February 27, 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.

Greatness Through Love

For Abraham is father of us all.

He is not our racial father—that’s reading the story backward.

He is our faith father… Abraham was first named “father” and then became a father

because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life,

with a word make something out of nothing.

When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.

And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples.

God himself said to him, “You’re going to have a big family, Abraham!”

--Romans 4:16-18-21 The Message

The Story of Abraham and Sarah is a familiar one to Sunday school children and people raised in the church. Hearing God’s voice they decide to uproot their lives and go off into

a strange God for the sake of being blessed. This blessing comes in the form of innumerable descendants and promised land: two things that the ancient Mediterranean world valued highly. Abraham and Sarah were very wealthy, but they didn’t have what would give them “eternal life,” that is children and land. They decide to follow God when they reached the “end of their rope,” putting everything on the line to follow and trust in God. Through them and their actions the idea of “chosen people” becomes a blessing, but it also becomes a curse. The Curse comes in the form of privilege, exclusion, and violence to assert power and dominance. The situation in the ancient “promised land” today is an example of perpetuation of injustice for the sake of power and dominance. It has little to do with covenant and law: a law that is LOVE.

Sometimes this story gets misused and twisted by modern priorities and desires for possessions and status. It’s about wishes fulfilled and property rights to divinely given real estate. The search for empire and power has turned God’s covenants into business contracts: complete with penalties, eviction rights and punishment. Of course, this is preached with the blessing of violence and lethal force if needed. But for me, God is not working this way. With Abraham and Sarah, I see a hopeless couple looking for faith solutions. I love the way the message interprets Romans 4:16 “For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that’s reading the story backward. He is our faith father.” Sometimes Abraham and Sarah’s status as “Parents” translates to genetic privilege rather than their faith.

If we strip away the concept of subjugation of people and acquisition of land, we find a covenant based in love. God ultimately issues a call to follow the way of love. Romans 13 ends with the statement that all who follow the law have to follow the way of love. There is no separation. So, our faith is based in love. Jesus states this over and over; Paul, the prophets, the gospel writers all stated the same call to love. But interpretations that are based on genealogies, property, wealth and privilege coopt the way of love and replace it with empire (Caesar). Abraham and Sarah’s “Great Nation” was not set by titles, names, genes or borders. The Great Nation is one formed by Love.  Yes, there are violent clashes recorded in our Book in the pursuit of covenants, but Jesus showed ultimately what violence only begets: sacrifice of innocent blood for the sake of expediency and control of the narrative. Empire is best stopped by Love.

God’s call for me is not an elevation status as a chosen person, it is a call to humility and service to recognize oppression, injustice and to help the injured and marginalized. 

Ultimately this is what the great nation is based in: the widows, the orphans the stranger; Jesus reminded us this also means the poor, oppressed, exiled and marginalized people of God. This is the whole people of God. This is the great nation that represents the hope of an elderly couple at the end of their journey. The end has just become the beginning. 

This season I pray that you find your faith journey: your fulfillment in love.

Peace, 

Pastor John

  Listen to or Download the Messages Online: Video Link. 

Strengthen Our Foundation

Foundations for Transformation

I grew up in the United Church of Christ and have served as an ordained Pastor in the church for almost 30 years. I certainly know well the faults and failings of “organized religion.” At the same time, growing up in the church I began learning the stories of Jesus, experienced God’s love in community, and was offered opportunities to love my neighbor that I would not have risked on my own. Additionally the church has nurtured beautiful teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, poets, youth group leaders, theologians and spiritual directors who have helped me better know God’s presence, power and possibilities, and have helped me be formed more fully as the beloved of God who sees others more and more as God’s beloved. All of this has equipped and empowered me to better love my neighbor, which includes the stranger and the enemy, per Jesus. It is because of God’s Spirit at work within and through me that I have come to know my gifts and have more fully risked and shared them in service to God’s vision of a just world for all. And I best serve God’s vision in the company of community. I need the Body of Christ and I have experienced great blessing as part of that body that sends us forth to bless others. I want such gifts for others -- now and, in ways I may not yet imagine, in the future. I had already increased my pledge in 2024 to CAUCC, but upon learning of our deficit and hearing the invitation to “Strengthen Our Foundations,” I increased my pledge 8% more. I believe Casas Adobes UCC is a good gift to our friends, members, and our wider community. I want to strengthen the foundation of this good gift. How about you? 

- The Rev. Michael Bush 

Foundation Update from Treasurer

Dear vibrant, joyful and generous congregation,

Your response to the Strengthen Our Foundation 2024 Campaign to date has been excellent. As of today, we have received 22 increased pledges worth $26,878. This has increased the 2024 projected pledge income to $434,406. Your thoughtful and prayerful response is truly a blessing.  

Additional pledges, or increases may still be forwarded to the office. Your prayerful consideration is appreciated.

Peace to you and yours,

Dennis Thomas, Treasurer

Follow-Up to Strengthen Our Church

Hope you read the recent letter (emailed Feb. 26th) about our Financial Focus.

If you missed it, click here to read.

Click here for the letter sent to the congregation on February 12th from the Ministry of Stewardship and our Treasurer.

To fill out a form to increase your pledge either

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

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.

• 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. 

Inquirer’s Class

Monday, March 4th

On Monday, March 4th from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Pastor Michael will be offering an Inquirer’s class for people interested in learning more about CAUCC and belonging to this community of faith. This will be an in-person class held in Room 3. There is no obligation to join the church if you attend the class, but we would be happy to welcome you into this faith community. Please email the office by Tuesday, February 26th letting us know if you will be able to attend or not. As you are looking at dates, we plan to welcome new members on Sunday, March 17th during the worship service. 

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 4

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). 

Hike and Contemplation with Pastor Michael

The next Hike and Contemplation with Pastor Michael will be in March.

At some point in the hiking journey, we will 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 wish to join us, please click here. Once signed up, you will be emailed with details about trailhead, parking, etc. 

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) 

Interfaith Community Services (ICS) 

Add in the Pasta in February (last week): 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.  

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.

A Taste of Oro Valley Life Fundraiser

Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd.

Saturday, March 30th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm

Join us in the celebration of the Town of Oro Valley’s 50th Golden Anniversary at the local Rotary Club’s 9th annual A Taste of Oro Valley Life fundraising event. The theme of this year’s fundraiser is Helping Families and the primary beneficiaries of the proceeds include Edge High School, Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse, IMPACT of Southern Arizona, and the Oro Valley Rotary Foundation.

Culinary “tastings” and drinks will be offered by our amazing local restaurant and beverage partners, while enjoying the classic stylings of the incredible ONESALL Band. Browse our silent auction of local merchant’s services and goods. Children will be entertained with a live petting zoo, bouncing castles, and Make Way for Books activities. (Adults: $60, Youth: $15, Children under 8: Free)

Civic Academy

Saturday April 20th

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, United Church of Christ, 6801 N Oracle Rd. 

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

Put this on your calendar now and be on the lookout for the event flyer and registration link later this spring. 

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 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

Thursday, February 29

• 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
• 1:30 pm Library Work Day Library
• 6:30 pm Spiritual Life Meeting on Zoom (contact office to sign up)

Friday, March 1

• 10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Saturday, March 2

• 9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6

Sunday, March 3 Communion Sunday

• 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
• 12:15 pm LGBTQ+ Meeting In-person, Room 3 and on Zoom

Monday, March 4

• 3:00 pm Inquirer's Class Room 3
• 3:30 pm Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, March 5

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



Wednesday, March 6

• 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. 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: