Shepherd of the Hills reminds us, as people of faith, that we are called to live out our values beyond the church walls. The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, and the National Council of Churches each provide weekly Action Alerts—trusted, timely opportunities to advocate for justice, compassion, and the common good. Through Churches Uniting in Christ, we are connected to these denominations and their work. Now more than ever, faithful voices matter. Sign up for these alerts, stay informed, and contact your elected officials to ensure our shared values shape the policies that impact our communities. For more information or to get connected, visit the above linked advocacy pages of these organizations.
On the last Sunday of each month, an individual’s name is selected out of the "Jesus Beyond" box at Scottsdale UCC. That person is granted $100 from the Missions & Justice Fund to invest in some mission project or program. It is astonishing and inspiring the number of different projects that have been done by various people who have received the $100! Some have even gotten more donations so that the original $100 was multiplied. Vance W’s name was recently selected. His charity, https://missionsfororphans.org/, operates a seamstress school in Kenya where students are taught sewing skills. After graduation, students receive a machine, table, thread, fabric, scissors, and are able to set up their own kiosk for income. Vance added his own donation to double the impact and encourage others to join him.
The last couple months have been devastating for refugees already in the country because all State Department resettlement funds, monies already appropriated by Congress, were abruptly cut off on January 21. It has also been devastating for asylum seekers who had their scheduled interviews with Customs and Border Protection abruptly cancelled on January 20th. Scottsdale UCC, Black Mountain, and Desert Palm all help the victims of these policies through the East Valley Refugee Network. (This is blatant plug for a network of churches and individuals that I manage. –Holly) The Network sends supplies twice a month to a shelter in Sonoyta, MX that currently houses up to 150 asylum seekers, hoping that a legal path to apply for asylum will again be put in place. If you or your church would like to help, call Holly (480-570-0450).
For the past five plus years Church of the Palms has partnered with Lutheran Social Services (LSS) to provide the homeless population a safe place to sleep. Over 100 volunteers have supported the program. Five-plus years equals over 250 nights of hosting. The people in the program have come through the church doors searching for hope, needing food, and needing someone to show some empathy. Volunteers learned their names and their stories. It's been a great ministry. LSS announced last week that they are closing the IHELP program. Why? Pastor Paul’s short answer: Greed! Longer answer: The Department of Government Efficiency (the ultimate oxymoron), the agency cutting Park Rangers, Air Traffic people, etcetera, owes LSS over $930,000 which will go unpaid by our government. Like the Park Rangers, IHELP was deemed unnecessary by DOGE. Write your leaders!
Pastor Guillermo from Church of the Red Rocks has published a new book, a memoir based on his mother's stories from when she lived in Cuba during the 1950s. Killing the Butterfly: A Cuban Memoir of Democracy's Demise is primarily a story about Olga and Carlos, a young couple who fall in love, get married and begin their married life while the island's government is falling apart. It is an insider's view of the factors that contributed to the fall of democracy in Cuba, the rise of Fidel Castro and the authoritarian regime that followed, and how it personally affected members of Pastor Guillermo's family. Order a copy of the book from Barnes & Noble or on Bookshop.org.
Order the 18-month UCC Desk Calendar and Plan Book now! Calendar runs July 2025 - December 2026 and includes the following:
Complete lectionary readings for every Sunday
Special mission offering dates
Special observances
Directory of national staff
Cover image to come; calendars will ship in June. Order