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Making space for all God’s children • Serving our neighbors •
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Celebrating life in Christ together • Encouraging one another • Nurturing spirituality
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Click Here to read the October issue of our monthly Catalina Newsletter.
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Worship Preview #2: Introducing Dinner Church
Our first service preview was a wonderful start—thank you to everyone who attended Catalina Unplugged and shared feedback! Read more about lessons learned from the Unplugged can be found here. For our next preview, we’re trying something completely new and different for Catalina: a "Dinner Church" style of worship.
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Most of us have grown up experiencing worship as something we receive—sitting in rows, listening, singing along, sometimes feeling a bit passive. Dinner Church shifts the experience: it’s intentionally interactive, relational, and centered around a shared meal. The goal is to create space where we slow down, connect more deeply with one another, and experience Christ’s presence at the table.
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A typical Dinner Church gathering will likely look something like this:
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- Welcome & Blessing of the Meal
- Sharing Dinner & Casual Conversation
- Short Gospel Reading and Reflection
- Table Discussion prompted by open-ended questions
- Prayers (often with everyone invited to share)
- Communion (if included)
- Closing Blessing & Sending
As Paul Nixon (Catalina's church consultant/coach in 2023) wrote in his book Weird Church, Dinner Church “reclaims the table as a sacred place of worship, where food and faith nourish the soul together.” This model is growing nationwide because it helps people who might never walk into a sanctuary discover church in a more approachable, authentic way.
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We’re still finalizing details like time and location—likely a weekday evening, 60-minute service—and exploring how to provide the meal (possibilities include a bring-and-share potluck, a simple soup-and-bread meal prepared on site, or catered options).
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We plan to host two preview Dinner Church gatherings in late October or early November—stay tuned for dates and details in the coming weeks.
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Come ready to experience worship in a fresh way: gathered around the table, sharing stories, and discovering God’s presence in our conversations and in the breaking of bread!
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Tucson Pride Planning Team -- Volunteers Needed
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Catalina UMC is excited to once again march in this year’s Pride Parade and host a table at Pride Fest during Tucson Pride (Nov 21-23). Our Reconciling Ministry Team is looking for 5–8 short-term
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volunteers to help plan, organize, and be a presence—welcoming our LGBTQIA+ neighbors with joy. Whether it’s helping at the table, registering, or offering activities, there’s a place for you! Contact Pastor Kelli if you're interested in being part of this joyful effort. [email protected].
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Seekers Adult Sunday School Class @ 8:45am-9:45am in Room H-230
A desire to enrich your understanding and faith is the only requirement. Join us for a variety of video-based lessons led by volunteer class members. For lesson schedule click here: https://www.catalinamethodist.org/adults/.
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Koinonia Class for Adults: Sundays @ 9am in Room E-23
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AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD: A GEOGRAPHY OF FAITH begins. This lively class and discussion group reads one chapter each week of an excellent and thought-provoking book. Books are available from Rev. Reed. Adults of all ages can enjoy learning together! For more info: [email protected]..
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Women’s Bible Study: Wednesdays @ 9:30am in Room H-230
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Our newest study is "Philippians" by Lori Wilhite. It will run from Sept 10-Oct 15.Contact Brenda Halferty for more information at [email protected] or 520-481-6993
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Men’s Bible Study: Wednesdays @ 6:45am in Room E-23
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We meet weekly on Wednesday mornings in Room E23 at 6:45 am. For those whose schedules allow, we plan on going to breakfast at 8:00 am following Bible Study.
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Together Tuesdays: Second Tuesday of the month @ 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall
We meet again October 14. An hour of fun in Fellowship Hall for families with children under 8 years old. Includes light meal, singing, crafts and a bible theme each month.
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Sing With The Sanctuary Choir: Rehearsals Thursdays-7-8:30pm
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Do you sing in the shower? Come sing with us at rehearsals and on Sundays—it's a blast! Got questions? Reach out to [email protected]
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Festival Ringers Bell Choir: Rehearsals Thursdays @ 5:30-6:30pm
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Can you read music? We would love to have you join this fun group for rehearsals and performances throughout the coming year. Reach out to [email protected]
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We love our cookie & social time after worship! 🍪 It’s a great chance to chat with friends old and new. If you’d like to donate cookies, check the alphabet schedule for your last name and bring them to the cart in the Welcome area before service. Questions? Contact Judy at [email protected] or (520) 909-4404.
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Oct 5: A-G Oct 12: H-M Oct 19: N-R Oct 26: S-Z
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Catalina Breakfast Forum: Saturday, October 4, 9am in Fellowship Hall
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"Chat GPT AI & 16 Other Flavors of Artificial Intelligence" presented by Alex Dely, Adjunct faculty UofA College of Engineering will present “Facts and Fiction – A current Reality Perspective. $4/person donation requested at the door. Please RSVP to 520-327-4296.
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Church Conference: October 12, 2025 @ 11:30, in the Sanctuary
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The purpose of the meeting is to make a decision about whether to move from our current governance structure and instead adopt a Simplified Accountable Structure (SAS). Hopefully, you have had a chance to attend one of the presentations about SAS. If not, there will be a write-up in the October Newsletter. Or, you can contact Pastor Mike to be able to view a recorded session of one of the SAS presentations.
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United Women in Faith: Tuesday, October 14, 9:30am in Room H230
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We’re super excited to welcome back our United Women in Faith circle! Mark your calendar for our first meeting, scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month, starting on October 14, 2025, at 9:30 am. We’d love you to join us and bring a friend! Let’s have fun and enjoy fellowship with our wonderful sisters in Christ! Can’t wait to see you there! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Deaconess Toni Smith at [email protected]
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Together Tuesdays: Tuesday, October 14, 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall
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Join us October 14th at 5:30 pm for Together Tuesday at 5:30 in the fellowship hall. This program has free dinner and features a Bible story and a craft for families to learn about God and Jesus together!
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Trunk or Treat: Friday, October 17, 5-6pm in the West Parking Lot
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Mark your calendars for our Second Trunk or Treat! Set-up will begin at 4:30pm. Last year we had over 100 families come, so the more trunks the better! We will also be collecting candy all of September (we ran out last year!) Please donate candy by bringing it to the narthex before Oct. 17!
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An Installation Service for D.S. Rev Javier Olivares: Saturday, October 18, 3pm, St. Mark’s UMC
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Join us for this Installation Service at St. Mark’s UMC located at 1431 W Magee Rd, Tucson 85704.
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Casa Maria Soup Kitchen: Saturday, October 18, 6:30am
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Would you like to join a small team of volunteers who cook and serve our excellent chicken-vegetable soup to about 250 of our hungry neighbors? The work involves standing, lifting, cooking, and serving, using large commercial pots in a very small kitchen. Our volunteers must be gloved, and over the age of 12. Interested? Notify Doug Wingert, at [email protected]
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Tucson Meet Yourself Field Trip: Saturday, October 18
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The Multicultural Growth Committee has organized a field trip. Meet in the West parking lot at 10am to carpool. For more info: text Kendall Klym at 308-562-0096 or Kirk Reed at 520-561-0285.
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Primavera Men’s Shelter: October 25, 2-6pm
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We cook and serve a great meal to men living with homelessness. The work involves standing and lifting, cooking, and serving. All volunteers who are gloved, and over the age of 12 are welcome. Contact Doug at [email protected] to help!
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Upcoming Lay Leader Classes
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Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM Heritage) – Via Zoom – Oct 11, 18, & 25 - 8:30 am - Noon all 3 days – Deadline to Register – October 3
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Transforming Evangelism: IN SPANISH - October 11 & 18 – 1 pm - 6 pm - Deadline to Register – October 3. Location: Menlo Park UMC 6740 S Santa Clara Ave, Tucson 85756
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Leading Public Prayer: November 8 and 15 – 9 am - 2:30 pm Deadline to Register: October 31. Location: Christ Church UM 655 N Craycroft, Tucson 85711
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St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Presents: The first of three concerts for the 2025-2026 Organ Concert Series. The program will feature Guy Whatley, acclaimed organist, performing a selection of works by Johann Sebastian Bach.
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This free community concert will take place Sunday, October 12 at 3:00 pm at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ.
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Catalina has an active prayer team, Prayer Partners, praying for YOU throughout the year. If you would like to add a special prayer request, please send it to office@catalinamethodist and we will publish it here!
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Please be in prayer for:
- St. James, St. John's and St. Mark's UMCs in Tucson
- Peace. Love. Prayer. Always.
Need a Visitation?
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If you, or someone you know, would like a visitation from our Deaconess, Toni Smith, please contact her at [email protected]
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Join us and Click Here to view our live stream service each Sunday at 9:55 am. Or copy the link below and paste it in your web browser:
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Why invite someone to church?
Because sometimes your “Hey, come with me Sunday” turns into:
☕ Coffee after worship
🎶 Singing along to great music
🤝 Meeting people who feel like family
It’s simple. It’s meaningful. And it starts with you.
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Join our Volunteers for Outreach Missions!
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🙌 Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time—it’s about making a difference.
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Every act of service, big or small, is a way to share God’s love and bring hope to others.💙
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When we serve together, we become the hands and feet of Christ in the world. ✝️
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There are many ways you can give to the ministries of Catalina UMC. You can give online at CatalinaMethodist.org, you can scan the QR code to the left on your cell phone, or you can text the dollar amount to 520-441-8592.
Your gifts are a blessing to our ministry in the community.
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We’d love to hear from you—join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram by searching for catalinamethodist. Don’t forget to like and comment on our posts! You can also find us on Nextdoor.
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