Caryl Mcharney of First Congregational (Albuquerque) has arranged for church volunteers to help the city plant trees in Roosevelt Park at 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 27. The city forester is looking for about a dozen volunteers to help with the task. They'll picnic in the park when the labor is done!
On the Sunday after Easter, April 28, Scottsdale UCC will carry forward a beloved centuries’ old tradition by observing “Holy Humor Sunday” (aka “God’s Joke,” “The Easter Laugh,” etc.) In 15th century Bavaria, priests would deliberately include amusing stories and jokes in their sermons to try to make the congregation laugh. After service, people gathered to play practical jokes on one another and tell funny stories. It was their way of celebrating the resurrection of Christ – the supreme joke God played on Satan and death - by raising Jesus from the dead. During this special service, Scottsdale members will engage in joke and funny storytelling, maybe pull a practical joke or two, sing humorous lyrics to familiar tunes, do some of their usual things backwards or upside down, etc. If members want to dress funny for the occasion, go for it!
Join Church of the Red Rocks on April 28, the week after Easter, for their annual Gospel Sing Along. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the old time hymn sing! The service/sing along will be at 9:30 AM.
On April 28th, Shepherd of the Hills will launch a 6-month celebration celebrating 60 years of hearing God's call to learn, to love and to serve together. You are invited to their kick-off during worship at 10am. Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Steve Davis will preach.
United Church of Santa Fe is fortunate to have several musicians among its members. The Santa Fe Pro Musica Concert is on Saturday, Apr. 27 (4:00 pm) and Sunday, Apr. 28 (3:00 pm) at the Lensic and features United members Jessica Smucker and Allie Norris. Info & Tix: sfpromusica.org. The Santa Fe Youth Philharmonic and Youth Symphony Concerts on Sunday, Apr. 28 at St. Francis Auditorium at 1:00 pm for the Intermezzo String Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic, and at 3:30, the Youth Symphony. Come hear a myriad of young musicians from United including Sasha and Jack Smucker, Jaden and Luke Rand, Nathan and Madelyn Kingston, and Hela Kelemen. sfysa.org
Black Mountain UCC gathered materials and completed 61 Disaster Relief Kits for Church World Service.
Rincon's migrant shelter has been bustling, offering a welcome and necessary respite for asylum seeking families. Volunteers are preparing three nutritious meals a day in the kitchen, children are laughing and running on the playground, parents are able to assure their loved ones far away that they are safe and find the support they need to continue on their journeys.
Shadow Rock is looking to hire custodial help for Sunday afternoons, right after worship, to get the building ready for preschool the next morning. You must be 18 or over to apply and able to perform basic janitorial tasks. Please contact Lois in the church office for more information.
The Good Shepherd will host a Used Bike Drive for BICAS Tucson (Bicycle Intercommunity Arts & Salvage), a non-profit agency serving cyclists of all ages on May 10th and 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Good Shepherd UCC Church, 17750 North La Canada, Sahuarita. Bicycles donated to BICAS will be distributed to young people or resold to support its many programs.
Church of the Palms has been gearing up for its 50th anniversary celebration on November 3 by holding fundraisers for it since September of last year. They began with a chili cook off, and continued with a bingo party, an ecumenical religion/science retreat, and an English afternoon tea.