Desert Notes May 1, 2025

New Members that were recognized in April, your books are in the box next to the door of my office–stop in and get yours!

Last weekend I had the chance to visit Beacon UU in Flagstaff and to hear guest speaker (via zoom) CB Beal give a sermon. CB developed an idea called pre-emptive radical inclusion, an idea I think we all need to learn more about to build the world we dream of. It was great to be with UU’s, and I enjoyed meeting folks and seeing what their building is like. When you travel, I encourage you to check out the UU congregations you are near, so you can see what is “VUU” and what is “UU.”  

May is a busy time of year in the life of most congregations, and in the life of anyone who is living on an academic calendar! As school terms wind down and summer plans begin to emerge, we prepare for transitions not just in the season but in our institutions as well. I am preparing to join the Coming of Age teens and chaperones for their visit to Boston, and then we will be headed into a congregational meeting in June where we will vote on a budget and new leaders for some of VUU’s work groups. I will attend our annual Ministry Days and General Assembly in person (which you can also attend online or in person) in Baltimore as well as meet up with the seven other ministers in my weekly preaching group of the last four years. Then, I’ll take some of my vacation and study leave. This summer I hope to travel some with my family and to escape the heat at least a little. In July we’ll begin youth faith formation alongside the beginning of the school year (which is now a modified year round schedule in most districts) and in August we’ll begin with an ingathering service called the Water Communion. I hope you are also planning some rest, reflection and recreation.  

—Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan