Tai Chi Balancing Acts class at Church of the Palms.
Green Valley’s Desert Hills Lutheran Church (DHLC) proudly presented a check for $20,000 to the Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center (SFB-CRC) to help fund Project AZUL, the mobile unit that travels to rural settings in Southern Arizona where underserved communities get essential assistance that includes language and computer instruction, employment advice and support, health and nutrition education, and much more SFB-CRC utilized the gift to upgrade the mobile unit’s cooling capacity plus purchase a 3D printer, laptops, tablets, headsets, desks, and monitors that allow for Zoom classes, as well as a ramp for disabled participants. DHLC and SFB-CRC now enjoy a blossoming new partnership! SFB-CRC was started by Good Shepherd UCC and they continue to offer wide support.
The Christmas story is not only about the birth of Jesus, but is also a refugee story. Matthew 2:13-14 reminds that after Jesus was born, his family was forced to flee to a foreign country without knowing whether they would be welcome. Display this UCC Resources’ lawn sign in your church’s yard or the side of your building or home to share the story of Jesus’ birth and proclaim to your neighbors that when we welcome refugee and asylum-seekers, we welcome Christ. (I change out yard signs throughout the year, but this one is always my go-to from Advent–Epiphany. -Holly) Order
Pastor Sarah from Church of the Good Shepherd UCC spoke at the Albuquerque School Board meeting this week in favor of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Moms for Liberty and Legacy Church sent large delegations to advocate for book bans and to speak out against books that feature anything LGBTQ+ related specifically. They say they are about "protecting kids," but they are only targeting LGBTQ+ books - their goal is to erase LGBTQ+ people. This would be disastrous for LGBTQ+ youth as well as non-LGBTQ+ youth who benefit from their presence and perspectives. Church of the Good Shepherd got lots of positive press this week as a result of Pastor Sarah’s presence at the Board meeting, but her activism also received some pushback from a visiting hate preacher and his followers. Extra security was on site at the church yesterday and law enforcement was informed of online threats. As Sarah says, “almost 100% of the feedback we got was positive. When the negativity comes from people preaching hate, we know that we're on the right path, fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable! “
Basketry is as old as humankind. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make a pine needle basket, this class is for you. Charlene Virts, a weaver and art basket maker is offering a 3 day workshop on pine needle coiled baskets. Classes will begin at 9:30 am on January 27, 28, 29 in the Spark Studio at The Good Shepherd in Sahuarita. Suggested donation is $48. All materials are supplied. SPACE IS VERY LIMITED - Contact Charlene at cvirts@pacbell.net. to sign up and for details!
The Tempe Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26 at 7 pm at Dayspring United Methodist Church (1365 E. Elliot Rd. Tempe 85284). Pastor Tom from Desert Palm is the Convener of the Tempe Interfaith Fellowship, the group that organizes this each year. It's a great annual event celebrating Tempe’s religious diversity.
Several of the youth from Encanto Community Church said that they would like to learn about civics since that subject is no longer taught in grade school or high school. Accordingly, Kathy V. and Steve H. have agreed to teach a Civics 101 course at the church during the upcoming spring semester. The class will meet one weekday evening per week for approximately 12 weeks from mid-January through mid-April with the specific evening to be determined based on the schedules of interested students. The class will build on the Civics 101 curricula offered by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American for Democracy that is based at the ASU Law School.
The Longest Night Service will be held on Saturday, Dec 21st at 6pm. This annual service takes place at whatever I-Help location is hosting on the winter Solstice. Desert Palm is the host site this year. The names of unhoused people who have died in Tempe will be read. Desert Palm musicians will add support through music and song. All are invited.
Some Thanksgiving fun from Pastor Paul at Church of the Palms:
What do you need to make Thanksgiving s'mores?
Pil-grahams.
What did the ocean say when it saw the Mayflower crossing?
Nothing. It just waved.
Did you hear about the turkey that plays baseball?
He covers first baste.
If Pilgrims traveled on the Mayflower, what do college students travel on?
Scholar ships.
What is a turkey’s favorite dessert?
Peach gobbler.
What do you call rain on Turkey Day?
Fowl weather.
Why did the police stop you on your way home last Thanksgiving?
Because you far exceeded your feed limit.
When are turkeys the most grateful?
The day after Thanksgiving.
How do little pumpkins cross the road?
With a crossing gourd.