Desert Palm member Dr. Leland Fairbanks was honored with the Rose Quartz Award by the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association. Dr. Fairbanks earned the award for the love he has showed the community over the years and his small acts of kindness. Family and friends cheered him on during the banquet with AMAZING pow-wow dancing entertainment. 👨🔬#love #desertpalm #aznaffa
So THIS happened! So grateful for Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque and its pastor, Sarah TevisTownes, for showing up for social justice with joy and hope on the Kelly Clarkson show. And for We Walk With Shawn!
Watch: https://youtu.be/bvdybLgs8ss
Did you catch Pastor Susan Valiquette and First Church UCC Phoenix on PBS NewsHour? So thankful for the ways they're looking out for marginalized people and for preaching the gospel of inclusion!
Watch: https://youtu.be/rHLZoqfaGHM
The Installation of the Rev. Louis J. Mitchell as Senior Pastor and Teacher of Rincon Congregational Church UCC will take place on Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm Arizona time. If you are unable to physically attend the service, you can join via Rincon's Facebook Live, linked HERE (full link https://www.facebook.com/RinconCongregationalUCC). Rincon will host a reception, in collaboration with their Stewardship Committee, prior to the Installation, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, and a brief reception afterward and all are welcome to either or both!
Volunteers from First Church Phoenix have helped welcome 41,624 asylum-seekers to the IRC Welcome Center so far this year, coming from 92 countries, and speaking 54 different primary languages. First Church’s continued support of the work of the Welcome Center is absolutely critical. The photos show volunteers providing services to newly-arrived asylum-seekers just this past Saturday. Gretchen worked with Marlon and Roger in the Ropa Room, helping guests find clothing and shoes.
Debbie, Gary, Keith and Suzanne organized the kitchen and served lunch to 90 hungry people, and then took plated meals to 26 new arrivals. Debbie was versatile, moving to the shower area to help Jane open the showers — so many guests tell us that it has been a week or more since they have had a chance to clean up or change clothes. If you want more information on how you can help assist asylum-seekers as they transition through Phoenix to their sponsors around the country, or you would like to get involved with the work of the Immigration Task Force at First Church, contact Jane McNamara at janehmcnamara@gmail.com.
Join Arizona Faith Network (Theological Dialogue Commission) on Tuesday, November 15, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. via Zoom in a connection of enrichment as they build understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs. Guest speakers will cover the basic tenets and teachings of the Bahá'í faith.
Christmas Coloring Books make ideal Christmas gifts for kids and adults alike. Five themes are available from UCC Resources: The Light Shines in the Darkness, Shepherding the Light, God's Love Colors Everything, The Light Is Surely Coming, and For Such a Time as This. Order
The Ministerial Leadership Team at First Congregational in Albuquerque met on Oct. 25, 2022 and approved a motion to join an amicus brief supporting Apache Stronghold’s federal legal appeal to protect Oak Flat.
Shadow Rock really enjoys and appreciates being a polling location! All voters registered in Maricopa County can vote at Shadow Rock. People with a PEVL ballot can drop it off here. Polls are open:
Monday, November 7 - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Election Day: Tuesday, November 8 - 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
First Christian Church in Las Cruces is now beginning the work of discerning how their newly voted Mission and Vision statements will be lived out. Discussions will look at where they are today, their current strengths and weaknesses, and what they want to start, stop or continue doing.
A couple weeks ago I mentioned the challenge put to Black Mountain UCC to double their weekly food donations to the food bank. "A special thanks goes out to our Supply Pastor, Rev Tina Campbell for encouraging us to reach this goal!"
Congregational Church of the Valley has signed up through Scottsdale's Vista del Camino Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program and Scottsdale Partners to fulfill the wishes of those who are having a difficult time during the Thanksgivingand Christmas Season. They will be sponsoring one family and a senior for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
On Sunday November 20th, The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita will celebrate the 25 Years of Music Ministry that Kay Jean Moore has shared with the Good Shepherd congregation. During the service Kay Jean will play her favorite piece of music, the church will bestow upon her the title of "Pianist Emeritus," and will give thanks for the gift of music that has come from her soul.
Our condolences and prayers go out to Rev Brady Abel from United Church of Sun City in the loss of his brother Rod Abel in Cromwell, IA. Rod's graveside service was held last Friday at the Cromwell Cemetery. A luncheon followed at Cromwell UCC. It was a cold and rainy day, but a gathering of family and friends brought love and warmth.