TIHAN News

Here are some TIHAN announcements from Julia. Thanks for the info! - Karen

1. We are preparing and serving lunch at POZ Cafe on April 19. This is TIHAN's (Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network) monthly lunch for people living with HIV. After lunch there is time of socialize and play bingo. There is a sign up sheet at the ushers' table in the back on the church.

We will also be collecting personal care items for the HIV clients. Suggested items are:

• Skin Lotion
• Bar and Bath Soap
• Toothpaste
• Tooth Brushes
• Shaving Cream
• Ensure

2. Parish Life!

After Lent, the Parish Life commission has social events planned each month. On April 26, we will have the opportunity to eat together at Viro''s. We were last there in August 2006 to welcome Rev. Angela to our church family.

In May we will go to a Sidewinders (Tucson's minor league baseball team) game.

In addition, a mens' group is being formed. Look for dates and more details soon.

Call if questions. Thanks. - Julia

Announcements for Week Ending April 1, 2007

NEW WEBSITE UPDATE! - the new St. Michael & All Angels website is up and running at http://smallangelstucson.org. Now playing on the main page: a "Woohoo" "Ken Burns" style slide show highlighting some favorite images of the parish and its people and events. Please take a look, and let us know what you think. Thanks!

ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER - let us pray and give thanks for the Rt. Revd Eraste Bigirimana Bishop of Muyinga - (Burundi), its clergy and people.

DIOCESE OF ARIZONA CYCLE OF PRAYER - let us pray and give thanks for the St. Paul’s Sundanese Mission in Phoenix, its clergy and parishioners.

MIF SERIES - ADULT FORUM - CONTINUES IN THE SCHOOL MUSIC ROOM from 9:00 to 9:45 AM Sundays.

MASS FOR CHURCH UNITY CONTINUES EVERY FRIDAY AT 12:10 PM with celebrant the Rev. Carey Womble.

ST. MICHAEL’S DAY SCHOOL

Run for the Roses

April 21, 2007 at 6PM.

Our Kentucky Derby party will have horse racing, auctions, and great food.

We are asking for a donation of goods or services to be auctioned or, if you prefer, be an event sponsor with a cash donation.

Donation forms are available at the school office. All donation forms are due by April 11th. Any questions, please call Lila Duffy, Director of Development at 722-8478.

Thank you for helping. This important fundraiser will benefit every child at St. Michael's Parish Day School and support a foundation for life-long academic successes.

AN EASTER EGG HUNT IS BEING PLANNED FOR 9:00 AM EASTER MORNING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE PREPARATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE - 886-7292 OR ANGELA!

COLLECTION FOR EASTER FLOWERS - please include your donation in the envelope in your pledge card box or make certain your donation is clearly marked for “flowers” and place in the offering basket.

St. Michaels is participating in Food for the Poor’s Project Starfish.
We ask that you make a small daily sacrifice and donate that money - perhaps 50⊄ a day. There is a basket at the back of the church to receive your donations. Our goal is to raise enough money in this way - about $2,000 to build a house in Haiti.

TODAY, Parish Center, after both morning Masses - help prepare 150 food packs for migrants in distress, to be distributed by Samaritians (including parishioners Julia Taylor and Ila Abernathy). “ I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25: 35).

Mayan visitors from Guatemala arrive April 17, to continue the 14-year relationship. Reception / meal at St. Michael’s Sunday 4-22, following the 10 am Mass. Many other activities in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff and Denver, April 18 - May 3. Please let Coordinator Ila Abernathy know if you can provide housing for one to three persons for a few days (Spanish needed), help plan events, translate, gather health supplies - or visit reciprocally in Guatemala this summer. 623-3063.

THE BISHOP HAS DESIGNATED APRIL 22 TO BE ALLELUIA FUND SUNDAY. This marks the second annual Bishop’s diocesan-wide appeal highlighting the crucial need to support new church plants and growth initiatives in existing churches through the Alleluia Fund. During Easter week, everyone on the diocesan mailing list will receive via direct mail a brochure detailing the work of the Alleluia Fund, along with an offering envelope. You can return that envelope with your offering on April 22 during the service, or you can mail it directly to the Bishop’s office. In this way, you can be part of the vital work of mission right here in Arizona.

Calendars, We've Got Calendars

As if last night's mega-entry weren't full of calendar-y goodness, I've been experimenting with the Schedule page on the new church website. There are now three calendars displayed there:

1. a Google Calendar, with selected events available for public view
2. a parish events calendar, with one-time or weekly-during-Lent listings
3. an undated Weekly During Lent calendar, organized by days of the week only, with all the regularly scheduled masses and other events that take place every week.

It's probably a little confusing, especially since certain events (e.g. "Staying with the Ship") are listed on all three calendars, while others are listed in only one or two places. Feel free to tell me in email (mavarin @ aol.com) or in person what you think works and what doesn't, and how we can make it better. Should vestry meetings, the praying of the rosary and other parish functions be in the Google Calendar, or should it be just for public-oriented events such as the organ concert? Do we need three calendars, or will the Google and weekly ones suffice? One advantage of the Google calendar is that I can add authorized users (such as someone from Social Concerns) to add events to it. Another is that you can click on the event name for further details. A third is that I don't have to retype everything each week, but can just add the newly-scheduled items.

So check it out and let me know, okay? Thanks!

Karen

Announcements Catch-Up #2

After weeks of technical difficulties, I finally have the following for you:

Tonight: Fri 3/16
6:00 pm Casa Maria ~ note permanent time change!
7:30 pm Peace Vigil and Meditation Labyrinth Walk

St. Pat’s Event Saturday, March 17th 6:30 ~ 9:00 pm Fresh Corned beef with horseradish mustard cream Irish potatoes, braised cabbage baby carrots and soda bread Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecake - sing-a-long with Denise McCreary- $15.00 per person * offering for child’s meal sign up sheet in church & office

Next Week (in addition to weekly schedule):

Monday	March 19th - St. Joseph
6:00 pm	Evening Prayer and Bible Study ~ Parish Center ~ Fr. Ireland
6:00 pm	Finance Committee Meeting ~ workroom
Tuesday	March 20th
7:00 pm	Vestry Meeting ~ Parish Center
Wednesday	March 21st
8:45 am	Hebrew Class ~ Library
11:45 am	Confessions prior to Mass
12:10 pm	Healing Mass ~ Stations of the Cross following Mass
Thursday	March 22nd
1:00 pm	Helen Foundation Presentation ~ Parish Center
7:00 pm	Newcomer Ministry ~ Womble Library
Friday	March 23rd
10:30 AM	“Staying With The Ship” Fr. Douglas ~ Parish Center
Saturday	March 24th
7:45 am	Rosary ~ Society of Mary (In honor of the Feast of the Annunciation)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* MIF Series - Adult Forum - continues in the school Music Room from 9:00 to 9:45 AM on Sundays.

*EPISCOPAL CAMPUS MINISTRY: Would you like to provide a simple supper for about 15 -20 people? The people would include mostly students (and includes the supper providers) that attend mass at the Campus Christian Center. The suppers are on the Sundays in April, excluding Easter. Forming a team for each Sunday lightens the load. IF you are interested, please contact John or Shigeko Hsieh at 325-8543. You may also talk to one of those who have provided supper recently, e.g. Steve and Jill Coulter, Candy amd Les Stephens, Julia and Bob Taylor or Joyce Tracy and many more angels sent by St. Michael.

*St. Michael’s ECW will combine with St. Alban’s ECW for a delightful Luncheon at Lotus Garden at 11:30 am on March 21. The cost for this luncheon is $12.00 and includes tax and gratuity. Please submit your check to Dolores Braren by Friday, March 16th. Checks are to be made out to St. Michael’s E.C.W.

*If you haven’t paid your annual dues to the ECW, please do so at your earliest convenience. We will be most grateful.

*An Easter egg hunt is being planned for 9:00 AM Easter morning. If you would like to volunteer to help with the preparations, please contact the Parish Office - 886-7292 or Angela!!

LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES

6:00 PM Mondays during Lent:
Bible Study – The Rev. Joel Ireland

10:30 AM Fridays during Lent:
“Staying With The Ship” Theological Discussions - The Rev. Roger O. Douglas

6:00 PM March 16:
Casa Maria – Parish Center ~ Please note the time change to 6:00 P.M.!

7:30 PM March 16:
Episcopal Peace Fellowship Peace Vigil and Labyrinth Walk

9 AM – 3 PM
Saturday, March 31

Lenten Retreat – Centering Prayer
Praying With Icons
Taize Service
Presented by – The Rev. Angela Emerson, The Rev. Cynthia Spencer and Angela Guida

2:30 PM April 1
Organ Concert by Richard Walker at St. Michael And All Angels Parish
presented by the American Guild of Organists

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS

*Helen Foundation Clinics will present a one hour public seminar on “The Simple Solution to: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s and more”. The seminar will be held at St. Michael’s Parish Center on Thursday, March 22 at 1 PM. Sign-Up Sheet in back of Church.

*The Society of Mary will pray the rosary in honor of Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, March 24th at 7:45 AM.
* Vestry Meeting this Tuesday, March 20th, starting at 7:00 PM, in the Parish Center. All parishioners are invited to attend this important parish function.
* St. Michaels is participating in Food for the Poor’s Project Starfish. We ask that you make a small daily sacrifice and donate that money - perhaps 50 cents a day. There is a basket at the back of the church to receive your donations. Our goal is to raise enough money in this way - about $2,000 to build a house in Haiti.
* Food packs for migrants in distress - Please continue to bring nutritious durable (will be stored in shed and hauled in packs) single-serving food BARGAINS. We’ll assemble food packs March 25. No bargains? Wait and donate $$ to Social Concerns special collections to help us buy in bulk.

ST. MICHAEL’S DAY SCHOOL
Run for the Roses
April 21, 2007 at 6PM.

Our Kentucky Derby party will have horse racing, auctions, and great food. We are asking for a donation of goods or services to be auctioned or, if you prefer, be an event sponsor with a cash donation.

Donation forms are available at the school office. All donation forms are due by April 11th. Any questions, please call Lila Duffy, Director of Development at 722-8478.

Thank you for helping. This important fundraiser will benefit every child at St. Michael's Parish Day School and support a foundation for life-long academic successes.

Announcements Catch-up!

Sorry folks - I've had problems with a few recent church bulletin files and wasn't able to easily upload this week's announcements and schedule. I hope to have the new one for you on Tuesday, but let's see what we can rustle up in the meantime, shall we?

From Ila:

Dear Social Concerns folk,

Helena Tailey's baby was born Sunday, by C-section, as he was not in a good position. Shigeko says he is beautiful. Helena probably comes home today. We're working on having a "shower" sometime soon, to welcome the baby (I think this will be important psychologically for the parents). I gather Gail Gibbon and Mary Green Lamb will be the leaders in this venture. Stay tuned! We'll let you know if there are any immediate needs. I've heard his name is Kevin, but I also heard that an earlier proposed name was Micah ["And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"] I sorta hope Micah has slipped in as one of his names.

SOCIAL CONCERNS MEETING SUN. MARCH 11, after 10 A.M. Mass sends us out to love and serve the Lord. Could we please please please start 10 minutes after the Mass ends? Womble library. Bring a friend. Lots of bits and pieces to discuss, including Fowler Fund(s), activities in March and April. Call or e-mail Peggy Van Norman to add agenda items.

There's a need for bulk food supplies for a combined No More Deaths / Mexican volunteer effort just across the line to greet migrants "voluntarily repatriated" (read dumped from a bus to walk over a bridge at the Mariposa truck crossing outside Nogales, Sonora). Some arrive with nothing, and their injuries sometimes have not been treated at the ICE [Immigration & Customs Enforcement] detention centers. I'm going to try to find out what's most needed, to see if we could help a bit with this, as well as the small migrant packs we will make March 25. Sending our packs down is NOT cost effective, and they are needed in the field. Neither the small packs nor the effort in Nogales "encourages" immigration; both relieve suffering, and the former can help save lives.

ILA ABERNATHY

And from me:

ST. MICHAEL'S HAS A NEW WEBSITE! After three years of the St. Michael & All Angels piggybacking on Karen's personal website, mavarin.com, our parish has a new "domain" of its own: http://www.smallangelstucson.org. It's short for Saint Michael & All Angels. Neat, huh? It should be easier to remember than http://smaa.mavarin.com/smaa.html, and a little easier to type. Click on the link here or on the sidebar, or type smallangelstucson.org into your favorite web browser, and it will take you to the new site. So far it's basically the same one as before, but I've done a little updating, and will do more as we go along. One major change already is this: the regular schedule of services, and everything else that happens at the same time each week, is now posted without specific dates on both our home page and our schedule page. One time events will be posted here, and eventually in a Google Calendar format which I haven't set up yet. This way, visitors to the site will know the Mass times are probably valid, even if I get a little behind in my updating. And selected people will be able to add events to the calendar instead of waiting for me to do it.

Other changes on the horizon:

• Newer and better photos on the Community and Ministry pages. Most of those come from two or three years (and cameras) ago! We can do better than that.
  
• Sermon podcasting in a better format than the files we've been uploading to mavarin.com. You'll be able to subscribe to an RSS feed, which basically means that you'll be able to easily find out what's new, and listen at your leisure.
  
• More contributors to the St. Michael's blogs - I hope! Will you be one of them? If you have announcements from time to time about one of the groups that carry on St. Michael's many ministries, we can make it easy to get them on here.
  

I hoped to use my scanner to get some of this past week's announcements in here, but my computer is being stubborn about it. I'll try again in a bit.

Karen