Desert Palm and Sun Lakes....

A week ago, I had the distinct pleasure of participating in the Rev. Michael Ann Verizoglu's Installation as Associate Pastor at Desert Palm United Church of Christ. It was an uplifting experience, to be sure.
From the marvelous preaching of one John Herman....


To the moving demonstration of covenant love and fellowship by the members of First Samoan United Church of Christ (Sinah Asoon is picture here presenting gifts to Desert Palm - she is also a member of the SWC Board of Directors)...


To the nourishing presence of the Holy Spirit at the Communion table...


this was an uforgettable afternoon.

Yesterday, the Rev. Dr. Vernon Meyer celebrated his first Thanksgiving as the pastor at Sun Lakes United Church of Christ - where 7 descendants of the Mayflower voyagers were present! Here are some pictures:

Beth Frigard

Last week, Beth Frigard presented herself to the Committee on Church and Ministry for her Ordination exam.

We are pleased to announce that she was outstanding, and has been approved for her Eccelesiastical Council and recommended for Ordination pending a call.

Beth is a member at Rincon UCC in Tucson.

She is pictured here with her friend and support person, Mark Clark and with Lee Albertson, chair of CoCAM.

A Day of Profound Joy

On Sunday, I had the distinct honor to preach and preside at the Installation of the Rev. Lee Milligan. Lee is now the newly Installed Sr. Pastor at Casas Adobes Congregational United Church of Christ in Tucson, AZ.

It was a day of mixed and powerful emotions, coming only three days after the second anniversary of the Rev. Bruce Von Roekel's tragic death by suicide - and the power of the new day dawning within that context was felt by all.

Enjoy the pictures of a church and covenant partner celebrating a day that will long live in their collective memories.

Lee and I in front of the church just moments before the Installation:

Lee making his vows before the Congregation, and I joined by CoCAM representative the Rev. Marie Bacchiocchi:

The Congregation rising as one to make their vows with their newly called and installed pastor:

Clergy Retreat

The clergy of the Southwest Conference gathered for four days at the Franciscan Renewal Center for their annual retreat.

It was a truly remarkable experience. We hoped to find time for respite and relaxation, and it came. We hoped for comradery, and it came. We waited for the Spirit, and she came.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves - they tell a story.