Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque delivered trucks of supplies to Tularosa and to other affected locations affected by the fires, including Mescalero Apache lands. Thank you so much for helping people in need! Donations are still needed: non-perishable food, snacks, batteries of any kind, pull-ups, and laundry detergent are now on the list, along with sleeping bags, working air mattresses and tents. Help transporting supplies to the staging area is also needed.
United Church of Santa Fe is supporting Church World Service by providing kits for refugees in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Many contributed financially and/or helped assemble hygiene kits. So far this year, folks have assembled 400 kits and plan more.
Celebrate United Church Night” at the Fuego Baseball Game on Sunday, July 21st at 5:30 pm! The United Church of Santa Fe community will cheer on Santa Fe’s hometown baseball team, the Fuegos. United is sponsoring the game, which means they get to throw out the first pitch, meet the players, get discounted tickets, and have United Church highlighted all through the game. Tickets are $6 and families with kids are free.
Who couldn’t use a dose of Climate Hope with their beverage of choice? These mugs and tumblers are a great way to help your church shift away from disposable cups. They feature the winning artwork from the UCC’s 2024 Climate Hope Art Contest by twelve-year-old Charlotte from Glenside United Church of Christ in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Proceeds support the Climate Justice ministries of the United Church of Christ. Order
We offer prayers of condolence for Pastor Susan from First Church Phoenix and her family on the death of her stepfather, Dr. Don White.
With the 2024 election fast approaching, it is critical that everyone better understand changes in AZ voting laws to protect vulnerable citizens' right to vote. Arizona Faith Network invites you to join in a Zoom meeting with the AZ Secretary of State, Mr. Adrian Fontes, on Tuesday, July 2nd, at 5:00 pm/PST. The purpose of the meeting is to share with Mr. Fontes that we are watching for a free, fair, and safe 2024 AZ elections and seek to build a partnership with him to support that goal. RSVP FOR ZOOM LINK
David S. guest of the past nearly three years at First Congregational in Albuquerque, has said goodbye and flown off to join his cousin and her family in Salt Lake City. Bryan S., his former partner, had already left the church during the winter. Both will continue to pursue their asylum cases with immigration authorities and the U.S. courts. Bryan, who loves animals, is currently working for a local small business that serves dogs and their owners. David is planning to enter Job Corps in Utah and has already visited their offices and initiated the application process. The church community can be proud of what their support has meant to these young men for the past three years. They have had a stable, welcoming, secure place to live while they adjusted to a new culture. They have had the good fortune of pro bono legal assistance with their asylum cases from one of the leading law firms in Albuquerque. They’ve gotten good medical and dental care. And most importantly, they’ve had generous friends in the church who gave them work, took them out to eat, lent money when they needed it, offered transportation, and believed in them and who they could be in their new lives.
Pastor Drew from Oro Valley UCC, currently on sabbatical, did not make it to Guatemala, one of their planned adventures. Son George broke his arm less than 24 hours before the flight! He is healing and the doctors were very supportive of the family’s trip to Europe, where they are now. They cut his cast and wrapped it closed with removable material. Please pray that healing continues and everyone stays healthy on this leg!
The Social Justice Team at Church of the Palms is presenting a film fest on Fridays from 1-2:30 starting July 19th featuring films around the social justice ministries of the church. The July 19th offering is The Present. It is a timely film on life in the West Bank and the issue of Palestinian human rights. Shopping for a present for a loved one can normally be a difficult task, but Yusef and his daughter face an even greater challenge. This film is a realistic presentation of the difficulties a Palestinian faces in moving about on regular daily errands. The film won the BAFTA award and was nominated for an Oscar for best short film of 2020.
A reminder! Arizona Faith Network is offering an Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar on Wednesday, July 10, 8:00 am - online. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will hold a two-hour security webinar to enhance your organization’s resilience in case of an active shooter incident. Preparing employees or volunteers for a potential active shooter event is an integral component of an organization’s incident response planning. Because active shooter incidents are unpredictable and evolve quickly, preparing for and knowing what to do in an active shooter situation can be the difference between life and death. Every second counts. For information and resources, visit this link.
Congregational Church of the Valley had a great time worshiping together at the Church of the Beatitudes UCC in Phoenix on June 23rd. They were treated to energizing worship, a native flute, and a drum circle in which everyone was invited to participate. Both congregations enjoined in the same beat! CCOV is hoping to bring the same experience to their campus this fall!
Congratulations to Carlos Sosa! Carlos’ Ordination Ceremony will be held at Church of the Painted Hills on Sunday, July 14th at 3pm.
Thanks to the Christian Ed team and the staff of Scottsdale UCC for a successful first Staycation Bible School. 15 youth and 9 adults attended. Favorite Bible stories were shared. Good food was eaten! Smoothies enjoyed! Luxurious beds were slept in. Swimming happened plus air hockey, shuffleboard and ping pong! Many loads of towels were washed. Rev Ann was able to spend an afternoon! The rental property owner has even invited them to rent again! They are on the "good" list!
Sondra Upham from Black Mountain UCC is offering a Legacy Letter Class, a gift you give to those you love and to future generations. Learn to share your life lessons and values and store the brief letter with your will. If you enjoy writing and reflecting on events which have helped to shape your life, join Sondra in July. All are welcome!
When: Wednesday. July 3, 10:30 to 12:00
Where: Johnston Hall, BMUCC
How: Email Sondra at sondraupham@ yahoo.com
Cost: $10 donation to the discipleship ministry
New Hope UCC’s first day of worship services on the Beatitudes Campus is July 7th. From Pastor Myra: “…New Hope is so excited as we wait with great anticipation to see what God is up to in our move to your beautiful campus. Thank you for this opportunity, but more importantly, thank you for trusting God enough in your willingness to build new relationships.”