The Canterbury Tales. May Alleluia! He is risen, He is risen. Alleluia!

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1 The Canterbury Tales May 2014 Alleluia! He is risen, He is risen. Alleluia! 1 Vol. 3 No. 5 St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church May 2014

2 From the Pastor May Gifts! April brought us many blessings besides rain showers. We had a wonderful evening of Jazz with Jim Martinez and friends. We had a blessed Holy Week with a wonderful new Maundy Thursday that included a Seder with the children s participation. Good Friday was observed with solemnity, drawing us into the sorrow of the day. The Vigil on Saturday night was a lovely service, including two baptisms, always a special event. Easter Sunday drew us all into the joy of the power of God s love no matter what! And now May is upon us and the life of this community of faith is blooming with yet more gifts and wonders as we welcome new people and longtime attenders into our life here at St. Augustine. What has God gifted you with? How have the events of your life gifted you with abilities to support others in their life journeys? Are you hearing that still, small voice whispering in your heart and mind, inviting you to share of yourself in new ways? Spend some time this month asking to see yourself with the eyes of Jesus with all of your giftedness and belovedness. God is knitting together a community of people here to share in the work that God is doing in our midst. There is excitement in the air! What is God up to? What are your gifts? What is your part in God s work? God s Peace, Pastor Liz+ Easter Services DOK, Brotherhood, Prayer Shawl Ministry.. 8 From the Pastor... 2 FISH, Sunday School, VBS,. 10 Called to Build... 3 Ministry Fair ~ Faith Connections 11 Calendar... 3 MMCA Volunteers, Baptisms 12 Service Times, St. Vincent de Paul, Gathering Inn.. 4 Birthdays, Anniversaries. 13 missio:engage!... 5 Companion s Corner Journey of a Seminarian.. 6 Contact Page Where Moms Connect... 6 Easter Celebrations!

3 Calendar May 2 & 3 missio:engage! Diocesan Conference Co-host with St. John s Guest Speaker: The Rev. Tom Brackett June 1 Ministry Fair ~ Faith Connections June 8 Brotherhood BBQ Celebrate Sunday School! June June 22 Vacation Bible School Jungle Safari Adventures Vacation Bible School Sunday Campaign Goal Campaign Commitments Total Collected to Date $500,000 $523,898 $376,678 Proverbial Wisdom Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (From the Message Bible) Gratitude for Results Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38) 3

4 Service Times The Gathering Inn 8 a.m. Sunday Service The early service begins at 8 a.m. This is a simple communion service without music, using Rite II. The quiet service will appeal to some every week and to others occasionally as a quieter way to worship. 10 a.m. Sunday Service The second service, at 10 a.m., is supported by the St. Augustine Choir. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m., excepting some Holy days and special occasions. St. Vincent de Paul Food Locker The Gathering Inn has many programs throughout the week you might be able to plug into. Maybe you could help someone learn to read. Did you know TGI has a dental and medical clinic? Maybe you have a background that would help this ministry. Do you have experience driving a commercial truck or bus? TGI has a need for drivers to take the overnight guests to their destination and also pick them up. If you would like to discuss or explore how to get involved, please call Jim Quinney. Additionally, please try to remember toiletries and other items for the grocery cart. They also need adult size jeans year-round. Hosting Ministry As you all know, we will begin our hosting for TGI every second Wednesday of the month, in July. I am excited to report that the Daughters of The King have signed up for July and the Choir for August. If you are curious and would like to see what is involved, these two times would also be a good opportunity for you to swing by and take a look. Healthy Snacks What about healthy snacks this month? Raisins, small to medium size boxes, healthy snack bars, peanut butter crackers, etc. will help to fill the gaps between meals. The dining room can always use salad dressings as well. There will be a monthly sign-up sheet, so start praying and thinking about this really wonderful ministry opportunity. As we get closer to July, we will have a short informational forum after Church to discuss what is involved and how you can participate. Many thanks!!! Jim Quinney 4

5 missio:engage! May 2014 When I first joined the missio:engage! team, I didn t realize what a life changing event it would be. From the start, it was like a refresher course in Christian living. Our team has bonded into a loving group, working in Jesus name. We looked at, How is God working in our neighborhood. Then I learned how, as a member of this community, I can make a difference. Some of the time it is the small things that are more meaningful in our Church community. From greeting our present members and newcomers, as fellow worshipers of Christ, to inviting all to be active participants in our Church. Most of all we have learned to listen, really listen to the voices in our community. I believe that the sprit of the Lord will continue to guide us. We offer information and assistance to all of our Church. I feel that most of us want to have a feeling of belonging and that is possible when practicing what we have learned. For me, missio:engage! has encouraged me to work more from the heart than ever before. Live in love, just as Jesus asked us to do. June Meredith The missio:engage! Team: Barbara Sawyer, Lana Gartin, Rhonda Wampler, Greer Nave, Ralph Nave, Jack Dillon, Joan Howe and Steve Mershon. Newcomers Getting Acquainted! Ice Cream Social Sunday, April 27 5 Vol. 3 No. 5 St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church May 2014

6 Journey of a Seminarian The semester is wrapping up and a little too quickly. While I cannot wait until June, when I will have a break from Seminary, I also want more time to finish up my final papers. This past month, I helped design the liturgy for the Easter Eve Service at Grace Cathedral. We baptized 17 infants and toddlers. It was chaotic and loud, to say the least, but also a very special day. Then I was able to come home and share Easter Sunday with all of you! I am getting excited and also a bit freaked out about my upcoming ordination to the transitional diaconate. It is an occasion met with many emotions, as I know fellow seminarians who should also be preparing for theirs, but have met many obstacles with their process to ordination... obstacles that seem very unfair and wrong. So I find myself excited, but also feeling grief for their loss, which I hope will be temporary. With that said, I am working on getting measured for vestments, collars and clerical shirts. The Moms group has just three meetings left and then will be taking the summer off. (We may find time for some fun get -togethers.) We meet on Thursdays and all moms with children ages 0-18 years are welcome to join us. We meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Church in the youth classroom. We are meeting on May 1, 15, and 29. At the May 1, we are discussing "Does God Have a Plan for You?" and on May 15 we are discussing "The Courage to Encourage. May 29 we are partying!! If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Lovin at wheremomsconnect@gmail.com. You are welcome to bring a friend, too!! Child care is available. The kids can even come in their pj's!! Much love! Sarah 6

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8 DOK Any woman who feels called to a life of prayer, service and evangelism is invited to our Daughters of the King meetings. We usually gather in Canterbury Hall after the 10 a.m. service, on the second Sunday of the month. DOK will not be meeting as usual this month. We are looking forward to attending the DOK Diocesan Spring Assembly Saturday, May 31 at St. Michael's in Carmichael. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew holds its regular monthly meetings at 9 a.m., in Canterbury Hall, the second Saturday of each month. Coffee and breakfast are served. All men and youth are welcome and encouraged to attend a meeting. Do you know how to knit or crochet? If not, would you like to learn? Would you like to meet once a month with a group who would teach you and welcome you into the ministry of making shawls. The shawls are symbols of care and concern for those who would appreciate a tangible sign of the love of God? The members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry truly enjoy time of fellowship, when we meet each month in the Sunday School rooms of our new Church. We meet on the second Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. There is always an open chair for anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry. Contact Greer Nave, if you are interested. The shawls are given in gift bags with a lovely card designed by Lloyd Kriner, and selections from the Book of Common Prayer. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, but not actually make the shawls, we appreciate the gift of yarn (Lion s brand Homespun preferred), gift bags or donations to purchase these supplies. Rob Shonk is the Director. If you have an interest in learning about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, please contact Rob or Vice Director John Redmond. The Brotherhood is planning a BBQ following the 10 a.m. service, Sunday, June 8. No price tag, just donations accepted with proceeds going to the Living Water Project. Join us for burgers, dogs, salads and drinks for a good afternoon of fellowship. The Brotherhood recently finished up National Service Day, April 26. Several Brothers went around to different neighborhoods, assisting church members with projects at their homes, doing yard work and general fixer-upper projects. 8

9 Friends in Serving Him In May, the FISH Youth Group will be filling our time with fun activities and a new lesson curriculum. We are so excited to begin this new journey with the youth and dive into our faith, head first. We will also be bringing in the parents for support in this new adventure and engaging the whole family. We are thrilled to be a part of it and hope that maybe you would like to join us! If you are interested in getting involved with the youth group, please feel free to contact Reese Allen or Jim Quinney. The month of May begins with a lesson about Paul who persecutes Christians. He meets Jesus, becomes a believer and spreads the good news about Jesus beyond the Holy Land. The children will also learn about the books we use in our Church, The Book of Common Prayers and the Bible. We will study the Sacrament of Baptism and the Celebration of the Eucharist. Join us, Pentecost Sunday, June 8, to celebrate our Sunday School program. The children will share some of their work and present a musical offering. Vacation Bible School Mark Your Calendars! The Jungle Safari Vacation Bible School June Exciting Bible Stories Creative Crafts Snacks & Games Galore! In May, we will begin preparations for our Third Annual Vacation Bible School. Volunteers are needed to help with the lessons, learn the music, make decorations, gather craft supplies, help with snacks and arrange a service project. The theme for this year is Jungle Safari. The children will have tons of fun learning about God our Creator, Provider, Protector, Savior and King. Music and songs, crafts and snacks, puppets and games are just a part of the fun. Meeting new friends, learning about Jesus and finding ways we can help each other are our goals. 9

10 Living Waters Mission Trip St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room The November trip to Haiti will support the Living Waters ministry. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide a water well for those in need and to demonstrate our love by standing and working beside our Haitian friends in Christ. Jack Dillon, Rick Lovin, Ken Cichocki and Jim Quinney will be going to Haiti November 29 - December 6, with a group from St. John s Roseville. There will be several opportunities to help support this group financially, beginning with the Brother s BBQ June 8. Please be generous as we will all drill this well together in the name of Christ! Many thanks to all who gave generously during the Easter offerings $2,273 was collected and will go to support the Living Waters ministry. St. Augustine Coffee & Tea Club St. Vincent de Paul is preparing a new six-month schedule and is in desperate need of new and/or returning volunteers to serve meals. Your commitment would be minimal, but vital to this important ministry. If St. Augustine can recruit three new volunteers, the commitment would be every third month. Otherwise, our group will be working every month. So please consider joining this important ministry. The St. Augustine group serves the third Thursday of each month. We volunteer from approximately 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. helping to prepare, cook and serve those in need of a warm meal. There are approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours of standing involved in the entire 4 1/2 - hour shift, less depending on what is being cooked. All food is provided and no cooking experience needed. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this simple but necessary outreach! I promise you will leave with a full heart! Please contact Gaby Sisk, if you are interested in working in this important ministry. Don t forget the freshest coffee and tea is available to you and your family and friends. Each time you take a delightful sip you are helping to support outreach programs. Orders are taken every 1 st and 3 rd Sunday of the month and your coffee or tea is delivered the following Sunday. So please start sipping soon. What could be easier!!! 10

11 FAITH CONNECTIONS ~ Ministry Fair As you enter our Church, it looks like things are running so smoothly that you are not really needed. But that is not necessarily so. How does this smoothness happen? By the many helping hearts and hands within our St. Augustine Family! Volunteering should be something that you want to do because it brings you joy. There is ALWAYS room to lend a hand and plenty of opportunities to jump in and give it a try. Our Church family is filled with many talented individuals - we can be so proud! Discover where your gifts might best shine and where new friends are waiting to be found. Come to the Faith Connections ~ Ministry Fair Sunday, June 1 during the 10 a.m. service. 11

12 MMCA Volunteers Did you know that we have numerous volunteer opportunities at the school directly next to our church building? Maria Montessori Charter School, our former Church home. Well...we do! Baptized into The Kingdom of God At the Easter Vigil, April 19, Maya Elizabeth Johnson and John Alan Boysen were baptized at St. Augustine Church. We welcome them to our church family. Rob Shonk has been volunteering and sharing his passion and knowledge with lots of children at MMCA. Rob teaches Chess Club on Mondays and Junior Choir on Fridays. Way to go Rob! Thanks for sharing your passion and expertise with others. Other Church members who volunteer at MMCA are Rhonda Wampler, who leads a craft group on Thursdays and Rich Wampler, who works with a Rocket Club. If you are interested in finding out about volunteers opportunities at MMCA, please contact Carole Geiger. 12

13 Companion s Corner BARNABAS! May 2 May 3 May 7 May 8 May 17 May 19 May 20 May 21 May 23 May 22 May 22 May 22 May 24 May 29 May 30 May 15 May 21 May 24 May Birthdays May Anniversaries Martha Kennedy Bill Howe, III Steve Mershon Jane Buffington Ken Cichocki Les Geiger Norma Crutcher Rosanna Jensen Jeanne Rochelle Sharon Mershon Kathy Dillon Brian Fischer Beth Sulc Bill Howe, II John Redmond Jerry Harner Bob Hamacher Liz Armstrong Tim White Rick & Judy Rae Jim & Anna Foote Lloyd & Priscilla Kriner Barnabas is often mentioned during stewardship campaigns, but he actually played several key roles in our Christian history. Thought to be the cousin of Mark, he showed himself early on to have the gift of mediation. Mediation is a Latin phrase meaning the middle road and is a maxim for life which advocates moderation in thought and actions. (The term via media is often used to describe the Anglican way, because of its combination of both Catholic and Protestant forms.) Barnabas was often called the encourager and the Greek text in Acts calls him Son of Encouragement. He often interceded in quarrels and disagreements among the early evangelists, most notably the dispute between Paul and Mark in Acts 15. He is someone who looked for a solution that would satisfy both persons and yet achieve the goal. Mediators can lead the way out of difficult situations. As we are faced with either/or situations, we can meditate on this man and ask God to grace us with the skill to mediate and to be peacemakers. As Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. The Message Bible puts it in everyday language: You re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God s family! Blessed are the peacemakers, dear friends!! Carole 13

14 Contact Information Pastor Liz Armstrong Cell Church Office Normal Work Days Sunday Thursday Associate Pastor The Rev. Maryellen Garnier Please contact the Church Office or Pastor Liz for pastoral emergencies. The Mission of St. Augustine Episcopal Church is, With God s help: To Worship God To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ To reach out to our community and the world in service and education St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church A Safe Place for People Seeking God 1800 Wildcat Boulevard Rocklin, CA Phone: staugustine@staugustineepiscopal.com 14