Congratulations, Carson Hawks! Carson was approved for ordination pending call at her Ecclesiastical Council last week. Well done, Carson!

Reverend Gloria, along with several other members of Encanto Community Church, set up a table at the polling location in Tolleson on Tuesday. They handed out several cases of water and lots of snacks to people who came to vote. Although they were harassed by two sheriffs deputies who said they could not be there, some of the poll watchers contacted their attorneys who told them they could stay and that the sheriff's deputies had no business being at the polling location. So they unpacked their stuff and started handing out water and snacks again. Thank you!

First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque will offer a unique Advent Hanging of the Greens and Drive and Drop on Sunday, November 29th . The plan is to decorate a live tree outdoors and then plant it after Christmas. The Drive and Drop will be a collection of items for their various outreach ministries.

Tomorrow, Church of the Palms will offer an apropos adult ed class titled "Choices for Honoring These Unusual Holidays.” Exploring options to manage the upcoming holidays can empower us, reassure us and give us a chance to honor and memorialize past and present holiday experiences. 2020 holiday celebrations will be significantly altered for over 90% of the people. Some have lost loved ones this year and grief is important to honor. Not participating in our “normal family/extended family rituals” is a loss, as well. Presenters have ideas to consider that can make these holidays have rich meaning while honoring holidays in prior years.

And this Sunday, Church of the Palms will recognize 19 clergy in their congregation. Yes, 19! They have 19 clergy who are retired or are serving in positions other than The Palms. AND five folks whose family were clergy who have now died; three families with clergy currently serving; plus two Members in Discernment (MIDS) at The Palms.

As a lead-in to their Stewardship Sunday, Black Mountain UCC is participating in a multi-week "Gratitude Scavenger Hunt". Each day, folks are given a prompt to highlight something for which to be grateful and encouraged to write it down. Some of this week's "searches" are:

What technology are you most grateful for?

What book are you most grateful for?

Who in your life has been the greatest blessing?

What memory in life are you most grateful for?

United Church of Sun City members came to the church parking lot last Monday with blankets and towels. As a result, seventy blankets and a dozen towel sets were delivered to the Dysart Community Center.

Shadow Rock will be hosting a free flu shot clinic on Monday, November 16th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It is free, but if you have insurance, please remember to bring your card. It will speed things up if your consent forms are filled out ahead of time - you can find them here in English and Spanish.

Scottsdale UCC became aware of an incident of vandalism on their campus via this email from a kind and courageous neighbor:

"I happened to be walking my dog down the street this afternoon and saw the man who slashed the beautiful rainbow sign that you have hanging up outside of your church. I have filed a police report with Scottsdale PD and did manage to get a picture of him as he drove off which I also shared with the police. I just wanted to reach out to you so that you can follow up with the police and know that there was a witness and documentation for this crime. I live a few blocks away and have always appreciated the boldness of your message of love and acceptance. It's a shame that some people may view this as controversial. Especially this week, we need that message to be proclaimed loudly! I don't have much to give, but I donated $25 to your church today in hopes that it can help you to hang the sign again. I'm sorry that you were a victim of such unnecessary hate. Thank you for meeting that kind of hatred with love and compassion. We will all be better for it. If I can help in any way, please let me know."

Additional funds were donated, and a new GLBT banner was installed.

Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque featured "Humor Sunday" yesterday- full of jokes, costumes, funny stories, and a worship blooper video to lighten the burdens, rejoice in each other, and smile after the tension and fears of the past several months.