Church of the Palms Social Justice Champion for 2022: Beth Moore

The Volunteer Engagement Committee working with Social Justice Leadership Team has selected Beth Moore for the 2022 Social Justice Champion Award. Beth attributes much of her social activism to her upbringing in the Methodist tradition where John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, worked among the marginalized coal miners of Great Britain in the early 1700s.… Continue reading Church of the Palms Social Justice Champion for 2022: Beth Moore

“Homeless Jesus” Sculpture coming to The Church of the Palms campus

It is a seven foot bronze sculpture by Timothy Schmalz entitled, “Homeless Jesus”, which depicts Jesus sleeping on a park bench. We are in the process of obtaining this piece of art this summer/fall. His face and hands are obscured under the blanket; the only clue to his identity is the crucifixion wounds on his… Continue reading “Homeless Jesus” Sculpture coming to The Church of the Palms campus

Our New Sacred Place: Notes from the Mission and Outreach Team & Social Justice Action Team

A sacred place is defined as a space distinguished from other spaces. The rituals that a people either practice at a place or direct toward it mark its sacredness and differentiate it from other defined spaces. At The Church of The Palms, we have several sacred spaces: Our beautiful Sanctuary, the Memorial Garden, our Chapel,… Continue reading Our New Sacred Place: Notes from the Mission and Outreach Team & Social Justice Action Team

Meet & Greet with Micheon Gorman, Director of Development, Phoenix Indian Center

Saturday, February 4, 20239 am: Light breakfast served9:30 – 10:30 am: Program, presentation, and Q&A Micheon will join us via Zoom in King Hall.This is a free event, open to the public.Breakfast reservations: Sign up on clipboard in narthex or call 623-977-8359.Participate via Zoom by going to the Bridges page of our website and clicking… Continue reading Meet & Greet with Micheon Gorman, Director of Development, Phoenix Indian Center

If you can no longer march, what can you do?

It’s that time of the year when things start to get busy at The Palms. Our winter friends are returning, meetings and classes are happening with greater frequency, and our social justice ministry, which never takes a day off, is expanding! We are busy being the church, the palms of Jesus. Thanks be to God! To… Continue reading If you can no longer march, what can you do?

David’s Discernings: ONA Sunday

written by Rev. David Klingensmith I am proud to be a member of this congregation that proudly flies the rainbow flag and welcomes members of the LGBTQ+ community to join us on the journey. More than 1,760 UCC congregations have adopted Open and Affirming covenants. This is so important because LGBTQ+ folks are facing continued… Continue reading David’s Discernings: ONA Sunday

Othering and Belonging: A New Task Force

part of the Mission Focusof the Social Justice Action TeamChurch of the Palms UCC There is a new task force at Church of the Palms: Othering and Belonging (O&B). It has formed out of the continued investment in education events around the social justice issues of anti-racism, oppression, marginalized people, criminal justice, etc. O&B will… Continue reading Othering and Belonging: A New Task Force

Update from the MOD(erator) Squad

Greetings from the Moderator Team. We are rounding the corner of the calendar year and sending you an August Palm Leaf. We don’t normally send a Palm Leaf in August, but we are in unprecedented times and facing unprecedented issues, challenges, and opportunities to show who we are as followers of Jesus and members of… Continue reading Update from the MOD(erator) Squad