Thank you, United Church of Santa Fe, for bringing this to us as we start Advent:
Light looked down and beheld Darkness, Thither will I go, said Light.
Peace looked down and beheld War, Thither will I go, said Peace.
Love looked down and beheld Hatred, Thither will I go, said Love.
So came Light and shone;
So came Peace and gave rest;
So came Love and brought Life.
And the Word was made Flesh and
Dwelt among us.
-Laurence Housman
Black Mountain UCC shared that Pastor Ron Wilson died Sunday 11/19/23. Ron stepped in to fill the Black Mountain pulpit for a month shortly after Pastor Jayne retired. Pastor Ron was joyful and friendly and always positive and Black Mountain is grateful for his serving them during that transition period.
Have you seen First Congregational of Albuquerque’s fabulous Alternative Gift Catalog? This catalog is intended to give you and that person on your holiday list who already have all the “things” they need the opportunity to support some of the important efforts of the congregation. A reciprocal gift given on their behalf will directly impact the success of these invaluable ministries. A great idea for other congregations to try? Check it Out!! Click Here
Pastor Drew from Oro Valley UCC holds an informal “stop and chat” twice a month at a local coffee shop. Folks can grab a coffee or tea and visit for awhile as well as enjoy some fellowship.
To register for Common Ground on the Border please click the link below. More details about this event are on the registration website. Register soon before spots fill up!
Date: January 11-13, 2024
Where: The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, AZ
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque is doing something different at their 11AM worship time this Christmas Eve. They will light their 4th Advent candle and sing songs, of course, but they will also be doing a "white elephant" gift exchange. People are encouraged to bring a wrapped gift that costs $0. Folks may bring something from home, something meaningful, something silly, something creative like a poem or drawing, a certificate for a free ride to a doctor's appointment, or something else--be creative! Extra gifts provided for visitors.
Congregational Church of the Valley is pleased to announce the next concert in their Extraordinary Evening of Music series scheduled for Sunday, December 17 at 7 PM! Three gifted artists will perform a program featuring traditional Christmas favorites such as ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘The Little Drummer Boy’, and selections from ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ along with some non-Christmas music like Ravel’s ‘Bolero’. Presale tickets may be purchased online for just $30 by clicking here or by calling 480-451-4565. Free admission for students. Tickets will also be available at the door for $35.
In November, five sewing machines were gifted by the craft group at Church of the Palms to Lutheran Social Services (LSS). LSS offers a program, the Refugee Women’s Empowerment Program, to help support the integration needs of refugee women. The sewing program provides income, socialization, language practice, and so much more. (Imagine my surprise when I saw a picture of the Afghan woman we at University Presbyterian, where I attend, are housing along with her husband and three children! It is indeed a small world. Thank you! You have no idea how much this program means to this young woman. - Holly )
"On a chilly late afternoon, they stood in front of the Luther House at UNM and watched as Robert F. Kennedy Charter School senior Cisco Quintana took a piece of a torn-apart 12-gauge shotgun barrel and turned it into a garden shovel head."
Rev. Rhonda Newby-Torres of Luther House UNM & CNM shared the article “'It's like redemption art': Metal forging demonstration highlights prayer vigil, anti-gun violence memorial” with us so we could see "the amazing work of these young adults! It was such an honor to work with them." Thanks, Rhonda!
Church of Beatitudes just completed a very successful Thanksgiving Food Drive. Congregants graciously donated 447 pounds of food and $160 to Nourish PHX to help neighbors who are struggling during this holiday season. They also donated 64 pounds of clothing that had been brought in during the past few months.