Current News and Events at Desert Palm
the weekly update
Mental Health Sunday is this sunday
In-Person Worship
Sunday 8 AM small group in-person worship: we've previously said these in-person services (capped at ten or less) were for folks who couldn't access the virtual service. At this time we're widening the welcome to anyone who is eager to see some other church folk. Just call or email Maria to reserve a spot. If services for one Sunday fill up we'll look to the next. Just remember these are short services with no music. We pretty much just read scripture, reflect on it, share joys and concerns and pray. So you can safely plan on about a thirty-minute service.
For those who don't mind virtual worship, we encourage you to continue watching from home. Desert Palm Council will revisit the issue of in-person worship in the sanctuary on May 18th. Thank you for your patience in these difficult times.
STC STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
The Strengthen the Church National Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry and innovation in existing congregations.
As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.
The Strengthen the Church Offering will be received on Pentecost, Sunday, May 23, 2021. The offering can be made throughout the month of May.
You can make you donation in one of two ways:
1). You can write a check payable to Desert Palm UCC. Make a note on the memo line for Strengthen the Church send to the office.
2). You can use the ‘Give’ feature on the DPCC website. Go to the ‘Donation option’ and from the drop-down box you will be able to select Strengthen the Church to make your contribution.
Thank you, Desert Palm, for your financial generosity to this important offering.
Yours, Marie Parsey
WISE BOOK DISCUSSION
Please join Kathryn Andrews, Ray Littleford, and the rest of the W.I.S.E. Committee as we discuss Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century (Alice Wong ed.). Our Zoom discussion will occur on May 27, 2021 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will be focusing on four of our favorite chapters: "I'm Tired of Chasing a Cure," "Falling/Burning: Hannah Gadsby: Nanette, and Being a Bipolar Creator," "Six Ways of Looking at Crip Time," and "How a Blind Astronomer Found a Way to Hear the Stars." The book is available in paperback through Changing Hands Bookstore.
Are you eligible for covid-19 VACCINE?
As of Wednesday, March 24, at 8 a.m., all Arizonans 16 years or older can register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through any state-run site in Maricopa, Pima or Yuma County.
Consider making an account on the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Vaccine Portal now if you plan to register, it can help the process go smoothly when appointments open.
Click here to register!
Those without computer access or who need additional assistance can call the Arizona COVID-19 Hotline at 1-844-542-8201.
For technical support with ADHS’ Vaccine Portal, call (602) 542-1000 or consult the user guide or video guide (en Español).
Remember, every Arizonan, regardless of insurance or citizenship status, will be able to get the vaccine at no cost. If you need any additional help, please continue to reach out to my office online, call us at (602) 956-2463 or consult my office's COVID-19 vaccine guide.
Campaig BEGINS on ash wednesday
$1.5M swC Medical relief
The Southwest Conference is inviting all SWC congregations to join this campaign that will run from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
For every $1 raised, $100 of medical debt can be abolished. $10 abolishes $1000 of medical debt. $10,000 wipes out $1 million. Let’s raise $15,000 to abolish $1.5 million!
The members of Executive Board have pledged over $1000 to kick this off. That’s already $94,000 of medical debt that can be wiped out for individuals, veterans, and families in our geographical area.
Will your congregation participate? Let us know you’re in so we can add your church to the list of participants.
Here’s how to donate:
Write a check to Southwest Conference UCC with “medical debt” in the memo line
Donate online here, and designate your contribution as “medical debt” in the comment field.
For more information and background, read the RIP Medical Debt brochure.
Read a letter that is similar to one that will be sent to debtors whose medical bills we’ll abolish.
UPDATE: This just in from John Riddle at Desert Garden UCC:
"Last week our Church Council strongly endorsed our participation in this effort, so count us in. We will be having an article in our monthly newsletter, Oasis, next week about Desert Garden's participation. We are encouraging our members to each give $1/day for each day of Lent.
Some are indicating they plan to give more than that. We are excited about the program and pray that a significant number of congregations will join the conference's effort."
Coffee hour
Coffee Hour is a time after the church service for people to get together and talk about whatever is on their mind. Get to know people you may not know very well. You can talk or just listen; it’s up to you. Whether you’re in the Phoenix area or across the country, join us and share some good conversation and fellowship time.
Topic: Coffee Hour 2021
Time: May 16, 2021 11:00 AM Arizona
Every week on Sun, until Dec 12, 2021
May 16, 2021 11:00 AM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMrceGgrjMjHtH-PW-i4Ygj2pLRLsU-Vncr/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqD0iEtSduR2CRpwEBI_oWfzziFxEgrd10S_STikHWwT8ZPJuAJ5sJZXm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87668808945?pwd=WWkwQkpUeHRtUDNabEt1cFM5VlVidz09
Meeting ID: 876 6880 8945
Dial by your location
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc345rxbF9
Women’s Bible Study
the women's bible group is a friendly, welcoming assortment of women who meet twice a month to support each other and have rich discussions about a selected book or bible passage. New members are always welcome.
Thursday Group
Join the Thursday WBS for a brunch - in person !
As the Thursday WBS winds up the year we are going to have an in-person celebration and brunch on May 27. We will be eating outdoors at the Farm at South Mountain and would LOVE for folks to join us. Most folks will meet at church at 9:15 and carpool. Others will meet us there around 9:45. If possible, let Sue Henderson at suegreenhenderson@gmail.com know you will be coming so we can have an accurate count for the reservation, but if you decide at the last minute to join, PLEASE do! If you need a ride, we are happy to pick you up. Let Sue know that also.
The link to the location, menu, etc. is here: https://www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com/
PS - we are each paying for our own brunch :)
The Sunday Women’s Bible Study Group will meet in the church library this Sunday, May 30th, from 3 PM to 4:30. For those that do not want to come to the church we will also have it via zoom. We will be discussing "Mary the mother of Jesus pages 399 to 404—All Their Words and Why They Matter.”
We enjoy a lively discussion sharing our thoughts and opinions that includes how events mirror our lives today. Please feel free to join us, even if you don’t have the book or have not read the chapter that we’ll be discussing.
On this Sunday we will be meeting at Pat Speer's house outside on her patio. You can still join by zoom. If you join us in person please either have both vaccines and/or wear your mask.
Contact Pat Speer at pspeer686@gmail.com or Carol Lee Smith at carollee5@aol.com if you would like to be included on the Zoom invite or join us in person.
support for all students on campus & at home
All are welcome
At this time all our gatherings are digital in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Please connect with Andrew (andrew@desertpalmucc.org) to join us.
We are in the midst of transition and preparation for Fall 2021!!
During this interim time Andrew is still available for supportive conversations and pastoral care for young adults. Email andrew@desertpalmucc.org
or call or text (602) 386-0669.
New
Monthly Children's Chapel
We are offering a special new program on Zoom for all our children on the second Sunday of each month at 10:00am. On the second Sunday all our kids of all ages will gather together for Children's Chapel with scripture, stories, and activities. On all other Sundays we will continue to offer Sunday school at 10:00am for kids in grades 1-4 and at 10:45 for kids in Kindergarten and younger.
Weekly Youth Zoom
Our youth are meeting weekly at 3:30pm every Wednesday. All youth are welcome! Contact Andrew for the link-andrew@desertpalmucc.org.
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
October: Whole Grain Cereal
November: Canned Chili
December: Canned Vegetables
WCC Weekly
To learn more about the work of the Church and the Wider World click on this link.
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Interfaith Book Study Series on Redlining in Arizona
A book study series led by Dr. Lois Brown, Director of Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, on racial justice and redlining. Together we will read the book Minorities in Phoenix by Bradford Luckingham and discuss the historical and currents trend of racism and racial justice throughout Arizona.
Tue May 18th 6:30pm - 8:00pm
For more information, click on this link https://www.arizonafaithnetwork.org/.
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Anti-Hunger Call (Partner Event)
Fri. May 21st, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join the anti-hunger and food systems advocacy calls with the Arizona Food Bank Network and the Arizona Food System Network, held every other Friday. More information and recordings of past calls are available at: https://www.azfsn.org/
Justice & WITNESS
Our former Interim pastor, Rev. Elice Higginbotham, is helping to educate the larger/national UCC on issues pertaining to the Middle East, specifically the plight of Palestinian people under Isaraeli occupation. To learn more about the proposed resolution that will be coming before the General Synod in July (a virtual gathering all are invited to), click on this link.
If the Council were to decide to support this resolution Desert Palm's name could be added to the list of congregations supporting it.
Peace,
Tom
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
Global Ministries is a joint witness in mission between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. To learn more click on this link https://www.globalministries.org/