PHOTO: Charlotte the puppet helps lead Kids’ Church on Second Sunday (courtesy Michelle Donati-Grayman)
Together we are making God’s world more peaceful, just, compassionate, and inclusive.
Butler Bass, author of Freeing Jesus, Kristin Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne, Robert P. Jones, author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, and Jemar Tisby, author of Spirit of Justice. The event will also include musical performances by Taylor Leonhardt, Fernando Ortega, and Tommy Sims.
Jemar Tisby will preach during the 10 a.m. service at Dayspring that day as well, and following the service, there will be a Q&A and book signing with Jemar Tisby and Kristin Du Mez.
Since 2016, a central threat to American democracy has been the rise of white Christian nationalism. On the far right, this movement is spread through church networks and parachurch events like the “Re-Awaken America Tour,” which brings together speakers and musicians to activate and recruit white Christian Americans to the cause.
The Dayspring event is one of several happening across the nation during this election season. This non-partisan gathering seeks to accomplish four goals: 1) Raise awareness of the existence and the danger of white Christian nationalism to our faith and our country; 2) Promote a positive vision of a religiously and ethnically pluralistic democracy that is rooted in Christian theology and practice; 3) Strengthen local congregations and networks already working in local communities; and 4) Provide opportunities for participants to become active in protecting democracy in the 2024 election cycle by connecting them with local groups doing this work.
MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Diana Butler Bass is a historian and award-winning author of eleven books, including most recently Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence (HarperOne 2021) and Broken We Kneel: Reflections on Faith and Citizenship (HarperOne 2003).
Kristin Kobes Du Mez is professor of history at Calvin University and the New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation (Liveright 2020).
Robert P. Jones is President and Founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). He is a winner of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion and an American Book Award, and is New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and a Path to a Shared American Future (Simon & Schuster 2023) and White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity (Simon & Schuster 2020).
Jemar Tisby is professor of history at Simmons College of Kentucky (Louisville, KY) and New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism (Zondervan 2019) and The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance (Zondervan 2024).
Please join us for this free event (donations gratefully accepted) aimed at making us aware of how we can put our faith into action to create the kind of just, peaceful, inclusive, and compassionate world we fight for.
Dearest Beloved Friends,
One of the most important messages we seek to share at Dayspring is one of our Belovedness. Right now hear God saying to you, “You, (say your name silently to yourself), are my Beloved Son/Daughter/Child.” Now truly meditate on those words. What does this mean? Does this change the way that you think about yourself? Your actions? Your words? Do you relate to God in a more personal way? Can you more easily love your neighbor as you even love yourself? Do you more easily love yourself so you can relate to your neighbor in a more compassionate way? Take a moment to reflect on what being The Beloved really means for you. There are no boundaries when we truly believe the statement “You are my Beloved!”
During the time I have been absent from Dayspring because of illness, I read about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s concept of “the Beloved Community” – a community that includes diversity and allows for tension undergirded by love and leading to transformation. To do so, we must truly love our neighbors as we love ourselves. And we must commit to tangible action. We must come together in a common cause where people of all races, all faiths, and all backgrounds come together and eradicate the barriers of the divisions that divide us.
Can you imagine Dayspring as a “Beloved Community” where we all recognize and believe that each one is the “Beloved One of God”? Not only is God recognizing in me the actuality of being the Beloved, but that we look upon each other as being “God’s Beloved”!
Dayspring already is our Beloved Community! Think of the ways we honor each other…..the ways we reach out to be “Christ’s hands and feet” to those who need extra support….the ways we attend to the sick and the dying….the ways we give of our bounty to share the Gospel around the world….the ways we respond to the lost and the least, the discouraged and the lonely, among us….the ways we seek to make no distinction regardless of gender, race, nor sexual preference – we are all Beloved by God. We are the BELOVED COMMUNITY! May we continue in our quest to help all around us to feel and to share in their Belovedness.
Thanks be to God for this great Love which binds us together, Pastor Shirley
Dayspring’s adult Sunday school class is back in action and going strong, with a full lineup of topics designed to encourage, intrigue, and challenge participants with a short presentation followed by ample time for discussion. Upcoming sessions this month include:
• October 6, Heart Math. Historically, in almost every culture of the world, the heart was ascribed a far more multifaceted role in the human system, being regarded as a source of wisdom, spiritual insight, thought, and emotion. Intriguingly, scientific research over the past several decades has begun to provide evidence that many of these long-surviving associations may well be more than simply metaphorical. These developments have led science to once again to revise and expand its understanding of the heart and the role of this amazing organ.. https://www.heartmath.com/
• October 13, Ballot Initiatives. The group will review and discuss upcoming local and state initiatives that will appear on November ballots.
• October 20, Saving Paradise in Art, Part 1 of 3.
• October 27, Saving Paradise in Art, Part 2 of 3.
We encourage anyone interested to join us in the Palo Verde Room Sundays at 9:00am (112 on 2nd Sundays). Please contact Mark Huntington via email at MnMhuntington@SBCglobal.net, or via phone call or text at (949) 632-7904, with any questions or comments. We look forward to learning with you!
MONTHLY TAIZÉ SERVICE
October 27 ~ 4:00 p.m. (Tempe)
Simple chants, Silence, Scripture, Silence, Prayer, Silence, Prayers at the Cross, Silence.
Repetition of the words of the chants still our souls. Silence draws us closer to that inner place where we know God is truly with us. The time and space become sacred. Nothing is hurried.
The Taizé service comes from the ecumenical community of Taizé, France. Gathered in the presence of Christ, this is a time of meditative common prayer. During the service, we sing uncomplicated, repetitive songs, uncluttered by too many words, allowing the mystery of God to become known through the beauty of simplicity. A few words are sung over and over again, which helps us to go deeper into prayer. In between the chants we have a scripture reading followed by silence. During this silence, we allow the Word to sink deep into our hearts.
Email Pastor Shirley at shirley@dayspring-umc.org for more information.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
October 27 ~ 12:00 p.m. (Tempe)
Dayspring will hold its ninth annual Blessing of the Animals in Tempe on Sunday, October 27 at 12:00pm. All pets are welcome on a leash or in a carrier. Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animals for a blessing during the 10:00 service.
You are invited to bring your animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated. Every creature is important. The love we give to and receive from our animal companions can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, and into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Thank you to everyone who helped make September so special for Dayspring Children’s Ministries. We had a blast at Kids’ Church on Second Sunday. Thank you so much to Katie & Charlotte, Julie, Sam, and the youth for making that such a fun and memorable experience for the kids. Then on Bible Sunday, we presented nine children with new Bibles of their very own. It was an honor to be a part of such a special moment for those children and their families. BeTween, our service and fellowship ministry for 4th – 6th graders, started up again and we have a fantastic group of kids. New kids can join at any time, and we are currently meeting in room 110 on Wednesdays at 6:45.
I’d like to thank all the amazing Children’s Ministry volunteers in the month of September. None of this would be possible without you all! Thank you to Rebecca Rapp, Sarah Keisling, Michelle Donati-Grayman, Colleen Grayman, Lesly Kelly, Katie Cathcart, Kris Kroeger, Tara Christensen, Sam Weissberg, and many youth volunteers. Please let me know if you are interested in becoming a Children’s Ministry volunteer.
Kids’ Church is returning for more fun on the Second Sunday in October (10/13). Your kiddos won’t want to miss all the singing, dancing, mini-lesson with Katie and Charlotte, skits, games, crafts, and fun! It all starts at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Just a reminder, we won’t have Children’s Time during the church service on Second Sundays, so please bring your kids directly to Fellowship Hall.
Dayspring’s Fall Festival is coming up on Saturday, October 18, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. There will be a bounce house, haunted house, trunk-or-treating, crafts, games, prizes, food, and more. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. The pre-sale price is $20 for 50 tickets and will be available on Sunday mornings or they will be $25 at the door. All are welcome to attend, and all proceeds will go the youth Sierra Service Project trip.
After the 10:00 service on Sunday, October 27, the BeTween kids will be washing cars in the church parking lot near the Giving Garden. Please come and support the kids as they raise money for their Christmas service project. 100% of donations will be used to purchase Christas gifts for local children and families in need.
Thank you all for your support of Dayspring Children’s Ministries!
CLASSROOM UPDATE
Thank you for your patience as we are still awaiting repairs to be finalized to our upstairs Sunday school classrooms. Until we are able to move back into our classrooms again, we will be using the following rooms: ~Andrea Farley Children’s Ministries Coordinator andrea@dayspring-umc.org
• Nursery Care (infants to 3-year-olds): Room 117
• PreK-Kindergarten: Room 116
• 1st – 3rd Grade: Room 115
• 4th – 6th Grade: Room 112
• BeTween: Room 110
YOUTH MINISTRY
The Dayspring Youth really are exceptional humans, and we have had so much fun this past month. We started September cooling off in the white mountains at the Dayspring All-Church Campout in Greer, AZ. Our youth hiked, ate ice cream, made camp helped lead Sunday outdoor church, and ate some delicious food! We felt God’s love in the 60-degree temperatures and listened to the sounds of nature!
As soon as the youth arrived back in the valley, we started preparing for 2nd Sunday. This was a real joy as our youth led the children in Kid’s Church. Youth read scripture, led songs, performed in skits and worked in small groups with kids. We are so excited to do it again in October! We will be preparing the week prior, so make sure to attend Formation on the first week of the month if you’d like to be up on stage.
Throughout the month, the Youth has been having some meaningful conversations during Formation (Youth Sunday School, Sundays @ 10). We discussed what it means to be wise vs. intelligent. We thought about people in our own lives that we believe to be wise and how they became that way. We also discussed how we can avoid favoritism when it comes to people and how to treat others equally. We are so thankful to have these conversations and explore our faith together!
Later in September we had a party at the LaFave’s house for parents and youth. We had 44 people attend, which might be our biggest turnout since Covid! Youth swam, played gagaball, jumped on the trampoline, watched football, tie-dyed shirts, and ate a potluck of everyone’s “favorites.” Youth and parents alike enjoyed each other’s company and food!.
Lastly, some youth decided to attend Arizona Interfaith Power & Light’s conversation with candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission on September 29. We learned about how the commission makes decisions that impact all Arizonans’ utilities, energy, and water. We decided that the best way to end this important discussion was with some ice cream!
Coming up in the month of October is our 19th annual Dayspring FALL FESTIVAL on October 19th! This is a huge event that our youth put on for children in our community. We will have games, food, bounce houses, slides, arts and crafts, photo booth, and more! We hope many of you will support this event by attending or donating towards the event.
Thank you Dayspring for your support of our Youth. If you know a teen looking for a supportive, inclusive group, please send them our way!
~Julie and Sam Weissberg Youth Ministries Coordinators youth@dayspringumc.org
MUSIC NOTES
The Dayspring Music Program thanks Penny Carpenter for the many ways she has helped us over the years, and especially for her work with the Cherubs this year. We wish her well in her new endeavors!
We are pleased to announce that GRACE TEMPLETON is the new director of the Cherub Choir! Originally from New Hampshire, Grace is a fi rst-year doctoral student in collaborative piano at Arizona State University. She has worked with many choirs over the years as an accompanist and substitute director, including the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and Tucson Masterworks Chorale. WELCOME, GRACE! Cherub Choir meets on Sunday mornings at 9:15 in Room 206. Bring your children ages 3 – 6 who love to sing!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
All the choirs are in full swing, but we always welcome new members. Please contact the directors for more information:
Handbells: Cindy Van Vleet, cindy@dayspring-umc.org
Celebration Chorale: David Schildkret, david@dayspring-umc.org
October 7: The ASU Concert Choir, with Robert Bode, conductor, presents "Let the Music Fill Your Soul" on Monday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. The performance includes special guests Ad Astra from Chandler Children's Choir, Aimee Stewart, conductor, and Dayspring Celebration Chorale, David Schildkret, conductor. Purchase tickets online at: purplepass.com/events/ 291506-asu-concert-choir-oct-7th-2024
October 13: Second Sunday. The 10 a.m. service will feature Pastor Michael singing “Thank You,” a modern Gospel classic, with the Celebration Chorale.
October 17: The ASU Mill Ave Jazz, Barrett Symphonic Choir and the ASU Gospel Choir sing exciting works from all over the world on Thursday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at: https://www.purplepass.com/events/292672-asu-mill-avejazz%2C-barrett%2C-and-gospel-choirs-oct-17th-2024
Daniel
Bernard Roumain
November 3: Euphony, a highly skilled choir of ASU music alumni and friends, will present “Songs and Dances” on Sunday, November 3, at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary. This delightful program features the world premiere of local composer Marlyn Rey’s Tangos and also includes Romancero Gitano by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Five Hebrew Love Songs by Eric Whitacre, and Dance Set by Libby Larsen. Join us for a delightful afternoon of toe-tappers under the direction of David Schildkret!
November 10: Second Sunday. The 10 a.m. service will feature Vaughan Williams’s Five Mystical Songs with John Pierce Kraft as the soloist and an instrumental ensemble!
That afternoon at 4 p.m., Stephanie Sadownik and Nathan Arch will present a voice and piano recital in the sanctuary entitled "Meditations on America: Songs of American Composers and Poets." The performers say:
We are grateful to share this music with you and hope it will serve as a moment of reflection on our nation's past, present, and future. Some of our goals in developing this program were to challenge ourselves and our listeners to sit in difficult feelings and painful moments of America’s past, along with celebrating the unique qualities that make up the American story. We strove to represent as many voices as we could while fully acknowledging we have only dipped a toe into the ocean of music of underrepresented and marginalized voices that make up American Art Song and the American Songbook.
We hope this concert exposes you to new voices and inspires you to reflect on your American heritage. If you were to design your own 'America’ program, which poets and composers would you choose? How would you shape your own American story?
November 17: Cantilena, under the direction of David Schildkret, presents “In Praise of Music” at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary. The program honors the patron saint of music, St. Cecilia (her day is November 22) and features Benjamin Britten’s magnificent “Hymn to St. Cecilia.” Also included are works by Moses Hogan, Stephen Sametz, Alice Parker, local composer J. Edmund Hughes, and many more.
~ David Schildkret Director of Music Ministries david@dayspringumc.org
In Praise of Music
November 17th, 2024, 4:00pm
You’ll find a lot to choose from on 2nd Sundays, with childcare offered all morning. Here are brief descriptions of what’s happening at the October Open House.
Celebrating the Divine Feminine
8:50am - Fellowship Hall
On the second Sundays of each month, we invite all to celebrate with us as we open God’s story with inclusive eyes at how the feminine aspects of God impact our lives. The feminine energy that flowed through our sisters in biblical times is the same energy that flows through us today.
Sacred Space
8:50am - Sanctuary
Join us for Sacred Space, a brief contemplative service to start your week. Cutting through the chaos and the clutter of our world, this is an uncomplicated time for readings, music, and prayer.
Upcoming Ballot Initiatives
9:00am - Room 112
A nonpartisan review and discussion of upcoming local and state initiatives that will appear on November ballots.
Kids’ Church & Sunday School
10:00am - Fellowship Hall
Second Sunday Kids' Church is for kids in Pre-K through 6th grade. It features mini-lessons with Katie and Charlotte the puppet, and Scripture reading with age-appropriate activities, crafts, and games led by the Sunday school teachers. Parents are welcome to stay with their children or go to another 2nd Sunday activity. Children under the age of four will go the nursery. Please be aware, we will not have a Children's Time during the 10:00 service, so children can go directly to Fellowship Hall.
Traditional Celebration Service
10:00am - Sanctuary
Here’s everything you love about the classic church service: choir, organ, scripture, sermon and prayer, all with the openmindedness and inclusiveness that Dayspring is famous for. The service is from 10-11, but on 2nd Sundays the service is divided into Part A and Part B, separated by a musical interlude that offers what Pastor Jeff jokingly calls a “second seating.” Here’s the opportunity for folks who’ve been engaged elsewhere to join in for just half (e.g., parents coming over from Kids’ Church). PART A features Dayspring’s celebrated musical worship, while PART B offers Scripture, sermon and other spoken-word offerings.
Communion & Prayer Corners
9:20-9:50 and 11:00-11:15am - Sanctuary
Stop by the Communion and/or Prayer Corner as one of our current or retired pastors will offer communion and where our specially trained Stephen Ministers will sit with anyone in need of prayer.
October 2024
Love Lessons Relationships Seminar
11:20am - Music Room
This program will address common issues facing couples’ relationships. Dr. Gary Lovejoy will present a topic and facilitate a discussion among the group members. It is a learning experience to bring into awareness the issues of primary relationships. The focus is on various aspects of communication and conflict management, as well as strategies for change. Whether or not you are currently in a primary relationship, the topics and discussion may be of interest or helpful to any loving connection, including those of families and friendships.
Yoga Nidra / Sound Bath Healing Meditation
11:20am - Fellowship Hall
Please join us for 40 minutes of pure relaxation, designed to quiet the mind and calm the nervous system. Sit in a chair or lie on a mat while you are guided into a sleep-like state with soothing words and sound instruments such as wind chimes and Tibetan bowls.
Faith Unplugged
11:30am - Room 111
Calling All Young Adults and the Young at Heart! Faith Unplugged is a unique service where conversation brings people together through Faith, Inclusion, Experience, and Culture. At Faith Unplugged, everyone has a voice. We use an open discussion format that encourages sharing at your own comfort level. Whether you're here to speak up or simply listen, there's a place for you. Come as you are, and let's explore our faith journey together.
And, should you find yourself with time between events…
ENJOY SOMETHING TO EAT OR DRINK
You’ll find breakfast burritos, fruit, drinks, and coffee in the Palo Verde Room. Eat inside (where you can watch what’s happening in the Sanctuary) or at tables on the courtyard.
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Jazz pianist Beth Lederman will play the keyboard in the Courtyard starting at 9:40, and there’s a full choir with piano and organ in the 10 o’clock service in the Sanctuary.
FIND FAITH THROUGH SERVICE
Stop by Room 110 and donate some time to a service project –you’ll find supplies and explanations waiting for you. October's project is assembling blessing bags to share with any unhoused neighbors we may meet.
The 2nd Sunday Burrito Menu
Served on a buffet from 8:30-noon In the Palo Verde Room. Donations are appreciated to help continue this ministry.
BURRITOS (all served with salsa):
• Morning Glory - cheese and egg
• Blessed Burrito - veggies/rice/black beans
• Praise and Bacon - egg/bacon/cheese
• The Holy Roller - sausage/egg/cheese
Mixed fruit • Assorted donuts
Coffee/tea station • Soda and juice Dayspring Open House
WALK THE LABYRINTH
Enjoy a self-guided labyrinth experience available in the courtyard. We have a great treasure in our midst that can truly add to our search for a deeper meaning of life with God. Given other events going on in the courtyard, this contemplative practice may be best in the 8:30-9:30 hour, before the music, but is available all morning.
BROWSE BOOKS
Open House
The Dayspring Library will be open all morning if you need a quiet spot to do some reading or browse our collection for a book to check out.
ONGOING SPIRITUAL FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES
PRAYING TOGETHER
October 1 and 15 ~ 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Praying Together meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month via Zoom at 3:00pm. If you have prayers during the week, please enter them online or send them to shirley@dayspring-umc.org, and we will send them out to the members of this group who are praying. All are welcome to meet with us via Zoom; please email Pastor Shirley for the Zoom link. You are more than welcome to bring your personal prayer concerns.
TIME TO WONDER
October 3 and 17 ~ 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Time to Wonder offers a time to contemplate Scripture, Music, other Spiritual Writings, a time for self-reflection and sharing with others, and a time to grow closer with God – literally a TIME TO WONDER. We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:00pm by Zoom. Please email shirley@dayspringumc.org to receive the Zoom link. We always welcome new Wondering People!
CENTERING PRAYER
October 3 and 17 ~ 7:00 p.m. (Tempe)
Centering Prayer is a spiritual practice of meditation used by Christians, placing a strong emphasis on interior silence. The name is taken from Thomas Merton's description of contemplative prayer that is “centered entirely on the presence of God.” A small group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:00pm in the Dayspring Tempe library. For further information, email Bethany at blambrecht1225@gmail.com.
OPENING TO GOD
Fridays ~ 10:30 a.m. (Zoom)
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 for more information. All are welcome.
MONTHLY GATHERINGS
GRIEF SUPPORT
October 7 and 21 ~ 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Everyone experiences grief differently, but having 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 facilitate healing. If you or someone you know needs support in grieving a major 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 PRIDE THEOPUB
October 7 ~ 6:00
p.m.
TheoPub is a group of LGBTQ+ folks and Allies that has been active for about six years. We will meet at FATE Brewing Company (201 E. Southern Ave. #111, Tempe) on Monday, October 7, at 6:00pm. Join us for a fun evening of stimulating conversation, good food, and your favorite beverage!
STITCHERS & PRAYER SHAWL
October 2 ~ 9:00 a.m. (Tempe)
The Stitchers meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Palo Verde Room. They lovingly sew for Foster Care and Family Promise, making quilts and bags for children which are donated throughout the year. Others meet at the same time to crochet or knit prayer shawls for people who are ill or could use some comfort and prayer. If you’re interested in joining us to quilt, crochet, or knit and to experience the fellowship of the two groups, please do! Email Susan Oliver at 2016curly@gmail.com for more information.
DAYSPRING LUNCH BUNCH
Sundays ~ 11:30am
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:
October Dates
6 Rigatony’s, Warner and McClintock, Tempe
13 Famous Dave’s, Frye Rd south of Chandler Mall
20 Blackberry Café, Warner and Dobson, Chandler
27 Garcia’s, Warner and McClintock Tempe
BOOK CLUB
October 2 ~ 6:30 p.m. (Tempe)
Have you been reading as much as you’d like to lately? If you’re interested in literary and speculative fiction, we invite you to join the Dayspring book club in October and November with two electrifying novels that speak directly to contemporary issues.
Wednesday, October 2, 6:30 p.m., Room 112, The Power by Naomi Alderman. Dayspring’s book club continues this month with a 2017 bestseller praised as “our era’s Handmaid’s Tale.” The world in The Power is a recognizable place: there's a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool, a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature, an ambitious American politician, and a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power and can cause agonizing pain and even death. With this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets. The Power is also available as a television series on Amazon Prime.
Wednesday, November 6th, 6:30 p.m., Room 112, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. A postmodern visionary who is also a master of styles of genres, David Mitchell combines flat-out adventure, a Nabokovian love of puzzles, a keen eye for character, and a taste for mind-bending philosophical and scientific speculation in the tradition of Umberto Eco, Haruki Murakami, and
DAYSPRING TEMPE LIBRARY NEWS
“Library Highlights” focuses each month on a topic, author, series, or recently acquired books.
October 2024 –Peace and Non-Violence
Featured book: Shalom, Salaam, Peace by Allison Stokes 303.66 STO Stokes looks at the concept of peace in the three Abrahamic religions, obstacles to breaking cycles of violence, keys to creating a world culture of peace, women engaged in peacemaking, and inner peace through contemplative prayer.
Additional books:
Beating Guns: Hope for People Who Are Weary of Violence, by Ayana Johnson and K. Wilkinson (261.8 CLA)
Victories Without Violence, compiled by Ruth Fry (303.6 FRY)
Women on War: An International Anthology of Women’s Writings from Antiquity to the Present, edited by Daniela Gioseff (303.6 GIO)
Gandhi Today: The Story of Mahatma Gandhi’s Successors by Mark Shepard (303.6 SHE)
In Defense of Creation: The Nuclear Crisis and a Just Peace, by The United Methodist Council of Bishops (327 UNI)
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson (371.82 MOR)
GARDENING IN MARICOPA COUNTY’S CHANGING CLIMATE
with Master Gardener Jackie Rich October 23 ~ 6:30 p.m. (Tempe)
Our climate and weather patterns are changing, and it affects us all - people, plants and critters. Join us to learn what you can do in your yard to capture carbon, reduce greenhouse gasses, reduce energy consumption, conserve water, create microclimates, benefit pollinators and wildlife, and keep your plants happy.
Jackie Rich has been a Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Service master gardener since 2001. She is passionate about learning new ways to live sustainably in the Phoenix metro area. Jackie is a frequent speaker at Garden Tours and the Home & Garden Show in the Valley. In 2010, The Arizona Republic dubbed her the Queen of Compost when she revealed that she grew vegetables and flowers primarily to justify her composting habit.
This free gardening class will be held in the Palo Verde Room. Please RSVP to garden@dayspringumc.org to reserve your seat!
PHOENIX PRIDE PARADE
Dayspring Pride invites you to join a fun-loving group of people from our church community at the 2024 Phoenix Pride Parade! This will be Dayspring's tenth year participating in the parade.
The Phoenix Pride Parade brings our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of our past, present, and future. With over 15,000 spectators, the route is approximately 1.5 miles in length and concludes at Steele Indian School Park, the home of the Phoenix Pride Festival.
Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024
Step-off Time: 10:00am
Begins: 3rd St & Thomas
Ends: 3rd St & Indian School
Announcer Stages: 3rd St & Osborn
At this time, we are waiting to receive further instructions relating to parking, where we will gather, and line-up time. Once that information is received, it will be passed on to you via email.
We will be wearing the same style t-shirts as last year. If you wish to purchase a t-shirt, you can order it using the form at this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ 1FAIpQLSe4lqDsOTu10_PMg0fQtH4_aPAKCeam3ETJIr_SkqjNvGXjQ/viewform
This is an amazing opportunity for Dayspring to demonstrate to the entire Valley that our church is an
07 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group / Zoom
6:00 / Theo Pub / FATE Brewing, Tempe
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
7:00 / BS Troop 172 / Fellowship Hall
7:00 / Tempe South Little League / Room 112
7:30 / ASU Choir Concert / Sanctuary
08 6:00 / DayspRingers / Music Room
6:30 / SPRC Meeting / Palo Verde Room
09 7:00 / Celebration Chorale / Music Room
10 9:30 / Connie Reading Circle / Room 112
10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:15 / Cantilena Rehearsal / Music Room
7:00 / NA / Rooms 112 and 110
11 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
7:30 / Kol Nidre (Temple Emanuel) / Sanctuary
12 9:00 / Yom Kippur (Temple Emanuel) / Sanctuary
13 Second Sunday
8:30 / Breakfast and Coffee / Palo Verde Room
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Divine Feminine / Fellowship Hall
13 Second Sunday (continued)
9:00 / Adult Sunday School / Room 112
9:30 / Communion and Prayer / Sanctuary
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / Nursery Care (infants to 3-year-olds) / Room 117
10:00 / Kids’ Church / Fellowship Hall
10:00 / Formation / Room 111
10:30 / Worship / Sanctuary
11:00 / Communion and Prayer / Sanctuary
11:20 / Yoga / Fellowship Hall
11:20 / Faith Unplugged / Room 111
11:20 / Love Lessons / Music Room
5:00 / Youth Group / Room 111
14 Indigenous Peoples’ Day
7:00 / BS Troop 172 / Fellowship Hall
7:00 / Mary Martha Circle / Palo Verde Room
15 9:00 / Quilt Camp / Palo Verde Room
6:00 / DayspRingers / Music Room
16 9:00 / Quilt Camp / Palo Verde Room
6:00 / Children’s Choir / Palo Verde Room
6:45 / Youth Choir / Palo Verde Room
6:45 / BeTween / Room 110
7:00 / Celebration Chorale / Music Room
17 9:00 / Quilt Camp / Palo Verde Room
10:30 / Chair Yoga / Fellowship Hall
6:15 / Cantilena Rehearsal / Fellowship Hall
7:00 / A Time to Wonder / Zoom
7:00 / Centering Prayer / Library
7:00 / NA / Rooms 112 and 110
7:30 / ASU Choir Concert / Sanctuary
18 10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
19 8:00 / Orpheus / Sanctuary
5:00 / Fall Festival / Campus
20 8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Adult Sunday School / Palo Verde Room
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / *Sunday School Schedule*
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
11:30 / Planned Giving Seminar / Palo Verde Room
5:00 / Renewing Faith and Democracy / Sanctuary
21 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support Group / Zoom
6:30 / Grief Support Group / Zoom
7:00 / BS Troop 172 / Fellowship Hall
22 5:00 / Prison Ministry / Room 112
6:00 / DayspRingers / Music Room
23 6:00 / Children’s Choir / Palo Verde Room
6:30 / Garden Talk / Palo Verde Room
6:45 / Youth Choir / Palo Verde Room
6:45 / BeTween / Room 110
7:00 / Celebration Chorale / Music Room
24 10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:00 / Hamilton Homes HOA Meeting / Room 206
6:15 / Cantilena Rehearsal / Music Room
7:00 / UWF Meeting / Palo Verde Room
7:00 / NA / Rooms 112 and 110
25 9:00 / Maricopa County Elections / Fellowship Hall
10:30 / Opening to God / Zoom
26 9:00 / Maricopa County Elections / Fellowship Hall
27 8:50 / Sacred Space / Sanctuary
8:50 / Childcare / Room 116
9:00 / Adult Sunday School / Palo Verde Room
10:00 / Worship / Sanctuary
10:00 / *Sunday School Schedule*
11:15 / BeTween Carwash / Parking Lot
11:30 / Blessing of the Animals / Courtyard
11:30 / Retired Clergy Luncheon / Palo Verde Room
11:30 / Sunday Lunch Bunch
4:00 / Taizé Service / Fellowship Hall
28 9:00 / Maricopa County Elections / Fellowship Hall
7:00 / BS Troop 172 / Fellowship Hall
29 9:00 / Maricopa County Elections / Fellowship Hall
6:00 / DayspRingers / Music Room
30 9:00 / Maricopa County Elections / Fellowship Hall
6:00 / Children’s Choir / Palo Verde Room
6:45 / Youth Choir / Palo Verde Room
6:45 / BeTween / Room 110
7:00 / Celebration Chorale / Music Room
31 Happy Halloween!
9:00 / Maricopa County Elections / Fellowship Hall
10:30 / Chair Yoga / Palo Verde Room
6:15 / Cantilena Rehearsal / Music Room
7:00 / NA / Rooms 112 and 110
When you are going through tough times STEPHEN
Stephen Ministers are members of the Dayspring family who’ve had extensive training in listening and supporting people dealing with difficult times. If you are facing a family, financial, spiritual, or personal heartbreak, we invite you to check out Stephen Ministry… or to inquire on behalf of someone you love.
Email StephenMinistry@dayspring-umc.org Contact one of our pastors, the church office or Call/email/text one of our Stephen Leaders: Jacki Taylor jackiLtaylor@gmail.com 480-577-1683 Ev Taylor evtaylor1@gmail.com 480-720-9065 Dale Dauten ddauten@gmail.com 480-297-6244
October 2024
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Nursery Care up to Age 3 - Room 117
PreK-Kindergarten - Room 116
1st – 3rd Grade - Room 115
4th – 6th Grade - Room 112 (Palo Verde on 9/15)
Jr. High Formation (7th and 8th Grade) - Room 110
Sr. High Formation (9th – 12th Grade) - Room 111
Octobe
Arcadia EVENT CALENDAR
DAYSPRING ARCADIA AND MT. OF OLIVES LUTHERAN CHURCH
On September 15, Dayspring Arcadia and Mt. of Olives Lutheran Church came together for a truly spirit-filled joint service. Both congregations participated actively in the worship, with vibrant music, powerful preaching, and the sharing of communion led by both pastors. The presence of God was palpable as we celebrated our unity in Christ.
Following the service, we enjoyed a "build-your-ownsandwich" lunch, providing the perfect opportunity for fellowship. Members from both churches spent time getting to know one another, sharing stories, and reflecting on what moved them during the service, strengthening our unity as a larger community.
This service was a beautiful experience of two communities coming together as one, and it won't be the last. We look forward to more joint services in the future, where we can continue sharing God's love and grace with the community.
&CHURCH SOCIETY
MONTHLY MEETING
October 8 ~ 5:30 p.m. Palo Verde Room.
Guided by the United Methodist Social Principles, we work to make a more just community and world by addressing poverty, climate, health, peace, and civil and human rights. As charter members of the Valley Interfaith Project (VIP) for over 30 years, Dayspring has worked with congregations and other nonprofits across the county and state to address affordable housing issues, health care, community safety, education, and issues of need arising from our communities. Our actions are nonpartisan, but political with a small p, acting together for the common good. Do you have a concern, a career skill, or an interest in learning more about your community? Our Dayspring team meets the first Tuesday of each month, but this month only, we’re meeting October 8—so you haven’t missed it!
RECENT AND ONGOING ACTIONS
VIP is actively meeting with council members, mayors, and current candidates for office in Mesa, Chandler, and Tempe to address low-income housing in each of those communities. Our VIP pastors are working to create a “Yes, in God’s Back Yard” (YIGBY) team to address the public and the legislature seeking to allow zoning changes for some churches to create on-site affordable housing.
The team is also currently holding house meetings in communities to hear about issues concerning families and responding to youth needs for mental health, brought by youth, in the East Valley. These efforts have led to Chandler schools creating a day treatment center on campus for students in crisis.
Finally, our Dayspring team and community gathered recently to support Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a 20-year-old foundation supporting a university in Palestine. We were able to raise $1,500 while listening to student stories and seeing their work.
Each of these actions helps us to expand our knowledge, open our hearts, and discern where we, together, can make a difference. Blessed disturbance!
UPCOMING EVENTS
CAN WAR BE JUST?
Religious and Ethical Responses to the Wars in Gaza and Ukraine
October 10 ~ 3:30 p.m.,
ASU Marston Exploration Theater
What do religious and ethical traditions say about the morality of war, and how do they hold up in the face of modern conflicts? How does the media environment influence our understanding of justice in war? Join us for a compelling discussion on the morality of war as we explore the devastating conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Our panel of experts will delve into ways religious and ethical traditions guide our understanding of war in today’s world. We will also examine how the media shapes public perceptions of justice. Visit asuevents.asu.edu/justwar for details.
VALLEY INTERFAITH PROJECT ISSUES ASSEMBLY
October 24 ~ 6:30 p.m.,
Shepherd of the Hills UCC
(5524 E Lafayette Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85018).
Valley Interfaith Project (VIP) leaders and guests will gather with public officials and candidates in advance of the November election to discuss VIP’s agenda around mental health, affordable housing, and neighborhood safety. Join us to hear where candidates stand on these issues and help create a Maricopa County where everyone can thrive. RSVP to vipphx@gmail.com. Spanish interpretation will be available.
Arizona Office of Resiliency Launches Phase I of Efficiency Arizona Program
Great news for Arizona residents — this fall you may be eligible to take part in state-wide programs that could improve the energy efficiency of your home and potentially save you money on your utility bills!
S.A.G.E.
Spiritual Activists Greening the Earth
Arizona Launches Home Energy Rebates Initial Focus is on Homes Without Working AC
On August 29, Arizona launched its first federal Home Energy Rebates program, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act. In addition, Arizona is the second state in the nation to launch the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) portion of the rebate program—enabling low- and middle-income households to save on energy efficiency improvements.
Phase one of Arizona’s program will focus exclusively on serving the emergency waiting lists at Arizona’s Community Action Agencies and installing energy efficient heat pump AC’s on homes without working air conditioning. This is consistent with President Biden’s goal that 40% of the benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing investments flow to disadvantaged communities that suffer the most from underinvestment and pollution.
Watch for more information later this year, when rebates for home electrification and appliances will become available to all Arizona residents. At that time, Dayspring’s SAGE team will offer zoom workshops to help you learn about, and take advantage of, these programs.
At full deployment, eligible Arizona homeowners can receive up to $14,000 through the home energy rebate programs to save energy and save money on energy-efficient home upgrades.
Arizona’s launch is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s nationwide initiative to provide $8.8 billion in Federal funding for states, territories, and Tribes to lower energy costs and increase efficiency in American homes by making it cheaper to install cost-saving measures such as heat pumps, electrical panels, and insulation. These energy-saving measures will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in residential construction, manufacturing, and other sectors.
Apache Stronghold Files Appeal with Supreme Court to Protect Arizona’s Oak Flat
The Apache Stronghold arrived in Washington, DC, after two months following in the footsteps of the Spirit on a Journey of Prayer. They delivered their appeal to the Supreme Court on Sept. 11 to protect their religion and their sacred land. Dr. Wendsler Nosie, who led the journey, has said that Mother Earth is crying everywhere, not just at Oak Flat, and these cries are connected to the cries of the oppressed. Apache Stronghold is leading the fight to protect Oak Flat, an ancient Native American sacred site, from destruction by a multinational mining giant. This beautiful, diverse ecosystem in the Tonto National Forest is a sacred site known to Apaches as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel. Their journey to the Supreme Court, supported by many faith communities, followed the decision of a divided federal court that voted 6-5 against the Apache Stronghold’s religious freedom case. To support their efforts, sign their petition at: actionnetwork.org/petitions/i-support-oak- fl at and write your U.S. House Representative and Senators urging them to support H.R. 1351, the “Save Oak Flat from Mining Act.” (Rep. Raul Grijalva introduced this act and no other Arizona representatives have sponsored it.)
Oak Flat had been protected from mining under the US Forest Service “due to cultural and natural value,” since 1955. A lastminute federal land-exchange provision in 2014 gave the area to a multinational mining company to build one of the world’s largest copper mines, which would leave behind a crater two miles wide and 1,000 feet deep, spreading toxic waste over the entire area. Efforts to halt the mining have gained President Biden’s support, but Congress must act to protect the area.
Prayer for Oak Flat:
May the spirit of God touch the hearts of those appointed to the Supreme Court, moving them to hear the appeal filed by Apache Stronghold and act justly to protect Oak Flat, the Apache religion, and our Sacred Earth.
Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Apache Stronghold photo by Steve Pavey
UNITED METHODIST MEN
MONTHLY UMM MEETINGS
People of all genders are invited to join Dayspring’s United Methodist Men (UMM) on the first Saturday of each month in the Palo Verde Room at 8 a.m., with the next meeting coming up on October 5. UMM celebrates diversity, different perspectives, and kindness. Meetings are filled with friendship, information, fellowship, music, and lively discussions. Whether it’s your first time, or you’re a regular attendee, all are welcome! If you have questions about the group, please reach out to UMM co-presidents Mark Kaiser at mjkaiser51@gmail.com or Bill Stenseth at stensew@gmail.com
UMM meetings begin with coffee and a light breakfast, followed by music from the Guitar Pickers and a short program led by a volunteer. Are you a musician? We’d love to have you as part of the UMM Guitar Pickers! Contact Ken Brooks at kenneth.brooks@asu.edu to learn more about how you can participate.
RECOGNIZING RANDY HAMILTON
On September 15, UMM copresidents Mark Kaiser and Bill Stenseth presented Dayspring’s own Randy Hamilton with the 2024 Lee Cook Memorial Award for his dedication to charitable causes, service to Dayspring, and community leadership. The annual award preserves the memory of Jesse Lee Cook and his legacy of service.
UMM FALL PROGRAM
October 5, The Inner Workings of Medical Insurance. Rick Standridge, M.D., an expert in medical insurance, will share valuable insights and tips for dealing with insurance providers at 8:00 a.m. in the Palo Verde Room.
November 15–17 (Friday–Sunday), UMM Annual Retreat at the United Methodist Center at Mingus Mountain. Led by Pastor Jeff Procter-Murphy and Dayspring member Scott Bennett, this year’s theme is “Life of the Beloved,” based on Henri Nouwen’s book of the same name, a deeply personal and spiritual treatise that originated from Nouwen's attempt to explain Christian spirituality to a secular friend. Nouwen’s Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World, originally published in 1992, centers on the idea that each person is God's beloved, chosen and loved unconditionally. Participants are encouraged but not required to read the book in preparation, and need not be an active UMM member to attend. We welcome all interested to join us and get to know each other better!
Randy Hamilton, center, displays his 2024 Lee Cook Memorial Award with Mark Kaiser, left, and Bill Stenseth, right.
Mark Kaiser, center, presents Randy Hamilton, left, with the 2024 Lee Cook Memorial Award as Pastor Jeff Procter-Murphy looks on, right.
November 15 may seem like a long way off, but we do ask that you sign up now, as very few spots are still open. The cost to attend this year’s retreat is $210 and includes two nights of lodging and meals. For those of you who have already signed up, please submit payment immediately if you have not already done so to either Fred Searing, Mark Kaiser, Bill Stenseth, or Nan Lawson in the church office. If you have questions, please reach out to UMM co-presidents Mark Kaiser at mjkaiser51@gmail.com or Bill Stenseth at stensew@gmail.com
December 7, 2024, Dayspring’s Prison Ministry and the Arizona State Women’s Prison. The Arizona Department of Corrections–Perryville, located in Goodyear, is the only women’s prison in Arizona. In this upcoming event, Karen Spencer-Barnes and Christine Karber will share how the ministry reaches out to women in prison with monthly birthday cards and a pen pal program, and provides much-needed support to Magdalene House, a transitional home for women who have been recently released.
Please join us for this impactful discussion at 8:00 a.m. in the Palo Verde Room. Contact Chris Karber at christinekarber@gmail.com with any questions about the event or how you can participate in Dayspring’s prison ministry.
UMM LEADERSHIP FOR 2024–2025
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, Director of 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
"I was in prison and you came to me."
—Matthew
25:36
These words from Jesus still have meaning for Christians. Although visits to a prison can be difficult or even impossible, the Dayspring prison ministry team reaches out to women at the Perryville prison with monthly cards and letters that serve as a virtual visit and reminder that we care about them. We recently received the following thank-you card from one prisoner:
Your kindness and thoughtfulness is so greatly appreciated. I started my time in my 20s and I am now 62 years old. I have done a lot of time. I have done my time well, but it was so much easier when I started. Now it is challenging. My point is that your cards made my day so nice that I could forget what's going on for a while.
I'm praying that my journey is about to end so that I can go help my mom, spend time with my children who were 4 years old to 4 months when I came in. I can be a grandma, sister, aunt, etc. May you all have a great summer. Please stay cool and be safe.
Blessings, Susan
Dayspring Prison Ministry will meet October 22 at 5 p.m. in Room 112. All are welcome.
Photos: 2023 Men’s Retreat
United Women in Faith (UWF) offers all Methodist women opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership development, transformative education and service and advocacy. With a focus on women, children, and youth, we act for justice and transform communities. UWF welcomes all Dayspring women to attend our upcoming October meetings:
• Monday, October 14, 7 p.m., Palo Verde Room, Mary Martha Circle.
• Thursday, October 24, 7 p.m., Palo Verde Room, United Women in Faith Unit Meeting. Program: World Thank Offering & Women4Women Packing Party. This is a hands-on meeting that will not have a Zoom link. Please join us in person if you are able! Contact Nancy Jamison at nancyjam@cox.net with any questions.
OCTOBER COLLECTION
UWF is collaborating with Women4Women Tempe to help unhoused and low-income women in our communities maintain their dignity, health, and self-respect by providing feminine hygiene products to those in need. Please consider donating feminine hygiene products (menstrual pads, tampons, etc.) at the following dates and locations:
• Sunday, October 13, 10 a.m., Dayspring narthex.
• Sunday, October 20, 10 a.m., Dayspring narthex.
• Thursday, October 24, 7 p.m., Palo Verde Room, United Women in Faith Unit Meeting.
TAKING CARE:
LIVING AND LOVING WITH MEMORY LOSS
Self-Care for Caregivers
By Anne Ahland
Is self-care selfish? Oh no, just the opposite. We are reminded that as a passenger on an airplane, we must secure our own oxygen mask first, so that we can help others secure theirs. That’s one example of self-care.
Being responsible for the care of a person with dementia is wearing, and we experience emotions that are sometimes unexpected and often dif fi cult. It helps to have awareness to deal with these emotions while providing some self-care.
Anger may signal that you have exhausted your reserves—you are “running on fumes.” Think again of the oxygen mask, and make your well-being a priority. Ask others to help, so that you have a respite from the daily responsibilities of being the one providing care. Asking for specific help gets better results, so voice your needs specifically, such as “can you take Bob to his doctor appointment on Wednesday?” or “will you pick up my grocery order this week?”
Loneliness sneaks up on caregivers. So much effort is put into daily care that socializing and enjoying time with others gets postponed. We all need to have people we can confide in and people who provide emotional support to us as caregivers. Seek these people with a phone call to catch up; admit your loneliness. People who love you are probably not aware of how lonely you have become. Work on restoring relationships that sustain you.
Caregivers suffer from having very little control in their caregiving situation. Try to find small victories in elements where you do have some control. Learn all you can about your loved one’s disease process. Ask about resources in the community that can help you. These victories may also help both anxiety and depression.
Feelings of guilt are extremely common among caregivers and are the least deserved. Guilt is a form of self-abuse. We feel we should do more, or we should always be patient and understanding, or that things would have been better if we had done something differently. Baloney. Caregivers are already on overload with the physical and emotional demands on them. Remember that you could not have prevented your loved one’s situation, and that you are a caregiver because you care. Whatever you are doing has value to your loved one. You are human. Try positive self-talk if you see that guilt is trying to move in on you.
Anxiety, depression, and a combination of these two are often unwelcome companions to caregivers. It is not enough to tell yourself to stop feeling this way. You may need to phone your doctor and schedule an appointment for yourself.
Grief also accompanies caregiving. We grieve that life is not as it used to be. We grieve that our loved one is diminishing before our eyes. We grieve that we cannot experience the future we had imagined. We grieve that our days are so filled with responsibilities that we no longer have the experiences that would bring us joy. And sometimes we have pre-death grief as we see our loved one decline. Grief is selfish in that it moves into our lives and our thoughts. It is hard to live with, but often the way we must cope with it is to recognize it and allow time and energy to grieve. Grief support is helpful, and talking about your feelings in fidential setting is essential. It is also part of your self-care.
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.
FINANCE
By Nan Lawson, Treasurer
Finance Report
Total income for the General Fund through 8/31/2024 was $742,632 and expenses were $767,040. This was a negative cash flow through August of -$24,408.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE SPECIAL FALL EVENTS!
October 20th - Estate Planning Workshop from 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in Room 112
Anne Green and Judi Smith from the Desert Southwest United Methodist Foundation will join us to talk about the need for estate planning to protect your loved ones and your assets.
If you have a will or a trust you may think you have done everything you need. However, laws change; new opportunities present themselves; loved ones pass; other circumstances change. In all of those situations, you may need to revisit the plan you worked on.
Anne and Judi will provide some tools for looking at your personal financial picture and making plans for your future needs.
November 9 - "A Place for All - Enhancing our Safety and Accessibility" - a dinner and entertainment kick-off to our 2025-2026 capital campaign. Watch for more details coming soon!
November 24 - Thanksgiving and Commitment Sunday - celebrates offering our pledges to the General Fund of Dayspring for 2025. This service has become a beloved tradition at Dayspring as we celebrate with all of our choirs, special music, and liturgy to pledge our financial commitments to the future of Dayspring.
City of Tempe Grant Supports Life-Saving
Aid Training for the Community
We are excited to announce that, thanks to a generous grant from the City of Tempe, Dayspring recently provided vital CPR, AED, and first aid training to members of the local community. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance public safety and equip individuals with essential life-saving skills.
The grant covered comprehensive hands-on training sessions, ensuring participants learned the latest techniques in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and basic first aid. These skills can make a critical difference during emergencies, increasing the chance of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest, injuries, or other health emergencies before professional help arrives.
In addition to the training, the City of Tempe's grant enabled us to secure a brandnew AED machine and a fully stocked first aid kit, which have been donated to our facility. The availability of this equipment ensures that our trained community members have the tools necessary to respond effectively in emergencies.
GIVE
FAITH AND DEMOCRACY TOUR VOLUNTEERS
October 20 (Tempe)
As part of our preparations for the Faith and Democracy Tour, we’re hoping to find 15-20 volunteers to assist with various day-of roles, including greeters (to welcome guests and hand out items such as free gifts and post-event block party food tickets), sanctuary ushers, speaker and musician handlers, drivers for our musicians, and guides to direct participants to the community fellowship area following the music/speaking portion of the event. Please contact the church office at churchoffice@dayspring-umc.org if you are interested in volunteering.
FAMILY PROMISE & UMOM DONATIONS
collecting donations of new, reusable water bottles, kitchen supplies, kids’ socks, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, and Halloween costumes for Family Promise.
We are also collecting for UMOM’s Magnolia Street Donation Center. The most urgent need is for the following items (in order of need):
• Size 3t-4t and 4t-5t Disposable Training Pants (Pull-Ups)
• Dish Soap (in 6–10-ounce containers)
• Bath Towels
• Hand Towels
Bathmats (preferably with a non-slip backing - see example)
There is a donation bin in the narthex. UMOM’s warehouse ensures those who have left the program have the necessary items to transition smoothly into stable housing. From furniture to household supplies, the warehouse provides the essentials to help them start their new chapter on the right foot.
FOURTH SUNDAY FOOD DRIVE
We collect non-perishable items for our neighbors through Tempe Community Action Agency the fourth Sunday of every month. Current needs include:
Ziplock bags (gallon size)
high-protein items (canned meats, peanut butter, tuna, low-sugar protein bars)
dried/canned beans
canned and boxed soups
• 100% juice
• canned vegetables
• oatmeal
• rice
• granola bars
• pasta
• mac and cheese
• multigrain crackers
Donations may be left on the benches at the front gate to be collected and delivered to Sunday's services. If you're unable to bring food to donate but would still dayspring-umc.org/give
Bishop Yvette Flunder
Sunday morning, September 22, felt like a Dayspring revival to many! Pastor Michael and the Celebration Chorale set a powerful tone with “Order My Steps.” Both the Children’s and Youth Choirs graced the service with their performances, and our guest preacher, Bishop Yvette Flunder, delivered a moving message that brought many to tears. Her tender a cappella rendition of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” drew the congregation into a final, heartfelt chorus before she launched into a rousing sermon on the importance of diversity, faith, and unity within the Church.
Bishop Flunder urged us to move beyond divisiveness and embrace inclusivity, drawing from her own mixed heritage and experiences to speak on the issues of power and oppression. She called the Church to evolve into a more integrated, transparent, and justice-oriented community, ready to confront the challenges of today. Her message was a call to collective action against injustice, with the goal of bringing forth the Kin-dom of God.
The service concluded with her call for empowerment, and the general sentiment was clear: we should invite her back again, perhaps even making it an annual tradition. In the afternoon, Bishop Flunder also delivered a thought-provoking lecture on economic justice.
FROM OUR PASTORS
Faithful Citizenship in Action
A couple of months ago, I was honored to do a public service announcement for First Place AZ to support their “Vote the Spectrum” campaign. First Place, a nonprofit founded in 2012, sets new standards for supportive community development, offering residential options and resources for adults with autism and other neurodiversities. Here’s what I had to say:
God delights in diversity, which is why we at Dayspring believe that embracing diversity means embracing God. We don’t merely accept or tolerate diversity; we affirm and celebrate it, including neurodiversity. Recently, I spoke with a dear friend who is on the spectrum. At 25, I asked him if he votes. His response: “Of course!” When I inquired why voting was important to him, he said, “Because we need a good president to lead our nation.” Faithful citizenship values every voice and every vote. That’s why I wholeheartedly support Vote the Spectrum.
In these divisive times, the call to faithful citizenship becomes more urgent. As we approach another election season, we are reminded of the many critical issues facing our nation and our world. From raising the minimum wage to protecting voting rights, we have an opportunity to help shape a future that reflects justice, equity, and compassion. The Poor People’s Campaign, originally launched by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., offers a valuable resource with their flyer: “This November, Are You Voting for Candidates Who Support the Issues that Matter Most to You?” The flyer raises essential questions without endorsing any candidates, encouraging us all to vote our values.
In this context, I want to reiterate that, as a faith leader, I advocate for issues, not candidates. Our calling is not to promote political parties, but to uphold the principles of
justice and compassion that are at the core of our faith. We can be political without being partisan. We are Christians before we are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. My prayer for all of us is to make informed decisions and to vote for candidates who support issues that matter to us. As Senator Raphael Warnock says, “To vote is a kind of prayer about the kind of world you want to live in.”
Jesus himself was no stranger to political tension. His mission was clear: to bring good news to the poor, to release captives, and to set the oppressed free. Yet, his message of inclusivity and justice often clashed with the political and religious authorities of his time. At Dayspring, we are committed to living out this radical love. This means advocating for gun reform, affordable housing, reproductive healthcare access, LGBTQ inclusion, adequate school funding, and environmental stewardship. As we engage in these conversations and prepare to vote, let us remember that our citizenship is rooted in our faith—what our Church and Society Team calls “Faithful Citizenship.”
As we approach this election season, let us remember that faithful citizenship is not just about casting a ballot—it’s about embodying the values we hold dear every day. Voting is one way we live out our commitment to justice, equity, and compassion, but it doesn’t stop there. We are called to continue the work of healing and uplifting our communities in all seasons, through our words, actions, and advocacy. May our engagement in the political process be grounded in our faith, as we seek to build a society where love, justice, and dignity are extended to all.
Grace and Peace, Pastor Jeff
MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS
JESS BROWN
Jess Brown (they/them) is a lifelong, 6th-generation United Methodist. They've been living in Arizona for 11 years after moving here from Maryland. Jess is an all around artist: painter, potter, crochet, crafts etc. They also spend their time reading, writing, playing video games and spending time with their dog Rufio. Jess is very happy to finally find a church home and family after the closure of City Square United Methodist Fellowship. Their favorite scripture is Isaiah 43.
JAMES AND ANITA CHRISTENSEN
Anita and James moved to Mesa from the Kansas City area in 1998. They have two adult daughters who also live in the Valley. They enjoy traveling and getaways to the mountains of Colorado.
OWEN AND PAT JACKSON
Pat: After retiring from teaching, I enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and one of the most memorable projects I was involved in was an all women's build. I helped organize the work and learned a lot! Another volunteer group that I enjoyed was Assistance League, which is a national women's organization located in many US cities. Their goal is to raise money and provide help in many local projects. I also love to travel, read, exercise, and hang out with friends.
Owen: In my retirement, I have enjoyed volunteering in my church, my professional associations, and civic clubs. I enjoy reading, travel, and visiting with friends.
CAROLYN JONES
I grew up in the United Methodist Church in Carroll, Iowa. I was part of a first wave of women law professors, teaching at St. Louis University, University of Connecticut, and University of Iowa. I have retired and moved to Chandler, AZ. I want to reconnect with the church and particularly its social mission. I love to visit my daughter and her family near Nashville, TN. My hobbies are reading, knitting and hanging out with my sister and my dog, Garth.
CARLOS LYONS
Carlos is originally from Augusta, GA. He has lived in the Phoenix area for more than seven years and is a former racquetball hobbyist.
ZOË SMITH
Hello! I'm Zoë Smith, a 22-year-old with a deep love for navy blue and classic jazz, and comic book nerd. Growing up as a pastor's kid (PK), I've been deeply involved in UMC Youth Organizations since I was 15; a journey that has shaped much of who I am today. For the past four years, I've been working at Mingus Mountain, a peaceful United Methodist camp in Prescott, AZ, where I've found both purpose and a sense of community.
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.
