Desert Palm is hosting a virtual event on Tuesday, August 5th from 6-7pm, focused on preventing overdose and suicide among our youth - open to all adults supporting youth of all ages! This FREE virtual presentation is for parents and all adults who support youth of all ages! Together we will be learning about:
Signs of drug use and suicidal ideation
How to recognize and respond to overdose
How to talk about and respond to suicide
This presentation is provided by Semicolon Society and ALT Mental Health, with experts providing critical information as well as time for Q&A.
You MUST register to attend. The zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the event.
Scottsdale UCC young people will be participating in a special Heat Relief event on Aug. 3, sponsored by AZ Interfaith Power & Light in support of the AZ Faith Network. The congregation will help support the youth and this event by collecting granola bars, travel sized first aid kits, wet wipes, sunscreen, lotion and chapstick. These items will then be assembled on 8/3 for distribution to at-risk individuals.
Rev. Dr. Sarah from Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque was just accepted to be a Senior Digital Fellow with Convergence (formerly the Center for Progressive Renewal)! You can read more about the program and her dynamic cohort here. The program begins with a week-long retreat in Atlanta July 29-August 1.
Church of the Beatitudes assisted Duet - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren again this year with their back to school drive. We provided 31 gift cards to be given to the teenagers. Hopefully they will be able to find something new to start their school year off with.
Arizona Faith Network extends a huge thank you to the many volunteers (well over 100) who came out to pack over 2,000 bags on Sunday! Thank you to our amazing host, Community Christian Church, as well! The bags are being distributed to our network of Heat Relief Centers around the valley and will be greatly appreciated by the visitors to those life-sustaining facilities.
We've just learned of an immediate need for socks, underwear, and incontinence briefs at our respite center at First Church UCC, Phoenix. If you're able to donate some of those items, please drop by the center during the hours they're open to the public (Tu, We, Fr & Su 11am-7pm).
Learn more about the heat relief program, or to make an online donation to help supply the sites.
Arizona Faith Network is also pleased to announce that Rev. Katie Sexton, Executive Director, has been appointed to the Faith seat on the Community Initiatives Coordinating Committee, a policy committee of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). The Community Initiatives Coordinating Committee has 21 members including 14 elected officials from geographically diverse communities and seven community leaders from the following sectors: business, domestic violence response, faith, healthcare, housing/homelessness, nonprofit, and philanthropy. The committee conducts a call for projects that will improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. Action teams are deployed with specific scope of work, timelines, and sets of deliverables to implement the selected projects. Subject matter experts serve on a variety of stakeholder lists to provide expertise on an on-call basis. The role of the faith representative is to reflect the voices and priorities of the faith community and Rev. Katie will serve in that capacity through June 30, 2027.
The Handbook for Visitation from UCC Wellness Ministries is designed to support those doing visitation, whether experienced or new to this ministry. The role of connecting with people on behalf of a church is not just a responsibility but a significant part of ministry. The Handbook will guide and empower you. As church representatives, we are entrusted to share God's love and comfort with those in need while honoring their life experiences and perspectives. The handbook includes quotes from scripture, prayers, and blessings covering many situations, thus serving as a handy reference for those unexpected occurrences. Order here.
UCC Webinar: Strategies That Meet the Moment:
During a time in which we are witnessing an unprecedented assault on climate and environmental justice programs at the federal level of government, what strategies and tactics make the most sense for those seeking climate justice? In wrestling with such questions, we can learn from past struggles as well as cleareyed assessments of the present while charting a path forward. With research into effective communication and tactics along with case studies of those engaged in the practice of seeking change, staff from the Climate Advocacy Lab will provide us with a wealth of insights to enable each of us to become better equipped as advocates. Our featured speakers in this webinar will be KyungSun Lee, Justin Rolfe-Redding, and Maliyah Womack. Even if you cannot make our scheduled time of Wednesday, August 13th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording afterward. Register now!
The 2025 Golden Rule Awards Celebration
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at the Tempe Center for the Arts
Hosted by the Arizona Interfaith Movement (AZIFM) this annual event honors individuals and organizations who embody the Golden Rule in extraordinary ways.
2025 Honorees Include:
The Most Reverend Bishop John P. Dolan – Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr – Pastor Emeritus, First Institutional Baptist Church
Elizabeth J. White – Owner and proprietor of Mrs. Whites Golden Rule Cafe
Hon. Rusty Bowers – Former Speaker, Arizona House of Representatives
Azra Hussain – President, Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona
Sergeant Sean Stoddard (Ret.) – Founder & CEO, The Archangels Foundation
Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev –Neurologist, Author, and Interfaith Advocate
Jacob Denlinger & Brophy College Preparatory – Senior Day of Service Program
Event Highlights:
5:00 PM – Reception, Faith Fair & Cultural Food Buffet
Doors open for an interactive reception featuring a Faith Fair with booths from over 12 faith traditions. Guests will enjoy a full cultural buffet, featuring flavorful dishes from around the world. Feel free to arrive at your leisure and explore at your own pace.
7:00 PM – Awards Program & Live Performances
The evening continues in the beautiful TCA theater with an uplifting program of music, dance, and meaningful recognition. Enjoy performances by Colby Jeffers, Bryson & Tierra Jones, the Hindu Dance Group, First Institutional Baptist Choir, and David Levy.
The program will be emceed by Hall of Fame broadcaster and actor Pat McMahon, and will feature compelling video tributes, live performances, and heartfelt reflections from our honorees.
Tickets Now Available: $50 presale through August 1 ($65 after)
Ticket includes: Cultural Food Buffet, Faith Fair access, and Theater Program admission
Reserve your seats now or go directly to the ticketing page.
Please select “General Admission” when purchasing your tickets.
From United Church of Santa Fe for students and teachers returning to school:
May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;
grace to risk something big for something good;
grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth
and too small for anything but love.
So, may God take your minds and think through them;
may God take your lips and speak through them;
may God take your hearts and set them on fire.
Go with our blessing. Amen.
-Rev. William Sloane Coffin, Yale University Chaplain (1958 – 1975) Benediction for Annual Opening Assembly