St. Philip's is joining with Pima County Interfaith Council to offer a panel discussion exploring the Affordable Health Care Act, on Sunday, October 13, from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. There is a lot of hype and drama going around about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as ObamaCare. By now you are probably getting mixed information about what the law actually is and how it will affect you. Get answers--for yourself and others! Find out what the experts say on this timely topic. There will be a PowerPoint presentation, panel discussion, and a question/answer session. The panel of distinguished speakers includes Karen E. Leonard, VP of Business Development, UA Health Plans, and Dennis Regnier, President/CEO, CODAC Behavioral Health Services. The forum will be held in the Murphey Gallery.

On Saturday evening, October 19, at 7 p.m. in the Church, Friends of Music presents the famous silent film "Nosferatu," with music provided by seven-time Grammy award winner Dorothy Papadakos improvising on the pipe organ. Dorothy is familiar to St. Philippians as a former guest clinician and composer of service music. Followed by a festive Hallowe'en reception. This is a special ticketed event: tickets are available online.



An Ofrenda will be installed in the Columbarium Garden on October 21 in honor of the Mexican holiday called Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. Ofrendas, which means offering in Spanish, are set up to honor the memory of departed ancestors. After the Ofrenda is set up, everyone is invited to participate by bringing photos or mementos relating to loved ones. Contact Stella at extension 30 for more information.

The Ofrenda will remain up until after our All Souls Day memorial service on Saturday, November 2, at 7 p.m. We particularly remember those who have died within the past two years, and we celebrate all of our loved ones enjoying eternal life in the nearer presence of God. The service concludes with a procession into the Columbarium Garden for candle lighting and prayers. The celebration of life continues with a festive reception in the Perry Garden sponsored by the Parish Life Ministry.

Fuentes Rojas (Red Fountains) originated in Mexico City in 2011 to raise visibility for the victims of the US-Mexico Drug War that has resulted in systemic violence in Mexico.  To make their voice public the members of Fuentes Rojas formed Bordando por la Paz (Embroidering for Peace) to create a memorial for every victim of drug war violence. The memorials display information about the victim's death in words hand-embroidered with red thread on a man's white handkerchief. The movement has spread around the world to Latin America, Europe, Asia and the US. Join us for a taller (workshop) on Sunday, October 27, 1-3 pm,  at the Labyrinth Fountain at St. Philips. Together we'll each embroider, in red thread on a white handkerchief, known details of the victim's death based on police records. Instruction will be provided. We'll discuss plans for future public embroidery events. You are invited into a movement of remembrance and solidarity with our neighbors who struggle each day to survive the US-Mexico Drug War in their communities. For more information and to receive a simple and inexpensive supply list, contact Suzanne or call 325-4469. Read more about Fuentes Rojas here.

A quiet day will be held here on Saturday, November 2, open to all women of the church. The event is sponsored by Faith Chapter of Daughters of the King, and will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end after lunch. We will have a wonderful and thoughtful presentation on prayer, led by the Rev. Jean Rogers. There will be time for meditation and reflection before the Eucharist at 11:30. The Rev. Vicki Hesse will celebrate and preach. Lunch will follow the Eucharist. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $12. For more information, please contact Jean Windmiller, or you may make your reservation at the front desk when the office is open.

Casa de la Luz Foundation is presenting its 13th annual End of Life Conference entitled "Healing Journeys: Pathways through Loss and Grief" on Friday, November 8, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Frank Williams will be the keynote speaker. Registration is $65 (by October 11) and then $75 (until November 4). For more information and to register click here and choose "Event Calendar." Please join us for a day of inspiration and renewal!



Attention colorful St. Philippians -- 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 mostly 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 $40 until October 15. Our team name is St. Philip's Synesthesia. To join our team, click here. For more information contact Elizabeth. After you register, send Elizabeth your t-shirt size so she can order custom shirts to wear on race day!



Join our Rector on an inspiring journey of faith! We will visit the major Christian sites, with a brush with ancient and modern Israel. It is an opportunity to get better acquainted with Jesus of the Bible, and to deepen one's own faith. There will be an opportunity to renew Baptismal vows in the River Jordan, and to renew marriage vows in Cana. The dates for this memorable pilgrimage are 11-23 June 2014, meaning departure from USA on 11 June 2014, arriving in Israel on 12 June 2014; and leaving Israel on 22 June 2014 and arriving in the USA on 23 June 2014. For more information and itinerary, click here or contact John Kitagawa  or Greg Foraker. Two information sessions have been scheduled: Sunday, October 27, at 10:15 a.m., or Monday, October 28, at 5:30 p.m. Both will cover the same information, so choose the date and time most convenient for you.

The ever-popular Renouf/Nelson Library's Used Book Sale is right around the corner (November 2 and 3, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.). The Library Committee gratefully accepts donations of used books to sell at the Sale. All profits go towards the purchase of materials for the Library. Please bring your book donations directly to the Library.

Do you enjoy taking notes? If so, you might consider becoming the recording secretary for the Preservation & Endowment Foundation. Once a month (September-May), P&E meets at 4 p.m. in Dick Duffield's conference room at 3430 E. Sunrise Drive. Meetings run for an hour to an hour-and-a-half. For more information call Nina Bell Allen-Langley or call 797-6577.
Two parishioners have submitted unsolicited stories about what St. Philip's means to them, and we'd love to have more! YOUR stories can help bring the JOY of St. Philip's alive, both on paper and electronically. Please consider sending your stories of the JOY you've experienced through doing God's work in the world at St. Philip's. Maybe it's 100 words (which can run in the bulletin), or a longer piece for our "Good News" publication. Send to parishnews@stphilipstucson.org.

If you have ever been in the hospital, you know how reassuring it is to have a visit from your church. Our clergy visits hospitalized parishioners every Tuesday and Thursday, but we have few clergy and many members. We are fortunate that some St. Philip's parishioners volunteer to go to hospitals in their neighborhoods (Northwest, Central or East) to visit hospitalized St. Philippians on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Join this needed and personally fulfilling ministry. To discuss or volunteer, please contact Jim Prescott-Smith or call 577-3779.

Are you caring for an elder who is demanding, difficult, or belligerent? Are you struggling with siblings who criticize you yet don't share in caring for your elderly family member? A caregiver support group helps alleviate caregiver stress and frustration.  Our group of family caregivers shares experiences, exchanges information, and, with the help of the facilitator, devises strategies for dealing with difficult behaviors, insurance forms and other conflicts and tensions that come with caregiving. Come join the discussion! Two groups are offered at St. Philip's: first and third Wednesdays of every month, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in Salvia; and second and fourth Thursdays of every month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Salvia. St. Philip's-Pima Council on Aging Family Caregiver Support Groups are FREE and open to all family caregivers.  Email Brigid or Shannon for more information.