Annual Report

January 29, 2017

2331 E. Adams St. • Tucson, Arizona 85719 • (520) 327-6857 ww w.gsptucson.org • www.facebook.com/gracestpauls

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Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Twenty-sixth Annual Parish Meeting

and Meeting of the Corporation

McBride Hall 11:45 a.m.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Lunch provided by GSP Parishioners Donations requested and appreciated

Agenda 1. Welcome and Greeting

2. Opening Chant: “As we gather in your presence”

3. Opening Prayer

4. Reception of 2016 Minutes

5. Ministry Leadership Changes

6. New Ministries

7. Vestry Nominating Committee Report

8. Introduction of Vestry Candidates

9. Nomination of Delegates to Diocesan Convention (5 elected + 5 alternates)

10. Balloting

11. Chant: “Hearts desiring”

12. Financial Report and Presentation of 2017 Budget

13. Joseph’s Pantry Plans

14. The Sanctuary Movement

15. Children, Youth, & Families Report

16. Wardens’ Reports

17. Rector’s Report & Awards

18. Ballot Results

19. Chancellor’s Report

20. Other Business

21. Closing Chant: “Rise up, rejoicing”

22. Dismissal

Deacon: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of God with us! Alleluia! Alleluia! People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Clergy The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith, Bishop The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Rector The Rev. Dr. Richard Mallory, Associate Rector The Rev. Mary Delaney, Priest Associate The Rev. Joe Fitzgerald, Priest Associate The Rev. Steve Kelsey, Priest Associate The Rev. Chris Ledyard, Deacon The Rev. Nancy Meister, Deacon The Rev. Lynn Marie Hunter, Interfaith Minister The Rev. Ana Ortiz, Interfaith Minister

Staff Jim Beckwith, Youth Music Leader Aaron Bradley, Parish Administrator Jane Click, Pianist; Director, Lieto Ensemble Amy Cormode, Minister of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth, and Families Pamela Decker, Organist Will Dekoevend, Facilities Assistant Argelia El-Khayat, Nursery Worker Wesley Hunter, Youth Music Leader Christina Jarvis, Music Director David Wachter, Publications Manager, Computer Specialist, Associate Organist James White, Sexton

Consultant Patti Morrison, Bookkeeper

Wardens & Parish Officers Kyle Angeley-Devereux, Senior Warden Laura Angeley-Devereux, Special Assistant to the Rector Bill Moore, Junior Warden Tom Pitello, Treasurer Lou Ann Bieging, Clerk of the Vestry Rob Rauh, Chancellor

Vestry Members Term ending January 2017: Julie Gasaway; Miriam Huber; Bianca Lara; Steve Mattix

Term ending January 2018: Carol Forshey; Jim Franks; Stephen Hymel; Carrie Kube

Term ending January 2019: John Banks; Brianna Devereux; Elyse Johnson; Joe Stefani

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Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Minutes of the Twenty-Fifth Annual Parish Meeinng

January 31, 2016

Call to Order: 11:50 a.m.

1. Welcome and Greeting: Roger Pierce, Senior Warden, welcomed the congregation to the 25th Annual Meeting.

2. Opening Hymn: “Sing a New Church,” accompanied by Dr. Pamela Decker.

3. Opening Prayer: was offered by The Rev. Steve Kelsey.

4. Reception of Minutes from the 2015 Meeting: A motion to accept the minutes from the 2015 Annual Meeting as printed was passed unanimously.

5. Ministry Leadership Changes: Rev. Steve Keplinger reviewed the changes in ministry leadership during the past year, and thanked the outgoing leaders for their service.

a. Aaron Bradley is the new Parish Administrator.

b. The Community of Hope will become part of the Pastoral Care Ministry. Fr. Steve thanked Kay Bigglestone, Lynne Albright, Ann Schlumberger and Pat Dixon for their years of compassionate care.

c. Virginia Zuelow received a special thanks from Fr. Steve for her expert leadership of the recent Giving and Receiving Campaign.

d. Catherine Penn Williams was recognized for her contributions to Adult Spiritual Formation.

e. Jane Nakazato, stepping down from the Ushers, was thanked for her service.

f. Bill Moore was recognized for his excellent work as Jr. Warden. He will continue in this role for 2016.

g. The Hospitality Ministry has been led by Anne Sunderland and Deb Tinajero. Fr. Steve thanked them for their oversight of this ministry.

h. The Children, Youth and Family Ministry has been led by interim leaders Kristen Bury, Martha Farnham, Brianna Devereux and Liz Gooden.

i. Small Groups is a new ministry led by Chris LaBour.

j. The Rev. Chris Ledyard is leading the Animals and Spirituality Ministry.

k. Sue Pierce was thanked for her numerous volunteer contributions, including meal coordination for the Dinner Theatre productions, the holiday Las Posadas celebration and the summer Arts Camp.

l. David Christie was thanked for his work with the acolytes.

m. Julie Gasaway was thanked by Fr. Steve for her work as Media Coordinator.

6. Thanks to Outgoing Vestry Members: John Banks, Briana Devereux, Richard Rhodes and Holly Shinn have completed their Vestry terms, and were thanked for their service.

7. Introduction of Vestry Candidates: The candidates for the Vestry were introduced: John Banks, Brianna Devereux, Elizabeth Gooden, Elyse Johnson and Joe Stefani are candidates for the four open seats.

8. Nomination of Delegates to the 55th Diocesan Convention: Nominated for the five elected delegates and five elected alternates were: John Bieging, Briana Devereux, Jim Franks, Carol Forshey, Wesley Hunter, Elyse Johnson, Steve Mattix, Tom Morrison, Windy Pipentacos, Nanalee Raphael, Joe Smith, Sister Carol Williams and Michi Yamasaki.

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9. Ballots were passed out, and voting for the new Vestry members and for the convention delegates and alternates took place.

10. The hymn “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” #490 in The Hymnal 1982 was sung.

11. Financial Report and Presentation of the 2016 Budget: Tom Pitello, Treasurer, presented the Financial Report and 2016 Budget. (Please see the GSP Annual Report for specifics, pgs. 10-15.) Expenses and Revenue Income for 2015 balanced, due to not hiring a new Education leader, and by reducing expenditures to the 2012 level. The $15K challenge grant and matching funds enabled the balanced budget, not income from gifts. Cash assets were moved into Episcopal Church Foundation managed funds, which are invested in a socially responsible way. They are moving in the direction of Green Funds. Tom reviewed the 2016 Mission Plan chart, which shows staffing costs spread across the various ministries, and each ministry’s percentage of the annual budget. It is possible to present a balanced budget for 2016 only because it does not include the expense for a new clergy person. Fr. Steve thanked Tom for his continued service to GSP.

12. Legacy Society Inauguration: Peggy Scott described the formation of the GSP Legacy Society, which is inviting founding members. There will be a “Thank You” gathering on February 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. Members of the Planned Giving Ministry are Laurie Camm, Miriam Huber, Tom Pitello, Peggy Scott and Virginia Zuelow.

13. Living into Our Immediate Future: Fr. Steve requested that the meeting attendees meet in table groups to find creative ideas for raising the funds required to hire a new clergy member. Several new ideas were put forth during discussion. Any plan adopted would need broad-based support.

14. Wardens’ Reports: Roger Pierce, outgoing Sr. Warden, directed attention to his written report (pg. 7 of the Annual Report), highlighting the work of the new Small Group Ministry, led by Chris LaBour. Bill Moore, Jr. Warden, also referred to his written report on pg. 8. He expressed his thanks to the entire Building and Grounds Committee, and to several individuals: James White, GSP Sexton; Sue and Roger Pierce; Carrie, Ethan and Andy Kube; Joaquin Fischer; Nancy Barton and Joe Stefani.

15. Convention Delegate Election Results: Delegates elected were Briana Devereux, Jim Franks, Wesley Hunter, Steve Mattix and Nanalee Raphael. Alternate delegates were Carol Forshey, Wendy Pipentacos, Joe Smith, Sr. Carol Williams and Michi Yamasaki.

14. Rector’s Report and Awards - Fr. Steve directed attendees to read his Report to the Congregation, found on pg. 6 of the GSP Annual Report. Fr. Steve expressed his thanks and gratitude for the two years that Roger Pierce has served as Sr. Warden. The congregation gave him a standing ovation. Steve+ also announced the recipients of the 5th Annual Rector’s Award. The award was given to Vicki and Joe Stefani.

15. Chancellor’s Report – Rob Rauh reported that, “We have successfully avoided being sued, again.” Fr. Steve thanked Rob for his continued service.

16. Other Business – Steve Williams suggested that GSP repeat the congregational forum event, held soon after the arrival of Fr. Steve Keplinger, to develop new ideas for the future.

17. Senior Warden Appointment: Fr. Steve announced the creation of a new job position, a Special Assistant to the Rector, who will be Laura Angeley. She will assist the new Sr. Warden, who is Kyle Devereux.

18. Vestry Election Results: Kyle Devereux’ selection as Sr. Warden creates an opening on the Vestry. All five candidates for Vestry are thereby elected to serve.

19. Closing Hymn: “We Are Marching in the Light of God,” No. 787, Wonder, Love and Praise

19. Dismissal: Rev. Nancy Meister and the Rev. Chris Ledyard dismissed the meeting at 1:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Lou Ann Bieging, Recording Clerk

Addendum: On Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Steve Keplinger reconvened the 2016 Annual Meeting for an additional item of business. Bill Moore was unanimously re-elected to the position of Jr. Warden.

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Rector’s State of the Church Annual Report, January 2017

The Rev. Steve Keplinger

“I am of this place. Family is a place, and my family is located here, those who are living and those who have passed. I am settled in the scent of sage, Mount Moran's reflection at Oxbow Bend is more than a mirror of memories; it is the joy found in river otters, a reminder that there are places in the world we can return for peace unchanged.”

Terry Tempest Williams

As all of you are well aware, I, like Terry Tempest Williams, am settled in the scent of sage. When I lose myself in a desert landscape, I not only experience a sense of peace in the midst of the frenetic lunacy of the world, but I am also at home. Nothing rejuvenates me more than experiencing the wonder of another slot canyon in the back of beyond.

Family is also a place for me, but unlike Terry Tempest Williams, my family is not out there in my natural desert home, but right here in this place we call GSP. You are my family and in 2016, that is what struck me the most. Grace St. Paul’s is a corporate sized church, in the technical terms used to describe congregations. But in practice, we are in many, many ways, a family sized church.

I particularly noticed that this past year, as Amy Cormode moved into her role as minister of spiritual formation for children, youth, and families. We experienced it our Christmas Eve family service, when all of us felt a new level of intimacy with our children.

I felt it another half-dozen times when we were blessed with the opportunity to host wedding after wedding in the latter part of the year. Each of them brought us a new spirit of energy and joy, and filled us over and over again with this feeling of overwhelming happiness.

That family feeling filled the sanctuary every day of Holy Week as we cried together through Good Friday and experienced the wonder of an Easter Vigil that made us cry again with delight.

It filled me with pride when the Bishop came after Easter and brought 20 more folks officially into our family.

It made me cry when our pastoral care team reached out to almost 100 of us in this family who were dealing with difficulties or grief.

We saw it again when Father Richard Mallory joined us in our vision to create a new church for a new world.

When our family took care of hundreds out of our food pantry, and hundreds more in our Social services and bread programs, we bonded closer together. I watched our family embrace strangers and welcome everyone at our spa days and our Christmas party.

We celebrated our counter-cultural family as we began a new style of leadership in the church, asking Laura Angeley and Kyle Devereux to serve together as team Senior Wardens.

I watched our family face many challenges together in 2016, including the deaths of one of our youngest members and then six more of our beloved relatives at the end of the year. We took care of one another in the family and cried with each other.

We brought in many more family members through baptism, all of which brought us together as family once again. One of them, the baptism of Tonya Thompson, was a born-again experience for me personally, linking me with all of you even more strongly.

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Together, we expressed our fear after an election that threatens to take away the liberties we have worked so hard to create for so many. In the midst of that fear, our family grew stronger together and our hope grew bolder.

In the midst of that concern, we took a pledge to protect anyone who is in danger, just like a mother cares for her children.

Finally, every single time we finish a worship service at GSP, the energy and vitality of our relationship with one another, our love for each other, and our commitment to our family overwhelms me.

As we enter a very challenging year, that beloved, is the state of our family, this church. We are a family, in every form of the word. We are the “place in the world we can return for peace unchanged.” Thanks be to God!

Steve+

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Senior Warden’s Report to the Congregainon, January 2017 Kyle Angeley-Devereux, Senior Warden

For GSP 2016 has been a year of growth and action, of coming together to focus on how we express our bond as a community in a country and world that is more divided than ever. It has been a period of burgeoning social action and a return to the very roots of the Gospel. When I look back at all the changes and challenges, both those that we have faced already and those that ahead in the years to come, I am filled with hope and excitement for this community. We stand at the edge of an opportunity that only comes along a few times a generation. How the church responds, on the national and local level, to the social issues that have defined the last couple of decades could create a new wave of social action and shift the perception of what Christianity stands for in America. I believe that it is in GSP’s DNA to be a leader in this area, and in the coming months we will come together to discuss the “how” of this great challenge. With that idea of what the future might hold, let’s look back at some of the things that happened this year.

Late last year, your vestry tried to define what the most important things to accomplish this year would be. At the top of that list was finding an associate rector, to provide much needed support and relief to Fr. Steve. After a great deal of searching, Fr. Richard Mallory found his way to us. His calm demeanor and pastoral approach have already proven to be a great fit for our community.

We began the process of moving the pantry into the parish hall. This was identified as an opportunity to live the Gospel for all to see, welcoming the stranger, the other, the outcast into our home. While there have been many challenges, and more are sure to come up as we finalize this process, the act of bringing those who come to us for help out of the brutal desert and into our midst is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked.

The energy and passion of our community was on display again this year during our Easter, Creation, and Christmas season services and liturgies.

Our Spa Day, which has become an annual feature in Tucson, saw its largest attendance in history, providing moments of kindness and closeness that are lacking in the lives of far too many.

Our children and family ministry has been revitalized through the vision and creativity of Amy Cormode, who accepted the open leadership position. She worked tirelessly, with short notice, to make sure our summer arts camp happened.

In the face of an onslaught of attacks and heartbreaking events perpetrated by violent jihadists around the world, a small group of GSP members expressed this community’s solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters by attending an Iftar during Ramadan.

Our Canon Theologian, Fr. Gil Stafford, hosted a workshop on how changing the language that we use to explain our understanding of God and religion can help us connect to each other and the modern world.

For the second consecutive year, we hosted a huge ministry fair, providing the opportunity for our community to see a visual representation of how their pledges and volunteer hours are turned into outreach, support, and education.

Our community renewed its commitment, with other churches in the area, to providing sanctuary to immigrants and refugees with nowhere else to go.

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A huge bake sale to support the Tucson Syrian refugee community at GSP was so successful that it was repeated the next week with the same result. The event was a featured story on NPR, the Tucson Weekly, and the Arizona Daily Star.

There are so many stories that we could discuss, so many events that deserve recognition. Our church is alive with the spirit and flowing with generosity. Thank you all for everything that we accomplished this year. I am filled with anticipation for what our future holds, and feel so blessed to share in this journey with you. Let’s go forward into the world.

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Junior Warden’s & Building & Grounds Committee’s Report to the Congregainon, January 2017

Bill Moore, Junior Warden

Junior Warden Update: 01/24/17

Three Sections:

1. New and ongoing projects (OG) since last report

2. On-hold projects

3. Completed projects

Section One: New and Updated projects.

We had issues with multiple compressors that power the heating/cooling in the sanctuary. One

will have be replaced at a cost of $6,000, and we will do repairs on two others.

Work has begun on procuring a new phone system for the church to replace the current 20-year-

old patchwork system in use. Specifications will require a system that will work in two buildings

with at least 12-15 extensions. The system will bring the church into current telephone

technology.

We had to re-treat for termites in the kitchen. Second time in a year.

Joseph’s Pantry relocation indoors is moving to resolution. Projected move in date is 2/27/17.

The pantry will occupy the front left closet in McBride Hall. The hours of operation will be 9-12

Monday-Saturday. There has been a conflict resolution system worked out where the pantry

operation can be modified or even cancelled by conflicting needs in McBride Hall.

Section Two: Unchanged/on-hold projects.

Leaks: During the heavy rains (late June and early July) we had a roof leak (1) in the sanctuary

and runoff water entered the undercroft through windows and doors.

a. No new leaks since early July

b. We will send a person up on the sanctuary roof to access visible problems and possible

fixes.

(OG) In the fall the Plant Ministry, in coordination with Danielle Phillips, will move the roses from

their current location to a place in the Memorial Garden. This will save the roses. The Plant

Ministry will create a nice mulched area under the Bottlebrush tree.

Section Three: Completed Projects •

The commercial double refrigerator in the kitchen was malfunctioning, but James was able to repair it.

Completed office space for Associate Rector Richard Mallory.

The St. Jude’s Room in the Education Center was repainted and electric work done to change this room from storage/classroom into the office of Publications Manager/Computer Specialist. Also the network server was also moved to this office.

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The Associate Rector’s office in the administration area was cleared, cleaned and refreshed. New office furniture and a computer were purchased to finish the project.

Significant progress has been made on clearing and cleaning the parish shed.

Negotiated a use of space agreement with Banner Health for the use of 60 parking lot spaces

Monday-Friday.

GSP now has two unisex bathrooms in the education center. Both have been painted (ceilings,

floors and walls); both have new lights and fans. Both bathrooms now have privacy locks

indicating when they are in use.

One restroom has been remodeled into an ADA Compliant Barrier-Free bathroom with all-new

fixtures.

ADA Compliant Barrier-Free Water Cooler has been located between the two restrooms.

The upper hallway of the Education Center was re-painted.

The Bloom Room was remodeled and repurposed as the church’s premiere educational and

meeting space.

A new diaper changing unit has been has been installed in the Education Center ADA bathroom.

A new diaper changing unit has been has been installed in men’s restroom in McBride Hall.

A new meeting table was purchased for the Social Services Office.

The air conditioner for the Chapel failed and was replaced.

The back patio “wall painting” has been completed.

Two dead Italian cypress trees west of the shed were taken down at a cost of nearly $1000. A

very generous parishioner donated the entire cost.

Painting the St. Francis room in the undercroft is done.

Social Services office: Painting was completed. The color used was the semi-gloss version of the

front office color. We are encouraging a standardized palette. It will make paint storage and

retouching so much easier. Each user group can individualize with hangings, pictures and

furniture.

GSP Memorial Garden (Human). I traveled to Phoenix with Jim Franks on 2/29 to inspect the #3

crypt. It was approved and the unit was delivered 3/4. It looks very good; we can now be proud

of the whole Memorial Garden. Recall the company waived ½ of the original price because of all

the problems they caused.

Mary Bethany Room (the Youth Room) in the undercroft has been repainted. ()

Termite treatment for kitchen ceiling completed. This is a recurring problem for several years.

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Treasurer’s Report to the Congregainon, January 2017 Tom Pitello, Treasurer

2016 marked the third annual reduction in overall expenses for GSP. This was achieved while being able to add an Associate clergy. Costs do not reflect a full year of staffing expenses since this additional position was filled late in the year and we did not have a fully staffed position for Minister of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth, and Families for the entire period.

Expense History Total Expenses Year/ Year

2012 615,300 14%

2013 667,403 8%

2014 627,933 -6%

2015 612,844 -2%

2016 593,623 -3%

The Financial statements submitted with this report show another year over year shortfall in anticipated pledge and plate income. This was more impactful with a marked miss in anticipated income from Ministry fundraising. Overall reductions in expenditure to plan moderated our loss to $2,674 in 2016. The Balance Sheet reflects another reduction in interfund loans from $10,000 in 2015 to $3,950 today. We experienced a difficult year for cash flow and through generous year-end thanksgivings have a sufficient operating cash to begin the new year. In addition to the expenses listed in the table above, the Restricted Funds spent $66,901 while contributions and other revenue sources allowed the total funds to increase by $27,342.

Modest staff bonuses will be provided in 2017. Our Restricted Funds enabled GSP to pay for expenses of Social Services beyond our operating budget as well as a portion of the long-term building improvements in McBride Hall and the Education Center. Additional monies supported our Youth Ministries.

Our total invested funds have again dropped though the rate of decrease has been greatly reduced. GSP has an aging facility so monies have been used for capital improvements as mentioned above. Endowment Fund growth reflects investment return minus our Vestry defined distributions to Restricted Funds. No new endowment monies were received in 2016. Restricted Fund balances grew over the period allowing us to show a very modest increase in our total cash assets. The table below shows the current status of our funds.

Cash Asset History

Capital

Reserve

Endowment

Fund

Total Invested

Funds

Year/

Year

Restricted

Funds

Total

Funds

2012 187,043 533,958 721,001 2% 92,214 813,215

2013 245,742 545,388 791,130 10% 97,618 888,748

2014 276,602 542,236 818,837 4% 113,660 932,497

2015 260,368 496,981 757,349 -8% 109,006 866,355

2016 226,876 509,374 736,250 -3% 135,651 871,901

The 2017 Mission Plan follows the financial reports and is based upon receiving $480,000 in Estimates of Giving (EOG). This number is above what we actually received in response to last year’s EOG. 2017 budgeted EOG of $480,000, which is $5,000 less than what we budgeted last year. A higher rate of EOG fulfillment will be necessary to achieve our GSP budget needs in addition to the $53,200 of income anticipated from facilities parking rental.

You can help maintain GSP’s long-term viability through your thankful generosity. Please remember GSP in your legacy planning. Gifting options are discussed on the Episcopal Church Foundation website at http://episcopalgifts.org/?pageID=123. You may request assistance through the Church office, or you may discuss your plans with your personal advisor.

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Vision – Mission – Ministry

Open to All

Communicainons Ministry The Communications Ministry is responsible for communicating news and information to the congregation and larger community who are interested in GSP and our ministries. We have a wide variety of venues for communication that include everything from old-school hard copy distribution of news (e.g. fliers posted on GSP campus bulletin boards, weekly distribution of the Sunday Bulletin, USPS mailings of The Briefly newsletter, the GSP trifold Welcome Brochure, the GSP Photo Directory) to electronic modes of communication and social media that include the Friday e-Blast, Adult Spiritual Formation e-News, the e-version of The Briefly newsletter, GSP Facebook (FB) page, GSP web page, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube accounts. In addition, thanks to videographer Jesse Thrall, we provide DVDs of Sunday services (and other events by request) for those who are unable to attend, and/or CDs for those with vision impairments.

The ministry participants meet on the fourth Monday of every month from 12-1 p.m. in the Bloom Room in GSP’s undercroft. At the meetings, we generally plan for the content of The Briefly, and discuss topics that need to be repeated in the Sunday Bulletins, weekly e-blast, FB page, and web page. All are welcome!

The Briefly newsletter is published ten times every year, which means monthly issues, with the exception of December/January and March/April issues to account for the busy months that include Christmas and Easter. It is distributed in print via USPS and electronically via email. Various ministry leaders and parishioners contribute to the publication by writing articles and submitting photographs.

The Friday e-blast is a venue of communication delivered as email. It provides information on GSP-related activities scheduled for the forthcoming week, and provides a link to the previous Sunday’s sermon, which is posted weekly to the GSP webpage in audio and often PDF format.

The GSP Facebook page now boasts 989 “Followers,” and we typically reach hundreds of people every week. In 2016, many FB posts reached well over 500 people, and one even reached almost 3,600 people! A few examples include:

GSP’s photo announcement that we are a Sanctuary Church reached 3,583 people and was shared 46 times!

Our Easter 2016 photo album reached 2,598 people, and was shared 8 times

Our 2016 Annual Meeting photo album – in which we announced a novel approach to parish leadership with a new Senior Warden/Special Assistant to the Rector team of Kyle Devereux and Laura Angeley - reached 1,262 people and was shared 4 times

The photo collage of the new mural on the walls of the children's playground (muralists Eleanor Kohloss and Kathy Conway) reached 1,066 people

The Advertisement for our Thanksgiving Spa Day at GSP reached 890 people

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The GSP web page provides information about the parish, including links to Current Adult Education opportunities, the Friday e-Blast, archived sermons, Briefly newsletters, Sunday Bulletins, Clergy and Ministry Leader information, and GSP’s Google calendar.

We are happy to assist ministry leaders in communicating GSP events to the parish and wider community. Please refer to the table, “How Do I Get My Ministry’s Activities Advertised at GSP?” to learn who you should contact for effective advertisement of your GSP event.

Submitted by Martha Whitaker; table created by Catherine Penn Williams

How Do I Get My Ministry’s Activities Advertised at GSP?

(GSP Communication Vehicles for Events and Programs)

Communication Vehicle

Publication Frequency

Deadline Lay Minister or Staff Member

Contact

The Briefly – monthly printed newsletter with electronic version

Monthly except for occasional double issues

Usually 2nd Tues. of each month (but check with editor)

Joyce Henderson brieflyeditor@grace-stpauls.org

Weekly e-Blast – electronic newsletter

Every Friday 12 p.m. on Thurs.

Aaron Bradley parishadmin@grace-stpauls.org

Sunday Bulletin – printed worship bulletin

Every Sunday 4 p.m. on Wed.

David Wachter bulletins@grace-stpauls.org

Adult Spiritual Formation e-News – electronic newsletter

1-2x monthly 15th of each month

Catherine Williams adulted@grace-stpauls.org

Facebook – social media site for events/photos

As needed Min. of 7 days prior to event

Martha Whitaker Catherine Williams

marthaw@email.arizona.edu catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

Tumblr – social media for sermons, weekly bulletins and Fr Steve’s blog

Weekly and as needed

Contact Lay Minister

John Banks jdbanks@gmail.com

Instagram – social media of photos of various GSP activities

Varies Contact Lay Minister

Catherine Williams catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

Twitter Every Facebook post

None Martha Whitaker Catherine Williams

marthaw@email.arizona.edu catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

GSP Website As needed None John Banks jdbanks@gmail.com

Tucson MeetUp – local electronic listing

As needed Min. of 7 days prior to event

Catherine Williams catherinepennwilliams@gmail.com

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Local Tucson calendar listings – listing in local print/electronic calendars

Varies Contact Lay Minister

Julie Gasaway jagasaway@cox.net

Paid advertising (NPR, Tucson Weekly, The Loft) – paid ads for special events and/or liturgical seasons

Varies by event and/or season

Contact Lay Minister

Bruce Anderson azlizard@comcast.net

GSP Bulletin Board for Adult Spiritual Formation

Changes monthly

Contact Lay Minister

Catherine Williams adulted@grace-stpauls.org

GSP Bulletin Boards

Varies by event None Aaron Bradley parishadmin@grace-stpauls.org

Welcome Ministry This is one of the first sites a "new" member will be contacted at here at Grace St Paul's. We not only greet them and welcome them but give them printed information packets that clarify all we offer here and encourage them to ask any questions regarding what is available for them through the church. This position also helps answer questions they have regarding all facets of services provided through membership.

Submitted by Oma ("Sam") Guard

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Vision – Mission – Ministry

Food for the Journey

Adult Spiritual Formainon In 2016, the Adult Spiritual Formation ministry at Grace St. Paul’s continued to focus on the following mission:

Culinvate a culture of life-long deep spiritual formation at GSP

Translate the Chrisinan tradiinon for 21st century people of faith

Arinculate a progressive Chrisinan faith to a non-church world

Inspire a passion for ministry and assist people in identifying their individual gifts for ministry

To fulfill this mission, we engaged in the following ministry activities over the course of the year:

Created a ministry team composed of Brian Arthur, Cheryl Austin, Karen Borek, Chuck Dickson, Jim Franks, Carrie Kube, Nanalee Raphael, Joe Stefani, Vicki Stefani, and Catherine Penn Williams (convener).

Provided adult spiritual formation classes on Sunday mornings.

At 9:00 a.m., 22 different topics were presented over 41 weeks with an average attendance (AA) of 19. Topics included: Exploring Today’s Lectionary, Digital Faith, What is Lent?, Grounded: Finding God in the World — A Spiritual Revolution (Lenten Book Study), The Joy of Giving, Who is Jesus to You?, What is Pentecost?, Overseas Ministry in India: A Personal Reflection, What is a Christian Nation?, Yes, Jesus Love Me…, God That Changes With Us, Soul and NDEs, Planned Giving, What is an Anthem?, Healing the Heart of Democracy, Islamic Art, Social Media in an Age of Uncertainty, Intro to Islam, Celtic Spirituality, All Saints, Food Stewardship, and Wearing God (Advent).

More programs were offered at 11:45 a.m. in 2016, including: Episcopal 101, Sermons on Tap, Orlando: From Prayer to Action, “Kicking at the Goads”*—Seeking Spirit-led & Empowered Ways to Respond to Violence, Jesus: Forgiving Victim (video with James Allison & Richard Rohr), Bridging the Political Divide (video with Parker Palmer), and Report from 2016 Diocesan Convention.

Developed Nourishing Spirits: Becoming the Body, a small group program that would meet monthly from October 2016 through April 2017.

Nine groups were formed in Sept/Oct 2016 with a total of 74 participants.

Groups provided opportunities for fellowship by eating together and sharing faith journeys via exercises utilizing question prompts and provocative photographic images.

Provided opportunities for adult learners to engage with Scripture:

A monthly lectionary study at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays (10 sessions)

Weekly Bible Study for men (46 sessions)

Bi-weekly study of women’s voices in the Bible (21 sessions)

Offered opportunities for learning and sharing faith journeys in small weekday groups. These included:

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Sharing Our Spiritual Journeys – a weekly discussion group on Monday mornings (40 sessions)

Saturday Java Jive – a weekly discussion on Saturday mornings over coffee at Epic Café (50 sessions)

GSP Readers Group – a monthly book discussion (12 sessions)

The Mystic Heart – weeknight book study group (5 sessions)

EfM Revisited – spring/fall monthly group for EfM alumni (5 sessions)

Seasonal Film Series – Monthly film series on a theme followed by discussion (2 series; 6 sessions)

Provided opportunities for adults at GSP to offer their gifts of spiritual insight and passion by teaching and facilitating conversation with other adult learners. A special thank you to this year’s presenters: Brian Arthur, Cheryl Austin, Karen Borek, The Rev. Alan Breckenridge, Laurie Camm, David Coatsworth, Rebecca Dickinson, Chuck Dickson, Jim Franks, The Rev. Ben Garren, Karen Hanson, Christina Jarvis, Karen Kelly, The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Deacon Chris Ledyard, Bill Moore, Margaret Moore, Suzanne Morrison, Ana Ortiz, Nanalee Raphael, Vicki Stefani, Catherine Penn Williams, and Steve Williams.

Utilized parish communication resources to promote the ministry’s programs, classes, small groups and special events via:

Monthly e-newsletter of spiritual formation programs

Weekly e-Blast

Sunday bulletin and monthly Briefly announcements

Facebook posts

Tucson Meet Up listings

Bulletin board in the GSP cloister

We are grateful for the community of learners, seekers and teachers that make Adult Spiritual Formation such a lively and vital part of Grace St. Paul’s.

Respectfully submitted, GSP Adult Spiritual Formation Ministry Team

Bessie Edgar Memorial Altar Guild Personnel:

There are currently two Altar Guild Teams rotating duties every other weekend throughout the calendar year. Team members volunteer for various special liturgical services during the week as well. In preparation for the High Holy Days of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, additional team members volunteer to serve extra duty as needed.

The teams are staffed as follows:

Team 1- Jane Thrall, Heather Williams, Steve Williams, Marilyn Abraham and Bill & Therese Trujillo

Team 3- Ann Schlumberger, Gwen McCaffrey, Debbie Tinajero, Karen McVean, and Nancy Smith

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Funeral Team includes: Heather Williams, Nancy Smith, Jane Thrall, and substitute Lynn Albright when needed.

Wedding Coordinator: Karen McVean with Jane Thrall assisting

This ministry is “hands-on” work that creates a sacred environment for liturgy and worship at GSP. The teams prepare the table for communion by doing many different tasks such as polishing brass and silver, filling oils, changing frontals and hangings according to the church season, plus cleaning and preparing the church space for worship, plus many other tasks. These dedicated volunteers serve with reverence, devotion, and attention to detail.

New members are always welcome to come and join us.

Submitted by Jane Thrall

Choir The music program continues to hold its banners high. Choir numbers have ticked up, despite the usual ebb and flow through the season because of illness or other circumstances. The choir is a big commitment, and Grace St. Paul’s is fortunate to have such a loyal group of singers and instrumentalists.

Here followeth the reading of the names of participants in the music program for ye past year:

Music Staff: Christina Jarvis, Director of Music and Director of the Adult Choir; Pamela Decker, Organist; Jane Click, Pianist and Director of the Lieto Ensemble (instrumental); Wesley Hunter, Director of the Sunday School music program and Director of the St. Zeno’s Zombie Choir (Youth); James Beckwith, accompanist for the Sunday School music program and the St. Zeno’s Zombie Choir; and David Wachter, substitute organist for Dr. Decker.

Choral Librarian: Ann Stephens

SpiritSong Cantors: Michael Gibson (January to June) and Greg Swanson (September to December)

Adult Choir Members (for all or part of the year): Bruce Anderson, Steve Black, Phyllis Cameron, Richard Cameron, Dave Coatsworth, Henry Dirtadian, Andrew Gooden, Elizabeth Gooden, George Haines, Tom Ham, Rick Hanson, Joyce Henderson, Miriam Huber, Spencer Hunter, Dick Jenrow, Phil Johnson, Cricket Kelbaugh, Dick Kelbaugh, Riley Knutson, Pat Lukensmeyer, Laura Lundy, Jill McCollum, Karen McVean, Barbara Morehouse, Wendy Pipentacos, Barbara Pritchard, Sam Reynolds, Tom Ruhoff, Ann Stephens, Greg Swanson, Jane Thrall, Angel Wang, Pete Weiblen, Cathy Wolfson, and Laura Worcester. Extra Christmas choristers: Judy Lynn, Susan Marcus, and Katie Holmes.

St. Zeno’s Zombie Choir: Fiona Fischer, Diing Garang, Andrew Gooden, Elyse Johnson, Olivia Lara, Rachel Whitaker, Wesley Hunter, Assistant Director; and James Beckwith, Accompanist.

Vocal Soloists: Alan Brundage, baritone; Joan Brundage, mezzosoprano; James Callegary, tenor; Dave Coatsworth, tenor; Brianna Devereux, soprano; Chuck Goldschmid, baritone; James Gooden, tenor; Pamela Dellal, mezzosoprano; Elizabeth Gooden, soprano; Tom Ham, bass; Miriam Huber, soprano; Wesley Hunter, bass baritone; Christina Jarvis, mezzosoprano; Mark Jarvis, baritone; Kristina Tullgren, soprano; Scott Mason, countertenor; James Neeley, baritone; Wendy Pipentacos, soprano; Barbara Pritchard, soprano; Ann Stephens, mezzosoprano; Greg Swanson, baritone; Halsy Taylor, contralto; Catherine Wolfson, soprano.

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Instrumentalists: Mindi Acosta, flute; Bruce Anderson, cello; James Beckwith, piano; Alan Brundage, violin; Joan Brundage, harp; Jason Carder, trumpet; Rosalie Cassiday, piano; John Camm, banjo; Emily Chao, violin; Jane Click, piano; Kathy Creath, oboe and English horn; Chuck Goldschmid, guitar; Karen Hanson, Native American flute; Rick Hanson, percussion; Fred Hayes, drums; Wesley Hunter, violin and viola; Michael Manning, piano; Michael Moynihan, saxophone; Sierra Norris, flute; Jeff Sandberg, bass; Albert Sarko, piano; Daniel “Sly” Slipetsky, piano; and Jack Wood, bass.

Ensembles or performers exchanging performance at a service for use of church facilities: The Endicott Players, Michael Manning, director; Johanna Lundy, French horn; The Sons of Orpheus, Grayson Hirst, director; and Tucson Repertory Orchestra, Toru Tagawa, director.

We continued our jazz service tradition through the course of the year and came up with a good balance between the music we usually employ in our services and the jazz offerings. Jazz services included the Last Sunday in Epiphany, Pentecost, and the First Sunday in the Season of Creation. Naturellement, we celebrated Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday with Dixieland and pancakes. Every time I eat a pancake, I sing “O when the saints come marching in.” Okay, not really; I’d get some strange looks in restaurants. Not that that would necessarily stop me, remembering the chopsticks as vampire fangs incident.

The “play for pay” system continues to work well, providing the parish with fine players throughout the year. We greatly benefited from this scheme on Easter, when violinist Emily Chao from the Tucson Repertory Orchestra joined our instrumental ensemble, and on the First Sunday in the Season of Creation, when Johanna Lundy, principal horn player for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, shared her talents. Members of the Endicott Players and the Sons of Orpheus blessed our summer months when the choir is sitting in the pews instead of the chancel.

Thanks and blessings to all of the above, but especially to Ann Stephens, who continues to ride herd on the choral library with supreme efficiency and unfailing good cheer. She truly lightens our load.

To anyone I may have inadvertently omitted from the above lists, apologies!

By God’s grace we came through the last year, and we shall press on into the coming year with faith and resolve.

Peace, Christina Jarvis, Music Director

Eucharisinc Assistants, 10 a.m. Thankful Blessings to all who serve in this vital ministry. Accomplishments continue, creating and executing innovative and meaningful Liturgies each week to correspond with the liturgical season and the readings/Gospel of the day. We at Grace St. Paul's pride ourselves on bringing to our worship life changing possibilities and relevant experiences each week.

Recently we lost two of our chalice servers, one sadly to death—David Ruder. We have since gained three: Joan Brundage, Karen Hanson, and Martha Farnham. Welcome! We continue heavy on estrogen, light on testosterone. My weekly goal is a balance of female and male presence in the chancel and at the Table, too often not a possible option.

Some plans and dreams for this coming year:

We desperately need alterations on many of our albs, much cheaper than replacing. Mostly these alterations will be to shorten some of the albs, gather those that need and can be repaired, and literally

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trash some that are worn beyond repair. Nanalee Raphael and I are consulting on this project, as to how many to shorten, sort out those that can be repaired, and figure out cost for her time and talent.

I want to recruit some younger chalice servers, and increase male presence. To anyone who may be interested in this ministry: please contact me.

Peace and Blessings, Willie Schlentz

Grief Ministry Grace St. Paul’s grief ministry provides a place of solace, like a best friend, where you can fully express your feelings of loss or how lonely you feel and where people will listen.

In addition to the Good Grief Group, individual grief support is offered on an in-person, 1:1 basis. For 2016, we provided 1:1 spiritual support to at least four individuals. Regretfully, the Grief Group was cancelled for 2016 as there were not a sufficient number of participants to hold a group. A Good Grief Group is planned in February 2017, and will be only 4 weeks.

Another form of 1:1 support, when appropriate, we will send a card to those receiving support from our Grief Ministry. Usually, we receive a referral through the church office following a memorial service or a ministry member receives a referral directly. Currently, those who are providing the memorial connections are (in no particular order): Shirley Forester, Brother Chuck Hannan OSF, Molly Johnson, Gale Odion, Nanalee Raphael, Craig Garver, Heather Pentland, Marilyn Atha, Terry Rosato, and Pam Jackson. During 2016, we served over 30 individuals with in-person or written memorial connections.

A unique feature of this meaningful ministry is that group and individual support is available for those who grieve the loss of a companion animal. (See Animals and Spiritual report for more information.)

If you would like to be a member of this ministry, contact The Rev. Chris Ledyard @ mach8350@cox.net. Fortunately, Terry Rosato has been assisting with the organization and keeping the communication records up to date on the providers and recipients of Grief Ministry.

Please do contact a member of this ministry, including The Rev. Chris Ledyard @ mach8350@cox.net or the church office, for support through your grief and/or loss process.

Respectfully submitted, Deacon Chris Ledyard

Intercessory Prayer Team Around the middle of the year, Nan Hannan “retired” as Leader of the Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT). It took several months to identify new leaders and to get organized as there are now two leaders. The Rev. Chris Ledyard and Lynne Albright are co-leading this ministry.

The leaders send out prayer requests to the IPT as they are received anytime during the week/month. Monthly reviews are prepared including prayers requests from the last three months. This is a confidential list and information is not shared with anyone else and it is not published. It is separate from the church bulletin’s prayer listing.

Chris and Lynne take turns handling the requests depending upon schedules so we request that you send prayer requests to this email address: prayers@grace-stpauls.org.

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Please keep your prayer requests relatively brief and concise. Prayers may be for parishioners, family members, friends, acquaintances, and/or animals.

If you would like to join this team of almost 40 members, please send an email to that same address listed above with your name and email.

We thank all of the GSP parishioners who participate and support this ministry.

Peacefully, The Rev. Chris Ledyard and Lynne Albright

Pastoral Care At Grace St. Paul’s, our “pastoral care” may well be called “mutual care” – all offer support to one another, and many beyond our church walls, as need arises. All are invited to be part of this ministry, both as care-givers and care-receivers!

Whenever you or any in your circle of family & friends need support, please be in touch so that we can respond. You can always speak directly with one of the clergy, or with a member of the Pastoral Care Support Team by calling our Pastoral Care Phone – (520) 668-5727.

You can also offer support by volunteering to be available to assist other parishioners in a variety of ways. Steve Kelsey can send you a sign up form for these mutual care ministries: smkelsey@gmail.com

The Pastoral Care Support Team [PCST] ensures that the pastoral needs of all members of GSP are being met. In the past year, we have met monthly to organize, encourage, and advance this work, assisting the leaders of Healing Touch, Grief Ministry and Eucharistic Visitors. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is coordinated by Joyce Henderson, and a ministry providing rides to services as we are able is coordinated by Steve Williams. Pastoral counseling is offered to individuals upon request. We also have a small group offering spiritual support to persons living with depression.

The PCST offers an emergency pastoral care phone line “24/7” (520-668-5727) & ensures a prompt response to calls, follow up usually within the next day. We are fortunate to have a new volunteer, Diana Bailey, answering the phone full time for us.

Those serving on the Pastoral Care Support Team in 2016 were Alysha Collins, Ana Ortiz, Ann Schlumberger, Sister Carol Matthew (Willans), Catherine Brown, Deacon Chris Ledyard, Brother Chuck Hannan, Heather Pentland, Kay Bigglestone, Kay Buckler, Lynne Albright, Marilyn Abraham, Nanalee Rafael, Deacon Nancy Meister, Patricia Dickson, Stephen Hymel, Steve Williams, and Terry Rosato. We are most grateful for all the presbyters serving Grace St. Paul’s for their excellent support.

Submitted by The Rev. Steve Kelsey

Spiritual Formainon for Children, Youth and Families This summer and fall have been full of good growth in the Children, Youth and Family Ministries. Let me share what I have witnessed and been a part of:

A very warm and supportive welcome to me as I began the work of serving the parish and this ministry back in May. I come on the heels of a year of transition that was overseen by Kristen Bury and a team of other volunteers who continued the youth program after the departure of Rosalind Garcia in 2015.

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We began in early June with a vibrant, Spirit-filled fun week of camp at the church called Rooted: Summer Camp at GSP with 22 children and youth coming each day, and over 15 volunteers working in concert to make it all happen.

This summer, 6 of our own youth attended Chapel Rock, the Diocese church camp in Prescott, and I was on staff for one week.

We held three pool parties this summer with a combined attendance of over 60 people, where we cooled off and built community among the youth and families.

I have teamed up with the acolyte coordinator, Wendy Pipentacos, to support acolyte training and a new system for reminding our people when it is their day to serve. We have added a few adults who are young at heart to our Acolyte group and are always open to more.

We began our Sunday morning formation using Godly Play this year, and have had an average attendance of 8 in the Pre-K thru 5th grade class, while sometimes bursting at the seams to include 15 children! We have heard some of the great stories of the People of God and have done deep work wondering about how their stories are part of our story.

We have begun a Youth Spiritual Formation hour at 9 a.m. on Sundays, and this is steadily growing to include 7-8 of our Middle School and High School youth. This group is faithfully mentored by Isabel Amsel and Wesley Hunter. They are using a curriculum called Confirm Not Conform.

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We have had a dedicated couple of sponsors, Elizabeth Schmitt and Joe Stefani, available with a meal and activity every Sunday evening at 6 p.m. for any youth who shows up. This has been a bit slow to grow, but they are up to a solid four to five youth at this point and their sense of connection to God and to each other is being nurtured and is growing.

Our nursery attendance has been steadily growing with a record 9 babies/toddlers present the first of November. Thanks to our faithful nursery worker, Argelia El-Khayat, and the other members of the parish who round out our Nursery care team each week, Anne Harri, Judy Gossard, Jane Conlin, Madeleine Caldwell, and Ellen Caldwell.

We held a Pumpkin Carving Festival in conjunction with the Dia de los Muertos service and had 37 people of all ages join us for soup and carving and other art activities.

After much consideration and dialogue with parents and teachers as well as the vestry, we advocated for returning the benches in the front of the church in order to help our children participate in the service. If you have questions about this decision, I would be happy to talk together. We are supporting best practices of children sitting with their families and sprinkled among the congregation to better learn the ways of our liturgy and participate with us in the service.

Several vision meetings have been held where wonderful dialogue has happened and continues as we work to distill our values and sense of mission for this particular part of parish life and how we nurture and care for our children and youth.

Continuing with the idea of nurturing our families, we have been dedicating the first or second Saturday evening to a Gathering of the People of God, where we come to share a meal, connect over a story or activity that is related to the liturgical season we are in. We had one in December for Advent, and one in early January for Epiphany. The February Gathering will be on the topic of Expressing our Love. We have had between 2-6 families represented.

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Our Christmas season was full with a well-attended Las Posadas with nearly 40 people, including the much-anticipated piñata, along with adding in a few new components.

The Christmas Eve family service was full of children participating in a drama of the nativity story and many had the chance to be involved, even if they showed up the night of.

In summary, I love my job and thank the parish at large for the support you are giving to nurture the spiritual formation of our children and youth. We are doing important, deep work! I hope you can see as I do the fruits of God’s Spirit moving and working among us in this ministry.

With love and respect, Amy Cormode, Minister of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth and Families

Spiritual Support Group For Those With Depression

Sharing with others is good medicine for depression and is called for in our beloved community. This group offers a safe place to share, listen, and be together during our spiritual journey. This is not a therapy group. The group leadership is Isabel Ansel, Karen Hanson, and The Rev. Chris Ledyard. The group is facilitated by Karen and Rev. Chris. During 2016, we held 3 groups, with attendance fluctuating from five to seven members, with very positive feedback. Interestingly, group members have been from the general Tucson community as well as Grace St. Paul’s. We are grateful to Julie Gasaway for ensuring this ministry was in the Tucson newspapers.

Submitted by The Rev. Chris Ledyard

Vergers The year 2016 saw the Verger team double in size! With the addition of Martha Farnham, Grace St. Paul’s now has two vergers serving primarily the 10:00 service with plans to expand participation at the 7:45 service.

Submitted by James Gooden

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Vision – Mission – Ministry

Change the World

Animals & Spirituality At Grace St. Paul’s, we are providing an excellent opportunity to care for God’s creation through the Animals and Spirituality Ministry. Our mission statement reads as follows: “The Animals & Spirituality Ministry—focusing on the goodness of God’s creation and embracing our role as loving, responsible caretakers of God’s creation, with an emphasis on all animals.” The mission statement was expanded to include all animals throughout the world including farm animals and endangered species.

Our ministry is different in that meetings are rarely held, as most of our communication is done through emails. If you wish to be added to the mailing list, send your name and email address to The Rev. Chris Ledyard at mach8350@cox.net. When we meet, it’s usually during a project such as packaging the food for the animals of our Pantry guests. Emails consist of updates, and forwards from other list-serves on animals, i.e. endangered species, farm animals, companion animals, training, etc.

Here’s a brief, non-inclusive review of what we have accomplished this past year and plan to continue in 2017:

Two collections of dog and cat food for Joseph’s Pantry guests: the congregation donated over 1100 pounds of dog and cat food in 2016. We packaged it up for the Pantry guests, and it seems to be going rather quickly. This is becoming a multi-ministry project.

2016 Pet Expo: An appreciation to the many people that made the October 2016 Pet Expo ministry a big deal. This includes the bandana-makers, the food treat packagers, the church office staff putting the announcements on the web page and bulletin, and so many other people. Nanette Alvarez and Terri Franks were the co-chairs of this endeavor. There were over 15 people who helped assemble the food treats and bandanas a few Saturdays prior to event. Many GSP folks came out and staffed the table including Chris LaBour, Callie Jordan, Pamela Decker, Cindy Sorrensen-Carter, and Shari Murphy between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Over 150 brochures about the Animals and Spirituality Ministry at Grace St. Paul’s were taken, we provided four animal blessings, handed-out over 400 sandwich bags of dog and cat treats, and well over 400 bandanas. Each “give-away” had a card with info on Grace St. Paul’s, and on the flip side was information on doing Animal CPR. We successfully were able to tell lots of people about GSP and its Animals and Spirituality Ministry. This is Evangelism at its best: Episcopalian style!! Our plan is to support more locally sponsored events such as the Love Local Adopt Pet Fair, for cost effectiveness.

The animal memorial garden: was blessed by the GSP community in May 2015. Most of the companion animal memorial services have been private and a few have been public. The animal guardians choose whichever fits their comfort level. We hope you will consider this spiritual opportunity for you and your companion animals. For sure, we encourage people to contact the church office to have a memorial plaque posted on the memorial wall.

Becoming a pet food resource: As of this year, Grace St. Paul’s has made the commitment to never be without dog or cat food. Joseph’s Pantry is now listed as a food resource.

A listing of pet adoption resources in Tucson: the resources already seem readily available in the community. A resource book should be available next year.

Blessing of the Animals service—in conjunction with Father Steve. This occurred in October with fun and love as the operative words. The Liturgy is just awesome, and all are welcome regardless of animal or animal guardianship status.

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Pastoral support for those who have lost their pet, in the form of memorial services as well as one-on-one support has occurred throughout the year. We are looking forward to continuing this ministry throughout 2017. As we learn about adoptions and deaths through Facebook and other means, we send a prayer to the Animal and Spirituality ministry members via email so a community prayer may be raised for the animals and their companions. Additionally, as part of the Grief Ministry, memorial cards are sent to those from GSP who have lost a companion animal, when we learn about it.

Collection of blankets and towels for Pima Animal Care Center residents: Molly Johnson has been instrumental in coordinating this ministry, from weekly delivery of our donations to developing the bulletin announcements.

Names of ill or deceased animals listed in the weekly GSP Sunday bulletin. This is arranged through David Wachter in our church office and will continue through 2017. Please let David and/or Rev. Chris know as you experience or hear of a companion animal who is ill or deceased.

Development of a crisis resource list—listing of people and/or organizations that can help with pet needs during short-term situations. If so, please let The Rev. Chris Ledyard know. This project should be completed and available sometime in 2017.

Table/Presence Ministry: Nanette Alvarez, Terri Franks, and Beverly De Marco have been dedicated volunteers for our ministry when a table has to be staffed to inform about this ministry at Grace St. Paul’s. Beverly brings additional attention to our ministry through her excellent cooking skills.

Ministry Inventory: During 2017, we’ll hold one of those rare in-person meetings and take a look at what we do, what we do well, where and how we can improve, and consider what else we could be doing for taking this ministry to the outside world. We had planned to do this during 2016 and didn’t.

Other Projects: include providing a class in our adult spiritual formation ministry in relation to Animals and Creation and combining our efforts with the Green Church committee to work on a shared project. We did provided literature to the GSP table at the 2016 Diocesan Convention.

There are many unnamed people in this report who work with/for this ministry and do whatever/whenever they can to further the spiritual interest in the love and compassion of God’s creation as expressed through our companion animals and all animals on earth. We appreciate their service.

Please contact us through the Church office if we can be of service.

Respectfully submitted, Animals and Spirituality Ministry

Bread from the Pantry This was Bread from the Pantry’s 20th Anniversary year of providing bread to the Tucson community and to GSP’s Joseph Pantry. The ministry functions 365 days a year. During the year Bill Trujillo retired after seven years of leadership. Matthew Chase who has been working in the ministry as a volunteer for three years became ministry coordinator. The ministry is organized into three main volunteer functions:

Picking up bread at Beyond Bread on Campbell nightly at 8 p.m. exception 6 p.m. on Sunday, picking up bakery items weekly at Fry’s. on 22nd and Columbus.

Sorting and bundling bread Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:30-8:30 a.m. in the kitchen.

Delivering bread and baked items to agencies and churches three times a week.

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Many agencies and churches depend on our bread deliveries every week. Sister Jose, a Women’s homeless shelter on 18th St., and Agave House, a Cope transitional residence on Tucson Blvd., have been added to our delivery schedule this year. Among those receiving bread are Cope Agave transitional housing, La Frontera’s RAAP day program, the Salvation Army Hospitality House, Gospel Rescue’s men’s and women’s shelters, Teen Challenge Arizona, Sister Jose Women’s shelter, Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, Southern Arizona Aids Foundation (SAAF), Women in Transition, Emerge Women’s Shelter, Tucson Metropolitan Ministries, New Beginnings Shelter, Covenant House, Lend a Hand and Iskashitaa Refugee Network.

Churches include: Southside Presbyterian Church, Northminster Presbyterian Church, New Spirit Lutheran Church, Grace St Paul’s Joseph Pantry and Spirit Now service, Beverly’s ministry near the Pima Co. Jail.

Volunteers are community non-members and GSP members. They include: Robert Knowlton, Colleen Filippone, John Leonardo, Martha Durkin, Charles Duggins, Frank and Patty Hale, Sandra and Joe Thompson, Richard Begler, Miriam Huber, Steven Hymel, Steve Williams, William Flowers, Dave Coatsworth, Quentin Peterson, Lisa Pudvah, Joanne Mallett, Judy Hashem, Beth Rikards, Michele Clark, Donna Johnson, Martha Farnham, Alan Rasmussen, Nancy Meister, and Matt Chase, Ministry Coordinator.

Many hands are needed for this ministry to continue reaching out to every corner of Tucson. GSP is very grateful to Beyond Bakery for its generous support with an abundance of bread each day. We acknowledge the vision and commitment of Dorée Ramey who began Bread from the Pantry 20 years ago.

Submitted by Matt Chase, Ministry Coordinator

Episcopal Campus Ministry Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) Supports the Episcopal Chaplaincy at the University of Arizona and other local colleges. As one of the local supporting parishes, Grace St. Paul's Church provides members for the ECM Foundation, ECM Ministry Board, and other parish support activities.

On six Sunday evenings during the school year, GSP parishioners provide the meal for students following the Eucharist Service. ECM cooking teams of three to five volunteers provide a hot, home-cooked meal. Volunteers arrive at Campus Christian Center and set up the meal. Volunteers join students and Chaplain in Holy Eucharist, then serve the meal. This year’s volunteers included: Miriam Huber, Chris LaBour, Nanalee Raphael, Jesse Thrall, Jim and Virginia Zuelow, John and Lou Ann Bieging, Jane Conlin, and others.

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If you would like to volunteer for this important outreach ministry to University students, contact Miriam Huber.

Submitted by Miriam Huber

Healing Touch Practicing Healing Touch ministries at Grace St. Paul's Church for 2016 included Alan Brundage, Joan Brundage, Pat Dickson, Elizabeth Durham, Carol Forshey, Vicki Hall, Miriam Huber, Linda Hutson, Billie Schelble, Patricia Williams, and Virginia Zuelow. Certified Healing Touch Practitioners are: Pat Dickson, Carol Forshey, Miriam Huber, Linda Hutson, Ann Misenhimer, and Billie Schelble. Carol Forshey is Certified Healing Touch for Animals.

Sixty-nine Healing Touch sessions were provided for visitors to the Spring and Fall Spa Days.

During 2016, the Healing Touch Clinics, open to all, held at Grace St. Paul's on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. and Thursday afternoons at 8 p.m., provided 438 Healing Touch sessions. In addition, four dogs received four Healing touch sessions. The clinics received $812 in donations.

Grace St. Paul's Healing Touch practitioners provided more than 200 hours of Healing Touch services to parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care, and home visits.

Healing Touch Ministries is recruiting more practitioners. If you would like to pursue training in Healing Touch, contact Miriam Huber, Patricia Dickson, or Carol Forshey.

To experience the benefits of Healing Touch for reducing stress, calming anxiety, decreasing pain, strengthening the immune system, enhancing recovery from surgery, and deepening spiritual connection, visit a Healing Touch clinic or call a Healing Touch practitioner.

Submitted by Miriam Huber

Joseph’s Pantry Summary. Joseph’s Pantry (JP) continues to experience high levels of commitment from volunteers and the parish. 2,722 food boxes from the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona were distributed, along with 2,019 bags of food provided by the parish. In addition, JP provided 1,614 showers, 4,610 daily food items, and 990 bags of pet food. Volunteers worked 1,990 hours in 2016. According CFB statistics, JP is the 21st busiest food pantry in Southern Arizona out of the 75 distribution agencies in 2016, the same rank we held in 2015.

Activity 2014 2015 2016

People served by JP 4,683 4,891 4,249

People served by CFB 5,757 5,171 4,154

Volunteer hours 2,016 2,329 1,990

Bags of pet food 905 1,140 990

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Showers 2,102 2,402 1,614

Daily food 3,866 5,660 4,610

Small JP bags 1,475 1,656 1,384

Large JP bags 717 726 635

Small CFB boxes 1,267 1,371 1,119

Large CFB boxes 938 719 583

Extra large CFB boxes 102 137 119

Computerized records

In May, 2016, we began using a computerized record keeping system for Joseph’s Pantry. This has made it easier for volunteers and allows us to understand more about the people who come to the pantry. Since May 1, 2016, 674 unique households have been served by food from the church. (This does not include people served exclusively by CFB food boxes, as those records are kept by the CFB.) The average household size served by food from the church was 2.2. There were families that came only once, and families that came every month, but the average number of visits was only two over the eight months for which we collected data.

CFB Food Box Program

We are a distribution site of the Community Food Bank’s implementation of The Emergency Food Assistance Program, TEFAP, which is partially funded by both the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the US Department of Agriculture. This program provides a once-monthly box of food for individuals and families whose income is below 185% of the federal poverty level. The amount of food varies by household size. This food is provided at no charge to GSP. It is, in general, only a supplement to an individual or family’s food for a month. A recent box contained four cans, one each of vegetable soup, apple sauce, diced tomatoes, and green beans; rice, beans, macaroni and cheese, and corn flakes. The food in the CFB box only lasts so long, but it is a lifeline for individuals and families whose circumstances change quickly.

Joseph’s Pantry Bag of Food Program

Because the CFB food box can last any family only a few days, we also provide a bag of food from the church. This food comes from purchases made as part of the parish’s budget; from food donated by parishioners and other community members; and, from the CFB’s Agency Market, where food donated to the CFB in quantities too small to make it into the CFB box program are distributed to agencies around Southern Arizona. With this program, we are able to provide more flexibility, allowing pantry community members to choose from options within categories, e.g., a particular kind of soup, or a particular vegetable. This choice might seem small, but it is part of a growing movement in food security circles to increase the dignity and respect for individuals and households at food pantries. GSP has always been a leader in this respect.

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Showers

Members of the pantry community use the two showers underneath the narthex on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays throughout the year. An average of 11.5 showers were taken on shower days, with more people in the warmer months of the year. The pantry also offers all members of our community, not just those that shower here, toiletries as they are donated. We often have toothbrushes and toothpaste, dental floss, soap, deodorant, and feminine hygiene supplies. The demand for these products is steady, but the supply is variable, as we do not use any of our budget to smooth out the variation in our inventory. It is especially obvious during the summer months, but, on any shower day it is easy to see the change in a person’s body language after they have had a chance to care for their body, and we are so thankful that GSP has the resources to offer this service.

Statement of non-discriminainon

Some of the people who come to the pantry have never before been to Grace St. Paul’s. Because they do not yet know that we are a loving and welcoming community, they may worry that we will not welcome them openly. To communicate the essential nature of how we wish to treat everyone, the Pantry team adopted the following state of non-discrimination:

Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Joseph’s Pantry are a welcoming community. Beyond what we are required to do by law, we seek to make every person and every family feel welcomed and respected, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, language, religion, age, disability, property, political affiliation, marital status, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or medical condition. Everyone is welcome and everyone must be treated with kindness and respect.

Bread and Coffee

Thanks to our partners in the Bread for the Pantry ministry, Joseph’s Pantry always has bread. Thanks to donations from parishioners, we also always have coffee, cream, and sugar. In a perfect world, we would always have enough, an abundance sufficient to simply trust the people that come to us to take what they need. We do not yet live in that abundance, but the bread and coffee serve as symbols of the world we are working towards. They also serve to create a community of solidarity and mutual aid, and it is common to step out of the pantry door and hear conversations about the Social Services Ministry, available shelters, and places to get a hot meal. It is also common to hear stories told about family members and friends, books read, and movies watched. With a cup of coffee and something to eat, people are able to relax and have a peaceful moment. A woman who has come to the pantry intermittently for years described the campus and the pantry as an oasis in the city, a place of quiet and cool and calm.

Submitted by Andrew Gardner

Prayer Shawls The prayer shawl ministry provides knitted or crocheted shawls for GSP and for outreach to the community. Members do not keep track of who receives a shawl as this is a matter of confidentially. Our grieving and depression groups provided 20 shawls to the participants. The prayer shawl ministry is very grateful for the yarn donations received from parishioners.

Submitted by Joyce Henderson

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Quilinng Ministry People in quilting Ministry:

Judith Turner, leader; Oma “Sam” Guard; Yvonne Maynard; Laura Pascoe

We have been making quilts for Diamond Children's Hospital, since October 2015 . We made 125 quilts from October 2015 to November 2016. The quilts are made for the preemies to go on the incubators and then when the baby goes home the quilt goes with the baby. It is such a blessing to see the faces of the parents and they are so grateful for the quilts. They can't thank you enough.

Our goal is to keep making as many quilts as we can. It is such a pleasure to make quilts for children. So if you sew and would like to join us. Can contact us thru church or call Judith Turner at (520) 822-4227.

Submitted by Judith Turner

Social Services The Social Services Ministry (SSM) has completed five years of ministry and service to parishioners in need, people who come daily to Joseph’s Pantry and to people referred by agencies and churches from the community at large. This year we have had an increase of 29% of those served in 2015. We continue to be an active member of the Emergency Solutions committee of the Tucson Pima Coalition to End Homelessness through our representative Jamie Ray. This year GSP became a partner church of the Faith Based program of Pima County’s One Stop Program, enabling us to make priority referrals for employment counseling. We also became a member of Councilman Fimbres’ task force on homelessness. Social Service Ministry was one of the core outreach ministries helping us receive the Jubilee Church designation from the Episcopal Church U.S.A. in 2013.

While fundamental to our ministry is acting on our Baptismal Covenant to welcome and respect those who come to us, we also strive to fill gaps in service not offered by others in the community. Our neighbor churches of St Peter and Paul and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church count on referring people in need to us. We regularly receive referrals from Gospel Rescue Mission, Primavera, Salvation Army, and the behavioral health agencies such as Cope and Hope, Inc., CODAC.

We have a team of experienced volunteers: Brother Chuck Hannan, B. J. Bower, Tom Morrison, Jamie Ray, Debbie Tinajero, and Deacon Nancy Meister. Debbie Tinajero, who has professional experience with the Adult Probation department, joined our team mid-year. She is very involved with the Second Chance program, which assists people recently released from prison find employment. Sam Reynolds and Sandra Richmond did not return after the summer break. Vital to our ministry are the office volunteers who greet and welcome people seeking assistance and ensure that every one is seen. Fr. Richard Mallory, our new Associate Rector, began working in the fall with Deacon Meister to take over leadership responsibility for the ministry, and the transition has occurred over several months.

Jamie Ray helped us receive a $1,045 grant from the Mountain Moose Lodge. Our Saviour’s Lutheran church awarded us a $1,000 grant and four cycles of clothing vouchers costing $200. Deacon Meister

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applied to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church outreach ministry, and we received a $4,000 grant to pay for monthly bus passes. In addition to these grants, Social Services has been funded by the parish ministry budget and the Rector’s Discretionary fund and individual parishioner donations to the RDF. In the fall the City Council voted to increase the cost of Sun Tran economy bus passes. For example a monthly pass is now $18 instead of $15. A 10-ride fare has increased from $5 to $6. We have been helping a family who are awaiting an asylum hearing who have two children at Imago Dei middle school in need of monthly bus passes.

SSM volunteers participate in organization and promotion of Spa Day and meet with those who come to the Spa who have Social Service needs.

Brian Arthur remains our data manager, and the system is working well. A priority for early in the year is for two team members to be trained in the system so that we can retrieve the data any time in order to have available to potential funding sources. We are able to track those served, the kind of service received, how often, referral source and where referred. Social Service volunteers also assist the Rector in prioritizing and assessing parishioner referrals to Interfaith Community Services and those needing assistance from the Haines fund. Please see Brian Arthur’s detailed report of the number of people we served and in what way in 2016.

Submitted by Deacon Nancy Meister

During the period January through December 31, 2016, a total of 1,218 unduplicated persons sought assistance from GSP's Social Ministry Program (SMP), an increase of 29% over 2015. Eighty-two percent of these persons (1009 persons) were first-time recipients of services in 2016; the remainder of persons served in 2015 (209 persons) had received services in prior years.

2016 2015 2014 2013

Previous visitors 209 276 184 127

New visitors 1009 666 660 468

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Vis

ito

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nd

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GSP Social Services Visitors

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The GSP Social Services Ministry Team distributed over $21,226 in direct financial assistance in 2016. The most frequent service provided by the SMP was SunTran bus assistance to 1,165 persons for a total of $14,582, or an average of $12.52 per person in financial assistance. SunTran bus assistance accounted for 69% of all cash assistance provided to visitors.

Other frequent specific services provided include: clothing vouchers (357 persons), and referrals and service information to various agencies for unique services which meet the person's needs (155 persons). Other categories of direct financial need included: "Unknown/not categorized expenses" ($1,089.92) for 272 persons; and DMV AZ IDs ($1,009). Details are provided in the following table.

SERVICES RECEIVED

TOTAL

PERSONS

TOTAL $

AMOUNT

PROVIDED

AVERAGE $

AMOUNT

PER PERSON

SUNGO BUS 1165 $14,582 $9.12 CLOTHING VOUCHER 357 - - OTHER EXPENSES 272 $1,089.92 $2.97 REFERRALS 155 - - DMV AZ ID 69 $828.00 $11.48 GAS CARD 36 $525.00 $9.82 BIRTH CERTIFICATES 34 $673.50 $18.68 PHONE 15 $139.88 $9.31 CLOTHING PURCHASES 10 $212.19 $18.08 RENT 7 $1,556.00 $29.97 MEDICAL 6 $114.71 $13.00 HAINES FUND 3 $1,427.20 $202.12 UTILITIES 3 $78.21 $24.24 $21,226.61

Submitted by Brian Arthur

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Candidates for Vestry and Junior Warden The election is on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the Annual Congregational Meeting.

The Bylaws say this about vestry elections: “Nominations to the vestry and for junior warden shall be made by a nominating committee of no fewer than five persons including two retiring Vestry members, appointed by the Rector each year, subject to the approval of the Vestry. This committee shall report to the congregation six weeks before the annual meeting. Additional nominations may be made to the nominating committee or the Rector up to three weeks before the annual meeting. No nominations from the floor will be accepted.”

Introducing the Candidates for Vestry & Junior Warden

There are eight (8) candidates for three (3) openings on the 2017 Vestry. In addition, there is one candidate running unopposed for the position of Junior Warden.

The candidates are:

For Junior Warden: Bill Moore (incumbent)

For Vestry: Brian Arthur, Deanna Fitzgerald, Wesley Hunter, Sinead Jackson, Thomas Pitello, Cynthia Sorrensen-Carter, Deborah Tinajero, and Catherine Penn Williams. Their photos and biographies follow below.

BRIAN ARTHUR, Candidate for Vestry. Brian first came to Grace St. Paul’s

during Advent in 1999 with his partner, Clyde Kunz, and foster son Brandon. In those early years, he served as an usher, lector, chalice bearer, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and Setting Our Hearts facilitator, and helped facilitate an early incarnation of a lay pastoral care group along with several other GSP lay leaders.

Brian was born and raised in the Roman Catholic tradition in Los Angeles, with over 12 years of Catholic education by nuns, priests, and brothers...the whole “nine yards.” He was previously married for 10 years and has two biological sons.

He met Clyde, his life partner, in 1986 and they were legally married in California in 2014. They have an adopted son, Michael, who is 18, working part-time, and attending Pima Community College.

Brian retired in 2010 from Arizona State University, where he was the Associate Director for the Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy. In his work at the Center, he assisted many state-wide mental health and substance abuse agencies in adopting and adapting best practices in the behavioral health field.

Since his retirement, Brian has mentored the Wednesday morning EFM group, served as part of the Adult Spiritual Formation team, and worked for several years with the Social Services Ministry team on Fridays assisting persons with their needs. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve on the vestry, and continue to give back to this living, vibrant community that is GSP. Brian asks for your favorable consideration and vote on January 29.

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DEANNA FITZGERALD, Candidate for Vestry. I was born and raised in

Nogales, AZ. I attended the United Churches Fellowship (Church of Christ) in Nogales, served in the nursery, taught Sunday School, participated in the youth fellowship, was confirmed, became a youth group leader and was part of a search committee. I got married in that church in 1979. I moved to Tucson after my divorce in 2002. Joe Fitzgerald and I started coming to GSP in 2004 and we were received/confirmed in the Episcopal church in May 2008. We were married at GSP in November 2008. I liked GSP from the beginning as it reminded me of my church in Nogales. Joe and I spent a year at Christ the King for his internship to become

an Episcopal priest. Joe’s ordination was recognized in April 2011. We then spent another year at Christ the King while Joe was serving on the interim pastoral team. I am honored to have been asked to accept a nomination to the vestry. I am interested in learning how the vestry works with the congregation and the rector.

WESLEY HUNTER, Candidate for Vestry. I am a cradle Episcopalian and near-

lifetime member of this wonderful congregation here at Grace St. Paul’s. After being baptized by Father Gordon McBride at the former St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, I was one of the youngest members present at the merger between Grace and St. Paul’s that occurred on Palm Sunday, 1991. Since then, this church has played an important role in both my spiritual and personal life, and I have been present as it has grown into a hub of progressive Christianity that is unparalleled in Tucson today! Over the years, I have served our congregation in a multitude of ways: by participating in (and

currently directing) the children’s choir program, serving as a long-time acolyte and crucifer, passing through the Rite 13 and J2A process (culminating in a pilgrimage to Seattle in 2007), aiding with homeless ministry through Project Hospitality, serving as a Youth Group leader, contributing musically on a number of occasions with a variety of ensembles, acting with the Spirit Players theatre ministry, and recently attending Diocesan Convention as a delegate. As mentioned above, I currently teach the youth choir programs here at our church. I also currently work with the weekly “Confirm not Conform” classes, where I help mentor our middle/high school youth—something that has been an important focus of both my spiritual and professional lives. It would be a true honor to continue this work forward as a member of our Vestry!

SINEAD JACKSON, Candidate for Vestry. A mentor of mine once told me that

when entering a social gathering one can “feel” whether it is inclusive or not. I have always found this to be true. When I first came to Grace Saint Paul, after exploring several churches, I felt a warm embrace welcoming me. This community’s moral fiber is reflected in its inclusion and respect of all persons, even the lowliest of creatures. This drew me in, because, to me, it truly exemplifies Christ’s teachings.

I joined the animal ministry, submitting articles and participating in functions on animal care. More recently, I joined the welcoming team as an usher. Supporting the refugees fills me with humility and gratitude. I am interested in joining the Vestry because I believe the qualities and experience I have to offer would be of value.

I am a National and State Board Licensed Professional Counselor with experience spanning over 30 years. Providing career counseling as well as psychotherapy for families, groups and individuals affords me with

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incisive skills in listening and communicating. As a consultant, developing programs for several addiction centers, businesses, and corporations requires the expertise in assessing the needs of an organization and providing effective solutions. As a volunteer, I created a welcoming committee for our Home Owner’s Association and also serve as a board member in our neighboring association. Maximizing potential in persons and situations is of great satisfaction to me. It would be a delight and privilege to serve Grace St. Paul’s as a Vestry member.

THOMAS PITELLO, Candidate for Vestry. I have been involved in and with

Tucson Episcopal churches since 1978, starting as a member of St. Paul’s then over several moves about the city joined GSP in 2004 before Fr. Gordon McBride retired.

I have witnessed and participated in changes over those years through involvement as a member of the congregation, the Vestry, capital campaigns, calling new clergy, the finance committee, Stewardship committee, the Legacy Society, and have just completed the 5-year term limit for Treasurer.

My personal ministry has been to enable and support healthy change reflecting the spirit of the community with a focus on managing how to adequately fund those activities. The current national political climate suggests an ongoing need to serve in these areas.

My professional experience spans education, retail, commercial, and government aerospace, much of it related to R&D contracting. I have worked on teacher teams and small business management, and have managed an international group of aerospace professionals. I have an M.S. in Administration and certificates in Contract Management and Program Management, and will be entering Year 4 of EfM.

CYNTHIA SORRENSEN-CARTER, Candidate for Vestry. I came to GSP in the

early 2000s and like many, felt it was the place for me after only a few moments. GSP has always felt to me a uniquely spiritual place and I continue to be inspired by the community here. I cherish deeply the experiences GSP have offered, Setting our Hearts, EFM, and the chance to serve on alter guild and sing in the choir, the very meaningful experience of taking communion to a church member who was home bound. I have not served on vestry at GSP before, but I believe strongly in the mission

of this church and recognize the challenges of the vestry role. I would be deeply honored to have the opportunity to give back to the church in service this way.

Outside of church I have worked for the past 25 years in the field of education, at the college and high school level. At present I teach at Salpointe Catholic High School.

DEBORAH TINAJERO, Candidate for Vestry. As a member of Grace Episcopal

Church in the 1970s and 80s I served as a lay reader and chalice bearer, and was involved in our three children’s parochial education.

I recently retired from a twenty-one year career as program director of Pima County Superior Court’s adult education program. As director, I developed partnerships with local and state government and non-profit organizations that focus on correctional education, poverty and prison re-entry initiatives.

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I returned to GSP in 2012, when my husband passed away, and found myself “home” again. This time, the parish population was vastly more diverse and I was immediately drawn in by all the different ministries available for anyone who wishes to serve in this Christian community. Since then, I have tried to do my part: I joined the altar guild and hospitality ministries, am in my 4th year of EfM, and recently I joined the Social Services Ministry. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve my community of Grace St. Paul’s as a member of the vestry.

CATHERINE PENN WILLIAMS, Candidate for Vestry. Catherine has been

a grateful member of GSP since 1999. She was raised in the Episcopal Church and as a young person was involved in youth choir, youth group and the Canterbury student ministry at the University of Texas. Since coming to GSP, her ministry service has included coordinator of Setting Our Hearts (2000-2013), Education for Ministry (2000-2004), vestry member (2004-2006), liturgical arts, lector, chalice bearer, and, since 2014, serving as a member of the communications ministry and

convener of the adult spiritual formation team. Additionally, it was her privilege to serve as Senior Warden (2007-2011) during the interim period between permanent rectors. Catherine is committed to the vision of Grace St Paul’s as a place where people can find a spiritual home and actively participate in the transformation of the world.

Catherine has a master’s degree in behavioral science and is a licensed professional counselor in private practice since 1989. Catherine met her husband Steve Williams at GSP in 2007. On April 18, 2009 they joyfully celebrated their marriage in front of the entire GSP congregation. Steve and Catherine enjoy live music, travel, and caring for Toby, their three-year-old rescue shih tzu.

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