Advent is often described as a season of waiting. Advent waiting is not passive, because this is a time of year pregnant with anticipation!

St. Philip’s has many special services and other events during Advent! Click here for a schedule in pdf form. The Advent Festival of Lights Service on December 2 and the Advent Quiet Day on December 6 are described below.

Advent kicks off with the annual Advent Festival of Lights Service, on Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. This annual candlelit service seeks to illuminate the feminine face of God, with a theme this year of “Expecting Joy” and a focus on anticipating the joy of God’s works in us. The service will feature readings, prayers, instrumental music, and congregational singing. Prior to the service, beginning at 5:30 p.m., a light-fare potluck dinner will take place in the Murphey Gallery at St. Philip’s. A freewill offering will benefit Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse.  Emerge! provides domestic abuse crisis intervention and housing, prevention and education, and support and advocacy services to women and children.  Emerge! is the largest domestic abuse shelter and provider of domestic abuse prevention programs in Southern Arizona. The service ends with a candlelit procession into the garden.

On Saturday, December 6, St. Philip’s will host an Advent Quiet Day entitled “Teresa of Avila: Mentor for the Ages.” The retreat begins at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and includes lunch. This spacious and renewing day will include talks, prayer, music and time for reflection and contemplation.

Teresa of Jesus, OCD, known by many as Teresa of Avila, was a prominent 16th century Spanish mystic, saint, Carmelite nun, theologian, and church reformer. Through the past 500 years, the faithful across countless Christian traditions have been inspired by Teresa’s life of prayer and reform. In 2015, a group of St. Philip’s will begin a Pilgrimage to Spain in Avila, exploring her spirituality in the place of her birth. This day will appeal to all who yearn for an intentional day of spirituality in the midst of the Advent Season. Pilgrims planning to travel to Spain in 2015 will also find this day inspiring. (To learn more about the  pilgrimage to Spain, click here.)

• Morning Retreat Talk: Teresa’s Life: Guideposts for a Whole and Happy Life. This talk will offer a brief history of Teresa’s life and Ministry, explore the universal Christian appeal of her writings and practices, and consider the many titles by which Teresa has come to be known and revered.
• Afternoon Retreat Talk: Teresa and Prayer: The Call to Carmel Is a Call to Prayer. This talk will explore the centrality of Teresa’s contemplative prayer practice.

This Advent day of prayer and reflection will be led by the Rev. Dr. Ivan Cormac Marsh, O. Carm, a Carmelite priest of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary since 1978 and now residing in Tucson. Over the years, Father Ivan has been involved in parish ministry, Carmelite retreat ministry and as spiritual director. Father Ivan lectures, gives retreats to laity and clergy around the United States, and has taught also in Canada in the area of spiritual direction.

$25.00 retreat fee includes materials and lunch. Contact the Rev. Greg Foraker or call 299-6421 to register.