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April 19 - May 2, 2014
Spirituality
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‘Evidential Inspiration’ at VUU
Church celebrates Easter, hosts egg hunt
A free program with science-based speaker the Rev. Michael Dowd will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tues., April 29, at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler. “Evidential Inspiration and Realistic Hope,” geared for adults and teens, expands on material in Dowd’s bestselling, bridge-building book, “Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World,” endorsed by six Nobel laureates and other science luminaries, including noted skeptics and atheists, and by religious leaders across the spectrum. Dowd will speak about the impact on Earth’s climate, the seas and other species, in what he says humanity is about to experience what could be called “The Great Reckoning.” “A worldwide meta-religious movement has been emerging for decades, largely unnoticed, at the nexus of science, inspiration and sustainability,” according to a news release. “Beliefs are secondary. What unites us are a
A contemporary and family-friendly Easter service is hosted by Hope Covenant Church at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 20, at Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. An egg hunt for children of all ages and continental breakfast will precede the service at 9 a.m. A children’s program will also be held during the service. For more information, visit www.hopechurchchandler.com or call (480) 8997255.
pool of common values, priorities, and commitments regarding the importance of living in right relationship to Reality/ Nature/Time and working together in service of a just and thriving future for humanity and the larger body of life.” Dowd’s work and that of his wife, Connie Barlow, an acclaimed science writer, has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover magazine and on CNN, Fox News and ABC News. Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides a welcoming diverse community that nurtures each person’s life-long spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. Within this liberal religion, VUU members seek to create lives of integrity, service and joy. Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation is located at 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler, AZ 85226 and can be reached by phone at (480) 899-4249, on Facebook at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation or online at www.vuu.org.
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.
Easter Egg Hunt April 20, at 9 a.m.
Children’s Easter Program: April 20, at 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday April 17, at 6:30 p.m. Good Friday April 18, at 6:30 p.m. Easter Worship 10:30 a.m.
New Preschool EXPLORING MY WORLD PRESCHOOL, 3 and 4 year olds
VBS Now Enrolling! Summer Classes: June 2-6 For children 3 and up (register online)
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Easter at VUU to include pancake breakfast, egg hunt Easter Sunday events at the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation include a pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.; an Easter/Passover service with the Rev. Andy Burnette at 10:30 a.m.; and an Easter egg hunt at 12:30 p.m. Sun., April 20. The second annual VUU Easter Pancake Breakfast includes two pancakes, scrambled egg bake, two sausage links or fresh fruit and coffee or juice for $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Tickets are also online at www. vuu.org, and proceeds support the VUU youth Coming of Age UU Heritage trip to Boston.
For many Unitarian Universalists, the Easter/Passover season is a time of reflection of what has been, where one has come from, and the potential for the days to come. For others, Easter offers the time to celebrate creation and the emerging of
new life after the season of cold and its dormancy. Burnette will conduct infant dedications, a ceremony in which the congregation celebrates the joy of new life, during the service. Congregants are invited to bring a flower to the Easter service, to be blessed in the Unitarian Universalist Flower Communion. There will also be the annual Easter Party for children with crafts, face painting and games during the service. Then, after the morning service, an Easter egg hunt will be held outside the sanctuary. Attendees are asked to bring a basket for the eggs.
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides a welcoming diverse community that nurtures each person’s life-long spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. Within this liberal religion, VUU members seek to create lives of integrity, service and joy. Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation is located at 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler, AZ 85226 and can be reached by phone at (480) 899-4249, on Facebook at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation or online at www. vuu.org.
Cornerstone ‘Kidz Kamp’ now enrolling
Market on the Move comes to South Chandler
A “jungle safari” is in store for kid campers who participate in Cornerstone Church’s Kidz Kamp 2014 this summer. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, through Friday, June 6, with a kickoff event and free concert for the whole family from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 2. Campers will get to “Explore the Nature of God!” through Bible stories, crafts, snacks, music and games. Cost is $40 per child for the entire week, and includes a T-shirt and all supplies. Cornerstone is at 1595 S. Alma School Rd. in Chandler. To register or learn more, visit www.cornerstoneonline.com/kidz-kamp.
Market on the Move distributes fresh produce in a farmers market atmosphere for the public to enjoy. The purpose or the market is to reach out to the community by providing good quality produce at an extremely affordable price. A $10 donation is good for up to 60 pounds of produce for six to eight different varieties that are normally available. The Market on the Move is held on the second Saturday of the month from December through May. The next scheduled event is 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, in the parking lot of Desert Palms Church, 4265 S. Arizona Ave.
www.ChandlerMethodist.org
SUNDAY WORSHIP Traditional Worship .....................8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP April 18 .......................................7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children, Youth & Teens .......8:40 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
All Are Welcome. Making and Deploying Disciples Who Put God First, Since 1913
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Spirituality
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Sun Lakes Congregation remembers the Holocaust SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation (SLJC) is an established reform congregation that meets at the Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. N, Sun Lakes, at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of the month. A congregation spokesman says the services are great opportunities to meet new people, connect with Judaism and learn. New attendees are invited to be introduced at the service. Members of the congregation connect with these attendees at the Oneg Shabbats held immediately following the service. Rabbi Irwin Weiner has guided the congregation for 10 years. In news from the congregation, it celebrated Passover with a Seder on the second night of the holiday. More than 100 people attended. Weiner led the service, which provided a way to remember the holiday, the plight of the people and to celebrate the beginning of spring. On Friday April 11, the congregation remembered the Holocaust in its Yom
HaShoah Remembrance Service. Wiener’s sermon was entitled “The Importance of Remembrance.” During the service, candles were lit to remember the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, including an estimated one and a half million children. The ceremony included candles for each of the concentration camps and one candle to honor the Righteous Gentiles, a phrase used for non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. At the Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem, more than 11,000 Righteous Gentiles are honored. The movie, “Schindler’s List,” commemorated one of these Righteous Gentiles. The film is based on the life of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than 1,000 mostly PolishJewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. On Sunday April 27, East Valley Congregations will honor Holocaust Memorial Day at Temple Beth Shalom. Members of the congregation, including
Wiener, were active participants in the planning and participated in this thoughtprovoking event. Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day is on Monday, May 5. The Shabbat service on Friday, May 9, will honor the SLJC Sisterhood. Members of the Sisterhood will conduct the 7 p.m. service. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, the SLJC congregation is invited to a town hall meeting in the chapel center. This will be an opportunity for the congregation to ask questions and obtain information from the SLJC Board of Directors and ask questions related to the implementation of the 2014 to 2015 SLJC budget. For more information, visit http:// sunlakesjewishcongregation.org/. New members are welcome. To learn more about Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, call congregation President Marty Silverman at (480) 895-6917 or e-mail to netladyaz@ wbhsi.net.
Temple Havurat Emet to host celebration The public is invited to a May 2 service at Temple Havurat Emet when the congregation will celebrate the B’nei Mitzvah of seven of its members. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah generally takes place when the youngster is 13 years old. There have been times, however, when after this child has grown up, he or she decides to
have a second bar mitzvah at 70. These seven people have taken it upon themselves to have their first mitzvah at this stage of their lives. It is a choice made willingly and happily by this group of six women and one man. Their motto is “we may be older and all have grown up to be mature (and retired) people, but we are
active and we realize that we are never too old to learn something new.” Come to the Lecky Center of the Robson Library building located at 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2. For more information, visit www. templehavuratemet.org.
Spring SLJC meetings scheduled
HOLY WEEK MAUNDY THURSDAY April 17 12:30 & 6:30 p.m. (with communion)
GOOD FRIDAY April 18 Children’s Service 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (interactive service for children) Traditional Tenebrae Services 12:30 & 6:30 p.m. Experiential Contemporary 8 p.m.
EASTER April 20 with communion at all services Traditional Sunrise Service 7:30 & 11:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship 8:50 & 10:10 a.m.
Unsung Jewish heroines who have shaped history will be honored at the annual Sisterhood Shabbat at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the chapel in Sun Lakes. Sisterhood’s season concludes with its paid-up membership Installation Luncheon at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at the dining room at Oakwood Country Club, featuring a turkey Waldorf salad. Dietary restrictions and seating preferences can be noted with reservation. Reservations should be sent to 9038 E. Diamond Dr., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. If dues are not currently paid, the guest price of $35 applies. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact copresidents Geri (480) 305-0123 or Carol (480) 895-3168.
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. 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 in Chandler Info: Jan Olson at (480) 802-7457 or Joy King (480) 588-1882 Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger. CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: (480) 722-0700, www.crnaz.com
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.
DESERT PALMS CHURCH
Easter Services Good Friday Service .........6 p.m. Sunrise Service................6 a.m. Breakfast ....................7:30 a.m. Easter Service..................9 a.m.
Complimentary refreshments between services. RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 23914 S. Alma School Road • Chandler, AZ 85248 Phone: 4808956782 • Email: info@RSLCS.org • Website: www.RSLCS.org
480-422-2499
DesertPalmsChurch.com
4265 S. Arizona Ave.
CHANDLER • SOUTH OF OCOTILLO
Spirituality
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Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m. Fridays For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger. Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: (480) 963-3997, www.chandlercc.org
Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Chandler Yoga for Food 6 p.m. Tuesdays All faiths, backgrounds, ages, and skill levels welcome. Yoga and stretching hosted by the Rev. Dr. Kristin Longenecker from Jacob’s Well United Methodist Church and led via Skype by Yogi Sheila Lively from www.StepLivelyNowllc.com. Guests should bring mat and water and wear comfortable clothes. Admission: $3 or three cans or boxes of food to be donated to the Food Bank at Chandler Christian Community Center. No previous yoga experience necessary. Accompanying children can use Xtreme Air during yoga session for $5. Xtreme Air Jump ‘N Skate 910 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler Info: kristin@jacobswellumc.org
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
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 Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, Chandler
East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies, plays, etc. for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range. Info: Melissa, (480) 785-0744, beadlover@ cox.net
East Valley JCC Parent & Child Playgroup 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Fridays Playgroup for parents with children ages 12 months to 2-1/2 years old. East Valley JCC 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Emily Malin, (480) 897-0588, maline@ evjcc.org
Forever Marriage Ministries Marriage Restoration Support Group for Wives 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Mondays
Our church family already loves you. We just haven’t met you yet. Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday Hamilton High School Auditorium 3700 S. Arizona Ave. www.loc-az.org
WEDNESDAY: Bible Study 12 Noon & 7 p.m. SUNDAY: WORSHIP 10 a.m. 19609 S. McQueen Rd. • Chandler, AZ 480-899-LIFE (5433) • 480-343-0022 www.gospel4life.org
480-899-1400
Support group for wives committed to their marriages. Offering hope, encouragement, biblical truths, fellowship and prayers to stand together for the restoration of marriage. Sozo Coffee House, private room 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Lisa (602) 377-8847, Marriage@ lisacmyers.com, www.lisacmyers.com, www.facebook.com/forevermarriages. Free Beginning Guitar Classes 6 p.m. Mondays Jonathan Crissman, Arizona State University doctoral guitar student and Jacob’s Well United Methodist Church worship leader, teaches this free class for beginners. Classes for intermediate students are also available for a modest fee. Gangplank Chandler 260 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler Info: jonathancrissman@hotmail.com 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, a quarter mile south of Alma School Road on the north side of Ray Road. Info: www.griefcareaz@gmail.com Grief Share 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays
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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 H.O.P.E. – Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p.m. Tuesdays 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. Desert Springs Church, Room 106 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler Info: hope4all@comcast.net, www.helpove rcomingpainfulexperiences.org Jewish Women International, Avodah Chapter 1581 Monthly luncheon Iguana Mack’s 1371 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler RSVP: (480) 802-9304, (480) 655-8812
WebXtra: 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.”