Annual Report

January 28, 2018

2331 E. Adams St. • Tucson, Arizona 85719 • (520) 327-6857 ww w.gsptucson.org • www.facebook.com/gracestpauls

2

3

Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Twenty-seventh Annual Parish Meeting

and Meeting of the Corporation

McBride Hall 11:45 a.m.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Lunch provided by GSP Parishioners Donations requested and appreciated

Agenda 1. Welcome and Greeting

2. Opening Chant: ‘As we gather in your presence’

3. Opening Prayer

4. Reception of 2017 Minutes

5. Ministry Leadership Changes

6. Introduction of Vestry Candidates

7. Nomination of Delegates to Diocesan Convention (5 elected + 5 alternates)

8. Balloting

9. Hymn: ‘We all are one in mission’

10. Financial Report and Presentation of 2018 Budget

11. Joseph’s Pantry Report

12. Sanctuary Report

13. Children, Youth, & Families Report

14. Wardens’ Reports

15. Rector’s Report & Awards

16. Ballot Results

17. Chancellor’s Report

18. Other Business

19. Closing Chant: ‘We shall overcome’

20. Dismissal

Deacon: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of God with us! Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!

4

Clergy The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith, Bishop of Arizona The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Rector The Rev. Dr. Richard Mallory, Associate Rector The Rev. Mary Delaney, Priest Associate The Rev. Joe Fitzgerald, Priest Associate The Rev. Steve Kelsey, Priest Associate The Rev. Chris Ledyard, Deacon The Rev. Nancy Meister, Deacon The Rev. Lynn Marie Hunter, Interfaith Minister

Staff Jane Click, Pianist; Director, Lieto Ensemble Amy Cormode, Minister of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth, and Families Pamela Decker, Artist in Residence Will Dekoevend, Facilities Assistant Argelia El-Khayat, Nursery Worker Christina Jarvis, Music Director Pamela Spears, Parish Administrator David Wachter, Organist; Publications Manager James White, Sexton

Consultant Patti Morrison, Bookkeeper

Wardens & Parish Officers Kyle Angeley-Devereux, Senior Warden Laura Angeley-Devereux, Special Assistant to the Rector Bill Moore, Junior Warden Wil Harri, Treasurer Dawn McMillan, Clerk of the Vestry Rob Rauh, Chancellor

Vestry Members Term ending January 2018: Carol Forshey; Stephen Hymel;

Term ending January 2019: John Banks; Brianna Devereux; Joe Stefani

Term ending January 2020 Wesley Hunter; Sinead Jackson; Deborah Tinajero

5

Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Minutes of the Twenty-Fifth Annual Parish Meeinng

January 29, 2017

Call to Order: 12 noon 1. Welcome and Greeting: Kyle Angeley-Devereux, Senior Warden, welcomed the congregation to the 26th Annual Meeting. 2. Opening Chant: ‘As We Gather in Your Presence,’ accompanied by Jane Click. 3. Opening Prayer: was offered by Rev. Richard Mallory. 4. Reception of Minutes from the 2016 Meeting: A motion to accept the minutes from the 2016 Annual Meeting as printed was passed unanimously. 5. Ministry Leadership Changes: Kyle reviewed the changes in ministry leadership during the past year, and thanked the outgoing leaders for their service. a. Kathy and Michael Allen stepped down from the Coffee Hour hospitality team. b. Peggy Scott has stepped down from leadership of the 7:45 a.m. service Usher Team. c. Mathew Chase has taken over leadership of the Bread Ministry from Bill Trujillo. d. Amy Cormode is the new Director of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth and Families. She took over leadership in May. e. Diana Bailey will take over as Recording Clerk from Lou Ann Bieging. f. Will Harri will take over as Treasurer from Tom Pitello. g. Rev. Richard Mallory was welcomed as the new Assistant Rector this past fall. h. Two parishioners are moving through the Discernment Process: Kyle Angeley-Devereux for the Priesthood; and Nanalee Raphael for the Deaconate. i. The three Vestry members who’ve completed their terms are Julie Gasaway, Miriam Huber and Steve Mattix. 6. New Ministries: The Rev. Chris Ledyard is leading a new Grief Group. Nourishing Spirits hosts small gatherings in people’s homes. 7. Vestry Nominating Committee Report: Steve Mattix reported that the committee realized that one of the Vestry candidates is also an employee of GSP, a situation not allowed in the By-Laws. Since Wesley is a very part-time employee, permission was requested from Bishop Smith to allow him to be a candidate. Bishop Smith gave written permission for Wesley to do so, with the stipulation that he recuse himself when agenda items involve the music program. 8. Introduction of Vestry Candidates and Balloting: Brian Arthur, Deanna Fitzgerald, Wesley Hunter, Sinead Jackson, Tom Pitello, Cynthia Sorrensen-Carter, Deborah Tinajero and Catherine Penn Williams were introduced as the candidates for the Vestry election. There were three openings for the 2017 Vestry. Ballots were filled out, collected and were counted by Joyce Henderson and Pete Weiblen. 9. Nomination of Delegates to the 56th Diocesan Convention and Balloting: Nominated for the five elected delegates and elected alternates were: Kim Braun, Brianna Devereux, Tom Ham, Steve Mattix, Karen McVean, Nanalee Raphael, Joe Smith, Joe and Vicki Stefani, Angel Wang and Winifred Williams. Ballots were filled out and collected. 10. The chant, ‘Hearts Desiring’ was sung. 11. Financial Report 2016 and Presentation of 2017 Budget: Tom Pitello reviewed the Treasurer’s Report to the Congregation, January 2017 as printed in the Annual Report (see pages 13-17). Income received was less than income estimated. The Endowment Fund remains underfunded for a church our size. Tom reviewed the various Restricted Funds and the financial report from the Social Services Ministry, found on pages 38 and 39.

6

The GSP 2017 Mission Plan is summarized in the chart on page 18. Additional 2017 budget details are available from Tom or the church office. The $676K expense amount is based on $480K in pledges. So far $473,355 has been pledged by 214 pledging units. 55% of this income is received from the top 20% of givers. Half of the pledges received yield only 14% of this income. Significant income for 2017 comes from the rental of parking lot spaces to employees of Banner University Medical Center. $25K in fundraising will be needed for 2017. $11K was saved due to changes in health insurance for GSP employees. Fr. Steve extended a special ‘thank you’ to Tom for his invaluable service as Treasurer. 12. Joseph’s Pantry Plans: Andrew Gardner thanked the congregation for its support of Joseph’s Pantry, and reviewed his plan to move the Pantry into the Parish Hall by February 27, 2017. He hopes the benefits will outweigh the problems that arise from the move. Some grant money is available to help offset costs of moving other ministries out of the Parish Hall. His report is found on p. 34-36. 13. The Sanctuary Movement: Fr. Steve reported that there will be multiple conversations about the Sanctuary Movement at GSP, and that we cannot know what that will look like in the future. The Rev. Allison Harrington of Southside Presbyterian Church will come speak with us. The Rev. Nancy Meister is working with the Episcopal group Cruzando Fronteras. The GSP welcome banner was in place before the new federal administration took office, and will soon include a welcome in Arabic as well as Spanish and English. Legal assistance will be needed. A planning group for GSP action will be forming. 14. Children, Youth and Families Report: Amy Cormode described her approach to the program, ‘There is Enough,’ and its three guidelines. Descriptions and photos from activities since May, when Amy started as ministry director, are found in the Annual Report on p. 27-30. 15. Wardens’ Reports: Kyle referred the congregation to his printed Senior Warden Report on p. 9, and highlighted the success of the recent Syrian Refugee Bake Sales held at GSP. This story reached across the country, and was a valuable chance for evangelism. Bill Moore also referred the congregation to his printed Jr. Warden Report on p. 11. He emphasized that the GSP facilities are used to the maximum, and need to be maintained. He thanked the Sexton, James White, and Will Dekoevend, the Facilities Assistant, for their efforts. 16. Rector’s Report and Awards: Fr. Steve thanked the congregation for their support, and referred everyone to the Rector’s State of the Church Annual Report, January, 2017 on p. 7. He made three special awards: to John Banks and Nancy Barton for their long-time assistance in many ministries; to Andrew and Sophia Gardner for their work with Joseph’s Pantry; and to Steve Farley and Kitt Leonard for their work with Arizona Welcomes Refugees. 17. Ballot Results: Bill Moore was elected Junior Warden by acclamation.

The elected delegates to the annual convention are Nanalee Raphael, Brianna Devereux, Steve Mattix, Angel Wang and Tom Ham. The alternates are Karen McVean, Winifred Williams and Kim Braun. (The Stefani’s are not able to attend the convention.)

The three new Vestry members are Wesley Hunter, Sinead Jackson and Deborah Tinajero. Fr. Steve thanked all the candidates for their participation. 18. Chancellor’s Report – Rob Rauh reported that, ‘We have successfully avoided being sued, again.’ Fr. Steve thanked Rob for his continued service.

19. Closing Hymn: ‘Rise Up Rejoicing’ 20. Dismissal: Rev. Nancy Meister and the Rev. Chris Ledyard dismissed the meeting at 1:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lou Ann Bieging, Recording Clerk

7

Rector’s State of the Church Annual Report, January 2018

The Rev. Steve Keplinger

‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’ — Maya Angelou

It has been a year of challenges. With the world around us in turmoil, with so many individuals and groups being threatened and abused in so many ways, with a violent increase in invective and mean spiritedness, it has been really difficult to not roll into a fetal position and wait for it all to just go away. And in fact, that has been the approach of many churches in the midst of all of the atrocities occurring around us. Lay low and wait it out.

Not Grace St. Paul’s. Not you. This was the year that while others were running and hiding, we were holding up our mission statement for all to see:

Grace St. Paul’s will be a spiritual home, open to all, providing food for the journey, and calling people to change the world.

Over the last year, we have marched in protest. We have stood our ground. We have taken on all of those threats. We have become a sanctuary church that fell in love with a family facing deportation. We have worked to bring full dignity to every human being threatened by racism, sexism, and homophobia. We have walked with our Muslim friends, and walked for science, and walked to end unAmerican travel and immigration bans. We have pastorally stood with all of you who have faced major life challenges this past year. We have done press conferences to fight climate change, we have built Creation liturgies to link all of humanity directly to God through the beauty of our planet. We have made speeches heard all over this country on ending nuclear proliferation. We have stood up in the face of every threat to social and planetary justice. We have preached against every hurled insult, every racist act, and every threat to our earth. In short, we have been Jesus people, and I truly believe that we have shown the world a path out of our polarization and into the beloved community.

I am so grateful to be a part of a church that really is changing the world, even in these most challenging times. I am proud to be a part of a church that is also reforming the church itself for a new age, creating a church that can stand its ground when faced with an unethical political power. I am proud to be part of a prophetic, visionary community that is bringing hope to a world that desperately needs us.

Yes, the challenges facing us are broad and wide. But I am absolutely certain that we up to the challenge. Our future is bright and beautiful because of all of you. Thank you for creating this amazing, beloved community.

Steve +

8

Senior Warden’s Report to the Congregainon, January 2018 Kyle Angeley-Devereux, Senior Warden

One of the best resources available to lay people for Christian education and identification of personal ministry that is offered by the Episcopal Church is Education for Ministry (EfM). Grace St. Paul’s is fortunate enough to be able to provide two groups, available to both parishioners and people from smaller parishes. This deep and lasting commitment cannot be taken on lightly, but the rewards are immeasurable. My personal understanding of Christianity, as well as my call to ministry, were both shaped in a myriad of ways by this foundational group.

During the four years of EfM, as we delve into the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, church history, and the foundations of theology, through spiritual autobiographies, and theological reflection, we are called to be continually discerning what our ministry is, what our place is in Christianity as individuals. For some that call is clear. They are called to reach out to those in need, to offer a meal, a shower, a chair inside away from the heat of the day. Others are called to provide hospitality, to passively protect people from unjust laws and failed systems. Others feel called to teach or write and perform music. But for myself that call to ministry, the call to follow Jesus, has been at times too big, too abstract. I have experienced the joy of serving with several of the ministries that Grace St. Paul’s offers, always believing that I needed a single ministry to call my own. I no longer believe that to be universally true. I think that the Spirit can guide you to where the greatest need is, for yourself and for others at any given time. Unfortunately, the Spirit has little regard for personal discomfort.

It is impossible to reflect on 2017 without acknowledging the current state of the secular world, and the effect that it has had on many of us spiritually. Personally, this has been one of my most challenging years as a follower of Jesus. The way of love and acceptance is being more openly challenged than it has been ever before in my short lifetime. As a member of the activist church that we call home, I have found myself both frozen by fear and still moved to action at more times than I can ever remember before. As ministers of the way of Jesus we are all called to stand up in challenge to injustice, bigotry, and hypocrisy wherever we find it. Whether through calls and letters to representatives, online debates, or conversations struck up with willing strangers, this raw essence of evangelism and ministry has never been clearer to me.

In one of his final political speeches, Ronald Reagan called America “a shining city upon a hill, whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.” While I believe that this sentiment from Matthew can be true for our country, it is not a permanent state of being. America has no great light of its own, for its own sake, because of its own existence. It needs the small, ever-burning flame of communities like Grace St. Paul’s, in every city, standing steadfast for what is right and good, to be a beacon for the world. This is our calling, our ministry, our evangelism. Regardless of religion or denomination, prophet or code of ethics, we are called to be an example of the world that can be, for the world that is. The need is there, the way is as clear as it will ever be, all we have to do is follow where it leads.

Let’s take a walk, together.

Kyle Angeley-Devereux Senior Warden

9

Junior Warden’s & Building & Grounds Committee’s Report to the Congregainon, January 2018

Bill Moore, Junior Warden

Junior Warden Update: 01/23/18 Three Sections:

1. New and ongoing projects (OG) since last report

2. On-hold (OH) projects

3. Completed projects

Section One: New and Updated projects.

McBride hall has a flat roof that was last coated in August of 2013. There are significant cracks

in the coating in several different areas some as big as an inch. In other places the coating has

deteriorated to the point you can put your finger through it to the base roof.

Another significant problem with McBride Hall is the large heat pump is on the roof and is

mounted on 4X4’s to raise it above roof level. The back 4X4 has totally rotted out and the back

end of the heat pump has dropped 4’. It now sits at an angle facing forward. This drop pulled

the duct work away from the wall and created a 2’ gap that will allow water directly in the

ceiling of McBride Hall.

Need to remove the dead palm in courtyard beside McBride Hall.

Section Two: Unchanged/on-hold projects.

(OH) Painting an addition three sections of the Education Center Hallway to neutral colors to

match upper hallway.

Working on security camera(s). Scope has changed.

Section Three: Completed Projects

Church carpet replacement. Significant yearend gifts have been received that will allow us to

do multiple carpet replacements in early January.

a. Narthex/Church aisles (1/23-24)

b. Front office/Social Services office (1/26)

c. Weeks Room (1/25)

d. St Nicholas and Mary Bethany Sunday school rooms (1/25)

A beautiful Kawai studio upright piano was donated to the church replacing the Yamaha the

was in McBride Hall. This was coordinated by the music department and the replaced piano was

taken away.

A gift was received that will allowed us to replace the rotting fascia boards on the back (North) outside wall of McBride Hall. As part of that project the trim on the tools shed was painted.

Took up old and stained carpet in the St Francis Sunday School room and found painted concrete underneath. The concrete looks significantly better than the carpet. Now have an echo problem.

Replacing the double wide commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Current unit is old and getting to be a health hazard. We are getting an Adcraft (China made), 4 years old, used as backup to customers; 1-year warranty, $1,500, 54’ wide (current one is 58’). Much work is being done to prepare this refrigerator for us.

Received the second-year installment on our parking lot lease with Banner. In the amount of $26,640.00

10

A total change is occurring in how GSP prepares weekly bulletins. The reorganization plan was conceived by Parish Administrator Pam Spears and coordinated with Information Manager David Wachter. The current multiple step processes (machine and people) have been replaced by a single machine that prints, folds and staples our weekly and special bulletins. A much simpler and efficient process that may turn out to cost as the same or possible even lower the costs of preparing the bulletin. The machine is in trial right now and produced last week’s bulletin. Tweaks need to be done to reduce the cost and another trial will be the current bulletin for Sunday.

The big cross on top of the church was visibly rusted through. Replacing the cross was going to be expensive and may open the church to a city survey of all our signs. Yesco Sign Co. thought they could place a patch over the rusted section and the cross would be good for several years. The patch was made and installed and painted for $585.00.

Purchased eight more of the ‘soft’ stacking chairs for the Bloom Room. Trying to get away from using any folding chairs.

The Plant Ministry (Joe Stefani) came up with an good-looking plant and mulch combination to create a very attractive area to the left for the front of the church under the Bottlebrush tree.

Re-purposed the Mary of Bethany Room in the Education Center for Radical Hospitality.

A replacement phone system from Teletronics was installed 3/14/17. We will have improved

equipment and services with little or no budget implications. Some highlights of the proposed

Teletronics system: all equipment and handsets were replaced; voice mail now on all

extensions. As part of the deal incoming internet will be 2.5x times faster. The system features

an auto-attendant with many options including service times and a directory.

Joseph’s Pantry relocation moved indoors on 2/27/17 and occupies the front left closet in

McBride Hall. Small tables allow indoor seating with simple barriers controlling access. The

hours of operation will be 9-12 M-S. There has been a conflict resolution system worked out

where the pantry operation can be modified or even cancelled by conflicting needs in McBride

Hall.

Three moveable storage bins were purchased for McBride Hall to help control the space for

donations received for the refugees. The casters allow the bins to be moved for pantry and

other conflicts in McBride Hall and allow volunteers to roll the carts out to the curb for removal

and loading of donated items.

We had issues with three of the four compressors that power the heating/cooling in the

sanctuary. One was be replaced at a cost of $6,000 and the contractor repaired two others. The

fourth was given a good checkup.

We had to re-treat for termites in the kitchen. Second time in 12 months.

11

Treasurer’s Report to the Congregainon, January 2018 Wil Harri, Treasurer

12

13

Vision – Mission – Ministry

Open to All

Communicainons Ministry The Communications Ministry conveys news and information to the congregation and larger community who are interested in GSP and the ministries in which we are engaged. The venues of communication include the Sunday Bulletin, Friday e-Blast, The Briefly newsletter, GSP Facebook (FB) page, GSP web page, GSP Twitter page, GSP trifold Welcome Brochure, Pinterest and YouTube accounts, audio/visual recordings of Sunday services (and other services as requested) and the periodic renewal of the GSP Photo Directory. The ministry participants meet on the fourth Monday of every month in the Bloom Education Room in GSP’s undercroft. At the meetings, we generally plan for the content of The Briefly, and discuss topics that need to be repeated in the Sunday Bulletins, weekly e-blast, FB page and web page. All are welcome!

Regular ministry participants include Joyce Henderson (Briefly Editor), John Banks (web page guru, layout and design elements for Briefly, FB Administrator), David Wachter (Sunday Bulletin), Jesse Thrall (videographer for Sunday services). GSP Parish administrator Pam Spears (Friday e-Blast), Catherine Penn Williams (co-Chair of the Spiritual Formation ministry, FB Administrator), Bruce Anderson (Advertising leader in the Congregational Development ministry, FB Administrator), Julie Gasaway (final copy editor for The Briefly), and Martha Whitaker (Communications Ministry Leader, FB Administrator). Dawn McMillan recently joined our ministry (Welcome!), and aims to provide live Tweets during parish events.

Jesse Thrall provides video &/or audio recordings of GSP church services for those who cannot attend in person, and for the visually impaired. If you or someone you know might benefit from these recordings (visual and audio), contact Jesse jessthrall@aol.com.

The Briefly newsletter is published ten times every year, which means we have monthly issues, with the exception of Dec/Jan and Mar/April issues to account for the busy months that include Christmas and Easter. It is distributed in print via USPS, electronically via email, and via links on FB. Various ministry leaders and parishioners contribute to the publication by writing articles and submitting photographs.

The Friday e-blast is a venue of communication delivered as email. It provides information on GSP-related activities scheduled for the forthcoming week, and provides a link to the previous Sunday’s sermon, which is posted weekly to the GSP webpage in audio and often PDF format.

The GSP web page provides information about the parish, including links to current Spiritual Formation opportunities for all ages, the Friday e-Blast, archived sermons, Briefly newsletters, Sunday Bulletins, Clergy and Ministry Leader information, Giving and Receiving links – including a link to pledge online, and GSP’s Google calendar. The web page also provides a link for prayer requests, which allows users to request confidential prayer by members of the GSP Intercessory Prayer Team, and add names to the Parish prayer list which is printed in the Sunday bulletin.

The GSP Facebook page keeps GSP members, friends of GSP, and potential members informed about what’s happening here. We also use this page to reinforce our identity by also posting non-GSP items that fit our mission of inclusivity, progressive Christianity, and social justice. The GSP Facebook page now has1,127 people who ‘Like’ and therefore follow our page (203 more than last year!), and we typically reach thousands of people every week. A few examples include:

14

GSP’s photo album of GSP parishioners participating in Tucson’s March Against Racism reached 1,416 people, was ‘Liked’ 140 times, and shared 16 times!

Andrew Gardner’s infographic report of the far-reaching effects of Joseph Pantry’s reached 480 people.

GSP’s advertisement of the performance at GSP by Douglass Truth ‘An Intimate Evening with Death, Herself reached 1.4K people, was ‘Liked’ almost 80 times, and shared 19 times!

GSP shared an article about Epiphany house blessings. It reached 781 people, and was shared 11 times.

Our link to The Briefly newsletter regularly reaches well over 400 people every month.

GSP’s Blessing of the Animals 2017 photo album reached 480 people.

A video of a GSP Youth Arts Council performance was viewed 287 times, and reached 422 people.

Even a single photo of a child at GSP’s altar can reach 690 people (see photo below)!

This photograph alone reached 690 people on GSP’s FB page! (Everyone is welcome at God’s Table at GSP -- even pandas!)

We are happy to assist ministry leaders in communicating GSP events to the parish and wider community. Please refer to the table, ‘How Do I Get My Ministry’s Activities Advertised at GSP?’ to learn who you should contact for effective advertisement of your GSP event.

Submitted by Martha Whitaker; table created by Catherine Penn Williams

How Do I Get My Ministry’s Activities Advertised at GSP?

(GSP Communication Vehicles for Events and Programs)

Communication Vehicle

Publication Frequency

Deadline Lay Minister or Staff Member

Contact

The Briefly – monthly printed newsletter with electronic version

Monthly except for occasional double issues

Usually 2nd Tues of each month (but check with editor)

Joyce Henderson brieflyeditor@grace-stpauls.org

15

Weekly e-Blast – electronic newsletter

Every Friday 12 p.m. on Thurs

Pam Spears parishadmin@grace-stpauls.org

Sunday Bulletin – printed worship bulletin

Every Sunday 4 p.m. on Wed

David Wachter bulletins@grace-stpauls.org

Adult Spiritual Formation e-News – electronic newsletter

1-2x monthly 15th of each month

Catherine Williams adulted@grace-stpauls.org

Facebook – social media site for events/photos

As needed Min of 7 days prior to event

Martha Whitaker Catherine Williams

marthaw@email.arizona.edu catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

Tumblr – social media for sermons, weekly bulletins and Fr Steve’s blog

Weekly and as needed

Contact Lay Minister

John Banks jdbanks@gmail.com

Instagram – social media of photos of various GSP activities

Varies Contact Lay Minister

Catherine Williams catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

Twitter Every Facebook post

None Dawn McMillan Catherine Williams

(323) 821-0818 (text) catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

GSP Website As needed None John Banks jdbanks@gmail.com

Tucson MeetUp – local electronic listing

As needed Min of 7 days prior to event

Catherine Williams catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

Local Tucson calendar listings – listing in local print/electronic calendars

Varies Contact Lay Minister

Julie Gasaway jagasaway@cox.net

Paid advertising (NPR, Tucson Weekly, The Loft) – paid ads for special events and/or liturgical seasons

Varies by event and/or season

Contact Lay Minister

Bruce Anderson azlizard@comcast.net

GSP Bulletin Board for Adult Spiritual Formation

Changes monthly Contact Lay Minister

Catherine Williams adulted@grace-stpauls.org

GSP Bulletin Boards Varies by event None Pam Spears parishadmin@grace-stpauls.org

Giving and Receiving With the help of a committed committee and many parish leaders we communicated our many ministries on successive Sundays, in eblasts, in the bulletin, and in presentations at both services. We then did a mailing to 700 parishioners, did two Briefly articles, and culminated with a Thank You brunch on January 7, 2018.

Members included Carol Forshey, Stephen Hymel, Virginia Zuelow, Mary Kay Allen, Tom Ham, and Jim Steinman, with great help from David Wachter, Pam Spears, and Father Steve Keplinger.

Thank you for all your pledges!

Submitted by Jim Steinman

16

GSP Spirit Players The mission of the GSP Spirit Players is to bring the relationship of the arts of Theatre, religious beliefs, and secular concerns to parishioners and others from the community. This is is brought about with fund – raising performances, and occasional classes.

The GSP Spirit Players had a very active year in 2017. About 80 people attended the annual Dinner Theatre fund raiser, ‘Boy With A Cart’. As in previous years, the evening was very successful financially and attracted several new performers. We continued with our monthly unrehearsed ‘First Friday’ play readings from a variety of modern authors, including local playwrights. Our average attendance this year has grown to around 20. There are also monthly First Friday Play Readings, unrehearsed and open to all. Play readings meet on the first Friday of each month throughout the year in the Bloom Room from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. These monthly events have proven to be especially popular with people outside of the GSP community, many who have returned to GSP for classes, concerts and services. We encourage any budding thespians to join us!

Nanalee Raphael

Office Welcome Team (OWels) I wish to express my gratitude to the members of the Office Welcome Team.

Morning Crew:

Sam Guard Denise Mulloy Marilyn Abraham Ann Schlumberger Joyce Henderson

Afternoon Crew:

Halsy Taylor Chris LaBour Lou Ann Bieging Alysha Collins Jim Zuelow Steve Williams

Summer Crew:

Karen Borek Lizzie Gooden

These volunteers consistently represent GSP in its best light. They welcome visitors and members enthusiastically, answer questions, direct phone calls, offer a friendly ear to folks who just need to chat, and even bake tasty treats for visitors and staff. These volunteers help the office run smoothly, and the office staff is very, very grateful to them!

Submitted by Pam Spears, Parish Administrator

17

Vision – Mission – Ministry

Food for the Journey

Adult Spiritual Formainon In 2017, the Adult Spiritual Formation ministry at Grace St. Paul’s focused on the following mission to:

Culinvate a culture of life-long deep spiritual formation at GSP

Translate the Chrisinan tradiinon for 21st century people of faith

Arinculate our Chrisinan faith to a non-church world

Inspire a passion for ministry and assist people in identifying their individual gifts for ministry

To fulfill this mission, we engaged in the following ministry activities over the course of the year:

Utilized a ministry team composed of Brian Arthur, Cheryl Austin, Karen Borek, Chuck Dickson, Anton Faynberg, Jim Franks, Nanalee Raphael, Joe Stefani, Vicki Stefani, and Catherine Penn Williams (convener).

Provided adult spiritual formation classes on Sunday mornings.

At 9 a.m., 21 different topics were presented over 41 weeks with an average attendance of 19. Topics were:

Exploring Today’s Lectionary (8 sessions)

Parish Polity

Healthy & Whole: An Invitation to Faith-Based, Wholistic Self-Care (2 sessions)

Artisanal Micro-Roasted Home Brew Christianity

Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives Us Life (Lenten Series; 5 sessions)

Islamic Mystics: The History and Significance of the Sufis

The Case for Universal Salvation

Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language

Why Wear Those Vestments?

A Look at Zoroastrianism

The Conflict Between Science and Religion

Uniquely American Churches

The Gospel According to John, Paul, George & Ringo (2 sessions)

Eucharistic Service Music

The Bible & Shakespeare

Intersectionality

Mid-Life Spirituality

Care of Creation-Care of the Poor

18

Undoing Erasure Missiology

Luther, the Reformation and Pastoral Care

Christianity of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky (2 sessions)

Advent and John the Baptist

Offered adult programs at 11:45 a.m.:

Episcopal 101 (6 sessions)

Sermons on Tap (9 sessions)

Two Faces of Biblical Female Prophets (4 sessions)

Hymns Through the Ages (2 sessions)

Portraits of the Baptist

Continued to develop Nourishing Spirits, a small group program that meets monthly from October through April.

Nine groups were initially formed in Oct 2016, with a total of 74 participants.

Groups provided opportunities for fellowship by eating together and sharing faith journeys via exercises utilizing question prompts and provocative photographic images.

A survey of group participants and leaders soliciting feedback was conducted in May 2017.

A second season of seven groups was begun in Oct 2017, with a total of 60 participants.

Provided opportunities for adult learners to engage with Scripture:

A monthly lectionary study at 9 a.m. on Sundays (8 sessions)

Weekly Bible Study for men (44 sessions/ended in Oct 2017)

Bi-weekly study of women’s voices in the Bible (24 sessions)

Began weekly Bible Workbench in Nov 2017 (8 sessions)

Offered opportunities for learning and sharing faith journeys in small weekday groups. These included:

Sharing Our Spiritual Journeys – a weekly discussion group on Monday mornings (42 sessions)

Saturday Java Jive – a weekly discussion on Saturday mornings over coffee at Epic Café (50 sessions)

GSP Readers Group – a monthly book discussion (12 sessions)

Dream Group – twice monthly summer dream group; once monthly group in the fall (13 sessions)

Seasonal Film Series – monthly film series on a theme, followed by discussion (4 series; 11 sessions)

Coordinated the following Special Events in 2017:

Parish Soup Supper with talk on Sanctuary Hospitality by Pastor Alison Harrington – Mar 2017

19

Ignatian Spirituality & Imaginative Practice (Diocesan Event) – Aug 2017

Dinner of Remembrance & Parish Potluck – Oct 2017

Spirituality for the Second Half of Life (Diocesan Event) – Oct 2017

An Intimate Evening with Death Herself (2 performances) – Oct/Nov 2017

Provided opportunities for adults at GSP to offer their gifts of spiritual insight and passion by teaching and facilitating conversation with other adult learners. A special thank you to this year’s presenters and group leaders: Brian Arthur, Cheryl Austin, Karen Borek, David Clements, Chuck Dickson, Anton Faynberg, Jim Franks, The Rev Ben Garren, Karen Hanson, The Rev Steve Keplinger, Ron Lancaster, Deacon Chris Ledyard, Don Lundy, The Rev Richard Mallory, Bill Moore, Margaret Moore, Suzanne Morrison, Tom Morrison, Nanalee Raphael, Vicki Stefani, Margot Stevenson, Angel Wang, Catherine Penn Williams, and Steve Williams.

Utilized parish communication resources to promote the ministry’s programs, classes, small groups and special events via the ASF monthly e-newsletter of spiritual formation programs, weekly GSP e-Blast, Sunday bulletin, Briefly announcements, Facebook posts, and Tucson Meet Up listings.

At the end of 2017, Catherine Penn Williams completed a four-year tenure as convener of this ministry. That role will be capably assumed by Brian Arthur, Anton Faynberg and Vicki Stefani as co-conveners in 2018.

We are grateful for the community of adult learners, seekers and teachers that make Adult Spiritual Formation such a lively and vital part of Grace St. Paul’s.

Respectfully submitted, Catherine Penn Williams, Convener GSP Adult Spiritual Formation Ministry Team

Bessie Edgar Memorial Altar Guild Personnel:

There are currently three Altar Guild Teams rotating duties throughout the calendar year. Team members volunteer for various special liturgical services during the week as well. In preparation for the High Holy Days of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, additional team members volunteer to serve extra duty such as weddings and funerals. They also help with decorating for special occasions.

The teams are staffed as follows:

Team 1- Heather Williams, Steve Williams, Marilyn Abraham and Kay Buckler Team 2- Gwen Mc Caffrey, Alexandra Zarris, and Jane Thrall Team 3- Ann Schlumberger, Debbie Tinajero, Karen McVean, and Nancy Smith

Funeral Team includes: Heather Williams, Nancy Smith, Jane Thrall, and substitute Lynn Albright when needed.

Wedding Coordinator : Karen McVean with Jane Thrall assisting

This ministry is ‘hands-on’ work that creates a sacred environment for liturgy and worship at GSP. The teams prepare the table for communion by doing many different tasks such as polishing brass and silver, filling oils, changing frontals and hangings according to the church season, plus cleaning and preparing

20

the church space for worship, plus many other tasks. These dedicated volunteers serve with reverence, devotion, and attention to detail.

New members are always welcome to come and join us.

Submitted by Jane Thrall

Children, Youth and Families Over the last year, our program has continued to blossom. We are seeing good fruit as we continue to deepen our roots into the Source of Love. Allow me to share some of the highlights.

Sunday Mornings

We enjoyed our one room schoolhouse approach last year, especially as we went into Lent and heard the meaningful stories of the Faces of Jesus told each week, with poignant interaction from the entire class, by the end, they were telling us the stories! As we moved into the summer, we switched into a different curriculum that focused on God’s Compassion at work throughout the stories of the Bible and were blessed to have various members

of the parish come and lead the class including Sarah Heitsu, Kathy Conway, Julie Gasaway, Judy Gossard and Jane Conlin.

We have seen a slow but steady increase in Sunday morning children’s formation attendance this year as in September, we split our one room schoolhouse model into two classes. We have returning formation leaders, Chris LaBour and Madeleine Caldwell working with the 2nd-5th graders in the St. Nicholas room. We added a few new member to our leaders, Laurie Finn and Joan Cooney did a great job of leading the PreK-1st grade room. We also had several children who are now in preschool and 3 years old feel that they would like to move up from the nursery to our younger class, and this has created a vibrant and ever changing dynamic as we work to accommodate sometimes as many as 12 children ranging in age from 3-7! We work with Godly Play stories, and this fall learned about the stories of the people of God from Creation to Moses. This winter, we are sharing some new lessons on setting the table for communion.

Chris and Madeleine led our older class through some new stories and often worked to create their own story pieces for personal use. This group is really building a sense of community and has also grown to sometimes as many as 9 students. This winter, they are exploring the books of the Bible. Anne Harri has been a willing and wonderful leader working in the nursery and in both rooms as needed and will also continue this year.

Youth Arts Council

This year, we said farewell to Wesley as our Children’s Music Director, and added a new dimension and called it Youth Arts Council. A collaborative idea between Christina Jarvis and myself, we are seeking to foster and nurture in our youth and children a love of the arts, to enliven the Grace St. Paul’s community with the love of God through creative expression and to foster an awareness that all creative acts emanate from and connect to the Divine. We gathered several artists in our parish community of varying

21

expressions including music, movement, drama, and fiber arts. Our first collaboration for the season of Creation resulted in a lovely offering of song and movement by children and youth of all ages, as well as a beautiful painted banner designed by Laura Lundy and painted by the children. The

banner now hangs in the hallway of the Education Center. Thanks to Laura Lundy, Wendy Joy, Jane Click, Francesca Jarvis, and Rachel Whitaker for joining Christina and Amy to make this idea a reality. We look forward to another project for the Lenten/Easter season.

Youth Group

In the Spring, we finished our study called Confirm

not Conform, and saw five of our young people confirmed into the church: Kamis and Achol Magot, Apiew Garang, Eva Mae Thuy Ross and Angelina Wang. We had several of the youth involved both in our GSP summer camp and the diocesan summer camp, Chapel Rock. This fall, we started things off

with an overnight lock in at the church where games were played, a paper wall mural was painted, movie watched, and regular hours of prayer were kept. We also hosted a coffee hour, with able help by our youth sponsors, Joe Stefani and Elizabeth Schmitt. A baking Saturday beforehand provided many cookies and muffins as well as Ayden’s original Watermelon Shark (see picture). We moved youth group meetings to directly after church this fall and have done two service projects: packaging hygiene bags for hurricane victims and Christmas sing-a-long at St. Luke’s Assisted Living Home. We were

also able to go to a UA Women’s basketball game in December which was loads of fun.

Acolytes

We currently have a number Acolytes on our team: Alyissa Holmes, Apiew Garang, Diing Garang, Rachel Whitaker, Achol Magot, Ayden Kube, Charlie Dennison, Angelina Wang, Fiona Fischer. Several are only able to do once a month or less, so we are in need this year to build up our numbers. All ages are welcome. At the 10 a.m. service, we currently begin at 6th

22

grade. Wendy Pipentacos has been our faithful and able trainer/coordinator for the last year. She is taking a well-deserved break this year, and I am stepping in to fill her shoes.

Summer Activities

This year, we had a wonderful summer that began with my second go at Summer Camp@GSP. Our theme this year was ‘Who is my neighbor?’ and we explored the story of the Good Samaritan through song, drama, story and art. This year, we were fortunate to welcome to new artists from outside the parish, Valerie Butler and Gael Cassidy to help us create a

beautiful mosaic wall mural out on our basketball court. This project is still ongoing and almost finished, it has been a group effort and I invite anyone who wants to be a part of finishing this project to contact me. It is a collaborative effort! We had a consistent 20-25 children come each day of our week long camp, over a third of which had not been to our church before! Fifteen plus

adults from our parish helped to create a week long experience that was engag-ing, inviting and warm for all who

were a part of it. Our final drama performance and pizza party on the Friday of this camp saw an audience of over 40 parents, grandparents and friends join us. It was a wonderful outreach to the entire community.

We also funded and sent 12 children/youth to our diocesan summer camp in Prescott, Chapel Rock. This was a highlight of the summer for those who went. I was also able to spend three weeks at camp on staff this summer, representing GSP and using my gifts to serve the children of the diocese at large. I am grateful for the opportunity to do so, it was a highlight of my summer as well!

All in all, I am grateful for the plentiful support and encouragement I receive from you all as we work together to teach our children to walk in the way of Love. I look

forward to continued growth in this ministry.

With love and respect, Amy Cormode, Minister of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth and Families

Choir The music program underwent a few changes and yet in many ways remains the same. Choir members and instrumentalists, many of whom have been faithful to their music ministry for many years, are consistent in their attendance and participation through the seasons. We are truly blessed to be able to present styles and degrees of musical difficulty not always attainable for a volunteer church choir. We do

23

not have staff soloists, and yet a few of our members could easily qualify for paid positions. Our instrumentalists greatly enhance our musical life and also volunteer their services. Let’s take a moment to thank our two longest serving choir members—Cathy Wolfson (44 years) and Spencer Hunter (40 years). The St. Paul’s and then Grace St. Paul’s choirs have vastly benefited from their superior musicianship and great loyalty.

We continue to be grateful for Kari McBride and her hymn revisions. We have benefited from elegant redactions of familiar and beloved hymns that now harmonize with our theology and emphasize important Christian values of compassion, service, social justice, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. We have also incorporated hymns from the ecumenical edition of the hymnal Glory to God, published by Westminster John Knox Press.

One of the biggest changes this year was in the children’s music program. Wesley Hunter stepped down as director of the children’s music program before the start of the new season in September, and with him went a formally organized St. Zeno’s Zombie Choir.

Youth and children’s music is now included in the Grace St. Paul’s Youth Arts Council offerings. Current Council members, chaired by DRE Amy Cormode, are Jane Click (music), Fiona Fischer (actual youth), Francesca Jarvis (drama), Wendy Joy (dance), Laura Lundy (visual arts), Rachel Whitaker (another actual youth), and Christina Jarvis, i.e. moi (music). We had a spectacular opening during the Season of Creation, when youth and kids offered their gifts at their different levels in a rousing rendition of Kari McBride’s hymn ‘Sonora blooms in early spring’, set to the tune Wolvercote. The children also sang The Friendly Beasts and Rachel Whitaker sang and played her flute for the family Christmas Eve service. We are working on offerings for the Lent and Easter seasons.

Another big change is that after nearly 10 years of laborious effort, Ann Stephens stepped down as choral librarian. I am currently sorting out the music. Wendy Pipentacos and Barbara Morehouse provided some assistance, and Susan Marcus has offered to help in the coming year.

Susan has been a fantastic addition to the Grace St. Paul’s Choir this year. She’s a rock-solid chorister and soloist and stepped in to direct when I needed to make an emergency trip to Scotland; she is willing and able to substitute for me as needed. We are very lucky to have her with us.

Long-time chorister Tom Ruhoff moved to Ohio. He was a faithful member of the Grace St. Paul’s Choir for 26 years. We miss him.

In my new role as choral librarian, I made a concerted effort this summer to clean up the choir office, but you’d never know from looking through the window. It’s a never-ending task. A few more trips to the dumpster or the recycling bin are definitely in order. There is music on those shelves we will never, ever do again but I can’t bring myself to chuck it. Putting music in the trash feels like sacrilege. I can always punt by sending it to the Diocese in Phoenix. And won’t they thank me!

After research and sending for swatches, we decided to solve the tatty choir-robe problem by commissioning costumer and seamstress extraordinaire Nanalee Raphael to repair the existing robes. Ordering new ones from an outside vendor at great expense out of material that isn’t appropriate to our climate did not appeal. Polyester is not our friend. Nanalee can also make new cassocks and surplices as needed. Problem solved!

We continue to enjoy jazz services and the results of our play-to-pay exchanges. We were grateful to The Merrie Minstrels, Sally Lefko, director, for enlivening the first service of the choir season. We also thank Karen Hanson, who has been happy to play her Native American flute for services throughout the year. We will continue to find new and interesting ways to include all kinds of music into the Grace St. Paul’s program, for the glory of God and your spiritual enjoyment.

24

Participants in last year’s music program are as follows:

Music Staff: Christina Jarvis, Director of Music; Pamela Decker, Organist; Jane Click, Pianist and Director of the Lieto Ensemble (instrumental); and David Wachter, Associate Organist

SpiritSong Cantors: Greg Swanson and Richard Rhodes (substitute)

Adult Choir Members (for all or part of the year): Bruce Anderson, Steve Black, Phyllis Cameron, Richard Cameron, Dave Coatsworth, Henry Dirtadian (currently not able to sing, but I refuse to take him off the roster!), Andrew Gooden, Elizabeth Gooden, George Haines, Tom Ham, Rick Hanson, Joyce Henderson, Miriam Huber, Spencer Hunter, Dick Jenrow, Phil Johnson, Cricket Kelbaugh, Dick Kelbaugh, Laura Lundy, Jill McCollum, Karen McVean, Susan Marcus, Barbara Morehouse, Wendy Pipentacos, Barbara Pritchard, Sam Reynolds, Richard Rhoads, Tom Ruhoff, Ann Stephens, Greg Swanson, Jane Thrall, Angel Wang, Pete Weiblen, Cathy Wolfson, and Laura Worcester. James Callegary and Kristina Tullgren also sang with us on Christmas Eve.

St. Zeno’s Zombie Choir: Fiona Fischer, Diing Garang, Andrew Gooden, Elyse Johnson, Olivia Lara, Rachel Whitaker, Wesley Hunter, Assistant Director; and James Beckwith, Accompanist.

Vocal Soloists: James Callegary, tenor; Dave Coatsworth, tenor; Pamela Dellal, mezzosoprano; James Gooden, tenor; Andrew Gooden, tenor; Elizabeth Gooden, soprano; Katie Holmes, soprano; Wesley Hunter, bass baritone; Mark Jarvis, baritone; Elyse Johnson, soprano; Dawn McMillian, soprano; Susan Marcus, mezzo soprano; Kristina Tullgren, soprano; James Neeley, baritone; Wendy Pipentacos, soprano; Barbara Pritchard, soprano; Cameron Rau, tenor; Richard Rhoads, tenor; Joseph Sanchez, baritone; Ann Stephens, mezzo soprano; Greg Swanson, baritone; Halsy Taylor, contralto; and Rachel Whitaker, soprano.

Instrumentalists: Bruce Anderson, cello; James Beckwith, piano; Betsy Bright Morgan, trumpet; Jason Carder, trumpet; Rosalie Cassiday, piano; Ellen Chamberlain, violin; Robert Chamberlain, cello; Jane Click, piano; Adam Conyne, ambient electronic improvisation; Kathy Creath, oboe; Brianna Devereaux, soprano; Teresa Finley, violin and rebec; Fiona Fischer, piano; Jane George, percussion; Karen Hanson, Native American flute; Rick Hanson, percussion; Fred Hayes, drums; Wesley Hunter, violin and viola; Sally Lefko, lever harp; Johanna Lundy, French horn; Michael Manning, piano; Michael Moynihan, saxophone; Sierra Norris, flute; Susan Roberts, hammered dulcimer; Daniel ‘Sly’ Slipetsky, piano; Steve Smith, soprano and tenor recorders, cornemuse, and regal; and Ann Weaver, viola.

Contributing composers: Dr. Pamela Decker and Winifred Williams.

Ensembles or performers exchanging performance at a service for use of church facilities: The Endicott Players, Michael Manning, director; The Sons of Orpheus, Grayson Hirst, director; and Tucson Repertory Orchestra, Toru Tagawa, director.

To anyone I may have inadvertently omitted from the above lists, apologies!

Peace, Christina Jarvis, Music Director

Educainon for Ministry Our mission is to provide a four-year program of Christian education in Biblical history, the growth of Christianity, and theology for inquiring students, both parishioners and others outside GSP. The group, mentored by Steve Mattix and Nanalee Raphael, currently has 8 participants. . This years’ theme is ‘Living

25

Faithfully In Our World’. Four students graduated from the program last spring, including Janet Kells, our ‘youngest’ participant at 92 years old! We look forward to welcoming five students for the coming year.

Steve Mattix and Nanalee Raphael

Eucharisinc Assistants, 7:45 a.m. The lay assistants serving at the 7:45 service continue to faithfully give of their time—as well as contributing bountifully when our group is assigned coffee hour hospitality. Individuals stepped up to help with the Advent IV/ Christmas Eve services. Isabel Amsel has joined us as a chalice bearer, and Will Staatz is now serving as an acolyte as well as a chalice bearer. Junior acolyte Henry Loew has been a very welcome addition to the acolyte group. Thanks to the generosity of the Altar Guild, two new adult size acolyte vestments (red cassock and white surplice) have been purchased. Our 7:45 lectors are also generously rendering service to GSP.

We would warmly welcome any individuals who would like to join us as chalice bearers, acolytes, and lectors at 7:45. Coverage continues to be a bit thin, particularly in the summer.

Respectfully submitted, Ann Schlumberger

Eucharisinc Assistants, 10 a.m. The year 2017 was another challenging, productive and BUSY year. We implemented many spiritually enriching and innovative Liturgies throughout our Liturgical year.

One of our major accom-plishments was finally find-ing a workable dignified venue for the altar party, acolytes, clergy and vergers to receive communion. Special kudos for Chaplain Steve’s diligent persistence as we went through several trial and error plans that didn’t fly. We now are ALL facing the congregation, giving and receiving to one another as we pass the paten of bread and the chalice of wine. Hallelujah!

We welcomed some new Lectors and Chalice Servers this past year. Our newest Lectors: Laura Rodriguez, Anton Faynberg and Joyce Warfield. Our newest chalice servers: Rod Warfield, Dave Robertson, Tom and Suzanne Morrison, and Martha Farnham joins us during the rotation, when she is not verging.

The year 2018 will continue providing more challenges and more innovative liturgies. I look forward to welcoming more new Lectors and Chalice Servers. If you are one who is interested in exploring this inspiring and rewarding ministry, please contact me: Willie, williejs@aol.com, and you can catch me on a Sunday and we’ll have a chat.

26

Thank you all for your willingness to serve and your continued dedication. Cannot imagine or envision a service without Lay Assistants. What would the clergy do without us? And, what would WE do without our dedicated, multi-talented and flexible, Clergy?’

Peace and Blessings, Willie Schlentz

Grief Ministry Grace St. Paul’s grief ministry provides a place of solace, like a best friend, where you can fully express your feelings of loss or how lonely you feel and where people will listen. This ministry goes beyond one-to-one and group grief pastoral care, and our memorial connections.

In addition to the Good Grief Group, individual grief support is offered on a in-person, 1:1 basis. For 2017, we provided 1:1 spiritual support to at least 3 individuals.

A Good Grief Group was held during February 2017. There will be one starting in February 2018. It seems that February is the time to hold this group on an annual basis. We have reworded the announcement in order to discourage misunderstanding in the group’s purpose and activity:

Grief can be an important part of our spiritual journey. This group will be a safe place to explore our grief experience and its potential for spiritual transformation. This group is experiential with music, guided meditation, prayer, short readings, as well as opportunities to share. All kinds of grief experiences including the loss of an animal companion are welcome.

This group will meet for seven weeks on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. starting February 17, 2018. It will be co-facilitated by Rev. Chris Ledyard and Karen Hanson. All sharing will be confidential and materials will be provided. Please call the Church Office at 520-327-6857 to preregister. If you have attended before, you are welcome to attend.

As another form of 1:1 support, as appropriate, we will send a card to those receiving memorial support from our Grief Ministry. Usually, we receive a referral through the church office following a memorial service or a ministry member receives a referral directly. This ministry is for those members of Grace St. Paul’s, their relatives or close friends needing support, and/or for those whose animal companions have died. Currently, those who are providing the memorial connections are (in no particular order): Shirley Forester, Brother Chuck Hannan OSF, Molly Johnson, Gale Odion, Nanalee Raphael, Craig Garver, Heather Pentland, Marilyn Atha, Terry Rosato, and Pam Jackson. During 2017, we served many individuals with in-person or written memorial connections. This year’s report will not contain a specific number of recipients in order to avoid ‘objectifying’ this sacred ministry. Needless to say, this is a great ministry you can do from home, materials are provided, reminders are sent, and we need YOUR help. Contact Rev. Chris if you’d like to join us.

A unique feature of this meaningful ministry is that group and individual support is available for those who grieve the loss of a companion animal. (See Animals and Spirituality Ministry annual report for more information.)

This coming year we plan to have an annual meeting with a brief training to review what to (not) say or write to those who are grieving. And to share what each of us are doing with our memorial connections.

This ministry goes beyond one-to-one and group grief pastoral care, and our memorial connections.

27

If you would like to be a member of this ministry, please contact Rev. Chris Ledyard at mach8350@cox.net. Fortunately, Terry Rosato has been assisting with the organization and keeping the communication records up to date on the providers and recipients of Grief Ministry.

Please do contact a member of this ministry, including Rev. Chris Ledyard @ mach8350@cox.net or the Church office, for support through your grief and/or loss process.

Respectfully submitted, Deacon Chris Ledyard

Intercessory Prayer Team The Rev. Chris Ledyard and Lynne Albright are co-chairs of the IPT which has 39 members. The team is different from the Prayer List in the Bulletin. Anyone can request prayers to the email address below and one of the chairs disseminates the request to team members via email. Our requests are considered confidential and information is not to be shared with anyone – even other parishioners. It is also possible to include a little information about the need. Each month we also distribute a list of the requests for the last 3 months to the team members.

In 2017 the team received exactly 100 requests. The number of requests per month increased significantly during the second half of the year. Perhaps more people became aware of the IPT. In addition to distributing the prayer requests to team members we participated with the Giving and Receiving program by sharing information about types of prayer and opportunities to join GSP groups around prayer.

If you want to request prayer for yourself or others, send an email to prayers@grace-stpauls.org. Rev. Chris and Lynne both receive mail sent to that address. If the request includes personally identifiable information, please get permission from the person to be added to the list. If you would like to join the team you can send a note to the same email address.

Peacefully, The Rev. Chris Ledyard and Lynne Albright

Pastoral Care At Grace St. Paul’s, our ‘pastoral care’ may well be called ‘mutual care’ – all offer support to one another, and many beyond our church walls, as need arises. All are invited to be part of this ministry, both as care-givers and care-receivers!

Whenever you or any in your circle of family & friends need support, please be in touch so that we can respond. You can always speak directly with one of the clergy, or with a member of the ‘Pastoral Care Support Team’ by calling our Pastoral Care Phone – 520-668-5727.

You can also offer support by volunteering to be available to assist other parishioners in a variety of ways. Steve Kelsey can send you a sign up form for these ‘mutual care ministries’: smkelsey@gmail.com

The ‘Pastoral Care Support Team’ [PCST} ensures that the pastoral needs of all members of GSP are being met. In the past year, we have met monthly to organize, encourage, and advance this work, assisting the leaders of Healing Touch, Grief Ministry and Eucharistic Visitors. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is coordinated by Joyce Henderson, and a ministry providing rides to services as we are able is coordinated by Steve

28

Williams. Pastoral counseling is offered to individuals upon request. We also have a small group offering spiritual support to persons living with depression.

The PCST offers an emergency pastoral care phone line ‘24/7’ (520-668-5727) & ensures a prompt response to calls, follow up usually within the next day. We were fortunate to have Diana Bailey answering the phone full time for us for the first part of 2017. Fr. Richard Mallory is overseeing the phone ministry in the coming year.

Those serving on the ‘Pastoral Care Support Team’ in 2017 were Alysha Collins, Ann Schlumberger, Sister Carol Matthew (Willans), Catherine Brown, Deacon Chris Ledyard, Brother Chuck Hannan, Heather Pentland, Kay Bigglestone, Kay Buckler, Laurie Finn, Lynne Albright, Marilyn Abraham, Nanalee Rafael, Deacon Nancy Meister, Patricia Dickson, Patricia Donohue, Stephen Hymel, Steve Williams, and Terry Rosato. We are most grateful for all the presbyters serving Grace St. Paul’s for their excellent support.

New members are always welcome in this ministry. If interested, speak with Steve Kelsey. If we can help you or another close to you, please let us know, and we will do all we can to be of assistance.

Submitted by The Rev. Steve Kelsey

Spirit Now — Worship In The Spirit Of The Emerging Church The Spirit Now service meets for an informal service most every Thursday evening of the year at 6 p.m. in McBride Hall. Father Steve Kelsey is our clergy leader, and the group usually numbers 8 to 16. We continue in our exploration of alternative liturgy and in our use of readings from many and varied spiritual traditions. Members attending support one another in taking turns to plan and lead services, in a contemporary and imaginative spirit, emphasizing music, meditation and music. On the first Thursday of the month, our service uses the Taizé tradition and meets in the Chancel.

On the third Thursday of the month, we have a simple (‘finger foods’) pot luck following the service in McBride Hall. We also sponsor the Ofrenda (as part of the observances of the Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead) each year.

JOIN US whenever you can!

Chris Eastoe Steve Kelsey

Ushers

An important role of the usher is to welcome everyone who comes in the door, making the church member or visitor feel welcome, and helping to make sure that each person has what they need for the service – a service bulletin, a copy of the announcements, a hearing device, or communion brought to their pew. This past year, our responsibility for the ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the congregation

29

during services has increased. Several ushers received certification in CPR and we are grateful to have received an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) from the Gootter Foundation. Now, each Sunday, 2 or 3 ushers serving are CPR certified and AED trained. Also expected to stay alert to activity inside and outside the building, we will offer the opportunity to learn to lead the response, should services ever be threatened by the presence of an active shooter.

There are currently four teams of ushers with rotating Sunday duties throughout the calendar year and 10 loyal substitutes graciously stepping in as needed. All volunteer for special services and holidays as we strive to never be without welcoming faces provide the first line of hospitality as they contribute to

ensuring the smooth flow of our worship experience.

Team 1 - Jane Nakazato, Jim Zuelow, Virginia Zuelow, and Cynthia Sorrensen

Team 2 -Steve Williams, Marilyn Abraham, Nancy Moritz, and Joe Smith

Team 3 - Chris Cole, Dianne Bret-Harte, Jeanne Fearson, and Michele Clark

Team 4 - Alysha Collins, Jay Elliston, Shari Murphy, and Sinead Jackson

Substitutes: Craig Garver, Michael Allen, Kathy Allen, Kual Magot, Judith Turner, Joyce Warfield, Rod Warfield, Beth Rickards, Lynn Walling and Jean Marie Smart.

Please consider joining us in this fun and vital ministry. If interested please contact Jean Smart at jmsmart.az@gmail.com

Submitted by Jean Smart

30

Vision – Mission – Ministry

Change the World

Animals & Spirituality At Grace St. Paul’s, we are providing an excellent opportunity to care for God’s creation through the Animals and Spirituality Ministry. Our mission statement reads as follows: ‘The Animals & Spirituality Ministry—focusing on the goodness of God’s creation and embracing our role as loving, responsible caretakers of God’s creation, with an emphasis on all animals.’ The mission statement was expanded to include all animals throughout the world including farm animals and endangered species.

Our ministry is different in that meetings are rarely held, as most of our communication is done through emails. If you wish to be added to the mailing list, send your name and email address to The Rev. Chris Ledyard at mach8350@cox.net. When we meet, it’s usually during a project such as packaging the food for the animals of our Pantry guests. Emails consist of updates, and forwards from other list-serves on animals, i.e. endangered species, farm animals, companion animals, training, etc.

Here’s a brief, non-inclusive review and commentary of what we have accomplished this past year and plan to continue in 2018:

Two collections of dog and cat food for Joseph’s Pantry guests: the congregation donated over 1400 pounds of dog and cat food in 2017. We packaged it up for the Pantry guests, and it seems to be going rather quickly. This is a multi-ministry project including Joseph’s Pantry, the GSP Communications team, and parish staff including David Wachter and Pam Spears. This is successful because of your generous contributions and the hard work of the inter-related ministries. Nanette Alvarez is our coordinator of the repackaging effort- and has done a great job keeping us all organized. In the coming year, we will keep track of those who help with the repacking so we can give a ‘shout-out’ of gratitude!

2017 ‘Love Local Adopt Local’ Pet Fair: Fr. Steve Kelsey and Brother Chuck Hannan blessed over 100 adopted and foster animals at this event. Interestingly, the original minister was unable to perform the blessing, so we were first on the list for back-up. Fortunately, Steve+ Kelsey and Bro. Chuck Hannon were able to respond on short notice. The blessing opportunities were well received.

Your Animal Memorial Garden: was blessed by the GSP community in May 2015. Most of the companion animal memorial services have been public community burials and a few have been private. The animal guardians choose whichever fits their comfort level. We hope you will consider this spiritual opportunity for you and your companion animals. We encourage people to contact the church office to have a memorial plaque posted on the memorial wall. Our last community burial held in October had 20 participants with the burial of 26 animal cremains. It was a truly spiritual experience! In early October, five of us (Terri Franks, Gale Odion, Angel Wang, Rita Magdaleno, and Rev. Chris, with many in-spirit) spent about an hour cleaning up the garden to improve its appearance. The animals appreciated care of their resting place, and the working team found it to be an exceptional spiritual activity. The plants are now being watered on a somewhat regular basis, and we are looking at how to have a water source put in at the garden. This would greatly enhance an opportunity to put in more plants that would attract birds and butterflies.

Becoming a pet food resource: As of last year, Grace St. Paul’s has made the commitment to never be without dog or cat food. Joseph’s Pantry is now listed as a food resource for dog and cat food. This is why your food contributions are so important.

31

A listing of pet adoption resources in Tucson: the resources already seem readily available in the community. A resource book was assembled and provided to the Social Services Department this past December.

Blessing of the Animals service—in conjunction with Father Steve, the liturgy committee. This occurred in October with fun and love as the operative words. The Liturgy is just awesome, and all are welcome regardless of animal or animal guardianship status. Congregants bring pictures of deceased animals for further blessings and remembrances.

Pastoral support for those whose pet has died, in the form of memorial services as well as one-on-one support has occurred throughout the year. We are looking forward to continuing this ministry throughout 2018. As we learn about adoptions and deaths through Facebook and other means, we send a prayer to the Animal and Spirituality ministry members via email so a community prayer may be raised-up for the animals and their companions. Additionally, as part of the Grief Ministry, memorial cards are sent to those from GSP who have lost a companion animal, when we learn about it.

Collection of blankets and towels for Pima Animal Care Center residents: Molly Johnson has been instrumental in coordinating this ministry, from weekly delivery of our donations to developing the bulletin announcements. Your generosity for this ministry is appreciated by the animals at PCCC. Your contribution provides comfort and an important sense of security – which enhances the opportunity to become adoptable to a forever home.

Names of ill or deceased animals listed in the weekly GSP Sunday bulletin. This is arranged through David Wachter in our church office and will continue through 2018. Please let David and/or Rev. Chris know as you experience or hear of a companion animal who is ill or deceased.

Development of a crisis resource list—we need a listing of people and/or organizations that can help with pet needs during short-term crisis situations. It is not an organized/standardized effort yet. This is an area that has included ministry members and Grace St. Paul’s members who were able to contribute time, effort, and space. Some of these have included Catherine Penn Williams, Sharon McKenzie, Rebecca Dickinson, and Sinead Jackson. Animals and Spirituality Ministry members and other congregants have been able to provide short-term foster care while the congregant has been in the hospital, sick, etc. We encourage all companion animal lovers who are currently with pets in their lives to have a crisis plan with names, phone numbers, and email addresses in place, where you have already arranged for your pet’s care while in the hospital – which can happen suddenly and not be pre-planned.

Table/Presence Ministry: Nanette Alvarez , Terri Franks, and Beverly De Marco have been dedicated volunteers for our Ministry when a table has to be staffed to inform about this ministry at Grace St. Paul’s. . Beverly brings additional attention to our Ministry through her excellent cooking skills.

Ministry Inventory: During our April 2017 meeting, it was decided to have a minimum of an annual meeting to conduct an inventory of what we do, what we do well, where and how we can improve, and consider what else we could be doing for taking this ministry to the outside world.

Other Projects: include a class in our adult spiritual formation ministry in relation to Animals and Creation was presented in conjunction with the Green Church committee in October by Angel Wang and Rev. Chris. Another special project was putting articles in the Briefly and the Bulletin, written by Peggy Scott and Sinead Jackson so people can understand what we do as a Ministry.

There are many unnamed people who work with/for this ministry and do whatever/whenever they can to further the spiritual interest in the love and compassion of God’s creation as expressed through our companion animals and all animals on earth. We, including the animals, are grateful and appreciate their services!

32

Please contact us through the Church office when we can be of service.

Respectfully submitted, Animals and Spirituality Ministry

Episcopal Campus Ministry Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) Supports the Episcopal Chaplaincy at the University of Arizona and other local colleges. As one of the local supporting parishes, Grace St. Paul’s Church provides members for the ECM Foundation, ECM Ministry Board, and other parish support activities.

On six Sunday evenings during the school year, GSP parishioners provide the meal for students following the Eucharist Service. ECM cooking teams of three to five volunteers provide a hot, home-cooked meal. Volunteers arrive at Campus Christian Center and set up the meal. Volunteers join students and Chaplain in Holy Eucharist, then serve the meal. This year’s volunteers included: Miriam Huber, Chris LaBour, Nanalee Raphael, Jesse Thrall, Jim and Virginia Zuelow, John and Lou Ann Bieging, Jane Conlin, and others.

If you would like to volunteer for this important outreach ministry to University students, contact Miriam Huber.

Submitted by Miriam Huber

Green Church The Green Church Committee encourages the transition to sustainability, care for the environment as the creation of God whose presence both transcends and dwells within, wise use of limited resources such as water, and preserving natural resources that assist carbon control.

We recently established a parish garden on our urban campus, with the initial footprint in the rectory backyard. The garden is named “Adamah” after the Biblical Hebrew word meaning ‘earth’ and symbolizing the deep relationship between Adam, the man of earth, with creation and the planet. Our harvests of yellow pear and heat tolerant red tomatoes and eggplant were donated to the Joseph’s Pantry patrons in McBride, some of whom are vegetarians.

On Creation Sunday, Oct. 1, we gave a presentation on “Caring for Creation—Caring for the Poor” as part of GSP Spiritual Formation. It was a joint effort on the part of Green Church and the Animal & Spirituality Ministry focused on the theme that we should be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another, animals, and the environment. The presentation was very well received and the slides are available for anyone who would like to view them. We expanded our footprint off campus as well. In April, we took part in the Tucson People’s Climate March in Presidio Park and hosted a booth there in the company of like-minded Tucsonans. Green Church has also been meeting with Green Episcopalians, including people from St. Michael’s, St Philip’s, St. Andrew’s and GSP interested in the environment.

Last October at the 2016 Diocesan Convention, our GSP table featured a Green Church and Animal Spirituality display with handouts of our articles on Sustainability and Eco-justice, Care of Creation and Care of the Poor, the 2016 Creation Sunday liturgy, and a joint paper on Factory Farming. We then gave a talk at the Climate Change Forum III at St. Michael’s entitled “Greening Episcopal Churches.”

33

We continued to join with St. Michael’s on green matters such as attending the recent Tucson City Council public hearing on climate change last August. We also attended the Climate Change Conversation at Temple Emanu-El, chaired by Steve Kozachik. We are working as well with the Pima County Interfaith Council Green Action Team on legislative matters such as electricity rates and possibly water issues to come. There is another possible initiative facilitating Tucson youth internships with an environmental focus.

We also worked with the Episcopal Diocese Creation Care committee on a proposed resolution on fossil-fuel divestment intended for this year’s Diocesan Convention that drew in part on a GSP resolution from 2015.

There are ample opportunities for participating in these environmental activities within our GSP community or beyond. Please contact co-leaders Spencer Hunter (shunter@u.arizona.edu) or Angel Wang (angeltwang@gmail.com) for information.

Submitted by Spencer Hunter

Joseph’s Pantry Summary

Joseph’s Pantry (JP) continues to experience high levels of commitment from volunteers and the parish. 2,301 food boxes from the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona were distributed, along with 2,078 bags of food provided by the parish. In addition, JP provided 2,725 showers, 5,223 daily food items, and 1,013 bags of pet food. Volunteers worked 1,834 hours in 2017. According CFB statistics, JP is the 25th busiest food pantry in Southern Arizona out of the 76 distribution agencies in 2017.

The pantry moved inside in 2017, making the pantry a friendlier and more pleasant experience for our community members, as well as easier on our volunteers, especially in the heat of the summer.

Activity 2014 2015 2016 2017

People served by JP 4,683 4,891 4,249 4,667

People served by CFB 5,757 5,171 4,154 3,485

Volunteer hours 2,016 2,329 1,990 1,834

Bags of pet food 905 1,140 990 1,013

Showers 2,102 2,402 1,614 2,725

Daily food 3,866 5,660 4,610 5,223

Small JP bags 1,475 1,656 1,384 1,435

Large JP bags 717 726 635 643

34

Small CFB boxes 1,267 1,371 1,119 1,100

Large CFB boxes 938 719 583 455

Extra large CFB boxes 102 137 119 97

Moving Inside

The pantry’s first home was inside the office in what is now the copier room. As the services offered by the pantry grew and the number of people served grew, the pantry moved into the shed behind the parish hall that housed it for the better part of a decade. Being outside provided much more room for pantry community members and made it easier to distribute food, but it also forced everyone, volunteers and community members, to be outside, in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter.

Moving into the parish hall has had a number of benefits. For community members, the pantry has always been a refuge from the noise of the city, a quiet space. Now, it can also be a place of refuge from the elements, too. It also makes visiting the pantry a more respectful and dignified experience by drawing people in to the space that is the social heart of the parish.

We experimented with different configurations of tables and chairs, and we settled on a cafe-style; small tables with two or three chairs, spread throughout the pantry side of the hall.

CFB Food Box Program

We are a distribution site of the Community Food Bank’s implementation of The Emergency Food Assistance Program, TEFAP, which is partially funded by both the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the US Department of Agriculture. This program provides a once-monthly box of food for individuals and families whose income is below 185% of the federal poverty level. The amount of food varies by household size. This food is provided at no charge to GSP. It is, in general, only a supplement to an individual or family’s food for a month. A recent box contained four cans, one each of vegetable soup, apple sauce, diced tomatoes, and green beans; rice, beans, macaroni and cheese, and corn flakes. The food in the CFB box only lasts so long, but it is a lifeline for individuals and families whose circumstances change quickly.

Joseph’s Pantry Bag of Food Program

Because the CFB food box can last any family only a few days, we also provide a bag of food from the church. This food comes from purchases made as part of the parish’s budget; from food donated by parishioners and other community members; and, from the CFB’s Agency Market, where food donated to the CFB in quantities to small to make it into the CFB box program are distributed to agencies around Southern Arizona. With this program, we are able to provide more flexibility, allowing pantry community members to choose from options within categories, e.g. a particular kind of soup, or a particular vegetable. This choice might seem small, but it is part of a growing movement in food security circles to increase the dignity and respect for individuals and households at food pantries. GSP has always been a leader in this respect.

Showers

Members of the pantry community use the two showers underneath the narthex on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays throughout the year. The pantry also offers all members of our community, not just those that shower here, toiletries as they are donated. We often have toothbrushes and toothpaste,

35

dental floss, soap, deodorant, and feminine hygiene supplies. The demand for these products is steady, but the supply is variable, as we do not use any of our budget to smooth out the variation in our inventory. We welcome regular donations, but also appreciate travel toiletries picked up during parishioners’ travels during the year. It is especially obvious during the summer months, but, on any shower day it is easy to see the change in a person’s body language after they have had a chance to care for their body, and we are so thankful that GSP has the resources to offer this service.

Statement of non-discriminainon

Some of the people who come to the pantry have never before been to Grace St. Paul’s. Because they do not yet know that we are a loving and welcoming community, they may worry that we will not welcome them openly. To communicate the essential nature of how we wish to treat everyone, the Pantry team adopted the following state of non-discrimination:

Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Joseph’s Pantry are a welcoming community. Beyond what we are required to do by law, we seek to make every person and every family feel welcomed and respected, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, language, religion, age, disability, property, political affiliation, marital status, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or medical condition. Everyone is welcome and everyone must be treated with kindness and respect.

Bread and Coffee

Thanks to our partners in the Bread for the Pantry ministry, Joseph’s Pantry always has bread. Thanks to donations from parishioners, we also always have coffee, cream, and sugar. In a perfect world, we would always have enough of everything, an abundance sufficient to simply trust the people that come to us to take what they need. We do not yet live in that abundance, but the bread and coffee serve as symbols of the world we are working towards. They also serve to create a community of solidarity and mutual aid, and it is common to sit in the pantry and hear conversations about the Social Services Ministry, available shelters, and places to get a hot meal. It is also common to hear stories told about family members and friends, books read, and movies watched. With a cup of coffee and something to eat, people are able to relax and have a peaceful moment. A woman who has come to the pantry intermittently for years described the campus and the pantry as an oasis in the city, a place of quiet and cool and calm.

Submitted by Andrew Gardner

Just Coffee Café Justo/Just Coffee Ministry members: Anne Sunderland and Karen Kelly

Café Justo/ Just Coffee is a coffee grower cooperative based in Salvador Urbina, Chiapas, Mexico. Café Justo/Just Coffee provides to the coffee growers of Salvador Urbina, Mexico incentives to remain on their family land by providing living opportunities. This is done by marketing coffee which is grown, harvested and marketed in the spirit of justice.

In 2017, the Café Justo/Just Coffee Ministry carried out Grace St Paul’s mission of

Providing food for the journey Calling people to change the world Promotion of social justice

The Café Justo/Just Coffee Ministry supported the Café Justo/ Just Coffee mission by purchasing coffee. Café Justo/ Just Coffee is sold to the GSP congregation twice a month and used for all GSP functions.

36

Approximately 450 pounds of coffee were purchased from Café Justo/Just Coffee for both sales to parishioners and use at Grace St. Paul functions.

Submitted by Anne Sunderland

Prayer Shawls Shawls, made for centuries, have been universally symbolic of an inclusive unconditionally loving God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and celebrate. Those who receive shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings.

Shawls are available, free, for anyone to give to another in need or to celebrate. At this year’s Blue Christmas we had a table full of shawls. One of the questions we kept being asked is ‘How Much?’ Our ministry does not sell these shawls – they are free! And we gave away six shawls!

If you feel the need to give to someone or for yourself, please contact Joyce Henderson, 3459jch@gmail.com.

Submitted by Joyce Henderson

Quilinng Ministry People in quilting: Oma (Sam) Guard; Yvonne Maynard; Joe Smith; Laura Pascoe

We have been making quilts for Diamond Children’s Hospital, a project we started in October 2016. The quilts go on their incubator and when the baby goes home the quilt goes with the baby. This makes our third year.

Our quilting group was started back in 2010 , so we have been doing this for 7 years now. We meet every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are interested or have any questions, you can contact Judith Turner, Ministry Leader, at (520) 822-4227.

Submitted by Judith Turner

Radical Hospitality The Radical Hospitality/Sanctuary Ministry at Grace St. Paul’s was born out of need, the need of one family to stay together and the need of our church to once again demonstrate that we practice what we preach. The need was immediate and so was our response. In just over two weeks, we had our first family move into the church. And for six months we shared the most amazing experience of my time at Grace St. Paul’s. This family became part of our church family.

The Radical Hospitality/Sanctuary Ministry started with so much giving. When we asked for volunteers, the response was immediate. When we asked for furniture, it was given. And without asking, we were given a generous donation to complete the furnishing of the room. Many days and nights of labor went into preparing the room for our Palm Sunday move-in. But the giving didn’t end when the family arrived. Over the next six months, volunteers spent thousands of hours in support of the family, many joining our guest in different activities, others being there in the Bloom Room just in case. We started a Prayer Vigil that will continue as long as the need exists.

37

And we received so much more than we gave. This family enriched our lives. They allowed us to become a part of their family, even throwing a high school graduation party and inviting the whole church to the celebration. The deportation issue was no longer abstract; here was a family, our family, that might be impacted by our government’s policies. We learned so much during their time with us and we cried when they left.

The room remains unoccupied at this time but the Radical Hospitality/Sanctuary Ministry is ready to move into action again whenever the need arises.

Submitted by Steve Mattix

TIHAN (Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network) Grace St. Paul’s has been a long-time supporter of TIHAN, the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network, and continues to provide much-needed donations of time, space, and goods to the organization that helps people living with HIV to live well. At the Poz Café luncheon each year, volunteers from Grace St. Paul’s purchase food for the lunch menu, collect essential toiletry items that low-income individuals often have a hard time purchasing, and help at the event to prepare and to serve. Moreover, toiletry items collected year-round go towards the monthly CarePackages that TIHAN’s clients living with HIV can take advantage of. Finally, as a volunteer-based organization, TIHAN runs entirely on volunteer power; and Grace St. Paul’s donation of space for volunteer trainings is vital for TIHAN to ensure that well-prepared individuals are going into the field to help support people in Tucson living with HIV.

Submitted by Deirdre Demers, TIHAN Program Manager

GSP members Tom Ham, Anne Sunderland, Stephen Hymel at June 2017 Poz Café

TIHAN volunteer training held at Grace St. Paul’s

38

Candidates for Vestry and Junior Warden The election is on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Annual Congregational Meeting.

The Bylaws say this about vestry elections: ‘Nominations to the vestry and for junior warden shall be made by a nominating committee of no fewer than five persons including two retiring Vestry members, appointed by the Rector each year, subject to the approval of the Vestry. This committee shall report to the congregation six weeks before the annual meeting. Additional nominations may be made to the nominating committee or the Rector up to three weeks before the annual meeting. No nominations from the floor will be accepted.’

Introducing the Candidates for Vestry & Junior Warden

There are four (4) candidates for openings on the 2018 Vestry. In addition, there is one candidate running unopposed for the position of Junior Warden. The candidates are:

For Junior Warden: Phil Johnson For Vestry: Anton Faynberg, Karen Hanson, Jim Steinman, and Richard (Ric) Wood.

Anton Faynberg, Vestry Anton Faynberg was born in Vologda, Russia on the Day of Epiphany, 1985. The paternal side is Jewish and the maternal, Russian Orthodox. Having emigrated to the U.S. in 1994, the Faynbergs settled in Boston, where Anton finished junior- and high school. Anton attended Oberlin Conservatory in northeast Ohio, majoring in classical piano performance. After Oberlin, Anton moved to Tucson for graduate school at the UA culminating in the completion of the doctoral degree in music in 2016. Since then, Anton has discerned a call to ministry as the result of a lifelong

passion for Christianity. Anton believes in the importance of spirituality and seeks to make the gospel relevant and applicable in the modern world. Anton’s conviction is based upon the view of Jesus Christ as the ideal human being: an ideal to strive toward and lovingly encourage others to strive toward. Anton believes in open and honest communication and respectful dialogue between diametrically opposing points of view. Anton exists and operates in the boundary between the old and the new, conservative and liberal, foreign and domestic, traditional and progressive, the sacred and the profane. Anton feels modern man’s need for spiritual guidance and non-judgmental leadership, and seeks to provide loving support through teaching, engaging, and creative endeavors. Anton yearns to create communities based on trust and respect, with a reverence for the past by making history and the arts alive and vital for young people. All this is to be done within the context and structure of the church, and in the name Jesus Christ, whose example is forever alive.

Karen Hanson, Vestry I was born and grew up in upstate New York, Syracuse and Ithaca. I came to Tucson in 2008. My career was as a Clinical Social Worker, and I’ve led groups, given workshops, and taught Conflict Resolution. All my life I’ve been a poet and writer, and have published a few books of poetry.

After many years away, and years practicing in Siddha Yoga, I felt called to look again into Christianity. I fell in love with Grace Saint Paul’s and was baptized here last year. The emerging church is growing here and I’m excited to be a part of this

holy vitalization of the Way of Christ.

39

I’ve been involved with various ministries at GSP’s, including teaching on the Mystic Poets and on climate change. I’ve co-facilitated with deacon Chris Ledyard some Grief groups, Spiritual Support for Depression groups, and several Quiet Days that included Centering Prayer, which I practice and feel is very important to the church today—a living, breathing tradition that leads into the experience of the divine presence. I’ve also participated in Spirit Now, and studied in EFM.

I’ve also been actively involved in trying to bring forward a Divestment Resolution to the vestry here and to the Diocesan Convention years ago, as part of the Green Church Committee. There was little response back then but now it is being discussed in the national Episcopal church and many universities, denominations, and even cities. Many have decided to divest their funds from fossil fuel companies, and reinvest in alternative funds, often alternative energy funds, which are more widely available now. I still believe strongly that we as Christians should not be profiting from the destruction of our planet and terrible injustice for the victims of ever growing numbers of climate disaster events. I hope that GSP will divest its own funds soon, even if the Diocese takes longer. This would allow us to invest in companies that are promoting climate justice and a safe transition to sustainable economies for all peoples.

Jim Steinman, Vestry Margie and I came to Grace St. Paul’s last fall, attracted by a coincidence of values, the church’s spiritually uplifting tone, and by its straight-on friendliness. We admired Father Richard, the interim at St. Michael’s. We followed Deacon Nancy’s lead in the Sanctuary Ministry. We listened to sermons by Father Steve and read the remarkable Welcome to Grace St. Paul’s, a powerful statement of inclusion.

We’re very glad we came. As Pam Spears said, Grace St. Paul’s is what a church should be. It makes us very happy.

I am a cradle Episcopalian. My grandparents did the music for Holy Trinity Episcopal in Lincoln, Nebraska. I grew up on his organ bench. When we moved to Tucson in 1960 we joined Grace.

I attended St. Michael’s for twelve years, was treasurer for two, served on its search committee, and coordinated its Bazaar for two years. I currently serve on the Diocesan Discernment Committee and am a member of the Diocesan Native American Ministry.

I majored in philosophy and English at the University of Nebraska, took a Master’s there, and completed the coursework for a Ph.D. in English at Madison. This career was cut short as the baby boom went by so there were no jobs. So I went into marketing and ended up with my own printing company here for eighteen years, sold it, and retired.

At Grace St. Paul’s I volunteer in St. Joseph’s Pantry, enjoy Taizé, and co-chaired Giving & Receiving for 2017.

40

Richard (Ric) N Wood Grace Saint Paul’s has become my spiritual home since the fall of 2012. Prior to that I attended the Newman Center for over 20 years as a convert to Catholicism. During those years the community was accepting and loving, but in my heart something was missing. I found what was missing when I visited Grace Saint Paul’s. From the first day that I attended the 8:00 a.m. service (now 7:45) the community welcomed and accepted me without reservation or judgment. I knew that this place, this community, openly embodied a spiritual home ‘open to all, providing food for the journey’ and called me to, in my own small way, ‘change the world’ by sharing the Grace at GSP with those in my personal and professional world. I hope I can share

the Grace I have received at GSP by participating in the Vestry. I try to live the GSP mission as a full-time Professor of Practice at the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona. I teach Statistics and Research methods as well as a class in Critical Thinking, and a new course in Program Planning and Evaluation to undergraduates.

Phil Johnson, Junior Warden

Phil Johnson is originally from El Cerrito, CA (San Francisco Bay Area). He and his wife, Barbara Morehouse, moved to Tucson in 1987 so that Barbara could attend the University of Arizona. Phil was a musician for a number of years (classical guitar) before transitioning into a career that has involved working with people with significant disabilities. He is currently a faculty member in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Arizona. In addition to his faculty position, Phil has been working to help people manage symptoms from Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. He is on the boards of United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona and Linkages, an organization that links

employers with qualified job seekers who have disabilities.

Phil and Barbara have been members of the Grace St. Paul’s choir for the past 2 years; they became members of the church last year. Phil is looking forward to having the opportunity to become more involved with serving the Grace St. Paul’s community.