This Sunday, September 17
Transitions and Beginnings
Service Leader: Rev. Margret A. O'Neall
Sunday, September 17, 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
Sometimes we find ourselves on a threshold, entering a time of discovery with unexpected potential for transformation. Welcoming the opportunity, we prepare to explore and celebrate the joy of new beginnings as we reconnect with the abundance of gifts and grace in our lives.
Two Service Schedule Starts on Sunday
Sunday, September 17, 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
Please remember that the two service schedule starts with the service on the 17th. We have two services with the first one starting at 9:30 AM with children's ministry classes during that service and 11:15 AM.
Board Chat
Sunday, September 17, 10:30 AM in Annex D
Join the Board of Trustees for a monthly conversation keeping you updated on what we're working on. Come chat with the board and get questions answered about our transition and ministerial search.
Starting Point Tour
Sunday, September 17, 10:45 AM in the Foyer
Meet Janine Gelsinger, our Membership Coordinator and a member of our Children's Ministry program, in the front foyer at 10:45 AM for a brief tour of our campus. You will have a chance to learn about our programs and ask questions in this informal introduction to UUCP. No sign up. Just show up!
Next Sunday, September 24
Holy Days
Service Leader: Rev. Margret A. O'Neall
Sunday, September 24, 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
In this time of High Holy days in the Jewish tradition, we are called to consider the integrity of our choices and actions in alignment with our values and commitments. How do we welcome the grace of atonement and the power of new beginnings into our lives?
Write Letters to Immigrant Detainees 
Sunday, September 24, from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM in Annex B
Join us in sending letters to people in immigrant detention. This is a great opportunity to connect with and support people as wait to get their cases heard. People in dentition are typically there from a couple months to a few years and outside support is essential to their well-being. This inter-generational effort does not require that you speak Spanish (people will be there to help), but feel free to bring your laptop or cell phone to access translation tools. Supplies will be provided, and light fare will be served. Please contact Judith Breuer below with any questions.
CONTACT JUDITH
Upcoming Classes & Events
Sound, Light and Movement
Facilitators:  Aaron Ford and Stuart Silverman
Time and Date: Saturdays, September 23 - November 4 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Sanctuary
No class on October 7
In this course we will be exploring the creative arts to promote personal and collective awareness, empowerment and healing. Using the modalities of art, music and dance/movement, we will immerse ourselves in guided explorations, improvisation, and discussion. The integration of these expressive art forms creates a synergy which helps to raise our personal and collective consciousness. Our explorations will be a combination of individual and group work. We will also examine how our intention can raise awareness on a more global scale.
REGISTER FOR SOUND, LIGHT AND MOVEMENT
SEE ALL ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS
Community Nights will resume Thursday, September 21, 2017
This year, we continue our Community Night tradition every Thursday evening. Join us at 6:00 PM in the Johnson Room for food and friendship. Each week features the talents of the fabulous cooks in our congregation:  two main dishes (one vegetarian), as well as sides, salad and bread. A donation of $5 per adult, $2 per child under ten, or $10 per family covers the cost of the meal. If you'd like to join but have dietary restrictions or preferences, you are welcome to bring your own meal. If you enjoy contributing, but are unable to commit in advance, bringing a dessert or fruit to share is always welcome. Following Community night, Thursday evenings feature many activities:  small groupsadult faith developmentPathway to Membership and more. Check out the UUCP website to sign up. Chalice Kids childcare is available between 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Please contact Janine Gelsinger below with any questions. 
CONTACT JANINE
Fall Identity Nights
First Night is Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 PM
For the second year, UUCP is holding a series of fall Identity Nights. These are opportunities for everyone in our community to build relationships with each other around aspects of our identities and backgrounds, and to more fully appreciate ourselves and our unique histories. The relationships that come out of these groups will make our community stronger. Please consider attending them all!

Each session is on a Thursday night from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, after the community night meal.

September 21: Working on gay oppression and sexual orientation
Queer folks in the Sanctuary
Straight folks in the Johnson Room
("Queer" in this case refers to anyone who has a gender identity or sexual orientation that strays from rigid, gender-based stereotypes.)

September 28: Working on class background and classism
Raised-poor and raised-working-class in the Sanctuary
Raised-middle-class in the Johnson Room
Raised-upper-middle-class and raised-upper-class-elite in Annex B

October 5: Working on race and racism
People of the global majority (People of color) in the Sanctuary
White people in the Johnson Room

People with mixed and blended backgrounds (i.e. mixed race, mixed class backgrounds, or fluid sexual orientation) are welcome to attend any group that they have a connection to. This includes many of us. If you're not sure which group to attend, our staff members and facilitators are happy to listen as you think it through.
CONTACT BENJIE
Women's Ritual
Friday, September 22, at 7:00 in the Sanctuary
Join a group of women for earth-centered rituals that honor the season, the phases of the moon and personal spirituality. Each month a different participant will plan a ritual for everyone to engage in. Contact Pat Reed for more information via email below or by phone at 847-967-1672. 

*Please note Women's Ritual usually meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month. They are meeting on Friday this month due to Identity Night on September 21.
EMAIL PAT REED
Parent(s) of Young(er) Children Small Group
Saturday, September 23 starting at 3:00 PM
Meeting at home of Ania & Julian in Scottsdale
For the 4th Saturday afternoon groups, we are going to try out our new "family style" small group. Bring the kids, and they can play in the pool, on the grass, with each other or hang out with you while we have group. Group check in will start around 3:15 PM and will consist of going around the circle with names, introductions and answering a topic question. After the check in is complete with everyone, families can converse in groups, one-on-one or however they would like to get to know each other. Include the kids or let them play. This is more casual than a typical small group. For more information and the address of the group please email Sarah Montgomery below or call her at 602-317-4931.
EMAIL SARAH
Green Sanctuary Group
Table at the back of the Sanctuary
Campus Workday on October 15 at 9:00 AM
Come to the social action table at the back of the Sanctuary on Sundays to get a postcard and get information about Chispa's campaign for "Clean Buses for Healthy Ninos" as a good way to use the more than $50 million AZ will receive from the VW settlement which must be spent to help reduce air pollution.

We will also have a signup for the monthly workday at the campus. The first workday is scheduled for October 15 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM with a potluck lunch after. Please sign up for the workday. 
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Urgent DACA Scholarship Fund
UUCP is supporting several local immigrant justice groups collecting donations to offer scholarships to pay for the DACA renewal applications for people in the Phoenix area. Renewals must be in by October 5, so fundraising is urgent. Contributions can be checks made out to "UU Congregation of Phoenix" with "DACA scholarships" in the memo and dropped off on Sunday, or online at the link below. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting the immigrant community! 
DONATE NOW
Outdoor Group 
The fall hiking season kicks off with a camping event at Sunset Crater National Monument September 20 - 24. Todd and Stephanie Houghton are leading a beautiful hike September 23. Hiking trails from easy (wheelchair accessible) to more strenuous are through, around, and overlooking the Bonita Lava Flow. After a day of hiking and/ or hanging around camp on Saturday, we will have hotdogs and all the fixin's for a well -earned cookout!  Bring a dish to share, and enjoy an evening of fellowship, storytelling, and s'mores around the campfire. Don't want to campout, book a room in Flagstaff, only 20 minutes away, or just come for a day. Let's go hiking! Please call Bonnie White at 562-889-9404 or e-mail her below for all the details. 
EMAIL BONNIE
Raised-Upper-Class Facilitator Needed
Our Identity Nights program helps us make connections and share with other members of our community around issues of identity. This fall, one of our Identity Nights will be about socioeconomic class. We have two facilitators for the raised-poor and raised-working-class group, and two for the raised-middle-class group, but only one for the group of those raised in either the upper-middle-class and upper-class-elite, and it would be good to have one more. Most of us have mixed class backgrounds, so if you have any upper-class influence in your childhood at all and would be willing to help facilitate this group, please email Benjie Messer below. We know that class background can be a sensitive and confusing aspect of identity, and we appreciate you considering helping our congregation grow in this way.
CONTACT BENJIE
Save the Date for the VUU Prescott Retreat
November 3 - November 5 in Prescott, Arizona
Registration is open from September 17 - October 15
Many Valley Unitarian Universalist members and friends have attended the VUU Prescott retreat over the years.  The retreat is great for singles, couples, and families.  Come join us once again this November, as we enjoy time in the woods at Pine Summit Camp, pinesummitcamp.com.  Besides being located in a beautiful forest, the camp has a mini-golf course, basketball and volleyball courts and an enclosed gym with a rock climbing wall, basketball courts and a low-tech game room. People are invited to bring books, board games, and attend various workshops that people host.  For those interested, there is a Saturday night un-talent show, where singing, skits, and other "talent" are show cased.

Please add this retreat to your calendar and start saving now for this weekend. Cost will be about $100 per adult for the whole weekend. This includes lodging, Saturday meals, and Sundaybreakfast & lunch. Contact: Karen Hindhede below with further questions.
CONTACT KAREN
DONATE TO UUCP NOW