Desert Notes August 28, 2025

Thanks to everyone who came to our first annual All Community Water Party and Picnic! A continuous line of kids made use of the giant water slide and ensuing puddles, adults enjoyed conversations, refreshments, air conditioning, and watching the fun. I made it down the slide a couple of times, as did Obi (who was helping his little one). Big kids were great at watching out for littler ones, and I am pretty sure everyone slept well afterwards. To everyone who helped me set up, clean up, and who made new friends, THANKS!!! (Maybe next time we should get a band to play?!)  

If you came to our annual water communion, you know we had amazing music, a meaningful ritual–with water dancers– a poem about Monsoons from Alberto Rios, and a river of artwork.  If you were waiting for a great Monsoon, you’re welcome! I think we called the Monsoon that came Sunday night and the Haboob that arrived Monday night. 😅

I will be taking Labor Day off this year, but I wanted to share with you some thoughts I wrote for a sermon on Labor Day a few years ago that still feel very relevant to me, especially as we witness the abduction of immigrants from their places of work. Once imprisoned, a private corporation makes money off of “housing” and feeding them, and can also find ways to profit off their labor if they so choose. Fighting for labor rights means also fighting for the rights of immigrants who come here to provide their labor in exchange (they thought) for safety and the pursuits of life and liberty. Here is the excerpted sermon. Cheers, friends. See you at the Resistance in Action Fair on Sept 6! 

In gratitude, Rev Sarah