Benedictions for May

Vicars Voice

So Now What?

I recently read an article about Moses’ Management style. It wasn’t a Christian publication but a secular reading of what was valuable about Moses leadership style and how corporate CEO’s could learn a thing or two from good old Moses. The author related that Moses was the picture of a leader in the midst of change, taking his people from Egypt, enduring their quips in the wilderness and taking his time arriving at the Promised Land which he could not or did not enter. It was an interesting perspective. Full Article

May Calendar

May Servant Ministry Schedule

May Lectionary Selections

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!

Acts by: Lacey O'delle Smith

Acts. I love this word! It can range in meaning from a law or statue, to a part of play or job. The meaning I normally think of is for the singular version of the word: the process of doing or performing something. And as we come upon the season of Pentecost, what better place to look this month then the Book of Acts?!

Imagine this: you are peacefully going about your day, when all of a sudden an unexpected loud sound descends upon you from nowhere! It sounds like a very powerful wind, but you don’t feel anything. People all around you begin speaking in languages that they don’t even know. And they’re not just swapping recipes or casually conversing about the weather, but they are talking about God! (Acts 2) Full Article

Blessings in Disguise by Lucy Rueter

During my recent convalescence I had time to go through my file cabinet, a long overdue job. While perusing some of the papers, I discovered this article that I wrote for the January 1993 Benedictions at the end of my year as Sr. Warden. I am asking Lacey to reprint part of it as I think the sentiments expressed are just as appropriate for today as they were 15 years ago. January 1993 “As I look back on the many blessings our St. Benedict’s family has experienced in the past year, I can’t help but think of our “blessings in disguise” as my grandmother used to say. Our parish hall floor is scuffed and sticky at times. Of course it is. We have an active Sunday school, and various other groups utilizing our parish hall during the week. On Sunday our coffee hour is buzzing with people greeting old friends and making new ones. Our roof leaks. If we were still meeting in the St. Martin’s SUB, we wouldn’t have a roof. Restless children sometimes rearrange the prayer books and scribble on the visitor’s cards, and babies fuss. Some day those children will be leaders in the church. How exciting that our future is in their hands. At times there are a few too many posters tacked to the windows. It would be sad if there were no activities to advertise. On occasion the hallway is cluttered with bags and boxes of household items and clothing. Isn’t it wonderful that we can reach out to our community? Exciting things are going on at St. Benedict’s.”

Maybe the roof doesn’t leak quite as bad as it did then, and the names of the groups that meet here have changed. Those little kids who wiggled in the pews have grown up and been replaced by others, but St. Benedict’s is still an exciting place to be. Although we may not like some of the changes, we have to remember that change is sometimes necessary in order for us to grow. So let’s hope that St. Benedict’s continues to receive challenges, opportunities, and many blessings in disguise.

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

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 May Click here for Word Search

John 20:19-23

We have a new Associate for Children and Teen Ministry!

Her name is Sabrina, so be sure to say, "hello" when you see her in the building. Look in next month's Benedictions to get to know her better!

We're Going Green

Lee Wallace worked with Puget Sound Energy to make our lighting more efficient. The lighting in the parish hall, hallways, office, sacristy and bathrooms were changed to be more efficient and just as bright. The total cost was about $7600. About 50% of that was rebated by PSE.

Local Environmental Legislature

On behalf of Earth Ministry at St. Benedict, I would like to say a sincere thank you to Karen for her time on Sunday the 13th and summing up to the congregation the environmental legislation from the 2008 Legislative Session.

A few of us expressed an interest on becoming more informed about legislation before it is voted on. We would like to learn more about the issues, and to have an opportunity for well-informed input to our representatives. Here are a few ways to do this. More

Recycling Info from our Earth Ministry

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has a wealth of information on different aspects of our environment. Here are a few facts about recycling, from their webpage www.nrdc.org More

Budget Update March 2008 by Tim Madden

In March we as a whole did an excellent job of getting our pledges in. We exceeded our monthly pledge budgeted amount. This really helped in reducing our budget shortfall for the year, GREAT JOB!!. For the year we are down about $4,000 or about .07 %. If we can keep this momentum, we will make up this minor shortfall with no problem. As of now it we should be able to fund all the churches programs we set out to do in our annual meeting without hesitation and maybe even expand our ministry.

For expenses, we are staying within the amount budgeted: We budgeted $63,769 and we have only spent $57,489 or about 90%. Additionally the Bishop’s Committee has approved the amendment to the budget so we can hire a new Choir Director. This means that we will see additional dollars needed increase in May.

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

Saint Suppers

The next Saint Suppers will be on Sunday evening June 1st at 6:00 p.m. These are potlucks held in parishoner's homes for eight to ten adults ages 8 to 98+. The sign up sheet is in the hallway. This is a great way to get acquainted with your church family. Fun and felowsip for all. Questions Call Lucy at 438-5220 or take one of the info sheets which are attached to the sign up poster.

Community Dinners is Expanding

The Community Dinner group is excited to announce the expansion of the Community Dinners! Starting June 13th, there will be a community dinner held on the second Friday of every month! The food bank will open at 5:00 p.m. with dinner being served at 5:30 and run until 7:00 p.m. This is a fabulous opportunity to help serve our community and share in the abundant gifts that God has given us. We are also looking for other churches and faith based organizations to volunteer time to help with this new expansion. If you know of anyone, or are someone, who might be interested, please contact Sue Andersen today! We all know that many hands make light work, imagine what the many hands of God can do!

The Deacons Voice by: The Rev. Gen Grewell Who are Deacons an What Is our Role?

The order of deacons is one which informs all orders of the primary work we are all sent to do by virtue of our baptism. To inform is to give character, or essence, as well as material form.

Deacons are a sacramental interpretation of a sacred ministry. The primary significance is not in the performance of their functions, but rather along with bishops and priests are signs of the apostolic character of the Church and Christ’s continuing headship in the Christian community. The deacon’s role in the liturgy - reading the gospel, bidding the prayers of the people and dismissing the body to go out into the world to make Christ’s redemptive love known is an outward sign of this sacramental interpretation. 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 April 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.

Thanks for the Notes...

On May 18th we will celebrate the music ministry of Beth Ilem. Beth has an amazing musical talent and was chosen from our choir to lead us in music each week for 9 years. She encouraged us, laughed with us, and directed us through a diverse selection of music. Beth’s love of weaving liturgy and music together, gave us all a deeper appreciation of the power music has in celebrating God’s Word. Beth is stepping down to spend more time with family and to take a much deserved break. She will rejoin us soon. Come and help us thank her after the 10:00 service on May 18th.

St. Benedict Ministry Leadership

It takes a lot of dedicated people to provide leadership and volunteers for all the ministries we have at St. Benedict. I know we all appreciate all the hard work so that we can realize or vision for this church community. I have created a list of leadership people so if you have an idea or want to get involved you will know who to contact. This list is posted on the wall in the parish hall and a brochure to take home is on the hall table. This list will be updated as new leadership steps in. Please let me know if the information is incorrect.

- Nancy Zabel - People’s Warden

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.

Meet the B.C.:

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

Saint Benedict Episcopal Church