Jottings 8/26/2024

Camp Hope is a ministry partner of First Christian Church in Las Cruces.  At Camp Hope residents have access to showers, toilets, safe water to drink, and are provided with a tent and essentials.  Once they are part of the community, case workers can help them find stable housing, they receive medical and mental health services, they are assisted if they qualify for veterans or disability benefits, and they can participate in addiction services including AA and NA meetings.

Labor Day is not just a time to celebrate working people and their contributions to our society; it is also a time to remember the struggle workers endured to achieve the many benefits we now enjoy. Labor Day provides a unique opportunity for faith communities and organized labor to rediscover their common bonds: social justice, democracy, equality, the dignity of all people, economic and racial justice, fair treatment in the workplace and the right to form unions. Join a conversation on August 29th with Rev. Seth Wispelwey, UCC Minister for Economic Justice as we reflect on how this Labor Day can be a launchpad for churches to address current conditions of working people and reaffirm commitments to worker justice every day in these trying times until all are thriving. Register


Pastor John from Casas Adobes  has his own YouTube Channel!  He does a ~ two-minute Quick Take on the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel lesson on his channel. Here’s last week's Quick Take: click here and scroll down the page.

The latest edition of the UCC  18-month planning calendar is here!

Calendar includes:

  • Complete lectionary readings for every Sunday

  • Special mission offering dates

  • Special observances

  • Directory of national staff

Order



On Monday, Sept. 16, at 7:00 pm, the founders of Roots, a Palestinian Israeli initiative for understanding, non-violence, and transformation will speak about their work and vision. The free event is at the United Church of Santa Fe (1804 Arroyo Chamiso), which is cosponsoring with Temple Beth Shalom.  Founded in 2014, Roots is dedicated to dialogue and trust between Palestinians and Israelis as a path to peace. United Church Pastor Rev. Talitha Arnold met with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Palestinian activist Noor A’wad in 2019 on a study trip to Palestine and Israel. Registration required.

Volunteers from Oro Valley UCC will join with Shoes to Smiles on August 30th to help children in need of new shoes. Volunteers will work one-on-one with a student to help them pick out their shoes. This is often the first time these students have been able to pick out a new pair of shoes for themselves with no cost limitations.  Each volunteer will be introduced to a student, will measure their foot to get an accurate shoe size, help them size up a bit to allow for growth,  and then help them pick out a new pair of shoes! The Foundation will pay for everything at the end.  


Volunteers from Church of the Beatitudes will prepare and serve a special Labor Day lunch at the Justa Center on Labor Day. This has become an annual tradition at Church of the Beatitudes.


First Congregational in Prescott presents Prescott’s newest FREE music series: Copper Door Concerts. September features the Lucky Dave Russell band. September 25th, 6:00-8:00 PM. FREE concert, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and munchies at the First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley Street, Prescott. Info: (928) 445-4555. This new concert series celebrates God’s Gift of Music and is made possible by the Marti Dial Estate.

Doing Grief Community Healing Project in the Interfaith Chapel for Healing at Church of the Palms: Healing Circles Begin soon. Informational meeting on Tuesday, September 3rd at 3 pm with Shea Darian, M.Div., Certified Multi-faith Spiritual Director. Learn more.