A new “Nurture the Soul” podcast from the national UCC will air on Thursday, July 27, at 3:30pm ET will feature - A Conversation with the New GMP. Click to register.
To answer the need for a cool space for anyone who needs it in our part of the city, First Church Phoenix partnered with Arizona Faith Network to open their Fellowship Hall during the hottest parts of the day. AFN coordinates services at First Church and at eight other cooling centers, which are all part of the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County Regional Heat Relief Network. Most days, nearly 50 people spend all or part of the afternoon and early evening in Fellowship Hall where they are greeted by staff with a yoga mat, a bottle of water and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. First is a unique host, apparently, as they are open seven days a week and allow people to bring in their pets.
Casas Adobes is engaged in a summer experiment, offering a different kind of worship experience. This 30-minute service provides an opportunity to be immersed in some reflective music, prayer, silence, and a spiritual practice contemplating the Sunday Scriptures and themes, and then closing with communion by intinction. This worship opportunity may serve as a quiet preparation time for the 9:30 am worship in the sanctuary or may serve as a primary worship experience in community on a Sunday morning. Summer is a good time to try something new.
Black Mountain’s Ian Z. earned first place last week in the 1 meter, 10 year-old boys category at the AAU National Championships. He was in 2nd place going into the finals and pulled out the points to move into first on his last dive. He also placed 2nd in the 3 meter category! Congratulations, Ian!
Clara Sims will be joining First Congregational UCC Albuquerque’s staff as Assistant Minister on August 14th! Get to know her: listen to her podcast interview with SW Conference Minister Dr. Toni Hawkins by clicking HERE.
Scottsdale UCC has been approved for a Cornerstone Loan which will pay for the replacement of four AC units. Just as summer was ramping up, three of those four units totally died, and one was struggling. The church’s Endowment Fund investments at United Church Funds made the loan approval easier and cheaper. Without the investment account, Cornerstone would have used the church property as collateral and cost a few thousand dollars more in fees.
ICS in Tucson is collecting Peanut Butter during the month of July in preparation for back to school lunches! As of Sunday, July 16th, Rincon Congregational had collected 204 jars of peanut butter. This effort ensures that school children are full and happy so they can focus their attention on learning! Remember, the social costs of the ill-educated are far more expensive than a jar (or 10 or 20) of peanut butter. Tucson churches: How are you all doing?
To close: Some of the good comments about the heat that Pastor Paul from Church of the Palms has heard this summer include:
I’m making some fried eggs on my car hood…and I’m taking orders!
I’m baking a lasagna in my mailbox this afternoon.
I saw a dog chasing a cat – they were both walking!
It’s so dry the trees are bribing the dogs.
The chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs.
Have a great week! I’m on vacation next week but Jottings will be back the week after. (Holly)