Rock the Week

4 January 2023

This Week at Shadow Rock

Back to Business! Shadow Rock Preschool and the church office have returned to standard hours this week. The Preschool is welcoming a new class and new families, the Pandas in the Lime Room.

Christmastide ends tomorrow and the liturgical year moves into Epiphany, a time to recognize subtle and surprising revelations from many sources. During worship, we'll be exploring various prayer practices. During spiritual formation, we'll be sharing our experiences of various prayer practices. After worship, you're invited to Sermon Reboot, a time to "push back" and explore Sunday's sermon topic See you then!

NEW: Love Seed at North Mountain Brewery

We are renewing our devotion and spirit talk time at North Mountain Brewery. Between now and July we will meet at 4 pm on the Sundays of January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, and June 4. Our time together will be informed by the small book and easy read, The Phoenix Affirmations. Check it out:

The Phoenix Affirmations, named for the town in which the principles were created and the mythological bird adopted by ancient Christians as a symbol of resurrection, offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians and others a sense of hope and a more tolerant, joyful, and compassionate message than those we often hear from the media and some Christian leaders. These twelve central affirmative principles of Christian faith are built on the three great loves that the Bible reveals: love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self. They reflect commitments to environmental stewardship, social justice, and artistic expression as well as openness to other faiths. Transcending theological and culture wars, inclusive and generous in spirit and practice, these principles ask believers and seekers alike to affirm their Christian faith in a fresh way.

EVERYONE is welcome! You do not need the book to participate but you can purchase it here. If you have questions, contact Pastor Ken.

Shadow Rock is privileged to host an event with the Phoenix chapter of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. Grandmothers Speak: Past, Present, and Future of Medicine is a free event on January 14, 2023 at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary.

Learn more about the speakers (including Rev. Dr. Patricia StandTal Clarke) by accessing the event flier. This gathering is part of Patricia's work among us as Minister of Wholeness.

Later in the month, we'll welcome Dr. Patricia back to the Shadow Rock pulpit for Health and Wholeness Sunday, January 29. The United Church of Christ has a wealth of resources and advocacy tools for health and wellness. Visit the UCC Wellness Ministries Network here to learn more.

Electronics Recycling in January 2023

Shadow Rock in partnership with AZ StRUT (www.azstrut.org) will be collecting used electronics:

January 6: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

January 7: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

January 8: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Your donation will:

• Help students learn a trade
• Help schools and non-profits get needed equipment
• Prevent electronics equipment from entering our landfills

What donations are accepted? Nearly everything! If it has a power button, it's probably good. Still have questions? Check this list.

Coming Soon:

Let's Find Out!

On January 15, Pastor Ken will host Let's Find Out, in the Narthex family seating area immediately following worship. This is a time for questions and conversations for folks who are considering Shadow Rock membership (claiming!) or an increased commitment to the community.

Claiming Sunday, a celebration of belonging and acceptance, will be January 22. If you're curious about what a renewed or deepened connection to Shadow Rock might look like for you, please reach out to Pastor Ken or click reply to this email.