Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

Vicars Voice - _________Mas

I could hardly believe it. It was November 1st and I walked into a drug store and there it was already; Christmas Decorations! Why was I surprised?  By the time you receive this newsletter, the frenzy of consumer Christmas will have begun. How many shopping day will the merchants make it this year? Will this be a good Christmas? Full Article 

 

 

 

 

December Calendar

 

December Servant Ministry Schedule

 

Christmas Services Worship Schedule

 

December Lectionary Selections  Lectionary Page*

*Please remember that we are usig RCL and notr BCP. Please click on the RCL link on the calendar to get the correct readings.

Being the Hands of Christ in the World through the Medical Relief Fund

Did you know that St. Benedict has a special fund for families who have sick children.  So often, families that are facing a child’s illness or a chronic condition have a difficult time financially.  More

Strategic Planning Group Update

Did you know that St Benedict has its very own Strategic Planning Group?  We are currently writing a strategic plan of where we want to go in the next six years.  Why six years you ask?  One member of our team, Ron Shively, suggested this. It is the model that he saw in action while working for the state. Part of this model means that a group of parishioners in two years will review and evaluate our plan and then add onto it an additional two years of planning. This will ensure that our plan will constantly be evaluated and added onto. More

Family Fellowship Meals is on the 9th!

 

Freda Alkins Celebration of Life Sermon

 At the behest of parishioners, I am printing in this month’s Benedictions a copy of the sermon preached at Freda Alkins’ celebration of life.  My apologies that I did not remember to do this in October’s Benedictions.

 

Advent is here: A new church year and a new Lectionary

The Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA) decided at its last general convention to adopt the Revised Common Lectionary cycle.  This RCL as it is called is an ecumenical cycle of reading that puts our readings or lectionary in line with other liturgical church traditions and offers us a larger cross section of readings in its three year cycle than we have experienced.

Kids Corner

The 4 weeks of Advent we will be looking at the Gospel of Matthew. Read the scripture and then try your hand at the Christmas Tree Crossword.

Are you a younger member of our church and looking for something just for you on Sundays?

Click here to find out more about Sudnay School and Children's Chapel.

Matthew 3:1-12

Kids! Don't foget these dates!!

December 8th:  St Nicholas Day from 3p.m. to 6p.m. Play games, eat snacks and watch movies!

December 15th:  Fantasy Lights and Sprinklers—carpool up to the light show and do some ice-skating.

Who Do We Help When We Give?

Please click here for two letters from people who have received help through the kidness of your donations.

Interested in Baptism, Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Vows in Confirmtion, 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 

A Servant Heart by Lacey O'delle Smith

One of my favorite Christmas songs is ‘Mary Did You Know?’. It is a beautiful song using pieces of scriptures about the miracles that Jesus would perform and about the prophecy that Mary received from the angel Gabriel. Every time I hear this song I begin to tear up; like right now as I listen to it for inspiration. But, I have to wonder if we know these lyrics to be true to us. Full Article

Having the Hard Conversatons 

Part of being a member of the Bishop’s Committee means being willing to have difficult conversations from time to time. At our past Bishop’s Committee meeting, we had a difficult conversation about money. Money is a hard thing to talk about in our culture. We love to talk about our purchases but not our questions, confusion or problems we have with money. We love to hear Cinderella stories about people who overcome great obstacles and become rich, but we don’t want to hear about those who are poor and struggling. More

Financial Update Year to date as of October 31, 2007.

 

In Thanksgiving for the Work of the Hands of Christ in This Place

Since last August, a group of parishioners have been coming together to pray about the ministry of Outreach in this place. How can we focus and best serve this community of Lacey?  What gifts and skills do we have? Full Article

Thank you to all who helped Edinburgh Fair be another success in the story of St. Benedict. Thank you to our music, the pipers  and the dancers. Thanks to all who brought items to sell. Thank you to all who worked before, during and after the Fair. And last, but not least, thank you to all who came to shop!

 

Edinburgh Fair Conversation and Discernment

A community forum about the Edinburgh Fair. On December 16 @ 9 a.m. between the Church Services that day, our parish will have the opportunity to talk about the Edinburgh Fair. More

It all Started with Thankgiving...

You would have been very proud of Vicar Georgi and Music Director Beth as they represented Saint Benedict’s at the annual Interfaith Works Thanksgiving Service, held this year at United Churches on November 18. Georgi and Beth gave a vocal presentation with the singing bowl of  “For the Blessings of God’s Bounty”. Many faith communities were represented at the service including Temple Beth Hatfiloh, Open Gate Zendo, Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, the Unitarian Universalist communities, Baha’i of Olympia, First Christian Church and others. We were the only Episcopal congregation present. Many people remarked on the beauty of Georgi and Beth’s piece. Thanks also to David Kindle and Ralph Provencal for their part in planning this inspiring event. Full Article

Good News and Appeal to You

The good news is that the ministries of this congregation are growing in scope and number. Thanks be to God we have groups of people using our building every day of the week – both congregation members and people involved in our outreach into the community.  Most recently we have invited a group of moms and babies to participate in an exercise program here – it’s called Baby Boot Camp.  How cool is that? Full Article

Save the Date

You are cordially invited to a “Clean out the Store Rooms” party hosted by the Buildings and Grounds Team on Friday, Dec. 28th & Sturday, Dec 29th frm 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More Info

Healing our Planet Earth: Singing a new song of Hope

Are you passionate about our earth and being a good steward of creation?  This upcoming April, the National Episcopal Church will hold a conference in Seattle that will feature our Presiding Bishop, Catherine Jeffords-Schori and will focus on how we can launch an important national initiative to help decrease our carbon foot-print on the earth. Healing our Planet Earth: Snging a new song of Hope

The David Alkins Educational Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are available for clergy and lay members of St. Benedict’s. Applicants must be baptized and contributors to St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church through monetary support and/or volunteer time. Full Article

A Quick Note from the Jail Ministry

We are in the process of preparing for the Thurston County Jail’s 2007 Christmas Program. As in past years, we are appealing to the Thurston County Churches to contribute home made cookies and new plain white socks. Last year we ministered to almost 1,000 inmates in Thurston, Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor county jails. We would like to do the same this year. To accomplish this, we will need to collect 500 dozen cookies and 1,000 pairs of socks. Some people in jail have never had a homemade cookie. Never underestimate the power of thoughtfulness, love and compassion; especially when baked into homemade goodness. More

Honoring our Veterans by Tony Irving

In November we celebrated Veterans Day. This month we will celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Peace. There is an important connection. So, I’d like to share with you my thoughts from a homily I gave at the Panorama City Chapel on November 11th.On Veterans Day we remember those who have served in our armed forces over the many years of our nation’s history. I have lived through 5 wars, beginning with WW2. I admit to having conflicting feelings about the current one in Iraq. I confess to wondering if it can be said that today’s military can be said to be dying for their country rather than something else. Yet, I do not want to dishonor them or their families. Their sacrifice is very real. Full Article

Beyond Abuundance by Bob Zych

“Being a generous person is one of life’s great privileges.”  The truth of this concept resonates deeply with me and challenges me across the spectrum of my life. I invite your reflection on this beacon for living in God’s image. Consider incorporating the thought into a motivation that deepens your everyday life experiences with friends and family…going beyond abundance toward experiencing a joy to its fullest. Full Article

Symptoms of Inner Peace at Christmas

Watch for these signs of Peace from within:...Find out what the signs are here

Growing in Christ Schedule

 

The Bishops Committee and You

Yes, it’s time for you to begin to pray about whether God may be calling you to stand for election to the Bishop’s Committee in 2008. The Bishop’s Committee is an enthusiastic, energetic group of people who act as a decision-making body for St. Benedict. Full Article

Delegation Election 

St Benedict needs to elect one man and one woman as Alternates for our Delegation. This will be part of the action at the annual meeting. The term is for 2 years as Alternate, followed by 2 years as Delegate. There are five meetings each year, three Region meetings, one pre-convention meeting in May or June and a Convention usually held in November. If interested, please see Ralph Provencal, Janice Chandler and Peggy Carmichael for more information.

What is New with the Community Dinners

Your Community Dinners are a great success. We are reaching more and more people and are providing food to hungry people through our food bank. We need folks who are willing and called to take on leadership positions for these ministries. As a congregation, we have felt called to ministries of hospitality and feeding. Here is how you can help: More

New Columbarium Addition

If you have recently strolled through the beautiful Columbarium area, you may have noticed something new. This beautiful cedar plaque case masterpiece was designed and built by our very talented Rev. Tony Irving. In addition, our three "wise men," Bob Carmichael, Dervin Ask, and Gary Grewel, dug holes, cleared the spot, and generally helped Tony wherever needed.  More