current news & Events


In-Person for SunDay Worship

You can watch our hybrid worship service live on our webpage at https://www.desertpalmucc.org. At Desert Palm, we aim to provide an extravagant welcome to all by ensuring that our worship service and campus are accessible. We offer Large print bulletins, Assistive hearing devices, an ADA-compliant restroom, and Accessible parking spaces.


garden party: free produce

                                                    November 16, 10AM-Noon, at the Church
Join us for this fun-filled event in colaboration with the City of Tempe's Resiliency Hub network. We'll be celebrating our community garden, giving away free produce and learing about resiliency. We're still looking for some additional volunteers if you are free Saturday morning between 10 am and noon and want to help out, please text pastor Tom at 718.9152.600. We also need 8 boxes or tubs to store the produce untill it's given away. Please bring a box if you have one. See you Saturday!

  

Church Town Hall Discussion

                                                                 November 17th post-church (10:30 am)
Church Town Hall Discussion on November 17th after church (10:30 am). Come join us as we discuss disability and accessibility. The main challenge will be how to make our chancel area more accessible.  Let's keep it positive and brainstorm away, honoring the Church Council's commitment to continue our work around accessibility and inclusion.

foster kids christmas stocking drive


                                                                                  Sunday, November 17th
Foster Kids Christmas Stocking Drive 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 17 and gifts should be returned by Sunday December 15. 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 480.327.7467.
Rebecca Bond


Discovering Your Creative Grounding & Voice

Monday, November 18, 5:30 - 7 p.m.


During this 90-minute workshop participants will learn some creative techniques for journaling and artistic expression that can serve them well when they need to figure out problems, identity issues, sort through struggles or discern their feelings, values or opinions. They will receive a hardbound journal, a set of watercolor pencils, brushes, and a pen.  No journaling experience is necessary! Our youth are invited to attend this event hosted by Rev. Barb Doerrer-Peacock at the One-n-Ten Center, 1101 N. Central Avenue Suite 104, Phoenix Our minister of music, Marc Gaston will provide rides to and from the event. 

Music & Mental Health

Monday, November 18th – Music & Mental Health, 5:00pm 1n10 Downtown Youth Center Facilitated by - Garry Pregler – Grand Canyon Performing Arts – Board Member director of Mental Health Awareness. TBD – Mental Health professional. Marc Gaston – Minister of Music & The Arts (Desert Palm UCC, Tempe) Experience will be the impact music has on Mental Health. To include music meditation techniques. 

Decorate the Sanctuary for Advent

and Christmas

                                                                    Saturday, November 30 at 10 a.m.

Come join the DPUCC community to decorate the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas on Saturday, November 30 at 10 a.m. to noon. All adults and youth are invited to come and help. Ladder climbers are especially needed. The Fellowship Committee will provide refreshments. This is a fun event to get us into the holiday spirit.

Longest Night Service

Saturday, December 21st, 6PM Desert Palm Santuary
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.   

budget meeting

Sunday, January 19th (post church)

Women’s Book Study

9:30-11:00 This group will meet ever first and third Thursday of the month. We'll be discussing the introduction and first chapter of Aging as a Spiritual Practice, by Lewis Richmond.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89221561211?pwd=ypaex9kLAQ4Q6ez8hbzoQYr0pRP2WA.1

Meeting ID: 892 2156 1211
Passcode: 664533

Caregiver Support Group

4:00-5:00 every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84723489375?pwd=UgLWBmvJ3DKlvdUU7ISn1WA5bJpGvs.1

Meeting ID: 847 2348 9375
Passcode: 983476

True colors


Attention all coloring book enthusiasts! Whether you're a child, teenager, adult, or adult at heart, we need your help. Our home-bound members are running low on colored pages, and we would be grateful for any contributions. If you would like to donate supplies or drop off pages, please contact Pat Quinnett at (480)818-2203. The recipients have expressed immense joy upon receiving our little works of art and have even requested that the creators sign their name on the back with "Colored by (your name)." Please take the time to share and spread the love of coloring!

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 here to learn more. 


Secondary Title

COFFEE HOUR

At DPUCC, hospitality is a vital aspect of our ministry. We believe that coming together for COFFEE HOUR and engaging in conversations after Sunday worship is an excellent way to strengthen our church relationships.

WHAT DO THE CAREGIVERS DO?

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)

MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES, dial 988

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.

Sunday worship

You can watch our hybrid worship service live on our webpage at https://www.desertpalmucc.org. If you missed a service and want to go back and watch the video, go to our youtube page and select "live." And please note we aim to provide an extravagant welcome to all by ensuring that our worship service and campus are accessible. We offer Large print bulletins, assistive hearing devices, an ADA-compliant restroom, and accessible parking spaces and a Braille bible.