Interfaith leaders to bless Humane Borders
To prepare for the summer months, community religious leaders will join Humane Borders in its third annual “Blessing of the Fleet.” The nonprofit sets up water stations for migrants coming through the desert.
Participants at this year’s blessing include leaders from Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Watt Buddhametta: Tucson Buddhist Meditation Center, and First Christian Church, along with Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and others, according to press materials.
The community event is 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the House of Neighborly Service, 243 W. 33rd St.
Rector to talk about Palestine, Israel trip
The Rev. Canon John Kitagawa, the rector at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., will share on Sunday about his 10-day trip through Israel and Palestine.
This January, Kitagawa, along with other American Jews, Christians and Muslims, joined the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church to meet with officials in the Holy Land, according to press materials.
The talk begins at 10:15 a.m. in the church’s East Gallery. Call 299-6421 for more information.
Bahá’í to show film on education efforts
The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tucson will host a free showing of “To Light a Candle” at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The documentary by Iranian Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari spotlights the stymying of Bahá’í education efforts in Iran.
A panel of local educators will lead a group discussion following the film, said Gena King, chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly this year.
Spiritual meeting hosting counselor
Sacred Space, a weekly session for spiritual music and teaching, will meet Sunday starting between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m. at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave.
Counselor Peter Woods will speak this week on “Making Conscious the Unconscious: Embracing the Shadow,” said Teresa Cowan Jones, Sacred Space director, in an email.
The event is free and meets in the Art Gallery. For more information, visit sacredspacetucson.org online.
Modern jury to ‘try’ Jesus in mock trial
A faith-based program will present arguments for and against the conviction of Jesus Christ in a mock trial at San Miguel High School, 6601 San Fernando Ave., 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4.
Hank Shea, a UA visiting law professor, will serve as a judge for the modern trial.
Mark Osler, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and former federal prosecutor, will prosecute Christ, while Illinois public defender Jeanne Bishop will act in his defense.
The audience will serve as the jury and decide whether to impose the death sentence.
“The purpose of the exercise is to make you think that it was citizens ... who were calling for the death of Jesus,” Shea said. “It’s to make you think about what it was like back then.”
Reservations are required for the free event. Call 294-6403, Ext. 1308, to RSVP.
Purim party planned for senior citizens
For the first time, Chabad Tucson’s Sunshine Club will host a Purim party for Jewish seniors at the center, 2443 E. Fourth St.
Purim commemorates Jewish lives spared by the end of an ancient Persian decree, said Chabad Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin in a prepared statement. The story is told in the biblical book of Esther.
The party begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5, and includes a reading from the scroll of Esther and a kosher brunch. Costumes are encouraged.
There is a $5 suggested donation. For more information, call 795-0090.
Retreat to address ‘common humanity’
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602. N. Wilmot Road, will host a retreat that focuses on immigration not as a hot-button issue, but as one that can unite.
The church will partner with St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, to explore “The Spirituality of Migrants and What They Teach Us as People of Faith.”
“This is not a political policy retreat,” said Margie King, an organizer from St. Michael and All Angels. “The bottom line is to experience our common humanity.”
The Rev. Sean Carroll, executive director of the Kino Border Initiative, will be the keynote speaker, among others.
Spanish translation will be available.
The $25 registration is due Thursday, March 5, and includes lunch. Call Margie King at 207-9114 for more information.
