THE BEACON WEEKLY

Articles this issue…                           

Across the Diocese: September 29, 2023

Synod eNews – Week of October 1, 2023

The Beacon Newsletter 09/26/2023

Across the Diocese: September 29, 2023

Oct 03, 2023 04:36 pm

View as Webpage September 29, 2023       Convene 2023 September 30, 9:00 am | Everett Community College Reconnect with Episcopalians from across the Diocese, and join us for this exciting new event open to everyone! Gain new resources and support, and spend time learning from and networking with churches from every corner of Western Washington! Convene 2023 will feature multiple workshop sessions throughout this day-long opportunity for learning and connection, preparing us all for the future of our communities, helping us discover (and rediscover!) new ideas, and giving us the time and space to share information about programs […]
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Synod eNews – Week of October 1, 2023

Oct 03, 2023 04:36 pm

Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of October 1, 2023 Synod Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 4pm News and Updates October is Clergy Appreciation month! Here are resources from the ELCA on Rostered Ministers Appreciation with helpful tips on how to plan a Rostered Ministers Appreciation event: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Rostered-Ministers-Appreciation-Booklet.pdf?_ga=2.46320615.1107309826.1695742221-1870145156.1654022968 Southwestern Washington Synod 2024 Compensation Guidelines   The 2024 Compensation Guidelines for Rostered Ministers are scheduled to be released in the first week of October. The Newsletter of Southwestern Washington Synodical Women’s Organization – Region 1 “Special 2023 Convention Edition” is here. Newsletter Upcoming Events October read more read more October […]
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The Beacon Newsletter 09/26/2023

Sep 26, 2023 01:03 pm

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Other Articles: 

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Blueberry Bash Update
To date we’ve received over $14,500 from Blueberry Bash. An anonymous donor has put forward another $4,000 to complete funds needed for the stair glide. We are well on our way towards the completion Prehm Hall back door remodel. That puts us at over $18.5k of our goal of $30K for ADA Accessibility Improvements! Great job, community!

You can still help! Go to this Facebook Link and share the post on your Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stchristopherolympia/posts/pfbid035fHc6uomdYwtnZ4wqNA7ddUGyzpcAMBidoKWH3yBfvd8UWAUkP4uzGbtFjn7oX6al
We are “passing the hat” around social media asking for friends, family and the public to consider giving $5, $10, or more to help with the cost.

To give directly go to:
https://pushpay.com/g/stchristopherolympia?fnd=8HcPsi9l9CY6M48st48jUQ&fndv=lock
or send a check to:
St. Christopher’s Community Church
ATTN: ADA Accessibility
7902 Steamboat Island Rd. NW,
Olympia, WA 98502

Thank you for doing so much for so many others in the name of Christ!

Couples Class Forming: “Relationship Checkup” 

All relationships need a “tune-up” from time to time – some extra attention, investment, and celebration of strengths and achievements.

– WHO: This class is for all couples in a long-term, committed relationship – married, partnered, engaged, etc. Although a Christian-faith-based perspective is offered, spouses of other faiths or no particular faith will find this class helpful and without judgement. GLBTQ+ couples are invited as well. We truly mean all couples.

– FORMAT: Couples will take a survey-style quiz online that points out both strengths and challenges to their relationship. Only the couple and facilitators will receive the results. General relationship information will be presented to the class. Couples will be sent home with “homework” to do together as well as given opportunities to converse privately with Fr. James or other facilitator.

– HOW LONG and WHEN: -TBD- It will be a multi-week class meeting for about 1.5 hours each week. Time/Day TBD.

– WHERE: St. Christopher’s Community Church, Olympia, WA

Interested? Sign up for more info here:
https://stchristopherolympia.ccbchurch.com/group_detail.php?group_id=77

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Important Announcements & News…

…Joyful Lives, Joy-filled Community: Congregational Conversations will be held during coffee hour after the 10:30a service and at the Adult Formation at 9 am on the following Sundays: October 8th, 15th, & 22nd. We will talk about the 3 months Fr. James was on Sabbatical and the community and Fr. James explored Joy while apart. We will share what our Joys are. We will learn from each other and the Holy Spirit how our Joy informs our mission and our movement forward together.

…Thanksgiving Potluck: The Thanksgiving Potluck will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023. This year we will be holding the potluck at St. Christopher’s following the 10:30 am service. Click here to sign up to bring an item, and/or volunteer to help with event setup or cleanup.  If you have questions, please contact Kathy Haller at 360-923-0810 (calls), 360-791-2813 (text) or speak to her at church after the 10:30 service.

… New book for group study this Fall (begins Oct. 29th):  The Four Vision Quests of Jesus, by Steven Charleston (click here to see/order the book). “A unique look at Christian biblical interpretation and theology from the perspective of Native American tradition. This book focuses on four specific experiences of Jesus as portrayed in the synoptic gospels. It examines each story as a ‘vision quest,’ a universal spiritual phenomenon, but one of particular importance within North American indigenous communities.” We will begin reading/discussing this book in various groups beginning October 29th.

Pies for sale! We did not sell out of pies at this year’s Blueberry Bash. They are going quickly, but if you know of anyone who would like a pie reach out to Laura to arrange a pickup. They are $22 each and frozen so will continue to keep for months (perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, just because…). Laura can be reached at lawigand@gmail.com or 703-424-8664 (call or text).

Couples Class Forming: “Relationship Checkup”: All relationships need a “tune-up” from time to time – some extra attention, investment, and celebration of strengths and achievements.

• WHO: This class is for all couples in a long-term, committed relationship – married, partnered, engaged, etc. Although a Christian faith-based perspective is offered, spouses of other faiths or no particular faith will find this class helpful and without judgment. GLBTQ+ couples are invited as well. We truly mean all couples.
• FORMAT: Couples will take a survey-style quiz online that points out both strengths and challenges to their relationship. Only the couple and facilitators will receive the results. General relationship information will be presented to the class. Couples will be sent home with “homework” to do together as well as given opportunities to converse privately with Fr. James or another facilitator.
• HOW LONG and WHEN: -TBD- It will be a multi-week class meeting for about 1.5 hours each week. Time/Day TBD.
• WHERE: St. Christopher’s Community Church, Olympia, WA
• Interested? Sign up for more info here: https://stchristopherolympia.ccbchurch.com/group_detail.php?group_id=77

St. Christopher’s Needs Your Help:

• Interested in being a Coffee Hour Host?  If you would like to volunteer to be a Coffee Hour Host, please sign up in CCB by clicking here or using the link in the email that you received.
• Interested in acting as a Greeter? Contact Pat Kelley. Text 360.359.6973
• Interested in acting as a Reader? If you are interested in reading at one or more services, please sign up here or use the link that was emailed to you. If you have questions, please contact Marcia Rugg at 206.200.5536 or via email at ruggmbeach@comcast.net.

Text Message Reminders about Worship. Would you text message invitations to our online and in-person services? Receive reminders on your phone by texting WORSHIP to (360) 810-3292 or clicking this link https://mtxt.cc/list/join/360.810.3292/worship. You can opt out anytime by texting STOP or text HELP to see other options.

In our Prayers

Prayer of the Week: O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In Our Prayers: 

Alenka Andruss
Sherri Scott
Marty Walther

Congregational Cycle
Maurie & Marcia Rugg

Diocesan Cycle
Underhill House, Seattle
Center for Spiritual Development
St. James Family Center, Cathlamet

Synod Cycle
Campus Ministries of Univ. of Washington

Daily Scripture Lessons

Regular time in scripture and prayer are some of the ways we grow as people of faith: here is a list of suggested daily readings to complement this week’s readings in worship.

Monday
Psalm 28
Judges 14:1-20
Philippians 1:3-14

Tuesday
Psalm 28
Judges 16:1-22
Philippians 1:15-21

Wednesday
Psalm 28
Judges 16:23-31
Matthew 9:2-8

Thursday
Psalm 80:7-15
Jeremiah 2:14-22
Colossians 2:16-23

Friday
Psalm 80:7-15
Jeremiah 2:23-37
Philippians 2:14-18; 3:1-4a

Saturday
Psalm 80:7-15
Jeremiah 6:1-10
John 7:40-52