February 20, 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.

Coast and Crash

God said to Noah,

"This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me

and all flesh that is on the earth." 

Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard.

He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent.

 Genesis 9:17, 20-21 

I was cruising down the freeway when I noted a burst of brake lights up ahead. I applied my brakes and slowed to a stop with the rest of the traffic. In my rearview mirror I saw another car barreling down on me, clearly moving too quickly to stop in time. I was trapped, there was nowhere for me to go! I closed my eyes and prayed a “help!” I opened them in time to see the car swerve quickly and come to a stop just short of the guardrail on the side of the road. The driver was wide-eyed with her cell phone still held firmly to her ear.

The snippet of last Sunday’s Noah story above reminded me of this experience. Noah had been faithfully walking with God, had led others in a way of salvation as the world came undone, and emerged on the other side of that chaotic overwhelm. But then, it appears, Noah quit for a bit. Perhaps he felt justified after making it through a hard time. He decided he had been faithful long enough and he needed a break, a little coasting time.

However, inattentive coasting can lead to crashing, whether on freeways or the spiritual journey. As I shared last week, some part of me wishes it did not work this way. I want to be able to live at times inattentive, drifting for a while, like the woman behind me on the freeway who chose to focus on her phone call instead of on the road before her. Sure, sometimes things work out, sometimes I swerve before I knock into someone. But other times I crash, hurting myself and others.

Jesus comes to reveal to us the Way that keeps us on the path, that helps us to live into a deeper freedom, a greater love, and an abundant life that empowers us to heal and help others instead of selfishly coasting into them. Come and see.

Love,

Michael Bush

Pastor

  Listen to or Download the Messages Online: Video Link. 

Communion and Contemplation Sunday in the Chapel

8:30 am February 25th

This is 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. Let this worship opportunity serve as a quiet preparation time for the 9:30 am worship in the sanctuary or serve as your primary worship experience in community on a Sunday morning.

Come, and see!  

Strengthen Our Foundation

Follow-Up

“Strengthening the Foundation” is one component of a plan that will be developed to project the future of CAUCC’s annual health. Through the grace of God, we have built our staff, programs and missions, believing each of these components is essential to the purpose and spiritual life of CAUCC. We need a solid pledge foundation of support. By working together and increasing our pledge base, we will continue to engage in our transformational ministry and missions.

Click here for full letter, sent to the congregation from the Ministry of Stewardship and our Treasurer.

Click here to fill the form out online or Click here to print form (mail it to the office or drop it into the plate in the back of church).

Lenten Season Study Series: Redeeming

Sundays, through March 24th (Except Feb. 25th)

In the Lenten season, a 40-day journey to prepare disciples of Christ practice and participate in resurrection, we often hear references to “redemption.” One definition of that word is “freed from what harms.” There are teachings and practices of the Christian church that have at times created harm, excluded people, and stirred fear. Jesus did not embody harm, but rather healing. We will move through Lent looking at “going beyond the mind we have,” freeing us for what is healing and whole. This series will be led by Karen Borek, Brigid Waszczak, and Michael Bush. We begin on Sunday, February 18th at 11:00 am. Click here to sign up.

• Feb 25: Redeeming Prayer – No class this Sunday; CAUCC Prayer Retreat weekend where we will be looking at and practicing prayer that goes beyond the rote and the “thoughts and prayers” cliché and listens for God who is still-speaking.

• March 3 and 10: Redeeming Eve – we will revisit Gen 1-3 and explore the textual evidence that Eve was meant to have knowledge of good and evil in order to cope with the complex world created in Genesis 1 and to actualize the image of God within her.  If there were an original sin in Gen 2-3, it wasn’t one of disobedience; rather it was her failure to take responsibility for her decision, blaming the serpent instead.
• Part I (March 3): Genesis 1: If “Very Good,” Whence Evil?
• Part II (March 10): Genesis 2-3: Did the Serpent Get It Right? 

• March 17: Redeeming Healing – Many people think of healing in Bible stories as a physical phenomenon only. How might we understand healing more broadly for our individual selves and for our communities? How do we receive healing? How can we be healers?

• March 24: Redeeming Grief – In the face of difficulties or loss, sometimes we want to skip or avoid grief. As we enter into the passion of the Holy Week story, how might we understand and live the gift of grief?

Karen Borek, former clergy and faculty member at the University of Arizona and Wesley Theological Seminary, wrote her dissertation on Genesis 1-3. She is now living in Lancaster, PA with her husband Ted (was part of CAUCC before the move).

Brigid Waszczak is a spiritual director, Episcopal deacon, and certified Walking The Mourners Path facilitator who believes that tears of grief are liquid prayers. 

Brigid and Karen have co-taught a Mary Magdalene class with CAUCC. Karen and Michael Bush co-facilitated a book study here on Process Theology and Prayer. And Brigid, with Bess Woodworth, facilitated an Advent series tapping into our creativity and spirituality. 

Lent Prayer/Meditation Resources

Many people commit to renewing and deepening spiritual practices in the season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14th. We will have print devotional materials by Henri Nouwen available in the sanctuary entrance, and members of our church have appreciated online and email daily devotions from Richard Rohr (Center for Actions and Contemplation), and the United Church of Christ Still-Speaking writers.

Pastor Michael has also recently released a daily Lenten devotional book (available in print or Kindle). 

Spiritual Formation Groups

with Pastor Michael



Thursdays, 6:30 pm weekly, on Zoom

 Journey through the Acts of the Apostles on Zoom only. Prayer, sharing, learning, and growing together. (Not on except second Thursdays when we have Taizé worship)



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

February 21: Revolution Part 3

Fruits of Your Generosity

Souper Bowl of Caring on February 2024

For many years, the Christian Development Ministry has participated in the national event known as Souper Bowl of Caring. This national movement began in the Presbyterian Church in 1990 to recognize that on Super Bowl Sunday there are still people in this country that do not have soup in their bowls to eat. (Click here).

Several of our youth who have participated in this event in the past specifically asked to be involved again this year. During Turbo Time on February 11th, the youth learned about the two local charities which were selected to receive the proceeds from this year’s event – Interfaith Community Services (ICS) and Youth on Their Own (YOTO). Learning about the charities inspired them even more. The youth were excited to participate in the collection and to also meet members of our congregation.

Through your generosity, CAUCC collected 227 pounds of actual food for ICS and $674.00 for YOTO. These collections will help to fill the food pantries at both locations and to provide for those who are hungry in our Tucson community. 

Thank you for your support of the Souper Bowl of Caring, to ICS and YOTO, as well as supporting our youth to learn about charities in the Tucson area as they participated in this local service project. Christian Development Ministry

Sunday Coffee and Community Time

Sundays, 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: Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Mission (MJAM)

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.

For MJAM’s Procedures for Gathering Petition Signatures, click here.

Petition Signing Sunday, February 25th

If you want to sign the petition to get the Arizona for Abortion Access citizens' initiative on the November ballot, but haven't yet, Judy Keagy or Gypsy Lyle will have petitions available after church this coming Sunday, February 25th.

Primavera Men’s Shelter Meal

February

The Primavera Team cooks and serves the meal at the shelter once a month…we ask you to provide the dessert. 

For February, please bring 2 to 4 dozen lemon flavored cookies, bars or breads to the church kitchen by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 21st.  

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

Thanks from your Primavera Meal Team 

Interfaith Community Services (ICS) 

Add in the Pasta in February: Dry Pasta (Spaghetti, Macaroni, Macaroni And Cheese),

Spaghetti Sauce in Cans plus

Here is what they always need the most: Spaghettio's, Chili or Ravioli In Pop-Top Cans, Canned Meat and Tuna, Soup, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Rice, Canned Fruits and Vegetables, Breakfast Cereal, Jams and Jellies and Peanut Butter.

Bring your food items in and leave them in the ICS food bins in the sanctuary entrance.  

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.



Also available at the Sunday Library cart are fabric bookmarks made by Compassion on the Border. These bookmarks make great gifts and all sales go toward humanitarian aid for migrants. 

One Great Hour of Sharing^® is the first of four annual special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. It is a Lenten Offering for the support of disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ throughout the world through the denomination’s Wider Church Ministries.

This year’s theme is Share the Light. By donating to One Great Hour of Sharing you engage in holistic development programs including health care, education, agriculture, food sustainability, micro-financing, and women’s empowerment. Because the UCC relates in mutual partnership to other churches and organizations through Global Ministries and other worldwide response & recovery networks, your contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing put your donations in the right place at the right time for the relief, accompaniment, and recovery of the most vulnerable. Your donations also help to address the underlying causes creating those needs.

With your assistance, CAUCC can help Share the Light. Collection of donations will be through Sunday, March 10th. You may also mail donations to the church office, specifying OGHS in the memo line, or donate online.

Please give generously for the need is indeed great.

Submitted by Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Mission (MJAM) 

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. 

New Show at Southern AZ Watercolor Guild (through March 2nd)

Click on picture for website. Submitted by Bess Woodworth

CAUCC Calendar

Happening this Week

Wednesday, February 21

• 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
• 12:00 noon Primavera Desserts to the Kitchen
• 2:00 pm Worship Arts Team Meeting on Zoom
• 6:00 pm Bell Choir Bell Room
• 7:00 Choir Practice Sanctuary

Thursday, February 22

• 8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 10:00 am Men's Small Group Dialogue Room 2
• 1:00 Primavera Meal Prep Kitchen
• 1:30 pm Library Work Day Library
• 6:30 pm Spiritual Life Meeting on Zoom (contact office to sign up)

Friday, February 23 CAUCC Prayer Retreat

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Saturday, February 24 CAUCC Prayer Retreat

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, February 25

• 8:30 am Communion and Contemplation 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).
• 9:30 am T-Time McNear Hall
• 10:30 am Coffee and Community Time McNear Hall
• 11:00 am Sunday Family Funday on Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239
• 11:00 am Lenten Class Series Room 3



Monday, February 26

• 3:30 pm Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, February 27

• 11:00 am Spiritual Life Meeting In-person, Room 3 and on Zoom (contact office to sign up)
• 1:30 pm Staff Meeting Office closed
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer In-person, Room 1



Wednesday, February 28

• 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 staff: 9:00 am Monday and Wednesdays; open by appointment in the afternoons

Tuesday/Thursday: 9:00 am to 4:00 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, March19th 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: