September 5, 2014

On Monday, September 8, you are invited to walk St. Philip's meditation labyrinth when the moon is full. The evening will begin at 8 p.m. with a brief introduction to labyrinths and a presentation on how to get the most out of your walk, followed by walking the labyrinth to meditative flute music. Gather in the church plaza (south of the church building), where the labyrinth is located. Fellowship and refreshments follow. In case of rain, the labyrinth walks are cancelled.

Urgent Need: After-School Music Program

Fellow St. Philippians, we have a desperate need. St. Philip's After-School Music Program opens tomorrow and we have NO Homework Volunteers for Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. We need four. We also need two van riders (one for Mondays and one for Thursdays). Van riders come at 2:15 and ride with Manny, the van driver, to Holloway and then Rio Vista, returning and off duty at 3:20 (just over an hour once a week). We still need a few piano practice teachers and two violin practice teachers. If you can share 2 hours a week to help these wonderful children please call right away or see me at coffee hour, Barby Goldschmid or call 237-8881. WE NEED YOU!!!

On Tuesday, September 9, at 6 p.m. in the Baptistry, you are invited to pray the Sarum Compline service. This meditative service is a consecrated moment to praise and give thanks to God, to listen to God's words, and to rededicate our life to God for the evening. The prayer service is usually about 20 minutes long. Compline is the last monastic prayer service of the day before the monks retire. The service will be sung in Gregorian chants, but knowledge of how to chant and how to read Gregorian chant notations is not necessary for attendance. Everyone is invited to join us to pray and reclaim this wonderful Anglican liturgical tradition.

Read Between the Bars (for which St. Philip's Prison Ministry collects books each first Sunday) has regular packing parties to fulfill book requests from inmates in the Arizona prison system. The next two parties are on Wednesday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday September 28, at 3 p.m. Donations of books, postage, or money towards postage are always appreciated, but certainly not required. Both events will be held in the guest house behind 2832 E. Edison St., Tucson, AZ 85716. For more information contact Laura Gutowski.

You are invited to join St. Philip's Prison Ministry and Old Pueblo Community Services on a bus tour to learn about OPCS and their work with former Department of Corrections inmates as they adjust to life in the community. See for yourself what Home looks like at OPCS. Tuesday, September 9, 11:30-1:00, starting at 3168 E. Kleindale. Box lunch served. To RSVP, contact Nancy Jones or call 989-8093.

Parents and children (newborn through 5th grade) are invited to St. Philip's first Parents Night In (PNI). PNI will be Friday September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Children's Chapel. Dinner will be served (at a low cost per person) and childcare provided. We will get to know one another and discuss future programs of interest. Please contact Ambur Mette with any questions. RSVP to Ambur by September 8.

Are you an adult in the first half of life looking for spiritual camaraderie? Spirit Lab is a casual gathering that meets first and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to talk about life and everyday spirituality. Join us as we discuss how faith plays into daily situations, with open discussions about Christianity in the modern world. Location: Desert Sage room. Contact Cosmo Spears or call 342-8998 for more information.

St. Philip's is hosting an Open House on Sunday, October 5, from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Please attend and bring a friend!

Come to the Open House to deepen your knowledge of the multitude of ministries offered at St. Philip's, engage with your fellow parishioners, and welcome guests who may be checking us out for the first time. We're showcasing our more than 90 inspiring ministries and classes, renowned worship music, and thriving children's and youth programs. Visitors can take a guided or a self-guided tour of the campus, and experience our stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, meditation labyrinth, fully stocked library, and renovated Children and Youth centers. The 9 and 11:15 services feature First Sunday Music - Schubert's Mass in C Major, D. 452. We will also have a Food Truck Round-up in the east parking lot!

To encourage community members to discover our wonderful church, we will all need to practice "invitational hospitality." Think about the people you know - your neighbors, co-workers, family members, friends from other activities - who might find meaning and joy at St. Philip's. Invite them to come with you! Post about the Open House on social media! You can also send them to the website to begin learning about who we are and the ways we serve each other and the community around us.

Members of St. Nicholas Choir and Schola Cantorum have been invited to be the resident choir at Worcester Cathedral July 18-24, 2016. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our choirs to sing daily evensong services in a magnificent and historic church. Please help make this trip possible for our young choristers by supporting our fundraising opportunities.

October Fest is our kickoff event on October 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. - a tasting party of British beers at the Serenidad Community Pool and Ramada. Tickets are $35. Look for our ticket table between services starting September 14, or tickets will be available online.   

On October 24 enjoy CABARET: British Invasion! - British music, champagne, and yummy desserts in the Bloom Music Center. Plus you'll have the chance to bid on some wonderful items in a silent auction.  Look for our ticket table between services starting September 28, or tickets will be available online.

On January 10, Woosug Kang plans a wonderful evening of organ selections -- Pipes, Pedals and Virtuosos:  Famous and Less-Known Corners of the Organ World.   

Add these dates to your calendars now and look for more information in the coming weeks.



Changes to the Sunday Hospitality Table are here - responsibilities will rotate among ministry groups, as coordinated by Ministry Commissioners. The ministry (or ministries) that host the table will give the announcements at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services.  This is an excellent opportunity for ministries to share their good work with parishioners and to recruit new members, as well as thanking parishioners for their financial support.

After the overwhelming success of the Parish Potluck Finger Food hospitality last year, a new feature has been added - periodic opportunities for all St. Philippians to host the table. Parishioners have been grouped according to their last name (A-F, G-L, M-R, and S-Z). Those who choose to do so will bring goodies for the hospitality table on those Sundays.

The first Parish Potluck Hospitality Table will occur on November 2 for all parishioners whose last name begin with A-F.  On December 21, parishioners whose last names begin with G-L will host the table. For families who choose to participate, input from various sources suggested that you bring food in three categories: 1. Sweet Treats; 2. Healthy Snacks (fruit, cheese, whole grain breads, low calorie muffins, gluten or peanut free snacks, etc.); 3. "Kid Friendly Snacks." If possible, food contributions should be at the table shortly after the 7:45 service so people attending that service can enjoy the food and hospitality.