Staff

Ministry in a new season!  As we experience a cautious measure of relief and continued diligence in regards to Covid-19 pandemic, I am hopeful and excited about being able to engage in broader ways in community—the community of Desert Skies, the communities of Vail, Tanque Verde, and beyond.

The challenges of this past year have reminded me that life and faith always move in seasons.  Seasons aren’t just about weather change, or external conditions—they are also about change within.  The writer of Ecclesiastes in scripture names this most vividly for us.  (Ecclesiastes 3)

There was a critical season in my adult life when I lost my way and nearly left church altogether.  Caught up in the “doing” of church, I had lost the “why” of church.  I felt out of sync with my life of faith in community, isolated and discouraged.  It wasn’t until a group of folks I didn’t know invited me to be part of something fresh, something new and different, that my journey of faith found new purpose.   It was simple, we werefocused on learning how to be followers of Jesus, and on “being” in community.  The “doing” of church took care of itself when “being” a disciple was the priority.  I remain ever grateful for those who invited me and welcomed me in all of my questioning.

These past months have seemed like one long, trying season in some ways.  But now, with safety precautions in place, we are able to join together with a little more agility, in person and remotely online. At Desert skies we are offering new Adult Studies and Small Groups, gearing up our Children’s and Youth ministries, and we are looking for new ways to be in ministry with our communities in Tanque Verde and Vail.  We know God is always making things new again!  (Revelation 21:5)

I look forward to this new spiritual season as Fall approaches, spending more time outdoors with neighbors, having deep conversations, asking questions with you about life, journeying and faith.  I look forward to meeting new people who are invited and welcomed to create new communities, doing new things.  I pray that we can gather again for meals and small groups, discovering new insights around the scriptures that guide us.  And, I look forward to lively and meditative worship together, that centers us and sends us out to be joyfully engaged in the world around us.

My greatest hope is that we will all experience a renewed sense of the “why” of church, the matchless joys of “being” church.  I pray that we will join with the Spirit, reigniting our commitment to leading, loving, learning, and living as those who find immeasurable joy in the way of Christ.

Susan and her husband Joe are enjoying their second year of ministry here at Desert Skies.  They are the parents of Rebecca, Emily, Stone, and daughter-in-law, Tracie, who are all grown, living in different parts of the country, and are busy with their various careers, as they change the world in their own distinct ways. 

In their free time, Susan and Joe enjoy hiking and biking together, and they share a love of history.  They enjoy exploring the Tucson area and Arizona landmarks, as well as getting to know more of the folks at Desert Skies and neighbors in Vail. 

Lenten Season of 2021…. the world is still turning, we are still working from home, (and I must say…I’m loving it!), we are still in masks, still social distancing and following all safety protocols that have been put in place to keep us all safe, and now it’s that time, I have to decide what I am giving up for Lent. But, as I contemplate my decision on what to give up, and as I look back at the past year, I feel like I have given up so many things of importance to me already. So, maybe this year, I choose a Lenten discipline, to enrich my spiritual growth, and look deeper into what was not taken from me, but given…my faith, my family, and my joy of the Lord!

For me, last year was a lesson in navigating through choppy waters, slowing down to smell the roses, finding happiness in simple things, actions do matter more than words, count your blessings, don’t take anything or anyone for granted, learn to have patience and leaning on and knowing that “With God All Things Are Possible” Matthew 19:26

As I move forward in 2021, my hope is that this year is better for everyone and that
you keep your eyes on God and know that he is everywhere you want him to be.

Yours in Christ,

Tammy

Tammy Concienne was born and raised in Tucson and graduated from Palo Verde High School.  Tammy relocated to Kansas City Missouri in 2002, and worked for Harrah’s NKC Hotel and Casino. Upon her return to Tucson, in March of 2006, she has been employed at Desert Skies for the last 15 years as our Administrative Assistant.

Welcome back Desert Skies UMC.  The fall season is upon us which means that Advent is soon to be here.  Personally, the Advent season is my favorite time of the year.  We get to sing and play those familiar melodies that we have heard from our earliest memories.  This year will be no different.  We expect to have some memorable performances by the Adult Choir, Handbells, Praise Bands, and Brass Choir, as well as some solos and duets from some of your favorite musicians.  Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the performance of our Christmas Cantata presented by the Adult Choir.  It will be a joy!

Spring 2021 saw the return of the Houghton Praise Band, and they will be leading praise more often at the Houghton campus, especially at the 8:30 am services this fall.  The Vail Praise Band has continued to lead and enhance the Vail campus as they moved their services to the new Mica Mountain High School venue.  Vail Praise Band is also looking for more musicians to join them, so if you used to play an instrument and/or would like to get back into it, we have a place for you.  Also, both Houghton and Vail campus are needing more people to run the sound and video booth.  This is a wonderful opportunity for families to engage in an activity together.  Training is easy and will be provided.

The following is a schedule of start-up dates for the musical ensembles:

• Adult Choir                              August 25        Wednesday       7:00 pm
• Houghton Praise Band            August 24        Tuesday           12:30 pm
• Adult Handbells                      August 25        Wednesday       6:00 pm
• Vail Praise Band                      Continuing      Saturday            9:00 am

Dr. Shawn earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Alaska; a Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Calgary, Canada; and Doctor of  Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Arizona.

For several years “Doc” combined his talent as a performer and a touring artist for the Artist in Schools Residency Program in Alberta and established a successful musical theatreprogram throughout Western Canada and Alaska.  After several years of traveling, he began teaching as a music specialist for the Calgary Board of Education.  During this period of time he was also the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Savridi Singers, Calgary’s Premier Women’s Choir, as well as a festival adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician for choirs and bands in and around Western Canada.

In 2006, he was offered a position to teach at the prestigious St. Gregory College Preparatory School in Tucson, Arizona.  After seven years of teaching in the private sector, he transferred to the Tucson Unified School District for four years for the opportunity to teach the more under-privileged children in southwest Arizona.

After twenty-five years in the education field, “Doc”, retired from teaching and presently works as the Director of Music and Congregational Care at Desert Skies United Methodist Church in Tucson, Arizona.

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Dr. Raymond T. Ryder, Organist and Handbell Director at Desert Skies, is also on the faculty at Pima Community College where he teaches piano, class piano and music fundamentals. Raymond is a performing member of the Sonoran Bells, and active in the Southern Arizona American Guild of Organists. He is a Past President and the Honored Teacher 2014 of the Arizona State Music Teachers Association. Dr. Ryder holds degrees from the University of Colorado, the Florida State University, and the University of Arizona where he studied piano with Rex Woods and organ with Roy Johnson. Prior to moving to Tucson, Raymond was on the faculty of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.

“Easter people, raise your voices…” , the opening admonition of the famous hymn by William M. James, is for many Christians as comfortable and predictable a part of the celebration of Easter as baskets full of goodies, coloring eggs, or a traditional feast with family and friends. Less comfortable and predictable is the challenge to live our lives as “Easter people” – to embrace the transformative reality of the resurrection, the empty tomb, our sins forgiven. Proclaiming these truths contained within the hymns and liturgy on Easter Sunday reflects an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual reality that we are called to embody as we live out our everyday lives amidst the often frenetic, technologically driven pace of the second decade of the 21st century, fraught with deterrents and distractions from without and within that challenge our faith. To live out the joy and power of the resurrection as Christ-followers, as a community of faith, we are called to share the great Good News of the resurrection in how we live our lives each day, reflecting the love and forgiveness of Christ in our thoughts, words and actions. In this way, we authentically live our lives as “Easter people”, and in so doing, proclaim the Gospel.

Scott Jones, Music / Worship Leader at our Vail campus, grew up in Gloucester, MA, where he began his musical studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, and a Master of Music Education from Boston University. Prior to joining the staff at Desert Skies, Scott served as Organist / Choir Director at the United Methodist Church in Ipswich, MA, and as Praise Band Director at Christ Church United Methodist here in Tucson, where he and his family have resided for the past ten years.

Teresa Patterson is our custodian here at Desert Skies UMC. Teresa grew up in Tucson, graduated from Sahuaro High School and has attended Desert Skies UMC for many years. Teresa fondly remembers her time as a member of the South East Circle and taking Disciple classes. Her most significant spiritual experience was being baptized by Rev. Dan Hurlbert at Desert Skies, and her favorite events at church have been the Messy Church services in Vail. Teresa has a long history of cleaning experience.  For the last 20 years, she has worked as a maid in such diverse places as TMC, Banner UMC, Oro Valley Urgent Care, business, hotels, and private homes.  She runs a small house cleaning business on the side. She is especially pleased to be part of a team helping to make our worship time the best it can be.  Teresa is married to Tom Patterson, a retired Army medic and a two-time Iraqi vet, who works for Walmart. Tom’s car is a big hit at our annual “Trunk or Treat” event.  Teresa and Tom live in Rita Ranch.