Tea, Tapas, Textiles, and Terri (our woman in Antigua Guatemala)

Saturday, January 28, 4 p.m., St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602 N. Wilmot (at 5th Street), Parish Center.

Terri Smith, spouse of St. Michael’s Rector Emeritus The Rev. John R. Smith, visits Tucson briefly and will share personal insights and St. Michael’s Guatemala Project updates.Now resident in Antigua Guatemala, the Smiths help with Legado Elisabet, a Project fund for children; and Fr. Smith is Vicar of St. Alban Episcopal Mission. Expect fresh perspectives from Terri, Project information from the Coordinator, good cheer, eclectic refreshments, limited sale of exceptional Maya textiles, and photos, including two 1980 photographs on sale. After the general program, people interested in joining summer teams will have a focus meeting while others interact informally with Terri. Free. Donations welcomed.

Information:  Ila Abernathy, coordinator, (520) 623-3063, ilaa@mindspring.com.

You Are Invited to the Induction of Brother Dave As Our New Rector!

God willing and the people consenting

The Right Reverend Kirk Stevan Smith

by Divine Providence Bishop of Arizona

will institute and induct the Reverend

David Benedict Hedges, n/BSG

as Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Church

The Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Evening Prayer 6:00 PM Solemn Mass 6:30 PM

602 North Wilmot Road, Tucson Arizona

Your prayers and presence are requested

RSVP 520-886-7297   or   church@stmichael.net

Clergy: Red Stoles           Reception follows

A Religious Response to Climate Change – III: Our Daily Bread

Where: Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 

602 North Wilmot Road, Tucson, Arizona 85711

When: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 29, 2016
Mass (optional) @ 8:30 AM Lunch @ noon (free-will offering)

What: After our sessions had on 4 October and 13 December 2014 on global climate change and its likely impacts on the environment that sustains our lives, we meet now to review the science of global climate change and its projected consequences that impact our food supply. As a religious people, who pray for our daily bread, we seek understanding, wisdom and courage to take informed actions as good stewards of God’s creation.

Our five speakers on the different aspects of our chosen topic are:

• Katie Hirschboeck - Associate Professor of Climatology, Tree-Ring Lab, U of Arizona; National Catholic Climate Ambassador  CatholicClimateCovenant.org
The science of global climate change: update on where we are now and perspectives on where we are headed

• Clark Hansen - Regional Organizer in Organizing and Grassroots Capacity Building, Bread for the World
Hunger: current status of global food production and distribution; likely scenarios from climate change; and possible responses to meet the global needs

• Marco A. Liu - Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Hunger: current status of local food production and distribution; likely scenarios from climate change; and possible responses to meet our local needs

• Angel Wang - Committee on Creation Care, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
Greening Episcopal Churches – What are Episcopalians doing to help address climate change?

• John Leech - Associate Priest, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Tucson, Arizona
Theological reflections: spiritual context for environmental actions

In addition to general and group discussions, we will have opening, noonday and closing prayers.

There will also be information tables for different concerned groups including:

Bread for the World
Community Food Bank
Scraps On Scraps
Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Green Church

RSVP by sending an email to hsieh@dakotacom.net by 25 October 2016.  Many thanks!

Parish Notices for Week Ending September 10th, 2016

You are invited to explore the teachings of Contemplative Prayer and learn some simple ways to begin a meditation practice in the Christian tradition. We meet Saturdays from 9:30  until 11:00 am.  There is also time for coffee and fellowship. We gather at the House of Prayer, just north of the church parking lot. All are invited to bring a friend and join us.

Mama Mia! Parish Life is going to Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant, Thursday, September 29th at 6:30 pm ~ 2041 S. Craycroft Road (south of Golf Links).
*Seating limited to a max of 15 people, so sign up early at the back of church.

The next Adult Education class - Hobbes: “Evil as a Social Construct” meets each Wednesday at 10:00 am in the Womble Library.  The class is facilitated by Peter Schmidt. All are invited to join us for discussion on this interesting topic.

Taizé Service will be held Tuesday, September 6th in church. If you never have attended a Taizé service, this is your chance. All are invited to attend this opportunity at the close of the day.

Cultural Sensitivity Program - the Rev. Jorge S. Sotelo will present a one-day workshop on Ministry in a Multicultural Community, Saturday, October 8, 2016, 9 AM – 4 PM in the Smith Parish Center. Please telephone 520-886-7292 to register. A simple lunch will be available for a $5 suggested donation.

Help Us Welcome Our New Rector!

With great joy, we announce that the Rev. David Hedges, the current Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sycamore, IL, has accepted the call from our Bishop Kirk Smith, as requested by our Vestry, to be the next Rector of our spiritual home, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. On 14 August, Father Dave will begin his first Sunday at St. Michael’s by officiating the Morning Prayer at 9:00 AM and celebrating the sung Solemn High Mass at 9:30 AM.  His wife, Carly Flagg, and their daughter, Zoe, will arrive later, in time for Zoe to begin class at our parish day school on 18 August.

Fr. Dave received his Bachelor of Arts in History from San Francisco State University in 2002 and his Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 2005. He was ordained Deacon at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, in 2005, and priested at St. James Cathedral, Chicago, six months later. He was Curate at St. Mary’s, Crystal Lake, IL (2005-2007), then Rector of St. Peter’s (2007-present). He is passionate about the liturgy, sacramental pastoral care, and about the work of inviting into the church those who are not yet its members. He is excited by St. Michael's because of its balanced blend of catholic liturgy and social action, as well as the presence of the parochial school community.

Fr. Dave is a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory, a religious community of men in the Episcopal Church, whose members, lay and ordained, follow a common rule of life and serve the church on parochial, diocesan, and national levels. Their Rule includes prayer, service, stewardship, and individual renewal among other matters. Brothers may be married, partnered, or single, and aim to follow St. Gregory the Great as "servants of the servants of God" whether in church or in society. Dave was thrilled to discover the sign at the back of St. Michael's saying Soli Deo Gloria, the very motto of the Brotherhood! Shortly before coming to St. Michael's, Dave will become a Novice Brother, and will be properly addressed as Brother Dave for short.

Dave's wife, Carly, will be serving the Tucson community as an American Sign Language Interpreter. She has an MA in ASL-English Interpretation from Gallaudet University, and a BA in Early Childhood Education from Smith College, and taught ASL-English Interpretation at the university level for sixteen years. Other graduate work includes study in Counseling and Developmental Psychology. Carly enjoys yoga, running, gardening, and cooking. She shares with Dave a common interest in letter-writing and postal ephemera. Dave enjoys bowling, photography, and long road trips.
Their daughter Zoe (12) will be enrolled at St. Michael's School. She has been a Girl Scout for six years and has earned her Bronze Award for efforts in increasing community literacy. She also enjoys horseback riding, drawing, and theatre.

As we joyfully welcome our new Rector and his family, we must wholeheartedly acknowledge our congregations’ enthusiastic participation in our self-study, our Nominating Committee’s wisdom and perseverance, our Vestry’s prayerful discernment, our Interim Rector Fr. Richard Mallory’s loving care, Canon Russ Smith’s consultation, the Rev. Canon Megan Traquair’s guidance, and our Bishop’s blessing throughout the challenging process. Alleluia!

Respectfully yours,
Howard Creswell, Junior Warden, and Ke Chiang (John) Hsieh, Senior Warden
3 July 2016

Guatemala Sendoff Pix - Featuring the Blessing of the Jeep!

The 2016 Guatemala Project Sendoff took place Saturday, June 19th. All photos are by Senior Warden Ke Chiang "John" Hsieh.

Fr. Jorge Sotelo blessed the vehicle that has been 

donated to the Project for use in Guatemala.

Domingo Alvarez Ajanel, on a visit from Guatemala, discusses 

his work with the Maya communities.

Photographer Michael Hyatt, a Tucson Samaritan, 

donated the vehicle and will help drive.

Domingo and Project coordinator Ila Abernathy

Reception.

Guatemala Project Sendoff Update

Busy week!  Join us tomorrow to bless a donated jeep, welcome international Maya visitor Domingo Alvarez Ajanel, president of 22 associated rural Maya communities in Guatemala, share Mexican and Guatemalan foods, and send off the three who will drive through Mexico diver the jeep.  The sign at St. Michael's says it all, except that the big "602" stands for 602 N. Wilmot Rd.

The week's highlights so far:

June 14 -- Domingo arrives in the late afternoon from Guatemala.  Attends a Tucson Samaritans meeting.

June 15 -- Donor vehicle is formally turned over to St. Michael's Project.  Pictured:  visitor Domingo, donor Michael, and Project coordinator Ila.

June 16 -- Domingo travels to the desert with Tucson Samaritans.  Photo:  He's holding a jug of lifesaving water, to which he has added a message in Maya Quiche.

June 17 -- Today!  Visits to congressional offices to talk about migration and in-country conditions that foster migration.  Preparations for the big day tomorrow.

June 18 -- You're invited!  Join our fab fiesta with serious purpose.  Learn how to bless a jeep (already blessed by the love and attention of many).  Savor green corn tamales, accompaniments, and Guatemalan chuchitos in the wonderfully cool Parish Center.  Hear Domingo, with translation.  Make a donation if you can.  If not, just come!  5 p.m., 602 N. Wilmot Road.

Guatemala Project Sendoff!

You’re invited!

Guatemala Bound! Sendoff Fiesta

Sat. June 18, 5 PM

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

602 N. Wilmot Road (at 5th Street)

Welcome visitor Domingo Alvarez Ajanel, health leader and president of the 22 associated rural Maya communities St. Michael’s Guatemala Project serves. Alvarez has testified in D.C. on behalf of forensic teams working in Guatemala. He is completing a professional nursing degree on weekends.

Send off a Jeep Cherokee and drivers, traveling overland through Mexico for Guatemala – a 2400 mile adventure. Photographer Michael Hyatt, Tucson Samaritan, donated the vehicle and will help drive.

Celebrate Maya survivals and a 23-year non-sectarian Project relationship emphasizing health, mutual learning, cultures, and indigenous rights.

• Greetings from Arizona indigenous friends
• Jeep blessing
• Thanks and in-country updates from Alvarez Ajanel
• Project information
• Maya traditional textiles on sale

Light refreshments, gratis. Guatemalan foods available.

FREE. Donations encouraged to benefit Maya health volunteers, the communities served, and children who need special treatment – and help deliver the Jeep!

Information: Coordinator, (520) 623-3063, ilaa@mindspring.com. www.cprguatemalaproject.org. Church, 886-7292, www.smallangelstucson.org

Photos: Domingo with Project medical supplies purchased in-country, above. Young weaver, Pal, Area Xeputul. Michael with the donor jeep and communities’ logo. Coordinator Ila with same. Rural Ixil Area community. The Jeep will deliver supplies and move patients in this and other hamlets.

St. Patrick's Day Dinner

Per Mother Clare, announced at today's Parish planning meeting:

Islamic Center of Tucson is hosting an interfaith program at 5 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 17.  To car pool from St. Michael's, meet Mother Clare in the church parking lot at 4 p.m.  We westside folk can just join the St. Michael's group at the Islamic Center, 901 E. First Street, before 5 p.m.  Mother Clare says the Islamic Center was a gracious host to 4th graders from St. Michael's, and she is very committed to our supporting them in this venture.

From the Facebook event listing:

• clock

  Thursday at 5 PM - 6 PM

• pin	Show Map Islamic Center of Tucson 901 E 1st St, Tucson, Arizona 85719

The Islamic Center of Tucson invites you to join us for an evening to bring together the many faiths and cultures in our community. Let us unite together in our humanity against all violence and bigotry.
This is open to all people in Tucson who support peace, love and justice for all people.

These are hard times in this country, not just for Muslims, but many of the minorities that reside here. We aim to make the ICT a place where all people feel comfortable and safe and extend that feeling to the greater Tucson community as well.


Who: The Entire Tucson Community

What: A gathering of peace and unity.

When: Thursday, December 17th | 5:00 PM

Where: Islamic Center of Tucson | 901 E 1st St.

International Holiday Bazaar - Day One

Some photos as the Bazaar begins:

St. Michael's International Holiday Bazaar - A Call for Participants

Dear new and former Bazaar participants:
We’d like to invite you to participate in the 2015 International Holiday Bazaar at St. Michael’s, Dec. 5 (Saturday evening, 3 - 7 p.m., optional) and Dec. 6 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Please join us. Former participants, note a slight name change.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Socially-committed, non-violent non-profits, Parish groups, and Parish artists only. Space is free for non-profit groups. Parish artists donate 10% of their gross to the Church’s Social Action Committee.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW NOW
[your application]
(return this by e-mail or regular mail, even if you have already talked with us)
Do you plan to participate?
If so, please list the following:
Contact person
– name, e-mail, and phone number(s):
Group name, mailing address
(other address information), what you plan to sell, and who benefits:
Participation dates: Saturday and Sunday? Sunday only?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Saturday setup,
between 1 and 3 p.m., for 3 p.m. start. A morning option will be arranged.
Sunday setup:
between 8 and 9 a.m. preferred. Between 10 and 11 a.m. is possible (we'll save space ONLY if you indicate you are choosing this option).
Food groups:
Sunday only. Plan to start serving around 11:00 a.m. Church coffee hours will provide basic refreshments until then. St. Michael's Social Action Committee does the Saturday free reception. You are responsible for your own Health Department permits.
Loading / unloading:
Drive around the back (N. side) of the church, down a drive that says "Do not enter." There are breeze way doors on the north and east sides of the drive.

SATURDAY EVENING.
ALL GROUPS (except one potential food group) WILL BE INSIDE. SUNDAY ONLY GROUPS WILL BE OUTSIDE, in the adjacent patio.

REMINDERS:
Socially-committed, non-violent non-profits, Parish groups, and Parish artists only. Space is free for non-profit groups. Parish artists donate 10% of their gross to the Church’s Social Action Committee. Refugees sponsored by any of the non-profit refugee groups are very welcome. You can leaflet but MUST have stuff to sell.
You do not have to be a 501 C-3 nonprofit if you are known to us or can demonstrate that you meet the criteria (we love small programs).
Sunday only is an option, but Saturday only is not.
We provide one 6-foot table, and you do the rest. We do our best to allocate space so that each group will have at least 9 feet of space, even inside on Saturday night.
You take all your money home – no percentages to us.
We do ask you to report how much you gross, so we can know the success of the event. If you have a terrific day and want to make a voluntary small contribution to help cover costs, we won’t turn it down.

INDOOR SPACE is at a premium but we fit everyone inside on Saturday evening. Groups coming Sunday only will be outside unless they make special arrangements.
Saturday groups who want to spread out can have more space if they opt to move outside on Sunday (Guatemala Project does this). We can’t control the weather but will make sure outside groups are under sheltered walks if it is rainy.

MUSIC
– Still a work in progress, but Mzekala has confirmed for Saturday, and Ted Warmbrand for Sunday. We think some of our other Sunday favorites will return.

SECURITY –
You are welcome to leave your tables set up indoors over Saturday night. We do not hire special security, but the coordinators will be the last to leave and will make sure the hall and all entrances to the adjacent patios are locked. Most of us like to cover our items with a sheet or cloth.

SAGE ADVICE –
Variety in pricing and in articles for sale seems to help. So does being present for the entire event. If you come late with one product, expect a small return.
Fine arts traditionally have not done well, but someday there will be an exception.
Low-cost items generally sell well, but there have been many "high-end" exceptions.

THE MORE THE MERRIER
(until we reach 30 groups total) – Please encourage your favorite groups that meet the criteria to participate. Variety and enthusiasm help us all.

PAST RETURNS:
Last year, among all groups, around $6200 changed hands. In 2007, before the economic downturn and before alternative shopping events were so common, the total was over $9,000. However, amounts for individual groups have varied considerably.

PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE INFORMATION.
ILA ABERNATHY (520) 623-3063, ilaa@mindspring.com
[Note – we have a new committee. Once initial contacts are made, you will be notified of a new contact person.]

Announcements for Weeks Ending 10/17 and 10/24/2015

EPISCOPAL SCHOOL SUNDAY
Only one mass will be held on Sunday, October 11th so we may all celebrate Episcopal School Sunday together. St. Michael’s students will be serving at Mass and offering musical additions to the Mass.

Following Mass, join us for a delicious pancake breakfast in the Parish Center, prepared by our boy scouts, under the direction of Byron Brandon. Generous donations are gratefully accepted!


TERMITE CLOSURE REMINDERS - AND A MISSION FOR PARISHIONERS

St. Michael’s Church and School will be closed from noon Wednesday, October 14th through Sunday, October 18th , so that the church can be fumigated for dry wood termites. For everyone’s safety, the entire property will be closed off during this time to everyone except the exterminators. St. Michael’s Church and School will re-open Monday, October 19th at the regular time.

Certain items will need to be removed from the property before fumigation, including foods not in cans, the Blessed Sacrament etc. We will be forming a work party after the pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 11th to accomplish this. Volunteers welcome!

Attention Choir Members: Rehearsal scheduled for 7 pm, October 15th will take place at Christ Methodist Church located at 5th and Craycroft.

There will be NO Casa Maria sandwich making this month. Instead a cash donation will be made from our meals program. Cash donations are needed to replenish the meals program account so we may continue to stock the food pantry as well. The pantry is also in need of your non-perishable food donations.


Salutations from your Nominating Committee!
We have a special mission for all parishioners should you choose to accept it....


As you probably already know, there will be no Sunday services on October 18 due to the termite fumigation. So we are asking everyone to attend one of our sister Episcopal parishes here in Tucson.
For the assignment, each family or person should write down one positive aspect experienced or observed in the church visited on a 3x5 card provided by us this Sunday, October 11.  Please provide the name of the church you attend as the heading on your card.

You will find these 3x5 cards in the pews and at the back of the church. We will have a marked basket at the back of the church designated for the collection of the completed cards on Sunday, October 25.

Your help with this mission will be greatly appreciated

ECW/Women's Ministry
The ECW/Wm meeting will be on Wednesday, October 21st.at 10:30 am in the Parish Center. All women of the church are invited to attend. We will be making plans for our  Bake/casserole Sale on Sunday, October 25th after all the Masses. Mark your calendar.

Angel Food Candy Making

Mark your calendars!  We need YOUR help!  We will be making Angel Food Candy beginning Monday, November 1st  through Friday morning, November 6th.  On Monday we will need crews for dipping and patting, and for opening boxes, and setting up the packing stations.  The rest of the week, will need crews for dipping and packing.  Please help if you can, even if only for a few hours one day.  New angel food makers are particularly welcome.  We will teach you what to do!  If you have questions, please see Peter Schmidt, Dorothy Cameron, Pat Miller or Sherry Terrell. Sign-up sheets available in the back of church. Help also needed for set-up on October 30 and 31st .

Just Coffee's "Taste of Chiapas" fundraiser
Friday, October 16, Just Coffee's "Taste of Chiapas" fundraiser with food, entertainment, and a great cause, 6 to 8 p.m. St. Mark's Presbyterian, 3809 E. 3rd (just S. of Alvernon, parking entry from 2nd Street). Tickets on sale TODAY, $20 each, courtesy of Social Action Committee.

One Just Coffee goal:  Get a coffee shop and meeting place up and running in Agua Prieta, "to help combat the drug traders that are recruiting youth in the use and distribution network of illegal drugs in Agua Prieta."  Estimated need: $80,000, which includes one year's salary support for the workers.
No $$ today?  Call or e-mail Ila Abernathy.  Just Coffee wants a count by October 12 if possible.

The Advent International Bazaar - Planning Committee
The International Bazaar Committee will meet October 25 at 9:00 am in the Womble Library.  This is an important planning meeting.