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Just recently I've noticed a trend in advertising: Whirlpool has a high school girl bemoaning the fact that, since her mother purchased their new, improved washing machine, she'd freed up huge amounts of time to do other things - like chaperoning the daughter's dates, and attending the soccer team's away games and pizza parties. Humorously, we are invited to notice that this does not sit well with the girl!
Or an on-line pharmacy touts the ease and speed of drug purchase transactions on-line: who wants to waste time standing in long lines at the local pharmacy the voice asks.
Time: Any more we never seem to have enough of it. And you know that if Madison Avenue has picked up on the lack of something and pitched their products as the answer, then "Houston, we REALLY have a problem!" There are so many choices, so many things to commit to, that we are faced with an ever-expanding array of options for our time. I've noticed that even in retirement many folk have to keep extensive calendars, and plan ahead.
Studies now show, for instance, that Sunday mornings are no longer for Church, but for youth sports, do-it-yourself repairs, or (as the P.I. likes to remind us) kicking back, drinking coffee in our pajamas and robe, and reading the newspaper.
On the other hand, the pattern for the younger retirees and below - the baby-boomers - is further complicated because of their/our problems with commitment in the face of all these choices: "Don t tie me down!" might be the Boomer motto. Ask a Boomer to commit to something and they'll likely want to think about it, "maybe drop by if I have time."
This reality creates some significant issues for us as a congregation: if no one has enough time then who will take responsibility for the various volunteer ministries that are important to our identity? Who will chair Trash and Treasure, or coordinate the Thanksgiving Day meal, or serve on a committee? Who will take communion to shut-ins? And the list goes on.
We are very blessed to have many committed parishioners who have carried the load for a long time - as we continue to grow, however, we also need to expand the number of folk directly involved.
So as we move deeper into the fall, and approach the new Sacred Year - beginning with the First Sunday of Advent on November 27 - now seems to be a good time to reflect and reexamine.
I invite us all to take a fresh look at our priorities and our commitments and decide again where we really do want to put our energies. And, ultimately to seek to discern what is really important in our lives.
God's blessings to you
Nigel
Vestry Highlights for September 20, 2005
The Pre-School 2005/06 budget and calendar for the year were presented.
Reports were presented for Christian Formation, Outreach and MSO.
Ted Brookes handed out the report of the last two Target Areas for the Long-Range Planning Committee. The Building and Grounds Committee will need to be involved in the long-range plans.
Malcolm Rooke-Burdon gave out the Financial Report for January through August 2005.
Fr. Nigel announced the approval of the Eli Lilly Endowment 2006 proposal.
Sabbatical Planning Group - Fr. Nigel, Jim Langler, Lynda Anderson and Ted Brookes are part of this group.
Anyone interested in helping with implementation of the Lilly Endowment proposal should contact Nigel.
All checks drawn on any parish account will now require two signatures.
Delegates and alternates to the Diocesan Convention are invited to attend vestry meetings.
Oct. 18 will be a special meeting to discuss the Long-Range Planning Committee Report. (see below)
The regular Vestry meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
The complete minutes are posted in the undercroft.
Diana Klein, Vestry Clerk
Vestry Highlights for October 18, 2005
A special meeting was held to discuss the report of the Long Range Planning Committee. There are six Target Areas; Worship/Spirituality, Christian Formation, Outreach, Parish Leadership, Communications and Facilities. Work by the committee will continue as the Goals, Objectives and Activities further evolve.
Diana Klein, Vestry Clerk
Some people mark the passing of time with birthdays, anniversaries or even Christmases. And then there's ECW, we mark the years with Trash & Treasure Sales. And we just completed the 43rd!
The crowds formed at 8:00a.m. for the usual 9:00a.m. opening. That followed a week's worth of hard work and fellowship by women and men alike. They burst through the door to get to the prizes which lay within and most were not disappointed.
This sale fills a number of important causes in our church and our community. For the church family we get to spend time together, working, laughing, eating and doing meaningful tasks. For the community, we offer affordable "things" and even some "treasures" not found in other places. The community has come to expect that from us and joyfully participates.
This year's sale generated $6700, which will be given, as usual, to local community charities.
Thank you all for your help, dedication and friendship,
Anne Pringle and Lynda Anderson, Co-Chairs
St. Francis of Assisi's Day
October 2, 2005
The weather was wicked, the demands on everyone's time great, but a few brave pet owners came to have their pets blessed by Rev Nigel Taber-Hamilton and Rev. Mikkel Husted of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed a break in the rain just in time for the prayers, songs and blessings of our four-legged friends (no birds this year!).
by Dick Hall
The Whidbey Island community of Teronda West which includes eight St. Augustine's parishioners combined their efforts to provide a 30 foot Winnebago motor home as temporary housing for a New Orleans family made homeless by Hurricane Katrina.
The saga began with a yard sale conversation between Teronda residents, Arnelle Hall and Gerry Sheedy. Gerry mentioned that she and her husband, Bill, would like to donate a 1984 Winnebago owned by Gerry's father John Mathias. John could no longer drive and agreed to donate the motor home to a hurricane victim. Arnelle discussed the activities of St. Augustine's on behalf of those made destitute by the hurricane. St. Augustine's connections with the Diocese of Louisiana were perceived as a means by which the Winnebago could be delivered to a person or family in need of housing. The Sheedy's offer was presented by Fr. Nigel to ECW and it met with an enthusiastic response.
With a plan in place the community of Teronda spent a Sunday afternoon cleaning, stocking and preparing the Winnebago for a New Orleans journey. Bob Dial, a St. Augustine's parishioner and Teronda resident, volunteered to be a driver for the journey. Parishioners from the Sheedy's parish - St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Coupeville - donated over $250.00 to offset the considerable gas expenses. The Winnebago needed to be inspected and prepared for the 2600 miles journey. L&L Auto Care of Coupeville provided the necessary preparations. The owners of L&L Auto Care, Linda and Loyd Ceaser, donated time and materials. The Winnebago was pronounced fit for the journey. Unfortunately, communication and coordination was difficult. The journey could not begin until a person or organization was willing to take ownership of the motor home.
Once again the community of Teronda interceded. Terry Anne Dougherty of Teronda was involved in collecting clothing for hurricane victims through the Oak Harbor branch of The Salvation Army. Using Terry Anne's contacts, Gerry Sheedy offered the motor home. The offer was quickly accepted. The Salvation Army had an immediate need in Anacortes to resettle a New Orleans family made destitute by the hurricane. The Winnebago now provides a home for a mother and her two young children. Through faith, compassion and community action a family now has a new home and new beginnings.
Our thanks to everyone in the community who donated to the Hurricane relief effort! We were staggered by the amount of donations and were delighted to be able to ship more than 119 boxes (3700 pounds!) of much needed supplies to the St. James Ministries Center in Baton Rouge.
Special thanks go to Tina Windeler at Cotswold Industries for helping us to store and ship all those boxes!
The parish also donated more than $7,000 in financial aid to Episcopal Relief and Development for their efforts.
THANK YOU !
"Autumn Leaves" was the October theme at St. Augustine's Preschool. The children took a walk to gather fall leaves and made beautiful leaf pictures. They talked about families, shared pictures of their own families, practiced saying their address and phone number, and learned how and when to dial 911. They have been busy learning how to share and take turns, how to listen quietly at story time, and how to have nice table manners.
The end of the month was Halloween party time, with lots of ballerinas, bunny rabbits, dinosaurs, and Power Rangers at school. A pumpkin patch mysteriously appeared at the edge of our woods with enough pumpkins for all forty children. A good time was had by all as the costumed children had a parade, searched for just the right pumpkin, sang Halloween songs, and listened to Halloween stories.
Now we are looking forward to November, a time to think of all the many things we are thankful for. On November 21 and 22 the children will invite their parents to Thanksgiving parties at school. Our church friends are also invited.
Joan Johnson
On the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29) members of the Altar Guild gathered to share in our annual Corporate Communion. During the service the Directress presented those present to the Rector to reaffirm our ministry. Nigel then re-commissioned us all as members of the Altar guild of this Parish.
In the sermon we were reminded that our preparation for services is an intentional act of Stewardship , and that we have done our best work when the results of our labors in worship preparation are transparent so that the congregation sees only the ebb and flow of worship and may engage more fully therein. Inspiring words.
A festive time of fellowship with luncheon followed the service. Rachel Taber-Hamilton was our guest speaker, sharing with us the story of her Native American heritage including pictures of some of her forebears.
Rachel also spoke beautifully of some aspects of Native American traditional spirituality in which, as in all searches for the "Other" we find the familiar.
It was a fascinating presentation and a good day.
Liz Kershaw, Altar Guild Directress
DATE: Thursday, November 24th
PLACE: St. Augustine's Undercroft
TIME: 1:00 pm
RSVPs ONLY, Please.
Look for Sign-Up Sheets on Sundays at St. Augustine's
VOLUNTEERS needed for meal preparation, set-up and clean-up, serving & entertainment
Contact Laura Valents, (360) 730-1065
The Knitting Circle will no longer meet at Knitty Pearls in Freeland. Instead, participants will meet at Judy Yeakel's home the second Monday of the month at 7:30PM. Mark your calendars for November 14th and December 13th. Next year's schedule will be determined at a later date. Call Judy Yeakel's at 221-3592 for information or directions.
We have received a request from the Reverend Jo Beecher, Missioner-in-charge of La Iglesia Episcopal de la Resurrección in Mt. Vernon, to assist in providing new toys and new clothing for needy children in the Hispanic community of the Skagit Valley this Christmas Season.
Jo reminds us that "in addition to living out our baptismal commitment to seek and serve Christ in all persons, this ministry serves as an opportunity for evangelism, for inviting and welcoming new people to know Christ through the Episcopal Church."
During the past three years the people of St. Augustine's have been very generous and played a large role in this effort. I hope you will do so again this year. Please contact Cleveland Riley, Jr., if you are willing to "adopt" a child this Christmas Season. We expect to receive the "wish list" from Jo around November 10. Cleveland may be reached at (360) 331-6532 or by email.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jody Heiken and her family on the loss of her father, Irv Irwin, who passed away at Enso House on October 8th.
St. Augustine s longtime parishioner Betty Noyer passed away on October 11. A service was held on Sunday, October 23nd, at St. Augustine s followed by a reception for her many friends and family.
The ECW will meet on November 2nd at 11:00 am in the Undercroft. This will be the last business meeting and program of the year as our December meeting is the Advent Tea. The Agenda of the business meeting includes the committee's proposal for distribution of the profit from the Trash and Treasure Sale and the Nominating Committee's proposal for the 2006 slate of officers.
As to the Program: Debbie Metz, who is the Nutritional Director of the Senior Center, will talk with us about her responsibilities at the Center and about Nutrition for all Seniors, and for Juniors who aspire to be Seniors.
Please bring a sandwich to share. Soup and coffee will be served and we look forward to seeing you there.
The next Men's Breakfast will be held Saturday, November 1212 in the Undercroft. Our guest speaker will be Mike Shelton, County Commissioner for District 1. He will be giving his views on the "state of the county", i.e. what are some of the problems we are facing and what is being done to solve them. Mike is an engaging speaker and always provides a balanced, straightforward presentation. As always, every member of the congregation is invited and encouraged to attend.
As a gentle reminder, the Men's Breakfast begins at 8:30 AM. The speaker will take the podium from 9:00 to around 10:00 AM with ample time for questions and answers. We hope to see you all there!
Sincerely, Ted Brookes
Program Co-Chairman
In 2005 the Episcopal Charities Appeal (ECA) continued its excellent work by providing financial support for 33 ministries within the Diocese of Olympia. This support helps lighten the burden of caring for a broad spectrum of human need that these ministries carry. And they do it with the enviable record of distributing 94.8% of all contributed funds. This year 4 major categories were the recipients of this financial aid: Child/Youth/Young Adult/Family; Physical or Spiritual Health & Independence; Housing/ Homelessness Concerns; Basic Needs.
ECA accomplishes this by seeking donations from individuals and congregations. This past year 31 congregations donated to ECA but the bulk of the money comes from individual giving. ECA has a committee of 11 members from parishes all over the diocese. (Our own Diana Klein is one of the members.) Four meetings are held during the year. Each member reviews at least 3 ministry applications. After selection the funds are distributed in June. In November fund raising begins again. And that brings me to the purpose of this article. I hope that by learning a little about how ECA works (and has been working since 1988) and the tremendous good it does will be an incentive to you to continue your generous giving. By so doing you will be answering the ECA prayer: & .May the hungry, the sick, the lonely, the homeless, the troubled, and those in prison find fellowship, physical comfort, spiritual sustenance, peace and hope and may Your name be glorified, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. MSO Sunday is November 13, 2005.
Thank you, Pat Bass
Sunday, November 6th
The mission of the United Thank Offering is to expand the circle of thankful people. To achieve this mission, we encourage daily prayers, offerings and awareness of the abundance of God s blessings.
UTO offers the opportunity for everyone to develop a daily discipline of prayer and tangible thank to God and to spread the joy of sharing one s blessings. We encourage your participation.
Blue Boxes, book marks and informative brochures are available in the Narthex. Envelopes will be in the October 30th bulletin.
Heavenly Father, giver of all gifts
Take our hands and lead through the coming days
Teach us to share your gifts and blessings with others
Along life's way. Amen
Translated from the German Edition of the Upper Room.
Barbara Moss, UTO Coordinator.
By Nancy Paris
A newcomer to St. Augustine's and to the choir is Diane Lentz who moved to the Island in June from Redwood City, California.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Diane lived as a child in San Jose, California, and has spent her adult life in the mid-Peninsula, San Francisco Bay area.
For the past two years, Diane was employed as a program manager for Los Ayudantes, tutoring Spanish-speaking middle school children. Upon her retirement from Syntex/Roche, she was a senior information scientist, she says. She is currently looking for employment specifically in the non-profit arena.
Diane particularly enjoys music, singing, working with children and families, and knitting.
Her son, Jonathan Morgan, graduated from St. John s College in Santa Fe this past May. He plans to move to Seattle in May 2006 and is looking into graduate school at the University of Washington.
Diane says that her first experience in getting to know the Island was while working on a local Habitat for Humanity house in June 2002. She was one of 20 from St. Bede s Episcopal Church in Menlo Park at that time. She says: I kept telling everyone I wanted to live on Whidbey Island. So here I am, ready to experience the beauty and the slower pace of Whidbey Island!
from Nancy Paris
A gentle reminder to all of you who have been meaning to return those Getting to Know You forms but haven t gotten around to it: it only takes a few minutes to complete and you already know all the answers! So hurry them back before the end of the year as the enclosed SASE won t be valid after postage goes up in January 2006! Thank you!
“The Family on Beartown Road” by Elizabeth Cohen
They are called the sandwich generation , caring for children and aging parents. Elizabeth Cohen cares for a small child and a father with Altzheimer’s as a single parent. It is a very moving memoir and will hit home with many readers. However, you question her decision to live away from her sister in a very isolated area without caregiving resources. Also, she works for a newspaper but never seems to have friends who might trade child watching or have people in her office with whom she has something in common. Despite her self-imposed isolation, it is a very touching story.
Isabel Neddow
Hachiko Waits, by Lesléa Newman
"What a good dog you are! What a fine dog you are! You are the best dog in all of Japan!" The professor gives this praise to his Akita puppy every morning as he leaves on the train for his job in the city. And every afternoon, Hachiko waits faithfully at the train station for his owner's return. One day the professor isn't on the train. But still, Hachiko waits. For years, Hachiko waits, with food and water and care provided by all who pass by, including a young boy who tries for ten years to get Hachiko to leave the station. Inspired by a true story, Hachiko Waits is a story of loyalty and devotion, memorable for both adults and children. Japanese students learn about Hachiko in school, and a celebration is held each year at the train station which became his home. The year before Hachiko died, a statue in his likeness was dedicated. After that statue was melted down for metal to be used in World War II, the original sculptor's son created a new statue, which has become a popular place for young couples to pledge love and faithfulness.
Although Hachiko Waits is a story of Japan, with distinctively Japanese illustrations to bring the story alive, this lovely little book will bring both tears and smiles whatever your culture.
Nancy Ruff
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Marcia Siring |
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Gail Roach |
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| Mickey McGuire |
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Doris Hunter |
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Mitzi MacLean |
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Ted Brookes |
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Bill Carruthers |
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Chris Lubinski |
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Emily Seaman |
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Gretchen Wood |
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Nancy Ruff |
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Dorothy Sofge |
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Bruce Campbell |
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Helen and Tom Clendenin |
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Shirley and Bill Bauder |
If your birthday or anniversary has been left out it might be because the parish office does not have this information. Please call Rachel to check.
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