was a packed, weekend-long program of activities for all ages. In the spirit of
serving more people, we not only organized events for long-time members
but also designed ways to welcome the broader community to learn about the
Chapel for the first time and to enjoy making new connections.
We launched the festivities Friday evening with a meet-and-greet-and-eat
in Friendship Hall. Our peripatetic Bishop, Brian Keith, gave us a fast-paced
slideshow world tour of all the New Church churches he has visited. Then the
Rev. Frank Rose, Pastor Emeritus of Sunrise Chapel, gave a photographic walk
down memory lane, overviewing the history of the church in Tucson from its
beginnings in the 1940s to the present. What fun to see the images of people
who have been very important in the development of this local congregation!
Saturday our goal and focus was to welcome the public with a community-
oriented family fun day featuring something for everyone. For children, there
were two enormous blow-up climbing structures near the playground, as
well as a trackless train ride around the property and arts and crafts in the
Children’s Chapel. Two food trucks in the parking lot attracted passersby who
also enjoyed the lively tunes of the local Speedway Brothers Band, playing
under the brand new