January 15, 2015

This Sunday, January 18, our monthly Choral Evensong will be held at 4:00 p.m. Evensong is rooted in one of the daily monastic services that date from the medieval period, and our Evensong is based on the service that has been sung from the Book of Common Prayer from the 16th Century. This month Schola will sing Canticles by Herbert Sumsion, and the festive anthem "A child is born in Bethlehem" by Samuel Scheidt. This service provides the congregation time to reflect, transition from day into evening, and participate in a spiritual journey led by the choir. The service, which lasts about 45 minutes, is followed by a 30-minute organ recital, featuring Jeffri Sanders, organist at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Tucson, who will perform masterworks for organ from the Romantic era.



Happy Birthday to us! We are one year old this month! In celebration, on Sunday, January 18, at 12:30 p.m. in the Children's Chapel, we'll serve two birthday cakes-one chocolate and the other white with champagne frosting. This transformational gathering of women, where we tell our stories and truths without judgment, betrayal, or rejection, bonds us in intimacy and trust. We listen our souls and selves into discovery, mirroring Sophia's deep divine energy. When we speak our own truths, we speak Sophia's truth. No teachers or gurus. Wisdom arises naturally from within the group. No agendas. No RSVP. No charge. Women of all denominations or no denomination are welcome. See you Sunday!

The Church, office, and campus will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Alarms will be activated. The office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Join St Philip's Elder Circle, the 3rd Wednesday of each month (new meeting day), at 10:30 a.m. in Room 10. Who are elders? Wisdom-keepers, sages who make compassion the ruling principle of their actions, and who serve with a multigenerational perspective. (Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Age-ing to Sage-ing, A Profound New Vision of Growing Older.) Elders become wisdom-keepers over time with the support of a like-minded people. Become an elder, sage, guide, mentor, and agent of healing and reconciliation. Engage in conversation of genuine depth where the asking of questions is more crucial than getting answers. See you Wednesday, January 21!



Wineaux*? Bible pro? Let's go! Wine Study & Bible Tasting meets Sunday, January 25, at the home of John and Brigid Waszczak from 5 to 7 p.m. Our sommelier will guide you through a line-up of 4-5 wines while our scripture scholar offers easily digested Bible bites for free-flowing discussion. Open to adults 21 years and older. Please bring a bottle of wine to share. Tasting wines are provided. Enjoy fun, faith, and celebration with this "spirited" group. Reservations required! We fill up fast -- reserve your space now! RSVP: email or call 577-7792. Directions will be provided when you RSVP.
*Wineaux: lovers of wine who tend to gather in herds at wine tastings--especially free ones (coined by the president of the Pittsburgh Wine Festival).

Temple Emanu-El invites parishioners to join them for the January class on Shmita, the Sabbatical Year, taught by Rabbi Richard Safran of Temple Emanu-El and the Rev. Greg A. Foraker of St. Philip's, on Tuesday, January 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with the topic "Blessing our Food-as Individuals and as a Community." One of the values the Sabbatical Year (Shmita) asks us to practice on a daily basis is embracing the land and our food, but exactly how do we meet these challenges of Shmita today? We will explore the questions, "How is conversation over food different from conversation not over food?" "What do you think the impact of saying a blessing before you eat has been (or could be) on your life?" Our teachers will help us answer such questions focusing on blessings, gratefulness and how we think about food. Registration for the class is $10. Participants can register by calling Temple Emanu-El at 327-4501. You may also pay at the door.

On January 31, 9 a.m. to noon, we invite all Commissioners and Lay Ministry Team Leaders (and anyone who would like to become a ministry team leader) to join this important workshop, where we will learn about affirming and recognizing the gifts of volunteers. We will review essential components of bringing in new members to our ministries: finding, inviting, motivating, describing the position, training, appreciation and evaluation.  As a lay leader, if you have ever thought, "This is a great ministry -- I wonder how we can get more people to participate?" then this workshop is for you. For more information contact the Rev. Vicki K. Hesse or the Rev. Greg A. Foraker.

Just in time for Valentine's Day -- join the Rev. Vicki K. Hesse, trained Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, for a Couples' Workshop on Friday evening, February 13, and Saturday, February 14. At this invigorating workshop, we will explore relationship dynamics in general and provide each couple a customized assessment with insights to your specific relationship. This process encourages heart-to-heart conversations that are the key to understanding your partner and developing a deeper, healthier relationship. Optional participation in the "Renewal of Vows" service at 11 a.m. on Saturday February 14.  It doesn't matter whether you are engaged, married, cohabitating, newlyweds or long time couples, if you are in a committed relationship (gay or straight), Prepare/ Enrich will give you the tools you need to get the most from your relationship. Happy Valentine's Day! For more information and to register, contact the Rev. Vicki K. Hesse. Pre-workshop assessment (online) required for participation, personal cost of $35. Workshop is offered for $20 to cover materials, scholarships available.

St. Philip's will hold a renewal of marriage vows and commitment promises on Saturday, February 14, at 11 a.m. If you are interested in participating, please call the church office to sign up. This is a wonderful way to share with your family the celebration of a joyous occasion. Read about previous services here and here.
Every year our winter resident members (may we call you Snowbirds?) gather at Saucy Cutlip's for an afternoon of chit chat and getting to know other birds of a feather. All Snowbirds, both current and ex, are cordially invited. So are year-round parishioners; we all love it when you join us. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, February 8, 3 to 5 p.m. Please call Saucy at 572-6611 to RSVP and receive directions to her house. Our guests always make this such a fun gathering so don't miss out!

A few spaces are still available for our next parish pilgrimage for adults May 4-18, 2015, to walk the pilgrimage road to Santiago, Spain, with the Rev. Greg Foraker. After beginning our pilgrimage in Avila at the 500th anniversary of St. Teresa's birth, our group will travel north to make the journey from Roncesvalles to Santiago. Along the way villages, towns, and cities will inspire our journey, and sacred places will stir our spirits. This active walking pilgrimage involves vigorous physical activity including the ability to walk 5-7 miles, climb steep hills, and be "on one's feet" for several hours on many days. For more information about this inspiring journey, contact the Rev. Greg Foraker. Read about the experiences of previous El Camino pilgrims.



The J2A Youth Group will be holding a rummage sale on Saturday, April 18 from 7 a.m. till 1 p.m. to raise money for their Pilgrimage. We would greatly appreciate your gently used rummage sale donations. You can drop off items in the Palo Verde Room in the Youth Center on Sundays between 8 and 11 a.m. beginning February 15. (Due to limited storage, please call if you have large furniture.) Contact Lori Harwood or call 979-5126 with any questions. Thank you!

Thanks to St. Philip's youth, sandwich making for Casa Maria was completed on January 3rd. Our next sandwich making is January 31, beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the East Gallery. We meet once every four weeks to make 900 lunches for our neighbors in need at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen. Please come join us in doing God's work in the world. We always appreciate more helpers!

Join us on Wednesdays in February from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Renouf-Nelson Library. Learn why and how to become involved in an aspect of social justice. You'll find opportunity for  spiritual, attitudinal, philosophical, and practical formation to prepare you to engage in the many areas of social justice that need active allies. We'll discuss the Gospel imperative for social justice action as well as specific issues. It all happens in the context of lively and respectful fellowship. Our book selection for February is Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann. This group is participant-led. We share responsibilities of prayer, creating discussion questions, and moderating the conversation. Contact Suzanne or call 325-4469. Sponsored by the St. Philip's Border and Immigration Ministry.


St. Philip's has received the following notes from groups in the community that we support through donations of money or volunteer time or both. It is always satisfying to know that we have made an impact on others' lives.