Sunday, October 24
Blessing of the AnimalsAt 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 24, in the Plaza, we will celebrate Tucson's longest-running Blessing of the Animals service. This observance was begun more than 30 years ago and continues to be one of the most popular events of the church year. It celebrates the loving relationship shared by humans and their pets. All types of animals are welcome at this service. Participants are asked to keep their pets appropriately restrained. (This service does not include communion. The usual Sung Eucharist Rite II service will take place in the Church, also at 9 a.m.)
Organ Series: Bach and the Dance of GodOrganist Jeffrey Campbell begins a four-concert survey of the great chorale preludes of Johann Sebastian Bach on Sunday, October 24, at 3 p.m. This series showcases the genius of J. S. Bach and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the magnificent Holtkamp pipe organ at St. Philip's. The concert includes chorales from the "Orgelbuchlein" or "Little Organ Book" for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, as well as several free works to round out the program. The chorale preludes of Bach show the greatest compositional mastery of form and ornamentation, and offer opportunity for the performer to display all the various soloistic possibilites of the organ. The series continues in 2011 in January, March, and May. Admission is by donation to St. Philip's Friends of Music.
Lay PreachersIn a departure from custom, a different lay person will speak in place of a clergy sermon at each of the services on Sunday, October 24 (and also November 7). Each has a story to tell. It is exciting that ten parishioners readily accepted the invitation to share their stories about the ways lives have been touched, changed, and transformed in Christ at St. Philip's. The downside is that unless you come to all ten services over the two Sundays, you will not get to hear each of their witnesses. Lay preachers for October 24 include Eric Rau at 7:45 a.m.; Ali McCallum at 9 a.m.; Linda Dewey at 11:15 a.m.; Sharla Darby at 4 p.m.; and Brigid Waszczak at 5:30 p.m.
Phixers Phorums: "Changing of the Seasons"
St. Philip's Phixers' fourth Sunday home maintenance workshop series continues this fall. On October 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the East Gallery, Chris Boyer from ACE Hardware will discuss fall herbicides, pesticides, soil amendments, and overseeding lawns for winter.
Dia de los Muertos at St. Philip's
El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an event celebrated in many Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico. Day of the Dead is a time to remember and honor the deceased and is usually characterized by
ofrendas, or offerings, which are shrines or altars constructed to present offerings to the spirits. Since
Dia de los Muertos is considered to be a celebration of eternal life rather than a sad event,
ofrendas usually reflect whimsical portrayals of the dead as they were when they were living. Starting on October 25, St. Philip's invites you to remember your departed loved ones by contributing to an
ofrenda, which will be set up in the Columbarium Garden through November 1. Photographs, meaningful objects and memorabilia, and (pre-approved) candles are all suitable offerings. Candles on which you may write your loved one's name are available in the office for a small donation.
The
ofrenda will be used in conjunction with two special services. On
Sunday, October 31, at 9:00 a.m., there will be a family-friendly "Comfy-Space" service in the Columbarium Garden. The October 31 service will explore the holistic circle of death and life, forever changing, forever beginning, and will include an art activity, a procession, drumming with various rhythm instruments, prayers, and communion. "Comfy Space" worship is designed for people who like to wiggle in church and those who worship with them.
On
Monday, November 1, St. Philip's will celebrate All Souls' Day (one day early) with a special Memorial Eucharist at 7:00 p.m. Particular attention will be given to remembering those who have died within the past two years, but we will celebrate all of our loved ones enjoying eternal life in the nearer presence of God. We invite families to remember their loved ones by lighting one of the votive candles found outside the church door prior to the service and placing it on the altar. The service concludes with a procession into the Columbarium Garden for candle lighting and prayers. Afterwards, the celebration of life continues with a festive reception sponsored by the Parish Life Ministry.
Groove to Music of the '50s/'60sAlumni of the Princeton Nassoons, Princeton's oldest a cappella singing group, present ballads and popular songs from the '50s and '60s on Friday, October 29, at 7 p.m. in the Church. The Nassoons have been in existence at Princeton since 1941, and tryouts are intensely competitive. Nassoons from the '50s and '60s have been performing together at reunions since the late 1990s, singing repertoire from the "good old days." We are fortunate that this year's reunion is in Tucson and they will perform for us. Admission is by donation (suggested donation $15).
Build with the RectorOn October 30 and November 14, members of St. Philip's can sign up to work with our Rector at the current Habitat for Humanity homes started at Building Freedom Day on 9-11-10. Please contact Dani Hitchcock, 573-7740, to sign up for one of these dates. Go to the Habitat for Humanity Tucson
web site (scroll down) for a peek at Building Freedom Day 2010.
St. Philip's Outdoor Art Show 
On Saturday, October 30, and Sunday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy St. Philip's annual Outdoor Art Show. Watch over 100 of southern Arizona's finest artists create with paint, fiber, steel, and flame! Listen to music and enjoy great food at the J2A Café, offered for sale by St. Philip's youth groups. New this year, The American Fine Craft Courtyard features art demonstrations in different media. Support your local artists and complete your Christmas Shopping early! Be sure to invite your friends.
St. Philip's Outdoor Art Show is the featured trailhead on the Tucson Art Trail. Ride the trail from the galleries downtown to the Foothill's Gallery Row all weekend -- all trails lead to St. Philip's! Trail Passes are available from Sharon Mann 301-6143.
Library Book SaleThe used book sale sponsored each year by the Renouf/Nelson Library at St. Philip's is just around the corner: Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The book sale encourages readers of all ages and lends itself to making St. Philip's a reading church. Proceeds from the sale enable the library to keep current on new acquisitions for the collection. Book donations for the sale are always welcome. Drop them off in the library. And don't forget to come and shop!
End of Life ConferenceCasa de la Luz presents their tenth annual End-of-Life Conference, entitled "The Healing Power of Grief," on Friday, November 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The featured speaker is Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a noted author, educator, and grief counselor, whose address is entitled "Exploring Transformation: Out of the Dark, Into the Light." There are also three workshop sessions. The conference qualifies for some continuing education credits for professional care workers. For more information or to register online, see Casa de la Luz's
web site.
Trunk Sale November 13Do you have extra items around your house but don't want to bother with having a garage sale? St. Philip's is having a trunk sale on Saturday, November 13. A trunk sale is a one-day sale event that you handle yourself. Fill up your car trunk with your items and come to St. Philip's north parking lot at 7:30 a.m. You will be in charge of sales out of your own vehicle. You take in the profits of your sales and when you are done, you pack up or donate your stuff (there will be donation boxes available). The fee is $25 per car for your space (more for vans and trucks) and will be paid to the committee on the day of the sale. That is the only cost to you. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to participate, and to come and shop! For more information call 742-1398 or
email.
Sign Up, Volunteer to Help with Presiding Bishop's Visit
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop, is making an historic visit to St. Philip's on Sunday, February 6, 2011. In addition to services in which she will be participating that day, we will celebrate her visit with a Gala Banquet that evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the University of Arizona Student Union Ballroom, showcasing St. Philip's Outreach ministries. The PB Planning Committee will very soon be taking reservations and is currently seeking an early commitment of attendance and support for this dinner celebration. The dinner will cost $30 per person (including coffee/tea), and drink coupons will be available for advance purchase for $3 for soft drinks and $5 for wine/beer. Parking will be free in UA garages. We welcome all Episcopalians and interested public in the greater Tucson area and beyond. You have the opportunity to be among the first to sign up for this memorable event. There are also opportunities available to underwrite specific expenses for the banquet. E-mail
Raymond Dewey or call 578-9066, or sign up on Sundays at the 75th Anniversary table. If you are interested in working on the banquet committee (decorations, programs, other arrangements) please contact Cecilia Hunter by
email or call 319-1256.
This fall at St. Philip's we are exploring how we can cross over from hearing to doing God's word. We invite you to seek answers through the many spiritual, educational, musical, and ministry opportunities at St. Philip's. 
St. Philip's oldest youth group, SPY, traveled to the Navajo Nation last summer for their annual mission trip. Join our youth on Sunday, October 17, in the East Gallery, as they share their construction and demolition experiences on the reservation. Hear and see how their time among the Navajo opened their eyes and changed their perspectives about poverty and mission work. Support our remarkable youth as they represent St. Philip's in mission. 
On Sunday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m., St. Philip's Lay Eucharistic Ministers will gather for a potluck and time of sharing in the East Gallery. As you put the words of faith into action, have you ever considered participating in a ministry of taking communion to those who cannot make it to services due to health issues? If so, we would be happy to have you join the LEMs to learn more about this ministry, which reflects the work of the Church since the first generations of Christians gathered two thousand years ago. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Cabaret, the ever-popular Friends of Music fundraising event, titled "That's Entertainment!," returns on Friday, October 22 for its 13th year. Presented by the adult choirs at St. Philip's, the show features solos and ensemble numbers by St. Philip's talented vocalists, with the piano stylings of Mary Baker, Bonnie Bird, and Jeffrey Campbell. The music is taken from the pop and Broadway genres, and allows choir members to "let down their hair" and show the facets of their personalities that are not normally seen on Sunday mornings. The evening begins at 6:15 p.m. with an outdoor "spread" of hors d'oeuvres and libations. The show begins at 7:00 in the Bloom Music Center. Come early so you don't miss any of the fun! The suggested donation is $25 per person.
One of the products of the House of Bishops meeting in Phoenix in September was the creation of a "Pastoral Letter" on the topic of immigration. The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, Bishop of Arizona, commends it to us, along with the accompanying 17-page theological resource, for reading and study. Copies of the theological resource are available in the library for your perusal, or you may access links to both publications by clicking 
Last Sunday, St. Philip's Green Team joined organizations worldwide to sponsor a "green" event on 10/10/10. Their "Action for the Earth" workshop included planting trees on St. Philip's campus. Read about it 
Stewardship Witnesses
