Interfaith Advocacy Day
Join advocates in your legislative district to bring voices of compassion and justice to our elected officials. Feb. 14, 2019, 9am – 3pm. www.fanwa.org
“Changing Lives for Christ” : The Annual Report of 2018
Please click this link to view our Annual Report for the Year 2018. Please click this link to view our Annual Report for the Year 2018.
The Bishop’s Bookshelf:
The Bishop’s Bookshelf // The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction By Bishop Greg Rickel, Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia This month I would recommend, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction by Martin Bunton. I am reading this book in preparation for my seventh Holy Land trip which I will be on when you get this review.I have fallen in love with the land and the people and, even though it is one of the most honored and revered places on earth, especially by the three Abrahamic faiths, it is one of the most tense on earth too. As humanity tends to […]
Let’s Talk Recycle!
By Marilyn Walther It’s a New Year and time to look at how we’re recycling at St. Christopher’s Church. Some of you may know that I’ve been your janitor for almost two years. As part of the job, I empty the garbage and recycle containers in the kitchen. It appears that we all need a little update on what IS and IS NOT recyclable with our curbside service. Here is the list from Thurston County Solid Waste:A. Aluminum and tin cans¹B. NewspapersC. Paper bags²D. Magazines, catalogs and mail (windows, staples, and sticky notes ok)E. Cereal and food boxes²F. Phone booksG. Cardboard (flattened)²H. Plastic bottles, jugs & jars (Neck must […]
Humor about The Wedding at Cana
Fr. James recently preached on the Wedding at Cana and the abundant grace of God. Here’s a little post about the abundant humor of God!
Episcopal Bishops Lift Statute of Limitations on Charges of Abuse in the Church.
https://jamesthibodeaux.tumblr.com/post/182223727528/pastoral-letter-from-bishop-rickel-on-suspension
Children’s Pageant, 2018
St. Christopher’s Christmas Pageant on Dec. 16, 2018, Coordinated by Annaka Thibodeaux and assisting leaders, Carrie Bowen, Pam Nistler, and Charlotte Clark-Neitzel. Set construction by John Nistler and sound tech by Fr. James. Big thank you’s to all the parents who came to rehearsals, helped keep focus, added encouragement, and generally just loved on every kid.
Children go Sledding in White Pass
Sunday School Teachers Carrie Bowen and Annaka Thibodeaux organized a day of sledding and tubing down the slopes of White Pass. The day was awash with bright sunlight and brisk temperatures in the morning, perfect for the days events. Tubing came first down a slick track made by snow groomers. Tubing children were thrilled at being able to go by themselves, with a parent, or even doubling up with a friend. In the middle of the day we stopped to refuel with a picnic lunch. The peanut- -butter-pickle sandwiches were a big hit! (Don’t knock it till you try it!) […]
Annual Meeting: Sunday, January 27th
Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 27th, 2019 following the 10:30am service. (There will be no 8am service on January 27th.) What has God has been doing in our midst? What people are excited about? What plans are in the future?How can I be involved and make a difference? Come see what God has done! Additionally, we will be asking our members in good standing to discern God’s will and vote accordingly on our council leadership, budget, and to decide on our representation at the 2019 Synod Assembly (ELCA). Find out more and RSVP here.
Christmas Eve Services (2018)
Christmas Eve Services on December 24th: 3:30pm – Christmas Eve I (Nursery Care Available)5:30pm – Christmas Eve II (Nursery Care Available)8:00pm – Christmas Eve III
5 Resources for Better Church Meetings
Reposted from ECF Vital Practices, by Brendon Hunter, Feb. 21, 2018. This month we offer five resources to help your vestry or other church group have more engaging and productive meetings. Please share this digest with new members of your vestry and extend an invitation to subscribe to ECF Vital Practices to receive Vestry Papers and the monthly digest. 1. The Consent Agenda: More Efficient MeetingsThe Consent Agenda: More Efficient Meetingsintroduces the concept and practice of using a consent agenda and how this makes space for strategic mission and ministry discussions without adding to the length of a meeting. – 2. Creative JuicesCreative Juices looks […]
The Children’s Pageant of 2018
St. Christopher’s children once again preached the Gospel to us in the form of a Christmas Pageant – a play telling of the birth of the Savior of the World, Jesus. The enactment featured 9 of our children reciting lines and singing two songs, the central piece “I Know Who He Was” followed by a fairwell in song, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Many thanks to all the children who participated; to parents, grandparents, and guardians who where so actively helpful throughout the whole process; and to Annaka Thibodeaux who coordinated the Pageant.
Hope, a Blue Christmas, and Joining Hands with Steamboat Island Church
On December 13th St. Christopher’s jointly sponsored A Blue Christmas Service with Steamboat Island Church. Fr. James preached the sermon, Pr. Heather consecrated the Eucharist, and they both shared in the leading the other parts of the liturgy. The service is geared for anyone whose Holiday Season is more ‘blue’ in feeling than the “Holly Jolly” reds and greens. “Sometimes we feel forced into being all ‘happy and nice’ during the season of Advent and Christmas. The reality is that life isn’t always easy or pleasant, even during the Holidays and sometimes especially because of them. The Blue Christmas Service […]
Living Stones Prison Congregation: Views from the Inside
Reposted from “The Rock” , the newsletter of Living Stones Prison Congregation, Shelton, WA
When Students and Inmates are Classmates
Reposted from Living Lutheran. Click here for the original article. Victoria Rose Meek has a hard time choosing only one moment for when she realized how much of an impact the Inside Out Prison Exchange Program had on her, her California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks) classmates or the students serving time at the Todd Road Ventura County Jail. Perhaps the moment she remembers most vividly started when an inmate admitted he signed up for the university course because he had nothing better to do. “By the end he [was] literally thanking each one of us because he said that after that class, he […]
The People’s Gathering: A Revolution of Consciousness Conference on April 2, 2019
3rd annual The People’s Gathering: A Revolution of Consciousness Conference on APRIL 2, 2019! Reposted from the Southwestern Washington Synod news. This one-day conference brings together individuals from local and state governments, business, education, non-profit, and health care sectors to have frank and open conversations about race, equity, and inclusion. Participants in the first two conferences have expressed that its format, high-caliber facilitators, and open, welcoming energy make it a unique personal and professional development opportunity. This year, you can look forward to the fantastic Dr. Kathy Obear as one of our featured speakers. Synod staff have attended the last […]
Episcopal Church Foundation Mourns Pres. Geo. Bush
ECF mourns the passing of President George H.W. Bush December 6, 2018. From the Episcopal Church Foundation newsletter. ECF FONDLY REMEMBERS PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) mourns the loss of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a fellow Episcopalian. He served ECF as a board member, a member of the Executive Council and the Advisory Council for a total of 24 years from 1968 to 1992. We knew President Bush as a man of great faith and humility. [Click here to read more.]
Bishop Rickel’s Advent Message
As we prepare to enter Advent, that season of preparation and expectation before Christmas, Bishop Rickel offers his blessings for the season and several resources for your journey through Advent. Advent Resources: Journeying the Way of Love Resources Preparing to Become the Beloved Community Contact Info The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel Bishop of Olympia 1551 10th Ave E Seattle, Washington 98102 206-325-4200 206-325-4631 FAX grickel@ecww.org http://www.bishoprickel.com