|
|
2025 AFN ANNUAL GATHERING
|
|
|
|
Don’t Miss It: Celebrate Bridge Builders at the 2025 AFN Annual Gathering
The countdown is on for the Arizona Faith Network 2025 Annual Gathering, United We Rise, happening Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Baháʼí Faith Community Center in Scottsdale. This is our largest event of the year — and one you won’t want to miss.
This year, we are proud to honor extraordinary leaders who are building bridges across faiths, cultures, and communities.
|
|
|
|
Peacemaker in Action: Mary Permoda
Mary Permoda has served in ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix since 1985. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Theology from the University of San Francisco, CA. She has served as Director of Catechetical Ministry, Youth Minister, Director
of Adult Formation/RCIA, Director of Social Justice, Director of Pastoral Activities, Pastoral Associate and Parish Administrator. Currently, she sits on the Catholic Charities Community Services Phoenix Board of Directors and is the Director of Pastoral Activities
at St. Patrick Catholic Community in Scottsdale, AZ.
|
|
|
|
|
👉 Register now and join us in honoring Mary and other incredible leaders.
Choose the option (in-person or online) that best supports your well-being, and be part of this transformative day.
|
|
|
|
AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at noon MST via Zoom
Start your week with meditation led by Vasu Bandhu, AFN's Interfaith Manager, and guests.
|
|
|
|
Abuse in Later Life 101: Understanding and Responding to Abuse of Older Adults
Thursday, October 23, 2:00 - 4:00 pm MST via Zoom
The 2024 Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life will be providing training to faith-based leaders in collaboration with the
Arizona
Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) and
Safe
Havens.
A U.S. Department of Justice study reports that 11% of Americans 60 and older experienced at least one incident (physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional) of elder abuse in the past year.1 Often, these incidents go unreported, and older adults struggle to find
support. Many elder abuse victims and survivors turn to their faith communities for help. Learning how to respond is important so that victims of late-life abuse have the resources and support they deserve.
The Abuse in Later Life 101: Understanding and Responding to Abuse in Older Adults training is a 2-part series. Part 1 will be virtual via Zoom on October 23. The information you learn in this training can be passed on to your colleagues and students to help
raise awareness and prevent instances of elder abuse.
In this training, those attending will learn about resources to:
-
Recognize the signs of elder abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
-
Offer support, information, and referrals to victims and survivors.
-
Know where to turn for assistance.
|
|
|
|
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 101
Thursday, October 23, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center
455 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85203
(underground parking available from Lesueur Street)
(also available via Zoom)
Join Arizona Faith Network for a special in-person learning session about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shared by local members, this session will offer an introduction to the history, teachings, and spiritual practices of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whether you’re engaging in interfaith dialogue or simply curious about the faith, all are welcome to attend and learn.
AFN’s Faith 101 Series explores faith traditions throughout Arizona — offering opportunities to learn about your neighbors, experience their sacred spaces, and build bridges of understanding across traditions. No proselytizing — just information sharing, storytelling,
and connection.
This 101 session will help participants gain a deeper understanding of the Church and its relationship to other faith traditions. This event will also be offered via Zoom - please indicate how you plan to attend when filling out the registration form.
|
|
|
|
Letters for the Land -- Letters to the Editor Workshop
Monday, October 27, 6:00 - 7:00 pm MST via Zoom
Join Sierra Club and Arizona Faith Network for this letter writing workshop where you will learn the latest regarding what is happening to our public lands, get some tips on writing letters to the editor, and then try your hand at writing a letter.
|
|
|
|
The Power of Hello: Situational Awareness Training for Community Gatherings
Monday, November 17, 12:00 - 1:00 pm MST via Zoom
Join the Safe Communities Coalition for a skill building workshop led by Secure Community Network’s Regional Director, David Humble. This workshop will help community and faith leaders recognize, assess, and respond to potential security concerns while maintaining
a welcoming environment. Learn how simple awareness and intentional engagement can enhance safety and connection at community gatherings. Together, let’s create welcoming spaces that are both safe and connected.
|
|
|
|
Stolen Summers
Thursday, October 23 - doors open at 5:00 pm
Cahokia PHX
707 N. 3rd St. Suite 130 Phoenix, AZ 85004
Join Extreme Weather Survivors in Phoenix for an art installation and community gathering in partnership with Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Moms Clean Air Force. Stolen Summers is a tour that pairs artists with survivors of extreme weather events
to create an art activation that captures moments of loss, resilience, and community strength. Survivors reclaim their narratives through visual art, storytelling, and performance — inviting the nation to reckon with the human toll of extreme weather.
|
|
|
|
Do you want an ICE facility in Marana?
Thursday, October 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Coyote Trails Elementary School
8000 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743
Join a discussion on the Marana prison that could become an ICE immigration detention center and its implications for the community. Moderated by Pima County Supervisor Jen Allen. Panelists include the ACLU of AZ, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project,
and Just Communities AZ.
|
|
|
|
Folding 1000 Cranes for Peace
Sunday, October 26, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Christ Anglican Church
35500 N Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Join Arizona Interfaith Power & Light for this interfaith Season of Peace program. Everyone is welcome to this intergenerational, contemplatively-paced storytelling and paper-crane-folding program. Together, we will be folding1000 cranes as Sadako sought to
do 80 years ago. We will send them to the Children’s Peace Monument in the Peace Park Hiroshima, Japan along with photos of those who folded the cranes in this act seeking peace in the world.
|
|
|
|
Veterans Prayer Vigil
Sunday, November 9, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
100 W Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
As part of Trinity Cathedral’s RE-Humanization Project, we will offer a Prayer Vigil honoring our Veterans on Sunday, November 9 at 4pm. Please join us in gratitude and prayer for all veterans who have defended us at home and abroad, and let us raise up the
principles they’ve defended for us as a nation.
|
|
|
|
Veterans Celebration
Monday, November 10, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
2120 S 3rd Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Join St. Vincent de Paul as we celebrate Veterans Day and the 250th birthday of the Army, Marine Corp, and Navy. Our chef is preparing a delicious steak & shrimp lunch to enjoy during this free community event. Please join us as we honor those who gave a part
of their lives for service to our country. RSVP using the link below by October 27.
|
|
|
|
"Living into a New Story" Retreat
A Spirited Assessment of the Christian Story in the Light of Earth-based Wisdom and Today’s Sciences
January 16-19, 2026
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
7415 E Elbow Bend Rd, Carefree, AZ 85377
This bold winter sojourn is intended for ecumenical church leaders, both clergy and lay, and will explore the deep connections between Nature’s natural sciences, Christian theology, sustainable living, and current life and faith realities. The Retreat is especially
relevant for those working with "Ecology/Environment” task groups, and all those concerned about today's political climate.
|
|
|
|
|
The coming week (today through next Tuesday) brings the following observances:
-
Birth of the Bab (Bahá'í) - 10/22
-
Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (Bahá'í) - 10/23
|
|
|
|
|
Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to AFN today! Your partnership makes our Arizona community thrive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
