Summer does not mean much slow down at Desert Garden UCC in Sun City West. Last week we celebrated Pentecost with the waving or red ribbons, and congregational participation in the Scripture reading, “Whoosh, Whoosh.” We are also finishing up a six-week Adult Education Course called The Death and Resurrection of Jesus. We are using video materials hosted by Dr. Marcus Borg followed by time for questions and discussion. The series has been well attended for six consecutive Tuesday afternoons. Finally, we are in the early stages on creating an “Environmental Justice Team” lead by MID Alice Goss; they will raise awareness, advocate for Green changes at our congregation, and more.
Kate Murphy, has been hired as the Director of Youth Ministries, at United Church of Santa Fe. She has extensive experience in both Youth Ministry (as the Rocky Mountain UCC Conference Counselor and Sr. High Youth Director) and education (as a High School English teacher for 23 years in AP programs, journalism, International Baccalaureate, etc.). She’s excited about helping United’s three youth programs expand and deepen.
The American flag has recently been removed from the sanctuary at Encanto Community Church. It had stood in the sanctuary for years, as in many churches through America's history. According to The Flag Code (United States Statutes at Large, Seventy-seventh Congress, Second Session 1942, Volume 56 — Part I, Public Laws) states in Section 3 (k): "When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the [American] flag should occupy the position of honor and be placed at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the congregation or audience." However, if Encanto continued to place the American flag to the right of the pulpit, the flag would become the dominate focus of honor and celebration. Yet, while they are extremely appreciative for our nation and respect its flag, it is not the most important item in the sanctuary or the reason for gathering. The sanctuary is where God is acknowledged as the most important relationship. So, all of the flags have been removed from the sanctuary. The flag is now displayed properly at the front entrance to Fellowship Hall, not as a political statement, but as a symbol of historic patriotism.
Join Arizona Faith Network and partners from our Voting Rights Coalition across Arizona for our Summer Signature Kickoff to save Democracy. Our volunteers will be overjoyed to visit your community or congregation with petitions for the much-needed ‘Arizonans for Fair Elections’ ballot initiative (and more) to collect signatures, share information, and most importantly—recruit YOU! AFN will send at least 1-2 representatives (as needed) with as many petitions as your community pledges to circulate. Our volunteers can visit during your regularly scheduled weekend services (or any other convenient date) to answer questions, train signature collectors, and help you join our statewide movement for Fair Elections in Arizona. Our summer of signatures will kick off June 13th and run through July 3rd. Please reach out to Medina Moore (medina.moore@azfaithnetwork.org) or Johnny Martin (johnny.martin@azfaithnetwork.org) with any questions.
REGISTER FOR SIGNATURE COLLECTION
Stories told by people descended from Africa, the cradle of civilization, will be featured in a live United Church of Christ webinar marking the coming Juneteenth holiday. “Juneteenth: Revealing Hidden Histories” will take place via Zoom on Friday, June 17, at 9:00 am AZ time. It’s free. Details and registration link: https://www.ucc.org/online-event-just-before-juneteenth.../
First Congregational in Albuquerque has a fun idea for a fundraiser. Check out the graphic.
In response to rising temperatures and the needs of the most vulnerable in our community, Arizona Faith Network has launched an initiative to help establish the faith-based cooling center and hydration stations throughout the valley. Providing heat relief during the extreme heat season saves lives and allows us to serve our neighbors, a core value shared by all our traditions throughout our interfaith network. First Christian Church (DOC) has signed up to be a Cooling Center and Desert Heritage Church will help by providing funds to offset cooling costs, by providing water and snacks, and by volunteering. First Church Phoenix is also participating in the program and will be offering its Fellowship Hall as a cooling center. Ktizo UCC also is participating with assistance from Shadow Rock UCC
Toad Hall Productions is bringing the play “Murderess” to First Christian Church in Las Cruces. The play by Anne Bertram uses monologues given by six historical women charged with murder. After royalties and expenses are met, the rest is donated to the church.
Current UCC President and previous SWC Conference Minister John Dorhauer recently went to the White House to meet alongside representatives of many other denominations to affirm reproductive justice.
There will be a signature-gathering effort for the AZ Fair Elections ballot petition campaign at Scottsdale UCC on Saturday 6/18 from 7 am to 10 am. If you haven’t signed please come and do so, and tell your friends! Contact Alice Stambaugh at alice@karlandlalice.name for more info. Petition organizers will even help drive people to the site. The Arizona Fair Elections Act will take down barriers to voting for all Arizona citizens, make the vote-by-mail list permanent again, reduce the influence of money on our elections and bar legislators from overriding election results. Learn more at https://azfe.org/facts/
Desert Palm has 4 loyal volunteers at the Welcome Center in central Phoenix on Fridays. They work in the Ropa (Clothing) Room, the sorting room, and in the kitchen. The Welcome Center takes in about 200 asylum seekers each day to prepare them to travel to their sponsors across the country. Food, clothing, showers, travel snacks, overnight sleeping areas, and travel assistance are all provided. First Church Phoenix also supplies volunteers at the Welcome Center on Saturdays.
First Congregational UCC in Prescott is resuming its soup fellowship meal during the week. Many members were feeling the need to restore this meal so that they can get to know each other better, since new folks have started attending since post-COVID lockdown. People will sign-up to bring soup to share each week. Bread, crackers, and dessert are provided.
Ruminate on That! features in-depth discussions about religious topics with straightforward commentary from Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D., Janelle Tapphorn, M.A, and Charity Gleason-Davis, B.S. for your consideration and reflection. The exciting part is you can participate in the dialogue live by sending your questions/comments to them online through Facebook or YouTube chats, by notecard (for those attending in-person), or by text (480-389-4974). For those watching after the live broadcast, you can send your comments by email to: media@beatitudeschurch.org. The podcast is livestreamed in front of a live audience at Church of the Beatitudes from Nelson Hall Lounge at 8:40 am MST (doors lock at 8:45 am MST for the recording). This week’s topic is “Embracing our Transgender Neighbors on God's Terms." Ruminate on That! is always accessible to watch by download on your favorite podcast player or here: WATCH HERE»
A closing picture to celebrate Pride month from Scottsdale UCC:
