Join AARP AZ the last Tuesday of every month in the Worship Center at Church of the Beatitudes for a fun and interactive drum circle led by trained HealthRhythms® facilitator, Frank Thompson. Drum circles are a form of recreational music-making proven to reduce stress, boost the immune system, promote joy, a sense of well-being and to build community. All drums and percussion instruments provided. No musical experience required.
For their September 29th Creation Celebration, Black Mountain UCC says "Let's plant a tree @ BMUCC." A tree will be chosen and planted on the campus.
Pastor Sarah from Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque has posed a question to her congregation: "My birthday is coming up, and as I approach it, I’m thinking more about what I’m doing with the time I have left. I’d like to invite you to do a thought experiment with me. If someone told you only had 5 years left, what would you do that was meaningful? Think big, if you dare!" Hmmm.
On the first Monday in October, Church of the Palms will begin a new ministry program with I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program). Working with Lutheran Services, they will be housing up to 12 adults on Monday nights. Churches throughout the valley are joining this important ministry. IHELP is a program designed to help people who don’t have the safety net of parents, or children, or others when financial crises happen. This program gives them a safe place to have a fresh start where job training and placement can occur. It's a 90-day program that gives hope to those who are vulnerable. It's the church being the church.
First Church Phoenix will be sponsoring the film “Birthright” on September 25th at 6:30 at the 3rd Street Theater, Phoenix Center for the Arts. The film tells the story of women who have become collateral damage in a campaign to take control of reproductive health care and to allow states, courts, and religious doctrine to govern whether, when, and how women will bear children. The film will also be shown at Scottsdale UCC on October. 4th at 6:30.
TUCSON PRIDE (& Stonewall 50th Anniversary,) Saturday, Sept. 28th at Reid Park. Rincon Congregational and several other Tucson-area UCCs are hosting an information booth from 12 noon-6 pm where folks can stop by to say "hi" and meet new UCC friends and LGBTQ allies & supporters. Rincon secured a "Parade" entry, and they are walking together at 11am with other UCCs.
Shepherd of the Hills invites everyone to wear black on Thursdays in symbolic resistance to sexual and gender-based violence against women. #ThursdaysInBlack
Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson
Diana Gregory Outreach Services will introduce the 2019 Senior Award honorees at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at The Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. These awards honor individuals over 70 years of age whose leadership and commitment have significantly contributed to Arizona’s and the nation’s future, according to a press release. The Lifetime Achievement Awardee will be given to Reverend Dr. Dosia Carlson.
Dr. Carlson is a composer, writer, pastor emeritus, and so much more. In 1981, Dr. Carlson founded the Beatitude Center for Developing Older Adult Resources, now known as DUET, Partners in Health and Aging.
Several churches participated in the Climate Strike on September 20th. A few who mentioned it in their newsletters include:
Church of the Beatitudes
First Congregational UCC, Albuquerque
Taos UCC
The Good Shepherd, Sahuarita
First Church Phoenix
Scottsdale UCC
Rincon UCC