From the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
It seemed fitting that our first celebration of Communion together after the pandemic was at Easter. The Resurrection forms the ground, source, and summit of our faith shared across millennia. It seems fitting as well that our first public services back in the church building will happen on Saint Philip’s Day—the first Sunday of May. Having gathered with the whole Church around the world celebrating the Easter joy outside we now celebrate the many blessings of this local church as we return to our church building—and to the Altar we share.
This Sunday we will sing the Saint Philip’s Hymn, see the statue of Saint Philip in procession, and sing together. Much will be as Saint Philip’s Day in the past has been. Much will be different, too. There will be masks and distancing and the like. In other words, it will be another waypoint or marker along the way back together. It will be another reminder of our already-not-yet reality.
Yet, perhaps, what we can take the most comfort in is that it is not just our local church celebrating. It is churches around the country slowly coming back together. After the pandemic we are all recovering our sense of what it means and how much it means to be together. Churches around the country and around the world are giving thanks to God in the most familiar ways possible, in prayer and song and with joy.
Each week draws us a little more toward normal. Each week draws us a little closer together. Each week gives us an opportunity to thank God. This week we will do so together again, under this roof, within these walls within which so much love and joy has been shared.
Thanks be to God.
Included below is a note from Fr Peter Helman, parochial vicar, with details about gathering, worship, health protocols, and more!
Fr Robert
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From Fr Peter:
The first Sunday in May is always a festive day in the life of our parish, when we celebrate and honor the memory of our Patron, Saint Philip the Apostle, in whose name we dedicated the church at its founding in 1936.
We keep Saint Philip’s Day this year with particular joy as we resume, for the first time in more than a year, our regular summer schedule of worship inside the church.
Two services will be offered on Sundays throughout summer months: the first, a simple Rite I spoken mass at 7:45am; and the second, a Rite II mass with anthems and congregational hymns at 10:00am.
For the occasion of Saint Philip’s Day, there will also be the first in-person service of Choral Evensong since March of last year.
Here are a few details to keep in mind about safety protocols for Sunday morning worship indoors:
Registration & Attendance
There are two ways to register for Sunday services, either online at Saint Philip’s homepage (www.stphilipstucson.org/registration) or in-person at the door. We recommend online, as attendance will be capped at 125.
In order to attend, you must closely read and abide by the Covenant of Care. Our desire is to care for one another, and we are grateful for this shared commitment. Thank you!
Arrival & Check-In
It will be helpful to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. This will give ample time to check in, find seats, and find moments for stillness and prayer before service begins.
When you arrive Greeters will be stationed in two locations to help you check-in (or register, if you have not already done so). For those who park in the north and east lots near the solar arrays, a check-in station will be located in the Perry Garden. For those who are dropped off or park in the south lot near the Labyrinth Plaza, a check-in station will be located near the Great Doors. There will be signage to show the way, and sidewalks will be marked with tape to indicate proper social distance.
Single-use bulletins will be available when you check-in, as well as extra masks (should you forget your own) and bottled water.
Seating & Fellowship
After checking in, Ushers will direct you to enter the church by way of the south side-entrance and the Great Doors.
Once inside, please follow Ushers’ instructions, and use the center and side aisles to find available pews, starting at the front of the sanctuary and moving towards the back. Only one person or family unit is permitted per pew. Only every other pew will be available for seating.
As we gather indoors for worship, it is important that we faithfully maintain social distance. As difficult as it may be, no direct physical contact is to be made at any point before, during, and after services.
The Offertory, Holy Communion, & Dismissal
Alms will not be collected during the service at the Offertory. Instead, a collection basket will be available at the entrance of the church before and after the service.
Holy Communion will be offered in one kind (the consecrated Bread only), and Ushers will come forward and direct those who wish to receive Communion to approach the altar rail pew by pew. Further details and instructions will be given at the service.
After the Dismissal, Ushers will direct the congregation to exit the church through the Great Doors, pew by pew from the back of the church to the front. We ask that you take your bulletins with you.
Live-Streaming
For those who may wish to attend Sunday worship online rather than in-person, we will live-stream the 10:00am mass to both Saint Philip’s YouTube channel and homepage (www.stphilipstucson.org). Links may be found in this edition of Bell & Tower.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located in the hallway north of the Murphy Gallery, across the Fishpond Garden and up the walkway from the church. There is a diaper changing table in the gender-neutral ADA-compliant restroom there.