Catalina United Methodist Church -

Catalina United Methodist Church became a Reconciling Church in 2019. An all-church survey indicated that a majority of the congregants embraced the idea of becoming a more openly welcoming church toward the LGBQTI community. And to all people, especially those who feel marginalized by society. As such, this church proclaims that all people are created in God’s image and are of sacred worth. As a reconciling congregation, we choose to associate ourselves with the Reconciling Ministries Network, and that means that we welcome and affirm persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities to join us on our spiritual journey. We know that a more diverse and inclusive participation in our church enriches us as a congregation.

Worship

We invite you to join us in worship on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. in person or by watching our live streaming on our website or our Facebook page as we aspire toward greater love, understanding, and mutual respect. Our website: https://www.catalinamethodist.org/ As we promote our ministries in general, we seek to initiate and expand services to our LGBTQ community members. We invite you to all services and events at Catalina; more importantly, however, we would like your input on developing services that are the most beneficial to our LGBTQ community members, from singles to seniors, with a special desire to serve LGBTQ families.

Service

One of our messages is: Catalina Cares; Serving God by Serving Others. We participate in many community service projects, and you are welcome to join us. Text or leave a message for Doug at 520-909-1549 to get more information. Our current projects consist of shopping for and cooking a hot meal once a month for the men at the Primavera Foundation. We also make and deliver 15 sack lunches a month for the Primavera Women’s Day Shelter.

Image of fresh produce at Market on the Move with Catalina United Methodist Church — Produce from Market on the Move

Another opportunity is to make and serve a meal for the homeless at Casa Maria every 6 weeks. And from Jan. – May, our east parking lot is the location for a once-a-month drive through Market on the Move, where cars can pay $10 for up to 60 pounds of fresh produce that would have gone to waste. The produce is always fresh and great, and quite a variety. We also make and give away snack packs daily from our church office on First St. We are across the street from Himmel Park, and our homeless friends can stop by and get water and a bag of nutritious snacks.

We have participated in the Tucson Interfaith HIV-AIDS Network (TIHAN) Poz Café in August for many years, and this year is no exception. The Covid protocol continues to be a drive-through where care partners can receive food and sundries. And it is looking good this year for the interfaith Packathon in October. Several faith communities get together on a Sunday afternoon. They pack 50,000 food packets for distribution in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Please join us in caring for those less fortunate by Serving God by Serving Others.

Music

We are also the organizer and host location of the Catalina Organ Festival each year. We invite prominent organists from the US and around the world to perform organ concerts on our Quimby Pipe Organ, renovated in 2015. The next organ concert is Nov. 18, 2022 at 7 p.m. with Lynne Davis, the Robert L. Town Distinguished Organ Professor University of Wichita, KS performing.

Catalina’s music program is exceptional, and you are welcome to come check out our Sanctuary Choir or Bell Ringers. Text or leave a message for Ben, 202-262-3634.