February 18, 2025

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.

Bless in the Mess

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled."

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. "

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you,

and defame you on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven;

for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

– Luke 6:20-23

Most people typically use the word “blessing” to indicate approval, i.e., “My mother gave me her blessing about choosing her alma mater for college.” Sometimes people see blessing like a kind of “good luck charm.” I have had people ask me to bless the animals or bless the rings or bless the house as they hold onto the idea that God will protect and preserve the pets or the marriage or the home.

These understandings of blessing can render Jesus’ teaching quite challenging. Is Jesus saying he approves of poverty and grief, and that God will in some sense approve of you in spite of your poverty and grief or even because of your poverty and grief? 

As we noted in worship, the word that comes to us in English as “blessed” was spoken in Hebrew or Aramaic by Jesus. And that word would have been a derivative of barak, which means “to bend at the knee.” To bend at the knee is many times a sign of receptivity to a higher power. When Jesus says that someone is blessed, he could mean that they are open to experiencing the fullness of God. And when we experience the fullness of God, there can be converting chaos into new creation. To be blessed does not mean that God approves of your hard condition or somehow only approves of you because of your condition, but rather that we are positioned to open to God and God can work within us to transform us in this difficult condition and can work through us to bring transformation into the world.

Jesus, in his teaching tells us of different life circumstances that can result in a state of knee-bending, a state of receptivity to the presence, love, life, power, wisdom, and strength of the Spirit.  It is important to note that Jesus does not say that these states of existence automatically mean you are blessed – such that we should try to make ourselves poor or hungry so that we will experience some kind of magical good charm stuff or that we should think that God is magically caring for other people who are struggling. No, he means that even the hard life situations can be opportunities to experience God more fully, to become aware of the truth of our circumstances and invite God’s transforming power to be at work. And that God calls us to be those who then bless others.

In the week ahead we will encounter messes. What might it look like if we invite God to “bless in the mess,” connecting us with greater wisdom and higher power that we can, in the Spirit, create out of the chaos and see the possibilities? And BE the possibilities for others?

Love, 

Pastor Michael Bush



Listen to or download the messages online: click here.

The Tsunami of Current Immigration Changes

We welcome Maurice (Mo) Goldman back to

Casas Adobes Congregational UCC on

Sunday, March 2nd at 11:00 am

Mo is recognized in Tucson, in the state of Arizona, and nationwide as a leading immigration attorney. His presentation will cover the significant, current changes made to our immigration policies, what’s happening on the ground, and how we can work to help immigrants during this difficult time.

To ensure we have space that will comfortably accommodate everyone, or if you choose to attend via Zoom, Compassion on the Border (CoB) invites you to join us by registering on this link.

See additional thoughts from Gypsy Lyle in the Call to Action bulletin board below.

Gentle Yoga and Meditation 

For Members and Friends

Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:30 pm

Starts February 18th in Rooms 5/6

This class designed to improve balance, coordination and manage stress through mindful, gentle poses. There will be 45 minutes seated, standing and floor work followed by 15 min of guided meditation. (Meditation can done on mat or in chair.)

• Please bring your own mat.
• This class is free and is a gift to the community.

Any questions about the class can be directed to Dora Radin, RYT, 

at 520-400-4861 or on email, click here. 

Spiritual Formation Group with Pastor Michael

Tuesdays at 11:00 am, Room 3

(in-person or online) Click here for more info

Centering Prayer with Pastor John

Tuesdays at 12:00 noon, Room 1, (in-person)

Not available on February 25th

Pondering Class with Pastor John 

Wednesdays at 10:00 am, on Zoom

No class February 26th or March 5th

Times of Trouble/Times of Hope

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

We will discuss some of the challenges and injustices of history and the spiritual practices that affirmed life in those times. How do people get through the dark nights?

Centering Prayer with Pastor John

Wednesdays, 12:00 noon, on Zoom

Not available on February 26th

Spiritual Formation Group with Pastor Michael

(on Zoom) Thursdays, 6:30 pm

Click here for more info.

Lenten Series

Faces of Discipleship

Sundays, March 9th through April 13th

Traditionally, the season of Lent has invited faith community members to deepen their spiritual practices to live more fully as disciples of Jesus. The idea is that we then do not just celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, but we are renewed, resurrected to more fully receive, share, and embody God’s loving, just, healing way in the world. In service to that idea, our Learning @ Eleven series this season will be focusing on a different apprentice of Jesus each Sunday in Lent. We will look at some of what we know of each of these disciples from the Scriptures; do some imagining grounded in the Scriptures, and then pay attention to what they experienced of God as they followed Jesus. What did they understand? How does Jesus respond to them? And how does all of this help us follow Jesus in our time and place and BE the Body of Christ in the world?

This series will be led by Pastor Michael, Karen Borek, and Brigid Waszczak. Some of the disciples you would expect (i.e. Simon Peter) and some may be more of a surprise ( i.e. the Samaritan Woman at the Well).

We will be asking you to read some passages ahead of time in preparation for our conversation, so please sign up at this link to receive the materials and so that we can have the space set up appropriately. 

Habitat Help

A few more volunteers are needed for the Casas Adobes Habitat build day at the CHUCK Center on Thursday, February 27th. Sign up and more information will be available after the church service on Sunday, February 23rd in the courtyard.

You Did It!

We needed 360 items for the Poz Cafe CarePackages. You provided a total of 407 dental flosses, boxes of tissues, deodorants as well as donations and seven gift cards for bingo prizes. Your caring means so much to the CarePartners.

Thank you!

Christmas Fund Special Offering

The fall holiday season is treasured as a time of giving and remembrance. During December, our congregation generously contributed $1,750 to the UCC’s 2024 Christmas Fund (Veterans of the Cross) special offering. This offering supports emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks for our denomination’s lower-incomed clergy and lay employees. Thank You for your generosity and ongoing support for this UCC special offering. Indeed, CAUCC donated a total of $6,105 to the denomination’s annual donation drives during 2024. Thank You for recognizing and responding to the needs of those within our faith community as well as the wider community through your contributions to these truly special offerings. 

Café Justo a Mission of CAUCC

Café Justo is a coffee grower cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico that grows, roasts, packages, and ships its own coffee to businesses, organizations, and churches across the United States. In the 1990’s, a 400% drop in international coffee prices forced many farmers to leave their fields to find jobs. Café Justo was founded in 2002 by twenty-six coffee farming families to address the root causes of the migration from their farming communities.

Café Justo grows, roasts, and distributes only its own coffee. Because most of the profit in coffee is from roasting rather than growing, Café Justo is able to provide its member families with higher than Fair Trade prices. Its farming practices also help ensure the cooperative’s sustainability. Its coffee plants are grown in the shade on low acidic volcanic soil, using practices that are less likely to cause erosion or leach nutrients from the soil. Its farmers do not use practices like clear-cutting, thereby protecting bird and wildlife habitat.

Profits from the sale of Café Justo coffee throughout the United States help revitalize the communities of its cooperative members. It has brought families back together and helped support higher education for the children and grandchildren of its founders. All of Café Justo’s growers and employees receive medical benefits and a pension plan. Profits from Café Justo also help support migrant shelters and drug rehabilitation centers, as well as community development projects in Chiapas, where the coffee is grown on the border of Mexico and Guatemala, and in Agua Prieta, where the coffee is roasted, packaged, and shipped in northern Mexico.

Packages of Café Justo coffee are available for purchase after Sunday morning services. Café Justo coffee is also made available for serving during CAUCC’s fellowship activities. All profits from the sale of Café Justo coffee at CAUCC, as well as from the sale of privately donated herbal tea, are used to purchase additional coffee from Café Justo. Thanks to all who continue to support this part of CAUCC’s Mission Ministry!

Click here for the list of March Anniversaries and Birthdays.

Want to reduce your 2024 Arizona income tax liability?

Many students at the Helen Keeling Elementary School in mid Tucson come from low-income families. These students need our help if they are to have the same opportunity for life-enhancing activities available to students in Arizona’s more affluent schools. The Arizona public school tax credit provides that help. It allows Arizona taxpayers, at no cost to the taxpayer, a dollar-for-dollar credit against the individual’s Arizona personal tax liability, with the maximum amount of that offset or credit determined by the taxpayer’s filing status.

As you prepare to file your 2024 Arizona income tax return, please consider taking advantage of Arizona’s public school tax credit by making a monetary donation to the Helen Keeling Elementary School. Checks should be made payable to Keeling Elementary School and may be mailed with a donation form to the school at 2837 N Los Altos Ave. Tucson, AZ 85705. A donation form must accompany the donation. Those forms are available in McNear Hall each Sunday through April 15th and can also be found online. You may also donate online using the same link. Just tap on “I would like to…” to be directed to the school district’s tax credit link. Undesignated donations to Keeling are encouraged since they give the school flexibility to apply the funds where they are most needed. The donation may, however, be designated toward specific uses: art, math, music, orchestra, physical education, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

This tax credit is claimed on Arizona Tax Form 322 filed with your 2024 Arizona tax return. The maximum amount of the school tax credit is again $400 for married filing jointly, $200 for married filing individually, $200 for single filers, and $200 for those filing as head of household. Please consult your tax advisor about your specific situation as it relates to this tax credit. 

Note: Nothing in this request or the brochure made available through CAUCC’s Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions constitutes legal or tax advice. 

Wednesday, February 19

• 10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, 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 Zoom
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
• 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary

Thursday, February 20

• 8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread on Ina
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 6:30 pm Spiritual Formation Class w/Pastor Michael Click here to sign up

Friday, February 21

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Saturday, February 22

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, February 23

• 8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Chapel
• 9:30 am Worship Sanctuary Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (click on the box after 9:25 am
• 10:30 am Community and Coffee McNear Hall 7-10
• 11:00 am Class Series: Better Stories with Pastor Michael Room
• 11:00 am Family Funday Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239

Monday, February 24

• 1:00 pm Compassion on the Border (CoB) Room 3/Zoom
• 3:30 pm Campus Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, February 25

• 11:00 am Spiritual Life Class w/Pastor Michael Room 3/Zoom Click here to sign up
• 12:00 noon Centering Prayer Room 1
• Grief Support, Room 4
• Christian Education Zoom

Wednesday, February 25

• No Spiritual Life Group, Ponderings with Pastor John
• No Centering Prayer 
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
• 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary

The easiest way to contact anyone on staff is to

email them directly.

For intentional conversations, appointments work best.

Pastor Michael: michael@caucc.org

Pastor 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

Scam Alert:

Always check the email address of messages received--

if the email is not from the ministers and office staff addresses above, SCAM!

Staff Meetings are once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm 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 is February 18th, 4:00 pm on Zoom. Approved December meeting minutes are available, click here. Email Anne Bailey for the upcoming meeting Zoom link.  

To support the ministry and mission of CAUCC, 

please donate online here: