Via Church of the Painted Hills - 2016-2017 BACK PACK DRIVE

We are looking to collect as many backpacks and supplies as possible for the Marshallese Congregation's children.  CPH decided last year that we would only participate in this mission once every two years - not having donated any in 2015.
 
Please bring any donations to the church no later than July 30th (school starts 8/4/16).
 
Heather Honeman and Nancy Urias will fill the packs with the donated supplies and deliver to the Marshallese.  Their congregation will distribute to the families they select needing the most help.
 
We are also asking for socks for the children as well. Monetary donations will also be accepted if want to donate but don't wish to shop.
 
Thank you!!! - Heather Honeman & Nancy Urias

Via Church of The Red Rocks

Dedication Ceremony of the George & Claudia Ault Lifelong Learning Center
Held on Sunday, June 19, 2016

“Thank you for the Rev. and Mrs. Ault, held so close in your care, who gave years of energy, creativity, determination, and love, and especially thank you for their inspired leadership and service. Thank you for all those persons who have given special gifts to create and bring honor to this dedicated space.”

- by Rev. Larry Corbett (part of prayer at Dedication Ceremony)

Via Church of The Beatitudes

We need your help to feed the homeless!

We help feed people who desperately need food. Our shelves are nearly empty of some crucial items to help with the basics.

Can You Help?

We are seeking donations of the following items to fill our pantry:

Peanut Butter, Canned Fruit, Spaghetti Sauce, Cereal

Add these items to your shopping list, purchase a few extra canned food items, and you’ll see how easy it is to help.

You can bring your donation to the church and place in the Bishop's Pantry bin or to the church office.

Thank you!

- Church of The Beatitudes

Southwest Conference News

First Congregational UCC of Albuquerque
Leaving home to attend a post-high school educational institution is exciting and at times stressful.  First Congregational UCC of Albuquerque is willing to provide support to members of UCC congregations in the SW Conference who are leaving home and coming to Albuquerque to further their education and skills.
 
>>The Flyer can be found here<< [PDF]

Phoenix Marshallese Ministry UCC
Congratulations to Phoenix Marshallese Ministry UCC in it's filing of documents to incorporate!

Duet: Partners In Health & Aging
Be Cool This Summer
Summertime in Arizona is hot, hot, hot-but we have a way for you to feel "cool"! For a refreshing boost, give your gift of time. The Southwest Conference partners with Duet. This interfaith nonprofit pairs caring people (like you!) with isolated elders who yearn for visitors, or who need rides to doctors or help with grocery shopping, paperwork, home repairs, or learning to use computers. Volunteers also give respite to caregivers.

To be part of this can-do network of care, attend an orientation on Thursday, July 14 from 4 - 6:30 p.m. at Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix 85021. See www.duetaz.org for other dates/locations or call 602-274-5022 to RSVP. Thank you for sharing your compassion - it's what the cool folks do!

Rincon Congregational Church - Position Available:  Assistant Minister

Assistant Minister Position Opening
Beginning: September 1 - August 31, 2017
 
Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ is searching for a dynamic, self-motivated, and experienced ministry team member whose main focus will be Faith Developmentwith children, youth, and families and Community Outreach.
 
Hours:  Flexible position according to the needs of the church and availability of the Assistant Minister.  Estimate 15-25 Hours a Week, with the total not to exceed 1,040 hours in twelve months
 
Assistant Minister Responsibilities include the following:

  • Works with the Senior Pastor to direct faith development activities and programs for children, youth, and families.
  • Supervises and provides professional development for early childhood development staff.
  • Supports and providesleadership development of Volunteer children and youth leaders.
  • Plans and coordinates confirmation class and Vacation Church School.
  • Works collaboratively with Sr. Pastor, Justice and Witness, and Faith Development Ministry teams to establish seasonal and year-long goals and strategies for achieving them.
  • Develops and implements strategies for evangelism that support present and future member families and encourages people of all ages to join the church.
  • Builds and nurtures relationships with Rincon members and friends, neighbors, ministry partners, ecumenical and interfaith partners.
  • Preaches, facilitates workshops, small group, and intergenerational mission and fellowship activities, and community outreach.

Qualifications and Expectations

  • Undergraduate degree required.
  • Master's degree in divinity, theology or related area of study preferred.
  • Knowledge and leadership experience in Progressive Christian community.
  • Ability to articulate Progressive Christian theology and inspire others to articulate and act on their own faith.
  • Knowledge and experience of ministry with children, youth, and families and relevant local and global justice issues as they relate to the Christian Faith.
  • Familiarity with non-profits and potential faith community partners.
  • Excellent communication, leadership, people skills and team orientation.
  • Good professional and personal boundaries.

    Send letter of interest and resume to Office@rinconucc.org

Desert Palm UCC - Position Available:  Church Musician

Desert Palm is a LGBTQI-friendly progressive faith community affiliated with the United Church of Christ.  We are an eclectic congregation positioned on the threshold of tradition and innovation.  The ideal candidate will have some familiarity with traditional church music and choral direction, while being open to more contemporary styles.  There is some flexibility as to the job description depending on the particular skill-set of a given candidate.

We are currently in transition following the retirement of our Minister of Music who had served the church for 30 years.  Traditionally the position has involved playing the organ and directing three choirs (a children's choir, an adult choir, and a bell choir), as well as coordinating special music around the holidays.  If you have experience with church music or have a musical background and a deep connection to your own spirituality, we encourage you to submit a resume to our Senior Minister, Rev. Tom Martinez.  Please put "Music Search" in the subject heading of any email correspondence pertaining to the position.

It is likely that we will first fill the position(s) on an interim basis, making a final decision once the Search Committee has had time to conduct a thorough search.

To apply or for more information contact:
Rev. Tom Martinez
tomnmartinez@gmail.com
Cell: 718-915-2600
Church Office: 480-831-0065

Mailed material can be sent to:
Desert Palm Church
Attn:  Rev. Tom Martinez
1230 E Guadalupe Rd
Tempe, AZ85283

Images from around the UCC

This page is devoted to images of vigils, prayer services and public rainbow displays in response to the Orlando Massacre. From California to Maine, Minnesota to Florida, ONA congregations responded with grief, prayer, and re-commitment to the values of inclusion, justice and reconciliation that are at the heart of the Open and Affirming movement in the United Church of Christ. By displaying rainbow flags and images in public view, by organizing public services of remembrance and protest, UCC congregations have proved to their LGBTQ neighbors that we stand with them. This is why we are ONA!

If you would like photos from your church posted here, please send them (identifying the church’s name and location) to Andy Lang at ed@openandaffirming.org.

From Rincon UCC and Rev. Delle McCormick

Dear Friends,

This past Sunday evening I was invited to attend and speak at a vigil in solidarity with the victims of the massacre in Orlando at the Pulse Nightclub in which forty-nine people were shot and killed, and fifty-three were wounded and taken to hospitals.

Read More

From PFLAG Sedona and Church of the Red Rocks

PFLAG, Sedona-Verde Valley is hosting an event this evening at The Church of the Red Rocks in Painted Cliffs Hall at 7 p.m.   
 
It will be an open discussion about the horrible massacre in Orlando with a closing litany, candles, and prayer.
 
You are welcome to attend.
 
Larry Corbett
Interim Minister

Southwest Conference News

Bonnie McNair
On Friday June 17th, 2016 at 4:30 the Yuma Regional Medical Center will be hosting the Service of Ordination for Chaplain Bonnie McNair. The reception to follow will be held at Yuma UCC in Yuma, Arizona. You are cordially invited to attend, information can be found here!

Derrick Elliot

Lend your congratulations to The Rev. Derrick Elliot. On May 1st, 2016 Derrick was ordained at Casas Adobes United Church of Christ. He currently serves as a prison chaplain.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Don Longbottom,
Designated Senior Minister at Church of the Beatitudes, who was called as the Designated Conference Minister of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ. As the Designated Conference Minister, Dr. Don will be responsible for the five Associations (nearly 80 congregations) in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Dr. Don's last Sunday at Church of the Beatitudes will be June 12.

Rev. Andria Davis, Associate Minister at Church of the Beatitudes, has been called to serve as Acting Senior Minister at Church of the Beatitudes until such time that a settled Senior minister is called. The COB staff is joined by Josh Reynolds, who will serve as Youth Director and Pastoral Assistant. Welcome Josh!

Pacific Northwest UCC Internship

A social justice ministry of the UCC Pacific Northwest Conference has openings for
YOUNG ADULTS in an eleven-month INTERNSHIP in Seattle.

The Justice Leadership Program invites young adults (ages 21-35) to make social change by working at the intersection of social justice and spirituality. This full-time internship features political advocacy and community organizing, faith-based service, and leadership development. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ Young Adult Service Communities Network.

For more information visit the justice leadership program website at justiceleadership.org.

Rincon Congregational UCC • Tucson AZ

In light of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Rincon hosted a service for Healing From Sexual Assault on May 4th. "In prayer, song and silence, we will gather as survivors of abuse, sexual violence and rape; spouses, family members, friends and allies. We are all people both in need of wholeness and with healing to offer one another. All are welcome." The aim was to "Break the Silence" surrounding not only victims but the topic of sexual assault in hopes of bringing us one step further along the road of healing.

KTIZO, Phoenix AZ

It's here! Our first book of the bible illustrated by the Ktizo kids. The story of Samuel and his calling is the first of many that we will illustrate and publish. The kids really engaged with the story and know it through and through now that they have illustrated each page. We are now going on to the calling of Saul to be King.

United Church of Sun City • Sun City, AZ

In celebration of Mother's Day United Church of Sun City took a moment to collect a few statements written by children about the Bible without correction or retouching. Here are a few..."The greatest miracle in the bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.", "Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption", "Moses died before he ever reached Texas"... and many more. Happy Mother's Day to all who's lives are filled with little bundles of creativity and joy.

UCC releases faith-based tools aimed at ending gun violence →

The United Church of Christ is urging churches around the country to get involved in gun violence prevention, releasing a very personal video message from a local congregation that lived through a horrific mass shooting in their small community. “A Gun Changed My Beautiful Town," from the people of Newtown Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is a series of heartfelt reflections, based on their experience when a troubled young man took the lives of 20 children and six of their teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December of 2012, and how that changed their lives, and their viewpoint on guns in America forever.

Read Full Story at UCC.org.