First Church Phoenix members and friends joined thousands of people participating in the 39th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March in Phoenix. After taking light rail from McDowell and Central to historic Pilgrim Rest Church on 14th St. and Jefferson, First Church walkers followed the parade route back downtown, ending at Margaret T. Hance Park where a festival of celebration went on until 4 pm.
The Casas Adobes church library is having a huge book sale at the church building on Saturday, February 15th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The sale is open to the public on Saturday. Books will also be available for purchase on Sunday, February 16th, for church members, before and after church service. Books will range in price from $.50 to $3.00 - cash only. Proceeds of the sale go to the scholarship fund.
From First Congregational UCC Albuquerque: A screening of the documentary Which Way Home is a free event at Albuquerque Museum. Which Way Home (2009) shows the personal side of immigration through the eyes of children who face harrowing dangers with enormous courage and resourcefulness as they endeavor to make it from Mexico to the United States.
The film, directed by Rebecca Cammisa, follows several unaccompanied child migrants as they journey through Mexico en route to the U.S. on a freight train they call “The Beast.” These are stories of hope and courage, disappointment and sorrow. Spanish with English subtitles.
Wednesday, Feb 05, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Albuquerque Museum
2000 Mountain Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-243-7255
Church of the Painted Hills is offering a Compassionate Communication Class on the second Monday of each month in the CPH Education Building. The first meeting will be mid-afternoon on February 10th. Learn how to talk with people you disagree with without abandoning your own values. For more information contact John Sweeney at (520) 444-6628 or Sweeney.john@gmail.com
At the request of Arizona bishops and judicatory leaders, Arizona Faith Network invites you to a critical training session addressing the urgent challenges facing faith communities as new federal policies take effect. These changes demand immediate attention, and clergy and faith leaders must be equipped to protect their congregations, uphold their rights, and respond effectively.
Date: Thursday, February 6th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM MST
Location: Zoom (RSVP for Link)
This training will provide:
Know Your Rights – Understand critical legal protections for faith communities in light of current federal policies.
Information to host training in your congregation – Learn how to educate and prepare your members for the changing legal landscape.
Safety Measures for Houses of Worship – Implement proactive steps to safeguard your congregation and institutions.
Legal Updates & Advocacy Efforts – Get up-to-date insights on federal policies impacting faith communities and how we can respond together.
Given the urgency of these developments, we encourage all clergy and faith leaders to attend. Our faith communities need strong leadership in these uncertain times—let’s stand together in action and solidarity.
This training is hosted by Corazón AZ, Arizona Interfaith Network (Valley Interfaith Project, Pima County Interfaith, Northern Arizona Interfaith), and Arizona Faith Network.
First Congregational Albuquerque will commence its celebration of Black History Month with Rev. Dr. Myra Taylor delivering the sermon on Sunday, February 2nd. Following worship service, she will present a forum about the birth of New Hope Church.
Dr. Toni will be their preacher on the 9th. She will talk with members of the congregation after worship service about the Southwest Conference’s Decentering Whiteness Task Force.
A display of photographs and biographical sketches of four people who made daring escapes from their enslavers will be on display.
Potluck Sunday at Shepherd of the Hills on February 9th is Super Bowl themed. This year they are having a FUNdraiser where folks can vote for their favorite team, or for the ads/halftime show. Three baskets for donations: Chiefs, Eagles or the Ads/Half-Time. The team with the most dollar$ wins the SOH favorite team to win.
Doing Grief Community Healing Project and the Rev. Shea Darian are now partnering with Desert Palm UCC in Tempe and with First Church Phoenix. Through the Healing Project, DoingGrief programs offer grievers, caregivers, and care providers a gathering place to learn, hope, and heal together through grief support small groups, education, arts, and spiritual enrichment programs. Desert Palm is hosting an "Introduction to Doing Grief Support Circles” with Rev. Shea on Sunday, February 16 from 10:30 am-noon and a lenten grief education series, "Mourning Light Café: Grieving and Healing YOUR Way," on Sundays, March 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 10:30 am-noon. Visit Doing Grief Community Healing Project page at DoingGrief.org to learn more.
Churches and ICE: Information from UCC General Counsel
The webinar “Sanctuary: Legal Considerations for Churches” is available now for viewing on the Insurance Board’s website.
National Immigration Law Center just posted this factsheet, which may be helpful.
First Congregational UCC Albuquerque has voted to become an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation; the resolution did pass in their recent annual meeting, with very strong support. They would be happy to talk with anyone whose church is considering taking this action.
