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| Ms. Sylvia McConico Multi-Faith Annual Report 2010 |
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| Stonecroft Ministries – Women connecting with God, each other, and their communities is a group I support because of Sharon Nightingale. I adore her zeal, commitment and huge heart for service and leadership here in Tucson. My BFF, LaVerne, and I have attended several prayer meetings and the Women Vendors Fair in Tucson, and the STIR “Live.Move.Be” meeting in Scottsdale. We have donated to help them furnish a room at the facility that Gospel Rescue Mission has built for women with children.
Community Conversations is a monthly discussion forum under the umbrella of the Tucson Multi-Faith Alliance (TMFA). Sat Bir Kaur Khalsa is the leader of this program. She has spoken at Temple several times, sharing her Sikh Dharma traditions with us. In 2010 we had discussions/presentations on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr; reflections on small actions for Peace - a 12 year old boy told of his organizing a concert for Haiti; sharing from leaders about their ministry - one minister works for the Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest; insights on the trials of our times; and five years dedicated to the Golden Rule. Speaking of the Golden Rule, several of us (Revs Betty, Kristine and Toni, Yazdi Contractor, Mary Jane Ridder, Sharon Allen, Jan Robertson, Will Foster, and I ) went up to Phoenix to the 2010 Annual Golden Rule Awards Banquet of the Arizona InterFaith Movement in April. It amazes me that so many people are doing so much good for others and we seldom hear about it. There were nine awards given out including one for youth services. A minister came to our table and commented that we looked like a united group (most of us in white with purple mantles) and invited a couple of us to join them at their table and a couple from their table would join ours. So Will and I moved to join a table of Latter Day Saints. What fun! I sat next to a married couple and we engaged each other in delightful conversation. Will was at the right table because he got to talk with folks about his bid for a political office. Another couple told of their experience in Peru during the flood and how with the help of spirit, they escaped the destruction and were able to be guided out of the flooded area to safety. |
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| In October several of us (Revs Betty and Toni; Darryl and Martha Schoon, Howard Millwich, Monica Rankin, Judy Laughner and I) went back up to Phoenix for the Arizona InterFaith Movement Langar. You can read about that and see the photos I took on our website – www.thetempleofuniversality.org. Darryl talked about it on podium one Sunday at Temple.
“World Community Day” Building the Beloved Community sponsored by Church Women United (CWU) was in November. There were several faith traditions represented at this meeting and potluck. We sang songs and listened to the vision of CWU. I later volunteered to participate in a global prayer process addressing several issues of interest to us all. Then there were the two Day for Clergy Retreats. Rev. Toni Allen went with me to the one in the Spring. Rev. Michael Pearson, South District Superintendent for the United Methodist Church, presented ideas on how ministers can sustain themselves. I was on the planning committee for this one and we were pleased with the attendance. |
| The Fall retreat was attended by Rev. Betty and I. Our guest speaker was Dennis Burke, US Attorney. He talked with us about immigration, which is the largest docket in the US Attorney's office. |
| Others presented concerns for compassion for immigrants and ideas on how to be in service as a faith community. The past two retreats were held at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Picture Rocks. What a beautiful setting for rest and restoration.
I closed the year at the Multi-Faith Thanksgiving Prayer Service in November held at our meeting location sponsored by Congregation Kol Simchah and the Temple of Universality. What a year! Respectfully, submitted by Sylvia McConico, January 2010. slmc42@gmail.com 520-325-2061 Temple of Universality Annual Report – Multi-Faith Liaison I closed 2009 attending the last service by the Rev. Dr. William Knight at Water of Life Metropolitan Community Church. Though I did not get to hear his singing for which he is famous, he did present the history of the church's beginnings as a place for the GLBT community. In January 2010, I attended Northminster Presbyterian Church. I was very comfortable and welcomed there – they sang familiar songs and like the Temple, sing between facets of the program. Rev. Andy is lovely speaker. They are very community oriented and have several programs to meet the needs of their congregants. |
| Then in March I went to the service at the Benedictine Monastery. They, too, sing a lot. There were readings from the Bible and lots of audience response and reciting. Father Don has been around a long time.
Catalina Church of Midtown was my stop in May. Rev. Ted's sermon was titled “It was All God's Idea”. There were lots of families and young people there. In July, I got to walk in the Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church processional for the memorial service for the Rev. Canon Gordon K. McBride, Ph.D. As we were waiting to enter the church, a rainbow appeared in the sky. |
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| Photos courtesy of Sharon Allen and her iPhone |
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| Sat Bir & Rev. Toni at lunch break |
| Welcoming committee |
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| The group Oct 2010 |
| Dennis Burke |
| Rev. Betty w/ Mr. Burke |
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| Rev. Andrew Ross |
| Father Don |
| Rev. Ted Soderholm |