From former Southwest Conference Minister and UCC President John Dorhauer: I am calling for prayers for my beautiful sister-in-law Sarah. She has been hospitalized with COVID and she and my brother Jerry are asking for all the prayers we can muster. Will you join me in lifting her up to God's care? John D. (Latest update is that she improved and made it home, but prayers are always welcome.)
Introducing the new Organist/Accompanist, Patricia Oakley, at First Congregational in Albuquerque: “My husband and I moved to New Mexico at the end of 2015, drawn by the sun and the high desert. I was introduced to the organ in college, and, although I majored in physics and math, I have been enjoying playing the organ ever since. When I am not making music, I am a lecturer in the mathematics and statistics department at the University of New Mexico. I enjoy hiking, bicycling, fiber arts especially spinning, learning French, and playing early music on those interesting instruments such as recorders, crumhorns, viols, and shawms.” (I would love to visit with her! HH)
It’s Christmas in August at Encanto! What on earth is that?! At its heart, Christmas in August is an opportunity to eat a big delicious Christmas dinner right in the middle of summer. They will sing carols, read the Christmas story, and eat. It’s Encanto in its most natural state. August 22, wear your stretchy pants.
A call went out at Rincon to collect peanut butter for the ICS food bank and members rose to the challenge. The goal was to collect 500 jars and 539 were collected - that’s 539 hungry families that will now have something delicious and nutritious to eat.
As our President said: “There’s nothing we cannot do when we work together.” The water bottle collection for the Casa Alitas migrant shelter in Tucson was the cooperative effort of Casas Adobes UCC, Painted Hills UCC and the residents of The Fountains at La Cholla. A whopping 211 cases were donated!
On Tuesday, members and friends from Taos UCC will meet at the Gorge Bridge rest area parking lot. They will take a one hour walk together, enjoying each other's company, and the beauty of the magnificent Taos Gorge.
As Arizonans and people of faith, the Arizona Faith Network strongly believes in the “Green Rule” and believes it should be followed to protect one of our greatest natural and spiritual treasures: The Grand Canyon. Senator Sinema, Senator Kelly, and Representative Grijalva have all introduced versions of the Grand Canyon Protection Act. We ask that you stand with them in supporting this monumental piece of legislation. Please sign your name, faith community, or organization to encourage our Senators to pass the Grand Canyon Protection Act today. SIGN HERE
The staff of First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque are not sitting by idly- Lynne Hinton, who just started as the interim director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, hit the ground running and showed up to church on Sunday in a chicken suit! And “Congratulations!” to Ruth Striegel, Music Director. Ruth compiled a list of Green Justice songs and wrote an article about her work that is featured on the UCC website. Read the article HERE
The Kino Border Initiative (KBI) is a binational organization that works in the area of migration and is located in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. For years, the Green Valley/Sahuarita Samaritans have helped KBI serve meals to those in need at the el comedor. KBI has been unable to serve in-person meals due to restrictions from Covid, so they serve meals in take-out containers such as yogurt or cottage cheese containers or similar ones from deli take-out. Samaritans serving meals there last week said KBI had served 800 people on one day and 700 on another. They expect these numbers to rise. They are in desperate need of containers which the guests can then put in a plastic, paper or cloth bag (also needed) to take back to their families. The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita is helping out by collecting containers and funds.
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque is welcoming a special guest this Sunday August 8th at church Service. Rev. Paul Mohr and his family will be here to visit. Rev. Paul is one of the founding members of the church!
Some good information from Church of the Palms:
The Caregiver Action Network (CAN): CAN is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country, free of charge. You can call for assistance at 1.855.227.3640 or logon to caregiveraction.org