Scottsdale UCC will celebrate their 20th anniversary of becoming Open and Affirming in October 2018

Scottsdale UCC will celebrate their 20th anniversary of becoming Open and Affirming in October 2018

The First Steps on an Amazing Journey
by Rebecca Glenn 5/31/18

Is this really our ONA Statement? Are you sure that we don’t have another, newer version? We are going to need to rewrite this!

These were some of the reactions when the ONA (Open and Affirming) Task force reviewed SCUCC’s current ONA Statement when we first met in October 2017! 

We would like to share with you what we have learned and experienced over the last 8 months and invite you to journey with us as we look at ways to best describe and live out this important part of our church DNA.  This article is the first of four that we will offer through iConnect. This one focuses on the first steps of our ONA journey.

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Missionary Mark Behle is coming home - and needs a car

Missionary Mark Behle is coming home - and needs a car

Mark Behle, a member of The Church of the Palms, United Church of Christ, serves the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa. For the last few years, Mark has been working in the planning office of that church and has been involved with various projects such as the textbooks for the seminary, school furniture, and school classroom construction. Prior to that, he taught math and religion at Masitise High School for fifteen years.

After almost 27 years of serving God and The United Church of Christ in Africa, Mark is coming home. It will be good to have Mark back with us! 

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United Church of Santa Fe: a "Desert Faith Church"

United Church featured in Yale's Institute of Sacred Music Colloquium:
As Earth Groans: Worshiping God on Holy Ground

Environmental Ethicist Larry Rasmussen, along with United staff Rev. Talitha Arnold (Yale '80) and Music Director Jacquelyn Helin are presenters at the "Congregations" colloquium of the Institute of Sacred Music of Yale Divinity School, June 13–15, in New Haven, Connecticut. 

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Healer Mark Earlix healing circles at Scottsdale UCC

The Healing Circle is an opportunity to experience a physical healing from Mark. For over 40 years Mark has worked with thousands of people to help free the body of distress, aches, pains or sickness. After a brief introduction and a short time for questions, each attendee will have the opportunity to request a healing or blessing.

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Sing Phoenix! Choral Festival 2018

Sing Phoenix! Choral Festival 2018

Spread the Word: You are invited to sing!

Every year, The Arizona choral community comes together to Church of the Beatitudes in Central Phoenix for a celebration of some of the most beloved choral music of living choral composers. This year, the Sing Phoenix! Choral Festival is proud to feature the music of Morten Lauridsen from Thursday, October 18th - Saturday, October 20th. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Lauridsen will be joining us in person for the weekend, teaching masterclasses and voice/composition workshops to singing enthusiasts, providing insights on some of his critically-acclaimed masterworks, and attending the culminating performance of his music presented by all festival participants on the evening of Saturday, October 20th. 

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"American Pie: The Story of US"

"American Pie: The Story of US"

Learn about effective communication
Saturday, May 19th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. 
at Shadow Rock UCC

This is a non-partisan, interactive workshop. Ruth (Bunny) Davis, a retired attorney, and teacher, will help us learn how to communicate about the issues, open dialogue and move the conversation forward.

Get a deeper understanding of our Founding Documents and what they REALLY mean to us.

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How Do We Hymn the Earth in a Time of Climate Change?

Sunday, June 3
Church of the Good Shepherd, Albuquerque

Professor Larry L. Rasmussen, teacher, writer and activist, will share his thoughts on the topic “How Do We Hymn the Earth in a Time of Climate Change?” If climate change tugs at how we think about the world and envisage its uncertain future, how ought congregations enter the fray in a helpful way? How do we hymn creation in a tumultuous world? What is our work now?

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Church of the Palms: Next Steps in Discerning Involvement with the people of Israel/Palestine

Church of the Palms: Next Steps in Discerning Involvement with the people of Israel/Palestine

The Church of the Palms Social Justice Action Team has begun a conversation on ways we might continue to learn about and engage with the people living in Israel/Palestine.

75 Church of the Palms members attended the fellowship breakfast in March at which Daoud Nassar spoke (founder of the Tent of Nations outside of Bethlehem). 20 members participated in a four-week study group held in the spring of 2017. They would like to continue to build on the interest and support expressed by congregation members to these two events. The team came up with possible ways of continuing our learning and ministry in this part of the world.

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