The Plans to Reopen In-Person Worship
Read a letter from our Episcopal Bishop about the reopening of churches in the diocese in including St. Christopher’s and see the detailed document that lays out the plan.
Upcoming events
Holy Week at Home
Holy Week at Home. You’ll find all our instructions, videos, and links to online worship right here.
Lent, Holy Week, & Easter: A Coronavirus Update.
Dear Ones,
I’ve received notice from Bishop Rickel of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia that all diocesan congregations will remain closed to the public through Holy Week and Easter.
This has not come as a surprise to most clergy, including myself. And I have been talking with my colleagues about backup plans prior to this announcement. So here is our plan…
Online Eucharist for March 15th, Lent 3
We have moved our Sunday Eucharist to a pre-recorded video posted on Facebook. We invite you to participate in worship by watching the video. In addition, “Christopher Saint” will be hosting a Facebook Watch Party. Find out more here.
Stations of the Cross: An Immigrant Journey
Photographs by Thomas Kiefer, from his collection “El Sueño Americano”, will be on display at St. Christopher’s Church on Wednesdays & Thursdays, March 4 – April 8th and on Good Friday, April 10th from 1pm to 5pm each day. With permission of the artist, some of his photographic images were made into prints and mounted for the community to view and contemplate as part of the outdoor Stations of the Cross and around the church grounds.
As a janitor for Customs and Border Protection in Ajo, Arizona from 2003 to 2014, Mr. Kiefer found, through serendipity, the confiscated and discarded belongings of undocumented migrants apprehended in the desert. Being a photographer, he collected these items and eventually decided to photograph them as “symbols of humanity”.
Come see the photographs and read about Mr. Kiefer’s experience working as a janitor for CBP, how he came across these belongings, everything from cans of tuna to rosaries, what he has to say about some of them, and why he decided to photograph these belongings.
The event is free.
Church Workday – Sun., March 29th
Wear your work clothes to church and grab a broom, a rake, a shovel, or a duster. Lend us a hand as we spruce up our campus and building in preparation for Holy Week.
COVID-19 and St. Christopher’s
Updated March 13, 2020
Dear Friends,
As the situnation surounding COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop I think it will not surprise you that St. Christopher’s facilites are closed to all in-person group meetings and group worship through at least March 22nd. This is in compliance with the closures of all Diocese of Olympia congregations. Below you will find more info from the Diocese of Olympia and the Southwestern WA Synod.
This does not mean St. Christopher’s is closed… We are simply doing ministry in different ways. Over the weekend you will hear of ways we can remain worshiping, fellowshiping, and serving together. Much of this will occur by phone, text message, email, video conference, and online.
Sunday Services go online… I intend to have some form of video streaming or conferenced worship at our normal times on Sunday. I will have more info on that n the next 24 hours as I work out the details of software, harware, licensing, and copyright. Please be patient.
… there’s more …
The Gospel in Community: StC’s Annual Report for the 2019 Year
Our Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, January 26th. You can find a pdf of our annual report for 2019 by clicking the link below: The Gospel in Community: Worship, Formation, Ministry MissionThe 2019 Annual Report & Mission Proposal
Scam Alert!
We’ve seen notices like the one I’ll quote below from both our bishops now and it’s just a matter of time before someone tries it from some other clergy you might know…
Annual Meeting, Sunday, Jan. 26th
Our Annual Meeting is coming on Sunday, Januaryt 26th following an abrieviated 10:30am service.
More than just business, this meeting celebrates God’s work in us and through us during the previous year and shares what ministries are planning to accomplish (by God’s grace!) this coming year. We’ll also elect our leadership and approve our budget.
All members are asked to attend and vote.* This is an open meeting and all are welcome. We look forward to spending this time with you.
Christmas Eve at St. Christopher’s (2019)
You, your family, friends, & neighbors are cordially invited to celebrate Christmas at St. Christopher’s Community Church…
A Blue Christmas Service – Dec 18, 7pm
Not everyone’s holiday is “Holly & Jolly.” Sometimes we feel more blue than red & green. Join us St. Christopher’s and Steamboat Island Church on Wed, Dec. 18th at 7pm for a service that recognizes Jesus was born into a world that was in the midst of turmoil and distress, and longing for a Savior who would speak peace and comfort the people (Isaiah 40:1).
We’ll be worshiping at St. Christopher’s located at 7902 Steamboat Island Rd. NW, Olympia, WA. Everyone is welcome.
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, […]
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!
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 […]