Prophetic Unity

The grant-supported interfaith family event centered on connection with nature was transformative for our congregation and the wider community. What began as a gathering in February 2023 has grown into an ongoing ministry. We are now preparing for the fourth annual Connection to Nature Community Event, a lasting expression of our congregation’s commitment to creation care and community connection.

For our congregation, this project helped bring our Green Chalice identity to life in a visible and relational way. The event created new avenues for participation, particularly for congregants who do not always engage in traditional church programs. Volunteering, welcoming families, and supporting hands-on activities strengthened relationships within the congregation and contributed to renewed energy and vitality around our shared mission.

The event also strengthened our connections with other communities and partners. Collaborating with Muslim partners from the United Islamic Center of Arizona and the Islamic Center of Peoria, along with Arizona Faith Network, Arizona Interfaith Power and Light, and local organizations, fostered genuine relationships grounded in shared values. These partnerships have continued beyond the event itself and have shaped how we approach interfaith engagement more broadly.

The grant allowed us to offer a well-resourced, welcoming experience for families across faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, and it gave us the confidence to imagine this work as sustainable. Some of our now members first visited our church not for a Sunday worship service but for this Connection to Nature event.  We are deeply grateful for the grant’s role in helping this ministry take root and grow into an annual tradition.

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