He Is Risen! Now What?

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe,

sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

But he said to them, "Do not be afraid; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,

who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.

Look, there is the place they laid him.

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;

there you will see him, just as he told you."

So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them;

and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. 

– Gospel of Mark 15:5-8

On Easter Sunday, we remembered the stories of how life without God invites chaos and dissolution. We celebrated Jesus’ trust in God, his receiving God’s Spirit, and how this creates in the chaos, fills the emptiness, and brings the scattered and dissipated “back together.” 

The resurrection, and the Way this reveals, is indeed good news for us and for the world. This is why we celebrate on Easter Sunday, why the liturgy, songs, and prayers are so full of joy and delight. However, as our reading from Mark’s gospel shows, Easter is not meant to be the end of the story. The women at the empty tomb hear the news of resurrection: how God chooses to bring the broken back together, to heal the wounds, to redeem the lost, and to shine light into the shadows. Then Mark ends his gospel with the words quoted above, telling us that the women fled because they were terrified, and said nothing to anyone.

Why this ending? I believe Mark invites us into the story. He leaves the ending incomplete because this is a “never-ending story.” Jesus is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Mark invites us to ask: Now what? What are you going to do? How are we going to follow? How will we choose to walk in the way of “losing” old ways of life, and trust God to bring us “back together” in newness of life? How will we be part of God’s reign of restoring compassion, justice, and mercy? How will we choose to be filled and empowered by the Spirit and live lives of self-offering, like Jesus?

I trust that as we live into these questions, the resurrection story will indeed continue -- in us and through us, by God’s grace and in the Spirit’s power. Come and see!

Love in the Risen Christ,

Pastor Michael

Listen to the Messages Online: Video Link. 

LGBTQ+ + Potluck = Food and Fellowship Opportunity

CAUCC's newly formed LGBTQ+ group is gathering for a potluck this Sunday, April 7th, beginning at 1:00 pm at Laura Clymer's house. Laura will provide the hamburgers and fixings. Bring a dish to pass, and a beverage if you prefer something other than tea or lemonade. Email the church office for address details. Want more information? Call Laura and leave a message at 520-297-3973. 

 Next Sunday Series

Next Sunday Series: Living Into the Resurrection

After Easter, we have a Sunday morning 11:00 am series that invites us to “live into resurrection.” The story of Easter remains just a story if we do not connect with the Spirit and one another, and, like Jesus, begin living into newness of life. We have a variety of offerings led by members and guests to help us find ways to live into resurrection -- ways of peace, healing, generosity, and hope in our everyday lives. Please sign up (indicate if you will be more likely joining in person or via Zoom): Click here to sign up.

Sunday, April 14: A Brief Introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and the Potential to Transform Relationships

So often words are weaponized, violence and coercion are seen as the answer to challenges. Jesus lived trusting in God and taught a path characterized by

non-violence. 

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a communication process designed to radically shift the way we think and use language in everyday situations to enhance the quality of our relationships with colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors. In this session, we’ll learn how to communicate in a way that invites more goodwill into our lives to better meet everyone’s needs.  

• Facilitator: Paige Hector, LMSW, is a consultant and nationally recognized speaker and writer with over 25 years’ experience in post-acute and long-term care settings. Paige writes extensively on topics relevant to nursing homes including multiple chapters of Managing the Long-Term Care Facility, 2nd Edition due for publication in 2024. She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Caring for the Ages, the publication for AMDA, The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. She is actively involved in the AMDA Education Committee; the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup; and the Behavioral Health Advisory Council, as well as national work groups to improve trauma-informed care. In 2018, she was named the Gerontologist of the Year for the Arizona Geriatrics Society. Gypsy Lyle connected Paige with CAUCC!

Sunday, April 21: Healing from Trauma

Experiencing trauma, and extending care and community to those struggling with the results of trauma, causes both emotional and pain. As a volunteer disaster responder one of Rev. John Cheek’s roles is equipping both trauma survivors and their caregivers with the tools to diminish the damage which grows out of trauma. These tools are useful in our day-to-day lives, as well as in those times of acute trauma. John is very happy to share these tools with us!

• Facilitator: The Rev. John Cheek is an Arizona native who grew up in the small farming community of Elfrida. He served as a police officer in southern Arizona for twenty-four years. To his complete surprise, God called him into an ordained ministry role, so, at the age of forty-four, he began an eight-and-a half-year Master of Divinity program at Fuller Theological Seminary. In ordained and non-ordained roles, John served churches in Arizona and New Mexico for twenty-six hears. Although he will continue is disaster work and will preach on occasion, John retired at the end of 2023. 

A Faith In Action Challenge #1

What are we really doing for the least of these?

Is CAUCC making a transformational impact within and outside its walls by its mission and outreach?

The easy and short answer is, “Of course!” Members of CAUCC individually and as a congregation regularly provide financial support and volunteers to help improve the lives of others. Can we do more? Always! Would you like to be a part of planning as to what “more” could mean at CAUCC or for its individual members? 

Your Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions invites those who are interested, or simply curious, to join in a brief conversation in McNear Hall following Sunday services on April 7th, 14th, or 21st. MJAM’s goal with these meetings is to identify a core group of individuals to work as a Justice Team in identifying and implementing justice advocacy activities for the congregation. Are you interested in speaker forums or topical book studies focused on the roots of social injustices or marginalization within our society? Do current events motivate you to advocate or protest injustice? Have you considered how we as a congregation or individuals can more meaningfully engage in conversations and relationships with those who are easily dismissed or unheard?  Your input as we go forward is both needed and valued. 

MJAM asks that you consider this week, and in the weeks following Easter, what more we can do to live into God’s promise of abundant love, healing, and justice so that message may be more meaningfully heard by and transform others. We also ask that you set aside a few minutes after the Sunday service beginning April 7th to help lead or direct us on this journey.

May the blessings of Easter be with you and guide you in bringing Christ’s message of love, peace, and hope to others!

Submitted by the Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions

Almost There!

POZ CAFÈ

Thanks to your generosity, we now only need 84 more deodorants and 60 more small boxes of Kleenex. These items are $1.25 each at some dollar stores (we have the 40 bottles of laundry detergent). Please bring items to the narthex the next two Sundays. If you have items but can't bring them in, I am happy to pick them up.

Jane Pendley (520) 437-9111