A Joyful Noise May 2025

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Senior Warden Message

Tom Young, Senior Warden

  Tom Young

Eastertide

Now that Easter Sunday and Holy Week are behind us, some folks are asking, “Now what?” Easter seems like a distant memory, though it was only about two weeks ago. Are we now back to the days before Lent, when the thought of giving things up, or taking things on, was a foreign concept? Is it back to spiritual business as usual?

No, I say! We are now well into the season of Easter, known as Eastertide: the 50 days that began on Easter Sunday and will conclude on June 8, the Feast of Pentecost. On Eastertide’s 40th day, Jesus returns to heaven-the Ascension of Christ. In Eastertide we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s right, the celebration that began on April 20 doesn’t end. Easter is a day, a season, and after all, Easter is a way of life.

After his death he [Jesus] presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.  (Acts 1:3)

A Beautiful Holy Week and Easter Day

Thank you to all for creating a beautiful and meaningful Holy Week and a lovely Easter Sunday celebration.

Congratulations to Stephanie Galbraith on her Easter Vigil Baptism.

Eucharistic Visitor Training

The Rev.
Vicki Johnson

Thursday, May 1
10am - 12:30pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Eucharistic Visitors are lay people who are authorized to bring the Sacrament of Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend church services.
If you are interested in participating in this training, please contact The Rev. Vicki Johnson at 509-302-7364, vicki_johnson66@yahoo.com

Anacortes Art Walk

Christ Church will be a participant in Anacortes’ First Friday Art Walk
Friday, May 2
6-8pm
Our stained glass windows and our sign by Kevin Paul will be featured, as will our paintings by Dederick Ward.

Swinomish wood sculptor Kevin Paul’s carvings of a salmon and eagle represent the giving spirit and prayerful practice of the Christian belief will be on display and described in more detail.  Inside the sanctuary you can enjoy the eight stained-glass windows that surround the space.  Each beautiful window, as designed by Jim Perry of Perry Stained Glass Studio of Issaquah depicts a scene from Jesus’s life, such as the violent storm in the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calms the waters.  As you learn more about each scene you can enjoy the beauty of the stained-glass and reflect on the artist's interpretation of each story. We also feature paintings by Dederick Ward of Anacortes.  All are welcome.  Light refreshments will be served.

Stained Glass Windows Brochure

If you are interested in greeting and visiting with our guests, please contact Melissa Simonsen at 360-797-2511 or mvsimonsen@gmail.com

Cathedral Day

Saturday, May 3
St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Liturgy at 10:30 am
Food, music, and activities until 2pm.

Jim Minton

Please join in this special event as Episcopalians across Western WA gather at St. Mark’s Cathedral. During the liturgy Bishop Phil LaBelle will confirm, receive and reaffirm candidates from nearly every parish in the Diocese. After the service, there will be food trucks, music, and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Dan & Stephanie

Christ Church members Stephanie Galbraith and Jim Minton will be confirmed and Dan Moore will be received. Please join in supporting them.

Please RSVP at Cathedral Day RSVP.

Commissioning of Preaching Ministry

Sunday, May 4
10:30 am service
Christ Church’s Preaching Ministry will be commissioned.

Congratulations to our new preachers:
Sharman Badgett-Young
MJ Barrett
Ed Barton
Emily Sander
Tom Young
Continuing preachers include Shirley Barrett, Maggie Collinge, John Okerman, and Melissa Simonsen.

A special Coffee Hour to celebrate our preachers will follow the service.
We will also be celebrating those confirmed and received at Cathedral Day.

Steeples & Peoples:
A Tour of Baltic Sea Churches

Emily Sander

A Presentation by Emily Sander
Sunday, May 11
12:30 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room

Last year, my dad and I traveled around the Baltic region - visiting churches across Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Denmark. We came across all kinds of churches from different traditions, shaped by the history and events of the area. I'll be sharing photos and stories from our trip - showing off the different styles of church architecture, the people we met, and a few memorable moments along the way. —Emily

All are welcome.

Memorial Service for The Rev. John Filler

The Rev.
John Filler

Sunday, May 18
3pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Reception following in the Parish Hall Gathering Room
All are welcome.
Scattering Ceremony
Scattering of ashes will take place on Monday, May 19
11:30 am
Guemes Channel
Presider: Jonathan Prescott
A reception and luncheon will follow at the Filler residence at 12:15 pm.
All are welcome.
The Rev. John Filler Obituary

Zimzum Discipleship:
Practices for a Christ-Centered Life

Join Bishop Philip LaBelle for a new three-year series on zimzum discipleship, of intentionally making space to live as a faithful apprentice of Jesus. Find information, resources, and community at Zimzum Discipleship.

Fire
by Judy Brown

What makes a fire burn
is space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing,
too many logs
packed in too tight
can douse the flames
almost as surely
as a pail of water would.
So building fires
requires attention
to the spaces in between,
as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build
open spaces
in the same way
we have learned
to pile on the logs,
then we can come to see how
it is fuel, and absence of the fuel
together, that make fire possible.

We only need to lay a log
lightly from time to time.
A fire
grows
simply because the space is there,
with openings
in which the flame
that knows just how it wants to burn
can find its way.

Youth Group

Youth Group meets on May 14 and 28 this month.
6:00 - 7:30 pm, beginning with dinner
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Our May 14 lesson is Society: Loving Kindness
May 28 lesson is Spirituality: Loving God in Scripture
All youth in Middle School & High School are welcome.
Youth Group Leaders are Melissa Simonsen, Mark Perschbacher, and The Rev. Courtney Jones. Christ Church uses the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) youth ministry program, endorsed by the Episcopal Church.
The lessons are organized around self, society, and spirituality and allow youth to explore these themes through discussion, games, and Bible study.

May Designated Plate Offering

Our loose plate offering on May 18 is designated for The Cat’s Meow.

The Cat’s Meow has been working in our community since 2004, helping cats and the people who love them.  Their programs include a unique cage-free adoption center where homeless cats are sheltered until homes are found, free spay/neuter service for community cats, free cat food and litter pantry, and an indoor/outdoor sanctuary for feral cats.
The Cat’s Meow has helped more than 1500 homeless cats and kittens find loving homes and has humanely managed and reduced the feral cat population. 

Learn more at The Cat’s Meow.

Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with The Cat’s Meow in the memo line. Thank you!

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

The Bishop’s Committee will meet on Monday, May 19.
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

Wednesday Prayer Services

Maggie Collinge

Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15 - 1:45 pm
All are welcome at this short, simple service: a scripture reading, 20 minutes of silence, an intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.  Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360 202-5588.

Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00 - 6:30 pm
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

The Rev.
Eric Johnson

The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions? Please contact The Rev. Eric Johnson.
All are welcome.

Convene 2025

Saturday, May 31
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Everett Community College
Hosted by the Diocese of Olympia

Convene 2025 is designed for all church leaders and potential leaders. Multiple workshop sessions will be available throughout this day-long opportunity for learning and connection, preparing us all for the future of our communities, helping us discover new ideas, and giving us the time and space to share information about programs and ministry opportunities.
Find more information and register to attend at Convene 2025.

Red Door Thrift Shop

*The Red Door Thrift Shop has a new phone number: 360-202-9966.*

Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
360-202-9966, Red Door Thrift Shop

Red Door Shopping Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm

Red Door Donation Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10am – 1pm

Profits generated at the Red Door Thrift Shop fund Christ Church’s Community Support program.
Shoppers, Volunteers, & Donations are always welcome!

Celebrations!!!

Happy Birthday Wishes to…
…Rita Yribar on May 6
……Erick Simonsen on May 14

Please send the month & date of your birthday, baptismal date, anniversary, and/or other special occasions so we can help you celebrate your blessings in the Joyful Noise.

Sunday Services

Please check your Weekly Update for each week’s Servers & Hymns.

YEAR C

4 May 2025
The Third Sunday of Easter
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 O Avenue, Anacortes
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Presider & Homilist: The Reverend Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

11 May 2025
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
9:15 am Chandler’s Square Holy Eucharist
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Homilist: Sharman Badgett-Young
Readings
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30

18 May 2025
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Readings:
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

25 May 2025
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
10:30 am Christ Church Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider:
Homilist: Emily Sander
Readings:
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29