Pastor Bill Utke at Desert Garden UCC in Sun City West shared the following results of the SW ;Conference efforts to help the family of Pastor Tula. Pastor Tula was pastor at First Samoan UCC EFKAS in Wittmann, AZ and died last November. His family is in great need of help as they transition to not only a new life without their loved one, but also without his salary. The offering for Mrs. Tulimalefoi Maga, Pastor Tula’s spouse, was $3190. Thank you to everyone from several churches for being a part of it. It will go a long way to letting her know she is loved by people and churches in this conference. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

On Ash Wednesday, Rev Patrick from First Christian Church in Las Cruces engaged in an ecumenical project on the university campus called “Ashes to Go.” The group provided the imposition of ashes for those unable to attend an Ash Wednesday service. Traditionally, the phrase “From dust you came and to dust you shall return” is spoken. Upon reflection, Pastor Patrick adjusted the phrase to “From stardust you came and to stardust you shall return.”

On Saturday, April 12th, from 8:30-11:30, the Youth Group at First Congregational in Prescott will be doing an environmental service project with Rangers Ellen and Isaac at The Community Nature Center. Everyone is then welcome to stay for their Pollinator Palooza Event being held that afternoon where there will be educational activities and crafts.

The Wedge Gallery Exhibit by Scottsdale UCC member Zachary Sayre, entitled "The manifestation of God's love..." is now open. Each piece is connected to a scripture verse, and tells a bit of the story of how Zach's art is part of his own personal spiritual journey and search for God.

The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) is the recipient of First Congregational in Albuquerque’s Cash for Change jar donations through May 31. NMILC is the primary organization providing legal assistance to immigrants in the State of New Mexico, including the couple who moved into their church’s apartment on March 26. Now more than ever, immigrants are seeking legal assistance to remain in the United States in the face of threats of mass deportations. For more information on NMILC, please go to: https://www.nmilc.org

Arizona Faith Network is now hiring staff and recruiting volunteers for our 2025 Heat Respite and Relief Program! There are multiple paid and volunteer positions available to support local Heat Relief Respite Centers serving vulnerable community members during the extreme summer heat in Glendale, Phoenix, and Tempe.

These roles are essential in creating safe, welcoming environments for those seeking relief. Each position supports the day-to-day operation of the sites, helping ensure our neighbors receive the care and compassion they deserve.

To view descriptions and apply, please visit: www.arizonafaithnetwork.org/positions

This past week Desert Garden’s Gleaning Team completed its sixth season of citrus gleaning. This year the team gleaned 133 trees, which included a large HOA with 29 trees, and collected 33,000 pounds of citrus. A total of 37 volunteers, with an average of 17 gleaners each week, gleaned at least once during our ten weeks. Since our gleaning ministry started in 2020, just before COVID hit, the team has gleaned a total of 168,530 pounds of citrus. This amazing work has gone to help meet the needs of so many people who struggle with food insufficiency.

The jazz concert series at Church of the Beatitudes continues with Tom Wakeling on April 27 at 6pm in Nelson Hall. Suggested $10 donation at the door.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help during the recent Encanto Community Church yard sale! What an amazing turnout! The church made $5,406.50 during the sale plus $210 in pre-sale proceeds. After the sale, 4,149 pounds of goods were donated to Goodwill for which they received ten cents per pound, netting an additional $414.90, bringing the total earnings for the sale59 $6,031.40. As always, the funds will be used for various church and youth activities!

On Easter morning, the United Church of Sun City will lead, and their choir and praise team will sing at the sunrise service at Sun City’s Sun Bowl beginning at 7 am. (Just south of the church on 107th Ave.)

The Environmental Justice ministry from the National UCC has some upcoming podcasts of interest:

Wednesday, April 9, 1:00pm ET - Transformative Faith in Toxic Times
Saturday, April 26, 2:00pm ET - The 2025 UCC Earth Summit Featuring Katharine Hayhoe

A note from The Good Shepherd UCC’s Rev. Randy Mayer:

Greetings,

I wanted to send a dispatch from Guatemala that all is going well so far. We have been taking our Spanish Classes each morning in a beautiful garden, nestled next to some old ruins and an active Convent. We each have our own Spanish teacher that is working with us at our own level. It is great to see and hear how focused each student is in their learning process. When our classes end, around noon, we are released for the day. As we find ourselves walking on the streets, many primary and secondary schools are releasing their students as well. I noticed today that if I squint my eyes and turn my head sideways, I can barely tell the difference between the older students and the younger ones. So, I guess we are fitting into the daily life in Antigua. On Thursday, we will welcome the students and families that will be receiving the Scholarships. A big thank you goes out to everyone that contributed to the Probigua Scholarship fund throughout the year, at the Alternative Gift Fair at Christmastime, and through enrollment in our January Spanish classes.

We will have many more stories to tell when we return---and some of them might be in Spanish.

With you on the Journey,

Randy

At Open Table Connection:

We are facing unprecedented times. Self-Care is more important now than ever. As Rev. Dr. Chanequa Walker Barnes says, "self-care is your right, your obligation, and your act of resistance." Amen!

This month we are celebrating the season of Lent through the wisdom of Womanist Theology. Join us as we explore Rev. Dr. Chanequa Barnes's book, Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves.

We will also practice sacred community care by beginning our Mutual Aid program "Give a Little, Take a Little". Each month, we will offer a time of mutual aid at Luther House. Community members will bring extra items such as food, clothes, kitchen utensils, shoes, etc. We will set up a little "store" where everyone is invited to "Give a Little. Take a Little". In this way, we are cultivating the idea of mutual aid by encouraging community members to care for each other. Our Mutual Aid day for April is Thursday, April 10 from 5pm-6pm at Luther House. Please feel free to join us.

Finally, we are celebrating the Stations of Holy Week on Thursday, April 17 from 5-7:30pm. Join us as we experience elements of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday...all in one evening!

Join us on Thursdays from 5pm-7:30pm for free dinner, dialogue, and activities.