|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is a great deal happening at Catalina, and the Leadership Board wants to keep you informed about the work underway while also highlighting opportunities for you to become more involved in the life and ministry of our church
|
|
|
|
WELCOMING NEW FACES
|
One of the blessings we continue to experience is the steady arrival of new visitors each week. On average, one to three guests join us for worship for the first time, or for the first time in many years. We are excited about these new connections and want to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed, valued, and knows that Catalina can be a place to call their spiritual home.
|
If you have a heart for hospitality and would like to help welcome newcomers, we invite you to join the Welcome Committee. For more information, please contact [email protected].
|
SAVE THE DATE: MINISTRY FAIR
|
There will be many opportunities to participate in the life of the church this fall, including our Ministry Fair on Laity Weekend, October 18th.
|
This event will provide a time for fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about the many ministries and service opportunities available at Catalina. We encourage everyone to stop by, ask questions, meet ministry leaders, and discover ways to connect and serve.
|
ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE
|
Please mark your calendars for our Annual Church Conference, which will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
More information will be shared as the date approaches, and we encourage all members to participate in this important gathering.
|
|
Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and commitment to the ministry of Catalina. We look forward to serving alongside you as we continue to grow in faith and community together.
|
|
PLANNING FOR FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP
|
The Leadership Board is engaged in thoughtful discussions with the Foundation Board regarding the best use of foundation funds. Together, we are seeking ways to maximize the impact of these resources while preserving long-term support for the church's ongoing ministry and mission.
|
This work will play a significant role in shaping the 2027 budgeting process. We are also looking for individuals with experience or interest in budgeting, finance, and stewardship to participate in this important effort. In the coming weeks, we will share additional information outlining timelines, anticipated commitments, areas of work, and available support for those who wish to be involved.
|
VISIONING RETREAT FOR
CATALINA'S FUTURE
|
Members of the Leadership Board, along with several staff members, are preparing for a Visioning Retreat on September 12 and September 20. We are pleased to welcome Rev. Sharon Ragland as our facilitator for this important time of prayerful discernment.
|
|
The purpose of the retreat is to develop an updated vision and ministry plan that will guide Catalina's mission and ministry over the next three to five years.
|
|
Rev. Ragland brings a wealth of experience to this work. Most recently, she served as Associate Minister of Congregational Care at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, following her tenure as Lead Pastor. She also served as District Superintendent from 2004 to 2010 and is widely respected for her skill in helping congregations discern their vision and direction, particularly within simplified leadership structures.
|
|
We ask for your prayers as this group gathers to listen for God's leading and discern the future ministry of Catalina.
|
|
|
|
Blessings, The Catalina UMC Leadership Board
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As we come to the close of the summer of 2026, many of us here in Tucson are more than ready for cooler temperatures. Our Congregational Care team is certainly eager for the change in weather too—looking forward to stepping outside more often and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. For those who are homebound, simply reminiscing about God’s nature can be a soothing gift, a quiet reminder of the world beyond their windows.
|
|
Even in the heat, visits were made faithfully to our homebound congregants. This month, we highlight Kathy Gardner. Many longtime members may remember Kathy from her years serving as the bookkeeper at CUMC. She remains an absolute delight to visit—joyful, welcoming, and always looking forward to receiving her monthly sacraments. In fact, if I’m running late for a visit that month, she will call to check on me. Her care and concern are such a blessing, and her kindness reminds me how meaningful it is to be remembered.
|
|
|
|
Her thoughtfulness made me pause and reflect. Many of our homebound congregants may only receive visitors from our Congregational Care team. We may be the ones who bring them companionship, prayer, and the assurance of God’s love. Through our presence, they feel seen, valued, and held in the embrace of God’s blessings.
|
I feel deeply honored—and truly blessed—to carry this responsibility. Caring for our homebound members is a sacred privilege. And I pray that one day, if I am ever in their position, someone will care for me with the same tenderness, faithfulness, and love.
|
|
“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” — Hebrews 10:24
|
May our visits, our prayers, and our presence continue to be expressions of Christ’s love in every season.
|
|
In Love, Justice and Service,
|
|
|
|
|
WHY IS THE CATALINA UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION
IMPORTANT TO THE CHURCH?
|
|
|
|
|
|
by Judy Wingert, Foundation President and Cori Hoag, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
Catalina United Methodist Foundation has provided a way for individuals and families to support the work of Catalina United Methodist Church since 1958. The long-term earnings from your donations and bequests allows the Foundation to provide general and specific program support including building maintenance and scholarships. In 2026, the Foundation has already awarded $10,050 in scholarships to worthy students at universities and junior college. The Foundation’s eight scholarships are targeted to help youth develop in the church and provide students with tuition, fees, room and board to reach educational and technical certifications including ministerial degrees. The scholarship awardees frequently tell us how blessed they’ve been to have received this funding.
|
|
The Foundation supports the church budget including property maintenance such as the new tile roofs and HVAC replacements and the monthly operating and pastor housing expenses. One generous family allocated their Foundation donations to remodel five restrooms on campus last year. Please consider including the Catalina United Methodist Foundation in your annual gifts and estate planning. Your donations are greatly appreciated and are used wisely and beneficially for the extended church family. Contact [email protected] or the church website for more information and donation forms. https://catalinamethodist.org/
|
|
|
CATALINA, GOD, AND OTHERS - CO-CREATORS
|
|
|
|
by Laurie Campbell, Outreach and Modern Worship Team
|
|
Creation happens only with God’s help, but God places us in community with others to support each other in the creation process.
|
On August 17th, Pastor MJ and I attended a Co-Creator conference in Scottsdale. The event was hosted by our Desert Southwest Conference and was designed to equip and inspire those who are ready to shape the future of the church with courage, creativity, and faith.
|
|
The dynamic speakers are all national leaders in innovation. Rev. Dr. Candace Lewis is the president of Gammon Theological Seminary and a leader in congregational development. Rev. Tyler Sit is the pastor at New City Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rev. Matt Temple works in church development for the Horizon Texas Annual Conference and pastors New Story church in Chicago, Illinois.
|
The day was packed full of great ideas and stories that offered new insights. Each speaker shared insights they gained as they created—by starting new churches or revitalizing those in decline. Some insights they shared that resonated with me, in light of the work of our Outreach and Modern Worship Team, included:
|
- People aren’t looking for a ‘friendly’ church, they are looking for friends (or, a ‘friending’ church).
- We shouldn’t strive for change; we should strive to make a difference. The difference between change and making a difference is relationship.
- When you start something new, you need to ask what you will give up (because everyone is already giving 100%).
- We need to approach our community with humility and curiosity, rather than assuming we already understand what they need.
- Positive change only happens in conjunction with contemplation, community, and compassion.
- Young adults are more drawn to ministries that they care about than to programming created for young adults.
- Conflict is a sign that someone has an unmet need. So, to resolve conflicts, we should try to identify that need.
|
Pastor MJ and I were both invigorated and encouraged by what we learned and experienced in one day! I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to participate and brainstorm in such a positive and encouraging space. Stayed tuned to see what new things God is doing, Catalina!
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
|
|
|
|
CLASSES AND BIBLE STUDY
|
Seekers Adult Sunday School Class meets Sundays 8:45am – 9:45am in Room H230 beginning 9/13.
|
|
Koinonia Class for adults of all ages meets Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in Room E23 beginning 9/6.
|
|
Women’s Bible study meets Wednesdays in room H 230 at 9:30 beginning 9/16.
|
|
Men’s Bible study meets Wednesdays at 6:45am, Room E23 beginning 9/9.
|
|
Shalom Circle United Women in Faith first meeting will be September 8 at 10am in the library.
|
|
SERVICES
|
Traditional service at 10 am
|
|
Modern worship at 11:15 am
|
|
|
|
|
MUSIC MINISTRY AT CATALINA
|
|
|
|
by Mariana Mevans Vidal, Director of Music
|
|
|
|
Welcoming Our New Choir Director
|
We are delighted to welcome Omaris Torres-Frey as our new Choir Director at Catalina United Methodist Church! We are very excited to have her join our music ministry and look forward to all that she will bring to our choir and worship services.
|
Omaris is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Arizona. She brings extensive experience as a choral conductor, educator, singer, and church musician. As a lyric mezzo-soprano, Omaris has performed with several ensembles throughout Arizona and Florida, including the Tucson Masterworks Chorale, Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and True Concord Voices & Orchestra. We are thrilled to welcome her to Catalina and are confident that she will be a wonderful addition to our music ministry!
|
|
There are several opportunities to be part of the music ministry at Catalina, and everyone is welcome!
|
The Sanctuary Choir will begin weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, September 2. We will meet every Wednesday from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room and Sundays at 9:15 a.m. The choir sings an anthem as part of our Sunday morning worship service. Everyone is welcome to join! No previous choir experience is required, and there is no audition. Whether you have sung in a choir for years or have never sung in one before, we would love to have you. Our choir is a welcoming community, and we hope you will consider becoming part of this wonderful ministry of music and worship.
|
|
The Festival Ringers will begin rehearsals in late September. The ensemble participates in our Traditional Service approximately once or twice a month. If you are interested in ringing handbells or would like more information, please contact Kyle Hood, Handbell Choir Director, at [email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
As many of you may know, there is a narrow set of stairs in the hallway next to the church library doors, and at the top, there are rooms! The main room is our History Room. For many years, items had been collected there in awkward piles. At our Centennial Open House back in 2022, everything in the history room was displayed in Fellowship Hall. People enjoyed looking at historical items about Catalina. After the Centennial, items were put back upstairs in no particular order.
|
|
A group of 5 of us (Jim Caldwell, Sam Smythe, Sheri Anderson, Brenda Halferty and I) have been up there organizing items every Tues. morning for over a year! Now, items are hanging on walls, and/or framed, or in binders on shelves organized by decade. And our church records are now neatly stored in the back room to be shredded on schedule. We will have an Open House sometime when the weather gets cooler! During our time up there, we found several paintings by a former member from the 1970’s (deceased) Jim Wares. There is also a painting of John Wesley commissioning pastors to sail to America. We were also recently gifted with a framed Arizona Daily Star article about the time in 1962 that Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at Catalina. These paintings and the article are now displayed in the hallway outside the library doors. If you go to Fellowship Hall, or the kitchen, be sure to look at that hallway for these great archives!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A SUMMER TO REMEMBER AT CATALINA DAY SCHOOL
|
|
|
|
by Carolyn Lovell, Executive Director of the Day School
|
|
|
|
What a wonderful and busy summer it has been at Catalina United Methodist Day School! From celebrating our graduating Pre-K students in May to welcoming children back for a brand-new school year in August, our campus has been filled with laughter, learning, friendships, and plenty of summer fun.
|
We kicked off the summer by celebrating 28 Pre-K graduates as they prepared for their next big adventure—Kindergarten! It was a special milestone for our children, families, and teachers, and we were so proud to see how much our graduates had grown during their time at Catalina.
|
Summer also brought the return of Summer Camp, giving our school-age children the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, create, explore, and simply enjoy being together. Our campers had some wonderful special experiences this summer, including visits from the Children’s Museum, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Reid Park Zoo. These special visitors brought learning right to our campus and gave the children opportunities to discover, ask questions, and have fun along the way.
|
Throughout June and July, our younger children enjoyed summertime learning through play, art, sensory exploration, outdoor adventures, creative classroom projects, and, of course, water play! Once a week, our Trike Yard became the place to cool off, splash, play, and make some wonderful summer memories. Water-play days are always a favorite, and the children certainly made the most of them!
|
|
As July came to a close, our staff shifted gears and began preparing for the 2026–2027 school year. Classrooms were refreshed, learning centers were reorganized, new materials were prepared, and our teachers worked hard to create warm and welcoming spaces for both returning and new Catalina families.
|
|
|
|
Now August has brought the excitement of a new school year! Our classrooms are once again bustling with children exploring, creating, playing, learning, and developing new friendships. Through our play-based approach, we look forward to another year of helping our children build confidence, curiosity, kindness, independence, and a love of learning.
|
AS we reflect on a wonderful summer and look ahead to the year before us, we are especially thankful for our dedicated teachers and staff, our supportive families, and the Catalina United Methodist Church congregation. Your prayers, encouragement, and continued support mean so much to our Day School community.
|
And, as every teacher knows, there is always something on the classroom wish list! For those who may be looking for another way to support the Day School, donations of classroom supplies, children’s learning materials, or monetary gifts are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Every contribution, large or small, helps us provide engaging, hands-on experiences for our children and supports the teachers who make those experiences possible.
|
|
Thank you, Catalina UMC, for continuing to support this important ministry to children and families. Together, we are helping Catalina’s youngest learners grow, learn, and thrive!
|
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
We had a lot of joy this month, welcoming new members Cyle and Dierdre Lanson & Mary Raver. Our hope and commitment is that we will continue to be a warm, hospitable, and open space for spiritual nomads and sojourners to find a restful home and rich sense of community.
|
|
Peanut Butter and Jelly Making Marathon
|
|
On Friday afternoon, September 11th, we will hold our quarterly "Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Making Marathon." We need about 20 volunteers, for just an hour or two, in Room E23, (next to the church kitchen), at 3:00 pm.
|
|
|
|
|
We have a small group of women who make 15 sack lunches once a month for the Primavera Women's Day Shelter.The volunteers meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 9:00 in the kitchen. They sign up and bring the ingredients and make sandwiches for the lunches. Kris Chapman has been the lead for a few years and is looking to pass on the organizational and delivery piece to someone. If you are interested in organizing this outreach (or participating), contact Kris at [email protected]. 520-401-3850.
|
|
|
|
|
The Koinonia Class for adults of all ages begins a new season on Sunday morning, September 6, 9:00 am in Room E23. Books are available from Rev. Kirk Reed, [email protected]: When Christians Get It Wrong by Adam Hamilton. We look forward to good conversation as we learn from each other.
|
|
|
|
|
Catalina's Social Issues Book Club meets three times each year to discuss significant issues affecting our nation and world. Our book last spring was a nonpartisan look at U.S. immigration. Our book for the fall is a classic by Isabel Wilkerson published in 2020: Caste, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. It gives a masterful portrait of the hidden caste system that shapes our society today. Books are available at the library, or they can be purchased in various ways. Rev. Kirk Reed, [email protected], can find a copy for you, hoping that you can join us for this important discussion on Sunday afternoon, October 4, 4:00 pm in the Church Library.
|
|
|
|
|
Blenman Elementary School appreciated the many schools supplies that you once again provided. Students will use new markers and crayons. Teachers will keep their classrooms clean with Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex. Below is a Thank You note we received last spring when we provided lunch for Teacher Appreciation Week. Catalina Methodist is a generous community. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
New Discussion Study with Pastor Mike
|
|
Pastor Mike will be leading a discussion on the book How to be a Bad Christian:…And a better human being by Dave Tomlinson. Tomlinson served as a vicar, or priest, at a parish in England and the book is a reflection on conversations and experiences he had with people regarding their faith—especially those who felt like they were bad Christians because they didn’t attend church or were ostracized by the church for some reason. Pastor Mike plans for it to run weekly starting September 27 (Sun) and 28 (Mon). There will be two options to join. We will meet by Zoom on Sundays at 6 p.m. and Mondays in person at 10 a.m. We will decide our pace at the first meeting. Depending on what we decide, the book discussion will last between 6 and 8 weeks. Please email Pastor Mike if you are interested at [email protected]. The book can be found here.
|
|
|
|
Catalina's Outreach Team has launched their fall programs; a Modern Worship service, Catalina Unplugged, and more! Follow us on Instagram for more details! We're launching new Small Groups right after Labor Day, some exciting new & additional ways to connect to God and others.
|
|
The Garmin Tucson Marathon Series event will take place in Tucson on Sunday, November 8, 2026. This community-wide event is expected to attract a large number of participants, volunteers, and spectators. The courses travel through several areas of the community and will require temporary road closures and traffic restrictions along the route. These restrictions will be implemented at various times throughout the event to help ensure the safety of the runners. Motorists traveling near the courses may experience delays and are encouraged to plan ahead, allowing additional travel time and consider alternate routes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
