Churches Unite for Phoenix’s Heat Respite Project

The Grand Canyon Synod recently highlighted the inspiring work being done through the Northeast Valley Consortium (NEVC) and its second annual Heat Respite Project—a powerful example of faith in action.

This moving story was shared with our congregation by Pastor Adele, who continues to guide us in bearing witness to the struggles and hopes of our neighbors. As migrant shelters in Nogales, Sonora, grow quieter, the few families who remain are holding on to hope — for safety, for justice, and for a chance at asylum.

We are overflowing with gratitude! This week, Living Water received an incredible delivery—boxes upon boxes of books—thanks to the generosity of the Northeast Valley Consortium. Their donation of 4,649 books is a powerful reminder of what can happen when communities come together with a shared purpose.

New Volunteer Needed for New Journey Lay Representative to Northeast Valley Consortium Steering Committee

The Northeast Valley Consortium (NEVC), established in late 2020, is a partnership of five ELCA congregations located in the northeast part of Phoenix collaborating in ministry for the sake of the gospel. At the end of 2025, Kris Bartanen will complete her second two-year term as NJLC lay representative to the NEVC Steering Committee so a new representative will be needed.

NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 28, AFTER WORSHIP: We will pack ~200 cheese sandwiches and ~200 PB&J sandwiches for First Church UCC – Phoenix heat respite center. We need 1-2 drivers to take lunch items to First Church, 1407 N. 2nd St., Phoenix (~35 minute drive) on Monday morning for 10:30 a.m. arrival. Please let Kris know!

Bread for the World is a Christian advocacy organization working to encourage U.S. legislators to do all that they can to reduce hunger worldwide. 2025 is the 50th anniversary of Bread’s founding. For the past two years, New Journey has been a part of this advocacy with our 5th Sunday letters in March of 2024 and 2025, joining Bread’s annual “offerings of letters” to Congress.

This summer, we’re diving deep into the radical, compassionate, and often surprising moral vision of Jesus—guided by David P. Gushee’s powerful book The Moral Teachings of Jesus: Radical Instruction in the Will of God. Each week, we gather on Zoom to explore one of Jesus’ teachings that speaks directly to the challenges of our time.

Whether you’ve joined us already or are just jumping in, there’s a place for you in this thoughtful, grace-filled conversation. Expect to be challenged. Expect to be comforted. Most of all, expect to encounter Jesus in a fresh and transformative way.