Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church

The funeral for the Rev. Canon Dr. Gordon McBride will be held at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Friday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. The Right Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, Bishop of the Diocese of Arizona, will officiate. There will be a reception following the service in McBride Hall. All are welcome. Clergy are invited to process (white stoles).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rector's Discretionary Fund at Grace St. Paul's.

Grace St. Paul's is located at 2331 East Adams Street, Tucson, AZ 85719. Parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the church on the north side. Additional parking is available in the Tucson Medical Square parking lot at East Elm St & Tucson Blvd and on the surrounding streets.

For more information, please contact the church office at 520-327-6857. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00-4:00.

UPDATE (July 10, 7:44am MST): The Rev. Canon Gordon McBride died peacefully about an hour ago in Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY.

He was hospitalized June 29 with breathing problems, while on vacation with his family.

The funeral service has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, July 16, at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Tucson. The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona, will officiate. The Rev. Fred Masterman, priest associate at Grace St. Paul's, will preach.

Further updates will be posted on the GSP website and Facebook page as there are changes to report.

Please keep Gordon, his family and all who loved him in your prayers.

Grace St. Paul's will welcome the Rev. Steve and Jean Keplinger on Sunday, Sept. 12 at both 8:00 and 10:00 services. We will celebrate with a special liturgy, the choir will return from summer hiatus and Sunday School will begin that day. The Liturgical Arts Ministry is planning a big surprise too! More details will follow. Mark your calendars now!

The Vestry is pleased to announce that the Rev. Stephen James Keplinger has accepted their call to serve as Rector of Grace St. Paul's. Fr. Keplinger (who likes to be called "Steve") has most recently served as Rector of St. David's Episcopal Church in Page, Ariz., (Diocese of Utah) since 2001. He and his wife Jean will begin their ministry at GSP in early September.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Steve spent the majority of his life in the state of Maryland, with a short stint in the mountains of West Virginia. All that changed after his first trip to the western United States, where he fell in love with the landscape, especially the red rock deserts of southern Utah and northern Arizona. After a raft trip down the Colorado, and his first night under a sky brilliant with thousands of stars, he determined to move west.

Nine months in southern California was followed by a move to St. George, Utah. Living between the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park, Steve spent much time in the midst of the desert landscape, writing about that experience for local papers and a few national magazines. During those years he was employed in administrative and sales positions, ending as sales manager for a printing company.

Steve is known for his love for the sport of baseball, especially the Baltimore Orioles. In 1989, he published The Comeback Kids, an emotional reaction to the 1989 season of the Baltimore Orioles and the community around them.

Steve's spiritual journey led him to the Episcopal Church in 1986. After growing up in the Roman Catholic tradition, it became obvious to him through a series of experiences at the Episcopal Church in St. George, that this was his home. After years of discernment, he entered Church Divinity School of the Pacific in the fall of 1997. He then spent two years of seminary commuting to the Episcopal Theological School in Claremont, Calif., before returning to CDSP to finish his studies. He completed his Master of Divinity program at the end of 2000 and was ordained in August 2001. He and his wife, Jean, began serving at St. David's in January 2001.

Steve has a passion for creative liturgy, social justice and outreach and church growth and development. Jean has many years of lay leadership experience in children and youth ministry. We look forward to the gifts they will offer us at GSP!

Grace St. Paul's will say farewell to the Rev. Deborah Heathcock on Sunday, July 11, as she leaves to take a new position as interim rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in Gig Harbor, Wash. (Diocese of Olympia).

We are grateful for Deborah's gracious ministry to GSP over the last 11 months and we wish her well in her new home and ministry!

Anagrace Misenhimer is coordinating a potluck celebration to say goodbye following both services on July 11 and, as is our custom, a purse for Deborah will be collected at both services.

On Sunday, June 27, at both 8 and 10 o'clock services, there will be a special collection for the Shoebox Ministry in honor of Deacon Mike Meyers's many years of service at GSP.

The Shoebox Ministry will be moving with him to St. Michael and All Angel's. Cards to sign for Mike and Pat will be available in McBride Hall at both coffee hours.

Come experience a new twist at Mass for the 3rd Millennium on Thursday, June 24, at 6 p.m. in McBride Hall!

Every fourth Thursday, M3M will integrate guitar-driven music from Global Chant combined with our usual Celtic-inspired Lindquist chants.

The service includes interfaith scriptural reflection in a contemplative atmosphere and is sure to engage all the senses!

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Join us to honor the birthday of the Church as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' first followers on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010. There will be pomp and circumstance at the 8:00 and 10:00 services and a big party at the coffee hour. Remember to wear RED and bring a delicious dessert to share!

We will also be acknowledging our children and youth, their Sunday School teachers and mentors, and our fabulous Adult Choir as they take a much deserved hiatus for the summer.

GSP Planned Giving Ministry 'Peace of Mind' Presentation
June 6, 2010, 11:45 a.m. in McBride Hall

Are you comfortable with the preparations you have made for the end of this life? If you are incapacitated, will your loved ones be making decisions for you, or have you safeguarded your intentions?

Please join us for an informative and thought-provoking presentation on the documentation every person should consider preparing to assist with end of life care and estate management. Topics include financial and medical powers of attorney, wills, living wills, guardianship and options for planned giving. Relieve this burden from your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. Join us!

Palm Sunday, March 28, 8 & 10 a.m.
Palm Sunday services will evoke the joyous entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Palms will be blessed and the Passion Play will be incorporated into the services. At 10 a.m. we will have a big procession, with all the banners and people we can muster -- we'll even go around the block and invite our neighbors! Plan on a full triumphal experience.

Wednesday, March 31, 7 a.m.
Holy Eucharist (Julian Chapel)

Maundy Thursday, April 1, 6 p.m.
Agape Feast with foot washing, followed by solemn stripping of the altar as we explore the transition from celebration to loss and grief. Dinner will start at 6 p.m. with Celtic harp music. Foot washing will be in the cloister, dinner and communion in McBride Hall, with a procession to the sanctuary for the stripping of the main altar and the chapel.

Please call the church office (327-6857) so we know how many places to set for the Maundy Thursday dinner.

Maundy Thursday after the service to Friday Noon
The Gethsemane Watch will be in the sanctuary, with a large cross in front of the altar.

Good Friday, April 2, Noon
Stations of the Cross and prayer services on the Labyrinth.

Good Friday, 5 p.m.
Children's Stations of the Cross (in the Undercroft).

Good Friday, 7 p.m.
The main service for Good Friday, with full choir, Passion reading, psalms, and solemn prayers.

Holy Saturday, April 3, 7 p.m.
The Great Vigil of Easter. A joyous celebration of Christ's Resurrection, with lessons, chants, and hymns, renewal of baptismal vows and asperges, and our first Holy Eucharist of the Easter Season. Come and make a joyful noise.

Easter Sunday, April 4, 8 & 10 a.m.
We will celebrate with the sound of the trumpet! The 10 a.m. service will include bells and incense. Please bring sweets to share at coffee hour following the 8 a.m. service or a potluck dish to share after the 10 a.m. service. There will be special activities for children at 11:30. Wear your best Easter bonet, too!