A Joyful Noise May 2026
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is May 10. My Mother, Edith Young, was a beautiful, hard-working, sometimes funny, easy to confide in, always loving woman. And when things went awry or not quite right, we all knew it. Born in 1913, she grew up during the silent film era and the great depression. She saw two world wars, the FDR years, and the atomic bomb. She lived to the age of 84.
Tom Young
We had a special affinity toward birds, especially robins. Whenever I see a robin, I think of Mom and sometimes sense her presence. It’s as if she is saying to me, “It’s all right, everything is going to work out - you’ll see.” On this occasion of Mother’s Day, I will think about Mom and pray that I get to see her again someday. With a robin perched on her finger.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long
in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
Coffee Hour Presentations
May 3 and May 17
Following the 10:30 am service
Christ Church is a Total Common Ministry congregation.
Total Common Ministry (TCM) means that every congregant has an important role to play. Part of that is helping to discern who among us may have the gifts and talents to serve, in a more formal way, our shared mission and ministry.
Please plan to attend these Coffee Hour presentations to learn more about TCM and our process to expand the Ministry Support Circle.
This is important work and we will need prayerful feedback from everyone.
What to Expect
May 3
The Ministry Support Circle will host a panel conversation about next steps for lay leadership at Christ Church. Bring your burning questions about what the Ministry Support Circle does, our shared ministry model, and the future of ministry at Christ Church.
Following the May 3 Session
Following our conversation, and before our next gathering, please take the time to complete this Spiritual Gifts Inventory as the next step in our shared discernment. Even if you’ve taken one before, this one may offer new insights – or at least a bit of fun. If you prefer a paper copy, just let us know and we’ll make that available.
May 17
We’ll explore our spiritual gifts together and begin reflecting on how each of us may be called to serve. As we move forward, we’ll invite the congregation into a time of shared discernment: Whom is God calling to serve on the Ministry Support Circle in this season? You will receive a list of eligible members to assist in this process.
Following the May 17 Session
Please submit your nominations (of yourself or those on the list) by May 31. Nominations may be mailed, dropped in the mail slot, or placed in the offering plate. Please listen, pray, and notice where gifts and call may already be taking shape among us.
May 31
Nominations are due by May 31.
Ascension Day Service
The Rev. Diane
Ramerman
Thursday, May 14
Noon
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Homilist: Maggie Collinge
All are welcome.
A Farewell to Rev. Courtney on Pentecost Sunday
Rev. Courtney Jones
Pentecost Sunday is May 24.
Rev. Courtney will preside at the 10:30am Holy Eucharist service.
In order to have Holy Eucharist on this special Sunday, we will hold Morning Prayer on the third Sunday this month, rather than the fourth.
Our annual congregational photo will be taken following the service. Remember to wear red!
At Coffee Hour, we will honor Rev. Courtney and bid farewell to her as our Interim Vicar.
Faith Formation Opportunities
Mary Ellen
Huggins
Zimzum Discipleship
May 10
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Zimzum Discipleship is a small-group practice rooted in reflection, conversation, and shared spiritual growth. Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
All are welcome.
Maggie
Collinge
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15-1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360-202-5588, collingmargaret72@gmail.com
The Rev. Vicki
Johnson
Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Vicki Johnson, 509-302-7364, vicki_johnson66@yahoo.com
May Designated Plate Offering
The plate offering on Sunday, May 17, 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. The programs include their unique cage-free adoption center where homeless cats are sheltered until homes are found, free spay/neuter is provided for cats in the community, free cat food and litter pantry are available, and an indoor/outdoor sanctuary for feral cats has been created.
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
Monday, May 18
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting
Thursday, May 21
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Christ Church Youth Group
Christ Church’s Youth Group meets monthly for a special activity. Please contact Melissa Simonsen at mvsimonsen@gmail.com for the Youth Group schedule.
All youth in middle school and high school are welcome to join in.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
8-9am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions?
Please contact Tom Young, 425-263-1916, seathos@comcast.net
All are welcome.
Red Door Thrift Shop
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 & Wednesday: 10am – 1pm
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am - 3pm
Proceeds 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 A
3 May 2026
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Emily Sander
Readings:
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
10 May 2026
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: Melissa Simonsen
Readings:
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:7-18
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
17 May 2026
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Todd Fifield
Homilist: MJ Barrett
Readings:
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
24 May 2026
The Day of Pentecost
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Readings:
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Acts 2:1-21
John 7:37-39
31 May 2026
Trinity Sunday
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20