Gabi Young from Shepherd of the Hills works closely with the Diaper Bank of Central Arizona, the only diaper bank for all of Phoenix, donating diapers to twenty-eight non-profit agencies, including Homeward Bound, CASS, UMOM, the Salvation Army and others. Since the pandemic began, hundreds of thousands of Arizonans have lost jobs and have turned to non-profit agencies for help. Those agencies in turn rely on the Diaper Bank. The COVID-19 Relief Drive for the Diaper Bank of Central AZ will run through September 15th with a goal to collect diapers and/or raise funds to buy 100,000 diapers.
1. You can donate online here. Your donation would also qualify for the AZ Charitable Tax Credit.
2. If you or someone you know has baby or adult diapers that they no longer need, we accept already opened diaper packages. We have various drop off locations around town. Questions? Call Gabi.
Taos UCC is monitoring and restocking the Little Food Pantry box at the intersection of Straight Arrow and Lower Las Colonias Rd. in Taos. These boxes were started by Taos Immigrant Allies during this time of COVID to provide 24/7 emergency food. There are 9 boxes around town and they are definitely getting used by people.
Rather than have their usual big outdoor rummage sale and auction, First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque is going to feature an item each week and invite folks to buy online. Members are asked to contribute items or to think creatively about something they can offer (a Pandemic Survival basket! A batch of homemade ice cream! Paul's bread of the month).
This from Pastor Jayne at Black Mountain UCC- seemed to me like a good reminder. "Good day everyone. This morning a few of us shared good news with each other. I talked about meeting a woman at my chiropractor’s office. She went home, looked at our website and emailed me all excited that she had found her church! She asked for links to our zoom service. Christopher told us he had lunch with new CC neighbors whom he met on the CC Progressive Facebook page. They told him that passing by our rainbow banner always made them feel blessed. This is how our church or any church grows, by sitting with people, listening to their stories and inviting them to our beloved community. The act of listening is a precious gift to all. In this spirit I share a shortened version of Ann Weems’ poem Cold Water, Hot Coffee. 'Sometimes that cup of cold water turns out to be a cup of hot coffee and what we’re asked to do is to pour it….. and to listen. Sometimes we Christians in our enthusiasm think we were asked to save the world when what we were asked to do is to go into it and tell God’s story to people in need of some good news. Since we church people have a tendency to be driven and anxious and guilt ridden, perhaps we should read the directions again and pour a cup of hot coffee and listen in God’s name.'"
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque is taking time this summer to send out brief bios of its Council members so folks can get to know each other. Earlier, their newsletter took time to review the church's organization chart and explain the responsibilities of each position.
On Sunday the 16th, Shadow Rock will have a virtual potluck! Folks will sign in to the virtual Coffee Chat and bring a plate of food and a drink. Between now and then, the church office is collecting church potluck recipes- something that is a family favorite or just one for silly fun. Definitely one of the latter is this one from Pastor Ken!
· Place Twinkies in a casserole dish, lined up and squished together so as to fill the entire dish.
· Pour fruit cocktail over all the Twinkies.
· Spray an entire can of Redi-Whip until all the Twinkies and fruit cocktail are covered. (Use two cans if necessary. If two cans is too much, then empty the can into a separate bowl, chill, and eat later.)
· Sprinkle mini-marshmallows over the top (optional but multi colors is best.)
· Serves 8-10 people.
· Bon Appetit!
The UCC Opening and Affirming Coalition is hosting daily Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday in their Zoom chapel. The time is 9 am MST. The 15- minute services are based on the ancient "Hours" of Christian prayer and include scripture, silence, intercessory prayer and Taizé chant. This is a great way to begin your day with centering prayer. ZOOM.us/j/5556624822
Scottsdale UCC and Desert Palm UCC, both members of a loose-knit group of SE Valley churches, are supporting a weekly food distribution at a small Hispanic church in west Mesa. Groceries are collected and distributed weekly to about 30 families that have lost employment during the pandemic. Holly Herman is the coordinator of the effort and can be contacted for information and to help. Hhbillsmom@gmail.com
Many have linked the length of time for pandemic-hand-washing to the ABC Song. As Paul Whitlock at Church of the Palms thought about it, here are his ABC living-in-quarantine reminders.
A: Always wear a mask when going out.
B: Be kind; everyone is overstressed.
C: Cut out unnecessary trips out of the house.
D: Do unto others.
E: Engage in mental wellness – for yourself and others.
F: Find creative ways to reach out and help others.
G: God is still speaking, listen more.
H: Help with I-Help and other programs that continue to need volunteers.
I: Invest your time, talent, and treasure in things that will last.
J: Jump at opportunities to share blessings.
K: Keep praying – pray without ceasing.
L: Laugh out loud, laugh some more, and even more.
M: Make time each day to connect with the Holy.
N: Never forget that you are not alone.
O: Obliterate racism, prejudice, and hatred from your words and deeds.
P: Peacemaking is a choice – choose it.
Q: Quit whining.
R: Rededicate yourself to your core values.
S: Stop negative thoughts; be positive.
T: Try a different approach on difficult things.
U: Ultimately, do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
W: Work until all God’s people know peace.
X: Xenagogues who are kind are in demand; be one for those lost. (Look it up – I did.)
Y: You have the power to make this day awesome or not.
Z: Zoom. That is, connect, call people.
So, a (v)aliant member (but not in the (v)icinity) pointed out the absence of the letter "V". If we were meeting in person in (V)enice or (V)erona, or near Rome, I could give them a high (V) for actually (v)iewing the piece. Here is my response to them: I (v)enerate and (v)alidate your (v)antage point. You'll get no (v)eto from me. Nor will I (v)acillate. Please don't (v)anquish me because I am not a (v)aledictorian. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, here's my (V) word: (V)enerate (v)olunteerism as a (v)ocation (V)ery truly yours. Paul, the (V)ery Reverend. Oy (V)ey (And thanks, Frank and Chris, your identity is safe with me!)