It was great to have a small donkey and horse at the “Pet Blessing” at Encanto Community Church last week!
Shepherd of the Hills is a founding member of the Valley Interfaith Project (VIP), a broad based, non-partisan organization committed to building relational power through organizing people for sustainable social and economic improvement.
Coming up on Thursday, October 24 at 6:30 PM, come and listen to compelling stories about VIP’s agenda issues: Mental Health, Affordable Housing, and Neighborhood Safety. Commitments to appear have been received from the Chief of the Phoenix Police Department, Candidates for the Board of Supervisors and Legislative District 4, and Representatives from the Chandler City Council and Arizona’s AHCCCS Healthcare System. Questions will be addressed to the invited candidates (both Republicans and Democrats) to learn where they stand on these issues.
As the leaves fall this season, the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition invites you to FALL FOR LOVE, NOT HATE! Right now, the ACLU is tracking over 530 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the country—bills that threaten the safety and dignity of our communities. The constant hatred and negativity bring real mental, emotional, and physical harm to LGBTQ+ individuals. The Open and Affirming movement is a spiritual one, rooted in faith and love. We resist hate by strengthening our commitment to a loving and affirming God, helping churches live out their ONA covenant, and creating safe, brave spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, families, allies/accomplices. Click here to make a donation right now to our fall campaign!
It’s Oktoberfest at Black Mountain UCC! On SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2024, from 6-8 PM, enjoy Great Food, Great Music (The Forever Young big band), Dancing, a Live auction, and Raffles. Tickets are $30. Click here for details and to purchase tickets.
On September 26, Hurricane Helene passed by the St. Petersburg region on its way to northern Florida, pushing a surge of water 5 feet tall across the barrier island known as St. Pete Beach. The surge carried plenty of sand, marine life, and debris, as well as oil and chemicals from the properties it swept through. Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church UCC, had four feet of water in the property. And the church members who lived on the beach lost everything to this surge and have been displaced from their homes. This past Sunday a special collection was taken for the church and its displaced members at Church of the Red Rocks. This was Pastor Guillermo Marquez-Sterling’s church prior to recently being called to Sedona and the members of Red Rocks responded generously.
Pastor Tom Martinez of Desert Palm, Rev. Doug Bland (of Arizona Interfaith Power & Light) and Rev. Susan Valiquette, First Church UCC (Phoenix) will together be leading a book group on Brian McLaren's new book, Life after Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, beginning on Oct 17th and for 5 weeks on Zoom.. Sign up here.
Oro Valley UCC will host a String Quartet Concert on Sunday, November 3rd at 3:00 PM featuring Michael Fan - violin, Rollin Medcalf - violin,Chris Beasley - viola and Margerite Salajko – cello. Musicians have a variety of musical backgrounds and accomplishments in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Opera orchestra, and many other venues. Please come! $20.00 Admission can be paid at the door.
First Congregational in Albuquerque will receive a Seed Award from NM Interfaith Power and Light! This award recognizes their adopting energy efficiency by installing LED lights throughout the building (no small thing) and a PV Solar Array. A celebration of this important event in the life of the church will be held at 6 pm on Wed Oct 16th at First Unitarian Church (Corner of Commanche and Carlisle). You can register to attend in person or online.
Registration is open for the 2024 Arizona Faith Network Annual Gathering being held on Monday, December 9, from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Registration + Networking Breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the Program at 9 am, at the Franciscan Renewal Center
5802 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253. Hybrid (in-person / live-streamed) and Bilingual (Spanish / English)
Join AFN as we build bridges and break barriers at our 2024 Annual Gathering. Be part of a powerful day of connection, learning, and celebration as we gather people of faith from across Arizona. This year’s theme, Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, will focus on Peacemakers in Action, exploring how we can actively cultivate peace and unity in an increasingly divided world. Whether you’ve been part of AFN for years or are just connecting with us now, you belong here! Join us in person or online and choose the participation option that best supports your well-being. We are excited to welcome Rev. Eugene Cho, CEO of Bread for the World, as our keynote speaker. Rev. Cho is a passionate advocate for social justice, and his insights will inspire us to take meaningful action as peacemakers in our communities. Visit the link below for registration and sponsorship opportunities!
The spiritual belief of Día de los Muertos is that the souls of those who have passed on and are in the underworld are traveling back to the land of the living, and their souls are being welcomed by an ofrenda. Started in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos has been a celebration that dates back more than 3000 years. First Church Phoenix has adopted the tradition of displaying an ofrenda in their sanctuary in the month of October each year. All are invited to display photos of loved ones on the ofrenda as a way to honor the memories of those who have completed their life journeys.