Secular Coalition lobbyist discusses religion, politics
Freethought Arizona will host a Phoenix lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for Arizona to talk about the state legislature Sunday.
The free day begins at 8 a.m. with an opportunity to discuss issues with religious and political connections in the lobby of the DuVal Auditorium at the University of Arizona Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave.
Lobbyist Tory Anderson will share her insights on the legislature’s impact on the secular community from 10 a.m. to noon in a session titled “The Inside Story of Arizona Legislators, Legislation and Politics.” There is
free parking available in
the visitor parking structures, said Freethought Arizona spokesperson Gil Shapiro.
Grace St. Paul’s church to host pancake dinner for Mardi Gras, Lent
A Mardi Gras pancake dinner Tuesday at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2221 E. Adams St., will precede the church’s recognition of Ash Wednesday the next day.
Pancakes on Mardi Gras are tradition for American Episcopalians, said Bruce Anderson, a publicity organizer for the church.
The free 6 p.m. dinner also includes eggs, sausage and desserts, and wine will be available for purchase. A four-piece New Orleans jazz ensemble, dancing and arts and crafts will keep the evening lively.
“If you think about Christian history, that really does make sense,” Anderson said. “You are really introspective and in self-denial (for Lent), so to have a blowout the night before is a long, Christian tradition.
“That’s where Mardi Gras comes in.”
To transition into Lent, the evening will conclude with a ceremonial burning of palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday service. Those ashes are then used for Ash Wednesday.
Clergy and church members will be at the Ronstadt Transit Center, 215 E. Congress St. and Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd., from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday to offer the imposition of ashes.
The church campus will host four services: A 7 a.m. Communion service, a short noon service, a 5:30 p.m. children’s service and a full service at 7 p.m with choir and preaching.
For more information, call 327-6857.
St. Philip’s brings ‘Ashes to Go’ to a location near you
For the third year, St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., will offer “Ashes to Go” around Tucson.
To mark the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, laypeople and clergy from the church will impose ashes at church services at 7:30 a.m., noon, 5:30 and 7 p.m. and at the following locations:
- 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Starbucks, 1825 E. River Road.
- 8 to 10 a.m. at Raging Sage Coffee Roasters, 2458 N. Campbell Ave.
- 9 to 11 a.m. at Northwest YMCA — Pima County Community Center, 7770 N. Shannon Road.
- 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Rillito River Park Trail across from Trader Joe’s, 4209 N. Campbell Ave.
Last year, the church served more than 150 people with “Ashes to Go,” an opportunity that also led to prayer requests, said the Rev. Vicki K. Hesse.
“It’s right there on the tip of their tongue,” she said. Church members prayed with participants over “everything from a personal situation to conflict in the Middle East.”
Tibetan Buddhist Institute celebrates New Year, new space
The Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute will celebrate the Tibetan New Year on Thursday in its new temple, 3400 E. Speedway.
The group moved from the University of Arizona’s Little Chapel of All Nations several months ago and has been waiting for the arrival of decorations from Nepal and Singapore, said Jane Stanley, an institute volunteer.
To prepare for the open house and New Year, the temple will host a Vajrakilaya practice Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Stanley said the practice is a housecleaning that can be both symbolic and physical.
Wednesday also kicks off several days of teaching by Jigme Lodro Rinpoche, a Tibetan master and frequent teacher at the temple. He will teach on five Dzogchen Lineages 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, Feb. 22.
One day costs $40. Check awaminstitute.org for additional class information.
The free Thursday celebration lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include light refreshments.
Call 622-8460 for more information.
