|
SWC – In the Loop October 5, 2007
INTERIM INSIGHTS
Dear Friends in Faith:
Tomorrow, October 6, the SWC Search Committee is meeting to begin reading the profiles of those who have applied to be your new Conference Minister. I know very few details about this significant stage of their work, which is how it ought to be; however, I do know that they will seek to prayerfully consider each applicant as the possible best match for the Southwest Conference United Church of Christ. I trust you will keep the committee and all the applicants in your prayers. In case you have not had an opportunity to read the new conference profile that was developed this summer, it is on the website, www.southwestucc.org, if you want to take a look at it.
Last week at our Executive Committee meeting we reviewed the interim tasks and began to explore the implementation of Task #5, “Commitment to New Directions in Ministry.” You will be hearing more about this process from Briget Nicholson and Len Silverster in the near future. In the meantime, I want to express and emphasize how grateful I am for the way so many of you have participated in the interim work and, especially, the discernment that was done last spring. Secondly, I want to let you know, that in many ways, my presence as your Interim Conference Minister is almost completed and we will soon enter a yet another phase/stage of this transition time which means I will begin stepping back in stages. I see this happening in several ways: I expect that you will be hearing from the Executive Committee and Board of Directors more in the near future as they and you make plans to present, call and welcome your new Conference Minister. I will continue to be fully available in the usual ways until I depart: responding to pastoral calls from clergy and local churches, working with congregations in transition, coaching search committees in local churches, staffing the Committee on Church and Ministry, the Personnel Committee and Church Growth and Development Committee and supervising the work of the Conference office. However, I am not likely to address new projects or concerns. At the same time, I will be carving out a more space in my daily schedule to attend to some of the paper work that piles up as well as begin the search for what is next for me.
One of the images we have used often in recent months (and borrowed from Gil Fauber) is that interim work is like preparing the landing strip for the next, newly called person. For the most part, much of that is done. It is now time to turn on the lights! I will assist in pointing a direction to the switches, and it will be all of you as individuals and congregations who will flip them on. This is a fun and exciting time for your Conference. Enjoy!
Shalom, Lark
FOLLOW-UP ON THE PASTORAL LETTER ON IRAQ On October 10, the Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the UCC, will be visiting the leadership offices of the U.S. House and Senate to share with them the UCC’s Pastoral Letter on the Iraq War, along with the thousands of petitions they’ve gathered in support of this statement. He will be joined by the Rev. Linda Jaramillo, executive minister of the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries. Together, they will convey the hopes and prayers of UCC members and supporters that a diplomatic end to the war in Iraq must become both a priority and a reality. They will also attempt to take their message to President Bush. As of October 3, there are 32,112 people who have endorsed the Pastoral Letter. These signatures represent the largest number of people to ever participate in an online UCC advocacy campaign. They’re still hoping the number of signatures will grow substantially by October 10. While it may not be possible to reach the 100,000 initially hoped for, there is enough momentum to reach more than 50,000. Will you give this effort one final, big push? Take a moment and invite your church members, friends and family members to add their names. (Control Click here.) UCC POLITY CLASS On November 9 and 10, the Rev. Clyde J. Steckel will be in the Southwest Conference to conduct the first of two classes on the history, theology, and polity of the United Church of Christ. Dr. Steckel is Emeritus Professor of Theology at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities where he also served as Dean. This kind of class is a requirement for all individuals who are preparing for ministry in the UCC. However, anyone is invited to join the class. Class size is limited to 20. Registration deadline is November 1. There is a reading list for those who are taking the class as a requirement, but others may want to do the same preparation. These classes will be held at the conference office in Phoenix. Call the office with questions and/or registration information.
NEW STILLSPEAKING COORDINATOR ANNOUNCED
The Rev. Felix Carrion has been named
Coordinator of The Stillspeaking Initiative, effective January 3, 2008.
Felix, who has served as pastor of Euclid Avenue Congregational United
Church of Christ in Cleveland since 2003, has broad experience and
connections across the UCC and a demonstrated passion for The
Stillspeaking Initiative and for the inclusive "extravagant welcome" of
the church.
HOPE SHALL BLOOM Attached is the October update on the Hope Shall Bloom fund. For a complete report on funds received and expended through this special fund, go to the UCC web site. The need for volunteer work groups continues.
PARTNERS IN SERVICE Attached is the Partners in Service newsletter, September 2007. This newsletter keeps UCCers informed about the Volunteer Ministries of the Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ.
FREE OPEN HOUSE OF ART FACILITY Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ is inviting the community to an open house Sunday, Oct. 7th, 5-7 PM to celebrate the new arts program and building. The celebration includes a free live concert by musicians Carole Pellatt, John Lewis and Warren Jones. Free sampler classes will be available for adults and children in Tai Chi, African Drumming and Dancing, Trapeze, Yoga and Clay. So come see us as we celebrate our new arts programming and facility at Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ, just south of Camelback Rd. at 4425 N. Granite Reef Rd. Contact: Rev. Katharine Harts at 480-946-2900 or 602-790-3815, revharts@cox.net. Also visit www.artinworship.com.
SECOND FRIDAY COFFEEHOUSE: ADULT VENUE FOR STORYTELLING Karl Hallsten is hosting an Adult Venue for Storytelling on the second Friday of every month at First Congregational Church, Tucson, from 6:30-9pm. 6: 45-7:45 — Open Mic 8:00-9:00 p.m. Featured Performers: October 12 — Anne Lee and Sheila Pattison November 9 — Glenda Bonin December 14 — Karl Hallsten The fee is $6 at the door. There will be beverages and snacks available. Can’t beat the price for an evening of entertainment!
THE TURQUOISE CHALICE The 2007 Turquoise Chalice Award and Benefit Banquet is scheduled for Friday evening, October 19, 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Uptown. This is the yearly benefit for the New Mexico Conference of Churches (NMCC), an ecumenical organization that the Southwest Conference has actively supported for many years.
This year NMCC is honoring Rev. Joel P. Garner, O.Praem., a member of the Norbertine Community, who has been in pastoral leadership at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary parish in Albuquerque as well as Prior of the Norbertine Santa Maria de la Vid Priory since 1985. Before coming to New Mexico, he was a member of the Religious Studies faculty and pastor of the campus parish at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin. He also directed a summer Theological Institute at the college for fifteen years. Later he became Director of Formation for the Seminarians and the founding director of the Norbertine Spirituality Center at St. Norbert Abbey. Fr. Garner has been involved in a number of ecumenical activities. He chairs the board of the Ecumenical Institute for Ministry, the educational efforts of which include a Masters of Theological Studies degree, in cooperation with St. Norbert College.
ALL SAINTS DAY—“ Asphalt Jesus” Is your church doing something special for All Saints Day? Send your ideas and we will publish them. The churches of New Mexico are hosting a premier showing of "Asphalt Jesus" on the afternoon of All Saints Day at Church of the Good Shepherd. This is their way of recapturing the delightful time they had hosting the walkers on their way through New Mexico a year ago. It is also their way of celebrating All Saints Day as a community of the faithful. (Sunday, November 4, 2007, 5:30 p.m. with refreshments.)
SOME “BAD, BAD” RESOURCES FOR “GOOD, GOOD” PROGRAMMING… When the title of a print resource includes words such as “BAD,” “KRAZY,” or “BODACIOUS,” a local church might wonder if the book is appropriate for use in a congregation. In the case of several books published by The Pilgrim Press, the answer is a resounding “you bet!”
Authors, Barbara Essex and Linda Hollies, have written a number of books which can lead to exciting discussion by groups in local churches. Titles such as the following might be used for Adult Education, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry or a retreat experience.
Bad Boys of the Bible (Essex) Bad Boys of the New Testament (Essex) Bad Girls of the Bible (Essex) Krazy Kinfolk (Essex) Misbehavin’ Monarchs (Essex) Jesus and Those Bodacious Women (Hollies)
These titles are available from Pilgrim Press and/or the Interchurch Resource Center in Phoenix. If you have questions about these resources or other education resources for your church, please contact one of the Southwest Partners in Education listed below:
Northern or Central AZ: Susan Wadell 602-993-0050 or Dana Bender 602-264-1221 Southern AZ: Carol Wilson 520-296-9332 New Mexico or El Paso: Juanita Marken 505-268-2765
HEXALOGUE Hexalogues, an open theological discussion among six religious traditions, are sponsored by the Arizona Ecumenical Council & Desert Mission United Methodist Church. We invite you to listen and participate in a discussion on Christian Eschatalogy on October 21, 4:00 pm, at St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church, 6715 N Mockingbird Lane, Scottsdale. The theme is: Is this it? Participants will include theologians or representatives who from the Roman Catholic Church, African Methodist Episcopal, Episcopalian, Methodist, Latter Day Saints, and Lutheran. The cost is $20.00 per person.
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS CLEANUP EVENT Recently Humane Borders participated in a very successful cleanup event at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Some of the accomplishments: *59
volunteers In the
evening, approximately 51 individuals enjoyed an evening of good eating,
dialog, and wonderful sunset and night skies. Mary Kralovick, Chief of
Resources at Organ Pipe Cactus NM, educated everyone about the Wilderness.
This event was co-sponsored thru International Sonoran Desert Alliance and
the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Lee Baiza,
Superintendent of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, said, “Overall
I believe one of the best results from this event was meeting all the
different volunteers, both kids, adults and other entities represented.
Even though we may all have different mandates for our existence, we all
had one thing in common, we wanted to give back and make a difference!” EXPERIENCE InterFAITH Experience an inspiring night under the stars at Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix, eating delectable food prepared and served by members of the Sikh community and stimulating conversation with people from other faiths. October 25, 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Tickets $20 per person at 602-277-2484 or www.InterFaithArizona.org.
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS The SWC Camp Director, Rev. Barb Doerrer-Peacock, has a new email address: bdoerrerpeacock@cox.net.
RECEIVING MULTIPLE COPIES OF “IN THE LOOP?” Receiving multiple copies means that you are a very busy person and your email address appears on more than one group list. We apologize for the duplication and hope that clicking delete on the extras isn't too frustrating for you.
CALENDAR October 6, Conference Minister Search Committee October 11, COCAM, 9:30 am;Church Growth and Development, 10:00 am, SWC Office October 11, AEC 50th Anniversary, 6:00 pm, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Ch, Tucson October 14-17, Western Christian Educators Conference, Lake Tahoe, NV October 19, Turquoise Chalice Award Banquet, Albuquerque, 6:00 pm October 20, Justice and Witness Committee, SWC Office October 24, Boundary Training, Interchurch Center, Phoenix October 25, East Valley Clergy lunch, Monti’s, Tempe, noon October 25, Interfaith Dinner, Heritage Square, Phoenix, 5:30 pm October 26, Stewardship and Mission Interpretation, 9:30-3:00, SWC Office October 26, Financial Oversight Committee, SWC Office, 3:00 pm October 28, Iglesia Sin Fronteras 3rd anniversary celebration, Juarez, 10:00 am/5:00 pm October 29-31, Ministers Retreat, Franciscan Renewal Center, Phoenix, 1:00 pm-1:00 pm November 4, Asphalt Gospel, Church of the Good Shepherd, 5:30 pm November 4, Installation of the Rev. David Ragan as Minister of Program, Church of the Red Rocks, 3:30 pm November 9-10, UCC Polity Class, 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, Oct. 14, Church of the Beatitudes, 5:30 pm Youth Council Retreat, Oct. 20-21, Shepherd of the Hills UCC Youth and Outdoor Ministry Committee, Oct. 27, South Mountain Church, 10-3 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
|