Looking Ahead
September |
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October |
Tuesday the 27th:
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Saturday the 1st:
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Dear Friends:
This is another of the pictures I took from the Johnston Observatory during our visit to Mt. St. Helen’s in June. My hope in sharing the picture is that you see the chasm that exists between the Observatory and Mt. St. Helens. A chasm is “a deep fissure in the earth, rock, or another surface.” (Source) In the parable from Luke’s gospel we will hear this Sunday, we will hear Sarah and Abraham describe the chasm between the beggar Lazarus in heaven and the rich man in Hades.
Saturday’s Arizona Daily Star and news I received about a colleague on Monday reminded me of another definition of the word “chasm.” The newspaper article reported that one of our candidates for governor repeated the racist and xenophobic comments made by a former president when the former president announced his campaign for the presidency. Along with the repeated comments, what was equally troubling was the place where the comments were made, a gym at a church.
My colleague shared on social media on Monday that they had resigned their call, and were stepping away from Christian ministry and Christianity. Among the reasons cited for the decision was the political climate connected with Christian Nationalism and the incredible harm this brand of Christianity is doing in the world.
Friends, the other definition of chasm is “a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.” (Source) There is a great chasm in Christianity today, but it is a chasm that Jesus told us would exist. In Luke 12:51-52, Jesus said “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? I tell you the opposite is true: I have come to bring division. From now on a household of five will be divided-three against two and two against three.” (Inclusive Bible).
This chasm is not new. Some Christians who supported slavery and racism while other Christians fought against slavery and racism, and it continues. Some Christians believe their “sincerely held religious beliefs” give them the right to discriminate against those God made differently, and enact laws denying life-saving health care to transgender children. Other Christians believe that our faith is clear that none should suffer discrimination. There are also Christians on both sides of issues like immigration and abortion.
So what should we do? We continue the ministry that Jesus started in Nazareth roughly 2,000 years ago. We bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed. We witness that we are followers of Jesus by feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, healing the sick, welcoming the stranger, and we speak out on behalf of the oppressed and marginalized. We counter the narrative of hate and fear with a narrative of love and welcome.
Do we seek unity? Yes, the same unity that Jesus sought. Jesus sought unity with the poor, marginalized, oppressed, and those some considered sinners. Jesus did not seek unity with the religious elites or the governing authorities. Jesus challenged them to follow the Torah and the words of the prophets and create a just world for all. When there is a just world for all, unity may be possible.
My colleague shared on social media on Monday that they had resigned their call, and were stepping away from Christian ministry and Christianity. Among the reasons cited for the decision was the political climate connected with Christian Nationalism and the incredible harm this brand of Christianity is doing in the world.
Friends, the other definition of chasm is “a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.” (Source) There is a great chasm in Christianity today, but it is a chasm that Jesus told us would exist. In Luke 12:51-52, Jesus said “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? I tell you the opposite is true: I have come to bring division. From now on a household of five will be divided-three against two and two against three.” (Inclusive Bible).
This chasm is not new. Some Christians who supported slavery and racism while other Christians fought against slavery and racism, and it continues. Some Christians believe their “sincerely held religious beliefs” give them the right to discriminate against those God made differently, and enact laws denying life-saving health care to transgender children. Other Christians believe that our faith is clear that none should suffer discrimination. There are also Christians on both sides of issues like immigration and abortion.
So what should we do? We continue the ministry that Jesus started in Nazareth roughly 2,000 years ago. We bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed. We witness that we are followers of Jesus by feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, healing the sick, welcoming the stranger, and we speak out on behalf of the oppressed and marginalized. We counter the narrative of hate and fear with a narrative of love and welcome.
Do we seek unity? Yes, the same unity that Jesus sought. Jesus sought unity with the poor, marginalized, oppressed, and those some considered sinners. Jesus did not seek unity with the religious elites or the governing authorities. Jesus challenged them to follow the Torah and the words of the prophets and create a just world for all. When there is a just world for all, unity may be possible.
UCC Witness at Tucson Pride
The Tucson Pride Parade and Festival are two opportunities to join with our UCC siblings to witness that we are followers of Jesus. Our presence sends a clear message that we are Open and Affirming and welcome ALL to be part of our faith community.
The Pride Parade is downtown Friday night September 30th beginning at 7:30. A map of the parade route is included in the update. Details about what time and where we will stage for the parade will be available soon and will be shared with everyone who desires to march. We will be marching with the other UCC Congregations behind this banner.
Saturday October 1 is the Tucson Pride Festival beginning at 12:00. Our congregations have joined together to have a booth during the Festival. We will be giving out rainbow popcorn, CPH auto litter bags and other “swag” items provided by each of the churches. We are also asking each church to bring some coolers of bottled water to distribute. Church of the Painted Hills members will be staffing the booth from 1:00 until 2:30. Please note, in order to gain access to the festival grounds to work at the booth you must purchase a ticket. The link to purchase tickets is below.
We can also make our welcome known by attending the festival and wearing our CPH shirts. Walk around the festival grounds, stop and talk to the other exhibitors and let them see that all are welcome at Church of the Painted Hills. Tickets can be purchased here.
Friends, in a time when our siblings in the LGBTQ community are under attack from people identifying themselves as Christians, let’s do our part to make clear that we are followers of Jesus and we take seriously the commandment to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger.
We can also make our welcome known by attending the festival and wearing our CPH shirts. Walk around the festival grounds, stop and talk to the other exhibitors and let them see that all are welcome at Church of the Painted Hills. Tickets can be purchased here.
Friends, in a time when our siblings in the LGBTQ community are under attack from people identifying themselves as Christians, let’s do our part to make clear that we are followers of Jesus and we take seriously the commandment to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger.
Tucson Pride Parade Route
Worship This Sunday
We will worship this Sunday in the Sanctuary and on Facebook at 10:00 am. Due to the changes in the CDC guidelines and the decreasing infection rates in Pima County, wearing a mask in the Sanctuary is optional.
Announcements
The Fall Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, October 9th following worship.
The new Open and Affirming Statement will be voted on during this meeting.
Proposed Open and Affirming Statement
To be voted on during the 2022 Fall Congregational Meeting
The group tasked with revising the O & A statement received several responses regarding the initial proposed revision. After consideration of the input, we will submit the following statement at the upcoming congregational meeting for approval.
The National Setting of the United Church of Christ declared itself Open and Affirming in 1985. The Church of the Painted Hills congregation realized the importance of participating and adopted a statement in 1996. We have learned more about ourselves and others and continue to grow in love and acceptance of all persons.
We invite and welcome into our community persons of any gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, theological viewpoint, marital standing, and family structure.
People are encouraged to participate and share their talents, time and energy in the full faith and fellowship of our church.
We are called to love one another.
John 15:12
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
The new Open and Affirming Statement will be voted on during this meeting.
Proposed Open and Affirming Statement
To be voted on during the 2022 Fall Congregational Meeting
The group tasked with revising the O & A statement received several responses regarding the initial proposed revision. After consideration of the input, we will submit the following statement at the upcoming congregational meeting for approval.
The National Setting of the United Church of Christ declared itself Open and Affirming in 1985. The Church of the Painted Hills congregation realized the importance of participating and adopted a statement in 1996. We have learned more about ourselves and others and continue to grow in love and acceptance of all persons.
We invite and welcome into our community persons of any gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, theological viewpoint, marital standing, and family structure.
People are encouraged to participate and share their talents, time and energy in the full faith and fellowship of our church.
We are called to love one another.
John 15:12
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Centering prayer will not meet on Tuesday, September 20th but will resume on September 27th in the CPH sanctuary at noon.
CPH SPEEDWAY CLEAN TEAM
Some positive news from trash pick-up this Saturday
Less garbage was tossed along Speedway!
Keep up the great work to those who travel this road
It was nice to carry bags with a lighter load!
Jan, Connie and Lynn spent an hour in our spot
"It looks pretty good" was our final thought.
A continuing issue are the homeless camps; these sites are quite a mess.
We hope the city will make some headway with this, we must confess.
Please give road clean up a try on October 8th our next date.
Meet at 7:00 a.m., gear up and the outcome will be great!!
Some positive news from trash pick-up this Saturday
Less garbage was tossed along Speedway!
Keep up the great work to those who travel this road
It was nice to carry bags with a lighter load!
Jan, Connie and Lynn spent an hour in our spot
"It looks pretty good" was our final thought.
A continuing issue are the homeless camps; these sites are quite a mess.
We hope the city will make some headway with this, we must confess.
Please give road clean up a try on October 8th our next date.
Meet at 7:00 a.m., gear up and the outcome will be great!!
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Sandwiches for Casa Maria629 sandwiches were lovingly crafted by volunteers on
September 13th! We will next be making sandwiches for Casa Maria on Tuesday, October 11th and we could really use more volunteers to help make the sandwiches. The sandwiches need to be at Casa Maria between 10 and 10:30. We start setting up at 8 a.m. and begin making sandwiches around 8:20. We can also use donations of meat, cheese and bread. Thanks to all who support this mission with your donations of time and sandwich makings.
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Dear Yogis,
Regular Class Schedule
Online:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 9am Virtual Yoga
Thursday: 11am Virtual Yoga
In person:
Monday:
11am in person at St Francis in the Foothills
Tuesday:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Wednesday:
11am in person at Harrison Hills Mobile Home Park
Thursday:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Peace and love to you all,
Trish Harris
Owner and teacher of Divine Journey Yoga
520-490-4012
Click here to book a class online or in-person.
Click here to watch Trish’s YouTube videos.
Online:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 9am Virtual Yoga
Thursday: 11am Virtual Yoga
In person:
Monday:
11am in person at St Francis in the Foothills
Tuesday:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Wednesday:
11am in person at Harrison Hills Mobile Home Park
Thursday:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Peace and love to you all,
Trish Harris
Owner and teacher of Divine Journey Yoga
520-490-4012
Click here to book a class online or in-person.
Click here to watch Trish’s YouTube videos.
