Compiled from church newsletters by Holly Herman - are we receiving YOUR church's newsletter? Add hhbillsmom@gmail.com and wgonzales@uccswc.org to your mailing list!
On the 2nd Sunday after Easter—April 15*, Scottsdale Congregational will carry forward a beloved centuries’ old tradition by observing “Holy Humor Sunday” (aka “God’s Joke,” “The Easter Laugh,” etc.). During this special service, they will engage in jokes, funny story telling, may pull a practical joke or two, sing humorous lyrics to familiar tunes, do some usual things backwards or upside down, etc.
United Church of Sun City will also celebrate Holy Humor Day on April 8th. As Pastor Brady says, “....being made in the image of God, it is reasonable to believe that God has a sense of humor....I encourage you to find the humor in life, find the humor in church, find the humor in the Bible.... and laugh!”
Also observing Holy Humor Day will be Congregational Church of the Valley! The congregation is invited to ready its jokes; Rev. Sandi will endeavor to preach (humorously) on how God is actively at work even amid all the brokenness we see and experience and why we can always have hope.
Shepherd of the Hills celebrated Palm Sunday with live donkeys along with the usual Palm branches.
On April 8th, First Congregational Albuquerque will host a Compassionate Conversation workshop; the second half will be April 15th. "Do you have friends, relatives, teenagers, allies, non-allies that you wish you could talk to but their views are very different from yours? Does it always degenerate into an argument or a decision to just not talk about it?" This free workshop will teach some new techniques and ways to change hearts and minds.
Casas Adobes UCC kicked off a new food pantry at Keeling Elementary School with a bevy of volunteers, a very respectable turnout, and no snags. The pantry served more than 60 families encompassing more than 300 individuals. Of that number, more than half were children. The attendees took home canned goods, pasta and beans, mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and for good measure, fresh brussel sprouts.
United Church of Sun City will vote in April on a proposed Open and Affirming Covenant.
Black Mountain UCC is looking for a part time administrator. Contact the church if interested.
Church of the Beatitudes is assembling filled purses for homeless women that contain hygiene products as well as other small items such as make-up, costume jewelry, scarves, etc. Purses will be distributed on Mother’s Day. Donations welcome!
United Church of Angel Fire is supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters through their annual Bowl for Kids Sake. Teams are asked to pledge $500 each, which will support half of a new match. Goal is to enable 8 new matches.
Church of the Red Rocks will present an adult education opportunity beginning this Wednesday, April 4 with "Cultural Literacy for Religion: Hinduism in History and Now." In addition to using the Great Courses lectures on these topics, they will welcome Jayna Clerk – Sedona resident, popular Ollie instructor and Hindu teacher – as a resource. The class will be facilitated by the Revs. Bob Wheaton and Margaret Gramley and meet for three Wednesday morning sessions at 10:00 a.m. on April 4, 11 & 18.
For those wanting to discover more about the plight of DACA youth (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), First Congregational Church Prescott UCC is hosting a special evening on Wednesday, April 18, 6:30 P.M. in Perkins Hall. Three local DACA students will present their stories about their arrival in this country, their struggles, worries, and dreams. After their presentations, there will be time for questions/answers.