E-Blast for Friday, February 6, 2026

The Fifth Sunday
after the Epiphany

Immigrant Sunday
Healing Sunday

February 8, 2026

7:45 & 10 a.m.

View as Webpage

Celebrant:

The Rev. Steve Keplinger

Homilist:

Dora Rodriguez

Father Steve invites all parents and guardians, youth leaders
(past and present), and anyone else with interest in our
Children & Youth program to attend a special meeting
THIS SUNDAY 12/8 at 12pm in the St. Francis room
(downstairs, nextdoor to the Youth room.)

Rev. Kelley Dick

Guest Preacher Feb 15

Rev. Kelley Dick is the Senior Minister of Saguaro Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tucson, Arizona, a congregation deeply committed to being intentionally sacred, intergenerational, missional, and inclusive. Originally from Bardstown, KY. Kelley brings a rooted, relational sensibility to her ministry and preaching.
A thoughtful, story-driven preacher, Kelley weaves scripture, lived experience, and the realities of our world into sermons that are both honest and hope-filled. With a pastoral heart and a prophetic imagination, she invites communities to pay attention, to where God is already at work, to people on the margins, and to the sacred interruptions that keep reshaping our faith.

Kelley’s preaching is grounded in scripture, shaped by the desert landscape she calls home, and marked by a deep trust in God’s expansive love. She does not pretend the world isn’t heavy, nor does she rush grief or simplify joy. Instead, she trusts that God meets us not once everything is figured out, but right in the middle of real, unfinished lives.

An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Kelley has served congregations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Arizona, and is a sought-after preacher, teacher, and retreat leader across the country. She is a graduate of Eureka College and Lexington Theological Seminary, and is deeply committed to ministries of justice, inclusion, and accompaniment, especially alongside LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, children and youth, and those pushed to the margins of church and society.

Kelley is a pastor, yes, but also a neighbor, a listener, a runner, a fierce lover of the desert, and someone who laughs easily and notices small details. She is fueled by grace, courage, and a stubborn hope that what we do today actually matters. She loves to laugh, make memories and counts it as a challenge to see how many people she can get in a selfie. She lives in Tucson with her husband, Jay (also a pastor, but in Gilbert), and their two dogs, Maybelline and Canela. She enjoys learning how to make stained glass, hiking, hot yoga, searching for the Aurora Borealis and college basketball.
(Go Cats! Just don’t ask which one)

Presented with the generous support of the Tucson Desert Song Festival...

What is Your Hand in This?

Ruckus & Davóne Tines

Sunday, Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m.
(Doors Open at 2:30 p.m.)
Reception to follow.

Curated by acclaimed bass-baritone Davóne Tines, What is Your Hand in This? will take audiences on a powerful journey through four centuries of song.

As the nation reflects on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this program asks:

“How can this fragile American experiment hold?”

“Can we find compassion for others?
Can you find compassion for yourself?”

Davóne Tines is a pathbreaking artist whose work encompasses a diverse repertoire, ranging from early music to new commissions by leading composers, while exploring the social issues of today. A creator, curator, and performer at the intersection of many histories, cultures, and aesthetics, he is engaged in work that blends opera, art song, spirituals, contemporary classical, gospel, and protest songs as a means to tell a deeply personal story of perseverance connecting to all of humanity.Tines is an artist who takes full agency of his work, often devising new programs and pieces from conception to performance. He has premiered numerous operas by today’s leading composers, including John Adams, Terence Blanchard, and Matthew Aucoin; and his concert appearances include performances of works ranging from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to Kaija Saariaho’s True Fire. He recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut performing in John Adams’ El Niño.

Purchase Tickets Here

Navigating the Journey:
As Care Needs Increase with Aging and Illness
Upcoming educational series presented by
Sr. Susan Hillman, Hospice Chaplain

Time: 9:00 - 9:45am in the Bloom Room on the following dates.
You can attend any or all of them, depending on your interests and possible needs.

Sunday February 15

Ethical Wills

What they are and various ways to write one.

We are called to a be a compassionate community who welcomes all. Whether you have been directly impacted by immigration or have been relatively untouched personally, this is without a doubt one of the most burning issues facing our country at present.

MIGRATION MONDAYS AT GRACE ST. PAUL'S

1ST AND 3RD Mondays 2:00 P.M. Bloom Room Migration Ministry
in-person meeting for worship, advocacy and other immigrant support.

2ND AND 4TH Mondays 2:00 P.M. Bloom Room Informal discussion of ways GSP members can support immigrants and others suffering from the draconian policies of our current government.

NEW BOOK AND EDUCATIONAL GROUP
Meetings will be held in the Bloom Room. We will begin at 9:15am.

The GSP Migrant Ministry invites you to join us as we explore the personal stories of individuals in our community and grow our awareness of the bigger picture through prayerful consideration, reviewing documentaries and books and other local resources to increase our knowledge.

Meeting Dates: February 22, March 8, and April 12.

On February 22, we will be discussing the memoir by Dora Rodriguez,
Dora: a daughter of unforgiving terrain

The book is available in local book stores, the library, and on Amazon.

MIGRANT SUNDAY

On February 8, join us in McBride Hall for a Migrant Ministries Resource Fair after both services. Focus will be on local activities and resources.

This week, Dr. Chuck Dickson presents George Herbert: Priest, Poet, and "Pastor of Souls" in this Virtual Education Class: (https://bit.ly/3Om68o0)

Episcopal 101 Begins:
Sunday February 15^th at 12:00pm in the Sanctuary

This very popular six-week class is specifically designed for those who are relatively new to this tradition or to GSP and also for folks considering being officially Received into the church. This year, Bishop Reddall will make her formal visit to GSP on April 19, and that is the day she will confirm, receive, and ceremonially welcome new members to the parish. In addition, many folks at GSP and beyond take this class as a refresher, to increase their knowledge in specific areas, or to hear the Rector’s take on the history, liturgy, sacramental tradition and theology of the church.

EPISCOPAL 101 CLASS SCHEDULE

February 15 - Church History to the Protestant Reformation

February 22 - Church History from the Henry VIII thing, to the George III thing, and in the United States

March 8 - The Book of Common Prayer and the Liturgy

March 15 - The Sacramental Tradition

March 22 - American Church Polity and what else happened in Philadelphia in 1789

March 29 - A comparison of Christian denominations, present day challenges in T.E.C. and the Anglican Communion. Come join the discussions and the fun.

Orphaned baby Sulcata in need of responsible and informed caretaker.
Age unknown but he’s about 2 1/2" long indicating he's under 6 months, active, and healthy. He’ll need daily soaks, some UV light, and dark leafy greens until he grows up a bit. He is very cute right now, but tortoises get very large and are a very long-term commitment, so please keep that in mind when considering this.

Please reach out to the office if you think you are able to take on this responsibility 520-327-6857

A Tucson First comes to GSP!

Passion Project: Opera! (PPO), in a first-time collaboration with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO), is bringing a program of two, brief one-act opera gems to Grace St. Paul's on Friday, February 13^th at 7:00 p.m.

Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue will be set in the Chancel to create the perfect atmosphere for stories of forgiveness and redemption.

The cast will feature singers from the GSP family, including Susan Marcus (GSP Interim Choir Director), Barbara Pritchard (GSP choir member and PPO Co-Director) and Korby Myrick (GSP guest keyboardist and PPO Music Director). Linus Lerner, SASO’s longtime Music Director, will be conducting.

Tickets for this exciting event can be purchased in advance online by scanning the image’s QR code or at passionprojectopera.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in an exquisite musical experience that supports the place of nonprofit organizations in our Tucson community!

Grace St. Paul’s “Nurturing the Grieving Heart”
A Virtual Soul Support Group

Six Fridays, February 20^th – March 27th, 2026 from 4:00 -5:30 PM – via ZOOM

Loss comes to all of us at different times in our lives. The loss of a beloved partner, family member, friend, animal companion, job, health, housing or even the loss of democracy can feel overwhelming and isolating. While others might be eager for us to “get over and on with it,” grief doesn’t adhere to any timetable. We know now that grief is not only a feeling, but it also manifests in body, mind, and spirit. It colors our relationships with self, others, and Divine Presence. Grief is both individual and collective, and when the larger community suffers, individual grief can be awakened or aggravated.

Nurturing the Grieving Heart- A Soul Support Group will be a safe and confidential place to explore our grief experiences and the potential for spiritual transformation. This group is process-based with guided meditations, prayers, short readings, and opportunities to share our experience, strength, and hope within a supportive environment.
Those with all kinds of grief experiences are welcome.

This group will meet on Zoom for six weeks on FRIDAY afternoons from
4:00-5:30 pm starting February 20th, 2026 through March 27^th, 2026.
It will be team-led by two GSP faith leaders.

Please call the Church Office at 520-327-6857 to preregister by
February 13^th. Helpful materials will be provided.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Delle McCormick at (520) 204-6295 or revdellemc@gmail.com

Sandwich Volunteers Needed

Join the fun!

Joseph’s Café needs help making PB&J sandwiches so we can continue to feed our local unhoused community. The sandwiches are made here in our kitchen at GSP (we provide the supplies) and we’re looking for help on Thursday mornings.

It takes about 2 hours and you can bring a friend! Training will be

provided and we need 2 people to keep this going.

Contact Connie at cjones634@yahoo.com or 520-490-6230

-Thursday, February 12th, 5pm, in McBride Hall, Second Thursday service led by Reverend Delle McCormick, followed by an agape meal.

-Thursday, February 19th, 5pm, by Zoom-only, Chris Eastoe leading a service with the theme “Change of Mind: Being Like Water”
(zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/948146775).

-Thursday, February 26th, 5pm, in McBride Hall,
Communion service led by Father Allen.

We’ve heard from church members that they’d like a smaller venue – Spirit Now’s answering that call … our services are held in the Chancel, in McBride Hall, or on Zoom, and are building blocks for the larger church to get together and share faith practices in smaller groups. It’s a more intimate place to read and reflect about our thoughts, our church, our communities, and our world.

If you’d like to receive announcements regarding Spirit Now’s services direct to your email, please contact Kim at moanatucson@gmail.com

Every Friday from 12:15pm - 1:30pm in the Bloom Room

Our Centering Prayer group continues to meet every Friday at 12:15 in the Bloom Room for the shared practice of Centering Prayer. Our membership includes people from other faith traditions as well as many GSP parishioners.

The practice of Centering Prayer can be done alone by anyone anywhere, but our members find that being together (even in silence) really makes a difference. Our group is open to all who are in need of some quiet, dedicated time to rest in the presence of God in this busy and uneasy world.

Blessings,

Sara Heitshu scheitshu@gmail.com