The Reading Sprouts tutoring program at Casas Adobes , which for nine years has been helping Keeling Elementary first-graders get off to a better start in reading, just ended another successful year with the annual ice cream social. Thanks to the dedication and effort of 14 past and current church members, this year they provided two tutoring sessions per week for about one-third of Keeling's first-graders. The year-end results are yet to be tabulated but if past years are any indication, the students will have improved their reading level more than those not in the program. And while it’s immeasurable, the bond developed with these youngsters is equally important.
Rev. Al Gephart, in collaboration with the Arizona Faith Network, invites you to a series of enriching Lunch and Learn sessions that promise to ignite your spirit and challenge your perspectives. Process Theology is on Tuesdays from June 18 - July 9, 12:00 from 1:00 pm via Zoom.
“Process theology is a worldview lens through which those of many faith traditions perceive the realities of the world. The world is inter-connected and continuously becoming through its interactions with others and God. We are response-able and responsible beings in the midst of this process." RSVP FOR ZOOM INFO
Recently, BookKids (started by United Church of Santa Fe member Debbie Maloney) teamed up with Communities in Schools (started in the 1990’s as a partnership between United Church and Salazar Elementary School, with the leadership of United’s Vickie Sewing, Georgia and Bill Carson) to distribute thousands of free books for children throughout Santa Fe Public Schools. For over 30 years, United Church has been making a difference in the lives of Santa Fe school children!
Rev. Dr. Guillermo Marquez-Sterling has been called to Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona. He will begin his ministry there on Sept 1st. Guillermo has been an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ since 1997. As the youngest son of Cuban immigrants, Guillermo grew up in Puerto Rico. He joined the U.S. Navy upon graduating from high school and served for six years. His Master of Divinity (1997) is from the South Florida Center for Theological Studies, and his Doctorate in Ministry (2011) is from Chicago Theological Seminary. For the last twenty-six years, as Pastor and Associate Pastor, Guillermo has overseen several ministries: Care Givers, Community Building, Environmental Justice, Economic Justice, Palestinian Justice, Racial Justice, Adult Mission Trips and Spanish Language Worship. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor for a church in transition.
Over the years he has contributed articles to journals and periodicals. He is the published author of the novels “Crossing Into the Land of Saints (2007),” “Rise of the Spiritual Activist: A Beginner’s Guide for Integrating Faith and Justice (2012)”, and most recently a trilogy about Central American children seeking refuge at the US border: “Praying for an Eclipse – Mother Moon (2017)”, “Father Sun (2018)”and “The Eclipse (2019)”.
The Faith in Action group at Church of the Beatitudes is working with Duet Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to help get the kids back-to-school in style. They are collecting backpacks, school supplies, gift cards to help purchase school clothes, and, of course, money.
A couple weeks ago, we told you about Shepherd of the Hills members Gabi and Chris Young who have a special connection to the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Gabi’s grandmother and other family members live there. After days of heavy rains, mudslides, and a dam breaking, water levels rose as high as 17 feet in the capital city of Porto Alegre and in many other smaller towns and cities. Shepherd of the Hills set up a special collection with funds going to a partner church in the area that has been distributing relief supplies. Gabi and Chris set up a GoFundMe account with funds going to their family. Most are now doing okay and are using the donated funds to send needed supplies to local shelters and cooking meals for other shelters in the area. Funds have also gone towards the purchase of blankets, baby diapers, adult incontinence items, pet food, and water. Gabi has been sent receipts, pictures, and summaries of the donations being distributed, and it has been truly inspiring seeing such a quick and determined effort by friends and their SOH church family.
From Pastor Rhonda Newby-Torres at Luther House:
Beloveds,
We are excited for summer 2024! We are going beyond the walls of Luther House and celebrating "Wild Communion" all summer long! We will begin with Communion Under the Stars at UNM's Duck Pond on June 5. We will gather before communion at Luther House for dinner and to paint signs for the Pride Parade at 5pm. Following these activities, we will walk over to the Duck Pond, commune, and reflect upon our surroundings. Please join us!
Later in the summer, we will commune on mountaintops, in the river, in the desert, and more. We look forward to experiencing spiritual renewal through "Wild Communion."
Please join us on Saturday, June 8th to celebrate in the Pride Parade! We are partnering with All Saints Lutheran Church and First Congregational UCC to host our float "We are God's Dream!" We will meet in the parking lot of First Congregational UCC (2801 Lomas Blvd. NE) at 7:30am to decorate the float and line up on Girard.
Blessings,
Pastor Rhonda
Please reach out to Pastor Rhonda Newby-Torres with questions at Lcmunmcnm@gmail.com or at (505) 518-1990.