I’m going to start off the year with a plug (and a big Thank You!). I have been awarded the City of Tempe MLK Diversity Award for my work with asylum seekers over the last 4 years. Of course, this really belongs to the churches and volunteers that participate in this ministry. Nothing would happen without them. Another big Thank You goes to the SW Conference. Through Desert Palm, we requested a grant from the SWC of $3800 to complete concrete flooring at the Center of Hope, a Sonoyta, MX refugee resource center that collaborates with the SWC-supported La Casa de Misericordia in Nogales, Sonora. The grant was approved and will make a huge difference to the comfort of the asylum seekers in Sonoyta. If any of you, or your church communities, want more information about this ministry, please contact me. As you all know- it takes a huge village to do this work. (Holly)
Shepherd of the Hills is excited to kick off its burgeoning ESL Ministry! They started small, with more volunteers than students in attendance, but hope to grow mightily as they carry on into the new year! Many, many thanks to the volunteers, their Afghan Resettlement Family, and most notably, Coordinator, Cindy Pickard, for building this program from the ground up. If anyone would like to volunteer, or if you or someone you know wishes to improve their English, please contact Pastor Rock. They offer classes twice weekly.
And, speaking of language lessons- Spanish lessons are being offered at First Congregational UCC in Prescott. Contact the church for more information.
Sending cards to show we care is one of the ideas to come out of the “dream session” held at St Paul’s UCC in Rio Rancho, NM. Member Lois Gray would like to make this dream come true and has invited Volunteers to meet this week to get organized.
Scottsdale Congregational UCC is searching for someone to fill an Office Manager/Bookkeeper position. The successful applicant will need to have proficiency with double entry bookkeeping and at least one year of such experience, as well as competency and experience using Microsoft Office software, particularly Word, Excel and Publisher. This is a part-time, 16-hours-per-week job. If you know someone who has the needed abilities and might be interested, please invite him or her to call or email Diana Winston at 480-585-9157, winston.diana@gmail.com.
A new ministry begins at The Church of the Palms in 2023! Doing Grief Community Healing Project (DGCHP) is a collaborative ministry between COTP and Doing Grief Healing Center, directed by Rev. Shea Darian – a UCC minister, hospital chaplain, and member of the church. This new ministry will provide spiritual care (small group Healing Circles and one-on-one spiritual care), spiritual enrichment (“Healing through the Arts” programs and contemplative prayer/meditation practices), and grief education workshops that encourage grievers to become their own best healers. For more information, contact Rev. Shea at info@sheadarian.com.
Rev. Randy Mayer from The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita, wrote an Article entitled: "‘Is there room at the inn?’ As migrants await fate at U.S. border this Christmas." It was published in the UCC news website on Dec. 23rd. If you would like to read the article you can follow this link.
'Is there room at the inn?' UCC pastor asks, as migrants await fate at U.S. border this Christmas - United Church of Christ
Common Ground on the Border Saturday Events are Open to Everyone. There is great line up of speakers on Saturday, January 14th starting at 9:00am. Jenn Budd a former Border Patrol agent turned immigration activist will be sharing her insights and experience as a Border Patrol agent. Followed by U of A Professor Aracely Rivera Cohen who has done a lot of research on women migrants as well as studying immigration on the Tohono O’odham land. In the afternoon starting at 1:00pm Sparky and Rhonda Rucker present through word and song the work of the Underground Railroad during the days of slavery and Civil War. Followed by Rev. John Fife who will share the story of the Sanctuary Movement that happened right here in Southern Arizona in the 1980's as Central Americans were fleeing persecution. There also will be a number of Border Groups that will have tables of information and items for sale. The cost is $10. Take a look to see what the program will entail for this event to be held at The Good Shepherd January 12-14, 2023. You can find the registration link on the CGOB web page at www.commongroundontheborder.wordpress.com
The Rummage Sale at Casas Adobes this year was a total success. There were individuals that assisted by donating items to sell, picking up items from homes, staging all the sale items, working the sale itself, feeding the volunteers that were working the sale, helping with taking down, and distributing of the remaining items. It was a time of reconnecting, sharing, loving and giving. They were able to collect $7,691.82 and gave monies to nine different charities.
First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque will celebrate Racial Justice Sunday on January 15 with special guest, Rev. Dr. Altonnette (Toni) Hawkins, the new Transitional Conference Minister for the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ. Dr. Toni will join for worship, give the sermon, and then meet following worship for a conversation about the church’s continuing journey as a Racial Justice Church.