June 2016

Dove Tales
Vol. XXVII, Issue 8
June 2016
A FAREWELL FROM REVEREND SUSAN
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The time has come for me to say good-bye. I want to thank all of you
for the many ways you allowed me to be your pastor. As the years go
by, I will look back fondly on our time together. You are an amazing
congregation, and I have been greatly blessed to work in this place. In
four years together, we realized a few dreams, lived through a few
trials, and persevered.
I see you as a congregation of faith and courage. There is nothing that
will ever be impossible for your future as you continue to work
together toward a goal of greater discipleship. I didn’t think, when I
arrived, that life would have taken the turns that it has. My new step of
faith is a testament to who you are and all you have accomplished.
My prayer for you in the days and years ahead is that you will find
ways to live your extraordinary faith as you serve God and serve God’s
people. Together let us forgive the times we stumbled and fell, and let
us learn how to grow into a new and exciting future, trusting that God
is ever present to guide and bless.
I know you will have a wonderful future. I trust that, under new
pastoral leadership, you find a way to connect with the neighborhood
and invite more people to join you Sunday morning. The strength of
the appointment process is that we trust God to bring the right
leadership at the right time. In that faith, we pray that your ministry
with Pastor Mike and Pastor Clare will be filled with joy and
excitement as together you do great things for God.
Now, receive this prayer, May the peace of Christ fill your hearts. May
the spirit of Christ give you boldness as you take your own new steps
in faith. And may the love of Christ be known in all you do.
Forever filled with gratitude and love for you ----
Dove of the Desert
United Methodist Church
“Increasing Love for God and Neighbor by
Going Deeper, Reaching Farther, Transforming Lives”
A FAREWELL FROM PASTOR RUTH
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Farewell, Adieu, Arrivederci, Goodbye. All express that our time together is
ending.
One of my favorite spiritual authors, Joyce Rupp, wrote a book, Open the
Door, which I used for guidance on spiritual renewal. I felt called to return
to this book at this time of discernment. The door symbolizes the human
heart, or the deeper self, to which Jesus comes. Rupp refers to the image of
the door in Warner Sallman’s artistic portrayal of Revelation 3:20. Jesus
stands at the door and knocks, awaiting an invitation to enter. In this painting,
the doorknob is omitted on the outside, indicating his belief that the door to
the heart is only opened from within. According to the artist’s portrayal, we
hold the power of welcome or refusal. It is our choice. We learn and grow
from every situation, every relationship, if we are open to it.
At this time in my life, I was called to week 4 of the study: Standing in the
Threshold. A threshold grants passage between two different external places.
Within our hearts, it is a turning point. For a while, you and I will be in a
liminal space, the in-between space of being unsure of our paths. Jane Pretat
describes a space this way:
“It’s as if we were caught in a darkened vestibule between an old way of
being and a new. The doors of the past close behind us. The doors to the
future are still unopened. Too often we forget, that only by enduring our time
in the liminal space between those doors waiting for an opening, can we
eventually move freely across a threshold into the future.”
We are at that threshold time in our lives. Rev. Susan is moving on to a
different style of ministry. I am moving into retirement. You all are moving
into a future that is filled with hope and, as Jesus says in John10:10, “I came
that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
My prayer is that you will open the doors of your hearts to new ideas, new
learnings, and to experience the abundant life that Jesus wants for each and
every one of you.
May you be surrounded by the peace of Christ!
With Love,
A NEW COVENANT
Days of transition bring with them the need to write a new covenant. As Pastor Ruth and I step away from leadership at
Dove of the Desert UMC, trusting that God’s spirit leads us all, we enter into a new covenant with you. It is the covenant
of the UMC connection. It is a covenant that leads us into letting go of one another, that God’s spirit may continue to do
what is necessary for Dove’s future ministry. Though it is not easy to say, Pastor Ruth and I share with you now the
guidance of this new covenant.
We release you into the hands and ministry of your new pastoral team, which means we will no longer be your
pastors.
We will not return for weddings, funerals, baptisms, worship services, etc.
We will not continue to be in contact with you; so please do not be disappointed if we do not respond to your emails
or phone calls after July 1.
If we are your friends on social media, we ask that you unfriend us.
Know that you will always hold a special place in our hearts and in our prayers. It is in letting go that we find our hands
open to new possibilities and new relationships. May God bless us as we all enter this new covenant in faith. May you
continue to be richly blessed.
In faith, Rev. Ruth Blum & Rev. N. Susan Brims
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TRANSITION TIME AT DOVE
There is no greater adventure than building the kingdom of God
As part of the transitions process, your pastors, Randy Bowman, John Roberts, Pam Zurn and I participated in a
Transitions Workshop led by Bishop Bob Hoshibata. Dove’s future new pastors, Mike Kerr-Osman and Clare
Sullivan, were also at the workshop. This was a powerful time where we discussed several issues that were on
our hearts and some important topics that we hadn’t really considered yet. We discussed how to say farewell, how
to receive our new pastors, and covered necessary protocols and expectations.
This is an exciting time! There is plenty for everyone to do and be a part of the preparations. I will be the contact
person for both out-going and in-coming pastors during this transitional period. I will need lots of prayer and help
with preparations. We are well underway with preparations for celebrations of the ministries of Rev. Susan and
Pastor Ruth thanks to the leadership of Patti White and many others who are working on the planning
committee.
Pastor Ruth Blum’s Retirement Dinner
Saturday, June 11 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Rev. Susan’s Send-off Reception
Saturday, June 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
RSVP at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Patti White
at 602-386-6468 or email her at lizitish31@yahoo.com.
Below, I have listed a few things you could do, but please contact me if you have other ideas for receiving and
celebrating the arrival of our new pastors.
* Continue to pray daily for our church’s transition.
* Write welcome letters/cards for our new pastors (send or drop off at church office)
* Contact me if you want to be a part of planning a getting to know you party.
* Donate coupons or gift cards to places such as your favorite restaurant, dry cleaners, or grocery store.
I want us all to be excited about the change in pastoral leadership, but if you are struggling with this, please reach
out to me. Share your concerns so that I may include you in my prayers.
Steve Averill, Chairperson of Staff-Parish Relations Committee
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - WJC
Did you know that the Western Jurisdictional Conference meets every four years, but only comes to our Conference
once every 20 years, and that the next time it will be here will be this coming July 13-16 and then not again until
2036?
The Western Jurisdictional Conference is a gathering of our elected and appointed United Methodists from around
the Western United States who meet every four years to provide leadership and especially to elect the next bishop
in the West. If you have ever wondered how someone becomes a United
Methodist bishop, this is your closest chance to witness the process!
Could this be the year that one of our own clergy is elected bishop?
Could this newly elected bishop one day be appointed to our
conference? Come to Scottsdale, AZ, and experience it.
As the Desert Southwest Conference, it is our pleasure to not only host
but to provide hospitality for the entire conference. Let’s show the West
what extravagant hospitality really looks like!
For more information and to register: visit www.bit.ly/WJ-Volunteers
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CHILDREN’S & YOUTH MINISTRY
Vacation Bible School
Come and Join Us for VBS June 20 - 24.
Please go to doveofthedesert.com to
register a child or to volunteer.
See you in June!
Route 66 Sunday School
Regular Sunday school for all children and youth at 9:30 and 11:00 ended on May 22.
Summer Sunday school begins June 5 at 9:30 only and will be for 3 years through 3 rd
Grade.
All other ages are encouraged to worship with their families.
Regular Sunday school begins again on August 14!
For up-to-date information on DYF meeting dates and times and Halo Choir rehearsals and
activities dates and times, please refer to the Announcements in the Sunday Bulletin or the
calendar on the website.
DOVE CONFIRMATION
The dove and the flame are timeless symbols of the gentle
and powerful work of the Holy Spirit. On Sunday, May 15,
Pentecost Sunday, we celebrated the journey of our
confirmation students. The flame of the Holy Spirit was
called upon to bless the nine Dove youth as they took the
vows of faith, baptism, and membership. We celebrated this
time in their lives when they willingly accepted and
outwardly stated their belief in Jesus Christ. The 2016
Confirmation Class included: Riley Bethke, Jordan Ganyo,
Makayla Hale, Allison Howard, John Kunzelmann,
Preston Potts, Kate Schwebke, Roxanne Unsworth, and
Ailsa Watt.
The 2016 Confirmation Class with Pastor Ruth
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We would especially like to thank our dedicated members
who served as mentors and faith friends for this year’s class:
Lori Leggett, Don Trotter, Frances Beermann, Elizabeth
Tesman, Scott Beermann, Rick Tesman, Ginger Worden,
Velma Trotter, and Sue Couch.
DSC 2016 MISSION PROJECT
Approximately one out of every nine youth in foster care are aging out of the system. This represents approximately
800 teens right here in Arizona. These youth have very few resources and few support systems. While there are
organizations that are helping, one area where there is no support is move-in costs, like filling the pantry with groceries
for the first time. This year’s Annual Conference mission project is to fill these empty pantries with food.
Churches are invited to buy $25 gift cards from their local grocery stores (or from Dove’s Scrip table) and to supply a
favorite recipe with each gift card. Young adults aging out of the foster care system moving into their first homes will
have their pantries filled with the UMC’s love and perhaps their first dinner will include that favorite recipe. We will
work with foster care organizations to set up delivery in our local communities. An organization list for both local and
regional drop-off points will be published soon. In the meantime, we know the generous spirit of our churches will
begin as we collect recipes and gift cards.
Pray for the young people that are aging out of foster care. Pray for the facilities that are supporting them in their
journey to become self sufficient. Then give to help stock their pantries.
THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU
Thank you to all our special friends for the love and caring
extended to George and me. Over our years at Dove, you have
truly blessed us. I pray for each of you and the church to continue
your path of loving God and your neighbors. Goodbye and thanks
again.
In Christian Love and Gratitude,
Karen Finch
Thank you so very much for the abundant
love, prayers, cards, flowers, and meals while
I recovered from surgery. My family was
blessed by you during this time.
Gratefully,
Valerie Burkhart Betters
There are many hands that are committed to serving Jesus by teaching our children, youth, and adults throughout the
year. Please thank the following people when you see them for all they have done in the name of Jesus.
Joy Gladden
Bill Fencken
Hannah Abraham
Ryan Cupisz
Debi Ports
Amy Parker
Blake Parker
Mag Rose
Stacy Cupisz
Lori Leggett
Mary Clark
Jean Booth
Alexis Crummy
Lovita Christianson
Derek Leggett
Bonnie Monroe
Betty Vaughan
Mary Beth Garrett
Don Ganyo
Julie Yarrow
Cary Patonai
Tim Patonai
Angela Crabb
Diane Ganyo
Bill White
Jay Crabb
Ashley Leonard
Josh Leonard
Dee May
JB Littrell
Stephanie Howard
Rachel Howard
Allison Howard
Andi Stanfield
Judy Kobrzycki
Kathy Selman
John Selman
Dawn Bell
Pam Brandenburger Nannette Carr
Ginny Godlove
Sue Miller
Bless you,
Pastor Ruth and Jan Ramsey
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MISSIONS
Exciting Nicaraguan Mission News!
The 2016 Nicaragua Mission Team is very grateful for the continued support from our church family at Dove and the
Carnahan Fund. The Carnahan Fund has been supporting the Twelve
Churches feeding centers in Leon with an annual donation that provides
the coffee we regularly offer. All donations, from both the Carnahan Fund
and our coffee-drinking church members, have added up, and the director
of Twelve Churches recently announced that they are in the planning
stages for a sixth feeding center in Leon! This is a blessing indeed, and
Dove has been a faithful contributor to this effort. Thank you! Additional
opportunities to support these feeding centers is available through a secure
link on the Twelve Churches website - www.twelvechurches.org.
There are lots of way that YOU can get involved! Join or lead a Mission
Team in 2016, give financial support, or pray for the volunteers, missionaries and pastors. The opportunities for
involvement are endless...
MUSIC MINISTRY
Help your child discover his or her inner
actor, singer, or dancer!
Performing Arts Camp will be held at Dove from June 6-10 for incoming 2nd
graders thru outgoing 6th graders. This is a full day camp lasting from 9:00 am to
3:00 pm each day. And on Friday, June 10, at 6:30 pm, your young thespians/
performers will perform a full-scale musical production, showcasing all they’ve
learned! Cost is $75/student, or $60/student with two or more family members
attending. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity -- register now at
doveofthedesert.com!
WANTED
BAKERS
Do you like to bake? Do
you have a favorite cookie
or fruit bar recipe?
We need you!
Please contact Dee May for
more information.
deniecemay@gmail.com
623-910-6500 ~ call or text
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FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The LUNCH BUNCH meets the 1st Thursday of each month for good
food and fellowship. Please join them at noon on Thursday, June 2 at
Mimi’s Café, 7450 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, AZ 85308 623.979.4500;
http://mimiscafe.com/
PRIMETIME LIVE is Dove’s adult fellowship group, including adults
who are married, single, young, and young at heart. Please join them the
3rd Friday of each month at a Dove member’s home and enjoy the evening
together with food, fun, and Christian fellowship. The host supplies a
main course; attendees bring sides and dessert. PrimeTime Live is inactive during
the summer months but will resume again in the fall. Watch this area of the Dove
Tales for information about when PrimeTime Live will start up in the fall.
MOMS’ MORNING GROUP meets during the regular school year
in the Dove kitchen Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Join us when we resume
in the fall to share a devotional, have coffee and a snack, and spend
the morning in fellowship with one another! For more information, please contact
Melissa McConaghy at mmcc504@yahoo.com. Childcare is available.
MOMS’ EVENING GROUP meets on the 4th Thursday of each
month from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. NO childcare is available. For more
information, please contact Valerie Burkhart-Betters at
Valburkhart@yahoo.com or 602.487.3648.
DOVE BREAKFAST CLUB meets every Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. (or a
little earlier) at Cracker Barrel Restaurant, 16845 N. 84th Ave., West of Loop 101
and South of Bell Road. Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Ron
& Jan Bender, 623.815.1244.
OTHER
FELLOWSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
Many other opportunities
exist for fellowship at
Dove, including Adult
Sunday School classes,
Men’s
Bible
Studies,
Tuesday Talks, Women’s
Bible
Studies,
Prayer
Shawl Group, and Dove’s
musical groups including
Celebration Singers, Dove
Notes, Folk Group, the
Young Adult Choir, and
the Bell Choir, plus many
more. Please check the
weekly
Announcements
included with the Sunday
Bulletin, as well as the
calendar that you can find
on the Dove website. We
hope you will join in on the
wonderful fellowship!
DO VE M EN’ S BREAK F AST meets on the 2nd Saturday of
each month for a time of devotion, prayer, and fellowship. Please join
them at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 at the Black Bear Diner, 6039
W. Bell Rd. RSVP: Rob Sanders at 623.566.7990 or Dove at
623.572.7334. Dove Men, including Fathers & Grandfathers, Sons &
Grandsons, age 13 and up, are invited to come and bring a friend. A great way to
make some new friends!
TAKE A HIKE WITH DOVE and enjoy fun, fellowship, and the great
outdoors. This is an informal group that gets together regularly during
the cooler months. The hike “leader” rotates, as does the location of the
hike. They hike in the Deem Hills area. Hiking will resume in the fall.
Those who are interested may contact Beth Sanders at
ussanders@yahoo.com.
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PRAYER LINE
MONTHLY MISSIONS
First Sunday
Please use Dove’s Prayer Line for your
Prayer Requests. Share a concern or a joy!
Call 602.375.PRAY
(602.375.7729)
Our Prayer Partners retrieve prayer requests
daily.
Food Drive for St. Mary’s Food Bank
Alliance
Pet Food & Supply Drive
First Wednesday
Meatloaf dinner for UMOM
On-Going
Justa Center Donations
UMOM Donations
CARE MINISTRY
Dove’s Care Ministry includes the following
areas: Baby Brigade & Casserole Brigade; Blood
Pressure Screening; Care/Prayer Notes;
Dove’s Congregational Card Ministry; Duet
Volunteer Orientation; Funeral Reception
Team; Homebound Communion; Grief
Support Group; Pet Care Ministry; and
Prayer Shawl Ministry. For
more specific information on
each of these, please refer to the
Dove website. This month, we
are highlighting our Medical
Equipment for Loan.
THANK YOU
The Mission Committee would like to thank
everyone who so generously gave to the UMOM
Kitchen Drive.
You made the drive a great
success. We raised over $3830 in in-kind donations.
I am proud to be a member of a church whose
congregation is always reaching out to those in need
within the community.
Thank you,
Carla Murray
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Medical equipment available for loan
Thanks to the generosity of
many Dove member s and
friends who donated items,
the Care Ministry Team has
collected a variety of medical
equipment available for
loan. Over several years, we
have collected wheelchairs,
walkers, crutches, etc.
If you need an item, please contact Don Trotter –
trotterdon@att.net or 623.376.9506, and he will let
you know if we have that item in stock.
JUNE CALENDAR
PRAYER POWER POINT
2
Lunch Bunch: noon, off campus
PRAYER POWER POINT:
5
Worship Services: 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am, with
Communion
First Sunday Donations for Food Bank and Pet Ministries
6
Performing Arts Camp Begins: Camp r uns June 6-10
“I find the great thing in this world is not so much
where we stand, as in what direction we are
moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail
sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it.
But we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” –
Oliver Wendell Holmes
10
Dove Tales Submission Deadline
11
Dove Men’s Breakfast: 7:00 am; off-campus
Retirement Dinner for Pastor Ruth: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
12
Worship Services: 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am
19
Worship Services: 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am
Fathers Day
Breath of the Spirit, blow within me. Let me not
become comfortable in my current life situation.
God, help me move toward your purpose, toward
your will -- especially in reaching out to others.
Amen
20
Vacation Bible School Begins: VBS r uns June 20-24
SPIRIT IN MOTION:
25
Send-off Reception for Rev. Susan: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
What spiritual practices keep me connected to
Christ and help me reach out to others?
26
Worship Services: 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am
PRAYER:
A complete calendar appears on our Web site.
SPECIAL PRAYERS
For Condolences To:
 Brian and Heidi McBreen and family on the
death of Brian’s sister, Janice.
Dove of the Desert UMC
7201 W. Beardsley Road, Glendale, AZ 85308
Rev. N. Susan Brims: SeniorPastor@doveofthedesert.com
Rev. Ruth Blum: RuthBlum@doveofthedesert.com
Director of Music: GregRamsey@doveofthedesert.com
Choral Director: Lovita Christianson
DoveChoirs@doveofthedesert.com
Bell Choirs Director Brent Fike: bfike2@cox.net
Sunday School Coordinator Jan Ramsey: jr@gopiano.com
Dove Tales Editor Mimi Griffiths: azmimig1@cox.net
Pam Zurn, Office Administrator:
DoveAdmin@doveofthedesert.com
Administrative Assistant: MartiBetts@doveofthedesert.com
Phone: 623.572.7334; Fax: 623.572.8973
www.doveofthedesert.com
www.facebook.com/doveofthedesert; Twitter: @DoveUMC
Office Hours: Mon. -Thurs.: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.;
Fri.: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.;
Closed for Lunch 12-1 p.m.
 Ken Barnick and Marty & Kay Heise on the
death of Ken’s and Kay’s mother, Florence.
For these churches . . .
First UMC, Yuma
Fort Yuma UMC, Yuma
Gila Mountain UMC, Yuma
Dove Sermon Recordings
Are you interested in hearing last week’s
sermon again, this time from the comfort of your
home? Sermon recordings are now available on
doveofthedesert.com. Select ‘Sermon Recordings’
from the right-hand column to listen to past
recordings of recent sermons.
Dove Tales is a monthly publication of Dove of the Desert
United Methodist Church. The editorial staff reserves the
right to edit all items submitted for publication.
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Dove of
the Desert
United Methodist Church
7201 W. Beardsley Road
Glendale, AZ 85308
Return Service Requested
Sending June Blessings to:
IN THIS ISSUE:
Rev. Susan’s Farewell Message ........... 1
Farewell Letter from Pastor Ruth ......... 2
A New Covenant .................................. 2
Transition Time at Dove ...................... 3
Volunteer Opportunities - Western
Jurisdictional Conference ................. 3
Dove Children’s & Youth Ministry...... 4
Vacation Bible School ...................... 4
Route 66 Sunday School .................. 4
Dove Confirmation .............................. 4
Desert Southwest Conference 2016
Mission Project ................................. 5
Thank You Notes ................................. 5
Missions-Nicaraguan Mission News........... 6
Performing Arts Camp ................................ 6
Wanted: Bakers ........................................... 6
Fellowship Opportunities ............................ 7
Prayer Line .................................................. 8
Monthly Missions ....................................... 8
Care Ministry .............................................. 8
Lending of Medical Equipment .............. 8
June Calendar .............................................. 9
Prayer Power Point...................................... 9
Special Prayers ............................................ 9
Dove Church Information ........................... 9
Dove Sermon Recordings ........................... 9