At United Church of Santa Fe, as they begin to cautiously come together, Pastor Talitha organized a “Hymn Hum,” where 25 choir members and some spouses (masked and socially distant) gathered in the Sanctuary to hum along with St. Olaf choir recordings of beloved hymns. Since singing is a risky behavior for covid-19 spread, humming offered the possibility of coming together and seeing other members of the choir community, while still adhering to safe practices.
How to Live When Things Fall Apart is the topic of a webinar lecture being hosted by Desert Garden Church on October 10th from 10 – 11 a.m. The lecture will be presented by Rev. Tony Robinson, a widely known theologian, author, and speaker. Rev. Robinson has served as visiting faculty and lecturer at Seattle University, Princeton Seminary, Brite Divinity School, and Pacific School of Religion. His best-selling books include Transforming Congregational Culture and What’s Theology Got to Do With: Convictions, Vitality, and the Church. If you are interested in attending this free webinar lecture, register at www.desertgardenchurch.org.
Although going back-to-school has been a bit confusing these days between meeting online or in-person, if any student needs academic assistance, Encanto Community Church is there to help by scheduling a tutoring session. Qualified adults from the parish are available to offer assistance in any subject.
The United Methodist Church in Sedona has formed a new 501(c)(3) and asked Church of the Red Rocks to partner with them. The first joint project involves a partnership with the Sedona Food Bank, and involves gathering hygiene products to make available to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients in need of such items. These products are not available through the SNAP program to low income residents, so this will help fill that “gap.” Products needed include items such as paper products, dish/laundry soap, dental hygiene items, shampoo, and diapers.
On Saturday, October 10th, First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque invites everyone to come to the church parking lot from 10 -11:30 am for a drive by Blessing of the Animals and Drive and Drop for Peanut Butter and Jelly for the UNM Food Pantry. Wear a mask, bring your pet, and bring items to donate to help feed those who are hungry.
(Lots of our churches are blessing animals this week in a variety of ways- on Zoom, using photos, and in parking lots. In these chaotic times, our pets are certainly sources of comfort and friendship.)
I've mentioned before that First Christian Church in Las Cruces has a weekly "Spiritual Practice" gathering and several have been most intriguing. This last week they meditated with a finger labyrinth. If you don't know what that is (I didn't), here's a link to one with instructions!
https://shepherdscorner.org/2020/03/25/finger-labyrinths-for-meditation/
Instead of the regular TRUNK OR TREAT DAY” where families decorate their trunks for Halloween and hand out goodies to kids, at First Christian Church in Las Cruces, on Saturday, October 24th, the tables will be turned. Folks will bring their contributions for area “helper agencies” to the church parking lot and agency cars and trucks will receive goodies and transport them to where they’re needed. Some of the groups include Community of Hope, La CASA Domestic Violence Shelter, the Childen’s Reading Alliance, and the HIV/AIDS Food Pantry.
The 32nd Annual Juried Old Church Fine Arts Show in Corrales, NM has gone virtual this year. It opens Oct. 1 and continues throughout the month. St. Paul’s UCC in Rio Rancho member Rita J Noe has two pieces in the show;" White Buffalo Dancer", an exotic hardwoods intarsia (think jigsaw puzzle), and a wooden box named “Thinking Outside the Box.” Visit the show by logging on to www.corralesoldchurchshow.com
Church of the Painted Hills will begin their parking lot worship services on Sunday October 11. The service will include communion based on a liturgy for World Communion Sunday. Folks should bring elements, masks, folding chairs, and possibly a shade umbrella.
Two opportunities from Church of the Beatitudes:
--As the weeks have turned to months of sheltering in place at home, join others as they journal their way through the pandemic. Journaling is a way for you to constructively express your feelings/emotions and thoughts, while also tracking your daily activities and the people with whom you come into contact. Two to three times a week you will receive emails from a member of the Beatitudes Spiritual Team or ellie hutchison with a prompt for your journaling. The emails will include reminders and information such as – prayers, words of encouragement, poetry, links to articles or podcasts, etc. To participate, send an email to COVID-19@beatitudeschurch.org and in the subject line type, “SUBSCRIBE”.
--Beatitudes has a new Adult Enrichment class — Musical Curiosity with Katherine. Beatitudes Choir soprano, Dr. Katherine Chacon, leads this Zoom chat presenting a different musical topic each week for discussion. If you or someone you know is interested in joining, please email Katherine at media@beatitudeschurch.org with "JOIN MUSICAL CURIOSITY" in the Subject line.
The Church of the Palms Social Justice Action Team is urging everyone to participate in this year’s election. Early voting starts Oct. 7 in Arizona. Folks will be able to vote by mail or in person at an early voting site or you can drop your mail-in ballot at drop-box sites. If people need help with transportation to a voting site or a drop box location, the Social Justice Action Team is putting together a transport schedule to help.