Summer Forum Series Continue
Three more sessions: "Christian Holiness and Human Sexuality," at 10:15 a.m. June 16, 23, and 30 in La Paz (Room 10 on June 23). How can we as Christians combine sexual expression with Christian Holiness? How has the world changed over 5000 years of Judeo-Christian history, bringing changes in the discourse on the role of sexuality and marriage? Questions of Christian holiness, human sexual identity, and the church's role in blessing committed relationships will be discussed. Designed for LGBT and non-LGBT Christian individuals in the hope that as we open ourselves to the diversity of our many voices, we will learn to walk together as we listen for God's call to be faithful to all.



One more session: "The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness," at 10:15 a.m. June 16 in the East Gallery. We don't associate Scripture much if at all with happiness, but some parts of the Bible are very relevant to today's renewed interest in happiness and how to achieve it. Led by Julia Annas, Regents Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona, will look at "Jesus on Happiness: The Beatitudes." When Jesus says, in most translations, "Blessed are ... " the word he is using is better translated, "Happy are ... ". And we find a challenging approach to happiness.



Begins June 23: "Explore the Religious/Spiritual Component of Jazz," at 10:15 a.m. June 23 in the East Gallery (continues July 14 and July 28). From its earliest roots, jazz has had a religious footing. Session 1 will be an overview of jazz history with Leonard Bernstein's introduction to the specifics of jazz music. Session 2 will cover the religious phase of Duke Ellington's composing career. Session 3 will focus on Dave Brubeck and Mary Lou Williams, both Catholic converts, and their composing. The presenter, Tom Eiff, teaches the history of jazz at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arizona.



Fourth Sunday of each month: Mental Illness Ministry forums, at 10:15 a.m. in La Paz. June 23, "PTSD: A Sign of Our Times?" focusing on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. July 28, "In Our Own Voice," a unique public education program in which two presenters who are living with mental illness share their compelling stories.

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. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, told the media, "Faith leaders have a remarkable opportunity to shift the conversation, but it's very challenging, particularly in a larger society that wants to understand everything as a battle, as engaging the enemy, rather than with someone who might have something to teach us ..."

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.

You are invited to experience St. Philip's meditation labyrinth by the light of the full moon. The next full moon labyrinth walk will be Sunday, June 23, at 8:00 p.m., followed by refreshments and fellowship. Come enjoy this meditative, fun, and inspiring experience! Read more about St. Philip's labyrinth.

Those lazy, hazy, 3-digit-degree days of summer have rolled out. So the Parish Life Ministry is rolling out another dose of fun, food, and fellowship -- and Ice Cream -- to help you deal with the reality of living in Tucson in the summertime. Please join us in the Murphey Gallery on Sunday, July 7, for a sweet treat from 10:15 till 11:15 a.m. We promise multiple flavors of ice cream and a variety of toppings, including gummy bears. This will be a 4th of July celebration with red, white, and blue decorations and patriotic background music. Come one, come all, and we'll have a ... bowl of ice cream ... a time to visit with friends old and new ... and a time to celebrate our nation's independence.

This hearing, when Pima County officials decide which items will be on their 2014 bond election, will be Friday, June 14, 8:00 a.m., at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way. Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) supports a proposal for a literacy-training center which would house JobPath (jobpath.net) and Literacy Connects (literacyconnects.org) as part of an economic development plan. This center would create a synergy that can help thousands of people a year move out of poverty to become active middle-class taxpayers. The hearing will also hear proposals about affordable housing, neighborhood reinvestment, affordable housing, and open space/habitat protection. Contact the Rev. Leah Sandwell-Weiss or call 661-8696, if you're interested in attending or have any questions.


The Ash Mob, who shared ashes with folks at various locations on Ash Wednesday, is alive and well and has made plans to take prayer to the people. We will be at the Transit Center on Stone Ave. on June 27, July 11, and July 25, meeting first at the Starbucks at 405 E. Wetmore Rd. Ste. #107 at 7:30 a.m. We will have a sandwich board inviting people to pray with us. We plan to be available for about an hour each day. We invite any who are called to this sacred mission to join us. Contact Geri Smith or call 744-3230 for further information.

Read more about the Ash Mob's experiences on Ash Wednesday.


... 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.

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.

Read more about the Tacheria experience from a recent graduate.