Dear Desert Palm Members & Friends,
 

Some of you may have heard about the arrest of a young man named Austin Davis. Austin is passionate about helping the unhoused and was arrested for handing out food. This is part of a larger struggle on the part of the City to figure out how best to respond to the crisis of homelessness. Many long-time volunteers are outraged by Austin’s arrest and we’ve had two meetings (with a third on the calendar) bringing together religious and city leaders.  

I want you all to be familiar with this back-story since we (Desert Palm) happen to be hosting this year’s “Longest Night” service, on Saturday, December 21st. This is a service designed to remember those who have died on the streets here in Tempe over the past year. Whichever faith community happens to be hosting on that date becomes the host site where the service is held, and this year it just happens to fall on us. It would be great if we could get a few folks from Desert Palm to attend. We’re inviting folks to come enjoy the I-Help supper (eating with the I-help participants) at 5:30, with the service starting at 6PM.  This is a chance for us to step up and show our support of the unhoused, long a mission focus of Desert Palm.

As we gather this holiday season, on the longest night, Sunday mornings and of course, Christmas Eve, my prayer is that you’ll feel God stirring in your heart and the wider community. And speaking of the wider community, we had a nice turnout (thanks to all of you from DP who were able to make it!) and a very meaningful service. Mayor Woods was there to read the Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. The collection/offering ($796.37) will go to Tempe Community Action Agency, which of course runs I-Help.

We’re also supporting foster kids this year in a tradition started by Holley Herman and now coordinated by Rebecca Bond. Many of you have already signed up but if you’re hearing about this for the first time and would like to help, check with Rebecca.

You can see a list of our other holiday related events in the box above. On additional event I’d like to call special attention to is the upcoming (Saturday Dec. 14th 10am) wedding of Ken and his fiancé (coming to the US from Japan on a fiancé visa) Hiromi. Ken has been attending regularly and he and Hiromi are both looking forward to their wedding to which everyone is invited. Hiromi doesn’t have much of a support system here so they’re looking to the church community for guidance and support. One way you can provide that is simply by coming to the wedding! And if you’re feeling a little wild and want to go the airport with me on December 9th, I’m thinking it would be fun to have a handful of church folk with me as I welcome them home (at the airport, signs, balloons, that sort of thing!).

That’s about it for now.

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Tom
 

• 11/30 Decorate the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas, at 10 a.m.
• 11.30 Youth Holiday Ornament Craft ,10 a.m.-noon.
• 12.08 Charlie Brown Christmas rehearsal schedule, 10 a.m. after church.
• 12/15 Charlie Brown Christmas rehearsal schedule, 10 a.m. after church.
• 12.21 Charlie Brown Christmas rehearsal schedule, 10 a.m. to noon, Dress rehearsal.
• 12.21 Longest Night Service (dinner 5:30 pm & service at 6 pm), reach out to Rev. Tom for more information.
• 12.22 Sunday morning  During All Music featuring chancel choir.
• 12/24 Traditional Christmas Eve service 9 pm.
• 12/24 Charlie Brown/Family Friendly service 6 pm.
• 12.24 Charlie Brown Christmas Performance 6 p.m.

Thank You, Desert Palm!

Thank you, Desert Palm. In a time when the world and our country are feeling the pains of natural disaster and strife, you came together as a congregation. You demonstrated what Neighbors in Need embodies, with such generosity.

As of October 30, 2024, we have collected a total of $1,125.00.

Neighbors in Need is one of the places in the UCC where issues of Justice and Witness are addressed in communities. You can be well assured that two thirds of your contribution will be used in the areas of voting rights, immigration, health care, civil liberties and environmental justice. The other third will be used by CAIM (Council for American Indian Ministries), helping the 20 UCC congregations on reservations and in the urban environment.

Thank you for your commitment to our special offerings.

Dec. 14, 11 a.m.,
East Valley High School, 7420 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85207

This free event for youth and families will showcase a musical adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first book in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series. The story follows four English children who step through a wardrobe into the enchanted land of Narnia, where they meet mythical creatures, the White Witch, and the noble lion Aslan. Rides from the church will commence at 10:15 a.m. from the church parking lot.

         For the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund
December 15, 2024

The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a tangible expression of God’s love and light in the world for over 115 years. One of the four Special Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ, The Christmas Fund, provides UCC congregations and members an opportunity to reach out in compassion to those who have faithfully shepherded our Church and who now find themselves facing worrisome financial needs.
 

The United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance, the charitable arm of the Pension Boards, on behalf of the whole church, passes on this direct support so that these needs may be met and our support may be felt. This is done by providing pension supplementation, health premium supplementation, emergency grants and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks to individuals and families in need.

We will be collecting this offering on Sunday, December 15, 2024. You can contribute in one of two ways:
 

1.) You can write a check payable to Desert Palm and make a note on the memo line for The Christmas Fund.

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 The Christmas Fund.

I encourage you to give generously to this fund, so that we may help those who have helped us. DONATIONS must be to the church by December 18, 2024.

May the light of Christ fill us with hope, peace, joy and love.
Marie Parsey
Rebecca Bond

 Saturday, December 21st, 6PM

This annual service takes place at whatever I-Help location is hosting on the winter Solstice. Desert Palm is the host site this year. The names of unhoused people who have dies in Tempe will be read. Marc and Claudia will support us through music and song. All are invited. 

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.

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