Rincon and Casas Adobes are beginning to think about how to reopen some on-campus activities by compiling a list of members that have had, or will have both doses of vaccine. This is just another tool in the planning toolbox.
For several months, First Church Phoenix has staffed a food pantry and lunchtime feeding program for those experiencing homelessness. Volunteers fill and distribute paper bag lunches Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Contents of the bags vary, depending upon donations, but try to include a bottle of water, a protein, fruit, and a snack such as chips, granola bar, or nuts. On Thursdays they provide a bag of a few extras to help over the weekend. Hygiene items are also often available – toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, lotion, etc. – as well as underwear, socks, and right now hats, scarves, and other clothing items for cold weather.
Yesterday On zoom, Rincon members met and greeted Interfaith Community Services (ICS) staff who are moving onto their campus. Members learned about plans, purposes and people who bring ministries of HOPE to Tucson. To REALLY welcome ICS to their campus, Rincon held a food drive the previous day to fill the food bank!
First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque is sending home the book "50 Ways to Pray" by UCC Rev. Teresa Blythe to families with children for their Children's Lenten Series.
Church of the Beatitudes is launching a 40 Days for 40 CANS Drive as a Lenten Project benefitting NourishPhx. Collection of the cans will be on Saturday, April 3rd from 10am to noon in the parking lot.
Laura Lee Bond started writing haiku as a student, then called NAU home before she jettisoned to George Washington University for her Masters in Museum Studies. Haiku, described as a very short poem that is like a tiny window into a scene much larger than itself, is one of her favorite creative expressions. Her new book, The Love Around Us, launched on February 11 and on February 13, it received recognition as the #1 New Release in Haiku and Japanese Poetry on Amazon. Laura Lee is the wife of Seth Bond whose parents are the Rev. Alan and Mrs. Lois—longtime members of Scottsdale UCC. With this announcement and to celebrate her beginnings, Laura Lee wrote:
do something you love
for today and every day
ripples in a pond
Desert Palm will provide Easter baskets for the children and youth of a small Hispanic church in Mesa as part of an East Valley group of worship communities that support refugee ministries.