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

Was 300 doses enough? Not even!

We received word over the weekend that, under the leadership of Dr. Rev. Patricia StandTal Clarke, we'll be receiving another 400 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Distribution is planned for this coming Saturday, April 17 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and next Tuesday, April 20 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please reach out to your friends and neighbors to spread the word.

More vaccination opportunities mean more good news for our community... and the gospel means 'good news!' If you or someone in your circle needs a vaccine, please use this SignUp Genius link to reserve a dose. For everyone, keep track of our progress and see photos coming soon on the Shadow Rock Facebook.

One more link... It takes a lot of smiling volunteers to make vaccination events happen! If you want to be part of the team, take a look at this schedule of volunteer shifts and tasks.
This Week Online
Wednesday (4/14): 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 (4/15): Spirituality Thursday
A short reflection on leaving behind purity culture and the new life that offers - 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.

Monday (4/19): Small Group at 7:00 pm
During Eastertide, we'll be on Zoom Monday evenings for an exploration of Easter stories, Easter appearances, and Easter creativity. What does resurrection art from different parts of the world tell us about how our spiritual ancestors understood Easter? What does our own creativity tell us about ourselves? Click here on Monday to participate. For questions, email Karen.

Sunday, April 18
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 writing our own psalms. We're testing technology to make sure 10 o'clock feels participatory for everyone. All are welcome!

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.

For Zoom congregants, we continue to experiment with ways to enhance your worship experience with additional ways to interact. No matter who you are (or how you participate), you are welcome here.
Learn and Explore
We're excited to share the totals from our 2021 Lenten Offering, RIP Medical Debt. Donations for this special offering were $2495, which will add significantly to the total raised through the Southwest Conference UCC to help free individuals and families from medical debt. In our conference geography (Arizona, New Mexico, El Paso TX, and the Navajo Nation), over half a million dollars of debt will be erased. Thank you for your support of this life-enhancing effort!
Our connections with the network of good and faithful people who are working to welcome migrants and refugees continue. Shadow Rock was part of the effort in the Valley to create The Welcome Center and our support of the center continues. If you feel a call to volunteer, please email them to get started.

Putting ourselves to work in the world blesses the world and the workers!
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. While it's so tempting to jump into action, un-doing centuries of white supremacy is a heavy lift! Take time to learn, read, reflect, and grow. This reading list 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. Our topic this past week was building home altars and we looked to Day Schildkret's Morning Altars for inspiration. Check out Day's blog or short film to add some beauty to your day. On April 18, we'll look to the Psalms for inspiration... and then write our own.
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 karen@shadowrockucc.org.