To give our children and youth a voice this election season (while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation when they vote), the national UCC is conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color about the world and the environment in which they want to live. Art submissions can be made from March 1 to April 16.
Register now to receive a printable art contest template, updates, and more!
To honor and remember the life of Nex Benedict, the 16-year old non-binary teenager who lost their life after an assault in a school bathroom in Owasso, OK, First Church Phoenix opened their doors for a candlelight vigil on Feb. 28. AZTYPO and the Queer Center organized the vigil where over 100 members of the community came together. Pastor Susan hoped that the gathering in Phoenix might help Nex’s family bear their sadness, knowing that people across the country support them in the unimaginable loss of their child. Oklahoma has very restrictive bathroom laws. Nex was bullied and beaten while using a school bathroom — a bathroom that did not align with their gender identity — and the next day, Nex died in the hospital.
Thirty-two people attended Casas Adobe’s two-day Prayer Retreat last weekend and were blessed with a beautiful spot, with beautiful weather, and amazing people to join in the spiritual journey together. They discussed the theology of prayer, engaged in meditation/centering practices, shared tools and resources for how to more deeply be present to and listen for the Divine, and processed the experience in small groups, all with the intention of more fully receiving God's love and more fully loving all of God's people.
On Saturday, March 16th, at 10 am, Kay Klinkenborg of Church of the the Palms will present a class on “Christian Nationalism, Project 2025, and Further Threats to our Democracy.” It is open to the public. Project 25 is a plan designed by the Heritage Foundation to implement if Trump is elected to make Christianity a national religion and redesign the governing structure of our nation.
Church of the Painted Hills will celebrate their 50th anniversary on Sunday, March 10th with worship and a catered dinner. They are collecting photos and memories for the anniversary booklet.
A benefit on March 25 for the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center (a mission of The Good Shepherd UCC) will help meet the challenge of increased numbers of hungry children, adults, snd seniors. Come on March 25 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Longhorn Grill in Amado. Enjoy a rockin' spring evening with great food and music performed by Larry Worster and his band Silver and Chrome. They call it “turning music into food.” The $100 per person contribution ($70 is tax deductible) includes a reception, dinner (with a vegetarian option), and the concert. You can even dance! Larry and his friends have played many concerts to benefit SFB-CRC. Please respond by no later than March 15 to Rich Stottlemire at rhsr@me.com, or call 520-534-7952.
This week, Jade, from Oro Valley UCC had an unexpected opportunity to volunteer with the Amphi School District, to help children from various schools get new shoes! It was such a wonderful experience! The children were beaming with joy to shop through the Sketchers Outlet and choose any shoes their heart desired.
10 Amphi Schools
10 Students from each
100 Beaming Smiles
1 Amazing Opportunity.
The Silver Ladle was welcomed back at United Church of Sun City this year! United collected 3782 cans of food and Church of the Palms 3352. But the real winner of the Souper Bowl of Caring was the Valley View Food Bank and the families it serves.
‘Tis the season of rummage sales! On Saturday, March 9, from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM proceeds from the Rummage Sale at Shepherd of the Hills will provide funding for their greater mission projects. And after church on the 10th, folks are invited to make Easter cards for home bound members and for those who have moved out of the state. It’s a small way of showing them that their church family is praying and thinking about them.
ARIZONA POWER AND LIGHT will hold a special event, SACRED EARTH, COMMON GROUND, on Tuesday, March 26th at 6pm. Local artists and musicians celebrate the beauty of creation and inspire the attendees own stories of sacred connections.
A picture is worth a thousand words" and these graphic banned books use illustrations to blend complex meanings and essences with the printed word. Come to the Rincon Banned Book Cart display in the narthex and choose a book others don't want you to read.