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2025 AFN ANNUAL GATHERING
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Less Than Two Weeks Away Limited Spots! Don t Miss the 2025 AFN Annual Gathering:
United We Rise
We re now less than two weeks out from the Arizona Faith Network s 2025 Annual Gathering on
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Bah Faith Community Center in Scottsdale and seats are filling quickly. This is AFN s largest gathering of the year and a powerful moment of unity, reflection, and celebration.
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Community Hero Award: Detective Michael Hillman, Phoenix Police Department
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We are proud to honor Detective Michael Hillman of the Phoenix Police Department with a Community Hero Award. Detective Hillman is widely respected for his compassionate service, deep integrity, and commitment to building trust between law enforcement and the
communities he serves.
Detective Hillman has served as a sworn police officer in Phoenix for over 30 years
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For 25 of those years, he has worked security for Temple Chai in Phoenix and has learned first-hand of the damage that antisemitism can cause to the Jewish Community. Since 2024, Hillman has served on the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board s Subcommittee on
Hate-Based Crimes and Antisemitic Incidents. AFN is honored to recognize his extraordinary contributions and his embodiment of community-centered, justice-rooted public service.
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Opening Land Blessing & Spiritual Centering: Chief Spiritual Elder Daniel Eagle Warrior Ramos
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Chief Spiritual Elder Daniel Eagle Warrior Ramos (Choctaw, Muskogee, Yamassee Nation) will open our gathering with a
Land Blessing and Spiritual Centering. Chief Ramos is an Indigenous spiritual elder, healer, and cultural teacher
whose interfaith work for unity is known throughout the country and beyond. His leadership invites us to begin the day grounded in sacred wisdom, honoring the land, and embracing a spirit of deep unity and reverence..
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Join us for this inspiring day of celebration and connection. Reserve your spot today in-person or online and be part of this transformative gathering before tickets run out.
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17th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 23, 2:00 pm
The Fountains, a United Methodist Church
15300 N Fountain Hills Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ
Sponsored by the Fountain Hills Interfaith Alliance, a coalition of local faith communities and leaders committed to embracing diversity and pluralism, this annual observance is an intentional interaction with neighbors of other faith traditions as a positive
witness to a world in conflict over religion. The service will include inspiring music, a time for conversation, and an opportunity to reflect on the importance of being in face-to-face dialogue with those of different faiths and life circumstances. Rev. Katie
Sexton of AFN will be one of the speakers.
This year s theme is Companionship on the Journey, celebrating how the gift of diverse hands and hearts not only makes the journey richer but our community more vital. Focusing on the metaphor of the Labyrinth, the gathering will culminate in an optional
guided Labyrinth walk led by certified labyrinth facilitator, Beth Dyer. This year's event will support Extended Hands Food Bank and everyone is encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items to contribute to a Table of Plenty effort.
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AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at noon MST via Zoom
Start your week with meditation led by Vasu Bandhu, AFN's Interfaith Manager, and guests.
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Prayer Walk on the Arizona Trail
Saturday, December 8, 10:00 am
Picketpost Trailhead, Superior AZ
Join the Arizona Faith Network, Arizona Trail Association, and Arizona Interfaith Power & Light for a reflective morning of movement, prayer, and community in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Together, we ll walk the Picketpost Loop Trail a scenic route around
the base of Picketpost Mountain offering space for gratitude, reflection, and connection across faith traditions.
We ll begin with an interfaith prayer circle at 10:00 AM, followed by a guided walk at 10:30 AM, with pauses along the trail for moments of prayer, meditation, and conversation about our shared commitment to creation care and spiritual renewal. There will be
accessibility options, from a short walk on flat terrain up to the full 8.6 mile loop trail (see registration form for details).
This prayer walk is open to all faiths, traditions, and backgrounds. Whether you come seeking silence, companionship, or inspiration, you re welcome to walk with us as we honor our sacred connection to the Earth and to one another.
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Reconciliation Ecology Fall 2025 Workshop Series
Trees Saturday, December 13, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Meet at Santa Cruz River Heritage Project
1580 S Santa Cruz Ln, Tucson AZ 85713
This series allows for skill development while we perform land stewardship and explore the ideas of restoration ecology. Reconciliation ecology focuses on listening to the land and native plants and providing them with support to do what they do best (see last
post for more details). We will be learning about restoration terminology and concepts as well as actually removing some non-native species. Please bring water, a hat, and closed toed shoes. See you in the river!
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Southern Arizona Interfaith Social and Clergy Care Gathering
Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
(Tucson location sent upon RSVP)
Join the Arizona Faith Network for an evening of movie watching, hanging by the fire pit, eating & drinking, prayer, and community in the beauty of a West Tucson outdoor event space. Together, we ll gather to view a holiday movie together and of course have
some munchies and beverages (bring your own drink and something for the group to munch on). We re hoping that this is a space for rest and gratitude, along with some reflection and connection across faith traditions.
We ll begin at 6:15pm - please bring a chair (or something to sit on), something to stay warm like a blanket, something you like to drink, and some snacky foods to share. We ll provide the film, hot chocolate, camp fires and s mores.
This event is open to all faiths, traditions, and backgrounds. Whether you come seeking silence, companionship, or just a break, you re welcome to join us as we convene so that we can all just take a break and be in company with one another.
RSVP to Rev. ellie hutchison at ellie.hutchison@azfaithnetwork.org for the event location
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Arizona Needs Enforceable Heat Standards
AZIPL and AFN are part of the AZ Heat Standards Coalition. Please join us and our partners in gathering as many signatures as possible
by Nov. 23rd, 2025. Extreme heat is already deadly. It s time for enforced protections, not voluntary guidelines. Together, let's send a strong message asking Governor Katie Hobbs, the Industrial Commission of Arizona, and the Members of the Workplace
Heat Safety Task Force for an Enforceable Heat Standard for all of Arizona.
After you ve signed, please spread the word so that as many Arizonans as possible tell the Governor that Arizona needs enforceable heat standards.
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No Amazon for Advent Pledge
From the organizers: Join our pledge to reclaim this Advent season from consumption to community, hope, and renewal. We are inviting people of faith to take the lead by stepping away from Amazon this holiday season and stepping towards low-consumption means
of giving.
Although this will look different for each individual and each organization, our ethos are shared. We are choosing thoughtfulness, simplicity, and restraint. Whenever possible, we are prioritizing local businesses struggling to survive, nonprofits caring for
the vulnerable, and neighbors in need of compassion.
To see the full statement, list of resources, FAQ, an to sign the pledge, visit the website:
noamazonforadvent.com
If your organization would like to sign on as a partner visit this link:
No
Amazon for Advent Campaign Partner
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Tempe Interfaith Fellowship Thanksgiving Service
Wednesday, November 26, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Dayspring United Methodist Church
1365 E Elliot Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284
Tempe Interfaith Fellowship (TIF) invites all people of faith in our community to a shared opportunity of sharing prayers of gratefulness. There will be a drop-in choir that begins practicing at 6:00 PM. All are welcome to join the choir. The worship service
begins at 7:00 PM.
Food and monetary offerings will be donated to Tempe Community Action Agency.
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Hope on the Move 5K and Fun Run
Saturday, February 7, 8:00 - 11:00 am
Dobson High School
1501 W Guadalupe Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202
The Hope On the Move: Run to End Child Abuse 5k aims to foster widespread awareness, equip families with essential resources, and facilitate potential fundraising for community organizations dedicated to combating these grave concerns. Whether you run, jog,
or walk the 3.1-mile route or the shorter fun run, your participation helps raise awareness about child abuse in our community. Click the link below for more information if you register by Thanksgiving Day, it's only $20.
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The coming week (today through next Tuesday) brings the following observances:
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Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikhism) - 11/24
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Day of the Covenant (Bah ) - 11/25
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Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to AFN today! Your partnership makes our Arizona community thrive.
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