John Kitagawa, the rector of St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., will retire on Aug. 1, after 14 years of service at the church.
Kitagawa announced his retirement in a newsletter and then during services Sunday, April 12 after informing the church vestry and staff at a meeting last Saturday.
"I did not come to this decision easily or quickly," Kitagawa wrote in the letter. "Being in ministry as Rector of St. Philip's Parish has been wonderfully challenging and fulfilling. I have grown and matured as priest and person while in community with you."
Looking back at his years of service, Kitagawa remarked on the number of leaders he has seen develop in the church.
"I feel good about what we have accomplished, and that the parish's future is bright," Kitagawa wrote. "But, in my own life, it is time for less stress, more leisure, and new opportunities to read and write." He added that he will continue to serve as president of the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity Tucson.
The church is already beginning its transition process, and the vestry had plans to meet with Bishop Kirk S. Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, according to Kitagawa's letter.
Church Women United in Tucson presents Human Rights Award
Church Women United in Tucson will present Margo Cowan with their 2015 Human Rights Award for her work in the area of immigration.
Cowan is an attorney with the Pima County Public Defender's Office and immigrant rights activist. She will be honored from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, 4625 E. River Road, said Teena Cross, the organization's president.
600 ceramic butterflies at Hillel honor Holocaust deaths
More than 600 colorful, ceramic butterflies will be strung outside the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation, 1245 E. Second St., on Sunday.
As part of The Butterfly Project, the butterflies represent the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust.
For the last three years, students and community members have painted the butterflies at the Holocaust Vigil on the UA campus.
"It's a place for people to memorialize something, but in a very beautiful and visual way," said Amalia Mark, the director of Jewish student life. "We are trying to create a gorgeous space. There is something to be said about living in a memory."
The free dedication begins 10 a.m. Sunday at the Hillel Foundation and will also honor invited Holocaust survivors. The mayor will attend.
This is the first of seven intended butterfly installations, with others planned tentatively at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road, the Jewish History Museum, 564 S. Stone Ave. and Congregation Chaverim, 5901 E. Second St.
For more information, visit arizona.hillel.org or call 624-6561.
Freethought Arizona to host talk on end-of-life issues
Gil Shapiro, the spokesman for Freethought Arizona, will speak on end-of-life issues from a secular perspective.
The free talk at the DuVal Auditorium in Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., will also examine "the politics and economics of end-of-life issues" along with how secular and religious views on the topic differ, Shapiro wrote in an email.
The talk runs from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Shapiro will also give this talk 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday, April 26 for the SaddleBrooke Freethinkers at 38759 S. Mountain View Blvd. in the ballroom.
Visit freethought-az.org for more information.
Church talk on a recently released, UA water report
Kelly Mott Lacroix from UA's Water Resources Research Center, will speak at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on Sunday about a new report that examines water in natural areas, according to press materials.
As part of the church's series on ecology and faith, Lacroix will discuss the recently published report "Roadmap for Considering Water for Arizona's Natural Areas." Lacroix is one of the report authors.
The free forum begins at 10:10 a.m. in the Activity Building at the church, 1200 N. Campbell Ave.
For more information, call 647-9863.
