Process theology
class series begins Sunday
Saint Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, 4625 E. River Road, will begin a series of classes on process theology on Sunday.
Introductory classes will explore the theological concept that God changes like the universe, according the church’s Facebook page.
Jerry Gill, who teaches religion and philosophy courses at Pima Community College, will present information about individuals who shaped process theology in the Church Center at 11:45 a.m. The classes will focus on Alfred North Whitehead on May 10, on Charles Hartshorne on May 17 and on John Cobb Jr. on May 24.
For more information call the church at 299-9063.
Rector at St. Michael and All Angels retiring
The Rev. John R. Smith of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602 N. Wilmot Road, will retire after his last service as rector on June 28, the day before the 40th anniversary of his ordination as a priest.
On Monday, St. Michael’s Parish Day School will celebrate Smith’s 20 years of service at the parish and school during an all-school chapel.
Smith and his wife will move to Antigua, Guatemala, where he will serve as a resident priest through the local diocese. He has visited Guatemala on six previous mission trips.
“As I approached retirement, I thought I was drawn to the people and culture,” Smith said. “Perhaps in retirement I can help the people there and the church in Guatemala.”
Smith was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest by Pope Paul VI in Rome in 1975, but the desire for a family drew him to the Episcopal Church in 1983.
The Tucson parish plans to have an interim rector by the time Smith leaves.
Presbyterian churches plan summer art camp
St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church and Christ Presbyterian Church will present a summer arts camp for kids June 8-12.
Hosted at St. John on the Desert, 2695 N. Houghton Road, the camp gives students entering first through seventh grade a chance to explore arts such as music, comedy, acting and photography from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The week concludes with a performance and presentation Friday night.
“Kids can choose an area of emphasis, but they will also dabble in everything,” said Pastor Lesley Abrams of St. John on the Desert and the camp director.
The students will also work with Beads of Courage and collect contributions for the food bank.
“We think of creation as something that is precious and meaningful to us, and teaching children that they can create as God did, because we are made in the image of God, I think is important,” Abrams said, adding that this is not a vacation Bible school.
To register, print a form off of stjohnonthedesert.org and mail it to the church. Tuition for the week is $60 per child, with spots for additional children from the same family costing $40. Spots fill quickly.
Call the church at 749-3615 for more information.
