In This Issue:
By Diana Klein, Vestry Clerk
The Long Range Planning Committee presented their report. The five facility components identified are: Christian Education Building, Nave, Narthex, Administration Office and Parish Hall with priorities being, 1st: New Parish Hall, 2nd: Narthex and 3rd: Christian Education Building.
The LRPC was thanked for their hard work.
Clarence Noyer and Bill Carruthers agreed to Co-Chair the new Building Committee.
Andy Pringle presented the Financial Report through June 2006. (Posted in the undercroft.)
The Communications Committee has been busy with the Sabbatical presentations and several other projects.
August 27 is "We will Stand With You" Sunday in support of our diocesan partner parish, St Paul's in New Orleans.
September 23 will be the Community Interfaith Peace Vigil hosted by St. Augustine's.
A committee was set up to find a new organist. Nancy Gosen s salary was approved.
By Diana Klein, Vestry Clerk
The Vestry took the following actions:
Approved paying congregational sabbatical expenses according to the Lilly Foundation Grant.
Approved paying previous Fellowship dinner expenses.
Directed the Budget and Finance Committee to develop a line item in 2007 for Fellowship events.
Agreed to give Janis Wright s car to the Senior Center to auction.
Decided to have the Vestry retreat at Willows Pond Lodge on January 20 and 21, 2007.
The complete Minutes are posted in the Undercroft.
By Judy Yeakel
...be guided by God's enduring
and empowering Truth,
be renewed by the Spirit s effervescent joy.
With these words Bishop Nedi Rivera commissioned Nigel and Rachel as well as all the people of St. Augustine s for a Sabbatical experience of renewal and discovery. For Nigel and Rachel this will take place in various parts of the world. For us who stay home the experience will take place right here.
Sabbath is a Biblical word from the Old Testament. Most of us identify the word with the Fourth of the Ten Commandments: Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. It is a time for rest, reflection, refreshment; a time to re-align our lives with God our Creator. It is not a time to sit back and do nothing, but a chance to use time and energy in a different way than we do in our day to day lives, both as individuals and as a community.
I urge you all to take advantage of the Sunday forums, Thursday lectures, and weekend retreats that will be offered.
Let the Holy Spirit come more fully into your life.
By Rachel McDougald
The last couple of weeks have been a nice change of pace around the office. It has been so quiet that several times I have actually begun and finished a task without interruption! Fr. Fletcher and the Wardens have everything well in hand, some superficial things may be a little different but the business of the church continues as usual.
A few of you don't know Fr. Fletcher Davis well. He has been a priest for 45 years and has been a Supply (substitute) Priest here many times since he and his wife, Elizabeth, retired to the island from St. Thomas in Medina six years ago.
Fr. Fletcher was Nigel's first choice to take the reins during the sabbatical because Fletcher has been to the Holy Land himself five times, and so is well acquainted with the places and history Nigel will encounter on his journey. His insights, enthusiasm and faith-filled teaching are drawing more and more people to the Thursday evening Discussion Groups every week. Even though he is having to learn to work Power Point (a task he didn t bargain on!) Fletcher says he is honored to be asked to serve during this time.
Nigel has gotten some fabulous pictures of some fascinating places! The
church website is probably the easiest place to see them all, along with Nigel's journal of the trip. If you aren't online you are welcome to give me a call and set up an appointment, I'll be happy to help you view it. Another option is to look for the printed material in the sabbatical binders in the narthex and downstairs containing all of the same material in them.
Because summer is quiet, the office hours are a little erratic. I am always here at 9:00 but may leave as early as noon. If you need me I'll be happy to stay later - just let me know. I also check the parish email in the evenings and in an emergency you are welcome to call me at home (341-1350), or you could call Sr. Warden Jim Langler (331-1957).
Summer vacation is coming to an end, the spiders are getting fat, my impatiens are getting leggy, days are getting shorter. The office will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 4th. Local children go back to school (and our Preschool) the week of Sept. 11th, and the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's annual vigil is Sept. 23rd and Trash and Treasure the 30th. Check out the calendar for all parish events but remember that it was up to date when we published but events and meetings may have been added or changed since.
As a final note, several people have asked about the name for the sabbatical discussions, Roots to Shoots. It refers to learning about the church's history (its roots) and discerning how to mature or grow in the future (new shoots). Every time I think of the name I am reminded of this blessing, which seems to apply not only to plants but to the new life in this congregation as well.
To Thee, O Lord, we cry and pray: bless this sprouting seed, strengthen it in the gentle movement of soft winds, refresh it with the dew of heaven, and let it grow to full maturity for the good of body and soul.
Translated by The Most Reverend J. H. Schlarman, Bishop of Peoria.
Summer may be ending but the sabbatical journey has just begun!
By Joan Johnson
It's Back-to-School time! The week of September 11 will be Orientation Week for St. Augustine's Preschool. Morning and afternoon classes are offered for potty-trained children ages three (or almost three) through five. Teachers for the 2006-2007 school year are again Joan Johnson, Felicia Lindus, and Liz Habel. About forty students are expected, but there are still a few openings. Prospective parents may call 331-4748 or 331-4925 for further information.
By Ray Haman
Remember to Save September 24 for THE EVENT at Trinity Everett.
The St. Augustine's Legacy Team (SALT) is co-hosting an Event, sponsored by the Bishops' Society, starting at 4 p.m., Sunday, September 24 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2301 Hoyt Ave., Everett; and EVERYONE IS WELCOME. The Event will feature a Festive Evensong with amassed choirs led by Cleveland Riley.
Evensong will be followed by an opportunity to honor and engage in dialogue with Bishop Vincent Warner. In that part of the program, Cleveland will be the MC. You won't want to miss a special exchange between these two good friends and committed Christians. The Event will conclude with a reception in the Trinity Parish Hall.
Reservations will be appreciated. Please RSVP to the Diocesan Planned Giving Program at
1-800-488-4978, ext. 323 or e-mail Sharon Pethers.
For those who wish to car pool to The Event, either as drivers or passengers, there will be a "sign up sheet" in the Narthex. We hope to see you at Trinity on September 24.
By Joyce M. Shutt
Throwaway bottles,
Throwaway cans,
Throwaway friendships,
Throwaway fans.
Disposable diapers,
Disposable plates,
Disposable people,
Disposable wastes.
Instant puddings,
Instant rice,
Instant intimacy,
Instant ice.
Plastic dishes,
Plastic laces,
Plastic flowers
Plastic faces.
Lord of the living,
Transcending our lives,
Infuse us with meaning,
Recycle our lives.
Habitat for Humanity
Building Affordablr Homes on Faith
By Jerry Lubinski
Usually every year at this time, I report that we are finishing a house for one of our
Partners. However, this year we are just starting a house that will become a home when our Partner moves in.
Every year it is a struggle to find an affordable lot on the South End that we can purchase to build a Habitat House. Average lots are now over $40,000 — when they can be found. After many months of negotiating, and a grant from the county for low income housing, we will have groundbreaking on September 9th at 1:00 p.m. At "Vassar Court" near Freeland's new Fire Station. The next day we will start our Blitz Build. Our Partners, Naomie and her 6 year old daughter, are a long-time island family who need a "hand up" (as we say) to get on with their lives. Our Partners must put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" into the building of this house and will have a 30 year mortgage.
If everything runs on schedule, this Habitat house will become a home when Naomie and her daughter move in at Thanksgiving time. What a blessing to move into your first home at such a joyous time of the year!
Please be generous so this joy can be repeated for more people in the years to come.
By Ray Haman
Each year twelve charities (one each month) receive Mission Sunday Offerings (MSOs) from members of the St. Augustine's congregation. Then the Vestry matches those offerings, up to $500 per month, from Endowment Fund earnings. The MSO Committee is preparing to recommend to the Vestry the charities that will receive MSOs in 2007. This recommendation will be submitted to the Vestry prior to its October meeting.
Under the Policy governing the MSO Committee, four monthly MSOs are reserved for Episcopal Charities Appeal, Episcopal Relief & Development and St. Augustine's two sister parishes: St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pavlovsk, Russia and The Chapel of Sts. Martha & Mary at Pike Place Market, Seattle.
With respect to the other eight monthly MSOs, preference is given to charities in which St. Augustine's parishioners have been involved with their time, talent, and/or treasure. All MSO recipients must be exempt charitable organizations under Section 501 c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or activities or organizations sponsored by the Parish, the Diocese or the National Church.
Anyone wishing to recommend a charity for one of those eight monthly MSOs next year should submit that recommendation in writing to The MSO Committee, c/o St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 11, Freeland, WA 98249 (or hand deliver the recommendation at the church office) before September 23. Each recommendation must include information concerning the charity's programs and funding needs. If the charity is chosen, the person submitting the recommendation should plan to serve on the MSO Committee, and be prepared to write an article for The Light and announcements for inclusion in the bulletins for the first and second Sundays of the month in which the charity is to receive MSOs.
The eight local charities that have received, or will receive, MSOs this year are: Hearts & Hammers, Enso House, Helping Hand, Time Together at the Senior Center, South Whidbey Youth Connection, Habitat for Humanity, Good Cheer and Citizens Against Domestic/Sexual Abuse.
Although the MSO Committee may give preference to prior MSO recipients, almost every year one or more changes are made.
The MSO Committee also will be looking for a new chairperson. Volunteers to serve as Chair or as members of the committee are always welcome. The Chair and members of the MSO Committee are approved each year by the Vestry, usually at or before its November meeting.
By St. Augustine s Peace Fellowship
"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called Children of God."
On Saturday evening, September 23 at 7:00, St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods will again host an interfaith community Vigil of Peace and Hope. For the past two years, St. Augustine’s has hosted an interfaith vigil focusing on the unleashing of nuclear destruction on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This year's event is designed to coordinate with the International Peace Day. The actual International Peace Day is September 21.
The inspiration for the previous peace interfaith vigils was initiated by the Northern Oregon Buddhist community's call for worship in commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This year s interfaith vigil will again commence with opening prayer and sutra chanted by the Tahoma One Drop Zen Buddhist Monastery of Freeland.
In addition to the Tahoma One Drop participation, the vigil will also feature Muslim Sufi Minister Jamal Rahman of the Interfaith Community Church (Seattle). Muslim Sufi Minister Rahman will read from scripture and offer a short commentary and prayer. A choir may accompany Jamal Rahman to provide Islamic chants. Jamal Rahman is familiar to South Whidbey. He has made presentations at the Unitarian Church in Freeland and Coupeville Community Center. This year s vigil will add a Native American spiritual component. Interspersed between prayers, the service will also include readings of people of faith presented by individuals from several South Whidbey churches and faith communities.
Moments of silent reflection and music will provide interludes between the readings and commentaries.
Island churches, faith communities and peace groups participating in the vigil are the Tahoma One Drop Zen Buddhist Monastery, Langley Methodist Church, St. Hubert's Roman Catholic, Trinity Lutheran, Clinton Society of Friends, Unitarian Universalist and Coupeville Peace and Reconciliation, and St. Augustine s Episcopal Parish.
This presentation of Vigil of Peace of Hope, held in conjunction with the International Day of Peace, has been organized by the St. Augustine’s Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
The Cross Is
The cross is the hope of Christians
the cross is the resurrection of the dead
the cross is the way of the lost
the cross is the savior of the lost
the cross is the staff of the lame
the cross is the guide of the blind
the cross is the strength of the weak
the cross is the doctor of the sick
the cross is the aim of the priests
the cross is the hope of the hopeless
the cross is the freedom of the slaves
the cross is the power of the kings
the cross is the water of the seeds
the cross is the consolation of the bondsmen
the cross is the source of those who seek water
the cross is the cloth of the naked.
We thank you, Father, for the cross. Amen.
Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to watch while others do the work. They are called "Spec Taters".
Some people never do anything to help but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work. They are called "Comment Taters".
Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don t want to soil their own hands. They are called "Dick Taters".
Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or too sweet. They are called "Agie Taters".
There are those who say they will help, yet somehow never get around to actually doing the promised help. They are called "Hezzie Taters".
Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not. They are called "Emma Taters".
Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will. They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others. They are called "Sweet Taters".
What sort of Tater are you?
By Nancy Paris
St. Augustine's is blessed to have another retired priest in our congregation David Close and his wife Wendy, moved to the island six months ago and have built a home on Headlands Way in the Scatchet Head area south of Clinton. Their former home was in Medford, Oregon.
David is a native Washingtonian, born on Mercer Island. Following his ordination, he served at St. Stephen's in Seattle and St. Jame's in Sedro Woolley before accepting the position as rector of St. Mark's in Medford.
David particularly enjoys reading, fishing, gardening, walking, beachcombing , and philanthropy.
Wendy was born in San Francisco and lived in Marin County as a child. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in New London and is a graduate nurse. Her most recent experience, she says, "was as parish nurse at our church in Medford".
Wendy's special interests are in sewing, quilting and knitting. She also enjoys playing tennis, running, and 'building our home'. A musician who plays the autoharp and recorders, she also enjoys singing.
The Closes have three daughters; Marian, a graduate of Boston University, lives in Seattle and is employed by REI; Sarah, a recent graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine, lives in Port Townsend and worked this summer at the Marine Science Center at Fort Worden; and Emma, who is a third year French and business student at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
A warm welcome to Whidbey Island and St. Augustine s to the Close family!
By Nancy Langler
Judy Yeakel, having moved to Whidbey in 1964, has lived in her present home, outside of Langley, for 33 years. She hopes to live there forever provided the blackberries don't take over.
The church and Whidbey were very different when she came. Highway 525 was just being built and there was just one small grocery store in Freeland. The present church office/ preschool building had just been completed. She has some fond memories of that period. Bill Burnett came for his first interview as Vicar of St. Augustine s (we were a mission then), during the summer when the ecumenical bible school was in session. The church and parish hall had been divided into four teaching areas by stringing sheets from stretched wire, as space dividers. Judy explained that the church didn t normally look like this. Bill Burnett said "Oh, it is wonderful!".
Judy, who was employed as director of the United Way of Whidbey, decided to pursue a three year certificate from the Diocesan School of Theology. The school was started in the 60's, when the church was rapidly expanding, and Clergy were scarce, in order to train lay persons for positions in church leadership. It began as a student / mentor program and evolved into group courses. While in this program, Judy decided she needed to return to school and continue her studies in sociology.
She moved to Bellingham and finished her degree in two years. She feels that this was the most transforming period of her life. Being away from family and totally alone for the first time she established priorities and became the person she is today. Having finished her degree she moved back to Whidbey and finished her certificate from the Diocesan School of Theology.
She decided to put her training to use right here. She says that she was a born feminist. Her greatest concern was for women being treated as lesser people. In 1988 she opened Genesis House; a transitional house for women and children in abusive relationships.
Judy has generously shared her time and talents with St. Augustine's and the Diocese. She is serving her third time on the vestry. One of these was when the church was a mission and the vestry was called the Bishop's Committee. She was one of the first women to serve on this committee and the first to serve as senior warden. She has been senior warden 3 times, junior warden once and is a past president of the ECW. Of course, we all know her as a lay reader and chalice bearer. On the diocesan level she was on the Diocesan Council and on the board of Directors for 12 years. She was also assistant director to the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission.
Judy has two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren and two step grandsons. They all live in western Washington. She is an avid knitter, a gardener, and enjoys music and reading.
Judy hopes that St Augustine s will continue to grow as we welcome new members and evolve as a community of faith.
It is time to sign up to help, set aside items, and to make jams and jellies and pickles to sell.
This event sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women is an all-parish effort that provides grants to local charities. Articles that sell:
| Baked goods | | Pickles, jams,
jellies, and pies | | Small appliances |
| Books | | Luggage | | Small furniture |
| Dishes and glassware | | Pictures and frames | | Tools |
| Jewelry | | Plants | | Toys |
| Lamps | | Pots and pans | | Treasures |
| Linens | | | | |
Workdays begin September 25 and continue throughout the week from 9:00 to 3:00. Come for all or part. Lunch is served daily for the workers. Many hands are needed to make the work light. Sign up sheets are in the narthex.
For more information contact Isabel Neddow, Barbara Strom, or Lucy Sharp.
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