Beloved former receptionist and administrative assistant of Church of the Beatitudes, Dawn Bailey, recently died of cancer on Sunday, May 9, 2021, at the age of 51 years old. Dawn was the daughter of C.J. Bailey, and is survived by her three children, Steve, Mykayla, and Cody. Dawn is truly a Beatitudes Saint who touched many lives through her work at Beatitudes serving not only the church but the surrounding community in many ways. She faithfully worked at the church for 10 years from the years 2007-2017, first as the receptionist and then later as administrative assistant. Memorial arrangements have not been announced.
There are children playing in the courtyard at First Church Phoenix! The Welcome Center asked if they might host a family from Cuba who had been at the Center for three weeks – it was thought that the sanctuary suite and courtyard might be a more suitable setting while the International Refugee Committee (IRC) arranges a final destination for the family.
Food ministries at Casa Maria and Casa Alitas are “on the menu” at Rincon in Tucson. Fully vaccinated members get together to make soup for the refugees at Casa Alitas and sandwiches for Casa Maria. Food and fellowship.
Casas Adobes sent $500 for clothing purchases at Casa Alitas. Before leaving the shelter, people are provided with clean clothing, shoes if needed, personal hygiene items, and a backpack or bag in which to carry things. Casas Adobes not only provided the financial resources, but also the human dignity that comes from having clean clothes to wear.
Sandwich makers at Church of the Painted Hills made 600 sandwiches for Casa Maria in May and are set to do it again on June 8th.
Casa Adobes also plans to start its reading tutoring program in October for second graders at Keeling school in Tucson where disadvantaged children make up a large proportion of the population. The program was started in 2015 and was sorely missed by the students and teachers last year due to the pandemic.
First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque will participate in the annual Pride Parade on June 6th. A Vehicle decorating contest and a Poster contest for kids will be held in the church parking lot before leaving for the parade.
The Tucson Stand Down offers homeless veterans a break from the harsh conditions of life on the street. Covid-19 restrictions may impact what services they can offer this year, but in the past, social service providers have offered veterans clothing, showers, haircuts, health screenings, medical care, legal assistance, housing options and many other opportunities for rest, renewal and self-sufficiency. Oro Valley UCC is offering their help by providing newly purchased male/female adult underwear and socks.
Beginning June 2 and continuing every Wednesday through the summer, Ktizo UCC is opening their church home for people seeking water and safety from the extreme heat. They have done this for several years and they are inviting Shadow Rock to participate in this life saving ministry.
First Church Phoenix will host “Dinner in the Courtyard” on Friday, June 4 @ 6:30 pm in support of local restaurants. Folks are invited to BYOD (Bring your own Dinner) to the church courtyard and enjoy a meal together.
The Good Shepherd (in Sahuarita) Estate Sales are coming back! They have remained closed this year to insure the safety of both customers and volunteers. Starting in October-two sales are already scheduled. If you should hear of anyone moving in the area, spread the word. The commission income helps support the various ministries of the church.
Beginning June 16th, FEET-N-MORE, the shower trailer ministry of Church of the Palms, will be providing showers at Santa Teresita Catholic Church in El Mirage on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. In addition to the feeding program of St Vincent de Paul, Circle the City, a mobile provider of healthcare, will also be at Santa Teresita on Wednesdays. The multiple offering of services to the homeless and poor will complement each other, as we all reach out to the community. With this location in El Mirage, in addition to Surprise on the second and fourth Tuesdays, Church of the Palms will be able to offer a shower to the homeless every week.
First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque voted last week to become a WISE congregation for Mental Health.