GOOD NEWS
From Randy
Greetings,
I don't know if it was just a coincidence, but last Sunday as you were all sitting in worship at The Good Shepherd, Norma and I were sitting out on the terrace with family enjoying a gorgeous El Salvadoran morning, when things started to shake, rattle and roll. I looked at one of the brick columns and it was swaying back and forth. The trees were shaking like it was harvest time in the pecan groves, and a flat dull roar echoed across the valley. It ended up being a 6.2 earthquake with its epicenter just 30 miles away along the coast. Miraculously, there has been no reported damage or injuries from the earthquake, which is a blessing. But it has made me think about the coincidence that The Good Shepherd was in the middle of worship: Was ellie preaching a boisterous sermon or maybe the choir really got in a groove that shook the world? Maybe I need to wear a crash helmet to church next week?
Happy New Year!
With you on the Journey, Randy
Here are some ways that you can participate and attend:


Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 pm: Screening of two documentary films by David Damian Figueroa, “Shura,” and “They Call Me the Cross Man,” followed by light dessert and coffee. All are invited. There will be an opportunity for donations to support the work of the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans.


Friday, January 17 at 9:00 am: Attend A Press Conference that will highlight the suffering of migrants at the border that are fleeing death and violence, and the unwavering commitment of Humanitarian Volunteers to offer food, water and medical assistance to migrants in the borderlands.


Friday, January 17 at 7:00 pm: Special Concert with Petey Ronstadt, Liz Cerepanya, and Nicolas Carter (great border music!) with Paraguayan harp, guitar, and vocal harmonies. $15

Saturday, January 18 at 9:00 am to 12:30 pm: Border Issues Fair/Common Ground on the Border with presentations by Dora Rodriguez, Mike Wilson, and Margo Cowan, helping us understand the importance of our work and what we might expect in the next few years along the border. In addition, all the local humanitarian groups will have tables on the patio. $10


Saturday, January 18 at 7:00 pm: Award-winning author Josefina López will be here to present her movie “Real Women Have Curves.” This movie has recently been made into an on-Broadway production and will premiere in NYC in the spring.
Join Liz Symington, Rev. ellie hutchison, and a group of fellow family caregivers to discuss how to regain hope and build resilience when dealing with the complexities of ongoing loss associated with caring for someone with dementia or another cognitive impairment. In the Finding Meaning and Hope series, you will learn skills to help you stay strong, healthy, resilient, and positive as you navigate your caregiving journey with healing and hope. 

Mondays: February 3 through April 7, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Location: Hybrid in Redman Room.

Requirement: Commitment to yourself and the purchase of the text: Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope While Coping with Stress and Grief. To register, please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex or email Rev. ellie at: revelliegsucc@gmail.com no later than January 24, 2025, in order to receive the Zoom link (if attending virtually).

The Estate Sale Group announces their first sales in the new year, on January 9 & 10 (1501 W. Via de Roma) and January 23 & 24 (4803 Tropicana Dr).
A memorial service will be held for Hank Busey on Saturday, January 11 at 11 am, at The Good Shepherd. Refreshments, following.
Learn about the current proposal for a Climate Emergency Center at The Good Shepherd. What will our church’s response be to an area-wide power outage and heat emergency? The Environmental Justice team will share information and respond to your questions this Sunday, January 12, between services, 10:10-11:10 am.
The monthly Taizé Service for January will be in the Sanctuary on Thursday, January 9, at 5 pm. (Set-up will be at noon on Wednesday January 8.)
Taizé is a form of meditative and reflective worship. Candlelight, scripture, silence, contemplative music and song focus on resting in, and being present to, the Holy that surrounds us. This style of worship offers a respite from the day-to-day intensity of the news and worry of contemporary life.
Writers and Readers: Help wanted! In 2025 we can use your meditation (3-5 minutes) written by you, or by one of your favorite authors. Scripture readers are also needed. Contact Ted Virts at tevirts@gmail.com.


Book Study with Rev. ellie: Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower Tuesdays, February 4, 11, 25, March 4, and March 11, 2025, 4-5:30 pm. Parable of the Sower is an intriguing and emotionally charged novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate stories of resilience, hope, and the power of human connection in the face of adversity, making it a perfect fit for fans of survival, found family, and dystopian fiction. This book comes with a warning of some language and violence. Questions? Email revelliegsucc@gmail.com, or text 520.345.8082
Spanish class students: please arrive early (9-9:15am) on January 13, so that you can get registered. The $60 cost can be cash, or a check made out to The Good Shepherd, with Spanish class in the memo line. Hasta el lunes (until Monday)!

The next Cafe Justo sales will be between service on Sunday, January 26, in the Redman Room.
The Mission, Service and Justice Team would like to thank the congregation for their generous contributions to the Mission Fair and the four UCC special collections. In 2024, we sent a total of $8,255 to the special collections, and the Mission Fair sent $17,149 to our three charities. Specifics can be found on the MSJ bulletin board in the narthex.

Pastor Randy (bienshphrd@aol.com) and Pastor ellie (revelliegsucc@gmail.com) are available during the week. You may email them set up an appointment for in-person or Zoom meetings.
Office Manager Amy Dillemuth is in the church office Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Phone messages or e-mails are still the best way to communicate with the office (email TheGoodShepherdUCCOffice@gmail.com).
Ignore Strange Communications from “Pastors”
A fresh round of strange texts, emails, and calls from “pastors” is circulating. Please be vigilant to avoid scams. Pastors and churches all across the country are experiencing being misrepresented in texts, emails, and calls. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to track down and stop these criminals. Please notify Randy, or the Church, if you receive one of these messages. Please also report them as spam to your email or phone provider. And, by all means, never go out and buy gift cards and send codes by text or over e-mail. Pastors will never ask for funds through emails or texts.