Dear Members and Friends,
 

As we say goodbye to 2024, I just have to say a word of thanks to Marc Gaston and all our musicians for all the beautiful music we were treated to as the year came to a close. Wow!
 

And now fasten your seatbelts as we’re going to hit the ground running in the New Year, in part due to our new partnership with Rev. Shea Darian from the non-profit, “Doing Grief.” Shea has a Moment for Mission in church on January 19^th and, looking ahead, she’ll do another one (Moment for Mission) on February 16^th.  And after church on Feb. 16^th Shea be offering  an experiential workshop/introductory session from 10:30 to noon. The workshop will provide a sampling of her small group work, which includes healing circles, story circles and various approaches to healing through the arts.
 

Speaking of the arts, our own Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock will be leading an Adult Ed workshop on January 12^th in which she’ll be share her story of integrating arts and spirituality, with some hands-on opportunities. We’re excited to be benefiting from Barb’s new chapter in life, now that she’s retired from her role as the Associate Conference Minister.
 

Sonja is making great progress toward her goal of ordination, as evidenced by her having recently secured a position as a Hospice Chaplain. She’s going to be continuing as our Religious Education Coordinator for now, but keep an eye out for announcements of an Ecclesiastical Council (should the Committee on Ministry deem she’s ready). 
 

And have I mentioned our next Adult Ed Salon is fast approaching? Kathryn and John Andrews will be hosting us at their home at 7PM on Thursday, January 9^th. This is a chance to gather to share what you’ve been reading, thinking about and/or listening to (podcasts, etc.). The idea is rather than a book study, we affirm the varied tastes of our diverse flock and learn from each other!
 

Other noteworthy activities include our ongoing participation in the City’s Resiliency Hub Network, our collaboration with AZ Interfaith Power and Light around environmental issues, our ongoing work in support of immigrants and asylum seekers, and our participation in I-Help and the larger discussion with the City of Tempe around the crisis of homelessness.

So if you care about vulnerable minorities on the margins, if you like the sound of small group spiritual practices that incorporate the arts, if your curious about ongoing education around grief and healing, if you like the idea of an Adult Ed salon where you get to share, and you enjoy a  mix of modern and post-modern approaches to the spiritual life in general, you’ve come to the right place!

Happy New Year, Desert Palm!
 
Pastor Tom

*All events will be held in the back classroom -Thursday, January 9th: Adult Ed Salon. -Sunday, January 12th: Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock leading post-church workshop on art and spirituality. -Sunday January 19th: Rev. Shea Darian will be providing a Moment for Mission during worship. (Rev. Shea would like to meet with our youth again during the budget meeting.) -Sunday January 19th: Post-church Congregational meeting to review budget. -Sunday Feb. 16th: Rev. Shea of "Doing Grief" has another Moment for Mission. -Sunday Feb. 16th post church: Rev. Shea holding introductory workshop to her small group work.

Thursday, January 9th, 7 PM
Book salon will be at Katryn Andrews house. 

Sunday, Jan. 12, 11am – 1 pm
Following a light lunch for coffee fellowship

An Introduction to Connecting Art and Spirituality

Following a light lunch for coffee fellowship
PLEASE RSVP to bdoerrerpeacock@cox.net BY JAN. 8 if you are planning to participate.
(this will enable us to have enough supplies for everyone.)
 

Led by Barb Doerrer-Peacock

Creativity is the work of the soul. We are “made in God’s image,” therefore we are first and foremost creators. But somehow many of us got taught that art is reserved for “artists,” and journaling is for good creative writers. Nope. True “art” is nothing more than one’s own personal creative expression, an outlet for our deepest thoughts and feelings. We all need that. This Creative Journaling workshop is for anyone who would like some techniques to express yourself creatively…not necessarily for anyone else’s judgement except your own joy and fulfillment. It’s a simple technique that will (or can)
use both creativity with words and with visual art. It also will be an introduction to how our spirituality is connected to our “art” (our creative expression) in many ways. Once we learn how to tap into it, we can discover our inner voice beginning to flow in communication, teaching, wisdom, healing and beauty-creating. No experience
necessary!

 Sunday January 19th

Rev. Shea Darian will be providing a Moment for Mission during worship. (Rev. Shea would like to meet with our youth again during the budget meeting).

Sunday, January 19th (post church)
Rev. Shea would like to meet with our youth again during the budget meeting.

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.

Our New Youtube Channel

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

 The Desert Palm UCC website

The Desert Palm UCC FB page