In This Issue:
By Jim Langler
By the time you read this, it will be almost two months since Fr. Nigel and Rachel said farewell at “The Commissioning” and church picnic. The Sunday Forums that started on August 13 have been well attended and very successful. Many thanks are given to Ted Brookes and Fr. Fletcher for comments and the question period after the DVD presentations. These programs are much thought provoking and well executed.
We have also had seven Thursday evening presentations by Fr. Fletcher that are well attended. The presentations are well researched and have enabled us to follow the sabbatical of Fr. Nigel and Rachel through the eyes of Fr. Fletcher who has been to all these places. Thanks go to Fr. Fletcher for such excellent presentations and lively question and answer sessions at the conclusion of the presentations.
The forums and Thursday programs could not be possible without the help of many people. Our group of computer and communications experts deserve our heartfelt and deep thanks for their hard work and dedication. Jody and Grant Heiken, Mary and Larry Leonard and Tom Williams have made all these electronic gadgets work for us.
Isabel Neddow organized and asked teams of ECW women to prepare wonderful home made soup suppers. Thank you all for your work and tasty meals.
If you have not been able to participate in the Thursday programs you have missed some very positive and exciting programs as well as fun question and answer periods during and after the programs.
I would like to welcome Bill Smith as our new treasurer. Bill has a Bachelors Degree in Business/Major Accounting from the U. of W. as well as a Masters in Taxation, Golden Gate University. He worked 28 years as a Special Agent with IRS-Criminal Investigation Unit, 6 years as Investigator for the Washington State Attorney General’s Criminal Division and 4 years as a self-employed forensic accountant and private investigator.
Andy Pringle had agreed to serve as interim treasurer shepherding our return to Church Windows program for financial management and using Edwards and Associates as our book keepers. He also agreed with the vestry to complete the annual 2005 Audit. We on the vestry and the congregation owe Andy and those on the audit committee, Jan Mulder, Bruce Campbell and George Sharp a debt of gratitude and strong thanks for their work. These people put in many hours in sorting out the records from two accounting systems.
A Search Committee is now in operation to find an Organist/Choirmaster. We will have interim musicians coordinated by Nancy Gosen until January 1, 2007. The committee members are: Melisa Doss, chair; Bill Carruthers; Jim Langler; Barbara McKinnell; Martin Payne and Susan Sandri. Please share your dreams and concerns with these people.
A building committee has been formed consisting of Bill Carruthers, Susan Sandri, Marv Idso, Jerry Lubinski, Clarence Noyer and Fred Ludtke. You are encouraged to share your visions and concerns with the committee members
By Bill Carruthers
Repairs have been made to the deck, and there are plans to waterproof and stain it. The wooden supports of the Administrative building have been stripped of loose paint, and plans are being made to prevent future rotting. The Administrative building’s roof has been pressure washed and gutters cleaned.
The Columbarium Committee consisting of Anne Pringle, Diana Klein, Diane and Stephen Schwarzmann, Judy Yeakel and Margaret Schultz have been keeping the weeds out as well as spreading bark in the columbarium. Thanks for their loyal support.
A Building Committee consisting of Bill Carruthers, Susan Sandri, Marv Idso, Jerry Lubinski, Clarence Noyer, and Fred Ludtke has been meeting and are excited about fulfilling the parish’s long range plans.
We adore You, O Lord Jesus Christ,
in this Church
and all the Churches of the world,
and we bless You,
because, by Your holy Cross
You have redeemed the world.
The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is October 3rd.
As usual Trash and Treasure was a success because of the dozens of hard workers who gave their time to this huge project.
All money raised in this event will be donated to local charities.
Thank you for your participation and support - and watch the next Light for pictures and more information.
By Jody Heiken
Ways to join in our sabbatical journey.
We're almost half way through the Sabbatical at this point, and hope you've taken the opportunity to make this extraordinary journey with our St. Augustine's congregation and Nigel. As a reminder, here are some ways you can see the lands of the early Christians in the British Isles, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and the Holy Land.
- Blue notebooks in both the Undercroft and the Narthex contain copies of Nigel's notes from stops along the way, as well as Fletcher's sermons and discussion presentations that parallel Nigel's trip, and descriptions and a full calendar of the Sabbatical program events.
- A photo album in the Undercroft provides a collection of photos from many of the locations of the journey: Iona, Glastonbury, Canterbury, Rome, Jerusalem, etc.
- Our St. Augustine's web site will direct you to both current and archived photos and journal entries from Nigel.
- You can use our computer in the office (with Rachel's help during office hours or others' assistance by arrangement), to access the church web site and other Episcopal web information.
- Use the DVD player and television in the Undercroft to view or review the films shown during Sunday Forums; Iona, Jerusalem, Peter and Paul, for example.
Please see the article by Ted Brookes that describes the remaining weeks of Sabbatical programs.
By Ted Brookes
The Sabbatical Planning Committee (SPC) has reviewed the Master Schedule of Events for our Sabbatical Program and has agreed on two important changes. First, the Retreat scheduled for all day on 21 October has been cancelled. Fr. Jeff Lee, the presiding priest, will be asked to visit St. Augustine's in early 2007 to lead us in a post sabbatical retreat, hopefully on the same subject matter. Second, the all day work shop scheduled for 28 October has been cancelled. This workshop conflicts with the Diocesan Convention on 27 and 28 October. Fr. Morrie Hauge and Pastor Eldon Olson have already agreed to return to St. Augustine's in early Advent to conduct a second workshop. This formula will allow us to take advantage of the information and experience gained by Fr. Nigel during his sabbatical and fold it into this post sabbatical work shop. The retreat scheduled for 14 October and the workshop scheduled for 4 November will be conducted as announced. Fr. Fletcher Davis has kindly agreed to preach, preside, and give the forums on those Sundays immediately following the cancelled events.
Please make appropriate notes in your copy of the Sabbatical Schedule, and please continue to support our Sabbatical Program with your attendance and enthusiastic response. Thank you.
Please reserve November 17th on your calendar of important dates. It is time for our annual Stewardship Dinner. This year has special meaning because it is also the day we will welcome Nigel back from his sabbatical. The evening will be especially festive, as Bishop Rivera will return to help usher Nigel & Rachel back into the fold. The evening will begin with a few minutes of fellowship at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:15 p.m. We hope to have some entertainment and close the evening with Compline and the presentation of our offerings of time, talent, and treasure on the altar. This has traditionally been a fun filled evening and this year should be even greater. Please remember the date, November 17th. Let’s make this the biggest and best ever!
Reminder
the Light Deadline is always the fifteenth (15th) day of the month.
Always.
School Days
Please keep an eye out for the little ghosts and goblins that will visit the preschool this month.
Please drive slowly in the parking lot, Gremlins don’t always stay on the paths.
by Ray Haman
When the Stewardship Committee asked several members of the St. Augustine's parish family to share their views of Christian Stewardship, one parishioner reminded us that living one's faith extends beyond making an annual commitment to parish operations...it includes end of life planning, as well. Here is that expression of faith:
"Whether or not I would leave something to the church in my will was never a question. Of course I would. It was the way I was brought up by my parents who made bequests, as well as contributing substantially at other times. It is as important to me as leaving money to my children. They know and understand that it is a significant part of being a member of the church. Some people feel that you have to be wealthy to leave a church bequest. Not so. Designate what you can, just as you do yearly. Small amounts make large amounts; and all are equally received by God and the church."
To learn more about end of life planning, contact any member of the Parish Planned Giving Committee: Judy Yeakel, John Watson, Jay Ryan or Ray Haman, or phone the Planned Giving Office of the Diocese of Olympia at 206-325-4200 ext. 315.
By The Stewardship Committee
Because of Nigel's sabbatical, the annual effort seeking commitments of time, talent and treasure to support parish operations in 2007 will be delayed. Commitment Cards (some parishes still call them "Pledge Cards") will be available later in October; and the effort will culminate with the All-Parish Dinner on November 17. As in the past, the dinner will be followed by a service of Compline, when our Commitment Cards will be placed on the altar. Bishop Nedi Rivera will be with us that evening. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.
The supply of Commitment Cards that has been used the past three years has been exhausted. So, a new card has been created with the help of Jody Heiken and a number of other members of the congregation. In response to a request from the Stewardship Committee, several parishioners have added their views of Christian Stewardship to the new Commitment Card. Here is a preview of these declarations of faith:
"Being a member of St. Augustine's parish is one of the most important things in my life. I can't imagine not making a pledge. It is a way of saying 'thank you' to God for my life...a way to support the work of the church. God depends on each of us to support this work with our money offerings. The church cannot exist and thrive without our pledges."
"This church, with its abiding liturgy, focus on spiritual renewal and abiding love of one another, feeds our spirit and our soul. Our tithe is simply a return to our church of that which we have received by God's grace."
"God makes it easy to give. What I can return to our Creator is only a token in return for the beauty and abundance of creation. Giving back that abundance is easy, if it comes from the heart and not from the pocket."
"Many years ago the media urged us to 'give until it hurts'. Really, it is fun to give; so let's give until it becomes fun."
"Committing our time, talent and treasure to support parish operations is an essential way to give thanks to God for His abundant gifts, including the gift of life itself."
We hope that all members of the St. Augustine's parish family will reflect upon these personal expressions of Christian faith as they complete their Commitment Cards. Also, please remember that the cost of doing God's work at St. Augustine's increases each year; so be as generous as possible with your financial commitment.
There are four basic food groups, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles. ~Anon.
"Las cosas claras y el chocolate espeso." (Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick) ~ Proverb
"What you see before you is the result of a lifetime of chocolate" ~ Katharine Hepburn
Carob is a brown powder made from the pulverized fruit of a Mediterranean evergreen. Some consider carob an adequate substitute for chocolate because it has some similar nutrients (calcium, phosphorus), and because it can, when combined with vegetable fat and sugar, be made to approximate the color and consistency of chocolate. Of course, the same arguments can as persuasively be made in favor of dirt. ~ Sandra Boynton
If one swallows a cup of chocolate only three hours after a copious lunch,
everything will be perfectly digested and there will still be room for dinner.
~ Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
Episcopal Church Women
This has got to be the yummiest program yet! Our guest speaker will be Mona Newbauer, Professional Chocolatier, from 1 Angel Place in
Langley. Come and enjoy! Our meeting begins at 11:00 on Wednesday,
October 4th. Please bring a sandwich to share for lunch at 12:00. Soup and coffee will be provided with Mona’s program following.
God is Watching
Children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Christian school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. Someone had written a note and placed it next to the apples. It read, "Take only one, God is watching."
Moving through the line, to the other end of the table, was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
One little boy wrote his own note and snuck it next to the cookies, "Take all you want, God is watching the apples."
Our Father, may everything I do
begin with Your Inspiration,
continue with Your Help,
and reach perfection under Your Guidance.
With Your loving care
guide me in my daily actions.
Help me to persevere with love and sincerity.
Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth
and to love the things of Heaven.
Keep me in Your presence
and never let me be separated from
You.
Your Spirit made me Your child,
confident to call You Father.
Make Your Love the foundation of my
life.
Teach me to long for Heaven.
May its promise and hope
guide my way on earth
until I reach eternal life with You.
Amen.
The red cross on a white field is the St. George Cross, an indicator of our link to and heritage with the Church of England, the origin of the Anglican Communion. The miniature crosses in the blue quadrant symbolize the nine original American dioceses that met in Philadelphia in 1789 to adopt the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
The outline of the miniature crosses is in the form of the St. Andrew's Cross in tribute to the Scottish Church's role in ordaining the first American bishop, the Right Reverend Samuel Seabury in 1784. The colors red, white and blue symbolize the sacrifice of Christ and Christian martyrs, the purity of the Christian faith, and the humanity of Christ received from the Blessed Virgin Mary. In duplicating the colors of the American flag, they also represent the Episcopal Church's standing as the United States branch of the Anglican Communion.
Our thanks to The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Springfield.
Fr. Fletcher Davis will hold a Pet Blessing service Sunday, October 8th at 1:00. Tell your friends—furry and otherwise! All God’s creatures welcome.
If you have men who will
exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man.
~ St. Francis of Assisi
The Vestry recently awarded another Bert Johnson Memorial Scholarship to Daniel Sandri, who is entering his fourth year at Washington State University. Daniel has received a $2,000 scholarship in each of his four years at WSU. These scholarships have been funded by earnings from the Parish Endowment Fund.
The Vestry established the Bert Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund in 1999, in order to recognize young members of the congregation who have served God by making significant and meaningful contributions of their time and talent in the work of St. Augustine's. These scholarships also honor the memory of Bert Johnson because he exemplified the generous sharing of time and talent which characterizes the St. Augustine's parish family. In establishing the scholarship fund, the Vestry noted Bert's years of service as Junior Warden and his considerable woodworking skills, which enhanced the sanctuary, the undercroft and the children's playground. His most recognized contribution to St. Augustine's is the magnificent hanging cross in the sanctuary.
Prior recipients of the Bert Johnson Memorial Scholarships were Bert and Joan Johnson's daughters, Jennifer and Jessica. Prior scholarships were funded not only from Endowment Fund earnings, but also by substantial individual donations.
By Maureen Masterson
Driving down the road after work today I passed two new housing developments within a mile of my home. The houses within them are large, with elaborate rooflines and decorative porches. Yet, 13% of the residents of South Whidbey needed food assistance from Good Cheer last year. And the folks at Good Cheer are pretty sure that they are not getting to everyone who needs help. But they are trying. And they are trying in some pretty innovative ways.
One way they are reaching out is to provide home delivery to our seniors. In collaboration with the Senior Center they are distributing grocery list order forms for people who need help to fill out. The Good Cheer Food Bank team packs up the requested foods and volunteers deliver them. This helps with two important concerns that often prevent our older citizens from getting help - transportation and anonymity.
With gasoline costs on the rise, it has made it even more difficult for people on fixed incomes including seniors, low income families and the disabled, to access all types of assistance. More and more often people make difficult choices and nutrition is often one of the first areas to suffer.
The good news is that the people of South Whidbey are generous. Last year, community donations to Good Cheer increased from $67,038 to $108,245. Let’s continue to do our part in supporting our friends and neighbors. Please remember Good Cheer on the second Sunday of October by putting a generous donation in the MSO envelope in your bulletin
Mark your calendars for Tuesday October 24th. A Fellowship Potluck will be our pre-Halloween night out. Bring a dish of your choice and gather in the Undercroft at 6:00 p.m. for good food and relaxing
conversation.
This resumes our monthly potlucks which were
suspended during the sabbatical discussions.
Costumes optional.
By Nancy Paris
Larry and Gayle Childs have lived on Whidbey Island full time only since May of this year, but Gayle says their residence here is the fulfillment of a lifetime dream for her.
Since the 1920’s Gayle’s grandparents, Fred and Byrnyce Osterhout, owned the property and a summerhouse in Baby Island Heights, the site of the Childs’ new home. The property is still called ”Osterhout’s Fernwood Park” in the tradition of her grandparents. Gayle says, “I’m grateful to God for our abundance and for my husband who took five years to convince me to tear down the family cabin and build our retirement home.”
The Childs moved to Whidbey from the Renton/Issaquah area. Both are Seattle natives, although Gayle spent her childhood in a variety of places including Japan, Colorado, Illinois, California and Montana before settling in Spokane, where Larry spent his adult years. Their previous parish was St. Margaret’s in Factoria.
Gayle’s interests are doll collecting and selling, prayer of all forms, quilting, reading, and cooking – especially pies, she adds! She also enjoys music of all kinds, ‘except hard rock’. She is a member of the Online Doll Club and has started participation in a nine month Ignation Retreat (Spiritual Exercises for Everyday Life – or SEEL) She says her family of origin was very active in the Masonic fraternity. She herself was Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters as a college freshman in 1966, and was later active in Eastern Star.
The Childs have three grown children. Son Jeffrey and his wife Sheila purchased Larry and Gayle’s former home in the Renton/Issaquah area; Lorianne and her husband Chris just built a new home on Hood Canal near St. Andrew’s House; Michael and his wife Jennie live in Orting. The Childs have six grandchildren – ‘the joy of our lives’- ranging in ages from 11 years to 3 months.
Welcome to Larry and Gayle Childs to Whidbey Island and St. Augustine’s!
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 has been no secret there is a group of St. Augustine’s parishioners and friends leaving for Russia on Monday, October 2nd. Those from St. Aug’s are; Carole Hansen, Diane Divelbess, Pat Hoelting, Joan Johnson, Clarence Noyer, Fr. Bill Burnett, Ken and Lynda Anderson, Trevor Arnold, Margaret Schultz, Beverly Babson, Diane Lutz and Shirley Coffey. Additional travelers will bring our group up to 17!
There are great tour plans being arranged for us between Carole and Nadezhda. The majority of time will be spent in St. Petersburg, but our sister parish, St. Nicholas, and a side trip to Fr. Alexander and the children’s hospice in Tikhvin will be the highlight.
We return to Whidbey on Wednesday, October 18th, with many stories and pictures to share.
We invite all of you to bid us a wonderful and safe trip at the church parking lot on Monday, October 2, at 2:15 p.m.
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