Benedictions for February 2009
The Vicars Voice 
The New Road Home
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country taking different direction.” (Matthew 1:12)The story of the three Magi, the Kings from far away who visit the Christ child is an intriguing one that is rich with depth and meaning. We could talk extensively about the three kings being gentiles and of different religions and what it meant for them to worship the baby Jesus; we could talk about the unusual gifts that they give to the Christ child and what they mean. Full Article
February Calendar
February Servant Ministry Schedule
2008-2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
February Lectionary Selections
Lectionary Page
*We are currently using RCL, so please click on RCL on the day you are looking for on the calendar.
Ash Wednesday Light Supper
Ash Wednesday begins a forty day period during which Christians remember their sinfulness, repent, ask God's forgiveness, and recognize that God's forgiveness comes at an infinite price -- the death of Christ on the cross on our behalf. It is not meant as a time of false humility or prideful self-sacrifice. It reminds us that our sin separates us from God, who "demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
On Ash Wednesday, St. Benedict will mark the beginning of this period with a special worship service that will call us to repentance, signifying repentance with ashes, by which a cross is marked on the forehead of the penitent Christian. Prior to the evening service we are offering a light supper beginning at 6pm followed by our service. Plan to join us as we prepare to walk the forty days together as a community of faith.
Lets Talk Dirt and Other Earthly topics
Prayer of St. Thomas Medina coninued from last month's edition. To view please click here.
For the courage and wisdom to confess how little we have cared for your gifts,
Strengthen us, O Spirit.
For the conviction that you have called us to love and restore the Earth,
Strengthen us, O Spirit.
How long does it take to biodegrade? by Jane Ely
- Brown Paper Bag 1-5 Months
- Cigarette Butts & Filters 12 Years
- Plastic Bags, Caps, & Lids Decades
- Aluminum Cans 2-5 Centuries
- Styrofoam Clamshells Virtually Forever
So recycle and make purchase choices wisely!
Shrove Tuesday by Susie Zych
Please join us for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feast hosted by 6 wonderful men from the congregation under the leadership of Tony Irving and Gary Grewell!
Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving, when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and received forgiveness before the Lenten season began. More
Knitting/Crocheting Group by Meredith Blundell
All knitters and crocheters are invited to come together for socializing, sharing, knitting /crocheting or any other needle craft. Work on your own project or join in making prayer shawls or other items to share with our needy community. We plan to meet the 3rd Friday of every month at the Blundell home, 2808 Stirling St SE, Olympia 1:30-3:30pm.
- Next meetings:
- February 20th
- March 20th
The Enlivened Choir has gone “Robeless” by Nancy Zabel
At our choir meeting we spent some time talking about robes and we’ve decided not to wear them. We want be welcoming to everyone. Do you love to sing? Come and join the choir on Thursdays at 6:30PM. We won’t make you wear a robe and we are a great group of joyful voices for God.
Who are You? by Nancy Zabel
Who are you? We won’t know without a nametag. The Bishop’s Committee has discussed several options but we are leaning towards writing our names on a sticky recyclable nametag each week. We vote in February. Please contact the office or a Bishop’s Committee member today to give your opinion.
Pledge Envelopes and Statements by Linda Jekel
2009 envelopes are available for those individuals who turned in a 2009 pledge card. If you have not pledged, we would still love to get your 2009 pledge card. Blank pledge card forms are located in the hallway by the 2009 envelopes. Turn in your pledge card to the office and your pledge envelopes will be available the next Sunday.
The 2008 statements have been mailed. If you have not received yours, please notify either Linda Jekel, Anne Metzler or Collie Liska.
Cookies needed for Kairos weekend by Gen Grewell
I am a member of the clergy team and all team members are asked to bring 100 dozen cookies for the weekend. Each participant receives daily two to three packages of 1 dozen cookies. Types of cookies can be chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, rice krispie treats, but not store bought. Cookies should be packaged in 1 dozen increments, labeled as to what they are and then they can be left in the refrigerator with my name – Gen Grewell on the outside bag. Cookies should be in no later than March 9. Thank you so much
Calendars for Seafarers By Gen Grewell
If you have any extra 2009 calendars that you would like to find a good home for, please drop them off at the church for our Seafarers. Thanks so much for your generosity.
Our Epiphany Winners:
We had a wonderful Potluck Dinner and Eucharist for the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6). The following people were the “winners” of our Epiphany Party:
King: Matthew Crockett, Mixing Bowl: Nancy Zabel, Prosperous New Year: Elisabeth Wallace
Meet your Nominees for Bishop’s Committee
Mary Wallace Bio
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 Faith and Politics by John Danforth.
Jesus for the Faithful and the doubter: On the fourth Monday of every month, St Benedict holds a Book Discussion group at Orca Books in Olympia from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Currently they are reading Life of Pi .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.
Growing in Christ: 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.
Would you like to attend service in German?
The German Ministry meets every 1st 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 or fill out an online request 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
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.
Christian Formation Hour
Christian Formation is something that we do for all ages, not just our hildren. 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. February 1: The Annual Meeting. Come learn about what our church has done this past year, what we hope to do in the upcoming year. Come elect new Bishop Committee Members and other elected positions. February 8-Feb 22: Each Sunday in February, we will be concentrating on doing Lectio Divina together each and every Sunday.
Please come and learn about reading scripture from the heart and hearing the call of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Kids Corner
Meet the B.C.:
Pat Basta, Linda Conroy, Mary Eberling, Gretchen O'Connor, Tim Madden, Lisa Metzler, Suzanne Sund, Mary Wallace & Bob Wilson
Senior Warden:
People’s Warden: Nancy Zabel
Clerks: Judy DeBuse & Lyn Mitchell
Assisting Clergy:
The Rev. Nancy Allaire, Deacon; The Rev. James Blundell, Retired; The Rev. Dr. Ray Dexter, Retired; The Rev. Gen Grewell, Deacon The Rev. Tony Irving, Deacon; 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