It is a huge week for the nation, and there are also many critical things going on in our diocese. This E-pistle is perhaps a reflection of the scattered nature of my own thoughts, prayers, and actions.
Diocesan News
Oh The Places You’ll Go!
Join us on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 11:30 AM for lunch and a short presentation. Hosted by The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona and Church Pension Group, this free event could change how you think about your financial future.
The Altar of the Day of the Dead
In Latin America, traditions of the Day of the Dead are passed from generation to generation, but in the United States, this celebration is relatively new. In California, some activists began organizing processions and altar displays for the Day of the Dead in the 1960s and 1970s as a way to honor Mexican American heritage. More recently, Day of the Dead products have started appearing in stores like Wal-Mart, Target, and Crate & Barrel. Now they are in many more stores.
2024 Diocesan Convention Wrap-Up
Diocesan Convention 2024 was a fantastic gathering of the faithful! Our Year-in-Review video is available–take a look and see what the Diocese of Arizona has been doing as we Follow Jesus, Grow in Faith, and Walk in Love!
Growing the Church with the Hispanic Community
As you read this e-news, Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close. An important month for Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. A month that also serves as a reminder to non-Hispanics of the work that still needs to be done and the ongoing challenges that the Hispanic/Latino communities face. Let us go over quickly about its origins and today’s challenges that Hispanic people face. Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week of celebration in 1968, under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. But it wasn’t until 1988 that the United States Congress enacted legislation that expanded the celebration to a full month, from September 15 to October 15.
Anti-Racism Curriculum 2024 Fall Cohort
Purpose: Pathways for Engaging in Anti-Racism Initiatives is designed to provide an understanding, self-examination, and spiritual awakening grounded in our Baptismal Covenant into issues of racism. The training will “strengthen our life together as a denomination that understands the intricate ways in which the sin of racism infects individuals, congregations, and communities.” (GC 2018- A044).
2024 Monastic Retreat at Chapel Rock
The Fourth Annual Diocesan Monastic Retreat is open to everyone who seeks an opportunity for rest and renewal in a monastic setting. This retreat is designed for clergy and laity, Episcopalians, and non-Episcopalians. If you desire to draw near to God through practices such as praying in the Daily Offices, silence, fellowship, and many more, join us at Chapel Rock!
Hispanic Heritage & Christianity in Arizona
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I invite us to reflect on the contributions of the Hispanic and Spanish-speaking world to the life of The Episcopal Church and the broader Anglican Communion. Tracing our roots as a Christian tradition we will discover that our faith shared an ancient Communion with Christians of many cultures and languages. Please, consider how you have grown in your faith and relationship with Christ as a result of our cultural diversity and inclusion here in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.
2024 Diocesan Convention Anticipation
Our diocesan staff is eagerly getting ready for our Convention on Saturday, October 19. So are the good people of St. Philip’s-in-the-Hills, Tucson, who are hosting us!
Amidst the frenzy, I am spending some time reflecting on our convention theme: Rising Joy.
Visit from Bishop John Oringa Omangi of Kenya
I have counted Bishop John Orina Omangi of the Diocese of Upper Southern Nyanza-Kisii, Kenya a friend and colleague since we met at the Lambeth Conference in 2022. Several people from the Diocese of Arizona visited him in Kisii last summer, and you have been collectively generous in supporting the ministry and mission of their newly established Diocese.
It is my joy to confirm that Bishop John is on his way to Arizona right now, and will be visiting many of our churches and ministries, including our Diocesan Convention this October.
Harden Not Your Hearts
Today at Morning Prayer, I prayed Canticle G from Enriching our Worship, the Song of Ezekiel. It includes the verse, “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit put within you. I will take the stone heart from your chest, and give you a heart of flesh.” It’s one of my favorite verses in the Bible.
I have felt myself, this week, subconsciously hardening my heart–choosing the heart of stone over the heart of flesh. The news is too awful, there are too many places of violence, and too many conflicts that seem intractable.
UBE Arizona Kicks Off New Programming Year
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, the Union of Black Episcopalians Karl and Virginia Washington Arizona Chapter (“UBE Arizona”) gathered at Saint Barnabas on the Desert in Scottsdale for an exciting and productive morning of food, fellowship, presentations, and planning.
After a summer away from meetings, 28 UBE Arizona members and guests from across the state enthusiastically came together to renew friendships and form new relationships while recapping the past year’s challenges and successes and preparing for the wonderful opportunities and activities of the year ahead. A number of the guests were even moved to become UBE Arizona members before the day was out!