Sunday, December 4     

Next Sunday, December 4, our First Sunday Music will be Lessons & Carols for Advent, presented by St. Philip's choirs. Our guest preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Lucas Mix, Episcopal Chaplain at the University of Arizona. At the 9 a.m. service, we will recognize those choristers who earned their RSCM Bronze Medallion. Congratulations, Thomas Alexander, James Cockrell, Read Wilder, Chloe Harwood, Sarah Spurlin, and Amanda Higby! And, as is our custom on First Sundays you may bring offerings of nonperishable food for our First Sunday Food Drive. They may be left by the door in the Fishpond Garden. 

Thank you to those who purchased Christmas wreaths, swags, and garlands in October to support the J2A Pilgrimage in 2012. The J2A youth will be in the Perry Garden on Sunday, December 4, between the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services to assist you in picking up your wreaths. If you are unable to pick up your wreath on this date and time, please contact Gary Huckleberry  or call 615-2644 so that an alternative time and place can be selected.  

Two new Advent series begin on December 4. Both meet at 10:15 a.m. and continue through December 18. 

In "A Tapestry of Stars: The Brilliance and Joy of Advent, Artistic Visions of the Word made Manifest," Dr. Kevin Justus continues his investigation of how artists in the past dealt with depicting the mysteries of the Faith ... mysteries that are barely comprehensible to the most sophisticated philosopher, intellectual, or theologian. By an examination of several artists over several periods, these lectures will show how these remarkably different artists made visible the invisible. In the East Gallery.  Spiritual Formation. 

According to Socrates and the whole tradition of ancient philosophy, the unexamined life is not worth living. "The Examined Life," a renowned TV series, discusses a range of philosophically stimulating issues. Dr. Julia Annas, Regents Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona, facilitates discussion of three of these broadcasts, on ethical issues crucial to the way we live our lives. In the West Gallery. Spiritual and Theological Formation.

Outreach Commission Sponsors Forum on Torture 

Torture is a frightening and pervasive invasion of basic human rights.  Its use, even by elements of our own government, is a contentious issue and should trouble and challenge each citizen and certainly our Christian precepts.

The Center for Victims of Torture is a beacon of hope and healing in this worldwide phenomenon.  Since its inception twenty-five years ago in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Center has matured into an international organization dedicated to the physical, psychological and emotional healing of torture survivors.  It has healing centers in the U.S., Africa and the Middle East and has enabled more than 20,000 torture survivors to heal from their wounds and reclaim their lives.  It supports more than 50 colleague organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

The Outreach Commission invites you to attend a presentation by a representative of this organization at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, in the East Gallery.  It will last just over one hour and there will be light snacks, wine and other beverages.  Please take this opportunity to learn about this important issue. Included is a video which we are promised we will find "quite moving and filled with hope."  Questions?  Contact Chuck Converse or call 825-9118. 

Trumpet Spectacular!

St. Philip's Friends of Music presents "Trumpet Spectacular" on Thursday, December 8, at 7 p.m. in the Church. This celebration of all things trumpet (and a few other instruments) features Jason Carder, Jeff Haskell, and the University of Arizona Trumpet Ensemble led by Edward Reid, performing a wide array of music. The performance will be the first chance for fans of Jason Carder to hear some of the selections from his newly released CD, "Coming Home." Some of the music Jeff Haskell has written for the UA Trumpet Ensemble's numerous international trips will also be presented.

The concert concludes with a medley of seasonal music arranged by Jeff Haskell.

Admission is by donation to St. Philip's Friends of Music (suggested donation $15). Friends of Music provides support to the music program at St. Philip's, through sponsoring concerts, special musical events, commissions, scholarships, and community outreach programs. 

Sunday, December 11

On Sunday, December 11, from 10:15 until 11:30 a.m., experience a Bethlehem Marketplace in the plaza. Allow the children of St. Philip's to lead you back in time as you visit a bustling market in Jesus' day. Savor the aromas of the spice shop and fruit peddler. Stop by the bakery for warm bread; see the artisans hard at work. Pause for a refreshing cup of water at the well. Be sure to keep out of the way of the Roman Centurions as you linger! The sights, sounds, and smells of ancient Bethlehem will surround you in this spectacular interactive event.  

There will be a "Comfy Space" service at 9 a.m. on Sunday, December 11, featuring worship especially designed for those who tend to wiggle in church, and those who worship with them. The theme will tie in with the Bethlehem Marketplace. Held in the Music Center. 

Parishioners Present ...

The professional choir of Tucson Chamber Artists presents its immensely popular Christmas Lessons and Carols Concerts by Candlelight Saturday, December 17, 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 18, 2:00pm, at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church. In addition to traditional texts and choral pieces, the audience joins on favorite carols.  Click for tickets or call 401-2651.  St. Philippians participating include Laurel Decker, Doug Spurlin, Jeffrey Campbell, and Arizeder Urreiztieta.

Sonoran Bells, Tucson's first community handbell ensemble, presents "A Season of Joy." There are three opportunities to hear this group, on Sunday, December 4, at 3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church; on Tuesday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church; and on Tuesday, December 13, at 7 p.m. at St. Alban's Episcopal Church. Admission is by donation. here are some clips from previous concerts. St. Philippians include Allyn Baker and Arwen Newman.

PaperWorks, the Sonoran Collective for Paper and Book Artists, and one of the artists' guilds that meets at St. Philip's, presents their annual Holiday Show & Sell, on Thursday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Murphey Gallery. Media include paper, handmade books, cards, jewelry, totes, encaustics, water colors, prints, collage, fiber, photography, and mixed media. Treat yourself to unique pieces of art, and complete your holiday gift list with one-stop shopping! Click here for more information about the organization. St. Philippians who are members include Suzanne Hesh, Sue Agnew, and Mary Jane Henley.

Think Little Shop for Holiday Giving 

The Little Shop will be expanding its hours through the winter season. From now through Easter we will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (an extra hour through the lunch break). Please think of the Little Shop for your holiday gift giving. We have Christmas cards, advent calendars, advent wreaths, and even advent candles this year in addition to our regular stock. We have St. Philip's 75th Anniversary history book ($10) and "Still Cooking after 75 Years," put together by St. Philip's Altar Guild ($15). Also still available, St. Philip's Choirs' latest CD -- "Let Every Heart Prepare: Music for advent and Christmas." At only $15, it is a fine gift of seasonal music for friends and relatives near and far. 

We also have both of Sara Miles's books in stock so you can prepare for her visit in February. Remember that you shop tax free in the Little Shop, and that all profits go directly back to support St. Philip's.  

Outreach Opportunities  
The annual Children's Christmas Project collection is underway. This project provides an opportunity for parishioners to give a gift of cash to assist children in our partner schools. Last year your generosity provided $1000 for Imago Dei Middle School, $3000 for Holoway Elementary School and $3480 for Rio Vista Elementary School. This money, given as a Christmas gift from St. Philip's, was used by these schools to meet emergency needs of their students, which included new socks and underwear, assistance with rent and utilities, replacement eyeglasses, gift cards for groceries and other emergency food and clothing. The Outreach Commission believes that this annual Christmas giving is essential to St. Philip's mission of "doing God's work in the world."

The annual TIHAN Poz Cafe, a holiday dinner for people living with HIV/Aids, is coming up on December 15, and they are looking for volunteers to help serve the dinner, as well as toiletry items (toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, lotion, deodorant, tooth paste & brush,etc.) to give out at the dinner.  If you would like to help with the dinner, please contact Taina or call 299-6647.  Please bring any toiletry items to the church on Sundays and put them on the chest near the fish pond door into the church (where First Sunday food is left). Any questions, please email Nancy Atherton or call 269-0699. 

Don't forget to take advantage of State income tax credits for contributions to public and private schools. These are two separate credits so you can take advantage of both of them. Complete information is provided in fliers available at the church and on the Outreach page of St. Philip's web site (scroll down to "Education Ministries." For further information call Peg Anderson at 575-8929. 

You are invited to an important leadership position in St. Philip's largest Outreach ministry. Every four weeks we prepare 750 box lunches for the hungry people at Casa Maria and 100 lunches for Primavera. A guided training period is guaranteed! Interested parishioners call Don Innis at 742-6934, or Ray Gamache at 529-8296, or the Rev. Gregory Wyes at 299-0435. The reward is great! Matthew 25.34: Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food."

The Casa Maria sandwich-making ministry needs 80 dozen Christmas cookies for our December 10 lunch-making session (7:45 a.m.). Please bring them (packaged individually in snack-size Baggies) to the work session that day. Thanks!

On November 17, St. Philip's received a check for $3,000 from the Diocese of Arizona. The funds were from the Virginia M. Lawrenz Family Trust, which stipulated that they be used to support feeding ministries in Tucson. Our congregation was recommended for this award by the Program Committee of Episcopal Community Services. The funds will go to the Casa Maria sandwich-making ministry.  

2011 Outdoor Art Show Raised over $12,000 Profit!

Thanks go out to all who helped make the 2011 Outdoor Art Show a great success, including our hard working youth and their parents, the Phixers (Ray, Don and Dave), and all the parents and patrons who helped out over the two day show. Special thanks to my hubby for his patience and Bonnie Flint for finding us such great musicians. $6,000 will go to the youth groups to support the Spy Mission Trip, the J2A Pilgrimage, and Rite 13 Activities. This does not include the money raised at the J2A Cafe, or from the water and T-Shirt sales. $6,000 will go to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for use towards maintenance of our historic facility. This will include a sum of money to replace the batteries in our aging golf cart, and a sum to the Phixers for a project of their choice.
 
This is my last Outdoor Art Show for St. Philip's, as my husband and I are moving, and we still have not had folks step up to take over the reins. I hope that someone will do so before we leave town. I've filtered it down to an easy system and would be happy to review it with anyone interested in taking over.

It has been wonderful supporting the Artists of Tucson and helping raise money for our Church. Thank you so much!

Tailgate Rummage Sale Continues To Be Successful
Despite heavy overnight rain and very cool morning temperatures vendors and buyers showed up at around 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, ready for some great deals. The vendors opened up their car boots/ trunks, popped up their card tables and displayed their merchandise in an eye-catching way to attract shoppers. We sold 16 car spaces at $25 per space. The rummage sale was organized by Alison Lee and set up by the youth groups and their parents. Many of the items sold were from Dan Behling's estate. The rummage sale made $800 to be divided among the youth groups. At the end of the morning, donated and unsold articles were picked up by the Assistance League of Tucson.  We did an informal survey of the vendors  and they all told us they had a fun day, they made some money, and they want to know when we can do this again. We plan on having another Tailgate/Rummage Sale some time in March. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the After School Music Program, Outreach Ministries, and Children, Youth, and Family Ministries.

At their October meeting, the Vestry approved a motion from the Rector that St. Philip's apply to participate in the Diocese of Arizona's Youth Ministry Apprenticeship program. This program, funded by a grant received by the Diocese, matches young persons called to a vocation in youth ministry with parishes seeking to grow their youth ministry programs. This will provide to St. Philip's a full-time Youth Minister, who is concurrently developing tools for ministry via training, mentoring, and networking from the Canon for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the Rev. Matt Marino. Funding over the five years of the program will be shared between the Diocese and St. Philip's, on a sliding scale, with the program paying most of the costs in the first two years (the training period) and St. Philip's taking on more financial responsibility in the following years.  

Matt introduced and explained the program to the Vestry at their September meeting. A striking set of statistics was the demographics of the geographic area around St. Philip's, with the largest "slice of the pie" in the 30-45 age group, a proportion that is under-represented at St. Philip's and, indeed, in churches as a whole. Studies have shown that this particular generational group is highly invested in their children's welfare, especially with providing them tools to deal effectively with the challenges they face, and many consider a church youth group to be a valuable resource. The thinking goes that if youth are actively involved in a church youth program, the parents will follow - but the youth need to be contacted, invited, and engaged. Hence, this program seeks to develop young leaders who are self-starters and have an "entrepreneurial" approach to ministry development (as Matt said, to borrow from the evangelical churches their "methodology without their theology.") According to their Vision Statement, participants aim to be Christ-centered youth ministers who use their spiritual gifts to build and equip teams of volunteers to join in going where youth are to proclaim the gospel of Christ and to guide, serve, and disciple youth in the Anglican tradition.

Alison Lee, Interim Commissioner for Youth as well as a Vestry member, is clearly thrilled at this step. "There has been energy in the Youth Program from the many dedicated volunteers, and for the much-appreciated help and support given by all. It is even more exciting now given the news that the Vestry voted to apply to the Diocesan Youth Ministry Apprenticeship program for a Youth Minister Apprentice ... Thank you to John for bringing Matt Marino, Diocesan Canon for Youth, to our September meeting to begin the discussion about the importance of youth and their families to a parish, and for spearheading the discussion in Vestry. Thank you to the Vestry for listening with open hearts and strong questioning, to ensure that we move forward with clear vision."

The Apprentice Board interviews potential Apprentices in February, and names of appropriate candidates are forwarded to the parish to be interviewed beginning in March. If an Apprentice is called to St. Philip's, work responsibilities will begin the following June. The next step for St. Philip's is to pray for the Holy Spirit to work in our midst to bring about this exciting possibility, which will increase our ability to do God's work in the world.  

Read more about the program.