The Episcopal Church in Arizona

Calif. Supreme Court rules in favor of Episcopal Church, Los Angeles diocese

Episcopal News Service - The California Supreme Court has agreed with a state Court of Appeal ruling in favor of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles in cases where the majority of members of three Episcopal congregations voted to leave the Episcopal Church for oversight by bishops in another Anglican province.

Continued at: http://azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/493

No room at the inn?

The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith
Bishop of Arizona

Bishop Kirk Smith One of the great things about being a bishop is the opportunities I have to worship with so many wonderfully diverse people in so many different ways. In just the past week I have been with the folks from three of our Spanish congregations as they came together for Las Posadas celebrations. For us gringos who are not familiar with this festive tradition, a Posada means simply "the inn," here referencing the inn in Bethlehem where the Holy Family tried to stay.

In Mexico and some Central and South American traditions, the days leading up to Christmas are times for congregations to gather, sometimes in homes, now more often in the church, to reenact the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem. At each "inn" (now usually a home near the church) the peregrinos (wanderers) gather in candlelight procession to carry figures of Joseph and Mary. They knock at the door, singing, in what is, under the circumstances, a remarkably joyous song, asking to be admitted. But to no avail. "We don't care who you are/there is no place for you here" will be the answer at each door. After the drama has been enacted, everyone gathers for a piñata and comida deliciosa (delicious food) especially the traditional Christmas favorite, tamales.

Continued at: http://azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/487

Diocesan library available to all

Dr. Charlotte Shepard
Disabilty Concerns program convener

Disability library

PHOENIX - An Accessibility and Inclusion Diocesan mini-library was established recently at the Diocesan Office.

Books and videos on accessibility and inclusion are available to individuals and congregations interested in borrowing them. Placed in a prominent area, where it is hoped that visitors will notice and explore it, the library just might spark an interest in church accessibility! Program Group members and diocesan staff now have resources such as this in a central place and can access them easily.

Continued at: http://azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/491

Alleluia Fund

Remember Arizona's Alleluia Fund!

Building new churches!

Supporting new growth initiatives in existing churches!

Your contribution of money, stocks, or land make a vital difference right here, right now!

For more information, contact
Carol D. Maher at either (623) 455-9515 or
alleluiafund@azdiocese.org.

You can also support the Alleluia Fund by purchasing items from our CafePress store.

Communication news

Greta Huls
Communications Officer

The December 2008 issue of ArizonaLife is now available online. Click here to look at it or to access archived editions of ArizonaLife. Submissions for the April 2009 issue are due by Sunday, March 1, 2009.

For more current information please go to News at www.azdiocese.org/news/index.html or Events at www.azdiocese.org/events.

To the best of my knowledge, every single church, mission, and preaching station within the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona now has at least a very basic website. Please go to www.azdiocese.org/map/list.html and check your church's website and the information listed there.

Please send all submissions or communication concerns to Greta Huls, the Canon for Communications, at greta@azdiocese.org.

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