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23rd November 2023
"Invite, Support, Encounter"
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From the Rector...
Dear Ones,
Thank you to the 87 households who were able to respond to our Pledge In-Gathering by last Sunday.
St Peter’s is blessed by your support.
We have much to be thankful for.
I am looking forward to the community Thanksgiving Potluck hosted by our Wednesday night AA community.
I am grateful that the armed conflict in Gaza is ceasing for a few days and that some of the over 400 hostages are being allowed to come home.
I am grateful to share ministry with you all.
In Christ's love,
Pastor James
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Warden’s Corner
As we proceed in this week of Thanksgiving it may be time to reflect on some of those things we are truly thankful for. I had a chance to visit Ron Johnson at Banner University Hospital as he awaits surgery to clear some blockage on an artery that has a double stint. Ron always reminds us of the warm welcome Deacon Gay provided him when he first approached St. Peter’s as a gay man and his life story provides so many challenges that he has overcome (chopper medic in Viet Nam, Fire Chief, Trainer, Nuclear Plant Fire System Inspector…..etc.).
Let’s pray for Ron’s successful recovery. I share this because I had the “opportunity” to visit one of our top-rate medical facilities with a visit to an Honor Health Urgent Care/ER location when my face swelled up and my nose looked like Rudolph’s! I am thankful Mrs. Dixon insisted I go, transported me, and waited by my side as they administered an intravenous cocktail of antibiotics, steroids, and saline. I woke up this morning at 2:30 AM feeling 100% better but not looking 100% better!
Another thing to be thankful for? Claudine’s kick-off of a Young Adult Ministry that found 10 young people around a conference table adorned with pizza, cookies and drinks. The group invited people in the 18-39 year old demographic and she was a little concerned that her “core group” of 3 would be the only ones there. By my calculations she exceeded that expectation by 233%!
The group had some “ice-breaker” activities and even included me in “2 truths and a lie”. I told them I was on a Nuclear Powered aircraft carrier in the Navy when actually I was on a Nuclear Powered submarine – total lie! They didn’t believe that I worked at a nuclear plant (Palo Verde) for 30 years – probably because I look so young (joke!)!! Their next activity will be a Thanksgiving potluck on next Sunday. Thank you Claudine for your efforts with this!
Because there are so many things to be thankful for when we really stop to think about it – I won’t go on – it would be an essay, manuscript or book and not a column. What I can say is that I am truly thankful for the Faith Community we share at St. Peter’s that includes a group of clergy that deeply cares about their congregation, the countless friendships that I have made over the 15+ years that I have attended, and the campus that I can share with friends and families including our beautiful sanctuary, labyrinth, columbarium, and Celebration Hall.
Finally – thank you for your generosity during the Stewardship Campaign that wrapped up this weekend. We had great participation when our pledges were set on the altar to be blessed and I know this campaign will provide the resources we need to continue on our journey together as the family of St. Peter’s!
Tyler Dixon
Sr. Warden
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Stewardship Campaign Wraps Up
What a Great Month!
Many thanks to all who brought their pledge cards to the altar for blessing this last weekend. We are so grateful!
If you were unable to do so, please bring your pledge card to any service and place it in the offering plate. You can also drop it in at the Church Office.
If more convenient, you can also pledge on line by clicking the button below..
Again, thanks for your support for St. Peter's and all the ministries.
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Christmas Cantata and Pageant - Calling all Kids!
Be a part of the Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant! Parents, you can sign your children up online using this Google form or at the St. P’s Kids table on Sunday morning. The pageant will be during the 4:30 pm service and will feature a real donkey! Speaking parts (3-4 rehearsals), non-speaking parts (1-2 rehearsals) and walk-on parts are available.
Our Christmas Cantata this year is called Love, by Joel Raney. There is a part for a children’s choir to sing Away in a Manger and I would love to have some children join our choir this year. We will perform the cantata twice. The first time will be on December 23rd at 5:00pm and the second time will be on December 24th at 7:00pm. If your child is interested in participating, please sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/wa81ajhmLdpgRFtT9 A rehearsal schedule for both the pageant and the cantata will be sent out soon. If you have any questions, please contact Diane [email protected]
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Coming Soon
ROTA
Rota (noun) - a list of things that have to be done and of the people who will do them
If you’re interested in getting more involved and to support our worship services – now is your chance! We will be developing a rota for the 5 PM and 10 AM services which will include Crucifer, Ushers, and Chalice Bearers. We will be actively recruiting volunteers to fill these positions over a standard 4-6 week rotation (depending on the number of volunteers). We hope to build on the success of the 7:45 AM group who always have their positions filled.
Look for announcements of upcoming training for these important positions and for campus tours with the Senior Warden so we can all become more familiar with our Church – inside and outside!
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Bridges Reentry
Coaches Needed - Raising My Voice Program
Join us on a transformative journey! One of the most significant obstacles faced by women released from incarceration is the negative societal perception and limited opportunities encountered upon reentry. To address this issue head-on, the Raising My Voice program (RMV) through Bridges Reentry, focuses on fostering self-confidence, improving communication skills, and encouraging active civic engagement, which will not only improve their lives but also the entire community.
We are seeking individuals to serve as Coaches for the RMV program. As a Coach, you will offer support, guidance, and positive feedback as women craft their stories. As a Coach you can help individuals overcome society's judgment and achieve ongoing success.
Coaches are asked for a commitment of six Zoom sessions taking place on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Khadijia White-Thomas, New Growth Program Coordinator with Bridges Reentry, at [email protected]. For more information about RMV check out: www.bridgesreentry.org/programs. This is an excellent opportunity to make a real change in the lives of women who desire a second chance!
See previous RMV Testimonials delivered at St. Peter's here!
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Get Your "Baby Fix"!
Our Sunday morning (10:00) nursery needs volunteer assistants to help Holly rock, soothe, entertain, and return babies and toddlers to their parents for Holy Communion. This is a very important ministry that serves not just our little ones, but also the young parents who can enjoy time together in worship on Sunday mornings. Can you commit one Sunday service each month to serve? Please contact Debbie Quick for more information.
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RePete Boutique Thrift Store
Christmas has arrived at the thrift store! Anything and everything you could want! Come visit: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:00am-noon.
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Saturday Fellowship after the Service
Looking to connect with your fellow 5:00pm worshippers? Join the Bradley’s, Ms. Patty, and others at Wildflower on Litchfield Rd. after the service for food and fellowship.
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Ride Request
Norman Johnson, until recently a regular at the 10am service, has sold his car and is not driving. He misses the Sunday worship service. Could you offer him a ride to and from church? He lives less than 3 miles from St. Peter’s, at Dysart & Thomas.
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Social Emotional Learning
Recently, the school connected with Dr. Missy Gryder who runs a company that focuses on children’s Social & Emotional Learning. We worked out the opportunity for our church families to have access to the program alongside our school families.
St. Peter’s Montessori School has made this special course available to you for the next calendar year with three extra bonus months. Every month for 12 months, a new lesson will become available to you on an important social and emotional learning topic that will greatly benefit your family.
We hope you will take advantage of this offer that we are making available to all of you who have children or grandchildren.
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Parents of Addicted Loved Ones
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) offers free, weekly meetings in Goodyear, AZ that help parents and family members deal with the issues surrounding a loved one struggling with addiction by providing education, fellowship, and most importantly, hope. The meetings offer an evidence-based curriculum to help parents and family members learn healthy ways to deal with addiction challenges and provide support to exchange ideas and suggestions. The PAL meetings are open to parents, spouses, grandparents, siblings, and close friends, 18 and older. The Goodyear meetings are held Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., at Desert Edge High School (Building K)
15778 W. Yuma Road, Goodyear, AZ. 85338 . Go to www.palgroup.org for information and locations throughout the valley.
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Sunday Night Meditation Meeting
Our local AA group is hosting a weekly meditation meeting in Celebration Hall every Sunday from 4-5pm. All are welcome! If you’d like, bring a yoga mat. For more information, please contact Vivian Harris.
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Thursday November 23
Thanksgiving Potluck
All are invited to join a potluck meal, hosted by AA, in Celebration Hall on Thanksgiving Day. The meal will start around 1:00, following a noon AA meeting. If you’d like to come, please text or call Vivian Harris at 619-787-6203 to let her know how many people are in your party and what dish you plan to bring.
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November 26th
Young Adult Group Thanksgiving Themed Potluck at 5 p.m.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving, the new Young Adult group will meet for the second time! Anyone ages 18-39 is welcome to join us in Celebration Hall for a potluck meal. If you are able, please bring a Thanksgiving-themed item to share. It doesn't have to be from scratch, homemade or fancy. Fellowship is the main goal! We are an inclusive group. If you have questions, please contact Claudine Pease-Wingenter at [email protected] or 623-237-1080.
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Sunday December 3
Advent Workshop
Join us at 4pm on December 3, the 1st Sunday of Advent, for fellowship, a potluck meal, crafts, and make-your-own Advent wreaths. Fun for the whole family!
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Monday December 11
Food Bank Potato Bagging
Ever wonder what it's like to bag 900lbs of potatoes? Wonder no more. Every year our youth group partners with the Agua Fria food bank and bags hundreds of pounds of potatoes to give to families in need. This year the ask is HUGE! St. Peter's youth with lead but we need all hands on deck to get this giant task done. The evening of December 11th we will prepare for nearly 1000 families to be blessed. There are jobs for all abilities.
Specific time and location forthcoming.
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Saturday December 9
Christmas in the Park Parade
Join us for the annual Christmas in the Park event on Saturday, December 9th and walk in the parade to represent St. Peter’s.
Details to follow as the event gets closer.
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Sunday December 10
The Prime Time Band Plays Christmas Carols
Come sing along or just listen as our Prime Time Band plays your favorite Christmas Carols! 3 PM in the Sanctuary.
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Happy Thanksgiving from the Outreach Ministry Team
We are thankful for the many volunteers who contribute to our Outreach Ministries success every month in so many ways.
Upcoming Ministry Opportunities in December
St Peter’s will be hosting I-HELP guests an additional night this month. Needs are small toiletries, breakfast and snack items.
Family Promise will be on our campus beginning December 24 for a full week. We will have various opportunities to bless these families for the holidays.
Veteran’s Ministry team is asking for Holiday Cookies for their Dec. 22 lunch. Please donate a dozen or more from your holiday baking. Our youth group will ‘bag and tag’ an assortment festively for 120 individual servings.
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Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
We also pray for our companion Diocese: The Diocese of Western Mexico, Bishop Ricardo Gomez Osnaya.
Read the weekly email newsletter for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona here. This newsletter includes reflections from The Rt. Rev. Bishop Jennifer Reddall, news, events, and updates throughout the diocese.
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Worship
Lay Led Worship Service on Zoom
(adapted from Celtic books and prayers)
Contact Deacon Gary
Saturday - 5pm
Holy Eucharist with the Primetime Band.
Sunday - 7:45am
Traditional Holy Eucharist
Sunday - 9:00am
Meditative Service
Sunday - 10am
Holy Eucharist
Children's Nursery Care Available
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Church Office Hours
The church office is staffed from 9:30-12:30 Tuesday-Thursday, and Friday 9:30 - 2:30 pm. Prior or after you can usually find Diane in the office across the patio, and James may be here except on fortunate Thursdays and Fridays.
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Contact
Phone: 623-935-3279
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