Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Bishop's E-pistle for April 30, 2008

E-pistle Header
Bishop Smith's weekly E-pistle
Bishop Kirk. S. Smith
Bishop of Arizona

Bishop Smith

Almost 30 years in the ministry and I had never been to a Cursillo gathering-up to now. This past Sunday evening I was asked to officiate at the closing ceremony for the first Cursillo held in this Diocese in about 10 years. Saying that I was impressed would be an understatement.


Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/317

+Kirk

Upcoming events

Calendar IconMay

The Diocesan calendar plus News and Events can be found on our website www.azdiocese.org. There you can also find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and a link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
Old domain name no longer works
Diocesan Logo
Please note that the old diocesan domain name of episcopal-az.org no longer works after four years of using both. The official Episcopal Diocese of Arizona website can be found at azdiocese.org. Please make sure you go to our current site azdiocese.org and change any links or bookmarks you may have.
 
Day of Discernment to be held May 3

PHOENIX - The Commission on Ministry's annual Day of Discernment is scheduled for Saturday, May 3. The Day will offer lots of information about the ordination process: steps to take, roles of parish clergy, discernment committees, and vestries. And most particularly about how a person and a congregation go about discerning a call and nominating a person to study for Holy Orders.
  • Who: Men and women who may be called to Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church, spouses and partners, supporting clergy, discernment committees, vestry members and wardens.
  • What: Entry to the ordination process in the Diocese of Arizona
  • When: May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
  • Where: Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix
Reservations are naturally required for lunch. Please make your reservation with Gary Gorman at Trinity Cathedral (602) 254-7126 x310 or gary@trinitycathedral.

On the Net : http://www.azdiocese.org/events/64
Shameless commerce department . . .

ikonartsLaura Smith, Bishop Smith's wife, has a website about
icons for contemplative prayer at ikonarts.net. Net proceeds from sales of all icons, prints, cards, and commissions go to relieve extreme global poverty through participation in the Millennium Development Goals.
Alleluia Fund benefits missions
Alleluia Fund Logo
Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It b
uilds new churches and supports new growth initiatives in existing churches! Your contribution of money, stocks, or land will make a vital difference. For more information, contact Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

You can also support the Alleluia Fund
by purchasing items from our CafePress store.Support This Site
A Final Thought
Finally, we are beginning to see some great YouTube-style videos produced by our church, and one of the best I have seen was done by a videographer at Trinity Cathedral! It was made for Ash Wednesday, and "Remember That You Are Dust" is now on the Cathedral Website (www.trinitycathedral.com). Look under the "What's New" button. And while you are on that site, don't forget to check out the new video on the procession trip to Naco, Sonora.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/317

+Kirk

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

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

Peace,
Greta Huls
Communications Officer
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Public
April 30, 2008
E-pistle to arrive on Tuesdays
We shall start sending the E-pistle on Tuesdays to better accomodate church bulletin printing schedules as well as clergy and their days off.

Join Our Mailing List

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

Sunday, April 27, 2008

St. John's Weekly E-Message


Greetings in the name of the Lord

Gospel Music Sunday: Sunday morning we will worship using the African-American Hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing. Thanks to Ace Edewards and the St. John's Choral Society for offering their musical leadership and ministry.

Concert: Musica Sin Fronteras, Cochise College's bi-national choir directed by Lori Keyne, will be performing at The Church of Guadalupe on Sunday, April 27th in Naco, Sonora, at 3pm. The church is on the main street of Naco, about six blocks from the port of entry on the left. The concert is free-of-charge.

Border Procession Video: Those who would like to view a video of last week's Border Procession, please click on the link below. The video was made possible by Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix.


http://www.youtube.com/user/TrinityCathedral

Peace and Blessings

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Bishop's E-pistle for April 24, 2008

E-pistle Header
Bishop Smith's weekly E-pistle
Bishop Kirk. S. Smith
Bishop of Arizona

Bishop Smith

It was my hope that this week I could switch the publication day of E-pistles from Friday to Tuesday. Many of you have commented that receiving this missive on Friday is too late to have an impact on Sunday events, and many of the clergy take Fridays off. I am happy to oblige, but the pace of life at Diocesan House meant that, for this week anyway, I was only able to push back the transmission time by one day. I hope to do better next week!

This past Saturday I joined with about 100 other Arizona Episcopalians at Naco, on the Mexican border for a "border procession." It was not a political event. The marchers carried no signs. We simply wore yellow t-shirts with the words in Spanish and English, "God has no borders." We had gathered for two reasons. The first was to dedicate a new aid facility for those whom the INS had caught and returned to Mexico. Many of these folks are penniless, sick, or at least in need of food and water. A group of church people from this side of the border has converted an old taco restaurant into a clean, welcoming space, where the weary can find rest and help to return to their homes in Mexico or parts south.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/314

+Kirk

Procession is a sign of unity

Naco procession

Craig Bustrin, a priest at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix, carries a thurible filled with burning incense as he leads a border procession in Naco, Sonora, on Saturday. Jonathon Shacat-Herald/Review

Religious leaders talk on freedom, border fence

Jonathon Shacat
Herald/Review

NACO, Sonora - The third annual border procession featured food, music and prayer on Saturday, but it was the recently-constructed fence on the U.S.-Mexico border that was the topic of the day.

The event was a binational effort of church groups from Mexico and the United States. Last year, participants walked down the border to where the fence ended and they shared grape juice and bread and sang. But construction of the border fence at that location prevented them from doing the same this year.


On the Net: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/312
Upcoming events

Aprilnewspaper
May

The Diocesan calendar plus News and Events can be found on our website www.azdiocese.org. There you can also find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and a link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
Old domain name no longer works
Diocesan Logo
Please not that the old diocesan domain name of episcopal-az.org no longer works after four years of using both. The official Episcopal Diocese of Arizona website can be found at azdiocese.org. Please make sure you go to our current site azdiocese.org and change any links or bookmarks you may have.
 
Day of Discernment to be held May 3

PHOENIX - The Commission on Ministry's annual Day of Discernment is scheduled for Saturday, May 3. The Day will offer lots of information about the ordination process: steps to take, roles of parish clergy, discernment committees, and vestries. And most particularly about how a person and a congregation go about discerning a call and nominating a person to study for Holy Orders.
  • Who: Men and women who may be called to Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church, spouses and partners, supporting clergy, discernment committees, vestry members and wardens.
  • What: Entry to the ordination process in the Diocese of Arizona
  • When: May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
  • Where: Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix
Reservations are naturally required for lunch. Please make your reservation with Gary Gorman at Trinity Cathedral (602) 254-7126 x310 or gary@trinitycathedral

On the Net : http://www.azdiocese.org/events/64
Shameless commerce department . . .

ikonartsLaura Smith, Bishop Smith's wife, has a website about
icons for contemplative prayer at ikonarts.net. Net proceeds from sales of all icons, prints, cards, and commissions go to relieve extreme global poverty through participation in the Millennium Development Goals.
Alleluia Fund benefits missions
Alleluia Fund Logo
Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It b
uilds new churches and supports new growth initiatives in existing churches! Your contribution of money, stocks, or land will make a vital difference. For more information, contact Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

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

The World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a public hearing last week on migration which was hosted by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Beirut, Lebanon. The hearing is a precursor to a Global Ecumenical Network on Migration meeting held later in the week.

Migration "is a fact of life. It is as much an instinct to survive as it is an inevitable consequence of globalization. We can neither turn our backs on it, nor control it," declared a statement of participants at a 15-16 April Public Hearing on Migration held in Beirut, Lebanon. "Migrants are not commodities, illegal aliens or mere victims, they are human beings."

Around the world, people are leaving their home countries in search of safety, freedom or a better life, the consultation heard. These migration flows are a challenge to churches as migrants bring their own traditions and values into local parishes or create their own religious communities.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/314

+Kirk

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

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

Peace,
Greta Huls
Communications Officer
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Internal
April 24, 2008
E-pistle to arrive on Tuesdays
We shall start sending the E-pistle on Tuesdays to better accomodate church bulletin printing schedules as well as clergy and their days off.

Join Our Mailing List

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

Friday, April 18, 2008

Bishop's E-pistle for April 18, 2008

E-pistle Header
Bishop Smith's weekly E-pistle
Bishop SmithHave you seen those great new TV ads-where politicians from different ends of the political spectrum sit on the same couch and agree on the need for environmental action? They are very clever. I've seen two. The first got Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson in the same room. In the second, Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich jointly called on America to come up with clean energy solutions. I understand that Al Gore was the force behind these ads. You can see them for yourself at www.wecansolveit.org.

Continued at: http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/308

+Kirk

The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith
Bishop of Arizona

Upcoming events

newspaperAmerican Bach concert Apr. 18
Men's Cursillo Apr. 24-27 
Tacky Prom Apr. 27
Women's Cursillo May 1-4
2008 Arizona Ecumenical Council's Donohoe Forum
May 2-3

Business of God lunch
May 13

The Diocesan calendar plus News and Events can be found on our website www.azdiocese.org. There you can also find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and a link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
Annual Border Procession this weekend

NACO - The third Annual Border Procession, a collaboration with our brothers and sisters across the border, is scheduled for Sat., April 19 from 1-5 p.m. Meet at the Border Gate in Naco, Ariz. This is a bi-national event, sponsored by church groups from the U.S. and Mexico.

  • Responsive singing at the border fence near the gate
  • Dedication of the Naco Migrant Resource Center just across the border
  • Scripture, worship and messages at the Church of Guadalupe--a seven block walk down Main Street in Naco
  • Refreshments and music at the church
  • Bishop Kirk Smith is scheduled to address the gathering

A special request: 2,400 migrants have been served at the migrant center in the first two months. Please consider a cash donation toward the considerable operating expenses.

Please note either a passport OR a drivers license and a birth certificate copy are now required at the U.S. Customs gate.

For more information contact The Rev. Seth Polley at seteo@q.com.

Diocesan council positions filled

PHOENIX - It is with great pleasure that we announce the Diocesan Council election results from Mission Convocation on April 5:

3 year term: The Rev. Victor Sarrazin, St. Stephens, Sierra Vista
1 year term: The Rev. Bill Young, St. Christophers, Sun City
 
New diocesan necrologist appointed

PHOENIX - Bishop Kirk Smith has appointed The Rev. Dan Gerrard as the new Diocesan Necrologist. The Rev. Thomas Leyba retired as the Diocesan Necrologist at the 2007 diocesan convention. He was appointed by Bishop Joseph Harte at the 1964 convention and began his duties in 1965. The diocesan necrologist is responsible for reporting all deaths that happen within the Diocese during the year.
Arizona Cursillo resumes

rainbowCursillo is back in the diocese. Upcoming events and weekends are:

Teams are forming, candidates are being registered, and the Spring Weekends
at St. Stephens, Phoenix are just around the corner. Please join us as we pray, learn, and support each other on our journeys.

2008 Cursillo Weekends 
Men's Weekend - Apr. 24-27 
Women's Weekend - May 1-4
 
Do you have a candidate? Have you spoken to your parish priest? Applications can be found on the cursillo website. You may print and make as many copies as you like. Spread the word at your parish.

2009 Cursillo Weekends
Men's Weekend - Mar. 5-8, 2009
Shameless commerce department . . .

ikonartsLaura Smith, Bishop Smith's wife, has a website about
icons for contemplative prayer at ikonarts.net. Net proceeds from sales of all icons, prints, cards, and commissions go to relieve extreme global poverty through participation in the Millennium Development Goals.
Alleluia Fund benefits missions
Alleluia Fund Logo
Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It b
uilds new churches and supports new growth initiatives in existing churches! Your contribution of money, stocks, or land will make a vital difference. For more information, contact Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

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

I was very proud to see the good press that our own Diocese got on March 22 in the Arizona Republic:

Churches preaching green.

+Kirk

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

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

Peace,
Greta Huls
Communications Officer
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Public
April 18, 2008
Join Our Mailing List

E-pistle to arrive on Tuesdays

We shall start sending the E-pistle on Tuesdays to better accomodate church bulletin printing schedules as well as clergy and their days off.
 
Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to christopher.overlock.stjohnsbisbee@blogger.com, by greta@azdiocese.org
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona | 114 W. Roosevelt Street | Phoenix | AZ | 85003-1406