Rock the Week

30 November 2022

This Week at Shadow Rock

Sunday morning Spiritual Formation is at 9:00 am for adults in the Multipurpose Room. Pastor Ken is leading adults through a series on trust. This topic wraps up this week. Children will be having their usual scripture and prayer time, along with stories and crafts for Advent. December 11 and 18 will be multi-age gatherings, with an opportunity to explore different aspects of the Christmas story.

After worship, you're invited to a festive potluck in Smith Hall. Please bring a nut-free dish of your choosing to share with your Shadow Rock family.

It's Time... For Advent Joy

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

• Thank you to everyone who embraced Advent Decorating during worship on the 27th. A few minutes of chaos... but a lovely end result.
• This week is the last opportunity to register for the Advent Prayer Retreat (6:00 pm on Monday, December 5). Here's what to expect: a quiet space, candles, soft music, and journaling prompts/supplies - maybe an invitation to a different kind of prayer experience. If you are looking for a less stressful, more spiritual approach to the holiday season, consider this time a gift to yourself. Email Karen to register.
• Christmas Eve worship will be at 5:00 pm on Saturday, December 24. Childcare is available during this service. It's time to invite friends and neighbors to join you for music, candlelighting, and joy!
• Christmas Morning worship will be at 10:15 am on Sunday, December 25. Festive attire and pajamas are all welcome. 

Reminders for Safety and Inclusion 

Shadow Rock is a place characterized by trust and care. We love each other! It's in this spirit of connection that we share these health and safety reminders with you:

• It's 100% OK to wear a mask and keep your distance on the campus! COVID and influenza are really prevalent right now. Especially for folks with immune conditions or other health concerns, masking is a great idea.
• Similarly, RSV is a problem for many, and babies are particularly susceptible. Be spaciously respectful with your greetings to families with wee ones!
• It's not too late to get a flu vaccine for this winter season. Flu vaccination can decrease the likelihood of infection by 40% to 60%.
• Maybe it's a good time to check your personal hygiene practices. If you've gotten less vigilant about covering coughs and washing hands frequently, step it up, friend!

Inclusion is one of our core values, and we are always looking for ways to put inclusion into practice.

• Be mindful of campus parking and keep vehicles away from red curbs, especially in front of the Kreider Center classrooms. Let's work together to keep this area clear for accessibility and emergency response.
• When you're worshipping in person, please cheerfully use a microphone when one is offered for your use. People with hearing impairments and our Zoom congregants want to hear what you have to say and appreciate your thoughtfulness.

We're in this thing called life TOGETHER! If you would like to suggest other safety and inclusion reminders, please reply to this email to reach the staff.

Our Whole Lives For the Community

Shadow Rock will be offering Our Whole Lives comprehensive, values-based human sexuality education beginning in January 2023. This offering is for junior high and senior high youth, with groups for 7th grade through 12th grade. Please reach out to your friends and neighbors to let them know about this nationally known program that's led jointly by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Information sessions are December 7 and 8. This is a great time to learn more and ask questions. For more information about Shadow Rock's OWL Program, please email Karen. To learn more about OWL's values and vision, check out their digital home!

Turkey Trot and Advent Envelopes

We're surely hoping that our whole Shadow Rock family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Gratitude continues (of course!), including everyone who supported Desert Mission Food Bank's Turkey Trot this year. Our community's giving was over $800 this year.

Also, you might have noticed that paper worship bulletins this week included an Advent Giving envelope. This offering will support the Facilities Improvement Fund.

Tai Chi in 2023

It’s not too early to plan your New Year’s Resolutions! Consider studying Tai Chi, the art of moving meditation. Peg Hesley will be starting classes in January 2023 in her home studio not far from the church, and is offering a discount to Shadow Rockers. Check out www.peghesley.com for program details under the Tai Chi tab, then let her know if you prefer a morning or evening class.