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Episcopal Church News
for and about
St. Michael and All Angels
St. Michael's Messenger
July 2008
Rector’s
Reflections
Jason's
Jive
In
Depth Bible Study
Looking
to August
Coffee
Hour
Take
a Hike!
Diocese
Board of Directors
Gabriel's
Guild
Lunch
Bunch
July
Flowers
July
Birthdays
July
Anniversaries
Calendar
for July 2008
Rector's Reflections
Dear Friends,
Each week Bishop Rickel sends out a personal
e-letter to clergy, briefing us on where he has been and what he has
been doing. His June 3rd message began, “Wonderful week. I
spent the evening with the Vestry and Strategic Visioning Commission at
St. Michael and All Angels in Issaquah. What a fabulous
group. The presentations were excellent
and the focus and planning truly inspiring.” What our
bishop has been saying to other clergy about St. Michael’s is right in
line with what he said to us the night of his visit: this was “the best
report from a vestry” he’d ever seen.
I pass these acclamations on to you not to make
members of the Vestry and Strategic Visioning Commission blush, but to
help you realize how truly outstanding their leadership is.
Standing on the shoulders of the very able leaders preceding them, they
have moved beyond just managing crises and even beyond mainly
accomplishing short term goals. Parish leaders are now looking
way out, all the way around and far ahead, peering onto the horizon for
ways that St. Michael’s can keep bringing faith to life in the
heart of Issaquah, in ever more vibrant ways.
Throughout this spring the Strategic Visioning
Commission has been tirelessly researching our church and our
community, following the recommendations of a major national non-profit
consultant that we develop as objective a view as possible of our
situation. Existing strengths and challenges within our parish
have been documented, and emerging trends in our community have been
explored—everything from population shifts to new patterns in public
gathering places and spiritual and ethical behaviors. Pulling
together all their findings, the commission now looks forward to fall
as the time to (1) share these intriguing insights with all of you, (2)
survey everyone for your individual responses, and (3) invite you
together in many different combinations to talk over particular
components. The consistent purpose in all of this activity is to
answer the question, “Three years from now, what kind of place should
St. Michael’s be?” What should our outreach programs look
like? How about our classes for kids? Our facilities, and
our finances? In the August Messenger you will find a full
calendar of Strategic Visioning events for the fall, and a description
of all the ways that you can get involved.
Whether you are new to St. Michael’s or have been
part of the parish for decades, whether your personal interests run to
sound administration or visual arts, spiritual growth or outreach in
the community, working with kids or singing motets, I urge you to bring
your best imagination and energy to these discussions. Just think
what fun it will be, when Bishop Rickel returns in May, to catch him up
on the exciting directions we’re heading!
Faithfully,
Ann+
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Jason’s Jive
Solstice Sundays @ 10 a.m.
On June 22, we began our new form of summer worship
“Solstice Sundays”. These celebrations interweave themes of the glories
of creation with themes of travel undertaken for rest and recreation.
Children’s programming continues an exploration of The Ten Commandments
and the Great Commandments. Ya’ll come!
July 6 The Rev. Susan Dean, guest
celebrant
Independence Day Deut. 10:17-21; Ps 145; Heb. 11:8-16; Matt.
5:43-48
July 13 The Rev. Mary MacKenzie, guest
celebrant
Isa. 55:10-13; Ps 65; Rom. 8:1-11; Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23
A hike led by David & Carol Whitworth follows the service
July 20 The Rev. Dr. Ann Lukens returns from
vacation
Gen. 28:10-19; Ps 139; Rom. 8:12-25; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43
Dress as casually as you’d like. Throw your hiking
boots in the trunk or bring your bike and trek through Issaquah and get
out and enjoy God’s creation after the service.
Liturgies on the Lawn @ 10 a.m.
Don’t forget your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and
tennis shoes.
July 27
August 31
Just for Families
Skagit Valley Mission Trip • August 10-13, 2008
The youth mission trip to the Skagit Valley is
August 10-13. To jumpstart fundraising for the trip, the youth will
again be selling Bishops Blend coffee TWO SUNDAYS ONLY — Sunday, July
13 & Sunday, July 20 — after both services.
Blends available include French Roast (smooth;
regular or decaf), Cinnamon spice, Kaldi’s Roast (bold; Ethiopian and
Indonesian blend), and Café de la Paz (medium; Central American blend)
and are certified:
Fair Trade, purchased from small coffee farmers at a
fair price.
Organic, grown without chemical fertilizers or
pesticides.
Shade grown, under a tree canopy which protects the
coffee plants from intense heat and returns vital nutrients to the
soil.
Each is offered at $11/bag (Cinnamon Spice is $12/bag).
Need your coffee ground? Just ask! Each bag you purchase puts nearly $4
into the hands of our youth group, enabling their trip to the Skagit
Valley. Please support them in this important outreach mission.
WANTED! Sunday School Teachers
The St. Michael’s Sunday School has two remaining
openings for the 2008-09 program year. If you have a love for bringing
scripture to life and two or three Sundays a month from September
through June to devote to our children, please contactJason Anderson at
associate@stmichaels-issaquah.org or (425) 392-3215. Attendance at the
Sunday School training session in late August and completion of
criminal background check is required.
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In-Depth Bible Study
I have just completed the first year of the
Education for Ministry Program and invite you to join me next year,
beginning in September. EFM is an in-depth 4-year program to
prepare lay people for their ministries, with each year standing alone
as a complete unit; although desirable, there is no commitment to
complete all 4 years.
The first year is Old Testament, and I was amazed to
learn so much! Although I had heard the selected lessons each
Sunday for years, I had never before read the complete books, let alone
been able to put them in a context to understand them better. The
materials provided by the Seminary at Sewanee are thorough and easy to
understand. There is substantial reading – don’t mistake me – I
spent an average of 4 or 5 hours each week, I would guess, and could
have done more had I wanted to. The first year readings are the
longest. Subsequent years are New Testament, church history, and
current issues in a theological context.
The program functions through small groups of 6 to
12, including at least one “mentor” who keeps things organized.
The group I’m in meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM until 9:30, at
St. Margaret’s in Bellevue, and includes worship, discussion of the
lessons, and a group Bible study or other discussion. A couple of
folks are taking a break for various reasons, so we are looking for a
few new members.
If you would like more information about this
program, please call me and we can talk!
Kathie Wilbert
425-392-3215
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Looking to August
Skagit Valley teen mission trip August 10th-11th
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Coffee Hour
In keeping with several requests and the more
casual atmosphere of summer Coffee Hour during July and August, coffee
and tea will be served outside upstairs weather permitting.
In keeping with the less formal atmosphere we will even use
disposable cups, in case you would like to grab a quick cup and be on
your way. We welcome feedback or suggestions to this new
adventure.
We do have a few small reminders for those using the
kitchen area. Please return the coffee cup rack to its storage
position beneath the counter next to the Butler's Pantry. When
left out it impedes access to the electrical room. Also a couple
of sanitation reminders. Please mark and date items placed in the
refrigerator and when handling food please remember to wash your hands
first.
Thanks to our Coffee Hosts, Hostesses, and
Parishioners, who make Coffee Hour so enjoyable. We wish all a
fun and safe summer where ever your travels may take you.
Lorrie, Kayleen and Gail (Kitchen Chair)
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Take a Hike!
On Sunday, July 13, David and Carol Whitworth will
lead us on a hike at Little Si in North Bend. They’ve
described this hike as having “some climbing – where can you go in
Washington and not climb?” – but mostly it will be “up a little, down a
little,” and mostly in the shade. We will hike for about an hour,
find a nice spot to stop for lunch (no picnic tables, just logs and
stumps) and then return. It should be comfortable for anyone who
is in reasonably good shape. Everyone is welcome, but we do ask that
children be accompanied by a parent.
We’ll meet in front of the church 15 minutes after
the end of the 10:00 service, and we will try to carpool as much as we
can – parking is limited, and gas is expensive! If you have
hiking boots, wear them; otherwise athletic shoes are fine.
Everyone should bring water and a lunch, and you may want to bring a
camera as well. Dress appropriately for the weather; if in doubt,
layers are good. David and Carol will bring a small first-aid
kit. We plan to be back at church by 3:30.
This will be a great summer opportunity to enjoy
God’s creation and to share an adventure with others in your parish
family. Hope to see you there!
(This event is an offering of the Adult Formation
Commission.)
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Diocese Board of Directors
It was announced today at the monthly meeting of the
Board of Directors of the Diocese of Olympia that Mother Ann has been
appointed to a three year term on the Board effective next month.
The Board consists of fifteen members including four or five members of
the Bishop's staff. Staff members have a voice and seat but are not
allowed to vote as they are not elected by the annual Convention of the
Diocese. The Bishop of the Diocese is President and the Vice
President is a lay person chosen by the Bishop.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the
properties owned by the Diocese as well as the funds and
investments. The operating budget of the Diocese is the
responsibility of the Diocesan Council. Among the properties are the
Diocesan House, Camp Huston, St. Andrew's House on Hood Canal and all
the buildings and lands of mission congregations. The Board can
and does make loans to both parishes and missions for the maintenance
of congregational facilities and to build new churches.
I serve as Secretary of the Board and have held that
position for the past twenty years. It will be a pleasure to have
Mother Ann on the Board as she will bring her many talents and gifts to
this vital ministry.
Father John
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Gabriel’s Guild Commissions Three New Members
At the Silvers and Sages Luncheon over Memorial Day
Weekend, three new members were commissioned to pray for St. Michael’s
each day: Fr. Reg Butt, Aletha Hartleroad (mother of Pat
Randall), and George Harry. They join Beverly Anderson, Edythe
Baker, Evie Gillard and Minna Rains in this quiet and constant ministry
of lifting our congregation’s needs to God for blessing.
Founded in 2003 to enlist the prayer power of some
of St. Michael’s most seasoned parishioners, the Guild’s charter reads,
in part, “Gabriel’s Guild will be a faithful group who strengthen St.
Michael’s by praying daily and earnestly for us. Scripture has shown us
that Gabriel and all the angels are already standing by, and when the
time is right they will carry to us on earth the right word, coming to
just the right person in just the right place to do just the right thing
for God’s will be done at St. Michael’s. This is the
strengthening power of prayer: that we are constantly turning toward
heaven, as heaven turns toward us.”
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Lunch Bunch is meeting at Tantalus,
Gilman Village, July 1st. Please call Taffy Altree
(425) 392-3215 to make a reservation.
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July Flowers
6 John Liu and Kari Jordal in Loving
memory of David Jordal
Katharine Pak for
Elizabeth’s birthday
13 Mike and Christi Kang for Kin and Kai’s birthdays
Pauline Harris in loving
memory of her mother, Vickey Dyer
20 Don and Kathie Wilbert in loving memory of their
son, Paul
27 Evie Gillard
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July Birthdays
3 Elizabeth Lee
5 Barbara Eimer
6 Curtis Jarocki
11 Michael Kauffmann
Gracie Olsavsky
13 John Liu
14 Minna Rains
Tara Berg
15 Lorrie LaBranche
Kin Kang
Kai Kang
16 Jenny Yeeles
19 Rose Young
21 Scott Randall
22 Madeline Wells
Alexandra Olsavsky
23 Vicki Haydter
24 Jack Altree
Rylan Korpi
26 Soleil Beares
29 Peter Peterson
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July Anniversaries
8 Terry and Ann Lukens
10 Mike and Julie Morris
12 John and Jan Rittenhouse
17 Bill and Sharon Wells
18 Mike and Teri Quaranta
29 Kari Jordal and John Liu
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Calendar for July, 2008
On going items:
Sunday
Summer services at 8am and 10am
Saturday
9:30am ~ Altar
Guild
-------------------------------------
1st Noon ~
Lunch Bunch at Tantalus, Gilman Village
2nd Vacation for Eucharist
& Bible Study
3rd Office
closed
4th Office closed
6th Independence Day
Eucharist
The Rev Susan Dean Celebrant & Preacher
8th 7:00 pm ~
Fellowship Commission
9th Vacation for
Eucharist & Bible Study
12:00 pm ~ Parish Life Network
13th The Rev. Mary McKenzie
Celebrant & Preacher
9:15 am ~ Web Site Committee
Adult Formation Hike after 10 am service
16th Vacation for Eucharist &
Bible Study
19th Choir Summer Sizzler at Barb
and Mike O’Neal’s
20th Newsletter Deadline
9:15 am ~ Finance Commission
22nd 5:30 pm ~ Issaquah Meals program,
team B
23rd 10:00am ~ Holy
Eucharist Resumes
10:45am ~ Bible Study Resumes
27th Fr. John Celebrant and
Preacher
10:00 am ~ Liturgy on the Lawn
28th 6:30 pm ~ Discernment Group
30th 10:00am ~ Holy Eucharist
10:45am ~ Bible Study
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