ROCK THE WEEK
21 April 2021
~Peaceful Eastertide Greetings~
Vaccine Updates

So many vaccine doses - so many arms - so many wonderful volunteers!

Distribution of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines continued this week on Saturday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 20. On May 1, we will have another vaccine event, hoping to reach more neighbors with a first dose and the folks who received a first dose at our first event on April 3 who will be eligible for their second dose. Please reach out to your friends and neighbors to spread the word.

The gospel means 'good news!' We celebrate this community health effort and give heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped it come together. Celebrations continue!
Our Community This Week
Wednesday (4/21): Connections Count on Zoom at 7:00 pm
On Wednesdays, we share our love and concern with one another through prayer and connection. Zoom is the space for bringing our celebrations and our sorrows. This time together keeps us joined at heart! Click here TONIGHT at 7:00 to participate.

Thursday (4/22): Spirituality Thursday
A short how-to on breath prayers to honor our ancestors - this is our topic for Spirituality Thursday this week, live on the Shadow Rock Facebook page. Catch this short video live or tune in later to watch the recording.

Sunday, April 25
Adult Spiritual Formation will be meeting in our new hybrid format (Zoom and in the Multipurpose Room) this Sunday at 10:00 am. April's topic is "Inventive Faith," a time to explore the connections between spirituality and creativity. This week, we're talking about sharing our stories, why and how. New technology is helping make the 10 o'clock hour fun and participatory for everyone.

Worship In-Person: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Worship on Zoom or Streaming: 11:00 am
Make the reservation form part of your weekly routine! Click the big button below to let us know that you're coming this week. It just takes a moment, and it can also be a reminder to hold our community in prayer in the middle of a busy week.

After the 11:00 am service, Zoom folks and in-person folks can both dive into Ken's sermon topic with a discussion question or two. Join us in the Multipurpose Room or just stay on Zoom for a deep diving Afterparty!
Learn and Explore
This weekend is the Southwest Conference Annual Meeting. The churches and ministry settings of Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso will gather on Zoom to strengthen and celebrate our covenants and relationships. The theme of Annual Meeting is 'Both/And.' Delegates will hear from church leaders close by and far away, as we all move toward making church happen in multiple formats. We celebrate the time and energy offered by Shadow Rock's delegates and look forward to hearing more!

Annual Meeting worship services are Friday evening at 7:00 pm and Sunday morning at 9:00 am available on the SWC YouTube Channel. Friday's service includes a sermon from our own Rev. Liana Rowe, celebrating her retirement. We appreciate your ministry, Rev. Liana!
"Let us be relentless..." This was the prayer offered by Tim Schmaltz and Barbara Zaborowski last week at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Our faithful 'showing up' at ICE binds us in solidarity with immigrant communities and reminds us of our deep connections and values. Read the statement and prayer here.

Photo above is from an earlier visit. Thank you Barbara and Tim for representing Shadow Rock on Saturday, April 17.
We're using Rock the Week to share anti-racism resources as our congregation continues work to de-center whiteness and reckon with our nation's history of racism and colonialism. The Southwest Conference is deep in this work as well. The conference Racial Justice Committee recommends Andres Resendez's The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America. Taking time to learn, read, reflect, and grow is hard work. Expanding your reading can be a starting place.
Nourish to Flourish! Last Sunday was our first foray into a new hybrid format for spiritual formation. If you appreciated Sunday School over your last cup of coffee - or even in your jammies - you're invited to continue. This past week, we looked to the Psalms for a model of human honesty and shared our own difficult feelings. On April 25, we'll tell our stories and strive to listen compassionately.
Supporting Shadow Rock
Thank you for your love and support of Shadow Rock! The Shadow Rock General Fund makes our ministry possible. If you have questions about giving electronically, contact Heidi. You can give to the General Fund and to special offerings by clicking the yellow donate button below.
Rock the Week is published each Wednesday, and covers the upcoming week and future special events. To submit content or offer comments, please email [email protected].