October 21, 2026 - Kairos Vol. 13,

Issue #25

FROM THE PASTOR

Do Not Forget

One of the recurring instructions in Scripture is deceptively simple: Remember.

In Deuteronomy, as the people prepare to enter a new chapter of their lives, Moses cautions them not to forget that God who has accompanied them along the way. They are about to inhabit homes they did not build, enjoy vineyards they did not plant, and experience blessings they could hardly have imagined.

And Moses basically says: When life changes, remember.

“Remember who brought you this far. Remember you survived the wilderness. Remember that prayers that were answered (even when you didn’t like the answers). Remember the people who walked beside you. Remember the grace that met you when you needed it most.”

There is something holy about remembering. Of course, as we grow older, remembering can become complicated. Names sometimes escape us. We walk into a room, forget what we were doing, trace our steps and then remember! We search for glasses that may already be sitting on top of our heads. And for some families, changes in memory become much more difficult and painful.

Biblical remembering is about more than recalling information correctly. It is about recognizing the faithfulness of God woven through our lives. Sometimes we remember through photographs and stories. Sometimes through a familiar hymn. Sometimes through Communion, when Jesus tells us, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Sometimes another person reminds us: Do you remember how God carried us through that?

Perhaps that is one of the gifts of Christian community. We help one another remember. When someone is grieving, we remember hope for them. When someone is discouraged, we remind them that they are loved. When someone wonders whether their life still has purpose, we remind them that God is not finished with them. And when any of us begins to believe that we have made this journey entirely on our own, we gently remind one another of grace.

This week, take a few moments to look backward—not with regret or nostalgia, but with gratitude. Where can you see God's fingerprints on your story? Who helped you along the way? What unexpected blessing appeared? What difficult season did you somehow make it through?

And then offer a simple prayer:

Faithful God, help me remember your goodness, trust your presence today, and walk with you into whatever comes next. Amen.

See you in church,

Pastor Jen

CHAPTER A DAY RESOURCE GUIDE

As we embark upon our Bible read-along by reading one chapter each day, here is a LINK to a Resource Guide with some tools and extra information about the initiative.

FALL KAIROS UPDATE

The next Kairos will be on November 4th, and then we will be back to weekly editions of the newsletter to keep up with the busy winter season!

MISSIONS TEAM NEEDS YOUR HELP PREPARING THANKSGIVING MEALS!

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church traditionally provides the ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal to the students we serve at Hamiliton High School. Your Missions Team needs donations to make this happen.

Please pick up a cloth bag in the narthex or Lindsay Hall after worship and fill it with items from the list below. We will also collect financial contributions in the green baskets on November 2.

The shopping list for Thanksgiving donations is as follows:

Canned goods:

· Canned sweet potatoes

· Packets of dry gravy mix

· Cut corn

· Green beans

· Instant mashed potatoes

· Cranberry sauce

· Stuffing mix

Additional sides:

· Macaroni and Cheese

· Beans of any kind

· Peanut butter, 28-ounce size works best

· Hearty canned soups and stews

Thank you for your generosity!

SOLA (SINGLE OR LIVING ALONE) IN OCTOBER

Our next SOLA activity will be on Friday, October 23rd in Lindsay Hall for RIGHT/LEFT/ CENTER at 11:30. Bring 9 quarters and a treat to share. It is a fun easy game with a BIG win. Hope to see you there.

CHAIR YOGA RESUMES

Get moving with Becky Snyder on Thursdays at 9 AM in Room 10! Wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes. Bring a water bottle, a small towel and $2 for the class fee.

MEET ME AT THE MOVIES!

We are having another movie matinee on Sunday, October 25th at 3 PM in the sanctuary! This month, we will be showing the Halloween comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein!

In the film, Abbott and Costello star as baggage handlers tasked with delivering large crates to McDougal's House of Horrors. But much to their surprise, the crates contain Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster. Hijinks ensue!

The film is 1 hour and 23 minutes long. Doors open at 2:30 PM, and the movie starts at 3 PM. See you there for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and popcorn!

CHURCH CONFERENCE

The Church Conference for our church is being held on Saturday, November 14th at 11 am at Desert Foothills UMC in Ahwatukee: 2156 E Liberty Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85048.

Church Conference is an annual meeting of the leadership of a pastoral charge, held to make key decisions on behalf of the congregation(s): a group of churches, close to each other in proximity, will meet at one location for their church conference, presided over by the Valley District Superintendent. All church members are invited to attend if they would like.

KRAFTER'S BAZAAR!

Mark Your Calendars!

Join us for the Annual Bazaar from the Krafters on Saturday, November 7th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Browse a wonderful selection of handmade creations, new and used jewelry, and delicious homemade baked goods. Items sell out fast, so come early for the best selection! All proceeds from the Bazaar go back into the Church to support special projects.

The Krafters Need Your Help!

The bake sale is very important to the success of the Annual Bazaar coming up on Saturday, November 7th. Donations of pies, cakes, bread, cookies, and candies are greatly appreciated. Please label gluten-free items, sugar-free items, and all items with nuts. Please bring your goodies to Lindsay Hall between 8 AM - 12 PM on Friday, November 6th. Containers for your baked goods are available and can be picked up in the Narthex after worship on October 25th and November 1st. Thanks in advance for your delicious donations!

ANNUAL COOKIE WALK & CANDY SALE

It may be a bit warm for baking yet, but the Christmas Cookie Season is just around the corner! You can be prepared easily by planning to come to the annual “Cookie Walk” instead of slaving over a hot oven!

Just come to Lindsay Hall on the morning of December 5, 2026, at 9:00 am to pick out all of the beautiful homemade Christmas Cookies you will need for the season! This year’s price is still the same as last year—$20 for a large take-out box filled to the brim (with lid closed), and you will be helping people in need, as all proceeds will go to charities! A variety of homemade candies will also be for sale—bags of peanut brittle, fudge, or other holiday treats.

Come early on that Saturday morning, as free coffee and broken cookies will be served to those waiting for the doors to open at 9:00.

TUESDAY NIGHTS TOGETHER

This month, TNT will be a special night in honor of Veteran’s Day

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2026
Time: Light meal at 5:00 p.m. / Program begins at 5:30 p.m.
Fee: Suggested $7 free-will donation for food & musical program
Location: Lindsay Hall

An Evening with The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band

We are proud to represent the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in Arizona, a dedicated team of volunteers committed to promoting boating safety and serving our community. As a division of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, we are part of a distinguished organization that has been enhancing maritime safety since 1939.

We are a community band of musicians who perform military marches and patriotic tunes for the military and veteran groups and now we will be lucky to have them at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.

Please enjoy your light meal (and that wonderful ICE CREAM), connect with neighbors and friends and enjoy patriotic music and remember all of those who have served this great country of ours, together in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. It will be a great evening!

MISSIONS TEAM DONATIONS

School is back in session!

Please donate protein bars and

bottled water for Hamilton High School students. If you place items in the red wagons, Mission Team members will deliver them to the social workers at the school.

Thank you!

VETERANS DAY PHOTOS

In anticipation of Veterans Day and the slideshow we put together in appreciation of those who have served, we would like a few details from our Veterans. We would like a photo of you from your service, your years of service, and the military branch you served in (it is not limited to just the United States Military).

Here are a few ways to share:

By emailing the front office at office@sunlakesumc.org
By stopping by the office and giving us the photo to make a copy
By calling the office to check if we have your information from the previous year (this can also be done by email or in person)

STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING

New Class Beginning January 2027

Are you being called to walk alongside others in their time of need?

Become a trained and certified Stephen Minister and serve as the Lord’s hands and feet—offering confidential, Christ-centered care to members of our congregation who are hurting or walking through crisis.

Space is limited—sign up today!

PRAYER SHAWLS

If you or someone you know is in need of a little prayer, comfort, or hope, come check out our prayer shawls. Located in the prayer corner of the Sanctuary or in Lindsay Hall, you'll be able to access small pocket square shawls or full-sized prayer shawls.

If you would like to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry, call the office.

SLUMC IS BACK ON FACEBOOK!

We are back on Facebook! Find us by searching for "Sun Lakes United Methodist Church," and follow to see updates about upcoming events, special videos, and other updates!

ALTAR FLOWERS

October 11th, 2026:

-In honor of Tom and Carlene Baldosser's 40th wedding anniversary

October 18th, 2026:

-In honor of the people of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

WITH LOVE AND SYMPATHY

...to the family and friends of Wayne Wright, who passed away on Sunday, October 18th. A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary on Saturday, October 31st at 11 am.

WEEKEND PASTORAL CARE PHONE

We want to make sure that you always have a way to reach the pastor, even when the church office is closed. To do this, we have a weekend phone (480.742.7706).

Here’s how it works:

The phone is not an answering service—it is a real phone that Pastor Jen carries.
This is available Fridays through Sundays, while the office is closed.

This phone is specifically for urgent pastoral needs that cannot wait until Monday. For things like scheduling meetings, general questions, or ministry sign-ups, please continue to use the church office number during regular office hours.

October 4th:

Attendance: 215

YouTube Watchers: 167

Week's Offering: $ 23,009.40

Giving Month to Date: $ 23,009.40

Monthly Budget Needs: $ 100,273.23

October 11th:

Attendance: 210

YouTube Watchers: 107

Week's Offering: $ 7,842.00

Giving Month to Date: $ 30,851.40

Monthly Budget Needs: $ 100,273.23

October 18th:

Attendance: 212

YouTube Watchers: 97

Week's Offering: $ 11,613.00

Giving Month to Date: $ 42,464.40

Monthly Budget Needs: $ 100,273.23

Now Accepting Stock Donations

We are pleased to share that the church is now able to receive gifts of appreciated stock. Donating stock can be a tax-wise way to support the ministry of the church and may provide additional benefits compared to cash giving (please consult your tax advisor).

If you are interested in making a stock gift, please contact the church office for transfer instructions and let us know when the transfer is initiated so we can properly acknowledge your donation.

Thank you for your faithful generosity and continued support of our church’s mission.

If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) with a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), this is the perfect time to plan how you’d like to take it.

If this isn’t your first year taking an RMD, you already know these distributions are taxable as ordinary income. What you may not know is that you can choose to have your RMD—or a portion of it—sent directly to Sun Lakes United Methodist Church or any qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

When directed in this way, these Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) still satisfy your RMD requirement but are excluded from your taxable income. It’s a simple, impactful way to support ministry while reducing your overall tax liability.

If this is new information for you, talk with your IRA custodian or financial advisor about how to set up a Qualified Charitable Distribution.