Desert Garden UCC volunteers will be gleaning citrus in Sun City West on behalf of St. Mary’s Food Bank over the next few weeks. This program is part of the outreach mission of the church. In an effort to collect more citrus, St. Mary’s has several drop off locations in the valley and Desert Garden UCC will be the drop off location for Sun City West and surrounding communities. (Shepherd of the Hills is also a drop off in the East Valley on Saturdays in February)
Yesterday after service, Encanto folks assembled blessing bags. Bags include small bars of soap, travel size shampoo, socks, granola or cereal bars, individual applesauce, pop top canned Vienna sausage, soups, stews, chili, canned beans or tuna, bottled water, gum or mints, peanut butter, pre-packed cheese, tuna or chicken salad snack packs, cup of noodles, cracker packs, fruit snacks, pudding cups.
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque sponsored a Family Promise Giving Tree over the holidays with more gift tags hung on the tree than church members. The response was overwhelming and the adopted Family Promise family was able to enjoy a very special Christmas.
Internationally-known Composer and Conductor Andre Thomas leads the FebFest celebration of African American sacred music the weekend of Feb. 4-5 at United Church of Santa Fe. The weekend includes an all-day Saturday Choral Workshop & Rehearsal at United and a free Sunday concert at Santa Fe’s Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis (with freewill offering to benefit Habitat for Humanity). Jointly sponsored by United Church with Albuquerque’s Coro Lux, the Saturday workshop is open to all singers (no audition needed) and will be offered both in-person and online. For more information and to register, go to abqcorolux.org.
On Wednesday February 8, 2023 at 1 p.m. Black Mountain UCC will begin a Grief Group. The group will be led by Dr. Tina Campbell, and is open to all members of the church and all community members. “Whatever your loss, you are welcome to find healing here, and to know that those who mourn are blessed in the eyes of God.”
On Sunday, February 5, 2023, 5pm, enjoy a Special Javarita Coffeehouse at The Good Shepherd in Sahuarita featuring Tom Chapin---($25.00, tickets available at the door and via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/494498015877 ). The concert is a fundraiser for the Green Valley/Sahuarita Samaritans, a local humanitarian group doing lifesaving work along the border. Tom Chapin’s remarkable musicianship, great songwriting, and personal warmth shine through in his many award-winning recordings and videos, but especially in his concerts, which are special experiences for young and old alike. Tom has been recognized with three Grammy awards and multiple other honors. Hearing a quiet singer such as Chapin sing a quiet romantic song is still one of the more serene pleasures of pop music. https://www.tomchapin.com
Participate in Divine Journey Yoga On Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9 am at Church of the Painted Hills (Speedway West of I-10) in Tucson.
Book online to use your credit card or bring cash in person. ($10/hr)
Drop-ins are welcome (there is no class size limit).
Vaccinations required.
Masks optional.
Please bring your own yoga mat, 2 blocks and a strap.
The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman (shared by Pastor Gloria from Encanto)
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among the people,
To make music in the heart.
[bonus from Wende: Performance of a musical setting of this poem by composer Dan Forrest]