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SWC – In the Loop September 21, 2007
PASTORAL LETTER ON IRAQ The Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, wrote: “Thanks to UCC members… I am proud to say that we have collected over 13,500 petition signatures as part of our 100,000 People for Peace campaign. I can't thank you enough for your efforts so far. Now we are entering the most critical phase of this campaign, and we need your help more than ever.” Many churches participated in the September 16 International Day of Peace drive to collect signatures. But it is not too late to participate! The goal is to collect 100,000 signatures by October 1 using the petition available on the 100,000 People for Peace website. (Control Click to open this website.) Return the petition to the address provided by October 1 to make your voice heard in Washington. With your help, Thomas believes we can mobilize people for peace in unprecedented ways. 2007 ANNUAL MINISTERS RETREAT Join with other ministers October 29-31 for a few days of fellowship, idea sharing, worship and thoughtful reflection at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year’s featured speaker is the Rev. Tony Robinson, UCC minister and author. Robinson’s book, “Leadership for Vital Congregations” will be the basis of his time with the ministers. Books will be available from the SWC office at the discounted rate of $10. For more information, contact the SWC office, 602-468-3830 or 800-822-0821 or office@uccswc.com. Information and a registration form are also posted on the website: www.southwestucc.org.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS Join us for dinner, worship and fun on the second Sunday of each month at churches in the Phoenix metro area. The next gathering will be October 14, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at the Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Ave. The evening is planned and implemented by youth themselves!
DARFURI REFUGEES SPEAK On Sunday September 23 at 3:00 pm at Church of the Beatitudes UCC, 555 W. Glendale Ave in Nelson Hall, several Darfuri refugees will be present as part of a "national talking tour". There will be a brief introduction, followed by a short video of the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The refugees then will relate their experiences and answer questions. Please come and find out what we can do to help stop the killing and inhumane treatment of the noncombatant men, women and children by their own government. A reporter recently wrote," this time, we cannot use the excuse that we didn't know". For more info, jgallup2@cox.net.
TWO OR MORE Two or More affirms the uniting force of religion and invites GLBT spiritual beings to a monthly gathering of commonality, comradeship and community. “Ghastly Ghostly Halloween” will be held October 27 at 5:30 pm at Gentle Shepherd Metropolitan Community Church, 2604 N 14th Street in Phoenix. Drink, food and entertainment provided by Imperial Court.
RESOURCE FOR ADULT STUDY Looking for a contemporary Adult Study for your church setting? The United Church of Christ is cooperating with the Presbyterian Church USA in a web based offering of resources for Adults. The home page of the site includes the following description of the resource: “Bible study should be timely. It should stimulate our thoughts about Christian values and how they relate to today's world. The Thoughtful Christian is a Web-based resource center designed to attract and keep participants' attention. Perfect for adult Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, or individual reflection, the studies encourage class members to share their thoughts and beliefs while wrestling with questions that inform the way we live out our faith in everyday life.”
Studies are divided into topic areas such as: In the News Bible and Theology Popular Culture Contemporary Issues Spirituality Christian Living
Authors for the resources include: Dorothy Bass, Walter Brueggemann, Elizabeth Caldwell, John Cobb, Donald Griggs, and Martin Marty. These materials are available to download via the site: www.thethoughtfulchristian.com. Churches may purchase individual sessions, units or subscribe for unlimited resources for an annual subscription. If you have questions about this resource 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
NATIVE HAWAIIANS INCARCERATED IN ARIZONA In the promotional materials for Neighbors in Need there is a Bible Study. Chapter 3 is a reflection on a group of Native Hawaiians incarcerated at a privatized prison in Oklahoma. SWC folks may be interested in knowing that many or most of these inmates have been transferred to a Corrections Corporation of America facility north of Eloy, Arizona. Groups of UCC clergy and laity from the Southwest Conference have taken over sponsorship of the cultural and religious programs begun in the Oklahoma Conference. At the 2007 Southwest Conference Annual Meeting in Albuquerque last May, we approved a resolution “Religious Freedom for Native Hawaiian Prisoners of the State of Hawai`i incarcerated at Red Rock and Saguaro Correctional Facilities in Eloy, AZ.” The Rev. Phil Reller has been the driving force in this effort, and on September 13-14 he held an orientation/training session for those interested in shaping and participating in this ministry of visitation, hospitality, and advocacy. If you would like to participate or have more information, contact Phil at 480-544-7383.
PEOPLE NEWS The Rev. Rich Doerrer-Peacock is taking a sabbatical in Mexico. He says “I am having a great time, learning a lot of the culture of the city of Los Mochis and learning more Spanish. I´m also teaching English most every day to a group of 6 students.”
The Rev. Olive Hinnant, who recently transferred her standing (on leave of absence) to the Southwest Conference, has just published a book with Pilgrim Press, “God Comes Out: A Queer Homiletic.” She has served congregations in both the Presbyterian Church (USA), and most recently, as an out lesbian minister in the United Church of Christ. She is currently adjunct faculty at the College of Santa Fe and human resources director for RainbowVision Santa Fe, a resort retirement community for the LGBT community.
The Rev. Pamela Hines has been called to be the pastor of First Congregational Church in Tempe. She begins on October 1. She has been serving as the Associate Pastor of the United Church of Sun City.
ACTION ISSUES The DREAM Act which would provide a 6-year path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship for individuals brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented children if they graduate from high school and continue on to college or military service. Read the attached document, and if you agree, contact your senators.
SCHIP – State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Both houses of Congress are working on this issue, but President Bush is promising a veto. The UCC Collegium of Officers has signed the letter indicating their support for making our children a national priority. They urge you to please take a moment now and sign the letter from state, regional and local faith leaders to the President and Congress. See the attached document for more information.
CHURCH OF THE BEATITUDES, PHOENIX, JOB OPENINGS Director, Operations Responsible for administration and program oversight of Church Operations including strategic planning and budgeting, staff management, accounting, personnel and benefits, payroll, contracts and procurement, building and grounds management, recordkeeping, inventory control, computer network and programs, reception and clerical activities. Current budget is $1.2 million: 40+ hours per week; 2+ years higher education in business or related and 5 years progressive work experience in administration including 2+ years progressive supervisory experience; computer skills required. Salary range $50,000 - $60,000 + great benefits.
Communications Administrator Responsible for establishing and implementing comprehensive awareness of a large Church's mission and programs, including but not limited to media, news articles, brochures and web information; 40+ hours/week; BS Marketing or Communications or equivalent and 2 years related work experience including design skills; use of design software. Salary range $45,000-$50,000 + great benefits.
Resumes must be received by September 30, 2007 to nelsenheimer@beatitudeschurch.org. Questions can be directed to: Pastor Nancy Elsenheimer, 602-264-1221.
HEXALOGUE Hexalogues, open theological discussions 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 the future of the Christian church in this country. The next hexalogue will be September 30, 4:00 pm, at St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church, 6715 N Mockingbird Lane, Scottsdale. The topic is: What will the church look like in 2050? 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.
THE FOUNDATION FOR SENIOR LIVING PRESENTS: Identifying and supporting caregivers in your faith communities with keynote speaker Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten, Executive Director, Arizona Ecumenical Council. Pastors, ministry leaders, nurses, therapists, social workers and church volunteers in your faith-based circles are encouraged to attend. The same program will be repeated on two separate dates: Tuesday, October 2, 2007 or Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 10:00 am-2:00 pm each day at the FSL Caregiver House on the campus of the Foundation for Senior Living, 1201 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona. The program is free (lunch included), but registration is requested as space is limited. R.S.V.P. to Nick Martrain at 602-285-0505, extension 118.
ARIZONA ECUMENICAL COUNCIL: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS TOGETHER IN FAITH Thursday, October 11, 2007 6 PM – Social Time with Music and Appetizers 7 PM – Dinner 8 PM – Program including singing and speakers St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719 $25 per person For more information or to register, please contact Lita Johnson, 602-468-3818 or aec@aecunity.net.
ACTS Fall Program Arizona Center for Theological Studies in Phoenix announces its fall 2007 programs. These include The Psalms–Hymns of Praise and Songs of Lament, The Great Speeches of Matthew’s Gospel, Scripture from Scratch, and The Gnostic Gospels and the Early Christian Community. See the attached document for details.
GLBT SQUARE DANCING HAS NOW BEEN DECLARED COOL!!
CALENDAR September 21, Asphalt Gospel film (documentary of CrossWalk America trip from Phoenix to Washington, D.C.), Scottsdale Congregational UCC, 4:00 & 7:00 pm September 23, Ecclesiastical Council for Judy Horgan, Congregational Church of the Valley, 4:00 pm September 23, Commissioning Service for Pat Slentz, United Church of Los Alamos, 3:30 pm September 25, Personnel Committee, SWC office, 10:30 am September 27, East Valley Clergy lunch at Monti’s, Tempe, 12 noon September 29, Executive Committee, SWC Office, 10:00 am October 6, Conference Minister Search Committee October 19, Turquoise Chalice Award Banquet, NMCC, Albuquerque, 6:00 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 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, Place Pending 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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