Many folks at Church of the Palms feel a greater connection to the women at Perryville Prison after the recent Art Show, Re-Entry Simulation, and the presentations by Arouet volunteers who shared personal experiences. To build on that experience, there will be Pen Pal Training this week. Receiving mail can bring joy and encouragement to these women. Simply an encouraging note can be an “Envelope of Hope” to someone feeling ostracized and lonely. You can meet the desire to fulfill Jesus’ “I was in prison and you visited me... I tell you whenever you did this for the least of these, you did it for me.” —Matthew 25: 36, 40
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque is re-forming their Middle/High School Youth Group by hosting an all-ages Game Night. Kids, youth, adults and friends of all ages are invited. In addition to board games, there are ping-pong and foosball tables.
Prayer, silence and simple music are at the heart of the Taizé services at Casas Adobes. Services are in-person every 2nd Thursday at 6:30 pm. Folks are encouraged to hear the Christian gospel in a spirit of joy, simplicity and reconciliation. Music begins 10 minutes before service and continues 5 minutes after service for those who would like to pause and reflect.
This past week representatives from Casas Adobes and Oro Valley UCC visited La Casa in Mexico. La Casa currently houses approximately 130 asylum seekers, providing them with food, clothing, legal, medical, and educational services. There are about 75 to 80 children with their mothers and about 20 men. Often husbands and other family members have been killed or tortured by the cartels and the lives of family members have been threatened, causing them to flee from their homes in Mexico and Central America. This tour of La Casa was the next step in the Conference’s new affiliation with Cruzando Fronteras, a three denominational effort to support the ministry of La Casa as they address the needs of asylum seekers on the Mexican border.
Welcoming asylum seekers has been a meaningful experience for members of First Congregational in Albuquerque. Two of their members, Frank Rodgers and his wife Vicki Berlanga, are the family liaisons for a family of eleven from Afghanistan. With help from First Congregational, Lutheran Family Services, and FaithWorks, the family moved into a house this week. First Congregational purchased all the beds and mattresses for the family! Bryan and David, asylum seekers themselves, currently living at First, gave much needed help with the move.
Taos UCC has shared an appeal for assistance from other NM UCC churches for Holy Cross Medical Center for the Mora/Las Vegas fire evacuees. Donations needed are canned goods, energy bars, hygiene Items, baby Items, clothing, bottled water, dog and cat food, hay and livestock boarding.
The United Church of Christ endorses 50-55 military chaplains – men and women who have decided to serve in the military as chaplains, ministering to the needs of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coasties as well as their families. They find themselves in some of the most thought-provoking and challenging times as they are called to provide and perform ministry to all service members and their families in what is now a very demanding ministry landscape. Pastor Derrick of Desert Heritage UCC/DOC is a chaplain in the United States Air Force and is currently serving as a chaplain at Peterson-Scherver Space Force Base. (Yes, Space Force is a real branch of the military.). Per Derrick, “The ministry of the military chaplain is unique. In many ways, it is genuinely bi-vocational: Chaplains are often tasked with collateral duties as military officers that they must deconflict from their ministerial duties. My role as chaplain is an extension of our ministry. When I place the uniform on, I represent not just the U.S. Air Force Reserve but Desert Heritage Church. I'm part of your outreach ministry, not just to the broader church but also to all who wish to know God's love.”
Yesterday, The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita held a special worship service celebrating the Quinceanera of Caren, the daughter of member Eva, who turned 15 last week. In the Hispanic culture this is a really big deal, it is a "coming of age" ceremony where Caren makes the transition from a young girl to a young woman. It is also a deeply spiritual event where she takes responsibility for her own faith. And continuing the tradition, there was a wonderful, plentiful meal after worship for all.
Church of the Painted Hills cleans up a portion of Speedway Blvd in Tucson each month. This last month, there was an unwelcome addition to their crew! And unbelievably, the Painted Hills crew will be back at it next month!
One of the last projects for this season’s Material Aids group at Scottsdale UCC was creating layettes for Family Promise. Each package had onesies, socks, a sweater, hat, receiving blankets, wash cloths and a positive, love infant book. The group made and delivered six of these wonderful gift packages, each with a note of love and blessings for the mother and baby.
A lot has happened in the three years since Flat Jesus accompanied folks from. Church of the Beatitudes on their 2019 summer vacation adventures around the world. Travel is becoming popular once again, so folks thought it would be fun to take Flat Jesus along on their 2022 summer adventures! After worship yesterday, folks picked up their own Flat Jesus to decorate and color. It's summer FUN and a great way to keep track of each other's summer travels!
Note Received by Shepherd of the Hills UCC:
To whom it may concern,
I am not an attendee of your church. I don't even live near your church. However, I was visiting in the vicinity recently and happened upon the “A Just World For All" transgender flag displayed on your building. As a Trans person, I can't begin to express the impact on me of seeing this flag… on a church! The ongoing attacks on the Trans community has significant and invisibilized consequences to the mental health of Trans folks. It is easy to feel very alone, helpless, and hopeless. Your flag did the exact opposite for me. I will never forget seeing it and I will in dark times know there really are allies and people who not just care but care enough to take a public stand for Trans rights. I took a photo of your sign and sent it to several of my Trans friends who had the same response. While it may just be a flag to some, it means much, much more to many!
Thank you, Alex.