The Silver Ladle has been awarded to United Church of Sun City! In the Super Bowl of Caring contest between United and Church of the Palms, the final score was United with 6542 cans of food and Church of the Palms with 4075!
Nishan & Maria Bakalian representing the Global Ministry Mission, serving with the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in Beirut, Lebanon, spoke at Congregational Church of the Valley last Sunday. They shared their personal experiences in a country with many political, social, environmental, and economic challenges.
If you are a fan of Wicked (or even if you’ve never seen it!), First Congregational in Albuquerque encourages you to check out Amanda Gorman’s timely and epic poetic response to the messages the movie holds for us today: Do Us Good. ( I recommend listening to the video and not just reading the words- Holly)
First Congregational in Albuquerque has also pointed us to a great resource from the Transgender Resource Center: New Mexico LGBTQ+ Post-Election Guidance. Some is New Mexico specific, but much is not.
In a rapidly changing and volatile world — where the latest news raises more questions rather than providing answers — the United Church of Christ’s General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, shares her thoughts and concerns in a new blog, “On My Mind Today.”
Read the inaugural post here.
Pastor Ann Utke ended her time with Scottsdale UCC as their Intentional Interim Pastor yesterday. There was a time for "Prayers of Gratitude and Release" during the worship service, and time for saying goodbye. Meanwhile, Rev. Vernon Meyer will lead worship for the next few weeks. He is retired, and his last pastorate was at Sun Lakes UCC.
After a multi-year search, United Church of Santa Fe is delighted to welcome Dana Bender as their new full time Director of Family, Youth, and Children’s Ministry. She comes with considerable experience in working with families and kids in two different church settings in Arizona, along with background as a music teacher across ages and directing the Phoenix Children’s Choir.
The 2025 Spring Yard Sale at Encanto Community Church will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all proceeds going to the Church General Fund and Youth Activities. The sale always features all kinds of items including furniture, artwork, clothing, holiday items, and collectibles.
Tragically, the devoted servant of God, Pastor Tulafono Maga of the First Samoan Congregational Christian Church Toafa o le Talalelei EFKAS of Wittmann, passed away near Christmas time, leaving both his family and church community grieving and uncertain about their future. If you would like to contribute to help the family with their essential needs, please consider a gift to the “Pastor Tula’s Family Fund” at Desert Garden UCC which has befriended First Samoan since First Samoan joined the UCC a few years ago. Checks can be made out to (and sent to) Desert Garden UCC, 18818 N. 128th Ave, Sun City West, AZ. Be sure to write “Pastor Tula’s Family” in the memo line.
Casas Adobes UCC will welcome Maurice (Mo) Goldman on Sunday, March 2nd at 11:00 am. Mo is recognized in Tucson, in the state of Arizona, and nationwide as a leading immigration attorney. His presentation will cover the significant, current changes made to our immigration policies, what’s happening on the ground, and how we can work to help immigrants during this difficult time. You may attend in person, or you may attend via Zoom. The Compassion on the Border (CoB) committee asks you to registering on this link.
The Arizona Faith Network newsletter had these two great links:
League of Women Voters (AZ) Legislative Week Lunch and Learn Virtual Sessions. February 24- 28, 12:00 - 1:30 pm MST via Zoom
The League of Women Voters of Arizona is excited to announce the launch of our annual Lunch & Learn Legislative Week sessions! Click on the link below for the full list and links to register for any or all of the five sessions.
LWVAZ LEGISLATIVE LUNCH AND LEARN VIRTUAL SESSION
The Arizona Legislature is considering two key bills:
• AFN suggests signing on to SUPPORT HB2191 - 'Yes in God's Backyard': Allows faith communities to use land for affordable housing. More info here.
• AFN suggests signing on to OPPOSE SB1164 - 'The Arizona ICE Act': Mandates local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, straining resources and endangering communities. Read the bill.
Take Action with Request to Speak (RTS):
1 Go to azleg.gov > Legislative Information > Request to Speak
2 Sign in and go to 'My Bill Positions'
3 Enter the bill numbers, select your positions (SUPPORT HB2191 / OPPOSE SB1164), and click 'Add'
Need Help? Our partners at Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona offer RTS training
Lutheran Social Services has lost much of its resettlement grant money from the federal government and have had to lay off 50 employees. This leaves over 300 refugees, here legally, without short term support. Can you or your church help? Adopt a family, collect supplies, donate funds. From LSS:
LSS-SW urgently needs compassionate volunteers to support refugees as they rebuild their lives in Arizona. Because critical funding has been cut, LSS-SW has limited staffing to provide services to our most vulnerable neighbors. Read through a few of our positions that are in high demand:
First Friends and Mentors: Support refugee individuals or families that have just resettled here in navigating their new community - have fun together as well as help them with practical tasks such as bus riding, grocery shopping, and navigating their career path. Community groups/churches/families are matched with refugee families and individual volunteers will be matched with an individual refugee client.
Co-Sponsor Teams: Houses of worship and other community groups can welcome refugees to Arizona as Co-Sponsors. Co-Sponsor Teams help with everything from furnishing apartments to making refugees more comfortable in their new community. Help families by sharing your knowledge and experience to support them as they learn English, help them get around the city for appointments, visit the library or grocery store together, or simply spend time together in their home sharing in a meal or conversation. 3-5 volunteers per team is ideal.
English as a Second Language Tutors: Teach English reading and writing to newly resettled refugees. Have simple, natural conversation practice with refugees who are learning the language, helping them to feel more comfortable with basic dialogue, practice useful phrases and words, and help them memorize key vocabulary they'll need in everyday life.