Our nation needs more than a number

In fall 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was passed by Congress establishing 988 as a three-digit nationwide mental health and suicidal crisis number to be available in communities by July 2022. The implementation of 988 will involve making sure appropriate resources, funding, staffing and infrastructure are in place for a successful rollout across… Continue reading Our nation needs more than a number

Can spirituality or religion decrease or even prevent depression?

by Kay Klinkenborg, Church of the Palms UCC; Spiritual Director; Retired: RN, LMFT, Clinical Member AAMFT A burst of joy went off inside me as I read of research by Dr. Lisa Miller, PhD that has clinical documentation revealing depression is avoided and certainly significantly reduced in persons that recorded a high connection to religion… Continue reading Can spirituality or religion decrease or even prevent depression?

Voting on a revised Constitution & Bylaws

Members of the Church of the Palms UCC will be voting on a revised Constitution and Bylaws (CaB) in the coming days. Voting begins on Monday, September 20 at THIS LINK, by telephone 623-748-3574, or in-person following worship next Sunday, September 26. The remaining opportunities for Q&A with the Constitution and Bylaws Task Force via… Continue reading Voting on a revised Constitution & Bylaws

An exploding turkey and a homework assignment

Sue Bender, in her book, Everyday Sacred, describes what happened when she and her husband went to a lawyer to make a will and living trust. “What would you like to do in case there’s an exploding turkey?” the lawyer asked. “Exploding turkey?” she asked. “What if the whole family was together for Thanksgiving and… Continue reading An exploding turkey and a homework assignment

HELP! Arouet Foundation in Urgent Need of Starter Kit Donations

Group aims to provide hygiene kit, essentials to 160 women exiting prison on October 1 HELP! 160 women will be released from Perryville Prison on Friday, October 1. Usually, there are 20-30 women released in one month! Arouet Foundation will try to provide Starter Kits for as many of these women as possible. So if… Continue reading HELP! Arouet Foundation in Urgent Need of Starter Kit Donations

Re-entry Simulation

Saturday, October 23, 10 am–12 pm An invitation from the Social Justice Action Team Criminal Justice Work Group: Have you ever been denied an apartment even though you could afford it? Do you know how to use public transportation to access government offices? Do you know where and how to obtain a new government ID?… Continue reading Re-entry Simulation

Feet-N-More Shower Ministry Exceeds 200 Showers

By Max Klinkenborg We gave 30 showers that day—Juneteenth—at the Salvation Army Church in Tempe as part of “Day of Freedom.” Our volunteers were in the shade, gulping cold water and wiping sweat in the 116-degree mid-afternoon heat, as the man approached our registration table and asked if he could have a shower. “Of course.… Continue reading Feet-N-More Shower Ministry Exceeds 200 Showers