Month: June 2015

Summer Lecture Series — “Protestantism and the Anglican Church in the Seventeenth Century”

The University of Arizona Division for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies, with St. Philip’s In The Hills Episcopal Church, presents their annual summer lecture series, entitled “Protestantism and the Anglican Church in the Seventeenth Century.”

During the political turmoil of the seventeenth century in England, the Anglican Church, under royal headship, abandoned Elizabeth’s latitudinarian policies. With more Protestant convictions amply represented in England, tensions grew. They finally burst forth into a civil war that saw King Charles I beheaded before a crowd at the Palace of Whitehall. After the Interregnum, a period of governance by Calvinists, the monarchy was restored in 1660. Finally, in 1688, with the birth of a male, Catholic successor to King James II, the Protestants overthrew the monarch and invited in James’s daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William of Orange.

This series of lectures will depict major events in this unstable but exciting century, one in which the Anglican Church played a major part. The lectures will explore the rise of Puritanism (August 9; Cory Davis, doctoral student); Charles I and William Laud (August 16; Annie Morphew, M.A. student); religious issues in the English Revolution (August 23; Kristen Coan, doctoral student); and the religious grounds for overthrowing the monarchy in 1688 (August 30; Adam Bonikowske, doctoral student). Ute Lotz-Heumann, Heiko A. Oberman Professor of Late Medieval and Reformation History, will contextualize and comment on each of the lectures.

This joint offering between the Division for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies and St. Philip’s is free and open to the public. The public is cordially invited to join us in supporting these future scholars of Reformation history.

St. Philip’s is located at 4440 N. Campbell Avenue at River Road. The most convenient parking is in the north parking lot; walk down the breezeway from the north parking lot and the Music Center is on the right. There is also covered parking under the solar power structure to the east of the building complex. The office phone number is 299-6421.

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Friends of Music Summer Sizzlers: Titan Valley Warheads

TWV LAS LOMAS for TiffOn Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Church, St. Philip’s Friends of Music presents Titan Valley Warheads.

Known for their tight harmonies and instrumental skills, the Titan Valley Warheads have been voted Best Bluegrass Band by the Tucson Area Music Awards, won the prestigious “Best Band” title at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and performed for appreciative crowds at Tucson Bluegrass Festival, Prescott Bluegrass Festival, Tucson Folk Festival and Flagstaff ‘s Pickin’ in the Pines Festival. The band currently consists of Gary Kuitert (mandolin), Earl Edmonson (guitar), Ed Davenport (bass), Andy McCune (banjo) and Tom Rhodes (fiddle).

The suggested concert admission is $20 per person. The mission of Friends of Music is to enrich the musical experience of the parish and community through events such as concerts, outreach, education, scholarships, commissions, and support of special musical events.

St. Philip’s is located at 4440 N. Campbell Avenue at River Road. Ample parking is available in the north parking lot or under our solar parking structure on the east side. For more information see the Friends of Music web site or call (520) 222-7277.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Titan Valley Warheads have been on the Tucson music scene since the group formed in 1981. The focus of the group began as a bluegrass band with Ed Davenport, Gary Kuitert and Ricky Lee Phelps as the primary singers with Martin Sinclair and Don Johnson adding fiddle and banjo to the mix. Ricky left to join the Kentucky Headhunters in Nashville and the Warheads began playing out in Tucson at Al Smith’s Pub. Through the years there have been some personnel changes but four of the current members have been performing together for over 20 years.

The Warheads have always tried to use the experience of their musicians to form the basis for their music particularly if it takes them beyond bluegrass. It is the fusion of those different kinds of music that keeps the band fresh and interesting. The current band members come from bluegrass, blues, rock, do wop, country, folk, and swing. All these influences are melded together into a show that gives the listener a wide variety of musical interpretations arranged for the instrumentation of these experienced musicians. Each show is built for the listening audience so each is different than the last show. A Duke Ellington tune “a la bluegrass” may be followed by one by Flatt and Scruggs then an a Capella song by the Fleetwoods followed by a bluegrass version of the Rolling Stones, “Wild Horses” and a version of Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds done in the style of the Sons of the Pioneers.

The program will be announced from the stage. Stop by for an afternoon of fun supporting live music in the Tucson summer with the Titan Valley Warheads.

Tucson Historic Marriage Equality Rally at St. Philip’s

equals signThe Supreme Court has just ruled that the Constitution requires all 50 states to legally recognize and perform same-sex marriages. On Monday, June 29, at 5:30pm, Tucson will hold a Decision Day Rally at St. Philip’s In The Hills Episcopal Church. The event is sponsored by the Wingspan Multifaith Working Group and the 7th Annual Multifaith Pride Service, and hosted by St. Philip’s LGBTQ-A ministry. TIHAN, SAAF, PFLAG, the LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project, and the Culture of Peace Alliance are providing community outreach support.

Faith and community leaders will share prepared statements about this historic case and the long-fought struggle for LGBTQ rights in America and here in Arizona. Three elected officials — Congressman Ron Barber, State Representative Victoria Steele, and Tucson City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich — will speak at the event. Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Congregation Or Chadash, Rev. Greg Foraker of St. Philip’s, and the Rev. Mike Smith and Sylvia Thorson-Smith from St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church will share perspectives on the decision from the Judeo-Christian Tucson community. Scott Blades, Executive Director of TIHAN, Ann Yellott from the Culture of Peace Alliance will also give their reflections. This will be an occasion for faith communities to join together to mark this historic time. The Monday date for the rally was to allow Jewish community participation in this program.

St. Philip’s is located at 4440 North Campbell Avenue at River Road. There is ample parking in the north parking lot or under the solar structure on the east side. The statements will take place in the Church, and a reception will follow in the Murphey Gallery. Both spaces are fully accessible. Questions regarding this event may be addressed to Marc Paley, organizer, at 520-306-0157. Cameron Rau (520-440-2240) will serve as the St. Philip’s liaison for this event.

Retirement of the Rev. Canon John E. Kitagawa

jek preachingOn Sunday, April 12, our Rector, the Rev. Canon John Kitagawa, shared with us his plans to retire this summer. You may read his announcement here.

We rejoice with John and Kathy as they begin this new phase of their life journey. We ask for your prayers for the parish as we proceed through our transition and for the support and thanksgiving for John and Kathy Kitagawa during their time of transition.

John’s last Sunday with us will be Sunday, June 21. We will celebrate his ministry liturgically at the 7:45, 9, and 11:15 a.m. services, with special prayers, special choral and instrumental music, and presentations. A festive Coffee Hour at 10:15 a.m. will provide an opportunity for conversation and cake in cool comfort. The Sunday bulletin is posted here.

If you would like to write a letter of appreciation to John and Kathy, please use letter size (8.5 x 11) paper and bring or send unfolded to the office attn. Stella by June 14.

Want to contribute to a retirement gift? Make checks payable to St. Philip’s with “John Retirement Gift” in the memo line. Bring or mail to the office attn. Lois or Bonnie by June 14. Office address: P.O. Box 65840, Tucson, AZ 85728-5840

A party was held on Friday, June 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Music Center and Children’s Center Courtyard. Beer and wine donations benefitted Habitat for Humanity. It was a truly festive and heart-warming occasion, with lots of touching and inspiring words and an entertaining “thank you” skit from the Chalice Players.

party

We have been truly blessed to have John and Kathy with us for fourteen years, and we wish them happiness as they embark on future adventures.