We pray for Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins, our Transitional Conference Minister, as she mourns the loss of her mother, Lula Mae Hawkins. Well done, good and faithful child of God. May you feel God's presence and peace during this time of grief and may remembering her through shared stories bring comfort and joy.
Scottsdale UCC feels blessed to welcome the Arizona Marshallese Ministry gatherings to their sanctuary. As they become more acquainted as church families, they rejoice in the God who unites us all in a spirit of love and understanding. On Sunday, the Scottsdales congregation will be welcoming the Marshallese Youth Choir for a special presentation, along with Deacon Ronald.
The new bus has arrived at Church of the Palms and has been wrapped with their logo. It looks great!
The Board of Directors at Church of the Beatitudes invites all to join them after the June 4th worship service for a celebration of Pastor Tony's Ministry and Service to the church. This will be an opportunity to thank Pastor Tony for his leadership and service to the Beatitudes community and to wish him and Karen well as they embark on a new journey.
From Rincon: They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. ~Isaiah 2:4
Turn in unwanted guns at an anonymous Safe Gun Surrender event. Guns will be disabled and later made into garden tools, art, or jewelry.
Saturday, May 13, 8-11 am at Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 West 23rd Street, Tucson, AZ
Bring your unloaded firearm(s) stored in the trunk of your vehicle. The first 20 people turning in guns will be offered a $100 gift.
Church of the Painted Hills would like to honor their mothers by displaying their pictures in the sanctuary on Mother’s Day, May 14. Instead of a message on that Sunday, they will ask anyone who would like to do so, to tell something about their mother — name, where they were born, occupation, favorite memory, what you learned from them, something interesting you would like people to know.
Arizona Faith Network Board members Paul Rockower and Rev. Gerald Richard appeared recently on Arizona PBS in an Arizona Horizon show segment titled "Local nonprofit shines light on senate bill for improved security at houses of worship."
SB1713 is moving forward to be integrated into the Arizona State Budget. Please continue to reach out to your lawmakers to express support for the funding of the Nonprofit Security Scholarship Fund.
MORE SB1713 INFO AND RESOURCES
Instead of a traditional VBS this year, Desert Palm will hold a Summer Art Camp on June 12th through the 16th (Monday through Friday, 9 am through noon), Marc Gaston will be coaching the kids and rehearsing some musical numbers. And for older youth interested in jazz, uber-talented jazz pianist Claudia Bloom will be offering a jazz music workshop.
On Sunday, at 11am on May 14th, Casas Adobes will present Alex Nava, professor of Religious Studies at the University of Arizona, to share how faith influences thinking about immigration. Dr. Nava’s volunteer work with the migrant community at Casa Alitas exemplifies how, in his words, “hospitality towards the other is more divine than human, an occasion when mortal nature intersects with the godlike…”
Click here to read Alex Nava’s recent article, Making Room at the Inn, in Commonwealth magazine.
Click here to read his bio.
The current resident at Hope House, a ministry partner of Church of the Red Rocks, will soon need a car. She recently secured a full time job in Sedona and has been using a bicycle or depending on volunteers to get to and from Hope House to work. Eventually, she will be working toward securing housing for her and her child. If you know of someone with an older model car, with less than 100,000 miles, in good running condition, wanting to sell/donate, please let the office at Church of the Red Rocks know by calling (928)282-7963 or sending an email to receptionist@churchoftheredrocks.com.
This summer provides another opportunity to experience new life through food for the children of United Church of Santa Fe. On United’s 43rd Birthday (Sunday, May 21), the children will once again “Pray in the Dirt” as they plant their annual garden. This year, it’s expanding to include more vegetables—all of which will go to the Food Depot to provide nutritious food for families and individuals. In dedicating the Children’s Garden’s bounty for the Food Depot, our young ones will learn how to love God by loving creation and our neighbors.
Pastor Brady Abel and Hedy Hall of United Church of Sun City presented the Easter Sunrise Service offering of $2,746 to William Conner, MSGT USAF, Retired President of Veterans Furniture Center. Mr. Conner stated the donation would furnish two apartments for veterans. Veterans Furniture Center is a volunteer-based non-profit that plays a unique role in coordinating the move of homeless veterans into permanent housing.
Thank you to everyone in attendance at the Easter Sun Bowl service whose contributions made this very special donation possible.
(Photos submitted by United Church of Sun City)
