E-Blast for Friday, July 3, 2026

Sixth Sunday
after Pentecost
Proper 9A

June 28, 2026
7:45 & 10 a.m.

Celebrant:

The Rev. Steve Keplinger
Sermon Title:

The 14th Amendment and the Episcopal Church

View as Webpage

A Note from the Treasurer

At the halfway point of the year, we find ourselves in familiar financial territory, but for

different reasons than in the past. Contributions from parishioners have been robust,

meeting budgetary expectations. However, we have found grant funding much more

difficult to access than we anticipated, reflecting the changed priorities of the federal

government, as well as the crush of competing applicants. Accordingly, we find

ourselves running a budget deficit of about $40,000 on the year, in line with previous

years. Further, larger than expected expenditures (for air conditioning, plumbing, and a

lightning-struck organ) have even challenged our cash flow. If we cannot find other sources of revenue—purchase of internment niches, for example, would help—we will need to request additional contributions from those who can afford to make them. As always, the generosity of our congregation stands out, and we collectively remain grateful to all those who have enabled our urgently needed ministries to go forward.

Paul Hetland, Treasurer

*** Attention GSP Ministry Leaders ***

We are in the process of updating GSP’s website to reflect an accurate picture of the ministries we are involved with especially since we are searching for a new rector. GSP’s website needs your input to list all of our current, active ministries. If you are leading one of the over 50 ministries at Grace St. Paul's and yours is not already on the website, please email a short, one paragraph description of your ministry along with contact information to dapetersen@grace-stpauls.org

Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you very much.
Dale Ann Petersen

Wondering about the status of the New Rector Search?
You can now read regular updates — posted approximately every two weeks — directly on the GSP website. You can find this link on the GSP website homepage by simply scrolling down and looking for the 'Rector Search Committee Update' box on the right (pictured above)

Update from 6/16/26:

On June 15 the Search Committee met and made good progress on drafting answers for Vocation Hub, the Episcopal Church's official, churchwide digital platform for managing clergy placement, ministry transitions, and vocational discernment. We have also begun adding photos to the Parish Profile draft.

As many of you may know, we are looking to rent out the Rectory next door to the church, and the Vestry and Executive Committee would prefer to rent to someone with ties to Grace St. Paul's. If you or someone you know in the congregation is looking for somewhere to rent, please contact the church office 520-327-6857 parishadmin@grace-stpauls.org

Calling all musicians!

The Grace St. Paul’s music program seeks to expand and achieve world domination. We think we’d do a better job than the current dominators. If you sing or play an instrument of any kind, we want to hear from you. Please contact Music Director Christina Jarvis at clj@delegation.org or talk to her before or after the 10am service to discuss ways to include you as works best for all devices and desires. Thanks and many blessings!

Memorial Garden Niches

The new Memorial Garden niches are now in place and we encourage you to come by and see them! Now through the end of July, there will be a discount on both single and double niches to help pay for the new walls that were installed earlier this year.

Single Niche
~~$1500~~ → NOW $1300

Double Niche
~~$2100~~ → NOW $1900

If you are in the process of end of life planning or thinking it may be time to start, this is a great opportunity to handle a very important aspect of that. Purchasing a niche in advance will give you peace of mind in knowing your loved ones won't have to handle the logistics while they're grieving. It also provides your loved ones with a place in our beautiful Memorial Garden to visit and pray, share remembrances, and celebrate your life after you've died.

Please reach out to Ricky Salas in the office for more details.
parishadmin@grace-stpauls.org

Chillin’ at the Chul
Saturday, July 18th from 6:00 p.m.
7366 North Paseo del Norte

Tucson, AZ 85704

As a reminder, this will NOT take place at Grace St. Paul's.
Car pool recommended, approximately 25min from GSP.

Contact Diana at dancewithladydi@gmail
for more information and meeting location info.

One of Grace St. Paul’s deep commitments is Migrant Ministry;
welcoming and supporting migrants, and advocating for their human and civil rights. We are called to be a compassionate and welcoming faith community. Through education, advocacy, prayer, collaboration with community groups, and by direct support, we promote social justice in our border region.

** Back by Popular Demand **

Our regular meetings will be held weekly on Mondays at 2:00 pm in the

Bloom Room throughout the summer as usual.

Join us for Migrant Ministry Weekend!

Friday, July 10, 6-8 pm in McBride Hall

This 2024 independent film tells the gripping story of survival and the emotional sacrifices of an undocumented immigrant navigating the Sonoran Desert south of Tucson. The film features actual Southern Arizona humanitarians, including activist Mike Wilson of the Tohono O'odham nation. Mike will speak to us and answer questions after the film.

Sunday, July 12 at 9:15 in the Bloom Room
Discuss Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez' memoir 'My Side of the River'
who remained in Tucson to graduate high school.after her parents were deported She then graduated from U of Pennsylvania and is now working in New York.

Have you been enjoying Continuing Revelation of God readings (typically more contemporary poetry and prose) in addition to Hebrew Scripture and Gospel readings in recent GSP Sunday services? Do you have other readings you might wish us to consider? If so, please reach out to Elizabeth Jaeger elizabethjaeger56@gmail.com

Thanks, in advance, for your interest.

Congratulations to Dr. Chuck Dickson for completing his 200th Virtual Adult Education Class! Read about the Apostle Philip in this milestone presentation: https://bit.ly/4oXDVlF

The mission of GSP Faith in Action is to offer personal and spiritual support for those of us who are struggling in the current political climate and to encourage faith-filled and appropriate actions as individuals and in collaboration with other groups.
We meet in the Bloom Room on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays from 11:45-12:45; please plan to arrive and settle in at 11:40 as we begin with prayer and a period of silence. On 7/12, members of the social justice group from the Episcopal Church of the Apostles in Oro Valley will engage with us. You are most welcome to join us and/or ask to be placed on our email list. For more information, contact Elizabeth Jaeger, elizabethjaeger56@gmail.com

July 2026:

-Thursday, July 9th, 5pm, in McBride Hall, a service full of prayer and meditation led by Reverend Delle McCormick, followed by an agape meal.

-Thursday, July 16th, 5pm, by Zoom-only, Kim Braun leading a service on the theme of “Space Time Continuum” (zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/948146775).

-Thursday, July 23rd, 5pm, in McBride Hall, Communion service led by Father Allen.

-Thursday, July 30th, NO SERVICE.

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

Monsoon and Moonlight

A Fundraising Event for THE HOMING PROJECT

WHEN: July 25

TIME: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

WHERE: 311 E. 7th St, Tucson, AZ (Near Corbetts)

WHAT IS IT?

A fundraiser for THE HOMING PROJECT (www.theHomingProject.org) They are building mini homes for the unsheltered in Tucson, AZ!

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

ALL money made will go to THE HOMING PROJECT to launch their first mini community.

A fun evening with a Market, Silent Auction, Food, Music & something COOL to do on a HOT summer night! We will have a card-making table where the community can make cards for free for the new residents. Leading the activity is professional paper crafter, designer, and instructor: Rachel Ann Johnson
Music by Elisabeth Blin (French guitarist) 6-7 pm

Denise Lane and Tammy West duo from 7-8pm

To submit art for the auction, please obtain a donation form from the parish office.
All donations must be submitted by July 18.
PLEASE DO NOT BRING ART DONATIONS TO THE PARISH OFFICE.
There is a donation contact on the form to schedule a pickup.