Win a Valentine’s Dinner from The Fountains!

Sign up for one of our convenient electronic giving options and be entered for your chance to win a dinner for two at The Appian Way!

The Fountains has established two convenient ways to make giving easy: electronic giving via credit/debit card or auto-deductions from checking or savings.

• Electronic Transfer: Fill out and sign the authorization form (available at the church or as a pdf online) and attach a voided check (or information about your savings account). Return your authorization to the church office. We will take care of completing the sign up and notify you when you will see the first transaction. (We use a test transaction to make certain the set up was done correctly. Once you verify the test transaction was done correctly, the periodic contributions you designate will happen automatically).
• Credit/Debit Card: Go to our home page (www.reachtouchteach.com) and click on the “Donate” link to open a secure link to Vanco services. There you can create your own profile and arrange for transactions to be automated in the amount and frequency you choose. This option provides for the most flexibility because you manage your own profile & deductions online.

Simplify your life!  With electronic deductions, you won’t have to remember to write check, you can pick the date(s) of the month on which you want your contributions to The Fountains to be deposited and your contribution will automatically be transferred and credited to our account at The Fountains. Signing up as an electronic giver will not only simplify your life, but will help us fulfill The Fountains’ financial vision to even out giving over the whole year and improve our cash flow in the leaner summer months. Take the hassle out of trying to remember to keep up with your giving during travel and summer vacations: automate it!

SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 12^th  to be entered into a drawing to win a Valentine (or anytime) dinner for two (valued at $100) at Fountain Hill’s popular Italian restaurant, The Appian Way (17149 E Amhurst Dr). Thank you for considering this option in supporting the ministries and mission of The Fountains!

NOTE: A number of you have already taken advantage of the electronic giving option – thank you!  If you are already contributing electronically you will be automatically entered into the drawing.

Cross Current to Stratum this Sunday!

Yes! Bring a friend — or more!!  Chaperones and drivers need to have their Safe Sanctuary clearance, so let us know if you can come along. More info? Call the office at 480.837.7627.

Get your $20 to Bruce Ferguson, Cross Current’s treasurer!

Rachel Held Evans in AZ!

Brian McLaren says Rachel Held Evans “represents what is most hopeful and promising in a new generation of articulate, intelligent, and faithful young leaders” — and you have TWO chances to be in conversation with this vibrant and engaging young leader on Saturday, January 21st. Co-sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology AND the Wesley Foundation at ASU, Rachel is returning by popular demand: she was one of the break-out stars at last years “Big Tent Christianity” event in Phoenix.

For a glimpse into the kinds of topics Rachel tackles on a regular basis, visit her popular blog at www.rachelheldevans.com

Love Your Neighbor Training

The Fountains is pleased to be hosting one of 54 “Love Your Neighbor” trainings hosted nationwide by the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) and  Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The goal is to train 1500 United Methodist laypeople and clergy in one-to-one meeting skills so that they can contact the 606 US delegates to the 2012 United Methodist General Conference and encourage them to vote towards establishing a Fully Inclusive United Methodist Church.

Saturday, January 21st, 2012   

8:30 a.m. to 4pm  at The Fountains

Registration of $15 covers materials and lunch CLICK HERE to download a Registration Form

Our training session will be attended by United Methodist volunteers from around the conference who will be coached by Rachel Harvey, Associate Executive Director of the Reconciling Ministries Network. There’ll also be an opportunity to network with other Reconciling United Methodists from around the Desert Southwest Conference .

The training will include:

• Storytelling as an approach to Holy Conversations
• Strategies for encouraging a friend or delegate to share their story
• One-to-One meetings that facilitate dialogue and relationship building
• Planning and scheduling meetings with General Conference delegates
• Gospel grounded theology and the opportunity to connect with coalition partners

For more information, CLICK HERE to go to the LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR website. 

Christmas at The Fountains!

Christmas at The Fountains is always a unique and memorable experience. From our annual Christmas Eve musical gift exchange and improvised reflections to the live nativity and  outstanding music, the warmth of candlelight and Silent Night tops off each Christmas Eve celebration.

With Christmas Day being a Sunday this year, we’re coming together for one service at 10am where we’ll enjoy special music, a moving Christmas story, and a time of giving thanks for our many gifts.

Join us on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day to celebrate the coming of the Christ child and the ancient echoes of the Triumph of the Unconquered Sun.

Times to note:

December 24th

• 4pm: Lighting of the Luminaria
• 4:15 Children’s Nativity Rehearsal
• 5pm Family Service
• 6pm Potluck for Participant Leaders
• 7pm Festival Celebration of Lessons and Carols

December 25th

• 10am Celebration of Christmas Day

“Thank God for Evolution” at The Fountains

Evolutionary Evangelist to preach and teach on November 13th

Embracing our conviction to promote “Open Minds,” The Fountains is thrilled to bring best-selling author and speaker, Michael Dowd, to Fountain Hills.

Rev. Michael Dowd’s work has been featured in the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, ABC News, Fox & Friends (Click here for a complete news archive). In 2009,  Dowd delivered an address to the United Nations drawing on material in his bestselling book, Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World. His book has been endorsed by six Nobel laureates and other science luminaries (including noted skeptics) and by religious leaders across the spectrum.  Praise from Nobel Prize-winning scientists and dozens of religious leaders: HERE. 

Dowd and his wife, Connie Barlow, an acclaimed science writer, have spoken to more than 1,500 groups since launching their itinerant ministry in 2002.  Uniquely gifted at building bridges between religious and non-religious people, Michael shares our common creation story in ways that uplift and expand heart, mind, and soul.  His passion is showing how a sacred, deep-time view of death, big history, and human nature can inspire each of us to live with greater integrity, joy, and zest for life.

Click HERE for Michael’s bio and publications.

Preaching Sunday, November 13th at 9am and 11:15 (Q&A at 10:15)

Michael Dowd will be in dialogue with Michael Morwood on Sunday night at 6pm at Central United Methodist in Phoenix. For more info on this Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology event, click HERE. 

Cross Current Family Fun NIght for Halloween

Cross Current Halloween!

If you didn’t have a chance to check out the fun from our Cross Current Middle School Halloween Party, CLICK HERE to see the pics — the kids and their parents not only enjoyed games and a potluck, but also assembled Halloween surprise packages and delivered them to the homes of kids from church.