Bishop s Epistle 2. Children & Youth Summer Camps 4 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN // VOLUME 4 // ISSUE 2 SPRING 2013

Transcription

1 Bishop s Epistle 2 Children & Youth Summer Camps 4 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN // VOLUME 4 // ISSUE 2 SPRING 2013

2 AZ DIOCESAN EVENTS APRIL - JUNE 2013 April 4 Aaron Copeland s America Benefit Concert St. Philip s, Tucson April 5 First Fridays Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix April 7 Bishop s Visitation St. Alban s, Tucson April 9 West Central Rector/Vicar Roundtable Advent, Sun City West April 13 ECW/Altar Guild So Area Mtg St. Andrew s, Nogales Farmers Market of Free Food St. Luke s, Phoenix Ordination to the Priesthood of The Rev. Ernest Galaz Grace St Paul s, Tucson April 14 Bishop s Visitation Grace St. Paul s, Tucson April 18 Southern Rector/Vicar Roundtable St. Matthew s, Tucson April 19 Simon Johnson Concert Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix April 20 DOK Assembly St. Matthew s, Chandler April 21 Bishop s Visitation St. George s, Holbrook Music for Brass and Organ Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix April 25 Northern Rector/Vicar Roundtable Chapel Rock, Prescott Labyrinth Walk St. Philip s In The Hills, Tucson April 27 Stewardship University St. Raphael, Benson April 28 Bishop s Visitation St. Barnabas, Scottsdale April 30 Installation and Celebration of New Ministry for The Rev. Lisa Goforth Grace Church, Lake Havasu City May 3 First Fridays Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix May 4 ECW/Altar Guild Northern Area Meeting St. Thomas, Clarkdale May 5 Bishop s Visitation St. Philip s In The Hills, Tucson Chapel Rock Sunday May 11 Farmers Market of Free Food St. Luke s, Phoenix Diocesan Confirmation Service Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix May 12 Bishop s Visitation All Saints, Phoenix May 14 West Central Rector/Vicar Roundtable St. Mary s, Phoenix May 16 Men s & Women s Cursillo Chapel Rock, Prescott May 26 Bishop s Visitation Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix May 27 Memorial Day Diocesan Office Closed June 1 Stewardship University Christ Church of the Ascension, Paradise Valley JUNE 2 Bishop s Visitation St. Augustine s, Tempe June 7 First Fridays Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix June 8 Farmers Market of Free Food St. Luke s, Phoenix June 9 Bishop s Visitation Church of Our Saviour, Lakeside June 11 West Central Rector/Vicar Roundtable Christ Church of the Ascension, Paradise Valley June 16 Bishop s Visitation St Peter s, Litchfield Park June 20 Southern Rector/Vicar Roundtable St. Francis, Green Valley June 22 Diaconal Ordination Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix June 27 Northern Rector/Vicar Roundtable Chapel Rock, Prescott June 29 Ordination to the Priesthood of The Rev. Emilee Finn St. Luke s, Prescott June 30 Bishop s Visitation St Paul s, Payson additional info about these events online at azdiocese.org

3 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN // VOLUME 4 // ISSUE 2 The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona Established in 1959, The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona has 25,000 members in 12,500 households in more than 60 congregations. We are part of The Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Diocesan House 114 W. Roosevelt Street Phoenix, AZ phone toll free fax azdiocese.org The Bishop of Arizona The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith bishop@azdiocese.org Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Timothy Dombek timothy@azdiocese.org INTERIM Dean of Trinity Cathedral The Rev. Canon Mark Sutherland mark@azcathedral.org Canon for Multicultural Ministries The Rev. Carmen Guerrero carmen@azcathedral.org Canon for Administration Cathy Black cathy@azdiocese.org Canon for Finance Vicki Hohnbaum vicki@azdiocese.org Director of Media and CommunicationS Nicole Krug nicole@azdioese.org Canon for Youth & Young Adults The Rev. Matt Marino matt@azdiocese.org Canon for Children s Ministries Nancy Shumaker nancys@azdiocese.org inside this issue SPRING 2013 Diocesan Events left Contents 1 E-pistle 2 Children s Summer Camp 4 Youth Experience at Camp 6 Tax Credit Deadline 7 Chapel Rock Sunday 8 Camp 60 s More or Less 9 A Million Meals 10 Credit Union Here to Serve 11 Your Mission Share 12 Episcopal Journal: National News 13 Diocesan Directory 25 Front cover image by The Rev Matt Marino and istockphoto.com. Back cover photo by Nicole Krug. Periodicals Postage Paid at Phoenix, AZ and additional mailing offices. Arizona Episcopalian is published four times per year in uary, April, July and October by The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, 114 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, Arizona USPS # Postmaster send address changes to: P.O. Box 937, Bellmawr, NJ OR ejournal@egpp.com OR call

4 E-PISTLE: Chapel Rock - Launching Pad in the Pines BY THE RT REV KIRK Stevan SMITH BISHOP OF ARIZONA A friend of mine who used to be the director of a church camp once told me that he loved his job because he was convinced that more church people had a spiritual experience at his camp than they did back home in the pew. I think he was probably right. Many of us can point to an extra-parochial experience outside the Sunday morning pew which has deeply influenced us. Perhaps that took place at a church camp, a Cursillo gathering, or at a retreat in a monastery. I like to refer to such places as spiritual launching pads. One such place is our own Chapel Rock Camp and Conference center, located in the piney woods near Prescott. For over 75 years, Chapel Rock has been an inspiration to generations of Arizona Episcopalians. Thanks to the efforts of the new staff assembled by Interim Director Dan Packard, and Assistant Director Kelly Wood, the facilities at Chapel Rock are undergoing a major facelift. The dining hall has been remodeled, a new executive chef hired, and attention is being paid to those small, but important, touches right down to bath soaps imprinted with the camp logo! Such improvements symbolize the new emphasis on hospitality and service which all guests rightly expect. If your church or church group has ever looked for the perfect venue for a meeting or retreat, Chapel Rock is your place! Hospitality is one important aspect of Chapel Rock life. The other is providing the education and inspiration for spiritual renewal, a task that is up to program leaders. Many outside groups that use the camp bring in their own leaders. In those cases, it is the job of the camp to simply be a gracious innkeeper. But in the case of our own summer camp programs, the work goes much deeper. Both our Canon for Children, Nancy Shumaker, and our Canon for Youth, Rev. Matt Marino, have a distinctive philosophy for the programs they are responsible for. In the old days, church camp was a place that parents, clergy, and leaders sent their young people. Often in the case of parents, it was so they could get a rest at home while their children were away at camp! But that approach has changed. Both Nancy and Matt see camp as the place to launch the youth and children s programs back home for the coming year. The motto is, Don t send your kids to camp, bring them to camp! Let their enthusiasm and commitment spill over into the rest of the year! But camp is not just for kids. The conference center attracts both church and non-church adult groups because of its setting, food, and motel-like accommodations (only the kids stay in bunk-houses!). One such group is the Camp 60s More or Less campers who have used the facilities for many years for their retreats. From the Ankle-Biters (5 to 8 year olds who come with their parents) to seniors in their seventh or eighth decade, guests at Chapel Rock will enjoy more than ever an environment and the hospitality that will bring them closer to God. If you have never been to Chapel Rock, one of the beautiful and important assets in our Diocese, make it a point to drop by. Better yet, come away for a while to a quiet place, as Jesus tells us, there to be energized and inspired for God s work. sign up Bishop Smith s E-pistle is sent out weekly to subscribers. Please contact Nicole Krug at nicole@azdiocese.org if you would like to receive it. 2 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN azdiocese.org

5 ABOUT CHAPEL ROCK Chapel Rock has been a place of inspiration, education and enrichment for children and adults since Chapel Rock is a conference and retreat center located just 90 miles northwest of Phoenix and only 2 miles from historic downtown Prescott. Chapel Rock Conference Center caters to all groups and can customize a package that best fits your specific needs. Our facility can sleep 270 comfortably, offering multiple meeting spaces, professional food service and high adventure challenge course. The setting is tranquil and surrounded by tall pines spread across 20 lush, green acres. MEETING SPACE However big or small your group is we have a variety of meeting rooms to satisfy your needs. Small and intimate or comfortably large, you can choose the setting that best fits the mood of your conference or retreat. In addition, we offer the necessary equipment to help your meetings run more smoothly. This includes TV/VCRs, DVD players, overhead projectors, marker boards, screens, podiums, audio PA system, tables and chairs. DINING info@chapelrock.net 1131 Country Club Drive Prescott, AZ Toll Free: Fax: Our on-site, professional food service includes cafeteria and buffet style options. We can modify meals specific to your groups needs, and having your meals on-site will eliminate any interferences that could postpone your schedule or program for the day. CHALLENGE COURSE The ropes course is a full service outdoor facility that offers team building and various challenges for young children, sports teams to corporate groups. The facilitators are skilled professionals that will create programs for every group s needs. More information can be found at azdiocese.org SPRINg

6 CHILDREN S SUMMER CAMP by Nancy Shumaker Canon for Children s Ministries Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center is the place to be this summer for children who want to experience Jesus story, meet His best friends, His stories, feel closer to God when praying together with their cabin mates and walking the Labyrinth. There will also be hiking, swimming, lots of games, creative arts and crafts, a water carnival, talent show mock rock, serenades, singing together, lots of surprises, and making new friends that can last a lifetime and lots, lots more! The program for this year s children s camp sessions is entitled Walking with Jesus. The focus will be to walk with Jesus through His life s story. Children have an innate knowledge of who God is and accept that knowledge with complete joy and faith. Look into the eyes of your child and you will see the holy. What a privilege it is for all of us to be with your children! Those of us who are on the program staff leave our camp experience better persons for having spent time with your children. We all grow in our faith in God because of what they bring to us. Nothing is more important than the acceptance of a child and his/her faith story whatever the developmental stage might be. 4 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN azdiocese.org

7 Our hope is that after our guidance through the stories of Jesus, they will leave their camp experience with a heart full of joy knowing that they were wonderfully made by God, unique in their being, and a person deserving of respect for whom God created them to be. REGISTRATION Online registration is underway now at You may also call Chapel Rock toll free at to get a registration packet sent to you. Scholarship assistance is available. It is Diocesan policy that no child be denied a camp experience because of financial need. Call Chapel Rock for a scholarship application. A camper is considered registered when their $50 deposit and registration form are received in the camp office. The balance of the camp fee is due by May 20, Health forms are downloadable from the Chapel Rock website, and also must be submitted by May 20, A $20 late fee may be assessed for late or incomplete paperwork or late payment. ABC Camp (Ankle Biter s Camp) 5-8 yrs old with parent $165 per pair June This year, ABC Camp and Mini Camp are joining the older children for story time and prayer stations with lots of fun activities and games just for their age group. Parents of the ABC Campers will have morning and afternoon gatherings of their own. These gatherings are led by Father Jeff Bullock, Diocesan Canon Theologian, and Mother Ann Johnson, Vicar of St. John s Episcopal- Lutheran Congregation in Williams. Parents will experience thoughtful and participatory Bible Study, Parenting Book Studies, Christian Parenting help, group prayer time, evenings for relationship development and fellowship through sharing & conversation. Mini Camp Grades K-2 (without parents) $165 per child June Mini Camp means Maximum Fun! This program is especially designed for first-time campers, and is offered concurrently with our Children s Camp, allowing newbies to attend the same week as an older sibling. Mini Campers enjoy some of the highlights of our unique camping program: experiencing Jesus love in new and exciting ways, hiking and exploring in the out-of-doors, crafts, games, campfires, and so much more! A high counselor to camper ratio means lots of personal attention and care to ward off bouts of homesickness. This is the summer to start your child s Chapel Rock adventure. Walking with Jesus Grade 3-6 $375 per week June & June 30-July 6 Just as we do, Jesus laughed and played with his friends and cried when he was disappointed or hurt. As our parents do for us, Jesus parents loved and cared about him and provided for him. He grew up to be caring, generous, kind, respectful and accepting of everyone. Getting to know him as a real, live person will, at times, bring tears to our eyes, joyful hearts and most certainly lots of fun and surprises. Walking with Jesus is a brand new program designed for children who are curious about the person of Jesus. We will experience the stories of Jesus through drama, art, examine the different ways we see Jesus, sing songs that Jesus would have sung, and play the games Jesus would have played. On Monday, we begin with Jesus teaching in the temple at the very early age of 12. Tuesday, we see how this very important and famous person s love and respect for children exceeded and took precedence over anything he was doing or anyone to whom he was speaking. On Wednesday, Jesus (presented by Jessie Villegas) will teach the Lord s Prayer in the language that Jesus spoke and afterwards worship in silent prayer by walking the Labyrinth. It is through this experience that many of our children discover and feel the presence of God deeper than ever before. Thursday, Jesus and his twelve best friends will be awaiting the children as they enter the upper room for the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest. Friday, we walk the Stations of the Cross and finish our story time by rejoicing at the discovery of the empty tomb. All of these stories are presented through drama and experiential and hands-on participation. After all of these wonderful stories, we go hiking, enjoy games, swimming, carnivals, canteen, singing, talent show, campfires with s mores, counselor hunts and lots, lots more. Sign up at now! azdiocese.org SPRING

8 Youth Have Profound Experience at Camp by The Rev. Matt Marino Canon for Youth & Young Adults The question was simple, What are you telling your friends about summer camp? I am still scratching my head at the 8th grade girl s answer: It is absolutely the only thing in the world that is both swaggy-approved and Bieber-licious. I am writing to you both as a parent of teenagers, and as someone who is a little fuzzy on what it means to be, Absolutely swaggy-approved and/or Bieber-licious. I am writing to share with you the way Chapel Rock s summer Youth Camp experience has profoundly affected my children s faith and lives. Granted, as the diocesan youth director and one of the architects of our youth camping and leadership development system, I am a bit of an insider. But, anyone who has had children can tell you that the best way to make your kids not want to do something is to force them to do it. We live at Chapel Rock for three weeks during the summer, so my kids had less choice to be at summer camp than they did to eat vegetables or do their homework. On top of that, we came from a ministry that has resorts for youth, gives campers a money back guarantee, and has more students involved than there are Episcopalians. To say that my kids had a few reasons not to like camp is an understatement. So how did that work out? Ellie, my college freshman daughter sent in her camp counselor application this week saying, My one priority this summer is to be a counselor at Chapel Rock. Chapel Rock was the best thing about high school, so I am going to make sure that I give others the gift of Jesus that was given to me. (I should mention, my daughter had a pretty good high school experience: good friends, was student body president, got good grades. Yet it is Chapel Rock that was the best thing about high school for her.) My son is a typical busy high school kid. He has some fairly intense college goals that involve extra summer classes and summer sailing and scuba programs. When I suggested that maybe this year he might miss camp he said, Well, that just isn t an option, Dad. Chapel Rock is my grounding for the coming year. The friendships, the worship, the teaching, the counselors I come back in a Christ-focused space, an others centered space. Experiencing God at Chapel Rock is what makes me who I am, Dad. As a parent, I cannot imagine anything better than to hear that my children are having transformative experiences with God that they are having them in our Church s camp is icing on the cake. Our camp is forming my children in a depth of discipleship that will bless them for their entire lives. Camp gives kids a healthy peer group, adult models of the Christian life, and God-experiences communicated not just in sacramental worship, but through a sacramental view of life. They do all of this while strengthening the affiliation bond with our tribe. Here is the short version of how it works: Our church s leaders take (rather than send) students from our church. Our camp leaders a multiethnic, multi-denominational group the envy of other camps, are models of Christian commitment. Students engage with God in Scripturally based talks, small group discussions, and relevant sacramental and experiential worship. They play and have good, clean, old school fun. 6 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN azdiocese.org

9 You can imagine how grateful I am for the effect Chapel Rock has had in my children s lives. They now actively worship God. They now actively serve others. They live lives that respond in gratitude to God s love, both in what they do and don t do. If the measure of faith is whether it changes the decisions someone makes, then camp has been a slam-dunk for the other 11½ months of the year. The Chapel Rock experience is a picture of what life should be like. We were made to live in community, be vulnerable, have fun, and love Jesus. Camp is the perfect opportunity to do all of those things and grow into who we were made to be. Bre Krall, counselor Chapel Rock Youth Camp is ground zero for changed lives. I have seen a lot of camping in my 30 years of youth ministry, but I have never seen anything with a program like ours. And I have never seen anything that has the disciple-forming impact ours has. For us camp is batting 1000! My reason for writing is simple: As a parent, I am asking you to sign your kid up for youth camp this summer. It is a week that will count. Absolutely. By the way, I asked the girl what being absolutely Swaggy Approved and Bieber-licious means. She said, It means Chapel Rock is really great and you should come, Duh! AESF 2012 Tuition Tax Credit Deadline nears BY Leo P. Dressel President of AESF Greetings from the Arizona Episcopal Schools Foundation (AESF). Let me begin my message with a timely reminder. Since April 15 is approaching soon, I d like to remind past and potential donors who have not yet contributed this year that this date is the deadline for making a tuition tax credit donation that can be applied to the 2012 tax year on the Arizona state return. This recently established option enables people to donate and receive the credit more quickly than in the past (when the deadline was December 31). As a result, the gap between the time of the contribution and receipt of the state tax benefit has been greatly reduced to alleviate cash flow challenges. I want to thank all our donors once again, especially those who have taken more credit by donating a second time to AESF through the PLUS credit option. People who have given the initial maximum ($503 for individuals, and $1006 for joint filers) can then contribute an additional amount (with limits of $500 for individuals and $1000 for joint filers) if they have sufficient Arizona tax obligation. This has had a marvelously positive impact on the foundation and our schools. nity. I greatly value the diversity of the AESF member schools in terms of location, scope, pedagogy, and clientele. But I cherish even more the shared Episcopal identity that permeates everything we do at each of our schools. While Episcopal school presence is relatively modest here in Arizona, we are part of one of the most significant outreach ministries of the Episcopal Church. Duh! Above all, please keep in mind the worthy cause and the people that your contributions support: Episcopal education and the children who attend our member schools who otherwise would not have that opportu- Finally, let me thank Bishop Kirk Smith for meeting once again with the AESF Board for fruitful conversation about enhancing awareness of the benefits to the Diocese of our schools. We are grateful for the Bishop s explicit support of our work and ministry. We are blessed to count Bishop Smith and his wife, Laura, on our donor rolls, and we encourage you to add your name to that number if you have not already done so. azdiocese.org SPRING

10 Photo by Rev. Matt Marino Chapel rock sunday helps fund camp experience by Kelly Wood Assistant Director, Chapel Rock The time for summer camp will be here before we know it. As always, there is a great need for contributors to the campership fund so that no child is turned away from attending camp due to financial need. Chapel Rock s summer camp mission is to provide a camping experience that will be life-changing. The mission of Chapel Rock is to provide God s expansive hospitality to those in need of rest renewal & spiritual transformation. When those two statements are brought together, and combined with the power of the Holy Spirit, some pretty amazing things can happen! Chapel Rock s summer campers can actually have an experience that is life changing in a beautiful setting that offers a chance for rest, renewal, and spiritual transformation. Having been at Chapel Rock for 14 years, I have had the privilege of seeing nearly 5,000 of our very own Episcopal children and youth walk through our doors. First-time campers arrive with what they hope is the right stuff for camp. Their faces are sometimes red and puffy from tears of leaving what they know and fears of the unknown. Experienced campers arrive and call all the summer camp counselors and staff by their first name, and we do the same. There are hugs, stories of what was, and enthusiasm for what is to come. Whether a camper is here for the first time or the 13th straight summer, they all have an opportunity to have an experience like none before. Chapel Rock s summer campers have a chance for acceptance, and to become a part of a unique community. They have an opportunity to explore themselves and their faith, and hopefully, even embrace the love of Jesus Christ and their fellow cabin mates. There is no better time than now to be part of helping children have this experience, an experience that is life changing. The goal of the Chapel Rock Campership Fund is to make sure that every child who wants to can attend camp. The cost of a full campership for Summer 2013 is $ Your gift, of any amount, would be greatly appreciated and will help make a transformative difference in the life of a child. Watch for information in your church about how you can donate on Chapel Rock Sunday on May 5. 8 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN azdiocese.org

11 STEwaRdShIP university CaMP 60 S-MoRE or LESS: EnhanCIng SPIRITuaL growth PReSeNTeD By THe ReV. canon TIMoTH y M. DoMBeK In the changing economic climate in which we find ourselves, attending to the way we listen to our people, engaging them in financial support of our congregations, thanking them for their gifts, and reporting on how their financial support transforms lives, is more important than ever. Stewardship University is an educational opportunity for just that kind of reorientation. True stewardship is all about perceiving what we are and what we have as gifts from God. WhO ShOULd ATTENd? Clergy Church Leaders/Vestry/Bishop s Committee/Board Stewardship Committee Members Endowment Committee Chairs & Members Planned Giving Chairs & Members Church Foundation Chairs JULy 29 AUG 2, 2013 ChAPEL ROCk, PRESCOTT, AZ Camp 60 s More or Less is a fun spiritual summer camp for older adults we ve had campers between 42 and 9X. It s like the summer camp fun of your childhood, with all of the amenities of a deluxe hotel. Camp 60 s is a welcoming camp where you can rest, relax, reflect, refresh, rejuvenate and renew yourself in a Christian setting. This year, you ll enjoy sessions on Enhancing Spiritual Growth, including learning how to walk a labyrinth to enhance everyday life. Camp wouldn t be camp without a talent show, an exciting music program, arts and crafts, time for meditation and of course, amazing food. massive boulders and nearby mountains, and a mild climate. Rooms include comfy beds, private baths, and accessible accommodations. Food is prepared by a professional cooking staff with a reputation for delicious and healthy meals served buffet style in the dining hall. QueSTIoNS? call chapel RocK Toll free at or Go To : HaPelRocK.NeT/60 S_caMP. HTM. UPCOMING STEW U S: Saturday, April 27 St. Raphael in Benson - & - Saturday, June 1 Christ Church of the Ascension in Paradise Valley Visit for more information and to register. Learn how to implement and enhance stewardship ministry in your church! As always, you can join in as much or as little as you want. It s your week to enjoy time with other campers, relax in the incredible beauty of the Chapel Rock campus, or kick back in your room. The purpose of Camp 60 s is to help you develop a closer relationship with God. Whether that means being with others or meditating alone, it s totally up to you. We make use of the conference facilities at Chapel Rock, where you ll experience a breath of fresh mountain air, with the scent of pines, a vista of azdiocese.org SPRINg

12 A MILLION MEALS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS The model of multiplying our gifts to feed the hungry is, of course, the feeding of the five thousand. One parish has been doing this since 2006, and this past summer, they passed the 1 million meal mark. The Church of the Transfiguration in Mesa has a food outreach program called Jacob s Kitchen, and their unique ministry has provided well over one million meals through a variety of food distribution programs serving the hungry in eastern Maricopa County and western Pinal County, essentially feeding their own neighbors. Here is their story: by Bill & Nancy Robinson A Million Meals for Our Neighbors is a food outreach program introduced at Transfiguration in 2006, which operates here under the name of Jacob s Kitchen. Based on a very successful program at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Fullerton CA, Jacob s Kitchen is a funding mechanism which now has provided for well over one million meals through a variety of food distribution programs serving the hungry in Eastern Maricopa and Western Pinal Counties essentially our own neighbors. Miraculously, most of this funding has been provided by our own parishioners with only pocket change! A million meals is a lot of food. If you put each of those meals on a 9 plate and lined them up side by side, that line of plates would go for almost 150 miles, or two hours of travel at freeway speeds! And here s another stunner: Transfiguration has already provided more meals than Jesus provided in His entire earthly ministry. According to Scripture we have accounts of Jesus feeding a total of ten thousand people in two different events. Transfiguration has fed over a hundred times as many. In effect, Transfiguration has fulfilled a New Testament prophecy, one that appears in John 14 when Jesus is giving His final instructions and saying farewell to His apostles: Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Did you ever really believe you could do greater works than Jesus? Well, together we already have, and God s Grace has only just begun! The miracle that a prophecy of Jesus could be fulfilled right in front of our eyes and in this small parish is somewhat breathtaking, and we pray we can continue to fulfill this prophecy for a long time. Be that as it may, the real miracle is this: that our Lord has so touched the hearts of His people here that the seemingly overwhelming task of providing the funding for a million meals for our neighbors was actually no task at all! It was easy and just so we all remember how easy it was, and how easy it will be for all of us to continue, here is a short summary of how we do it: The funding for a million meals starts with simple plastic cups, which many of our parishioners use to collect their daily pocket change. When the cups are full, they bring them to church and empty them into the large plastic collection basin at the back of the church next to the choir loft. When the collection basin starts to get a little heavy, Office Administration counts the money and deposits it in a restricted account. When the restricted account gets to between $300 and $600, the Jacob s Kitchen program coordinators contact the United Food Bank in Mesa to find out which of UFB s food distribution programs in the vicinity of Transfiguration need the most help in providing meals to the hungry in our neighborhood. These programs could be soup kitchens, food box programs, homeless shelters, family abuse centers, or any of the many groups that are working desperately to provide food relief in our area. An area where one in four children go to bed hungry and are classified by Federal Agencies as at risk for a daily meal, and where one in seven seniors are at risk for food. Once local programs are selected, Jacob s Kitchen and your Vestry authorize cash grants to the accounts of those programs at United Food Bank to be used exclusively for the acquisition of food for distribution. UFB then informs the grant recipients that their accounts have been augmented and that food is available. How much food? Simple. Grant recipients pay an average of five cents a pound for food at United Food Bank, which means a Jacob s Kitchen grant of $100 will provide two thousand pounds of food! Stated differently, this is more than enough to provide 2000 meals. If this is beginning to sound a little bit like the Gospel account of the loaves and fishes, then you are absolutely right! If you were to spend $5.00 at a grocery store to buy food to donate to a distribution program, you would be able to provide either a large box of cereal, or maybe five cans of beans or vegetables. But if you give that same $5.00 to Jacob s Kitchen, you will provide sufficient funding for 100 boxes of cereal or more than 500 cans of beans or vegetables! This is how Transfiguration has been able to provide the funding for over a million meals, so gracefully, so graciously, and so easily; and we pray not only that this grace and love will continue, but that other parishes, other churches and secular groups will see what the Lord has done with us and through us and to be inspired to do likewise. 10 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN azdiocese.org

13 Episcopal Federal Credit Union: Here to Serve You! It s a common theme with most banks these days: they charge fees for everything, their credit card interest rates are too high, and their saving account interest rates are too low. Don t feel hopeless! As a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, now you have a choice. The Episcopal Federal Credit Union (FCU) is a great place for your financial holdings. We offer savings, checking, Money Market, Share Certificates (Certificates of Deposit), Christmas Club, and IRA accounts. We also offer great rates on VISA credit card accounts, auto and personal loans, church loans and much more. The interest rate for a VISA credit card is a very low 4.99% APR* for new VISA accounts. There are no balance transfer, cash advance or annual fees. The Episcopal FCU, a division of United Methodist Federal Credit Union, strives to improve the financial lives of all Episcopalians living or working in underserved area by financial institutions. We are proud to offer services to all Episcopal churches and individual members in the Diocese of Arizona. Is your church a member of Episcopal FCU? 53% of churches and eight affiliated organizations in the Diocese of Arizona have at least one account at the Episcopal FCU. Six more churches are in the process of completing applications for membership. Does your church have a need for a loan for building or repairs? Several churches have received loans for projects in the last year. Corporate VISA cards are available for loans under $50,000 and are approved quickly. If your church is paying analysis or other fees to its current financial institution your Episcopal FCU offers savings and checking account with no analysis fees. What a great way to save those precious dollars and redirect them toward ministry! Current Episcopal FCU individual membership exceeds 400 members and more than $3 million in assets. Our members are receiving low interest rates on loans, may earn interest on deposit accounts and receive excellent service. Join other Arizona Episcopalians and become a member today! Established in 2009 as a division of the United Methodist FCU, the Episcopal FCU joins a very stable financial institution chartered in 1948 to serve Methodist ministers. From an office in the home of founder Charles Sheline to a state of the art facility in Montclair, California, the Credit Union has grown to more than 6,500 members and over $80 million in assets. The field of membership has grown to include ministers and their families, church staff members, lay members of the California-Pacific, Desert Southwest, Oregon-Idaho, Alaska, New England, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Missouri United Methodist Conferences. All of the mergers and field of membership expansions have provided a means for the Credit Union to grow and expand. For more information, call et Kaiser, Member Development/ Member Service Specialist at or visit our website at We will answer any questions about Episcopal FCU membership and look forward to assisting you with your financial needs. The United Methodist FCU is also available to provide member service at *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Promotional rates valid for one year on transactions including new purchases, cash advances and balance transfers for the first 90 days of the promotional activation. Offer good for new UMFCU VISA accounts only. After one year at the promotional rate, the rate will then revert to the previously disclosed rate. Not all applicants will qualify for the promotional rate. azdiocese.org SPRING

14 your Mission Share as of February 27, 2013 PARISH/MISSION YTD Reported Income YTD 16.9% of Income YTD Paid YTD Unpaid 1 Qtr Reported Income No Reports Received for Months Benson, St. Raphael s Bisbee, St. John s Casa Grande, St. Peter s Cave Creek, Good Shepherd Chandler, St. Matthew s Clarkdale, St. Thomas Coolidge, St. Michael s Douglas, St. Stephen s Flagstaff, Epiphany Gila Bend, Epiphany Glendale, St. Andrew s Glendale, St. John/Baptist Globe, St. John s Green Valley, St. Francis Holbrook, St. George Kingman, Trinity Lake Havasu City, Grace Lakeside, Our Saviour Litchfield Park. St. Peter s Mesa, St. Mark s Mesa, Transfiguration Morenci, SS Philip & James Nogales, St. Andrew s Oro Valley, Apostles PV, Christ Church (12%) Payson, St. Paul s Phoenix, Trinity Phoenix, All Saints Phoenix, St Jude s (4%) Phoenix, St. Luke s Phoenix, St. Mary s Phx, St Paul s Sudanese (12%) Phoenix, St. Stephen s Phoenix, San Pablo Prescott, St. Luke s Safford, All Saint s Scottsdale, Nativity Scottsdale, St Anthony Scottsdale, St. Barnabas Sedona, St. Andrew s Sierra Vista, St Stephen s Sun City, All Saints Sun City, St. Christopher s Sun City West, Advent Tempe, Epiphany Tempe, St. Augustine s Tempe, St. James Tombstone, St. Paul s Tucson, Christ the King Tucson, Grace St. Paul s Tucson, St. Alban s Tucson, St. Andrew s Tucson, St. Matthew s Tucson, St. Michael s Tucson, St. Philip s Wickenburg, St. Alban s Williams, St. John s Winslow, St. Paul s Totals 5, , , , , , , , , , , , ,00 9, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,699, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,24 2, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,00 8, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,24 2, , , , , , , , , , (0.01) () (0.01) 1, , , () () () () () () () 2, (0.01) () , () () () (0.01) (995.15) () (0.01) () () () 1, , , () 37, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,00 9, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,699, Dec - Dec - Dec & Dec - jan Dec - Dec - Many congregations find it helpful to list in their Sunday bulletins an update on income and expenses. This makes for good transparency of church finances, but also is a gentle reminder to those who might be behind in their giving. The Finance Committee, with the consent of Diocesan Council, has suggested that we do a similar public reporting. Above is a listing of our congregations, their mission share, and their current standing. In a few exceptional cases, Council has granted an alternative payment plan to congregations facing severe economic dislocation. Those are so marked. The Council wishes to thank those congregations who are current in their mission giving and encourage those who may be behind. 12 ARIZONA EPISCOPALIAN azdiocese.org

15 THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOMES YOU EPISCOPAL diocese OF AZ f AZdI O C ES E.O RG Good Shepherd of the Hills Cave Creek St. George s Holbrook St. Paul s Tombstone All Saints Safford All Saints of the Desert Sun City All Saints Phoenix ASU Campus Ministry Tempe Catedral de la Trinidad Phoenix Christ Church of the Ascension Paradise Valley Christ the King Tucson Church of Our Saviour Lakeside Church of the Advent Sun City West Church of the Apostles Oro Valley Church of the Nativity Phoenix Church of the Epiphany Flagstaff Church of the Epiphany Tempe Church of the Transfiguration Mesa Epiphany on the Desert Gila Bend Grace Church Lake Havasu City Grace St. Paul s Tucson Iglesia Episcopal de San Pablo Phoenix NAU Episcopal Canterbury Fellowship Flagstaff Saints Philip & James Morenci St. Alban s Tucson St. Alban s Wickenburg stalbanswburg.qwestoffice.net St. Andrew s Glendale St. Andrew s Nogales St. Andrew s Sedona St. Andrew s Tucson St. Anthony on the Desert Scottsdale St. Augustine s Tempe St. Barnabas on the Desert Scottsdale St. Christopher s in the West Valley Sun City St. francis-in-the-valley green Valley St. James the Apostle Tempe St. John the Baptist Glendale St. John s Bisbee St. John s Globe St. John s Episcopal-Lutheran Congregation Williams St. Jude s Phoenix St. Luke s Prescott St. Luke s at the Mountain Phoenix St. Mark s Mesa St. Mary s Phoenix St. Matthew s Chandler St. Matthew s Tucson St. Michael and All Angels tucson St. Michael s Coolidge St. Paul the Apostle Sudanese Church Phoenix St. Paul s Payson St. Paul s Winslow St. Peter s Litchfield Park St. Peter s Casa Grande St. Philip s In The Hills Tucson St. Raphael in the Valley Benson St. Stephen s Douglas St. Stephen s Phoenix St. Stephen s Sierra Vista St. Thomas of the Valley Clarkdale stthomas.azdiocese.org Trinity Cathedral Phoenix Trinity Church Kingman trinity Lutheran-Episcopal Congregation Willcox UofA Emmaus Collegiate Chapel tucson find us at AZDIOCESE on twitter & facebook

16 The Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona 100 W. Roosevelt Street Phoenix, Arizona