10 September 2025

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, 9/14/25

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: Seven Critical Steps For the Future of the Church
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)

11:15 am

Sermon Reboot experience is OFF after worship because we will be in Coffee Chat

BEST NEW THING!

Mike Gattorna, used an AI program to create a podcast of our September 8th EXTRA EXTRA Rock the Week Newletter. Listen here and tell us what you think.

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

JOB POSTING FOR SHADOW ROCK! Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk

Click here for more information and to apply.

Shadow Rock Theology Reunion 9/14 1PM at the Home of Cindy Gattorna.

We are planning a little SRT (Shadow Rock Theology) get together on Sunday 9/14/2025 at 1:00 PM near the church. Are you a Shadow Rock Theology (AKA PJD, RS1) alum? If you are wanting to continue to debrief and/or hear more about Shadow Rock Theology, and if you have ever attended a retreat such as Shadow Rock Theology (most recently this past spring), or Profound Journey Dialog, please join us for an informal social. Cindy will need to know how many are coming so please RSVP to her at lrntch3@gmail.com. She will then send you the address and particulars.

When we're on our journey spirit colleagues there will be! Questions? Please email Cindy at the same email listed above.

Karen Richter Installation Service (pictured center right)

As part of our anniversary of 50 years in ministry, you're invited to the Installation service for Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Surprise's settled minister, Karen Richter. This service celebrating ministry partnership is at 4 pm on September 21 at 17540 N Avenue of the Arts in Surprise. All are welcome. Clergy are invited to robe and process. A short reception will follow the close of the service.

Prior to her service as UUCS's contract minister beginning in 2023, Karen served on the staff of Shadow Rock UCC as Director of Spiritual Formation and the Southwest Conference UCC. We recognize our connection and shared values with our Unitarian Universalist neighbors and celebrate Karen's new ministry setting.

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

Are you coming to the SRT Weekend event?

LOCATION

Redemptorist Renewal Center www.desertrenewal.org

DATE AND TIME

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

I'll Be There!

Maybe

I Can't Make It

"BECOMING A DISCERNING PEOPLE" IS A SERMON SERIES FROM PASTOR KEN. IT ENDED THIS PAST SUNDAY, 9/7. BELOW ARE LINKS TO THE SERMONS.

Discernment is not just about making choices—it’s about imagining life on the other side of those choices. “If I take this job…” “If we move in together…” “If we have a child…” We picture the rhythms, the responsibilities, the joys, and the tensions. And in that imagining, we listen—not just to logic, but to the Spirit. (Pastor Ken)

Message for 8-3-25 - Google Docs

Message for 8-10-25 - Google Docs

Message 8-17-25 - Google Docs

Message for 8-24-25

Message for 9-7-25 - Google Docs

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.

Sept. 14 Seven Critical Steps for the Future of the Church

We will not meet on Sept. 21 and 28 because Pastor Ken will be away. Sept. 21 he will trade pulpits with Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith. Dr. Gloria serves Encanto UCC and is the Associate Conference Minister, helping our Search Team with their process. On Sept. 28th he will be out of town and Rev. Troy Jarvis will give the message.

Sept. 28 Coffee and Fellowship

Sermon Reboot will happen on the Sundays of September 21 and 28 after worship.

FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR FALL 2025

September 14th is Coffee Chat

October 5th is Coffee Chat

November 2nd is Coffee Chat

December 14th is Christmas Potluck

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.

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

Mother Must Choose: Indefinite Detention or Deportation Without Her Children | The Texas Tribune

For Margarita Avila's nine children, this is the first year they can remember that she did not spend Mother's Day with them. Immigration agents detained Ms. Avila, a Houston resident, after an altercation that led to no charges. Now she must ponder whether to fight her deportation order and remain for months in detention or sign a voluntary deportation paper and leave her husband and children behind. She requested asylum ten years ago, and her case is still pending. Fifty-year-old Margarita is among the tens of thousands of immigrants targeted for deportation. Under the Trump administration, more than 70 percent of the more than 57,000 people detained do not have a criminal record.