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SWC – In the Loop November 15, 2007
INTERIM INSIGHTS
Dear Friends in Faith:
Last Saturday, the Executive Committee received with deep regret the resignation of the Rev. Briget Nicholson as moderator of the Southwest Conference, due to a very several case of mononucleosis. She is currently on a month long leave of absence. However, I and others are monitoring the situation closely realizing that this may not be enough time for her to fully recover. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for Briget and her family and I know you will keep them all close in your prayers. I know she is grateful for the ways many have reached out to her with care and support. At the same time, what she needs most is rest, so feel free to be in touch with me or Christy at First Church in Tucson, if you want to pass on particular messages to Briget. The Rev. Rich Shaffer, from Phoenix, is serving as pulpit supply with the congregation and many of our Tucson colleagues have offered their services for pastoral care, including the Rev. Karen MacDonald and Eleanor Fowler. It is times like this that we all are reminded of how significant our common life is together as people of faith. The Rev. Len Silvester, Vice Moderator, has graciously stepped into the role of Acting Moderator. The Executive Committee will address this change of leadership in more detail at our January meeting. In the season of Thanksgiving, I send greetings to you for a blessed day of sharing time and table with family and friends a week from today. May the spirit of gratitude abound in you each and every day. Thanks be to God!
Shalom, Lark
HELP! ADVISORS NEEDED Thanksgiving Alive! has 93 wonderful conference youth registered, but for a successful event we need more ADULT ADVISORS. There are opportunities for the full weekend (Friday night to Sunday noon) as well as Saturday advisors (7:30 am - 10:30 pm). Call Michael-Ann Veziroglu ASAP at 480-855-5813 or 480-452-6033.
WORLD AIDS DAY RESOURCES World AIDS Day is December 1. This is an important occasion for building awareness and joining our lives and spirits in response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The theme is STOP AIDS. KEEP THE PROMISE. You may download worship resources and other information from www.ucc.org/health/hivaids.
ADVENT MEDITATION: “Are You Still Listening?” The Congregational Vitality Initiative of UCC has produced this devotional guide for the season of Advent and Christmas. You can order it from United Church Resources at 800-325-7061. Individual copies are $3.00; 50 or more, $1.50 each.
CELEBRATE OUR CALLING! CELEBRATE OUR FUTURE TOGETHER! Phoenix First Congregational United Church of Christ is hosting a celebration of the UCC on Sunday, December 9, 2007, 3:00 to 4:15 pm. The special guest MC, Ron Buford, is the creative genius behind the Still Speaking Initiative. The program will also feature “Still Speaking” theme compositions from our own Southwest Conference composers, choirs, musicians, and performers as well as inspiring Church Vitality news from this area. A gala reception will follow in the Church Hall. (P.S. It’s First Phoenix’s 90th Anniversary, too!)
Please join us as we celebrate 50 years as the United Church of Christ and as we proclaim
UCC MEDICAL AND DENTAL PLAN Premium rates for 2008 will see an average increase of 4.5% which is below the nationwide average of 8%-10%. This good news may be credited to plan members’ extensive use of in-network service providers and generic medicines. WHAT’S NEW is a vision benefit plan available after January 1, 2008. It is a voluntary benefit separate from the present Health Plan. More information on this plan and health care premiums, go to www.pbucc.org or call 800-642-6543.
STERNER ELECTED TO COLLEGIUM The Rev. Stephen Sterner has been elected acting executive minister of the UCC's Local Church Ministries. He will begin in January. Steve, who has 36 years of experience serving in diverse ministry settings including senior minister at the Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, will succeed the Rev. Jose A. Malayang, LCM's executive minister since 1999, who announced in February that he would leave the post at the end of the year.
FREE SINGING WORKSHOP A free singing workshop with Satyam Patel, a Certified Speech Level Singing™ Instructor will be held on Friday, November 16, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Tucson from 6:00-7:30 pm. Known for getting quick and effective results, Satyam will use the Speech Level Singing™ method to help you:*Sing Higher, Improve Pitch, Remove Tension *Stop Running Out Of Air, Avoid Vocal Disasters *Sing Better Regardless of Age, Level and Musical Style Call Satyam Patel at 602-369-0086 to reserve your spot!
WE CAN BE PROUD! The Christmas Fund promotional materials highlight the top givers to the Christmas Fund. Desert Garden UCC in Sun City West, AZ, is listed in the top 10 churches of the UCC in total dollars. Rincon Congregational Church in Tucson, AZ, is among the top ten churches in per capita giving. Congratulations to these faithful stewards!
COME TO A “CALLED BACK TO THE WELL” ADVENT SABBATH DAY All pastoral leaders are invited to a monthly day apart at the Norbertine Center in Albuquerque. The next Clergy Sabbath will be Monday, November 19. Give yourself the gift of quiet reflection with the Clergy Advent Sabbath Day on December 17th. Each Sabbath Day begins at 9:30 am and ends by 4:00 pm. The cost for the day is $25 and includes lunch. You may choose to attend one day or all of the days. There will be some time for us to gather as a group and time for you to spend in silence. Bring your journal. An RSVP would be appreciated. Contact Sue Joiner for more information: mailto:sjoiner@samaritancc.com or call 505.332.8020.
INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM Rev. Laura Adelia, UCC minister and adjunct faculty in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Mesa Community College, is teaching REL 212 Introduction to Islam via the INTERNET. (# 1501) This 16-week class begins January 14. Hurry!! Class is filling up fast!! Questions? Email Rev. Adelia at ladelia@mail.mc.maricopa.edu.
ARIZONA ECUMENICAL COUNCIL For more information on any of these events, contact AEC at 602-468-3818. ASU’s Melikian Center Faith and Community Citizen Exchange Program needs volunteer drivers. AEC Executive Director, Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten, will be participating throughout the stay of the first group of exchange citizens, scheduled for January 5-25, 2008. He will participate as a meeting coordinator, teach various courses, and Rev. Flaaten will also be sent as an exchange citizen to Bosnia. If you would like to be involved, contact the AEC. "Building a Healthy Community: Faith Principles Leading to Comprehensive and Affordable Health Care for All the People of Arizona" is the title of a presentation prepared by the AEC available to any faith group for a lively discussion on health care issues in the state and county. This Power Point presentation will help to create dialogue around an important public issue, an issue that affects many people and will certainly be part of the upcoming 2008 elections. There is no charge for the program, and it has a flexible time frame, from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Schedule a time with AEC. The Sermon on the Mount and the Gospel of Matthew, Rev. Vernon Meyer, Ph.D., Tuesday evenings, November 13, 20 and 27, 7pm - 9pm, Crossroads United Methodist Church 7904 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, Registration required. $20 per class or $50 for all three, Call Jill, 602-944-1704 to register. East Meets West, An Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Hungary, Croatia, and Northeastern Italy May 9-20, 2008, Sponsored by the AEC, Tour hosts: Jan Olav and Lucy Flaaten
DIRECTORY CHANGES Pg. 22, add to Students In-Care: Esther Bejarano, 6618 W Polk, Phoenix, AZ 85043, 602-377-8105, popis777@hotmail.com, Shadow Rock UCC, COCAM Liaison: Tom Garrison.
CALENDAR November 19, Called Back to the Well Retreat, Albuquerque December 1, World AIDS Day December 3, Financial Oversight Committee, SWC office, 3:00 pm December 9, Celebration of the UCC at First Congregational Church, Phoenix, 3:00 pm December 13, COCAM, SWC office, 9:30-3:00 December 14, Justice and Witness Committee, SWC office, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm January 6, Installation of Rev. Rebecca Delzell as Associate Pastor at The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita at 4:00 pm January 20, Installation of Rev. Pamela Hines as Pastor at First Congregational Church in Tempe, 3:00 pm February 1-2, Congregational Vitality Event, Ontario, CA February 19, Pre-Retirement Seminar, SWC Office April 25-27, 2008, Annual Meeting at The Good Shepherd, UCC, Sahuarita, AZ
DATES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY AND SUMMER CAMPS Gathering of Youth and Young Adults, Dec. 9, Shadow Rock UCC, 5:30 pm (Next gathering is January 13, Shepherd of the Hills, 5:30 pm) Thanksgiving Alive!, Nov. 23-25, 2007, Church of the Beatitudes, Phoenix Senior High Tolerance Trip, Feb. 15-17, ‘08, Los Angeles, CA (This is the correct date.) Junior High Retreat, Feb. 29-Mar 2, 2008 tentative, place to be announced Youth Rally, April 25-27, 2008, Sahuarita, AZ Super Camp for Young Juniors, June 15-18, 2008, Emmanuel Pines, Prescott, AZ Super Camp for Juniors & Junior High, June 15-20, 2008, Emmanuel Pines, Prescott, AZ Senior High Camp, June 29-July 5, 2008, Pine Summit, Prescott, AZ National Youth Event, July 24-28, 2008, University of Tennessee
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