The Church of the Palms' parking lot LGBTQ parade was a fabulous experience. 17 vehicles, 2 golf carts, 3 in the parade grandstand, 1 photographer, plus 1 neighbor waving over her fence enjoyed a parade of waving, honking, and celebrating folks. It was sooooooo wonderful to see! Photos here.
Please hold the family of Rev. Harrington Langling in your prayers. Rev. Langling died July 1 after being hospitalized in ICU fighting COVID19. May God comfort and sustain Rev. Langling’s wife, daughter, and granddaughter, and the Tempe Marshallese Ministry.
Nancy Splain, a member of Shepherd of the Hills writes: "I was invited to a webinar sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), titled, “Where to Start: Being an Ally to the Black Community.” This program was a true eye opener for me, giving me an understanding of “implied bias”, a trait we humans all share, providing guidance in how to recognize it in oneself and how go beyond it to foster understanding and to build relationships. I highly recommend it."
Saturday, July 4, was Nolan's 8th Birthday. Since Nolan couldn't have a traditional birthday party with his friends, his mom suggested that it might be fun for Nolan to have a surprise “card hunt” throughout his house. Members of Oro Valley UCC were invited to send cards for Mom to hide and Nolan to find on his special day. We hope it was wonderful, Nolan!
Rev. Bethany at First Christian Church in Las Cruces has started a sermon series called "Summer Road Trip!" They will be “traveling” together on Sunday mornings through 8 of the National Parks! It will be based, in part, on the book "America's Holy Ground: 61 Faithful Reflections on Our National Parks" by Brad Lyons and Bruce Barkhaue. Members were invited to send their own reflections and pictures from the weekly highlighted park
This summer at United Church of Santa Fe, they are focusing on prayer. Getting children comfortable with prayer helps them to understand that God is always close and accessible. So, in early July, each United family with elementary or younger children will receive a “Prayer Jar Kit.” The kits have the basics to make a jar for the home. It will also include some “pointers” for teaching children to pray, as well as prayers and songs that families can learn together.
Casas Adobes UCC announces a “Bookends” Art Show Online (Not a display of bookends.). It is an art show by the Bookend-aged artists in the church—youth and seniors. This show will intermingle generations for a fresh and varied portrayal of artistic approaches to visual works, such as paintings, glassworks, and sculptures.
Our newest webpage is not about professionalism and perfection. Instead it is an opportunity to get to know our BOOKEND GENERATIONS. Feast your eyes at https://www.caucc.org/bookends-art-show.
With COVID-19 emerging this spring, Rincon had to put off its official re-wilding project. It’s still growing, though, since member Kathe Padilla has kept tending the fledgling trees coming up on their own, as well as planting new plants. There are now plans to recruit volunteers early in August for the next phase- to reclaim the northwest corner of the church campus.
First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque had two break-ins and thefts from the pastor's office and the flags were stolen from the flagpole last week.
CAPT (ret.) Leland Fairbanks, member of Desert Palm UCC, is the recipient of the 2020 Retiree of the Year Award for the Commissioned Officer Association (COA) of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). The COA Retiree of the Year Award recognizes excellence in continued service and contributions beyond active duty or government civilian service to the Association, PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF), and to the members thereof. This award was established to recognize outstanding individuals who have achieved notable actions through volunteer activities.
Here’s a link to an anti-racism toolkit the Arizona Faith Network created.
Pastor Derrick of Desert Heritage offers the following insight: "A Military Chaplain colleague of mine once preached about one of the most radical books in the New Testament is the short book of Philemon, 25 verses long....
Paul, in prison at the hands of the Romans for preaching the Good News, builds an argument to the Philemon that he must free his slave Oneimus because in Christ Oesimus is now "more than a slave, a beloved brother--especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord". Paul tells his friend, and the world, that ALL are equal in Christ and one CANNOT be an equal in Christ and an unequal in Christ at the same time. (Oppressions) Slavery, Jim Crow and segregation, were supported by Christians who said "let it be". Confederate monuments and bases named for those who supported slavery, any discrimination which hurts others, is to me, anathema to the Gospel and the equality we have in Christ."
Pastor James from First Church Phoenix quoted the following this week:
The opening thought from "Credo" by William Sloane Coffin.
"Had I but one wish for the churches of America I think it would be that they come to see the difference between charity and justice.
Charity is a matter of personal attributes; justice, a matter of public policy.
Charity seeks to alleviate the effects of injustice; justice seeks to eliminate the causes of it.
Charity in no way affects the status quo, while justice leads inevitably to political confrontation.
Especially I would hope that Christians would see that the compassion that moved the Good Samaritan to act charitably---that same compassion prompted biblical prophets to confront injustice, to speak truth to power, as did Jesus, who though more than a prophet, was certainly nothing less."