Rev. Drew Terry, pastor at Oro Valley UCC, has some exciting news to share: He's been accepted into both the Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) and Candler early career programs.

What a joyful celebration!

To view the entire photo collection taken by Bill Kaszeta, visit this link.

Holly Herman compiles the weekly Church Jottings from your church newsletters. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, submit it to Wende here.

Rev. Dr. Patricia StandTal Clarke (Shadow Rock UCC) received her DMin on 21 May 2019 from Claremont School of Theology.

June 2, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.

The Sierra Vista Community United Church of Christ cordially invites the public to "Honor Our Heroes Sunday.”

Holly Herman compiles the Church Jottings from your church newsletters. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, submit it to Wende here.

Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Congregational UCC Prescott, 216 East Gurley, Prescott, AZ 86301

To date, 18 local artists have signed on to exhibit their work during "A Celebration of God's Gift of Art."

Holly Herman compiles the Church Jottings from your church newsletters. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, submit it to Wende here.

 I love reading everyone's newsletters (usually between 25-30/week) and keeping up with what the SWC churches are doing.  But what are my real reasons for doing this?  I want folks to think as they read this "What a cool idea!  We could do that!"  Or "I wonder if that church could use some help with that project.  It's in keeping with the mission of my church."  Or " I'd love to attend that event/workshop.  Could we maybe bring it to my church?" Or "We do that, too.  I wonder if we could learn how to do it better by consulting each other."    Or. "Is my church in there this week?"  Why do you read it?  –Holly

I opened up my folder to start this week's Jottings and saw that there were 65 documents in there.  I love reading everyone's newsletters (usually between 25-30/week) and keeping up with what the SWC churches are doing.  But what are my real reasons for doing this?  I want folks to think as they read this "What a cool idea!  We could do that!"  Or "I wonder if that church could use some help with that project.  It's in keeping with the mission of my church."  Or " I'd love to attend that event/workshop.  Could we maybe bring it to my church?" Or "We do that, too.  I wonder if we could learn how to do it better by consulting each other."    Or. "Is my church in there this week?"  Why do you read it?  -Holly

Saturday, May 18, 3 PM at Desert Heritage Church, 1020 N. Horne, Mesa AZ 85203

This film shows the crisis we face with global warming alternating with practical things people (conservative and progressive in cities and town and states) are doing to mitigate and prepare for climate change.

Speaker: Jack Harris - Retired Phoenix police Chief and Deputy City Manager

Subject: Immigration and Crime in Arizona

Jack will provide facts that show the true relationship between the two as opposed to statements that have been in the news that do not actually reflect what was and is going on in immigrant communities. 

United Church of Santa Fe hosts this annual fundraiser on the first Sunday each May.

Shadow Rock will be hosting a 5 week Our Whole Lives series for adults in May. Our Whole Lives is a comprehensive, values based, affirming, multi-age human sexuality curriculum… and every one of those adjectives is important! Topics will include values, communication, sexuality & aging, setting boundaries, and exploring gender. 

Holly Herman compiles the Church Jottings from your church newsletters. If you’d like a full article about your news or event, click here to submit it to Wende.

Saturday May 18 at 5:00 pm, in the Shadow Rock Multipurpose Room, 12861 North 8th Avenue, Phoenix

Spiritual direction is the millennia-old practice of partnering with another in order to navigate one's spiritual journey. Spiritual directors help the spiritually curious uncover and unpack the people they were created to be. The Spiritual Direction Panel will include different Phoenix-area spiritual directors. All practices are LGBTQ affirming and open to seekers from any religious tradition or no specific religious tradition. 

This event is free to the public. 

The confirmation class, comprised of youth from Scottsdale Congregational, First Church Phoenix, and Desert Palm in Tempe, met for nine weeks in February and March. All but two are pictured here.

Congratulations, confirmands!

The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ and Flagstaff First Congregational Church UCC are pleased to invite you to the Ordination Service of Nathan Watts. The service will take place at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 17750 S. La Canada, Sahuarita, Arizona, 85629.

Clergy are invited to wear red stoles and arrive at 1:30pm to be ready for the procession.

In Service,

The Good Shepherd UCC

Flagstaff First Congregational Church

This was the fifth year that United Church of Sun City led Sun City’s Sunrise Service at the Sun Bowl. With nearly 800 people in attendance, many volunteers from the church assisted with the service. The choir reprised the Palm Sunday Cantata for the gathering music from 6:30 – 7 a.m. and worship began at 7 a.m. Pastor Brady Abel preached. and communion was served.