Cabs for Christ offers free rides to and from SLUMC
The Cabs for Christ pilot program that launched in December at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church has been extended another month.
The program offers free door-to-door cab service to those who are homebound or have no transportation to church.
Sun Lakes UMC, located at 9248 E. Riggs Rd., contracted with Acme Cab Co. in December to service the program.
“We are so pleased to be able to continue our free Cabs for Christ program,” states Tracy Perry, associate pastor at SLUMC.
“Working with Ron Mills of the Acme
Cab Company has been such a pleasure and we look forward to continuing our relationship with his company,” she says.
Perry notes that anyone who is in need of transportation to any of the church’s worship services is eligible for the service.
To make a reservation, call the Sun Lakes UMC office at (480) 895-8766.
An Acme Cab Company representative will call and confirm the reservation the day of pickup. Then a driver will come to the door and drive the client to church. Drivers are prepared to transport clients home after church.
Spiritual Reflections
Share your spiritual reflections...
The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sun area churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to News@SanTanSun.com.
Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website.
Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the SanTan Sun News.
VUU celebrates cultures, faiths at services
An upcoming service at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Chandler will celebrate civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a service discussing how American society defines racism in the light of recent racial strife.
Worship Associate Patrick Whorton will lead the service, titled “Bewildered,” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18; the adult choir will also perform.
The Rev. Andy Burnette will lead “Who Picks the President? Authority, Social Class and the Unitarian Universalist Association Merger of 1961” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, to take a look at the role social class played in the merging of the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association.
In addition, a recent interfaith race vigil at VUU brought local churches and members together to discuss the series of high-profile cases of African Americans killed by police officers.
Burnette led “A Vigil for Ferguson, New York and Race and Ethnicity in America,” which was attended by pastors from Guardian Angels Catholic Community and Mission de Communities in Tempe and Chalice Christian Church in Gilbert, as well as members of the ASU Center for the Study of Race and
Diversity and representatives from other congregations.
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides a welcoming, diverse community that nurtures each person’s lifelong spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. VUU is at 6400 W. Del Rio St. in Chandler. To learn more, call (480) 899-4249 or visit www.vuu.org.
January 17 - February 6, 2015
Kids cook, make recipe books
Children in first through sixth grades are invited to cook, bake and “Eat Like a Sabra” from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at a Kids in the Kitchen event at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. Participants will have the opportunity
to not only cook, bake and decorate foods such as pita, falafel and bourekas, they will also create their own cookbooks. Cost is $12. Children are asked to bring sack lunches.
To learn more or RSVP, call (480) 8554333 or email youth@chabadcenter.com.
Eloy retreat celebrates ‘Pathways to Peace’
Those looking for peace while celebrating the spring equinox are invited to attend Pathways to Peace from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, at the Desert Rose Baha’i Institute in Eloy.
Participants will explore how to allow or disallow peace inside themselves through meditation, laughter, reflection and contemplation,
sharing perceptions, journaling, desert walking, dancing, reiki, drumming, singing bowls, celebrating an equinox ceremony and watching videos of Prem Rawat. Cost is $375, which includes six meals, two nights’ accommodations and all activities.
To learn more, contact Lois Valleau at (480) 883-6699 or Rina Cupples at (480) 883-7747.
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to News@ SanTanSun.com.
A Matter of Balance
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 25
Free eight-week class presented by A.T. Still University designed to help older adults manage falls and increase activity levels.
Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley 3400 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler Info: www.tbsev.org
The Art of Parenting
7:30 p.m. Mondays beginning Jan. 19
Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler or 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 21
Chandler Jewish Community Center
908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler
Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and
techniques. Cost is $99. Info: (480) 855-4333 or rabbi@ chabadcenter.com
Bible study
Meets twice a month
Members of the Women’s Life Group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives. Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ, Chandler
Info: Jan Olson at (480) 802-7457 or Joy King (480) 588-1882
Career Connectors
9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays
Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits.
Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert Info: www.careerconnectors.org, (480) 442-5806
Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.
Crackers and Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa
SLUCC hosts upcoming events
Sun Lakes United Church of Christ hosts a variety of events in February.
SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The church will celebrate its annual Jazz Sunday, one of its most popular services of the year, at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Sun Lakes Chapel, E. 9420 Sun Lakes Blvd. N, Sun Lakes. Director of Music Bob Confare will lead a fivepiece jazz band and a joint choir for rousing New Orleans-style, Dixieland music.
The church will host its annual fundraising Brats Fest from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, in the Arizona Room of the Sun Lakes Country Clubhouse. The popular event will offer brats and sauerkraut, pulled pork
sandwiches, loaded baked potatoes and desserts, as well as entertainment by DJ Barry. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance starting Sunday, Feb. 1, at the SLUCC office at 25635 S. Country Club Dr. in Sun Lakes.
A workshop on spiritual health in the New Year will be led by John Chuchman from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the Chapel Center in Sun Lakes. Free will offerings will be accepted.
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter
7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room C100 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, East Valley Chapter
7:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Mission Church Seminar Room 4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Celebrate Recovery Men’s Step Study
5:30 p.m. Sundays
Gender-specific accountability groups that meet for 28 weeks and use the eight recovery principles.
CrossRoads Nazarene Church 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: (480) 722-0700 or celebraterecovery@crnaz.com
East Valley JCC Parent and Child Playgroup
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fridays Playgroup for parents with children ages 12 months to 2 1/2 years old.
Send us your church, temple events
Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to News@SanTanSun. com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.
East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies and plays for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range.
Info: Melissa, (480) 785-0744, beadlover@ cox.net
Empower Model for Men
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays
The three-class series is taught by author Scott E. Clark and designed to offer practical wisdom and tools to help men shift into their higher consciousness, based on the seven-step empower model detailed in Clark’s book, “Empower Model for Men.” Cost is $85. Unity of Chandler 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler Info: (480) 792-1800.
Forever Marriage Ministries Marriage Restoration Support Group for Wives
Offers hope to the hurting Valley-wide through one-on-one Biblical marriage teaching, God-honoring wife discipleship and marriage restoration mentoring to wives seeking God’s will in the restoration of marriage.
Info: Lisa (602) 377-8847, Marriage@lisacmyers.com, www. forevermarriageministries.com, www. facebook.com/forevermarriages.
Grief Care
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone.
Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building 800 W. Ray Rd., Room 325, Chandler. Info: www.griefcareaz@gmail.com
Grief Share
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays
A combination seminar and support group that meets weekly with people who understand because they have “been there” themselves. Fee for materials is $15, but scholarships are available.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 739 W. Erie St., Chandler Info: (480) 963-4127, www.htlutheran.com
Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle
7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested.
Unity of Chandler
325 N. Austin Drive, Chandler Info: (480) 792-1800
H.O.P.E. – Help Overcoming Painful Experiences
7 p.m. Tuesdays
WebXtra:
Free weekly small group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger.
1371 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler RSVP: (480) 802-9304, (480) 655-8812
JumpStart
11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays
JumpStart is a sidewalk Sunday school community outreach program serving “some of the poorest neighborhoods” in Chandler, offering snacks, games and teachings about Jesus to area children. Participants meet at Faith Family Church 11530 E. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler Info: Joanne Sweeney, (480) 539-8933
Kids’ Sunday School
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays Unity of Chandler
325 N. Austin Drive, Suite 4, Chandler Info: (480) 792-1800, www. unityofchandler.org
WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”
