ICYMI: Last Sunday, Nov. 9, the Southwest Conference, guests, and members of Desert Palm had the honor of worshipping and ordaining Rev. Sonja Haller. Surrounded by her beautiful family, her church family, her pastor Rev. Dr. Tom Martinez, and our Associate Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, the Spirit was truly in the room. Congratulations, Rev. Sonya Haller. We are rejoicing with you.
Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque will present a Transgender 201 class on December 7 at 12:30 pm. If folks weren't able to attend the 101 class, they can still watch it on the COGS Youtube channel HERE. Contact Grace with any questions at celtfestad@gmail.com.
It has become a tradition for Scottsdale UCC to adopt seniors and a family through the City of Scottsdale Human Services Department. This year the Missions & Justice Committee has agreed to help brighten the season for two senior citizens and one family with 3 small children. Missions Funds will provide grocery gift cards to help with Thanksgiving meals. Folks now have the opportunity to select items to purchase for Christmas from the wish lists of the people they have "adopted."
Graduates of the Finding Meaning and Hope series created by Duet, a nonprofit related to Church of the Beatitudes, are invited to join an “Alumni” group. Many caregivers say the most powerful part of the original series was bonding with others who just “get it.” Alumni groups are a chance to stay connected, share support, and continue exploring the ideas and skills from the Finding Meaning and Hope series in a relaxed, flexible way. People caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia are invited to an Alumni group at The Good Shepherd in Sahuarita on first Mondays at 3 pm. For info about the initial series, contact DUET: Partners in Health and Aging. (Info@duetaz.org)
Many of our churches are collecting food to supplement food boxes at a variety of nonprofits: First Church Phoenix, Scottsdale UCC, Shepherd of the Hills, Church of the Palms, United Church of Sun City, Black Mountain, United Church of Santa Fe, Shadow Rock, Taos UCC, and Oro Valley. (And probably more!)
First Church Phoenix invites everyone to the Trans Day of Remembrance.
As a follow up to their TDOR service this past Saturday, The Church of the Palms will hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance Labyrinth Walk on Thursday, November 20 at 9:00 am at their Labyrinths on campus to honor the day.
The UCC will host a special worship service on Nov. 20th to honor those in the trans community who have been impacted by anti-transgender violence.
Abbey Reed joined First Congregational in Albuquerque on Sunday to preach during Native American Heritage Month. Abbey belongs to the Assiniboine people, whose traditional homelands encompass areas of what we now know of as North Dakota, Montana, and Saskatchewan. If you never have, you are encouraged to check out this amazing map which highlights the diversity of native peoples who are present in this country. Whose lands did you grow up on? Where are you now? The map also includes features that allow you to see different treaties.
Become a part of a team of Immigration Court observers. Support those especially who are not represented by an attorney. Just sit quietly in the courtroom as a presence. Organized by Desert Palm. Beth Strano from Borderlands Resource Initiative will be the instructor. You can find out more about her by going to borderlandsinitiative.org. Please use this link to register.
On Friday, Dec 5th, watch Samaritans at First Church Phoenix, a documentary on life-saving aid to migrants at the US-Mexico border featuring Rev Randy Meyer, Good Shepherd UCC, Sahuarita. Director David Damian Figueroa will be with us for the viewing. RSVP here.
Many churches have a traditional Thanksgiving alternative:
Folks at First Congregational in Prescott will Gather for “Friendsgiving” on Friday, November 28 at 3:00 PM, where all will enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and fellowship! All are welcome to attend our Friendsgiving (and bring guests if you'd like!).
In what has become a beloved tradition each year, the Shepherd of the Hills family gathers on Thanksgiving Day to share good food, laughter, and gratitude. Whether your table is already full or you’re looking for a place to share the day with friends, you’re invited to join us for a warm and welcoming meal among church family.
Congregational Church of the Valley is adopting a family for Thanksgiving. The family consists of 2 boys, 3 girls and 2 parents. Grocery gift cards and traditional food donations are being collected.
Church of the Red Rocks will host the Sedona Interfaith Thanksgiving service on Nov 25th at 7 pm.
The Church of the Palms will host a free Thanksgiving dinner for the community on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
United Church Funds Q4 2025 Town Hall recording is available. For those who missed the live meeting — or anyone who would like to revisit the discussion — the recording, presentation slides and poll results can be accessed HERE.
