In This Issue:
As we move further into 2006 it's clear that this is going to be a fascinating year! We are sharing in a common parish sabbatical together in the fall, where Rachel and I will spend two months traveling to biblical sites in the Holy Land, Greece, Turkey, and Italy while you will make a virtual journey with us via e-mail blogs, pictures, and parallel programs here at St. Augustine's led by Fr. Fletcher Davis. There will also be retreats, and work with experts in Church growth. This is a significant opportunity for us to reconnect with the roots of our faith and use the positive energy from such an endeavor to propel us into the future. A Sabbatical Committee already exists, made up of the wardens for last and this year. We will be adding members from at least the Christian Formation Committees.
We have completed a significant part of a Long Range Plan ( “LRP” ). Through formal meetings, surveys, and on-going conversations you have provided the Long Range Planning Committee ( “LRPC” ) with a great deal of valuable information: insights into our parish identity, areas of concern and celebration, things to do and things not to do in sum, what we value, what we hold in common, what we want to preserve and develop. The LRPC took all this information and developed some goals based on your input.
All of this has to do with our common life - programming, worship, fellowship. The final part of the puzzle has to do with the facilities that will be necessary to implement the programmatic parts of the plan: what facilities do we need to accomplish the goals that we have now set for ourselves? The LRPC will begin working with professionals to develop some options regarding facilities. But the LRPC does not believe it should go further here. Rather it can provide suggestions based on our direction, but it will be for a Building and Land Committee to pick up the responsibility for the next stage.
And it is also the responsibility of all of us at St. Augustine's to stay involved in this process. We must all remain connected to and involved in any facilities planning. Ultimately we all need to commit to the solution or it will not work. So you should expect further meetings, forums, surveys, presentations, as we move toward the concrete implementation of our planning.
May this year hold much excitement, and opportunities to learn and grow, for you all.
God s blessings to you all,
Nigel
The Long Range Plan was approved.
The LRPC will now look at facilities needed to carry out the Long Range Plan.
Fr. Nigel and Cleveland Riley are putting together a January workshop for those wishing to be lectors,
lay readers and acolytes.
The Planned Giving Committee and Endowment Committee met recently with Dale Simison, West Coast Representative for Planned Giving for the Episcopal Church Foundation. Information will be coming out later.
We received the $45,000 check from The Lilly Endowment, which will go into a special account.
Detailed Minutes are posted in the undercroft.
(1st half of meeting - 2nd half to be January 29)
Elections were held and the following elected:
For the three open three-year terms on the Vestry,
Male position: Steve Connelly; Female position: Sue Idso; Female position: Susan Sandri
For one two-year term as representative to Diocesan Convention: Male delegate: Dick Hall (Fulfilling an un-expired term)
For two three-year terms as representative to Diocesan Convention: Male Alternate: Tom Williams, Female Alternate: Isabel Neddow (Alternates become Delegates after one year.).
Reconfirmation of Jack Wood for the last year of the three year term as Male Diocesan Convention Delegate.
Lynda Anderson, Senior Warden, discussed the Goals that were set in January 2005.
The Long Range Plan was completed except for the
Facilities portion which will now address the needs
established by the Goals.
The Mission Charter has not been completed.
The Building and Lands Committee needs to be re-activated.
Congregational Development is working on involving more people in our parish life.
Internal and External Communication has improved with the Website and expanding the Light. We
need to work on communicating with those who don't have computers.
This year we confirmed three young people and three adults.
We had Lenten and Advent studies, Women's Bible Study and Sunday Forums.
The computer and financial systems were revamped.
The Lilly Foundation $45,000 was received, of which $15,000 is for congregational development.
The new editor for the Light will be Trevor Arnold.
Detailed Minutes are posted in the undercroft.
The meeting began at 9:20 with Fr. Nigel Taber-Hamilton making introductory remarks. He then introduced Lynda Anderson, the outgoing Senior Warden. Lynda introduced the Vestry and suggested that we consider having Wardens serve a two
year term instead of just one year. It takes a while to learn the job and to be effective. She thanked everyone for their support during her term as Senior Warden.
Lynda then discussed the Goals which were set in January 2005. Besides the discussion on this day, Feedback forms would be handed out which are due back next weekend. This gives the congregation a chance to have more input into evaluating how we did on our goals and to make suggestions to the Vestry.
The first goal was to complete the Long Range Plan. An excellent summary of our comprehensive
needs and goals has been produced. The facilities portion will now be worked on, to support our
needs and goals.
2) The Mission Charter has not been completed.
3) We need to reactivate the Building and Lands Committee which was waiting for the facilities requirements from the Long Range Planning Committee. Fortunately no adjacent land came on the market during the year. Andy Pringle stated that the Vestry should make a priority of going after the
Davis property. In order to do this, we need to reactivate the Building and Lands Committee. Ted
Brookes explained that we need the LRPC and the Vestry to make that recommendation. This will be
discussed at the Vestry Retreat.
4) Congregational Development was a goal to involve more people in our parish life. Vestry members serve as liaisons to the various committees and report back to the Vestry. Coming under
Congregational Development is Fr. Nigel's Sabbatical and a committee is being formed to help structure congegational involvement.
5) To enhance internal and external communication is an important goal that we continue to work on.
The Website is up and running and updated as needed. The 525 Highway sign is being used on
Sundays. We have expanded the Light and are looking at greater use of the internet and E-mail.
Claree Vandegrift reminded us that we need a way to communicate with people who do not have e-mail.
They should receive the same information and sometimes the Telephone Tree is not effective.
This year we confirmed three young people and three adults. We had Lenten and Advent study series, Women's Bible Study and Sunday Forums.
We also did something not in the goals but very needed. We revamped the computer and financial systems. Quarterly statements have not been sent regularly but will be in the future.
Andy Pringle requested the monthly financial reports be posted on the kiosk.
Regarding Fr. Nigel's Sabbatical, we received $45,000 from the Lilly Foundation, of which $15,000 is designated for congregational development. Fr. Nigel explained that the $15,000 for congregational use is the maximum allowed and the committee will be working on how to make best use of the funds.
Since the Marie and Paul Miller will be spending winters in Arizona, the new Editor for the Light will be Trevor Arnold.
Fr. Nigel explained that when Toronto had an outbreak of the Bird Flu, all church services were cancelled. If that should happen here, we should be ready to have Virtual Services via the computer.
Quarterly Financial Reports were promised but we have not been able to do them because of the switchover of financial systems. The change has been much more complicated and time consuming than expected.
The Parish Survey was handed out, to be returned by next Sunday.
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m. The 2nd half of the Annual Meeting will be on January 29 at 9:15 a.m.
Diana Klein, Vestry Clerk
Elaine Ludtke retires (again!)
On December 31, 2005 Elaine retired (again) as our Parish Co-Administrator. We have been truly blessed to have two very talented people - Elaine and Rachel McDougald - sharing this very important ministry. Elaine's vast knowledge of St. Augustine's, her administrative and organizational skills, and her generosity of her time and heart are all things we're going to miss!
Fortunately Elaine is not moving! She continues to sing in the choir and to share in so many ways in the common life of our parish.
Thank you, Elaine, for all that you have done.
Communications Committee
A big thank you to both Jody Heiken and Carol Ryan for accepting positions as co-chairs of the Communication Committee. Thank you for committing to this important work. Thanks are also due to Bill Carruthers who acted as a facilitator for their decisions.
Thank You
Thank you to all the people that made and bought Christmas gifts to be given to the members of the Mary's Place family. Two large boxes of gifts were given from our parishioners. They appreciate our support.
~Joan Focht and Gretchen Wood
A special "Thank You" to all who participated in the Adopt a Child Program for the children associated with La Iglesia Episcopal de la Resurreccion in Mount Vernon. It is through your generosity, and the generosity of many others, that this program served as outreach to more than 650 needy children at Christmastide in 2005. As usual, the response from parishioners has been heart-warming. This is our third year of giving witness in this very special way. My sincere thanks and blessings to all who contributed to this important effort.
~Cleveland Riley, Jr., Coordinator
The Light has a new editor
This issue of the Light marks a transition. We welcome Trevor Arnold as editor, while we say ‘goodbye’ (but only from the editor's position) to Marie Miller. As editor Marie has shepherded our parish magazine through some significant changes in the last year, including changes in presentation, size, and content.
We have been blessed to have someone with Marie's talent and focus as editor; her clear vision for layout, content, and responsibility have really professionalized our production processes. Her most recent administrative recommendations have streamlined preparation, and her conviction that deadlines are ‘hard’ (this written by one who has trouble with the Light deadlines!) have helped us to produce a quality parish newsletter in a timely and efficient manner.
Thank you so much, Marie, for the dedication and the time you have spent on this very important communications ministry.
~ Nigel
In correction to a piece published in the December's Light, please note that Mary's Place is not connected with Sts. Martha and Mary Chapel in Pike Place.
Mary's Place is a weekday program for homeless and formerly homeless women and children, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mary's Place is meant to be a welcoming and an environment where women and children can build community, enrich their days, and resources to improve their lives. It is a Christian congregation for women only. The Reverend Pat Simpson, who was associated with the Methodist Church in Langley, is in charge of this congregation in Seattle. We have been lending support to this congregation since Pat became their Pastor.
ECW will meet on February 1st at 11:00. We are fortunate to have Marie Lincoln, owner of the Chocolate Flower Farm on Saratoga Rd in Langley as our speaker.
Marie will share the story of how the farm came to be. The Chocolate Flower Farm has received international interest and even Martha Stewart was a recent visitor.
On Friday, March 3rd, there will be a half day Parish Retreat in the Church. The format will include corporate prayers with several short presentations on Lenten themes interspersed with times of silence.
All are welcome!! Watch for specific details in the announcement sheet in the forthcoming Sunday Bulletins.
The Men's Breakfast for February will be Saturday February the 11th in the Undercroft. Our guest speaker will be Margie Porter, Executive Director of Citizens Against Domestic Abuse (CADA). CADA is one of our Mission Sunday Offering (MSO) outreach programs. I have asked Margie to brief us on recent developments at and the various programs offered by CADA, including a new South Whidbey Coordinator. This agency provides an extremely important service to the entire Whidbey Island community. Please show Margie our continuing support and appreciation by coming to hear her speak. See you all there!
Another gentle reminder, the Men's Breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. and the Guest Speaker takes the podium from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.
Sincerely, Ted Brookes, Program Co-Chairman
Come to the Valentine s Day Parish Potluck on Tuesday, February 14th in the Undercroft at 6:00 p.m. Bring your favorite dish. Sign ups at both services. If you need a ride call the office.
A gentle reminder of the forthcoming RACK clothing sale of the Episcopal Church Women to be held on Saturday, February 25, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (note the earlier closing time).
We need good, clean clothing (men's women's and children's) and clean large grocery sacks for the $5.00 BAG SALE, so start saving them to be brought in at a later date.
This will be the ninth annual sale sponsored by ECW to benefit local charities.
Thanks to all!
~ Pandora Halstead
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
We thank you cordially for your generous support of the Children's Hospice in St. Petersburg!
Our Hospice is the only institution in St. Petersburg, which renders assistance for dying children. The Russian public health services are not able to ensure the proper care for these children. The medically fragile people, the children with health threatening conditions or terminal disease such like cancer, muscular dystrophy, asthma or consequences of traumas and injuries are often left without basic help and basic supplies such as diapers. These are not just isolated or rare cases. Many hundreds of children and teenagers face this problem every day.
Our Hospice is not large enough to support all kids in need. But we do our best, and we are trying to expand our services for more and more children. At the moment we care of about 100 children and teenagers.
Unfortunately we don't receive any financial support from the Russian government bodies, and we can finance our work only with donations.
We are lucky that the financing of our hospice is truly an ecumenical effort with funds coming from Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic sources. A significant part of contributions comes from individuals, from the people of good will and kind heart.
Nevertheless the fund-raising is a hard task. There have been at least one occasion when salaries to doctors and nurses were delayed due to lack of funds.
This is why every contribution is very important for us, and we thank you very much on behalf of young people whose life is unfortunately limited that you help them to embrace life and that you help bring relief to them.
With love in Christ, Father Alexander
It has been approximately four years since a delegation from St. Augustine's has made a visit to our Sister Church, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pavlosk, Russia.
Although Carole Hansen has made a number of trips in recent years both to Pavlosk as well as the Hospice in St. Petersburg, Fr. Valery, priest at St. Nicholas Cathedral, has said that while he is always happy to see Carole, he and his congregation would very much like to meet new members from our own congregation.
On 8 December 2005 Carole Hansen, myself, Fr. Bill Burnett, Anne and Andy Pringle, Jo Davies and others met to begin planning for a trip to Russia in October 2006. In the coming months look for articles in the Light relative to our Sister Church relationship, travel dates, costs, visa requirements, and program while in Russia.
A Russian dinner is being planned at St. Augustine's, tentatively for sometime in April, for those interested in being part of the delegation. At that time questions may be asked.
This trip is a wonderful opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of our Sister Church members, their music and profound spirituality, as well as their ancient art and culture.
Put the first weeks of October 2006 on your calendar!
Beverly Babson
The LRPC has crafted a set of Facilities Development Considerations to serve as a charter for the methodology and guiding principles we plan to apply to our deliberations relative to facilities planning. We will use this document as a critical barometer throughout our planning process to determine the validity and efficacy of our decision making as it applies to various planning alternatives. The Ground Truths iterated below were distilled from survey inputs, past plans, and parishioner conversations. They represent "What we heard you say." Thus, we all share in their ownership.
THE PROCESS
1. What do we need to make our facilities meet our goals and objectives?
2. How do we physically meet those needs?
3. How do we make the transition from interim stages to project completion?
4. What is the feasibility of the various options open to us (can we do it on our present site; can we afford it)?
5. Do we build, remodel, and/or reconfigure?
CURRENT GROUND TRUTHS
1. There are major general maintenance and repair issues with our facilities requiring expenditures beyond our current operating budget.
2. General maintenance and repair issues must be addressed and completed as a precursor to or in consonance with any facilities development projects.
3. Our facilities are inadequate and inefficient for our current fellowship, educational and worship-related activities.
4. The building, remodeling and/or reconfiguration of one facility will not satisfy all our facilities requirements.
5. Our administrative space is inefficient, which leads to inadequacies in conducting daily parish business.
FUTURE GROUND TRUTHS
1. The facilities plan must allow for worship, educational and fellowship activities to be easily accessible to all parishioners.
2. Facilities will be configured for multi-use, without affecting the primary intended use.
3. New construction and/or remodeling should be compatible with the esthetic style of existing structures and preserve the environment in which the existing structures are located.
4. New construction or remodeling and/or reconfiguration of one facility or area will affect another facility or area.
5. The facilities should provide adequate space for weekday preschool, Sunday School and Adult Education.
6. The Narthex should provide adequate space for gathering.
7. The Parish Office should provide adequate space for administrative and pastoral activities.
8. Consideration should be given to reconfiguring and/or expanding the Nave.
Sincerely, Ted Brookes ~ LRPC Chairman
The Mission Sunday Offering for February will benefit Hearts and Hammers, a program designed to repair and rehabilitate homes of people physically or financially unable to do it alone - on South Whidbey.
Starting in 1994, it has grown to the point where 30 or more families are helped each year. Four to five hundred volunteers are divided into teams headed by an experienced leader with amazing results.
There is no paid staff but the cost of materials amounts to about $30,000. This is a tremendous community effort and merits our generous support. The endowment fund will match donations up to $500.
If you would like to volunteer, it's a one Saturday morning blitz of effort and fellowship in May. Call 221-6063.
Eight month old Eleanor was baptized at St. Augustine's in 2005 in the company of her proud parents, Jason Lehman and Roger Leishman and their families.
Jason is a stay-at-home dad with Eleanor. He enjoys writing music, photography and playing guitar. He was born in Seward, Nebraska, later living in several other mid-west states as well as Arizona and Colorado before moving to Seattle, his home until moving to Whidbey Island three years ago.
Roger was born in Denver and raised in Vancouver, BC. Subsequently, he lived in Chicago, Utah and Connecticut. He is an attorney employed with a Seattle law firm. He is a member of the Seattle Men's Chorus and of the Board of ACLU Washington. He says he was raised a Mormon but became an Episcopalian at Yale. He particularly enjoys sailing and theatre.
Jason and Roger enjoy Whidbey Island and St. Augustine's for their warmth and acceptance and they look forward to raising little Eleanor in this community. Currently, they are looking for babysitting and playgroup referrals.
"A room without a book is like a body without a soul."
- Cicero
For Christmas I was given the 1559 Book of Common Prayer (BCP), available from that antiquarian bookseller Amazon.com. At the same time I was reading "The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional Religion in England 1400-1580" by Eamon Duffy (SNO-ISLE Library System). One of the reasons for a BCP was the turmoil in the English church from the reign of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I. Radical change is never to everyone's liking and most people wanted to retain their ceremony, feast days and candles. It took at least a generation and a common prayer book to make more palatable the stripping of the altars.
You may want to check out: C. S. Lewis in our library; "Houses of Worship" column in each Friday's Wall Street Journal; "The Reformation" by Diarmaid MacCulloch (SNO-ISLE Library System); and last on the rolling cart is Marcus Borg's "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time". A rather dog-eared copy is in the library, but this is such a readable book that Claree Vandegrift has provided a new copy (220 BOR).
Nancy Ruff found the following in Episcopal Life. A large print version of the BCP is available on CD and it only costs postage. Formatted in Microsoft Word, 18 pt type but designed to fit on 8 ˝ x 11 page. Send a self-addressed stamped 6 x 9 envelope with 3 first class stamps for regular or 4 for padded envelopes to Ann Dahlen, 1900 6th Ave., Apt.#513, Rock Island, IL 61201. An internet address is anndahlen3@aol.com or largeprinthelp@aol.com.
| Birthdays |
7 |
|
Rob Scott |
| 10 |
|
Barbara Moss |
| 12 |
| Clarence Noyer |
| 18 |
|
Mary Lidral |
| 22 |
|
Lance Lidral |
| 22 |
|
Bud Spengler |
| Anniversary |
| 18 |
|
Marv and Sue Idso |
| Saints' and Holy Days |
| 1 |
|
St. Brigid, Abbess |
| 2 |
|
The Presentation of Our Lord |
| 3 |
|
Anskar of Scandinavia, Bishop and Missionary |
| 4 |
|
Cornelius the Centurian |
| 13 |
|
Absalom Jones, Priest |
| 14 |
|
Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries |
| 15 |
|
Thomas Bray, Priest and Missionary |
| 17 |
|
Janani Luwum, Bishop and Martyr |
| 18 |
|
Martin Luther, Theologian |
| 23 |
|
Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr |
| 24 |
|
St. Matthias, Apostle |
| 27 |
|
George Herbert, Priest |
|
