Meditation Experience at The Church of the Palms: The Rev. Lynette Turner will lead Resonance of Light, a 60-minute immersive meditation experience on September 17 at 10 a.m. in the chapel at The Church of the Palms. Participants will be guided through relaxation, breathwork, and meditation accompanied by the soothing tones of a quartz crystal bowl designed to promote calm, clarity, and spiritual grounding. Open to both newcomers and experienced practitioners, the session offers an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and connection in a peaceful setting.
Southwest Conference Minister Dr. Toni Hawkins joined the congregation of Pastor Jay Wilcher and First Congregational Church Prescott for worship on August 23, where she preached a message titled“The Space in the Middle” based on Acts 1:12-14. Dr. Toni shared in worship and fellowship with the congregation as they prepare for Pastor Jay’s retirement in December and continue their search for a new pastor. She offered words of encouragement for this season of transition, reminding the congregation that God is present and at work even in the space between what has been and the best that is yet to come.
With deep joy and gratitude, Shadow Rock UCC is pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Timothy Tutt has been called as their settled pastor. This vote represents a hopeful step forward for our community, and they are excited for the leadership, energy, and pastoral presence Tim will bring. His first Sunday with them will be November 1. As they prepare for Tim’s arrival, they are blessed to welcome Rev. David Hodgson as their Bridge Pastor. Starting August 30th, David will walk with them through the next two months, offering steady worship leadership, pastoral care, and thoughtful guidance. They are grateful for his willingness to serve and for the gifts he brings to their congregation.
For the next month, The Good Shepherd is conducting a diaper drive for those who visit the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center. They need diapers for little ones—newborn through toddlers, and incontinence supplies—for adult men and women. Although the food bank purchases many of these supplies from the Tucson Diaper Bank, most are gone within the first week of the month.
Church of the Red Rocks' Faith in Action Ministry Team has decided to begin the discernment process to declare the congregation a Just Peace church. For eight weeks in the fall season, they will have small group dialogues and presentations about Just Peace, so that later they might vote to become a Just Peace church. When a church becomes a Just Peace church, they signal to the world that peace is a core value and high priority. To be a Just Peace church means that we read the Bible and interpret the teachings of Jesus from a lens of peace. It is more than just a theological vision, or a formal commitment. Just Peace provides the language, biblical grounding and personal disposition to dialogue about sensitive issues and conflicts of the world.
The Church of the Beatitudes will honor Rev, Richard Smith’s 50th year of ordination during worship at 10:30 am on September 13.