Freeland, Whidbey Island, Washington


A prayer for our parish: Almighty and ever living God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Compassion	Commitment	Reverence	Reconciliation

Parish Profile

Preface

It is said, often in praise but sometimes in frustration, that the Pacific Northwest is a region of America where everybody gets consulted about every decision. St. Augustine's in-the-Woods exemplifies the tradition at its best. The parish practices participation in all of its endeavors, and continues to be a work in progress.

The spirit is displayed at its best at the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eucharists each Sunday morning. In recent years, however, Saturday morning has been perhaps the best time to understand what the people of God are doing, and what God does, on Honeymoon Bay Road, north of Freeland, Washington.

On a given Saturday, the monthly men's breakfast in the parish hall may be listening to a lecture on Celtic churches, a debate on county land use policies, or the Island County Sheriff explaining how he keeps track of sex offenders. The hall may be filled with items for the next Trash and Treasure sale, an ECW tradition for almost four decades, which gifts several thousand dollars of the proceeds back into the community each year.

Upstairs, the worship committee may be at work on liturgy for the upcoming church season, striving to achieve consensus on a panel that includes traditionalists, Anglo-Catholics, and advocates of the supplemental liturgical texts. Musicians are likely practicing to present not only pipe organ accompaniment, but on many occasions cello, harp, flute, and piano. In the past few years, our parish has sometimes fielded the largest contingent in the annual Saturday morning AIDS Walk in our county seat of Coupeville.

The buildings of the parish have a ministry of their own. At times it is quiet. If eyes wander during a meeting, deer can often be seen grazing on the lawn outside. But Whidbey Island is also known for its windstorms. Usually, about three times a year, a Saturday work party is needed to clear up blown branches. The church was struck by lightning a few years back, but the event is not considered an indication of divine approval or disapproval.

Narrative History of the Parish

Fifty years ago St. Augustine's in-the-Woods was created as one of two missions undertaken by Trinity Church in Everett to bring the Episcopal Church into being on the 52-mile long island just to the west. This was in response to a request by a small group of local Episcopalians.

Although we are a young parish, we do have traditions. The foremost is participation. The hard labor, creative talents and resources of parishioners have been applied at every stage of parish development.

As the first parish building went up in the early 1960's, churchwomen purchased the steeple with money earned from a bake sale in Bayview, a hot dog sale in Freeland, and serving dinners at Chamber of Commerce meetings. A gift of stock paid for the pews. Bulletins were printed on a donated duplicating machine. Traditions begun at that time, notably the Trash and Treasure Sale, have continued to this day.

The first church building was dedicated by Bishop William Lewis on August 11, 1963. Within a few years, however, the congregation, then a mission, outgrew its worship space. By 1977, plans took shape for a new church. Ground was broken on May 4, 1978. A church choir officially came into existence early in 1979. Even as it was building a new church, the parish found resources to sponsor several Vietnamese refugee families.

St. Augustine's in-the-Woods officially became a parish in the fall of 1981, calling Fr. William M. Burnett as Rector. He had been at the mission for twelve years as vicar, so the call didn't have to go far. At a joyous parish meeting in January 1982, the first vestry was elected.

Over the years, the parish has undergone subtle transformations. The 1970's were turbulent times during which young people challenged the traditional forms of religion. The Episcopal Church was undergoing its own upheavals over ordination of women and adoption of a new prayer book. However, St. Augustine's remained engaged, even though a few members left the parish in protest at liturgical change.

The young families of the early 1970's grew up. Some moved away. A few were lured by fundamentalist churches. Within a decade St. Augustine's was, to a large extent, a congregation of retirees, people drawn to a still-pastoral island just a twenty minute ferry ride from the expanding "Pugetopolis".

St. Augustine's in-the-Woods has always been deeply involved in the life of South Whidbey, the churched and the unchurched. In 1981, Fr. Burnett and a half dozen other clergy formed a proposal for a telephone ministry using lay people trained in basic counseling. That particular idea never took off, but out of these discussions arose an organization called Helping Hand, a ministry to individuals and families in crisis. Several members of St. Augustine's were instrumental in its creation, and Fr. Burnett chaired the board as Helping Hand struggled to its feet.

The mid-1980's saw a broadening of the parish's outreach. A 1986 sabbatical trip by Fr. Burnett to Russia planted the seeds for our sister parish relationship with St. Nicholas Cathedral, an Orthodox parish in Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg.

The parish membership has changed again in the 1990's. Several young families have joined, finding the parish accepting and outgoing. Children once again enliven parish life. St. Augustine's attracts parishioners from a wide area.

Continuing a long tradition of involvement in diocesan affairs, a member of St. Augustine's congregation chaired the Diocese of Olympia's capital campaign in 1991. As long ago as 1975, a parishioner chaired the nominating committee that drew up a list of candidates for the election of a new diocesan bishop.

St. Augustine's has helped foster ecumenical cooperation in the South Whidbey community. The ministers' weekly Lectionary study group has engaged a clergy spectrum ranging from Roman Catholic to Free Methodist. The churches of South Whidbey worship together at noon on Good Friday. Several years ago St. Augustine's instituted a joint Easter Vigil service with Trinity Lutheran. Alternating between the two churches, the Easter Vigil celebration now embraces Episcopal, Methodist, and two Lutheran congregations.

St. Augustine's in-the-Woods bears some resemblance to a bumblebee (an insect frequently seen in our gardens), in that the parts may not seem to match perfectly. The communion rail is populated by couples married a half-century, by young people with toddlers, and young children. Early this year, Solemn Evensong was celebrated on the same night as a discussion group was dissecting Bishop Spong's latest book.

As a parish, we are together in Christ. With help from the Holy Spirit the parish works, not only as a place of worship, but in affirming and living the Christian life in a setting that bespeaks the magnificence of God's creation.

We are still evolving and growing, sometimes disagreeing but striving to do so without rancor. St. Augustine's in-the-Woods is an optimistic place as we prepare for the 21st Century.

Facilities

Our original building, built in 1962, housed a small worship space and parish hall. The land was donated, as were many of the materials used to erect the church. When a new building was constructed in 1978, the "old" space was remodeled by volunteers to accommodate a growing Sunday school and a Preschool for 3 to 5 year olds. The Parish Hall became office space.

The new building with worship space, and an undercroft with kitchen, more than doubled the former size of the church. Parish craftsmen created many of the interior furnishings. One member, who was a cabinetmaker, designed and built many of the items in the chancel area, including the large Celtic cross and kneeling rails. Another parishioner made two carved wood pieces depicting St. Augustine of Canterbury, our patron Saint, and St. Francis of Assisi.

The Song of Creation is depicted in our stained glass windows which were designed especially for St. Augustine's by Mark Gulsrud, a well-known Washington artist. When the window project was announced in 1995, parish members became so enthusiastic that within two weeks the entire project was funded.

Our custom made Pasi pipe organ was acquired in much the same way with members and their families and friends from the community coming forward to provide the funds. The organ was designed and built for St. Augustine's by Martin Pasi, an Austrian organ builder who lives in Roy, Washington. A special blessing of the pipes was held on All Saints' Day 1997, with the actual pipes being brought into the church from the builder's truck by parish members and presented at the altar before installation began.

Our columbarium, nestled in the woods on the northeast section of the church grounds, was designed by local artists in the shape of a Celtic cross. The columbarium is a concrete aggregate form which houses burial niches and a memorial garden with a path constructed of beach stones. Large old trees and native growth surround the cross and a landscaped garden blends into the entry of the columbarium. It is a quiet place for reflection for many of our parish members.

The preschool children enjoy a play yard separated from the columbarium by a stand of woods. There are all sorts of swings and climbing toys that the church school children also enjoy on Sundays.

It is possible that within the next ten years, additions to the present facilities will be needed, especially if parish membership continues to grow to its potential.

Worship

Liturgically, we are basically a "middle of the road" parish. Customarily on Sundays, Rite I is used at the 8:00 AM service with some music, and Rite II is used at 10:00 AM with full music accompaniment including hymns, sung psalm and Eucharist, and anthems by the choir. When authorized for use, alternative services are occasionally used at the second service. A weekday Eucharist is celebrated on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM, using Rite II with the Laying on of Hands.

Our parish is blessed to have among our membership two men who are members of the Ecumenical Fellowship of St. John, a Benedictine community. With others in the parish, they celebrate the service of Solemn Evensong each Monday at 5:30 PM.

We are blessed with a wonderful pipe organ, a committed choir, and a congregation who loves to sing.

Christian Education

We appreciate educational programs with an emphasis on spiritual and religious growth based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. During Advent and Lent, and at other times, we have had classes and discussion groups or book studies for adults. Other churches are notified, and we often have people from the community attend.

Outreach

Our most successful outreach program is an active preschool for children ages 3 to 5 from the wider community. The program is directed by one of our members who has a degree in Early Childhood Education, and the preschool serves approximately 50 children annually.

The second Sunday of each month is Mission Sunday, when a special offering is received to support a variety of programs for the needy. The Rector's Discretionary Fund is supported through Thank Offerings given to honor birthdays, anniversaries, or other special events in the lives of our members.

Blessed with the only wind instrument on South Whidbey, St. Augustine's offers several organ concerts each year for the community, featuring artists from a wide area.

Our parish has been instrumental in the creation and support of two local ecumenical helping agencies, Helping Hand and Time Together. The former provides information and referral, problem solving and small grants for individuals and families in crisis. The latter offers an adult day care program for elderly people two days a week to give relief and time off to their caregivers. In addition, a high percentage of parishioners volunteer with a variety of community organizations.

Since 1995, St. Augustine's has had a Sister Parish relationship with an Orthodox congregation near St. Petersburg, Russia. This has included visits to Russia by our members as well as visits to us by St. Nicholas members. Because of the economic upheaval in Russia we have also provided material and financial assistance at various times.

Working and Celebrating Together

As a parish, we enjoy fellowship in the form of potlucks and other social events. On Easter Sunday a brunch is provided between services. Our annual parish dinner in the fall is always well attended and fun for all. In addition, various members of the parish host a popular Thanksgiving Dinner in the undercroft.

The annual Trash and Treasure Sale is held in the fall to raise funds for local charities. It has become a parish project, with parishioners of all ages pitching in to help. It is hard work, but great fellowship and a good way to get to know one another better.

The Vestry hosts one or two gatherings for new members each year as a way to help them feel welcome and become acquainted with other members. The men meet the second Saturday of the month for breakfast and a program. The ECW meets the first Wednesday of the month for lunch, a business meeting, and a program.

Communication

Our parish newsletter, The Light, is published monthly. It contains pertinent information on parish, diocesan, and community activities. The Rector has a column and members are encouraged to provide original articles or reprints from other publications.

In 1999, a web page was created for the parish that provides information on worship services, personnel, activities and programs, as well as location and directions for finding the church.

Our Sunday bulletin provides a calendar of activities for the coming week. A phone tree is put into service for contacting people about special events.

Stewardship

A pledge drive to provide operating funds is conducted every fall. Various campaign programs have been used in the past; and this year the parish is conducting an Every Member Canvass. A stewardship dinner and guest speaker either inaugurates or concludes the campaign.

Administration

Administrative staff includes an administrative assistant, music director/organist, preschool director, and janitor. The treasurer and bookkeeper are volunteer positions, with some professional assistance by an accounting firm, and many parishioners work in the office and grounds on various projects. The Church School directors are volunteers, as are the Church School teachers. The nine members of the Vestry are elected at the annual Parish Meeting, and serve staggered three-year terms. Delegates to Diocesan Convention are also elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting for two-year terms. Presently we have two delegates and two alternate delegates.

Our Island Community

St. Augustine's in-the-Woods Episcopal Parish is located in Freeland, an unincorporated village in the southern part of Whidbey Island, 35 miles north of Seattle. Access to South Whidbey is by car ferry from the city of Mukilteo across Saratoga Passage to Clinton, the southernmost community on the island.

Ferries run on the hour and half-hour from 4:40 AM until midnight, with some adjustments during late evening hours, holidays, and weekends. Since there are more than 4,000 commuters leaving the island each weekday, there can be long waits on both sides during commuting hours. No-fare buses meet the ferries during daylight hours on weekdays, and travel the length of the island.

Many "islanders" go to the mainland for shopping, entertainment and Seattle's sports and cultural events. Seattle/Tacoma International Airport is about 1 1/2 hours by car.

As the longest island in the contiguous United States, the island is long enough to accommodate different climates. The northern part receives only about 20 inches of precipitation in a year, being in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. The south end receives 30 inches of rain and is part of the "convergence zone", where storms re-form after going around the Olympics. Power outages are not uncommon here, and we have our share of "snowbirds" who leave to escape the gray winters.

The population of Whidbey Island is over 62,000. However, the South Whidbey School District area has a population of only 14,000. Although the majority of the residents are Caucasian, there is a broad diversity in lifestyles. The population includes singles, couples, families with children, retirees, and "summer" people, all choosing a variety of political, religious, and social affiliations. The average age is 45.

Although there are three incorporated cities on Whidbey Island, the majority of the people live in unincorporated towns and in the rural areas of the county. Services, stores, and other facilities are readily available. The public library system is excellent.

Rapid growth has taken place in the last two decades, and the county is struggling with ways to manage this growth. On the other hand, the increase in population has meant an increase in commercial establishments so that the island is becoming more self-sufficient.

The north end of Whidbey Island is dominated by the city of Oak Harbor and the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. More than 25,000 active duty personnel and their families comprise much of the Oak Harbor area's population of over 45,000 .

The county seat is Coupeville, 17 miles north of St. Augustine's. Originally settled by ships' officers, it is an historic, beautifully preserved small town that serves as headquarters for the Ebey's Landing National Historical Preserve.

Although it is still necessary to travel to the mainland for very specialized medical services, Coupeville is the site of an excellent community hospital.

The incorporated city closest to St. Augustine's is Langley, the cultural center of South Whidbey and a popular weekend getaway spot with first-rate accommodations and restaurants. The school district headquarters, a marina, shops, galleries, and many basic services are found there.

The South Whidbey School District serves 2300 students in grades K-12 on seven campuses. These include four traditional schools, an alternative high school, an outdoor classroom, and a cooperative program with home-schooled students and their parents. Classrooms and extra-curricular activities have a high degree of participation by parents and other volunteers. High school students have a range of class levels which includes advanced placement courses in addition to a traditional college preparatory program. The "Running Start" program gives qualifying students an opportunity to take classes at area community colleges.

The South Whidbey Parks and Recreation district maintains a park with a community built playground for children and playing fields for baseball, softball, and soccer, as well as a picnic area and walking trails. There are several waterfront parks with picnic areas and boat launching facilities as well as access to beaches for walking, swimming, clam digging, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful views. Two 18-hole golf courses and one par 3 nine-hole course are available, and the high school provides a number of tennis courts for public use. Two fitness centers serve the residents of South Whidbey.

An active Senior Center offers activities and support to South Whidbey's large senior population, and a Youth Center in Langley offers activities for the youth of the area.

The Arts are enthusiastically supported on Whidbey Island. There are numerous art galleries and an artists' co-op, exhibiting the work of both local and regional artists. The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) in Langley hosts a wide variety of entertainment. Prominent local performing arts organizations include children and adult theater groups, dancers, and choral and instrumental musicians. South Whidbey schools have outstanding drama, visual art, and music programs. The high school jazz ensemble has won a number of state and regional awards.

The Christian community includes more than a dozen congregations. There is a good cooperative relationship among most of the pastors, and the spirit of ecumenism is strong among both clergy and lay people.

Our Diocese

The Diocese of Olympia was established out of the missionary districts of Oregon and Washington in 1889 and was named for the state's capital by its first bishop. It encompasses all of Western Washington, being bordered on the north by Canada, on the south by Oregon, on the east by the Cascade Mountains and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. It is a vast territory of 24,531 square miles, containing widespread bodies of water, which often make commuting between areas challenging.

The mission of the Diocese is "to become one people of God who proclaim boldly by word and action the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ."

In the diocese are approximately 37,000 Episcopalians in 103 congregations, ranging from large, urban parishes to small rural missions. There are also numerous outreach, social justice, and multi-cultural ministries, as well as a companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem.

There are approximately 200 resident clergy actively working in congregations in Western Washington. Regional clergy gatherings, clergy days with the Bishop, and clergy conferences offer support and encouragement and ensure that lines of communication are kept open.

The Diocesan offices are in Seattle. On September 15, 2007, the Right Reverend Dr. Gregory H. Rickel was consecrated as the 8^th Bishop Diocesan of Olympia. Our Bishop Suffragan is the Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera. Though retired, much loved Bishop Sanford Z.K. "Sandy" Hampton is still active in our diocese.

The Diocese is organized into ten regional ministry groups that meet quarterly to nurture mutual ministry and to elect representatives to Diocesan Council. St. Augustine's is in the Sno-Isle region, which includes Snohomish and Island counties.

Ecumenical and lay ministries within the Diocese are valued and encouraged. St. Augustine's has been, and continues to be, a strong member of the Diocese through financial commitment and through both lay and clergy involvement in the leadership and affairs of the Diocese.


					Last updated September 15, 2007.