Christmastide notes
Other than Sunday worship, much of Saint Philip’s will be closed for Christmastide, December 25-January 5. This article details what is and isn’t available during this time. New this year is the availability of home visits with communion. You will need to make an appointment for those. Please see details in the “Eucharistic Visits” section later in this article.
Please note, we are always available for critical pastoral care needs and updates. The 24/7 line is: 520-971-3551.
Office Activity
Thanks to devoted volunteers, the Saint Philip’s Food Bank will maintain its regular hours, on Tuesdays, December 22, and December 29. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, both Thursdays. Its regular schedule resumes Tuesday, January 5, from 9:00am to 12:00pm both Tuesday and Thursday.
Otherwise, the Parish Office is closed during the 12 days.
Publications
The Bell& Tower newsletter will publish on Friday, December 25. There will not be a newsletter on January 1, meaning the first Bell & Tower of 2021 will publish on January 8. Please be assured that if something of major consequence occurs in the gap, the church will be notified by e-mail.
The Daily Bread reflections will continue throughout the 12 Days of Christmas, featuring the talents of guest writers who are members of Saint Philip’s.
Midweek Worship during the 12 Days of Christmas
From Christmas Eve until Tuesday, January 5, we will temporarily suspend our Monday-Saturday schedule of online daily Morning Prayer (8:30am) and Holy Eucharist (12:15 pm). Midweek services will resume on the Feast of the Epiphany, Wednesday, January 6, at 12:15pm. Epiphany is a principal feast in the Church’s annual calendar, and we will celebrate the occasion that evening with a service of Holy Eucharist at 7:00pm, with Lay Clerks.
Weekly Formation Offering during Advent and Christmas
Please note the following changes to Saint Philip’s regular schedule of weekly formation offerings from mid-December through mid-January.
The last Tuesday Bible Study this winter will be Tuesday, December 22. Our first session after the New Year will be Tuesday, January 12, at 10:00am.
The last Mosaic Community Night of the winter will be Wednesday, December 16. We will gather together after the New Year on Wednesday, January 13, at 5:30pm.)
The last Thursday Formation group will meet on December 17 at 10:00am. and resume after the New Year on Thursday, January 14, at 10:00am.
Eucharistic Visits, pastoral care during the 12 Days of Christmas
While Christmas is a season of great joy and celebration, it is, for so many, also a season marked by the painful memory of loved ones lost. This year presents even greater obstacles to sharing the season with our friends and families. Click here for pastoral care guidelines at this time, but really, at all times.
Throughout the 12 Days of Christmas (December 25 –January 5), members of Saint Philip’s clergy will pay visits to parishioners, upon request, with the Holy Eucharist. If you would like to schedule a Eucharistic visit, please contact Fr. Peter Helman, Parochial Vicar, by telephone (520-299-6421, ext. 133) or email (peter.helman@stphilipstucson.org). We ask that you schedule a visit by December 20, the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
The parish Pastoral Care Line is open 24/7 at all times: 520-971-3551