We are back to in-person service. The service is also live-streamed on our webpage at https://www.desertpalmucc.org/. Since we are back in person, we are discontinuing virtual coffee hour. As part of our extravagant welcome, Desert Palm strives to make our worship service and campus accessible to all.  We provide Large print bulletins, Assistive hearing devices, An ADA-compliant restroom, and Accessible parking spaces.

- Selfie Station creation, Saturday, Oct. 7: 11-1 p.m. The youth and families are invited to help build a selfie station for the church picnic on Oct. 15 at Desert Breeze Park. Show up at church, all the supplies will be there.  

- Bible Presentation, Sunday, Oct. 15: 9 a.m. Children will receive a Bible during a special, Sunday worship service.

- Children’s Sabbath, Oct. 15: 9 a.m. Special readings and music by our youth. The presentation of children’s Bibles. Look for Sonja to be in contact and emailing reading parts the first week of October.

Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM).
Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice.
This year, a special focus is on environmental justice.  May we pay attention to keeping our planet cleaner.  We can find ways to individually do our part, as well as, collectively in our communities.
Neighbors in Need helps make a ‘Just World for All’ possible. For this to occur we need your support.   You can contribute in two ways:

1. You can write a check payable to Desert Palm UCC and make a note on the memo line for NIN.
2. Or you can use the ‘Give’ feature on our DPCC website.  There will be a ‘Donation’ option and a drop-down box where you can select “Neighbors in Need” (NIN).

Please send in your contributions by October 9^th, so we can send our check to the conference in a timely fashion.   Thank you.
Neighbors in Need needs our support.  Please give generously.

Sunday, October 1st
All those interested in joining the church are invited to meet with Pastor Tom  after church this Sunday. We'll meet together in one of the back classrooms (behind the area were drinks are served during our coffee hour, in the large Social Hall space across from the sanctuary).

October 5th, at 6:30 p.m. link provided below
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89660285152?pwd=SFJJT3NuQlp0cTFvZ0pBNDIyVU1IUT09

Sunday, October 8th

On October 8, Desert Palm will take a loose-plate offering to support the United Church of Christ’s Disabilities Ministries. The UCCDM seeks to inspire and equip congregations to provide church access to all persons, with or without disabilities. Through its website, the UCCDM furnishes resources to enable congregations to conduct access audits, construct disability-themed services, and conduct video training on a host of topics. Most recently, the UCCDM has been raising awareness concerning the challenges persons with disabilities face when exercising their rights to vote. Please prayerfully consider supporting this important component of the UCC’s wider mission.

Every 2nd Tuesday starting October 10
Semicolon Society is proud to host this FREE parent education series on the second Tuesday of every month, beginning 10/10! Each session is a different topic provided by an expert in the area. Please note that you must register for each session you want to attend. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED so sign up now to reserve your space! Open to all parents and guardians!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tuesday-talks-a-series-for-parents-tickets-718848885367?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sonja and Rev. Tom are encouraging our youth and their families to participate in a walk for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) on Saturday, October 21st from 9:30 AM to noon. The event is open to everyone, including our WISE Committee, who can either take part in the walk or donate. If you're interested, you can find more information about the walk logistics by visiting this link: https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1421.

Additionally, you can support the DP fundraising page by visiting this link: https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=493348. The NAMI software has grabbed a picture of me and Catalina for the fundraising page.

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An interview with Rev. Don and Lois Arey, discussing the origin of Desert Palm, has been uploaded to the church website by Marc Gaston.  On the Main Menu line, click on the last word, "More", and a box will appear. Scroll down to the "Church History" topic and click on it to access the video. Press the circle to watch. Additionally, there is a second video of Pastor Tom welcoming people to Desert Palm - simply scroll down the page. If you are not on the Weekly Update or wish to share the video with someone else, use this URL https://www.desertpalmucc.org/dpucc-church-history to access the website.

With temperatures projected to continue to surpass 100 degrees, it is crucial to have access to water. Donations of water bottles are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off or brought in on Sunday. If you prefer to contribute towards the cost of a case, kindly inform Maria. Thank you for your assistance.

                                                        1st & 3rd Thursday of every month, at 9:30AM

Looking for a way to engage in thought-provoking discussions with fellow women? Then join us on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. via the link provided. Our current book of choice is by Marcus Borg, "The First Christmas." If you have any inquiries, please contact Ellen Colangelo at 619-807-5431.

Join Repeating Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7138300112?pwd=KzlJOHFmZkZvK0tWd2tkZUVUTmhoUT09

Meeting ID: 713 830 0112
Passcode: DPUCC

Desert Palm Caregivers offer assistance to members of the Church, their immediate families, and those who actively participate in the Desert Palm UCC community. There are no financial requirements to receive these services, and they are provided free of charge. However, donations to Desert Palm UCC are appreciated. Please note that these services are dependent on the availability of volunteers.
 
TRANSPORTATION:  take someone to and from medical and/or social service appointments within 15 miles of the person’s residence. No transportation for work, social activities, or shopping.
 
TEMPORARY EMERGENCY MEALS:  provide dinners for up to 3 days in case of an emergency.
 
RESOURCES:  information regarding additional services available in the community if our volunteers cannot provide assistance.
 
WE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS!
If you can provide occasional transportation and/or Meals, please contact one of the coordinators:
Marion Durham (durhamjm@live.com)                     
John Linda (johnlinda1901@yahoo.com)
Jim Ewing (jewing@me.com)    
Leslie Schefski (lschefski@cox.net)
Barbara Hofflander (hofflander@cox.net)
Ethel Utter (eutter1062@aol.com)

Do you provide care for a loved one, whether it be a spouse, parent, child, friend, or patient? It can be easy to overlook the toll it takes on us physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I would like to extend an invitation to those in the caregiver role to join our DPUCC support group, which I will be leading. Our meetings will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. via Zoom (link provided below). If you would like to learn more or are interested in joining, please feel free to call or text 619-807-5431.

Join Zoom Meeting

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7138300112?pwd=KzlJOHFmZkZvK0tWd2tkZUVUTmhoUT09

         SUPPORTIVE CONVERSATIONS SUSPENDED

The WISE Team is going to suspend the Supportive Conversations for September and October.  This online support group for anyone facing a mental health challenge was started three years ago shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown began in the spring of 2020.  We are considering a switch to in-person meetings at the church.  Soon a WISE Survey will be sent to all church members to gather input on the WISE activities that are deemed most important.  We look forward to your input, and we also invite anyone interested to join our WISE committee.  Many thanks, Ray Littleford.

Join us for our monthly Joys & Concerns Zoom meeting. Please find the link below.

Time: 1st Wednesdays of every month at 3:00 PM Arizona

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83334764546?pwd=THkvTXlvOXV5dmF0NkxGaC8rNGg0Zz09

Did you know that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration manages approximately 200 call centers across the country? These centers are designed to provide support for those experiencing mental health crises or struggling with thoughts of suicide. It's great news that there's now a new phone number to access mental health emergency services - simply dial 988.

New ways to watch our Sunday services:

Our New Youtube Channel

(Note that you can subscribe and be notified when a new service is posted).

The Desert Palm UCC Website

(This is where the service is live-streamed each Sunday at 9 am).

The Desert Palm UCC FB page