Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

Vicars Voice

What do you feast on in your life? 

Where is there famine or fasting?  Lent for me is a like a reset button; it helps me restore places in my life where there is too much of one thing and not enough of another. It is a time for creating balance once again. As spring arrives and there is lengthening light (lengthen comes from the same root as Lenten) I crave the opportunity to find balance. Full Article

 

 

 

  

February Calendar

 

February Servant Ministry Schedule

 

February Lectionary Schedule *

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

 

Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday Celebration

Beginning @ 5:30p.m. on Tue. February 5th, a pancake dinner will be served prepared by the men of St. Benedict. This will be followed by the First Annual Meeting of the Alleluia Anonymous. This support group is for those who have a hard time not being able to shout “Alleluia” with joy during the Lenten Season. Ideas and techniques will be shown by all followed by a popular hymn sung to burn off all the sugar from the dinner. Hymns that have alleluia either in the title, or the verses. Other hymns of praise will also be sung.

The Mirror by: Lacey O'delle

Lent? It’s lent already? Where did the time go? The season of lent reminds me that I have been here at St. Benedicts for almost a year now. Wow, a year! And I look forward to seeing all of you and meeting some of you for the first time this Sunday at the Annual Meeting. But, lent means more than a year marker. Lent is a time when we dust off the spiritual mirror and look ourselves square in the face. Do we like what we see? Do we like what God sees? Do we even know what we are looking at or are we simply indifferent? Full Article

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!

 “ There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle.”

                                            -Albert Einstein

How will you live yours today? Embrace the miracles that surround you and  be happy surrounded by the blessings that God has given.

 

 

 

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!

On Saturday, February 2nd at St. Michael’s Westside Chapel there will be an introductory class on centering prayer. The basics of centering prayer as well as its history will be discussed. Space is limited to 20 people so call Pat Harvey to reserve your spot today @ 357-8401 & don’t forget a brown bag lunch!

Can we find God in films? Come and find out what God might be up to in Hollywood! We will watch a movie each Wednesday over our simple soup dinner and then have discussion and close the evening with prayer.  

St. Benedict Feeding Ministry by Sue Andersen

St. Benedict’s Feeding Ministry has grown to the point where it needs organization and structure to ensure its growth and longevity. I have been blessed with the appointment of Administrator of the Feeding Ministry which includes our Community Dinners and Drexel House Dinners. [[St. Benedict Feeding Ministry|Full Article]

Sing a New Song Tri Parish Fund Raiser and Auction Event

On February 29th @ 5:30 p.m. at St. John Episcopal Church, the three Thurston County parishes will gather for fun fellowship and raise money for Sing a New Song of Hope, an important national church confrence on Christian Stewardship for our planet. Flyer

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

Growing in Christ Schedule

Kids Corner

Matthew 4:1-11

Did you find the hidden sentence last month?

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

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

 

Good bye, Amber

As many of you know, we are tearfully saying, “Good-bye” to a wonderful friend, leader and parishioner next month as Amber and her family will be moving to Portland. I know I will miss being able to work with Amber and hearing Vinnie’s fantastic stories! I know that I am not alone in wishing them the best of luck and most heartfelt good bye.  ? May you live a long life Full of gladness and health, With a pocket full of gold As the least of you wealth. May the dreams you hold dearest, Be those which come true. The kindness you spread, Keep returning to you.  A new director is currently being sought to continue on the wonderful work that Amber has started.

 

 

The 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children of St. Benedicts is hopping around the corner! Look for a donation bin and please bring plastic eggs, individually wrapped candy and small items to stuff into plastid eggs. Any helpers who would like to ‘stuff’ can contact Carla Whiting.

 

 

 

New Sunday School Schedule 

Sunday School will be at 9 am on February 3rd and Amber will be available for the youth of our congregation whose parents will be attending the annual meeting. Beginning February 10th, Sunday School will start at 9:30 and run until 10:30 a.m. This will be the new schedule until further notice. This is also Second Sunday, so it will be shorter so the younger members can be apart of service. February 24th: 9:30—10:30 for all Sunday School and Children’s Chapel participants. All kids will go into the church during the Peace and spend the rest of the service with their families.

 

Announcements Announcements What to do with the Announcements

Ever since the dawn of the Church, there has been a controversy—the dreaded announcement time! When should we make announcements on Sunday?  As I understand it, St Benedict has tried all different kinds of things for their announcements: putting Announcements at the Peace, trying them before church actually starts and now finally, after the blessing.  More

                                                     O burning Mountain,

                                                     O chosen Sun,

                                                     O full Moon,

                                                    O fathomless Well,

             O unreachable Height,

             O Clarity beyond measure,

             O Wisdom without ground,

             O Mercy without hindrance,

                                                   O Strength without resistance,

                                                    O Crown of all glory,

                                                    The lowest of thy creatures sings

                                                    Thy praise

The eMinistry Network

The eMinistry Network is a non-profit ministry which provides classes for people throughout the Episcopal Church. Please click the link for their webpage.

St. John's, Olympia announces "Sacred Chant as we prepare for Lent" Feb. 1-3, led by Ann Hernandez, composer and producer of sacred music, and musician at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York.Chanting with an intention to open our hearts and minds to the presence of God in us helps us to be quiet in the face of mystery and learn how to hear what it says to us. Chanting will transform and ground you in the presence of life that is God. Cost is $50 per person (scholarships available). For more information, call 360-352-8527 or e-mail the Rev. David James, rector at St. John's, at david_james@comcast.net.

Miscellaneous Musings

Recently, I had a visitor from St. Timothy’s stop by and we chatted a bit about St. Benedict. He sent me a lovely email after perusing our website and sent me this beautiful quote form an Episcopalian at St. Thomas in Berea, Ohio. Thank you, Steve! It is just beautiful and I encourage you all to sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy! More

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

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

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.