Congrats again to Sonja Haller, from Desert Palm, as she was approved for ordination pending a call! 👏🎉 Here’s another photo from last Sunday, September 21.
Last year, folks from Church of the Palms volunteered at a Christmas Party at Perryville Prison organized by A Place for Hannah. Watching the children spend precious time with their mothers made a lasting impression on them all. The agency director, Trish Plum, later spoke at a worship service about incarceration, transformation, and forgiveness. Church of the Palms volunteers will participate again this year and collect gifts and snacks to share.
Shadow Rock is also connected to A Place For Hannah and is holding a toy drive for the agency!
Last Friday, members of First Congregational UCC in Sarasota, Florida came together to make a bold and beautiful statement of love and inclusion. After Pride and Transgender flag murals across the state were whitewashed, the church community gathered to paint their own driveway in the vibrant colors of the Pride and Transgender flags. This act of faithful witness reminds us that no one can erase God’s call to love boldly and inclusively. I just wanted to give thanks for this congregation’s courage, creativity, and commitment to justice. 🌟
In Oct 8th, First Congregational in Prescott will host 23 cyclists riding to support people dealing with MS and raising funds for resources, research, and information.
First Congregational in Prescott also shared the following information for a series from NAU on Palestine. The presenter, Rev Sabrina Jennings, was the author of the UCC Declaration for an end to genocide in Palestine.
Oro Valley UCC is collecting disposable diapers (of any size) for clients of Family First Pregnancy Center and Diaper Bank in Oracle, AZ. Their stated goal is “Helping Mothers, Youth and Families.” The diaper bank provides diapers for infants and young children as well as the elderly and disabled who suffer with incontinence.
The Justice Team at Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque has set up a Food Pantry at the church, and has received several donations from the congregation! It is available to church members or friends or anyone who needs a little help.
The UCC Open and Affirming Coalition is launching A.C.T. OUT (Advocacy, Community, Transformation), a new initiative to help ONA churches move from affirmation to action. They will host a national online interest meeting and brainstorm session on Thursday, Oct. 2nd from 6:30-8 EST on Zoom. This first gathering is all about listening and brainstorming together. We’ll share what our communities are facing, lift up what’s already working, and dream about what A.C.T OUT could grow into — with no pressure and no commitments, just a chance to imagine and connect. Who should attend? Pastors, lay leaders, ONA teams, justice committees, youth/young adult leaders, chaplains, and anyone ready to move from statement to strategy. Click Here to Register!
Join Arizona Interfaith Power & Light for one of our in-person AES Keynote Session watch parties in Tucson, Phoenix, & Prescott! 🍿
This year's keynote speaker is Robin Wall Kimmerer - a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, which has earned Kimmerer wide acclaim. You can view this event on our website. Reach out to marissa.ruiz@azipl.org for any questions!