Looking Ahead
January |
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Sunday the 16th:
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Monday the 24th:
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Dear Friends:
I share with you a letter from our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons we received via email last Saturday. In the letter Rev. Lyons shares that the participants in the Phoenix peace vigil marking the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection were met with intense intimidation and disruption from those who refuse to accept the results of a free and fair election.
There was also a peace vigil in Tucson on January 6th at Reid Park which I attended. I did not observe the intimidation and disruptions that were experienced at the Phoenix event.
Here is Dr. Lyons letter:
Good Saturday morning, local church pastors and moderators. There are a couple things about which I wanted to update you before tomorrow...
Many of you are aware of my participation at a peace vigil marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection. The event included intense intimidation and disruption. Please be alert and vigilant this week, especially in AZ congregations, since our conference presence and ministry in the public square can be associated with our local churches via name recognition. We are not aware of or expecting any disruptions. AND I would be remiss not to encourage you to be especially aware of your surroundings this Sunday given the high profile the peace vigil in the press.
Next, the most common question I am receiving from local church leaders is how many SWC churches have moved to online only worship/programs. This is the answer I've sent out. Please let me know if your church has moved to online only programming in response to the Omicron surge so I can be accurate in my information-sharing.
I know of only one SWC congregation that has returned to online only programming. There has been much discussion about doing so. And many church leaders are asking me that question. The current prevailing thought seems to be to allow individuals to decide whether or not to attend in person.
Several churches are limiting social contact when people gather. Remaining outdoors for worship, no coffee hour especially indoors, strict masking requirements, etc. are being instituted. One church is purchasing KN95 masks and distributing them.
The surge also appears to be at a tipping point re: spread. All sources I am reading indicate the current surge will start declining within a two-week period. Omicron is exponentially more contagious; it is also many times less severe especially for vaccinated people. These factors also have churches hesitating to move to lockdown again.
This is the same situation other bishops in other denominations are reporting.
That’s what I know at present. Our clergy call next week and the moderators call upcoming will give me (all of us) a broader understanding of the thinking of church leaders across the conference.
May Spirit abundantly bless your Sunday!
Rev. Dr. William M. Lyons
Conference Minister
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
PO Box 44968
Phoenix, AZ 85064-4968
This is a link to the media coverage of the Phoenix event, which includes portions of the text of Rev. Lyons remarks.
Two of the leaders of our National Setting also provided their reflections You can read the thoughts of Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer here, and the thoughts of Rev. Traci Blackmon here
There was also a peace vigil in Tucson on January 6th at Reid Park which I attended. I did not observe the intimidation and disruptions that were experienced at the Phoenix event.
Here is Dr. Lyons letter:
Good Saturday morning, local church pastors and moderators. There are a couple things about which I wanted to update you before tomorrow...
Many of you are aware of my participation at a peace vigil marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection. The event included intense intimidation and disruption. Please be alert and vigilant this week, especially in AZ congregations, since our conference presence and ministry in the public square can be associated with our local churches via name recognition. We are not aware of or expecting any disruptions. AND I would be remiss not to encourage you to be especially aware of your surroundings this Sunday given the high profile the peace vigil in the press.
Next, the most common question I am receiving from local church leaders is how many SWC churches have moved to online only worship/programs. This is the answer I've sent out. Please let me know if your church has moved to online only programming in response to the Omicron surge so I can be accurate in my information-sharing.
I know of only one SWC congregation that has returned to online only programming. There has been much discussion about doing so. And many church leaders are asking me that question. The current prevailing thought seems to be to allow individuals to decide whether or not to attend in person.
Several churches are limiting social contact when people gather. Remaining outdoors for worship, no coffee hour especially indoors, strict masking requirements, etc. are being instituted. One church is purchasing KN95 masks and distributing them.
The surge also appears to be at a tipping point re: spread. All sources I am reading indicate the current surge will start declining within a two-week period. Omicron is exponentially more contagious; it is also many times less severe especially for vaccinated people. These factors also have churches hesitating to move to lockdown again.
This is the same situation other bishops in other denominations are reporting.
That’s what I know at present. Our clergy call next week and the moderators call upcoming will give me (all of us) a broader understanding of the thinking of church leaders across the conference.
May Spirit abundantly bless your Sunday!
Rev. Dr. William M. Lyons
Conference Minister
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
PO Box 44968
Phoenix, AZ 85064-4968
This is a link to the media coverage of the Phoenix event, which includes portions of the text of Rev. Lyons remarks.
Two of the leaders of our National Setting also provided their reflections You can read the thoughts of Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer here, and the thoughts of Rev. Traci Blackmon here
Worship this Sunday
This Sunday we will gather in the Sanctuary and also livestream worship beginning at 10:00. Based on the CDC guidelines please wear a mask during worship even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID 19.
Announcements
The CPH Annual Congregational Meeting has been scheduled for January 30, 2022. We will be voting on the budget for 2022 and for the members of Council, so please plan on attending.
The current members of Council are all past their expiration date according to the CPH Constitution. If you would like to be a fresh face and voice on the Council, there is a place for you. Please talk to Nancy Traviolia, or any of the Council members to volunteer for 2022.
The current members of Council are all past their expiration date according to the CPH Constitution. If you would like to be a fresh face and voice on the Council, there is a place for you. Please talk to Nancy Traviolia, or any of the Council members to volunteer for 2022.
Centering Prayer will meet on Tuesdays at noon in the CPH sanctuary.
CPH SPEEDWAY CLEAN TEAM
Six years ago the Clean Team got their start,
The new year arrived and the Clean Team hasn't lost heart.
Picking up trash along Speedway each month since 2016,
Putting the garbage in bags to keep the road clean.
Jan, Sally, Connie, Paul, Carol, Marlys, Nancy, Lynn, Carlson and 2 of his teens,
Collected cups, boxes, bottles, papers, wrappers, and all kinds of things.
Connie and Paul worked the homeless camp corner cleaning it up,
Using their grabbers to pick up said wrappers, papers, bottles, boxes, and every cup.
The rest of the team got busy working both sides of the road,
Adding all the debris to their trash picking up load.
It took an hour but they got it all done,
February 12th at 8:00 a.m. is our next cleanup day of fun.
Six years ago the Clean Team got their start,
The new year arrived and the Clean Team hasn't lost heart.
Picking up trash along Speedway each month since 2016,
Putting the garbage in bags to keep the road clean.
Jan, Sally, Connie, Paul, Carol, Marlys, Nancy, Lynn, Carlson and 2 of his teens,
Collected cups, boxes, bottles, papers, wrappers, and all kinds of things.
Connie and Paul worked the homeless camp corner cleaning it up,
Using their grabbers to pick up said wrappers, papers, bottles, boxes, and every cup.
The rest of the team got busy working both sides of the road,
Adding all the debris to their trash picking up load.
It took an hour but they got it all done,
February 12th at 8:00 a.m. is our next cleanup day of fun.
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Sandwiches for Casa Maria605 sandwiches were lovingly crafted by on January 11th!
We will be making sandwiches for Casa Maria on Tuesday, February 8th 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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Yoga Schedule
In-person and online classes have started back up!
In-Person Class Details
COVID Accommodations
Schedule
Online:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9am Virtual Yoga online only
Thursday 11am Virtual Yoga online only
In person:
Mondays:
11am in person at St. Francis in the Foothills
Tuesdays:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Thursdays:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Thank you all so much for doing yoga with me! I am always just a text away contact me any time. Have a wonderful Holiday season!
Namaste,
Trish Harris, Teacher and Owner of Divine Journey Yoga
Click here to book a private session, online class or in-person class.
Please call Trish (520-490-4012) if you have any trouble with the on-line system.
Click here to watch Trish’s YouTube videos.
In-Person Class Details
COVID Accommodations
- Classes will be limited to 10 people for now.
- Masks are required for now.
- Be ready to show proof of vaccination at the door.
- Mats will be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided.
- Pre-registration for class is best. Just text me or use the website to sign up. Walk ins may be turned away but you can try.
Schedule
Online:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9am Virtual Yoga online only
Thursday 11am Virtual Yoga online only
In person:
Mondays:
11am in person at St. Francis in the Foothills
Tuesdays:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Thursdays:
9am in person at Church of the Painted Hills
Thank you all so much for doing yoga with me! I am always just a text away contact me any time. Have a wonderful Holiday season!
Namaste,
Trish Harris, Teacher and Owner of Divine Journey Yoga
Click here to book a private session, online class or in-person class.
Please call Trish (520-490-4012) if you have any trouble with the on-line system.
Click here to watch Trish’s YouTube videos.
