E-Blast for Friday, May 29, 2026

Trinity Sunday
Graduation Sunday

May 31, 2026
7:45 & 10 a.m.

Celebrant:

The Rev. Gary Cyr

View as Webpage

Harper Goodrich

Graduated 5th Grade at Tucson Waldorf School

Harper’s favorite subjects are hand working, movement and gardening! She just competed in the Ancient Pentathlon Games in Flagstaff. She’s currently increasing her dedication to dance and will have a summer full of acting and dance classes.

Lilly Krug

Graduated from Santa Rita High School

Lilly Krug graduated on May 20 from Santa Rita High School. She was the class Valedictorian. She also finished the JTED Emergency Medical Technician training and became certified by the National Registry of EMTs. She also obtained the Dental Radiography Health and Safety Certification. Lilly will attend the University of Arizona to prepare for a career in medicine.

Shania Thomas

Graduated from Santa Rita High School

Shania Thomas Graduated from Santa Rita High School on May 20. She was actively involved in school functions and served as student body secretary. She completed the JTED training and became certified as a CNA. Shania will be attending Pima Community College in the fall with future plans to transfer to The University of Arizona. She wants to become a nurse.

Angelique Gastelum

Graduated from Santa Rita High School

Angelique graduated from Santa Rita High School on May 20. She was the class Salutatorian. She has completed the Dental Program Radiography Health and Safety Certification. She was an active member of the student body and served as student body vice president. Angelique will be attending Arizona State University and is working toward a career in medicine.

Keith B.

Graduated from Khalsa Montessori School

Keith is leaving Khalsa Montessori school with many good friends and good memories. Keith is known for his humor and his kindness. He will be attending University High School in the fall

It is almost time for the beginning of Bible study with Psalms and Psalads Saturday, May 30, 6 pm in McBride Hall. Please bring your Bible and a salad to share (not required). If you are able and willing, please bring your own place setting (plate, utensils), so we can preserve resources. We will have paper plates, etc. available if you cannot or forget. I look forward to beginning this journey through scripture with you. If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Kym at tucsonkym@gmail.com or text 520-249-1796

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.

Everyone is welcome at our weekly Monday meetings, which are held from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in the Bloom Room. Through education, advocacy, prayer, collaboration with community groups, and by direct support, we promote social justice in our border region.

Migrant Stories through book and film

Join us monthly as we explore the personal stories of individuals in our community, deepening our compassion and knowledge.

Upcoming:

Sunday, June 14 at 9:15 in the Bloom Room
View and discuss a TED talk by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez who grew up in Tucson and remained here after her parents were deported when she was 15 years old

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 serving as a lector at Grace St. Paul’s for a long time? Or is this a new interest for you? Either way, we’ll be having a workshop for current and future lectors this Sunday May 31 from 12 to 1 in the Bloom Room. We’ll talk about what draws us to this ministry, share tips for reading, and practice with both Hebrew Testament passages and, since poems now often appear as Continuing Revelation of God readings, poetry, too. For more information contact Elizabeth Jaeger at elizabethjaeger56@gmail.com

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.

DESPERATELY NEEDED:
SUMMER VOLUNTEERS & GROCERY BAGS

Summer is a rough time for many, but especially the unhoused.

If you don’t use your plastic grocery bags, please save them and place in the bin as well. They are a valuable commodity as we go through 150 of them 3 times a week!

Many of our volunteers are winter visitors, and every summer we are desperate to fill our volunteer calendar, coordinated by Connie Ingram. We are very grateful that our peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and bagels are packed by others with the exception of Thursdays; this occurs from 9-11am in our church kitchen. This is another volunteer opportunity if the hustle and bustle of our active JP Café days are not for you.

Details will be provided. Thank you for considering volunteering.

Gratefully Rev Gary Cyr, Director of Social Justice in Action

Contact gary.cyr@grace-stpauls.org or 520-327-6857

Or Connie Ingram volunteer coordinator

520-490-6230 or Cjones634@yahoo.com

IT’S OFFICIAL!!!

GSP Fall Craft Fair 2.0

Thanks to the initial enthusiastic response we received there WILL be a GSP Fall Craft Fair 2.0 on NOVEMBER 15TH after the 10:00 service!! Please mark your calendars!

A big thank you to those who have already decided to donate handcrafted items (or originally authored pieces) to the fair so far. Without you a fair wouldn’t be possible. We still have plenty of space available if you should decide along the way that you would like to join us! We would be happy to welcome you aboard!! Let us know!

More information, details and possibly some requests for help will be forthcoming. So, as Rachel Maddow likes to say: Watch this space!!

Debbie Fricke (frickedeb2@gmail.com)
Anne Sunderland (asunder11@gmail.com)

Co-Chairs of GSP Fall Craft Fair 2.0

Dr. Chuck Dickson presents a study of Bishop Richard of Chichester in his latest virtual adult class: https://bit.ly/4tZvYOM

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 6/14, Diana Hill from the Catalina UMC Good Trouble Action group will join us. And on 6/28, Amanda Villa from Healthcare Rising will present. 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

-Thursday, June 4th, 5pm, in the Chancel, a service in the Taizé tradition with the theme “The Power of Love/The Violence of Love” led by Deacon Nancy.

-Thursday, June 11th, 5pm, in McBride Hall, a service full of prayer and meditation led by Reverend Delle McCormick, followed by an agape meal.

-Thursday, June 18th, 5pm, by Zoom-only, Chris Eastoe leading a service on the theme of “Prayer: some reflections in the context of recent politics”
(zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/948146775).

-Thursday, June 25th, 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

Urge Arizona Lawmakers to Fund Extreme Heat Relief Efforts

Arizona is at risk of losing critical life-saving heat-relief infrastructure in 2027. Communities across the state have relied on pandemic-era relief funding to mount heat relief efforts. Those funds will expire at the end of 2026.

Communities put these investments to work, expanding cooling and heat respite centers, transportation assistance, outreach teams, and emergency heat response systems. They are responding to the tragic deaths of hundreds of Arizonans each summer. Extreme heat is one of the leading weather-related causes of death in Arizona. More than 900 Arizonans died from heat-related causes in both 2023 and 2024. These deaths impacted housed and unhoused individuals alike, including seniors, outdoor workers, families, medically vulnerable residents, and people living without reliable cooling.

We need Arizona leaders to act now and support dedicated Extreme Heat Mitigation funding in the FY2027 Arizona State Budget.

$4.2 million for Cooling Centers and Heat Relief Infrastructure
$3.7 million for Heat Relief Training
$1.5 million for Statewide Heat Call Center Operations
$500,000 for Critical Transportation Services
$130,000 for Statewide Heat Surveillance and Data Systems

Please contact Lawmakers to Support Funding for Extreme Heat Mitigation in the FY2027 Arizona Budget.

Share your stories and experiences with extreme heat.
Tell them why heat relief matters in your community.
Thank Governor Hobbs for proposing Extreme Heat Mitigation in the budget.
Urge legislators to include Extreme Heat Mitigation in the final budget.

Contact Governor Hobbs

Find Your Legislators

We all face the challenge of extreme heat. By acting together and urging lasting investment in mitigation and coordinated response, we safeguard lives and strengthen Arizona’s resilience. Thank you for making Arizona safe and stronger.

Any questions can be directed to Dale Ann Petersen at:
Daleann.Petersen @gmail.com

Desert Voices, Tucson’s premier LGBTQIA+ and Ally Chorus is proud to make our debut at the historic Fox Theatre on June 7, 2026. Under the leadership of Dr. James Higgs, Desert Voices will perform a program of popular hits, historical works and new arrangements by songwriters, artists, composers and arrangers from the LGTBQIA+ community. Join us for a musical journey "Love Out Loud" celebrating love, authenticity and self-expression.

Tickets to our annual pride month concert are $29 and are available for purchase at the Fox Theater box office or online at foxtucson.com.
A special discount for our friends at Grace St. Paul's - use the discount code "DVFOX" when you check out to get 20% off!

Founded in 1988, Desert Voices is a nonprofit corporation committed to promoting the ongoing and positive gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender presence in our community. The chorus is comprised of over 120 LGBTQIA+ members singing together with one voice. We welcome all voices regardless of age, gender, race, creed, sexuality, or gender identity or expression. Since Desert Voices began its journey, our voices have been heard in performances all throughout Arizona and at Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) Festivals.

More information about Desert Voices is available at desertvoices.org

Questions can be directed to DesertVoicesTucsonChorus@gmail.com