Thanks to the generosity of Desert Palm members, children at Centro de Esperanza will receive backpacks, water bottles, notebooks, paper, markers, and more. Holly Herman is coordinating the supplies’ delivery to Mexico. Located in Sonoyta, Mexico, Centro de Esperanza is a nonprofit organization serving migrants and asylum seekers from around the world. It provides residents with food, shelter, legal services, showers, and clothing. Centro de Esperanza also receives support from Scottsdale UCC and Black Mountain UCC. Thank you Kathryn Andrews for spearheading this project!
More backpacks! These were collected by St. Paul's UCC for Colinas del Norte Elementary School. They were blessed last Sunday at both of St. Francis's worship services and have been delivered to the school.
Casas Adobes Congregational collected a multitude of donated and purchased school supplies from their drive for Keeling Elementary School. In addition, a cash balance remains to help meet unforeseen needs during the school year and/or to begin the early purchase of supplies for next year's supply drive.
First Congregational Church, Prescott needs a dependable and trustworthy person to help keep their church clean and ready for our community. Up to 10 hours per week, minimum wage. Four hours on Sunday morning, remaining hours/days to be determined at time of hire.
Rincon Congregational added five new selections to their banned books collection for August, for beginning readers to adults. Stop by their book cart in Fellowship Hall and find your next “favorite” banned book.
We love what Church of the Red Rocks did with their logo and our new slogan!
Beginning Tuesday, August 11, join First Church Phoenix for a five-week study "AI: Tool or Terminator, a study of the Magnifica Humanitas" unpacking the content recent Encyclical by Pope Leo XIV. Sign up for this in person study in Room 14 using the QR Code or contact Pastor Susan.
The Church of the Palms is enjoying their annual August Hymn Sing for 15 minutes before worship. Congregants write their suggestions and drop them in the "hymn barrel" in the narthex and each week the music team leads a selection before worship begins!
You can now access the full recording of United Church Fund’s Q3 2026 Town Hall!
The UCF team shared valuable updates on market and fund performance, organizational updates and the latest developments in corporate engagement and sustainable, responsible investing.
Download the presentation HERE!
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center’s Clergy Roundtable 8/20
These periodical roundtables are an opportunity to explore a subject through the lens of Bowen Family Systems Theory. This two-hour Zoom session theme is "The Role of Narrative in Defining the Self". The event is free but please register to get the link.
Desert Palm UCC will screen the documentary Samaritans after worship on August 23. Weaving together themes of hope, resilience, and humanity, Samaritans explores the brutal realities of life along the U.S.–Mexico border. The documentary shines light on the gutsy volunteers who provide life-saving support to migrants confronting life-threatening dangers in the Sonoran Desert. Among these featured volunteers is UCC Pastor Dr. Randy J. Mayer of Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita. Rev. Sonja Haller, Kathryn Andrews, and Gary Gephart got a chance to screen the documentary earlier this year and are excited to bring it to the Desert Palm community.
Also screening the Samaritans documentary: First Congregational Albuquerque on October 11 at 3 pm.
There's so much broken in our country right now, and sometimes speaking isn't enough. That's why Convergence Music Project is hosting CMP Converging: Sing Through It! in Louisville, October 7–10. It's a gathering for progressive Christian musicians, songwriters, worship directors, and for anyone interested in finding, sharing, and creating the songs our communities need to help us "sing through" difficult and challenging times. Register at cmpconverging.com.
Digital Security Workshop 2.0: Protecting Your Congregation & Organization
Thursday, August 27, 12:00 - 1:15 pm MST via Zoom
The Safe Communities Coalition invites you to an interactive digital security workshop with Yael Grauer, a leading digital security expert and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative tech reporter specializing in privacy, cybersecurity, hacking, digital freedom, and surveillance.
Cyber threats are increasingly targeting nonprofits, faith communities, and community organizations. This practical session will provide actionable strategies to strengthen your organization's online security, including best practices for website and CRM management, protecting sensitive information, and recognizing and responding to common digital threats.
Whether you're responsible for communications, administration, technology, or organizational leadership, you'll leave with practical tools you can implement immediately to better protect your congregation or organization. Registration is $10 for Safe Communities Coalition Members or $15 for non-members.
