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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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- Read the most recent Catalina Newsletter now available on our website. Just click here.
- For the South District current news click here.
- For the Desert Southwest Conference Digest click here.
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After church last Sunday, I attended a lecture at the Edgar B. Berger Performing Arts Center on the campus of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center. Rabbi Sharon Brous presented on her new book The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom To Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, which invites all of us to consider our personal and collective role in restoring relationships in our communities. She pulled from a 9th century rabbinic text which says that “every person, at all times, is accompanied by a procession of angels crying out, ‘Make way! For an image of the Holy
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One is approaching!’.” Rabbi Brous asked of us, “how we keep missing all those angels? With their trumpets and proclamations, desperate to rouse us to the dignity of every human being?”
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Like Rabbi Brous, this call to awaken to the image of God, to the dignity of every person has been the driving force of my religious life, the very heart of my faith. This isn’t an abstract theological claim, but a genuine moral imperative. Rabbi Brouse continued, “What would it mean to build a society in which every person is treated as the image of the Divine?”
Her question stayed close with me over this past week. I tried calling to mind her wisdom in every interaction—whether with any of you, church staff, my local barista, unhoused strangers at busy
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traffic intersections—that each one of us is holy in God’s eyes and my prayer has been for God to help me see other through God’s eyes, as God sees them.
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This individual practice became a collective experience at last night’s Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). TDOR was founded in 1999 by transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in 1998. TDOR is a time to make visible and mourn trans people who have died, raise awareness about anti-trans violence, and call for a shift from empathy to accountability. Last night, the Kindred Connections Collective hosted a TDOR at the House of Neighborly Service. There were a couple of food booths and a food truck, as well as 20-30 tables staffed by all kind of activists, artists, healers, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community resources and organizations. I walked around the tables, introducing myself, learning a bit more about each person, business, artist, or organization there. I was one of about 150 people from all different cultures, communities, and identities.
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At the center of event was a long, decorated table of 74 pictures
of framed faces of trans angels who no longer with us in body, but
remembered, honored, and celebrated by this table adorned with an
abundance of flowers, candles, calaveras (painted sugar skulls), bits of candy, glasses of wine, hypodermic needles, and Narcan. I was struck by the whimsy and seriousness of the décor that somehow all came together as a holy and sacred altar. Around 7:00pm, everyone came together to light candles and listen as the names of the deceased read. Poets offered what I considered prayers, and a reiki practitioner led us through a guided meditation to close our time of remembrance.
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It was such a powerful event. For me, the power came from taking
what is usually out of sight, out of mind, often misunderstood, to
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being enfleshed, embodied, and embraced by everyone who somehow felt connected to the trans community. This collective community remembrance was a like a glimpse into what I imagine a part of heaven to be like, where the image of the Divine in all of us are made known, seen, loved, and sacred. May we all continue to be builders of a society in which every person is treated as one of God’s angels.
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Be the LIGHT
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November is the time of year when we focus on stewardship—that is, taking the time to consider the gifts God has blessed each of us with and how we might, in turn, bless others with our gifts. The theme of our 2025 Stewardship Campaign is Be the LIGHT.
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We are God’s light in our community, with:
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- Love – Guiding every action with love
- Inspiration – Sparking creativity and new ideas in faith
- Guidance – Offering wisdom and support on life's journey
- Hospitality – Creating a warm and welcoming environment
- Trust – Building relationships rooted in trust and faith
For three Sundays in November, we’ll highlight how we’ve shone God’s light into the lives of our church family and community in the past year, what we’re currently doing, and a vision of how we want to shine that light in the future.
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Please look for more information in the mail, listen to stories you will hear, and prayerfully consider how you can help Catalina Be the LIGHT by making a financial commitment for 2025.
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Deck Our Halls at CUMC!
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Please join us in decorating the Sanctuary for the holidays Nov. 26, 9am in the Sanctuary. We welcome and appreciate all volunteers as "many hands make light work". We especially need people who can climb a 6 foot ladder to reach high places for wreath and garland hanging. Please contact Janice Golden if you have any questions or to volunteer. [email protected] or 626/372-9688 (cell phone)
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Day School Silent Auction Fundraiser - Donate Today!
We are collecting donations for themed gift baskets to be auctioned during the Christmas Program (December 12th) . Choose a basket theme to contribute items or create your own!
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· Backyard Camp Night: card games, family tent, lantern
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· A Day in the Park: [add more details if needed]
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· Pop Culture: gift cards, LEGO sets, comic books
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· Pet Lovers: tennis balls, gift cards, soft blanket, treats
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· Disney Magic: anything Disney
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· Teatime: teapot, kettle, tea steeper, tea cups
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· Art Lovers: paints, gift cards, paintbrushes
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· Romantic Date Night: movie gift cards, restaurant gift cards
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· Family Game Night: any family games
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· Bear Down Arizona: any U of A merchandise
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· Kids Baking Party: baking pans, mixing spoons, frosting
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· Coffee Craving: gift cards, travel mugs, coffee mugs, cookies
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· Get Crafty: craft items, gift cards
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· Spa Day: gift cards, scrubs, lotions, face masks
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· Just for Kids: gift cards
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· Movie Night: movie tickets, gift cards, snacks
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Donations are due at the school by December 6th. For questions or to arrange a donation, contact Larissa Joshua at [email protected] or call
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Thank you for supporting our school community!
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Seekers Adult Sunday School Class @ 8:45am-9:45am in Room H-230
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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 go to https://www.catalinamethodist.org/adults/.
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Koinonia Class for Adults: Sundays @ 9am in Room E-23
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A fun Sunday morning class built on relationships and learning: 9:00 am in Room E23, led by Rev. Kirk Reed. You're invited! Upcoming topics: “Situation Ethics” and “Abortion” (Nov 24).
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Women’s Bible Study: Wednesdays @ 9:30am in Room H-230
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Women's Bible Study will meet again in January. Contact Brenda Halferty for more information and to sign up. 520-481-6993 or [email protected]
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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: First Tuesday of the month @ 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall
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Our next gathering is To Be Announced. 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: Thursday Rehearsals @ 7pm in the Choir Room
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Come and sing with the choir at rehearsals and on Sunday. It's so much fun! For more information contact [email protected]
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We will have cookie time after the church service in our new Welcome Center. If you are donating cookies, please bring them to the table in the back of the room! See you there! For questions contact [email protected] or 520-909-4404
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Nov 24: S-Z Dec 01: A-G Dec 08: H-M Dec 15: N-R
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Catalina Breakfast Forum: Saturday, Dec 07 @ 9am in Fellowship Hall
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Our speaker for Saturday, Dec 07 is Rex Scott, Pima County Supervisor, District 1. His topic: “Responsibilities and Challenges.” Breakfast is $4 per person at the door. Please RSVP so we know how much food to prepare! RSVP to [email protected] or call 520-327-4296 during office hours.
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Christmas Concert: Sunday, Dec 08 @ 4pm in the Sanctuary
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Get in the spirit of Christmas at this annual concert assembled by our new Acting Music Director Mariana Mevans Vidal. We don't know the highlights yet, but it will be magical!
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CUMC has an active prayer team, Prayer Partners, praying for our attendees, visitors, staff and members throughout the year. If you have a special prayer request, please send it directly to CUMC by clicking here.
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Please be in prayer for...
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...Jerry Pelikaan who is recovering from a serious accident on his scooter.
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...UMC of the Good Shepherd, Kearny; UMC of Green Valley; Willcox UMC
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...An end to war, violence and suffering for all peoples in conflict.
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Lord, for every opportunity to walk in your light, for renewing our faith, for lifting us up through the joy of gratitude and connection, we thank You.
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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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Are You Engaging With Us?
Don't forget to engage with us on Facebook and Instagram! Just search for catalina.united.methodist. And be sure to like our posts as well as respond to them! We're also on Next Door!
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