Several of our SW Conference churches joined together or with others to hold Ash Wednesday services:
Encanto Community Church, New Hope UCC, and First Church Phoenix
Shepherd of the Hills partnered with Prince of Peace Lutheran to begin their Lenten journey. The “pull-out” at Prince of Peace distributed ashes to over 125 visitors and the day ended with a lovely joint-choir service at Shepherd of the Hills.
United Church of Sun City, Church of the Palms, and Desert Garden
Meet new staff at the national UCC setting representing UCC mission and vision. Two familiar faces from the SW Conference- Rev. ellie hutchison and Rev. Seth Wispelwey
Thank you to Tina B., from Black Mountain UCC, and her church in Wisconsin for providing 145 handmade blankets to be sent to the Phoenix Welcome Center and to Centro de Esperanza, a refugee shelter in Sonoyta, MX. These blankets can bring comfort to a child, become a pillow for a long journey or provide warmth. They symbolize Black Mountain’s effort to wrap our neighbors in love.
Last Friday, a group from First Congregational in Albuquerque attended a cease-fire event for Gaza at the NM state capital. Pastor Sue spoke powerfully along with other faith leaders. During the event, attendees were given the following poem by Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul: “In order for me to write poetry that isn’t political, / I must listen to the birds / and in order to hear the birds / the warplanes must be silent.”
Sedona’s Church of the Red Rocks is hosting an event for the community on Sunday afternoon, March 10, at 3 p.m. The topic is “protecting earth’s environment in the face of our climate emergency, and what practical steps Verde Valley churches, organizations, and individuals can take.” The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, internationally known author and activist for “climate justice.” Since 1988, Dr. Antal has been sounding the climate crisis alarm and urging bold action by faith communities. A member of the United Church of Christ, and a former regional executive, Antal’s work has been interfaith in nature, and he has also partnered with non-faith-based organizations.
This March, United Church of Santa Fe children, youth, and adults are assembling hygiene kits to send to Church World Service for distribution to refugees in both Ukraine and Palestine.
The youth of Church of the Good Shepherd, Albuquerque traveled to Nogales, Mexico this weekend to visit La Casa de Misericordia.
The first meeting of Scottsdale Congregational’s Banned Book Club was a great success! They had 13 people gather and enjoyed a substantive discussion about the book Gender Queer. The group decided to meet again on Monday evening March 18th at 5:30. The next book to read and discuss is The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison.
Duet: Partners In Health & Aging, a mission of Church of the Beatitudes, is excited to announce that nationally syndicated CBS Saturday Morning will feature family caregivers, including Beatitudes member Pastor Jim Meadows, and Duet's Meaning & Hope Institute Saturday, February 24, at 7 a.m. MST on CBS (KPHO). Tune in to hear inspiring stories and learn of the resources available to family caregivers of loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer's. Or you may visit meaningandhope.org/cbs in the days following the broadcast to watch a replay and learn more.
If you’re in Tucson, check out the Blood Drive at Church of the Painted Hills!