Announcements for Week ending December 9

 

√ CHRISTMAS FLOWERS - the special beauty of St. Michael’s Christmas worship is the work of many people. Not all can be directly involved, but all can contribute to the Christmas Flowers and Decorations. Please use the Christmas Flowers envelope for floral donations.

√ Just a reminder – it is not too late to return your 2013 pledge card. If you have not received one or have misplaced it, there are extras available in the back of church.

 

√ The 14th Annual Fr. Smith’s Pantano Rotary Shoebox Project is underway bringing joy to children in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. These children live in makeshift houses on hillsides around Nogales. Many of these households have no one employed. This is a THREE-NATION effort for 600-800 or more filled shoeboxes – infants through 12 years and 500 blankets. Warm mittens, caps, toys, etc can fill the wrapped shoe box with top lid NOT attached to the bottom, border inspection. Blankets may be new or used and if used must be dry cleaned (leave cleaning tag attached). Shoeboxes need to be returned to the Parish Office no later than Sunday, December 9. Blankets need to rolled like a bedroll and tied with twine or ribbon. More information in back of church.

√ 75 years of Campus Ministry. In 1937 Ada Pierce McCormick set up Cabot Chapel in her parlor and invited students to come in. Priests from St. Andrew’s, Grace Church, and St. Philip’s came to celebrate Mass. Throughout the century, the chaplaincy has witnessed to Christ on campus, been a place of prayer and reflection, spun off a parish (St. Paul’s) and a non-profit (Little Chapel of All Nations), served as a locus for education and community activism, and served the needs of students. New and exciting things happen every year. We’d like to send out a giant thank you to the Diocese and local parishes that have made this possible. December 9th, 2012 we celebrate our 75th birthday. Bishop Smith will be joining us at 6pm in the Campus Christian Center (715 N Park Ave) for a festive Eucharist and dinner to celebrate the occasion. For more information about the ministry and the event, visit our website (http://fecm-tucson.org) or Call Barby Goldschmidt (520-237-8881)

√ Taize Service of prayer this Tuesday, December 3rd. Taize is offered the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month at 6:45 pm in church. All are invited to attend this beautiful Service of Prayer.

√ This Sunday, December 2nd, is the First Sunday of Advent. Angel Tree tags are available for pick-up from the Christmas tree at the back of church. Please be sure to sign the sheet on the usher’s table so that we will know what children’s names have been taken. This year we have approximately 38 children. You have been so generous with your gifts for the children. It is a real blessing for me to be involved. As usual, each child will receive a clothing gift and a toy such as a book or game or Lego building blocks…etc. This year I need your gift, unwrapped, and returned to the office or brought to church no later than Sunday, December 16. Please remember to include the tags for return if any of the items are the wrong size or color. Most stores will give these when the gift is purchased. For any of you who would like to participate but are unable to shop, let me know and I will be glad to take care of it for you. May God Bless all of you during this wonderful time of the year. Please call me if you have any questions or have any problems with your gifts. Thanking you in advance for your generosity. - Ancelyn Smith.

 

√ Don’t forget your “Angel Food” for last minute Christmas gifts in an attractive gift-ready box. This is an affordable means of sharing the fundraising effort by your parishioner volunteers. Just stop by the church office for your Angel Food. Share the goodness and sweetness of St. Michael and All Angels Church!

Advent International Bazaar 2012

It's time again for the

Advent International Bazaar

St. Michael’s Parish Center & Labyrinth Patio

* Gifts * Food * Music

Buy direct from Tucson’s favorite fair trade

and socially-committed non-profit groups.

Featured – TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES:

selections from 30 countries, & a clearance table.

Saturday, December 1, 4 – 7 p.m.

• Sale opens, reception & music.
• Yoeme (Yaqui) Deer Dance – 4:30 p.m.
• Mzekala Choral Ensemble – Balkan Traditional Songs, 6 p.m.

Sunday, December 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m

• Sale continues.
• Food – Coffee hour treats for early-birds; Food for purchase from 11:30 a.m.
• Music & more – Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc, indigenous dance & drums of Mexico, 1:45 in the patio.
• Ted Warmbrand, banjo and guitar – social protest and folk, 2:30 inside.

Holiday shopping with a conscience!

New Messenger and Parish Directory

Hi! The November issue of The Messenger is finally here, just (barely) in time for Thanksgiving. Click here for your copy.

Also available now: the new online Parish Directory. Match names to faces with this downloadable file, which will be updated in the coming weeks with phone numbers and more photos. 


To get your own electronic copy, download the file from the link below. 
http://directory.instantchurchdirectory.com/73907083/churchdirectory.pdf

You can print it out yourself, or view it on your computer or other device. To protect privacy, the file can only be opened with a password.  If you don't know the password, which was emailed out and also announced this past Sunday, please contact the church office.

Please let us know if you need your picture added or retaken. We will be updating this directory frequently, but the link above will continue to work for updated and improved versions of the directory.

Sunday Mornings in Advent: Bright Evening Star

How and why did Jesus come to Earth? How did Mary accept the seemingly impossible in her life, and what does it mean for us today? Starting the first week in Advent, our Sunday morning study group will be discussing Bright Evening Star: Mystery of the Incarnation by beloved author Madeleine L'Engle. The book may be ordered from Amazon below. You are cordially invited to join us in the Womble Library at 9 AM to join in our lively conversations - with or without a book of your own! The three week series will be presented by Karen Funk Blocher.

Hurricane Relief

Dear Parishioner and Friends:  Episcopal Relief and Development has been in full swing in the aftermath of the east coast storm Sandy.  Here is the address where contributions can be sent:

Episcopal Relief and Development

Hurricane Sandy Victims

P.O. Box 7058

Merrifield, VA  22116-7058

You can also transmit your contribution to the church office or collection plate marked accordingly.

Thanks for your response!  Fr. Smith

“Bishop Smith would like to encourage you and your congregations to work through Episcopal Relief and Development to assist with recovery efforts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  ERD is well equipped to facilitate distribution of funds for this effort.  You can mail your donations directly to ERD at the address above.”

Week ending November 10th

√ All Souls Novena began on Saturday, November 3 and concludes on Saturday, November 10. During this time, your deceased loved ones will be remembered at all the Masses. There are envelopes in your contribution envelope box or are available on the usher’s table for listing your deceased loved ones who you would like remembered at Mass. Simply complete the cards and drop them in the collection basket or at the parish office.

√ Taize Meditation Prayer Service – this Tuesday, November 6 at 6:45 PM in church. – COME JOIN US! - Taize is offered the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. If you have not attending a Taize Service, you will find it a very meaningful, restful and prayerful time. All are Welcome.

√ The Knitters and Quilters will meet, Saturday November 10th at 11AM in the Womble Library. Bring your craft, a sack lunch and join us for lively conversation and fellowship while working on your craft. All are invited.

√ The 9th Annual Jewish-Muslim Peace Walk in Tucson will take place November 11th at 1:15. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend. It will begin at the Islamic Center of Tucson on the U of A Campus (1st and Tyndal) and end at Temple Emmanu-el at Country Club and Broadway. A dinner follows at the temple. For more information, contact Jon Rinnander – 520-906-5675.

√ Business of God in Luncheon: Thursday, November 8, 11:30 AM in the Parish Center.
Church Divinity School of the Pacific is committed to being a resource for lay leaders and clergy. As part of this effort, the Business of God luncheon series returns to Arizona on Thursday, November 8th with an extraordinary guest, the Very Rev. W. Mark Richardson, Ph.D., President and Dean of CDSP, speaking on “The Future of Theological Education: Wine in Many Wineskins.”
All are invited. The fee for the luncheon is $15 by cash or by check made payable to Andy Bruno. (payable at the church office or at the door) Reservation sheets are located at the back of the church and must be made by November 4.

√ St. Michael’s Angel Food !  Remember an angel you love this coming Christmas holiday with the best Coconut Macadamia Toffee you have ever tasted.  Candy production will begin on Friday, November 9rd and will continue through Friday, November 16th. Many hands are needed to make this year a success.  A sign-up sheet for volunteers is located in the back of church, or if you prefer, give the church office (886 - 7292) a call to sign up. ORDER FORMS AND ENVELOPES ARE LOCATED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND IN THE BACK OF CHURCH. SIMPLY COMPLETE, ATTACH YOUR CHECK AND DROP IN THE COLLECTION BASKET OR RETURN TO THE PARISH OFFICE