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Following Jesus together,
Nourishing one another in the Living Water of the Spirit,
Blossoming boldly with God's abundant love, healing, and justice, and
Transforming lives.
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To submit an article for Tidings, email Anne here by Mondays at 12:00 noon. | | |
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Renewal is Not Hard If You Just Open Yourself
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all
that they had done and taught.
Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.”
For there was constant coming and going.
They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves.
Mark 6:30-32 The Message
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I have mentioned a story of a pastor in my long past who told me that we are the Body of Christ and meant to be eaten up, to the last morsel. Though a well-intentioned reminder that we are meant to give ourselves fully without hesitation to others, it led me to discount the concepts of self-care and Sabbath. Another pastor told me later that if we give everything there is nothing left to give.
After a stroke and a spiritual crisis in seminary, I finally began to take spiritual and self-care seriously. Though I am still a work-in-progress, I have come to value practices like centering prayer as an important part of my living process. Just like skipping meals is harmful to the body, skipping out on quiet, prayerful time is harmful to the spirit.
Recently, I stopped by to visit with our Stitch Witches group and was pleasantly surprised at the spirituality that was present there. Though they didn’t fully realize it, they were practicing a very ancient prayer practice of coming together in joyful and purposeful work. Work not done out of drudgery but work done with connection to others, in solitude and in for the common good. Being in solitude does not mean being alone; connecting personally with God often takes place in the presence of others. It reminded me that this is a way of approaching prayer-life through daily work with a sense of purpose in everything you do, from cooking a meal to cleaning the bathroom. It is a way followed in the Rule of Benedict and followers of a Celtic understanding of spirituality.
Stitch Witches do not have an exclusive path to this way of spirit enrichment, there are Taizé services, Primavera meal preparation, men’s breakfast, hiking, bike rides, grief group, compassion on the border, even Turbo time and Funday school in our family ministries. Of course, there are my Ponderings group and the Spiritual groups led by Pastor Michael that bring another way of recharging. Sabbath time does not have to be solitude time, though it can be. Do whatever it takes to feed your spirit, refresh, renew, reconnect. We are an Easter people and even though we sometimes dwell in very dark valleys, filled with sorrow, anxiety and even death, we are called to resurrection and life with Jesus.
Remember that it is okay to pull your boat away for some R&R, but we are called to eventually go back to give life, forgiveness, healing, hope and love to an aching world.
Peace,
Pastor John
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Pastor Michael Update and Prayers
Pastor Michael's surgery was successful yesterday and he is now home. Please continue to pray for his healing, strength, and patience during his multi-week recovery period.
If you would like to mail him a card, please send it to the church at 6801 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, 85704. If you prefer, you can bring a card (or food and/or a gift), to the office during the work week (Mon-Thurs, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm) or leave them on the table in the church entrance on Sundays. Items will be delivered to him during the week.
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Celebration of Life for Rita B
A Celebration of Life service will be held here on Thursday, July 25th at 10:00 am, followed by a reception in McNear Hall.
We also be livestreaming the service.
Use this link, and click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (If you try the link early, it will redirect you to the wrong page).
Cards can be sent to her daughter-in-law and son:
Rosy Saldivar and Josh Gerkin
5472 W. Bandtail Ct.
Marana, AZ 85658
Rita's wishes were that in lieu of flowers,
donations can be sent to
Respond Inc., PO Box 555, Somerville, MA, 02143 (Women’s Shelter) or
Our Family Services, 2590 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712.
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Highlighted for YOU...from your Library
The library committee is hosting a special event during coffee time after worship service on Sunday, July 28th. We will be highlighting our Biographies and Special Courses tapes. Please drop by outside in the courtyard and check us out. We continue to be grateful for your book donations. Please drop them by the library on Sundays or place them in the brown receptacle located in the breezeway between the office and the sanctuary which is available 24/7.
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Keeling School Supply Drive
All donations are greatly appreciated, but most needed: crayons, markers, Kleenex, composition notebooks, Post-It notes, Scotch tape refills, sanitizing wipes and Ziplock bags.
Volunteers are still needed to help with the delivery of donations to the school on Friday morning, August 2nd. Contact Jane Spande here, to volunteer, with questions or for more info.
Donate online here. Write in "School Supplies" (there is a small service fee subtracted).
or
Donate by dropping a check in the offering or mail, or send it through your Bill Pay. Be sure to add a memo: "School Supplies".
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Peanut Butter Party
Any kind of peanut butter is welcome. We now have over 100 jars collected!
Leave them in the Narthex on Sundays or bring them by the office till July 31st.
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A Path to Advocacy
As CAUCC continues its commitment to the democratic process, our Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Mission (MJAM) is developing plans to move forward on Advocacy through the development of a Justice Advocacy Team.
MJAM believes this congregation’s mission outreach is strong and that now we want to increase our activity to address systemic change. To do so we want to intentionally explore justice issues in our society and to address these through education, advocacy, and other justice-related activities.
We have been having group discussions after church in July to identify social concerns held by people within our congregation. This will help to provide direction for the Justice Advocacy Team’s next steps. Please join in, meet in Room 3, after Coffee Hour this Sunday, July 28th (11:00 am).
(Any questions, call Gypsy Lyle, Planning Team member, at 520-887-4933)
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With Pastor John,
weekly on Wednesdays, 10:00 am on Zoom
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Check the calendar at the end of the e-newsletter
for Zoom links.
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July 24th Subject: Prayer, A User's Handbook for Sceptics and Believers | |
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Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer with Pastor John - In person!
Tuesdays at 12:00 noon in Room 1.
Centering Prayer is a method of Christian meditation which
has a strong emphasis on interior silence. People who practice centering prayer feel it helps them be more present to God and adds a sense of balance to their lives.
Centering Prayer with Pastor John - Zoom only!
Wednesdays, 12:00 noon
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Have you heard of the Philadelphia Eleven?
Well, I hadn’t either until last month. The Philadelphia Eleven are eleven women who were the first women ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church on July 29, 1974. This was two years BEFORE the General Convention affirmed and authorized the ordination of women to Episcopal priesthood!
You can google Philadelphia Eleven and find a lot more information.
Anyway, a film has been made with the same title (Philadelphia Eleven) and there have been screenings across the nation since the fall of 2023. And there are screenings all over if you snoop around.
That said, last week I was informed of a way to watch the film at home! During the weekend of the 50th Anniversary of these eleven women being ordained, you can watch this film on your own device for only ELEVEN dollars – get it? Yes, for only $11.00 you can watch the documentary on your time schedule from July 26th through July 30th. Just click on this link to set up your private viewing. You need to create an account and pay $11.00. Enjoy! Sincerely, Susan Sommerfeld
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Wednesday, July 24
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10:00 am Purposeful Ponderings with Pastor John, Zoom Ponderings Link or Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704
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12:00 Noon Centering Prayer (Zoom only) Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
Thursday, July 25
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8:30 Men's Breakfast (Beyond Bread on Ina)
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No Stitch Witches Today
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10:00 am Celebration of Life for Rita Bourgeois, Reception to follow in the Hall: Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (If you try the link early, it will redirect you to the wrong page).
Friday, July 26
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10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 7/8
Saturday, July 27
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9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Sunday, July 28
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8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Chapel
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9:30 am Worship Sanctuary Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (If you try the link early, it will redirect you to the wrong page).
- 10:30 am Coffee Hour in McNear Hall
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11:00 am MJAM Justice Advocacy Conversation Room 3
Monday, July 29
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3:30 pm Campus Cleaning Entire Campus
Tuesday, July 30
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12:00 Noon Centering Prayer, In Person Room 1
Wednesday, July 31
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10:00 am Purposeful Ponderings with Pastor John, Zoom Ponderings Link or Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704
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12:00 Noon Centering Prayer (Zoom only) Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
Other room rentals may be on campus, but not on this calendar
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Pastor Michael is resting and recuperating from surgery for his cancer.
He hopes to be back with us by mid-August.
Through July,
Anne's, Jay's and Janet's hours:
9:00 am to 12:00 noon Monday and Wednesdays;
open by appointment in the afternoons (Noon to 3:00 pm)
Tuesday/Thursday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
and
Barry, Building Maintenance Manager's hours:
till 2:00 pm, Tue, Wed, Thur.
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The easiest way to contact anyone on staff is to email them directly.
For intentional conversations, appointments work best.
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Council Meetings and Minutes
Council meetings are open to any member of the CAUCC community. Next meeting, August 20th, on Zoom. Approved June meeting minutes are available, click here. Email Anne Bailey for the upcoming meeting Zoom link.
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To support the ministry and mission of CAUCC, please donate online here: | | | | |
