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

Fall Stewardship Kickoff

         

by Pastor Liz

On Saturday, September 8 ^th we will gather as a community for a wonderful dinner, fun activities for our kids, fellowship and some sharing about our Church community life. Your Vestry is in high gear planning this dinner that they are hosting – from invitations to table decorations – and preparing the information necessary for all of us to do our part in being good stewards for St. Augustine.

We have so much to be grateful for as a community – a sacred space for worship and a building that allows us to host homeless families, to hold classes to go deeper in our faith, space for people to gather for Centering Prayer and space for local Al-Anon meetings, Rotary trainings and polling on election days. Those are just a few of the things we are growing into with the gift of this building and the legacy it is for generations to come.

I invite each of us to ask God to help us see all of these things and more (did I forget space for beautiful adult and children’s choirs, meal-packing events to ease world-wide hunger, youth group meetings and worship and Kairos prison ministry planning?).

We have so much to be grateful for as a community of people learning how to follow Jesus. God is inviting us and calling us to wonderful things as a community!   

Adult Formation Classes



Coming Soon!

Short Stories by Jesus.  Everything you've wondered about the parables of Jesus but were too afraid to ask! Join us for a six-part class starting Tuesday, September 18 ^th , at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Disciple Bible Study: Luke-Acts. Join us for a 12-week class as we explore Luke's narrative of the life of Jesus and the birth of the Church. Meets Wednesdays at 2 p.m., starting August 22 ^nd .

Braving the Wilderness Book Group.  Join us for a three-week study of Brené Brown's book, Braving the Wilderness , starting on Tuesday, August 28 ^th at 2 p.m.

Episcopal 101. Join us every third Sunday for a quick discussion of all things Episcopal. We meet in the Sunday School room after the 10 a.m. service. Do you have questions about the liturgy, our tradition, or why we do things a certain way? Our next meeting will be Sunday, September 16 ^th .

Every second Wednesday of the month, we host 70-plus homeless men, women and children, guests of The Gathering Inn, for a great meal and a safe place to sleep. Due to some changes in people's schedule and availability, we need a few more volunteers for meal preparation, coordination of volunteers and grocery shopping.

Sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center in Canterbury Hall. The next hosting event is Wednesday, September 12 ^th. This is a very rewarding ministry, and if you are interested in learning about how to become involved or even more involved, please contact Jim Quinney at:

[email protected]

The Gathering Inn Donations

Thank you for the awesome response over the past two months. Most of the important pieces have been donated for the Auburn Shelter. We are now back in the regular ongoing needs of adult jeans, new men's underwear, new or gently used colored T-shirts, men's belts, adult size socks and toiletries. Gently used bed sheets, towels and wash cloths are also needed.

The Inn is also in need of liquid detergent for the mountains of laundry they do daily in the laundry room. All donations can be left in the grocery cart in the entrance way . Every item is greatly appreciated.

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. James Grocery Cart Ministry

Thanks to everyone who generously brings food items for the St. James Pantry. The pantry serves a small niche in Lincoln, and the needs are pretty specific: flour and corn tortillas, pinto beans, canned chicken or tuna, rice, cereal, fruit cups and peanut butter.

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.

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

Tech Grant for Haiti Young People

At the last Mission & Outreach meeting, Rich Wampler presented a $2,000 grant request from the NouKod Foundation to assist in paying three months’ rent to procure new, secure office space. Their previous space was broken into, and 12 laptop computers were stolen. The request was approved by the Mission & Outreach Team and the Vestry.

The NouKod Foundation is a startup company dedicated to creating technology jobs in Haiti. NouKod means "We Code" in Haitian creole. The Foundation operates on a self-sufficient business model that requires only computers, internet connection, trained programmers and work space. It can do business with anyone in any place in the world.

The mission-driven social enterprise focuses on identifying young people aging out of orphanages and children’s homes. It hopes to give them the skills necessary to get jobs in computer programming for outside companies and organizations. These types of job creation opportunities and new industry development are vital factors in seeking a better future for Haitians.

Submitted by

Barbara Woolman

Editor’s Note: Ted and Rebecca Barlow, co-founders of Noukud, have worked in Haiti since 2010 following the earthquake. Members of the St. Augustine Haiti Team met Ted when they attended the Haiti Connection Conference in April 2016 , in Port-au-Prince. Rebecca met Rich when she recently visited St. Augustine. It was an instant connection. Rich says it was a God thing! Our support of the NouKud Foundation certainly complements our partnership with St. Luc Episcopal Mission School.

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

Youth Group News & Updates

Come & Worship with FISH

The FISH Youth Group has resumed its regular schedule, meeting Sunday nights 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting includes a youth-led time of worship. All are welcome to join us for this youth-led compline at 7:30 p.m. (with incense!)

Lock-in September 22 ^nd !

FISH members are having a lock-in Saturday, September 22 ^nd, beginning at 6 p.m. Teams will compete in numerous games and challenges. At the end of the night, we will watch a movie on the big screens. Inevitably, some poor souls will play video games instead of sleeping.

Pick-up time is 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Parent Lunch September 23 ^rd !

Parents are invited to a special lunch meeting on Sunday, September 23 ^rd , to connect, talk about FISH, upcoming events and goals for how we can support what our youth are doing. Lunch will be catered. Please advise of any dietary needs or restrictions.

FISH Calendar

September 2 ^nd Labor Day – No FISH Meeting

September 9 ^th Discussion & Eucharist  6 to 8 p.m.

September 22 ^nd & 23 ^rd FISH Lock-in  6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

September 23 ^rd FISH Parent Luncheon 11:30 a.m.



September 30 ^th Discussion & Compline 6 to 8 p.m.

October 19 ^th Ordination to the Priesthood

Deacon Tom Gartin

News from the Nursery

The nursery is available for children ages six months to three years. Emma Andres is our Nursery Attendant. She has a volunteer helping her each Sunday. If you would like to volunteer to help in the nursery, please contact Shelby Larkey:

[email protected]

Children's Choir

The St. Augustine Children's Choir rehearses on the first and third Sundays following the 10 a.m. service.We will continue our rehearsals on the l ^st and 3 ^rd Sundays of each month. All children in kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome. For more information, please contact Amy Quinney:

916-257-2343

or

[email protected]

Seniors First

"Care Kit"

Sunday

Join us on Sunday, September 9 ^th (Grandparents Day) for our outreach event benefiting the seniors in Placer County. This activity is sponsored by the Mission and Outreach Team. The Daughters of the King are assisting with the project.

We will be packing “Care Kits” with various toiletry items to be donated to Seniors First. All those in attendance will be packing a box (one box per family) and writing a personal note to a senior.

Seniors First exists to provide programs, services and long-term support to Placer County seniors so that they may maintain their independence as long as possible. Many seniors in our community are trying to live on less than $1,000 a month. These care packages, along with a friendly note, will brighten their day.

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 group will meet Sunday, September 9 ^th following the 10 a.m. service. Daughters will assist the Mission and Outreach Team packing "care kits" for Seniors First.

All Daughters will be recognized and blessed at the September 9 ^th service.

Rhonda Wampler will host the December 2 ^nd meeting at her home for Christmas Social. Members will exchange secret partner gifts at that event.

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

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

The Brothers had their summer fund-raising BBQ, July 29 ^th after the 10 a.m. service, raising over $300 for outreach projects at the Church. Hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and ice cream were served. Everyone stayed cool inside Canterbury Hall.

The Brotherhood will be planning for a second Bingo Night/Spaghetti Feed. They will be working with other fund-raising organizations in the Church as to a good date for putting on the event.

The next Brotherhood meeting will be Saturday, September 8 ^th at 9 a.m. in the Sunday School room.

If you have further questions, please contact Director Rob Shonk:

[email protected].

It is believed that the origin of the prayer shawl can be found in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. Moses wrote that God instructed him to have the men make tassels for the four corners of their cloaks to remember God's commands. Some Christians believe that Jesus wore such a shawl and,today, wish to follow His example.

Wherever it started, there has been a resurgence in recent years to provide such shawls to people who need a visible sign of caring and comfort to face life's more difficult challenges. Members of our ministry either knot or crochet the shawls with very soft, washable yarn that can be easily cared for and is very comfortable.

The St. Augustine Prayer Shawl ministry began in 2011 and, to date, has given away almost 250 shawls. Our group gathers every second Monday of the month at the Church at 1:30 p.m. to work on our projects and enjoy each other's company.

If you wish to request a shawl for someone, notify Pastor Liz, Pastor Maryellen or Greer Nave. Please speak with Greer if you are interested in joining this ministry. For more information, please contact Greer at:

[email protected]

Companion's Corner

….what we feel is not who we are….

Our emotional lives move up and down constantly. Sometimes we experience great mood swings from excitement to depression, from joy to sorrow, from inner harmony to inner chaos. A little event, a word from someone, a disappointment in work, many things can trigger such mood swings. Mostly we have little control over these changes. It seems that they happen to us rather than being created by us.

Thus it is important to know that our emotional life is not the same of our spiritual life. Our spiritual life is the life of God within us.

As we feel our emotions shift, we must connect our spirits with the Spirit of God and remind ourselves that what we feel is not who we are. We are and remain, whatever our moods, God's beloved children.

Text taken from:

Bread for the Journey

Reflections for Every Day of the Year

By Henri J M Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. 

Amen, dear friends,

Carole Peterson

A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11

September Birthdays

September Anniversaries