current news & Events


In-Person for SunDay Worship

We are back to in-person service. We encourage masks while indoors. We will continue to live stream so folks with special vulnerabilities or concerns on our webpage at https://www.desertpalmucc.org/. Since we are back in person, we are discontinuing virtual coffee hour.

Remember there is still time for you to turn in your pledge card

Ways to submit a pledge:

  • Email it to admin@desertpalmucc.org (subject line "2023 Pledge")
  • Take a picture and text it to Maria at 480-831-0065

ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT

At the last Desert Palm Council meeting, an Accessibility Audit Team was approved and will be starting a Church Building and Program Accessibility Audit. The team will update our 2017 Accessibility Audit and re-evaluate the building and programs for accessibility. If you are interested in joining the team or just have suggestions for improving access, please contact Kathryn at 602-885-2124 or kathrynandrews47@gmail.com.

Reception Into Episcopal Priesthood
of Rev. Dr. Corey Meier

                                                                    Saturday, February 4th, 2023, 4 pm.
                                        Church of the Epiphany 2222 South Price Road Tempe, Arizona 85282

Adult ED group: exploring the poetry

of mary oliver

Tom Martinez is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Please feel free to bring a book. This group will be in-person/virtual. The link is provided below for those who wish to join online, and for those who will be attending in person, we will meet in the church library.

Topic: Mary Oliver Poetry Group
Time: Feb 6, 2023 01:00 PM Arizona
        Every week on Mon, 4 occurrence(s)
        Feb 6, 2023 01:00 PM
        Feb 13, 2023 01:00 PM
        Feb 20, 2023 01:00 PM
        Feb 27, 2023 01:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81453391063?pwd=aDZmS0tjZm85VUNrLzBpVGFnVmVQdz09

Meeting ID: 814 5339 1063
Passcode: DPUCC




Communications Task Force Meeting
Sunday, Feb. 12th, after church in one of the back classrooms. 

Secondary Title

February Youth Activity- Souper Bowl

Sunday, February 12th, following Sunday service
 

Our Youth are sponsoring Souper Bowl Sunday, February 12th on Super Bowl Sunday. They invite you to join them for soup after worship and to root for your favorite football team both before and after worship by donating to the AFC bowl or the NFC bowl or in the name of your favorite team. All proceeds will go to support our Desert Palm youth group. Thanks for cheering them on!!!!!


Soup donations are needed. Please contact Donavan (donavan@desertpalmucc.org) if you can donate your favorite soup.

Secondary Title

Section Title

‘Sow the Seed’ is a special Southwest Conference offering that helps provide scholarships for youth to attend retreats and outings.  In the past, this has been helpful to those who needed assistance with camp costs. Our SW youth program is one of the best; we don’t want any child to be excluded because of cost. 


The Southwest Conference is working hard at developing some new and ­­­­interesting youth programming for this next year.  With that in mind, we want ­­-­­­­­­­-­­­to encourage you to give a donation to this special offering.  All contributions need to be in the church office by March 1, 2023. 

As always, you have two ways to give:

1). You can write a check payable to Desert Palm and make a note on the memo line for Sow the Seed.
2). Or, you can use the ‘Give’ feature on the DPUCC website.   There will be a donation option and a drop-down box where you can select Sow the Seed.

Thank you, Desert Palm, for supporting our children and youth!

Marie Parsey, Community and World Offerings

SAVE THE DATE

Desert Palm Picnic

Sunday, February 26, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Desert Breeze Park - 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd.
Chandler, AZ 85226

SELF-CARE FOR CARE GIVERS: A NEW SUPPORT GROUP

“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty bowl.” (Eleanor Brown)

We at Desert Palm are aware of several members who are caregivers to others, whether those others are at home (parents, spouses, children) or part of work responsibilities. We also realize that there may be those of whom we’re not aware.
Being a caregiver, no matter how rewarding, is stressful and requires good support. If you are a caregiver and think you can handle it all, you may need to take a second look. Where are you getting support to help you emotionally cope with the stress of such work?
Desert Palm would like to offer a support group for caregivers. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ellen Colangelo through email (ellencolangelo@gmail.com) phone, or text (619-807-5431) so we can determine time, place, and process that will best fit your needs.

 

SUPPORTIVE CONVERSATIONS

The WISE Committee provides Supportive Conversations via Zoom every Monday evening at 7pm.  The pandemic has not only affected our mental and physical health, it has affected our lifestyles and our priorities.  People have been forced to adapt to changing circumstances, and none of this has been easy.  We offer support and encouragement, and you can come once or twice, intermittently, or make it a weekly routine.  We are open to all, in the spirit of the UCC.

Joys & Concerns

OPEN INVITATION

...drop in for a few minutes or email your prayer request to Maria


Pastor Tom and a few of our members gather virtually every 1st Wednesday of the month at 3 pm via zoom to share joys and concerns, after which Tom or another leader will offer a prayer. You can drop in (the zoom link goes out to the entire congregation earlier on Wednesday) to share a joy or concern or send your request to admin@desertpalmucc.org with Joys & Concerns in the subject line. The need will be shared with those attending, added to the Prayer List, and shared with the Desert Palm Prayer Team. 


https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81085456697?pwd=Z0xXN20vb25NREEvMGxneVMxeFYvUT09

WHAT DO THE CAREGIVERS DO?

Desert Palm Caregivers serve Church members, immediate families, and those who participate regularly in the life of Desert Palm UCC. There is no financial eligibility requirement. Services are provided free of charge. Donations to Desert Palm UCC are gratefully accepted. All services are contingent on volunteers being available.
 
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)

Thursday Women’s Book Group

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

Want to do some inspiring reading and have great discussions with women? Join us on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 9:30 to 11:00am at the link below. The current book we’re reading is Living Grace by Mattie McMane. Amazon and Thriftbook.com have it. If you have any questions, call 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


NEW PHONE NUMBER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES, 988

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has about 200 call centers nationwide to receive these calls for suicide prevention and mental health crises. We have been waiting two years for this, and it has finally happened. As of this Saturday, July 16, 988 will be the new phone number for mental health emergencies.

Please No Glass containers

United Food Bank donation

request by month



January: Soup   

February: Beans

March: Pasta & Sauce

April: Canned/Dry Milk



May: Canned Fruit

June: Canned Meat & Fish

July: Peanut Butter & Jelly

August: Fruit Juices


September: Rice/Canned Meat

October: Whole Grain Cereal

November: Canned Chili
December: Canned Vegetables

Winter Needs of Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Due to extremely cold temperatures in the north and east, where many asylum seekers are going to their sponsors, and with refugees waiting in Mexico, where temperatures are dropping, we continue to collect gently used coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks for children through adults.  We also need long pants, and long-sleeved shirts size small and medium for adults and all sizes for children. Gym shoes for children and adults are greatly appreciated. Clean, small stuffed animals are welcome.

Your winter clothing donations put smiles of gratitude on the faces of people truly in need.

15 years of

making a difference

This I-HELP program is celebrating 15 years of providing comprehensive emergency shelter in partnership with an array of faith organizations that provide nighttime facility access.

The I-HELP model serves as a cost-effective and scalable solution for ending homelessness. As the homeless population continues to rise, in turn, the volume of affected people unable to access services is also rising. 

The I-HELP shelter program provides a safe place to sleep and a spectrum of services to prepare men and women for employment, financial stability, and permanent housing. 

Today, you can sponsor one night of shelter and additional services for a man or woman in need for $35 and help us celebrate 15 years of making a difference. 


Click on the link provided to learn more

https://tempeaction.org/ways-to-give/donate.html