ROCK THE WEEK
3 March 2021
Third Week of Lent

Beloveds of God, 
You can look behind.
You can search ahead.
God will meet you in between.
God is present.


If you believe this to be so,
If you believe God is
between here and there, between me and you,
Share that good news of peace with your neighbor this week.
Amen.
This Week Online
Wednesday (3/3): Connections Count on Zoom at 7:00 pm
On Wednesdays, we hold space for one another with prayer and listening. Connections Count is a time for compassion and tender care for our community. Click here at 7:00 to participate.

Thursday (3/4): Season of Nonviolence / Spirituality Thursday
Breaking down the distinction between 'sacred' and 'secular' (and a wee bit about the theology of popular culture) - this is the topic for Spirituality Thursday this week, live on the Shadow Rock Facebook page. Catch this short reflection live or tune in later to watch the recording.

Monday (3/8): Small Groups: Season of Nonviolence at 7:00 pm
What if social change is not a matter of working harder but working more joyfully? What if our lives are meant to be love stories? Writer Rivera Sun explores a different kind of activism in her novel Dandelion Insurrection. What's that all about? Join the discussion via Zoom on Monday, March 1. Click here on Monday to participate!

Sunday, March 7
10:00 am Adult Spiritual Formation is on Zoom. Start your Sunday with the link in the worship email. It's the third Sunday in the season of Lent, which means we stand at the halfway point on our way to Easter. Our study this year is a continuation of Season of Nonviolence. This week we're exploring myths about nonviolent action. Curious? Check out this quick article on 'emergent strategy.' 10 o'clock is a good time for listening and exploration. All are welcome!

11:00 am Worship continues on Zoom, until gathering in person is safe. Worship is "what we do" together, celebrating and affirming our community and our symbolic life together. No matter how we gather, all are welcome. It's Amistad Sunday, a marker in our faith history that's both wonderful and sobering. It's a day to think about what we call a comprehensive view of life (see the Shadow Rock Covenant).
More to Explore
This week, let's learn about La Amistad, an important moment in the history of the US and the United Church of Christ. In 1839, 55 Africans who had been captured in the slave trade struck out for their freedom while being transported out of Havana, Cuba, on a schooner called La Amistad. The captives successfully took over the ship and ordered the crew to sail back to Africa, but weeks later the ship ended up far north, at the tip of Long Island, New York. U.S. officials boarded the ship, arrested the captives and jailed them in Connecticut. There they were befriended by Christian abolitionists, many belonging to churches that are now part of the UCC. The abolitionists hired lawyers, including former President John Quincy Adams, to appeal the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which declared the captives free in 1841. This abolitionist victory helped create momentum for the formation in 1846 of the American Missionary Association. This interracial agency’s work in education, discipleship and justice eventually became part of the national mission structure of the UCC which continues to this day.
There is an increase of activity of refugees moving across the border and through the immigration system. Since 2021 began, the Phoenix Welcome Center (WC) has given hospitality to 1800 people. This flow of individuals and families can be between 50 to 90 people a day. How can you help if you feel called to do so?
• Volunteer! Please be prepared to wear a mask and help remind others to do the same. One area that needs consistent support is the clothing room. Spanish fluency is awesome, but not required. To get started, reach out via email.
• Donate! The Center currently needs underwear, socks (men, women, and children), and jackets. If you have items to donate, please contact Pastor Ken.

Folks from Shadow Rock were around for the beginning of the Welcome Center and its work continues. We are proud of our involvement in immigration service, advocacy, and reform.
We're doing great things! Take a moment for gratitude and a deep breath. Solution Church's Pastor Francis was highlighted this week in the newsletter of the Refugee and Immigrant Service Provider Network. During the pandemic, members of Solution Church have been supported in so many ways, including home visits and nutritional support in the form of familiar foods. The Shadow Rock Pastor's Charitable Fund has supported the leadership of Solution Church as they support newly arrived refugees primarily from the great lakes region of Africa. A huge thank you to Pastor Francis and to all the donors to the Pastor's Charitable Fund. Together, we're making refugees feel at home in Arizona.

Shadow Rock's 2021 Lenten Offering is directed to RIP Medical Debt. This offering will provide real relief to families and individuals whose medical debt has become a huge burden. Our offering at Shadow Rock will join gifts from other Southwest Conference churches and the Conference Executive Board to provide local debt relief within our conference's geography: Arizona, New Mexico, El Paso TX, and the Navajo Nation. Make your gift securely online here or write Lent Offering/RIP Medical Debt on the memo line of your check.
colorful-flowers.jpg
We're joining the family of Russ Killip in sadness and grief. Russ, who had been living recently in Chula Vista, died last week. He loved music and was a faithful and talented member of the Shadow Rock Cornerstone Chorale for many years. His final resting place will be the Shadow Rock Festival Garden. If you would like to send condolences, please email Lois to get a current address.
UPDATE! Free assistance with tax filing for 2020 began last Thursday, February 25. Over 40 people came to our campus last week for this opportunity. It's going to get even busier, but there are still a few appointments available. This service through AARP will continue through mid-April. Hours on Thursdays are 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. We're so pleased to be able to use our campus in ways that benefit our community. To make an appointment, visit Aarptaxaidebeuf.setmore.com or call 480-463-4912 or 623-252-1567.
Reminders While the Campus is Closed
  • The United States Postal Service is experiencing service delays due to the pandemic. If you are sending mail that needs special attention, please contact Heidi.
  • If you need any assistance securing groceries, medicine or toiletries, please contact us via email. We want to do our best to make sure everyone is safe and well.
  • One of the most important things we can do for each other during this time of isolation and distance is to keep in touch. Until we can be with one another safely face-to-face, take some time to call, text, or email one of your Shadow Rock friends. 
Supporting Shadow Rock
Thank you for your love and support of Shadow Rock! Your support of the Shadow Rock General Fund is more important than ever. If you have questions about giving electronically, please reach out to Heidi. You can give to the General Fund (also to special offerings, Pastor's Charitable Fund or Facilities Improvement Fund) by clicking the yellow donate button below.

Did you know? You can find previous weeks' worship emails, Rock the Weeks that you might have missed, and COVID data tracking by going to our website and clicking "News" at the top of the page.
Rock the Week is published each Wednesday, and covers the upcoming week and future special events. To submit content or offer comments, please email karen@shadowrockucc.org.