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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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Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
– Isaiah 62:4-5
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Where do we look for love? In church communities we have stories and traditions that point us in good directions, but even so, we often look for love, for home, for comfort in what we can plan, manage, and control. We have created programs, activities, capital campaigns, building projects, and kept ourselves very busy “running the church.” In general we might look for purpose and meaning and comfort in leaders, institutions, and the latest product. But without centering in the infinite Source of love, our energies run low, we experience burn out, we may feel like “bowing out” (per Martin Luther King story in this week’s worship) in the midst of fear or despair as chaos and threats swirl.
As Isaiah reminded us this past week, our true home and our source of life and energy that empowers giving, living, and loving is found as we seek God first. As St. Augustine put it, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you, O Lord.” When we look for love by following the Way of Jesus, by letting ourselves be engaged by the Spirit, we find what we and the world so deeply need. Instead of “bowing out,” we can “bow down” in humility and openness, and be infused with Christ, immersed in Spirit, and be better empowered to live in committed self-offering for ourselves, our neighbors, those we see as strangers, and, yes, even our enemies.
To that end, have you practiced the “Yeshua” contemplative prayer we talked about on Sunday (take home prayer in the Sunday bulletin)? How has that been for you? I would love to hear. May Yeshua, the saving loving presence of God, be received in us and shared by us in the days to come.
Love,
Pastor Michael Bush
Listen to or download the messages online: click here.
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Desserts for Primavera Men’s Shelter Meal
The Primavera Team cooks and serves the meal for the men at the shelter once a month…
We ask you to provide the dessert. For January, please bring 2 to 4 dozen cookies or brownies-if there is some kind of pink/Valentine decorations on them, even better. We need them into the kitchen by tomorrow, January 22nd by 12:00 noon.
The men at the shelter and the Primavera Team always appreciate your donations! Thanks from your Primavera Meal Team
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This Sunday, Jan. 26th, 8:30 am in the Chapel.
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Birthday Party Invitation
Save the date. You are invited to a party celebrating Gypsy and David Lyle's birthdays.
Saturday February 1st, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Brother John's Beer, Bourbon and Barbeque, 1801 N. Stone
Please RSVP by January 27th as we need to notify the caterer of the number to expect: Gypsy 520-869-7188 or David 520-981-0592. Home phone 520-887-4933.
No gifts, just your presence will be gift enough.
We consider our Casas Adobes UCC friends our extended family.
We hope to see you there.
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Sunday series starts in February
Better Stories
Learning@11 on Sundays, Feb. 9, 16 and 23 with Michael Bush
The stories we hear and tell inform and shape the stories we live and create. You are invited to join with Pastor Michael for a Sunday series that will lift up some of the stories we have heard about our world (might makes right, survival of the fittest, other conventional wisdom) and stories we have heard about ourselves (what did you hear from parents? Peers? Religious leaders?). Then we will look at stories told by those seeking divine purpose in our Scriptural and faith tradition. How do the God stories differ from the conventional wisdom?
Finally, we will explore ways we can both tell and live into better stories, ones that are life-giving for us and for those around us. How do we speak and live into stories of compassion, healing, justice, and love?
Pastor Michael will share some readings and videos ahead of time in preparation for the sessions, so please sign up if you plan to attend any of these Sunday mornings so that you will receive the materials. When you sign up, please indicate if you plan to be in person or on Zoom (and a Zoom link will be sent to you). Sign up by clicking here.
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Worship Arts Team Update
Two years ago, the Worship Arts Team (WAT) was formed. The goal of this new committee is to have our worship space complement the liturgical seasons. We hope that you have enjoyed the progressive changes to the sanctuary during the seasons of Lent, Ordinary time, and Advent. We also hope that you have enjoyed the various banners (old and new) and the displays on the chancel shelf (just below the twisted cross) which reflect the current liturgical season or a particular Sunday in the church calendar.
As part of the ongoing creative plans of WAT, a new high table was built to display donated fresh flower arrangements on Sunday mornings. The table will be in front of the pulpit any Sunday that there are donations of flowers. This placement will give both our in-person and on-line attendees a beautiful view of the flowers.
Thank you all for your support of WAT and thank you Charlie Wippermann for creating the new table.
The Worship Arts Team
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Keeling!!!
A follow-up on our Keeling Toy Drive: we had 31 families "shop" for Christmas toys (provided by this generous congregation!) making for 75 very happy children. Again, thank you CAUCC for your generosity and caring!
An unusually large contingent of church volunteers staffed this month’s Food Pantry at Keeling School. We served 76 families (encompassing 367 individuals) with an abundance of fresh produce in addition to the usual staples. The afternoon was rewarding for all.
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Date Change!
Our annual TIHAN lunch, Poz Café, is usually set for April. However, they do not have a host for their February lunch and the supplies we get for them.
Save the date of Thursday, February 20th for our hosting of this event.
As soon as we can, we will let you know what donated supplies they need. You can always send a check with Poz Café in the memo or click here online and add Poz Café in the memo there.
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Spiritual Formation Group with Pastor Michael
Tuesdays at 11:00 am, Room 3
(in-person or online) See article below New Year...
Centering Prayer with Pastor John
Tuesdays at 12:00 noon, Room 1
(in-person) Resumed Jan. 7
Pondering Class with Pastor John
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
on Zoom
Times of Trouble/Times of Hope; Jan. 22, 29, and Feb. 5
“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
Spiritual Formation Group with Pastor Michael
(on Zoom) Thursdays, 6:30 pm
See article below New Year...
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New Year, New Books, New Opportunities
CAUCC has two Spiritual Formation Groups that meet weekly. The members of the groups have covenanted to be present for one another (and let each other know when they cannot make it), to share honest questions and experiences, to hold in confidence what other people share, and to pray for and with one another. Both groups move through various Biblical books as the centering place for conversation.
Both groups have new books we are starting this New Year! And this is a good time to try one of them out (although you are welcome to try out the groups any time).
The Thursday evening group begins the Gospel of Mark. They meet via Zoom on Thursdays 6:30 to 7:30 pm, except on the second Thursday when our spiritual formation opportunity takes the form of Taizé worship in the sanctuary. This book, believed to be the first of our four Gospels written, helps us explore the life and ministry of Jesus and ponder what that means for us here and now.
The Tuesday morning group begins the Book of Acts in a few weeks. They meet in hybrid format (in person at CAUCC or on Zoom) Tuesdays 11:00 12:00 noon. This book looks at what happens after Jesus is no longer physically with his disciples and how they continue the transformative work. We will then talk about how that connects for our own time and place.
Both groups are facilitated by Pastor Michael. If you would like to come to one of them, please let us know by clicking here for Tuesdays, and/or Thursdays, click link here.
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Library: Puzzles and Sale
The Library committee is pleased to announce that jigsaw puzzles are available for check out. They are located on the top shelves in the library. Each puzzle has a check out card you can sign, date and leave on the library table. Please limit to one puzzle at a time.
We are appreciative all of the puzzle and book donations we have received and continue to accept additional donations. Our Annual Book Sale will be Saturday, February 15th. (Some on Sunday, too!)
And don't forget...
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Turbo Time is our community building time held twice a month during worship. Turbo Time ramps up church to experience the Biblical principles of kindness, empathy and love.
(First and third Sundays every month in Rooms 5/6.)
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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 at www.amphi.com. 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.
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Donations from 2024 Rummage Sale | |
| Casa De Los Niños | $825 | | Casa Maria Soup Kitchen | $825 | | Interfaith Community Services (ICS) | $500 | | Keeling Elementary for 2025 Teacher's Appreciation Lunch | $1,000 | | La Casa Shelter | $825 | | More Than a Bed | $825 | | Our Family Services | $825 | | Primavera Foundation | $825 | | TIHAN | $400 | | Youth On Their Own (YOTO) | $825 | | CAUCC Campus/Office Needs | $1,000 | | CAUCC Good Samaritan Fund | $400 | | CAUCC Scholarship Fund | $500 | |
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| | Total | $9,575 | | |
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Wednesday, January 22
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10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, 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 Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
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6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
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7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
Thursday, January 23
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8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread on Ina
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9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
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6:30 pm Spiritual Formation Class w/Pastor Michael Click here to sign up
Friday, January 24
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10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Saturday, January 25
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9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Sunday, January 26 Annual Congregational Budget Meeting
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8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Service Chapel
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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)
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10:30 am Community and Coffee McNear Hall 7-10
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11:00 am Family Funday Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239
Monday, January 27
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1:00 pm Compassion on the Border Meeting Room 3/Zoom
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3:30 pm Campus Cleaning Entire Campus
Tuesday, January 28
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11:00 am Spiritual Formation Class w/Pastor Michael Room 3/Zoom Click here to sign up
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12:00 noon Centering Prayer Room 1
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1:30 pm Staff Meeting (Office closed for 1/2 hour)
Wednesday, January 29
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10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, 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 Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
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6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
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7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
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Barry, Building Maintenance Manager's hours:
Tuesday through Thursday till 3:00 pm.
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Scam Alert:
Always check the email address of messages received--
if the email is not from the ministers and office staff addresses above, SCAM!
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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. | |
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Council Meetings and Minutes
Council meetings are open to any member of the CAUCC community. Next meeting is today, January 21st, 4:00 pm on Zoom. Approved November 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:
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