In the Media ...

Arizona Illustrated December 2011 interview

February 1 Radio Interview with the Presiding Bishop

Tucson Lifestyle February Issue

Family Fun Night

On Friday, October 28, kids and adults gathered in the Murphey Gallery for a delicious barbeque dinner and Zorro Fun Night. All were encouraged to wear Halloween attire or a Zorro costume. Hosted by members of 75th Anniversary Committee, Children, Youth and Family Ministries and Parish Life Ministry, the evening was enjoyed by one and all.

St. Philip's Day Fiesta!

The St. Philip's Day celebration on Sunday, May 8, featured special music at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services, "Missa Dixie" by Jeff Haskell.

Special family festivities included face painting, pinatas, and a jumping castle. The wonderful buffet was catered by Guadalajara Grill, with the cost subsidized by the 75th Anniversary Committee.

Previous St. Philip's leaders were recognized, and there were mariachis and folklorico dancers and even a mock bullfight! Festive "theme" attire abounded. It was truly a joyous celebration of 75 years!

Gala Multimedia Concert

This special multimedia gala event on Thursday, March 31 — Into the Breach: The Founding of a New Church — featured music from the New World: Variations on "America" and The Unanswered Question by Charles Ives; Knoxville Summer 1915 by Samuel Barber; Southern Hymns and Two Songs to the Poems of Thomas Campion by Virgil Thomson; and Quiet City, Two Hymns from Old American Songs, and the world premiere The Enhanced Suite from the 1939 film "Our Town" by Aaron Copland. Dr. Thomas Cockrell conducted the orchestra and Mr. Garmon Ashby conducted the choir. The evening began with a catered reception at 6:30 p.m. Thanks to all whose hard work contributed to such a successful evening!

Special Art Show:
"Visions of St. Philip's"

An Iconic place, beloved by its members and Tucsonans for its beauty and serenity, St. Philip's has over the years inspired artists in all media to create their own vision of St. Philip's. St. Philip's juried show, "Visions of St. Philip's," includes 36 works by 33 artists, including watercolor, oils, colored pencil, clay metal, acrylics, and photography. A total of $1000 was awarded — the first time the Gallery has ever given cash prizes. Presented in celebration of St. Philip's 75th Anniversary and honoring our history of supporting arts and artists in the community.

The show was on display in the Murphey Gallery in December and is traveling throughout Tucson, to return to the Gallery in May.

St. Philip's Memorial Labyrinth

watercolor by Warren Edminster

BRICK ORDER FORM
(see below for symbols and suggested phrases)

The first phase of St. Philip's new octagonal meditation labyrinth is complete! Installation of this labyrinth was approved by the Vestry at their November meeting. It will serve as a site for meditation and contemplation not only for parishioners but for our neighbors in Tucson. It was blessed by our Bishop on Sunday, April 29. You may still purchase bricks in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special event. Members of the labyrinth committee are in the Perry Garden on Sunday mornings between 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. You may also place an order in the Little Shop or download the forms from this site and mail to St. Philip's.

ORDER FORM

Words & phrases

Icons & symbols

75th Anniversary Commemorative Items

"Diamond Jubilee"
History Book
Available in the Little Shop $10

"Still Cooking after 75 Years"
Altar Guild Cookbook
Available from Altar Guild members or in the Little Shop $15

The 75th Anniversary table is next to the Library in the Fishpond Garden. We have available for purchase several items to commemorate our anniversary, including a commemorative plate, lapel pins, charms, and car stickers. Just in, colorful 75th Anniversary T-shirts, $10 each.

Renewal of Wedding Vows for Those Married at St. Philip's

In celebration of St. Philip’s In The Hills 75th Anniversary, 28 couples who were married at St. Philip’s renewed their vows in a group ceremony on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 3 p.m. in the Church. Wedding dates spanned six decades! The earliest was June 16, 1950, and the most recent dates were in 2008. The Rev. Dr. Roger O. Douglas, former Rector, returned to share the vow renewal duties with Rector John Kitagawa, and also served as homilist. The service included a celebration of the Eucharist and special music, with a gala reception following.

Read the sermon here.

The bulletin from the service is available here.

St. Philip's In The Hills Episcopal Church was founded in 1936. When the first service was held on Christmas Eve, the congregation overflowed the seating capacity. The Josias Joesler-designed building, standing on land donated by John and Helen Murphey, was just a small chapel on the outskirts of town, accessed by dirt roads. The church has gone through several expansions as the congregation grew, but the integrity of Joesler’s design has been maintained in the buildings. In the mid-1980s, an art gallery, a memorial garden, the east and west transepts and a campanile, which houses the carillon, were added. During the summer of 1998, a Children’s Center and Recital Hall were built. The mission of St. Philip's 75th Anniversary Committee is to celebrate our past and prepare for our future, as a strong and loving community that welcomes, encourages, and empowers all to grow in Christ and to do God's work in the world.

Presiding Bishop's Visit

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori spent a very full day at St. Philip's last Sunday. She celebrated and preached at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services, and moderated a question and answer forum in between. After a brief press conference, she was the homilist at a choral Evensong service, and the day concluded with a gala banquet at the University of Arizona Student Union Ballroom attended by 550 from St. Philip's, the Tucson community, and other communities in southern Arizona.

A wonderful summary of her visit written by Greta Huls, Diocesan Canon for Communications, is posted on the Diocesan web site. It includes several brief videos as well as links to her three sermons and online photo albums (including these photos). The Presiding Bishop's sermons are also posted on St. Philip's web site. The bulletin containing the three Sunday services is available here.

A Day with Josias Joesler

On Saturday November 30, 55 people congregated at St. Philip’s for a “Day with Josias Joesler.” Josias Joesler designed St. Philip’s Church in 1935. How better to honor him than by visiting several of his works? After a brief introduction by local journalist Nora Trulsson and photographer Terry Moore, who jointly wrote articles on Joesler and his works for the “Tucson Homes” magazine, the tour began. In the morning we visited two spectacular homes; although designed by Joesler, each had its own personality and unique features. The next stop was an excellent lunch and personal tour of the Joesler features at Hacienda Del Sol by co-owner Jeff Timan. After lunch we visited one more beautiful home which, although having been upgraded to the 21st century, retained all the Joesler features, including floors, fireplaces and even a 1930s telephone. The tour ended where it started with a reception and a tour of St. Philip’s Church and Grounds. This tour may be repeated; stay tuned!

An Offering of Art Treasures

The 75th Anniversary Concert on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Church — “An Offering of the Art Treasures of St. Philip's” — was a huge success, thanks to meticulous planning and organization and a lot of hard work from numerous volunteers. The program may be viewed here. The Church created a lovely backdrop for the beautiful music and fascinating presentations. A festive reception was catered by Elle Restaurant.

The 75th Anniversary Committee wishes to thank the parish for its strong support of the concert. Proceeds will help to pay travel expences for past Music Directors to return to St. Philip's to conduct and participate in 75th events in 2011. Funds will also go toward St. Philip's Day 2011 Fiesta expenses. Thank you!