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.

 we’ve got a few additional ways to make a financial contribution this year. In addition to your annual pledge, consider helping with our tree planting project (to keep us good standing with the City of Tempe). We’re also going to offer brick engraving, as it’s been quite some time since we’ve done that! (These are the bricks with people’s names or a favorite verse/quote as you enter on the east side.) To confirm your annual pledge amount you can reply to this email, or email Maria at admin@desertpalmucc.org or drop your pledge card in the mail (Desert Palm UCC, 1230 E. Guadalupe Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283). You can also drop it in the plate during the offering the next time you make it to church in person.

Nov. 30th - Dec. 2nd

Pastor Tom will be away from November 30th through December 2nd. Please contact Sonja at Sonja@desertpalmucc.org or (480) 560-4305 for any emergency pastoral concerns.

For more than 15 years, Desert Palm has partnered with a social service organization to provide holiday gifts for children in foster care and special programs. Southwest Human Development offers training, licensing, supervision, and support for hundreds of foster care families as well as programs and services to support children’s growth and development. Again this year, we will receive gift tags from SHD with a child’s name, age, and requested gift items. Desert Palm members pick up a tag, shop for gifts in the amount of $35 to $40, and return them in a gift bag to the church. Southwest Human Development makes arrangements to pick up the gifts and distribute them to the children and families. Tags will be available on Sunday, November 19 and gifts should be returned by Sunday, December 10. If you are unable to shop in person, you may donate to the project and we will have “super shoppers” to purchase the gifts. You may give cash or checks to Desert Palm – be sure to make a notation for “foster kids.” Desert Palm has always generously stepped up to support this worthwhile project. Thank you! If you have any questions, feel free to see me at church or call me at 480-897-7620.

Rebecca Bond

                           Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
                                                                  Sunday, Dec. 3 and 10th, at 10 am
                                                                      Sunday, Dec. 24th, at 7:30 am

Sunday, December 10th

Every year, the Desert Palm collects gifts and $$$ to purchase Christmas presents for foster kids. Nicky Gibson is going to be giving rides to youth after church to go and buy gifts with the money collected. Our youth and children are welcome to attend this fun and meaningful experience.

Sunday, December 11th & 18th, 7pm

Let the DPUCC church family be your family during this holiday season and join the W.I.S.E. team for a couple of Zoom conversations on December 11 and 18.  We will have an open discussion of both the good and the bad of holiday stress, including stories of how we capture the true Christmas spirit, while we also share feelings of loneliness and missing family members who are out of state or deceased. 

Everyone is vulnerable to loneliness and nostalgia for holidays past.  Some of us may also feel the stress of the busyness of the season, tight finances, and the potential for conflicts with relatives who have different values (political, religious, lifestyles) from your own.  This will be a safe place to express both the light and the darkness of Christmas.

We will meet at 7pm on the second and third Mondays of December, the 11^th and 18^th .  The Zoom link will appear in the Weekly Updates in December.

Sunday, Dec. 17

This is for the DP Youth (and children), but we have room for adult chaperones as well. It will be in the evening. Informal RSVP’s being collected via text by the Christian Education Team, MaryBeth Riley-Gilbert (781-258-4306), or Sonja Haller (480-560-4305).

Desert Palm you are awesome! Thanks for your continued support of the East Valley Network and IRC Welcome Center, providing basic needs for refugees at the border and asylees arriving at the Welcome Center. For the month of November donations of soccer balls, pacifier clips and coloring books are requested. If you have other items (such as clothing, blankets, caps or tote bags) they will be gratefully accepted by either agency.  An urgent need of shoes for men, women and children continues. Gently used, comfortable walking shoes, or new shoes are very much appreciated. You may drop off donations at the church in the box by the gate or leave them on Sunday morning on the table in the atrium.

Every 2nd Tuesday
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

                                                        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

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86586659714?pwd=NzY3MzZ6RWp4MENRRWNvWHo0WGxGZz09

Meeting ID: 865 8665 9714

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.