Bishop Carlo Rapanut commissions Pastor Michael at the Desert Southwest Annual Conference on June 14, the final step before his ordination as an elder in the UMC.
Photo: Carol Muggeridge
Together, as followers of Jesus, we are striving to make God’s world more sustainable, peaceful, just, compassionate, and inclusive.
Dearest Fellow Seekers of Peace, Joy, and Hope,
During these times of relentless pressures, demanding schedules, 24/7 anxiety-inducing news, and the weight of life’s responsibilities and critical decisions, our hearts and souls long for refreshment and peace that only comes from a deep connection with God, The Universe, The Holy, or whatever name resonates with your spirit.
These are the words we say at Sacred Space Worship every Sunday morning at 8:50. And honestly, how fitting they are now, in this season of longing. Our hearts feel restless, out of sync—searching for a sense of peace. Even my cat Maverick has been more affectionate, more clingy, as if he knows I need that connection with another soul.
Can I share a few stories that have given me so much hope lately?
The first happened at Annual Conference, our once-a-year gathering where clergy and laity from across the Desert Southwest meet to make decisions and share in the life of the United Methodist Church.
On the first day, Trinity Donovan, a Dayspring member and Agenda Chair, asked me to pray at the beginning of the second afternoon session. Of course, I said yes. But inside? I was doubting myself. Could I really pray in front of everyone there, including the Bishop?
As the moment approached, I kept asking God for the words. Then I saw Ryan, our amazing Production Coordinator, who was doing video for the Conference. Without thinking twice, I pulled him aside and asked him to pray for me. Without hesitation, he held out his hands. I placed mine in his, and he bowed his head and spoke the most beautiful prayer. It calmed my spirit and reminded me to lean on God. I hadn’t written a prayer in advance—I’d chosen to trust that God would speak through me. And afterward, Ryan came over to where I was sitting and gave me a hug. That moment meant everything.
This is what keeps us going in hard times: reaching out to one another in the middle of the storm.
Just last Sunday, I pulled into church right behind Frankie. I had a ton of stuff to carry in for the Taizé Service—heavy and awkward. Of course, I thought I could handle it on my own (typical!). But I’d barely taken a few steps when I realized I needed help. I looked up—and there was Frankie on the sidewalk, waiting. He said, “I was waiting for you, Shirley, in case you needed me.”
And then yesterday, I lost my phone—total panic mode. I called every place I’d been, retraced all my steps. A few hours later, Kris—who I’d told about the lost phone—called me. It turns out that Frankie’s sister, Maria, found it in the parking lot and gave it to Frankie, who thought it might belong to Kris’s daughter and passed it on to her. Just like that, all the pieces came together, and my phone was back in my hands. It was a miracle.
Anne Lamott wrote this today in response to the news from Iran:
“We can unleash waves of love on each other, our families and communities and even our extremely disappointing selves, because love is bigger than any barbarity that the world throws at us… The paradox is that in the face of this, we discover that in the smallest moments of taking in beauty, in actively being people of goodness and mercy, we are saved.”
As I write this, Maverick is sitting on my desk, watching me with those wise cat eyes. He and I send you love—real love—to hold you up through whatever you’re facing. We need each other. Always.
As Anne says, “Do Love.” It works. I know—it’s held me together. With gratitude and hope, Pastor Shirley
SAVING JESUS
Saving Jesus is a video-based series designed to free Jesus's life and message from the grip of the religious right and rediscover a faith grounded in compassion, justice, and relevance for the 21st century.
Join us on Sundays from 11 a.m. to Noon in Fellowship Hall for this engaging and thought-provoking conversation. Pastors Jeff, Michael, and Shirley will guide the dialogue, drawing on insights from leading progressive voices, including Marcus Borg, Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, Walter Brueggemann, John Dominic Crossan, Amy-Jill Levine, and Matthew Fox.
In addition, Pastors Jeff and Michael will preach a companion sermon series each week that ties in with the class theme, offering deeper reflection and connection during our Sunday celebrations.
July 6 The World into Which Jesus Was Born
July 13 What Can We Know About Jesus (& How)?
July 20 Jesus’ Birth: Incarnation
July 27 Teachings of Jesus: Wisdom Tradition
Aug 3 Jesus’ Program: The Kingdom of God
Aug 10 Jesus’ Ministry of Compassion
Aug 17 Who Killed Jesus?
Aug 24 The Atonement
Aug 31 The Resurrection of Christ
Sept 7 Why Jesus Is Worth Saving
Come explore a credible, compelling vision of Jesus for our time in this congregation-wide study—grow in faith and build meaningful connections along the way. Watch a preview at vimeo.com/14832948
MONTHLY TAIZÉ SERVICE
PAINTING THE STARS
Vincent van Gogh was a P.K. (preacher’s kid) who reckoned he would follow in his father’s footsteps. A missionary stint among the working poor in Belgium occasioned a crisis of faith. He also grew disillusioned with the Church, which he felt seemed cold and uncaring toward the hungry and despairing.
Van Gogh found solace in painting. And in the immersion of oneself in Creation. He would write, “Whenever I have need of – dare I say, religion? – I go outside at night and paint the stars.”
Pastor Jeff and his friend and colleague, David Felten, have produced a video curriculum that celebrates the communion of science and faith, contemplating what a meaningful faith might look like today. Painting the Stars: Science, Religion, and an Evolving Faith explores the promise of an evolutionary Christian spirituality that offers direction and purpose for 21stcentury pilgrims. Featuring over a dozen leading theologians and progressive thinkers, the seven-session program includes a participant reader by evolutionary theologian Bruce Sanguin, author of If Darwin Prayed: Prayers for Evolutionary Mystics. The session titles are:
July 8 Toward Healing the Rift
July 15 A Renaissance of Wonder
July 22 Getting Genesis Wrong
July 29 An Evolving Faith
Aug 5 Evolutionary Christianity
Aug 12 Imagining a Future . . .
Aug 19 An Evolving Spirituality: Mysticism
Pastors Jeff and Michael will co-facilitate the study at Friendship Village on Tuesdays at 11:00, starting July 8. Learn more at paintingthestars.com
July 27 and August 24 ~ 4:00 p.m. (Tempe)
Join us for our monthly Taizé Service at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Step into a space of peace and stillness, where soft candlelight, simple chants, scripture, and silence create a gentle, reflective atmosphere. Rooted in the tradition of the Taizé Community in France, this contemplative service offers a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the presence of the Divine. Taizé services are designed to be peaceful and spiritually nourishing, making them especially meaningful for anyone seeking quiet renewal in the midst of life’s busyness. All are welcome—come as you are, and find rest for your soul.
ONGOING
SPIRITUAL FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES
PRAYING TOGETHER
July 1 and 15 and August 5 and 19 ~ 3:00 p.m.
Praying Together meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month via Zoom at 3:00 p.m. If you have prayers during the week, please enter them online or send them to shirley@dayspring-umc.org. We will then send them to the members of this group who are praying. All are welcome to meet with us via Zoom; please email shirley@dayspring-umc.org for the Zoom link or more information. You are also welcome to bring your personal prayer concerns.
SACRED STORY
Wednesdays ~ 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
This group explores all of the sacred stories we have around us – from Scripture, life experiences, memorable events, and more - all the ways we are affected by the sacred that make a lasting imprint on our lives. Join us as we delve further into the meanings behind each week’s story and see how the Holy One works in our lives. Together, we will be enriched by the possibility we might have missed by walking too swiftly—email shirley@dayspringumc.org for the Zoom link or more information.
CENTERING PRAYER
July 3 and 17 and August 7 and 21 ~ 7:00 p.m.
Centering Prayer is a spiritual meditation practice used by Christians. It emphasizes interior silence. The name comes from Thomas Merton's description of contemplative prayer as “centered entirely on the presence of God.” A small group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Dayspring Tempe library. For further information, email Bethany at blambrecht1225@gmail.com.
OPENING TO GOD
Fridays ~ 10:30 a.m.
Opening to God meets weekly on Friday mornings at 10:30 via Zoom. We gather for silence, centering prayer, meditation, journaling, contemplation, sharing, and listening to God’s direction in our lives. Please join us for this sacred time. Email shirley@dayspring-umc.org for the Zoom link or more information. All are welcome.
SMALL GROUPS
Vacation Bible School 2025
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
A big thank you to everyone who came out and helped make True North VBS an incredible experience! We had 110 kids and volunteers participate in all the fun of the week. We are so grateful for this amazing community that came together to make this week so special. Thank you for making True North VBS a success!
Blessing of the Backpacks is coming up on July 20. Have your kids bring their backpacks to church that day to be blessed before the new school year.
INTERESTED IN VOICE LESSONS FOR YOUR CHILD?
TRY CHOIR FIRST!
Dayspring UMC offers free choirs for children and youth on Wednesday evenings throughout the school year! You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. We sing both sacred and secular music, but refrain from teaching religion during rehearsals.
Choir experience is one of the best ways for children to develop their voices. They learn proper vocal technique, pitch matching, musicality, and are given solo and theatre opportunities. These choirs are taught by choral professionals with 19+ years of experience.
Contact Julie Weissberg at ChildrensMusic@dayspring-umc.org for more information.
YOUTH MINISTRY
The Dayspring Youth are having a fantastic summer! All are thrilled to have a break from school and some much-needed downtime. We started off June 1st with a cancelled car wash. We didn’t really think it was possible to get rained out in June, but Dayspring members truly saved the day with their generous donations! These donations will be used for our upcoming Sierra Service Project trip (more information below). Thank you to everyone who has supported us financially and through their prayers!
In June, our youth engaged in lively discussions during weekly Formation sessions and also had a great time leading June’s 2nd Sunday Kids’ Church. We also had a Movie Night Pool Party at Amara’s house. The youth swam, snacked, and enjoyed a poolside movie! Thank you to the Carrier family for hosting such a fun night!
At the beginning of July eleven of our Dayspring Youth are traveling to Southern California to volunteer with Sierra Service Project in San Diego. In the program, they work on community gardening and food banks in the San Diego South Bay area, as well as removing invasive plants at Silver Strand State Beach and Tijuana Estuary. We would like to give a shout-out to National City First United Methodist Church for being such fantastic hosts for SSP! A big thank you goes out to Sam Weissberg, Kris Kroeger, and Taylor McCoy for organizing and serving as adult volunteers and chaperones on the trip.
On July 13, we will be hosting a Youth Craft Night! Youth will learn how to crochet or knit, in addition to having opportunities for painting, jewelry making, slime making, and more! Please join us in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m.!
We will be kicking off our year with a Youth Group Lock-In on 8/2-8/3. We hope that all youth join us in spending the night and getting to know one another! Please plan to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and any other overnight essentials.
The Youth Choir (along with the Children’s Choir) will begin on August 6th. We are always looking for new members to join this fun group! If you like singing, please consider joining us! We aren’t the fancy choir, but we are the fun one!
The Dayspring Youth program is open to all 7th-12th graders, and we occasionally welcome a few 6th graders to join us. We are a welcoming, fiercely inclusive church and youth group. We accept and affirm all who walk through our doors. We encourage youth to be compassionate, peaceful, and just. We talk about God, Jesus, and beliefs, and our goal is to facilitate faith explorations. If we don’t believe the same thing, that’s ok! We read the Bible and notice the ways that Jesus is an excellent example for us. There is not an ounce of shame or guilt. It takes a village to raise a youth, and Dayspring is a fantastic village. If you are looking for a community of progressive Christians to be a part of, come check us out.
The beginning of the year is a great time to join, so please reach out to Sam and Julie at Youth@Dayspring-UMC.org.
~Julie and Sam Weissberg Youth Ministries Coordinators youth@dayspringumc.org
MUSIC NOTES
SUMMER CHOIR
Do you like to sing? Have you thought about joining the Dayspring Celebration Chorale, our adult choir? If so, summer offers you an easy way to try it out.
The choir sings at the 10:00 a.m. service on the first and third Sundays in July and August. Just come to the choir room at 9:20 to warm up, rehearse the easy anthem, and review the hymns. That’s all there is to it! We’d love to have you join us— and then stay with us throughout the year.
July 6: Come to the Table of Grace (Angerman)
July 20: O Come, Emmanuel (Perry)
August 3: The Gift of Love (Hopson)
August 17: Were You There? (Burleigh)
We resume the normal schedule of Wednesday evening rehearsals on September 3, from 7:00-8:30.
CHERUBS, CHILDREN’S CHOIR, YOUTH CHOIR
The choirs for youngsters resume in August! Rehearsals begin on August 12: Cherubs are from 6:00 to 6:30 with Ms. Grace; Children are from 6:00 to 6:45 with Ms. Julie; and the Youth are from 6:45 to 7:30 with Ms. Julie. If you would like more information, please get in touch with Grace Templeton (cherubs@dayspring-umc.org) for the Cherubs or JulieAnne Weissberg (ChildrensMusic@dayspring-umc.org) for the Children and Youth.
DAYSPRINGERS
Our handbell choir, the DayspRingers, meets on Tuesday evenings from 6 – 7:30. The first rehearsal is August 19, and we always welcome new ringers! Contact Cindy Van Vleet (cindy@dayspring-umc.org
July 13 & August 10
&CHURCH SOCIETY
MIGRANTS, IMMIGRANTS, AND REFUGEES
The United Methodist Social Principles call for humane immigration policies, the protection of immigrant families, and the upholding of dignity for all persons as bearers of God’s image. Mass deportations tear apart families, destabilize communities, and exacerbate global suffering—actions that are incompatible with our Christian belief “to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
In the wake of the military escalation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles, CA, and in other U.S. Cities, Church and Society General Secretary Bishop Julius C. Trimble urges United Methodists to pray, stand with immigrants, and protest peacefully.
~ General Board of Church and Society June 11, 2025
As United Methodists, we have firmly declared through our Social Principles that we are called to actively welcome the migrant, immigrant, and refugee among us. The General Board of Church and Society’s Immigration Position Statement (https://www.umcjustice.org/latest/church-and-society-opposes-mass-deportation-in-u-s-3739) makes it clear that ICE raids are not only antithetical to the foundational values of our democracy but also starkly contradict the United Methodist Church’s Social Principles on immigration and the Wesleyan theological tradition.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Dayspring is collaborating with the Valley Interfaith Project (VIP) to develop a rapid response network. Some examples of the work we’ve been doing are:
• Calling the hotline to report ICE raids in our neighborhoods
• Assisting the hotline by driving to reported locations to confirm if ICE is there
• Visiting confirmed locations to film ICE personnel and act as witnesses
• Attending protests and other events
If you would like to be a part of Dayspring’s rapid response network, please email Emily Frampton at 3frampton@pm.me to sign up.
SOUL FORCE PEACE PROJECT
Our C&S Team has been awarded a global grant to work with youth in our community, promoting peace and nonviolence in the model of Gandhi.
Following a powerful screening of the Gandhi film, Ahimsa, we are now meeting with community leaders. We have now had multiple meetings with Mayor Corey Woods and his Vice Mayor and Diversity Chair. Exciting projects are developing as we work to purchase musical instruments, meet with library and community leaders, and recruit interested and talented Dayspringers.
Does this speak to you? Dayspring C&S meets on Tuesday, July 1, at 5:30 p.m. Please join us. Contact Bethany at blambecht1225@gmail.com for more information.
TempeJuly EVENT CALENDAR
01 2:00 / Stephen Ministry Leadership / Library
3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
5:30 / Church & Society / Palo Verde Room
02 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
03 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / Centering Prayer / Library
7:00 / NA / Room 112
04 Happy Independence Day
06
10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / Childcare / Room 116 (no Sunday school)
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
07 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
7:00 / Tempe South Little League / Room 112
08 6:30 / SPRC Meeting / Palo Verde Room
09 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
10
10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:30 / Stephen Ministry Meeting / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / NA / Room 112
11 10:30 / Opening to God
13 Second Sunday
8:30 / Breakfast / Fellowship Hall
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Divine Feminine / Palo Verde Room
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / Nursery Care / Room 117
10:00 / Kids’ Church / Room 206
11:15 / Affirming Ministry / Room 110
11:15 / Love Lessons / Palo Verde Room
11:15 / Yoga / Room 112
11:15 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
12:30 / New Member Orientation / Room 112
15 3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
16 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
17 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / Centering Prayer / Library
7:00 / NA / Room 112
18 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
20 Blessing of the Backpacks
8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / Nursery Care / Room 116
10:00 / 1st – 6th Summer Sunday School / Rm 207
10:00 / Formation / Room 111
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
21 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
23 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
24 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:30 / Garden Talk / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / NA / Room 112
25 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
27 8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / Nursery Care / Room 116
10:00 / 1st – 6th Summer Sunday School / Rm 207
10:00 / Formation / Room 111
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
4:00 / Taizé Servic / Fellowship Hall
28 10:00 / Compassionate Care Planning Meeting / PV
30 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
31 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / NA / Room 112
17 8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
August EVENT CALENDAR
01
03
10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / *Sunday School Schedule
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
04 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers’ Support / Zoom
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
7:00 / Tempe South Little League / Room 112
05
2:00 / Stephen Ministry Leadership / Library
3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
5:30 / Church & Society / Palo Verde Room
06 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
6:30 / Book Club / Room 112
07 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / Centering Prayer / Library
7:00 / NA / Room 112
08 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
10 Second Sunday
Family Promise through 8/17
8:30 / Breakfast / Fellowship Hall
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Divine Feminine / Palo Verde Room
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / Nursery Care / Room 117
10:00 / Kids’ Church / Room 206
11:15 / Affirming Ministry / Room 110
11:15 / Love Lessons / Palo Verde Room
11:15 / Yoga / Room 112
11:15 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
12 6:30 / SPRC Meeting / Room 112
13 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
6:00 / Cherub Choir / Room 201
6:00 / Children’s Choir / Room 206
6:45 / Youth Choir / Room 206
14 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Room 112
7:00 / Stephen Ministry / Office Workroom
7:00 / NA / Room 112
15 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
16 10:00 / Cantilena / Music Room
10:00 / *Sunday School Schedule
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
18 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support / Zoom
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
19 3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
20 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
6:00 / Cherub Choir / Room 201
6:00 / Children’s Choir / Room 206
6:45 / Youth Choir / Room 206
21 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:15 / Cantilena / Music Room
7:00 / Centering Prayer / Library
7:00 / NA / Room 112
22 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
24 8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / *Sunday School Schedule
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
4:00 / Taizé Service / Fellowship Hall
25 10:00 / Compassionate Care Planning / PV Room
27 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
6:00 / Cherub Choir / Room 201
6:00 / Children’s Choir / Room 206
6:45 / Youth Choir / Room 206
28 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:15 / Cantilena / Music Room
7:00 / UWF / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / NA / Room 112
29 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
31 8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Prayer Shawl Ministry / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / *Sunday School Schedule
11:00 / Saving Jesus / Fellowship Hall
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Nursery Care (infants to 3-year-olds): Room 117
Prek-Kindergarten Room 115
1st – 3rd Grade Room 202
4th – 6th Grade Room 201
Formation (7th – 12th Grade) Room 111
3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom 7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
July August
Independence Day!
/ Opening to God / Zoom
11:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
/
3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom 7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
/ Opening to God / Zoom
/ Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group 6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom 30 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom
7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
01 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
03 11:00 / Worship / Sanctuary 04 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers’ Support / Zoom 6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom 05 3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
06 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom 7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
08 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
13 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom 7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
15 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
18 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support / Zoom 6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
19 3:00 / Praying Together / Zoom
20 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom 7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
22 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
27 5:30 / Sacred Story / Zoom 7:00 / AA (Men) / Strivings Library
29 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
MONTHLY GATHERINGS
GRIEF SUPPORT
July 7 and 21 and August 4 and 18 ~ 6:30 p.m.
Everyone experiences grief differently, but having the skills to process life after loss can make life bearable and, hopefully, life-giving. Our Grief Support Group meets on Zoom throughout the year and is facilitated by a psychologist and Dayspring member. It introduces the skills needed to help promote healing. If you or someone you know needs support in grieving a significant loss in your life, such as a death, broken relationship, or job loss, please come and experience a safe place to process in community. Please email Sharon Zygowicz at zygowicz@gatewaycc.edu for more information or the Zoom link.
DAYSPRING LUNCH BUNCH
Sundays ~ 11:30 a.m.
Dayspring Lunch Bunch welcomes church members to join us weekly at local restaurants at 11:30 following the Sunday services. We share fun, fellowship, and “family” support. Lunch locations are listed at the Welcome table in the Narthex. We send a weekly email to members. Email lunch@dayspringumc.org for more information. All are welcome. Upcoming Lunch Spots:
July 2025 Dates
(Lunch other weeks TBA if desired)
3 Floridino’s (Alma School near Erie, Chandler)
20 Garcia’s (Warner and McClintock, Tempe)
August 2025 Dates (Lunch other weeks TBA if desired)
6 Famous Dave’s BBQ (South of Chandler Mall)
17 Olive Garden (Elliot and Hardy, Tempe)
31 Bisbee Breakfast (Ray Road and I-10, Chandler)
BOOK CLUB
August 6 ~ 6:30 p.m. (Tempe)
Our August book is a nice long one. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas. President Kennedy died, and the world changed. Unless…
In 2011, Jake Epping, an English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, sets out on an insane — and insanely possible — mission to prevent the Kennedy assassination. Leaving behind a world of computers and mobile phones, he goes back to a time of big American cars and diners, of Lindy Hopping, the sound of Elvis, and the taste of root beer.
In this haunting world, Jake falls in love with Sadie, a beautiful high school librarian. And, as the ominous date of 11/22/63 approaches, he encounters a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald.
If you'd like more info about Book Club, please email Beth Cadman at beth@thecadmans.com.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
July 20 ~ 10:00 a.m. (Tempe)
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
July 13 ~ 12:30 p.m. (Tempe)
We invite you to attend a one-hour session with Pastor Jeff to learn more about the United Methodist church and Dayspring specifically, on Sunday, July 13, at 12:30 p.m.. We will meet in Room 112 as well as via Zoom if needed. Please contact the church office at 480-838-1446 or nan@dayspring-umc.org to let us know you are interested. It will be a Second Sunday, so people can enjoy something to eat in the Fellowship Hall before attending the session.
Break out your favorite holiday t-shirt (it’s too hot for ugly sweaters!) and join us on Sunday, July 20, for a joyful celebration filled with with Christmas carols, readings, message, and lots of cool thoughts. Whether you love the music, the message, or just the spirit of the season, this midsummer celebration is sure to lift your spirits. Bring a friend and share the joy!
MONSOON GARDENING CLASS
with Master Gardener Melissa Kruse-Peeples
July 24 ~ 6:30 p.m. (Tempe)
It is monsoon season in Arizona. Known as the second spring, it is a great time to plant a second round of warm-season crops. Or prepare for a cool-season garden in a few months. The monsoon season is the traditional garden season of the indigenous O'odham people of central and southern Arizona, and we have much to learn from their arid-adapted crops and cycles. We will discuss the opportunities and challenges of the monsoon season and what your options are for this time of year.
About our speaker:
Melissa is the Program Coordinator for Garden Commons, a community garden project at the ASU Polytechnic Campus, and the owner of The Desert Smells Like Veggies, which offers local seeds and plants.
CHURCH CAMPOUT
August 29-September 1 (Greer, AZ)
We’re again heading north to Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground in beautiful Greer, Arizona! Our beautiful campground has thankfully escaped the worst of the Greer fire. We will enjoy much cooler weather, spacious campsites, lush green surroundings, trails, and many amenities, including flush toilets and showers, and of course, the friendship of many Dayspring adventurers! Whether you're an experienced camper or have no camping background at all, this weekend will be perfect for you as we gather for group potlucks, church, hikes, campfires, and FUN! Please email Carol Muggeridge at carol.muggeridge@gmail.com to ask questions or pre-register. Space is limited, and we do usually fill up. Regular registration will take place online in August.
PRAYER SHAWL AND PRAYER BLANKET MINISTRY
Bill lies in his bed, eyes bright, yet unable to speak from another stroke. The camouflage-colored crocheted prayer blanket is presented, made especially for him because he is a veteran. The room is warm, so the blanket is rolled up beside him, hugging the hospital bed rails. He lays his hand on the blanket and squeezes it. A small smile appears on his face. A prayer is said, tears are shed, silence, squeezing the prayer blanket together, and a bigger smile appears. Bill is told that he is loved by us, by God, by the church, his family, his friends, and his colleagues. He is receiving the best medical care. He is safe. Silence and a few more tears. A little hug and goodbye. Since that day, Bill’s wife has shared that he must have his prayer blanket with him. He puts it around his shoulders at meals and always has it on his bed. It reminds him that he is loved. God is with him.
This quiet ministry of knitting and crocheting Prayer Shawls and Prayer Blankets is continuing to comfort people who are experiencing any crises or trauma, whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual—the simple act of offering a gift that can comfort and remind them that God is love. God loves them! one is in the middle of a crisis.
Healing and joy can also be experienced by the person who is knitting or crocheting a Prayer Shawl or Prayer Blanket. A stitch is made with the yarn, a prayer is said. The row is finished a prayer is said. The yarn color has changed, the texture of the yarn feels different, and another prayer is said. The rhythm of the knitting needles, as the yarn is wrapped around them and pulled through to create the stitch, settles and focuses the crafter. The crochet hook, as it pushes through the stitch to grab the yarn and pull it through to create the new stitch, calms and focuses the
another prayer emerges, surprising the crafter, who is now aware that the Holy Spirit is at work. It’s an “AAAHHHHHH!” moment for the crafter. The crocheting continues… the next day, the crafter picks up the needles and starts to knit, silence, then TV, then some prayer as the knitting continues… the rhythm of the needles, the stitch made, repeat. A calm settles in, The knitting continues…
Knitting or crocheting is a skill that enriches our own lives and the lives to whom we give our gifts. I invite you to participate in this ministry if you knit or crochet and are 12 or older. There may also be opportunities to learn knitting or crocheting. Please email Susan Staley at annette4katz@outlook.com for more information.
Donations of cash or new yarn are needed and appreciated. Cash or checks can be made out to the church and put in an offering envelope and marked “yarn”. Online donations can be made on the website, go to the Donations drop-down tab, and choose Prayer Shawls.
~Susan Staley
LEE COOK MEMORIAL AWARD
The Dayspring United Methodist Men (UMM) awarded the Lee Cook Memorial Recognition to Bethany Lambrecht at their May 3rd Meeting. Bethany has been a champion for social justice and has been chair of the Dayspring Church and Society Committee. In this role, she has supported the Valley Interfaith Project, which leads community actions on healthcare, affordable housing, mental health, immigrant rights, and more. She has nurtured the Dayspring Spiritual Activists Green the Earth (SAGE) team and has been an advocate for the Poor People’s Campaign.
The award is presented annually in recognition of valuable and ongoing service to Dayspring and the community, honoring the leadership role model of Jesse Lee Cook. He was a longtime member of Dayspring who passed in 2007. He was what everyone should seek to be – with good humor, freely giving of his talents, with kindness and caring for others. Lee never departed from the joy of giving.
UNITED METHODIST MEN
The United Methodist Men (UMM) have a great program schedule coming up. Meetings are held from October to May, and are on the first Saturday of the month at 8:00 a.m. in the Palo Verde room. All are welcome, men and women. You need not be a member of Dayspring or the UMM to attend. A light breakfast and coffee are served before the program presentation and discussion. The group celebrates our differences and meetings are filled with fellowship, music, and lively discussion. Please reach out to Mark Kaiser or Bill Stenseth with any questions.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR 2025-2026:
October 4: Dayspring’s Borderlands Project
November 13-16: Mingus Mountain Retreat. A chance to reflect and renew in the beautiful pines near Prescott.
December 6: Tony Joseph encore performance. Tony Joseph is a former member of the legendary vocal group The Crests. With his remarkable voice still in top form he’ll be performing classic Crests favorites.
January 3, 2026: How religion and physics are coming together.
February 7: Tempe Cares program and how they help the community.
March 7: Justa Center and how it helps older adults experiencing homelessness.
April 4: Tochimizolco Medical Mission accomplishments and challenges.
May 2: Presentation of the Annual Lee Cook Memorial Award.
UMM 2024–2025 LEADERSHIP
Mark Kaiser, Co-President, mjkaiser51@gmail.com
Bill Stenseth, Co-President, stensew@gmail.com
Ken Brooks, Music Director, kenneth.brooks@asu.edu
Tom Swift, Communications, tnswift@gmail.com
Anthony Contente-Cuomo, Programs, awc2378@gmail.com
Fred Searing, Treasurer, fesearing@aol.com
Robert Smith, Past UMM President, az4smith@gmail.com
Pastor Jeff Procter-Murphy, Advisor, jeff@dayspring-umc.org
All Dayspring United Women in Faith Monthly Meetings are taking a summer break and will resume in the fall.
JULY UNIT FIELD TRIP
Thursday, July 24th, 9:30 AM (meet
Chandler Museum & Lunch
We will explore the Chandler Museum's current exhibit: Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River During World War II, more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were ordered out of their homes and incarcerated at various internment camps across the western US. Near Chandler, the Gila River Internment Camp held 16,655. Their crime? Looking like the enemy.
This poignant exhibit highlights how the Japanese value gaman— enduring the seemingly impossible with patience and dignity— guided these American citizens’ experience of loss and incarceration in the Arizona desert."
at Dayspring)
COUNSELING OVER CRIMINALIZATION
uwfaith.org/get-involved
The Gospel calls us to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. The federal government can do this by passing The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act. Take two minutes to visit our action page and send an email encouraging your Representative to co-sponsor this important bill.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven... Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Chandler Museum
PRISON MINISTRY
September 16 ~ 5:30 p.m. (Tempe)
At the last meeting of the Dayspring Prison Ministry, we had a wonderful guest, a former inmate from the Perryville Prison, who shared her story with us. It was the first time Kathy had ever told her story to a roomful of strangers, but she did a beautiful job. There were tears, but lots of joy and pride in telling about how she earned her freedom 7½ years ago in time to care for her mother for three years before her mother died.
Kathy is a former drug user and seller who was imprisoned three separate times. She described her life in and out of prison and her regrets about how it affected her entire family. She has three children who were raised by her mother and stepfather. Now 52, she is a clerk at a local grocery store and has been recognized and awarded for her good work on several occasions.
In fact, it was her friendly demeanor and helpfulness at work that caught the attention of one of our ministry members, Jane Ridgely. When she confided in Jane about her past, Jane asked her to share her story with us.
Kathy used drugs from an early age, over a total of 35 years. She said the rehabilitation programs during her last stint, particularly “The Way Out” class, made her dig deep and confront her demons. Her faith helped in her struggle. She made a point of letting the group know how important their pen pal letters and birthday cards are to the incarcerated women at Perryville.
Currently, many women are asking for cards and letters. Each ministry member writes birthday cards to two or three women each month. Dayspring members who are interested in helping with this ministry are asked to contact Dorothy Young at dort@cox.net. Volunteers don't need to attend meetings.
The next meeting of the Dayspring Prison Ministry is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on September 16 in Room 112.
READ
DAYSPRING TEMPE LIBRARY NEWS
“Library Highlights” focuses each month on a topic, author, series, or recently acquired books.
July 2025 Topic: LGBTQIA+ Issues
Featured book: Gifted by Otherness: Gay and Lesbian Christians in the Church by L. William Countryman 261.8 COU Countryman provides hope for the LGBT community and their families confidently appropriating and retelling the Biblical story of this unique minority’s spiritual journey.
Additional books:
Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Issues in Education: Programs, Policies and Practices by James T. Sears (371.8 SEA)
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens Edited by Leigh Finke (306.7 FIN)
Queer in America: Sex, the Media, and the Closets of Power by Michelangelo Signorile (305.9 SIG)
The Bible and Human Sexuality: Claiming God’s Good Gift by Ellen A. Brubaker (306.7 BRU)
August 2025 Topic: Illness and Healing
Featured book: The True Power of Water: Healing and Discovering Ourselves by Masaru Emoto (613.2 EMO) Emoto describes the unique properties of water and its ability to improve your health and your life and how you and water interact with each other.
Additional books:
Symphony of Spirits: Encounters with the Spiritual Dimensions of Alzheimer’s by Deborah A. Forest (616.8 FOR)
The Illness Narratives: Suffering, Healing, and the Human Condition by Arthur Kleinman (616 KLE)
Shoring Up My Soul: A Year with Cancer by Rose S. Thomason 616 THO
Stroke Diaries: A Guide for Survivors and Their Families by Olajide Williams, M.D. 616.8 WIL
TAKING CARE: LIVING
AND LOVING WITH MEMORY LOSS
Summer Heat and Caring for Someone with Dementia
By Anne Ahland
People with dementia are less likely to realize that the heat is becoming dangerous, so caregivers will want to be particularly vigilant. Please take these precautions.
Prevent dehydration. We often hear that by the time we feel thirsty, we are already dehydrated. Someone with dementia is unlikely to identify thirst at all. Make a point to provide water and to encourage drinking it, perhaps with reminders of “let’s both have some water” at regular intervals.
Prevent wandering. In extreme heat, the confusion of dementia increases, and the person is at much higher risk of heat stroke. A person’s need to enjoy the outdoors increases the attraction of wandering and getting lost. To help someone with dementia feel less restless, try to manage their living environment. Noise levels should be kept low. Awareness of needs, including hunger, thirst, or boredom, will help with feeling more comfortable and less prone to wandering. Engage the person in simple tasks. Offer music, craft projects, or games together. Watch a favorite movie. If your loved one with dementia does wander, do not wait to call the police, since extreme heat effects are so immediate. Provide a recent picture and information about what may be familiar areas to walk. If wandering is a concern, you may want to attach an item that will track the person.
Watch for warning signs of heat-related illnesses. These may include excessive sweating or lack of sweating, exhaustion, hot, red skin, rapid pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, or sudden changes in mental status. With any of these, the person should rest in an air-conditioned room, applying cold compresses and drinking fluids. Call 911 if the person faints or does not improve.
If the person lives alone, be sure and enlist others to check often that their air conditioning is working. A person with dementia may become confused and turn off the air conditioner.
Most importantly, enlist others to provide supplemental support by checking on your loved one and offering them company, as this can be particularly helpful in keeping them protected and comfortable. We have several months of heat ahead of us, so please keep these safety suggestions in mind.
Taking Care, a support group for caregivers of those with memory loss, meets the first and third Mondays of every month on Zoom. If you are aware of someone who may not know about our meetings, please encourage them to contact Pastor Shirley at shirley@dayspring-umc.org so they can be included. This group welcomes anyone from the community as well as Dayspring members and friends. Helping those around us makes all of us stronger.
FAMILY BLOSSOMS WITH YOUR LOVE
by Janie Magruder
Less than five months after setting foot on American soil for the fi rst time, Abigail and her four young children, whom Dayspring is co-sponsoring through a local refugee resettlement program, are thriving.
Abigail awakens early each day to get her family up and out the door. She pulls on jeans and Nikes (donated by Dayspring members), and buckles her preschool-aged twins into a snazzy Radio Flyer wagon, also from a Dayspring friend, for the walk to her job at a nearby preschool. The “Littles,” as they are affectionately called by Dayspring’s Refugee Focus team, attend preschool there.
With Abigail and the twins on their way, Refugee Focus team members have arrived at the apartment to provide critical English and math tutoring to Abigail’s two “Bigs.” The children attended public school earlier this year, but were lost in their lessons because they didn’t understand English.
To prepare them for a new school year in August, the “Bigs” are receiving intensive—but fun! — instruction in counting, writing, reading, and other skills. It’s already successful: The 6-year-old now proudly writes her name, and the 9-year-old counts by 2s, 5s, 10s to 100 and higher. Once their early-morning tutoring is over, the children are walked to a nearby Boys and Girls Club for more learning and friendship at summer camp.
On Saturdays, it’s a whole other ballgame, with a Refugee Focus team member showing up at Abigail’s to offer music time to the children. While that’s going on, other team members work with Abigail to improve her English skills and study for an exam required by her employer.
Doctor’s appointments, visits to the credit union where Abigail has an account, and carting small pieces of donated furniture to the apartment are squeezed into Saturdays.
In numerous ways, Dayspring has provided the best possible start for Abigail and her family. From the bucket hats the twins wear to protect their heads from the hot sun to the books, puzzles and games the children explore, from the sewing machines, notions and cabinet for Abigail to continue a skill she left behind in Nigeria to the TV, iPad and printer for work and school, from the
soft blankets and worn easy chair for comfort to the gift cards and other kindnesses — to name a few! — You have shown your love and then some.
Abigail often remarks that her family back home, which for the past 10 years was in a refugee camp in Cameroon, advised her not to come to the U.S. She would be alone, Americans wouldn’t help her, she couldn’t speak the language — how would she survive?
Our beautiful, strong, smart, funny new friend — who’s been through so much, including the death of her physician husband in Cameroon — is proving them wrong. She still has a long way to go toward self-sufficiency; however, if you’d like to be a part of her journey, please email me or visit our updated wish list.
Thank you for embracing Abigail and her children and doing your part to help our world be more peaceful, just, compassionate, and inclusive
FINANCE
By Nan Lawson, Treasurer
FINANCE REPORT
Total income for the General Fund through 5/31/2025 was $479,937 and expenses were $510,340. This was a negative cash flow through May 2025 of$30,403. Just a reminder that if you are going to be away for the summer, you can always schedule donations to the church using our online giving site at www.dayspring-umc.org/give. Thanks for your continued support!
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
The "A Place for All" Capital Fund continues to grow with $332,969 in pledges for 2025/2026, and $189,306 in donations received to date! This is over 57% of the funds already available to use for improvements in making our campus more accessible and safe.
To make donations, go to www.dayspring-umc.org/give and select "Capital FundA Place for All" in the drop-down fund menu. Alternatively, checks and cash are always appreciated, so just include "Capital Fund" on your check or donation envelope. A big thanks to all who have contributed or pledged!
TRUSTEES UPDATE
My name is Blake Sacha, and I took over as Chair of the Dayspring Board of Trustees in January. My wife, Cindy, and I have been Dayspring members for over 30 years. The Trustees are the group responsible for the upkeep of our campus. We are in the middle of a capital improvement campaign, “A place for all”. Thanks to your generosity, we have already been very busy with improvements to the safety and accessibility of our campus, including our parking lot, patio, and improved lighting and sound in the sanctuary. Our next project will be improving wheelchair access in the sanctuary.
You can still donate to the campaign and our efforts. To make donations, go to www.dayspring-umc.org/give and select "Capital Fund - A Place for All" in the drop-down fund menu. Alternatively, checks and cash are always appreciated; simply include "Capital Fund" on your check or donation envelope.
A big thanks to all who have already contributed or pledged!
DONATE
SUMMER HYDRATION DRIVE:
Please help us collect water bottles, electrolyte drinks and nutritional snacks to support Tempe Cooling Centers and the City of Tempe’s HOPE Team this summer! Hygiene products, hand sanitizer and sunscreen are also appreciated. The collection will run through Sept. 1.
READ TO KIDS
Our sister church, Iglesia Aliento (701 S. 1st Street, Phoenix) is in need of volunteers at their first Summer Camp -- especially from 9:30-10:30 a.m., for the reading session! Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and those 18 and older must undergo a background check. Pastor Flor was inspired to create a safe and cool refuge for migrant children over the summer. Reading to these kids helps build confidence, imagination, and a sense of stability—things every child needs! Sign up at: http://bit.ly/463bKub
FAMILY PROMISE
Dayspring will host families from Family Promise starting Sunday, August 10. We provide temporary shelter for displaced families while they search for permanent housing. You can help by setting up Sunday school rooms into bedrooms before they arrive for the week, preparing a meal, hosting an evening activity (yoga, music, games, crafts, etc), providing food items for the week, clean up by laundering linens and restoring our Sunday school rooms at the end of the week. Please email tammywhite@cox.net or kdevereux@cox.net for more information, or watch for the Family Promise sign-up table on Sunday mornings.
PRISON MINISTRY
The Women’s Prison Ministry has a growing list of women hoping for birthday cards and letters — and you can help! Volunteers write to 2–3 women each month, and you don’t need to attend any meetings to get involved. Interested? Reach out to Dorothy Young at dort@cox.net and join us in spreading kindness through the mail!
MEAL TRAIN VOLUNTEERS
We’re putting together a meal train to support individuals and families in need. There’s no ongoing commitment—just a list of people we can contact when a need comes up. If you’re up for making a little extra of what you’re already cooking for dinner, we’ll send you the details, including any allergies or dietary needs. Not a cook? You can still help by delivering meals! Please email kris@dayspring-umc.org if you'd like to be on the list to help out.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2025
This year's Annual Conference was held in Las Vegas, and it was my first experience being assigned as a delegate. I worked alongside our pastors and David Barnhouse, Bethany Lambrecht, and Nikki Smith to represent Dayspring. We spent 3.5 days in worship, study, and celebration of our shared ministry in the Desert Southwest Conference, led by our bishop, Carlo Rapunut, also known as “Bishop Carlo.” Bishop Carlo is part business leader, part spiritual leader, and he is terrific (and funny!). During our workdays, we spent part of our time in study, part in ed (plenary) sessions, and part separated into Lay and Clergy or study sessions. Our own Dr. Ev Taylor led a fantastic lay session designed to help us become effective leaders in our home churches.
A bit of our time was spent outside of conference hours visiting, getting to know one another, and sharing. Notably, we had an evening dinner together at a fantastic Italian restaurant and then walked around the Bellagio fountains and topiaries afterwards. More notably, a small group of us traveled to downtown Las Vegas to participate in the No Kings rally, Las Vegas-style, between the end of the conference on Saturday and the evening worship service.
Worship experiences included a Service of Memorial, which honored those who left us since conference last year. Pastor Michael gave the address (it was beautiful).
Saturday night was the annual worship service of Ordination and Commissioning. Our own Pastor Michael became Reverand Michael Long as part of a moving service (complete with pomp and circumstance) led by Bishop Rapanut and other church leaders. I was honored to be in the room to see Reverand Michael take this important step in his ministry. We are blessed to call him our own.
Some of the legislation we worked on and voted on included discussion about whether we would regionalize as a church. (With no change in any conference to our core values). Other legislation included a ballot to add gender and ability to our constitution, and to strengthen language addressing our commitment to diversity, antisemitism, and anti-racism. For more information, please visit resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020/legislation/ amendments-to-united-methodist-constitution, as there is too much information to include here. The results of these constitutional amendment proposals will not be known until late fall when results from all voting members in all conferences are tallied.
We also voted on a resolution in response to the Southern Baptists’ call to abolish same sex marriage. We resolved to recommit ourselves as a denomination that reflects the inclusive love of Jesus Christ and where all are welcome. Find more information about that at: dscumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Resolution-inResponse-to-the-Southern-Baptist-Convention.pdf
Finally, on Sunday, we had a closing worship service which included announcements of clergy appointments to all the Desert Southwest churches, and drum roll… our pastors Jeff, Shirley, and Michael were officially reappointed to Dayspring! Some pastors are starting new appointments in new places, and we pray for these transitions, but are thrilled to have our own three return for another year.
A lot of good work is accomplished at Annual Conference, and many relationships are formed and strengthened. One of the conference mottos from this event is “what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas!”. Ask any of us if you have questions.
~Carol Muggeridge
FROM OUR PASTORS
FINDING GOD AT COSTCO
Summer is here, and with it, a change of rhythm. For many of us, life slows down just enough to catch our breath. It’s a season that invites us to pay attention—not just to the beauty of creation or the joys of travel and rest, but also to the quiet ways God shows up in our ordinary routines.
Recently, I had what felt like a near-mystical experience. Not on a mountaintop or walking on the beach, but in the bustling aisles of Costco.
It was a Saturday afternoon, and the store was packed. Carts jammed the walkways, people maneuvered like drivers in rush hour traffic, and the usual low hum of stress hovered in the air. But somehow, I found myself enjoying it. Maybe it’s because we’re still slowly emerging from the isolation of COVID, but I was struck by how good it felt to be in the presence of so many strangers—people of all kinds, moving through their day, doing something as mundane as shopping.
I began to notice a kind of choreography to it all. Weaving around each other with quiet courtesy, pausing, making space, offering a nod or a smile. It felt like an unlikely kind of communion. I had to circle back more than once for forgotten items. And then Janice texted to ask for something else, of course, found all the way at the back of the store. But I didn’t mind. I was strangely at peace. Grateful. Present.
That’s how God often shows up—in the middle of our regular, messy lives. Not always with trumpets or thunder, but in subtle movements of grace, in moments of unexpected calm, in the gift of being present to what is.
So, this summer, I invite you to pay attention. Maybe God will break through in your kitchen or at a traffic light, maybe at the pool with the kids, or even in a crowded store. Our lives are full of thin places—if only we’re willing to look.
Dayspring UMC is a Reconciling Congregation. All people, regardless of age, sex, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, or ability are welcome into the full life of our congregation.
Dayspring UMC affirms the value and worth of all persons, recognizing that everyone is a child of God. We call all to live by and attest to gender equality and to observe Jesus' principles of love and non-violence in all our relationships.
