Stop your food from going to waste! Shepherd of the Hills will host Citrus Saturdays on 2/7, 2/14, & 2/21 this month 9AM-3PM in their parking lot! Bring your oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes to their Super Citrus Saturday collections. Last year they collected over 7,000 pounds of citrus that all went to families in need.
Address: 5524 E Lafayette Blvd, Phoenix
Speaking of citrus: Out at Desert Garden UCC in Sun City West, their pastor Bill Utke officially commissioned their team of citrus gleaners during the January 18th worship service, marking the start of their 10-week commitment. The volunteers began work on Thursday at 9:00 am, tackling the first of 105 scheduled trees for 2026. The gleaning will take place each Thursday, from 9:00am-11:00am until March 26th. They donate the citrus to St. Mary's Food Bank, who will have a truck and staff in the church parking lot on February 14, 9 am to 3 pm.
Address: 18818 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West
Message from Javarita Coffeehouse: Tim O'Brien and Jan Fabricius, Tuesday, February 24, 6pm, $15.00. American bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien and his wife, Jan Fabricius recently wrote "You Took Me In" with Tom Paxton and continue to collaborate with the man himself. This concert will feature Tim and Jan with songs from their recent album Paper Flowers and much more! Concert at The Good Shepherd UCC, 17750 S. La Cañada Drive, Sahuarita, AZ. Tickets are available at the website or at the door.
If you're anywhere near the Panera Bread at 375 E Bell Road in Phoenix this Thursday, February 12 between 4 and 8 pm, consider stopping by and making a purchase to help Shadow Rock UCC raise funds for its preschool! Just mention Shadow Rock Preschool, whether you dine in or pick up (or even order delivery!)
Save the Date! Our 4th Annual Earth Summit on April 25th
For the fourth year in a row, the UCC's Earth Summit will take place on the Saturday closest to Earth Day. On April 25th, this hybrid event will take place at First Congregational UCC in Atlanta. We will celebrate our new Creation Justice Churches and Climate Hope Affiliates while hearing from terrific speakers. More information to come!
The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award
This award is given at the annual Earth Summit to congregations, ministerial teams, or other groups in UCC or Climate Hope Affiliates who have exemplified the tradition of prophetic action in the past year. The application deadline for this award is April 8, 2026.
Casas Adobes Congregational will tour La Casa in Nogales, Sonora this Thursday. Pastor Randy Mayer of The Good Shepherd UCC will lead the full-day tour.
