Dear CCOV Family,

In less than a month we will be back to regular worship at CCOV!  Please know how grateful I am for how you have kept fellowship alive Sunday mornings in my absence.  I look forward to being with you all again on Sunday, August 20^th  when I would like to talk about meditation (listening to God) and hear about any of your meditation practices or experiences.  We will even do a brief, guided meditation together.

One other thing I want to be sure you know about is the damage monsoonal flooding has done to the United Methodist Outreach Mission (UMOM).  UMOM, which is the largest of homeless shelters for families in the state, has been one of the central mission projects of this church for many years and one that our folks have gotten most excited about.  UMOM’s main campus was badly hit by the monsoon on Thursday evening, August 3.  Dozens of families and several staff members had to be relocated out of their flooded rooms and offices, and the elevator in the most affected building may need serious repairs. Staff also had damage to their vehicles due to the rising waters.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.

While the organization acquired flood insurance in June, damage is so great that UMOM will need to spend tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. They have reached out to their supporters for donations to help get them back on their feet.    Please consider sending them a gift so that UMOM may continue to offer a continuum of shelter as well as opportunities for folks to access education, skills, medical care, and quality child care so that they can go on to lead successful lives. You can donate by clicking here: https://umom.thankyou4caring.org/donate.  Michelle is forwarding an email directly from the shelter that will offer more information.

Again, I miss seeing you each week, but that will change soon!  Clint and I will be vacationing in Jasper, Alberta August 8-16 seeing parts of the Canadian Rockies.  I plan to post some beautiful pictures on Facebook or share them with you on Sunday, August 20.  In the meantime, stay cool!

Blessings,

Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,

I am so pleased to hear how you are all carrying on in my absence with programs, speakers, and a plan to get to know one another more deeply.  How I wish I lived in Scottsdale!  Even though I am enjoying summer travels, sometimes it is hard living 100+ miles away.

Last weekend my good friend Sharon and I traveled to Las Vegas to meet up with some of our other friends. The best part was time spent with Sharon riding in the car.  She is one of the wisest, most deeply spiritual and Christian of my friends outside of our own church.  While passing through the high desert scenery, we had an intense discussion about prayer and meditation.  Her church, Unity, teaches that prayer is asking God for what we need and want (what we are mostly inclined to do), but meditation is more like “being still and knowing that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  In other words, meditation is quieting our minds in order to listen to God speaking to us.  I just love the way that she differentiated prayer from meditation!  Immediately Psalm 19:14 sprang to mind: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Her words and this verse from Psalms reminded me that prayer is a two-way street.  We ask for things, but we also need to carve out time to listen to God.

I confessed to Sharon that I have terrible time quieting my mind and listening to God.    She suggested several, disciplined approaches.  Mindfulness is one, something increasingly prescribed by medical practitioners.  I downloaded an app on my iPhone that guides me through a daily mindfulness meditation, but I haven’t been terribly faithful.  She suggested I call the Buddhist Temple in Chino Valley to see about a possible class, to which I would commit.  I vowed to do that or find some other structured, in-person practice that would hold me accountable.

Quieting our minds has never been much of a practice in our Christian circles, but oh how we need to do this!  Yoga teachers have long taught that the mind is like a “drunken monkey stung by a scorpion.”  Our brains are full of chatter, consumed by our concerns, but not terribly attuned to God’s reality. My next goal is to open more deeply to God and have the “meditations of my heart be acceptable in God’s sight.”  Perhaps we can share with one another one Sunday later this summer what our practices are of listening to God.  I will be most interested.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,

One of the things I like about living in North Central Arizona, especially Prescott, is the sense of community.  Soon after the Goodwin Fire began a few weeks ago, people quickly organized to provide as much assistance as possible to those in the fire’s way.  One woman set up a Facebook group to match those with needs to those who could offer varying types of assistance.   I was so impressed to see large animal owners in nearby towns like Chino Valley, Paulden, and even the Valley line up with horse trailers to evacuate horses and livestock from the affected areas.  Red Cross shelters for evacuees did not accept pets, so animal lovers all over the area thought to provide lodging for them.  Some people offered water and food or transportation.  Clint and I have two guest rooms and offered shelter as area hotels were full.  Our neighbors thought we were nuts because, well, it’s risky to take in strangers.  I learned ahead of time that we would be housing a Yavapai Sherriff’s Office deputy, who had only slept three hours in his car the night before and was pulling 17-hour shifts during the emergency.  He and his wife and young daughter turned out to be delightful houseguests, who were most grateful for a meal and shelter.  So many people in this community followed the scripture, “Do unto others as you would have them do.”  In truth, we just never know when it might be our turn to be evacuated.

I often marvel at how cooperative the vast majority of human beings really are.  Our view gets so distorted by the constant barrage of news that focuses on the rogue elements among us rather than the cooperation and kindness that are mostly extended.  One of the reasons I love our church so much is that CCOV is a caring community constantly reaching inward and outward.  I’ve watched all of you care for one another in many of life’s difficult seasons and also reach out to the greater community with our mission projects.  I am also reminded that new projects always carry an element of risk and need careful vetting, but the pay-off can be great when God’s Kingdom is furthered.  Jimmy Carter was once quoted as saying, “Go out on a limb.  That’s where the fruit is.”  So as we start planning again for the fall routine and possible new mission projects, let’s be bold and continue to extend our sense of community into the world.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,

It’s hazy up here in Prescott because of a forest fire in the Bradshaw Mountains.  All weekend Clint and I could see tanker planes flying from the airport to the burning area.  At least the heat and smoke aren’t keeping me completely inside!  Early last week I met with the newly-retired, long-term music director from the church we attended in town years ago.  She gave me some great ideas for new choir anthems that go with particular scriptures and preaching themes.  Besides music for worship, I am also thinking ahead to preaching topics for the fall.  I really want to hear from you regarding what you would like to see in our services.  Do you want me to preach through a book from the Bible again or on a particular theme?  Is there a question you always had that you would like addressed?  Please feel free to reach out to me as I begin to plan ahead.  I hope you are enjoying your potluck fellowship breakfasts Sunday morning—I miss seeing you all.  Clint and I will join you next on July 16.  Meanwhile, enjoy your vacations and time away!

Blessings,

Rev. Sandi      

Dear CCOV Family,

Hope all of you are well and staying cool!  One way to cool off (at least in our heads) is to think ahead to Christmas.  I wanted to let you know that our church is invited to participate in an “Interchurch Christmas Bazaar” at St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church on Dec. 2-3 that is open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 2.  Other invited area churches include McDowell Mountain and St. Bernard’s.  Each church would host its own bazaar and benefit financially from its own sales.  The community event would receive advertisement in traditional and social media sites.  The aim is to develop a sense of community, especially with all the new housing around us.  It may be a nice way to sell some items we don’t need and possibly some baked goods or anything else you can think of.  I imagine it would also be a great way to let folks in the community know about our wonderful CCOV!  Please let me know ASAP if any of you are interested participating in this event, and I will make the necessary contacts. 

I look forward to seeing you all Sunday!

Blessings,

Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,

I hope you are all off to a great summer, whether you are now settled into your more northerly locale or trying to stay cool in the Valley.  Wherever you are, I wanted to let you know about a great resource through our denomination: a daily devotional.  You can sign up to have one delivered daily to your email inbox by clicking here for devotionals.  If you don’t like to wade through much email, then you can visit the sight daily and click on the day’s reading.  The exercise takes just a few minutes and consists of a short scripture, a meditation on the scripture, and a prayer.  I find that reading a devotional is a great way to start each day!  Also, if you are leading a time of devotion before one of our Sunday morning fellowship breakfasts, you can use one of these.

We continue to collect back-to-school supplies (backpacks, paper, pencils, etc.) for Vista del Camino Community Center each Sunday through July 2.  This is a wonderful way to serve our community and make sure children have everything they need for school.

Finally, I hope to see you at Robin’s celebration of life service Saturday morning, June 10 at 10 AM.  Please be reminded to bring food or come early to help set-up if you signed up for either.  We will celebrate the precious life of Robin, God’s “good and faithful servant,” in a big way!  

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,

Right now church feels like the end of the school year, similar to the way things used to feel I when taught high school!  This week I am writing my last sermon of the season before we break from regular worship and go to a more informal gathering for June, July, and August.   We’ll continue to meet at 10 AM—but in Hayden Hall.  Bring a brunch item to share (fruit, snacks, donuts, etc.) and we will have a word (short devotional), a prayer, and a song before we eat together.  On Sunday, June 11 one of our members will show slides and share his adventures from his recent trip to Vietnam!

I will be with you one or two Sunday mornings each summer month, but the other Sundays when we’re not on vacation, Clint and I will worship at a church up in Prescott.  This way I get a bit of a break from my weekly 100-mile+ drive and can visit some local churches, worship without leading, and glean some new ideas.  That said, I want you to know that I am just a phone call, text, or email away and can still be down in the Valley in a few hours, so please, please, please keep me informed of any pastoral care needs!  This goes for all of our CCOV family: I hope to hear from you while you are in your summer locales and on your trips.  You are all so dear to me! 

 This Sunday I will preach on the Ascension, and if you want to read ahead, the scriptures are Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-11.  Come and hear all about this event in which Jesus was raised into heaven forty days after the resurrection and ten days before Pentecost.  Most important, you will hear all about what it means to live an Ascension-shaped life.  See you in church!

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Sandi   

Dear CCOV Family,
Here we are on the final countdown to summer! As worship attendance thins out, please know that my thoughts and prayers go with all our seasonal members returning to cooler climes. We look forward to seeing you in a few months!

Meanwhile, I want to share a sampling from the UCC Southwest Annual Conference that Dorie, Clint, and I were privileged to attend last week in Albuquerque. Dorie and I spent the first day in anti-racism training. We learned that racism is deeply embedded in most of us, and that even with heightened awareness of our tendencies and intentions to be unbiased, we are still “racists in recovery.” One interesting activity in the training was filling cups with beads of varying colors as we thought about whom we employ as our professionals and service people. Predictably, my cup was almost entirely filled with white beads. We also watched some eye-opening Ted Talks given by those who have suffered from racism and had important insights to share. How crucial it is to listen deeply to one another and to be willing to change and grow!

Of note during the business session was that the Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, previously serving as our “designated conference minister,” was overwhelmingly and joyfully voted in as our settled/called conference minister. Another business item is that the Southwest Conference voted almost unanimously on the resolution to be a sanctuary conference. This means that it will fully support sanctuary churches who have chosen to advocate for immigration justice and offer immigrants sanctuary. I have a copy of the resolution if any of you would like more information.

Finally, I wanted to let you know that big changes are proposed for those going into ordained ministries. The UCC may no longer require an MDiv or other seminary degrees as part of the typical ordination process–though none of this will be voted on until 2019. Many have recognized that ministry does not look like it did even ten years ago: Churches are smaller and may not be able to afford a pastor who potentially has a $90,000 seminary debt to pay off. Members in discernment will still have a rigorous “marks of ministry” process to complete. Of course we should always remember that local churches remain autonomous though in covenant with the denomination.

I could share so much more about conference, but space is limited. Feel free to talk to Dorie, Clint, or me if you would like more information! Stay cool!
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,
If I didn’t get to personally wish CCOV’s seasonal members goodbye over the past few Sundays, I bid you a wonderful time in your more northerly locales! Please stay in touch with me over the coming months—we can always talk and pray together over the phone or through email. I will again be looking forward to your fall/winter return and the energy you bring to worship and to the life of the church.

Meanwhile, we will continue this Sunday with Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. This Sunday I will focus on Jesus’ appearance to Cleopas and another unnamed follower on the Road to Emmaus. If you would like to read ahead, you can do so in Luke 24:13-49. One thing you will note is that the gospel stories that we read starting at Easter about the post-resurrection events all seem to involve cases of misrecognition. At the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene mistakenly thinks that Jesus is a gardener. While on a fishing trip, Peter and the rest of the disciples see a man walking by the shore, but they do not immediately know that he is Jesus. And Thomas, as we talked about last week, refuses to believe until he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds. The journey along the Road to Emmaus is no different: Jesus appears to Cleopas and the other follower as a stranger, but then becomes known to them in the breaking of bread. In a sense, they were blind but then they see.

We often misrecognize things too. It is always my prayer that in church we are reminded that we have souls and that there is a larger reality all around us. Our busy weeks often distract us from what is really important—and cause us to miss seeing that which is truly sacred. I look forward to seeing you in church, where through word, music, and sacrament, we will get a glimpse into God’s larger reality.
Peace,
Rev. Sandi

Dear CCOV Family,

Prayers for a blessed, faith-enriching Holy Week. I look forward to seeing you all Easter Sunday when the sanctuary will be fragrant with Easter flowers and filled with the beautiful music of John Good and our own Larry Loeber! This Sunday’s sermon title is The Miracle of Resurrection, and the scripture readings are John 20:1-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:12-22. The resurrection is the culmination of Jesus’ seven miracles (or signs) in John’s Gospel that I have been preaching through for our Lenten theme. All of the other miracles have been pointing to and leading up to this one. On Sunday you will hear all about how the resurrection is cosmic in its scope, the centerpiece of Christianity, and the focus of our hope in both this life and beyond.

As is our recent tradition at CCOV, the Sunday after Easter, April 23, is Holy Humor Sunday, so please get your (clean) jokes ready to share during worship. We enjoy this thanks to a 1988 a group called the “Fellowship of Merry Christians,” who resurrected an ancient custom of celebrating the Sunday after Easter with joy, laughter, parties, picnics, singing, dancing, and playing jokes upon one another. They engaged in such joking because they thought God had played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead: For this very reason, early church theologians like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom called the resurrection “Risus paschalis” or “Easter laugh.” We typically have some very good laughs together on Holy Humor Sunday!

See you in Church!
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Sandi