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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

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Matthew Clark

Regional Reflection: Disciples Day!

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Picture of Rev. Dr. Jay R. Hartley

Last month, I began a series of writing about the Region’s new strategic goals, starting with Clergy Wellness. This month, given the we just finished our first ever on-line General Assembly, and that we are only a few weeks from opening registration for our 2026 Regional Assembly (October 23-24 at Sun City Christian Church), I will share about a new goal around Disciples identity and awareness.

A relatively small number of us grew up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  But many of us are new to the Disciples tradition.  And some of our congregations are brand new.  We’ve been attracted by more open stances, by seeing a diversity of leadership, by appreciating our positive emphasis on God’s love rather than on threats of hell or insistence of rigid rule-following. We have a taste of what it means to be Disciples, but we don’t have the whole picture.

So our Regional Board envisions us working toward a shared understanding of what it means to be part of the Disciples of Christ and to actively embody that in our ministries.  Several of our congregational pastors are planning or have launched a sermon series on Disciples identity, exploring our history and what makes us who we are.  And part of the effort toward a shared understanding is the creation of “Disciples Day.”

“Disciples Day” can look different in each congregation, but the basic idea is that your Regional Minister visits, preaches on Disciples themes, and then (often during a congregational meal) offers a presentation on our current structure, including aspects of the three expressions of our church: local congregations, the Regional church, and the General church. Every congregation is invited to host a Disciples Day. So far, here is the schedule – and we’d be delighted to add other congregations to this list:

2026
May 1First Christian Church in Scottsdale
May 29Desert Dove Christian Church in Tucson
July 12Community Christian Church in Tempe
August 23Discípulos en Acción and Iglesia Cristiana “La Cruz”, both in Phoenix, AZ
September 27Chalice Christian Church in Gilbert
November 8East Mesa Christian Church
2027
January 24First Christian Church in Mesa

I hope to see each of you at an upcoming “Disciples Day” in your congregation.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: Clergy Wellness

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Last month I wrote about our visioning process and shared our mission and values as Disciples in Arizona. This month I will begin to share some of our new strategic goals. Let’s begin with Clergy Wellness.

The term “pastor” means shepherd, one who cares for the flock.  To pastor means to care for people, to care for the community. Sometimes care is a simple check-in, and sometimes care means being present in some intense and difficult situations. Our pastors and our chaplains are trained to focus on the needs of others, to act in the best interests of others, to seek the well-being of the community. 

But within the church, care is not just a one-way street. Pastors are human beings with needs – financial needs, physical needs, emotional and spiritual needs. Pastors need to be healthy, need to have their needs met, in order to be able to care for others. A pastor dealing with huge financial stress may have depleted energy to care for the congregation. A pastor who never gets a break may have fewer emotional resources to deal with difficult situations. Pastors are people too – and the healthier they are, they better they are able to serve the church.

Therefore, the Regional Board has named Clergy Wellness as one of our strategic goals for the next few years. We are encouraging all of our congregations to develop or review their plan for promoting clergy wellness. This may include an annual review of the Letter of Call – the basic terms of agreement between pastor and congregation.  Is the congregation paying a salary and offering benefits that sufficiently support their pastor?  Does the congregation have a Pastoral Relations Committee to help support the pastor? (Disciples have great guidelines for how to do this well.)  Are there extra things the congregation offers to help the pastor feel appreciated – a gym membership or other fun perks (different things work better for different pastors)? Does the congregation publish the pastor’s sabbath day in the newsletter and on the church calendar so everyone is aware?

As part of this initiative, the Regional Commission on Ministry is developing a list of possible benefits, a list of extras that congregations can offer their pastors to help promote Clergy Wellness. We are inviting PRCs and personnel committees to a zoom meeting to discuss options and to have a conversation on this topic on July 7 at 7:00pm. Click here to register for the conversation. And as always, I am available to discuss any of this with any clergyperson or congregational leadership. 

October is known as “Pastor Appreciation Month,” and it would be exciting if this October our congregations showed their appreciation to their pastor by adding at least one element to a “clergy wellness package” for 2027. Because a healthy pastor helps make a healthy church. 

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: Our Mission and Values

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Every once in a while, it is good to take a step back from life and work and ask: Who are we?  What are we doing? What are our goals? It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut, to keep doing things we should’ve stopped doing years ago, to not get around to living the way we want to.

Well, your Regional leadership recently did that.  We began late last year with a leadership survey, and then in January our clergy and our board met with a consultant from Ministry Architects to discuss mission, values, and strategic goals. Our new mission statement:

We nurture, equip, and inspire all toward God’s inclusive love, bold justice, and faithful transformation. 

Anidamos, equipamos, e inspiramos a todos hacia el amor inclusivo de Dios, la justicia audaz y la transformación fiel.

The Region works to nurture and develop leaders and congregations.  This includes the work of the Commission on Ministry, the New Church Ministry Team, and the Congregational Vitality Grant Team. The Region also works to inspire our leaders and congregations to work towards transforming ourselves and our society to be more in line with God’s inclusive love.  This involves the work of our Anti-Racism Team, our Border and Immigration Ministry, and our Global Missions Team. 

We also named five values that we want to guide our ministry and our life together:

Courage. Honesty. Willingness. Inclusivity. Justice.

Valentía. Honestidad. Disponibilidad. Inclusividad. Justicia. 

We are asking all Arizona Disciples to consider how these values are present in our lives, in our congregations, and in our ministries. We hope we have the courage to face difficult questions and situations with honesty. We want to be transparent and accountable. We want to be willing to listen to each other, to sit with each other, to consider alternative viewpoints, rather than judging or jumping to conclusions. We want to be inclusive to ALL – because no one likes to feel excluded, and because NOTHING can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:37-39) And finally, we want to recognize and work against the presence of all kinds of injustice and discrimination, as we seek to move toward what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the Beloved Community.”

This is who we are as Arizona Disciples, and who we want to be. May God be with us on this journey, and may we be courageous enough to go where God calls us.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: General Assembly

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Greetings from Indianapolis, where our Regional Moderator, Kerry Swindle; Rev. Jessica Braxton from Saguaro Christian Church; Lori Tapia; and I participated in the General Board meeting of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. In addition to regular business, the major focus of the General Board was to plan for our first ever fully on-line General Assembly, to be held this July 10-11, 2026. View the schedule here and registration at disciples.org – because YOU are invited.   Here is some context and background.

After 50 years of meeting in person every 2 years for a General Assembly, we have made the decision to meet in person every 3 years – but also to have online meetings in the other 2 years of each “triennium.” The goal is to have Disciples all over feeling more connected to each other.  Attending an in-person General Assembly, although delightful, can be expensive due to travel, lodging, food, and registration fees. So, we are trying a new approach – inviting people to join on-line 2 out of every 3 years.

You can participate in the General Assembly from the comfort of your own home.  OR … you can get together with fellow Disciples and watch/participate together.  OR … you can gather with other Disciples in a local congregation to have a mini-Assembly without the travel and lodging costs.  When you register, you will be asked whether you prefer to watch from your own home or from a local gathering.  Even if you don’t know which you’ll end up doing, click whichever you PREFER because that will help us plan. And if your congregation is interested in HOSTING a gathering, or if you’d like to host one in your home for a smaller group, please let us know.

New for this Assembly – all congregations receive 3 voting delegates.  Before the end of April, congregations will be able to begin entering their 3 voting delegates into the ALEX database.  As always, all commissioned and ordained ministers who have standing, even if retired, also have voting privileges.

As with all new things, nobody knows exactly how this is going to go. There will be worship and education and conversation in small groups and an exhibit hall. We look forward to trying it this summer and then improving things in the future. 

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: March Madness

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

I recently heard on the radio: “It’s time for March Madness.” What does the phrase “March Madness” mean to you?  College basketball?  Hundreds of people flying to southeastern Arizona to look for birds? Heavily armed, masked men invading our neighborhoods to “protect us” from our beloved neighbors? Dropping bombs, firing torpedoes, and launching missiles to secure “peace in the Middle East?”  

Amidst all the madness of our times, I find myself wondering about the madness of the Roman Empire publicly executing a man who preached such dangerous ideology as “love your neighbor,” “love your enemies,” and “forgive each other.” As Christians, the month of March finds us in the midst of Lent, in the midst of the story of Jesus marching toward Jerusalem, marching toward the cross. It’s a story of the madness of the world, but also a story about how madly God loves us. 

Many people thought Jesus was mad. The things he said were so counter-cultural, counter-intuitive.  “Love your enemy.” “If anyone slaps you on the cheek, offer them the other one also.” “Sell what you have, give it to the poor, and come follow me.” Jesus drew crowds, but then people slunk away – intrigued, but not willing to change their lives, not willing to dive in fully. Jesus had a certain notoriety, as he does today, but deep down, many people thought he was just plain mad.  And many people still do.

And yet something about Jesus was just so true, that some people kept following him.  Deep down, many people know that Jesus was the way, the truth, the life – the pioneer and perfecter of a better approach to life. As Simon Peter said: “Lord, to whom else can we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”  Anything else, when you think about it, is madness. Violence.  Revenge. Jealousy. Bitterness. Hedonism. Fame-seeking. Money-grabbing. Walling ourselves off.  It’s madness to trade the beautiful, life-affirming, inclusive love of God for anything else.  

As we journey through Lent together, marching toward the cross, may we dive deeply into the story of Jesus, the story of God’s love in the flesh, speaking forgiveness to us, inviting us to leave the madness of our world and welcome the eternal love that is never far from us.  May God bless you.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: Rejoice Always

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  —  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It’s Ash Wednesday, and I have “joy” on my mind.  That may seem odd:  Ash Wednesday is the day Christians remind ourselves that “from dust we came, and to dust we shall return.” We remind ourselves to be humble, to not think too much of ourselves. We begin a season of Lent, of self-reflection, of repentance.  The reason Mardi Gras – “Fat Tuesday” – became a thing is that people wanted to have as much fun as possible on the last day before Lent, before they started wearing black and depriving themselves.  

Combine the liturgical season of Lent with the state of our world – wars of aggression, military occupation in Minneapolis, environmental degradation, massive dehumanization campaigns – and it doesn’t seem like a time for joy. 

But there it is, that phrase of Paul’s: Rejoice always. It may sound trite, but when we remember that Paul wrote those words while he was chained in prison, we acknowledge that he wasn’t just mouthing platitudes. And when we remember that Jesus, hanging on the cross, asked God to forgive his tormenters, we realize that there is something about our religion that calls us to not give in to suffering, no matter how much it seems like darkness is covering the face of the Earth.  We are called to be different:  to celebrate God’s love and shine God’s light even in the midst of all the bad news. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Last month, your pastors and chaplains reminded ourselves of the importance of joy. In the midst of prayer vigils and funeral planning and writing letters to our congressional representatives, we took a day at our clergy retreat to just have fun. 

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Ash Wednesday: A Call to Courage and Faithfulness

This Ash Wednesday, as Lent begins, we release “A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy.”

We believe this is a decisive moment for faithful witness. Democracy is under strain. Christianity is being distorted for political power. Silence is not neutrality.

This statement calls Christians to repent, resist injustice, defend the vulnerable, and renew our allegiance to Jesus Christ above every earthly power.

Now is the time to speak truth to power and act with courage. Read the full statement, sign The Call, and find ways to get involved by visiting  acalltochristians.org.

Clergy Retreat Day of Fun Photos

Regional Reflection: Prince of Peace

Greetings to all in the name of the Prince of Peace:

Reflect for a moment on these words of scripture:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Then reflect for a moment on the words we’ve read in the news recently, words that are based on the philosophy of “might makes right,” words that tell the stories of shootings and bombings and military interventions abroad and at home.  It’s hard to miss the disconnect. In church we celebrate the Prince of Peace, but our world celebrates something very different.

Because we have romanticized Christmas for so long, it’s easy to forget that Jesus was born into a world of Empire, into a world ruled by “Roman might makes right.” We celebrate the magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus, but forget that as a result of their trip, a paranoid, narcissistic ruler put hundreds or thousands of children to death – forcing Jesus and his parents to become refugees, fleeing a violent tyrant to save their lives. A couple decades later, the Roman Empire executed a man whose main message was “love your neighbor.” As the Teacher writes in Ecclesiastes 1:9:  What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done;  there is nothing new under the sun. Alas.

For me, these reflections expose some naïve beliefs I can no longer hold.  I believed that the world was progressively getting better: more peaceful, more just. I believed that wars and colonialism were things I read about in history books, a thing of the past.  I even believed that racism was mostly a thing of the past, basically solved by the Civil Rights movement. I believed that the United States would never use military force to occupy its own cities and intimidate its own citizens.  I believed the Justice Department would, well, seek justice, seek to prosecute those who perpetrate violence. 

These reflections also remind me of some things I still believe, more than ever.  I believe we are called to be peacemakers. I believe we are called to be non-violent, but also to seek to make peace, to build bridges, to listen and work together and try to de-escalate tense situations. I believe we are called to live without fear – or rather to carry on in the face of fear — not because there is nothing out there to fear, but because allowing fear to intimidate isn’t worthy of the one we claim to follow. I believe that no matter what happens on earth, no matter the rejection and violence we may face, that God loves and holds us forever. And I know that come what may, and though I know at times I will fall short, I hope to represent the compassionate of God and to shine the light of God’s love in all I do and say.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

A Season of Renewal at First Christian Church in Mesa

From First Christian Church in Mesa.

In the span of just over two years, First Christian Church of Mesa has moved from the brink of closure to a season of renewed life and possibility. What began as a fragile hope has become tangible growth, deeper connection, and a congregation re-imagining its future. The Congregational Vitality Grant from the Arizona Region arrived at a pivotal moment in that journey, becoming a life-giving catalyst, helping revitalize not only our physical space but also our capacity to welcome, worship, and serve with confidence and joy.

In September 2023, First Christian Church of Mesa was facing the very real possibility of closure. Weekly attendance had declined into the low teens, deferred maintenance had taken a visible toll on our facilities, and our physical space no longer reflected the welcome or vitality we hoped to offer our community. As new people began finding their way to FCC Mesa, it became clear that our aging facilities and outdated systems were hindering our ability to sustain that momentum.

Before
After

The physical improvements funded by this grant directly supported the emotional, spiritual, and communal life of the congregation. As spaces were refreshed and repaired, congregational morale rose alongside them. Since the completion of the project, we have seen increased attendance, stronger visitor retention, and consistent feedback from congregants and guests that the building now feels “alive,” “hopeful,” and “welcoming.” The renewed environment has helped people imagine a future here and has reinforced the sense that FCC Mesa is a church moving forward with purpose and new life.

We have addressed long-neglected “front-of-house” issues that shape first impressions and hospitality. Exterior painting of the church building, Fellowship Hall, Ramada, monument sign, and perimeter walls significantly improved curb appeal and visibility along Country Club Drive. Inside, new paint, updated flooring, improved lighting, restroom fixture replacements, and long-overdue repairs created brighter, cleaner, and more accessible spaces. These updates removed barriers for guests and members alike and made our campus feel cared for, intentional, and inviting.

One of the most impactful outcomes of the grant was the modernization of our sanctuary audio visual and media systems. Prior to the project, live streamed worship was inconsistent and difficult to follow, limiting our ability to engage online visitors. New sound equipment and a display screen dramatically improved both in-person worship and online participation, allowing us to connect with homebound members, online seekers, and those exploring faith from a distance.

Sanctuary Before
Sanctuary After

The revitalization of our campus has strengthened our presence in the wider community. A safer, refreshed playground has reinforced our commitment to children and families, while improved facilities have positioned our Fellowship Hall as a welcoming space for community gatherings and neighborhood events. As a progressive and inclusive congregation in a largely conservative religious and political landscape, our renewed facilities now better reflect our identity and mission, communicating welcome and belonging before a word is ever spoken.

Swings Before
Swings After

None of this amazing work would have been possible without the Regional Congregational Vitality Grant. The scope of improvements far exceeded what our congregation could have accomplished on its own. The grant allowed us to move beyond crisis management and into faithful imagination, enabling ministry shaped by mission rather than limitation.

Our revitalization has strengthened not only our facilities, but also our confidence, hope, and momentum as a congregation. We are deeply grateful to the Arizona Region for investing in First Christian Church of Mesa during a pivotal time. Because of our partnership, FCC Mesa is once again a visible, growing, and hopeful presence in our community. We look forward to continuing this work with gratitude, faith, and renewed commitment to the ministry God has entrusted to us.

Congregational Vitality Grants

The Arizona Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is proud to offer grants to Arizona Disciples congregations in order to promote the vitality of our congregations and their ministry, primarily through the following areas of priority: evangelism/church growth, anti-racism/prophetic unity, and public witness.  

Your congregation can apply for a grant by visiting our Congregational Vitality Ministry page.

Wellness Ministry at Sun City Christian Church

From Sun City Christian Church (edited for length)

Sun City Christian Church (SCCC) is in Sun City Arizona, an age-restricted community for adults aged 55 and older, dedicated to leisure and recreation.

SCCC celebrated 50 years of worshiping together in November 2024. Our congregation started with fifty-seven individuals who met for the first time at one of the Sun City recreation centers on November 3, 1974. By May 6, 1979, over 450 met in the current church building and at our height over 750 attended services.

Supporting the spirit of Sun City, a parish nurse program with a designated nurse room was built into the original blueprints where parishioners could seek health-related services and information. We are seeking to revitalize the spirit of this mission with our health education and wellness program.

The mission of our wellness ministry is foremost to empower the parishioners of SCCC to be self-advocates for their medical care and wellness, as well as that of their loved ones. A secondary goal is building trusting relationships between participants to help alleviate isolation and loneliness. In addition, we sought to encourage members to remain active, better understand the aging process, community resources, and the medical system.

The Start to Our Wellness Ministry

We have identified that parish nursing is a key component in the ongoing health and wellbeing of our congregation and those who visit our facilities. The wellness room has been equipped to meet the ongoing medical/wellness needs of our community with equipment including a defibrillator and supplies for first aid and medical emergencies. Members of our team were trained on CPR, first aid, and the use of a defibrillator in emergency situations. 

As part of our Wellness ministry we have offered educational sessions collaborating with qualified internal and community professionals. These have included topics including: Medicare supplemental plans; medical fraud, waste, and abuse; nutrition for seniors; foot care; senior housing; and finishing faithfully.

Acknowledging the importance of exercise to the health and wellness for seniors we began a weekly chair exercise program taught by a silver-shoe qualified member of our wellness committee. The well-received program included strength and balance training. These sessions, well attended by both church members and community members, augment the informational sessions to support an active and healthier congregation and community.

Once a month, informative “lunch and learn” lunchtime sessions are also offered, where attendees eat lunch together while learning about various topics and programs of interest in the area. LifeLines Screening conducted a cardiovascular health screening event at our facility in April 2024 that was open to all residents of Sun City and surrounding areas.

Augmenting these educational session, chair exercise program, informational gatherings, and screenings, SCCC gathers for social opportunities to build relationships and reduce isolation including game nights, musical concerts, and group attendance at external concerts.

Looking Forward

As we look forward we are excited to continue to involve our wider community, including several nearby congregations. We are planning new educational sessions on suicide prevention, integrating oral health and physical health, and hand health. In addition, a health resource fair is in the works and will include a well-vetted assortment of local agencies and providers that will offer either valuable information and/or conduct health related tests for members of the congregation and community.

Annually, we will continue to re-assess the needs and interests of community members to ensure that current topics of interest are covered.

Congregational Vitality Grants

The Arizona Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is proud to offer grants to Arizona Disciples congregations in order to promote the vitality of our congregations and their ministry, primarily through the following areas of priority: evangelism/church growth, anti-racism/prophetic unity, and public witness.  

Your congregation can apply for a grant by visiting our Congregational Vitality Ministry page.

Sun City Christian Church Building

Land Acknowledgement Plaque at Foothills Christian Church

On Sunday, November 16, 2025, our congregation had the joy of welcoming special guests Terry and Darlene Wildman to worship. Terry and Darlene lead Rain Ministries, and Terry serves as the lead editor for the First Nations Translation of the Bible, bringing a wealth of experience and deep cultural insight to our community. The day was marked by a sense of connection, celebration, and reflection: Terry and Darlene shared their gifts through inspiring special music, and Terry delivered a moving sermon on the 23rd Psalm, inviting all present to consider the ways God’s guidance and care flow through our lives and communities.

Between our two services, we held a meaningful dedication ceremony for our newly installed land acknowledgment plaque. The ceremony was led by Foothills pastors Rev. Bekah Krevens and Rev. Janel Randle as well as our regional minister Rev. Jay Hartley. This plaque honors the ancestral and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples on the land where our church gathers, recognizing the rich histories, traditions, and contributions of the First Nations communities. The dedication was a moment for our congregation to pause, reflect, and commit to listening, learning, and fostering relationships grounded in respect and justice. The ceremony included words of blessing, shared prayer, and the communal affirmation of our desire to honor the land and those who steward it.

Our plaque reads: 

“We acknowledge that Foothills Christian Church rests on the traditional homelands of the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Piipaash (Maricopa) peoples, and near the ancestral lands of the Hohokam. We honor their stewardship of this land, past, present, and future, and recognize the deep spiritual connections Indigenous peoples continue to hold here. We commit ourselves to walk humbly, seek justice, and live in right relationship with all who call this land home.”

The day was not only a celebration of worship and music but also a tangible step forward in our congregation’s ongoing journey of reconciliation and awareness. The installation of the land acknowledgment plaque represents both a public commitment and a visible reminder of our responsibility to honor the land and the Indigenous communities connected to it. Through this ceremony, our church community came together to witness, reflect, and participate in a meaningful act of acknowledgment, remembrance, and hope for deeper understanding.

Sabbatical

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

I’m excited to be back with all of you after a very restorative three-month sabbatical. I’m grateful to all of you in the Arizona Region for the opportunity to renew, and I am especially grateful to Matthew Clark, to our moderator team (Kerry Swindle and Rev. Martin Tapia), and to our on-call Regional Minister Rev. Bill Rose-Heim for handling everything in my absence.

In case you are interested in a little report on my time away … it was great!  Besides visits with family and time to rest, Dawn and I spent 4 weeks in Scotland, mostly in the Highlands doing stuff in nature (a 91 mile hike through the highlands, a week at a Field Studies Centre with guided hikes by naturalists). We also spent a few days in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival, enjoying some concerts, theatre, and the legendary Edinburgh Tattoo.   And we spent 2 days in Glasgow enjoying the World Pipe Band Championships featuring the best bagpipe bands in the world. 

Then after 2 weeks back in AZ for some dental work, I went to Costa Rica for 3 wonderful weeks with the Christian Immersion Spanish Academy (CISA) which was recommended by Rev. Lori Tapia, National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries.  I had classes every morning and studied in the afternoons and engaged in conversations with local residents and my host family.  I am now a semi-expert on the Costa Rican soccer league, for what that’s worth. I hadn’t intended to do anything except study Spanish, but CISA and my host family got me out to enjoy some activities in the surrounding area, so I saw 77 new life birds (after seeing about the same number in Scotland), went rafting, and toured coffee and chocolate farms and production facilities. 

Both trips were a wonderful change of scenery and setting, offering a healthy break after six years of Regional Ministry.  Both countries approach caring for the natural world in amazing and refreshing ways. The public transit and environmental laws in Scotland are marvelous. It’s notable that Costa Rica doesn’t have an army — they put their money into public education and the literacy rates are extremely high.   A better world is possible!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and I know many of you have been expressing your appreciation for our amazing Arizona Disciples clergy. If your congregation doesn’t have a policy providing sabbatical renewal, I encourage you to have that conversation.  Keeping our clergy fresh and healthy is vital for the church.  We also encourage you to make funds available for them to attend our annual Clergy Retreat in January where we will offer activities to restore and renew.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President

Regional Reflection: At the Crossroads of Ubuntu and Koinonia

At the Crossroads of Ubuntu and Koinonia: Building a Multicultural, Pro-Reconciling Community
A reflection by Rev. Trish Thompson-Winters, Pastor of Community Christian Church in Tempe

Rev. Trish Thompson-Winters
Pastor at Community Christian Church in Tempe

On Monday of our General Assembly, forty of us sat in a chilly conference room and wondered together, at the guidance of Rev. Vinnetta Golphin-Wilkerson, minister of Granger Community Christian Church in Salt Lake City: What does it really mean to be a multicultural, multiethnic, anti-racist, and pro-reconciling community of faith?

In short, it means stepping into the sacred intersection of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—and koinonia—deep spiritual fellowship. It means not just welcoming difference, but respecting it, learning from it, and allowing it to reshape us into something more whole. It means reflecting the full image of God. 

In Acts 6:1–7, we see an early example of this kind of transformation. We know, change was in the air. New people had joined the movement and misunderstanding and tension followed. Some widows were being neglected and the new church was called out. Instead of defending the status quo, the new church got honest, got creative, and formed new roles and practices to make sure no one was left out. The result? The word of God spread.

Inclusion wasn’t a distraction from the mission—it was the mission. When we are authentically engaged with one another across lines of difference, the gospel comes alive.

It sounds ideal, right?! But Rev. Vinnetta assured us that though this is holy work, it is not easy. 

So she encouraged us to begin, by asking ourselves – and our communities of faith – some difficult questions:

Do we look like the community around us?

Are we willing to change so that others can truly belong, not just fit in?

How far are we willing to go?

When we’ve taken those questions seriously, we can begin the four part process of creating sacred, whole, kin-dom. 

So what does it take?

Intentionality

We must ask what we’re really trying to do—and be clear about why it matters. Building a multicultural community isn’t about optics or checking boxes. It’s about embodying the kin-dom of God more faithfully.

Information

We don’t know what we don’t know. And we won’t learn unless we’re willing to listen, read, visit, and pay attention. Be in spaces, where you are the minority. Attend worship services in languages that are not your own (and trust the Holy Spirit to move even when we don’t understand the words). Read books. Study under theologians that don’t look like you. be in relationships where you can ask questions. 

Implementation

Change doesn’t happen without action. We have to do more than plan, hope or dream…we have to live it. We need to interrogate our tools.  (One example: Robert’s Rules of Order is intrinsically centered on whiteness and is often weaponized or treated as universally sacred). We need to honor the differences in communication styles in different ethnic and social groups (one example: for some, sign-up sheets are a barrier, not a bridge). And we need to wonder about the thinks we hold sacred: worship order, songs and hymnody, visitation, spaces in our building, etc. 

Investment

This work requires sacrifice. It requires truth-telling. It requires language that binds us together (“we” and “us”) instead of language that separates (“them” and “those people”). It demands that we stop generalizing and instead, that we speak specifically and truthfully.

So, how do we begin?

Start with relationships. Share space. Ask honest questions: Why do we do it this way? Why do you?

Resist the urge to anoint a single person as “the expert.” Instead, create a culture of mutual learning. 

And above all—show up. Show up in unfamiliar spaces. Pay attention to what you feel, what you see, what you hear. Don’t confuse spectacle for solidarity. 

Remember:

  • Representation matters—but tokenism is an insult, not inclusion.
  • Visual symbols matter—but they must reflect lived values, not surface diversity.
  • There will be a tendency to wonder about the “why”.  For example: Spanish translation may seem unnecessary when you don’t have anyone in your congregation that needs it…until someone does! Rev. Vinnetta used the example of your Thanksgiving meal preparations…you form a menu and a shopping list, weeks in advance of actually needing the items! Folks in your community of faith may wonder “why” we need to do something (change music style, offer sign language, etc) and it’s a great moment to talk about “why”. 

Above all, Rev. Vinnetta reminded us that this work is spiritual. It is strategic. It is slow. And we will fail…we will fail at being authentic, at communicating well, at getting it “right.” But we fail forward. Fail faithfully. Keep failing at love, until love takes root and grows.

Because the gospel cannot spread if someone is still being left out.

The Arizona Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Team is committed to the growth of its leaders and their participation in Reconciliation Ministries work in the wider church. This reflection was made possible in part by Arizona Reconciliation Ministry Grants which helped assist Arizona Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation leaders attend General Assembly.

Regional Reflection: Rest and Renewal

Six years ago, the Christian Church in Arizona gathered for a special Regional Assembly to elect your new Regional Minister and President. It was a beautiful day for me, as I got to meet many of you for the first time. Over the next 6 months, before Covid shut everything down, I was able to worship with every congregation and sit down to a meal with every congregational pastor in the Region. I was fortunate that my very first weekend coincided with the Disciples Women’s Retreat in Prescott, where I was able to meet 70 Arizona Disciples women over the course of 2 days.  It was a wonderful gift, as I then found friendly and familiar faces welcoming me when I visited your congregations. You have all enriched my life during these past 6 years. 

While I am truly blessed by relationships with all of our clergy and congregations, I am also grateful that the Region recognizes the need for rest and renewal by providing for a 3-month sabbatical every 5 years.  As soon as General Assembly ends on July 15, I will begin a period of sabbatical rest and renewal. I will return to the office (and email and phone) on October 16.  Read on for more information about my plans and about Regional leadership while I am gone.

I have scheduled 2 major experiences during my sabbatical.  Dawn and I will spend the month of August in Scotland.  This is a major bucket list trip for me. We will begin with a week at the Aigas Field Centre, doing daily walking trips to learn about the wildlife of the Scottish Highlands.  We then go the Isle of Skye for a few days, drive to Edinburgh for the Tattoo and the Fringe Festival, take a train to Glasgow to attend the World Bagpipe Band Championships (no – I am not playing), and then finish by walking the West Highland Way, a 7-day, 75 mile walk from Ft. William to Inverness. Starting and finishing the trip with a week outdoors among God’s beautiful Creation was a priority for us.

Two weeks after returning from Scotland, I will fly to Costa Rica for 3 weeks of language immersion school. Given that 40% of Arizona Disciples speak Spanish, I have worked hard on my language skills for the last 6 years.  I hope that 3 weeks of intense instruction and immersion will help further my ability to communicate and at least somewhat lessen the pain I cause to our herman@s when speaking their beautiful language. 

In between the 2 trips, I will be sitting in a dentist’s chair having a tooth implant, visiting my doctor for my annual check-up, and resting and recovering.

While I am gone, your primary contact for anything involving Regional ministry is Matthew Clark, our Regional Ministry Administrator. If your pastor resigns, if you want to request a grant, if you want to celebrate something,  if you need information, contact Matt.  Matt will know whom to contact and how to proceed. We have a great moderator team – Kerry Swindle and Martin Tapia – who will be in regular communication with Matt.  We also have a “Regional Minister on Call” whom Matt will contact if needed. 

I invite you to pray for me during this time of sabbatical, and I commit to praying for each of you. I also invite you to check your own congregation’s personnel policies and encourage your own pastor to be able to take a sabbatical time of rest and renewal.  In the meantime, I hope to see many of you in the next few weeks and in Memphis at the General Assembly.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President

Regional Reflection: May 2025

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Paul, the apostle, wrote a number of letters to early Christian communities. Sometimes he expressed gratitude for what he heard about them – celebrating that they were shining the light of Christ’s love.  Sometimes he chastised them for things he was hearing – castigating them for hiding their light under a bushel.  Or worse. And often, he was instructing them in how to be a Christian community.

He begins his letter to the church in Colossae:  In our prayers for you we always thank God … for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints… He writes to the Corinthians: Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, for I know your eagerness … In both cases, Paul is celebrating that the congregations are supporting one other, sometimes in prayer, sometimes financially. Paul is teaching that all of us are ONE church, and that we should all help each other out when necessary.

I thought of these passages as I learned about the damage to two of our congregations in St. Louis:  Centennial Christian Church and Union Avenue Christian Church. Both are service-oriented congregations making a great difference in their neighborhood.  Both were struck by tornados last week. Both buildings were severally damaged, and one of the faithful members of Centennial CC was killed in the destruction, having spent her morning at the church making meals to serve to the community.  Disciples everywhere are grieving for and with these congregations and those whom they serve.

If you made a donation to the special Week of Compassion offering in February, your gift is already being used to help the congregations and families affected. If you would like to make an additional donation specifically to help the congregations in St. Louis, you can put a check in your church offering this week and write “St. Louis congregations” on the memo line, or make a direct gift via the Week of Compassion website.

I invite all of us to pray for those affected, to pray for our siblings affects by ICE raids in Nashville, and to pray for each of our Disciples congregations here in Arizona. Together, may we shine the light of Christ’s love.

Dios les bendiga!

Rev. Dr. Jay R. Hartley

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional Reflection: Christ is Risen!

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Christ is Risen!  Christ is Risen indeed!

All around the Arizona Region – indeed, all around the world – that message of good news was preached on Sunday. I heard it at sunrise in Saguaro National Park from the pastoral team of Saguaro Christian Church: Kelley Dick, Jessica Braxton, and Patricia Leong.  I heard it at breakfast at First Christian Church of Tucson, as they shared breakfast and then a worship service with Comunidad Limen Christian Church, during which they celebrated the baptism of Pastor Pedro’s son Santiago.  I heard it at Desert Dove Christian Church from the pastoral team of Kathleen Day and Kevin Prahar.  And I know you all heard it in your local congregations, as many of you celebrated baptism and proclaimed the good news:  Christ is Risen!

And in typical Disciples fashion, many of our preachers emphasized that resurrection is not a one-time event, limited to the individual raising of Jesus.  Rather, resurrection is the eternal process of God bringing light into darkness, bringing form to the chaotic, bringing new life where once all we saw was death. The Israelites suffering oppression in Egypt were liberated, given new life and a new start in the Promised Land.  The Israelites suffering oppression in Babylon were liberated, given new life and a new start as they returned from the Exile. From the beginning of time until the present day, the creative power of God’s love is bringing new life to us and to all of creation.  

Even though we celebrated Sunday, I know that we all face individual and collective moments of darkness. Everything didn’t change over night.  Resurrection doesn’t happen on our timetable, and the challenges of life are still before us. But hopefully the story of Easter, the reminder that God’s creative power works among us, that God’s love will not leave us alone forever, will inspire us to face our challenges with hope and faith. 

Christ is Risen!  Christ is Risen indeed!

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Regional Reflection: General Assembly – BEYOND

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

This summer, Disciples from all across the U.S. and Canada will gather for our General Assembly:  July 12-15, 2025, in Memphis, TN.   ALL Arizona Disciples are invited to attend – and to join together at a special reception on the opening night.  You will find information on how to register below. We are moving from a two-year cycle to a three-year cycle, so this will be our last in-person General Assembly until 2028. I hope you will consider joining us for four days of worship, education, fellowship, business – and of course, some amazing Memphis BBQ!

The theme for this summer’s Assembly is “BEYOND,” based on Ephesians 3:20 and the idea that God is able to do “BEYOND” anything we can imagine. We will celebrate and reflect on the power of God’s love to move us beyond ourselves, our fears, and our limits.  While I was reading through the General Assembly Bible Study Guide, I was delighted to come across this inspiring image by an Arizona Disciples artist – Rev. Bekah Krevens from Foothills Christian Church:

Painting by Rev. Rebekah Krevens

A dandelion pushes up through concrete – the will to life overcoming what seems like impossible suffocation.  God’s love, God’s power extends BEYOND anything we can imagine.  Or in the words of St. John: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it.”

At times, we feel overwhelmed by darkness. We see beloved landscape plowed over to build new housing developments or shopping malls, obliterating the plants and animals that called the land home for thousands of years. We see concrete where once there were majestic saguaros. It is easy to give in to despair, frustration, and anger. 

But the call of the gospel is to trust in the power of God’s love, the will to life – to trust in the one who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, who brought them home from the Exile, who raised Jesus from the tomb. The call of the gospel is to trust that God can do BEYOND what our eyes can now see and what our imaginations can conceive. May we, too, live with deep trust in God’s love to lead us through all difficult situations.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Learn more about General Assembly at this link, or start your register at this link.

Calling Young Leaders!

We are excited to invite young adult leaders from your congregation to be part of a life-changing experience—the Caminantes Border Immersion program!  

Thanks to a generous grant from the Oreon E. Scott Foundation, all program fees are fully covered for a cohort of young Disciples’s leaders (ages 18-30) who want to deepen their understanding of immigration, dismantle divisive narratives, and engage in faith-based justice work at the U.S.-Mexico border.  

What is Caminantes? 

Caminantes is a transformative journey that blends hands-on learning, deep reflection, and direct engagement with migrant communities, faith leaders, and justice advocates.

Click here to read one person’s experience of the Caminantes Border Immersion.

Participants will:  
✅ Travel to the border for an in-person immersion experience  
✅ Hear powerful stories from those directly impacted by immigration policies  
✅ Explore the intersection of faith and justice  
✅ Build connections with other young leaders committed to making a difference  

Key Details: 

📅 Program Dates:  TBD  
🛌 Lodging: FCC Hospitality Center
💰 Cost: FREE!  
🎯 Who Can Apply? Young adults (ages 18-30) connected to Disciples congregations in Arizona who are eager to grow in faith and justice  

Sample schedule:

Friday: Evening in-person workshop session  @FCCTucson
Saturday: Field trip to Nogales, AZ/MX, visit Casa de la Misericordia. 
Sunday: Field trip to Sonoran Desert – border wall (Return Home)
Monday: Evening virtual workshop session

This is more than a trip—it’s an opportunity to be part of a movement. We believe that young leaders like those in your congregation are essential in shaping a church that truly embodies radical welcome and justice.  

We encourage you to share this opportunity widely and identify young adults in your church who would thrive in this experience. Space is limited, so early applications are encouraged! 

Please email: rev.pedro@comunidadlimen.org to apply or nominate a young leader or have any questions about the experience.  

We can’t wait to walk this journey together! 

In faith and solidarity,
Rev. Pedro Ramos-Goycolea
Caminantes Program Director, Pastor at Comunidad Limen Christian Church

Community Pickleball Court at Foothills Christian Church

From Foothills Christian Church:

Thanks to the Regional Congregational Vitality Grant, we installed a perimeter fence around our new pickleball court, dramatically improving safety and usability. Players no longer spend more time chasing balls than playing, and multiple groups can now use the court simultaneously.

Fence installation

Since the fence went up, usage has steadily increased and is picking back up with the onset of nicer weather. Congregation members and community partners, including AA, OneNTen, the Autism Society Young Adult Support Group, and a Girl Scouts Troop are regularly holding games and activities. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with partners noting that the court is now safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all ages.

Youth volunteers built picnic tables nearby, further enhancing the space for fellowship and relaxation. The project has strengthened congregational engagement, encouraged intergenerational connection, and created a welcoming hub for our neighborhood.

Ribbon Cutting
Youth Group Pickleball Lessons
Youth Group Playing Pickleball

Arizona Global Mission Team

New Year’s greetings from your AZ Region Global Mission Team!

First, some great news: After a moratorium following the COVID Pandemic, Global Ministry Co-Workers are now visiting Disciples and UCC congregations across the country, with several of them available this year in Arizona to speak during worship, or at small group events. To schedule a visit to your church, please contact Global Mission Team Co-Chairs Al Beasley (abeasley6@cox.net) or Amy Hirsch (revaehirsch@gmail.com).

We are expecting several visiting Ministry Co-Workers in the coming year. Please read about them below and contact Al or Amy to schedule a visit to your congregation.

Click here for more information on our visiting Ministry Co-Workers:

In addition to scheduling visits from Ministry Co-Workers the Arizona Global Mission Team is also available to facilitate the process of becoming a Global Mission Church. Several of our Arizona congregations have already completed this process, and the team would be happy to visit with you to discuss your church achieving this distinction. You can begin reviewing the process at globalministries.org.

The third part of our exciting New Year agenda is to promote Church-to-Church partnerships. We believe that walking with Christians and people of other faiths from around the world can enhance the life, faith, and witness of your church.

Reflection from Rev. Amy E. Hirsch

The Arizona Region sent me off to serve as a Division of Overseas Ministries (now Global Ministries) missionary (now known as mission co-workers) to Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1989. I will never forget the letters I got from churches, Chistian Youth Fellowship groups, CWF (now Disciple Women) groups and Sunday School classes while I was in the jungle on the Equator. Those letters, drawings and support sustained me when the situation in Zaire was bleak. Initially, I taught English at Zaire Christian Institute. Then, I worked with women and children teaching nutrition and running a feeding program for malnourished children out of the Bolenge Hospital.

I was evacuated in 1991 due to civil unrest. The Zaireans were sobbing, tearing their clothes and rolling in the dirt as we missionaries departed. I was saddened that we were plucked from danger while they continued to live with uncertainty, corruption, heat and humidity.  Division of Overseas Ministries (now Global Missions) helped those evacuated process our experiences and reintegrate back into society successfully.

As part of the ministry of the AZ Global Mission Team, I would encourage Disciple churches in Arizona to: 1) Become a Global Mission church. Global Ministries has resources to assist churches in learning  about overseas missions. Instead of the old model of sending out missionaries (a giving at), the focus is now on (a giving with). We are called to ask the deeper question of what it means to give and receive when it comes to global missions.  2) Engage with returning mission workers. Co-workers from Botswana, Mexico, and Colombia will be available to visit Arizona congregations in 2025. 3) Consider becoming involved in the Church – to – Church program as a church. Visit the Global Missions website for details on the above three programs. www.globalministries.org

Let us learn from our Congolese neighbors as together we serve in ministry.

Rev. Amy E. Hirsch (aka Mama Bombundo)

Regional Reflection – Coworkers with God

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

January 20 is here, and it brings an odd mixture of events and emotions. For some, the big event today is the inauguration of a president.  For others, the big event is the commemoration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  For still others, the big event is the NCAA football championship. And it is likely that others of us will celebrate birthdays, mourn the loss of a loved one, or experience a life-changing event in our personal lives. 

While much of the world knows Dr. King as a Civil Rights leader, the Church has long recognized him as a prophet – a spokesperson for God, a voice calling for God’s vision of righteousness and justice to be realized within our social realm. In seminary, I was inspired by a book entitled “Four Modern Prophets,” highlighting the work and ministry of Rev. Dr. King, Walter Rauschenbusch, Gustavo Gutiérrez, and Rosemary Radford Ruether.  If you are not familiar with all of them, I encourage you to do some research.  You may be inspired!

King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” reminds many of the letters found in the New Testament – a letter written by a major church leader to a group of ministers dealing with some specific issues. It was a letter written to the clergy of Birmingham, much like the letters written to church leaders in Corinth, Philippi, and Thessalonica, but it has a much wider application, calling the church to stand up 

I leave you with some of his words, inviting us to renew and deepen our understanding of Christ’s call to love our neighbor:

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

For years now I have heard the word “wait.” This “wait” has almost always meant “never.” We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.” 

I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; …who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people. We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.

May all Arizona Disciples be counted among such coworkers with God!

Dios les bendiga!

Rev. Dr. Jay Hartley

You can find a list of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events across the Phoenix metro area in this article from the Arizona Republic, or information about the Tucson celebration on Facebook.

Regional Reflection: No Hype Necessary

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Years ago, two friends of mine organized a concert. The friends were very sophisticated musicians, and they organized an amazing concert. They promoted the concert, telling everyone they knew: “It’s going to be a good concert.”

Following the concert, someone came up to them and said: “That was AMAZING!!!  That was INCREDIBLE!!! I wish you’d have told me how AMAZING it was going to be – I would have invited all my friends.” My friends looked at each other and thought: “We told you it was going to be good.  Why didn’t you believe us?  Did you really need all those exclamation marks?”

We live in a world of hype.  Or should I say: “we live in a world of HYPE!!!” We live in a world which makes much ado about the lifestyles of the rich and famous, that celebrates pomp and circumstance, that wants everything to be the GREATEST EVER or the BIGGER AND BETTER.

And I think about the lessons of scripture. 1 Kings 19:  God wasn’t in the thunder.  God wasn’t in the earthquake.  God wasn’t in the fire.  God was in the silence.  Matthew 13:  The kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour. Luke 21: Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all. So many lessons from the Bible seem to be anti-hype. They tell of God at work in humble places.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of a baby, out in a barn with the farm animals, we are reminded once again that God does not need to be hyped. God does not need a red carpet, a spotlight, or a suped-up sound system. God just needs us to be ourselves, to care for each other, to shine our little lights in our little circumstances. 

God is here.  God is with us. God’s presence is always with us. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it.

Dios les bendiga,

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Regional-wide study of “How to End Christian Nationalism”

At our most recent Regional Assembly, we approved RA 2401: Calling Arizona Disciples to Oppose Christian Nationalism. 

Part of that resolution hinges on the active participation of our regional body, regional churches, and individual Disciples to “do the work” of dismantling the problem of Christian Nationalism. 

The Arizona Regional Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Team is committed to helping you realized this imperative. 

In late January and early February (details below), we will begin a Region-wide study of How to End Christian Nationalismby Amanda Tyler led by the AZ ARPR Team. The author, Amanda Tyler, is a person of deep faith and the president of the BJC. Her writing is thoughtful, faithful and empowering, grounded in scripture and our moral imperative to transform systems of oppression and marginalization. 

Discussions on Wednesdays January 22, 29, and February 5 via Zoom at 6:30pm. Click here to register (registration is required). We will read three chapters for the first two weeks, and the final two chapters for the last week.

In the meantime, you or the congregation you serve with, may be interested in this short reading list or additional resources listed below (click the book covers to visit publisher’s website for each book):

The Flag and The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry (Community Christian Church just finished this study; we have copies of the book available for use, if needed.)

Imagining Persecution: Why American Christians Believe There is a Global War Against Their Faith by Jason Bruner (Dr. Bruner is an ASU professor and a Disciple!)

White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy by William Barber (Rev. Dr. Barber is founding influence for The Poor People’s Campaign and a Disciple!)

Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry 

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez (super readable and great for a church book study)

Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Chrisitan Nationalist Neighbors by Caleb Campbell (Rev. Campbell is the Lead Minister at Desert Springs Bible Church – nondenominational/evangelical – in Phoenix AZ!)

The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis (again, super readable and written by a progressive evangelical)

Inventing a Christian America: The Myth of the Religious Founding by Steven K. Green

The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un American by Andrew Seidel

White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones

The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People are Drawn in and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White

Additional Resources

Arizona Faith Network often offer webinars on Christian Nationalism and other topics that aid in people becoming more informed on the impact of harmful rhetoric. Click here to view their calendar of events.

Christians Against Christian Nationalism provide podcasts that help with not only a basic understanding of what Christian Nationalism, but also the ways that it is affecting our world in real time and in relation to real events. Click this helpful link of some episodes they recommend.

Straight White American Jesus is a podcast by ex-evangelicals who now delve into the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and the ways that it impacts the psyche of the church and those who are on the receiving end of its existence. Click here for their podcast and resources.

Home

Regional Reflection: hay un lugar para ti

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Three and a half weeks have passed since our Regional Assembly. Two weeks have passed since the national elections. One week until we gather with family and/or friends to share a meal of thanksgiving – which sounds a little funny since most of us gather every single Sunday to share a meal of thanksgiving.   Collectively – that’s a lot of activity and a lot of emotion within 4 weeks of time!

Reflecting on all of that, I can’t help but see the theme of the table. Our Disciples movement was started by leaders who believed that everyone should have a place at the table.  The Lord’s Supper/Holy Communion/La Santa Cena/the Holy Supper/the Eucharist – whatever you want to call it – has many meanings. One way of understanding La Santa Cena is as a PRE-enactment of the messianic banquet, the great feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Religious leaders have imagined a heavenly banquet, where a great multitude of all the nations, every tribe and tongue, are gathered. There is no longer rich or poor, no longer people who are outcast or excluded because of race or skin color or language or gender. There is just one big Thanksgiving banquet for all souls – where Jesus is the host, and we all receive blessings in abundance.  I don’t know about you, but every single week, when I take a little wafer and drink a little cup of juice, I do my best to imagine that I’m in that heavenly banquet, feasting and celebrating with all of God’s children.

En el nombre del cielo, in the name of heaven … hay un lugar para ti, there’s a place for you. That was our theme for Assembly, a call to hospitality, a call to welcome each other, to make another place at the table, to share God’s love with each other – no matter what. Perhaps there will come a time in human history where that message will no longer be necessary.  But we aren’t there yet. And so I encourage us all to continuing growing in our hospitality, growing in our ability to recognize the image of God in our neighbor, growing in our commitment to opening our hearts to each other.

En el nombre del cielo, hay un lugar para ti.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

Regional Assembly Adopts RA-2401, Emergency Sense of the Assembly Resolution Calling Arizona Disciples to Oppose Christian Nationalism

By a majority vote on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the gathered Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Arizona adopted RA-2401, Emergency Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution Calling Arizona Disciples to Oppose Christian Nationalism. This resolution was submitted by the Arizona Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Team and recommended for adoption by the Administrative Council.

RA-2401

CALLING  ARIZONA DISCIPLES TO OPPOSE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
(An Emergency Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution)

WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affirms the inherent worth and dignity of all people, created in the image of God, and called to live in mutual love and respect; and 

WHEREAS, the teachings of Jesus Christ call us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to welcome the stranger, and to seek justice for the oppressed; and 

WHEREAS, Christian Nationalism promotes a distorted interpretation of Christianity that seeks to merge national identity with a particular racial and religious identity, often resulting in the exclusion, marginalization, and harm of people of color, non-Christians, immigrants, and other vulnerable communities; and 

WHEREAS, Christian Nationalism is contrary to the inclusive and reconciling nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which transcends all human-made boundaries of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, and creed; and 

WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona, as part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) adopted Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution GA-2341 which says, “The Church in all its expressions commits to educating ourselves and our constituencies about the societal and spiritual dangers of Christian Nationalism, how to talk about Christian Nationalism theologically, and how to counter it in both ecclesial and public life.” 

WHEREAS Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution GA-2341 also: “…calls on its leaders and members to take every possible opportunity to speak out and act boldly against Christian Nationalism, ensuring that the love of God known to us in Jesus Christ may not be distorted by this ugly and false appropriation of our faith, but proclaimed with generosity and grace to all peoples, from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.”

WHEREAS we have been called by the General Church “…to prayerfully discern, confess, and repent of our own complicity with Christian Nationalism“; 

WHEREAS the recent threatening rhetoric of political leaders and the major polarizing election cycle before us, makes it critical at this specific time, for us to name publicly, that our actions and reactions must adhere to the vision and call of Christ in opposition to actions and reactions adhering to political leanings.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Region of Arizona unequivocally condemns Christian Nationalism as a heretical distortion of the Christian faith and a threat to the unity and justice to which Christ calls us; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, as Arizona Disciples, in all our expressions, commit ourselves to educating our congregations about the dangers of Christian Nationalism, promoting theological teachings that emphasize the inclusivity and justice central to the Gospel; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, as Arizona Disciples, in all our expressions, actively support and partner with organizations and movements that work to dismantle systems of white supremacy and promote racial justice, equity, and reconciliation; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we, as a Region and as Arizona Disciples, will denounce Christian Nationalism and seek to embody the beloved community, where all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion, are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity, as we strive to live out the reconciling love of Christ in our world. 

Arizona Regional Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation (ARPR) Ministry Team

Community Christian Church, Tempe
Comunidad Limen Christian Church, Tucson
First Christian Church, Tucson

Rev. Trish Winters
Rev. Pedro Ramos-Goycolea
Rev. Dr. James Sterling
Rev. Brett Winters
Rev. Jay Deskins
Rev. Terry Steeden
Rev. Allen Cunningham
Rev. Katie Sexton
Pastor Tawni Garcia
Pastor Arturo Laguna
Rev. Kenneth Stamper
Pastor Janett Laguna
Rev. Ailsa Guardiola González
Rev. Chad Boseker
Rev. Kevin Prahar

BACKGROUND

General Assembly (Sense of the Assembly) Resolution GA-2341 CALLING THE CHURCH TO OPPOSE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

Link: https://ga.disciples.org/resolutions/2023/ga-2341/

Presented at the 2023 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, this resolution calling for the church to oppose Christian Nationalism was adopted. The resolution includes background information which helps to define the term Christian Nationalism and provides resources for additional reflection.

The Administrative Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona recommends that the Regional Assembly ADOPT RA-2501