1 Dr. Lawrence W. Corbett, Interim Pastor A. Ault, Senior Pastor Ginger Willetts, Editor Volume 46, No. 10 NOVEMBER 2016 Today, Thanksgiving doesn’t get as much attention sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. It seems like the Halloween jack-o-lanterns and ghost figures are hardly stored away for another year until we’re buying Christmas decorations and counting the shopping days to Christmas. Yet, for Christians, Thanksgiving comes at just the right time because it’s on the doorstep of Advent, and there’s no better way to start Advent than in a spirit of thanksgiving. Our celebration of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas is rooted in God’s irrational love for us. A gift for which we may be deeply thankful. I hope your Thanksgiving will be a memorable celebration of God’s immeasurable love for you and your loved ones. May God’s blessings be yours. Gratefully, Larry Corbett, Interim Pastor 928-282-7963 Fax: 928-282-4143 Website: www.ChurchoftheRedRocks.com E-mail address: [email protected]From the Pastor’s Desk… Dear Friends, The first Thanksgiving was held at Plymouth Plantation in 1621. Historians are uncertain about the exact date, but know that it occurred sometime between September 22 and December 11. There were fifty Puritan settlers and ninety natives – give or take – in attendance. The menu included dozens of wild turkeys, plenty of cod caught in the bay, barley and corn in various forms, and deer brought by the natives. The feast lasted three days (without football). Our impression of Thanksgiving is typically one out of a Wyeth painting with Puritans and Indians seated at a long table saying a prayer over piles of food, when in reality it was more like a three-block party with tables set up in a driveway framed by bales of straw, a chilled keg, and more food than anyone can eat.
Transcript
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Dr. Lawrence W. Corbett, Interim Pastor A. Ault, Senior Pastor Ginger Willetts, Editor
Volume 46, No. 10 NOVEMBER 2016
Today, Thanksgiving doesn’t get as much attention
sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. It seems like the Halloween jack-o-lanterns and ghost figures are
hardly stored away for another year until we’re buying Christmas decorations and counting the shopping days to
Christmas. Yet, for Christians, Thanksgiving comes at just
the right time because it’s on the doorstep of Advent, and there’s no better way to start Advent than in a spirit of
thanksgiving. Our celebration of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas is rooted in God’s irrational love for us. A
gift for which we may be deeply thankful.
I hope your Thanksgiving will be a memorable celebration
of God’s immeasurable love for you and your loved ones. May God’s blessings be yours.
A new ongoing discussion group that will focus on the music of the church as our text beginning with the Songbook of the
Church ... the book of Psalms .... then looking at familiar and newer hymns in the UCC Hymnal. No homework ... more
like a Bible study but with our text being the songs that
nourish our spiritual journey.
“TEDx at THE CHURCH OF THE RED ROCKS”
FIRST THURSDAY each month
at 5:00 p.m.
All presentations will last 18 minutes or less
and the remaining time is for open discussion.
November 3: Spirits on a Human Journey
Pierre Teihlard de Chardin wrote “We are NOT human beings having a spiritual
experience; we are SPIRITUAL beings having a human experience.” These words
come from Pierre’s first book, “the Phenomenon of Man.” Pierre's books were banned at one time by the Catholic church, and yet this simple phrase has
very profound implications for how we see ourselves, the people around us, and how we relate to each other. Stephen
Covey, famous for his bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People often paraphrases this quote. This 18
minute TEDx talk will explore this aspect of Pierre's work, we
will then have time for Q&A and discussion.
ONA STATEMENT
Still Speaking God, we, the community of The Church of
the Red Rocks, seek to be a body of Christians who
celebrate and live in openness to your voice. Therefore, we covenant with you and one another as we seek to live
Christ’s compassion, promote justice, healing and wholeness of life.
As Children of God, we celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of each expression of God’s diverse family as
well as our oneness in Christ, and believe that attitudes and acts of injustice, discrimination and violence work
against the gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, we welcome
into our community persons of every gender, age, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, political background, faith background,
marital standing and family structure. We invite all to share fully in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship,
worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys
of our congregation as we seek to grow together in faith and love.
Sunday School available during & Nursery Care 10:30 a.m.
Worship service
Adult Education Series
Check out the enclosed brochure of classes and study groups being offered this Fall and Winter.
Sign-up sheets will be available in Painted Cliffs Hall.
“LIFE TOGETHER” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Book discussion with Rev. Larry Corbett
WEDNESDAY mornings at 10:00 a.m.
November 2, 9, 16, 23
In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, recounts his unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years
in Germany. Giving practical advice on how life together in
Christ can be sustained in families and groups, Life Together is bread for all who are hungry for the real life of Christian
fellowship. ($10 books available in office.)
“VISITING SCHOLARS SERIES” with Björn Krondorfer
WEDNESDAY, November 30
at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Björn Krondorfer, Director of the Martin-Springer Institute at
NAU and Endowed Professor of Religious Studies in Department of Comparative Cultural Studies. Field of
expertise: religion, gender, culture, (post-) Holocaust studies, Western religious thought, and reconciliation studies. He has
been invited to speak, present his research, and facilitate
intercultural encounters in South Africa, Australia, South Korea, Finland, Poland, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany,
Israel/Palestine, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Canada. Before coming to AZ, he has been a speaker at the Maryland
Humanities Council for many years.
Presentation on November 30: Unsettling Empathy in the Holy Land: Dialogical meetings with Israelis and Palestinians.
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COMMISSION
Shoebox Packing Party Photos
The Shoebox (Operation Christmas Child) packing party date is Friday, November 18th In the downstairs Fellowship Hall at 10:00 a.m.) Anyone who would like to fill some shoeboxes
from the items that have been collected is invited to come and help! It really is a good filling (and fun) to decide on an age and gender and go around the room and pick up items to fill a shoebox
for a child, for whom this may be their only Christmas present. And, more importantly, the local
churches in the country receiving the shoeboxes are trained in how to host outreach events sharing the Gospel as they distribute the shoeboxes. The Good News of Jesus Christ is spread.
One need we have is for money to cover the shipping cost, which is $7 per shoebox.
The boxes we will pack on the 18th are being filled from donated items, but we need the money
to pay for their shipment. So, if you can help fulfill that need, by any amount, you can give the cash or a check to Ginger or Cate in the office by Wednesday, November 16th. The contribution
is tax-deductible.
Many thanks to those who have supported this ministry.
CASA: COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA volunteers are everyday people appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court.
In Arizona, there are 15 county CASA programs administered by the CASA of Arizona office which is a program of the Dependent Children's Services Division of the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts.
CASA of Arizona and its volunteers have been advocating for abused and neglected children in Arizona for over 30
years and have served over 20,600 children.
CASA strives to ensure that society if fulfilling its most fundamental obligation to children in need. CASA trains
and supports qualified, compassionate adults that will fight for and protect a child's right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family.
If you wish to find out more, or are interested in becoming a volunteer, call: Jackie Smollar at 703-868-8169 or
Social Justice Committee Highlights and Information Submitted by Joan Scott
1. By the time this comes out, the 2016 election will be almost
over. Whew! Most of us will have voted early, I suspect. If you are still struggling with the choices (and aside from
the presidential race, the AZ. Propositions are not easy) take heart! Down-ballot candidates and local issues are so
important. And we have a chance to change the culture
and enhance effectiveness of the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Board. We have a stake in this, for the health of
the country and people, and for civility and empathy and compassion. And kindness. As for the propositions, good
people have shared their research and knowledge, and personal experience, on both sides. Now will come the
work of healing the divisions and gaps and many wounds
that are the sources for feelings of alienation, anger and injustice. May we be part of the healing.
2. The second collection for “Project 40 and Below”
begins this week! Last winter’s collection from CRR for
the Sedona Area Homeless Alliance project was very successful. Cold weather is coming. Laurie Moore, the
Director, has told us that last year’s “32 degrees” was too low a temp for a staring benchmark; thus the more humane
“40.” Bring in new men and women’s underwear (thermal and regular) and socks, which they always need. Also suggested is Bronner’s bar soap, which is multi-purpose.
Good used cold weather jackets are accepted. Please, hats and gloves are not needed this year. Labeled bins are in
the PCH through November. Note: if you have a good condition 1-2 person tent you can donate, contact Joan
Scott, 284-0390.
3. Two fine opportunities have been hosted in Painted Cliffs
Hall. We hope many of you enjoyed and learned from the multi-media production of “Ecopolis:Sedona” by
John and Jean Biggers’ son Jeff on Oct. 27. This was
co-hosted with Inspiration of Sedona. On Nov. 4 persons from law enforcement, the prison system, mental health
organizations, service agencies, Sedona and Verde Valley organizations for the homeless, and others, including some
of you, will be participating in “2nd Annual National
Prison and Aftercare Awareness Day.” Huge kudos to Susan Gregory and Don Kirchner for a organizing a lineup
of impressive speakers and film.
AN ADDITIONAL NOTE
The Verde Valley Mental Health Coalition is again sponsoring “Mental Health First Aid,” a training for persons wanting to learn
how to help a loved one, employee, friend or neighbor experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress. Friday Nov. 18, 8 AM -
5 PM, at Christ Lutheran Church. Free, open to the community, and taught by Spectrum HealthCare Group. Register by contacting
Barbara Litrell, 649-0135. (Limited to 24.)
If you have signed up before, then you know
the drill: go to our website and click on “SERVING”, and SIGN-UP GENIUS. This will
take you to a place to sign up online and
choose your jobs. PLEASE NOTE…on your first visit to the site, you will need to create a user
name and password for this section of our website. You can use the same user name
and password as you may have used to sign
in under MyCRR Login, however, it does have to be created in both places.
If you have any questions,
please contact Sonya Webber,
Marcia Swearingen,
or Mary Lou Sykora.
Looking For A Way to Serve The Community
and to act out your faith?
Serve at the Community Supper!
The Church of the Red Rocks continues its
mission service at the Community Supper at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church by volunteering
to prepare and serve the supper and to clean up on the first Monday of each month.
Your next opportunity
to volunteer is: November 7
Are you a AWESOME Hostess? Do you like to organize gatherings?
If so, we are looking for you!
A “lead” organizer is needed for our memorial
receptions. This person works with splendid volunteers to serve refreshments at memorials
services. Contact Ginger or Cate in the office if you are interested!
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MONDAY, November 14 7:00 p.m.
The next PFLAG meeting, but I wanted to get his out early so you can mark your calendars. You don't want to miss Jen Emmerich's presentation on November 14th!!
Please join us at the upcoming Monday, November 14, 2016 support meeting of PFLAG Sedona/Verde Valley. The support meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive in Sedona, in the Painted Cliffs Hall. Our
speaker will be Jen Emmerich, a Sedona... therapist, who specializes in gender identity/LGBTQ issues, bariatric weight loss, eating disorders and eating issues.
Jen Emmerich has been working with and providing therapy to members of the transgender community since 1991. Her
presentation is called "The Many Faces of Transitioning Gender" and will include a brief historical overview and discussion
regarding gender as a social construct and occurring on a continuum. Jen will talk about the current range of options/contexts that transgender persons explore, and will also touch upon the distinction between sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Jen Emmerich moved to Sedona from Michigan in September of 2016 and has begun her psychology practice in West
Sedona. In Michigan, she taught at Western Michigan University (WMU) in the Gender and Women’s Studies Department and in the School of Social Work. Jen was a contract clinician with the WMU counseling clinic, while also running her full-
time private psychology practice.
Jen is married and also the mother of a 25-year old son. She enjoys hiking, hot yoga, dance classes and is also a dog
enthusiast.
You won’t want to miss this very educational and informative meeting and gain some knowledge and insight about the transgender community. All are invited and welcome to attend.
Photos from BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
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"HARVEST OF HIP HATS, GROOVY GIFTS AND PIE, OH MY!!"
Saturday, November 12
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Hosts: Knitting into the Mystery
Knitting Ministry
Cost: $5.00 entrance Plus winning auction bid
This is an opportunity to bid on holiday gifts for yourself,
adult kids, grandkids, other family & friends. $5.00 gets you in, gets you a bidding number and refreshments. At the end
of the auction you will receive a $5.00 credit on your total
purchase.
Special entertainment is planned for 11:30.
There will be hand knitted (or crocheted)
hats, scarves, shawls, wraps, ornaments and more, as well as quilted holiday items,
paintings by Cate Wyckoff, baskets and
other crafts. There will also be a “gourmet dinner for 4” by Chef Larry Corbett!
The Auction is open to everyone, so
invite your friends to come! Refreshments and beverages will be
provided, like homemade pumpkin, apple, pecan pies and hot apple
cider.
EARLY CHANCES!! A few items will be auctioned during
coffee hours in November. Watch for details in the weekly bulletins!!!
MYSTERY MANOR FULL – Waiting List Available
Saturday, November 5
6:00 p.m. Hosts: Sergio & Lora Mazza
Cost: $50 per person
Limited to: 20 people
Your presence is requested at Mystery Manor for an evening filled with murder, mystery and tasty morsels. You will receive
in advance details of the character you will play so you can prepare for the role of a lifetime!
A gate code for entrance will also be given to all attendee prior to November 5.
* * * * * * * * * *
DINNER & CHRISTMAS CAROLING
FULL – Waiting List Available
Friday, December 9 5:00 p.m.
Hosts: Gary & Joy Stouder
Cost: $40 per person Limited to: 16 people
Enjoy dinner with friends and celebrate the season singing
Christmas carols.
* * * * * * * * * *
DINNER & CHRISTMAS CAROLING
NEW
Final date TBD: Friday, December 9 or Saturday, December 10
5:00 p.m. Hosts: Melanie & Ed Voboril
Cost: $40 per person
Limited to: 16 people
Enjoy dinner with friends and celebrate the season singing Christmas carols.
This group is open to anyone
that would like to join them.
The CRR Book Club
normally meets the 3rd Friday
each month,
at 1:00 p.m.
Thanks to all who have hosted and/or attended a pick-a-party this year. They've been great!
There's still time to book a party as this fund raiser will continue through the end of the year. Choose a fall
theme, a holiday theme, any theme at all for your craft, your host skills or your chance to give to the church in a fun and meaningful way. Contact Joy Stouder (928-325-0007) or Joyce Bethune (973-713-6545) to get started.
The books for reading and discussion are:
November 18
“The Magic String Of Frankie Presto”
by Mitch Albom
December 16
“The Expected One”
by Kathleen McGowan
For information contact Sally Phillips @ 284-2508.
Happy Reading!
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What it is: Join a group traveling to the rural village of Xepatan Guatemala to assist in the construction of three homes for families living in extreme poverty. We will spend four or five days at the work site alongside Guatemalan masons. The homes are one room, 14’ x 18’ cinder block,
a concrete floor with a metal roof.
How Long: The trip is scheduled for nine days – 2 days of travel and seven days will be divided between working in Xepatan and opportunities to increase your knowledge of the Mayan people and Guatemalan
Where is the project and where will we stay: The project is in Xepatan (formally Aldea San Jose Xepatan), a small Mayan village in the mountains of Guatemala. Xepatan is a farming village at an elevation above 7,000’. We will stay nights in both Antigua and Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. Both Antigua and Panajachel are tourist cities with many amenities. All transfers and hotels are arranged and approved by Constru Casa. (Reference: www.construcasa.org)
Guatemala Trip January 14 – 22, 2017
Co-Endorsed by: Christian Mission & Christian Nurture Commissions
Sunday Worship Services Sunday Christian Nurture 8:30 am & 10:30 am 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Care 9:30 am Coffee Hour
Each Monday Each Tuesday 7:45 am Tai Chi & Prayer 7:30 am Men’s Breakfast & Religious Study 9:00 am Office Staff Meeting (2nd & 4th wk) 9:00 am Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal 10:00 am Family Support Group (1st & 3rd wk)
Each Wednesday Each Thursday 10:00 am Adult Education Classes (various leaders) 9:00 am Office Staff Meeting 1:30 pm Grief Support Group (1st & 3rd wk) 9:30 am Stephen Ministry – (2nd wk) 10:00 am Adult Education Class (1st & 3rd wk) 1:30 pm Knitting into the Mystery 3:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Each Friday Each Saturday 7:45 am Tai Chi & Prayer 10:00 am FLIP - (1st & 3rd wk) 10:15 am The “EDGE”
*** Groups that meet on an ongoing basis for the month, are listed at above by EACH day of week ****
NOVEMBER 1 Tuesday 2:00 pm Stephen Leaders – Conference Room 3 Thursday 5:00 pm Adult Education Class: TEDx – Painted Cliffs Hall 4 Friday 9:00 am Social Justice Committee with Prison Aftercare – Painted Cliffs Hall 5 Saturday 10:30 am Elizabeth Clegg Memorial Service – Sanctuary 6:00 pm Pick-a-Party: Mystery Manor at the Mazza’s 6 Sunday Holy Communion Celebrated & Stewardship Sunday 7 Monday 5:00 pm Community Supper @ St. Andrews Episcopal Church
8 Tuesday 9:00 am GOCOM (Christian Growth & Outreach) – Classroom B 9 Wednesday 1:00 pm Social Justice Committee – Classroom A
12 Saturday 10:00 am Pick-a-Party: Silent Auction “Harvest of Hip Hats, Groovy Gifts And Pie, Oh My” – Painted Cliffs Hall 13 Sunday Manna Sunday
14 Monday 12:00 pm Long Range Planning Commission – Painted Cliffs Hall 1:00 pm Christian Mission Commission – Conference Room
2:00 pm Worship Commission – Classroom B 7:00 pm PFLAG Meeting – Painted Cliffs Hall
15 Tuesday 10:00 am Endowment Management Commission – Conference Room 1:00 pm Personnel Committee – Conference Room 2:00 pm Administration Commission – Conference Room 16 Wednesday 9:00 am Finance Commission – Conference Room 1:00 pm Council – Painted Cliffs Hall 18 Friday 9:00 am Operation Christmas Child Packing Party – Downstairs Fellowship Hall 1:00 pm CRR Book Club – Classroom B 19 Saturday 5:00 pm Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary 20 Sunday Worship Services 2:00 pm M@RRS Concert: NAU Lyric Opera – Sanctuary 21 Monday 11:00 am Congregational Life Commission – Classroom B 24 Thursday OFFICE CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING 25 Friday 11:00 am Peter Bertelson Memorial Service – Sanctuary OFFICE CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
27 Sunday First Sunday of Advent – Rev. Margaret Gramley, Guest in Pulpit 30 Wednesday 5:30 pm Adult Education Class: Visiting Scholars Series – Björn Krondorfer
Canyon
Echo EARLY
Deadline:
NOV. 14
For the
December issue.
PLEASE! NO LATE
ENTRIES
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CONCERT “For the Love of Three Operas”
Sunday, November 20th 2:00 pm
Featuring:
NAU Lyric Theater
Newly reformed under the direction of Eric Gibson, the NAU Lyric Theater program will present a concertized version of Gaetano Donizetti's Il Campanello (the Night Bell)
Thomas Pasatieri's Signor Deluso Beethoven’s Slippers (a brand new work by Dr. Judith Cloud,
a composer and Coordinator of Voice at Northern Arizona University.)
