The Light Parish NewsletterIn This Issue:
From the Rector
The days are longer now, and the rains have arrived.
The smell of damp leaves (and for some of us, wet
dogs!) is in the air – Thanksgiving is just around
the corner, and Advent looms on the horizon.As
usual there will be a number of things happening in
the next month that help to draw us into the cycle
of the year. On Thanksgiving Eve (November 24) there
will be the usual Thanksgiving service, and on
Thanksgiving Day we will, again, be putting on the
St. Augustine’s Thanksgiving Day meal. Look for more
information about these events in the Sunday
bulletin, and for sign-up sheets for the meal as
dates get closer.
As usual, the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day
is the First Sunday of Advent. The services take on
a simpler character as we reflect on and prepare for
the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas. The
liturgical colors change from green to blue, and the
character of the hymns and service music mirrors the
reflective nature of the readings. This year – as
mentioned in a previous “Light” – we will be singing
more of the service. At the 8:00 a.m. service two
verses of “O come, O come Emmanuel” will replace the
Gloria. And at the 10:00 a.m. service we will
continue singing the preface to the Great
Thanksgiving Prayer, and will begin singing the
Lord’s Prayer. These are intentional changes – begun
last year and earlier this summer in the case of the
former two, and beginning on Advent 1 in the case of
the Lord’s Prayer.
The rationale for the added singing (or
“chanting” in the case of the service music) is
based on several things:
- From as early as the First Century almost
every part of the service (including the
readings) was chanted. This has continued to be
the case in the Orthodox Church, and to a lesser
extent in the Roman Catholic Church as well as
in many Episcopal parishes.
- And studies have shown that singing helps
create community, that it is less an individual
activity and more one that helps a common
identity to form.
- Lastly, it has been shown that we retain
upwards of 80% of the things we sing, and about
15% of the things we hear spoken (which, of
course, helps explain those darned commercial
jingles that we can’t get out of our heads!).
These realities present a very compelling
justification for singing more of the service. We
will have opportunities to practice singing the
Lord’s Prayer before the actual beginning of its use
in the service.
The other parts of the service that most commonly
lend themselves to chanting are the Creed, the
collect for the day, and the gospel. After we have
had the opportunity to get used to singing the
Lord’s Prayer the worship committee will assess what
our next step should be. Your opinion and feedback
are enormously valuable in situations like this and
I would encourage you to share them with any worship
committee member (Cleveland Riley Jr. is the chair),
our wardens, Trevor Arnold and Anne Pringle, or
myself.
God’s blessings to you all,
Nigel
Our Mission Sunday Offering goes to Friends of
Friends ,an organization which started in 1997 and
has been assisting local people with overwhelming
medical needs ever since. St. Augustine's has always
been very generous and they are grateful for our
help. The kinds of assistance they provide covers
bills from Doctors, Hospitals, Labs, Radiologists,
emergency treatments and prescription drugs.
Payments are made directly to care providers and,
importantly,
compassionate help is given to the patients and
family members who may not be aware of other kinds
of assistance. Friends of Friends is including the
following information in its yearly fundraising.
Please give generously to this unique local group of
community helpers
Dear Friends:
Your annual donation to Friends of
Friends Medical Support Fund has made it
possible for these three people—and 177 more so
far this year—to receive over $50,000 in needed
medical care including prescriptions, doctor
visits, hospital and lab fees, diagnostic tests,
and medical transportation. This annual
request for your continued support will insure
that we can again meet the needs of our friends
and neighbors.
Looking ahead to 2005, we know that
the need for our services will continue to exist
and continue to increase. In 2004 we knew we
would have to watch our budget and be prepared
for another tight year. Our predictions were
correct. We will have helped over 250 people
by the end of this year, an increase of 20% over
2003. Thanks to your generous donations and
our careful management, we haven’t had to turn
anyone away.
Your annual donation of $100.00 or
more (in a lump sum or monthly payments) allows
us to be available, prepared and able to
continue this work. Your work really!
Because though the board takes the calls and
does the paperwork, without your donation each
year, Friends of Friends wouldn’t exist.
We’ve been blessed with support from local
service organizations, community funds and
individuals who have sponsored fundraisers on
our behalf, but it is your response to our
annual solicitation letter that makes up the
majority of our budget.
We know that you appreciate the
work that we do by your donations and your words
of encouragement, but you should also know how
much we appreciate you. Each year you open
your checkbooks and provide the heart and soul
of friends helping friends and neighbors helping
neighbors. So on behalf of those whose lives
will be touched by your on-going generosity, we
sincerely thank you very much.
The Friends of Friends Board of
Directors: Becky Foote, Bob French, Claudia
Fuller, Dana Kelly, Cynthia Jaffe, Peggy Kimbell,
Seth Layman, Paul Mathews, Christi Ruscigno,
Suzanne Schlicke, Diana Shirley, Mary Stewart,
Lynn Willeford, Patty Willson, Melissa Young.
Fall Ingathering Sunday, November 7
by Barbara Moss
The U.T.O. program is one of ongoing participation
by actively offering prayers of thanks to God and
then giving tangible thanks with coins, currency and
checks. Blue boxes for these monies are available,
along with an informative brochure, in the narthex.
Please note: there will also be an ingathering in
the spring.
Envelopes for transferring your offering will be in
the October 31 bulletins. Should you wish, you may
offer your Blue Box at the ingathering. These funds
are forwarded to the Diocesan Coordinator who
records and forwards the total amount to the
National United Thank Offering office. This money is
placed on interest until such time that the
committee meets in the spring to award the grants.
Each year 100% of the collected offering is granted.
U.T.O. funds such things as: kitchen equipment for a
homeless shelter; playground for child-care center;
handicap access in church and service buildings; a
school in the Dominican Republic; family counseling;
a dental clinic for the poor; a library for a
seminary in Africa; a Bishop’s house in a new
overseas diocese; vans and other vehicles. Note: The
Church of the Resurrection, Mount Vernon, has
received a van from these funds.
“God gave you the gift of 86,000 seconds today, have
you used one to say “thank you?” William A. Ward
At the September meeting, new members were nominated
and elected including Fr. Bill Burnett, and new
officers were elected including myself as Vice
Chairman. The board will have a booth at the
Episcopal Convention October 29 & 30 representing
SPSSCP, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the Children's
Hospice of St. Petersburg.
November 9th to 30th are the dates of my next
journey to St. Petersburg to visit our brothers &
sisters in Christ at St. Nicholas Cathedral and the
Children's Hospice. Both of these ministries are
part of the Sister Churches Program. Visits are also
planned with each of the program's sister churches
(8 in all) and the third candidate for CPE training
(Igor Khristich) who will come to Seattle in the
Summer of 2005. Since there are no other trips
planned prior to the start of the growing season, I
have offered to take the seeds (about 70#) for all
the sister churches and friends. With only one
person traveling, this means there will not be room
to carry the usual array of gifts we send to our
friends at St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Beginning the first Sunday in December I hope to
have bells, Russian items, and "who knows what" for
sale just in time for your holiday shopping
pleasure! Of course, all proceeds will benefit St.
Nicholas Cathedral & the Children's Hospice.
Carole Hansen
October's theme at St. Augustine's Preschool was
"Safe and Sound." The children enjoyed visits from
policemen, firemen, and an EMT. Of course, the
arrival of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances
did make unsuspecting friends at church a bit
apprehensive! We also hiked through the "Meditation
Trail" looking for fall leaves and spider webs. The
month ended with forty excited costumed children at
their Halloween parties.
November will bring popcorn parties for the children
and their parents and lessons on thankfulness. St.
Augustine's Educational Building is a very busy,
active place!
Knitting into the Mystery - A Shawl - Prayer
Knitting Circle We will meet Monday evenings at 7:30 on November 1 and December 6. Please call
Carole Hansen (360-341-4812) if you plan to attend so we can arrange an
appropriate location. No experience is required. The act of knitting in
contemplation imbues each item with the presence of God. Knitting in
contemplation is an act of love, what you knit isn't as important as what
happens to you when you are knitting.
Altar Guild The Pre-Advent meeting of the Altar Guild will be Tuesday, November 2 at 11:00
a.m. in the Nave.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW) The Episcopal Church Women meeting on Nov 3 will feature Henrietta Price,
renowned hat-maker from Seattle. Ladies are encouraged to wear hats. In addition
to the sandwich you bring to share, there will be soup and coffee and special
tea cakes for the occasion. All women of the parish are invited to attend.
Men's Breakfast Men’s Breakfast meets November 13 at 8:30 a.m. The speaker will be Richard
Davis, Investment Manager All are welcome.
Pastoral Care Pastoral Care Committee meets November 17 at 1:00 p.m.
Advent Lessons and Carols The Worship Committee and St. Augustine’s Choir presents Advent Lessons and
Carols - December 5th at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. It would be a good time to
invite a friend.
All Souls Requiem November 6, 2004, 7:30 PM at St. Mark's Cathedral
The Cathedral Choir and the Peregrine Medieval Vocal Ensemble sing Tomás Luis de
Victoria's Requiem. The Very Rev. Robert V. Taylor, Dean , will preach. The
program is dedicated to those who have died in the past year, especially those
who have died from AIDS.
Food Bank Facts by Carole
Hansen We'd all like to help feed the 23 million Americans who rely on food charities,
but often food banks receive too many snacks and not enough healthy,
nonperishable fare. What do they really need?
Filling food: "Food banks are perpetually low on protein," says Sue Hofer, of
America's Second Harvest. The Atlanta Community Food Bank, for example, lists
peanut butter, canned tuna and soup among it top needs.Kid-friendly food: If school is out, parents need to replace cafeteria fare.
Give 100% fruit juice, powdered mild, cereal, canned veggies and macaroni and
cheese.
Cash: It is always in short supply.
Address Changes
Jan Denis Mulder
P. O. Box 987
Freeland WA 98249-0987
360-331-6532
email:
friendly@pugetsound.net
Cleveland Riley, Jr.
P. O. Box 987
Freeland WA 98249-0987
360-331-6532
email:
friendly@pugetsound.net
Treats for Troops November 4th, 7:00PM
Langley Middle School Multi-purpose Room
Langley Middle School Eighth Grade Leadership Class, is hosting a community card
making and letter writing event to thank our Service People. As part of a week
long focus on gathering mail and care packages to ship to our local troops and
those not receiving holiday mail from home, we’re opening the cafeteria for an
evening of cookies, music, and cheer. Michela, a student at LMS said, “We’re
hoping people will come by for five minutes or for the entire hour and a half.
We just want our troops to know we’re thinking about them this holiday season.”
There will be materials to make cards, as well as holiday decorations like paper
snowflakes to hang in their tents. Zoe, a student-helping collect donated cards,
“We just want to thank our troops and we know other people feel the same way.
Lots of people want to send mail but don’t know how. So come to LMS, we’ll get
mail to the troops for you!” Because the USO no longer accepts mail addressed to
‘Any Soldier’ many of our service people are not getting mail—that’s where
organizations like SOS America Inc. come in. “They collect the names of people
serving and give us a list. We’re adding all of our local graduates to that
list—Whidbey Island cares about them—we want them to know it.” Said Lynne
Malecki, teacher.
Items for care packages will also be collected at the school the week of
November 1-5. Gum, energy bars, hot chocolate and coffee, snack foods like
Oreos, playing cards and games, magazines, paperback books and tins to keep rats
out are all welcome. “We’re going to wrap the presents, add cards and send cool
boxes. Who wants rats eating your food from home? They need tins to keep rats
out.” Micah a student heading up the wrapping team said when asked what
motivated her. The public is welcome to donate any items, they can be dropped
off at the school during the day or brought the evening of November 4th. All
donations are tax deductible through SOS America Inc.
Hospitals around the country are also on the list for mail. “The wounded come
home and have nothing. Some are in the hospital for months.” New t-shirts,
sweats, jeans and backpacks are needed for those in recovery. “They have nothing
and that’s not okay with us,” Caleb Nerrison, student.
All ages are welcome to attend the card-making event and all donations will be
gratefully sent on. Students will be appearing on Northwest Afternoon Television
Program, Thursday, October 28th, with a CSA inviting the larger Seattle
community to join them.
Contact: Lynne Malecki,
Leadership Advisor
lmalecki@sw.wednet.edu
(360) 221-5100 ext 3119
Although the time between Thanksgiving and
Christmas is usually too hectic to include much
reading, you may want to give these a try. Each is
small and has the power to bring us back to the real
meaning of Advent and Christmas.
- Jan Karon is always readable and “Shepherd’s
Abiding” (F/KAR) is no exception. Mitford at
Christmas is an escape to a remembered place.
- “The Irrational Season” (242/LEN) is a
series of essays loosely based on the church
seasons, beginning and ending with Advent.
Madeleine L’Engle shares her doubt and
spirituality with both wisdom and humor.
- editations for Advent and Christmas is the
subtitle of Anne McConney’s “Our December
Hearts” (260/McC). There is a short meditation
for each day of Advent through the Thirteenth
day of Christmas, but it is a book meant for
questioning and grazing among the days.
- "No Trace of Christmas?” (220.6/DOH) is the
question answered in this book by Christoph
Dohmen, an Old Testament scholar. Much of the
imagery and prophesy in the Old Testament is a
portent of the Christmas story. Dohmen’s thesis
is that Christians need to know this part of the
Bible to understand the message of Christmas.
- Each chapter in “These Twelve Days” (263/KAS)
describes a Feast Day after Christmas with
reference to scripture, tradition and ideas for
family celebration. Written by two Protestant
pastors, James Kasperson and Marina Lachechi, it
contains some entertaining traditions of the
Christmas season.
- “Let Every Heart Prepare” by Barbara
Cawthorne Crafton (240/CRA) is a little book of
meditations for Advent and Christmas to be read
when the Grinch is stealing Christmas.
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Marcia Siring |
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Gail Roach |
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Mickey McGuire |
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Doris Hunter |
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Mitzi MacLean |
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Ted Brookes |
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Bill Carruthers |
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Chris Lubinski |
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Joan Cameron |
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Frances Maxwell |
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Emily Seaman |
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Gretchen Wood |
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Nancy Ruff |
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Dorothy Sofge |
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Bruce Campbell |
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Helen and Tom
Clendenin |
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Shirley and Bill
Bauder |
If your birthday or
anniversary has been left
out it might be because the
parish office does not have
this information. Please
call Rachel to
check.
From Claree Vandergrift, Clerk
- We will formally welcome Deacon Julie Bird
and her husband Dr. Ted Bird on November 7th.
The October Light is a must reading in the
Rector's Column.
- Dick Hall announced the formation of an
Episcopal Peace Fellowship Chapter at St.
Augustine's with an initial membership of 6
persons. He presented Peace and Reconciliation
materials at the September 21st Vestry meeting.
This report is an attachment to the official
Vestry minutes of that date.
- The $1000.00 committed for St. M&M's in the
2004 budget will be sent immediately.
- Fr. Nigel reported on his Continuing
Education Program the week of September 10-17.
His subjects were: Strategic Planning; the
Gospel of John; the Nature of Authority.
- The bridge loan for the acquired land is to
be paid by December 31st to avoid a contracted
higher interest rate. Pledged monies are needed
by that date.
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