Some amazing mission projects in September!
The mission emphasis for September at First Congregational in Prescott is the World Central Kitchens (WCK) which helps support Palestinians displaced by conflict in Gaza and The West Bank. (#Chefs for Gaza). Several teams are working in Gaza, in which Palestinians strive to take care of strangers, taking care of their community one plate at a time.
The mission emphasis for September at Shepherd of the Hills is Helping With All My Heart (HWAMH), a local nonprofit that has run a heat relief center at their Phoenix church campus for the past 2 summers. Their organization also receives people being released from ICE detention centers 1-2 times a week and helps arrange travel for them. The most recent project HWAMH has undertaken is working with unhoused individuals and helping support them with transitional housing. They help them find work as well as act as an advocate for them.
The mission emphasis for September at Congregational Church of the Valley is Foster Your Future, an organization that helps young adults, who are aging out of the foster care system, transition to independent adulthood. Their goal is to raise $15,000 to help support two young adults who are in the program. The founder of the organization will speak during worship this Sunday.
The Mission Outreach Ministry Team at Desert Garden will be partnering with AZ StRUT and the City of Surprise’s Youth Program called “Snack and STEM” to provide a Techie Camp on Saturday, September 20th. The camp is for sixteen youth, ages 12-16. Working in groups of two, and with instructions from the AZ StRUT staff, each group will be given a desktop computer to take apart and then put back together. Throughout this process the students will learn the components of the computer. During the class the students will receive information about cyber safety and proper use of a computer. At the end of the camp each participate will be given a refurbished laptop computer to take home. Desert Garden will be providing volunteers at the Techie Camp.
Scottsdale UCC had an outstanding group at their 45th Mingus Family Camp this year! They had around 54 people total, including 9 family groups ranging from 2 people to 16 people, plus 4 singles. There were 27 youth ranging from toddler to early college. The worship team provided an engaging nature-centered worship which enabled all to pause and appreciate God's presence and offer gratitude - and SING!
The premier of "Samaritans" will be held on Saturday, September 27th, 7:00pm at the Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita. Documentary Film Maker David Damian Figueroa has spent the last few years working on this film. "Samaritans" examines a seldom-explored aspect of extreme volunteering and migration, specifically focusing on Nogales and Sasabe, as well as a twenty-three-mile stretch of one of the deadliest land crossings in the world: the US-Mexico border in Southern Arizona. In the shadow of remarkable human struggle, *Samaritans* weaves a poignant narrative of hope and humanity along the US-Mexico border in Southern Arizona. The film highlights the importance of extreme volunteering and the compassion shown by those providing life-saving aid to migrants facing harsh realities and often deadly challenges in the Sonoran Desert. If you would like to attend: You must RSVP to daviddamianf@gmail.com Please note: If the 7:00 pm screening reaches capacity, an overflow matinee screening on the same day may be considered. (Check out whose picture is on the poster! Our own Pastor Randy Mayer!)
Congratulations are in order!
Congratulations to Rev George and Claudia Ault on their 60th Anniversary! George is currently serving as the transitional pastor at Black Mountain UCC.
Rev. Michael Bush from Casas Adobes UCC has returned from his sabbatical refreshed and ENGAGED! They discerned that they were called to bring their lives together more fully while on a mountaintop where Slovenia, Italy, and Austria come together (talk about “transformation at the borders!"). Congratulations!
In the spirit of protecting our sacred desert landscape, First Congregational in Albuquerque invites us to take the opportunity to learn from the UCC national setting about the impacts of AI Data Centers and strategies to resist them. The southeast and southwest are being targeted for building AI Data Centers and these centers use LOTS of water, not to mention significantly increase energy demands on the grid. This is a growing concern for many communities and the UCC’s Webinar: Emerging Strategies to Fight AI Data Centers on Wednesday, September 10th at 10 am AZ / 11 am NM&TX is a great way to learn more.
In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that there are six key greenhouse gases that endanger public health and welfare by causing climate change. This is called the Endangerment Finding. This research is what holds the EPA responsible for regulating greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles. Without it, they want to evade their obligation to enforce life-saving regulations that are vital to addressing the climate crisis. Arizona Interfaith Power and Light is collecting comments to urge the EPA to maintain the Endangerment Finding, and you can help by signing the letter. The deadline to sign online is September 14, 2025. Sign the Letter to the EPA.
Casa de la Misericordia, a refugee shelter in Nogales, MX is supported by many SWC churches. Take a look at the new video and see what Sister Lika and her team have accomplished, together with support from Cruzando Fronteras, other organizations, and many volunteers at La Casa de la Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones in Nogales, Mexico. It is amazing the work being done.
To close: A silly joke from Pastor Paul at Church of the Palms
Q: What do you call a book group that is stuck on the same book week after week?
A: Church.