November 14, 2014

Join Bishop Kirk Smith, Fr. Phil Jackson, Fr. Bruce Jackson, Fr. Jim Clark, and men's group lay leaders at Chapel Rock in Prescott for an event geared to strengthen men in their spiritual journey. The weekend includes prayer, insightful presentations, lay-led group discussions, and personal time. As a springboard into the discussions, presentations will be given by several lay leaders, including our own Richard Kuns, about the promise and shape of their lives. The works of Richard Rohr will be featured. If you have questions you may contact Richard at rkuns@ceoexpress.com. Friday, November 21, through Sunday, November 23. Cost (depending on accommodation) ranges from $50-$190. To register, click here. SIGN UP SOON!


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 for more information.

Together with members of the local immigration reform community, St. Philip's Border & Immigration Ministry invites you to meet at El Tiradito Shrine at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, to remember our brothers and sisters who perished or are lost in the desert and learn about recent developments in US immigration and border policies. El Tiradito Shrine is on Main St. between Simpson and Cushing Sts., south of the Tucson Community Center South Parking Lot. The vigil is sponsored by Derechos  Humanos and is held every Thursday at 7 p.m. Meet us at El Minuto Restaurant, Main and Cushing St., at 6 p.m. for dinner. We'll walk to El Tiradito Shrine for the vigil at 7. This is an early evening of fellowship, prayer and reflection. You can attend with friends and family or by yourself. For more information or to carpool from St. Philips contact Denise, BorderImmigrationMin@stphilipstucson.org.

The "Kirking o' the Tartans" will be celebrated at St. Philip's on Sunday, November 23, at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services. The Tucson Highlanders, a pipe band dedicated to the music of the great Highland bagpipes and Scottish-style drumming, will head the procession to and from the church. Scottish and nae-Scottish parishioners and visitors are encouraged to wear their tartans to this service. You will be invited forward at the conclusion of the service to have your tartans blessed. St. Philip's uses this occasion to celebrate the Scottish heritage of the Episcopal Church. At 9 and 11:15 a.m., the Eucharistic Prayer will come from the Scottish Prayer Book.


Gobble, gobble, gobble!  Join your St. Philip's family and friends for our annual Thanksgiving dinner in the Murphey Gallery following the 11 a.m. Thanksgiving  Eucharist, on Thursday, November 27. Parish Life will provide the turkeys and wine. Please come and bring one of the following dishes for 8 to 10 guests, based on your last name: A-B breads, C-H vegetables or salad, I-M potatoes or stuffing, N-T desserts, U-Z sauces including cranberry. And, mindful of those less fortunate, please also bring a nonperishable food item for the St. Philip's Food Pantry. You can let us know how many are in your party and what you will bring by signing up at the hospitality table. Bring your friends and come share delicious food and good company!

The Advent Festival of Lights service, entitled "Expecting Joy," will be held on Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. This annual candlelit service seeks to illuminate the feminine face of God, with a focus this year on Advent and anticipating the joy of God's works in us. The service will feature readings, prayers, instrumental music, and congregational singing. Prior to the service, beginning at 5:30 p.m., a light-fare potluck dinner will take place in the Murphey Gallery at St. Philip's. A freewill offering will benefit Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse.  Emerge! provides domestic abuse crisis intervention and housing, prevention and education, and support and advocacy services to women and children.  Emerge! is the largest domestic abuse shelter and provider of domestic abuse prevention programs in Southern Arizona (www.emergecenter.org).

Spend a few hours on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Teresa of Avila: Mentor for the Ages. Teresa of Jesus, OCD, known by many as Teresa of Avila, was a prominent 16th century Spanish mystic, saint, Carmelite nun, theologian and church reformer. Through the past 500 years, the faithful across countless Christian traditions have been inspired by Teresa's life of prayer and reform. This spacious and renewing day will include talks, prayer, music and time for reflection and contemplation. This day will appeal to all who yearn for an intentional day of spirituality in the midst of the Advent Season. Pilgrims planning to travel to Spain in 2015 will also find this day inspiring. This Advent day of prayer and reflection will be led by the Rev. Dr. Ivan Cormac Marsh, O. Carm, a Carmelite priest of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary since 1978 and now residing in Tucson. Over the years, Father Ivan has been involved in parish ministry, Carmelite retreat ministry and as spiritual director. Father Ivan lectures, gives retreats to laity and clergy around the United States, and has taught also in Canada in the area of spiritual direction. $25.00 retreat fee includes materials and lunch.  Scholarship assistance is available.  To register, send your check made payable to St. Philip's, with "Advent Retreat" on the memo line, to the attention of the Rev. Greg Foraker. Spiritual Formation.

Join the 20s/30s/40s Fellowship for a potluck Advent party on Saturday, December 6, from noon to 2 p.m. in La Parroquia (Palo Verde and Mesquite). Bring a dish to share, and please feel free to bring your family and/or a friend! For more information contact 20s30s40s@stphilipstucson.org.

Full moon labyrinth walks at St. Philip's In The Hills Episcopal Church are held monthly throughout the year. It is very special to walk the labyrinth to the gentle sound of water from the fountain and under a full moon. On Saturday, December 6, you are invited to walk St. Philip's meditation labyrinth when the moon is full. The evening will begin at 6:30 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. Afterwards, participants may remain for fellowship and refreshments. In case of rain, the labyrinth walks are cancelled.

St. Philip's Jewelry Program and the Southern Arizona Alchemists present a Holiday Jewelry Sale on Sunday, December 14, from noon to 5 p.m. in the East Gallery, featuring Exclusive Artisan Jewelry. What a great time to find those special gifts for the holidays! One Day Only. Please join us, find beautiful jewelry, unique gifts, and meet the artists who participate in our wonderful jewelry program right here at St. Philip's.

Read Between the Bars (for which the  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 party is on Sunday, November 30, at 3 p.m. Donations of books, postage, or money towards postage are always appreciated, but certainly not required. Held in the guest house behind 2832 E. Edison St., Tucson, AZ 85716. For information contact Laura Gutowski lgutowsk@hotmail.com



Thank you to the more than 30 people who joined us to make over 1000 lunches for Casa Maria and our prison ministries. The great donations of clothing will be appreciated this winter. Our next sandwich making is Saturday, December 6, beginning at 7:30 a.m. We are asking for 75 dozen Christmas cookies to go with the lunches, bagged in individual baggies. Bring them on Saturday morning, and stay to help us! Thanks.


St. Philip's parishioners are invited to join the Border and Immigration Ministry to witness Operation Streamline, the "fast track" legal process created for the purpose of deporting undocumented migrants.  Operation Streamline has received national scrutiny from advocacy groups for lack of legal due process and possible human rights violations against the defendants, including the use of shackles. You can stand in solidary with our brothers and sisters who are our neighbors by witnessing this court proceeding. We will attend Operation Streamline on Wednesday, December 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Carpool from St. Philip's departs at 12:30. To reserve space in the carpool, contact Bonnie Winn, BorderImmigrationMin@stphilipstucson.org. Bring an official photo ID; you will go through a metal detector and a security check. Cameras or any other form of electronic capturing, recording, broadcasting or transmitting devices are prohibited in the courtroom. The procedure will last 90 minutes to 3 hours. If you need to leave the courtroom before the proceeding is concluded you will not be permitted to re-enter. Citizen observers are almost always in attendance.

The Foundation for Episcopal Campus Ministry is seeking one or more St. Philippians to join its Board of Trustees. Our purpose is to "promote and foster spiritual life and development in the academic community by financial stewardship for the support of the Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Arizona and Pima College." We meet quarterly and hold an annual meeting in April. Trustees are expected to serve on one or more committees, which include: Nomination, Communications, Finance, Development, plus Ad-Hoc Committees as needed.  If you have an interest in this rewarding ministry or need more information, please contact Board President, Rex Call at krex55@me.com or 609-3368 (cell) or click here.