You can use a credit or debit card to pay your pledge to St. Catherine's, or even PayPal. Please go to our website and click on the Donate button, or use this link:
There is consensus among the group that we will not formally meet in July and August, to reserve time for families and summer activities. We will resume our meetings in September. Thank you again for your support.
-- Amy Heintz
BOOK CLUB TAKES BREAK, TOO
Catherine's Corner will meet again on September 13, for our first meeting in the fall. We will read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Look forward to seeing you then.
-- LaJuana Bryan
YOGA: MONDAYS & FRIDAYS
Get together at church for Chair Yoga on Mondays and Fridays at 10 a.m.The cost is $6. We have an average of 10-13 attending.
Please join us and invite your friends. Like more information? Email LaJuana Bryan: lajuanabryan@gmail.com
ALTAR FLOWERS
You can dedicate altar flowers in thanksgiving for someone, or in honor or memory of someone, and they will be mentioned in our Sunday service booklet. To sign up, select a date, or request more information, please click: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SVMHR8
Introduction to our
Interim Rector,
Father William Stomski
Dear Members and Friends of
St. Catherine’s parish,
On July 10, I formally begin my work as a part-time Interim Rector with your parish. In essence I have been appointed by Bishop Gardner to walk with you as we examine your ministry and its directions for the future. I will say more in a moment, but right now wish to introduce myself.
I grew up in Lenox, MA and from high school went to Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. I took an art degree and then went on to seminary since I knew that was my calling since the age of nine.
After Seminary at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, I was ordained and revitalized a dying urban, historic parish in Harrisburg, PA. Before the end of that ten-year tenure, I received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, IN.
I then worked as the design coordinator and consultant for Ecclesiastical Arts (under the umbrella of Fortress Publishing House) in Philadelphia, and later served a parish in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. I left the Lutheran Church, became Episcopalian with my move to Texas, taught Church History and New Testament at St. Pius X coed High School in Houston, TX.
Five years later I moved to Florida and officially became an Episcopal priest, serving for 14 years as chaplain and sacred studies teacher at St. Joseph’s Episcopal School. I was also Dean of the Diocesan School of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida. While there I earned my Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA.
The journey then brought me to Reno, NV, where I became rector and a year later Dean of Trinity Cathedral. After accomplishing my major goals, a multi-million-dollar renovation project and Capital Campaign, and having had Covid, I resigned my position for self-care and healing. In the meantime, I have done Interim Ministry training and have spent a great deal of time and energy with discernment and self-nurturing with a cherished activity -- watercolor painting. I had my first gallery show here in Reno, and also developed an on-line gallery.
Through the invitation of Bishop Elizabeth Gardner’s, I am asked to walk with you during an important time in your own history. I am grateful for the work that Father Tom Blake has done with and among you, as well as the care and presence of Mother Marla Asson, who will continue to bless us with her presence.
We are to be involved in intentional conversation and discernment regarding defining the mission and future direction of St. Catherine’s. As a faith community, you specifically are dealing with many challenges and need to come to terms to what God is calling us to be and to do. With our worship and continued prayers, we seek God’s will and discernment to define and guide us for future service with God’s Kingdom on earth.
I look forward to walking with you, getting to know you, and to affirm the gifts you have for ministry, for wherever it may take us. I pray for you and ask that you also pray for me as your Interim Rector as we seek God’s will for St. Catherine’s.
With profound blessings,
William+
The Rev. Dr. William L. Stomski, Interim Rector,
St. Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church
NOTES FROM THE VESTRY
Rev. Marla to lead discussion July 17
By LaJuana Bryan
Please mark this date: July 17, after the 10 a.m. service, Rev. Marla Asson will hold an informational meeting at the church. We will go over the last several months, our finances, and what our options are for the future.
We will also make plans for some fun activities, and reflect on what we have to be thankful for at St Catherine's.
The list is long and God has been good, and continues to be good to us. When things need to get done, St Catherine's does it, and will continue to do so. I am so blessed to be Senior Warden when I have so many I can count on.
At the June 23 Vestry meeting, we did the following:
The Vestry signed an agreement with the Very Rev. William Stomski from July 10, 2022, to Aug 15, 2022. At that time we will renew our agreement or make other arrangements, as needed.
We chose to move our date at Galilee to April 28-30, 2023, and pay the $300 deposit. St Paul's has their women's retreat that weekend, so we will see friendly faces and hopefully avoid any potential wildfire smoke.
We discussed dinners at St Catherine's, to be explored further at the meeting on July 17.
On a personal level I want you to know that I have had several ongoing contacts with Bishop Elizabeth and believe she is behind us, and in front of us, all the way! We are not alone on our quest for a future, or in our search for ways to serve God within our community.
Fr William will hold office hours while he is with us, on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Please contact me with any questions or comments. If anyone is interested in attending Game Nights at the church, please let me know!
You can now benefit St Catherine's when you buy something on Amazon via Amazon's "Smile" program. This is a service by Amazon to encourage you to buy from them: They will donate 2 percent of the purchase price for all your purchases to the charity of your choice.
Click on "Smile" at the top of the Amazon website and choose St Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church as your charity. (Or you can set it up using this link: https://smile.amazon.com) Two percent of your purchase price will go to St Catherine's, and it could really mount up. Thank you to Sally Dickinson for her work in setting this up!
With summer vacations, we really need to expand our volunteer list! Are you willing to learn more about being one of our Greeters, Technical Assistants or Coffee Hour Hosts? If so, please contact Sally Dickinson at 775-853 7850. Thank you!
Opportunity for Episcopalians to join Pride Day celebration
The Northern Nevada LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration will be Saturday, July 23, at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno. St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Sparks has invited St Catherine’s to join them in their participation in the parade, and in setting up a booth. If you’re interested in being a part of this event with other church members, please let Senior Warden LaJuana Bryan know.
Artown at Trinity: Ragtime piano
Virginia City pianist Squeek Steele performs a concert of Ragtime favorites Friday, July 22 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 200 Island Ave. in downtown Reno. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. and the concert is from noon to 1 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children.
Contact LaJuana if you're interested in attending as a group from St Catherine's.
