Fr Robert Hendrickson

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today was one of those long, exhausting, rewarding days in a long, sometimes exhausting, rewarding season. There’s always a lot going on at Saint Philip’s and today was no exception. Yet, it was also one of those wonderful days when we get reminded of the reach of this community and the way it shapes not only us but so many around us and has for generations.

There was the retreat which Fr Peter helped coordinate with Shirin McArthur looking at Jesus through the eyes of Mary. There was Las Posadas which Fr Mark and the youth hosted with joy and fun. There was the ordination of Fr David Carlisle at Saint Andrew’s. There was the True Concord Lessons and Carols. Finally there was a retirement party for Kevin Courtney, the director of Pima County Interfaith.

I’ll start with the last. Kevin has led an organization, which Saint Philip’s has helped support, to promote more just laws and policies across Pima County. Whether it’s health care that works, addressing the spice trade, seeking an end to homelessness, or advocating for the ethical treatment of refugees, PCIC has been a faithful voice for justice in our community. I saw Jane Prescott-Smith and Deacon Leah Sandwell Weiss there for Kevin’s retirement and though about the long history with the organization that so many from Saint Philip’s have had.

I saw Bruce Larsen, Sally Gunderman, and Bonnie Winn at the True Concord Lessons and Carols welcoming people to the campus and the church. For many, this will be a hi light of their holiday season. They’ll come here in an age of noise and vitriol and find a space for the contemplation of the holy, the joyful, and deeper meaning. It’s an organization we’ve had folks involved in who continue to shape the way people come together around a shared commitment to creating beauty together.

At Saint Andrew’s, one of our partners in helping to launch Beloved in the Desert, an intentional community devoted to helping young people work and pray together for a more just city, I saw Fr John Kitagawa, Deacon Sally Taylor, Deacons Kelli Joyce, Tom Lindell, and Alison Lee. I saw Mother Taylor, and a number of our lay leaders as well. There, supporting Fr David’s ministry, were so many committed to not only David but to the community of Saint Andrew’s. Kelli was Deacon at the liturgy, Alison was coordinating the ceremonial, John was there as mentor in his new worshiping community. And we all were there praying for the Spirit to move — and will again on Friday as Kelli and Alison are made priests.

Las Posadas is always a chance for our youth to share the story of the journey from place to place as Joseph and Mary seek a place to rest. My kids got face-painted and their joy at becoming a blue bird and a Christmas star through face paint was matched only by the exhilaration of smashing, with a stick, a large object full of candy. Las Posadas has become part of our family’s Christmas season and one of the new traditions, for us, that shape the season and the patterns of the holidays. I also discovered that Fr Mark can make an amazing pozole!

Our Advent retreat was a chance for many parishioners to dive into the “reason for the season” as the bumper sticker says — the birth of Christ. What was Mary expecting? Who was she expecting? The retreat leader helped many of our folks find meaning and prayerful calm in a season that can descend into meaningless busyness faster than we can track. I stopped in on Friday to test out a new platform I have been building for the 3:00pm Christmas Eve children’s pageant (which now has 30 kids signed up for parts) and I ran into Peter and Shirin setting up for Saturday.

It was one of those simple reminders that the church is never really quiet — it’s always preparing for Christ to come. Whether it’s in an ordination, or a retreat, or a concert, or an annual tradition, or in the retirement of one who has fought for the dignity of every person, we can see Christ in so much of the work we see and do not see every day.

Perhaps though, the thing by which I’m most moved, is that on such a busy, busy day we got a call from someone whose 101 year old mother has only hours, or maybe days, left in this holy season. Mother Taylor was able to go out, offer last rites, pray with her sons, and bring Christ and word of Christ’s mercy and welcoming love. In a busy season, in a busy place, full of busy people, one hand can still be held by one priest and as one life draws toward its close we can pause, be still, and give thanks for the many ways this community brings us closer to Christ, to one another, and has from generation to generation.

Robert