"Normal" has always involved "change," but this last year has certainly accelerated that movement. Here are some innovative, adaptive, and sometimes, wistful examples:
Our charity drives are changing this year:
To provide care & support during the holidays for people living with HIV/AIDS, TIHAN (Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network) is collecting gift cards to help support individuals and families. In years past, Rincon had a giving tree and collected gifts. This year, they are collecting gift cards.
Enjoy tea and treats from the comfort and safety of your own home while supporting local nonprofit Duet: Partners In Health & Aging. This year’s Poinsettia Tea will take place virtually from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 6th. The 30th annual Poinsettia Tea will feature heartfelt stories about Duet’s impact in the community and guests will enjoy the festive sounds of The Ames-Apperson Duet. Destry Jetton, Arizona Midday host, will serve as the emcee. There will also be an online auction and fun surprises to keep guests entertained and engaged. Tickets to the Poinsettia Tea are $75. Guests can register for the tea online at duetaz.org/tea. READ MORE HERE. REGISTER & LEARN MORE HERE.
For many years Desert Palm participated in providing 100 Christmas gifts for foster children through partnerships with local social service agencies - most recently Southwest Human Development. All enjoyed picking out tags with requests from specific children and heading out to the stores to shop and fulfill those wishes. This year will have to be different. Southwest Human Development has set up an online shopping cart where you can purchase items (link below). This won’t be as fun, and everyone will miss seeing 100 gift bags lined up, but children and families still need help, hope, and kindness - now more than ever. Shopping link: www.swhd.org/holiday
The Missions and Justice Team at Scottsdale UCC is collecting money to purchase Christmas gifts for their 3 adopted seniors through Vista del Camino. You can go to the church web site and click on the Christmas for Vista del Comino icon to donate. https://scucc-106745.square.site/
Stewardship drives have gotten creative:
The Casas Adobes Stewardship Ministry for 2021, along with Pastors Michael and John, invited folks to participate in a Drive Thru Stewardship Pledge Drop Off and Drive Thru Prayers with a Pastor yesterday. This was a great time to come by, see some church members and turn in 2021 Stewardship commitments. Given the successful response to other recent drive thru events, Pastors were also on site to offer "Prayers with a Pastor" to one and all
Thanksgiving services have also adapted:
The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita invites members and friends to stop by the church on Sunday Nov. 22, for a Drive-by Thanksgiving experience. You will stay in the safety of your car and everyone will be masked as you are guided to different stations in the parking lot where you will hear music, receive blessings, experience communion, donate food bank items, and have the opportunity to offer your thanks to God.
Thanksgiving Eve Service, November 25, 7 pm. First Church Phoenix says "Bundle up and join us in the courtyard for a pre-Thanksgiving service.
Decolonzing Thanksgiving sponsored by the SW Conference: the formation group is working under the SW Conference's auspices will be holding a "Decolonizing Thanksgiving" event on Sunday, November 22nd at 2 PM. The idea is to illuminate indigenous peoples' plight in North America and celebrate indigenous wisdom through a more expansive understanding of the harvest season and what took place between the Pilgrims and Indians. The idea is not to lambast our ancestors but to help the Church grow into a more mature understanding of the past to forge new paths into the future.
A change in perspective-from Scarcity to Abundance
The request began with a call Rev Drew of Oro Valley UCC received last month. A colleague and friend reached out to him about the historic wildfires in Northern California and to tell him about a migrant family he works with, the Santos family. They were devastated. They lost everything. Rev Drew offered his prayers and thoughts and said he'd pass the news on to church Council. The decision to help was not an easy decision. The church is facing its own challenges. Council paused to reflect if the church was in a place to provide meaningful support to the Santos family. The prayers and reflection led to God's wisdom and assurance. It led the Council to boldly, faithfully declare their mission was to reach out to those most in need and share life. They did this with a $500 gift to help the Santos family, a husband, wife and two young children, to begin to piece their life together.
Begin your day with prayer.
It's hard to believe that since Shepherd of the Hills started their offering of Morning Prayer with Taizé chant on Good Friday, they have hosted more than 240 consecutive services at 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday! Consider joining daily for a simple experience of psalms, scripture, prayer, silence and music that will center your mind and heart as you begin the day. Each service lasts about 20 minutes. Join us on Zoom at zoom.us/j/5556624822.