- From the Rector
- From the Senior Warden
- Junior Warden’s Report
- Forum Schedule
- Vestry Highlights For July 19, 2007
- New Ministry Opportunities
- Interfaith Vigil of Peace and Hope
- Mission Sunday Offering
- Ask the Rector Responses
- An Open Letter from Sue O. Idso
- September Christian Formation Opportunities
- Young People’s Ministries for 2007-2008
- Librarian’s Corner
- Pastoral Care
- It’s That Time of Year!
- From the Parish Nurse
- Children’s Hospice Newsletter
- The Parish Picnic
- Preschool News
- Thanks From “The Light” Editors – Past and Present…
- A Spiritual Survival Kit
- All Parish Dinner
- September Calendar
by Nigel Taber-Hamilton
Even though it’s only September our thoughts at this time of year inevitably turn toward the ending of Ordinary Time (the Sundays “after Pentecost”) and toward the new birth of Sacred Time. The First Sunday of Advent – even though two months distant – still feels ‘just around the corner.’
Part of this, I suppose, is because we will soon be registering our Church School participants and, with that event, kicking off a new time in the life of our parish
There have been several other significant moments and events in our common life that add energy and hope to this time of change:
- We have hired three new staff members whose presence and ministry among us has the potential to transform who we are: Loretta Martin as our Parish Administrator, J. R. Lander as our clergy Associate for Christian Formation; and Carol Foster as our Director of Music.
- We are going to begin a Parish Nurse program
- We have committed ourselves to taking the building program to the next level of preparation for building. Over the coming months you will also be hearing from the Building Committee as we move ahead with planning for new construction.
I want to say more about the new folks and one old friend who have come or will be coming ‘on board’ as staff members this year.
By now most of you have seen – via the Sunday bulletin – the impact Loretta has had on our common life! If you stop in to the office you will see the impact she’s had there also. Without taking anything away from Rachel McDougal, the differences are striking! We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented, organized, and energetic person in this important position.
J. R., too, brings experience, expertise, and energy to our nascent Christian Formation program for children and youth. There is new enthusiasm and support for him and his ministry, and the promise of a positive future for our programming. Please do try and support him in any way you can – in many ways he is working to ensure the future of our church.
The next person will be unfamiliar to most of you: she is our new Director of Music, Carol Foster. Carol comes to us most recently from St. Dunstan Episcopal Church, Shoreline, but her experience in music ministry is both extensive and impressive. A life-long Episcopalian, Carol is a graduate of Syracuse University in organ performance, where she was taught by Will Headlee and Arthur Poister. She has served churches in the Dioceses of Western New York, Central New York, Massachusetts, Florida, and Los Angeles before moving to Seattle in 2005. She was a member of the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Church Music which produced the Hymnal 1982. She has served on many diocesan music committees, and has directed and taught summer music conferences and programs throughout our Church. We are incredibly fortunate to have her join us beginning next month.
Please welcome her when you meet her – and also welcome her husband, Tom, who is an equally accomplished organist.
Lastly, Wendy Close will be our fourth staff member leading our new Parish Nursing program as our Parish Nurse. Wendy came to us a couple of years ago with her husband Dave when he retired as rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Medford, Oregon. Wendy was the Parish Nurse at St. Mark’s. Our Caring Ministry Committee has been working with Wendy to plan for this program and we will be beginning it within the next couple of months. There is an article elsewhere in this edition of the Light written by Wendy that explains what a parish nurse does and how the program works. Parish nurses, while considered staff members, are non-stipendiary.
God’s blessings to you
Nigel
The Epistle lesson for Sunday, August 12 was a selection from Hebrews 1:1-3, 8-16. The first part of that lessons (1-3) contain words that have been very important to me in my Christian and life journey. Perhaps we might read in them some importance for us as a congregation as we journey together into our future.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. Indeed by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” (NRSV)
When my father died my brother-in-law, who is a Presbyterian minister and who presided at the funeral services, used these words as his text for the eulogy. He used these words to demonstrate how my father’s faith and life left a legacy that will/does expand way beyond his lifetime.
The author of Hebrews goes on to point out that the faith (in things not seen) of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, guided them through their lives and the lives of those who traveled in this world after them. The hearers of this Epistle in the early church were urged to remember and embrace this faith in their own lives; to remember the faith of their fathers and mothers.
Now, we too, in this congregation in the 21st Century year 2007 should remember the faith of our founding fathers and mothers who had the desire almost 50 years ago to found an Episcopal congregation on South Whidbey Island. They worked hard, often against great odds, for almost 10 years. Their faith in their purpose never flagged. The result was first, a Mission congregation sponsored by Trinity Church in Everett that became, 20 years later, St. Augustine In- The-Woods Episcopal Parish.
Now it is our turn to carry on their legacy with the same faith. Not only to look back to what was, but also to look ahead to what can be. I believe our faith as a congregation is up to the job. The opportunities for us to establish our own legacy for future generations of Episcopalians on South Whidbey are waiting for us to embrace them with our own faith, right now.
In the months and years ahead there will be many ways that each of us can do that. I invite your involvement. It will take all of us who are here now as well as those who may join us along the way. What will be the legacy we leave for the future Christian congregation of St. Augustine In-The-Woods on South Whidbey?
by Bill Carruthers
Thanks to all who helped spruce up our church grounds. Diana Klein cleaned up the columbarium area with the help of Isabel Neddow. Judy Yeakel removed some less than appealing weeds from the bell tower which were denying the salal a chance to dazzle. Jim Langler used the blower and swooshed up the fir cones that had invaded the asphalt. This done, Art Taylor used his trusty, dusty pressure washer machine to slick up the parking lot. As this was taking place, Bob Dial used his hand-held weed eater to destroy the weeds growing in places unwanted. And finally Isabel Neddow breezed off to get us pizza, salad, and Dr. Pepper. What a day!!!!!
Judy Yeakel, Margaret Schultz, Beverly Babson, and Bert Spier took another Monday and cleaned up the columbarium. A big ‘Thank You' to all.
Jim Langler, Art Taylor, and I scraped the glue off the stairwell wall behind the bulletin board and textured that area. We then applied two coats of Antique White paint. Icons were hung by the communication committee in place of the bulletin board.
by Ted Brookes
Pentecost Forum Schedule (for September & October)
- 16 Sept - Exploring the Gospelers, Gospel of Mark, Part 1
- 23 Sept - Exploring the Gospelers, Gospel of Mark, Part 2
- 30 Sept - Rev. Mary Shahane, Chaplain for the University of Washington, will be talking about the religious programs offered to the university students.
- 7 Oct - Exploring the Gospelers, Gospel of Luke, Part 1
- 14 Oct - Exploring the Gospelers, Gospel of Luke, Part 2
- 21 Oct - Exploring the Gospelers, Acts of the Apostles, Part 1
- 28 Oct - Exploring the Gospelers, Acts of the Apostles, Part 2
Diana Klein, Clerk
Motions were passed approving funding for J. R. Lander, our new Associate for Christian Formation.
Door hangers are being finalized by the Communications Committee and will be distributed in the Holmes Harbor Golf Club Community during the latter part of August.
St. Augustine’s will be doing cleanup along Honeymoon Bay Road and will have a sign recognizing us.
Christian Formation is making good progress in setting up a new program for the fall.
The Caring Ministry is continuing work on establishing a Parish Nurse program.
Fr. Nigel, Tom and Connie Williams filmed two TV Eucharists at King 5 studio. They will be shown in August.
The entire minutes are posted in the undercroft.
by Bill Carruthers and Ken Anderson
As Nigel noted in an earlier article, Stewardship can be defined as "what you do with all you have all the time." And that most assuredly includes our "personal time." There are many ways to utilize our time for the benefit of others. We’d like to highlight several opportunities that exist at St. Augustine’s for us to donate some of that time.
JOIN A TEAM! Some teams serve on Sunday before, between, and after services. Some serve at other times of the week and some are participating in Church programs. We need not feel that it is necessary to be "the Lone Ranger" to be of help. Become a team member and share the work.
An example of a newly added team activity at St. Augustine’s is the adoption of a section of Honeymoon Bay Road for us to keep clear of trash. Bill Carruthers is the leader. A date and time will be conveyed to the county road department and volunteers from the parish are needed to pick up litter along Honeymoon Bay Road from the highway intersection north to Scarecrow Lane, approximately a mile and half. This program will give St. Augustine's parishioners an opportunity to contribute to a cleaner environment and a more attractive County by adopting sections of Honeymoon Bay Road and removing litter along that section. The county will lend us equipment including bags, hard hats, safety vests, and appropriate signs. Safety training has already been provided to Fr. Nigel, Judy Yeakel, and Bill Carruthers. Specific county guidelines for the program will be followed by the Junior Warden. The road project is just one example of the team opportunities and needs that exist.
Here are a few others, including the person to contact if you’re interested: (we hope you will be)
Eucharist Services at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m.
- Sing in the choir and support the liturgy with music - Contact: Melisa Doss
- Altar Guild - prepares for services and puts away vestments, etc., at service end. - Contact: Liz Kershaw
- Greeters - meet and assist newcomers and visitors - Contact: Jack Wood
- Ushers - hand out bulletins, collect offerings and assist at Communion - Contact: Ken Anderson
- Host coffee hour - set up, provide food and do clean up at either service - Contact: Nancy Langler
- Tabulate donations - count and record offerings after services - Contact: Richard Tussey
Committee participation at various times:
- Sunday school or youth programs - help develop ideas and/or conduct classes - Contact: Sue Idso
- Budget and Finance - advise the Treasurer and develop the budget - Contact: Bill Smith
- Stewardship - identify ministries and encourage participation - Contact: Lynda Anderson
- Communications - write/edit articles for print, publicity or posting - Contact: Stephen Schwarzmann
- Fellowship - arrange group/social events for the parish - Contact: Nancy Langler
- Christian Education - stimulate growth in Christian faith - Contact:Judy Yeakel
These are just a few of the ways we can donate time to worthy efforts at St. Augustine’s. There are many more – we’ll talk about them in a future article. The Vestry is planning a Sunday later in the year to further explore them as well.
By Dick Hall
At 7:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, September 22, St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods will host the fourth annual Community Interfaith Vigil of Peace and Hope. St. Augustine’s Epsicopal Peace Fellowship is again sponsoring the event. The peace vigil is designed to coordinate with the September 21 International Peace Day. The inspiration for the previous South Whidbey interfaith peace vigils originated with 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 or chant Qua’ran scripture readings. He will also offer a short commentary and prayer. Jamal Rahman is familiar to South Whidbey and has participated in all the interfaith peace vigils held at St. Augustine’s. The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton will provide a First Nations spiritual component. The Vigil will also include Christian and Jewish contributions presented by individuals from several South Whidbey churches and faith communities. The St. Augustine’s Episcopal Peace Fellowship will provide a dramatic reading of Samuel Clemmens’ “The War Prayer.” Moments of silent reflection and music will provide interludes between the readings, prayers and commentaries. The gathering will be led in singing by Karl Olsen of Trinity Lutheran and Dances of Universal Peace, a Langley group.
Island churches, faith communities and peace groups involved in the vigil planning and participation are the Tahoma One Drop Zen Buddhist Monastery, Langley Methodist Church, St. Hubert Roman Catholic, Trinity Lutheran, Clinton Society of Friends, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist and Coupeville Peace and Reconciliation.
It is expected that this event of prayer, music and meditation will again be well attended by the various Whidbey faith communities. Last year St. Augustine's was nearly filled, as over ninety individuals attended the Interfaith Vigil of Peace and Hope.
by Jerry Lubinski
This month we are helping the South Whidbey chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The timing couldn’t be better, as in October we are starting a new home. We have a family chosen and the building will soon start on Gramayre Road off Highway 20 in Teronda West. It will be 1,000 sq. ft. and a two bedroom, one bath home. The partner family will provide 500 hours of “sweat equity” and then will have a thirty year, no interest, mortgage.
Besides generous donations, we are asking for volunteers. We can use the help at any skill or non-skill level. We need people to hammer nails, cut boards, and/or clean up the site so that it is always neat and tidy. We also need people to make lunches of sandwiches and fruit, or to bake cookies for coffee breaks. Please contact Chris or Jerry Lubinski, cairn@whidbey.com, if you can help in any way.
Nigel J. Taber-Hamilton
There have been two very interesting questions submitted in the “Ask the Rector” box since the last edition of the Light closed. I’ll try and answer them as best I can in the space allotted.
1. “Why do you keep changing the content of the service and prayers? Some is not from the Book of Common Prayer.”
Actually the BCP indicates that change is in order in a number of ways – for instance the opening acclamation changes seasonally (p. 323 & p. 355); different sets of prayers are recommended for different seasons (p. 383); different ‘proper prefaces’ are appropriate at certain times (p.344-349; p.377-382); and, of course, we use different service music seasonally, and different hymns (at the 10:00 a.m. service anyway) every week.
With specific regard to the Prayers of the People the rubrics on page 383 make it clear the six forms included in the BCP are intended as examples rather than being the required forms to be used. The hope of the General Convention Commission on Liturgy was that every congregation would write its own prayers. They now recognize that if they had really wanted this to happen they should not have included any examples at all.
In addition the “Prayers of the People” rubrics note that “any of the forms may be confirmed to the language of the Rite being used”, as we have done for Rite I.
The original authors of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer have acknowledged that – since this book was the first revision of an Anglican BCP since the blossoming of the ecumenical Liturgical Movement (begun by the Roman Catholics, adopted by all mainline denominations) – they made a number of errors and omissions that other Anglican Provinces – seeing their mistakes – did not make. This included the need for more opening acclamations for Advent and Christmas, for Epiphany, and for “Ordinary Time”. They also recognize they needed to give greater attention to issues of inclusive language. To an extent these problems have been addressed in our newer materials, “Enriching our Worship 1 & 2”.
The Book of Common Prayer is, in other words, not the final and exclusive standard for liturgical practice. We are given the flexibility to use other materials as appropriate. The BCP is the main resource but even then it is a resource that allows for significant variation.
Since we use a full bulletin we are able to incorporate some of these resources into our service more easily than those congregations who still use the physical book as their primary worship resource.
2. Thinking of the sabbatical slogan “Reclaiming the Past; Remaking the future”, someone asks “How do you remake something that has not been made?”
This is a very interesting semantic question. The simple answer is that, in reclaiming our past we are intentionally seeking a future informed by that reclamation. In all likelihood this will mean that the future will be different than had we done nothing to re-examine who we are or seek to reclaim that ancient identity for ourselves into our present. Changing our present (as a result of this deeper understanding of the past) will necessarily mean that the future will be different too. Hence in a very real way when we reclaim our past we are changing – remaking – our future.
Vestry Liaison, Christian Education
Life Lesson – Take Nothing for Granted
As summer comes to a close and our budding ministry for children and youth begins in earnest, I am moved to share my hopes and dreams for St. Augustine’s with you, my parish family, in both tangible and philosophical ways. More specifically, I want to share the life lesson that has become clear this summer . . . take nothing for granted, but make sure that what needs to happen, does so.
Looking back,(and I’m doing a lot of this as my son Matt enters his senior year of high school!) I can still remember what it felt like walking into the St. Augustine’s narthex some 18 years ago with my husband Marv. We were expecting our first baby and were excited about our new life as parents. It was a foggy, damp day and there were deer in the mist as we drove down the hill. What an incredible setting! Everything about St. Augustine’s felt like home . . . the natural setting, the friendly people, the familiar liturgy, and Fr. Bill’s reassuring, gentle manner. Although Marv and I had sporadically attended various neighborhood Episcopal churches and St. Mark’s Cathedral on occasion, becoming parents brought us back to church in a whole new way. Most importantly, when we walked though the door that first time, we took for granted that our spiritual needs would be met, as would those of our children. We never questioned it. After all, hadn’t we always found a certain peace, wonder, and sense of belonging at church? What more could we want for our children? Didn’t all churches provide for the needs of everyone, especially for children, since the future of any church depends on educating children in the ways of worship?
Well, to keep a long story shorter, the next fifteen years at St. Augustine’s would be filled with good intentions; a pageant or two; processions; volunteer efforts; and short-lived paid positions to attempt securing what we all take for granted . . . that the church is there for everyone. Many people stepped outside their “comfort zone” to support our Christian Education programs when the need for help was dire, only to end up feeling “stuck” with expectations that eventually produced “burn out.” I trust that many of you are familiar with this cycle, whether or not you were part of our particular one!
I’m here to point out a change, a real crossroads where things can be different, especially for young people and families who want to be part of our parish community. Personally, I am relieved to be rid of the nagging feeling that St. Augustine’s isn’t prioritizing a true welcome and options for children and families. Lucky for us, we have been rescued by multiple blessings: Janis Wright showered us with more than a few pennies from heaven, and left funds enabling us to prioritize the children’s ministry; and Fr. JR Lander accepted the position of Associate in charge of Christian Education bringing a depth of experience in working with children and youth from several parishes. Selfishly, I’m excited for my boys to have something at church not put on by their mother! In addition, Fr. David Close has agreed to continue teaching the younger children using the Godly Play program that encourages spiritual wonderings to last a lifetime. We are so very lucky and I thank God for these special blessings, but neither should we take these blessings for granted.
In short, change cannot be carried by the few and last very long. Offering quality programs for families, children, and youth will take all of us and will require a change in how we view our parish activities. For example, it is essential that we have nursery care at all our activities so that attendance by families is supported. If coming to events just means babysitting your own kids away from home and at the same time, trying to concentrate on what is being said, why come? In addition, we need to support both Sunday school and tween/youth groups with staffing in a variety of positions; we need craftspeople to make parts of the Godly Play curriculum; and people who are interested in working with tweens (10-13 year olds) and teens (14-18 year olds) in their youth group meetings. I invite you to become part of the change. Be supportive in any way you can. If you do have time or talent to share and would be willing to attend the Godly Play training later this fall, please let either JR, David Close, Loretta in the office, or me know! We’d be delighted to place you where you’re comfortable offering what you can, when you can.
Thank you for reading this appeal/musing/reflection/open letter to the editor. I appreciate each and every one of you as my fellow parishioners and brother or sister in Christ. We’re all in this together! My hope is that this letter will start further musings and conversations around our common purpose. Join me in a developing and heightened awareness against taking anything for granted, and realizing that we need to do whatever it takes and whatever action is necessary to shape our collective future together.
Most sincerely and with love,
Sue O. Idso
September is the first month of our 2007-2008 program year of Christian formation. Below you will find the month's calendar for these opportunities.
- September 9th
- 9:15 a.m. Adult Forum
- 9:30 a.m. Christian Formation Kick-Off
- September 16th
- 9:15 a.m. Adult Forum
- 9:45 a.m. Tween Time
- 9:45 a.m. Godly Play
- 5:00 p.m. Youth Group
- September 23rd
- 9:15 a.m. Adult Forum
- 9:45 a.m. Tween Time
- 9:45 a.m. Godly Play
- 5:00 p.m. Kid's Club
- September 30th
- 9:15 a.m. Adult Forum
- 9:45 a.m. Tween Time
- 9:45 a.m. Godly Play
by J. R. Lander
I am very pleased to announce the start of our 2007-2008 program year ministries for young people. We will launch these programs on Sunday, September 9th. I hope that you all might be present to celebrate these new ministries of our community.
The driving purpose of these ministries is to share our Christian stories and our own stories with our young people, and to let our young people share their stories with our parish. We encourage our young people to ask questions, whether or not we may have an answer or answers for it. This year, we are offering four distinct programs for different age groups:
Nursery-
We will commit to providing childcare during our Sunday morning 10AM service, and other major parish events. This childcare will include playtime and activities, which will teach and express our Christian faith.
Godly Play- (PK through 3rd Grade)
Godly Play is a Montessori based program for forming our younger children in faith. In Godly Play, our young people will explore our faith through play, interaction, and arts. We are blessed with the passion that David Cross and Sue Idso have for this program, and their deep interest in sharing it both with the children of our parish, and with the adults. Our Godly Play participants will join their families in Church at the “Peace” during the 10AM Holy Eucharist.
‘Tween Ministry- (4th through 7th Grade)
During Sunday morning, young people in this group will gather in the undercroft at 9:50. We will explore the Bible lessons for that day, and through arts and music help young people apply those stories to their lives and apply their lives to those stories. At the Peace, this group will join the rest of the community for the second half of the Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. service.
Kids’ Club
Our evening group is a time for our young people to have fun, while growing in their understanding of Christ and of Christ’s Church. We will have movie nights, followed by a discussion of the movie. We will participate in outreach ministries. We will play loud and fun games.
Youth Group
Our Sunday evening time will be dedicated to activities our youth desire and assist in planning for. We will include theological discussions, movie nights, outdoor activities, game nights, and outreach opportunities.
Youth Acolytes
Our youth group members who wish will become members of our Youth Acolytes, and will provide liturgical leadership one Sunday per month at the 10 a.m. Sunday Holy Eucharist
We hope that, if you have young people in your household, you will encourage them to participate in these programs. We also ask that you share the news of these new ministries with friends and family on the island, so that we might include them in our parish family.
We are actively seeking adult leaders for all of these programs. We are recruiting multiple volunteers for each program, so that no one has to commit to participate weekly. Your witness to these young people is vitally important to our program. If you are interested in giving your time, please contact the office or e-mail J.R. Lander at jameslander@gmail.com
by Isabel Neddow
We have quite a few books in the library which pertain to the caring ministry, and now have a section entitled “Caring Ministry”. Diana Klein donated one of the newest – “A Three Dog Life” by Abigail Thomas. It is an honest account of the affect on a marriage when one spouse suffers brain damage from an accident. Another new acquisition is “Eat, Pray, Love”. Elizabeth Gilbert has written a best-selling memoir of her path to get over a loss – eat for four months in Italy, pray in an ashram in India for a few months, and then find love when she least expects it. I know this takes quite a bit of money, but enjoy it vicariously.
Other recent donations are some good mysteries and a novel involving East Indian immigrants from Judy Yeakel. Bev Babson has given “The Lost Gospel of Thomas” and two biographies by Bruce Chilton among many others. Thanks to Nancy Langler for Hosseini Khaled’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, being difficult to keep on the shelf. And a box of books from Joyce Mowles I haven’t gotten to along with a wonderfully illustrated children’s book from Joan Wortman - “One Winter Night”.
The ‘God Is Watching’ money will be used to buy fiction paperbacks. Suggestions are welcome. You may choose paperbacks from the basket as well as from the shelves.
by Judy Yeakel
One of the most important areas of the Caring Ministry is pastoral care for church members. If you or someone you know needs help, notify Nigel through the church office or call his cell phone. If Nigel is away contact the designated clergy person. The office will provide the information for you. If you are unable to reach one of these people, call the Senior Warden.
If you need to leave a message, be as specific as possible about the need:
- Name of person(s)
- A short description of the need: call and/or visit by clergy, transportation, food, etc.
- Where the person(s) is (at home, hospital, etc.)
- What has been done for the person(s) so far
- Be sure to tell the office your name and phone number.
Nigel or one of the other people will call the person in need or his/her spouse, or family for further details. Then he will call the member or coordinator of the Caring Ministry Committee to activate the process.
by Ethel Waters
Trash and Treasure Event is almost upon us.
September 29th is not too far away. This is the 45th year for this annual sale. Start looking for salable items now for the greatest recycling effort of the year!
Your cupboards or garages will become clean. Your discards will become someone else’s treasure. Your item will be recycled and the profits will be distributed to your community neighbors.
Volunteers will be welcomed to help prepare the merchandise in the week prior to the sale. Lunches will be provided the volunteers on work days. You may even find a “replacement treasure” of your own, so please come join in the camaraderie which distills this fun sale of the year.
Baked goods, especially pies will be needed. The Lunch Room will be available for the public and the famous hot dogs will reappear. The sale will feature “the Treasure House” for special finds. There will be sections for baked goods, books, linens, housewares, plants, jewelry, crafts and decorative materials. The male volunteers will host the tent outside featuring tools, toys, garden supplies and items without a known name or use.
Experience has taught the ECW that some items do not sell and such a list will be prepared for the office. If you have a question about donating an item, please contact the church office. And pass the word around your neighborhood to save the date – Saturday, September 29th starting at 9:00 a.m.!
by Wendy Close
There are many arms that make up the Caring Ministry here at St. Augustine’s. One of those arms is a Parish Nurse. Wendy Close is a Registered Nurse who has been certified as a Parish Nurse and has worked in Medford, OR, in that capacity before moving to Whidbey Island.
A Parish Nurse functions as a promoter of wholistic health, health educator and counselor, resource and referral agent, and coordinator of health related activities, thus encouraging the healing ministry of the church. Wendy will be working with the rector, the vestry, the staff and the Caring Ministry to develop and carry out this new ministry at St. Augustine’s.
by Fr. Alexander Tkachenko
Dear friends:
Every day our specialists visit our new patients in the region “Leningrad”. We have found that many families have to live in a very severe social situation--they have no medicine and their children receive no appropriate care. Parents are not provided with any information with regard to social and medical matters. An ill child is often completely isolated, with no educational opportunities. At present the children in the region are visited only by our medical service. However, we plan for the future that the specialists of our psychological service will also come to the families in order to support ill children and their parents.
On the 4up>th of July we were invited to a concert of the choir of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, Seattle, USA. Several choir members are our colleagues and work at a hospice in America. Besides an excellent performance, our friends prepared wonderful presents for us. Choir members and friends had made by hand quilts for the children at Children’s Hospice; maybe 70 or more!! These quilts looked so beautiful and merry as they were brought to the stage! A hand made present always has a grain of the master’s soul in it. And there was so much love, cordiality and concern put into these quilts!
One of our work directions is support of children’s development and education. Since this month a specialist in defectology – Mrs. Elvira A. V’alkova - cares for our children. She will regularly carry out developing lessons for those children who lag behind in their studies because of their illness. We consider that it is impossible to improve one’s life quality without providing conditions for a child’s development, for improving his talents and interests. A disease may not become a barrier for receiving a high-quality education by our patients and we try to ensure such a possibility for them.
Our little patients told us very often about their wish to learn to paint, to model and to make articles by hand. Since this month our children may every week attend lessons at the Craft School of the Ethnographical Museum of St. Petersburg. They already had lessons in manufacturing dolls and in painting on the wood. These lessons are especially valuable because our children do all exercises together with healthy children. It’s important because it is well-known that one of the reasons of psychological problems of the children with serious diseases is their social isolation.
In this issue of our bulletin we’d like to tell you about our pediatrician Olga P. Ivanova. She manages a medical team responsible for children with different kinds of miopathy (muscular dystrophy). It is a serious disease with an unfavorable prognosis. This illness requires very special attention to the ill children and their families. Olga is a young specialist yet, however, the combination of her responsibility, consideration and ability to mix with children makes her a real professional.
With gratitude for your attention and cooperation,
Fr. Alexander Tkachenko, Executive Director
Email: children.hospice@rambler.ru
If you would like to take a tax deduction on the donation, make your check payable to St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church clearly mark on the memo line “Children’s Hospice”. Be sure that your correct name and return address are included. St. Augustine’s in the Woods is, a strong supporter of Children’s Hospice, has agreed to serve as a recipient for donations.
What a joy to gather together (all 145+ of us) along with Rachel Taber-Hamilton and her ‘flock’ from St. Stephen on a most beautiful afternoon at Ebey State Park last month.
As usual, the pockets of conversations changed rapidly in order to connect with everyone.
There was not enough room on the tables to accommodate all the delicious dishes. And, as usual, the food disappeared rapidly.
Those that could, mastered the bluffs and enjoyed the beach and hikes.
Sue Idso and Susan Sandri entertained everyone by face-painting those that would sit still.
A trivia question sheet was distributed.
Many thanks to Nancy Langler and her ‘crew’ for coordinating a wonderful gathering. Let’s do it again next year!
by Joan Johnson, Director
For two weeks in July St. Augustine’s Parish was a beehive of activity as 38 preschoolers, 3 staff members, and 7 teen assistant teachers “traveled” the world. Stops along the way included Sweden, Russia, Costa Rica, Australia, Hawaii, and our own Whidbey Island. The children enjoyed stories, songs, snacks, crafts, and activities representative of each locale. A busy, noisy, fun-filled time was had by all! Thanks go to Felicia, Jenna, Kelsi, and Emily Lindus, Liz, Caroline, and Will Habel, Laura Chan, and Lauren Stelling for making Day Camp a success.
September 10 will mark the beginning of St. Augustine’s Preschool’s 22nd year. Once again, morning and afternoon classes are being offered for any South and Central Whidbey children who are three or four. There will also be three four-week sessions during the school year for two-year-olds.
Teachers for the year are Joan Johnson, Felicia Lindus, and Liz Habel. We are currently looking for someone to do occasional substituting and/or to help with the two-year-old classes. Anyone interested in this position, as well as any prospective preschool families, can contact Joan Johnson at 331-4748.
Early childhood education is important to us. Our goal and our ministry is to provide enriching educational
experiences for preschoolers in a loving Christian environment.
by Trevor Arnold
Without researching when the first newsletter from St. Augustine’s was created and distributed, or who was the first editor, I will have to ‘wing it’ from here on.
Many, many of you have contributed so many articles, notices, schedules, etc, it would be impossible to thank each of you individually. There have been volumes of volunteer hands processing the newsletter for mailing. This included (in the pre-Xerox days) checking addresses, collating, folding, stapling, sealing, stamping, addressing and bundling by zip codes over 200 issues monthly. Among those always present has been one person who appeared every month to ‘proof’ the edition as well.
Jan Mulder has silently been the backbone of our newsletter for the past ‘umpteen’ years. He took matters into his own hands making sure facts, dates, quotes, etc., were correct. If, by the rare chance a correction slipped by, we all heard about it. He is a perfectionist.
A simple “thank you” is not enough to express my appreciation to this man for all his ‘ministry’ to the Episcopalian community. Jan is ‘retiring’ from his service to The Light. His humor, great stories and faithfulness will be sadly missed.
1. Rubber Band - Be flexible, things might not always go the way you want but it will work out.
2. Band-aid - Heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s.
3. Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in others.
4. Mint - You are worth a mint to your family and friends.
5. Gum - Stick to it and you can accomplish anything.
6. Eraser - Everyone makes mistakes.
7. Pencil - List your blessings every day.
8. Tea Bag - To remind you to relax and go over the list of blessings.
9. Candy Kiss - Everyone needs a kiss or a hug every day.
Next month is the All Parish Dinner! Save October 25th at 5:30 p.m. to join your friends and fellow parishioners for a wonderful dinner, fellowship and a serene Compline. It just won’t be the same if you’re not there.
- 1
- Lois Lewis’s Birthday
- 2
- 17th Sunday of Pentecost
- 3
- Labor Day (office closed)
- 5
- ECW meets in undercroft
- Kate Scott’s Birthday
- 7
- Ken Anderson’s Birthday
- 9
- MSO for Habitat for Humanity
- Registration opens for church preschool
- John Watson’s Birthday
- 10
- Carol & Rob Castleberry’s Anniversary
- 11
- Jerry Lubinski’s Birthday
- Kevin Sandri’s Birthday
- 12
- Bob & Shirley Erb’s Anniversary
- Gary & Carole Hansen’s Anniversary
- Jody Heiken’s Birthday
- Sherm Wortman’s Birthday
- 13
- 3 p.m. Stewardship Training Meeting in undercroft
- 6:30 p.m. Reception for Father Alexander Tkachenko
- 15
- Consecration of Bishop Rickel
- Jane McKay’s Birthday
- October Light Deadline
- 5:30 p.m. Holmes Harbor Home Owner’s Assoc. meeting in undercroft
- 16
- Anita Berger’s Birthday
- Julie Bird’s Birthday
- 18
- Liz Kershaw’s Birthday
- Marie & Paul Miller’s Anniversary
- 19
- Louise & T.K. Wegg’s Anniversary
- 20
- Fletcher Davis’s Birthday
- Mitzi & Wren MacLean’s Anniversary
- 21
- International Peace Day
- 22
- 6 p.m. Interdenominational Vigil of Peace and Hope in the church
- 25
- David McClellan’s Birthday
- 26
- Jack Halstead’s Birthday
- 29
- Trash & Treasure Sale
- Carole Tyson’s Birthday
- Elaine & Fred Ludtke’s Anniversary
- 30
- Jan Mulder’s Birthday
Thought of the Day:
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
