A new series of the grief support program Walking the Mourner's Path®: Transforming Grief into Joyful Living begins January 12. The series is a Christ-centered, faith based, 8-week, non-denominational  grief program and is open to anyone who has experienced a death within the last 24 months. Sessions are Tuesday evenings (6:30-8 p.m.) through March 1. The fee of $75 covers the cost of materials. Pre-registration is required; contact Cameron at 440-2240 or MournersPath@stphilipstucson.org ASAP. Parishioners and non-parishioners are welcome.


All laity are encouraged to join Diocesan Canon Theologian, the Rev. Dr. Gil Stafford, for a presentation and conversation entitled, "Richard Rohr, Contemplative and Mystic." Rohr is a Franciscan monk and Roman Catholic priest who, at times, has been a controversial preacher, writer, and teacher. His theology is often considered progressive. Stafford will offer an overview of theological ideas focused on Rohr's three books, The Naked Now, Immortal Diamond, and What the Mystics Know. There will be time for questions and conversation following the presentation. Please join us on Saturday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to noon in the East Gallery.



Please join us for Solemn Choral Evensong next Sunday. The service is preceded at 4 p.m. by a brief recital given by Dr. John T. Brobeck, Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Northminster Presbyterian Church. At 4:30, the Solemn Choral Evensong will feature the Schola Cantorum, who will sing the rarely heard Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for lower voices by Herbert Sumsion, and a setting by Barry Rose of the Christmas-Epiphany hymn "Come, thou, redeemer of the earth." Incense will be used. A reception will follow the service in the Gallery. Join us for this most beautiful liturgy to close the day.

The 2016 Annual Meeting of St. Philip's In The Hills Parish will be held on two Sundays: 17 and 24 January 2016. On both Sundays we will observe the usual service schedule. On January 17, the Annual Meeting Part I, at 10:15 a.m., will include reports on mission and ministries, with opportunities for discussion and conversation. On January 24, the Annual Meeting Part II, at 10:15 a.m., will focus on the fiduciary aspects of the parish, with opportunities for Q&A. Elections of three Vestry members for 3-year terms, the Junior Warden for a 1-year term, five lay delegates to the Annual Diocesan Convention, and three alternate delegates will take place at Part II of the Annual Meeting (January 24) only. Nominations from the floor will be accepted at Part I of the Annual Meeting (January 17). In order to be nominated, the nominee must be a Pledger of Record for 12 consecutive months, communicant in good standing (attends worship and communion at least 3 times a year), and an active participant in ministries of the parish; must have previously agreed to serve, if elected; and must bring 150 copies of a one-sheet biography with picture. There will be no nominations from the floor during Part II of the Annual Meeting (January 24).
 
The Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Church provide that decisions are made by vote of the Vestry, who represent the parishioners who elect them. Therefore it is important to be informed about your representatives and to attend the annual meeting and vote.

To vote, one must be a member in good standing of St. Philip's In The Hills Parish according to the following definitions from our Bylaws and the Canons:

Qualified members shall be all of the communicant members of the congregation as shown by the Church Register who are over 16 years of age, and all other members of the congregation over 16 years of age who have been regular contributors for the past six months, as shown by the treasurer's books.

Communicant members shall be those meeting the qualifications of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. (From Bylaws, Article I, Section I.)

All communicants of this Church who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God, are to be considered communicants in good standing. (From Title I, Canon 17, and Sec. 3 of The Canons of the Episcopal Church.)

There will be an opportunity to meet nominees on Sundays, January 3 and 10, at 10:15 a.m. in La Paz. Everyone is encouraged to attend -- bring your questions! Bios of the nominees are available here.

The Greening of the Church

The Greening of the Church at St. Philip's takes place on December 22. At this well-loved event, parishioners gather to decorate the Church for Christmas.

Read more.