora Monti (soon to be Marvel when she marries Ryan June 15), Mamak Dahnad, Magda Silva, and Dena Holland for providing a truly top-notch event.
Kellie
P
Check out the VUU web page at:This webpage is often the first impression of VUU to someone searching for a UU Church, and it does make a good impression.
Annual Meeting Report
21 April 2002
At the annual meeting on April 21, the following people were elected or re-elected to the Board of Trustees:
Debbie Dinyes, president; Lynn DeMuth, vice-president; Sharon Osborn-Popp, secretary; Conrad Paul, treasurer; Dick Krueger, assistant treasurer; Jim Bennett, David Lewicki and Kevin Erdmann, trustees.
Donna Bennett, Mary Jo Bitner and Alan McGarrity were elected to the Nominating Committee. Lloyd Harrell and Phillip Poirier were elected to the Special Funds Committee.
Mike McBeath, Donna Behrendt, Laurel Hardin and Neria Rider ran but were not elected. It was a close count, reflecting the high quality of all candidates. Thank you to all of you.
All amendments to the by-laws were passed. Starting in 2003 our fiscal year will run from July to June.
We will now have three categories of membership and the period for notice of membership termination due to lack of interest or activity will be one year.
Thank you to all who participated in the meeting with good points of discussion and questions.
Debbie Dinyes, Board President
LIFE SPAN EDUCATION NEWS
By Marilyn I. Huerter,
Director of Religious Education
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND
TEACHER APPRECIATION
SUNDAY, MAY 19th
We are packing a lot into this special Sunday service. We will be celebrating the completion of the Coming of Age Program by several of our youth, and Arnold Farley will give a sermon regarding its significance. We will also be recognizing those who make up a very special part of our RE program - our dedicated, hard-working, creative teachers. And for after the second service, we invite you all to bring a dish to share, for the Teacher Appreciation Pot-Luck. The teachers are our guests (they don't have to bring anything), so please bring extra for them and their families! And be sure to thank them for the special work they do with our children. We wouldn't have an RE program without them!
WAVE POOL PARTY
at Tempe Kiwanis Park. Your last chance to buy tickets for this fun, all-church event is May 5th. Tickets MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE; NO tickets will be sold at the door. So stop procrastinating - (a UU characteristic?) and get your tickets at the RE table. They're only $5.00 per person, under age 3 are free. Tubes are included in the price. It's great fun for kids of all ages, and we have the place to ourselves. Come to splash, swim, and/or socialize! Join us!
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
Summer is coming up fast, and we are planning our summer RE program. Our theme this summer is "Share Your Passion!" Pick a date (or two) and an age group (or a multi-age) and share with them what you love to do: a hobby, craft, talent, skill, social action project... It's wide open. This is a fun way to get to know our kids - and for them to get to know you, too. If you've ever thought about teaching, but couldn't get up the courage, this is an easy way to start. Choose one Sunday and share something you enjoy with enthusiastic kids. What could be simpler? Or more fun? If you have questions, please give me a call. We need you!
FALL TEACHING ROSTER
Ah, yes, we are also thinking about the fall! This is the time to consider joining our great teaching team. We have openings for either "full-time" (three Sundays a month) or "community-building" (one Sunday a month). All of our teachers feel that they get more out of teaching than do their charges. It is truly rewarding. We provide all the necessary resources: curriculum, training, supplies, and personal support. You can even start out as an assistant to see what actually happens in a classroom. Please call me if you would like more information.
Marilyn
Note from the Editor ♫
As a fast-growing organization, information within VUU must be shared with everyone, especially those who do not see/visit with each other often. The goal of VUUpoint is to provide communication and connections to each person within our community. To achieve this noble end, and to keep the Newsletter to a reasonable length, items will be presented in this order
A new Milestones section is also included. This will provide an opportunity for members to share births, graduations, deaths, or other life events. Please let me know via e-mail or the VUU inbox of any events in your life.
I appreciate any and all suggestions, criticisms, etc, of VUUpoint.
Thank you,
Vicki kulikfam@cox.net
Special MAY VUU Events
Sunday, May 5
Bring your favorite potluck dish to share as we all come together and welcome our newest members into our community.
Over a hundred people shared food and attended our last potluck. Everyone, please plan to attend this potluck which will immediately follow the second service to make it the best ever and make our newest members feel welcome
ADULT RELIGION COURSE
Good news! An adult RE course is offered this 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 meeting for five sessions; every Thursday evening in
May, at 7:15 PM. Child care will be available for a small fee.U.U. Women’s Circle
Open to all VUU Women
The May meeting will be at the UU Cottage on Thursday the 9th and the subject will be an interesting one on personal motivation:
"What Gets Me Up in the Morning!"
SOCIAL ACTION is a basic Unitarian Universalist commitment with involvement in a wide variety of important activities from assisting needy individuals, to environmentalism, to World Peace and everything in between. As our VUU Church has grown so has the diversity of the Social Action activities in which our members are committed and involved. Due to this, it now seems wise for our Social Action Committee to include becoming a Clearing House, able to present information on many important societal activities. This fall we will be surveying our members and friends about their specific interests and what they do and would like to have done to promote their issues. We are looking for volunteers to help revise and lead our new Social Action Committee. If interested, please come to the next SA committee meeting at 7pm. Tues. May 14 in the church and/or contact Rachel Nelson (interim coordinator) at (480) 895-0766 or e-mail Raerock25@aol.com.
Yoga at the Church on Mondays
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 480-838-8037.
Coming VUU Events
Women’s Circle
In June we will have our annual luncheon and a special invitation is extended to those women who have been unable to attend meetings during the busy winter months. Plans are underway to meet at the Landmark Restaurant in Mesa on June 13. Details will be in next month’s VUUpoint newsletter. Please put this date on your calendar. We do not meet in July or August.
Summer Awakening:
A Zen Retreat By The Lake
John Tarrant and Desert Lotus Saga
Through the deepening of our spiritual practice in this retreat we experience the joy of living in the moment; the heart cracks open and the clarity of oneness brings us home. All levels of meditation experience are welcome!
DATES: June 13 – 16, 2002 (7pm Thursday through 2pm Sunday).
FEE: $300 (fee includes room and board).$60 deposit reserves your spaceSign up by May 31 and receive a $25 discount!
LOCATION: Desert Outdoor Center, Lake Pleasant
REGISTRATION
EMAIL:desert_lotus_sangha@hotmail.com
PHONE: 480.961.3223
WEB: www.vuu.org/zen
▲ MIGHTY TRINITY ▲
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!
Milestones
Our hearts, concern, love, and hope go with Lone Jensen as she travels to Denmark to be with her seriously ill brother.
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!"
In May 2002, these Members will celebrate their anniversaries:
Sue Eskey
Clayton Esterson
Sally Mulready
Peg Podlich
Barb and Frank Quijada
Ann Sawyer
Virginia Stone
Bulletin Board
Help us celebrate Mel’s 80th Birthday on June 1st at the Clubhouse of the Villages at Lynx Creek, Dewey, AZ!
Y’All COME NOW!
For Rent
: Furnished, master bedroom, with private bath, in quiet, Chandler neighborhood. Occupants: single mother and her five year old daughter. $350/mo, water included, one third of other utilities. Female, non-smoker only. Please call (480) 917-5626.… Paz de Cristo …
Paz de Cristo no longer takes clothing donations. Please continue to show your support for this local ministry by bringing in canned and nonperishable food. Let’s try to fill the donation basket every Sunday!
NEWSLETTER HELP 
The VUUpoint editor would like to form a Newsletter Committee of at least three people, to help proofread/coordinate articles. It would require approximately one afternoon a month, on the Wednesday or Thursday following the 3rd Sunday. Please contact Vicki Kulik: kulikfam@cox.net
480-659-9126
MORE ACTIVITIES
Sierra Ancha Wilderness UU Camp Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-27,
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. It is an excellent place for spiritual reflection, relaxation, "quality" family time, and meeting other UUs. 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 more information and/or a registration form, please contact:
Karen Stucke, 480-829-8059, karen@sjstudio.com
DeBeneville Pines
SWWRA
PSWD/de Benneville YoUUth Camps incorporate all of these into an action-packed week that is bound together by Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes.
Elementary Camp will be experiencing a Forest Adventure; Jr. High Camp will delve into world issues during Global Summit, and Sr. High Camp utilizes youth created and led programming that instills a powerful sense of community and belonging in the participants.
Campers spend mornings in theme activities, and afternoons are spent in a variety of activities such as theater games, arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, and archery. Evenings are spent in special events such as the talent show, dance, campfires, and sleepovers.
Worship experiences are woven throughout the day and focus is put on strengthening campers’ self-esteem and understanding of Unitarian Universalism.
Our YoUUth Camps utilize trained program and counseling staff. Campers are housed in comfortable cabins with showers and bathrooms, and each cabin is supervised by two counselors.
Dates for camps are as follows: Elementary: July 7-13, Grades 3-6 Jr. High: July 14-20, Grades 6-8 Sr. High: July 21-27, Grades 9-12 Early registration fees are $320.00 if postmarked by June 1.
After June 1 the fee is $350.00. There is a $15.00 discount when a sibling registers and a $15.00 discount when you bring a newcomer.
Sound like something your child or youth should not miss out on?
Contact:
Tera Little at 818-769-5917 or
teralittle@worldnet.att.net for registration information.Family Camp 2002
at de Benneville Pines
"Stories and Symbols"
Join fellow Unitarian Universalists at PSWD's de Benneville Pines in the San Bernardino Mountains, Sunday July 28th to Saturday August 3rd, for Family Camp 2002. The theme this year is "Stories and Symbols", an exploration of the meaning of our culture's most familiar stories, led by storyteller and myth expert, Jonathan Young and poet, Anne Bach. Our theme is the starting point for adult and children's program and activities.
Join morning adult workshops on our theme while children enjoy camp fun. Afternoons and evenings feature traditional intergenerational activities. Come for singing, hiking, old fashioned fire circles, worship, arts and crafts, music, swimming, and fantastic food. Come for yourself, come for your family, and come for old friends and new. Come for community.
For information on registration and prices visit our web site at
www.refamilycamp.org, or contact the Camp Dean.Caroline Quintanilla,
caroline@alpacas-in-la.comor phone: (909) 794-5273.
Caring and Concerns Neighborhood Contacts
It's the middle of spring, and a beautiful time of the year in the Valley. We hope it finds everyone happy and healthy. But if your life could use a little uplifting, contact your Neighborhood Contact. They'll be happy to help.
If you haven't met your contact(s) yet, introduce yourself at services. If you would be willing to help when the need arises, be sure to call or email and let them know what you can provide.
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.orgEmail:
vuu@qwest.netChurch Office Hours
: M, T and Th: 8-noon,W: 11:00-3:00, Fri: noon-4 p.m. Minister’s Hours:
Wed afternoon and evening, by appt.
Thurs and Fri Daytime, appointments available.
Monday is her sacred day off.
Call the Church office for an appointment, (480) 899-4249
Services: 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. on Sunday
VUUpoint is published monthly 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.
Article Deadline is 3rd Sunday of the month
Love is the doctrine of this church The quest of truth is its sacrament And service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace To seek knowledge in freedom To serve humankind in friendship Thus do we covenant.