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He would know — he moved here earlier this month to lead St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 602 N. Wilmot Rod, as its new rector.

Hedges comes to Tucson after 14 years in Illinois, where he most recently served as rector of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Sycamore, Illinois.

Illinois "is flat flat flat," Hedges said, not at all like the mountainous San Francisco Bay Area where he grew up. "So when I saw these mountains, I thought, 'Oh, this is the place for me, to look up and see the high places.'"

Hedges anticipates hiking and exploring Mount Lemmon with his 12-year-old daughter Zoe Flagg and his wife, Carly Flagg, a professional American Sign Language interpreter. His visit in June for interviews was his first trip to Tucson.

Hedges, who is also a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory, wants to "grow the way the parish reaches out and invites new people to come," he said.

The church first attracted him with its emphasis on social justice and reverence for catholic tradition such as singing, chanting and the Holy Eucharist.

Hedges will celebrate his inaugural Mass at the church, Sunday, Aug. 14, including a 9 a.m morning prayer and 9:30 a.m. high Mass. A brunch will follow and a $10 donation is suggested.

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