GOOD NEWS
From Randy
Greetings,

With immigration being such an important issue in our current election season, I have taken a few media folks out to the border to get a first-hand look at the situation. Here are a couple of the stories. CBS Morning News"Three Meals": Arizona voters weigh in on immigration. And one from Canadian Broadcast Network, America Votes: Stories from the Arizona border, its politics and its people | The Current with Matt Galloway | Live Radio | CBC Listen.
Hope you find them interesting and not too political?
With you on the Journey,
 Randy
On Sunday, November 3, we will be celebrating all the Saints who have gone before us; we stand on their shoulders. We have been collecting names of folks who have died this past year that we will be reading during our worship services for the Roll Call of the Dearly Departed. If you have someone you would like us to remember, please send the name to Amy in the office--- thegoodshepherduccoffice@gmail.com, or simply reply to this message.
The Spark Studio has a full calendar of fall/early winter classes that begin soon and run into December. Find the full list and details for each event. Class/meeting options include writing, quilting, music, and card making. Come for creativity and community!
The Mission, Service and Justice team wants to inform you there will be a TRUNK OR TREAT held this year at the Amado Youth Center, October 31, 5:30-7:00 pm. You are invited to participate by decorating your car trunk and providing Halloween candy for the children as make the rounds. This event will be a fun way to celebrate Halloween with the youth group who is one of our non-profits for the Mission's Alternative Gift Fair. You can see a description of this event posted on our church bulletin board for details. Please call Pam Irvin 520-301-1764 if you are interested in participating.
Those who attend the second service experience connection and community through our non-traditional worship service. We need attendees to volunteer to participate in welcoming both visitors and members and be worship leaders. Please consider these ministry opportunities. I am asking everyone who is able to volunteer once a month for one of these positions. Contact Janet Carter, Second Service Coordinator, wisconsinjanet@yahoo.com or 715-252-6875. A signup sheet is available on the bulletin board in the narthex.
SAVE THE DATE October 29, 1-4 pm, for a workshop in the Redman Room. The Good Shepherd Environmental Justice Team wants your input on how a new Heat Emergency Center will operate at our church in the event of a prolonged, widespread power failure. Come to learn and participate in creating the plan. We can make this work together!
Save your soda can pop tabs for Cub Scout Pack 300 to support the Ronald McDonald House.They have placed a container in the narthex for your convenience.
Election Day is November 5, and The Good Shepherd is a polling site. The church office will be closed that day.
Cafe Justo will be sold after the service this Sunday, October 27 in the Redman Room. November sales will be on the 10th and 24th.
There are a number of new name tags that need a home. If you ordered a name tag, please check at the at the welcome kiosk in the narthex on Sunday. If it is your first one there is no charge. If you ordered a replacement the charge is $6.00. Envelopes are available at the kiosk in which to put your money and then place in the offering plate. Thank you from the Extravagant Welcome and Inclusion Team.
In less than two weeks, two hurricanes devastated the southeast. As we work to understand the full extent of the damage, the United Church of Christ continues its longstanding commitment to stand with communities through their recovery long after the headlines have faded. You can help. As we respond to Hurricane Milton and continue relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, we invite you to give to the Hurricanes 2024 Appeal. Your gift will make a direct impact, providing relief to those suffering, rebuilding homes, and helping restore communities. Together, we can extend the support and hope so desperately needed during this time. Checks can be made out to The Good Shepherd with Disaster Relief in the memo line. Thank you for your compassion and generosity.
Last April, a group of us took a mission trip to Mazatlán, and while there, threw a terrific consecration party for a small Congregational church ministering to a community of migrant workers. Its pastor is equally grateful for a water filtration system generously donated by the Women’s Estate Sale Group. Their ambitious work continues and to support their efforts, this week we are offering a set of greeting cards that features photos of some of the children who live and work there. If you’d like to support this mission, look for cards that will be on sale between services on Oct0ber 27.
The Estate Sale Group is quickly filling its calendar for the 2024-25 season! The next sale will be on Thursday and Friday, October 24-25 at 2367 W. Calle Cocillo.
Please help spread the word and share with your friends. If you know anyone who might be interested in having a sale, have them call 520-260-6101 and visit with Heidi Geroux about how we can help.
If you'd like to volunteer, please email Nikki Harrison.
Each August, The Good Shepherd partners with Tucson Interfaith HIV/Aids Network (TIHAN) to help host the POZ Cafe to support our friends dealing with HIV/AIDS. For anyone seeking a way to support our local LGBTQ+ family, becoming our church lead for this event is a lovely way to show compassionate love. The coordinator is responsible for four-one hour online meetings per year for Tihan updates, collecting donations in July 2025 for care packages, and organizing a small volunteer crew for the one-day Poz Cafe in August 2025. For more information contact Doug Syme at dougsyme@verizon.net.
Mental Health Support Group

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.