Rock the Week for March 2
~Your Weekly Dose of Shadow Rock News~
It's Ash Wednesday Today

Welcome to the season of Lent. Lent is a season of preparation leading us to the joy of Easter. This year, spiritual formation topics and worship themes will coordinate around trauma and harm in faith communities. Here's all you need to know:
  • You're Invited: a short and simple but prayerful Ash Wednesday service this evening on the Sanctuary Vista (the area outside the upper level elevator) - tonight at 6:15 pm, just in time for sunset.
  • Spiritual Formation Wednesday Small Group: on Zoom beginning March 9 at 7:00 pm. This will be a quieter, more reflective version of the Sunday morning discussions.
  • Lent is often a time for contemplation and change. This could include additional giving. Our Lenten offering will support the Refugee Resettlement Fund. This fund is powering our life-giving work with refugees, in partnership with families and community agencies. This season is just right for prayerful consideration of giving.
  • Some folks find that additional service is just right for Lent. For new opportunities to help (that you may find meaningful), see the Ktizo Corner below.

Whatever spirit you bring to your Lenten journey is welcomed and affirmed. See you at hybrid worship this coming Sunday!
An Unexpected Update from
RIP Medical Debt

Remember our 2021 gifts to RIP Medical Debt? This was spotted on Twitter earlier this week:

'Has anyone heard of a company called RIP Medical Debt? I just opened a piece of mail announcing that they have "abolished the above referenced medical bill that we bought from your collection agency. This abolishment is a no strings attached gift" and I'm literally crying.'

It's great to see our giving making a difference in the world. Thank you!
Ktizo Corner

Members of Shadow Rock are meeting regularly with members of Ktizo United Church of Christ to explore a relationship between the two congregations. Ktizo offers an ongoing and extraordinary ministry to the community within its neighborhood by serving free dinners, access to a clothes closet, and showers to the homeless who inhabit the adjacent park. They average 20-30 folks at the table each Wednesday. We can use your help and extend this invitation to serve. If you’d like to donate to this effort, here is a list of items needed on a regular basis: men’s pants and jeans (32x34), seasonal clothes for all, travel-size deodorant and toothpaste; also needed are toothbrushes, sunscreen, skin lotion, shampoo and body wash as well as men and women’s underwear (all sizes). These items can be left in the grocery cart by the elevator in front of Kreider Center each Sunday. If you’re able to help in person, please contact Ktizo (480) 215-6297; you’ll be glad you did. If you’d like to contribute financially, please see Pastor Ken. 
Fun and Exciting Our Whole Lives Updates

Maybe you caught a teaser photo on the Shadow Rock Facebook page yesterday... What was inside all those boxes? Well, here you go: Unboxing OWL Video. It's wonderful that there are so many affirming books for children now. Our new resources include books on consent and boundaries, body positivity, gender expression, and the many beautiful ways that children come into families. Are you a book lover? You're invited to peruse these lovely new books in the Narthex next Sunday after worship. If you have Our Whole Lives questions, FANTASTIC! Please email Karen for information and answers.

Coming soon: additional details about an online adaptation of Our Whole Lives for Older Adults.
Rock the Week is published each Wednesday. 
To submit content or offer comments, please email [email protected].