by Nancy Nonini, Social Justice Action Team—Criminal Justice Following Pastor Jim’s sermon on “The Facts vs. The Stories” about Jesus’ Resurrection, we’d like to follow up on our presentation on the facts of Mass Incarceration with some stories. One story is about someone who was wrongly convicted, but served over 14 years in prison. One… Continue reading Injustice In Our Justice System: The Stories of Mass Incarceration
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Awakening Racial Injustice: Arizona Indigenous Tribes
By Nancee Noel Having lived in Arizona for 16 years, I am surprised how little acknowledgement and attention is given to the many indigenous people who also inhabit our state. There are actually 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona. That’s a lot of people! I won’t try to name the tribes, as anyone interested can… Continue reading Awakening Racial Injustice: Arizona Indigenous Tribes
Social Justice Action Team—Criminal Justice hosts Breakfast in Your PJs
Tuesday, June 15, 8:30–9:30 am Arizonans serve 40-percent longer sentences for drug crimes and twice the national average for nonviolent property crimes. These long sentences are not making Arizona any safer. Please join us for some of these Arizona stories and ideas on what we can do to decrease the Injustice In Our Justice System:… Continue reading Social Justice Action Team—Criminal Justice hosts Breakfast in Your PJs
Hymn for Summer 2021
One of my favorite hymns is “I Am the Light of the World!” which is based on a Howard Thurman piece entitled, “When the Song of the Angels is Stilled.” Here is my Summer 2021 version. When the protocols have been stopped,When the masks are taken down,When family and friends can gather again,The work of… Continue reading Hymn for Summer 2021
W.I.S.E. in June
by Pastor Jim Alexander June 2021 promises to be a month of continued healing and hope as we emerge from quarantine and return to in-person learning opportunities and worship at The Palms. There is excitement and joy as we do so. But, there is also a bit of anxiety and nervousness, too. When you or… Continue reading W.I.S.E. in June
Congratulations, Shea!
Shea Darian is excited to announce that she has accepted a chaplain position at Phoenix Children’s Hospital beginning June 1st. Shea’s ordination is set for Sunday, June 27, 3:00 p.m., at Church of the Palms. She has blessed this congregation through her grief counseling, her leadership in song and spoken word, and in her kind… Continue reading Congratulations, Shea!
In-Person worship: Next steps
By John Durbin, COTP Moderator The team helping us navigate the road to as much normalcy as possible as the pandemic subsides met May 23 after Sunday worship. Here is what they are requesting: This is not a time to be complacent. Remain cautious in your interactions with people whose vaccination status is unknown. If… Continue reading In-Person worship: Next steps
Update from the MOD(erator) Squad
You may recall that in our first Mod Squad Palm Leaf article, we promised to use this space to keep you posted on our church leadership priorities for the year. They are: Planning and implementing in-person worship services. Fully implementing the WISE Congregation for Mental Wellness Program. Supporting and expanding the work of the Social… Continue reading Update from the MOD(erator) Squad
Going hybrid
I drive a hybrid vehicle. I have driven one since 2007. Hybrid vehicles combine at least one electric motor with a gasoline engine to move the car, and its system recaptures energy via regenerative braking. Sometimes the electric motor does all the work, sometimes it’s the gas engine, and sometimes they work together. The result… Continue reading Going hybrid
“How long, O Lord?”
“How long, O Lord?” the Psalmist cried. We, too, ask that question: How long, O Lord? How long until this? How long until that? How long do we have to wear masks? Take temps? Register attendance? Use hand sanitizer? How long are we going to have a truncated worship service? What about singing? What about entering and… Continue reading “How long, O Lord?”