VUU Social Groups
Social groups meet regularly to enjoy each other’s company and to share life’s ups and downs. People connect with each other in a deeper way than is possible after a worship service on Sunday morning. Participants often share common crafts or activities.
EastVUU
The EastVUU group came together in early 2017 as a way to connect VUU members and friends who live on the eastern side of the East Valley. The mission of the EastVUU group is to enable fellowship, spiritual development, and progressive social justice. We are an open group and welcome anyone who wants to join us online for adult spiritual development, in person at our social gatherings, or doing social justice work together.
Circle Suppers
Would you like to get to know more people from the VUU community? Join the Circle Suppers group and participate in monthly potluck dinners. A purely social event, there are no requirements aside from having a good time. On the first Saturday of each month, small groups of 8 or 10 meet at a host’s house for a delicious meal with a variety of side dishes.
The hosts and attendees vary from month to month, so you will get to meet and visit with new people. Participants are not required to host and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Singles, couples, and families are welcome, and you don’t need to be a VUU member to participate.
* You can join the group by sending an email to Nick Carr at: circlesuppers@vuu.org
* Around the middle of each month, the sign-up email goes out. You respond if you would like to participate in the upcoming supper.
* Based on those responses and offers to host, groups are formed. An email is sent indicating who is in which group and who will be hosting that group.
* The group host will then send a message with details about that group. Hosts can set a theme but are not required to provide anything except a location and a friendly welcome. From there, the host and participants make a plan and everyone has a great time.
If you have questions, please contact Nick at:
Book GroUUp
What legacy will you leave your beloved: your children, grandchildren, congregation, community, and/or country about how you worked to dismantle systemic racism during your lifetime? What will you bequeath to your beloved? What is your hope for their future, for Beloved Community?
Join Rev. Tina Squire and Steve Kraynak on the third Friday of each month for a justice-centered book discussion from the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist values. Here we will use reading, conversation, and writing to answer these questions.
Join us every third Friday from February through May. Register here.
Men’s Group
We are an open-minded UU circle of men who were formed in 2015 following a wonderful sermon about fathers from one of our founding members. We meet twice a month to discuss a variety of subjects affecting men’s general issues in our society as well as our specific personal matters. We also get together for a Saturday breakfast once a month. Prior to COVID-19, we met at the church in the evening and since the pandemic, our twice-monthly meetings are virtual using Zoom.
For more information contact David Sheh at mensgroup@vuu.org
VUU Library
The VUU Library is located in the Administration Building. Volunteer coordinators generally care for it. Currently there are no coordinators. If our library and its care interests you as a volunteer, please contact Todd at admin@vuu.org
Page Turners
The Page Turners Book Club is open to all members, visitors, and friends of VUU who enjoy reading and discussing a variety of books. You are welcome to attend all meetings or just when the book is of interest to you. Books are selected by the group during the December meeting for the following year.
We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at a member’s home in Tempe. Please email Amy at pageturners@vuu.org if you would like to be sent the meeting location address.
This book group also sponsors the Little Library on the VUU campus. Stop by to add books or take books to read.
VUU Singles
If you are single and new to the congregation, the Singles VUU activities are a great place to begin making friends. We are a supportive social group for single people within and outside the congregation membership. All sexual orientations are welcome. This is a friendship group, not a dating group.
We meet at 6:30 every 4th Friday of the month at various restaurants in the area and have dinner and lively conversations. (It’s a good way to learn about different restaurants if you’re new to the area, too.) The location is published in Happenings the week before the event. We have done occasional house parties and activities such as game nights and Fall Foliage tours. These events are often spontaneously planned and notifications go out to the membership by group email.
If you are interested in hearing more about this group or want to RSVP for the monthly dinner, contact Claudette by phone or text at 973-768-6047 or by email at: singles@vuu.org We’re a very welcoming group and look forward to meeting you!
VUU Bridge
We play Bridge with VUU colleagues once a month. In addition to playing bridge, we have a pot-luck supper before the game.
The host provides a main dish and the other players bring something to share.
We meet at 5:00 the second Sunday of the month at the home of one of the players.When we are finished with the meal we draw for partners and play. The evening usually ends by 9:30.
The club consists of roughly 16 active members and 4 substitutes. We play nine months of the year, not in the summer. We use Chicago scoring and a bidding system that includes conventions that are typical of those used by duplicate bridge players.
For more information contact Jim Horton Jim is a member of ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) and is a Ruby Life Master.
Contact Jim Horton at bridge@vuu.org