Desert Notes April 10, 2025
It’s been a very full week. On Saturday I marched in downtown Phoenix with many UU’s and thousands of Phoenicians, and then met with a small group of leaders and Dr. Melissa James and Rev. Tania Marquez from the UUA to talk about Stewardship issues. These were both moving experiences, and one I was glad to prioritize. Sunday we enjoyed a soup lunch from the Coming of Age kids and a post service workshop on the Future of Faith Formation with Tania and Melissa. This coming weekend I will be supporting Sol’s fundraiser (see the article about it), and also in Prescott for part of the retreat this weekend. I’ll return for Sunday service.
The book I am giving to new members is one that is edited by our UUA President, Sofia Betancourt, called “Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies.” You can order it from the UU Bookstore and I highly recommend it. (New members–it’s in! Come by my office to get your household copy!)
This month you will be invited to participate in small group conversations about our budget and our future, and I am looking forward to your creative ideas for how we can continue to grow and meet the needs of our members, friends, and new participants while also connecting with our larger community in ways that are transformative, healing, and hopeful. Look for an email soon that gives you a chance to register for a conversation.
Finally, we are beginning our search for a part time interim music coordinator. This person will be helping with some of the administrative and coordination tasks of our music program while current volunteers continue to lead the aspects of the program that bring them joy. They will also help us begin to consider our music program and its future–how we are changing, what we need to grow, and how music engagement helps us fulfill our mission and vision. A small hiring committee has been formed and is made up of music leaders and musicians. We look forward to sharing more with you when we are ready to hire someone!
—Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan