The Rev. Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church, has appointed our Rector, the Rev. Canon John Kitagawa, to serve on the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns. The Commission is charged with develop recommendations and strategies regarding common ministry opportunities and concerns with other Provinces of the Anglican Communion as to the work of this Church and the Anglican Communion on issues of international peace with justice and to make recommendations pertaining thereto to the Presiding Bishop, the Executive Council and the General Convention. This is an area of interest to John, and he has served on the General Convention Legislative Committee on National and International Affairs for three Conventions. The term will be through General Convention 2015. We congratulate John on this significant assignment.

Sheldon Curry, who has been St. Philip's Composer-in-Residence for several years, has accepted a position at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to participate in various music  opportunities, including developing a new once-a-month series of outside-the-box worship services. We are most appreciative of Sheldon's contributions during his tenure as St. Philip's Composer-in-Residence, and we wish him and his family well at St. Andrew's.

In April, the Outreach Commission and Border & Immigration Ministries sponsored a Civil Conversation workshop. Response was so enthusiastic that they are organizing another opportunity to explore techniques and tools for starting those difficult conversations and responding to hostile rhetoric. "Civil Conversation # 2: It Starts with Me," will be held on Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the East Gallery. In this session, we'll focus on our own role and personal responsibility as individuals in creating an environment for productive communication. Learn new skills, develop a "tool kit" of strategies, and deepen your experience with the Circles process through one-on-one and small group experiences. Come prepared to participate, reflect, learn and enjoy this lively workshop! Ms. Catherine Tornbom, Director of the Center for Community Dialogue at Our Family Services, Tucson, will again be our leader. Ms. Tornbom has over 30 years' experience in organizational development and alternative dispute resolution. She is a dynamic and engaging facilitator. Registration fee of $15 includes lunch and materials. To register by June  26, call the office at 299-6421 or contact Suzanne. Checks may be made out to St. Philip's (memo "Civil Conversation") and delivered to the church office or mailed to St. Philip's, Attention: Suzanne/Border and Immigration, P.O. Box 65840, Tucson, AZ, 85728-5840.

Additional workshops coming soon!
Civil Conversation #3: Working Together -- Communication in Families, Groups and Teams (August 2013)
Civil Conversation #4:  Engaging in Community Connections (November 2013)
There are no prerequisites. Each session is stand-alone; you are encouraged to attend all.

... from Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." ... and from Matthew 25:36: "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
The Spirit of God is working in St. Philip's. A new ministry -- prescribed by Biblical imperative -- is forming. Would you like to share your experience and/or ideas? Let us know of your interest and ideas by taking this survey.
If you have been thinking of adding to your summer reading list -- why not check out what's new in the Renouf/Nelson Library at St. Philip's? The library is well known as an excellent source for Biblical research, but it also excels in many other areas of interest. The library committee would like to offer some ideas for your summer reading.

Due to the kind generosity of one of our parishioners we now have beautiful leather-bound volumes of classic literature in the Special Collections section of the East Bay of the library. Some of those classics include the well-known Ivanhoe, Moby Dick, and Don Quixote, to name just a few. We have also built resources for special ministries at St. Philip's, including Border & Immigration, Mental Health, and Elder Care. We are continually adding new titles, which can be found in the New Book display. These include Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander, M.D., The Future of Faith by Harvey Cox, A People's History of Christianity by Diana Butler Bass, God and Government in the Ghetto by Michael Owens, The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo, Radical Reliance -- Living 24/7 with God at the Center by Joseph M. Stowell, and many more.

We invite you to drop in, spend some time in a comfy chair, and be amazed at what you will find! Check us out!

Ron Lancaster's presentation on Sunday, May 26, "Hitch Your Wagon to a Star," has been posted on St. Philip's electronic publication, Good News. Read it here. Also be sure to go to the home page and check out other stories under Recent Posts and Archives.

St. Philip's is fielding a team for the Color Run in December, and you're invited to participate! This crazy, colorful, 5K run/walk event is less about speed and more about enjoying a color-crazy day with fellow parishioners and the Tucson community. The fun kicks off on Saturday, December 21, at 9 a.m. at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Registration is $35 if you do it before July 15. Our team name is St. Philip's Synesthesia. Click here for more information and to register and join our team. Or for more information contact Elizabeth. Join the fun!

All St. Philip's Gallery Show! The September 2013 show in the Murphey Gallery, beginning September 1, is an opportunity for all St. Philippians to showcase their artistic abilities (sorry, wall-hung work only). If you wish to participate, please pick up the Artist's Agreement and instructions from the office. If you have any questions, please contact Jo Ann Alldredge or call 307-3379, or Soame Dustin or call 577-1716.

"From Interior Journey to Outward Mission" -- all-Parish retreat, November 8-10. The Retreat will begin with a Friday evening potluck, then continue with lots of workshops for adults, teens, and children (plus nursery care), and conclude with Sunday lunch. Explore what God is doing in your life and how that is expressed in what you're doing in the world. Facilitated by the Rev. Susan Anderson-Smith and the Rev. Bill Roberts. Signups begin in September.

Applications are now being accepted for a new year of the Tacheria Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction. This two-year program for those called to the ministry of spiritual direction or for those who are yearning for answers to their spiritual questions and want to be able to do something with this yearning will begin in September 2013 and will continue on the second Saturday of every month through June at St. Philip's. The course encompasses the beliefs of many faith disciplines and is led by a diverse faculty representing those traditions. Learning in the school is both didactic and experiential.  The directors of the school are the Rev. Dr. Frank and Linda Williams. Enrollment is limited. Applications are due by July 1, 2013 and can downloaded here or can be requested by emailing Linda Williams or calling 297-6098.