Benedictions for October 2008
Vicars Voice
The Other Side
“And Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go to the other side.” Matthew Mark & Luke (from many different chapters and verses) “If you don’t know where you’re going, you probably won’t get there.” Yogi Berra
I have long been intrigued by the phrase, “the other side” from the Gospels. My question is always: the other side of what? Or how do we get there? Are we almost there? Full Article
October Calendar
October Servant Ministry Schedule
2008-2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
October Lectionary Selections
Lectionary Page
*We are currently using RCL, so please click on RCL on the day you are looking for on the calendar.
Meeting Our Needs by Mary Eberling
Save the date: October 24th. Note the time: 5:30 PM. Fire up the stove and start cooking those German delicacies. We’re planning a parish-wide Oktoberfest potluck to begin a discussion of future needs for our church and its ministries. If you want to have your voice heard regarding the physical changes that you’d like to see in order to improve our worship and service to the community, please join your friends at St. Ben’s for an evening of fellowship and idea-sharing. A small group has been working, under the guidance of John Ruder, rector of St. Columba’s in Kent, to determine what changes would benefit the way we worship and the work that we do in our various ministries. Wishes and dreams of those who are actually involved in the ministries are an essential part of our work. Please join us for this extremely important gathering, and take advantage of the opportunity to provide your input.
Update from the Finance Committee
January 1, 2008 – August 31, 2008Now that summer is near the end and we look forward to fall, it is time to remember our pledges and the good work our church is doing. Some have given more than they pledged, while others have fallen a little below what they hoped to give. For the first eight months we are down overall about $11,870 which is 0.08%. It seems that each month we drop a little further behind. Let’s hope that we can turn this around. Currently we are financially solid and maintaining however, if we continue on this downward path, we will have to look hard at our remaining budget. Our goal is to grow and increase our programs.
For expenses we are staying within the amount budgeted for the first eight months. We budgeted $172,057.09 and we have only spent $164,534.94. Notice we have spent $18,136 more than we have received in pledges. The $18,136 we have spent in excess of our pledges has come from diocesan grants and our savings account.
Lets Talk Dirt and other earthly topics
Being green isn’t just limited to Earth day. In this new column you will find advice and information about all things having to do with the environment and how we can be better stewards of it. This month we will be discussing compact fluorescent light bulbs from the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxins Reduction Program Fact Sheet.Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are an energy-saving substitute for traditional light bulbs. More
Read any good books lately?
St Benedict has two very lively book discussion groups and two other wonderful formation classes to try. The Wednesday Morning Discussion Group meets from 11 am-noon every Wednesday and is reading a host of different books this year.
Including: Beyond Belief by Elaine Pagels The Great Awakening by Jim Wallis No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu ?On the fourth Monday of every month, St Benedict holds a Book Discussion group at Barnes & Noble in Olympia from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. At the time of our newsletter publication, the books for this group had not yet been selected.?
In addition, every Sunday morning between our two services from 9:15-10:15 we hold both children and adult formation classes. Each week, we invite a variety of presenters to come in and talk about a number of different relevant topics. Each week of the month, please see page 8 for the schedule.
If you want to deepen your faith and renew spiritual life, you are invited to join us for the Growing in Christ program which meets every Sunday after the 10:30 service from 12-1.
This class helps to prepare people for Baptism, Confirmation and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, or anyone who is looking to deepen their faith and understanding. This class is a wonderful opportunity to go deeper into the Christian life and create a wonderful community of friends. For more information about any of these programs, please feel free to contact Vicar Georgi or Martha Liska.
What to do in case of a Pastoral Emergency:
If you are in the hospital, facing surgery, needing prayer or if there is an emergency you can contact the Vicar by phoning her at St. Benedict: (Sunday-Thursday during the day 360-456-2240 or at home 360-357-2877 or on her cell 206-303-8474. Please note that the Vicar does not check voice messages Friday or Saturday at the church. You can also contact Deacon Tony Irving at home: 360-491-3111.
German Ministry
The German Ministry meets every 3rd Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Benedict. There will be a German Service followed by fellowship in the Parish Hall. Come and check it out and spread the word!
Prayer Chain
We are organizing our prayer chain. If you would like to be in our email group or phone tree for this ministry, please call Lacey in the office. If you have a prayer concern, please call the office and we will put it on the chain and keep you in our prayers. If you have questions call Nancy Zabel 352-1676 or Lacey O’delle Smith 456-2240.
Christian Formation Hour
Starting at 9:15 am on Sunday, September 7th, there will be a Christian Formation Hour. Christian Formation is something that we do for all ages, not just our children. It is something not just for our heads but also our hearts and souls—more than just education, the church hopes for nothing short of transformation of our minds hearts and souls. Christian Formation is bigger than just our minds—it is about everything we do. More
Do you march to your own drum?
Would you like to add joy and excitement to the music on Sunday morning? Come and join the St. B’s drum group. No experience necessary! Contact jack Barben for more information. W
Youth Corner
Kids Corner
Children’s Formation: Every Sunday from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
- 2nd Sunday is Children’s Church
- 2nd & 4th Sundays:
- Youth Group 2:30 – 4 p.m. Ages 10 and up
St. Benedict’s Spooktacular!
Are you looking for a frightfully good time this Halloween? Do you want to play spooktacular games? Take home a pirate’s booty of treasure? Or just want to have a safe and fun time this Halloween season?Then St. Benedict is the place for you on Saturday, October 25th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
So bring the witches, fairies, pirates, pumpkins and don’t forget your mummies!Have a topic you would like to see discussed in the “Let’s Talk Dirt” column or have an article of your own that you would like to include in the Benedictions? We would love to print it! Please send them to the office by the 18th of the month for inclusion in the following month’s Benedictions.
Harvest Sunday
Harvest Sunday (October 5th) is our celebration of the Autumn Season. We invite all gardeners to bring extra produce from their garden. Or if you aren’t a gardener, bring in produce or canned or boxed goods (i.e. Mac n Cheese, tuna, etc.) by Saturday, October 4th. All produce and goods will be donated to the food bank. We will also need help with set up and clean up for this event. Set up will take place Saturday, October 4th after the Pet Blessing at 3pm and will require people to help the altar guild to arrange all donations at the front of the church. Clean up will require folks to help box up all donations after the 10:30 service. We will also need someone to drive the boxes to the food bank. A sign up sheet is in the hallway.
Stewardship Desserts
Hold Nothing Back from God
For this year’s financial campaign we will be having a dessert and fellowship on eight different Sundays from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in order to get better acquainted as well as to learn more about the financial hopes and goals of 2008. We would like to have every parishioner sign up and attend one of these sessions. Even if you don’t intend to pledge or have never pledged before, please consider coming and getting to know other members of our community.
- October 5: the Wilson’s
- October 12: the Grewell’s
- October 26: the Metzler’s
- November 2: Lucy Reuter
- November 9: the Madden’s
- November 16: the Liska’s
- November 23: the Zych’s
- December 7: the Blundell’s
Welcome Café
During the coffee hour that follows the 10:30 service, you are invited to check out the Newcomer Welcome Area. Our greeters will help all new members or visitors by answering any questions about St. Benedict, or by simply introducing newer quests and members to others. This will give newcomers the chance to met other newcomers and to learn more about this church community.
Meet the B.C.:
Pat Basta, Linda Conroy, Mary Eberling, Gary Grewell, Lisa Metzler, Mary Moore & Bob Wilson
Senior Warden: Peggy Carmichael
People’s Warden: Nancy Zabel
Clerks: Judy DeBuse & Lyn Mitchell
Assisting Clergy:
The Rev. Nancy Allaire, Deacon; The Rev. James Blundell, Retired; The Rev. Ray Dexter, Retired; The Rev. Gen Grewell, Deacon The Rev. Tony Irving, Deacon; The Rev. Zula Johnston, Deacon, Retired; The Rev. Norris Pearson, Retired; The Rev. Dr. John Van Eenwyk
STAFF
Vicar: The Rev. George Anne Boyle
Church Administrator: Lacey O'delle Smith
Treasurer: Collie Liska
Director of Children and Teen Ministries: Sabrina Bingham
Choir Director: Jack Barben
Head Nursery Assistant: Susan Upton
Sunday School: Carla Whiting, Michelle & Matt Fisher
Office Hours
Monday — Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday— Sunday: Office Closed