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As I write this week’s Epistle, Tyre Nichols is being laid to rest in Memphis.
I don’t know that I have more relevant words to share on his death than those of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Phoebe Roaf of West Tennessee. Presiding Bishop Curry’s statement is here, and Bishop Roaf’s is here. I think I’d rather center the reflections of these two faithful Black leaders of our church, whose grief, anger, and direction I value and desire to follow.
Bishop Curry begins: “Sense cannot be made of the murder of a young man at the hands of five men whose vocation and calling are to protect and serve. This was evil and senseless.”
READ MORE...
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News from the Diocesan Office | The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is seeking a Canon for Black Ministry. The primary focus of the Canon for Black Ministry is to connect Black Episcopalians around the Diocese through worship, formation, and fellowship. Click HERE to learn more. | Union of Black Episcopalians Arizona Chapter Commemorating Absalom Jones | |
A celebration of Absalom Jones’s Feast Day will take place at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, Saturday, February 18, at 2 pm. The service of liturgy and Holy Eucharist is hosted by The Karl and Virginia Washington Arizona Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, in partnership with the Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Arizona.
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall, sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Arizona, will preside over the service, with a message from guest preacher the Rev. Vanessa MacKenzie, who grew up in Johannesburg under apartheid. Music by Saint Barnabas featuring Ms. Jackie Island of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Phoenix who will sing “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.”
LEARN MORE...
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Saint Barnabas to Celebrate African American Spirituality
In addition to hosting the Celebration of Absalom Jones's Feast Day, Saint Barnabas will be immersed in the stories of African Americans in the Episcopal Church through a series of events throughout February. All are welcome to attend. To learn more, click HERE
| News from Commission on Ministry | |
The Day of Ministry Discernment
The Day of Ministry Discernment will be Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Mesa.
All those discerning are asked to bring someone who is supporting their discerning and a clergy person from their parish. There will be required pre-work you will need to do for attendance to be fruitful. Follow up emails will be sent with links to self-assessments that will are part of the curriculum.
Thank you for discerning God’s call in your life as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona! We are excited to hear the Spirit’s movement in your life.
For questions please contact Janet Beason jhbeason43@msn.com
| News From Council for Native American Ministry | |
The Council for Native American Ministry will meet on February 18th, 2023. St. Andrews, Sedona is hosting the event at the Verde Valley Archaeology Center & Museum. There is an admission cost to help support the Museum. Adult admission is $10, Seniors $5 and Native Americans can enter for free. All are welcome to attend this gathering. To learn more about the museum you can visit their website HERE.
To RSVP please email Rev. Monica Whitaker at revmonica@saint-andrews.org.
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Young Adult and Campus Ministry Border Summit
March 24th to 26th
Young Adults and College Students (18-30) are gathering from across the west coast for a Border Summit in Bisbee, AZ from March 24-26. This is a parish lock-in style retreat involving speakers active in Border Ministry and learning how to engage issues of migration justice at every level of our society from local needs to international platforms. We would love to have you and members of your congregation join us.
This retreat is in collaboration with our Call to Common Ministry Partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
For more information please contact Ben Garren at ecmtucson@gmail.com
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Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) is an international youth event convened by The Episcopal Church so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.”
EYE is the single greatest event the Episcopal Church does! It consists of around 2000 people, including high school students, their adult mentors, and bishops from around the church, who all stay on a college campus in a great location and learn, laugh, and serve.
Sign Up Deadline is February 15
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The 2023 Lay Leadership Weekend will take place from Friday, March 3rd, to Sunday, March 5th at Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center in Prescott. It is open to all lay leaders in the diocese, including church staff, vestry/bishop committee members, and volunteers that take part in the day-to-day operations of the church.
This year’s theme is “Becoming a 21st Century Disciple” and will focus on discipleship in the modern age.
At Lay Leadership Weekend, we will offer the opportunity to spend time with Bishop Jennifer Reddall, Rev. Canon Anita Braden, and our special guest, Rev. Thomas Brackett. Throughout the weekend, there will be informational workshops and presentations, outdoor activities, games, and much more!
Registration closes on February 23rd. So don't delay!
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Chapel Rock Sunday is March 5th
Chapel Rock Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, March 5th this year. We greatly appreciate your support in raising funds to help children attend camp this year.
We are asking this year for each Parish to please take the collection for Chapel Rock Sunday and write one check to Chapel Rock for the total collected amount.
For Questions, please email Kelly Wood at KWood@chapelrock.net
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2023 Summer Camp at Chapel Rock
Registration is NOW OPEN
Summer Camp is full of adventure, old and new friends, games, creativity, awesome counselors, and God's unconditional love! Campers can expect their days to be full of high-energy activities, lots of nature, music, and crafts along with daily worship and faith formation.
Be a Happy Camper at Chapel Rock!
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TeleCare Ministry Introduction and Training
March 23rd at 1:00 p.m. (Zoom)
OR
March 25th at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid – via Zoom & at St. Matthew’s, Chandler)
Diocesan Canon for Stewardship, the Rev. Canon Timothy Dombek, will offer a presentation and training session on TeleCare Ministry for anyone who wants to know more about it, or who would like to be trained in such a ministry of pastoral care. TeleCare is a prayer-based ministry of caring done by laypersons in a parish. With a properly established and trained TeleCare Ministry in place and functioning smoothly, you can ensure that all God’s people in your care are regularly receiving a “phone call of love,” and knowing that their parish family is thinking of them and praying for them.
For questions about registration, email Toni Murdock at toni@azdiocese.org.
If you have questions about TeleCare before the training, contact Canon Timothy at timothy@adventaz.org. We will email the Zoom link to all registrants the day before our event, so be sure to register if you want to participate.
Registration Deadline is March 17th
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Project Resource Spring 2023 Training
25% Off for AZ Churches
Project Resource teaches culture and systems change around financial development in the worldwide Episcopal Church.
Project Resource provides teaching, focus, and adaptable resources to equip clergy and lay leaders to develop their year-round annual stewardship campaigns and to plan, ask for, and receive major gifts.
5 consecutive Sundays, February 26 to March 26, 2023
3:00 to 5:00 pm MT via Zoom
SAVE 25% on the Spring 2023 Training by using the discount code: AZDIOCESE25
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Clergy Renewal of Vows
Please join us at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, at Trinity Cathedral for our annual renewal of vows and the blessing of the holy oils.
Clergy must come prepared to vest in a red stole for this occasion. After the service, we will take a new group photo.
Holy Oil will be blessed as part of the service and can be picked up after, along with the fermentum. As a reminder, last year Bishop Reddall re-introduced this ancient practice whereby consecrated bread is sent to each of the congregations to signify their unity with the bishop. Your portion of the communion will be available on the table in the Olney Gallery alongside the oils. It is then to be placed in the consecrated wine on Maundy Thursday. A luncheon will follow.
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The Reception to the Priesthood for Corey Meier will take place on Saturday, February 4th, at 4 pm. It will be at the Church of the Epiphany in Tempe, AZ. All are welcome, and clergy are encouraged to vest in white stoles.
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The Rev. Dominic Moore has been called to be the next Priest-in-Charge at the Church of the Apostles in Oro Valley.
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The Rev. Terri Pilarski has been called to be the next Vicar for Ressurection Episcopal Church in Gilbert AND St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Coolidge.
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The last service for The Rev. Bruce White was on Sunday, January 29th, 2023. We wish him the best in his retirement!
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The Rev. Martir Vasquez will retire on February, 28th, 2023.
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The Rev. Canon Harry Way will be the interim rector for All Saints in the Desert in Sun City West as they search for their next rector.
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Advent Episcopal Church, Sun City West presents the West Valley Singers' "Almost Spring" Sunday, February 5th.
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St Luke’s Prescott is very proud to announce a special event on February 1 at 6:00 pm in our Parish Hall, Ms. Esther Basch, “Surviving and Forgiving.” An evening of history and lessons learned, leading to Esther’s mission in the life of sharing love and forgiveness. Everyone is welcomed.
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St. Peter’s in Casa Grande will be hosting a special guest preacher the Rev. Vanessa MacKenzie, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in South Los Angeles, on Sunday, February 19th at 10 am. The plate collection that day will be donated to The Karl and Virginia Washington Arizona Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians. We’d love for you to join us either in person or online. The link for the online service can be found on our website: www.stpetersepiscopalcg.org.
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I-HELP Expanding to Phoenix
In order to serve more people experiencing homelessness, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is pleased to announce that the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP) will be launching in Phoenix in January 2023. I-HELP offers emergency shelter, food, social interactions, and case management that links participants to resources that move them from homelessness to self-sufficiency. LSS-SW has been serving neighbors in homelessness throughout the Valley, including Mesa, Avondale, Goodyear, Peoria, and Surprise since 2009. We have served 2,300 individuals and we can do more with your support.
LEARN MORE...
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St. John the Baptist in Glendale present Pianist Hyeri Choi, Winner of the Manhattan International Music Completion in New York City at Carnegie Hall.
She will be performing selections from her NYC performance at St. John’s in Glendale on February 18 at 7:00pm.
Tickets are $15.00 each or $25.00 per couple. At the door tickets will be $20.00 each and $30.00 per couple. Tickets can be purchased online through our website. A Hor D’oeuverve reception will follow.
The address is 4102 W. Union Hills Dr, Glendale 85308
For tickets call 623-582-5449 or go to our website at www.stjohnsaz.org
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Episcopal Migration Ministries launches project, survey focused on LGBTQ+ forced migrants
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is excited to announce The Rainbow Initiative, a 2023 project focused on working with Episcopal congregations to bring visibility and aid to LGBTQ+ forced migrants. Participation is also encouraged in an online survey.
“This initiative is a direct response to General Convention Resolution D045 ‘On Supporting LGBTIQ+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers’,” said Sarah Shipman, operations director for EMM. “While EMM has been engaged in this work on the local affiliate level, we see this as an opportunity to further engage the wider church on the plight of LGBTQ+ forced migrants and the ways we can work together to provide education and support.”
LEARN MORE...
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We would love to know what your community is up to. If you have an announcement or news that you would like featured in our announcements section, please email Laurel Way, the Director of Communications for the AZ Diocese. | |
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Congregations in Transition
Below is a list of congregations in our diocese that are seeking their next clergy person. To view the congregational website and parish profile please click on the congregation names below. If you are interested in applying for any of the following positions please send a cover letter, resume, and OTM profile to The Rev. Canon Anita Braden.
Congregations Recevieng Names
Learn more on the Transition Ministry page.
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Visit the Calendar page for more detailed information about these events and others.
Wednesday, February 1st
Thursday, February 2nd
Friday, February 3rd
Saturday, February 4th
Sunday, February 5th
Tuesday, February 7th
Wednesday, February 8th
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Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
In next week's cycle of prayer, we pray for St. Francis in the Valley in Green Valley, AZ. This congregation is open and welcoming to all walks of life. Their rector, The Rev. Warren Leibovitch, hosts regular mediations on Youtube and their contemporary services are held once a month. You can learn more about this energetic church on its website HERE
Feb 5 - St. Francis in the Valley, Green Valley
Feb 12 - St. George's, Holbrook
Feb 19 - Trinity, Kingman
Find the cycle of prayer on the website.
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Remember in Your Your Prayers of the People
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Our companion Diocese: the Diocese of Western Mexico, Bishop Ricardo Gomez Osnaya.
And please privately remember in your prayers:
- Prayers for the families and friends of Tyre Nichols and for the people of Memphis as they mourn his death.
- All teachers and school administration
- All funeral directors, attendants, and staff members
- All healthcare workers
- All first responders
- All members of the Armed Forces, especially those who are serving overseas
- All those affected by incarceration
- All those affected by recent weather, natural disasters, and civil unrest
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