In This Issue:
Dear Friends,
As most of you know I have just returned from General Convention in Columbus, Ohio where I was a part of our diocesan deputation. Thank you for allowing me to honor part of my ordination vows to “share in the councils of the Church” by supporting my presence there.
 It was, for me, a profound – even a life-changing-experience. To be present and to participate in the election of Katharine Jefferts Schori as our next Presiding Bishop was not only a moving personal experience but was also to participate in history in the making.
It is important to understand that Bishop Schori’s election cannot be characterized as being about the familiar liberal-conservative axis, since both Schori , and Bishop Parsley – her main rival for PB – are moderates.
 Rather, Bishop Parsley could be reasonably said to represent the Status Quo – the traditional, occasionally stuffy, somewhat ponderous Episcopalianism that offers a fond and safe familiarity for many of us. Had he been elected it would have been “business as usual” – and “business as usual” would not serve our church well over the next nine years, since we are faced with a systemic decline by as much as 30% over that time.
Bishop Schori, on the other hand, represents what is known as the “emerging Church” – an increasingly large part of our Church that seeks new ways to respond to the gospel imperatives to love one another, to serve the poor, and to struggle for justice for all. She also brings the incisive, analytical mind of a scientist (her Ph.D. is in Oceanography), remarkable listening and leadership skills, and a decisive and forthright demeanor.
She is also an example of what some refer as “West Coast Episcopalianism” – and even her strongest East Coast supporters will be surprised by the way that she functions.
 Perhaps the most significant of the many other actions of General Convention was the decision of our Church – through resolutions and budget priorities – to place issues of justice at the heart of our Church’s mission. This included making a firm commitment to the millennium development goals, which seek to end global poverty by 2015, and of calling for an increase in the minimum wage.
Our Church also responded in some measure to the contents of the Anglican Communion’s Windsor Report. Much has already been said and written about these various responses. It is important to remember that the Windsor Report is just that – a report. It contains some requests. It has no legal standing. Our Church’s responses will continue.
 Mixed in with all the official work – which frequently began at 7:30 a.m. and ran until 10:00 p.m. – was the opportunity to spend time in fellowship with other Episcopalians from all over our Church. It was a reminder to me of how diverse and inclusive a church we already are.
 I am confident in the future of our Church. In Columbus I was proud to be an Episcopalian. We dealt with the important matters before us with careful and thoughtful attention.
All of this made for a remarkable 12 days.!
Many blessings to you all.
 Nigel
By Diane Klein, Vestry Clerk
Andy Pringle and Bill Carruthers are working with Edwards and Associates and have completed the books for 2005 and are now working on 2006. A printed report will be issued in July and monthly thereafter.
Several motions were passed regarding our financial processes. See posted Minutes for details.
The Communications Committee has been active and Laura Valente will be our Public Information Manager.
ECW still needs someone to coordinate the sale of Bishop’s Blend Coffee.
The Sabbatical Planning Committee is working on forums and other events for the congregation to learn along with Fr. Nigel, while he is on sabbatical.
Clarence Noyer will be a new member of the vestry and will serve until the next annual meeting.
Cleveland Riley, our choir director/organist, has resigned and we are negotiating with Nancy Gosen to be here until the end of December when we hope to have a new person in place.
No June meeting will be held due to lack of a quorum.
The next meeting will be Thursday, July 20 at 6:30pm.
The complete Minutes are posted in the undercroft.
By Isabel Neddow
“Churches with under 150 members are often organized around the personality of the pastor, while churches of over 200 members organize around their programs.” And, says Kevin Martin in “The Myth of the 200 Barrier” (250 MAR) the transition from small to large church is not easy. There is resistance when everyone doesn’t know everyone else; and the church of 150 souls does not double to 300 without major changes.
“Spiritual Leadership in the Small Membership Church” by David Canada talks of ministering to flocks from tiny to small. Canada, a Methodist pastor, speaks about his own spiritual journey and that of the small church, the roadblocks, and finally acceptance of things that can be changed and of those that can’t. Both books are relevant to a small church on the cusp of transition.
“Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ” is a step along the path of agreement between Anglicans and Roman Catholics. This small book, donated by Claree Vandegrift, shows a deep understanding of Christian devotion to Mary as agreed to by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC).
If you had a chance a few months ago to see Kurt Hoelting’s “Deep Presence” you know what an awesome experience it was. We have the DVD of “Meditations on a Wild Coast” for you to borrow, and urge you to watch and listen on the best TV and sound system you can find.
Our library has been the recipient of several books covering a variety of topics - religion, mystery, ????, from Janis Wright’s personal library. She was an avid reader and we are grateful to her for wanting to share her collection with us. Do look through the shelves for some delightful reading.
Janis also donated her car which you may have noticed parked near the preschool. The family is working on legally transferring ownership to the church. Several of you have asked what is to become of it, however the vestry hasn’t had a scheduled meeting since Janis passed away and so has not yet made that decision. If you have any suggestions please let us know.
By Anne Pringle
In our Book of Common Prayer (that’s the red book in the pews) you will find, in addition to a wealth of other materials important to the faith life of Episcopalians, the Offices of Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayers, Evening Prayer and Compline. (Take a look.)
What are these, and why might they be an enhancement to your worship life? After all, the main service is the Celebration of Holy Eucharist, in the forms familiar at eight o’clock and ten o’clock on Sundays. Why come to church during the week?
In many Episcopal churches, there are liturgies every day of the week, often Holy Eucharist, but more frequently Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, and occasionally Noonday Prayers and
Compline.
The reciting of prayers and hearing readings from Scripture at certain times of the day began in the Benedictine monasteries in the 6th century. The Monastic Hours were determined by St. Benedict and laid down in the Rule for his monks. There are eight ‘Hours’, still observed in Religious Communities. These times of prayer, during which all other activities stop, occur throughout the day, beginning at two AM with the first ‘hour’, Matins. This is followed by Lauds (sunrise), Prime (2 hours after Lauds), Terce (mid-morning), Sext (noon), None (mid-afternoon), Vespers (sunset), and Compline (late evening).
The Book of Common Prayer, first appearing in 1549, included a form of the ‘Hours’, called Daily Offices, and today our BCP includes four Daily Offices. These short Offices are Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer (called Vespers if there is to be Compline later in the same day), and Compline.
The Offices follow a general pattern, with Scripture readings, a psalm, various canticles, the Apostles’ Creed (except at Noonday Prayer and Compline), prayers, the Lord’s Prayer, the Collects (short prayers that change each day), Intercessions, Thanksgivings and concluding prayers. Sometimes the General Confession is used at Morning and Evening Prayer (during Lent, especially).
Many Episcopal churches observe one or more of these offices every day, and others observe one or more each week. Daily offices enhance our worship life, and are meditative, reflective periods between our celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. Observance of the offices is a way to connect with God at various times each day, and encourages us to slow down to appreciate the blessings we have from God. Morning Prayer sends us out for the day’s work, and Evening Prayer is the peaceful, quiet finish to a busy day. Compline, when offered, is the late evening service that closes our day, preparing us for retiring for the night.
Here at St. Augustine’s one may experience Evening Prayer (Evensong because it is sung) on Mondays at 5:30 PM.
Morning Prayer is offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:30 AM.
Holy Eucharist with Healing Service is celebrated on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.
We hope you will ‘try out’ these special opportunities for worship during the week. They will enrich your life of faith, and hopefully will become an important part of your prayer life. They are peaceful, meditative services that refresh the spirit.
By Judy Yeakel
As followers of Jesus Christ, the members of St. Augustine Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) work and strive for justice and peace among all people. Many of you have no doubt seen the EPF display in the undercroft. The information contained in this display is meant to let people know what we are doing, what we believe, and what we hope for. Unfortunately, several times over the last year and a half, items made available about EPF have been removed and parts of the display defaced to the point that they need to be redone.
EPF offers to whoever has defaced this display the opportunity to talk with anyone who is a member of EPF and voice your concerns. We may not agree with you but we do respect your right to feel differently. We do not condone the action taken to express your disagreement.
St. Augustine Episcopal Peace Fellowship seeks reconciliation; but reconciliation should start with dialogue, and honest exchange of beliefs. This is the first step to true peace.
By Dick Hall
On the evening of June 10, St. Augustine's hosted a gathering to benefit the interfaith Religious Coalition for Equality. The original focal point of the meeting was to organize to counteract an effort to repeal Washington State's landmark anti-discrimination legislation protecting sexual minorities. The referendum designed to repeal this legislation failed to get the required signatures, so the gathering of approximately 40 people became one of celebration. Desserts and beverages were served and live folk music provided background to the social interaction. A video created by the Religious Coalition for Equality was shown to the gathering.
The event was organized by Rev. David Vergin of Langley United Methodist and Rev. Kit Ketcham of the Unitarian Universal congregation of Freeland. Dick Hall was the St. Augustine contact. St. Augustine's with its reputation for inclusion was the logical site for the event. At least ten parishioners from St. Augustine's attended the event.
The Religious Coalition for Equality is a statewide interfaith organization whose purpose is to provide a progressive interfaith voice in Washington State around the issues of marriage equality and equal rights for sexual minorities. The Religious Coalition for Equality offers an alternative vision and voice to that presented by religious fundamentalists.
By the Planned Giving Committee
ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE'S LEGACY TEAM (SALT])! From 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 24, members of the Bishop's Society from parishes in the Sno-Isle Regional Ministry will be invited to a special program at Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett. St. Augustine's will co-host this program.
The program will start with a festive Evensong, being organized by Cleveland Riley and David Spring, organist and choirmaster at Trinity, with Brother David and Brother Richard from the Ecumenical Fellowship of Saint John serving as co-officiates.
A massed choir is being organized from the parishes in the Sno-Isle Regional Ministry. (Singers interested in being part of the choir should contact David Spring at 425-252-4129 or Cleveland Riley at 360-331-6532.)
Bishop Vincent Warner will be on hand during the Festival Evensong and the reception to follow. This may be a final opportunity to meet with Bishop Warner before his retirement.
Members of SALT and the Bishop's Society have made bequests to their parishes or other Episcopal charities in their wills or other estate planning documents. If you have made such a bequest, or intend to make such a bequest soon, and you have not notified the St. Augustine's Planned Giving Committee, please contact Judy Yeakel, John Watson, Jay Ryan or Ray Haman.
By Rachel McDougald
For several days in June St. Augustine’s hosted a youth group from St. Albans in Salisbury, MD. J2A, Journey to Adulthood, is a two year curriculum for students age 14-16. The J2A curriculum explores spirituality, self, sexuality, and society, and how these four "S's" affect and guide them as they move towards confirming their faith in the Episcopal Church. The culmination of this two year program is a pilgrimage.
The goals for the pilgrimage were simple: to challenge themselves in an environment with which they were unfamiliar and to learn about other churches to see similarities and differences in worship and parish life. They hoped to bring back some new ideas to apply to St. Alban's to make it a better place in their quest to understand, explore and affirm their own spirituality.
Being “unfamiliar” with the environment meant that they did almost no research on our area and that they were reliant on others (me as it turned out) to guide them and help them on their quest. They visited Deception Pass, Ft. Ebey, Double Bluff, St. Mark’s, Pike Place Market, Martha and Mary’s Chapel, Good Cheer, Helping Hand and Senior Thrift. They attended Morning Prayer and Evensong, prepared all their meals in the kitchen and slept on the floor and participated in the party for Cleveland.
On their last day I asked what they would remember most and their first answer was “the people”. They told me how welcoming the people here are, how interesting the people are and how they were surprised that we were interested in them. And of course their second answer was the natural beauty all around us, they loved the trees and mountains and views and spoke of seeing God’s work .
Several people have spoken to me about these teens, and we all had the same reaction - it was wonderful to have them, and delightful it was to hear them speak with such enthusiasm about those things we take for granted. Through them we were reminded of our blessings.
By Father Nigel Taber-Hamilton
The wardens and I have established the following action plan to find a new organist and choir director for our parish.
- An interim Organist and Choir director will be hired through the end of 2006. Nancy Gosen - who filled this role last year when Cleveland was on sabbatical - has agreed to return. The Budget and Finance Committee is to develop a package for her and also consider how we want to approach reimbursement for our new music minister.
- We have created a Personnel Committee consisting of our Wardens and one other parishioner. This committee will work with Nancy and the B&F in this process.
- We will constitute a Search Committee to develop a profile and seek a new Organist & Choir Director. The Committee will establish a process with a view to having someone in place for Sunday, January 7, 2007 - The Sunday of the Epiphany.
Your interest and engagement in this process are vital to the future ministry of our parish.
Thank you for your support as we seek to build on the solid foundation provided for us by Cleveland Riley Jr.
With many blessings to you.
Nigel
Dear Friends in Christ:
I am deeply touched by the large number who turned out for my farewell dinner this past Tuesday. I am also deeply touched by the evidence of your goodwill towards me. The personal notes, the telephone calls and the large purse as a token of your affection is very humbling indeed. For this and for your grace I shall ever be indebted to you.
Humbly, in the Name of Christ,
Cleveland
Offering and Prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola whose feast day is July 31.
Take, O Lord, and receive
my entire liberty,
my memory,
my understanding
and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess You have given me:
I surrender it all to You
to be disposed of according to Your will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace;
with these I will be rich enough,
and will desire nothing more.
If you are traveling this summer you might want to check out:
Mapmuse.com
This site can lead you to the nearest Episcopal Church.
The next few months are a slow time around the parish. Everyone is enjoying the weather and no major Holy Days or events need planning.
Nigel will be gone on vacation in July and beginning his Sabbatical in August. Rachel McDougald will be taking time off in July as well, leaving Elaine Ludtke to fill in.
The office will be closed both July 3rd and 4th as well as the 21st and 24th—please plan accordingly!
Our Mission Sunday Offering for July is Episcopal Relief and Development. The following is from their website:
Who We Are
Episcopal Relief and Development responds to human suffering around the world. We provide emergency assistance after disasters, rebuild communities, and help children and families climb out of poverty.
What We Do
We save lives after an emergency: Disasters - whether man-made or natural - happen all the time. When they strike, we help people by supplying food, water, and medicine immediately. We prevent vulnerable people from further suffering, especially women, children, and the elderly.
We help communities rebuild when the crisis is over: Hurricanes, earthquakes, and other catastrophes leave people with nothing. We work hand-in-hand with local communities to build new homes, plant crops, create clean water systems, construct clinics and schools, and offer critical post trauma counseling.
We create opportunities for people living in poverty: In many places in the world, people can't feed their families or give them basic health care. Through our food security and primary health care program, we provide farming and business training, health care services, and HIV/AIDS programs in communities where families are struggling to survive. We give people the tools to earn an income and create opportunities for their children.
Please give generously to this important ministry.
By Nancy Langler
Gary and Jan Johnson are both Seattle natives and lived in the Sand Point and Broadview areas of the city before building their present home 10 years ago in the Useless Bay Country Club community.
After Gary’s naval career, he became a wall covering representative to architects, interior designers and dealers and served on the Architectural Board.
Jan was employed in the medical, dental and legal fields and at the time of her retirement worked at the University of Washington Medical Center.
The couple are avid Husky football fans. They both enjoy sailing, travel, the theatre, gourmet cooking and fine wines. They spend time each year in Hawaii and California.
The couple’s romantic wedding took place on Valentine’s Day , 1978 at Trinity By The Sea on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The church, built in 1852 on coral blocks, is open-air architecture with no roof. The priest brought flowers from his mountain home nearby.
The Johnsons have six children in a blended family and seven grandchildren.
By Nancy Langler
Andy and Anne Pringle have lived on South Whidbey since 1982. During Andy’s 35 years with the Air Force, most of which was spent east if the Mississippi, they had planned to retire on the coast of Maine. However, when the time came, they decided it would be wise to return to the west coast to be closer to his mother.
At one time, when they were stationed on the island of Guam, some close friends had raved about a wonderful island off the Washington coast. Of course that was Whidbey. Andy was born in Seattle and had fond memories of the area and as a child was enthralled with the ferries. Whidbey soon became their home.
The first Sunday in their new home on E. Harbor Drive, they were awakened by church bells. They drove to the other side of Holmes Harbor to find the source and there was St. Augustine’s. Elaine Ludtke was the greeter that first Sunday. She asked if they were singers and immediately whisked them up to the choir loft before they had even seen the nave. Singing in the choir was their first gift of talent and time. Many more were to follow.
Andy, now church Treasurer for the second time, has served as Senior Warden, Trustee of the Endowment Fund, Chairman of the Men’s Breakfast, Stewardship Chairman and at the diocesan level he has served on the Diocesan Council and co-chairman of the Diocesan Capital Campaign.
Anne, whom they both describe as “a compulsive doer”, is active in both the church and the community. She was Junior Warden 3 years and was Vestry Clerk for 7 years. She has been co-chairman of the Trash and Treasure sale and is part of the Schola Cantorum who provide a sung evensong at St. Augustine’s every Monday evening. She is a past member of the Diocesan Liturgy and Music commission and was President of the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation for several years.
Both Pringles share interests in flying, horses, music and sailing. Andy, who flew before Anne, knew that teaching one’s wife to fly would be a little like teaching one’s wife how to drive. He asked a friend to teach her and let him know when she became licensed. Anne went on to become a flight instructor, air taxi pilot, and flight examiner.
Both Pringles have sailed for many years. Anne learned as a girl scout. Andy prefers wooden sailboats. However, he added, “I am always happy to cruise in the large synthetic ones, whether they be plastic, fiber glass or Tupperware.”
When asked about changes on the island, they said they missed the old small town atmosphere of their early days here. The population has increased immensely as have property values. They could not remember any properties listed over $500,000.
As for dreams in the church……they regret the loss of the use of the Book of Common Prayer. Having come from an orthodox and traditional background, they hope the church will continue with a strong liturgical and music program.
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