From the Pastor...  

Dear St. Augustine Congregation,

 

Thank you for the warm welcome! I never imagined starting at a parish during a pandemic. A priest answers the ministry calling for her love of God and love of people. A priest who does not love people, should not be a priest. So not getting to be with my people has been extremely hard. I am incredibly grateful that you have been responsive and open.

 

Your Senior Warden, Kathy Dillon, and your Junior Warden, Chris Deering, have guided me graciously in this process. They met with me multiple times before I began to get me acquainted with the church. Multiple leaders have met with me to discuss ministries and the vision for going forward.

 

The Vestry has rolled out the red carpet for me. They answered the call to meet several times to discuss starting with a new Rector and thriving during the pandemic. They attended our “cold open” service on July 5 ^th with the hopes of having in-person services a few weeks late r. (Sadly, the state of California shut us down due to the increased COVID-19 number).

 

You joined Wednesday evening and Sunday after service social Zoom chats. You watched online services. Plus, many of you answered the doors when I dropped by to introduce myself. You attended outdoor patio services on Tuesdays and Sundays at 8 a.m.

 

You are a welcoming and warm people; you opened your hearts to me. I am grateful! You are energetic, vibrant and committed people who love God, love each other and love your neighbors. You are people who work hard at your faith. You are committed to God’s kingdom. When I look at you, I see a dynamic, worshiping community of warm, open, intelligent strong laity who love God and are committed to God's work in the world. I see people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. I see a church that is ready to grow.

 

We will focus on four initiatives to grow our faith and our church. These focuses are: Community, Christian Spirituality, Invitation and Purpose. We start with community , because Christ brings together different people into harmony through authentic relationship based upon God’s own relationship of the Trinity. Community is a gift from God, through God.

 

I am gifted at building community. I believe community is built when small groups teach together, share meals together, serve together and HAVE FUN TOGETHER. We can participate in game nights, or even simple things like ice breakers. It was a no brainer for me that community needs to be a high priority for us. This church will be built upon community.

 

I want every member to feel connected to the church. I want you to feel connected to a group at church, and I want you to feel connected to a leader at the church. I also plan to focus on three specific communities: students (children & youth), workers (those still working) and retirees. We will have ministries that will care for those groups.

 

The second initiative is Christian Spirituality . We will use the Episcopal Church’s tradition of ancient spiritual practices to grow in faith and closeness to God. I love prayer practices that enable people to know God, find freedom in Christ and experience peace. We will continue St Augustine’s tradition of meeting God in deep places and love God with our whole hearts, minds and bodies. 

 

The third initiative is invitation . Everyone likes an invitation. We will continue to be known as a warm , welcoming church. It is a part of the essence of who we are. You have heard of the “Frozen Chosen?” Well, we will be the “U nthawed God Squad.” We will be warm, winsome and inviting! I will teach you introverted friendship evangelism. Evangelism for shy people. Our church will be welcoming to all, especially to non-churched people.

 

And finally, the fourth initiative is purpose . We will continue the legacy of purpose for which St. Augustine is known. I love that our Outreach Team is active and vibrant. My greatest passion is for you to realize your God - given gifts, potential and purpose. Every Christian is called to use his or her gifts to serve God. You will discover your calling and your gifts because we will do Vocational Discernment for every age group. I want each of you to be doing God’s work in your life.



St. Augustine will be a thriving, healthy, community-based, welcoming, purposeful church full of spiritual people who love God and their neighbors. I look forward to where we are going. Together we will be a safe place for people seeking God.

Warmly,

Pastor Anny+

Table of Contents

From the Pastor

Table of Contents

August Calendar

Worship Services

Connecting with Pastor Anny ~ Community Café

Small Group Gatherings ~ Holy Eucharist on the Patio

Treasurer's Report

Donate - Online Giving

Centering Prayer

The Gathering Inn Hosting Program

The No Event - EVENT

Outreach Ministries

St. John's Lincoln Food Pantry

St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room Ministry

News from Haiti

The Bear Project

Popcorn Visits

Youth Group Co-op

Sunday School News

In Loving Memory

Daughters of the King

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Amazon Smile

Virtual Pathways Pilgrimage 2020

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Contact Information

August Calendar

Go to the St. Augustine website for streaming, instructions to join Zoom or watch for an invitation via email.

Worship Services

Sundays

Holy Eucharist

8 a.m. on the Patio

Reservations Required

Holy Eucharist

10 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Online Streaming

Tuesdays

Holy Eucharist

10 a.m. on the Patio

Connecting with Pastor Anny...

Join Pastor Anny

For a Zoom Gathering

Wednesdays

August 5, 12, 19, 26

7 p.m.

Watch for a Zoom Invitation

Tuesday Evening!

Small Group Gatherings

Holy Eucharist

On the Patio

Sundays

8 a.m.

Reservations Required

Call the Church Office at 916-435-9552

Tuesdays

10 a.m.

Senior Citizens & Medically Compromised

Gathering with Safety and Care

Holy Eucharist on the Patio

Treasurer's Report

Bob Deering, Treasurer

June 2020 Income and Expenses

June 2020 Year to Date

Online Giving - Electronic Donations

Quick, Easy, Safe

Between 35% and 40% of our monthly giving is being donated online. Visit the St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church website at:

staugustineepiscopal.com

Click on the 'Donate' button. Follow the screen instructions to create an online profile. You can make one-time donations and also set up recurring gifts. You can use credit cards and build your points and miles. You will have the option to help offset the credit card processing fees.

One of themes that is emerging in our ongoing practice of Centering Prayer is the awareness that God just wants to spend time with us. In these times of separation and anxiety, Centering Prayer can help us find that core trust that God is always with us.

 

Monday Evening and Friday noon Centering Prayer will not be able to gather in the church until COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Steve Mershon and Chris Deering are looking at alternative ways to host Centering Prayer both Monday evening and Friday noon. They will be exploring the possibility of meeting outside at the church with appropriate social distancing and masks. This likely would be alternating weeks, Zoom and outdoors every other week. Please contact Steve and Chris for more details:

Chris Deering (916-484-9195) or  [email protected] )

Steve Merhson (916-768-6933) or [email protected]

If you are more comfortable praying on your own, that is great! Please see the information below to download the app on your device. We hope you will join us in person, on Zoom or on your own to learn how contemplation can enrich own faith experience.

 

We invite you to download the Centering Prayer app to your device. 

 

Apple/iPhone: 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/centering-prayer/id844280857

Google/Android: 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.contemplativeoutreach.centeringprayer&hl=en_US

In July, the Gathering Inn team once again prepared our famous “Chicken Church" barrel chicken meal combined with rice, salad, rolls and dessert for our homeless brothers and sisters at The Gathering Inn. We will continue the practice of preparing the food at St. Augustine and then delivering it to St. John's and The Gathering Inn, where the guests are housed for the night, until such time that it is safe to go back to hosting the evening on-site.

We have developed a great routine with a minimum of volunteers rotating in, doing their task and leaving - always with social distancing. Although we cannot wait to go back to the old routine, this process accomplishes the same end result – serving a delicious meal to our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

By Janice Stenzel

The Outreach Team

The No Event - EVENT was quite an event!!!!

The St. Augustine Outreach Team extends a gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who participated and donated to the Outreach Ministry No Event-Event.

Technology saved the day. The No-Event Event Virtual Auction was planned using Zoom and Facebook. Items were posted on Facebook prior to the event. Zoom's chat room was used for bidding. At times, the bidding, in real time, was quite lively.

The delicious cakes provided by our own master bakers were a huge success. A Costco gift card, Spa gift card and several restaurant gift certificates were also good money makers. Fred Buhler's beautiful photo of our cross tower was very popular as well as the wine baskets. A golf package and a real southern BBQ with all the fixings were highlights.

Your generosity raised over $5,700 in donations. We are happy to report that more monies are still coming in. The giving continues. These funds will be used to support those in need as we serve our community here at home and in the world through The Gathering Inn, Acres of Hope, Rise Against Hunger, The Center at St. Matthews Arden Arcade and others.

Many thanks to the Outreach Team: Camille Grabowksi (Team Chair), Peggy Doyle, Beth Sulc, Jim Quinney, Steve Mershon, Rich & Rhonda Wampler, Paulette Schloetter, Barbara Sawyer, Jack Dillon, Barbara Woolman and Ron Harton,

The Team's normal revenue sources are the Christmas and Easter offerings and the annual fundraiser. This virtual fundraiser allows the Outreach Team to continue supporting our ministries.

New members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining our team, we meet on the first Sunday of the month. Presently the meetings are held through Zoom. Our next meeting will be Sunday, August 2 ^nd at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Camille Grabowski at:

[email protected] or 916-409-5509.

Did you know???

A Small Church/Big Outreach

The Holy Spirit is the Great Multiplier!

More about Outreach at St. Augustine...

The Gathering Inn

New outreach partnerships at St. Augustine began in 2004, when Carole Peterson collected socks, jeans and toiletry items for The Gathering Inn. She also collected canned goods for St. Vincent de Paul and a variety of items for foster children. We needed a place to put everything.

Our partnership with The Gathering Inn has been greatly expanded. We normally host up to 80 guests the second Wednesday of the month in our sanctuary and Canterbury Hall for dinner and overnight sleeping. The Gathering Inn team, headed by Rick and Janice Stenzel, prepare our famous "Chicken Church" barrel chicken, plus rice, vegetables, rolls, salad and dessert.

During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, the team prepares the meal and delivers to two housing sites, St. John's Episcopal Church Roseville and The Gathering Inn in Roseville. We look forward to hosting at St. Augustine as soon as possible. We are proud to have served and housed over 5,000 guests.

Living Waters International

Jim Tilton and Rich Wampler introduced St. Augustine to the needs of Living Waters International. They had traveled to Central America to help build wells. Jim and Stephanie Tilton, Rich and Rhonda Wampler and Chris and Bob Deering went to Mexico to drill a well. They also took supplies for the families, especially the children.

These trips generated a lot of discussion which motivated the Outreach Team to hold several Walk-a-Thons for Living Waters International. We raised over $70,000 to fund seven well projects all over the world.

Later, a group from St. Augustine: Rick Lovin, Ken Cichocki, Jack Dillon and Jim Quinney, accompanied a group from St. John's Roseville to Haiti to drill a well.

St. Luc School

A dinner party at the home of Jerry and Marlene Harner led to the Church's commitment to Rise AGAINST HUNGER and St. St. Luc School in Thomassique, Haiti. Out of that dinner conversation emerged fundraising campaigns plus several trips made by members of St. Augustine to visit St. Luc School. We continue to raise funds for the school and look for new opportunities to support our friends in Haiti.

Rise AGAINST HUNGER

Following our move to the new church building, December 2013, many new doors opened for ministry. We were able to expand our commitment to Rise AGAINST HUNGER by providing space and resources to support food-packing events. St. Augustine has funded and packed over 165,000 meals. This translates into 700 children provided nutritious meals for one school year. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has placed restrictions on these food-packing events, so our current fundraising activities are more important than ever.

But that's not all...

The Outreach Team also supports:

Thank you again for your generosity!!!

St. James Food Pantry

The St. James Food Pantry is open at the church in Lincoln, primarily serving people in that community. The number of families they support has risen in the past few months. They greatly appreciate our support.

Unlike some of the larger food cooperatives, the Pantry needs items packed in smaller containers. Here is a list of popular items: fruit cups, peanut butter (16 ounce), Mac n Cheese, cereals, canned tuna and chicken, pinto beans (small bags), rice and small boxes of pancake mix.

Please drop off your items in the shopping cart at the church. Jim Quinney will deliver the donations to St. Jame's Pantry. Thank you for your generosity.



A group of volunteers from St. Augustine Church regularly serves meals at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room the third Thursday of each month. They work from approximately 9:15 a.m. until 1:45 p.m., preparing, cooking and serving a warm meal for those in need. Approximately two to three hours of standing are involved. All food is provided, and no cooking experience is needed.

Due to the coronavirus shelter-in-place restrictions, St. Vincent de Paul has closed their kitchen and dining room. For now, the volunteers prepare the meal, place it in a brown bag, and Supervisor John Mayne distributes the lunches.

On July 16 ^th , St. Augustine volunteers prepared the church favorite, “barrel chicken.” Jack Dillon and Jim Quinney barbecued the chicken. Kathy Dillon made macaroni salad. Volunteers Jack Dillon, Steve Broce, and Deidre and Rob Shonk helped bag up the lunches Thursday morning, putting the macaroni salad and chicken in a giant Chinese food to-go container, adding chips, trail mix and bottled water to the brown bag. Supervisor Mayne handed out the lunches at 11:30.

Volunteers for August 20 ^th are Rick and Janice Stenzel along with Catherine Beckman. Regular volunteers include Jack Dillon, John Redmond, Deidre and Rob Shonk, Catherine Beckman, Jim and Stephanie Tilton, Jim and Carla Dolislager, Rick and Janice Stenzel, Steve Broce and Kathryn Jordan. 

Please contact Rob Shonk if you are interested in working in this important ministry:

[email protected] or 916-599-1218

St. Luc School Thomassique, Haiti

Pastor Guilene Fiefie was recently named Priest in Charge for the church school, St. Luc, and three other neighboring churches. She appears to be a rising star in the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.

Female priests are rare in Haiti, and she has quickly been moved to a position of leadership. She has experienced similar challenges with holding school and church as COVID-19 cases have risen in Haiti and in their small village.

The children are on summer break now, and school is scheduled to open August 17 ^th . She asked for our prayers, and said they constantly hold us in daily and weekly prayer as well.  

Watch for some exciting plans for St. Luc as they get ready for another school year. Thanks for your continued support!

Jim Quinney

The Bear are Back!!!

A couple of years ago, Sam Weston brought his dream of a Bear Ministry to St. Augustine. He envisioned us building bears, with special “blessed” hearts, to be given to youngsters in the hospital. He wanted them to have something to hold on to, something they could turn to when they were scared, hurting or just needed a friend. Well, many of us helped Sam build some bears. And they were welcomed and loved by their lucky recipients.

There is still an inventory of materials to build more bears. Sam is bringing this project back and is looking for some help with building them. He needs sewers, stuffers and hand stitchers.

Can you lend a hand???? If so, please contact Sam at:

[email protected]

He would be happy to fill you in on the details of how you can be of help.

Youth Co-op News!

We look forward to announcing the next date when we return to our normal scheduling!

More Godly Play will resume when we return to our normal activities!

Dear Sunday School Students,

Missing you all.

As you all know from reading the Regathering Safety Measures that were sent out, Sunday School will not resume when Church first opens.

We are looking forward to when we will be able to worship in person. Check your Shutterfly for weekly links to Godly Play lessons or the St. Augustine Facebook page.

Please feel free to reach out to Natalie at [email protected] or Kara at [email protected] if you have any questions or need assistance. We are so fortunate to have our Church community and want to make sure our kiddos know we are here for them.

Natalie and Kara

Daughters of the King are continuing to reach out to their “Secret Sisters” during the pandemic, to provide encouragement and stay in touch. “Secret identities will be revealed either virtually or at a party” at Dottie Neil’s home in November, "depending on the situation at that time," Dottie said. “It’s important to continue sending cards to keep this program going!”

DOK will host a virtual meeting on Sunday, September 13 ^th at 11:30 a.m. Carole Ann will be sending out information on joining the virtual meeting.

The group will resume in-person meetings, when it is feasible. For now, members continue to pray for all who need God’s healing. Greer Nave is in charge of sending the prayer requests to our members.

In normal circumstances, DOK meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Notification will be sent when in-person meetings are scheduled to resume. For more information, please contact Carol Ann Hackley at:

[email protected]

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew holds its regular monthly meetings at 9 a.m. in Canterbury Hall the fourth Saturday morning of the month. During this time of restrictions, due to COVID-19, the Brotherhood is observing social distancing and holding its meetings via Zoom.

At the July 25 ^th meeting, the Brotherhood welcomed Pastor Anny as the guest speaker. Her husband, Raymond, and Pastor Anny's father, Bill Carr, also participated. Pastor Anny spoke about the worth of your work in your career as well as in retirement. She also encouraged the Brotherhood members to continue their good works.

Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 22 ^nd at 9 a.m. Brotherhood members will continue to discuss different options for conducting virtual fundraising projects. For the time being, all scheduled events for 2020 have been postponed.

"Even if you are not a member of the Brotherhood, and just have an interest in what we do, you are welcome to join us for a Zoom meeting," said Rob Shonk, Director. If you would like to learn more about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, please contact Rob, Secretary John Redmond or Treasurer John Quigley.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

SUPPORT ST. AUGUSTINE WHEN YOU SHOP AT AMAZON!

LOG IN THROUGH THE AmazonSmile SITE!

Simply visit the link below or visit our website to get started! smile.amazon.com/ch/68-0305177

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice, St. Augustine Church. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Remember to log into smile.amazon when you shop.

Pathways 2020: Moving online!

We hope you will join us by ZOOM for our 2020 Pathways!

It is not too late to join. We are currently running a virtual program that consists of social media content, Thursday night program and compline and other group chats. Guest speakers will be part of the weekly program as well.

There is also time for connection, music, prayer and learning - we are working together in youth-planned and youth-led events.

5 - 7 p.m. Thursdays starting June 11 ^th !

Interested participants should register using the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWVFqnoIPYdBNq7yFMa22x-VHfIqOJAajWTmgY8nGiOUWKSg/viewform

Updates and reminders are best found through our Instagram and Facebook pages

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pathwaysnorcal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathwaysnorcal/

(916) 807-0880

[email protected]

August Birthdays

August Anniversaries

August 8

Bill & Marcia Rush

Reg & Linda Underwood

August 11

Rob & Deidre Shonk

August 21

Bill & Linda Carr

August 24

Jim & Stephanie Tilton

Volume 10 No. 8 August 2020