Last week, Oro Valley United Church of Christ voted unanimously to become Open and Affirming! God is still speaking and loving! Here is their Open and Affirming Statement.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
(John 13:34)
We at Oro Valley United Church of Christ are an Open and Affirming congregation and wholly embrace diversity. We believe in the dignity and worth of every person and that we are all created in God’s image.
We celebrate people of all sexual orientations; gender identities; gender expressions; ages; races; ethnicities; cultures; socio-economic circumstances; education levels; family structures; physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities; and spiritual, faith, and religious traditions.
All are welcome to participate fully in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, mission, blessings, sacraments, and responsibilities of this church as we seek to grow together in a safe and nurturing community of faith.
At OVUCC, we say: everyone, everyone, everyone, whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Because of the generosity of its members, Casas Adobes UCC is able to make a monthly commitment through September to provide supplies for Casa Alitas. The increasing flow of asylum seeking families who find safe shelter at Casa Alitas, typically for 48-72 hours while waiting for transportation to family members already in the US, has put a strain on Casa Alitas’s resources.
As part of its Green Justice work at First Congregational Church in Albuquerque, the committee is creating a video collage for each Sunday in June. Members are asked to submit a short video of themselves answering the question “What do I love about the earth?”
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque is holding a baby shower later this week for a Family Promise mom who gave birth prematurely. The baby has a few challenges to overcome, and the congregation wants to lend its support to the family. The Shower will be held on Zoom and gifts will be dropped off at the church ahead of time.
Shea Darian passed her Ecclesiastical Council (E.C.) last Sunday afternoon at Church of the Palms. Congratulations! All who attended witnessed her pastoral heart and her ability to think deeply and articulate complex emotions in a clear and concise manner. Now that Shea has passed her E.C., once she finds a ministry position, she can be ordained.
Each month, First Congregational Church in Prescott highlights a different mission outreach project. This month’s mission emphasis project is Frontera de Cristo (FdC). This ecumenical border ministry in Aqua Prieta, Mexico (across from Douglas, AZ), is in partnership with several Aqua Prieta churches and local social service organizations to help meet the needs of migrants arriving at the border. Remembering Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers”, The Rev. Mark Adams, FdC pastor/director, wrote this: “We are called to be a presence of peace. A presence of peace for those seeking asylum. A presence of peace for those threatened by kidnapping, extortion, rape, beatings by organized crime gangs and drug cartels. A presence of peace for those who locked in poverty.” FdC services include:[1] assistance in completing legal immigration documents, [2] Health aid, [3] Shelter, food & clothing [4] Mental health counseling (many migrants manifest symptoms of PTSD) [5] Job training/placement for those choosing to remain in Aqua Prieta and [6] Christian education and worship opportunities.
In honor of Earth Day this month, Beatitudes Church featured a virtual arrangement of "Muusika" by Estonian composer, Pärt Uusberg. This piece was interpreted and arranged by soloist, Derick Claes. This song is based on the text by Juhan Liiv and it speaks on the origin of music as being based in nature!
DECOLONIZING CHRISTIANITY: BECOMING BADASS BELIEVERS is Miguel De La Torre's latest book, and is sure to spark lively conversation with Dr. Velda Love.
May 13, 2021
5 PM MST 4 PM PST