Church News

Electronic Recycling

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Electronic Recycling

Electronic recycling: Friday and Saturday, March 20–21, 9:00 am–3:00 pm

Desert Garden UCC and AZStRUT (Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology)

18818 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West

Desert Garden is partnering again with AZStRUT to aid the community in the recycling of used or non- working electronics after collecting 10,064 pounds of electronics in four days in 2025!

The items that will be accepted include, but are not limited to, audio or video equipment, answering systems, cable boxes, cables and wires, digital or film cameras, calculators, computers, cell phones, telephones, copiers, printers, and DVD players. $40.00 will be charged for any CRT (tube TVs) or rear projection TVs donated to help defray costs for recycling safely.

A complete list of items can be found on the website www.azstrut.org, along with the security measures taken to wipe out information on devices.

AZ StRUT was started in 1997 by Intel and Motorola to get used equipment out to Arizona schools and nonprofits. The company works with school programs teaching students about computer repair and refurbishing efforts. In 1998 AZ StRUT received 501(c)(3) status and started providing A+ certification training for the teachers and those programs.

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Our Journey: Stories from The Open Table Connection: Joan

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Our Journey: Stories from The Open Table Connection: Joan

More Than Community

Joan, who describes her younger self as “a sort of angsty kid,” journeyed through doubt, atheism, self-exploration, and transition before discovering a “different kind of Christianity” later in life. In 2024, Joan joined her local UCC church in Phoenix, AZ, where she was celebrated for who God made her to be and baptized into her new faith. 

Joan first noticed The Open Table Connection campus ministry while scoping out the University of New Mexico. “I drove past a little house covered in pride flags and thought, I’ll probably end up going there someday,” she laughed. When she met Pastor Rhonda at the campus club fair and learned about the Open Table Connection, “it just felt right.” She began attending Thursday dinners, where she said she found “a wonderful sense of community on campus.”

“Community isn’t just something that feels good, though,” Joan emphasized. “It’s something that keeps you safe.” As a trans woman finding her place in a new city, that sense of safety meant everything. “I have one less thing to constantly worry about,” she shared. “I know I have people who care about me and a roof over my head where I can be my true self. That’s a big deal.”

Her time living at Luther House has deepened that feeling of belonging. “It’s the little things,” Joan said softly. “Coming home after class and chatting with my roommates, sharing a meal, hearing about their days. It’s a space where I feel entirely comfortable. That is rare for me.” She also finds spiritual meaning in the shared meals. “Communion is such a beautiful reminder that we’re called to sit down and eat together, to share what sustains us, both food and Christ, and that is what we do on Thursdays.”

Today, Joan describes herself as more confident, purposeful, and grounded in her faith. “Having this environment to flourish in,” she reflected, “has translated into every area of my life. As a student, as a professional, as a young woman learning how to be in the world.” She credits The Open Table with giving her both spiritual and emotional security. “It’s a place that inspires me to be the change I want to see,” Joan said, smiling. “I’m confident in the woman I’m becoming, and I’m very excited to meet her.”

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The passing of Shawn Dromgoole – #WeWalkWithShawn

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The passing of Shawn Dromgoole – #WeWalkWithShawn

From Pastor Sarah at Church of the Good Shepherd UCC in Albuquerque:

Dear Church Family,

I write you to share the heartbreaking news of the death of our dear friend and associate church member Shawn Dromgoole. Yesterday, Shawn's family found him at home unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found he had high blood sugar and a high fever. While in critical care, Shawn had a heart attack, and they were tragically not able to bring him back.

The family is still in shock--as am I, but I will let you know as soon as I know more about funeral plans or places folks can send flowers or donate in his honor.

Shawn Marcus Dromgoole II was a proud 34-year-old Nashville native, who called the same neighborhood home for his entire life—a place his family has cherished for over 50 years. However, in 2020, a simple walk in his own community became a source of fear. With courage, Shawn shared his feelings on Nextdoor and Facebook, and what happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. Neighbors from all walks of life quickly rallied behind him, offering to walk beside him, behind him, and alongside him. On June 4th, 2020, Shawn showed up for what he thought would be a solitary walk—but instead, he was met with the overwhelming support of over 75 neighbors. This powerful moment sparked the beginning of the #WeWalkWithShawn movement.

Click through to read about Shawn’s connection to Church of the Good Shepherd and how his movement spread throughout the country.

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Jottings 2/23/2026

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Jottings 2/23/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Free Cultural Humility Training, February 21 or 28

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Tonya Covington and Peacemakers Consulting will be offering two 1-day cultural humility training at Church of the Good Shepherd (7834 Tennyson St. NE in Albuquerque). You can choose to attend the February 21 or February 28 workshop (please specify when you register). The workshop will teach techniques for “interrupting” prejudicial practices and empowering ourselves as agents of change. Participants will learn the process of healing old hurts, clarifying misinformation and removing the guilt, which keeps racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of prejudice in place. You will learn the tools to empower yourself to be effective advocates. Ideally, the workshop will include members of many ethnic groups. 

Facilitator: Tonya Covington is a professionally trained mediator and cultural humility consultant with over 38 years experience. Tonya was trained by the internationally known National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), Elsie Y. Cross Associates, Inc., Project Change Anti-Racism Institute and the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Tonya has consulted, conducted workshops, seminars and programs in professional, educational and organizational settings. The workshop is free, but donations are welcomed. 

Workshops are limited to 40 people so sign up today! Due to the incredibly interactive nature of this workshop, it is only being offered in-person at this time.

There will be a 1-hour break for lunch. The workshop is free, but donations are welcomed. 

Please email cogs@ucccogs.org to register. We'd love for you to join us!

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Jottings 2/16/2026

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Jottings 2/16/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Our Journey: Stories from The Open Table Connection: David

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Our Journey: Stories from The Open Table Connection: David

Stronger Together

Back when he was a college student, Deacon David said, “I lived at Canterbury House at the University of Kansas. We met once a week for worship, and four of us lived together.” Those memories, he admitted, “still bleed into what’s happening now.” What he remembered most was the power of showing up. “Back then, there was no internet,” he said. “If you wanted community, you went in person. That’s how you met people, learned, and grew.”

When David realized his Episcopal church was trying to start a new campus ministry from scratch, he questioned, “Why reinvent the wheel when something like The Open Table Connection already exists?” Instead of starting separate efforts, they reached out to Rhonda. “We said, we’d like to help you,” he explained. “From the beginning, we just wanted to be of assistance, to help make it strong.”

The first time David visited The Open Table, he immediately felt something special. “I was very taken with how warm it was,” he said softly. “I hesitate to use the word ‘family,’ but that’s what it felt like. I didn’t feel like I was intruding. I felt welcome.” That simple sense of belonging struck him as essential, “I thought, if I feel this way, anyone who walks through that door will too.”

Over the past year, that feeling has only deepened. David recalled one gathering after the presidential election when Rhonda invited everyone to draw or write about their fears. “It was very interesting to see how differently people interpreted that,” he said. “Some drew about the election, others about school or failing a class.” What touched him most was how “people in completely different places in life came together to share those fears and joys, without judgment.”

“That’s what makes The Open Table so powerful,” David reflected. “Even if you’re not on the same page, you can gather, share your life, and be real with one another.” He paused before adding, “In this age of technology, where we say we’re connected but really we’re isolated, a space like this matters more than ever.”

Now, when David thinks of The Open Table, he doesn’t just see a building or a ministry, he sees a living, breathing community. “It’s a place,” he said, “where connection isn’t just a word. It’s something you can feel the moment you walk in.”

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Jottings 2/9/2026

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Jottings 2/9/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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New Mexico pilgrimage update!

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New Mexico pilgrimage update!

A Pilgrimage for Our Shared Home

 On Friday, an interfaith pilgrimage in New Mexico finished a 328 mile pilgrimage that took over 25 days. Read about the pilgrimage via this blog. 

Members from Taos United Community Church joined the climate pilgrims from Interfaith Power and Light on Thursday, February 5 in Santa Fe as the pilgrims finished their walk from Carlsbad, NM to the state Capitol, the "Roundhouse" in support of the Clear Horizons bill.

Much respect, gratitude, and admiration to these three who made the walk from Carlsbad:

Desirée Bernard: Executive Director of the New Mexico and El Paso branch of Interfaith Power & Light.

Rev. Clara Sims: Associate minister at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Albuquerque and a team member with NM-IPL.

Jim Ekstrand: Marketing & Communications Lead at NM-IPL and a spokesperson for the group. 

Read more in this article, “Faith-based climate advocates arrive at state Capitol after 300-mile trek” in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

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Jottings 2/2/2026

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Jottings 2/2/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Snoop Dog, football, and the Sahuarita Food Bank

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Snoop Dog, football, and the Sahuarita Food Bank

Editor’s note: The culinary program at the Sahuarita Food Bank will provide our meals during Annual Meeting!

The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl is unlike any other bowl game—and its impact reaches far beyond football. What makes this game truly special—and why it matters to us—is that the event partners with more than 70 nonprofits and donates 100% of its proceeds to local nonprofit organizations.

Kellie Tonks, our new Outreach Manager, and Janie Pearman, who manages our food delivery program, proudly represented SFB-CRC at the stadium before and during the game. They showcased our work, hosted cornhole games, and handed out commemorative mini footballs printed with both the Sahuarita and Marana Food Banks' logos.

The response was tremendous. More than 600 people of all ages lined up for footballs, and many stopped to play cornhole and learn more about our mission. This kind of outreach is invaluable. It raises awareness of our presence across the region, builds name recognition, and connects us with new supporters, all thanks to a bowl game that proves sports, community, and generosity can come together in powerful ways.

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First Albuquerque celebrates Black History Month with four events

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First Albuquerque celebrates Black History Month with four events

Guest preachers, singing, and even tamales with cornbread!

  • Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott as guest preacher on February 8th

  • Ernest McMillan, a veteran human rights activist on February 15th

  • Rev. Dr. Ryan Tate will preach and present a concert after worship about the Africana History of the Americas and Latine Identity on February 22nd

  • Musician-activist Melanie DeMore will lead a singing workshop on February 28

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Jottings 1/26/2026

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Jottings 1/26/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Jottings 1/19/2026

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Jottings 1/19/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Jottings 1/12/2026

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Jottings 1/12/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Jottings 1/5/2026

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Jottings 1/5/2026

Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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Jottings 12/22/2025

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Jottings 12/22/2025

Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)

What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.

Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.

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