22,179- That’s the number of asylum seekers who have received services at the International Rescue Committee’s Welcome Center in Phoenix since the beginning of this year. They represent 66 different countries, with the majority coming from Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. Saturday is the First Church Phoenix day to volunteer and a week ago there were 15 volunteers who helped welcome 207 immigrants to Phoenix. Most asylum seekers transition through the Welcome Center within 24-48 hours to join their sponsors in other parts of the country. As a First Church volunteer walked in the front gate last week, a woman asked for help finding the entrance to the building. She was there to pick up her sister, she said, who had just arrived from Cuba. They had not seen each other in 27 years. Every week— many stories. (Real showers just opened up at the Welcome Center—now the need is towels. Contact me [Holly] or First Church, Jane McNamara, at janehmcnamara@gmail.com to donate or to become a volunteer.)
Join people of faith as the Arizona Faith Network studies Isabel Wilkerson's masterful portrait of an unseen racial justice phenomenon in America. "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of American life today. Mondays, (bi-weekly) from 9/27-12/6, 6:30p via Zoom. REGISTRATION
Church of the Painted Hills now has a fundraising page for the TUCSON CROP HUNGER WALK being held on Sunday, November 14th at 2:00p.m. This year's walk will meet at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4th Avenue and University Blvd. Support their fundraiser for this worthy cause.
The Church of the Palms is currently accepting resumes for their organist/accompanist position. To apply, please send your resume and other appropriate materials to Pastor Jim Alexander at jim.alexander@theapalms.org or mail to 14808 N. Boswell Blvd. Sun City, Arizona 85351. View the full job description and the specs to their new Allen GeniSys 340DK organ.
Church of the Beatitudes is pleased to share that their Jazz Concert Series returns on Sunday, October 17, at 6:00 pm. Their kick off concert series will feature the Latin jazz stylings of BossaNova 77, performing live from the Worship Center with two 45-minute sets with intermission. You can attend the live performance in-person (masks are required) or you can watch via livestream. Tickets are on sale with a $10 suggested donation - proceeds benefitting the Church of the Beatitudes Music & Arts Ministries. Tickets are sold through Eventbrite (see below).
To attend the live performance in the Worship Center, choose "General Admission" ticket(s) at the Eventbrite website. A confirmation email will contain your tickets.
To watch the event livestream, choose "Livestream Access Only". You will receive a confirmation email with links to watch the livestream.