A Joyful Noise August 2026
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
Tom Young
This August, the last month of summer, has at least two highlights in the life of Christ Church. On August 2 we celebrate our annual Mass on the Grass, with music provided by Steel Rain, the steel pan band from Pacific Lutheran University. Our beloved Rev. Keith Axberg will preside.
And on August 23 we welcome The Rev. Carla Robinson, the Canon for Multicultural Ministries and Community Transformation in the Diocese of Olympia. Carla will lead Holy Eucharist and give her homily. She is a dynamic and inspiring homilist, not to be missed!
Sadly, Sharman and I will be away on our annual vacation trip and will miss both of these events. However, we will be sure to watch the services, especially the August 23 Eucharist service, on YouTube. (Note: Mass on the Grass is outdoors and beyond our technology to broadcast.)
August is also a good time to remember that we are a Total Common Ministry (TCM) church. As such, our mission is to discern, develop, and display the gifts for ministry of every member. Rather than a community gathered around a minister, we are a community of ministers!
We all participate in the many ministries of the church. Lay ministers, lay preachers, formation leaders, Altar Guild ministers, pastoral caregivers, Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Visitors, hospitality ministers, Red Door Thrift Shop volunteers, finance ministers, choir members, scripture readers, stewardship ministers, ushers, musicians, organ-playback button-pushers, buildings and grounds crew, audio-video, Ministry Support Circle, Bishop’s Committee, praying ministers, and last but NOT least, regular attendees - we all have gifts to share, gifts to develop, and perhaps most exciting, gifts to be discovered. May God continue to bless our TCM church!
Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. (Psalm 103:21)
Mass on the Grass
Outdoor Holy Eucharist Service
Sunday, August 2
10:30 am
Christ Church Lawn
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Musicians: Steel Rain, the Pacific Lutheran University Alumni Steel Band, performing under the direction of Dr. Miho Takekawa.
Please invite a friend! All are welcome.
Potluck Picnic
A Potluck Picnic follows the service. All are welcome.
Ministry Support Circle News
June Cook
June Cook
With the recent passing of Diane Canington, Eric’s move to Alabama, and Rev. Courtney’s new job at the Diocese, the Ministry Support Circle is down to four....Deacon Vicki, Maggie, Melissa, and June. However, several congregants have responded to the congregational call to do the required ten months of coursework for Circle inclusion. Also, our three discerners for Holy Orders will be applying soon for postulancy status, with ordination in two to three years, depending on the Order sought.
Senior Warden Tom has been working with Archdeacon David Bishop to get references for a potential quarter-time priest hire. The BC will be evaluating candidates as those names are available. As you know, Rev. Keith and Rev. Rilla are currently providing supply support, with Rev. Diane covering fifth Sundays.
Although Circle ranks right now are a bit thin, the spirit and resiliency of Christ Church congregants is evident in those people willing to put time, energy, and commitment into ensuring our Total Common Ministry model is robust for years to come. Thank you all!
The Christ Church Ministry Support Circle comprises The Rev. Vicki Johnson, June Cook, Maggie Collinge, and Melissa Simonsen.
Theology Potlucks
Mary Ellen Huggins
Mary Ellen
Huggins
On Saturday, July 25th, Christ Church shared a potluck meal together at Todd & Sara Fifield's lovely farm. After our delicious meal and some socializing, John Delautre facilitated a discussion on Early Church History and Heresy. Tom Young and Sharman Badgett-Young took on the roles of two of the church's heretics so that all of us could understand how heresy has impacted the development of our faith. The evening was both enlightening and enjoyable! Many thanks to John, Todd, Sara, Tom, and Sharman for contributing to the evening.
We will have a second Potluck and Heresy Presentation in August and are hoping more folks will join us!
Saturday, August 15
5 pm
Fifield Farm, 1119 41st Street, Anacortes
Questions regarding Faith Formation? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
Sunday Morning Faith Formation
Sunday, August 9
Scripture: Continuing the Conversation
12:15 – 1:15
Parish Hall Conference Room
Our presenter will be one of our current homilists.
Sunday, August 16
Zimzum Discipleship
12:15-1:15
Parish Hall Conference Room
Please join us for this small-group practice rooted in reflection, conversation, and shared spiritual growth.
All are welcome.
Guest Presider and Homilist
The Rev. Canon
Carla Robinson
Sunday, August 23
10:30 am Holy Eucharist service
We will welcome The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson as our presider and homilist. Rev. Robinson is the Canon for Multicultural Ministries and Community Transformation in the Diocese of Olympia.
A festive Coffee Hour will follow the service, with time for conversation with Canon Robinson.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Gaylene Reiten
Gaylene Reiten
I'm Gaylene Reiten, an EfM (Education for Ministry) mentor and friend of Christ Church. I'd like to invite you to visit a current EfM group or communicate with me regarding questions you may have about EfM.
I began my study of EfM through Christ Church in Anacortes. I also co-mentored an in-person group at Christ Church before Covid. Now I continue to mentor an online Zoom group sponsored by St. Stephen's Episcopal church in Oak Harbor.
Our Zoom group uses the new online curriculum on the Pathwright platform for our seminar-style discussions. This gives participants the opportunity to watch videos and link into podcasts as well as enjoy books on the various themes and topics we discuss.
Our EfM group meets on Fridays, 9:15am-Noon. You are invited to join us on Friday, September 11. This meeting is an opportunity for interested persons to participate in a discussion with our current group, using our new platform. Please let me know if you are interested.
If you are not interested in visiting our current EfM group but would like to consider registering for a new EfM Zoom group which will begin in January 2027, please contact me about that possibility as well.
Some information about EfM, from the Sewanee website:
Developed at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, EfM is a unique four-year, small-group formation program based on study and practice in theological reflection.
EfM’s five Core Practices
Living in Community
We value creating sacred space where people feel welcomed and safe.
Regular Prayer and Worship
We recognize the presence of God with us in every session, and we explore ways to deepen our individual spirituality. Group members typically share responsibility for leading worship, which means exploring different expressions of worship such as poetry, music, and types of prayer.
Theological Reflection (TR)
Our conversations take on an added dimension in EfM’s model of theological reflection. TR is a guided conversation that invites the Christian tradition, our experiences, our opinions, and the various cultures that influence us to speak to each other, all leading to discovering ways to live our faith more fully. This is a central practice for EfM.
Study
EfM materials root us in Christian scripture, history, theology, and ethics. EfM is learner driven. You decide what’s relevant to your faith journey. No tests or papers due.
Vocational Discernment
When EfM talks about vocation, it isn’t so much about what a person does, but how a person lives with purpose. Vocational discernment lies within these questions: “Who am I becoming?” and “What is my next faithful step?”
Source: theology.sewanee.edu/education-for-ministry/program/
The practice of Theological Reflection is the heart of EfM — it is what makes EfM more than just a Bible study. Using everyday experiences, we connect our heart and head with what we observe going on in the modern world. Theological Reflection is the bridge between the Bible and our lives. It is a technique that enables our faith to impact our lives. It is an intentional, disciplined conversation — we are putting things into conversation with God and others.
Joining an intimate small group where we honestly share the stories of our lives (Spiritual Autobiographies), possibly reveal our fears (in a trusted community), and sometimes even express doubts, while integrating the study of Scripture, church history, and theology is an adventure. I have found that opening myself up to be part of the group and allowing the group into my life has been one of the most challenging and positive things that I have done.
My experience of EfM has helped me grow and live into my faith while deepening my relationship with God. Meeting together weekly with an EfM group has helped inspire me to actively live out my faith. EfM also helped me better understand how foundational community is to a full and mutually nurturing spirituality.
Gaylene
Gaylene Reiten
360-720-6280, gaylenereiten@gmail.com
Christ Church’s Geocache
Sharman Badgett-Young
Sharman
Badgett-Young
Our fun-loving church has its own geocache! Called “Multiverse,” it’s a puzzle cache with location hints in Bible verses. Recently, Anacortes hosted a gathering of 40+ geocachers. The following are a few comments from finders. Learn more about geocaching at geocaching.com
A favorite. Great for kids, lots of swag, good condition.
Thanks for placing this hide here and adding to our fun! Something inside the container said, “40 isn’t old for a tree,” so what does that mean: 70 is, or isn’t?
In the PNW for the summer from Oklahoma City [staying] in our RV in Lake Stevens. With three caching friends, we are going rogue and sort of doing our own thing. Thanks for the cache.
We cached very randomly and just enjoyed the drive. Thanks for adding this one to the game board.
After a lovely morning hiking around Big Beaver Pond and Cranberry Lake and snagging an oldie high on a hill, we found this one on our way out of town. All was quiet upon our arrival, an easy, quick find.
Found after an amazing day on the water. We stuck around for a while to round up a few caches we’d missed on our last visit. Thanks for the fun!
Wow, well stocked mystery cache! We weren’t sure this was the location, but coordinates were spot on!
This puzzle was interesting to do. Someone did much work setting it up. Thank you!
Found it with Tinkerbell today. Thanks! Nicely stocked.
I love easy puzzles because I’m not smart and easy finds because I’m not agile. J
Log is in great shape, with our fresh ink added. Saw a cute deer lounging on the other side of the alley wondering what I was up to.
Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting
Thursday, August 20
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
August Designated Plate Offering
The Rev. Vicki
Johnson
Our loose plate offering on Sunday, August 16, is designated for the Christ Church Discretionary Fund. The Discretionary Fund is currently administered by The Rev. Vicki Johnson, Deacon, and Tom Young, Senior Warden.
The Church Discretionary Fund is established by the Bishop’s Committee in the name of the church and is set aside for the use of the clergy, at their discretion. The clergy “discretion” is limited in that the money may not be used for clergy’s personal expenses, or to pay for items which are in fact operating expenses of the church. Generally, the monies are used to confidentially assist parishioners or others in the community facing a crisis expense or need that they would otherwise be unable to meet, e.g., a medical bill or extraordinary car repair, emergency housing, or scholarship for a faith formation program. The clergy maintain the discretionary account records confidentially; the operating procedures of Christ Church direct an annual audit by the Wardens. The clergy discretionary account receives money through occasional designated donations from congregants, and donations to the church or to individual clergy in conjunction with burial or other sacramental services. Donations in any amount are always welcome.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Clergy Discretionary Fund in the memo line. Thank you!
Centering Prayer
Maggie
Collinge
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
Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
8-9am
In August, the Men’s Group will meet for breakfast at The Brown Lantern.
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 Anniversary to…
…Betty Anne & Frank McCoy on August 6
……Judith & Lorne Render on August 20
Happy Birthday to…
…Bob McElroy on August 3
……Myrna McIalwain on August 9
………Charlene Corbin on August 21
…………Mark Perschbacher on August 25
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
2 August
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 13
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 15-22
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
9 August
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 14
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: Ed Barton
Readings:
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
16 August
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 15
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Homilist: Emily Sander
Readings:
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: 10-28
23 August
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 16
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson
Readings:
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
30 August
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 17
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Homilist: Maggie Collinge
Readings:
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28