AFN Weekly Update: Annual Gathering Nears, Interfaith Events Ahead
As we move toward Thanksgiving and Advent, the Arizona Faith Network (AFN) shares a full slate of events, reflections, and opportunities for connection across Arizona. Below is a summary of key highlights from the latest AFN newsletter. We encourage you to read the full AFN newsletter for full details and registration links.
AFN Annual Gathering — Fewer Than Two Weeks Away
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Bahá’í Faith Community Center, Scottsdale
Seats are filling quickly for AFN’s largest gathering of the year. This year’s theme — United We Rise — brings together people of faith for a morning of unity, learning, and spiritual grounding.
Highlights include:
Community Hero Award: Detective Michael Hillman (Phoenix Police Department), honored for decades of compassionate service and leadership in addressing antisemitism and hate-based crimes.
Opening Land Blessing: Chief Spiritual Elder Daniel Eagle Warrior Ramos (Choctaw, Muskogee, Yamassee Nation) will lead a Land Blessing and spiritual grounding to begin the day.
You may join in-person or online while space remains.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service — Fountain Hills
Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 pm
The Fountains United Methodist Church
Theme: Companionship on the Journey
This 17th annual tradition includes music, interfaith dialogue, reflections, and a guided labyrinth walk. Donations of non-perishable food items support Extended Hands Food Bank.
Weekly AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at Noon (Zoom)
Led by Vasu Bandhu, AFN Interfaith Manager, these quiet gatherings begin the week with prayer and centering stillness.
Prayer Walk on the Arizona Trail
Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 am
Picketpost Trailhead, Superior
An interfaith experience of gratitude, creation care, and spiritual renewal. Multiple trail-length options are available.
Reconciliation Ecology Workshop — Tucson
Saturday, December 13, 3:30–5:30 pm
Santa Cruz River Heritage Project
Learn about restoration ecology while participating in hands-on land stewardship.
Southern Arizona Interfaith Social and Clergy Gathering
Wednesday, December 17, 6:00–8:00 pm
West Tucson (location provided upon RSVP)
A casual, community-centered gathering for rest, reflection, fire pits, hot chocolate, and a holiday movie under the desert sky.
Partner Advocacy and Events
Arizona Heat Standards Petition — signatures needed by Nov. 23 to urge enforceable statewide protections during extreme heat.
No Amazon for Advent Pledge — an invitation to practice simplicity, neighborliness, and local giving.
Tempe Interfaith Fellowship Thanksgiving Service — Nov. 26 at Dayspring UMC.
Hope on the Move 5K — Feb. 7 in Mesa, raising awareness for ending child abuse.
Interfaith Holidays This Week
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikhism) — Nov. 24
Day of the Covenant (Bahá’í) — Nov. 25
For full details, registration links, and partner updates, read the full AFN newsletter at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.
