January 9, 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.

Baptized in the Spirit

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions

and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples.

He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"

They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

– Acts 19:1-2 

Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?

I was asked that question upon visiting a campus ministry group while in college. My response was very much like the Corinthians quoted above, “What is that?” I had heard little about the Holy Spirit in my time growing up in my local UCC congregation.  I heard God discussed. I heard stories about Jesus. But the Holy Spirit was the “forgotten one” of the Trinity.

Last week in worship we discussed the idea that the Holy Spirit is a way of speaking about how God is currently at work in and through us. To be “baptized in the Holy Spirit” is to be immersed (the definition of the word “baptism”) in the presence and power of God. God’s creative energy, love, mercy, compassion, justice, guidance, wisdom and more are experienced by us and shared through us. I do not believe this is something “once and done.” I believe this is a daily and moment by moment choice. I can choose to live life my own way, on my own terms, and by my own power. Or I can choose in each day to open to God’s power, light, and life so that I will receive and share these gifts. 

I so often hear a longing for healing, for a better world, a better way, a better life for us and for all. Jesus came to help us live into that longing, but he knows that we cannot do so our own way by our own power. Therefore he taught us to walk with him, to daily seek God, and God’s love and life reigning in us and in our lives. Jesus came that we would be baptized in the Holy Spirit (see Mark 1:8), that we would be empowered and equipped to offer ourselves as the change we long to see in the world. 

How have you chosen to be immersed in God’s love and presence so far this week? How could you choose to be immersed in God’s love and presence in the days to come as we embark on a New Year? I would love to hear how you understand and experience this gift that God offers us.

New Year Blessings and Much Love,

Pastor Michael Bush

 Listen to or Download the Messages Online: Video Link. 

Monthly Hike and Contemplation

Pastor Michael leads some relatively easy hikes during these less-hot months. At some point in the hiking journey, we pause for a guided prayer/meditation/contemplation. This is an opportunity for movement in the beauty of nature, building relationships, and connecting with the Spirit. If you are interested and are not already on the group email list from last year, click here and indicate any limits you would need to participate (i.e. “need a flat trail,” or “something under two miles,” or “small elevation gain is ok,” etc.) . The next hike will be Thursday morning, January 11th at 7:30 am. Details will be sent to those on the email sign-up list.    

Resuming Sunday Series: Uniting in Christ in a Divided Time

Resumes Sundays, January 14th 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?

In 2018, a group of ecumenical leaders published a statement called “Reclaiming Jesus,” as a way to look to our leader, Lord, Rabbi, Savior for ways forward in divisive times (see the statement, click here). The Episcopal Church developed a Bible Study to invite conversation around the tenets of the statement. Dr. Karen Borek shared this with some of us last summer, and we have adapted this study for our use at CAUCC.

The series also addresses some of the brainstorming in our CAUCC priorities, with people appreciating an opportunity to talk about contemporary issues (in the spirit of Java and Justice and some Forums of the past), and especially engaging in smaller group conversation. We will continue these conversations.

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.)

Your Turn for Coffee Time

Be sure to schedule your Sunday to care for your community with the Coffee Time after services!

Quick training available. Sign-up in McNear hall or contact Leona Lansing (click here).  

Your hosts this week:

Membership Team

Check the calendar at the end of the newsletter for Zoom links.

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.

Next meeting on January 18th.



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 us, 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

January 10th: Realities of Bethlehem: Prince of Peace?

T-Time this Sunday 10:30 am

We will be sharing a Rosca de Reyes (traditional Mexican King’s Bread) in celebration of Dia de Reyes (Epiphany) during our intergenerational T-Time in McNear Hall. Who knows, you may find Baby Jesus along the way!

Taizé Service in the Sanctuary

Taizé is a quiet, 45-minute service with gentle music, singing, subdued candlelight, scripture readings and includes time for reflection, time for silence and time for meditation. 

Please join us Thursday, January 11th at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. Prelude music will start at 6:20 pm.

Taizé is held the second Thursday of each month.  

Communion and Contemplation Sunday in the Chapel

8:30 am January 14th

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!  

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. 

Celebration of Life Service for Darlene Hicks

You are invited to attend a memorial service for Darlene on

Saturday, January 13th at 10:30 am in the sanctuary.

A reception will follow in McNear Hall.

Blood Pressure

Don’t forget to check your Blood Pressure…this coming Sunday after service, January 14th. Ida Heath, our Parish Nurse, or Marj Wippermann, or Rosalie Shelton will be there to check it for you…Room 1, next to the Library.  

Opportunities to 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

Celebration of Life Service for John Marian

You are invited to attend a memorial service for Fran Marian's husband, John,

Monday, January 15th at 11:00 am in the sanctuary.

A reception will follow in McNear Hall.

Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild Presents

Click here to see the entire flyer.

Or click here to go to their website.

CAUCC Calendar

Happening this Week

Wednesday, January 10

• 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, with Pastor John on Zoom Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 Passcode: 769422 Centering Link
• 1:30 pm Alzheimer's Support Meeting Rooms 3/4
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Bell Room
• 7:00 Choir Practice Sanctuary

 Thursday, January 11

• 7:30 am Hike and Contemplation (See Article)
• 8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 6:30 pm Taizé Service Sanctuary

Friday, January 12

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Saturday, January 13

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
• 10:30 am Celebration of Life Service for Darlene Hicks and Reception Sanctuary and McNear

Sunday, January 14

• 8:30 am Contemplation and Communion Service 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 Rooms 9/10 
• 10:30 am Music Team Meeting Choir Room
• 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 15

• 11:00 am Celebration of Life for John Marian and Reception Sanctuary and McNear Hall
• 3:30 pm Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, January 16

• 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
• 4:00 pm Council Meeting Zoom only

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

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

Church Staff

Office closed January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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: