Beacon News Article

November 19, 2019

Giving Thanks: A Reflection from Bishop Jaech

As we enter the month of November, I find myself thinking about the act of giving thanks and the gifts that come to us when we do so.

Giving thanks is connected to the grateful realization that we are not here in the world on our own. Our daily existence can sometimes feel like an exhausting marathon where our survival is all up to us. We can quickly begin to feel lonely and overwhelmed when it seems that we are traveling through life alone. When we pray thank you, we are opening our eyes and hearts again to the blessed truth that God walks with us in every part of our journey. We are never alone; God’s strength and grace are always moving through us and with us.

November 19, 2019

Updates from Chaplains on the Harbor: Homeless Plaintiffs Reach Settlement in Lawsuit Against the City of Aberdeen

Early this year, a group of plaintiffs who lived along the Chehalis River filed a lawsuit as the city of Aberdeen announced its intentions to sweep and bulldoze their camps. Today, the city is settling with those plaintiffs. In the time since this lawsuit has been filed, it has become harder to survive as a homeless person in Aberdeen; you cannot rest on the sidewalks during the day, you cannot legally pitch a tent in most places, and public opposition around the issue has led to an increase in vigilante violence.

November 14, 2019

Border Belongings: A Photographic Essay

Photographic Essay: Border Belongings The public is invited to an art show at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church: 1515 Harrison Ave. NW; Olympia, WA, in their Gathering Space – noon to 4pm on Saturday, 30 Nov. and Sunday, 1 December. With permission of the artist, copies of photographs by Thomas Kiefer, from his collection “El Sueño Americano”, along with a multimedia contribution by artist Lucy Gentry, will be on display, sharing the realities of the U.S./Mexican border. As a janitor for Customs and Border Protection Mr. Kiefer found, through serendipity, the confiscated and discarded belongings of undocumented migrants. Being a photographer, […]

November 14, 2019

Bishop Greg on the Santa Clarita HS Shooting

I am deeply saddened by news of the shooting this morning at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, CA that has claimed the lives of two teenagers and injured three more. As is often the case in the immediate aftermath of such horrific events, we know very little about the shooter’s motivations and more details will doubtless be revealed in the coming days and weeks. And as is often the case, we will hear the usual litany of outrage and anger from our leaders, the same offering of thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families…

October 3, 2019

Oct. 4th: Blessing of Animals Celebrating St. Francis Day

We will be blessing animals as part of our celebration this Friday, 3pm-5pm at Companion Cove Pet, Feed, & Garden store on Sexton Drive. Bring your animal-neighbor whether furry, hairy, or scaled, four-footed, two-footed, or no-footed!

October 2, 2019

New Female Compline Choir at St. Mark’s, Seattle

For 63 years its been men who have made up the Compline Choir at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. But now, something has changed!

August 14, 2019

ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2019 Concludes – Here’s a summary…

CHICAGO (Aug. 14, 2019) — Gathering under the theme “We are church,” voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, met Aug. 5-10 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. Read more here about what was decided…

August 6, 2019

Sadness, Anger, Grief: Bishop Rickel Responds to the Shootings in El Paso and Dayton

Dear Ones, Yesterday, I was just about to blog some reflections on the Camino after being off the trail and home, and that will come… but it seemed so trivial when I received the word of yet another mass shooting in our country. I completely understand why the Mayor of El Paso felt the need to say the words to his fellow citizens, “Don’t worry, we are all safe.” But I had to wonder, how can any of us make that assurance? I am sure those words would be cold comfort indeed to the 20 families who lost loved ones […]

July 25, 2019

Finding a church to call home

A recent college graduate finds that how a congregation practices hospitality — encouraging true, deep human interaction — is more compelling than good preaching, music or other criteria.

July 1, 2019

Your Open Hands Foodbank Garden

If you haven’t stopped by the Open Hands Food Bank Garden at St. Christopher’s lately, I urge you to have a look. Open the gate and inside you’ll find fresh produce springing up. The terraced planting beds are full of tomato plants, snow peas, numerous squash plants, even some corn, various herbs and a very robust rhubarb plant! Thanks to the hard work of lead gardeners Bill Hanna and Tucker Smyth this past fall, winter and especially this early spring, with great support from John Nistler and others, the garden has a few new features this year with a drip […]

June 27, 2019

GNA Asks Local Businesses to Sponsor Food Drives in Support of TC Foodbank & St. Christopher’s

The following announcement comes from the Griffin Neirghborhood Association who is part of a local initiative to have regular, ongoing, rotating collections for the Thurston County Foodbank at Steamboat Island businesses. “We are once again encouraged, grateful, and impressed by Steamboat Island’s commitment to ‘love thy neighbor.’ Truly this is a wonderful community to belong to,” said Fr. James in response to this initiative, to the GNA’s active support, and to the participation of local businesses. Special thanks goes out to Lindy Vincent who was key for coordination on St. Christopher’s end. The GNA announcement follows: “The Griffin Neighborhood Association […]

June 8, 2019

A Call to Discipleship

In this invitation, Eaton unites with the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, primate, Anglican Church of Canada; and the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

May 29, 2019

Blueberry Bash 2019 to Feature Bluegrass Band, “Runaway Train”

We’re excited to be hosting another Blueberry Bash on the 3rd Sunday of August (Aug. 18 this year) from noon to 4pm. What’s more, we’re thrilled that local Bluegrass band, Runaway Train, will be joining us and bringing “Bluegrass with an attitude.”

May 20, 2019

Chaplains on the Harbor Files Second Federal Lawsuit

By The Rev. Josh Hornbeck. Reposted from https://ecww.org/chaplains-on-the-harbor-files-second-federal-lawsuit/ Last week, Chaplains on the Harbor filed a second federal lawsuit against the City of Aberdeen. This lawsuit is in response to the city’s ongoing attempt to sweep Grays Harbor County’s largest homeless encampment without providing residents any alternative place to live. The Rev. Sarah Monroe, founder and priest in charge at Chaplains on the Harbor, is standing as co-plaintiff along with eight residents of the encampment and one of their family members. This suit asserts that the city is in violation of both the Eighth Amendment’s guarantee of protection from “cruel […]

May 20, 2019

Overcoming Self-Doubt:

5 ways to get beyond imposter syndrome By Kristen Glass Perez. Thanks to WomenOfTheELCA.org. Reposting from https://www.boldcafe.org/5-ways-to-get-beyond-imposters-syndrome/ Recently, I received a request from a friend who is an expert in her professional field. She wanted to share that she was quoted in a national publication via social media, but felt awkward posting it herself. She asked me to post it for her. I was happy to do so. As soon as I posted it, I saw many other posts of strong individual achievements on my social media feeds. I noticed that few women posted about their own successes while male […]

April 17, 2019

Easter Baskets Galore!

This Easter St. Christopher’s partnered with St. John’s Episcopal (Olympia) and St. Benedict’s Episcopal (Lacey) to create Easter baskets for those who might not otherwise be receiving one this year. Over 100 baskets were created and donated. Baskets contained not only sweet treats but clothes, toys, and craft items. The baskets were delivered to the Family Support Center and the City Gates Street Ministry who will see they get into the right hands. Thanks to all who gave and all who have been in prayer. You spread faith, hope, and love in the name of Jesus.

April 16, 2019

Holy Week and Easter at St. Christopher’s

Holy Week and Easter worship opportunities are as follows:

Maundy Thursday – 6pm
Good Friday – 10:30am, 1pm, 7pm
Easter Vigil at St. John’s – 7:30pm
Easter – 8am & 10:30am with brunch at 9am and Egg Hunt at noon.

April 3, 2019

A Happy Hello and a Fond Farewell

On Sunday, March 24th we bid a happy hello to our newest congregant. Because it’s our policy not to name children on public web forums unless specifically given permission, suffice it to say she was born to the Johnson household. … and she’s darling! Please continue to welcome the whole family, and thank you for providing food for them the entire month of March. We also bid a fond farewell to the Kunisawa’s, Kay and Adel. They have been a part of our congregation for about 4 or 5 years now, being transplants for Maui. Kay, good natured, soft spoken, […]

April 2, 2019