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TRANSCRIPT
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PASTOR’S PEN
November 2021
Pastor’s Pen 1
A Future with Hope 2
Calendar Celebrations 5
Monthly Calendar 9
Inside this issue: Special points of interest:
Minute from Mission
Blessing of the Pets pictures
Session Updates
Laughter is the Best Medicine
November is possibly my favorite month of the
year. That’s not just because it’s the month of
my birth (though that helps), but because
November always feels wonderfully full of
exciting shifts in the weather and on the
calendar.
Growing up in Kansas, November meant the
temperature began dropping with the leaves,
ushering in the anticipation of cozier days in-
doors. Here in the desert, cooling temps prompt
the opposite--we are again invited outdoors to
savor the beauty of the desert as we hike, bike,
picnic, golf and walk our dogs. November in the
desert always feels like the sweet reward for the
long and hot summer we’ve endured.
The calendar begins to
shift as we go from fall
fun with pumpkins and
apples and begin to
focus on the holidays of
Thanksgiving, Advent
and Christmas. Our consumer culture would
have us skip November altogether, I’m con-
vinced, as we begin seeing advertisements for
Christmas shopping even BEFORE the kids
have gone trick-or-treating. It’s that push
through November that I like the least. When we
just speed through a month in order to get to the
next one, we can miss a lot.
(Pastor’s Pen continued on page 2)
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Pastor’s Pen Continued)
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Here at St. John on the Desert, we will spend
November resisting that push to things beyond
now, focusing instead on our relationship with
God and one another in the present. For three
Sundays my sermons will be on prayer, using
Anne Lamott’s wonderful book, Help, Thanks,
Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Each of those
weeks we will weave together something current-
ly happening in the life of our congregation. On
November 7, as we consider the simple prayer
“Help,” we will celebrate and send-off Susan
Patton, our very own answer to the prayer for
help in the office. I hope you will plan to join us
for the potluck following worship. On November
14, we will ponder the prayer of “Thanks” and
offer our commitment of time, talent and treas-
ure as we dedicate our pledges for 2022.
On November 21, we will contemplate when
we’ve said “Wow” in response to something God
has done. A special Moment for Mission about
the life-changing work of one of our mission part-
ners, Primavera Foundation, will help us do that.
Though we will be decorating the church for
Advent during the November 21 “Hanging of the
Greens,” I invite you to stay as present as possible
for all that this month holds. Start each day with a
grounding deep breath. Focus your heart on the
Spirit’s rhythm. Enjoy the shifts of the season--
don’t rush through them. Give gratitude for
something each day.
May we all savor the time we have together this month…
Pastor Elizabeth
Right after stressing the
importance of staying in the
present, I (ironically) introduce
to you the theme of this year’s
stewardship campaign--
A Future With Hope. Steward-
ship season is an intentional
time of year when we are invit-
ed to reflect on God’s work in
our world and individual lives
and prayerfully consider our
response of gratitude through
our time, talent and treasure.
In the coming week, you will be
receiving more information via
mail and email that will invite
your reflections and response.
In the meantime, I hope you are
paying attention to how God is
at work in our shared life
together at St John. Can you see
what God is doing? How have
you felt God calling you to serve
the world through this beautiful
community of believers who
gathers at 2695 N. Houghton
Rd? Might the Spirit be nudging
you to share your talents in a
new way in 2022?
Be paying attention...and don’t
forget to check your mail and
email.
Sunday, November 7 there will be a potluck luncheon following the service to honor Susan
Patton for her work as church secretary and to send her off to Michigan with our blessings.
Deacons will provide the main course—ham. You are asked to bring sides or desserts to share.
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Lord, we offer these prayers for . . .
Pamela & Alaina, Bill Evans’ daughters, health issues
Laurie, Susan Patton’s daughter-in-law, surgery
John Deering, cancer
Linda, Susan Patton’s sister-in-law, stroke
Remember, Pastor Elizabeth is in the office
every Tuesday from 9:00 am—1:00 pm
And Wednesday from 9:00 am—1:00 pm
(Mondays are her Sabbath)
****The office will be closed November 15—19 for Pastor‘s Study Week****
MINUTE FOR MISSION
The Mission team will donate $200 to each of
our five Mission Partners: Youth on Their Own,
Old Pueblo Community Services, Gospel Rescue
Mission, Our Family Services, and Primavera
Foundation.
Our newest partner is Primavera Foundation,
whose mission is to provide pathways out of
poverty through safe, affordable housing, work-
force development, and neighborhood revitali-
zation.
In lieu of a Lunch & Learn, a representative and
a client from Primavera will share testimony to
the impact Primavera has had on their
lives during the Sunday, November 21
service.
The Advent giving calendar will reflect items
specific to the needs of Primavera.
Diane Kent
Mission Chair
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This Advent season, the Desert Son-Rising Choir will
make its comeback! All our songs will be available for
learning at home (via recordings).
If you are ready to SING AGAIN, we invite you to
JOIN US to be an integral part of the Advent season
services.
Our first rehearsal will be Wednesday, November 17
at 7 PM in the sanctuary.
Please contact Susan Taylor ([email protected]) for
more information.
Susan Taylor
Director
JOIN DESERT SON-RISING
BUILDING & GROUNDS UPDATE
Held a very successful Work Day October 8.
The volunteers cleaned up our monsoon mess,
weeded, pruned, unclogged downspouts, cast
wild flower seeds and cleaned the kitchen (even
the windows). Thanks to all who participated
that Saturday + Kent Grant who did some wa-
ter harvesting pre-work.
Installed 4 new HVAC systems; 3 on the Fel-
lowship/Office building and 1 for the Sanctu-
ary. Finally and thankfully, both of those
buildings have new and new-ish HVAC
units. With some luck and prayer, those build-
ings may be set for HVAC for another 20
years! The final cost for 4 units: $28,950 which
includes a $4000 discount for installing 4 units
simultaneously.
Looking forward in November: Roof repairs
and re-coating on sanctuary building and
Office/Fellowship Hall. In early 1Q2022: New
windows for the Pastor’s office and Finance
Office after significant leaks during Summer
monsoons.
** REMEMBER you can always help to offset
these costs by contributing to the Building and
Grounds designated fund by adding a memo to
your check or using the donate button on
our stjohnonthesesert.org website.
An unusual ask: Buildings and Grounds is
looking for 2-3 used hoses to water our cam-
pus. Please, don’t donate a new hose. Those
seem grow legs. We’re looking for older well-
used hoses that you may not be using these
days at your house. If you have one that you
can part with that meets this criteria, please
drop it off at your convenience. Susan Taylor,
B & G Chair
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR CELEBRATIONS
National Family Caregivers Month: In 2010, the
“Silver Tsunami” hit as 40 million baby boomers
reached 65 years of age. November is the month
to remember all those who lovingly care for
elderly and ill friends and family members.
Those who shop for, give baths, clean house, and
comfort others often forget to take care of them-
selves as well. It is essential for caregivers to
communicate with doctors to get accurate
diagnosis, and to find a network of community
services or providers.
The second week of November, we recognize
National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week
and the rapid rise in hunger rates over this past
year. The effect of Covid-19 has devastated some
families. We can work to ease their struggles
through our donations to our mission partners
and our work with Jane’s Lunch Bunch.
National Antibiotic Awareness Week falls on
the third week of November. Your donations on
the fifth Sunday of any month go to help Just 50
Cents, a global health network committed to
eradicating 7 destructive diseases.
During the 4th week of November, we celebrate
Thanksgiving and National Game & Puzzle
Week. During this holiday time when families
are together, take time to enjoy a board game,
or relax with a crossword or sudoku puzzle.
Gaming reduces stress levels, strengthens the
connections in your brain, and helps you bond
with family members.
Remember – on November 7, Daylight Savings
Time ends. We don’t change our clocks, but
other states fall back an hour.
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-Pastor Elizabeth
&
Gumby
To the Deacons, for their service at John
Sandahl’s memorial and reception
To all who worked to clean the campus on
the All Church Workday Oct. 9th
To all who prepared for and attended the
Blessing of the Pets Oct. 16th
To Rob Dillon for his dedication and work
as Education Elder
BLESSING OF THE PETS
Bart & Elizabeth Smith with Gumby Greg & Susan Curwen with Scout
Cleone Gerkin & Cocoa Betty Rae Campbell with Cleo
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BLESSING OF THE PETS
Blessing of the Pets
Susan & Jim Taylor (Left)
Amy Grant
Bill & Sue Black
Joy V’Marie (Center)
Jeanie Mangold (Right)
Dave Nichols
Matt & Caroline Arendt
In the Meditation Garden
Sat. October 16
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TITLE
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St John can use a volunteer to
deliver donated eyeglasses and
cases to the Lion’s Club in
Tucson.
Please let Pastor Elizabeth
know if this speaks to you as a
way to share your time.
A list of donation sites is
available in the office.
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
LION’S CLUB EYEGLASSES DONATIONS
Happy Thanksgiving!
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NOVEMBER 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Fill the Cart:
Every Sunday
the shopping
cart will be in
the sanctuary
1 2 Wordseekers
10:30 AM -
12:00 PM
3 4 5 Cleaning crew
2:00-3:30 PM
6
7 Worship
Communion
10:00 AM
Potluck
after service
8 9 Deacon Mtg
9:00—10:30 AM Wordseekers
10:30 AM -
12:00 PM
10 Worship
Committee
12:00 PM
11 12 Bridge
12:00-4:00 PM
13
14 Worship
10:00 AM
Dedication
Sunday
15 16 Wordseekers
10:30 AM -
12:00 PM
17 Desert
Son-Rising
7:00 PM
18 Quilters Plus
10:00 AM–
12:00 PM
19Cleaning crew
2:00-3:30 PM
20
21 Worship
10:00 AM
Hanging of the
Greens
11:30 AM
22 Jane’s Lunch
Bunch 7:30 am 23 Wordseekers
10:30 AM -
12:00 PM
Session Meeting
7:00 PM
24 25
26 Bridge
12:00-4:00 PM
27
28 Worship
10:00 AM
1st Sunday of
Advent
29
30 Wordseekers
10:30 AM -
12:00 PM
JANE’S LUNCH BUNCH: NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE
JLB will now meet on the fourth Monday of each month in Fellowship Hall at 7:30 am. Come &
bring a friend on Mon. Nov. 22 to help us create 360 lunches for the hungry who visit Casa Maria
Soup Kitchen! Bring your leftover wrapped Halloween candy for JLB . We don’t want to run out
of candy & cookies (no suckers, please).
FELLOWSHIP: If this is November, it must be Parish 1.
(When Helen calls asking for your help, please say, “Yes!”)
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Elders
Joy V’Marie (23) Clerk of Session
David Tabb (23) Treasurer
(520)-298-1654
Diane Kent (21) Mission
Susan Taylor (21) Buildings & Grounds
(520)-760-2119
Vacant (22) Christian Education
Georgia Bernheim (23) Communication & Outreach
(520-227-0481)
Susan Curwen (23) Personnel
(520)-760-7239
Deacons
Helen Tabb Parish 1
(520)-298-1654
Sandi Tinsley Parish 2
(520-777-4400
Rita Rasmussen Parish 3
(520)-296-2730
Kay French Parish 4
(520)-207-1504
Eugenia Villafana Parish 5
847-571-4210
Barbara Bledsoe Parish 6
(520)-982-1392
Newsletter Editor & Publisher Desert Son-Rising Director Accompanist
Georgia Bernheim Susan Taylor Marcia Soriano [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Web Site
www.stjohnonthedesert.org
Rev. Elizabeth Smith
520-955-9150
https://www.facebook.com/
StJohnonTheDesert
2695 N. Houghton Road,
Tucson, AZ 85749
520-749-3615