The Renouf-Nelson Library regrets to announce that we must cancel the November 7-8 book sale. Multiple key coordinators/volunteers will be absent due to travel or health concerns. Books that have already been donated will be sent by our partner, the Zambian Children's Fund, to African schools and orphanages, as we have done with our boxes of "leftover" book sale items for many years now. Please discontinue bringing in books to donate. Thank you for your understanding, and for your support of the Library!

El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Latin American countries, particularly Mexico. During this celebration it is a tradition to set up an ofrenda, a shrine or altar constructed to present offerings to the spirits, who, it is believed, visit their earthly homes during this time. Since Day of the Dead is considered to be a celebration of eternal life rather than a sad event, ofrendas and Dia de los Muertos art usually reflect whimsical portrayals of the dead in activities they engaged in when alive. St. Philip's invites you to remember your departed loved ones by contributing to an ofrenda, which is set up in the Columbarium Garden. Photographs, meaningful objects and memorabilia, and (pre-approved) candles are all suitable offerings. Bring your offerings to Stella during office hours, or leave them in her mailbox (with a note indicating "For Ofrenda") or on the shelves by the receptionist's desk on Sunday. A special All Souls Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 2, and will end at the ofrenda. The service is followed by a festive reception hosted by the Parish Life Ministry.

There's a lot at stake in the November 3 bond election. Voters are being asked to approve $816 million in public spending for roads, job training, economic development and public facilities such as parks and trails, including support for JobPath, a program started in the early 1990s by the Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) and the business community to help "graduate" families out of poverty into living-wage jobs. The estimated tax increase to pay for the entire bond package is $17 per year for the owner of a median-priced home. The seven bond propositions are supported by PCIC and endorsed by many faith leaders in our community.

The Border & Immigration Ministry and St. Philip's Green Team will be reading Pope Francis's Encyclical on Climate Change and Inequality for the November Social Justice Book Club. The book is available in the Little Shop. The first meeting is Wednesday, November 4, at 6 p.m. in the Renouf-Nelson Library. Come join us to talk about a faith community response to the many issues raised by climate change.

Parents and children (newborn through 5th grade) are invited to our next St. Philip's Parents Night In on Friday, November 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Children's Chapel. Dinner will be served (at a low cost per person) and childcare provided. Please contact Ambur Mette with any questions. RSVP to Ambur by November 2.

A big thank you from the Casa Maria ministry to all those who turned out to make more than 800 lunches last Saturday. We were so pleased by the great numbers, and also by the quantity and quality of clothing that you brought for the recipients of our lunches. Our next sandwich making is Saturday, November 7. Join us at 7:30 in the East Gallery to help our neighbors in need.



Bring your pet to be blessed at 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, as we celebrate the loving relationship shared by humans and their pets. All types of animals are welcome at this service. Participants are asked to keep their pets appropriately restrained.  This service does not include communion. The usual 9 a.m. Eucharist will be held in the Church on November 8.



On Sunday, November 8, at 2 p.m. in the Church, Friends of Music presents Ronstadt Generations y Los Tucsonenses. This group continues the legendary musical tradition of the Ronstadt family in Tucson. Led by Michael J. Ronstadt on guitar and voice, with sons Michael G. and Petie, and Alex Flores on tenor sax, Sam Eagon on bass, and Aaron Emery on drums, they will present an exciting repertoire that preserves the traditional Southwestern and Mexican songs of their heritage while offering innovative original material that echoes the "melting pot" of American folk music. Suggested admission is $20.

What's your favorite hymn?  Come enjoy a fun afternoon with your friends on Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m. Jim Marr will emcee this afternoon of favorite hymns, chosen by you. Schola Cantorum and St. Nicholas youth will sing anthems, Woosug Kang and Jeffrey Campbell will play organ accompaniment and solos, and you will join in four part harmony often embellished with special descants. You can pick up the list of 30 hymns and buy voting points to choose your favorites on Sundays at the St. Nicholas Youth/UK Residency table in Perry Garden.

Have you always wanted to write new words to your favorite hymn tune? Do it now! Choose any hymn in the 1982 Hymnal and create a new verse. Find more information on the verse-writing contest at the UK Residency table.

An Ice Cream Social in the Gallery will conclude the joyful event. Tickets are $20/person -- on sale at coffee hour.

The Hymn Festival is a benefit for the July 2016 UK Residency at Worcester Cathedral in England. Your donation supports sending 23 St. Nicholas youth to sing daily Evensong and Sunday Eucharist services for a week.




 

For the 2015 all-parish art show, the Murphey Gallery Committee decided to delay by one month our exhibition calendar to allow more of the "flock" to return from summer escapes. We wanted the viewing audience to grow, as well, to afford our own artists the opportunity to show their recent works. Read more and see photos.