Jottings 1/5/2026

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Doane University Choir will be performing at four Southwest Conference churches in January during their tour of the Southwest! Church members will provide food and lodging. Doane University is a UCC-affiliated institution.

  • Friday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ Albuquerque

  • Sunday, January 18, 9:30 a.m. In services at Church of the Red Rocks, Sedona

  • Sunday, January 18, 2:00 p.m. In concert at Church of the Red Rocks, Sedona

  • Monday, January 19, 7:00 p.m. First Congregational Church Prescott

  • Tuesday, January 20, 7:00 p.m. Church of the Good Shepherd, Albuquerque

During the week of December 15th, Surprise Elementary School and Nadaburg Elementary School received bikes through Desert Garden’s Cycles of Kindness program. Five adult bikes, two children bikes plus helmets and bike locks were given to Surprise Elementary School. Nadaburg Elementary School received twelve adult bikes, helmets and bike locks. A big thank you to Rich and Sheryl Hoyt who helped deliver the bikes to Surprise Elementary School. A giant word of thanks and appreciation goes to Doug Culliton, a member of the Sun City West Cyclist Club, who has done the work to refurbish the bikes that have been given to schools and other organizations.

Open House to celebrate Rincon’s 70th Anniversary: January 17th, 3:00 – 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall.

Earlier in December, Pastor Susan and Ahmad Daniels of First Church Phoenix welcomed 25 community members for a service to remember the life of one of their unhoused friends. People spoke, and the man who knew him best said this was the first time this group of people – really, our neighbors – had been given space to honor one of their own who had died. 

Three new titles have been added to Rincon’s collection of banned books:

  • The page-to-screen story and New York Times Best Seller- DUFF- Designated Ugly Fat Friend - Yes, the DUFF social concept is explored, but it’s the sexual content and exploration of teen sex, pregnancy and birth that earned it being banned.

  • Mexican White Boy was banned here in Tucson with the elimination of the Mexican studies program. The book was seen as promoting racial resentment and ethnic solidarity

  • Last Night at the Telegraph Club- Another New York Times best seller this has been applauded as the “queer romance” worth waiting for. It was the female lesbian exploration of sexual identity and alternative sexualities that placed it on the banned book shelf.

Electronics Recycling at Shadow Rock! Collections happen on the following days:

1/9 10:00-3:00, 1/10 10-3:00, 1/11 8:30-12:30

Items accepted:

  • All Audio or Video equipment

  • All computer accessories, hardware

  • All consumer electronics

  • All Cable boxes

  • All Cables and Wire

  • All Cameras (digital & Film)

  • All Cell Phones

  • CD-Rom Drives, Zip Drives, etc.

  • Calculators

  • Circuit Boards/Integrated Circuits/Semiconductors

  • Computer/Electronic Components

  • Computers: All: desktops, towers, servers, laptops, notebooks

  • Connectors

  • Copiers/Fax Machines/Printers

  • DVD Players

  • E-Readers

  • Floppy Drives

  • Hard Drives

  • Home Entertainment Systems

  • All Apple: iMacs, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks

  • Insulated cable, Wire Harnesses, Cable Assemblies

  • Keyboards & mice

  • All Laptops, netbooks, Chromebooks, tablets

  • Mainframe computer equipment and Servers

  • Medical Equipment

  • Personal Computers and Associated Hardware

  • Security Systems / Surveillance Equipment

  • Telecommunication & Test Equipment

  • Televisions

  • VCR Players

  • Video Game Equipment

Church of the Beatitudes' Annual Holiday Sock Drive Results: A GRAND total of 828 pairs were collected for homeless at Andre House! 461 pairs of men's socks, 293 pairs of women's socks, and 74 pairs of children's socks. Thank you to all who donated, with a special thanks to Leo Montez and the Plakis Family for their extraordinary generosity that made this year’s donations the very best. Pictured is Nancy Klatt with Sarah, Volunteer Coordinator from Andre House accepting the donations on December 21st.

Sign up for Common Ground on the Border, held at the Good Shepherd January 15-17th. It will be an amazing experience of border music, film, arts, food, lectures, and fun. Folks will be coming from around the country to learn more about immigration and the border. You can find more info at the website. This year’s theme is “Changes in a Changeless Desert: A celebration of commitment, compassion, and community across the US/Mexico borderlands.”

Update from The Church of the Palms' Criminal Justice Reform/Prison Ministry Team:

A Place for Hannah is a nonprofit organization helping women rebuild their lives after incarceration. Eight of us from The Church of the Palms had the pleasure of helping with their recent Christmas Party at Perryville Prison. After we served a dinner of pizza, popcorn, cookies, and cocoa, and the presents that the women had requested for their children were given out. The joy of seeing the women get to hug the children, eat with them and just enjoy spending time as a family was wonderful. All of us who were able to take part felt blessed.

At the last party we got to celebrate with juveniles at the Lewis Juvenile Detention Center. Again, we served pizza, popcorn, cookies and cocoa. Each young man was given a bag of gifts including a blanket, water bottle, and some hygiene products. Each unit was given games like checkers, Sorry games and soccer balls. The adolescents were polite, respectful, and grateful, not exactly what you would automatically expect from juvenile “hardened criminals” prosecuted as adults. It was a pleasure to be there to celebrate with them all!

Thank you Church of the Palms for donating gifts and volunteering to serve at the parties. We were the church to these often forgotten individuals.