In This Issue:
By Joan Johnson, Delegate
Diocesan Convention was held October 27 - 28 at the SeaTac Hilton. Representing St. Augustine's Parish were delegates Dick and Arnelle Hall, Jack Wood, and Joan Johnson; alternates Isabel Neddow and Tom Williams; and clergy Fletcher Davis, Rachel Taber-Hamilton, and Bill Burnett. Also in attendance were Cleveland Riley, delegate-at-large from Diocesan Council; and Richard Tussey and David McClellan, visitors.
Convention is a time for conducting the business of the church. Elections are held, issues are discussed, resolutions are voted upon. At the 2006 Convention new members were elected to Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, and Cathedral Vestry. Passing were resolutions to seek peace and reconciliation in Sudan, support the Sudanese ministry in the Diocese, restore grants to congregations, affirm the canons regarding equal access to the discernment process, express appreciation to Bishop Warner for his many years of service, set the 2008 diocesan assessment rate at 18% of NDI, and authorize a 2007 cost of living adjustment of 3.6%. A resolution to establish a Legacy Sunday failed, as did one to create a new "watchdog" position on Diocesan Council. A couple of other resolutions were either withdrawn or referred back to committee.
Convention is a time for fun and fellowship. It is a time for greeting old friends and for sharing stories with new friends. This convention was Bishop Warner's 17th and final convention as our Diocesan Bishop. Tribute and thanks were given to him and also to several other staff members who will be retiring when he does: Canon Betsy Greenman, Chancellor Don Mullins, and Secretary to the Bishop Barbara Brower. The Friday evening banquet had a 50's, 60's, and 70's theme. Betsy Greenman appeared in a poodle skirt and entertained us on the piano. Our bishop was dressed in black attire and serenaded us with his delightful rendition of several Johnny Cash songs!
Convention is a time for worship. The visiting chaplain was Fr. Will Hood of St. Paul's Church in New Orleans. He was joined by St. Paul's sexton and several parishioners who shared their stories of the floods. Music, morning liturgy, noonday prayers, evening prayer, eucharist, and more music are all a vital and powerful part of convention.
The next major task before convention will be the election of our next Diocesan Bishop. The slate of nominees will be announced on February 5, 2007. A chance to meet the nominees will be provided through "walkabouts" the week of April 30 - May 5, and on May 12 a special election convention will be held at St. Mark's Cathedral. Your elected delegates will make every effort to keep you informed.
by Fletcher Davis
Lawrence “Yogi” Berra was named Most Valuable Player in the American League three times, but is probably more famous for his way with words.
Who can forget his reply when someone asked him whether he wanted his pizza cut into four or eight pieces? “Better make it four,” he answered, “I don’t think I can eat eight.”
Once on Yogi Berra Day in St Louis, he took the mike and said, “I want to thank all the people who made this night necessary.”
Borrowing a phrase from the master, I want to thank all the people who made this article necessary. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your loving acceptance of me during the three and a half months we shared during Fr Nigel’s sabbatical.
It was a joy for me to serve you as preacher, teacher and shepherd. I especially salute the rector for entrusting me with that responsibility, Wardens Jim Langler and Bill Carruthers for their exceptional care and skill in administrative matters, and Rachel McDougald for her outstanding stewardship of the office in our rector’s absence.
In almost 50 years of parish ministry, I’ve never had more fun. That’s because of you, your faith, your joy in life, and your generosity in sharing your talents so generously to make our whole parish glow.
May we all build on the blessings of the sabbatical. And may God always bless you as abundantly as you’ve blessed me.
By Jim Langler
On behalf of the vestry and congregation, I would like to express our deep and heartfelt thanks for Fr. Fletcher’s three and one half months servant ministry among us. The Thursday evening programs made the sabbatical trip real for all of us.
The many hours spent in serving our physical and spiritual concerns in his very timely Pastoral Care to us is an example of true love.
Fr. Fletcher’s vast experience in the church as a priest was an outstanding benefit to the wardens in the daily business and spiritual needs of the congregation especially in the absence of the rector.
I believe we were all truly respected in Fr. Fletcher’s listening and hearing our concerns, sorrows and joys. Since he is a member of the congregation, he will be always with us.
By the Editor
It is with happy hearts we welcome back Nigel and Rachel Taber-Hamilton from their vacation/sabbatical of three months.
On Thursday, November 16th, Bishop Nedi Rivera, Father Fletcher Davis and most of our parishioners gathered together for the ‘formal’ welcoming during St. Augustine’s annual All Parish Dinner.
There are grateful hearts for Father Fletcher and all he has done to keep ‘the wheel turning’, as well as Rachel McDougald, the wardens, committee chairs, and all those in our church family.
After a delicious dinner (prepared by almost every woman in the parish, and led by Lynda Anderson) we all gathered in the Nave for Compline and submission of our time, talent and financial support commitments to St. Augustine’s.
We do have a great deal to be thankful for.
By Bill Carruthers, Junior Warden
We are now moving into November with its intermittent rain showers. Jr. Warden work has involved moving branches from the parking lot, repairing rope for the bell tower, fixing the light at the end of deck near the back of the church, repairing the toilet in altar sacristy, painting the undercroft, removing trees and installing concrete barriers in the parking lot.
By Joan Johnson, Director
"May there always be sunshine, may there always be blue skies, may there always be mama, may there always be me." Those are lyrics written by a small Russian child in 1928. The children at St. Augustine's Preschool learned the song before we realized that it had a Russian connection. Teacher Joan was very moved to hear it sung in Russian while on a bus with children and families from Fr. Alexander's hospice in St. Petersburg. It has become the preschool's theme song during November, as the children talked about things they are thankful for: “May there always be families, friends, preschool, and toys; ponies, books, music, and love” are verses our students have added.
During November the children made delightful Pilgrim and Indian costumes, along with lots of paper turkeys to decorate their Thanksgiving tables. They read about the first Thanksgiving Day, and they shared popcorn, cider, and songs with their parents at a Thanksgiving party.
Now Christmas is soon upon us and we will be busy preparing our Christmas programs to be given in the church on December 14 (10:30 and 2:00) and December 15 (10:30). As always, friends from the parish are welcome to join us.
By Isabel Neddow
“Glastonbury” (F/CRO) by Donna Fletcher Crow is a novel of Christian England from Celtic Britain to Tudor England. Although a daunting 800 pages long, it is a fascinating read about equally fascinating times.
Judy Yeakel has donated an important reference section to the library. Among these is “The Message” by Eugene H. Peterson (REF/PET) which narrates the New Testament in contemporary language. The New Proclamation series takes us through the church year in a readable textbook format by noted liturgical scholars. “The Inclusive New Testament” is a fascinating review of gender in the language to which we have become accustomed. These books are in the Reference bookshelf to the left of the library table.
For those fans of the “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” Alexander McCall Smith has a new charming sleuth in “The Sunday Philosophy Club” and “Friends, Lovers, Chocolate”. These are hot items on the rolling cart.
Father in heaven,
the day draws near when the glory of your Son will make
radiant the night
of the waiting world.
May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves
the hearts of those who seek him.
May the darkness not blind us to the vision
of wisdom which
fills the minds
of those who find him.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
By Gretchen Wood & Joan Focht
NEW mittens, gloves, hats, scarves or socks are the Christmas requests for the homeless women and children. Will you please place unwrapped gifts in the marked bag in the Undercroft.
Mary’s Place is a SAFE and accepting Christian congregation for women only. They focus on the special needs of women who are now homeless, or have been homeless in the past.
Their weekly program for the community is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Mary’s Place is meant to be a welcoming environment where women & children can build community, enrich their days, and are given resources to improve their lives.
By Ted Brookes and Jody Heiken
St. Augustine's will host a second workshop on Saturday 2 December from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the church. The workshop will be led by Fr. Morrie Hauge and Pastor Eldon Olson, who did such a marvelous job facilitating our Nov. 4 event. Essentially, our workshop will preliminarily try to answer the question "Where do we go from here?" We hope to build on the success of our Sabbatical experiences, and put into practice the theme of the first workshop, i.e. "Living into our Baptism."
We hope each of you will make a special effort to participate in this Workshop. If we are going to "Remake the Future" everyone's voice needs to be heard, and all inputs need to be taken into consideration. Mark the date on your calendar and please plan to attend. A detailed schedule of events will be published separately.
Many of you can't attend both morning and afternoon; if you can't stay for the entire time, please, try to be with us during the morning, when we will have time dedicated to sharing what living our lives together can mean to us. If you would like a ride to and/or from the workshop, please let us know. Call Shirley Bauder (360) 678-5006 or Nancy Paris (360) 678-3317, and they will make arrangements for you.
Don't forget, there will be a soup/bread lunch as well!
Please Note:
Office hours and schedules will be flexible during the holiday season.
* PLEASE be sure to submit announcements by the Wednesday before you want it printed.
*PLEASE have your newsletter articles submitted either to the office or to Trevor Arnold by the 15th of December for January’s issue. (Santa will know if you’ve been naughty or nice!)
* The church is a VERY busy place. PLEASE check with the office BEFORE you schedule meetings.
By Carole Hanson
Back in September when the final accounting for the children’s hospice in Russia was complete, I came forward during the thank offerings to report the results to the parish at a 10:00 service. The same morning, Joan Johnson gave a thank offering to the parish for helping to raise her children. Jessica was then ready to move to a new job (Jens is just between Jennifer & Jessica in age). When the grand total of $15,000, plus $3,000 from outside sources was announced, I then thanked St. Augustine's for helping me to raise my very large Russian "family", with Fr. Alexander being a very important member.
Later I called him to tell him the news that St. Augustine's had collected more than $18,000 for Children's Hospice. We talked about the words Joan and I had each shared with all of you about family (and him being a part of that) during the thank offerings. He sent me the following note:
"I thank St. Augustine's in-the-Woods for their great help to the Children's Hospice. The amount of money you have collected has moved me very much. Your response to our needs really came from your hearts. I keep you all in my prayers. Your parish obviously collected even more contributions than your budgets allowed. Please tell all of them that I love them and feel myself a member of your large family. Bless you.
Fr. Alexander"
We were very blessed, literally and figuratively, to journey to Tikhvin Monastery with 30 hospice patients and their families -- 90 people including us! The others will share many poignant moments and touching stories from their experiences there. Fr. Alexander had arranged for comfortable transportation for all 90 of us; a profoundly moving prayer service before the miracle working icon of Mother of God Tikhvinskaya which he celebrated and chanted with us; a hearty and warming lunch in the Refectory for everyone; and before leaving to catch a train to Moscow, invited the group from St. Augustine's to join him in prayers in the chapel (now housing an icon that once was on the exterior of the monastery) to bless our visit to Russia and our lives.
I have always told you how fortunate I am to work in our parish for such a worthy cause. I will share how fortunate we are to have a man such as Fr. Alexander involved in that ministry; an able founder and the Executive Director of Children's Hospice; a sincere friend with a great sense of humor, and an inspiration to us all.
The vestry of St. Augustine’s has formed a building committee to investigate our options for meeting the space requirements determined necessary by the Long Range Plans of 2006, 2002, and 1997. Early in the new year, we will be coming directly to YOU to solicit your input, which will then be used to develop building plans.
Background The 2004-2006 Long Range Planning process began with parish-wide discussions in the undercroft, which led to the development of an every-member survey. Results of that survey having to do with facility/space needs were combined with several other information sources. For example, input was solicited from the leadership of every St. Augustine’s committee regarding whether / how modifications to our campus might better enable each committee to meet their mission. Each committee was asked for a range of ideas from minimal requirements to ideal solutions. Information was also gathered from the clergy, staff, past building and facility assessments, and from an experienced church architect. The resulting recommendations of the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) regarding facilities have been accepted by the vestry. The 1997 and 2002 LRPC’s conclusions were very nearly identical. Implementation of these recommendations is now the charge of the Building Committee.
Presently We are having our property survey updated for planning purposes, and are investigating current requirements regarding building and land use, i.e. handicapped access, fire safety, access and egress. We are not in compliance with several codes and will need to correct these as we go. In addition, many parishioners have expressed a desire for the church, parish hall, and office all to be on one level. Another commonly mentioned upgrade has been for the asphalt in and around the parking lot to be made ‘smoother’ for easier walking. Early in 2007, we will be putting together an undercroft display of building plans developed by recent LRPCs, and placing some of these on the website. Also on the website will be the Executive Summary of the 2006 Long Range Plan regarding facilities and other pertinent documents.
In early 2007, the Building Committee will conduct an every-member survey to gather YOUR opinions concerning building plans. We are excited about the possibilities, and look forward to working together!! If you have questions, please contact one of us: Marv Idso (chair), Bill Carruthers, Michelle Hightower, Jim Langler, Jerry Lubinski, Fred Ludtke, Clarence Noyer, Christina Parker, Susan Sandri
By Maureen Masterson
This month’s MSO will benefit Citizens Against Domestic Abuse (CADA).
Founded in 1979 their goal is to best serve the needs of our island community while working to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in our area. Education and prevention are an important part of their program, as well as direct assistance to victims of abuse. Please show your support for the services CADA provides by giving generously.
By Nancy Langler
Pete and Claree Vandegrift have been on Whidbey since 1975. Both were born in northeastern Oklahoma, not far from Tulsa. After having served in World War II, Pete finished his MSEE at Oklahoma State and did postgraduate work in Industrial Engineering before moving to Wichita, Kansas. Then, they came to the Puget Sound and lived on Mercer Island. Pete was an engineer for Boeing.
In Anticipation of retirement, they bought property on Holst Road. They decided to try it out to see if they really wanted to live here. They visited once a week and eventually decided to move here, as permanent residents, about 10 years before Pete retired. It was a very busy life as the Vandegrifts had chickens and cattle. Pete was up at 4:30 am feeding the livestock before Claree drove him to the 5:30 ferry. As the years passed, the commute became much more difficult as parking in Mukilteo became more restricted. However, Pete says, the 80 mile round trip is far more difficult today. The Vandegrifts, formerly very active Presbyterians, started attending St Augustines early on. Pete was soon asked to be on the Bishop’s Committee. When he explained that he was not a member of the church he was told that it didn’t matter. He served on that committee for several years before being confirmed. After the laying on of hands the bishop said “Pete, you are now official!”
Both Claree and Pete have served in many ways at St Augustine’s. Pete was Senior Warden twice. He helped write the incorporation papers when the church went from mission to parish status. He, also, helped write the Policy and Procedure manual. He was very active on the long range planning committee and was a lay reader, chalice bearer and acolyte trainer.
Claree sang in the choir, is in the ECW, is on the altar guild, and is a lay reader. She was Junior Warden when the old church was converted to a preschool by volunteers. As Junior Warden she was in charge of recruiting and organizing the volunteers. She remembers how generous everyone was with their time and talent. Not only were they willing but glad to help. This attitude, she says, has been a tradition at St Augustine’s since the very beginning.
The Vandegrifts have given generously to the Community as well. Pete served the Boy Scouts as Scoutmaster, Explorer Advisor, District Commissioner, and Seattle Council Assistant Commissioner. (Two of their sons are Eagle Scouts.) As a Mountaineer he was a 4x4 rescue council Team Leader.
Claree, a Medical Technologist, was a volunteer in the Whidbey General Hospital’ Home Health Department Hospice Volunteer Program. Her training in the Hospice program prepared her for work in the Time Together Program which had its beginning at St Augustine’s. The concept for the adult day care program was the brainchild of the Ludtkes, the Sizers and the Ted Johnsons. Claree told them that if they could get it going she would be there to help and she still is. She also volunteers at Good Cheer.
The Vandegrifts moved from Holst Road to Wheel Estates in l996. They were the second St Augustine family to move there. A number of others have followed. They have three grown sons; Eric who lives in Seattle, Bart in Wenatchee and Kirk in Reno. They also have five grandchildren.
By Nancy Paris
Pete & Nettie Snyder know our own Fletcher Davis from ‘way back! They say, “We had a very strong relationship with St. Patrick’s in Thousand Oaks, California for 31 years. Fletcher Davis was our favorite pastor in all those years.” They add, “We are hoping to have the same happy friendships here at St. Augustine’s.”
The Snyders have been ‘summering’ on Whidbey Island for 18 years and are now fulltime residents. Their home is in the Harrington Lagoon area southeast of Coupeville at 19 Shorebird Lane.
Pete was born in Salisbury, Maryland. He spent his early years in that state as well as North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Graduating from the United States Naval Academy, and with a Navy career, he and Nettie have lived in a great many places here in the United States as well as Europe. Now retired, his special interests are in a variety of sports – including sailing, golf, tennis and skiing. He has a special interest in photography, as well. He is a member of the USNA alumni and Rotary.
Nettie is a native of Washington, DC. where the couple was married in 1946 following WW II. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland. As a Navy wife and homemaker, she traveled with her husband to places throughout the world. Now at home on Whidbey, she enjoys gardening, politics, traveling and family. In the past, she has been a member of AAUW and St. Patrick’s Thrift Shop group.
The Snyders have two grown children – Joseph and his wife, Fell Creston, who live outside of Denver, CO., but have recently purchased a home near Pete & Nettie and plan to move to the island in the near future. Their daughter Katherine and husband Robert Wooley, along with their three children, live in Arese, near Milan, Italy. They visit their parents every summer for two weeks. The three grandchildren attend the American International School in Milan. They are Ian, 13; Elisse, 11; and Paul, 8.
Welcome to St. Augustine’s family, Nettie & Pete.
We have received a request from the Reverend Jo Beecher at La Iglesia de la Resurrección, Mt. Vernon, to help out with Christmas gifts for 100 children of migrant workers in the Skagit Valley. The names will be distributed in the Undercroft on Sunday, December 3rd, between the two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist from 9 a.m. until 9:45 and again from 11 a.m. until 11:45. This year Jo has provided us with a poster that contains some very helpful suggestions. It is posted on the bulletin board in the Undercroft. Please make time to read the poster in its entirety so that you have an understanding of the rules to follow when shopping for gifts. You will be surprised at some of the information that is contained on the poster. Many thanks in advance for your kind help with this project. For additional information, please contact Cleveland Riley, Jr. The "pick up" date will be advised later.
Blessings to all, Cleveland
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