January 23, 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.

Turning

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee,

proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;

repent, and believe in the good news." – Mark 1:14-15 

I had thought I found the best way to get to a particular hiking trail. I followed that driving route for a number of years, and one day took a friend with me to this trail. I explained the general direction we would be heading, and we started out.

My friend asked me, “Why are you taking this road?” I was puzzled, as it seemed like a perfectly good road to me, and it was the best way I knew. I told him so. He said, “Stop. Pull over, and make a ‘U’-turn.” I was resistant, as I wanted to stick with the route I knew. He smiled and said, “Trust me.”

That is not easy for me. However, I did as he requested. Then he offered turn-by-turn directions to get us to our hiking destination. It turned out that on his route there were no stoplights, very little traffic, better scenery, and it cut about 20 minutes off the trip. If I had not let go of my “good route,” I would have never discovered this better way.

We have talked about how the word “repent” in its original context has the sense of “to turn around.” We have been moving in one direction and notice, for whatever reason, that the current direction is not the way to go. We stop, turn, and go in a different direction. This is the basic meaning of “repent.”

This past Sunday we also picked up on the idea that repent is not just about turning from something obviously “bad” or “evil.” Sometimes what it means to repent is that we turn from something we have understood to be “good” in order to be part of something God has for us that is “better.”

I invite us in this week to include this question in our daily prayers, “God, what good thing are you calling me to let go of, so that I can be part of something even better?" Then leave some time and space for silence to allow for ideas to emerge. Perhaps the good thing you are doing is indeed the best thing for you, for others, and for the world. Perhaps it is not. Either way, I encourage us to to pray the question and see, know, and reveal more of the goodness of God.

Love,

Pastor Michael Bush

  Listen to or Download the Messages Online: Video Link. 

Annual Budget Meeting Thanks and Information

To our generous congregation, 

We would like to thank you for your participation in Sunday's 2024 Congregational Budget meeting. Your approval of the 2024 budget, and insightful comments and questions are greatly appreciated. As discussed, the Council, FARM Team, the Treasurer and you, the congregation, will continue to prayerfully evaluate potential solutions to improve the overall budget. And we will, of course, continue to engage transformational ministry and mission.

Respectfully, 

Dennis Thomas/Treasurer

Owen Clymer/Vice Moderator

Sunday Series: Uniting in Christ in a Divided Time

Sundays through February 11th

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

10:30 am in McNear Hall

You are welcome to come to Coffee Time in the Hall...

(Tables and chairs provided for those who need to sit.)

Hosts this week are:

Jane Shurtleff and Friends

Communion and Contemplation Sunday in the Chapel

8:30 am January 28th

Pastors Michael and John are offering a different kind of worship experience: a 30 minute service providing immersion in some reflective music, prayer, silence, and a spiritual practice contemplating the Sunday Scriptures and themes (that will also be part of the 9:30 am sanctuary worship), and then closing with communion by coming forward to receive elements. This worship opportunity may serve as a quiet preparation time for the 9:30 am worship in the sanctuary or may serve as your primary worship experience in community on a Sunday morning. Come, and see!  

Council Positions Opportunity

The Nominating Committee is currently meeting to identify candidates for upcoming open Council positions. The chairpersons for the Ministry of Stewardship and Ministry of Christian Development are the Council members who will rotate off this year. We are looking for members of the congregation interested in filling these positions to serve a two-year term beginning in April. If interested, please contact Ann Faith (email, click here) or Amy Lincoln at (email, click here).

Click Below for Council Descriptions

Ministry of Christian Development Chairperson

Ministry of Stewardship Chairperson

See! I Am Doing a New Thing!

With our newest staff member in the office, Jay and I are trying out some flexible hours. We are open by appointment only on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Jay and I will be working diligently, as always, as to how we can be helpful, how we keep everyone informed, and how we with connect people. We are here for you. Tuesdays and Thursdays the office remains open from 9:00 to 4:00 pm. Thanks for helping us help you!

Submitted by Anne Bailey

Men’s Small Group Dialogue Invitation

Planning is underway to start a group for men and those who identify as male. The focus of the group is to provide a safe and accepting environment to explore and talk about what is most meaningful in our lives and what it means to be a man. We will encourage men to share their stories to truly listen to each other. We will not try to solve each other’s problems, but to join in each other’s journeys in a supportive and brotherly way. We are inviting men who are willing to be honest, vulnerable and open to the spirit within.

We will use the book Choosing Presence as a guide. The thought is to hold five or six discussion sessions spread over a two-month period during February and March. However, we are very open to any and all suggestions from the group when we have our overview session.

Men and those who identify as male who are interested in learning more about this opportunity are invited to stop by the Men’s Small Group Dialogue table on Sunday, February 4th from 10:30 to 11:00 in McNear during Coffee Time to explore this idea. If you wish to learn more about this opportunity, please plan to attend an overview session scheduled for Thursday, February 8th at 10:00 in Room 3 at church. During the overview session we will decide how often we will meet and how long we will meet together. Please click on this link to learn more about how this opportunity could possibly unfold. Details will be finalized based on input provided at the Thursday, February 8th overview session.

Thanks, Ryan Collins and Duane Udstuen, Men’s Small Group Dialogue Guides      

Opportunity to Help Make It Happen

Pima County Justice for All is a county-wide 2024 ballot initiative that strives to provide legal representation for all indigent families in Pima County who are going through deportation proceedings. Without legal representation, the likelihood of being deported is very high. Compassion on the Border supports this endeavor by providing information and by collecting petition signatures. This is the third attempt to get the initiative on the ballot. You can help make it happen in 2024 by simply adding your signature! Petitions will be available on Sunday, February 4th before and following worship. Let’s get this on the ballot!

Submitted by Mona Udstuen

Ballot Petition Initiatives

As we move toward the next election cycle, petitions will be circulating throughout our communities to place initiatives on the ballot so that Arizona citizens can vote on them. The Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions (MJAM) is coordinating requests made to staff tables with various petitions in the courtyard or McNear (Fellowship) Hall. The opportunity to sign proposed petitions will only be available on campus before and after Sunday services. Neither MJAM nor CAUCC by allowing these arrangements endorse any petition initiative presented on CAUCC’s campus for signatures. Both MJAM and CAUCC do however endorse the democratic process that allows Arizona citizens to place initiatives on the ballot so that all have an opportunity to vote on them.

MJAM’s Procedures for Gathering Petition Signatures, approved by council, can be viewed by clicking here.  All scheduling requests should be made in writing, including by email, to MJAM’s chairperson.   

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 24th: Responses to Technology: Printing and Industrialization

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

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.

Women's Retreat 2024...

If you would like to attend the Retreat, please provide your contact information, Click here to sign up and send your deposit to Anne Bailey at the church office by April 1st.

If you have any questions, please contact co-leaders: Jane Shurtleff or call her 978-314-0127 or Bess Woodworth or call her 781-307-2990. 

Members and friends:

January Keeling Elementary Food Pantry

What a positive, high energy pantry we had today (Thursday, January 18th), thanks to you all!  

I want to share with you today's numbers. We served 76 families consisting of: 

187 children, 163 adults and 19 seniors for a total of 369 individuals. There were 19 families new to the pantry and 57 repeats.

Fifteen of you very hard working volunteers made this possible. We put in a collective 40 hours of effort, but I do believe we had a good time doing it.

Thank you all for your help to make this wonderful ministry a success!

Wendy Gilman emailed this to MJAM, Keeling Supporters, and more!  

Empty Pill Prescription Bottles for Primavera!

These pill bottles are very helpful; they help distribute small amounts of personal care essentials like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, etc. By giving out pill bottle-sized amounts to folks, a great number of people can get what they need at the Primavera Homeless Intervention and Prevention Drop-In Center. Be sure to remove all labels and drop them off on Sunday mornings in the Narthex.

Note: Glue may be removed by rubbing olive oil on the glue and rinsing with soapy water or by using the commercial product Goo Gone. 

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. 

ICS

Interfaith Community Services

February Fun!

Please include pasta in your food drop offs during February (regular items needed: Spaghettio's, Chili or Ravioli In Pop-Top Cans, Canned Meat and Tuna, , Soup, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Rice, Spaghetti Sauce in Cans, Canned, Breakfast Cereal, Jams and Jellies and Peanut Butter).

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.

Click here for the February Anniversaries and Birthday list.

CAUCC Calendar

Happening this Week

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
• 2:00 pm Scholarship Meeting
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Bell Room
• 7:00 Choir Practice Sanctuary

 Thursday, January 25

• 8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 1:00 pm Primavera Meal Team Kitchen
• 2:00 pm Library Work Day Library
• 6:30 pm Spiritual Life with Pastor Michael Zoom only (contact office to sign up)

Friday, January 26

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Saturday, January 27

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, January 28

• 8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Chapel
• 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 Coffee and Community Time McNear Hall
• 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 29

• 3:30 pm Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, January 30

• No Spiritual Life Meeting Next meeting on February 6 (contact office to sign up)
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer In-person, Room 1

Wednesday, January 31

• 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

Pastor Michael off-January 30th

Anne off-February 1st

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, February 20th at 4:00 pm on Zoom. December 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: