After-School Program Hosts Gifted Pianist
After-School Program participants listened raptly last Wednesday to a recital performed by Cameron Williams, an outstanding pianist their own age. Cameron is in the 5th grade at Tucson Waldorf School and has been studying piano for two and a half years. Beginning as a student of Kay Couch, a parishioner and After-School Program volunteer, he now studies with Dr. Kim Hayashi. After deftly performing several advanced-level Mozart and Schumann selections, he treated the audience to one of his own compositions, which was rhythmically, harmonically, and melodically sophisticated. He participates in the Tucson Symphony's Young Composers Project and may someday have one of his compositions performed by the Symphony. In addition, he plays jazz in a combo through the Tucson Jazz Society's Jazz Institute. Cameron was poised and serious while performing, and engaging and self-possessed during the question-and-answer session afterwards. At first the questions were fairly routine, such as "how long have you been playing" and "how much do you practice" (an hour and a half to hours a day) (every day?) (six to seven days a week), and then a prescient After-School participant asked him "do you enjoy playing the piano or do you love it." He paused thoughtfully and said "I think those are two different questions, and the answer to both of them is 'yes.' I enjoy playing the piano and I also love it." Exposure to a young musician of Cameron's caliber is the type of opportunity that the After-School Program is able to offer, through your support.

 

There are many ways to help the After-School Program, through donations of various types and through volunteering. To find out more, e-mail Laura Rubbo  or call 299-6561.
 
Growing Border and  Immigration Ministry at St. Philip's
Across the country, congregations and parishes of all denominations are responding in faith to the urgent need  for ministry presence on the US-Mexico border and for comprehensive  immigration reform. United States  immigration laws and their enforcement are inconsistent, ineffective and inhumane. This painful reality has resulted in  deadly consequences and impacts people on  both sides of the US-Mexico border. 
 
Our faith heritage calls us to welcome the stranger among us and to honor, respect and care for the alien in our land. Christians who live and worship in the Southwest  have a unique challenge and an unprecedented opportunity to witness, educate and advocate for local, regional and national immigration reform. Together, let's walk with Christ along a border that can one day  be a place of hope and opportunity for all.
 
On Thursday, April 8, 7 - 8:30 pm, La Paz Room, we will hold the inaugural meeting of St. Philips  Border and Immigration Ministry Core Team. Bring your concerns, commitment and ideas.  E-mail Suzanne Hesh or call 325-4469;  or Bill Kruse or call 520 548-7426.

Greening Our Faith
As part of the Parish's "greening our faith," work is going on to change the lights on campus to more energy-efficient bulbs. The passageways have condensed florescent lights now. In order to continue to "go green and save 'green'," your Green Team is looking for electricians to do some pro bono work to modernize  our overhead florescent lights. A parishioner is providing the new type of lights but needs an electrician for the installation. If you can help, e-mail Pat Dunford or call 327-3891.

Events of Interest @ Interfaith Community Services
St. Philip's is a member congregation of Interfaith Community Services, an agency that serves the needs of the elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged in the greater Tucson area.

Healthy Living: Managing Ongoing Health Conditions:  ICS will host this 6-week class provided by Pima Council on Aging. Wednesdays, April 21 through May 26, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Interfaith Community Services, 2820 W. Ina Rod. Participants will learn skills to manage ongoing health conditions and feel better. Suggested donation is $6 per person or $10 per couple for the course and a book. For more information and to pre-register, call PCOA at 790-7262 or online at www.pcoa.org. 

ICS is once again hosting a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program site this year in partnership with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.  Volunteer trained tax preparers will prepare tax returns free of charge to eligible low-income families and individuals.  The ICS site is open Wednesdays from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary; clients are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more information about the VITA program, visit www.unitedwaytucson.org or call the ICS office at 297-6049.
 
ICS has expanded the hours of its Food Bank to include Saturdays.  In addition to being open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, the ICS Food Bank is now also open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.  Food donations will also be accepted during the Saturday hours.