October 15, 2024

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. 

To submit an article for Tidings, email Anne here by Mondays at 12:00 noon.

Overpowering or Empowering?

 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing;

go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  

When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving,

for he had many possessions. 

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,

"How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the reign of God!" 

– Mark 10:21-23

What do we do with our financial resources? One of the most popular practices is accumulation. We feel the pressure to create some sense of security, to have power over the chaos and scarcity of life, and so we stock up, save up, etc. 

Jesus reveals that often those “riches” have power over us (as we see in the story of the “rich young man,” excerpt above). As we are driven by the pull to accumulate, to succeed, to survive, to stay ahead, and/or to feel secure, money and its related sense of power and control can easily become our “god.” The prophet Amos (our other reading for Sunday) speaks to the reality that our accumulation of wealth also creates economic injustice and systems where a few people have power over others, and those people often wield this power in ways that oppress and harm. These and other reasons likely inform the words of Jesus that it is “hard for those who have wealth to enter the reign of God,” (Mark 10:23). 

But it is not impossible, as Jesus notes a little later in the same passage, “With God all things are possible.” He calls us to continually turn our attention to the Spirit, to open to God’s abundant love and life, and to listen for the ways that God calls and equips us to share what we have and who we are. As we do that, we are entering the “reign of God,” we are connecting with the Wisdom, Justice, and Love that frees us from wealth that has power over us, and frees us for using our resources to empower others -- to help, support, care, and make real the love and justice of God.

What will you do with your “riches” this day?

Love,

Pastor Michael Bush

Watch other recorded messages online: Video Link.  

Sunday Series:

Angels Among Us – That’s You and Me!

11:00 am to 12:00 Noon

Starts October 20th through November 17th

There has often been a fascination with angels. They appear in books, films, artwork, pendants and necklaces. We, of course, know them in our faith tradition in various Biblical stories, best-known at the birth (in Luke) and resurrection (all four Gospels) of Jesus.

The word “angel” in the Biblical languages simply means “messenger.” Someone who brought a message from the king was an angelos (Greek word), for example. In this upcoming five week series, we will be looking at what angels are in the Biblical literature, what are the roles of messengers in the stories, how is it that people hear from God (receive messages), and pondering how we act as messenger (angels) in our own words and actions.

The hope is that a review of some of the Biblical stories and theological reflection help us connect the idea of angel not just with an ancient winged-being, but with the ways Jesus calls us to both receive and be “angels” in the world. This series also ties in with our Stewardship Ministry’s upcoming fall theme, so watch for banners, invitations, and more in October and November.

Pastor Michael will facilitate this discussion. It is helpful to come to as many of the sessions as you can, but you are also welcome no matter how many you can (or cannot) attend. We will offer the sessions also on Zoom. Please sign up and indicate if you will join us in person or online here. 

Inquirer’s Class

On Monday, October 28th from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Pastor Michael will be offering an Inquirer’s class for people interested in learning more about CAUCC and belonging to this community of faith. This will be an in-person class held in Room 3. There is no obligation to join the church if you attend the class, but we would be happy to welcome you into this faith community. Please email the office by Tuesday, October 23rd letting us know if you will be able to attend or not. As you are looking at dates, we plan to welcome new members on Sunday, November 17th during the worship service. 

Join us for Coffee Time this Sunday, October 13th, after service in McNear Hall and hosted by our Stewardship Team!

Intergenerational Funday

Join in! Interfaith Funday, Saturday, October 26th in the church courtyard from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. We will be remembering our beloved family, friends and pets as we set up the memory tables for All Saints and All Souls Day.

Join Us for One of Our Weekly Spiritual Formation Groups!

These groups covenant to connect regularly in community, Scripture reflection, and prayer. You are welcome to try one out at any time!

Spiritual Formation Group

with Pastor Michael

Tuesdays at 11:00 am, Room 3 (in person or online)

Journey through the Gospel of John.

Prayer, sharing, learning, and growing together.

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.

Pondering Class

With Pastor John

Wednesdays at 10:00 am on Zoom

Topic for October: Christian Nationalism

We begin an overview of some of the roots of Christian Nationalism and look at the origins and myths of God-sanctioned government.

October 16th:

Roots of Christian Nationalism Part 3; The Christian Sate: Roma in the Image of Christ

October 23rd: Roots of Christian Nationalism Part 2; Judaic Judges, Kings and Priests: God and Government

Check the calendar at the end of this e-newsletter for Zoom links.

Spiritual Formation Group

with Pastor Michael

Thursdays, 6:30 pm, on Zoom

Journey through the Acts of the Apostles.

Prayer, sharing, learning, and growing together.

For these and other Events, click here!

Two Special Habitat Build Days

Casas Adobes UCC members and friends are encouraged to sign up for either or both of two special Habitat for Humanity build days. 

1. The first is the Rainbow Build at CDP (I-10 and Craycroft) on Saturday, October 19th. Click here for information and to sign up.
2. Build number two is the Veterans Build (Irvington Rd. near the rodeo grounds) on Saturday, November 16th.

Although not on the site yet, volunteers can sign up by going to Habitat for Humanity Tucson (Click here for their website), click on Volunteer, go to Event Listing and Registration, by Event name (Veterans Build) showing “Construction”. The work days will then come up and you can click on one or both of the church opportunities.

There’s an Interfaith Picnic on Saturday, October 19th

Click here to get more information!!

Are you aware that Pastor John

has his own YouTube Channel?

Did you know he does a two minute give or take) Quick Take on the upcoming Sunday Gospel lesson on his channel?

Well - here is last week's Quick Take: Click Here

And his grateful acknowledgement of 44 subscribers!

You will enjoy them and surely want to subscribe!

 Library Books Available

A cart of books from our Mason Memorial Library is in the courtyard most Sunday mornings. Check it out, grab a book or peruse the Library, open after service.  Stop by and say ‘Hi’ to Syd Teague or other Librarians, who can answer any of your Library questions.



Also available at the Sunday Library cart are fabric bookmarks made by Compassion on the Border. These bookmarks make great gifts and all sales go toward humanitarian aid for migrants. 

Welcome Back Snowbirds!



Please let the office know when you have returned to Tucson so the office can update your mailing address. Email Jay at jay@caucc.org. Thank you! 

PCI Joins with League of Women Voters to

Provide Non-Partisan Election Information

This election season, Pima County Interfaith (PCI) has joined with the League of Women Voters to provide timely, useful voting information to as many Pima County voters as we can. Our mission is to provide voters with the tools and information they need to decide for themselves, not to endorse any political candidate, party, or side of any issue. The following link provides you with links to voter information to prepare for the election: https://www.readysetvotetucson.org/. This website also provides links to candidate forums and ballot propositions.

(CAUCC is a member of PCI) 

Wednesday, October 16

• 10:00 am Ponderings with Pastor John, Zoom Ponderings Link or Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704 
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
• 2:00 pm Worship Arts Team Meeting Zoom
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
• 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

Thursday, October 17

• 8:30 Men's Breakfast (Beyond Bread on Ina)
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 6:30 pm Spiritual Life Group with Pastor Michael Zoom (click here to sign up)

Friday, October 18

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 7/8

Saturday, October 19

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, October 20

• 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).
• 9:30 am Turbo Time Rooms 5/6
• 11:00 am Family Funday Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239
• 11:00 am Angels Among Us – That’s You and Me!, with Pastor Michael, Room 3 or Zoom: Class link or Meeting ID: 844 9360 3743 and Passcode: 632864

Monday, October 21

• 3:30 pm Campus Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, October 22

• 11:00 am Spiritual Life Class Room 3/Zoom Click here to sign up
• 12:00 noon Centering Prayer Room 1
• 1:00 pm Staff Meeting (Office Closed)

Wednesday, October 23

• 10:00 am Ponderings with Pastor John, Zoom Ponderings Link or Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704 
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
• 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

Other room rentals may be on campus, but not on this calendar.

The easiest way to contact anyone on staff is to email them directly.

For intentional conversations, appointments work best.

Scam Alert: always check the email address of messages received--if the email is not from the ministers and office staff addresses below, SCAM!

Michael: michael@caucc.org

John: john@caucc.org

Anne: anne@caucc.org

Jay: jay@caucc.org

Darryl: dalking@email.arizona.edu

Ida: imhgnp@msn.com

Member-at-Large, Amy Lincoln: mal.caucc@gmail.com

Staff Meetings are once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month and the office is closed during that time.

Council Meetings and Minutes

Council meetings are open to any member of the CAUCC community. Next meeting, in October TBD, on Zoom. Approved August meeting minutes are available, click here. Email Anne Bailey for the upcoming meeting Zoom link.  

2023 Annual Report

Click here to see our accomplishments last year.

To support the ministry and mission of CAUCC, please donate online here: