E-Newsletter July 5, 2022
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E-Newsletter June 21, 2022
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Enough – June 12, 2022
Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17
Synopsis: Families of all kinds are a gift of God. But no family is perfect. Every family has its challenges, as every member is unique and brings different gifts to the table. Throw in generational differences in the ways we understand the role of electronics in the mix, and you have “The Mitchells vs the Machines.” This is a movie that explores family dynamics and communications across roles and generations through the interplay of devices and events that are familiar and unfamiliar to us. The changing relationship between a father and his daughter is especially poignant and insightful. The letter to the church in Colossae offers us sound wisdom as we navigate our relationships with those to whom we are closest in the various “family” configurations and with the affluence we enjoy. How does this movie enrich our understanding of this scriptural text and help us to be more technologically mindful, communicative with each other and accepting of our differences?
E-Newsletter May 3, 2022
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Music Camp 2022
Calling all late elementary and middle school students!
Students moving into grades 3-8 are invited to join the Desert Skies community for an exciting week of music and arts for our annual Summer Camp! Dates are May 31-June 3 from 9am to 2pm, with a family fun afternoon on June 5th from 4-7 pm at our Houghton Campus.
Our camp will focus on many different activities to help broaden the minds of children and youth in southern Arizona. Each day, groups will experience music making with instruments such as guitars and drums, and will be pros in playing a few popular songs! Campers will also have the opportunity to identify their favorite songs and shoot a music video to debut at the end of the week. Alongside music, various arts and crafts activities will promote individual artistic creativity. Interspersed between these music and arts portions, fun indoor and outdoor water games will provide some well needed reprieve from the summer heat. Come join Desert Skies for what promises to be a fun week at camp!
Cost: $20.00 ~ To pay the registration fee, please send your registration check of $20 to: Desert Skies United Methodist Church (DSUMC) at 3255 N. Houghton Rd. Tucson, AZ. 85712. Please mark in the memo line Summer Music and Arts Camp. Payment must be received by the church to complete the confirmation of your registration or you can pay online at: https://desertskiesumc.org/donate/
Here is link for registration:
https://desertskiesumc.breezechms.com/form/6afcdb5233368937
Festival of God’s Creation April 25 and May 1, 2021
We’re Turning Green(er)
…Come & Find out How
This Earth Day Sabbath, April 25, Desert Skies is holding a Festival of God’s Creation & All-Church Service Project. Come to worship together in casual work clothing, masked & socially distanced at 10am, either in-person at the Houghton or Vail Campus, or online. Join in our all-church family picnic (BYOP)* & service projects from 11am – 3pm; stay as long as you like!
We celebrate these areas of Desert Skies that have greened our campus & learn more about them: the longstanding Flea Market and how it coordinates with Care Portal, providing for our Tucson neighbors in need; our vital shaded patios, so essential to our desert life; the peaceful Memorial Garden with options in loved ones’ memories. Come learn about the most recent Eagle Scout water basin project, beautifying tourdesert landscape. There will be tables to peruse, with products and projects conducive to a Zero Waste home. Pick up your free DSUMC tote bag!
Crafts, games and activities are happening for kids ages 3-18 from 12:45 – 2:45pm while adults can choose any one of several beautification projects on our campus. Kids can choose from paper folding to rock painting for our grounds, to potting herbs, to shaping salt clay, as well as playing Earth ball games.
The following Saturday May 1st, from 7-10am, bring your work gloves and tools for the massive tree planting (30!!) at Mica Mountain High School, the Desert Skies Vail campus, We will be working alongside members of the Vail Rotary Club, Mica Mountain & Cienega High School students. Join us for a fantastic Earth celebration work party!
At Desert Skies UMC, stewardship of the earth has been an important part of our congregational vision. As guided by UMC Social Principles, they are the blueprint for participating in God’s renewal of all creation. Join us as we continue in this effort!
Desert Skies Update about Covid-19
Dear Desert Skies Family,
The CDC has determined that Pima County is now a LOW risk area for COVID, given the new guidelines for that determination based on hospital capacity and vaccination rates. That means that, for now, all restrictions are lifted regarding mask mandates and social distancing. Our choir continues to mask until it is determined that choral singing is safe without them. We appreciate their willingness to serve and provide us with such beautiful music! We also understand that there are many who, for a variety of reasons, continue to mask…we respect their caution and encourage us all to continue to be careful around others.
We are still following these CDC Guidelines:
Hand sanitizing stations at all doors in all buildings
Safety protocols for all handling of food at Christ Cafe and any receptions
We encourage all to receive vaccines and boosters as you are able.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we do all we can to protect the safety of our congregation.
We plan to continue all of our online services that we have developed through the pandemic…worship, study and giving. Zoom links are always available in our eblasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Worship is available through Facebook, YouTube and our special Church Online site that allows participation with our online chat host. The Live Worship link is available on the banner on our website.
See you in church,
Rev. Candace
A Lesson in Faithfulness: Our Presence – November 3, 2019
Scripture: Luke 18: 18-30
Jesus replied, “What is impossible for humans is possible for God.” (Luke 18:27)
Jesus reminds us that it is only with God’s help that impossible things are truly possible. We celebrate the saints who have shown us how to walk in ways of impossibility as they have left what they have known to embrace the things of God.
Gifts of the Darkwood: The Gift of Getting Lost – Mar 11, 2018
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me continually,
“Where is your God?” – Psalm 42 (NRSV)
The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. – 1 Samuel 3 (NRSV)
The path of life is rarely clear or straight-forward. We find ourselves lost in a Dark Wood, unclear which direction to go, perhaps having strayed from the path we thought we were on. It is at these times that the gift of getting lost is that we begin to pay more attention than we usually do. Perhaps we are looking for blatant signs when the subtle nudges of Spirit are already right there. Our Lent journey invites us to get quiet and open wide our senses.