The final worship service for First Congregational UCC in Tempe Arizona has been set for the end of March. A formal invitation to follow will be sent out soon. 

Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent, which is a time when people traditionally fasted and avoided food containing eggs and dairy products. Families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday. It was a time for them to eat food that contained these ingredients so that meals would not be wasted.

Please join us as we continue this tradition.

Written by Diana Graettinger - United Church of Sun City

The New England Patriots Sunday may have won what can be described as a clash of the gladiators, but the real winners were the people of Sun City.

Because Sunday February 5 also ended the weeks-long competition known as the “Souper Bowl of Caring Competition” between three area churches. More than 8,300 cans and packages of soup were collected for local food pantries. 

First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque was mentioned in the National UCC news last week.

'God's Open Doors' in Albuquerque prominently proclaim church welcome

by Connie Larkman

Ask just about anybody in Albuquerque, New Mexico about the church with the doors and they'll know what you mean.

God's doors. Six of them. Bold and beautiful --  with bright colors and a vivid proclamation "GOD's DOORS OPEN TO ALL."

"We stole the idea for the cool doors from Westfield UCC in Connecticut," said theRev. Sue Joiner, pastor of First Congregational UCC, Albuquerque, N.M. "I loved them so much and wanted to put them up at our church because we are in such a prominent location." (Next to University of New Mexico and across the street from a local middle school.) 

Vigil to Launch Sanctuary for Immigrant Families

January 26th at 5:30 PM

Phoenix, AZ – On January 25th, 2017, President Trump issued two Executive Orders related to immigration.  As part of the orders, all jurisdictions that attempt to ensure family unity within immigrant communities now risk losing federal funds.  In response, First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC) makes a public declaration of sanctuary to all families facing separation because of deportation. 

Ktizo UCC received a $2,000 Neighbors in Need grant for their outreach ministry to Burmese Refugee children. Volunteers host a Homework Club, helping elementary school students with their English and other school subjects. 

It is with joy and gratitude for your support that the search committee recommends to Church of the Beatitudes members that the Rev. Dr. Anthony Thomas Minear be named Senior Minister. Let this be your introduction to the person that we believe God wants us to have as our leader.

UCC represented at El Paso city-wide interfaith prayer service for Witness of Dignity and Solidarity

"Standing in solidarity with all those who pursue justice and work for reconciliation, we recommit ourselves to work through encounter and dialogue to advance racial equality, economic inclusion, the protection of the migrant, the rights and dignity of women, fairness in our criminal justice system, the protection of our sacred earth, and compassion for the most vulnerable among us.”

Welcome Rev. Carol Reynolds to the Southwest Conference UCC

Carol is a Massachusetts native. Prior to this call, she was pastor of First Congregational Church in Millbury, Massachusetts, . Carol received her Master of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. While in seminary, she interned at both a local church and the memory care unit of a local retirement community. She also studied spiritual direction with the Benedictine sisters of Benet Hill Monastery. Carol is an Ordained Minister with full standing in the United Church of Christ, was ordained on January 10, 2010. In her life before ministry, Carol worked in book publishing for 20 years, holding positions in editorial, inventory management, and warehouse operations at companies in New York City and Boulder, Colorado. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Bethany College in Bethany, WV.

February 17 & 18th, 2017 (Fri & Sat) in Sahuarita,

Dr. John Dominic Crossan will present THE CHALLENGE OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE/How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis through Revelation. 

John Dominic Crossan is generally regarded as the leading historical Jesus scholar in the world and the author of several bestselling books. He is a gifted speaker that combines humor with scholarly insights and skillfully engages Bible scholars and lay people alike.

In case you and others are interested, this weekend both the Santa Fe New Mexican and the Reporter will run the following ad, signed by 200+ members and friends of the United Church of Santa Fe. It's one way we are seeking to offer a Christian voice and witness in this time.