January 16, 2024

Following Jesus together,

Nourishing one another in the Living Water of the Spirit,

Blossoming boldly with God's abundant love, healing, and justice, and 

Transforming lives. 

To submit an article for Tidings, email Anne here by Mondays at 12:00 noon.

Click here for 2023 Annual Budget Meeting Minutes

Stairway to Heaven

And Jesus said to him,

"Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened

and the angels of God ascending and descending

upon the Son of Man."

– John 1:51

And if you listen very hard /The tune will come to you at last.

When all are one and one is all . . .

And she's buying the stairway to heaven.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant

Traditional Christian teaching has often emphasized the idea of a one-way ticket to “heaven” that is awarded post-mortem as the result of right belief and/or right behavior. Last week, we talked about the image Jesus offers (in the Gospel of John reading above) of “heaven” not just as a distant dimension reached after death, but as something opened to us here and now. Jesus does not wait to physically die before living the fullness of God’s love and hope, does not wait to die to “see God.” Jesus chooses in each day to open to God’s love and hope, to seek God’s face, God’s presence in prayer and listening. Jesus receives God’s messages/messengers (what the word “angel” means) and offers his words and prayers to God in each and every day. The messages of God “ascend and descend” upon Jesus daily; he lives as a focal point of heaven meeting earth, a portal to the divine.

Jesus lives this to show us the Way to follow. We are not called to admire the angels ascending and descending upon Jesus. We are called to listen, to praise, to pray, to study, to commune in community that we, too, become portals to the divine, points of the ascending/descending words and Spirit of God. Jesus comes that all are equipped to be “stairways to heaven.”

I imagine there are people who have been “stairways to heaven” for you. Are there those who have loved you in ways that were healing? People who have helped you to know your belovedness and belonging? Are there people who have welcomed you as a stranger, comforted you in grief, challenged you when you were comfortable in complacency?

I believe CAUCC is a community of those who long to bring heaven to earth for and with others. Jesus is showing us the way. How are you listening? As we do the “the tune will come . . . when all are one and one is all,” (lyrics from Stairway to Heaven). May it be so in our lives this week. 

Love,

Pastor Michael Bush

  Listen to or Download the Messages Online: Video Link. 

Sunday Series: Uniting in Christ in a Divided Time

Sundays through February 11th

Sunday, January 21st only, delayed start at 11:15 am

As the Body of Christ, a community united in the Spirit, are there ways we might listen to one another in our differences, ways that we might take meaningful action around issues of inequality or injustice without labelling one another?

It is not required that you participate each week, as we recognize it can be hard to be present for this number of sessions, but you are encouraged to join in the conversation for as many weeks as possible.  If you have questions, speak with Pastor Michael Bush who is facilitating this series. If you have not already signed up, please do so-click here, and you will receive materials and Zoom links (indicate if you will be in person or online (or both) so we can plan accordingly). 

Sunday Coffee and Community Time

Sorry, no Coffee Hour on January 21st in lieu of the

Budget meeting in the Sanctuary.

Spiritual Formation Groups

with Pastor Michael



Thursdays, 6:30 pm weekly

On Zoom

 (except second Thursdays when we have Taizé worship), journey through the Acts of the Apostles on Zoom only. Prayer, sharing, learning, and growing together.



Tuesdays, 11:00 am weekly, 

Hybrid (In-person and online)

Journey through the Gospel of John in person and online. Prayer, sharing, learning, and growing together.

If would like to join, please email (click here), indicate which group you would

like to participate in, and we will add you to the email list so you can receive

Zoom links and instructions.

Purposeful Ponderings 

with Pastor John



Wednesdays, 10:00 am weekly

Faith and Misinformation Times of Troubles

We will start a three-part discussion on how Western European belief systems responded to specific historical crisis situations. We may find some insights into some of our contemporary responses.

January 17th: Responses to Pandemic: The Black Death

January 24th: Responses to Technology: Printing and Industrialization

January 31st: Responses to Politics: Colonization, Race and Revolution 

Birds! Wildlife!

Please join Leona Lansing and Cynthia VerDuin at El Rio (Click here to see El Rio on the map) park in Marana on Wednesday, January 17th at 8:30 am for bird and wildlife watching/listening. The walk is short on a mostly paved flat area. Birds are easy to spot in and around the water. We have binoculars for loan if you want them. Hope you can join us! Email or call with any questions. Cynthia email, 216-571-6707. 

Primavera Men’s Shelter Meal

January

The Primavera Team cooks and serves the meal at the shelter once a month…

We ask you to provide the dessert. For January, please bring 2 to 4 dozen brownies or bar cookies to the church kitchen by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 24th.  

The men at the shelter and the Primavera Team always appreciate your donations! 

Thanks from your Primavera Meal Team 

Eclectic Book Club Sets 2024 Reading List

The Eclectic Book Club finalized its 2024 reading list at its first meeting of 2024 on January 13th. The book club meets the second Saturday of each month, except in December, at 9:30 am to discuss that month’s book and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

Here is 2024’s book list schedule:

• February (2/10/24): Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
• March (3/9/24): Bicycling with Butterflies by Sarah Dykman
• April (4/13/24): Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
• May (5/11/24): The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
• June (6/8/24): The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
• July (7/13/24): Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
• August (8/10/24): Cooking book (TBD) by MFK Fisher
• September (9/14/24): The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
• October (10/12/24): Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• November (11/9/24): Horse by Geraldine Brooks
• December: Annual holiday potluck and book exchange

All are welcome to join us. Please contact the church office for meeting location. If you’d like your name added to our email list, email Bonnie Mardian, click here.

Library Books Available

A cart of books from our Mason Memorial Library is in the courtyard most weeks. Check it out, grab a book or peruse the Library, open on Sundays after service.  Stop by and say ‘Hi’ to Syd Teague or other Librarians,

who can answer any of your Library questions.

Women's Retreat 2024...Click here to sign up. 

CAUCC Nametags 

The Good News Team wants to celebrate that we are ALL a part of the CAUCC community, members and friends! We encourage you to wear a name tag…so if you do not have one, and would like to have a one, please let the church office know, click here for email or call 520-297-1181) and we will order a nametag for you.  

Donate Chancel Flowers

Dates to donate fresh flowers for Sunday Worship services are available now through February 11th. If you are interested, only $43, please email Jay in the church office, select a Sunday and give him your devotion for the bulletin.

Thank you, Your Worship Team

Are you looking to reduce your 2023 Arizona

income tax liability?

Many students at the Helen Keeling Elementary School in mid Tucson come from low-income families. These students need our help if they are to have the same opportunity for life-enhancing activities available to students in Arizona’s more affluent schools. The Arizona public school tax credit provides that help. It allows Arizona taxpayers, at no cost to the taxpayer, a dollar-for-dollar credit against the individual’s Arizona personal tax liability, with the maximum amount of that offset or credit determined by the taxpayer’s filing status.

As you prepare to file your 2023 Arizona income tax return, please consider taking advantage of Arizona’s public school tax credit by making a monetary donation to the Helen Keeling Elementary School. Checks should be made payable to Keeling Elementary School and mailed with a donation form to the school at 2837 N Los Altos Ave. Tucson, AZ 85705. A donation form must accompany the donation. Those forms are available in McNear Hall each Sunday through April 15th and can also be found online at Amphi Schools.  Undesignated donations are encouraged since they give Keeling flexibility to apply the funds where they are most needed. The donation may, however, be designated toward specific uses: art, math, music, orchestra, physical education, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

This tax credit is claimed on Arizona Tax Form 322 filed with your 2023 Arizona tax return. For the 2023 tax year the maximum amount of the school tax credit is again $400 for married filing jointly, $200 for married filing individually, $200 for single filers, and $200 for those filing as head of household. Please consult your tax advisor about your specific situation as it relates to this tax credit. Nothing in this request or the brochure made available through CAUCC’s Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions constitutes legal or tax advice.

CAUCC would like to keep a tally of our donations to Keeling, so please call the church office at 520.297.1181 and let them know of your donation. 

This tax credit is claimed on Arizona Tax Form 322 filed with your 2023 Arizona tax return. The available credit in 2023 for individual tax filers is $400 for married filing jointly, $200 for married filing individually, $200 for single filers, and $200 for those filing as head of household. Please consult your tax advisor about your specific situation as it relates to this credit. Nothing in this request or the brochure made available through CAUCC’s Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions constitutes legal or tax advice. 

Noted Author Diana Butler Bass Coming to Tucson

Dr. Bass will be at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church for a 3 day weekend, February 2nd to 4th, 2024. There will be a keynote reception on Friday at 6:00 pm, an interactive session on Saturday from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm (luncheon included), and Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 9:00 am. Cost is $20 for event package, and reservations are required. Please call St. Alban’s Office (520) 296-0791 for more information. Dr. Bass is a nationally known theologian and visionary on American Christianity today. You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to spend time with Diana and deepen your own spiritual journey in today’s challenging times.

CAUCC Calendar

Happening this Week

Wednesday, January 17

• 8:30 am Bird and Wildlife Walk (see article)
• 10:00 am Purposeful Ponderings with Pastor John on Zoom Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704 or Study Link
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer, without Pastor John on Zoom Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 Passcode: 769422 Centering Link
• 1:00 pm Compassion on the Border Meeting Room 3
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Bell Room
• 7:00 Choir Practice Sanctuary

 Thursday, January 18

• 8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 6:30 pm Spiritual Life with Pastor Michael Zoom only (contact office to sign up)

Friday, January 19

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Saturday, January 20

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, January 21

• 9:30 am Worship Service in Sanctuary
• 9:30 am Online Worship Service Livestreamed: Just before 9:30 am click on Worship Service Link: click on the “Live-Streaming” box on that page. (If you try the link early, it will redirect you to the wrong page).
• 10:30 am Annual Budget Meeting Sanctuary
• No Coffee Time Join us next Sunday
• 10:30 am T-Time McNear Hall
• 11:00 am Sunday Family Funday on Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239
• 11:00 am Class: Uniting in Christ in a Divided Time Room 3



Monday, January 22

• 3:30 pm Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, January 23

• 11:00 am Spiritual Life Meeting Room 3 and on Zoom (contact office to sign up)
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer In-person, Room 1

Wednesday, January 24

• 10:00 am Purposeful Ponderings with Pastor John on Zoom Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704 or Study Link
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer, without Pastor John on Zoom Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 Passcode: 769422 Centering Link
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Bell Room
• 7:00 Choir Practice Sanctuary

Note: Other room rentals may be on campus, but not on this calendar.

Church Staff

The easiest way to contact anyone on staff is to email them directly.

For intentional conversations, appointments work best.

Michael: michael@caucc.org

John: john@caucc.org

Anne: anne@caucc.org

Jay: jay@caucc.org

Darryl: dalking@email.arizona.edu

Ida: imhgnp@msn.com

Member-at-Large, Amy Lincoln: mal.caucc@gmail.com

Office/Maintenance Hours

Anne and Jay: Mondays and Wednesdays office open 9:00 am to 12:00 noon only,

by appointment in the afternoons

Tuesdays and Thursday office open 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Barry: Building Maintenance Manager: till 3:00 pm, Tue, Wed, Thur.



Staff meetings: every fourth Tuesday of the month,

office closed from 1:30 to 2:00 pm.

Council Meetings and Minutes

Council meetings are open to any member of the CAUCC community. Next meeting, Tuesday, January 16th at 4:00 pm on Zoom. November Meeting Minutes are available-click here. Email Anne Bailey for the meeting Zoom link.  

To support the ministry and mission of CAUCC, please donate online here: