Are you concerned about the lack of affordable housing and renter eviction in Maricopa County?

We are hosting a Valley Interfaith Project Housing Team Meeting TODAY, Thursday, February 16, from 6:30 - 7:45pm in the Palo Verde Room. Learn more

Volunteers are needed to pack food boxes of approximately 70lbs that we sell for $15. This is a great chance to spend time in the Arcadia neighborhood, interact with neighbors, reduce food waste and bring healthy food to local families. Our next event is this Saturday, February 18 from 6:00 - 11:00am. If you’re interested, please email Amy.

ASHES: Ash Wednesday is February 22. Drive-thru ashes will be offered in the Tempe parking lot from 11:00am-12:30pm. Ashes will be offered from 11:00am-1:00pm in Arcadia. You are invited to receive ashes and stay awhile afterward to reflect on the beautiful stained-glass windows; a self-guided meditation will be provided.

LABYRINTH WALKS: Walk the Tempe labyrinth on Ash Wednesday, anytime between 5:00 and 7:30pm. Laura Hudson and Rev. Rosemary will light up the labyrinth with candles and be there to answer questions, walk the labyrinth with you, and assist however you need! A portable labyrinth will be available in the Arcadia sanctuary during Lent and may be walked before and after Sunday services as well as on Ash Wednesday.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE: An Ash Wednesday Taizé Service with ashes will be held in the Tempe Sanctuary at 6:00pm.

Our Lenten devotional this year is “Bless the Lent We Actually Have: 40 Days to Reflect, Pray, and Bless Our Imperfect Lives,” by Dr. Kate Bowler. Download the free devotional HERE (scroll down to Daily Devotional Guide For Individual Use). Print copies are available upon request.

Open to all moms in search of a kid-free night out, the Dayspring Moms Fellowship Group will meet for dinner on Friday, February 24 at 7:00pm. Email Andrea for the location, to RSVP, or with questions.

One of our preschool families is coordinating a blood drive at Dayspring on Saturday, February 25 from 1:00-5:00 in the parking lot. The drive in is memory of their daughter and, in addition to saving lives through the blood donations, will raise money for RaeRae of Light, a nonprofit researching and supporting families of children born with congenital heart defects. To make an appointment, register HERE.

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Parable of the Talents is coming up again on February 26 after both services. Children can sign up after Sunday school. If they would like to create something at home or use their other talents to share with the congregation. If you have questions, email Andrea. All money earned goes to the Project Hope clean water project in Africa.

You are invited to attend the Service of Installation of Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut on Saturday, March 11 at 11:00am at St. Matthew UMC (2540 West Baseline Road, Mesa, AZ 85202) with a reception following. The service will also be available via live stream and Zoom. Please register HERE for both in-person and online. Learn more

Medical and dental teams are excited to return to Tochimizolco, Puebla, Mexico for the first time since April 2019! Our team is primarily self funded, with the participants contributing approximately $1500 per person including airfare. However, since we've been gone so long, the clinic needs to be almost completely replenished with supplies. This year, we'd like to include $1700 for medications and basic medical equipment and supplies. Donate securely online HERE. Questions may be directed to Amy Lou Simminger or Bev Muller.

UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is providing aid to those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. They are working with a longstanding humanitarian partner, International Blue Crescent (IBC), which has offices in Turkey to help provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and basic first aid kits.

Donate to UMCOR and IBC's efforts HERE.