Mosquitoes of Arizona

Health officials throughout Arizona have been monitoring mosquito-borne virus activity for decades. Mosquito surveillance involves trapping mosquitoes, counting them, identifying the species, and testing the appropriate mosquito species for viruses. These surveillance methods are used to better identify areas where mosquito control efforts are needed. Detection and control of mosquito breeding sites depends upon integrated efforts among state, county, and tribal agencies, as well as private citizens. Mosquito-borne viruses are found every year in Arizona, West Nile virus being the most common. Mosquito-borne virus activity is usually most prevalent from May through October when mosquitoes are most abundant. Arizona has expanded its longstanding mosquito-borne virus surveillance network to detect, monitor and control mosquito-borne diseases such as St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) and West Nile virus (WNV).

Every month from March through October over 300 samples of mosquitoes are collected by health officials throughout Arizona and tested for West Nile Virus (WNV) at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, with many more local vector control departments conducting their own WNV testing. Dead birds and horses are tested for WNV at the University of Arizona's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Reporting of mosquito-borne diseases in humans and horses by physicians and veterinarians, is critical for detecting and responding to WNV statewide. This surveillance data allows public health officials to identify communities at higher risk for mosquito-borne disease transmission, so appropriate measures can be taken to reduce risk.

Starting in 2013 chikungunya virus expanded into the Western hemisphere causing a widespread outbreak throughout the Americas. Meanwhile, dengue virus has had an increased incidence and geographic expansion throughout the region. In light of these developments there is an ongoing effort to conduct surveillance and control for their mosquito vectors. Although there have been no locally acquired cases of chikungunya or dengue identified in Arizona, the presence of the vector species increases the risk for locally acquired cases to occur.

Protection from Mosquitoes

There are very few mosquito-borne diseases that have vaccines approved for human use. Therefore, the most effective way to protect your self is with protection from the mosquitoes themselves. Luckily, there are a number of simple measures that will help protect you, your family, and your home. They can be divided into two categories; interventions that provide personal protection from mosquitoes, and interventions that protect your home.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes include:

Wearing insect repellent when outdoors and at all times of day. Be sure to apply it according to the package instructions, and always apply after sunscreen. If you choose to open the windows and doors ensure that they have intact screens installed. Wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at all times a day, when possible.

The most effective ways to protect your home from mosquitoes includes the following:

Always use air conditioning over leaving the windows and doors open. If you do chose to open the windows and doors ensure that they have intact screens installed.

Keep your yard clean and clear from debris, which reduces the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Make sure to dump or cover all water holding containers regularly. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in almost any standing water. If you have any standing water that can’t be dumped, such as pools, ponds, etc., be sure to treat those with the appropriate chemicals. This will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs on your property.

Prevent Bites

Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain at least 20% DEET (products include Cutter Backwoods and Off! Deep Woods). Other repellents protect against mosquitoes but may not be effective against ticks or other bugs.

Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin); products include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD); products include Repel Lemon Eucalyptus IR3535; products include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart.

Find the EPA-registered insect repellent that is right for you. The effectiveness of insect repellents that are not registered with the EPA, including some natural repellents, is not known.

*Insect repellent brand names are provided for your information only. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health and Human Services cannot recommend or endorse any name-brand products. 

When using insect repellent, follow the instructions on the package and reapply as directed:

·   In general, higher percentages of the active ingredient provide longer-lasting protection.

·   If you are also using sunscreen, apply it first, let it dry, and then apply repellent. Do not use products that contain both sunscreen and repellent.

·   Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

· Consider using clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) that are treated with permethrin (an insecticide). You can buy pre-treated clothes or treat your own clothes. If treating items yourself, follow instructions carefully. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

Cover Exposed Skin

As much as possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and a hat. Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks for maximum protection.

Information obtained from:  www.cdc.gov and www.azdhs.gov

 

Third Sunday Potlucks

Each third Sunday in June, July, and August dress according to the theme, bring a potluck dish, and join in with the games. We will begin around 10:30am following worship with the games followed by the potluck around noon. This is a really fun time and a good opportunity to get to know each other better, eat some delicious food and stay out of the heat!

July 17^th is Dr. Seuss

Come as your favorite Dr. Seuss character.  We will play several games of bingo, complete with prizes. Children of all ages love this game so invite your grandchildren, children, grandparents, great-grandparents, friends, neighbors, and the person just walking down the street. Watch for the sign-up sheet for the potluck. We will have you home stuffed, tired, and ready for a nap by 1:00 pm.

August 21^st is Tropical Island Sunday

Enjoy a great potluck luncheon and play Bingo.  Wear your tropical island attire. A signup sheet will be available in the narthex. 

From the Pugh - July 2016 Newsletter

As you know Bethlehem has an exciting time before her as we have the opportunity through prayer and discernment to plan the mission and ministry for the next five years. Included in this newsletter and again in the mid-year giving statements is a congregational survey designed to create a road map for the congregation’s mission and ministry. It will show where we have been and will identify the direction we hope to pursue in the future.

It enables the congregation to:

·     claim ownership of the mission of the congregation.

·     review the congregation’s life and mission as the Church, the Body of Christ.

·     arrive at a current understanding of the mission of the congregation.

·     evaluate the congregation’s present strengths.

·     identify specific areas where the congregation needs to strengthen or change its ministry.

·     discuss the congregation’s challenges and opportunities in the next 5 years.

·     specify resources necessary to fulfill the mission of the congregation, especially mission tasks in the parish community.

Please take the time to fill out this survey and return it to the church office by the end of July, 2016. We really want your participation in this process and to hear your voice.  This is your opportunity to let us know your opinion.

This is an exciting time to be part of Bethlehem Lutheran Church on the corner of 32^nd Street and McDowell in Mesa, AZ.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

We are meeting on the 4^th Wednesday with the Counted Cross Stitch Group at 1:00pm in the NCO.  We may set another day of the month to get together, too. 

Members and friends are encouraged to take Prayer Shawls for friends or family who are having difficult times - grieving, illness, etc.  The book we ask people to sign showing where the shawls are going is really interesting.  It’s amazing how far reaching this Ministry is! 

Thanks to everyone who is making Shawls.  We are hoping to have more people join us.  There is a brochure in the Narthex for the Prayer Shawls which includes 2 patterns if anyone would like to try making them.  There is also a nice supply of yarn in the Nursery for making the Prayer Shawls.

If anyone is interested in learning how to knit or crochet Prayer Shawls, we will be pleased to teach you. Just attend a gathering!

The Paschal Candle

From the Pugh
February 25, 2016 newsletter

The Paschal candle is a large, white candle used at liturgy in the Western Rites of Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, etc.). A new Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, and is used throughout the Paschal season which is during Easter and then throughout the year on special occasions, such as baptisms and funerals.

The flame of the Paschal candle symbolizes the eternal presence of Christ, light of the world in the midst of his people; he who is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Alpha and Omega. The Paschal candle is sometimes referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle." The term "Paschal" comes from the word Pesach, which in Hebrew means Passover, and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation.

Description of the Paschal candle

For congregations that use a Paschal candle it is the largest candle in the worship space. In most cases today the candle will display several common symbols:

·         The cross is always the central symbol, most clearly identifying it as the Paschal candle

·         The Greek letters alpha and omega signify that God is the beginning and the end (from the Book of Revelation)

·         The current year represents God in the present amid the congregation

·       Five grains of incense (most often red) are embedded in the candle (sometimes encased in wax "nails") during the Easter Vigil to represent the five wounds of Jesus: the three nails that pierced his hands and feet, the spear thrust into his side, and the thorns that crowned his head.

In the medieval church Paschal candles often reached a stupendous size. The Paschal candle of Salisbury Cathedral was said to have been 36 feet tall. Today, in the United States and Southern Europe (e.g., Italy and France) the candle is approximately 2 inches in diameter and 36 to 48 inches tall; in Northern Europe the candle tends to be shorter in height (19 to 24 inches) and wider in diameter (3 to 5 inches).

The Paschal candle in the Easter Vigil

For churches that celebrate the Easter Vigil on the night of Black Saturday, the ceremonial lighting of the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the service.

On Maundy Thursday of the same week the entire church is darkened by extinguishing all candles and lamps. This represents the darkness of a world without God.

At the opening of the Easter Vigil a "new fire" is lit and blessed. The minister will trace the symbols (mentioned above) on the Paschal candle, saying words similar to: "Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending. To Christ belongs all time and all the ages; to Christ belongs glory and dominion now and forever. Amen."

The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit with a flame from this sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). As it is lit, the minister may say words similar to: "The light of Christ, rising in Glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."

Typically, the worshiping assembly in school then processes into the church led by the Paschal candle. The candle is raised three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ" to which the assembly responds "Thanks be to God." Following the procession the Exultet is chanted, traditionally by a deacon, but it may be chanted by the priest or a cantor. The Exultet concludes with a blessing of the candle:

Deacon chanting the Exultet next to the Paschal candle:

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God. (For it is fed by the holy melting wax, which the mother bee brought forth to make this precious candle.)  Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night!  May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning:  Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all humanity, your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.   Amen.