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Building Bridges of
Inclusion, Justice, and Spirituality
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No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,
you are welcome here!
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This Sunday at Shadow Rock, 9/17/25
9:00 am
- Childcare is in the Blue Room.
- Sunday School for ages 9 and up in the Green Room.
- Adult Spiritual Formation and Kindlings in the Multipurpose Room. Subject: Building Powerful Local Communities led by Tony Spencer.
- Hospitality Cart with coffee and cookies in the Multipurpose Room.
- Spiritual Play (children 3-8) is in the Turquoise and Purple Rooms.
10:15 am
- Worship in the Sanctuary (childcare is offered in the Blue Room of the Education Bldg., 10 - 11:30 am). Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith is sharing the message. Read her bio below.
11:15 am
- Sermon Reboot experience is ON after worship and will be led by Judy Schwiebert.
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Two new and unique voices in the pulpit for September 21 and 28.
Doctor Gloria will give an overview of the search process on the 21st, and Rev. Troy will give us a Word About Life on the 28th.
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The Reverend Doctor Gloria Smith comes to her new position in the Southwest Conference leadership with a wealth of experience, a varied education, and a deep faith. Raised in Indiana, Gloria holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, an M.B.A. from the University of Indianapolis, M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary, as well as a Master of Arts in Religion. Gloria describes herself as a perpetual student, constantly seeking new knowledge.
Dr. Gloria also brings a rich work history, having served as Senior Minister at Encanto Community Church, adjunct faculty in business for Northern Arizona University and Scottsdale Community College, interim Minister at Desert Surprise UCC in Arizona, Evangelical United Church of Christ, and Pleasant Valley UCC in Indiana, as well as consulting with several UCC churches in SWC. She was the founder and president of Revitalizing Human Potential, Inc., which provided alcohol and drug education to numerous Indiana County Court Systems and offered consulting services to businesses. She has also served as a Supervisor/Counselor for the Marion County Court System. She was grandfathered in as a Master Addiction Counselor through the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Dr. Gloria was awarded the Religious Award from the NAACP of Maricopa County.
Dr. Gloria states that her call to the ministry came in her late teens, and it was unexpected yet inevitable. She views her bi-vocational skills in both business and theology as an asset in her ministry.
Dr. Gloria is a strong leader who has a passion for justice. She has been exposed to prejudice against women, gay people, and people of Native American heritage. She has transformed these experiences into a commitment to creating spaces and policies that reflect the radical inclusion and hospitality of the United Church of Christ.
Dr. Gloria is a deeply committed animal lover, and animals are weekly congregants in her church. Gloria and her spouse, Debbye, live on a horse ranch and share their property with a community of cats while waiting to provide a loving home for a dog in the near future.
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Rev.Troy Jarvis has been a part of our Shadow Rock family for a long time. As a clergy person, he has been a great support to Pastor Ken, and Ken is glad he is filling the pulpit on Sept. 28th.
Troy is a retired PCUSA pastor. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and his M.Div. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.. Along the way, he earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University.
As a pastor, he had parishes in Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. In Arizona, he served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Tuba City on the Navajo Reservation and as Stated Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, while also working as a therapist at Phoenix Interfaith Counseling Service, located at 7th Avenue and Glendale. He was chosen as the first chairman of the Association of Urban Presbyterian Churches.
In addition to his career as a Presbyterian minister, he also has a long history with the church revitalization movement, which includes the Ecumenical Institute, RS1, PJD, and what is now known as Shadow Rock Theology.
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Our Community Cares and Prayers
Debra Baca wrote of her father,
My dad passed away early this morning. Thank you to everyone who commented on my post yesterday. Your kind words mean the world. He was a great father, brother, uncle, cousin, grampa, and great grampa. We will miss him dearly, but it's comforting to know that he's no longer in pain.
Tonight, we're honoring him by watching the Arizona Diamondbacks at volume 80. I love you, Dad!
We will celebrate the life of Edward Ellis at Shadow Rock on October 5th at 2 PM.
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RECOVERY GROUPS AT SHADOW ROCK
Nar-Anon: Mondays @ 6:30 pm Multipurpose Room
Al-Anon: Wednesdays. Beginners @ 6:15 pm Multipurpose Room
Stepping Stones to Serenity: Wednesdays. @ 7:00 pm Smith Hall
Thursdays: Circle of Hope @ 6:15 pm K1
A.A: Thursdays. @ 7:30 pm in Multipurpose Room
For more information, contact the Shadow Rock office at 602-993-0050
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Shadow Rock is going to the Redemptorist Renewal Center!
Shadow Rock Theology Weekend is coming, and it is a big deal!
Thank you to everyone who has committed to attending! We currently have room for 24 adults, and some have already expressed interest in attending. Those who shared you want to attend, please sign up using the link to the right.
Shadow Rock Theology Weekend is an event to explore and delve deeper into Shadow Rock’s unique theological history and identity. The event shares some foundational theological ideas and helps participants discern their relationship to such ideas. We hope that the event raises questions about participants' spiritual journeys and helps them find companions for their journeys. The event brings the symbols of the Cross and the Wedgeblade together, encouraging the question, “How can we be in the right relationship with history?”
The event will utilize presentations, small-group and large-group discussions, individual meditation time, music, art, and videos to facilitate the process of discovery.
Learn more about the retreat center here.
Redemptorist Renewal Center
7101 W. Picture Rocks Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
www.desertrenewal.org
If you have questions and need more information, contact Pastor Ken
Pastor Ken
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| Are you coming to the SRT Weekend event? | | Redemptorist Renewal Center www.desertrenewal.org | | 11/07/25 7:00pm - 11/09/25 11:00am US/Arizona | | This event explores Shadow Rock’s theological history and identity. The weekend costs $335 per adult. Includes linen service and meals | | | | |
Education and Spiritual Discussion Opportunities on Sundays at 9 AM and Sermon Reboot After Worship
Adult Education and Formation Schedule for September 2025 during the 9 AM Hour.
The theme of our exploration is Seven Critical Steps for the Future of the Church
Change in plans! We will meet on Sept. 21 and 28 in the Multipurpose Room. People from the class have agreed to continue the discussion about the future of the Church.
Sermon Reboot will happen on the Sundays of September 21 and 28, after worship.
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FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR FALL 2025
October 5th is Coffee Chat
November 2nd is Coffee Chat
December 14th is Christmas Potluck
CONTACT LIZ CURRY IF YOU WANT TO HELP!
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A PLACE FOR HANNAH TOY DRIVE
We are grateful for Jo Jorgenson and her passion for helping women who have been incarcerated and their families. The Christmas Toy Drive is one of those many ways you can help.
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Immigration Justice Work Is Happening! See new articles and links below.
At this point, we are offering the following ministries:
- Legal Clinics for Know Your Rights
- Financial Assistance for Legal Fees and Living Expenses
- Support Group Meetings
- Accompaniment
- Safe Zone Launch Pad
WE ARE A SAFE SPACE
If you are seeking urgent assistance, a place to go, advice, a legal referral, or anything else, please contact Pastor Ken.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support of our immigration justice ministries. This is one of the ways we advocate for inclusion, equity, and justice for all immigrants living in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. Our hearts have been touched by the friendships we have made through our work for undocumented people. We are truly blessed and promise to continue working towards positive change.
At this point, we are NOT offering the following ministries:
- Sanctuary
- Asylum Hospitality
- Refugee Resettlement
Our next support meeting and legal clinic is scheduled for September 7th at 1:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room. All are invited. Please contact Pastor Ken about our important and quiet work.
Today's Immigration News
Whistleblower Report Contradicts U.S. Claim on Guatemalan Children | The New York Times
More than 30 children from Guatemala, whom the Trump administration sought to deport earlier this month, had been flagged by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as vulnerable to child abuse and human trafficking if returned home, according to a whistleblower complaint filed with Congress. The complaint, which is based on accounts from several federal employees familiar with the data, contradicts a sworn statement given in a lawsuit over the children's care by a senior health official. It also comes after the judge presiding over the case questioned Department of Justice lawyers about the veracity of another claim: that the children's parents had requested their return.
Ukrainian Family Did Everything Right, Yet They Are Still Facing Deportation | County 10
This Ukrainian family of five did everything right. They followed U.S. immigration policy and procedures, and yet they still face deportation this upcoming December. In 2023, the family, assisted by Catholic Charities of Wyoming, migrated to the United States as refugees and settled in Wyoming. They came from Kherson in southern Ukraine, where they experienced devastating violence from attacks by the Russian army. But now, the Trump administration is possibly deporting them and other Ukrainian immigrants with temporary legal status.
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