Benedictions June 2009
Vicars Voice
Repeat as Needed
There’s an interesting story about The Rev. Carol Anderson, rector of All Saints Beverly Hills, California. Years before being called to serve there, she was the Vicar or Rector of a small declining church in New York.
Her first sermon in the community was very good and engaging—the small flock was impressed. The second week was good as well—except it seemed very familiar… By the sixth or eighth week, it was clear that The Rev. Anderson was using the same sermon text week after week after week. Full Article
June Calendar
Ministry Schedule for the Current Month
2008-2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
June Lectionary Selections
Lectionary Page
*We are currently using RCL, so please click on RCL on the day you are looking for on the calendar.
Monthly Update from Finance Committee by: Tim Madden
This update is for April 2009. During the first four months we have received more pledge dollars than budgeted. This is great!! We have also received plate offerings that have exceeded our budget in the amount of $1365.10 which helps offset the amount needed beyond pledges. We also received a donation of $2,000 dollars for the Bishop Committee’s retreat in June. This donation allows the BC to work together for an entire weekend.
The Finance committee is watching the trends of the income and expenses and will make needed recommendations to the Bishop’s Committee. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. Overall St Benedict’s is okay, we need to continue watching our income and expenses.W
An Archdeacon in Your Midst by The Venerable Gen Grewell
Many of you have heard my story. Recently, I was appointed by our Bishop, Greg Rickel, to be the Archdeacon of the Diocese of Olympia. Wow, you say! What is an Archdeacon? Will we see you here at St. Benedict’s (St. John’s) anymore? What does an Archdeacon do? Before I answer these questions let me share with you a little of the history concerning archdeacons.
A Historical NoteThe roots of the office of archdeacon go deep in the history of the church. In the first three centuries there were deacons designated as the diaconus episcopol, by which was meant the one deacon in the college of deacons chosen to serve as the bishop’s personal deacon. This deacon was entrusted with the care of the poor, functioned as a procurator for the church and supervised the ministry of the other deacons. In the fourth and fifth centuries the name of the office became standardized as archdeacon, although other names like “the leader of deacons” were also used. Full Article
Highlights for June at St. Benedict
This June, due to several Diocesan commitments, our Vicar will not be here on some of the Sundays in June. We will, however have some special events happening around St. Benedict that you won’t want to miss:
June 14th: Graduation Sunday We will honor those graduating from school.
June 21st: Camp Quixote visits St Benedict. Camp Quixote this summer is coming to Lacey for the first time. Come learn more about the camp, ways that we can support the camp and the Lacey Community Church that is hosting the camp.
June 28th: Global Café after the 10:30 service, St. Benedict will be hosting a Global Warming Café. The heart of this program will be to form Ecoteams that follow David Gershon’s workbook called “Low Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Plan to lose 5,000 Pounds.” For more information please click here.
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 The Shack by William Young followed by On Forgiveness by Richard Holloway.
Can’t make it to the Wednesday morning book group? Don’t miss out—join the online discussion today! W
Graduate Sunday
Please attend the 10:30 a.m. service on June 14th to celebrate all of our graduates and their families for all of their hard work, commitment, achievements and support. W
Directory and Phone Tree
Please check the copies of the directory in the hallway to ensure that your name and contact information is correct (including email addresses for the next directory and phone tree editions. If you have any questions, please contact the office. Thank you! W
The Deacons Corner by The Rev. Tony Irving
Random Acts of Kindess
Lee and I have just returned from a vacation trip during which we experienced how it is to travel when someone is disabled. We took both a wheel chair and a walker. At SeaTac airport, Lee wheeled herself in the chair while I pushed her walker loaded with our carry-on bags. People would often walk across our path or stop in front of us as though we were invisible. I could only shake my head in wonder about this insensitivity.
On the other hand, we experienced some wonderful kindness. We stopped at a book store and a cheerful young man behind the counter smiled at Lee and asked if he could help her. She asked for Science Fiction books. The man led her back and they discussed various books they had read. He made some recommendations and stayed with her until she picked two books. He rang them up and wished us a good journey. Full Article
Ride the Economc Tide by Tom Buckley
With economic uncertainty looming, perhaps you have given some thought of riding a motorcycle, but don’t know where to begin. You can start by going online, or calling 253.770.8888. Puget sound safety is a licensed contractor with the Department of licensing and conducts motorcycle training courses from beginning to advanced street and off road riding. Here in Olympia, they supply motorcycles and class room training near the Sears store in the South Sound Mall. Motorcycles are considered a “qualifying vehicle” under Section 1008 of the Stimulus package. Those purchasing a new motorcycle can deduct the sales and excise tax on their 2009 tax return.
Alkins' Scholarship Fund
The David Alkins Educational Scholarship Fund’s purpose is to provide funds to members of St. Benedict’s, clergy, and/or lay persons for experiences which contribute to the educational and/or spiritual growth of individuals, and must, in turn, be of benefit to the St. Benedict’s community as a whole. The committee’s goals continue to include increasing the fund and encouraging church members to take advantage of this opportunity to further the spiritual growth of our church community.Committee members for 2009 -2010 are Anne Metzler – Chairperson, Liz Bradford, Paul Conroy, Marge McGinley, and Lucy Reuter. Scholarship applications should be submitted to the committee chairperson. For further information please contact the Chairperson, Anne Metzler, 360-754-6165, or email.
If you wish to contribute to the fund, please write the check to St. Benedicts and put Alkins Scholarship Fund on the memo line of your check.
Knitting/Crocheting Group by Meredith Blundell
Knitting/Crocheting Group by Meredith BlundellAll 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.
The Next Meeting is:
- June 19th
Creating a Culture of Peace Retreat
St. Michael in Olympia will be hosting a three day immersion retreat in the spirituality and practice of nonviolence from June 26th through the 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn through small group discussion, role playing, meditation, writing and the sharing of personal stories the creative and energizing effects of nonviolence. Creating a Culture of Peace was developed by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, based on the work of the Peace e Bene nonviolence service. St. Michael Parish support allows a low retreat cost of $35.00, which includes a light breakfast and lunches each day. Scholarships are available. To register contact the Parish Office at 754-4667. To learn more abut the retreat and program call David Bellefuille-Rice at 943-6264. Registration forms are in the St. B hallway and office. W
German Service
The German Ministry meets the 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!
Saint Supper
The next Saint Supper will be on Sunday, June 28th at 6 p.m. The suppers are informal potlucks held in parishioners’ homes for 6-8 adults and are a great way to get acquainted. The sign up sheet will be in the hallway. Fun and fellowship for all! W
Kids Corner
2nd Sunday Gospel
Pastoral Care and Counseling Classes by The Rev. Nancy Allaire
Every Monday, (except the first Monday of the month) from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., there will be a DVD course titled “Breaking Free”, put out by the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). This class is aimed at helping pastoral care givers learn to recognize and understand the various problems people face, in order to better help them. Each week we will gather in the St. Francis room to watch and discuss a DVD lesson. There are 30 lessons in all, but we will choose 15 of them to study this summer. The AACC offers thirty CEU for this course if one buys the notebook and passes the exams that come with it. The topics covered include: What is Christian Counseling?, Transformation, Intimacy with God, Suffering, Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Disciplines, Mental Illness, Character Disorders, Depression, Stress and Anxiety, Hope for the Broken Hearted, Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, Compulsive Gambling Eating Disorders, Grief, Stressed Couples and Families, Problems of Aging, Difficult People, Dangerous Possibilities, and several on counseling/care giving methods and concerns.W
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: Tim Madden
People’s Warden: Suzanne Sund
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