Jottings 6/12/2023

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“Lightning Boy Hoop Dancers” will perform at United Church of Santa Fe on Friday, June 23 (7:00 pm). The event features tribal youth from northern New Mexico. The Hoop Dance continues to be known as a healing art form and is said to have its origins in the Pueblos of Northern New Mexico. Bring a friend and enjoy this unique New Mexico offering! You can also pack a picnic supper and come early.


The Church of the Palms delivered 150 cases of water and several large containers of snacks to homeless youth attending the Children’s First Academy in Phoenix.  The thank you note from the school read, in part, “The water will help so much on the hot days head and the teachers appreciate the snacks they can now give to their students.  May God bless you all.”


An assistant pastor leading youth and family programs for three years at The Good Shepherd UCC when the Sahuarita Food Bank first started there, Nathan Watts was also one of its earliest volunteers. Returning from service in Flagstaff, New Orleans, and Dallas Nathan will take on a new role as our Rural Program Coordinator.  He says he’s “challenged by the newness of this pilot program and has confidence that it will have a real impact on the communities around us.”  On the job for six weeks now, he is enthusiastic about this new opportunity. “It’s been great,” he said. “I’ve been looking for a team and to be reintroduced to the culture of the food bank. The chance to build something from the ground up is exciting.

READ MORE ABOUT NATHAN



On May 23, First Church UCC, Phoenix hosted a press conference where AZ leaders urged strong standards to cut climate pollution in transportation and dirty power plants.   Pastor Susan Valiquette’s remarks were featured in a Public News Service article.   “Environmental degradation is intrinsically linked to social and economic disparities, disproportionately impacting low-income communities, Indigenous people and people of color. Regrettably,” she said, "when we abuse, misuse and exploit our earth, we violate the covenant through which we were all created.  Tragically, it is often the most vulnerable, marginalized and oppressed communities that suffer the greatest consequences.  Climate justice cannot be separated from social justice.



Two upcoming podcasts from the national setting of the UCC,



A number of positions are currently open in the Phoenix metropolitan area as Heat Respite Site Leadand Heat Respite Site Assistant. The purpose of these roles is to assist the local Heat Relief Respite Centers in receiving community members and reporting, coordinating, and implementing Arizona Faith Network’s summer Heat Relief Respite Center program needs for the community members. Click on the link below for the job descriptions and application form. These positions are open until filled. Please share this with your faith communities.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS AND APPLICATION FORM



From Karen Richter at Shadow Rock:  In the midst of renewed attacks on LGBTQ+ people, solidarity among people of faith is more important than ever. Gender affirming care (especially for young people) has been in the news a lot lately. Learn the basics here



There are a number of versions of the Lord’s Prayer, from a wide variety of sources. First Congregational in Albuquerque will be using a different version each Sunday in June and July, and hope they give a new appreciation for this ancient prayer. This past Sunday they began the series with a version by the respected author and activist, Parker Palmer:

Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother,

Holy and blessed is your true name.

We pray for your reign of peace to come,

We pray that your good will be done,

Let heaven and earth become one.

Give us this day the bread we need,

Give it to those who have none.

Let forgiveness flow like a river between us,

From each one to each one.

Lead us to holy innocence

Beyond the evil of our days —

Come swiftly Mother, Father, come.

For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy:

Forever your name is All in One.