Desert Palm has provided the following resources from the UCC Mental Health Network. This year has generally been challenging for many of us, including those who live with mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and trauma. Here are a few tips and links to utilize as resources in navigating the holidays.
Tips for Coping and Staying Safe During the Holidays
Managing Your Mental Health During the Holidays – NAMI Blog
Surviving Painful Holiday Emotions – NAMI Blog
Avoiding Holiday Stressors: Tips for a Stress-Free Season – NAMI Blog
Coping with the Holidays When There is Mental Illness – NAMI Maryland
9 Keys to a Resilient Holiday – Psychology Today
10 Realistic Ways to Set Boundaries With Others During The Holidays – HuffPost
Mindfulness & Meditations for the Holiday Blues – Headspace
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (More info at 988lifeline.org)
On Thursday, December 12, National Public Radio reported comments from American Waldensian Society board member Rev. Randy J. Mayer [of The Good Shepherd UCC] in its broader coverage of current events along the US-Mexico border. Several members and friends of the American Waldensian Society asked that Randy’s comments be shared in a Monday morning AWS email.
Randy’s comments and the broader report from National Public Radio reporter Chiara Eisner can be heard at this link.
Randy Mayer explained the background of his comments here.
A reminder:
COMMON GROUND ON THE BORDER
JANUARY 16-18, 2025
THE GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SAHUARITA, ARIZONA
This year’s theme is “From Border to Belonging: A celebration of commitment, compassion, and community across the US/Mexico borderlands.”
The United States-Mexico borderlands has always been a beautiful mix of culture, language, cuisine, economies, and people. It has also been a place of struggle, high and low temperatures, a fragile environment, and the push and pull of immigration.
The Borderlands is the perfect place to explore the arts, touch the culture, and have deeper conversations about the complicated issues that collide here. We hope you will come and explore with us all the possibilities.
Thursday is a day of engaging field trips to immerse ourselves in the culture, life, and issues along the US/Mexico border.
On Friday we will have keynote addresses in the morning, classes in the afternoon, and a great dinner followed by an amazing concert.
On Saturday we will have keynote addresses and a festival in the morning, classes in the afternoon and another great dinner followed by a Special Evening with civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.
Gift a PATHWAYS course to someone you love this Christmas!
10 new courses begin on January 8th including UCC History and Polity and an Environmental Justice course, Biomes and Landforms in Scripture.
Introducing the New Testament (Dickinson/MBS)
Old Testament Hermeneutics
Biomes and Landforms in Scripture
Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners
UCC History and Polity
Introduction to Spiritual Health
How to Successfully Write about Faith for Newspapers (Proclaim)
Introduction to Supervised Ministry
Making Sense of Theology
Theology of Gender and Sexuality
Visit the website and learn more about PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. You may also contact the Academic Dean, Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver (RuthShaver@PATHWAYSTheological.org) or the Registrar, Rev. Melissa Ashmore (registrar@PATHWAYSTheological.org) with your questions.
The following is a webinar that Rev. ellie from The Good Shepherd (in Sahuarita) hosted and participated in. Nurture the Soul: What's Next: Justice and Politics in the UCC - During this past election cycle, the United Church of Christ was often cited for its “liberal" political positions in its works to aspire for a 'Just World for All' from a biblical and theological lens. Is there a difference between political and justice work? Rev. ellie Hutchison and Rev. Roberto Ochoa reflect on this important aspect of our lives and churches.
Because of Desert Garden UCC’s "Cycles of Kindness" outreach ministry, they were able to give 12 bikes, 12 locks and 12 helmets to youth at Nadaburg Elementary School. Thanks for your continuing support!