Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Bishop's E-pistle for June 24, 2008

E-pistle Header
Bishop Smith's E-pistle for June 24
The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith
Bishop of Arizona


Bishop SmithThis past week we had an experience of how dangerous it can be to cross into that murky area which separates church and state. Unbeknownst to the Vestry and leadership of one of our parishes, a video was filmed in the parish sanctuary. The video appeared on the internet and is a pointed attack on a political party. The video included "special thanks" to the church in its credits. This was not an appropriate use of church property.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/360

+Kirk

St. Anthony welcomes new rector

Peggy Sands
St. Anthony on the Desert, Scottsdale


Dorian MulveySCOTTSDALE - St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church joyfully announces that they have called the Reverend Dorian Mulvey to lead the congregation as Rector. Mulvey, previously Rector at Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Seattle, Wash., will celebrate her first services at St. Anthony on June 28 at 5 p.m. and June 29 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. A reception to welcome Mulvey and her family will follow each service.

Continued at: http://azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/359
All Saints' VBS has openings

Vacation Bible School Cristina Hatton, DRE
All Saints', Phoenix

PHOENIX - All Saints' still has some openings for their Vacation Bible School: All Saints' Kids Caring for Creation, the week of July 14-18. Their VBS program is for children entering grades 1-5 in the Fall. Registration Deadline is by 4 p.m. on June 30th!
 


On the Net:
http://www.allsaints-phoenix.org/vacation_bible_school.htm
News from Chapel Rock

Dave White

Chapel Rock Executive Director


Summer Camp brochureFull Sessions

In addition to the June 29-July 5 week, all four sessions of WILD (Wilderness Introduction to Leadership Development) are full.  Our week for middle school/junior high kids, July 6-12, is nearly full.
 
Prayer Needed

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for safety and the success of our ministry during the next five weeks.  Please consider adding Chapel Rock to the Prayers of the People.
 
Send a Letter

Kids really enjoy getting mail at camp, and a letter from their pastor, youth leader, or Sunday School teacher would be a way of letting them know you are thinking of them as they grow in their faith.  Consider dropping them a note-if you mail it early in the week, we should get it in time.  The address is:

Camper Name
Chapel Rock
1131 Country Club Dr.
Prescott, AZ  86303
 
Scholarship Help Needed

Thanks to the generosity of parishes and individuals from around the Diocese, we have been able to award nearly $10,000 in camp scholarships to deserving kids.  We have at least 20 more potential campers waiting.  If your parish or any individuals in your parish would like to help meet this need, please have them contact me or go to our website (www.chapelrock.net) to contribute.
Heat relief maps available online
AEC logo

Lita Johnson

Arizona Ecumenical Council


We are in triple digit weather.  Survival for those living on the streets, in homes without refrigeration, for the disabled and elderly is at a crisis level.  The need for hydration and refuge is immediate.  A bottle of water can save a life!  Now is the time to organize water drives and continue them throughout the summer!

Continued at: http://azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/358
Leukemia patient needs help

Melinda Weisser-Lee
Native American Ministries


On May 11, 2007, Houston Dory Hinton, Jr., a member of the San Carlos Apache Nation and father of five, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. The Native Ministries Program Group has supported Dory and his family through fund raising at last fall's convention and through help during our holiday food drive. Dory had a bone marrow transplant last Christmas and went into remission for a few months. However, the leukemia has returned, and he is once again receiving treatment at the cancer center at the University Medical Center in Tucson. This illness has caused a great physical, emotional and financial strain on Dory and his family.

Continued at: http://azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/357
 
ERD responds to Iowa flooding

ERD - Episcopal Relief and Development (www.er-d.org) is providing emergency assistance to communities devastated by ongoing flooding in Iowa. So far the flood waters are responsible for the deaths of five people, the displacement of 38,000 others and have inflicted up to $1 billion in damage to Iowa's agricultural sector.

The damage to infrastructure is severe. Across eastern Iowa, the flooding rivers have washed out railroad lines, halted barge traffic on the Mississippi River and closed major roadways. Twenty-four counties have been declared disaster areas to date.

More rain is expected in the region and officials fear that flood waters will breech 27 levees along the Mississippi River in Iowa and Missouri later this week.

Working with its partner the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, ERD is providing emergency assistance to people who have been displaced from their homes.
Families will be given temporary shelter and provided with food, clothing, first aid and other basic necessities.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_97952_ENG_HTM.htm

Around the Diocese

Diocesan LogoJune
July
August
The Diocesan calendar plus News and Events can be found on our website www.azdiocese.org. There you can also find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and a link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
Alleluia Fund benefits missions
Alleluia Fund Logo
Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It b
uilds new churches and supports new growth initiatives in existing churches! Your contribution of money, stocks, or land will make a vital difference. For more information, contact Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

You can also support the Alleluia Fund
by purchasing items from our CafePress store.Support This Site
A Final Thought
The second part of The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life was released yesterday and it has some startling implications about our religious thinking, especially about the idea that there is only one way to heaven. Many pastors report that their most frequently asked question is, "Will people who are not Christians get to heaven?"  For most Americans (7 out of 10) the answer is "yes."  Here are all the details as reported by Time:

+Kirk 
 
"Americans of every religious stripe are considerably more tolerant of the beliefs of others than most of us might have assumed, according to a new poll released Monday. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life last year surveyed 35,000 American, and found that 70% of respondents agreed with the statement "Many religions can lead to eternal life." Even more remarkable was the fact that 57% of Evangelical Christians were willing to accept that theirs might not be the only path to salvation, since most Christians historically have embraced the words of Jesus, in the Gospel of John, that "no one comes to the Father except through me." Even as mainline churches had become more tolerant, the exclusivity of Christianity's path to heaven has long been one of the Evangelicals' fundamental tenets. The new poll suggests a major shift, at least in the pews."


Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/353
 
To the best of my knowledge, every single church, mission, and preaching station within the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona now has (at least) a very basic website. Please go to www.azdiocese.org/map/list.html and check your church's website and its posted information and let me know of any changes that need to be made.

If you encounter any communication problems, please report it to me at greta@azdiocese.org.

Peace,
Greta Huls
Communications Officer
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

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June 24, 2008
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Episcopal Diocese of Arizona | 114 W. Roosevelt Street | Phoenix | AZ | 85003-1406

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Bishop's E-pistle for June 17, 2008

E-pistle Header
Bishop Smith's E-pistle for June 17
The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith
Bishop of Arizona


Bishop SmithMany newspapers and magazines have on their staff a restaurant critic. That person's job is to visit, incognito, local eateries and then do a review of the quality of their food, service, and ambiance. Readers love these "phantom diners"- restaurant owners dread them! Occasionally this technique has been applied to places of worship as well.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/353

+Kirk

Concert scheduled for June 22
concert poster
Around the Diocese

June
July
August
The Diocesan calendar plus News and Events can be found on our website www.azdiocese.org. There you can also find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and a link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
Alleluia Fund benefits missions
Alleluia Fund Logo
Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It b
uilds new churches and supports new growth initiatives in existing churches! Your contribution of money, stocks, or land will make a vital difference. For more information, contact Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

You can also support the Alleluia Fund
by purchasing items from our CafePress store.Support This Site
A Final Thought
As a sometime amateur astronomer, articles about science and religion always get my attention. Here is some speculation (via Episcopal Café) about the meaning of extra-terrestial life for our faith. As you know the Mars lander is, as we speak, scratching the soil looking for traces of past or present life on that planet.

+Kirk 
 
Wired has an interesting exploration of the implications of alien life on Christian theology. In particular, what would the discovery of intelligent alien life mean for such concepts as the Incarnation and the Great Commission:

Little green men might shock the secular public. But the Catholic Church would welcome them as brothers.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/353
 
To the best of my knowledge, every single church, mission, and preaching station within the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona now has (at least) a very basic website. Please go to www.azdiocese.org/map/list.html and check your church's website and its posted information and let me know of any changes that need to be made.

If you encounter any communication problems, please report it to me at greta@azdiocese.org.

Peace,
Greta Huls
Communications Officer
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Public
June 17, 2008
Join Our Mailing List

Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to christopher.overlock.stjohnsbisbee@blogger.com, by greta@azdiocese.org
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona | 114 W. Roosevelt Street | Phoenix | AZ | 85003-1406

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Bishop's E-pistle for June 10, 2008

E-pistle Header
Bishop Smith's E-pistle for June 10
The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith
Bishop of Arizona


Bishop SmithThis past weekend I had the chance to spend some time with my longtime friend and mentor, Bishop Claude Payne, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Texas. Some of you will remember that it was Bishop Payne who wrote the book, Reclaiming the Great Commission, which I have found to be a very helpful guide in my ministry as Bishop. Bishop Payne was in town to preach at the installation service of The Rev. Philip Jackson, the new rector of Christ Church of the Ascension in Paradise Valley. Philip's connections with Bishop Payne go back further than mine. They worked together in Texas, and the Bishop presided at Philip's marriage ceremony.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/349

+Kirk

Safeguarding God's Children online

Cathy Black
Canon for Administration


It is finally here!! Safeguarding God's Children training is now available online and we are ready to get you going. To begin, please send us the following information for anyone you wish to take the online training by June 13th.
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Email address
  • ID number (last 4 digits of phone number)
  • Church name
I know this is a short turn around but we want to get everyone caught up. Once we receive this information, we will handle the enrollment for each person. After this initial round of trainings, we will be asking for more information from each organization and you will be able to do more on your own. Please contact me at cathy@azdiocese.org for more information.
Wilmot to be ordained

Sue WIlmot
CHANDLER - God willing, The Rev. Sue Wilmot will be ordained Sat, June 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew's, Chandler.

The Rev. Susan Wilmot, of Church of our Saviour in Lakeside, is a recent graduate of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Wilmot, who came to the seminary from St. Matthew's Church in Chandler, received the master of divinity degree.

She is one of 41 persons who received degrees and certificates during the May 13 graduation. The Class of 2008 represents 17 Episcopal dioceses from Hawaii and Los Angeles to Southwest Florida and Virginia. The graduating class includes 8 denominations and persons from Pakistan and Mexico.
Nothing is impossible at St. Jude's

St. Jude'sMatt Marino
Director of Youth Ministries


PHOENIX - We have prayed, planned and now it's actually happening!

St. Jude's (mystjudes.com) is a diverse community of faith committed to both becoming and making disciples. We borrow from the best of many traditions, but are built around engaging the culture and building disciples among 16-30 year old urban men.

St. Jude's

What we do: Our view of discipleship is shaped by our understanding of Jesus ministry in "announcing the arrival the kingdom" and working for holistic change: to "seek the lost" and "to release the captives" (Luke 4:18-19 and Luke 19:10). St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes and impossible tasks. We were once viewed as "lost causes" and the world says that our calling to be a reconciling and transforming influence in our neighborhood is an impossible task. But "with God all things are possible." (Luke 1:37)

Things heard during the two test weeks:

"Wow. Not a very High-church formula, I know, but I say it again - wow! Very, very delighted to see how things went," Fr. Bill Rhodes, Priest at St. Mary's.

"Awesome. Perfect. Don't change a thing," 20-something survey response.

"That was the most powerful communion experience of my life,"  40-something survey response.

"Are we doing this again next week?" (Followed by sad face when the answer was "not for two weeks.") Luke Marino

Come worship with us!
  • St. Jude's Kickoff: Father's Day, June 15
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner
  • 6 p.m. Worship
  • Meeting at St. Mary's Episcopal Church
  • 6522 N. 39th Ave. (NE Corner of Maryland and 39th Ave.)
  • *Bring a friend!
Contact Matt Marino at matt@azdiocese.org for more information about St. Jude's.
Concert scheduled for June 22
concert poster
Around the Diocese

June
July
August
The Diocesan calendar plus News and Events can be found on our website www.azdiocese.org. There you can also find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and a link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
Alleluia Fund benefits missions
Alleluia Fund Logo
Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It b
uilds new churches and supports new growth initiatives in existing churches! Your contribution of money, stocks, or land will make a vital difference. For more information, contact Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

You can also support the Alleluia Fund
by purchasing items from our CafePress store.Support This Site
A Final Thought

We hear a lot about "witnessing to our faith," but how exactly does one do that? Some interesting insights are provided by the noted theologian Thomas Long in an interview that took place in the National Cathedral recently.

+Kirk

Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian is the title of one of Long's books. The idea arose from questions about faith that Long's children asked him, and his efforts to answer, which he describes as stammering. "I wouldn't know what to say," he admits. "But as I did [answer], I was not only sharing my faith with my children, but I was getting clearer in my own mind about what I believed," he says. Answering questions about belief is a matter of trial and error, which leads to a deeper belief beyond the experience of sharing.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/349
 
To the best of my knowledge, every single church, mission, and preaching station within the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona now has (at least) a very basic website. Please go to www.azdiocese.org/map/list.html and check your church's website and its posted information and let me know of any changes that need to be made.

If you encounter any communication problems, please report it to me at greta@azdiocese.org.

Peace,
Greta Huls
Communications Officer
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Public
June 10, 2008
Join Our Mailing List

Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to christopher.overlock.stjohnsbisbee@blogger.com, by greta@azdiocese.org
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona | 114 W. Roosevelt Street | Phoenix | AZ | 85003-1406