Shadow Rock the Week E-news

12 MARCH 2025

There Are Angels Among Us!

Phoenix West Threshold Choir keeps track of how many folks receive its calming, relaxing music. In February they sang at 98 hospice bedsides with an additional 188 family members present. This healing ministry is part of our Under One Roof collaboration with others who share our facility and our values.

This picture was taken when a SW Gathering was held here several years ago. Photo by Judy Adams with permission to share.

Articles and pictures in this week's edition of Rock The Week remind us of the many things we do to help make the world a better place for all people. Read about our Immigration Justice Ministries, the Threshold Choir, and contemplate the themes of Lent.

All this and more in this week's Rock the Week!

Building Bridges of

Inclusion, Justice, and Spirituality

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are welcome here!

This Sunday at Shadow Rock

9:00 am

Childcare is in the Blue Room
Spiritual Play is on hiatus March 16, and 23 to accommodate Spring Break for our families.
Sunday School for ages 9 and up in the Green Room
Adult Spiritual Formation and Kindlings in the Multipurpose Room. We continue our exploration of Shadow Rock Theology. This Sunday we explore the beauty and challenge of language.
Hospitality Cart with coffee and cookies in the Multipurpose Room

10:15 am

Worship in the Sanctuary (childcare is offered in the Blue Room of the Education Bldg 10 - 11:30 am)

11:15 am

There will be a Sermon Reboot after worship. All are welcome!

Congregational Meeting March 23rd After Worship.

Meet the Search Team and Give Them Your Support and Blessing!

PLEASE HELP US CREATE OUR BUDGET!

Indicate your financial support to Shadow Rock! Please, link and fill out this quick form at the bottom of this note. If you have any questions, contact Heidi by phone (Shadow Rock #602 993-0050) or email (heidi@ShadowRockUCC.org).

Quick Form

This series is an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Each weekly sub-theme explores two supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “grief & hope.” We often consider these ideas to be opposing. However, as we explore these concepts within the wisdom of our tradition, we find nuance and complexity. We find that these dichotomies are false. We might begin to see a full spectrum instead of black and white. We might find that God is present in between. And so, this season, we invite you to look beyond black and white binaries and easy answers.

We encourage you to notice the dichotomies that define our lives, but also imagine where God might be meeting us beyond the categories we create. This theme may resonate with anyone who is in discernment or trying to find their way through an undefined space. It will speak to anyone who feels as if they are living in a divided world. It is for those who seek a spiritual life that engages with complexity instead of avoiding it. This Lent, we're trusting that God shows up in shades of gray, rainbow hues, and everywhere in between.

(From Sanctified Art Worship Resource)

Message For Sunday

March 16, Second Sunday in Lent

Everything In Between Faith and Works

Our Lenten Offering Is dedicated to our Immigration Justice Ministries!

March 23, Third Sunday in Lent

Everything In Between Rest and Growth

March 30, Fourth Sunday in Lent

Everything In Between Lost and Found

April 6, Fifth Sunday in Lent

Everything In Between Righteousness and Mercy

April 13, Sixth Sunday in Lent and Palm Sunday

Everything In Between Shouting and Silence

April 20, Easter Sunday

Everything In Between Grief and Hope

The play is based on the true story of a group of Russian Socialist-Revolutionaries who assassinated the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich in 1905, and explores the moral issues associated with murder and terrorism. In the play, all but one (Stepan) of the "Justes" are based upon historical people, described in Memoirs of a Terrorist by Boris Savinkov.

Future Food and Fellowship Opportunities for Your Calendar

Anyone interested in helping by bringing something up, setting it up, or cleaning it up, please call Liz Curry or email her. Remember we are a nut-free campus.

April 20-Easter breakfast managed by SR Board

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT EASTER BREAKFAST! IF YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE AN EGG CASSAROLE, PASTRIES, OR A HAM, CONTACT SUSAN WADELL.

May 18 Coffee Chat
June 29 Potluck Send off to Sabbath

Shadow Rock Theology Weekend is coming and it is a big deal!

Thank you to everyone who has committed to attending! We still have a few spots but they are filling up.

Friends,

I want to extend to you a personal invitation to participate in Shadow Rock Theology: A Theology For Our Times, May 16 - 18, 2025.

Theology For Our Times 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 use presentations, small group and large group discussions, individual meditation time, music, art, and videos to aid the process of discovery.

Families are welcome, and child care will be provided.

The event is at Chapel Rock Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott, AZ, the weekend of May 16-18. The weekend costs $206 per adult (includes linen service and meals). If you can afford this expense that is a great help, but the importance of this event and the invitation to you is such that scholarships are available.

I am sending this invitation to you as I consider the future of our church and its place in the world. I am working to create multiple carriers of our theological DNA, and I hope you will be a part of it.

Please contact me with your questions.

Pastor Ken

SPIRITUAL PLAY HAPPENINGS!

YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR SPIRITUAL PLAY PROGRAM?

Details in the brochure. Ask for one in the church office.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR OUR SPIRITUAL PLAY KIDS?

Reserve your spot for Wander & Wonder today!

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLScx8f_iPoeTO3UKr9ufKMR_vU6GTszi2kZWSq-2KhsS91h30A/viewform

You are loved!

Danielle Heckel

Lead Wonder Wizard

Spiritual Play

Immigration Justice Work Is Happening!

Last Sunday, March 9th, Pastor Ken offered a message based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He used the text to give a summary of Shadow Rock’s Immigration Ministries over the past 12 years. The message gave us some history.

So, what is next for Shadow Rock and Immigration Justice Ministries? Rescission of sensitive location policy calls into question the value of public sanctuary. The sensitive location policy gave some protection for our sanctuary guests as the policy discouraged ICE officials from going to schools, churches, hospitals, and courts to apprehend and detain undocumented persons. With the rescission of the policy, offering sanctuary at our campus may put undocumented people more at risk. No discussion or decision by the congregation has happened. It is an open question with members and friends of Shadow Rock falling on both sides of the issue for a variety of reasons.

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

At this point, we are NOT offering the following ministries:

Sanctuary
Asylum Hospitality
Refugee Resettlement

Our next support meeting and legal clinic is March 23rd at 1 PM in the Multipurpose Room. All are invited. Contact Pastor Ken if you have questions.

PS. Our Lenten Offering Is dedicated to our Immigration Justice Ministries!

Feel free to ask Pastor Ken about our important and quiet work.