E-Blast for Sept 17, 2021

After considering the most recent decisions by the CDC regarding masking, the data surrounding the Delta variant breakouts, a recent Covid positive test at St. Philip’s with a vaccinated person, and the most recent data on transmission possibilities through vaccinated individuals, we have decided to make one change to our present Covid protocols. We will again require masking at our 7:45 AM service.

• At this time, we have decided that it would not be prudent to begin coffee hour.

• We want to remind everyone of our present social distancing requirements. The tape markings on the pew are six feet apart, both vertically and horizontally. Use these as your guide for where to sit.

• We will continue singing as a congregation. We will reduce the verses sung of some hymns to reduce particles and keep our service well below our self imposed time limit.

• We will remain a touch free service.

• Communion will continue in one kind.

• Windows will continue to be opened throughout the service.

Live, In-Person Service Protocols

Both Sunday services — 7:45 and 10 AM — are live and in-person. The 10 AM service will continue to be live-streamed in the future.

For attending the live service at 10 AM, bear in mind that streaming goes live at 9:45 AM and the microphones in the sanctuary are sensitive. Any sound you make or conversation you have can be picked up on those microphones and sent out to the world. Consider this when you enter the sanctuary.

To insure your safety, these are the steps we will be taking and what we ask of each of you attending in person:

1) All windows and doors to the outside will be opened throughout the service.

2) Merv 13 air filters have been installed.

3) Pews will be marked for seating locations, insuring 6 feet distance between family groups.

4) Service time will be under 75 minutes.

5) We will have a maximum seating capacity of 200.

6) All congregants must wear a mask, properly worn over nose and mouth.

8) We will continue utilizing four masked singers and not a full choir.

9) Communion will be served in one kind.

10) Children and youth and the nursery will meet outside and in McBride Hall, with the swamp cooler running to provide 100% air from the outside.

11) We strong suggest that only those who have been fully vaccinated attend services in person.

The 10 AM service includes a beyond-the-Prayer Book liturgy, with prayers linking to the Revised Common Lectionary for the week. The congregation can also now sing with a mask on.

Parents, please note. The nursery is now staffed every Sunday for the 10:00 a.m. worship service in McBride Hall. Kids can be dropped off as early as 9:40 a.m. Nursery is for infants-age 3. Kids are welcome to enjoy church with their families in the Sanctuary. The Nursery will be open for babies & toddlers in McBride Hall.

*Please wear your name tags so folks can recognize you in your mask.*

Don't have a name tag? Contact the office, 327-6857, Mon-Fri, 9:00a-4:00p,

or email [email protected].

If you asked for a name tag, please check with an usher on Sunday morning.

Sunday Offering

Please remember we are not taking up offerings during the worship services. You can drop your offerings in the narthex.

Thank you for your continued support of Grace St Paul’s. We do make a difference in this world because of your support & generosity.

LIVESTREAMING CHURCH on SUNDAY, 10 A.M.

Bulletins: GSPtucson.org/bulletins

Livestream the Sunday 10:00 AM service on Facebook:

www.TinyURL.com/GSPVirtual

High quality video of Sunday Worship - available Sunday about 7 PM

www.tinyurl.com/gspvids

New to GSP?

Have you recently discovered Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church? Would you like to know more about our beloved community? Please fill out our

Visitor Card at www.tinyurl.com/gspvisitor

Live Stream Instructions - Please click here.
Altar Flowers - Please click here to find out how to request flowers.
GSP has a YouTube channel! - Please click here for more info.
How to Support Immigrants - Please click here.
Just Coffee - Please click here.

Sunday, Sept. 19 @ 9 am

We hope to see current GSP families welcome our new families!

Those who are curious about GSP are welcome also.

Please invite your friends.

All are welcome.

Mini October Youth Trip!

Come with Jessica to the Diocesan Convention

in Phoenix Oct 15-16!

We will leave GSP at 3:30p.m. on Friday, Oct 15.

Friday night, 5:30-8:30p.m., we'll hang out with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, see old and new friends, eat pizza, play games, and worship together. Bring your sleeping bag because we will be hosted by a local Episcopal Church overnight.

Saturday morning 8:30-11:30, we'll have delicious breakfast pastries and then attend Eucharist with the whole diocese, with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaching and our own Bishop Jennifer leading worship. You won't want to miss it!

Everything happens at Church for the Nations, 6225 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

After Eucharist, our Youth Group will grab lunch and head over to Castles N' Coasters for the afternoon of Saturday, Oct 16. We will leave the park at 8pm and head back to GSP.

RSVP ASAP to Jessica! [email protected].

Youth Group Full Moon Hike

Monday, Sept 20 from 6:30-9pm

at Sabino Canyon.

RSVP to Jessica at [email protected].

Autumnal Equinox - Thu, Sept. 23 - 5:00 p.m.

GSP will be observing the Autumnal Equinox in the coming week, online. Hosted by Spirit now at 5 p.m. on Thursday, 23 Sept 21, to join us, use this link: https://zoom.us/j/948146775

If you are not on the usual Spirit Now email list and wish to attend this week for the Equinox Celebration, drop an email to Steve Kelsey at [email protected] and he will email you an invitation with link and the bulletin for this service. We urge those "attending" to have on hand two candles in holders (with a lighter) for use in the service. In the bulletin will be a representation of the Labyrinth which you can use to participate in the "virtual Labyrinth walk" which will be part of the service. Not to be missed!

EMM is activating a major fundraising campaign for our Neighbors Welcome: Afghan Allies Fund.

Donations may be made:

Online bit.ly/supportafghanallies
Text EMMALLIES to 41444
Mail - send a check or money order to:

DFMS-Protestant Episcopal Church US

P.O. Box 958983, St. Louis, MO 63195-8983

(Include EMM –Afghan Allies in the memo line.)

To make your gift over the phone, call (212)-716-6002.
For information about making a gift of stock or securities, giving through a donor advised fund, or including Episcopal Migration Ministries in your estate plans, e-mail [email protected]

VIRTUAL ADULT EDUCATION

Holy Cross Day was September 14. Be sure to check out Dr. Chuck Dickson's latest Virtual Adult Education presentation on the many aspects and depictions of the cross and the crucifixion throughout history.

To access all the classes:

gsptucson.org/parish/virtualAdultEd.php

The Church office needs a few volunteers to sit at the front desk on Tuesday afternoons. The hours are 12:30-4:00pm. You would answer the telephone & greet our visitors to the church office. It is usually very quiet & you can bring a book or knitting to occupy your time. Please let me know if you are interested, 327-6857. Even if all you can do is one or two days a month, please call me.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Your Parish Administrator, Pam Spears

Join GSP's Anti-Racism

Study Group

Next meeting will be Sept 27

4th Wednesday — 4:30-5:30 pm

In response to GSP's vision of social justice, the church's “anti-racism to ally” group has been endeavoring to live into its vision through focusing on social justice. The group has focused on writings regarding racism and white privilege, and aims to "move from anti-racism to ally."

To be put on the list to receive materials, to get zoom information on our monthly zoom meeting, or if you have any questions, please contact Rev. Chris, Jill McCollum, Barbara Morehouse, or Peggy Scott through the church office, 520-327-6857.

MIGRANT JUSTICE

Migrant Monday!

As the number of asylum-seekers increases at the Casa Alitas shelter, the GSP Migrant Ministry is stepping up our support. We will meet in-person on the second and fourth Mondays, 4:00-5:30, in McBride Hall to assemble snack packs for the many migrants leaving Casa Alitas for their U.S. sponsors' homes. Our packs give them nourishment during their long trips. No soup or other food is needed at this time. Please join us! Many hands make light work.

For more information, or please call Margie at 310-903-0280 or email Margie at [email protected].

A Prayer Vigil for migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and those threatened with deportation is held every first and third Monday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Prayers may be offered in Spanish and English.

All are welcome.

Please join us on Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/336535932

Artisans Beyond Borders, (ABB) a bi-national ministry at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, began in 2019 as a way to bring trauma-informed arts & activities to asylum-seekers & their families waiting in shelters & on the streets in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Now in 2021, in the shadow of politics & a pandemic, therapeutic arts & the dignity of artisanal craft continue to bring comfort to the traumatized & hope to asylum-seekers. Bordando Esperanza – Embroidering Hope, the flagship program, also helps restore personal agency & income through Etsy shop sales of artisans’ original hand-embroideries.

For more information,

https://artisansbeyondborders.org/

Casa Alitas Welcome Center

Thank you to our volunteers & supporters! Please spread the word about our work & recruiting friends, family, & colleagues for volunteering.

All of our teams could use the help!

Please click here for more information: Volunteering, Donations, & Job Opening!

PLEASE NOTE: it is more important to give one or two useful items than to give bags of things that are not needed.

Are you or someone you know in need of career assistance?

Local non-profit, Job Path, may be for you!

Job Path helps people get the training they need for jobs in healthcare, information technology, and industrial trades.

Job Path involves enrolling in school or certificate programs, receiving financial assistance, and help getting established.

Participants see great success---in fact, many of Job Path's program participants see a $38,000 increase in yearly household income after completing the program.

If you are interested in attending an information session with Job Path, please email Jessica at [email protected]. If there is interest, we will have them come and speak at GSP to get people started.

Thank you! Find out more at www.jobpath.net.