Have 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

American Bach concert Apr. 18

CCA Rummage Sale Apr. 19
Border Procession Apr. 19

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

Cursillo 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

Women's Weekend - Mar. 12-15, 2009

On the Net: http://cursillo.azdiocese.org/index.html

Shameless commerce department . . .

Laura 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

Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund. It builds 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.

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