Benedictions for April

The Vicars Voice

Some Assembly Required

Being mechanically inclined is not my gift. If you ever saw me swing a hammer or try to assemble something, you’d know this in two seconds flat. Most times, I end up hitting my fingers or forcing the wrong tab into the wrong slot.

God truly has a sense of humor. Full Article

April Calendar

April Servant Ministry Schedule

April Lectionary Selection

Lectionary Page*

*We are currently using RCL, so please click on RCL on the day you are looking for on the calendar.

What to do in Case of a Pastoral Emergency

If you are in the hospital, facing surgery, needing prayer or if there is an emergency you can contact the Vicar by phoning her at St. Benedict: (Sunday-Thursday during the day 360-456-2240 or at home 360-357-2877 or on her cell 206-303-8474. Please note that the Vicar does not check voice messages Friday or Saturday at the church.

You can also contact Deacon Tony Irving at home: 360-491-3111.

Jail Ministry

Do you like to write letters? If so, then the Jail Ministry has a great opportunity for you! Currently, they are looking for people to write letters to inmates as well as new team members to join jail ministry. It is only 16 evenings a year and takes about an hour. Please call Mike Flothe for more info today!

German Ministry

The new German Ministry will meet every 3rd Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Benedict. There will be a German Service followed by fellowship in the Parish Hall. Come and check it out and spread the word!

Weapon of Choice by: Lacey O'delle

I know, I know...I tend to write about things that are either politically or historically driven, but really...isn't everything? Even religion can't claim immunity here on either count. And today I read about one of the sadder points of religion...the killing of a person simply because he tended to a flock that was surrounded by extremists. Full Article

NW Chamber Chorus to Sing 'Of Love and Laughter on April 6th

The prestigious Northwest Chamber Chorus will sing songs of romantic love as well as humor as it continues to celebrate its 40th season, at 3 o’clock Sunday, April 6, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave. S.E., Olympia. Titled “Of Love and Laughter,” the St. John’s Concert Series event is free, but an offering will be taken at intermission.Humorous romantic pieces will include “Haste Thee Nymph,” by Handel, “Log Driver’s Waltz” by Hemsworth, and “Alouette.” The 40-voice chor will sing passionate songs of love by Monteverdi, Brahms and Alberto Favaro. Among humorous songs will be “El Hambo,” sung on nonsense syllables, “Animal Verses” by Ogden Nash, and “It Was a Love and His Lass.”

Mark Kloepper is music director for the chorus, which has been described as a “…highly accomplished vocal ensemble – venerable by Seattle standards,” by R.M. Campbell of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Help to maintain Our Facility in the Coming Months by Mary Moore

There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall with all the work that needs to be done to maintain our facility both inside and out. It also lists all the jobs that need to be done. There is an opportunity for each person to sign up for a job that they are willing to work on with others. Please look at this sheet the next time you are in the Parish Hall. More

Don’t forget the Ministry Resource Day, Saturday April 19th from 8:30—4 p.m. at the Highline Community College in Des Moines. You can get more information and register here or pick up a pamphlet in the hallway today!

Interested in Baptism, Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Vows in Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation

If you are thinking about being baptized or renewing your Baptismal vows before the bishop, talk with Georgi about your interest. You are encouraged to participate in the Sunday Growing in Christ series. This class is not only the St. Benedict's "preparation" for an adult commitment, but a good opportunity for all to grow in faith and community support. The class meets after the 10:00 service at 11:30 in the St. Frances room. More

Kids Corner

Sunday School is now from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Don't forget to mark this change on your calendars!

Spring JYC!

Are you in grades 6-9? Would you like to spend a fun filled weekend in worship, music, small groups, listening to wonderful speakers, playing games, having fun and making new friends? Then come to the Church of the Holy Cross in Redmond May 2-4th and learn what 525600 Minutes is all about! The registration deadline is April 18th and is only $25, so talk to your parents about it today! Brochures with a registration form are available in the hallway.

Announcements, Annoucements...

Bishop’s Committee members have been receiving lots of feedback about the changes in process regarding the Sunday morning announcements at the 10 a.m. service. We’ve tried doing them at the end of the worship service – takes away from our worship experience and the Deacon’s admonition to go into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. We’ve tried it in the Parish Hall during coffee hour – with and without a microphone – too disruptive to our wanting to talk with each other and greet newcomers who have joined us. We’ve tried no oral announcements. So this is what we are going to do...Full Artice

Budget Update: February 2008 by Tim Madden

This months update is for February 2008. In February we has a whole did a better job of getting our pledges in. However we are still a little short about 8% or $1500. For the year we are down about $7,000 or 17%. Let's hope we can do better in getting the funds needed to do the programs we set out to do in our annual meeting.

For expenses, we are staying within the amount budgeted: We budgeted $44,177 and we have only spent $39, 899 or 89%.

The Finance committee is watching the trends of the income and expenses and will make needed recommendations to the Bishops Committee.

Enfolding Divine Blessings Chaos with the word, Love alive for all by The Rev. Zula Johnston

Remember Lazarus? Martha and Mary’s brother, Lazarus? A few weeks ago, we heard the story of Lazarus and how Jesus restored him to life. Think back on that story for a minute. When Jesus calls, “Lazarus, come out!”, Lazarus is restored to life and comes out of his tomb. Poor Lazarus is still wrapped in the binding cloths of the grave. I think of that old scary movie I saw when I was a child: Return of The Mummy. Have you seen it? I see Lazarus standing like that mummy, arms akimbo, head and face, arms and legs, whole body tightly wrapped in strips of white cloth. Full Article

YMCA's Other Bank

Lets help the YWCA’s Other Bank with their paper products drive. The Other Bank supplies much needed personal hygiene products to low income families. During the months of April and May we will be collecting Toilet Paper to help replenish their dwindling supplies. As a precaution and to prevent abuse of the system, each client must complete a registration form describing their household and their income. They must present current photo identification and there is a limit as to the number of products they may receive. Each order is filled on a first come – first serve basis, and they may use the Other Bank 6 times a year. It is open every Wed. 1:00 – 3:30 PM and every 2nd and 4th Wed. 5:30 to 7:00 PM. There will be a box in the hallway for donations.

Thank you from the Outreach Committee

St. Benedict Feeding Ministry by Sue Andersen

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has participated and supported our monthly Community Dinners by their prayers, donations and volunteering in the many jobs that make up the Community Dinners. There certainly is an energy and passion among the congregation to support this important ministry to the hungry of our community. The word seems to be getting out to the Lacey/Olympia community and more people from different areas are showing up for our dinners. The people attending our dinners are very grateful for the delicious food served, Food Bank items and fellowship they find at St. Benedict’s. Full Article

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always.

A Mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe, so she devised a plan how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. More

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! by Sheila Crisp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,By the time you have read this I will have had the opportunity to be with you on Easter Sunday, but at this writing I can only look forward to the encounter and reconnection. Entire Letter

Saturday, May 12th is the Letter Carriers Food Drive to help stock the Thurston County Food Bank. The Lacey Post Office has need of volunteers to help that day with sorting and packaging of food from 11 am to 5 pm and help collecting food from various neighborhoods starting at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers with trucks or SUV only please. You will be given a route and a decal to attach to your vehicle for identification purposes. If interested, please call Debbie Dixon at 701-7453 at the Lacey Post Office for more information or to volunteer.

The Bishop’s Committee:

Pat Basta, Linda Conroy, Mary Eberling, Gary Grewell, Lisa Metzler, Mary Moore & Bob Wilson

Senior Warden: Peggy Carmichael

People’s Warden: Nancy Zabel

Clerks: Judy DeBuse & Lyn Mitchell

Assisting Clergy:

The Rev. Dr. John Van Eenwyk; The Rev. James Blundell, Retired; The Rev. Ray Dexter, Retired; The Rev. Norris Pearson, Retired; The Rev. Nancy Allaire, Deacon; The Rev. Gen Grewell, Deacon, Retired The Rev. Tony Irving, Deacon; The Rev. Zula Johnston, Deacon, Retired

Saint Benedict Episcopal Church