Ladies, you will not want to miss the St. Augustine Spring Tea Party. It will take place Saturday, May 12 ^th at 1 p.m. The cost is $25. Proceeds will benefit the Church aesthetic projects. The group is hoping to raise funds to begin purchasing benches for the patio area.

The afternoon festivities will begin with a champagne and sparkling cider reception. Gifts will be placed at each table for the ladies to take home. A surprise mother and daughter duo will provide storytelling entertainment at the event.

 

This is a chance to celebrate all of the women in your life, young and old. Live music and entertainment will make you smile. Look for many lovely door prizes. This is a traditional English Tea, so feel free to wear a fun hat, though hats are not required.

The last day to purchase tickets for this event is Sunday, May 6 ^th .

Stewardship Update

The Vestry is having great discussions at its meetings about what good stewardship looks like for leaders and for each of us as part of the St. Augustine community. Education and the sharing of our stories are two key elements.

Education in the area of Planned Giving had its kick-off with a seminar on April 21 ^st and will continue with Fred Buhler as the Planned Giving point person. Storytelling will begin soon about the gift it is to our families to plan well for the end of our lives, preparing medical directives, wills and trusts and even funeral and memorial service planning.

The Vestry will begin implementing more information sharing about our operational finances and about the many ways to share our resources with St. Augustine. Look for new bulletin and newsletter features that will help us all understand more about the finances and the outreach of the Church. Please let us know what kinds of things you would like to know about to help us moving forward. 

On Tuesday, May 15 ^th, the College for Congregational Development (CCD) Team and the Center for Contemplative Outreach will present an introductory session for Centering Prayers. The evening will include: discussion on What is Contemplative (Centering) Prayer, a presentation by Janice Boyd from the Contemplative Outreach at Mercy Center, a video by Fr. Thomas Keating, five to ten minutes for centering, a discussion and next steps. The session will be held at St. Augustine, and everyone is welcome to attend.

The Vestry 2018-19…Do you know your Vestry members?

Our Vestry has nine members and is the canonically mandated board with specific responsibilities and duties in the parish. Three Vestry members are elected each year at the Annual Meeting (which is typically held at the end of January or beginning of February). Terms are three years and in a typical year, three members are completing their terms and three members are beginning their terms.

On a Vestry, the Senior Warden is selected by the Rector and has specific canonical responsibilities. The Junior Warden is elected by the Vestry members and has traditionally had oversight of the buildings and grounds. Other regular attenders at Vestry meetings, with voice but not vote, are the Treasurer and the Clerk. Please talk to your Vestry members about any questions you may have…and feel free to share your thanks, too! These are our current Vestry members and the year their term ends:

Memorial Service

A memorial service to celebrate the life of

David Allen Thomas will be held Friday, May 4 ^th at 2 p.m. David requested that friends and family not wear black.

A reception will follow in Canterbury Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Augustine Episcopal Church with David Thomas Memorial in the memo line.

Every second Wednesday of the month we host 70-plus homeless men, women and children, guests of The Gathering Inn, for a delicious barrel chicken dinner and a place to sleep at our Church. While there used to be one or two women among the 70, last month the host churches served 22 women, one infant, two preschoolers, six school-age children and four high students. 

Three teams support this ministry: food preparation, room set-up, serving and clean-up. Please consider volunteering for one of the teams. It is very rewarding. Sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center in Canterbury Hall. For more information, please contact Jim Quinney at:

[email protected]

Grocery Cart Ministry

Hunger and food scarcity are not seasonal. This problem does not go away as the weather gets nice. Pastor Sarah Quinney said they have seen an increase in demand after making the “Food Pantry” at St. James more accessible in the heart of Lincoln. Cereal, rice, canned tuna and chicken and canned pinto and kidney beans are always needed and much appreciated.

If you can, please add a can or two or maybe a bag of rice or a box of cereal into your cart then into ours. The grocery cart is located at the entrance to Canterbury Hall. Thank you for your generosity.

The Gathering Inn Donations

Donations of new or gently used and washed clothing for The Gathering Inn are greatly appreciated. Spring and summer are on the way. Clothing for warmer weather is requested. Jeans and socks are also welcomed. There are more than 500 homeless individuals in Placer County who have clothing needs.

 

As always, unused travel-sized toiletry items are needed. Please place your donations in the grocery cart at the entrance to Canterbury Hall.

 

Jim Quinney will be delivering the items to The Gathering Inn each Sunday after Church.

St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room

A St. Augustine group of volunteers 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, Linda Peterson, Steve Broce and Kathyrn Jordan.

 

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

[email protected]

 

FRIENDS IN SERVING HIM

The FISH Youth Group meets most Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and discussion and activities begin at 6:30 p.m. Each week, the evening ends with a worship service at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join us for this service. FISH is for any youth 6 ^th  through 12 ^th  grades.

 

Over the last few weeks, the group had some extraordinary conversations about relationships and sex. As we continue into May, we will be talking more about how to have difficult conversations about important topics.

 

On the second Sunday of each month, the youth will be receiving communion during the worship portion of their evening. This is open to anyone who would like to join the youth for worship. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. and the youth lead the service.

 

Fish leaders are Tom Gartin, Gaby Sisk and Shelby Larkey.

May 6 ^th

Discussion (Conflict) and Eucharist

May 13 ^th

Mother's Day - No FISH meeting

May 20 ^th  

Discussion and Compline

May 27 ^th

END OF YEAR PARTY!

 

FISH Youth Group Game Night

Sunday School

Godly Play

We are excited to begin planning the implementation of the Godly Play Curriculum. For those interested in learning more about this program, please consider attending our Saturday Seminar with Pastor Sarah Quinney!. It will take place Saturday, May 26 ^th from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Augustine Church. For more information, please contact Shelby Larkey at:

[email protected] com

News from the Nursery

We have the nursery available for children ages six months to three years. Emma Andres is our Nursey Attendant. She has a volunteer helping her each Sunday. If you would like to volunteer to help in the nursery, please contact Shelby Larkey at [email protected]. 

Mark Your Calendars!

Join the 2018 Vacation Bible School crew for music and drama, Bible discovery, high energy games, tropical treats and science experiments at this year's VBS 2018 - Shipwrecked.

If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please email Shelby Larkey at [email protected]. We are in need of volunteers, so please reach out if you are available.

Registration is now. For more information, the flyer and registration forms are at the Welcome Center or on the website. 

Children's Choir

Our Children’s Choir is off to an awesome start. They are working hard on musical offerings and have performed at many of our services. New members are always welcome. We rehearse following the 10 a.m. service on the 1 ^st and 3 ^rd Sundays of each month. All children in grades K – 5 ^th are invited. For more information, please contact Amy Quinney at:

1-916-257-2343

or

[email protected]

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. There will not be a meeting in May because of Mother's Day.

The Daughters of the King Spring Assembly was held at St. John's Roseville Saturday, April 21 ^st . Our Chapter supplied the morning refreshments. Our next meeting will be Saturday, June 10 ^th .

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

[email protected]

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew holds its regular monthly meetings at 9 a.m. in Canterbury Hall on the second Saturday of each month. Coffee and breakfast are served. All men and boys are welcome and encouraged to attend a meeting. If you are interested in the Brotherhood, feel free to join the group for a Saturday meeting and breakfast.

The Brotherhood is planning projects in recognition of The National Day of Service. The actual Day of Service was April 28 ^th. The Brotherhood service projects will take place at a later date and will include improvements at the Church as well as in the community. A Church BBQ, sponsored by the Brotherhood, will be held July 29 ^th following the 10 a.m. service.

The next meeting will be Saturday, May 12 ^th at 9 a.m.

If you are interested in more information about the Brotherhood, please contact Director Rob Shonk at: [email protected].

Prayer Shawls:

How they help while helping others..

From an on-line blog by Kathryn Vercillo September 1, 2013

"We do not live in isolation in this world.We live in an interconnected global community. When something difficult happens to someone else, it hurts us. Prayer shawls are a way to heal others while healing ourselves.

"Praying for Others: When you make a prayer shawl you are intentionally infusing each stitch with hope, warmth, love, compassion and care. You emanate the hope that the person will be healed from pain. When the gift is received, that warmth is felt, the connection is recalled and healing takes place.

"Your Own Healing: When we see pain, loss and tragedy in others, we feel it in ourselves. We feel sad about our own tragedies. We feel fear about possible pains. As we stitch together our connection to this other person through intentional prayer, the  meditative  action calms us. Our hearts open up through the work of our hands and we feel safe and loved again."

The St. Augustine Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the second Monday of each month in the Sunday School rooms at 1:30 p.m. There is always an open chair for anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry. We have several shawls in inventory. If you would like to give one to someone who is not a member of St. Augustine, contact Greer Nave. For shawls given outside the congregation, a donation to replenish our yarn supply is appreciated but not required.



For more information, please contact Greer at: [email protected]

Friday Noonday Prayer Service & Contemplation

Be Still, Reflect, Transform

Please join us for noonday prayer and contemplation in the Sanctuary on Fridays. Facilitated by Jim Quinney and Kathy Dillon.

Disciples Bible Study

Pastor Liz will be leading a 12-week study of Genesis and Exodus. The study group will meet on Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. beginning May 9 ^th and ending July 25 ^th. If you are interested, please sign-up on the clip board on the kiosk in Canterbury Hall.

Cursillo 114

Cursillo 114 is scheduled for May 31 ^st, through June 3 ^rd at Camp Alta. This year's theme is "Walk in Love." If you are interested in registering as a candidate, sponsoring a candidate or participating on the support team, please contact Jack Dillon at:

[email protected]

Luau Celebration

Mission & Outreach Fundraiser

Roasted pig, fabulous side dishes, Hawaiian Hula dancers, a silent auction and a super dessert auction - all were enjoyed by over 90 guests at the Luau Celebration April 28 ^th . Fundraising results will be in the next issue of the Canterbury Tales.

Mission & Outreach Grant Funds at Work

Approximately three years ago, the Mission & Outreach Team developed a format to help encourage and assist a variety of ministries our members are involved in personally via financial grant awards. Last month, we received a grant request from the "Pay it Forward" Club at Whitney High School.

This Club has participated in several of our meal-packing events, and they also helped serve the food at the St. Luc's Molly’s Revenge Fundraiser in March. We learned they had two projects, one to assist homeless people in our area and a blanket program for people in the hospital.

We awarded this club a $200 grant to help support both initiatives. We look forward to seeing the results of their program and are excited to grow our relationship in our immediate community.

Farewell to the Hill Family

The St. Augustine Choir bid farewell to the Hill family (Patrick, Evelyn and Divine). The choir, along with the entire congregation, extend to the Hills best wishes and safe travel back to Uganda. Pat and Evelyn will resume their ministry activities with Team in Faith, a non-governmental organization (NGO) formed by Patrick five years ago.

Team in Faith is a public charity to support education, health care and evangelism projects in Uganda and DR Congo. Patrick and Evelyn will also introduce baby Divine to her family in Uganda.

Patrick was a loyal member of the choir during his time at St. Augustine. He shared how when he came to St. Augustine he wanted to contribute by singing and how he really enjoyed his time with us.

Choir members point out that it is not just about singing, it is also about being in the Choir Family supporting one another and the worship at St. Augustine. Amy Quinney, Music Director, reminds us that there is always room for more singers!

St. Luc Episcopal School

Haiti Partnership

You don’t have to go to Haiti to have a heart for Haiti!

The Haiti Partnership fundraiser held at the Church March 18 ^th proved to be a great event with over 110 attendees. Molly’s Revenge provided the entertainment and featured three delightful Celtic dancers.

All enjoyed the traditional corned beef and cabbage meal served by the “Pay It Forward” Club at Whitney High School. We also had a fun and lively auction of art from Haiti.

Together we raised $5,265 to help supplement and complete the funding required for this school year and for the first quarter of next year at St. Luc School. A wire transfer of $8,000 was recently completed. Father Noe was very appreciative. He wanted to thank everyone for the financial support, prayers and love, and he said the students will be fed and the teachers paid to finish the school year.

May Birthdays

May Anniversaries

Companion's Corner

STATIO

I found Christine Valters' teaching on Statio helpful. My hope is that it can also be helpful to you.

“In the monastic tradition there is a practice called Statio, which is the commitment to stop one thing before beginning another. Imagine, instead of rushing from one appointment to the next, that between each one you pause and breathe five long slow breaths. Imagine how this might transform your movement from one activity to another. Allow a brief pause on the threshold.

For the Celtic monks, thresholds were sacred places. The space or the moment between. . .whether physical places or experiences. . .is a place of possibility. Rather than waiting being a nuisance, or a sense that you are wasting time, it is an invitation to breathe into the now and receive its gifts.

Statio calls us to a sense of reverence for slowness and mindfulness. We can open up a space within for God to work. We can become fully conscious of what we are about to do rather than mindlessly starting another task. We call upon the breath as an ancient soul friend to help us witness our lives unfolding, rather than being carried along until we are not sure where we are going. We can return again to our bodies and their endless wisdom and listen at every threshold.

Our invitation is to awaken to the gifts right here, not the ones we imagine waiting for us beyond the next door.”

(excerpted and adapted from The Wisdom of the Body by Dr. Valters)

Breathe, my friends. . .

Carole Peterson

"The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

Job 33:4