News from Guatemala, plus Announcements Through March 12th, 2016

A Note from Ila Abernathy and the Guatemala Project:
Dorothy and I are in Nebaj, waiting the word if Petrona de Paz, well known to RN Sarah, can leave the hospital in Nebaj tomorrow for new tests in El Quiche.  We had to cut short our time in rural Santa Clara Area (3 communities, 2 best approached on foot, after a 6-hour pickup truck ride to the first) in order to accompany Petrona de Paz to the hospital in Nebaj, for transfer to the cancer hospital in Guatemala City.  We were hoping for departure tomorrow, but it had to be delayed until Monday, while tests were ordered.  We are so concerned not to let this last opportunity slip away for Petrona that we are hiring a pickup truck to follow the ambulance to El Quiche, where two more tests have to be done before we arrive in the capital.  [Social worker got one for free, one at reduced rate, which we will pay].  See earlier note to a few folk below, which gives a bit about the medical condition.  Even the doctors here had never seen a carcinoma quite like this one.

This should have happened two years ago. With the cooperation of everybody, and our presence, and assurances we would accompany all the way to the capital, we got her out of remote Xecoyeu by ambulance on Wednesday (will send photo of the "road"). I sorta had to promise the moon to the sometimes-reluctant husband that we would cover any uncovered medical expenses and his food and transportation in the capital, so feel free to send tax-deductible donations to St. Michael's Guatemala Project, 602 N. Wilmot, Tucson, 85711. Dorothy Chao and I will cover any new expenses personally and get reimbursed after we return to Tucson March 10.

For you medical types, it's a "massive" (approx. 18 x 27 cm.) carcinoma of the left breast, and an earlier, much-delayed biopsy indicated it is a "comedocarcinoma." Dorothy promptly looked it up on her smart phone, and it's a type that usually doesn't metastasize. But this has gone on for three years, and there was also infection when we arrived. Wish the best for Petrona. She is 37, has 8 children.

Ila

More about Petrona and her journey: Patrona dePax Lopez - Welcomes to Ixil and Quiche Mayan Communities ______________________________________________________________

Announcements

United Thank Offering (UTO)

Envelopes and / or Thank Offering boxes are available in the back of church. Please be as generous as you circumstances will allow.
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~ You are Invited ~
Please join us THIS MONDAY, March 7th at 5:30 PM in the Smith Parish Center as we enjoy a meal with our friends for the Islamic Center of Tucson. (Reservation sheets in back of church).
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Ladies, mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 16th.  The Episcopal Church Women, ECW, will meet at 10:30 am. in the Smith Parish Center.  All women of St. Michael’s are considered members and are invited to attend for fellowship, lively conversation and a chance to make new friends.
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Dear Parishioners, I need your help. Our membership data base is seriously outdated.  People have moved, changed addresses, changed phone numbers and/or email addresses.  Please take a moment to complete an update form, even if you have not made any changes. Simply complete the update, fold it and drop in the collection basket, take it home and bring it back next week, or simply mail it. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration in this important task.              
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Taizé is celebrating its 5th Anniversary at St. Michael’s! Join us

for a special reception following the March 15th Taizé Service at 6:45 pm.
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March 17th ~ POZ Café Luncheon.
St. Michael's is once again participating with 2 other churches and TIHAN in putting on the March 17th POZ Café luncheon. We have been asked to donate 40 rolls of paper towels, 80 boxes of Kleenex, and 320 disposable razors. These items will be put in the care packages that are given out at the luncheon. The razors and Kleenex can be purchased at the Dollar Tree for a dollar. Please help us fill up the chest in the back of the church. Cash donations to buy these items are also welcome.
We need 6 volunteers to help the day of the luncheon, March 17-time is 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.  (Sign-up sheet in back of church.) See Dianne Gundersen or Diane Tyron for details.
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JOIN PARISH LIFE FOR A St. Patty’s Day Feast!
Thursday, March 17th at 6:30 pm
St. Michael’s Smith Parish Center
$10.00 per person
Music provided by Dave Erhardt and friends!
And Piper ~ Michael Leeming

Dinner prepared by Chef Andy O’Bruno and includes traditional corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots and bread pudding.  Beer additional. Reservations sheets in back of church and reserve no later the March 11th.

Announcements for Week Ending March 5th, 2016

March 17th ~ POZ Café Luncheon.
St. Michaels is once again participating with 2 other churches and TIHAN in putting on the March 17th POZ Café luncheon. We have been asked to donate 40 rolls of paper towels, 80 boxes of Kleenex, and 320 disposable razors. These items will be put in the care packages that are given out at the luncheon. The razors and Kleenex can be purchased at the Dollar Tree for a dollar. Please help us fill up the chest in the back of the church. Cash donations to buy these items are also welcome. We need 6 volunteers to help the day of the luncheon, March 17-time is 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. (Sign-up sheet in back of church.) See Dianne Gundersen or Diane Tyron for details. ________________________________________________________________

Dear Parishioners, I need your help. Our membership data base is seriously outdated. People have moved, changed addresses, changed phone numbers and/or email addresses. Please take a moment to fill out an update form (even if you have not made any changes). Simply complete the update, fold it and drop in the collection basket, take it home and bring it back next week, or simply mail it. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration in this important task. Blessings, Nancy
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 ~ You are Invited ~ Please join us on Thursday, March 10 at 5:30 PM in the Smith Parish Center as we enjoy a meal with our friends for the Islamic Center of Tucson. (Reservation sheets in back of church).
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JOIN PARISH LIFE FOR A St. Patty’s Day Feast!
Thursday, March 17th at 6:30 pm St. Michael’s Smith Parish Center $10.00 per person Music provided by Dave Erhardt and friends! Dinner prepared by Chef Andy O’Bruno and includes traditional corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots and bread pudding. Beer additional. Reservations sheets in back of church and reserve no later the March 11th. _____________________________________________________________

All are invited to attend the Taizé Service this Tuesday, March 1, at 6:45 pm in church. All are welcome.

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United Thank Offering (UTO) A program of the Episcopal Church since 1889 invites people to offer prayers of Thanksgiving to God and to distribute thank offering monies through the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Envelopes and / or Thank Offering boxes are available in the back of church. Please be as generous as your circumstances will allow. ___________________________________________________________________

CASA MARIA ~ FRIDAY MARCH 4 ~ 5:00 PM SMITH PARISH CENTER, BRING A FRIEND AND DOZENS OF HARD BOILED ~ SHELLED EGGS AND JOIN US FOR THIS GOOD WORK!

Thanks and Update from the Poz Café

Hi everyone,

We’d like to share the following information with you about last Thursday’s Poz Café event. Since not all the volunteers from the sponsoring congregations have email, please share this report with the volunteers from your group. You might want to consider including a report in your congregation’s bulletin or newsletter.

We have included some photos from the event. If you would like more, please let me know.

Thank you all for your participation in making our March Poz Café luncheon a success! Caring congregations and organizations putting their faith in action and sharing love and great food!

Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church

With support from March’s fantastic sponsoring congregations, we were able to serve 131 people at this month’s event!  That’s a 13% increase over last year’s March Poz Café.  This number includes people living with HIV, their guests, congregational volunteers, and TIHAN volunteers and staff.  The March lunch buffet featured Salisbury steak, buttered noodles, sautéed zucchini and squash, tossed garden greens, dinner rolls with butter, and homemade chocolate devil’s food cake.  We celebrated with a St. Patrick’s Day theme, with many volunteers dressed for the occasion.

Some highlights from this month:

With assistance from our partner agencies Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and COPE Community Services, we provided transportation to over 6 CarePartners and guests who otherwise may not have been able to attend.

We distributed 75 Care Packages, decorated bags filled with toiletry items, to our CarePartners living with HIV/AIDS.  The sponsoring congregations donated all of the products to use in stuffing these bags.  Thanks to Our Mother of Sorrows for the festive decorated bags they contributed.

The St. Patrick’s Day theme was complete with Our Mother of Sorrows’ fabulous table centerpieces.

With assistance from the staff at St. Francis in the Foothills, we were able to project a slideshow continuously throughout the event that depicted a 2013 TIHAN year-in-review.  Additionally, during our announcements we recognized the outstanding Poz Café volunteers, educational speakers, Excellence in Caring volunteer nominees, and Models of Empowerment nominees who received certificates and recognition at our recent Annual Meeting.  The CarePartners and guests in attendance at this month’s Poz Café, many of whom helped nominate these individuals, got to see the faces behind TIHAN’s Care and Support programs and applaud these fantastic volunteers.

Finally, many CarePartners received generously donated gift prizes by winning BINGO or the raffle.

And of course we can’t forget the great meal and the hugs and the “safe space” that you help create at Poz Café every month, enabling our CarePartners to meet others living with HIV, increase their social support, and know that there are caring people from faith communities who welcome them and are working to end the stigma that still exists.

Our sponsoring congregations brought 15 congregational volunteers to help this month, at least 3 of whom were joining us for the first time.  Thank you all for your willingness to help!  Our regular TIHAN volunteers did a great job of helping the congregational volunteers have an experience of learning and serving.

 

Each month, we survey the congregational volunteers, and the March responses are below.  (10 of the 15 congregational volunteers completed all or part of the survey this month.)  The survey results were positive and will assist us in future events.

We would also like to share a few comments from congregational volunteers that really speak to the atmosphere of the event:
 
The best part of Poz Café was:

“All the great people I met”“Very well organized”

“Everything!”

       
Special Mention

We want to thank our Poz Café 101 Educational Hour speakers for their volunteer time: Linda relayed the history of TIHAN and the story of the Poz Café monthly event, and taught basic information about HIV and AIDS so that all of our congregational volunteers were prepared to serve with a common level of knowledge about these issues. Jeffrey shared his personal story of living with HIV and becoming part of the TIHAN community, placing Linda’s educational facts into a real-life context. Our Poz Café 101 team hopes you enjoyed the educational hour and feel well-informed to outreach within your communities and continue the mission of decreasing the stigma of those living with HIV/AIDS. The congregational volunteers arrived en masse and were ready to prepare the meal and hall for a fabulous lunch and afternoon of compassion and connecting with people living with HIV.  We appreciate the energy that was generated and all the fellowship that our volunteers provided to our CarePartners. Special thanks go to congregational coordinators Beverly Mahl, Laura Stehle, Consuelo Lucero, Deacon Ralph Taylor, Dianne Gundersen, and Father John Smith for all their efforts in planning, shopping for food, collecting Care Package and raffle/BINGO prize items, and organizing the congregational volunteers.  A special thank-you also goes to out to the clergy in attendance, in addition to those who served as coordinators: Reverend Vicki Hesse and Monsignor Thomas Cahalane volunteered with their congregations.  Thanks so much for joining us!

   

       
We hope you had a great time, and if you’d like to volunteer with Poz Café more than the once a year that your congregation sponsors the event, please contact us at 299-6647!

Having started with just a handful of people at those first luncheons so many years ago, Poz Café is now the largest regular gathering place for people living with HIV in Southern Arizona!  TIHAN is 100% privately funded and counts on people like you to continue this program, and all of our work.

If you or someone you know would like to make a financial donation to help support Poz Café and keep this program operating, your contribution is greatly needed, and appreciated!  Make a donation now and write in the “memo line” of your check that it is for Poz Café (or CLICK HERE TO DONATE to make a secure online donation.)  And please encourage your faith community to make a contribution to keep TIHAN operating.  The economy has affected all of our faith communities, our CarePartners, and TIHAN; but we have faith that you can help us sustain our programs.  We cannot continue this work without the financial support of our faith communities and volunteers.  Please help advocate for funding for TIHAN in your congregation and in any way that you can do so. 
 

Thanks again for your support of Poz Café, and for making so much possible through TIHAN!

Poz Café is made possible in part by donations from compassionate congregations and individuals of TIHAN, along with funding from Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, and the Sundt Foundation.  Support for transportation is provided by Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and COPE Community Services.
    

Deirdre Demers
Program Manager
Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN)
2660 N. 1^st  Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85719
(520) 299-6647
www.tihan.org
Join us on Facebook 

Most of the CarePartners living with HIV/AIDS who receive support services from TIHAN are people whose household income is less than 150% of the federal poverty level.  Because of this, the State of Arizona now allows TIHAN donors to take advantage of the working poor tax credit.  Your donation to TIHAN could reduce personal income taxes owed to the state of Arizona by up to $200 for individuals and $400 for those filing jointly (if you itemize).  In essence, a donation to TIHAN of up to $200 (or $400 for married couples) may have no cost to you the donor, since you might pay that much less in taxes if you are eligible for this state tax credit. 

Annoucements Through December 21, 2013

Social Concerns special collection today will benefit TIHAN’S POZ CAFÉ. St. Michael's commits to provide a meal every March. This year’s meal will be held on March 21st. Your generous donation TODAY will cover the cost of the meal as well as personal supply gifts to those in attendance at the meal. WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF 3 OR 4 MORE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SERVE THE MEAL. There are volunteer sheets to sign in the back of church.

St. Michael's is sponsoring “Poz Café” on the 21^st of March. We are collecting toiletries to be handed out at the end of the meal. We are looking for 80 donations of Shampoo, 80 donations of Conditioner and 80 donations of deodorant. Regular or large sizes are preferred. If you are able to help, there is the gold “treasure chest” in the back of church where you may place your gifts. Donations may also be brought to the parish office. We thank you for your generosity. Call Tish Newell for more information.

Lenten Soup Suppers begin on Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30 PM at the House of Prayer. We will be viewing the movie “The Passion of Christ” by Mel Gibson. You are invited for a simple soup supper and then watch segments of the film discussing Jesus response to the violence done to him. The sessions are preceded by Evening Prayer at 6 PM.

Did you know? St. Michael's now has Godly Play, a Sunday School program for our children. The facilitators are: Rachael Poe, and Violet and Alec Kennedy. The class begins at 10:10 am in the Parish Center. All of our children and their friends are invited to participate and experience this exciting program.

A new shipment of “JUST COFFEE” has arrived. It is available at Coffee Hours in the Parish Center after the morning Masses.

Announcements for Week Ending on July 22nd

√ St. Michael’s Sunday School of Theology continues Sundays at 9 AM in the Womble Library. Right now we are watching Jesus and the Gospels, a series of lectures of DVD by Prof. Luke Timothy Johnson a former Benedictine monk and former teacher at Yale Divinity School. The course places the writing of the Gospels in the literary, religious, cultural and historical context of first century Palestine and the Greco-Roman world. All are welcome to watch these videos and join in the lively discussions that follow.

√ The summer is hot and the need is great. St. Michael’s Food Pantry is running low on: peanut butter, juices, fruit, tuna fish, pork and beans and cereal. We continue to be grateful for your generous donations to the pantry for those less fortunate. Donate only if your circumstances will allow. Thank You.

√ Come celebrate midsummer on July 25, 2012 at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center, with our Bookkeeper’s Bash Midsummer Meal! Help our bookkeeper, Karen Blocher, celebrate her first year and hundred-plus pounds lost on her diet and exercise program. The Midsummer Meal will feature lean meat, grilled vegetables, a special salad and fruit for dessert, prepared by Chef Andy Bruno. Suggested donation is $12.50. Any money left over goes to “Faith Promise” to help with the church’s day-to-day expenses.

√ TIHAN’S next volunteer orientation will take place Wednesday, July 25th at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (2331 East Adams, near Speedway and Tucson Blvd.) TIHAN’S Volunteer Orientation is a great way to learn more about HIV/AIDS, TIHAN and our current volunteer opportunities, and how you can help make a difference in our community. It is also your first step to becoming a volunteer with TIHAN. The cost of the orientation is $17 per person (scholarships are available). If you are interested in attending or if you would like more information, please contact us at 299-6647 or volunteercoordinator@tihan.org. To download a Volunteer Application Packet, click on “Volunteer.”

√ Save the date ~ Friday, July 20th at 6:30 pm. Join us for a fun evening of bowling at the “Lucky Strike Bowl” ~ 4015 East Speedway. All are welcome and invited to attend this summer evening of fun and fellowship. Sign-up sheets are located in the back of church.

Notes from the Parish Office

Tragedy in Florida
Many of you have heard of the very tragic events at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Florida last Tuesday. An employee who was dismissed in the morning by the Headmaster, Mrs. Dale Regan, returned to school in the afternoon and fatally shot Mrs. Regan, and then turned the gun on himself. No students, faculty or staff were harmed. Mrs. Regan was a great leader of the Episcopal school and had been the head of the school since 2006 and served as administrator and teacher since 1978. Please keep Mrs. Regan and her family in your prayers this weekend. May Dale Regan’s soul and all the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen †

Up coming events: 

• This weekend, The Rev. Lucas Mix, from the U of A, will be preaching.
• Last call for donating cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. for TIHAN and those suffering with HIV/AIDS.
• We need a few more volunteers for the “Poz Café” that St. Michael’s will be hosting at St. Francis in the Foothills on Thursday, March 15. Sign-up sheets are in the back of church.
• St. Patrick’s Dinner Buffet this Saturday, March 17th at 6:30 PM. $10 per person, sign-up sheets in back of church.
• Vestry Meeting next Saturday, March 17th beginning with Mass at 8:30 AM and then moving to the Parish Center at 9 AM for the meeting.
• Copies of the March Messenger are located in the back of church.
• Mass Assignment Schedules are located in the back of church.
• St. Michael’s Parish Day School is having a “BOOK FAIR” this coming week in the Parish Center. Stop by and purchase a book for your children or grandchildren or that special child. 

May God continue to richly Bless St. Michael's and all who enter here †

Nancy

Announcements for Week Ending March 11th, 2012

Announcements

Come and volunteer with other Casa Maria volunteers this Friday, March 9th at 5:30 PM, in the Parish Center to prepare sack lunches. Your help is needed - extra hands and shelled hard-boiled eggs are always welcome! Please join us for fellowship, good conversation, and help us with this good work.

Help TIHAN and St. Michael's collect essential items for around 80 people living with HIV/AIDS!
St. Michaels is sponsoring “Poz Café” on the 15th of March. We are collecting toiletries to be handed out at the end of the meal, including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, toothpaste, individually wrapped toilet rolls, etc. None of these items may be bought with food stamps. One brown grocery bag filled with donated toiletries is very much appreciated. If you are able to help, there is the gold “treasure chest” in the back of church where you may place your gifts. (Regular or large sizes are preferred.) Donations may also be brought to the parish office. We thank you for your generosity. Call Tish Newell for more information.

Saint Patrick’s Day Buffet - Saturday, March 17th, 6:30 pm ~ Parish Center. Traditional corned beef and cabbage will be served, along with drinks, music and fun. Sign-up Sheets in back of church. $10 per person (donation for child).

The Social Action Committee meets Sunday, March 18th in the Womble Library, following 10:15 a.m. Mass. All are most welcome, with a voice and a vote (if needed -- we try for consensus). Agenda items: Chair Peggy Van Norman.

Guatemala Project Summer teams are filling fast, in part because UA med students will participate for the first time. A few spaces remain for June 9th to 24th and July 31st to August 9th (or a bit longer). If you want to consider joining a team, pick up the "call for summer team volunteers" on the table at the back of the Church, and call coordinator Ila Abernathy.

You are invited to join us for the Stations of the Cross each Wednesday during Lent following the 12:10 Healing Mass. All are welcome to attend this Lenten observance.

Opportunities for Learning...

• Lectionary Bible Study continues with two opportunities to attend. Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM. The Bible Study is facilitated by our own Peter Schmidt and takes place in the Womble Library. All are Welcome.

• Women’s Bible Study continues each Wednesday evening in the Parish Center at 6:30 PM. All women are invited.

• The Academy of Theology also continues each Sunday at 9:00 AM in the Womble Library. We are currently watching a series of videos about the History of the New Testament. Join us for lively discussions.

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