Benedictions for January 2009

Vicars Voice

 

Hail Joseph, Patron Saint of “moving”…

 

 How do you prepare forGreeting the New Yearthat is to come? I thinkof the task of welcoming the new life, the new baby Christ, the new person you are eachand every year is some of the most important work that we do as Christians.  

As we let go of another year and embrace a new one, we embrace God’s call to new life in Jesus Christ and the call to be church in 2009. We embrace the new life that comes with Christ’s birth in the world and let go of all that keeps us from embracing new life. Full Article

 

 

 

 

January Calendar

 

January Servant Ministry Schedule

 

2008-2009 Coffee Hour Schedule

 

January Lectionary Selections

 

Lectionary Page

*We are currently using RCL, so please click on RCL on the day you are looking for on the calendar.

 

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: No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu and Faith and Politics by John Danforth.

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. Currently they are reading Life of Pi and then will begin: The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus by Peter Gomes.

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.

 

 

Lets Talk Dirt and other “earthly” topics  By Jane Ely

For the soaring birds of the air, the crawling creatures on the Earth, the gliding fishes in the seas, for all creatures great and small with whom we share this precious web of life,  

We thank you, God.  

For the invigorating sunlight of day, the deepening mystery of night, the wonder of the stars, and the call of the unknown in the universe,  

We thank you, God.  

From heedless misuse and dishonoring of the wonders of your hand,  

Good Lord deliver us,   More

 

 

What are some environmental problems and how you can help?

With an ever increasing pace, many of us have put material things above the beauty, magnificence and survival of the Earth.  We have two alternatives. A world that is lush and green, air fresh, water clean and sustaining... a place where Man works and lives in harmony with nature. Or a land incapable of sustaining life. Let’s consider the everyday things that you can do to ensure the former alternative is what we get.

  • Always think carefully before buying.
  • Buy strong bags made of durable material that can be used over and over.
  • Discourage excess flyers and catalogs to your home or mailbox.
  • Avoid using toxic chemicals and discourage the use by others.
  • Eat organically grown fruit and vegetables.
  • Think carefully about the things you can recycle or replace with re-useable items.
  • Look more to Nature for the prevention and cure of common illnesses. There are lots of natural remedies  on the market and your pharmacist will be happy to advise you on alternatives to medications, with bad side affects.  

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     These ideas and details can be found at http://www.essortment.com/all/whataresomeen_rqvf.htm 

     

     

    Would you like to attend service in German?

     The German Ministry meets every 2nd  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 or write your request down on the podium in the hall 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.

     

     

    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

     

     

    The Deacons Corner By The Rev. Zula Johnston 

     

    The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sow.” The meaning of this beautiful poem is that all in life, everything that comes in its turn, is in God’s time and in God’s Hands. That is really a poem about abundance and the eternal, overwhelming Presence of God in all of our lives, whatever happens, whatever time it is. Full Article

     

     

    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.

    Our Christian Formation Hour this fall will focus on a variety of topics in hopes of offering a diversity of different topics for our community. Membership in our community means cultivating an understanding of our tradition, examining the privilege of being a generous person, meeting God daily through prayer and spiritual practice, seeking God in the vulnerable of our community and reaching out to those in need. Our Formation hour will present a variety of topics on each of these aspects of membership in order that we might all go deeper.

    Jan 4: Episcopal 101: Praying the Offices. What does it mean to pray the Office? Come found out what it means to pray the daily office and hear more about the history of this ancient form of praying.   

    Jan 11 :Living in God’s Abundance: Creating a Funeral Directive Part of practicing good stewardship is leaving our lives in tidy order so that our loved ones have little to nothing to clean up after us when we die. This is an important workshop for any aged person in our congregation.   

    Jan 18: Best Spiritual Practices: Ignatian Spiritual Exercises St. Ignatius created several exercises intended to create a deeper relationship with God. Come learn about the Examen and about Imaginative Prayer with Scripture 

    Jan 25: Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday Come learn about the many strategies and ways that the national Episcopal Church is reaching out to the world and working to end extreme poverty.

     

     

    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

     

    Mark 1:4-11

     

     

    Financial Report Update

    January 1, 2008 through October 31, 2008 This financial update discusses the balance sheet and the Treasurer’s report. First report is the Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2008. The two most significant items related to this report are: 1) The $9,432.35 reduction in the TSCU Savings Account balance from $19,248.31 as of September 30th to $9,815.96 as of October 31st. The $9,432.35 was transferred into the operating budget in order to pay the balance owing on the painting. 2) The Edinburgh Fair Fund balance increased by $3,178.00 from $184.05 as of September 30th to $3,362.05 as of October 31st. The $3,178.00 is the one-time electrical conservation rebate from Puget Sound Energy resulting from the electrical equipment replacement that occurred earlier in the year. Finally, our mortgage balance is just slightly above $28,000. The remaining balance on the mortgage should be close to $25,000 by the end of the calendar year. Full Article

     

     

    Jewish Choral Concert

    Linda Hirshhorn, a pre-eminant composer and performer, will lead a free concert to celebrate Shabbat Shira – the Sabbath of Songs – at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 7, at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 8th and Washington, in downtown Olympia. Singers are invited to participate in three master classes prior to the concert and then join the temple choir in singing a rich variety of contemporary Jewish music, much of it composed by Hirschhorn, at the concert. “This is an opportunity for anyone to explore new music and work with a master artist,” according to Lydia Beth Leimbach, temple music director.  

    For more information or to participate in the master classes and concert, please contact Lydia Beth Leimbach at (360) 273-6810.

     

     

    YoPlait  Yogurt Pink Lids to Save Lives Campaign By Lucy Reuter 

    Many thanks to all of you who brought Yoplait Yogurt lids for the Save Lids for Save Lives Campaign. We collected a total of 612 lids; 348 of those came from the residents of Panorama. That is a total of $61.20 for cancer research. Every little bit helps. Next year let’s ask our friends and neighbors to save them too.

     

     

    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.

     

     

     

    Growing in Christ 

    Growing in Christ meets Sundays from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the St. Francis room. All are invited. This series is for explorers of faith and those moving to Baptism or Reaffirmation of Baptism in Confirmation. Our topics for December are: 

    January 4: Putting on Christ (Baptism) 

    January 11 – February 8: The Five Baptismal Vows (one per week) 

     

    Please contact Martha Liska or The Rev. George Anne Boyle for more information.

     

     

    "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."            - Abraham Lincoln

     

     

     

     

     

    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