This document from Shadow Rock UCC, Immigration Justice Ministries Designating REP Spaces, may serve as a helpful guide for other congregations as they form their written policies to make their churches safe places for immigrants.
Phoenix knows about deadly extreme heat. At the Extreme Weather People's Hearing in Phoenix, we heard stories from the faith leaders who are providing heat relief. There were also speakers on eco-grief, the costs to households of increased wildfires, worker heat exposure and more. Over 30 speakers had a clear message: the climate crisis is causing immense harm. The EPA's #PollutersFirst agenda will cause more suffering. Rev. Dr. Tom from Desert Palm and Rev. Susan Valiquette of First Church Phoenix were among the speakers. Photo credit: Eric Ledermann
On Thursday, August 14th from 9:45am until noon, members of Desert Garden UCC will roll up their sleeves and join hands with fellow community volunteers for the Surprise Day of Service at St. Mary’s Food Bank. This annual event, organized in partnership with the City of Surprise, brings together local organizations and residents to combat food insecurity and uplift those in need across the West Valley. Desert Garden members will be bagging vegetables for St. Mary’s to give out to individuals and families.
This week the back parking lot at St. Francis' church in Rio Rancho, NM flooded. All the water went into the chapel, vesting room and library. Father Alex shared that there's no way the chapel will be in any shape to be used this weekend for worship by St Paul’s UCC. Luckily, there’s Zoom!
Amy Dillemuth has been the Church Administrator at The Good Shepherd in Sahuarita for 18 years. She has decided to retire at the end of this month. Thank you, Amy, for all your years of faithful service!
A great picture of SWC Conference Minister Dr. Toni and Pastor Jay from First Congregational in Prescott, where Dr. Toni preached last Sunday.
Last June, Vitalant hosted a blood drive at Beatitudes Church. The blood drive was so successful they asked to host one more! Save the date for August 21 from 9-1pm.
Rev. Leroy Calbom peacefully passed to eternal life on June 7, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born on June 7, 1935 in Mount Vernon, Washington State. He married his wife, Rita Stierwalt in Tacoma, Washington on June 21, 1958. Leroy then attended seminary at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, California where he graduated in 1960. That same year Leroy was ordained into the United Church of Christ as Associate Youth Minister at the First Congregational Church of Redwood City, California. He served in various churches and was then called to the First Congregational Church of Phoenix, Arizona in 1981 where he served until 1998. During this time Leroy was a founding member of the Interfaith Cooperative Ministry. The organization was one of the first in Phoenix to serve the homeless community by collaborating collections of food, clothing and supplies. Additionally, Leroy was instrumental in a hospital program for 'Dignity for the Death and Dying' to train staff how to administer compassionate and dignified care at the end of life. Leroy’s final call was to the Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ as Director of Pastoral Care & Chaplain of the Beatitudes Campus in 1991 serving until his retirement in 2001. A celebration of Rev. Leroy Calbom’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, August 23, 2025 in the Life Center at the Beatitudes Campus located at 1620 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix AZ.
Scottsdale UCC began the week with four Family Promise families in their care and ended with three—for a wonderful reason! One of the moms started a new job and was able to move on to the next level of support through Family Promise, no longer needing rotation housing. Throughout the week, approximately 50 amazing volunteers stepped up to serve—bringing and serving meals, setting up and breaking down rooms, washing dishes, and spending quality time with the children through games and activities. At least six bags of laundry were taken home on Sunday by generous volunteers, to be returned clean and ready for the next rotation. Pastor Vernon visited twice during the week, and his presence and encouragement meant so much. (Family Promise is in need of more host churches! One week a quarter.)
Church of the Palms has recently partnered with Humane Borders, a nonprofit that maintains a system of dozens of water barrels in the Sonoran Desert along routes used by migrants. Recent actions by Border Patrol and ICE have pushed migrants into even more remote areas. Water stations are established with permission from private and public landowners. Church of the Palms has “adopted” the Cow Pasture Station. The owner asked Humane Borders to place a barrel there after seeing migrants trying to get water from pipes and water troughs. The kindness of ranchers helps make safe water available for everyone passing through.
Show your support for LGBTQ+ people. Remind others that Matthew 22:36-40 calls us to not only love God but also our neighbor, no matter who they are. This Love is Louder banner is 4’ x 8’.