Into the Wilderness: Lent at Saguaro Christian Church
Jesus went into the wilderness, a time during which he was tempted with all tht one could imagine as the riches of the world. Yet he did not falter; he did not waiver; he stayed true to who he was and who he was born to be. In the wilderness, more of who Jesus is was revealed to us. We have an opportunity to take this season of Lent and use it to discover more about who we are—to journey with on another in experiencing the world and experiencing ourselves anew. We may be change, we may stay the same, but we will certainly see the presence of God in whatever wilderness we wander through.
We invite you to sign up / show up for any or all of these Lenten events!
In the Park events:
Stars in the Park: February 20, 7:00-9:00PM
Drop-in between these hours whenever it works for you! (Saguaro NP Event)
Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730
Carpooling is preferable but there are plenty of parking spots! Star parties are an opportunity to soak in the benefits of dwelling in a dark sky city where we can see the night sky so beautifully and clearly. We will hear from rangers and have opportunities to learn more about the park, the sky, and the light that shows up even in the darkness.
Hike/Pride in the Park: February 21, 8:00AM
[7:00AM meet at Saguaro Christian Church to carpool] (Rob Madrigal)
Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743
We will take the opportunity on this hike to show our pride! Wear rainbow colors and have fun as we explore the Western portion of our beloved Saguaro NP. The pride festival may be canceled, but this weekend we will show up anyway! To remind one another that love is love and that our outdoor and indoor spaces are safe ones where everyone is valued and affirmed.
Art in the Park: March 1, 2:00PM (Luann Haley)
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Parking: Park in the main parking lot. Display parks pass or pay $8 for day pass. We will take a short, level easy walk gathering found objects to create Easter cards! Base materials and a few extra things will be provided, and you are encouraged to gather from the ground things that speak of God’s presence in Creation. After we are done you are more than welcome to explore the Visitor Center (open until 4:30) or go on an exploration of Sabino Canyon!
Coffee in the Park: March 7, 10:00AM (Bethany Keenan & Andrea Cinalli)
Udall Park, 7290 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson AZ 85715 Meet at: Picnic area across from the Udall building, parking lot across from Dogtopia and Fleet Feet. Have coffee and donuts with us as we take time together to get to know one another better. We will chat, share a light breakfast, and get to know each other better. There will be questions to chat through.
Bike in the Park - March 8, 1:30PM (Tim Swindle)
Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730
Meet at: Desert Living Overlook parking lot, the first parking lot past the ranger station, on the road to the Picnic Area. Parking: There are five regular spaces plus a handicapped space in the Desert Living Overlook parking lot, and room to park one or two more small vehicles. There is also parking at the visitor’s center (before you go through the ranger station), which is only a couple of hundred yards away, although that is often full. There is one more spot big enough for one car about 600 yards beyond the Desert Living Overlook.
The ride: We’ll ride to the Javelina Picnic Ground (where we have Easter Sunrise services) and back, a little more than 3 miles. Then, for those who want a more ambitious ride, we’ll ride the Cactus Forest Loop road, about 8 miles. There’s quite a bit of climbing involved (the full loop is not only longer, but also has steeper sections), so I’d suggest that people either have an e-bike or a mountain bike with low gears, unless they’ve ridden the park before and know what they’re getting into. We’ll stop frequently to rest, hydrate, talk about the park, etc. I’ve never led a group ride like this before, but I expect it to take about 2 hours total for those who do the full ride, based on bike tours that I see in the park.
Yoga in the Park - March 14, 8:30AM (Sue Ellen White)
Udall Park Soccer Field, 7290 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson AZ 85715
Meet at: Parking lot across from Fleet Feet on Tanque Verde.
Bring a yoga mat, water, and a towel is always great to have too! We will have some extra yoga mats available to be used if you don’t have one so feel free to bring only just yourself! This will be an opportunity to share in body movement together that strengthens us physically and spiritually. All levels are welcome to attend, even if you have never done yoga before! There will be options for everyone. There will also be an opportunity to give an in-kind donation to Tu Nidito: Seeds of Gratitude that our host, Sue Ellen White, works with as they provide support for families who are impacted by a serious medical condition or death.
Bark in the Park - March 20, 6:00PM (Pastors)
McDonald Park Dog Park, 4100 N Harrison Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749
Join us for pup play time where we get an opportunity to explore the outdoors with our beloved four-legged friends. Meet one another’s beloved and have even more opportunities to see God in Creation beyond people and plants.
Picnic in the Park - March 22, 11:30AM (Board)
Jesse Owens Park, 400 S Sarnoff Dr, Tucson, AZ 85710
Meet at: Saguaro Christian Church and we will walk/ride to the park together
We will chat with the board to learn more about Saguaro and it’s community and hear from Bill Imes for a bit of a bible literacy time. Get to know one another better, learn together, and share in the joy of community through our faith community. Bring your own lunch or bring something to share! We will provide water and some soda pop.
Run in the Park - March 27, 6:00PM (Mary Jo Nicoll & Ashley Téllez)
Start and Finish at Saguaro Christian Church! 8302 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710
Run a Saguaro Christian Church 5k! We will run/walk a 5k loop from the church, taking in our community right here in our area. We will bond over activity and being outdoors and celebrate together when we all reach the finish line, which is just our next starting line for the next chapter of our story together.
Journal in the Park - March 28, 6:00PM (Cheryl Shearer)
Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749
Parking: no fee to use, meet in the main parking area
We will sit and experience and enjoy journaling with Cheryl Shearer, a volunteer naturalist at Sabino Canyon, as our guide. We will talk about nature and owls and all the beauty that this corner of the Sonoran Desert has to offer about finding our way in the wilderness.
Events at Saguaro
ASH WEDNESDAY, February 18, 11 am – 7 pm, Come & Go, Saguaro sanctuary
Our sanctuary will be open for you to come by for as long as you like to light a candle, pray, listen to the music, meditate, and begin your Lenten journey. Pastor Kelley and Pastor Jessica will be here to impose ashes and pray with you.
SAGUARO PRIDE SUNDAY, February 22, 10 am worship, and "CANYON CHORUS" with Mikah Meyer National Parks Expert and Endurance Athlete Mikah Meyer has been honored by Late Night with Seth Meyers, named a “Social Media Warrior” by MTV, and featured by The TODAY Show, NPR, The Guardian, and Upworthy among thousands of media outlets globally.
His short documentary film summarizing his life's work made the 2025 Banff Centre Mountain Film World Tour as 1 of the Best 30 Outdoor Films of the Year, won the Jury Award at the 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and won the Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Chagrin Documentary Festival - Mikah will Venmo you $10 if you watch it and don't laugh!
He'll be at our February 22 worship service and will show his 16-minute documentary "Canyon Chorus" during the sermon time. Don't miss it!
PALM SUNDAY, March 29, 10 am worship
Our Saguaro musicians are excited to present a cantata to begin Holy Week. Don't miss it.
MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 2, 6 pm in the Saguaro Center
Come for a simple meal followed by communion and a solemn worship service.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 5
6 am sunrise service at Saguaro National Park East (reserve your spot on the bus!)
10 am sanctuary worship
11 am egg hunt