United Church of Santa Fe continues to support its local hospital workers-
medical personnel, housekeepers, and maintenance staff- with cards and cookies. Folks drop off their cards and cookies (with list of ingredients) and United delivers!
Every two months, a new non-monetary site is chosen to receive donations from members of Church of the Palms. For May and June, the charity is the New Life Center, a domestic violence shelter, and they are asking for donations of baby diapers. Appropriately, the church has a playpen in the Narthex to place donations. During March and April, the collection was of underwear and socks for children at the Dysart Community Center.
The Designated charity for May at First Christian Church in Las Cruces is Safe Haven, the oldest no kill animal shelter in southern New Mexico. Its mission is to seek permanent responsible homes for abandon dogs and cats while caring for them in a safe and loving and no kill environment. Donations include dog and cat food as well as materials used by the shelter.
UCC at ASU has launched a new monthly dinner group for all young adults. They are keeping the groups small and eating outdoors to be mindful of pandemic concerns. Do you know an ASU student that might want this connection? Email andrew@andrewponderwilliams.com to find out how to get more involved and to be added to the group text.
The ordination of Andrew Ponder Williams will be on May 22nd at 4PM at Desert Palm UCC. Andrew has received a call from a church in St. Johnsbury, Vermont . It's on the Connecticut River and has about 70 active members. There are quite a few summer homes in the area so a bigger attendance in summer. His husband Ashton was an Albertson's manager here and they were agreeable to moving him to a management position at a Shaw market about a half hour away.
In an effort to aid refugees fleeing from the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the Compassion on the Border (CoB) committee at Casas Adobes is raising funds through the sale of notecards. The cards are created from an original watercolor sunflower painted by Marjorie Miller, mother of Michelle Perrin. Cards may be purchased and mailed to you by emailing Michelle Perrin here. On-line purchases will include an additional mailing charge. All proceeds from the sale of these notecards will be donated to the UCC Ukraine Relief Fund.
A vigil for “Life on Death Row” will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
at the Arizona Capitol Museum, 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Join Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona in partnership with Arizona Faith Network, ACLU Arizona, and other community organizations to discuss and observe the new cycle of executions moving forward in the state of Arizona. Governor Ducey and Attorney General Brnovich have both participated in accelerating executions this year after a nearly eight-year hiatus, beginning with the May 11th scheduled execution of Clarence Dixon, a 66 year old blind severely mentally ill man of the Navajo nation. Yesterday, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a warrant of execution for Frank Atwood, whose execution date is scheduled for June 8.
Church of the Red Rocks is looking for a part time Administrative Assistant. The successful candidate needs to show evidence of strong people skills and the ability to commit to a team, church-office environment; demonstrate proficiency working with Microsoft Office software; and have knowledge of/ability to learn other basic office equipment. For details, click HERE for the job description and click HERE for the employment application form. If interested, please send resume and completed employment application to: CRR, Attn: Personnel Committee, 54 Bowstring Dr., Sedona, AZ 86336, or you may scan and email your documents to:
info@churchoftheredrocks.com, subject: Personnel Committee
The Shadow Rock congregation has been bold in their support of Afghan families displaced or in danger due to the Taliban takeover in mid-2021. They have already sponsored two families and welcomed them to the Phoenix area. A third family is desperate to come to Arizona and remain in great danger. The church’s commitment to these families goes beyond logistical and emotional support and thus will offer financial and material support as they arrive, get settled, and move toward self-sufficiency. They have an ambitious fundraising goal of $100,000 dedicated to this ministry. Any support toward this goal from family, friends, neighbors and compassionate strangers is needed and appreciated. If you have questions about this ministry or are ready to make a pledge of support, please contact Pastor Ken. If your church does not have a refugee ministry in place and would like to tag team with Shadow Rock on this, please call Pastor Ken.
Two Zoom small groups are ongoing at St. Paul's UCC in Rio Rancho, NM. “Theology Thursday” meets monthly for informal discussions on faith using scripture passages as conversation starters. Current topic: On the Road Again with Abraham and Moses. The weekly book group is reading Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, building self-awareness and a better understanding of others.
Make plans to stop by the foyer of the Worship Center at Church of the Beatitudes to take a look at the latest exhibition of the Beatitudes Arts Council. This exhibition is a combination of work by local artists, Nicolette Nelson and John Guagliano. The works explore the central theme of the cross as the principle symbol of the Christian religion. The weight of the each cross is juxtaposed with that of the plants, recalling Jesus Christ’s Crucifixation and the redeeming and live-giving benefits of his passion and death. Each cross is handmade using wood and metal from recycled materials. Some are embellished with crystals, stones and other materials of interest and color. Drawing on her interests in art history and color theory, Nicolotte’s organic and natural works contrast the rudimentary yet determined metal works of John, emblematic of our Christian struggle to balance the traditional with the new.
One of the members at Scottsdale UCC loved this piece from the "Straight From the Heart" Prison Art show, currently on display through May, and felt it would be perfect for the church narthex. They bought it and donated it to the church! Several other people had already admired it and were thrilled to hear this news! It is still on display in the narthex (with a "SOLD" sign on it) so check it out and read the note from the artist on the bottom.
The Wedge Gallery will be open to the public as follows:
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Saturdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sundays 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
During SCUCC’s office hours Tues. – Thurs 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
(See the Office Manager for access.)