Each month throughout the year, the Mission Outreach team at First Congregational in Prescott identifies a particular mission program to support. The emphasis for February is Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS). Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS) provides shelter for local women and children experiencing homelessness. The third Wednesday of every month the church provides dinner for the guests and this month the Youth Group will take on the meal service.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Southwest Conference, Rincon is excited to announce “Created in Love: A Spring Break Art Camp.” The focus of all art activities is expression of the authentic self and inclusion, respect and value for each other. The art is "Created in Love" just as God has created all of us.
This month, the Banned Book Cart carousel at Rincon celebrates Black authors with samples of their books that have been banned. This month’s additions to banned editions are two science fiction books by Octavia D. Butler.
The Parable of the Sower, written in 1993 presents a world faced with the impact of climate change in 2024 and 2025. The fate of the book’s town of Robledo could be read as a forecast of the fate of Altadena in the Eaton fire. This book has been banned in federal and state prisons for its portrayal of autonomous Black female protagonists.
KINDRED - this story of time-travel starts in California in 1976 where 26 year old Dana is transported back to the antebellum South to protect the son in a slave-owning plantation family whose survival into early adulthood is essential to her existence. This book is frequently banned from school libraries for portraying life as a slave and the lasting effects of oppression.
Young reader books available for loan are Tar Beach, the story of a third-grade girl and her summer evenings spent on tar beach. Freedom in Congo Square is set in New Orleans during the Civil War period.
Solar panels are going onto the roof at Church of the Red Rocks! They anticipate a savings of about $1000/month in the electric bill.
Mary H and John M, members of First Congregational in Albuquerque, participated in the “Día de Acción del Inmigrante y Trabajador 2025” (“Immigrant & Workers’ Day of Action 2025”) on Feb. 3. One of the many posters at the march and rally translates “Essential Workers Are Family.” This event was organized by a coalition of immigrant-advocacy organizations, and attended by over 1000 members of immigrant community groups and allies. The event highlighted legislation that would protect and serve immigrants in New Mexico, regardless of citizenship status.
It has been a long practice of churches to open their doors to immigrants faced with threats of deportation as part of their ministry. United Church of Christ congregations have quite a few stories to share of families, including young children, who were able to walk free in 2021 after years of finding sanctuary in North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Ohio churches. The practice has been protected since 2011 by federal guidance restricting immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” like churches and schools. As the Trump administration recently reversed the policy and withdrew these protections, many churches are discerning how to move forward. A coalition of Quaker groups has already sued to block enforcement. To aid congregations, UCC leaders have created new resources for faith communities who love and serve immigrants in a variety of ways. Read
On February 12, members of First Church Phoenix will gather at the Arizona Capitol to challenge themselves and urge legislators to address the climate crisis that is threatening life on planet Earth. Folks can listen to compelling speakers and have an opportunity to visit with legislators. A charred and smoldering scene is depicted in this year’s graphic for Environmental Day at the Capitol. In the background they’ve placed the “climate stripes,” the progression from blue (cooler) to red (warmer) stripes portrays annual increases of global average temperature since 1850 (left side of graphic) until today (right side).
First Congregational Albuquerque is delighted to announce that Rev. Traci Blackmon will preach at their worship service on Sunday, May 4th, the day after the Annual Meeting. All are invited to worship at 10:30 am.
From Open Table Connection at UNM & CNM:
This month we are celebrating Black History Month by exploring Black Liberation Theology, Womanist Theology, and the Civil Rights Movement. We will begin our journey with an introduction to James Cone's works. We will learn about criticism of his work from Womanist Theologian, Jacquelyn Grant. We will also learn about Bayard Rustin and his LGBTQIA+ activism within the Civil Rights Movement.
Join us on Thursdays from 5pm-7:30pm for free dinner, dialogue, and activities.
