|
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. Mike Ferrito
Sunday September 8, 2024
| |
|
The CAT is in the Bag!
The CAT (Congregational Assessment Tool) survey is complete and we have had a very good response representing a majority of the congregation. Thank you to all of you who shared your ideas and opinions. The next steps in this process include a meeting this week with Holy Cow! Consulting to go over the survey results. Holy Cow! will also send us a CAT survey report that will be available to anyone who would like to read it.
This close of our Survey Phase marks the opening of a Listening Phase. The Vestry, Search, and Profile teams want to hear directly about your hopes and dreams for St. Michael’s and our next Rector. We are holding Listening Events on October 6th after church, that evening on Zoom only, and October 9th in the evening at the Church, during which we will separate into small groups to discuss specific topics about St. Michael’s and brainstorm our future. We will listen to and talk with each other and the Profile team will include what you have to say in the Profile. The result will help us to gain a better sense of how we want to grow as a church and will inform candidates for the next Rector of St. Michael’s about us. Please mark your calendars and attend one of the events.
Many thanks,
Doug Davy
Profile Team Chair
| |
|
Join St. Michael’s Rector Search Committee!
One of the next steps of finding a new rector is selecting a search committee of 7 – 10 parishioners who are representative of a cross section of the congregation, skilled in interviewing and possessing the insight needed to select someone who can be successful at St. Michael’s. The Search Committee begins its work as the Parish Profile Committee finalizes the Profile. This suggests that for St. Michael’s, the Committee will be finalized late fall 2024. The process of reviewing applications may take one to three months. The Committee will have a chaplain who begins and ends every meeting in prayer.
A lot of people have already expressed interest in the committee so if you are interested in applying as well, please email Suzanne Phinney or call the office at 916-488-3550 for an application by Tuesday, September 17th. For more information on the committee's responsibilities please check out the document attached here.
| |
Gratitude for God's Grace
Bridging the Future with Continuing Generosity
| |
|
A Season of Light & Growth
To our beloved community of St Michael's and friends of St Michael's,
Here we are. Amid this season of Stewardship, I ask all to find the light and continued growth in each day. Although this is a season some may cringe at, I see possibilities. Stewardship is not just a season of asking to help keep the lights on in any church. It is a season where we take time to remember all the amazing ministries that our church is involved in. Yes, your pledges do go towards helping keep the actual lights on and keep our facilities going, they also help us continue to grow and be the hope and light that Jesus calls us all into being, both to each other and to the community around us. Your pledges are vital to helping St Michael’s not only know how we can function in the year to come but also who we can be in the community around us.
As many know, we have been hosting a summer camp for the past two summers. We host this camp at a low cost to families, or even no cost for those who need it, because this is one of our core values of doing good in the community. Without your generosity we would not be able to do this work. Because of your faithful pledges we are the hands and feet of that which we are called to do. Theater camp is just one of the many ways we are doing the continued work. On behalf of the clergy of St Michaels, I thank each of you for your pledges and ask us all to continue to do the work we are called to.
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Katie
St. Michael’s Stewardship Committee
| |
|
Ingathering Lunch
Sunday, September 29th
Mark your calendars for our ingathering lunch on Sunday, September 29th after the 10am service to celebrate our stewardship and the Feast of St. Michael. Along with lunch there will be a presentation of the CAT Survey results.
| |
St. Michael's Learns & Connects | |
|
Getting to know you AND...
Getting to know St. Michael's!
Sunday September 22nd
11:45am in Friendship Center
Are you new to St. Michael's and looking for more information about us and what we do?
Please join us September 22, all are invited! We will gather at 11:45am in the Friendship Center for a time where we will get to know St Michaels Church, and get to know all of you a bit better as well!
We will have a conversation about who we are as a congregation, ways to get involved, and upcoming events. This is a great way for folks who are new (and not so new) to come together in conversation and learning. Please mark your calendar.
For any questions please contact Father Rod fatherrod@stmichaelscarmichael.org.
| |
|
We're Back!
St. Michael's Open Bible Study Rides Again
As the late Alice Cooper never sang: “[Bible] Study’s out for the Summer…School’s [NOT] out forever!” St. Michael’s Open Bible Study, after taking a 12 week vacation, will “Re-start” on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 10am via Zoom only. Please use this link to log in: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4883550916. The Meeting ID is 488 355 0916 and no passcode is needed. The initial format will use the lectionary page lessons for the following Sunday. This will give our students a heads up on understanding the Collect, Old Testament Lesson, Psalm, Epistle and Gospel lessons assigned to the upcoming Sunday services. All students will have an opportunity to actively participate. In fact, new students will have an opportunity to team up with veteran students to give class presentations and team teach. All attendees need only present as much or as little as they are comfortable with. Also in store is monthly clergy participation, when available. Our Bible Study classes are very democratic and other formats such as related book reads, deep dives into specific Bible books, the use of “break-out rooms” and Lectio Divina could be voted in. If there is enough interest, St. Michael’s might even reach out to other local churches for additional students. After all, we are historically an Open Bible Study group. For more information, please email Chris Chamness at chrischamness@hotmail.com.
by Chris Chamness, Scribe
St. Michael’s Open Bible Study
| |
|
Office Cleaning
The Church Office will be closed for cleaning beginning Monday September 16 through Friday September 20. We will still be checking voicemail and emails during this time.
| |
|
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
Mercy and Social Justice Ministry
2024 Parishioner Guided Grant Nomination Form
The Mercy and Social Justice Ministry Committee’s mission is “to represent God’s love and compassion through acts of mercy and justice.” In 2024 the committee has continued to focus on providing financial support, in-kind donations, service, and forming partnerships in the greater community to love and aid neighbors and strangers in need. In keeping with our mission, St. Michael’s will again be supporting community outreach through the 2024 Mercy and Social Justice Parishioner Guided Grants.
Parishioner Guided Grants Program:
You are invited to nominate a program in which you, or someone you know at St. Michael’s, is actively involved. The grants will be awarded to programs that address basic needs of food, shelter, education and health. For this cycle, grant amounts are anticipated to range from $500-$2,000. Please mail or drop off all nominations to the office during business hours OR email to st.michaels@stmichaelscarmichael.org by end of day Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Paper copies of the grant application will be on the Usher’s desk in the Sanctuary. Grants will be awarded in December 2024. All recipient organizations will be invited to participate at our 2025 Outreach Sunday by sending a representative and organizational information, including volunteer opportunities.
For more info please contact Mary Ellen Ferguson or Dancy Dobrenick.
| |
|
Thursday, September 19
6pm – 9pm at the Sacramento Zoo
3930 W. Land Park Dr. Sacramento, CA
River City Food Bank (RCFB) is thrilled to host the 21st Empty Bowls fundraising event at the Sacramento Zoo on Thursday, September 19. As RCFB’s only major fundraiser, Empty Bowls provides critical operating support to purchase and distribute healthy food to anyone experiencing food insecurity in Sacramento County.
| |
|
Regular Outreach opportunities
River City Food Bank Center at St. Matthew's - Distribution Prep every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday & Distribution every Wednesday & Friday
Carmichael HART Carmichael Presbyterian Church - Lunch program every Thursday & the Shower Ministry every Saturday
God's Helping Hands Laundry LaunderLand every 3rd Saturday of the month
| |
|
Weekly Services
10am Sunday Morning Worship Eucharist (also Livestreamed)
Nursery opens at 9:30am
5pm Sunday Evening Contemplative Prayer Service on Zoom
9am Morning Prayer – Zoom, Monday through Thursday
8:30am Friday Morning Contemplative Eucharist
| |
|
Feast of St. Francis
Sunday, October 6th, 10am
| |
|
It's "Bring your pets to Church Sunday!"
Join us as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis at our 10am Worship held in the courtyard on Sunday, October 6th. During this service we have our annual Blessing of the Animals where we bless all the family pets you dare to bring! As always, there will be bragging rights for the coolest animal and forgiveness for the loudest! All are welcome!
This is a great service to invite your pet loving friends to St. Michael's. We hope to see you there!
There will also be a Blessing of the Animals during our 5pm Contemplative Prayer Service on Zoom.
| |
|
Choral Masterworks
by John Cozza, Music Director
| |
|
Te Deum, Op. 103 by Dvorak
With Czech composer Antonin Dvorak's birthday falling on September 8, it seems fitting to feature his Te Deum as the Choral Masterwork this week.
In 1891, Mrs. Jeannette Thurber, an energetic American philanthropist and music lover, had a great triumph: she convinced the world-renowned Czech composer Antonin Dvořák to be the new director of her National Conservatory of Music in New York City. For his arrival the following year, she commissioned him to write a piece for the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day: a grand cantata for chorus, orchestra and soloists. She would provide a text, but in case it did not arrive on time, “the proposition is that Dr. Dvořák choose some Latin Hymn such as ‘Te Deum laudamus’ or ‘Jubilate Deo’ or any other which would be suitable for the occasion.”
Jeannette Thurber was an important philanthropist and music patron in the late nineteenth century.
Ultimately she settled on a poem called The American Flag, but by the time Dvořák received it he had already written his Te Deum. The Te Deum (We Praise Thee, O God) is a traditional Latin hymn that had been set to music by many composers over the centuries. By 1891, Dvořák had already written several major sacred works, including his Requiem and Stabat Mater.
For more information, here is a link:
And here is a stirring live performance from the 1996 BBC Prom Concerts:
|  | |
|
Godly Play is Back!
Godly Play is offered during the 10am worship. All students from ages 3 years to the 5th grade are welcome to join our Godly play leaders for a time of learning and hands on engagement of stories. Check in is in the Parish Hall. Students return to worship before communion. Please contact Pr. Katie with any questions pastorkatie@stmichaelscarmichael.org and check out our website for more info about Godly Play!
Nursery is open every Sunday for children 0-4 years of age. Please see the Godly Play sign in table.
| |
|
St. Michael's Men’s Breakfast
Men's breakfast is on the first Saturday of every month at FlapJacks Diner. The group meets at 8am at the restaurant. FlapJacks Diner is on El Camino Ave. Please reply to Jim Dodds so he will have an idea of the numbers. If you have any additional questions, please contact the office.
Centering Prayer
All are welcome to come and pray! Centering prayer meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month on Zoom. Newcomers are welcome to come at 6:45pm for a Centering Prayer Newcomer Orientation. Centering Prayer begins at 7pm. We will offer a 20 minute centering prayer sit, followed by a variety of contemplative practices. They may include: Lectio Divina, experiential spirituality and occasionally a guest speaker. For more information, please contact the office 916.488.3550 or Chuck Schaller.
Prayers for Pregnant Women & Their Babies
We have an ongoing relationship with the Episcopal Sisters at the Order of Julian of Norwich monastery who pray daily for pregnant women and their babies. If you have name(s) of loved one(s) who are expecting that you would like to have included in the sisters' prayers, please email Fr. Rod at fatherrod@stmichaelscarmichael.org.
Giving Thanks with Flowers!
You can still remember your loved ones and celebrate important moments in your life with the gift of flowers to the church.
If you would like to give in this way, please let the office know
and what you would like to give thanks for in the bulletin. You can send a check (or drop it off) to the office or pay on-line.
Name Tags Available
We have name tags available at Sunday morning check in's. Please be sure to grab and wear your name tag before the service. If you are in need of a name tag please let the office know.
St. Michael's Hours
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30am - 1:30pm
Sanctuary and Courtyard are open during office hours. Please let the office know you will be coming. Call 916.488.3550 or email.
Pastoral Hours
Pastor Katie will be available on request. Please email pastorkatie@stmichaelscarmichael.org to schedule.
Fr. Mike will be available on request. Please email Revferrito@outlook.com to schedule.
Fr. Rod will be available on request. Please email fatherrod@stmichaelscarmichael.org to schedule.
Giving
Thank you all for generously supporting St. Michael's and our ministries. We are accepting pledge payments through the mail. We are also accepting online giving. You may have to set up an account to do so. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Kate Muris.
| |
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
2140 Mission Avenue, Carmichael CA 95608
| | | | | |
