The Episcopaper September 2017

Transcription

1 The Episcopaper September 2017 St. John s Snohomish Serving our community since 1892 St. John s Episcopal Church 913 Second Street Snohomish, WA Phone: office@stjohnsnohomish.org Website: The Rev. Mary MacKenzie, Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Eliacín Rosario-Cruz, Incoming Rector Sundays: Holy Eucharist 8 AM Rite One & 10 AM Rite Two with Music Adult Education: 9:15 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Classrooms and Nursery Open: 9:45 AM Janus: Looking Back, Looking Ahead Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Thank you so much for the wonderful party on Sunday and for the gift card to the Episcopal Bookstore. Thank you to for the many notes. I spent my afternoon reading them sitting on our deck and their sentiments warmed my heart. In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past. That s how I feel. Looking back, it s hard to believe it s been just a little over a year since I first came to St. John s to partner with you in this time of transition, of endings and beginnings. A lot has happened in that time and we ve done good work together. Not only have we shared the transition between rectors, we ve shared in the more personal transitions of life. We mourned together as we said goodbye to sisters and brothers born into eternal life; we rejoiced as at least one baby was born and others were born into new life in Christ through baptism. We welcomed new members and said goodbye to others who moved away. And we celebrated those who joined their lives together in holy matrimony. Together, we studied God s Word in light of our world, witnessed for Christ as you marched for justice, served literally hundreds of dinners, and provided bus tickets for our neighbors so they could go to work or job interviews or doctor appointments. You have prayed together and cared for one another. You have moved forward in bringing the plans for a building remodel and update closer to reality. And, of course, you have faithfully and prayerfully discerned whom God is calling to be your priest to serve God s people alongside you. Even if you were not on the search committee, your faith and your prayers played an important part in that discernment. Through it all, and most important, we worshiped God together, hearing God s Word, and breaking the bread, as the foundation of everything else. We tried some new things and sang some new songs. Thank you for your flexibility and openness to trying new things. And thank you for your forgiveness when I miss-stepped.

2 Looking ahead, many of you have asked what s next for me. Well, I m looking for a new position, discerning where God is calling me next. Until I do, I will worship at Christ Church in Seattle where my husband, Wes, is a member and sings in the choir. And No, I m afraid I can t come back to visit or perform any priestly duties, but we will still see each other around the church, at convention and other events. While I will miss you, you will always have a special place in my heart, and I am so excited for you and Eliacín as together, you begin this new chapter in the life of St. John s. Thank you for welcoming me into your family for a short while. It has been a joy and a delight and truly an honor to share in your ministry. Until we meet again, God bless you and keep you and hold you in the palm of God s hand. Mother Mary + Wikipedia, We ve Always Done It This Way or Have We? A little parish history from Altar Guild Co-Director, Gail Ferrera I began attending St. John's in 1979, drawn initially to the welcoming community and rich liturgical traditions. Over the years there have been many changes to the church space but the basic personality of the parish worship has remained open and spiritually alive. Initially we had a Wurlitzer organ from one of the area theaters. It was located under the arch where the organ pipes are now, perched next to the pulpit. The choir pews were against the wall in the chancel area in front of the communion rails, with choir members able to see the choir director/organist. In the 1990s, when the Waltz family donated our beautiful pipe organ it required some changes to the arrangement of the chancel area, especially the removal of our pulpit. At the time losing our pulpit was a huge disappointment and many questioned why the old organ needed to be replaced. But, unfortunately, it was in bad condition and beyond practical repair. The new pipe organ was a wonderful and timely gift. Briefly, during Fr. Bell's time, we had no choir so the chancel area was freed up with lots of space. With encouragement from Doris Wentworth and others, he wanted to temporarily try out a free standing altar where our front altar is now. So Willis Tucker and Warren Roberts mounted a piece of plywood on some saw horses, covered it with white linen and we had our first front facing altar--not without some grumbling and concern. For Eucharist we formed a line and took bread and wine single file standing. That experiment lasted a few weeks which showed it could be done--with some tweaking! Another change from the past is in what I think of still as the children's altar space. The front altar we are using now was originally the children's altar placed under the stained glass window of Jesus with the children. (The window was given in memory of Fr. Price's adult daughter who passed away leaving her young children.). The hanging votive lamp was actually a baptismal candle hanging over our baptismal font located under the arch. That was where we had our baptisms including my daughter Kristin's. Also over the years ashes awaiting burial were placed under the children's altar. So here we are amid change again. Yet I know the tradition and spirit of St. John's will survive and thrive, embracing our past and welcoming our future! 2

3 Sunday School classes will start on September 10. Registration will take place from 9:30-10 AM and be followed by orientation. Registration materials will also be available during coffee hours for early registration. All children attending Sunday School or the Nursery must have a registration card with a photo, an emergency card, and a photo release card on file. Sunday, September 10 New Pictorial Directory Photos September There is still time to sign up for photos but time is running short. If you need to sign up see Marilyn or (mcimbach@gmail.com) or call ( ) If none of the days work for you, I can arrange for make up photos at another site. Please let me know about this need as soon as possible. st This directory is a gift for Fr. Eliacin and all of us as we work and pray together and stay connected. Please help us make this directory complete by getting your picture taken so we can include all members of our church family. Our goal is 100%. That can t happen without YOU. It s quick, it s easy, and it s free! Family pets are welcome. Get Your Smile On 3

4 Stewardship of Treasure Adult Education Sundays 9:15 AM Stewardship is an important ministry for those of us here at St. John s. We divide the year into four areas of focus aligned with the seasons: fall is treasure; winter is time; spring is creation; and summer is family. September 3 September will still include some opportunities for family gatherings. One fun outing takes place each year in Monroe: Swift Night Out on September 9. Bring a chair or blanket and watch as 20,000 30,000 swifts put themselves to bed for the night in Wagner School s chimney. Watch for presentations coming in October focusing on Stewardship of all our treasures: Time, Talent and Money. Bible Study September 10 Bible Study September 17 Parish Hall set up for photos Fr. Eliacín s first Sunday September 24 One service at 9:30 AM Welcome Coffee Hour Upcoming Opportunity to Volunteer Your Time in the Community St. John s Cooks Community Kitchen Snohomish Community Kitchen serves hot dinners every Monday and Thursday night at St. John s parish hall. The meals are provided by local churches and businesses who plan, prepare and serve the meals. St. John s provides the meals on the third Thursday of odd numbered months. Tom and Debbie Schelfhout plan the meals and organize volunteers. The Snohomish Cold Weather shelter is gearing up for its fourth year providing emergency shelter for those on the streets when the temperature drops below freezing. St. John's has committed to providing support services to the shelter for the first two weeks of November and the last two weeks of February. Support services are: Volunteer opportunities include: Precooking the day before, on Wednesday in the afternoon. On Thursday we need table setters in the morning or early afternoon, cooks in the late afternoon, servers and dishwashers from 3:30 to 6, and closers who sweep and mop floors, take out garbage and recycle, and lock up the building. To get involved, Tom Schelfhout at tschelfhout@hotmail.com or call/ text FOOD: provide milk, bread or pastries and fruit for breakfast MOVING: move cots and blankets from storage at St. John s Episcopal church on evenings when shelter is opening and to move them back to St. John s on mornings when it is closing WASHING: wash, dry and fold blankets at designated laundry facility If you can serve in this ministry or you want more information please text or call Jackie Grove at or Jackie at jackiegrove@hotmail.com. 4

5 Sr. Warden s Notes It s hard to believe (especially for me, the Transition sheepdog!) that the Transition is almost over. St. John s has been in transition since March of 2016 when the Vestry began learning about diocesan procedures and wrestling about whom, of our many talented parishioners, to appoint to the Profile and Search Committees. The Profile Committee began the work with the CAT (church assessment tool) and the Search Committee ended it 15 months later by recommending that the Vestry call the Rev. Eliacín Rosario- Cruz as our new Rector. Obviously there were many steps in between these two events, and just as obviously many people helped in the work along the way. It wasn t just the members of the committees. Parishioners continued to worship at our weekly services. People stepped forward to help in the office, organize too many funeral receptions, and to serve as LEMs, Acolytes, Lectors, and ushers. Our shut -ins were visited regularly. The choir kept singing. Teachers and volunteers kept the Nursery and Classrooms open. The ECW planned and paid for an update to the Parish Hall. The Capital Project Committee continued to plan needed upgrades to our electrical and mechanical systems while developing detailed plans for renovating our buildings. We continued to host Community Kitchen and to serve the needy and to work for a sustainable and just environment. Mother Mary kept us focused on the future for St. John s by seeing that our church community life continued to flourish. Together we did it we learned where we were and where we hoped to be in the future. We found a new Rector to lead us toward that future. The next chapter in the life of St. John s is about to begin. And a final thank you to all from the Transition sheepdog. She is now looking forward to a nap in the sun. 20th Snohomish Community CROP Hunger Walk Thursday, October 12, 4:30-8:30 PM Dine Out for CROP Walk Have dinner at a participating restaurant and a percentage will be donated to the CROP Walk Sunday, October 15, 1:30 PM Walk starts and ends at Snohomish First Presbyterian on 13th Street (the Seahawks have a bye) SEPTEMBER WATER CHALLENGE Water is the common denominator for all life. Without it, there is no life. First half of this month s challenge is to do what we can to help those folks impacted by Harvey who have too much water. Second half of the challenge is to help those folks who do not have access to clean drinking water. 5

6 St. Francis Day Family Service October 1 The first family service of the new Sunday School year will be October 1 celebrating the Feast of St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals. We have family services the first Sunday of most months during the Sunday School year. These are special services for our children as they take an active part as ministers of the service. Attendance at this service is an important piece in the faith formation of our children as it complements and enriches their Sunday School lessons. On the Horizon Annual Blessing of the Animals October 1 11:30 AM All pets have been invited and they want to be here so bring your four-legged kids, birds, fish, or whatever critter is part of your family. Please have your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Please bring a bag of cat or dog food that will be donated to the Food Bank for clients that need help feeding their best friends. ECW Craft & Bake Sale December 2 & 3 ECW ladies are busy preparing for their Annual Craft and Bake Sale. They hope to do well again this year. They welcome all crafting items, baked goods, and jams & jellies. If you need information or have questions, contact Barb Miars or Sally Bjerklie. 6 Diocesan Convention October The Annual Convention of the Diocese of Olympia will be held in Vancouver, Washington, October 27 and 28. The theme of this year s Convention is Wherever Bread is Broken. St. John s delegates are: Earl Beede, John First, Jackie Grove, and Sally Wesley. Our Alternates are Candace McKenna and Nancy and Gerry Vandenberg. The delegates are your link to the Sno-Isle Region and the Diocese of Olympia. Ask them about the issues and resolutions that will be considered at the convention. Learn about the many Diocesan missions. Share you thoughts and ideas with your delegates.

7 CROP Hunger Walk Information What is the CROP Hunger Walk? When CROP began in 1947 as the first walk-a-thon fundraiser under the wing of Church World Service, which was founded in 1946, CROP was an acronym for the Christian Rural Overseas Program. Its primary mission was to help Midwest farm families share their grain with hungry neighbors in post-world War II Europe and Asia. Today, we ve outgrown the acronym but we retain it as the historic name of the program. CROP Hunger Walks are interfaith hunger education and fundraising events sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) and organized by CWS local offices across the U.S. The Annual Snohomish CROP Hunger Walk is a group of local Snohomish churches that work together to raise money for CWS and our own Community Kitchen. What Does CWS Do with the Money We Raise? CWS s mission is building a world where there is enough for all. Their major goals are: Fighting Hunger and Poverty and Promoting Peace and Justice. They work with communities to take ownership of their future and help them create sustainable solutions. 75% of the money we raise goes directly to programs to provide nutritional food, clean water, and sanitation in parts of the world where these things do not now exist. 25% of the money stays in Snohomish and goes to Community Kitchen to help feed the hungry in our own community. Community Kitchen is currently serving approximately 100 free meals every Monday and Thursday. I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your home (Matthew 25:35). What Have We Done So Far? In 19 years the Snohomish CROP Walk has raised $178,950. Community Kitchen has received $44,739 and CWS has received $134,210. Why Do We Walk? In parts of the world where water is not readily available for one billion (1,000,000,000) people, families must walk to find water. This daily chore disproportionately affects women and girls. On average they walk miles a day to find water and carry containers weighing pounds on their return trip. This keeps girls out of school and women from more productive tasks. Why Do We Care? We are a kind, loving, and compassionate bunch doing the work God has given us to do. The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me (Matthew 25:40). Every day 29,000 children under the age of five, 21 each minute, 11,000,000 each year, die, mainly from preventable causes. A large percentage of these deaths are directly or indirectly related to the lack of nutritional food, clean water, and sanitation. For us, these are just numbers because we have food and water security and adequate sanitation. But think about how heart-wrenching it must be for those families who watch their babies die because they can t give them a drink of clean water or a nutritious meal. That s why we must care! 7

8 Thank you to those who are providing Coffee Hours September 3 Nancy McConnell and Marilyn Imbach Jackie Grove September 10 Rick and Sarah Jusko Bill and Pat Stewart September 17 Earl and Ann Beede Bruce and Wendy Backus September 24 Vestry St. John s Harvest Table will continue to operate through the harvest season Prayers If you wish to request prayers, give Linda Shroy at call at or the office (office@stjohnsnohomish.org). Name Tags If you need a name tag, please let the office know. Please notice, the name tags are all neatly hung on the wall by the robe room. Thank you, John and Laurie Gray! Important Dates SEPTEMBER 2 Outreach 9AM 3 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM Adult Ed Bible Study 9:15 AM Biblical Arts 10 AM Mother Mary MacKenzie, Presiding 4 LABOR DAY 7 Holy Eucharist & Bible Study 10 AM 10 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM Adult Ed Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 10 AM Sunday School Registration Mother Mary MacKenzie, Presiding 14 Holy Eucharist & Bible Study 10 AM 15, 16, 17 LIFETOUCH PHOTOS Signup for an appointment time SMILE! 17 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM Adult Ed Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 10 AM Fr. Eliacín Rosario-Cruz, Presiding 18 Vestry 7 PM 19 Creation Stewards 7 PM 20 Endowment 7:15 PM 21 Holy Eucharist & Bible Study 10 AM Community Kitchen St. John s Cooks 24 One 9:30 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Fr. Eliacín Rosario-Cruz, Presiding Special Coffee Hour after 9:30 AM Service to Welcome Fr. Eliacín and Family to St. John s Snohomish 28 Holy Eucharist & Bible Study 10 AM OCTOBER 1 Holy Eucharist 8 AM Adult Ed 9:15 AM Family Service 10 AM St. Francis / Blessing of the Animals 5 Holy Eucharist & Bible Study 10 AM 7 Outreach 9 AM 7 Oktoberfest 5:30 PM 8 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM Adult Ed 9:15 AM Sunday School 10 AM 11 ECW 10:30 AM 12 Holy Eucharist & Bible Study 10 AM 8

9 An Earth Ministry Greening Congregation September 10 Sunday School Begins Registration 9:15-10 AM September Directory Photos September 24 One Service at 9:30 AM Special Coffee Hour Honoring Fr. Eliacín and Family October 7 Oktoberfest 5:30 PM Return Service Requested Schedule of Worship Services Sunday Eucharist: 8:00 & 10:00 AM Adult Education: 9:15 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Thursday Eucharist and Bible Study: 10:00 AM The Rev. Mary MacKenzie, Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Eliacín Rosario-Cruz, Incoming Rector 9 St. John s Episcopal Church 913 Second Street Snohomish, WA