Coming Events

2019

Update from the Bishop's Transition Committee

Submitted by Jay Elmquist, Transition Committee

The Rev. Jim Richardson, Standing Committe

The Standing Committee has announced the slate of candidates who will appear on the ballot for the Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California on February 9 ^th .

 

The candidates are (alphabetical order): The Rev. Matthew D. Cowden; The Rev. Christopher Brooke Craun; The Rev. Canon Andrea McMillin; The Rev. Canon Megan Traquair; and The Rev. Randall R. Warren, D.Min.

 

The week of walkabouts is occurring January 21 ^st - 25 ^th . It is an exciting time to meet the candidates for bishop. The candidates will travel the diocese and meet with the different groups each night.

Here is a reminder of the schedule for this week. All church members are invited.

The purpose of these meetings is for clergy, delegates and all members of the church to meet and hear from the candidates in person. The format each evening will be question-and-answer. The transition committee has worked diligently to gather questions from the diocese, but there will also be an opportunity to submit questions at the event as well. Look for a greeting table and write your question on a card. It will then be submitted for the possibility of being asked that evening.

Special Electing Convention

Saturday, February 9 ^th

The Special Convention for the election of the 8 ^th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California will be held February 9 ^th at 8:30 a.m. at Faith, Cameron Park. For more information on the Bishop Search, visit  norcalbishopsearch.org .

The Ordination and Consecration of the Eighth Bishop, God willing and the Church consenting, will occur on June 29, 2019, at The Mondavi Center in Davis.

Centering Prayer

One of the themes that is emerging in our ongoing practice of Centering Prayer is the awareness that God just wants to spend time with us. In response to the enthusiasm growing around this feeling, our Centering Prayer gatherings are now offered Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Fridays at noon. The former Tuesday evening gathering has been changed to Monday. We hope that you will join us and see how contemplation can enrich your own experience.

Stewardship

Giving in Gratitude

2019 Giving

Our 2019 budget has been approved by the Vestry with much thought and prayer. We have had to decrease our pledge income due to congregational changes that occurred after our 2019 pledges were received in the fall. The congregation will hear and see details about that at the Annual Meeting when we get our “state of the union” reports.

More financial information will be provided to the congregation on a monthly basis in keeping with our 2019 focus on transparency and vitality. We are excited and drawn to think ever more deeply about God’s calling for our common purposes as the people of St. Augustine Church, about our staffing and programs, and about the best uses of our assets and resources.

2019 promises to be a wonderful and challenging year!

Pastor Liz

Adult Formation Classes



I magine being homeless with all the blustery wind and torrential rain we have been experiencing this past month! It is enough to give all of us an incentive to help provide a hot meal and a dry place to sleep to those without a roof over their heads.

Every second Wednesday of the month, St. Augustine, known as the "chicken church," hosts 70-plus homeless men, women and children, guests of The Gathering Inn, for a great meal and a safe place to sleep.

Rick and Janice Stenzel are now in charge of organizing these dinners, helped by a myriad of volunteers from our Church. Barrel chicken, rice, rolls, salads, beverages and desserts are served. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for meal preparation, set-up, serving and clean-up.

Sign-up sheets can be found at the Welcome Center. The next hosting dinner will be Wednesday, February 13 ^th. If you have questions, please contact Rick or Janice at:

[email protected]

[email protected]

The Gathering Inn Donations

Thank you to members of St. Augustine for the robust giving of Christmas bags. The Gathering Inn could not believe the numbers of bags donated by our Church members. Your generosity is appreciated!

The Gathering Inn is expecting an influx of unsheltered folks due to the arrival of the wet and cold season. They are looking for all types of winter clothing.

The items of highest priority are laundry detergent to wash our guests' heavier winter clothing and sleeping bags. We can also definitely use men's and women's underwear, plastic ponchos and socks. The Gathering Inn could also make use of all the toiletries folks are able to donate. Every item is greatly appreciated.

Please place your donations in the grocery cart at the entry to Canterbury Hall. Every item is greatly appreciated. Beth Sulc will deliver the items to The Gathering Inn. If you are interested in helping to deliver donations, please contact Beth at:

[email protected]

St. Augustine Outreach Ministry

Spring Gala

Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! Mark your calendars and save the date for the St. Augustine Outreach Ministry Spring Gala on Saturday, May 4 ^th. The event will feature a western theme with a spectacular BBQ dinner, a special raffle of some extravagant items and our traditional raffle of luscious desserts. Instructor Bill Swayne will be on hand to give us an introductory line dancing lesson - children included. There will be prizes for the best western outfits. The Outreach Team is hard at work organizing this extravaganza, and it is sure to be an outstanding event. Proceeds go towards various outreach programs supported by St. Augustine.

Rise Against Hunger

Meal Packing Event

Friday, January 25 ^th 6 p.m.



Saturday, January 26 ^th 2 p.m.

Coming up is another opportunity for a fun, hands-on global outreach event...packing food for Rise Against Hunger. What often gets lost in all the fun, this is also a fundraising event. The more money that is donated will help purchase and pack more food. The St. Augustine Outreach Ministry Team is funding a large number of the meals - 10,152. But your help is needed to make this a 20,000 meal endeavor. Every little bit helps, so please be generous.

One meal cost is $.34

One bag = 6 meals - cost is $2.04 per bag

One box of 36 bags is 216 meals – cost is $73.44 per box

Registration will be on-line this year. If you need assistance, there will people available to help on Sundays in January to sign up and make donations. There is a link to register on our St. Augustine website. Don't wait! Do it now! Your gift will be tax deductible for this year!

Thank you from the St. Augustine Outreach Ministry Team!

St. Luc Benefit Concert & Dinner

Join us Saturday, March 2 ^nd !

The St. Luc Haiti Partnership Team will sponsor another excellent concert and dinner featuring The Katie Knipp Band. You will not want to miss this event.

Katie's new album, "Take It With You," hit two Billboard Charts - #10 on Blues Albums and #9 on Heat Seekers. She is nominated as Sacramento Area Artist of the Year. The dinner will be a "New Orleans" theme and, as always, will feature our famous dessert auction.

Katie is known to St. Augustine members as Katie Schmidt, wife to Jeremy, and mom to sons Thomas and James.

Come and have a fun evening. All proceeds support St. Luc Episcopal School in Thomassique, Haiti.

St. James Food Pantry Ministry

Thank you to all who have generously donated food to support the pantry. The pantry in Lincoln has grown in size and scope, and your continued support is appreciated and important. Food scarcity is a very real situation and it is 24/7. Canned chicken, tuna, rice, pinto beans, flour or corn tortillas, cereal and juice are pantry favorites. Other items are also appreciated.

Please make sure your items are not past the expiration date and are unopened.

The grocery cart is located at the entrance to Canterbury Hall. Thank you for your donations.

St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room

A group of volunteers from St. Augustine Church serves meals at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room the third Thursday of each month. They volunteer from approximately 9:15 a.m. until 1:45 p.m., helping prepare, cook and serve 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.

Volunteers include Jack Dillon, John Redmond, Rob and Deidre Shonk, Catherine Beckman, Jim and Stephanie Tilton, Jim and Carla Dolislager, Rick and Janice Stenzel, Lyn Fuson, Steve Broce and Kathryn Jordan. 

Volunteers for Thursday, February 21 ^st are Jack Dillon, Catherine Beckman and John Redmond.

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

[email protected]

 

Meal Train Ministry

The Meal Train Ministry is an online calendar that organizes delivery of meals for parish families in times of need. Barbara Woolman is in charge of the Meal Train Ministry. If you are interested in providing meals for parish families, please contact:

[email protected]

916-771-8830

Portia Hopkins is on an exciting journey. She has attended St. Augustine for four years. In the fall of 2015, Portia felt called to ministry. In August of 2018, she met with the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Northern California, and was recommended to become a postulant for the priesthood. She is pursuing her education at T he Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley.

Portia is in her 25 ^th year at William Jessup University, where she teaches English literature and a variety of cross-disciplinary courses. She has been a part of William Jessup since its days as San Jose Christian College, located in San Jose, California.

Portia's reflections on her time at Cuddesdon...

For the Michaelmas term of 2018 (the first academic term of the academic year), she had the privilege of living and studying in residence at Ripon College Cuddesdon as an exchange student from the seminary. Cuddesdon (pronounced "Cudd-sd'n), located outside of Oxford, is a theological training college for the Church of England, or “Vicar School,” as the ordinands like to say.

There were about 50 ordinands in residence in two-or-three-year training programs, many with spouses or partners (nicknamed “ordinots”), children and pets, including numerous dogs and two miniature sheep. I was expecting to love it, but it exceeded my expectations in every way.

Cuddesdon is ridiculously English - we met for tea and biscuits (cookies) every afternoon at 4 p.m. in a common room with a fireplace and its own little bar. People actually wear Wellies (bright-colored rain boots) and jumpers (sweaters) on a regular basis. On Sunday of my first week, the whole community attended the tiny, 800-year-old country church, then had coffee and cakes served by the parish and drinks served by the college, THEN had a proper English roast and Yorkshire pudding lunch, also served by the college.

And THEN more than 30 of us went on a walk through the muddy fields - seminarians of all ages and their spouses/partners, children from babies in backpacks to teens, and about eight dogs. We must have looked like a rather odd parade! Back for tea and games by the fireside, and a cold supper after drinks with the residential Anglican nun.

During term time, there is Morning Prayer at 7:30 a.m. and a Eucharist service at 8 a.m., Evening Prayer again before dinner and Compline at 9:30 p.m. The community eats meals together in the refectory - with so many students and families in residence, meals and church and time together sometimes look and sound like holy chaos, in a really lovely way. Fortunately for those of us who appreciate some quiet, the custom of the place is to keep silence between the end of Compline and breakfast the next morning, except in the common room, where evening social activities sometimes stretched into the wee hours, or so I am told by reliable witnesses.

Cuddesdon is about five miles from the center of Oxford, but in some ways it is worlds apart. I attended various lectures on the Cuddesdon campus, and usually went into Oxford one or two days a week to work in the Bodleian library. The trip necessitated a two-and-a-half mile walk on public footpaths across private land—the centuries-old right-of-way in England assures that landowners cannot prevent passage. I tromped through a plowed field, over a stile and through a sheep pasture, over another stile and a bridge across a brook, through another field, through a cow barn (!) and down the farmer’s private driveway to catch a bus the remaining three miles into Oxford. For the first couple of weeks, I kept feeling as though I were trespassing, but I soon delighted in arriving at my bus stop with muddy, manure-enhanced boots. And time in the amazing Oxford library was worth any amount of trouble. 

The Cuddesdon campus itself has buildings that date from the Victorian era, along with a new, award-winning chapel. There is a fine theological library, and many places to sit and study, or just take in the ambiance of stained glass and fine art. The older children watch the younger children and dogs as they run and play freely outside in the grassy areas, bundled up against the pervasive English rain as needed. It must be what village life was like in England 100 years ago. Cuddesdon is Harry Potter meets All Creatures Great and Small meets Brideshead Revisited , with just a touch of Downton Abbey, and perhaps a bit of a monastery thrown in for good measure.

Maybe I’ll just call it “heaven.”

I am very grateful for the time I was able to spend at Cuddesdon. And I am even more grateful for the ongoing love, encouragement and support of St. Augustine as I continue on my journey toward ordination. You all remain in my prayers and in my heart, as I hope I remain in yours. 

2019 Women's Retreat

Save the date for the upcoming 2019 Women's Retreat, April 5 ^th - 7 ^th. We are heading back to the lovely Mercy Retreat Center in nearby Auburn where the grounds are gorgeous, the food is delicious, the chairs are comfy and you can relax in a peaceful, private room!

Space is limited, so we will be taking deposits in February to hold a spot. Do not miss out on this special event! Never been to a retreat? You will love it!

For more details, please contact Joan Howe at:

[email protected]

Altar Flower Note Cards

We have beautiful, custom-designed note cards created from pictures of our altar flowers. A perfect way to send a cheery message to lift someone's day. Available for a $20 donation for 12 distinct images, including envelopes and beautifully package for giving. Funds will benefit the Women's Retreat scholarship account.

For more details, contact Joan Howe at:

[email protected]

Youth Group News & Updates

Come & Worship with FISH

The FISH Youth Group, grades 6 - 12, meets Sunday nights for dinner, activities, discussion and prayer. Dinner is served at 6 p.m.

FISH has primarily been a high school group, so in an effort to make it better suited for our middle school friends, we will have combined FISH nights every other week.

All Church members are welcome to join the group at 7:30 for youth-led services.

FISH Calendar

Sunday School News

Our Sunday School reboot has been successful so far! Many of our teachers have returned. The one-room classroom is going well, but some of the children have voiced they would like to be back to the split classes. To consider multiple classes, we need to have more volunteers willing to teach. Melissa's hope for this volunteer program would be each person only has to teach one or two times a quarter. Then it is not a huge commitment for anyone.

This is a ministry in which you receive more than you give! We always learn from these amazing children each time we teach. You can choose the date you want to teach, so you are not locked into a specific Sunday. You can make it work with your personal schedule and any other obligations you may have to other ministries.

Please see Melissa Lovin, if this is something you are interested in. You are welcome to sit in a class and check it out! We have created a brand new sign-up list online, so if you used to be on the email distribution for Sunday School and you are not receiving the email and would like to, please let me know.

You are welcome to observe a class before making a decision. Signing up is easy and all online. You choose the Sundays you would like to teach. Let Melissa know if you would like to be on that email list.

If there is no teacher signed up for a Sunday, as interim, Melissa will no longer be taking over the teaching responsibility. If there is no teacher, there will be no Sunday School.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Melissa at the new Children's Ministry email:

[email protected]

You can also reach Melissa at 916.833.6263.

Wonderful 'Holy Chaos'

Children's Christmas Pageant



News from the Nursery

The Nursery is doing well, and the children are very active. Please know that you are welcome to bring your child back into the nursery after communion, if you choose. Please let Emma know if you plan to do this, so she is prepared. Our attendants do take turns to receive communion, but there is always someone in the nursery.

We are currently in need of teen helpers to assist Emma. Madison Lovin, Lily Beckman and Zach Beckman have retired from regular rotation. You will still see Madison in the nursery occasionally to help out or substitute for Emma. Beginning in February, you will see new assistants Hannah and Carly Ibenthal. Malia and Noelani Dorr also work as assistants. The 3 ^rd Sunday of the month is available. Please contact Melissa if your teen is interested. Melissa may be reached at:

[email protected]

or

916-833-6263

Welcome to our newest acolyte...Aubrey Cooper. She is shown here serving with Lucas Weston.

Children's Choir

The St. Augustine Children’s Choir will begin their second year on Sunday, February 3, 2019! The Children’s Choir rehearses on the first and third Sundays of the month following the 10 a.m. service and concluding by noon.

The choir sings periodically during the 10 a.m. service throughout the school year. All children from five years old to 5 ^th grade are welcome. Give it a try!

Questions? Contact Amy Quinney at:

[email protected]

or

916-257-2343

Emma Andres

Have you met our nursery attendant, Emma Andres?

Emma is an amazing young lady! She is a level 10 gymnast and will be heading to UCLA in the fall to be on their nationally ranked gymnastics team. She will be working out and competing with current and future Olympic gymnasts.

In November, Emma made an official visit to UCLA and met her future teammates (incoming and current) and stayed in the dorms. She also attended a basketball game and a football game at the Rose Bowl.

Emma loves her time on Sunday mornings watching over our youngest members in the nursery. She is currently a senior at Rocklin High School and has a heavy education load in addition to working out at the gym 23 hours a week. She also works at the Byers Roseville and Rocklin gyms and has become a role model for the younger gymnasts.

Emma's competition season began January 12th. Her competitions require travel, so she will miss being with us about once a month through May. She plans to be with us until she leaves for her new home at UCLA.

Congratulations to the Marshall and Doyle families. We celebrate the birth of their new babies and welcome them to our St. Augustine family.

Daughters of the King

The St. Augustine Chapter of Daughters of the King meets on the second Sunday of each month, following the 10 a.m. service

The Daughters will not meet Sunday, February 10th. It is the day of the St. Augustine Annual Meeting. The group gathers for its next regular meeting on Sunday, March 10 ^th following the 10 a.m. service.

A group of seven ladies will begin meeting Thursday, January 24 ^th to participate in five study sessions as they prepare to become members of the St. Augustine Chapter. They are: Camille Grabowski, Lyn Fuson, Barbara Woolman, Priscilla Kriner, Alice Doyle, Mary Kathryn Marum and Janet Dickens. Kathleen Quigley and Greer Nave are the group facilitators.

If you are interested in becoming a Daughter or would like more information, please contact our Chapter President, Joanne McCormack.

Joanne may be contacted 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 second Saturday morning of the month. Coffee and breakfast are served. All men and boys are welcome and encouraged to attend a meeting.

"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 breakfast," said Rob Shonk, Director. If you have an interest in learning about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, please contact Rob or Secretary John Redmond.

The Brotherhood elected new officers for the 2019 year at the December meeting. Rob Shonk was elected director, John Redmond, secretary and John Quigley, treasurer.

The Brothers approved a $500 contribution to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund for wildfire victims in California. The money was raised at the Bingo Night/Spaghetti Feed and the Summer BBQ. The Brotherhood thanks everyone for support and contributions.

The Brotherhood is planning the Shrove Tuesday Supper on March 5 ^th, serving pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. The group has also scheduled its annual summer BBQ for June 9 ^th , following the 10 a.m. service.

The next Brotherhood meeting will be Saturday, February 23 ^rd at 9 a.m. in the Sunday School room.

If you have questions, please contact Director Rob Shonk or Secretary

John Redmond:

[email protected]

[email protected]



Soft, warm and full of love... a prayer shawl is a tangible token of the power of prayers. They are given to those needing a physical reminder of our love and concern in times of healing and stress.  

The members of the Prayer Shawl ministry have a lovely time of fellowship when we meet each month in Canterbury Hall on the second Monday of the month at 1:30. There is always an open chair for anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry.

 

There are several shawls in inventory. If you would like to give one to someone, whether or not a member of St. Augustine, contact Greer Nave. They are presented with a beautiful card and a selection of prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. For shawls given outside the congregation, a donation to replenish our yarn supply is appreciated, but not required.

[email protected]

Companion's Corner

RESOLUTE

January 1 ^st is the time when many people come up with new resolutions intended to change either their lifestyle or body. Out of curiosity I looked at Merriam-Webster’s definition: “faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute means firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance. Faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.”

The thought immediately came to my mind that this definition aptly describes what our relationship to our faith and God should be. The last portion “to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted” describes for me God’s promise and the “tie” is beautifully symbolized by our communion ceremony.

Rather than considering a resolution made concerning ourselves, perhaps there is worth in studying the dictionary definition in relationship to our faith. Just a thought for the new year!

Blessings in 2019,

Carole Peterson

Colossians 3

"So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

New Revised Standard Version

January Birthdays

February Birthdays

January Anniversaries