March 26, 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.

The Journey: Death Giving Way to Life

 Then they came to Jerusalem.

And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling

and those who were buying in the temple,

and he overturned the tables of the money changers

and the seats of those who sold doves;

and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.

He was teaching and saying, "Is it not written,

"My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'?

But you have made it a den of robbers.

"When the chief priests and the scribes heard it,

they kept looking for a way to kill him. – Mark 11:15-18

I was having lunch with someone who said, “When I was in college, I was told that Jesus died for my sins. I was told that if I believed this, then I would be saved. I decided to believe. I was told that because of that decision I was assured a place in heaven.” I was quiet as I listened to this familiar formulaic Christianity. And then he frowned and asked, “So, what am I supposed to do until then?” I was confused, “Until when?” He replied, “Until I’m dead and get to go to heaven?”

That is one of the problems with the formulas and pat answers offered by many Christians about faith, sin, and salvation -- many Christians work hard to get people to have the right beliefs, but after these people agree to these beliefs, then what? 

They often then go on living the same lives and the same ways that they always lived. This is not at all what Jesus had in mind.

When we read the gospel accounts of the arrest, trial, and death of Jesus, we do not so much see a story of Jesus dying for our sin, but rather because of our sin. When we live in separation from God we often act out of fear, and choose ways of living and doing that are centered in control, self-serving comfort, and self-protection. Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love, threatened these ways of sin/separation. Some people therefore chose to get rid of Jesus rather than to be free of their fear that flowed from the sin/separation. If the people had trusted God, lived at one with God, then they would not have killed Jesus. Jesus died because of our sin.

Jesus was not a helpless victim, however. He could have escaped, could have raised an army, or could have gone another way. He even asks God if there might be another option for him (“please take this cup from me”) as he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before he was crucified. But God calls Jesus to trust God even with death, and therefore to reveal God’s love and life that is greater than death. 

Jesus did not respond to murderous sin by fighting or fleeing. He responded by trusting in and embodying the movement of God. In this, Jesus revealed that when we offer life into the presence of God, when we choose to live at one with God, death does not have the final word and separation does not triumph. 

This is good news for us, because we can live into this truth right now. The power of God that overcomes separation and death is offered to us and works in us as we follow Jesus – as we choose to be disciples. As we walk in his way, we die to the life of separation. As we choose to awaken to God in each day, then we are filled with God’s Spirit and raised into new life. As we daily follow Jesus, we live into the truth that we are saved from separation and death, and saved for healing, help, hope, joy, and peace that passes understanding.

As we close out this week remembering cross and resurrection, we can choose each day to walk with Jesus. We can choose to turn from the ways that would seek to put out God’s light, that would crucify God’s love. We can choose to walk in the way of Jesus that receives God’s light, that embodies God’s love, and that brings the joy and justice of creative new life to us and into the world. 

Come and see.

Love,

Michael Bush

Pastor

Listen to the Messages Online: Video Link. 

We Can Help

We’ve known for several weeks what was likely to happen when federal immigration funding runs out at the end of March, and now we wait to see what will happen with the most recent funding proposal. In the meantime, the staff and volunteers at Casa Alitas have been scrambling to figure out at what level they can continue to provide humanitarian aid to asylum seekers. Their great concern is that they will have no choice but to do hundreds of street releases daily - something they have worked diligently to avoid in the past.

When faced with such overwhelming issues, it can feel challenging to know what to do as individuals. However, there is something we can do. We invite you to click here, go the their website, and scroll down to “Ways You Can Help” to find suggestions of specific items needed by Casa Alitas. If you wish to donate items but are unable to deliver them directly to Casa Alitas, please contact Michelle Perrin (email her here) or Molly Butler (email her here) and they’ll be happy to help. Also, if you have family or friends who are interested in helping, please share Casa Alitas’s website info with them. Many thanks!

 Next Sunday Series

Next Sunday Series: Living Into the Resurrection

After Easter, we have a Sunday morning 11:00 am series that invites us to “live into resurrection.” The story of Easter remains just a story if we do not connect with the Spirit and one another, and, like Jesus, begin living into newness of life. We have a variety of offerings led by members and guests to help us find ways to live into resurrection -- ways of peace, healing, generosity, and hope in our everyday lives. Please sign up (indicate if you will be more likely joining in person or via Zoom): Click here to sign up.

Sunday, April 14: A Brief Introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and the Potential to Transform Relationships

So often words are weaponized, violence and coercion are seen as the answer to challenges. Jesus lived trusting in God and taught a path characterized by

non-violence. 

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a communication process designed to radically shift the way we think and use language in everyday situations to enhance the quality of our relationships with colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors. In this session, we’ll learn how to communicate in a way that invites more goodwill into our lives to better meet everyone’s needs.  

• Facilitator: Paige Hector, LMSW, is a consultant and nationally recognized speaker and writer with over 25 years’ experience in post-acute and long-term care settings. Paige writes extensively on topics relevant to nursing homes including multiple chapters of Managing the Long-Term Care Facility, 2^nd Edition due for publication in 2024. She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Caring for the Ages, the publication for AMDA, The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. She is actively involved in the AMDA Education Committee; the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup; and the Behavioral Health Advisory Council, as well as national work groups to improve trauma-informed care. In 2018, she was named the Gerontologist of the Year for the Arizona Geriatrics Society. Gypsy Lyle connected Paige with CAUCC!

Sunday, April 21: Healing from Trauma

Experiencing trauma, and extending care and community to those struggling with the results of trauma, causes both emotional and pain. As a volunteer disaster responder one of Rev. John Cheek’s roles is equipping both trauma survivors and their caregivers with the tools to diminish the damage which grows out of trauma. These tools are useful in our day-to-day lives, as well as in those times of acute trauma. John is very happy to share these tools with us!

• Facilitator: The Rev. John Cheek is an Arizona native who grew up in the small farming community of Elfrida. He served as a police officer in southern Arizona for twenty-four years. To his complete surprise, God called him into an ordained ministry role, so, at the age of forty-four, he began an eight-and-a half-year Master of Divinity program at Fuller Theological Seminary. In ordained and non-ordained roles, John served churches in Arizona and New Mexico for twenty-six hears. Although he will continue is disaster work and will preach on occasion, John retired at the end of 2023. 

Baking for Primavera Men's Shelter

By March 27th

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

We ask you to provide the dessert. For March, please bring two to four dozen cookies or bars if you would like to , decorate them with pastel colors or spring decorations)to the church kitchen by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, March 27th.  

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

Thanks from your Primavera Meal Team 

A Faith In Action Challenge #1

What are we really doing for the least of these?

Is CAUCC making a transformational impact within and outside its walls by its mission and outreach?

The easy and short answer is, “Of course!” Members of CAUCC individually and as a congregation regularly provide financial support and volunteers to help improve the lives of others. Can we do more? Always! Would you like to be a part of planning as to what “more” could mean at CAUCC or for its individual members? 

Your Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions invites those who are interested, or simply curious, to join in a brief conversation in McNear Hall following Sunday services on April 7th, 14th, or 21st. MJAM’s goal with these meetings is to identify a core group of individuals to work as a Justice Team in identifying and implementing justice advocacy activities for the congregation. Are you interested in speaker forums or topical book studies focused on the roots of social injustices or marginalization within our society? Do current events motivate you to advocate or protest injustice? Have you considered how we as a congregation or individuals can more meaningfully engage in conversations and relationships with those who are easily dismissed or unheard?  Your input as we go forward is both needed and valued. 

MJAM asks that you consider this week, and in the weeks following Easter, what more we can do to live into God’s promise of abundant love, healing, and justice so that message may be more meaningfully heard by and transform others. We also ask that you set aside a few minutes after the Sunday service beginning April 7^th to help lead or direct us on this journey.

May the blessings of Easter be with you and guide you in bringing Christ’s message of love, peace, and hope to others!

Submitted by the Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions

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.



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

Discussion on Revolution continues...

Wednesdays, 10:00 am weekly

Check the calendar

at the end of the

e-newsletter for

Zoom links.

Thank you for making the youth sponsored Scholarship Fundraiser bake sale an overwhelming success! Three long tables were filled with baked goods, and the money donations were very generous. The youth commented on the kind greetings and exchanges they experienced while selling the bake goods. You all made this event intergenerationally heart-warming on many levels. 

POZ Café: A big THANK YOU to all of you who brought items Sunday for the care packages and congratulations to Syd Teague who won the raffle. We still need more Deodorants, small boxes of Kleenex, small laundry detergents (not fabric softener), and deodorants are each $1.25 at the dollar store. For $5 you can get 4 items and help our church reach its commitment. There are baskets for TIHAN in the narthex.

TIHAN helps over 400 of the 3,413 people living with HIV in Pima County. Ninety-five percent of these care partners live below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Please help by bringing items to the narthex this Sunday, March 31st.

Scott Blades, Exec Director of TIHAN, joined us for Palm Sunday. He shared these kind words on social media, and we thought the congregation might appreciate seeing them, too! Click here to see his note to us.

Click here for April Anniversaries and Birthday list.

Santa Cruz Loop

Saturday, April 20th

This is a new ride along both sides of the Santa Cruz River between W. Congress and Valencia with the possibility of seeing some burrowing owls. We will meet at the Paseo de Iglesias parking lot along S. Santa Cruz Lane south of West Silverlake Road at 8:30 am.

The ride is along the Santa Cruz River Bikeway, “The Loop”, with several on street sections in bike lanes and is approximately 15.5 miles in length. After the ride we can find a nearby eatery for some nourishment/refreshments.

Please wear a helmet and bring a water bottle. For additional information, please contact Charlie or Marj Wippermann at 520-373-4248.

Tax Break?

Many students at the Helen Keeling Elementary School come from low-income families. As you prepare to file your 2023 Arizona income tax return, please consider taking advantage of Arizona’s school tax credit by making a monetary donation to Keeling Elementary School. Flyers with information as to HOW to take advantage of this credit are available TODAY in McNear Hall. Members of CAUCC’s Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions, your coffee hour hosts this morning, are available to talk with you about the importance of this funding to our Keeling family and about MJAM's other activities at Keeling. More info here.

Casas Adobes UCC will be hosting a Civic Academy presented by Pima County Interfaith Council on Voting: Action, Integrity, Safety

Speakers include: The Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly and Elections Director Constance Hargrove

Date/time: Saturday, April 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Location: McNear Hall, Casas Adobes Congregational UCC 

Who: Everyone interested in the voting process, including mail-in voting, and how officials maintain integrity and safety in elections. Get your questions answered by experts! Learn the facts of our most valuable civic right and duty! Members, friends, neighbors and the general public are all welcome.

Topics:

• The life of a ballot
• Counting ballots
• What happens to mail-in-ballots

Registration: The event is free but registration is required. Register now using the link on the attached event flyer. 

CAUCC Calendar

Happening this Week

Wednesday, March 27

• 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

Thursday, March 28 Maundy Thursday

• 8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread
• 9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
• 10:00 am Men's Small Group Room 2
• 1:00 pm Primavera Meal Prep Kitchen
• 6:30 pm Maundy Thursday Service Sanctuary
• Resumes April 11: Spiritual Formation Group Zoom only (Contact the office to sign up)

Friday, March 29 Good Friday

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
• 12:00 pm Good Friday Service on Zoom

Saturday, March 30

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, March 31 Easter Sunday

• 7:30 am Easter Early Rise Service Plaza in front of Sanctuary
• 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 “Livestream” box on that page. (If you try the link early, it will redirect you to the wrong page).
• Resumes April 7 T-Time/Turbo Time
• 10:45 am Coffee and Community Time McNear Hall
• Resumes April 7: Sunday Family Funday 

Monday, April 1 Office Closed

• 3:30 pm Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, April 2

• Resumes April 9: Spiritual Formation Group In-person, Room 3 and on Zoom (contact office to sign up)
• 12:00 Noon Centering Prayer In-person, Room 1



Wednesday, April 3

• 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 on vacation until April 8th

Jay out of office March 28 through April 3rd

Office will be closed for Easter Monday, April 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 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, March 19th at 4:00 pm on Zoom. January 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: