First Christian Church in Las Cruces is trying to make some of their spaces a little more "user friendly.” Their first project is turning the Bridal Room into a Meditation Chapel with a calming rug, a yoga mat, comfortable chairs, and a low table for candles/incense.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days will take place online Monday, April 25, through Wednesday, April 27. The United Church of Christ has long been an organizer and supporter of the annual event. Offerings range from skill-building and informational workshops to a day of virtual Capitol Hill lobbying to seek elected officials’ support for voting rights and human rights.
Tickets are $50 to $75. However, the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy is offering full scholarships to attend EAD to the first 50 people who “follow” one of its social media accounts or become new members of the Justice and Peace Action Network. Interested people can follow the instructions on this page or email ucctakeaction@ucc.org for details.
The 2022 theme, according to the EAD website, “calls us into solidarity to restore, protect, and expand voting rights in the United States and to realize human rights around the world.” More than 30 workshops offered.
Gathering of the Clans, taking place on May 1st from noon-dusk at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, will bring together tribal leaders from various nations to advocate for the protection of the Little Colorado river, Oak Flat, Grand Canyon, and to pray for sacred lands and waterways throughout the world. The event will also feature the thunder drumz of Ryon Polequaptewa, 7X World Champion Hoop dancer, Derrick Suwaima Davis, and the music of Ed Kabotie & Tha 'Yoties. Food will be available for purchase at the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center. The event is free to the public, and is presented through the support of Black Mesa Trust, The Sierra Club, Wild Arizona, Arizona Faith Network, and The Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, Paatuwaqatsi Water is Life Run, and the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community
The Good Shepherd UCC congregation in Sahuarita has been very generous in supporting the Ukrainian Relief work as the war there continues to drag on. The congregation has raised over $11,600 to provide shelter, food and other care to war refugees in Poland and Hungary as well as directly in Ukraine.
Rev George Ault will begin his service as Bridge Pastor on May 1st at Scottsdale UCC.
An unusual exhibit featuring a variety of artwork styles and mediums will be on display at Scottsdale Congregational UCC through May. Each featured piece was created by one of the ladies incarcerated at Perryville Women’s Prison in Goodyear, AZ. Donations for artwork will benefit artists and prison ministry programs. Rev. Kim Crecca will be talking about the art and artists on April 30th at 1:30 PM. She spent 6 years with the ladies in Perryville as part of a worship team. Rev. Crecca will also share information about prison ministry programs.
The Wedge Gallery will be open to the public as follows:
Opening Reception 4/30/22 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Saturdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sundays 11:00 am – noon
Tues. – Thurs 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
The Prescott area Interfaith Climate Action Team will hold an event at First CongregationAl UCC in Prescott on April 28th at 5p . Several pastoral leaders representing a variety of faith traditions will speak. More Information at
Shepherd of the Hills has met the family they are co-sponsoring as part of their work with the Afghan Family Resettlement project! They are a family of ten currently residing in a home in the E. McDowell Road/N. Miller Road area, with children ranging in age from an infant to 13 years old. The father is employed at a hotel in Scottsdale, and all but the three youngest children are already attending school in the area. The church has identified several areas where the they will provide support and assistance.
Encanto Community Church will offer Cinema Under the Stars on two Fridays in May at 8 p.m., when they will screen family-friendly movies outdoors on their lovely front lawn. Snacks and drinks provided- and you bring your lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free, and as always, ALL are welcome! The line-up for the movies is: West Side Story (2021) on Friday, May 13; and Uncharted on Friday, May 20. Come for a delightful evening of entertainment and great snacks!