January 24–26, 2020 at Shepherd of the Hills UCC, 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix

with Iconographer Brenda Fox 

FRIDAY: 9:30 am - 6 pm; SATURDAY: 9:30 am - 6 pm; SUNDAY: 10:30 am - 7 pm 

Come learn the ancient art of “writing” an icon. No previous art experience is necessary. Brenda will walk you through a step by step process of learning to create an icon from start to finish. This is a time of contemplation in prayer and painting. Icons are painted in acrylic. 

I’m now on schedule to begin my storytelling groups. The good news is, because of the delay, we’ll now be finishing up our 8 sessions sometime in March, just in time for the April gathering of the Southwest Conference of the UCC. And guess what the theme of the annual meeting is this year? The power of story! Our Conference Ministers (Bill Lyons and Barbara Doerrer-Peacock) are both aware of my doctoral program storytelling project and excited to see how our storytelling will flow naturally into the annual meeting (and the “Moth”–like storytelling event that’s planned). 

Two half-day introduction sessions at First Congregational Church Albuquerque on Saturday, January 25 (Part 1) and February 8 (Part 2) from 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Led by Jennifer Bayley and Jocelyn Emerson, Pastor of St. Paul’s UCC, Rio Rancho

Would you like to deepen your spiritual practice? Do you want to connect with the world around you in a new way? Have you hoped for a closer relationship with the Sacred? Do you yearn for prayer that is interactive, conversational?

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters to compile the weekly Church Jottings. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters to compile the weekly Church Jottings. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters to compile the weekly Church Jottings. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Sunday, December 15th at Shadow Rock UCC, 12861 N. 8th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85029

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Concert begins at 5:00 p.m.

The Solstice Sunset Concerts at Shadow Rock United Church of Christ began in 2009, a creation by artistic director/pianist Lynne Haeseler who was inspired by composer Alexander Scriabin’s idea of a universal work entitled Mysterium. With this in mind, the intent of these performances is to weave all elements together—musicians, choir, audience participation, spoken word, and sunset— into one integrative whole. The Solstice Sunset Concerts are now a beloved tradition at Shadow Rock UCC and a remarkable celebratory musical experience with the unfolding light of a setting winter sun.

The Good Shepherd has had a long relationship with Probigua Language School in Antigua. But Probigua is much more than a language school, they have created rural libraries all over Guatemala as well as a number of schools for young Guatemalans, and they administer our scholarship program for more than 30 young Guatemalans each year.

Pastor Randy Mayer will be leading a group to Guatemala to study for two weeks, leaving Saturday, March 21 and returning Saturday, April 4. We will be staying with families during the week, and going on a weekend adventure March 27-29.

Friday, December 13, 2019, 7 pm at Javarita Coffeehouse, The Good Shepherd UCC, Sahuarita AZ

In Arizona, there is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to experience a mariachi group singing Feliz Navidad and traditional posada music. Mariachi Azteca del Sol is Southern Arizona’s premier mariachi group with breathtaking arrangements and one-of-a-kind vocalization ... truly the best. Tickets $10.

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters to compile the weekly Church Jottings. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters to compile the weekly Church Jottings. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

7 p.m. Tuesday, November 26 at First Church UCC Phoenix

What are you thankful for? That is the theme of November's Art of Justice Open Mic and Art Show. As always you do not have to be on the subject to perform as part of open mic and all kinds of artists are welcome. This is a free event and community project to provide a platform to local artists. Come share your art with a supportive and welcoming audience and community of local artists.

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters to compile the weekly Church Jottings. (Thanks, Holly!) If you’d like a separate article about your news, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.