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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.
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To submit an article for Tidings, email Anne here by Mondays at 12:00 noon. | | |
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Annual CAUCC Budget Meeting
Sunday, January 26th in the Sanctuary
10:30 am (After the 9:30 am service) and on Zoom
Watch for a special email notice with all information coming this Thursday.
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Pre-Budget Meeting
A special Zoom-only-Pre-Budget-Meeting is being offered for a smaller group of people on Tuesday, Jan 21st at 1:00 pm. This is presented by our Moderator, Owen Clymer with Dennis Thomas, Treasurer.
Click here to join the Zoom Meeting or use Meeting ID: 846 4183 4089 and Passcode: 599296.
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Born of God
He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. – John 1:11-15
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Many Christians often understand “Born of God” as being unique to Jesus. He is somehow different than you or me. He was conceived in different circumstances as a unique divine-human hybrid, according to much of traditional Christian thought. The rest of us came into the world the regular way through regular parents.
Centuries of Christian interpretation and tradition strongly inform this sense of what it means to say that Jesus is called the Son of God or is said to be Born of God. However, as we discussed in worship, it is really helpful to consider ways the first people telling and hearing these stories about Jesus would understand these terms. They heard “Son of God” as a title that described the people Israel and sometimes described the human king of Israel. Son of God was also similar to saying “One who knows he belongs to God.” Born of God or Son of God was a way to indicate someone who embodies God’s way and will in the world in order to help others to do the same. Embodying this way in the world was the purpose of the people Israel and the charge of the king of Israel – both called “God’s Son.”
Furthermore, to say Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Spirit” was a way to say that God was at work in the life of this child, despite rumors circulating (written down by the Greek Philosopher Celsus) that Jesus was the result of an “unholy union” of Mary and a Roman Centurion.
Such reclaimed understandings offer a joyful challenge to us: when Jesus is not an other-worldly being conceived in unusual circumstance, then Jesus opens to us the possibility (as John says above in his first chapter) that we are all empowered to become the Children of God. I am “born of God.” You are “born of God.” When we live into this truth by God’s Spirit at work in us, then we know healing, forgiveness, hope, and love. And we then share healing, forgiveness, hope, and love so that others will know the truth of who they are: Children of God, born of God. As we live into this, God’s light is magnified and God’s hope is multiplied. We are all “born of God”-- this is good news for us in this New Year. Commit to come and see!
Love,
Pastor Michael Bush
Listen to or download the messages online: click here.
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Sound and Vibrational Healing
Thursday, January 9th, 10:30 am, Sanctuary
Have you heard your friends and neighbors exclaim that we are walking through some of the most stressful days we can remember? Have you longed for a time of rest and peace from all the noise? Have you wished to find a regular practice to return your body, mind, and spirit to a place of relaxation and wonder?
Sound and vibrational therapies are based on the practice of Yoga Nidra which involves a guided meditation with sound, experienced in a reclining position, and is designed to move the participants into a deep state of relaxation. A sound bath combines the principals of Yoga Nidra with the practice of "entrainment," or a re-tuning of the vibrational frequencies given off in each of the seven chakra regions. Sound energy is able to penetrate our bodies to "tune up" our chakras. The sound frequencies come from crystal bowls that are played during the session along with several other instruments.
During the session, you will have your own space on the floor or on a pew and you will be guided during the entire session. These experiences do not involve any movement on your part nor will anyone touch you during the session. We will be silent as we experience the sound together.
Come and experience this newly emerging way to meditate and relax.
Click here for biography on Rev. Rebecca McElfresh, your host.
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Taizé Service in the Sanctuary
Thursday, January 9th, 6:30 pm 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 Prelude music will start at 6:20 pm.
Taizé is held the second Thursday of each month.
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Wippermann's Awarded!
Friday, January 10th at 1:00 pm
Charlie and Marj Wippermann received the Pat Hirschman Spirit of Service Award from Habitat for Humanity Tucson for their dedicated service for 27 years!!
The dedication of their award will be at the Chuck Center, 2811 W. Curtis Rd. Click here for the invitation. Click here to RSVP to Gina at Habitat.
From 2019, see them online: click here.
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Sunday, January 12
8:30 am in the Chapel
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Did You Hear?
We need volunteers to run the Audio on Sundays during the service. Interested? It is pretty simple with most of it already pre-set. Contact Anne in the office: email or phone 520.297.1181.
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Sunday Series
Harmony: Art, Scripture, & Verse
Unique or unusual representations of familiar scripture stories prompt responses from surprise to withdrawal. What reaction will you have to unexpected depictions of the Nativity, John the Baptist, and the Wedding Feast of Cana? Come discover what effect these striking images have on you. Join facilitators Bess and Brigid, continues Sundays Jan. 12th and 19th in Rooms 3/4 for Learning at Eleven (11:00 am). We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Click here to register and receive the Zoom link.
Click here to read about your hosts!
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Prayer and Meditation Retreat 2025 Registration
The Prayer Retreat will be held at the Redemptorist Center on January 31st
and February 1st. The cost is $165.00 per person and includes all meals and your overnight stay. The retreat will begin at 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon and continue through early evening on Saturday when we will return home. There is an option to stay overnight on Saturday for an additional charge. Commuters are also welcome for an adjusted fee.
If you are interested in attending, please complete the online registration form register here. A deposit of $35 is due at the time of registration and the balance is due by January 16th. Please make a check out to the church with Prayer Retreat on the memo line. Please contact Jean-Marie Huisjen for the cost for commuters and for an additional overnight stay.
Thank you!
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Continental Ranch Bike Ride
Saturday, January 18th
Our first ride in 2025 is coming soon. It is an easy 11.5 mile ride on bike lanes and The Loop, with one mile on a lightly traveled road through Continental Ranch.
We will meet at the Coyote Trail Elementary School, 8000 N. Silverbell Rd. at 9:30 am. After the ride, we will go to Just Breakfast for brunch.
Please wear a helmet, bring a water bottle, and bring a mask. For additional information, contact Charlie or Marj at 520-373-4248.
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Join Us for One of Our Weekly Spiritual Life Groups!
These groups covenant to connect regularly in community, Scripture reflection, and prayer. You are welcome to try one out at any time!
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Spiritual Formation Group with Pastor Michael
Tuesdays at 11:00 am, Room 3
(in-person or online) Resumed Jan. 7
Centering Prayer with Pastor John
Tuesdays at 12:00 noon, Room 1
(in-person) Resumed Jan. 7
Pondering Class with Pastor John
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
(on Zoom) Resumes Jan. 8
More Epiphany Revelations...Everything you wanted and didn't want to now about the light revealed
Centering Prayer with Pastor John
Wednesdays, 12:00 noon
(on Zoom) Resumes Jan. 8
Spiritual Formation Group with Pastor Michael
(on Zoom) Thursdays, 6:30 pm
Resumes Jan. 16 (Gospel of Mark starts in January)
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Blood Pressure
Don’t forget to have your Blood Pressure checked…this coming Sunday after service, January 12th. 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.
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Birthday Party Invitation
Save the date. You are invited to a party celebrating Gypsy and David Lyle's birthdays.
Saturday February 1st, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Brother John's Beer, Bourbon and Barbeque, 1801 N. Stone
Please RSVP by January 27th as we need to notify the caterer of the number to expect: Gypsy 520-869-7188 or David 520-981-0592. Home phone 520-887-4933.
No gifts, just your presence will be gift enough.
We consider our Casas Adobes UCC friends our extended family.
We hope to see you there.
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Memorial Service
The memorial service for Lou Cheek's brother, Roger Berry, will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church located at 2450 E. Fort Lowell Rd, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 18th.
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Want to reduce your 2024 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 2024 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 may be 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. You may also donate online using the same link. Just tap on “I would like to…” to be directed to the school district’s tax credit link. Undesignated donations to Keeling are encouraged since they give the school 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 2024 Arizona tax return. 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.
Note: Nothing in this request or the brochure made available through CAUCC’s Ministry of Justice Advocacy and Missions constitutes legal or tax advice.
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Eclectic Book Club
The Eclectic 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.
Upcoming books:
January 11: The Devil's Highway by Louis Alberto Urrea
February 8: A Thousand Cranes by Yosunari Kawabata
All are welcome to join us. Please contact Bonnie Mardian, click for her email, for more information and/or to be added to their email list.
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What can I do beyond my strongly worded letter to the editor and my vote to influence the legislative process?
There is a way to turn your words into action. That way is to learn to use the Request to Speak system of the Arizona Legislature.
The Justice Advocacy Team is sponsoring on-line training sessions through Civic Engagement Beyond Voting (CEBV) for the use of the Arizona Legislature’s system called Request to Speak (RTS). This system allows citizens to comment both pro and con about bills going through legislative committees. Many bills in the recent legislative sessions contained positions contrary to many areas of concern shared by members of our congregation including but not limited to immigration, gun violence prevention, LGBTQ+ rights. The RTS training lasts about an hour and then you will be prepared to use the system. Each week, CEBV sends notices by email about pending bills. It takes just a few minutes of your time to comment on the bills of interest or concern to you. Each individual’s impact is immediate-the members of legislative committees considering bills watch the input from RTS live via electronic tracking during their sessions and the information influences their votes.
Directions from CEBV: “The first thing is definitely to get people to sign up for an account. You can use the link and we'll get their accounts set up. Next is to urge them to join a training. We have Zoom trainings every Monday in January starting Jan. 13th; sign up here for any date. If that isn't workable for some of your members, let me know. We might be able to arrange something in person.”
If you have questions about Request to Speak or have trouble getting signed up for a training, please email Kathy Boelte, click here, or call her at 520-990-1120. If you are participating in RTS, Kathy would like to know so that she can provide support during the legislative session with resources on bills or other questions. The Justice Advocacy Team would also like to have a metric to gauge our impact.
Submitted by your Justice Advocacy Group (JAG)
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Wednesday, January 8
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10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, Ponderings with Pastor John, Zoom Ponderings Link or Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704
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12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
- 1:30 pm Alzheimer's Support Group Rooms 3/4
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6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
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7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
Thursday, January 9
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8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread on Ina
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9:00 am Stitch Witches Rooms 5/6
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10:30 am Sound and Vibrational Healing Sanctuary
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6:30 pm Taizé Service Sanctuary
Friday, January 10
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10:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Saturday, January 11
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9:00 am AA Meeting Rooms 5/6
Sunday, January 12
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8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Service Chapel
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9:30 am Worship Sanctuary Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (click on the box after 9:25 am)
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10:30 am Blood Pressure Checks Room 1 next to Library
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10:30 am Community and Coffee McNear Hall 7-10
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11:00 am Family Funday Zoom: Funday Link or Meeting ID 781 414 384; Password 883239
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11:00 am Class Series: Harmony: Art, Scripture and Verse Room 3
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11:00 am LGBTQ+ Meeting Rooms 5/6
Monday, January 13
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2:30 pm MJAM Meeting Zoom and Room 3
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3:30 pm Campus Cleaning Entire Campus
Tuesday, January 14
Wednesday, January 15
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10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, Ponderings with Pastor John, Zoom Ponderings Link or Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704
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12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
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2:00 pm Worship Arts Team Meeting Zoom
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6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice Bell Room
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7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
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The easiest way to contact anyone on staff is to email them directly.
For intentional conversations, appointments work best.
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Barry, Building Maintenance Manager's hours:
Monday and Thursday this week.
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Scam Alert:
Always check the email address of messages received--
if the email is not from the ministers and office staff addresses above, SCAM!
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Staff Meetings are once a month on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm and the office is closed during that time. | |
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Council Meetings and Minutes
Council meetings are open to any member of the CAUCC community. Next meeting is January 21st, 4:00 pm on Zoom. Approved November meeting minutes are available, click here. Email Anne Bailey for the upcoming meeting Zoom link.
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To support the ministry and mission of CAUCC,
please donate online here:
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