The Board and Elders of First Christian Church in Las Cruces, in order to prepare themselves to handle mental health emergencies, will be attending an adult mental health first aid training in Oct. This is a 7-hour virtual training designed to teach key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training will cover depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and psychotic disorders, substance abuse, and self-injury. They will learn a 5-step action plan to help a person in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.
Black Mountain UCC started with a goal of raising $1000 for heat relief efforts in The Valley, primarily through The Justa Center, which provides life-sustaining resources, services, and support to assist homeless seniors on their path back to housing, and supportive services to help prevent seniors from becoming homeless. The total raised now stands at $5,702.00! The little church that could! And did!
On Friday, September 8, 2023, celebrate with ABQ FaithWorks as they say goodbye to Executive Director, Jessica Corley. There will be refreshments at the office at 2201 San Pedro NE, Building 4, Suite 120 from 2PM-4PM. Following the office goodbye party, please head to Canvas Artistry at 1 Central Ave, third floor for live music and dancing.
“It has been an honor to lead this extraordinary group of volunteers and staff for the past two and ½ years. I will be joining the Board of Directors at ABQ FaithWorks after my departure. I look forward to watching us grow and achieve our vision that people are safely housed and integrated into communities of their choice!
Habitat for Humanity recently recognized Casas Adobes Congregational UCC with its Faith Build Loyalty Award, a special thank you "for 31 years of the congregation's outstanding support of Habitat for Humanity Tucson." Special thank you to Charlie and Marj Wippermann and their building team for helping Habitat transform monetary donations into new homes.
A special statement from AFN:
On behalf of the Arizona Faith Network, we are elated by President Biden's declaration of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This momentous proclamation, eagerly awaited, is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, Representative Grijalva, countless Arizona advocates, and nonprofit organizations. As representatives of diverse faith traditions, we firmly believe safeguarding sacred land is fundamental to all spiritual and religious principles.
We acknowledge the profound significance of this land to the Hopi, Havasupai, and other Tribal communities who hold it sacred. By lending our wholehearted support to their voices, guidance, and unwavering endeavors, we stand alongside them in their tireless quest to protect this remarkable sanctuary from the perils of destructive mining and exploitation.
Through this act of preservation, we pay homage to the profound cultural legacy, ancestral bonds, and spiritual essence that resonate deeply within these consecrated grounds.
Today's proclamation honors the indigenous leaders who stand as the land's original stewards and whose voices have regrettably gone unheard for too long. May this proclamation mark a significant stride toward reparative actions, fostering reconciliation, and safeguarding all sacred indigenous lands in the future.
Click here for AFN's statement on the designation of the monument, which includes links to the proclamation, a map, and an official Whitehouse fact sheet. Please continue to show your support by signing on to our Faith Letter of Support using the link below.
Also, please mark your calendars for Sacred Land and Sacred Stories: The Proclamation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument Webinar, scheduled for Monday, August 21 at 6:30 pm.
The Green Justice team at First Congregational in Albuquerque will explore Travertine Falls, just north of Tijeras, on August 19. This easy hike will lead to a cave, travertine formation, and if they’re lucky, a small waterfall. You can see photos here. They look forward to great views, a cool(er) morning, and learning more about the plants of the Sandias.
First Congregational UCC Albuquerque ended up sending about 260 cloth masks to The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita, AZ, to be remade into toys and given to children in shelters in Tucson and Mexico. They were thrilled to receive them!
Wednesdays in August at 7:30 pm
First Church UCC
1407 N. 2nd St.
Downtown Phoenix
Free Raffle
SFB-CRC (Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center)has served families with children of all ages since their inception in 2009, but never had the opportunity to provide intensive programming for families with kids from birth to five years old. Thanks to a grant opportunity by First Things First’s Pima South Regional Council through United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, with money from a long-term statewide settlement with tobacco companies, they now have the chance to form a Family Resource Center to help parents of young children. The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ is providing the space. The FRC is a long-term program needing two dedicated spaces each day of the week, as well as flexible use of other rooms and the outdoor courtyard. Although SFB-CRC is independent, the Church incubated the food bank and continues to be supportive.
ICS (Interfaith Community Services) is looking for someone to volunteer at their Rincon Congregational UCC location for their Workforce Development Program for a few hours one to two days a week. ICS helps clients find jobs, create resumes, and job interview skills. Please call Evelyn Wright (Workforce Development Program Manager) at (520)526-9320, if you are interested in volunteering.
And, to announce the totals of the ICS Peanut Butter drive’s unofficial UCC contest:
Rincon: 847 jars
Casas Adobes: 312 jars
Painted Hills:129 jars
And the winner is: ICS clients! Of course. Thank you all!
As students return to school this month,
A Prayer for Students and Those Who Care for Them (from United Church of Santa Fe)
God of infinite imagination who calls us to love you with heart, soul, and mind, hear our prayers for all students and those who care for them. May they know your presence in classrooms and cafeterias, laboratories and practice rooms, gymnasiums, nurse’s offices, studios, and libraries.
We thank you for teachers and others who bring out the best in their students, who stimulate a thirst for learning, and whose love and care can change lives. We pray for students whose lives make learning difficult— who start school hungry or are homeless, who deal with disabilities or the fear of failure. May they know your love is not dependent on grades or tests. Empower us to help all your children have the gift of education and the chance to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Amen.