A Joyful Noise September 2026
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
Tom Young
Thinking about Sharman’s and my time away, visiting churches in the Land of the Rising Sun, one thing that keeps coming back to me is the importance of music in our worship liturgy. So offered here are a few selected nuggets. Enjoy!
Did you know that the BCP contains the entire Psaltery (Psalms 1-150)? The word "Psalm" comes from the Greek psalmoi, meaning the twanging sound of stringed instruments. Historical and biblical records show that King David was an accomplished musician known as the "sweet singer of Israel," famous for playing the kinnor (lyre) and nevel (harp). More fascinating details can be found at: BiblicalArchaeology.org
[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/ancient-music-biblical-psalms/]
Recently, Pope Leo XIV had this to say about sacred music:
"In the liturgy, to sing and to play music means to pray, attuning one's heart to that of our sisters and brothers and to God, through active participation in the mystery that is being celebrated. In particular, music expresses the affective dimension of prayer, as Saint Augustine says: "Cantare amantis est", that is, "singing belongs to those who love."
To be honest, I may not always particularly like the hymn I'm singing, but when I reframe it - not as a piece of bad poetry accompanied by bad music (as C.S. Lewis once said), but as an offering to God -- I try my best to sing well and think about the words. It then takes on a whole new dimension, and I feel joy and connection.
Faith Formation Presentation: The IF Project
One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) Movie Night
Wednesday, September 2
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Join us for a viewing of The IF Project, a 90-minute documentary film that follows incarcerated women at the Washington Corrections Center for Women and explores the realities of women's incarceration, re-entry, and hope. Our sponsored friend, Alivia, is featured in the film. Please come in support of Alivia and the work of our OPOP team; a brief 20-30 minute discussion and take-home film summary will follow.
The IF Project is a movement rooted in the power of lived experience—where currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, community partners, and law enforcement come together to change lives and dismantle the cycles of incarceration and recidivism.
At the heart of it all is one simple, profound question:
"If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here, what would it have been?"
Learn more at theifproject.org
All are welcome.
Season of Creation
Living Water
Ezekiel 47:9, 12:
“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. [...]
Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
From the Season of Creation 2026 Guide (seasonofcreation.org):
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator, and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for Creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth.
We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it with us.This year, the theme for the Season is “Living Water.”
Theme and Symbol
This year’s theme, “Living Water”, explores Ezekiel 47:9 and 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.
The symbol depicts water flowing from the Temple of God - at first a tiny stream that grows deeper, and deeper and as it does so, it brings life to dead areas and restores fertility to damaged or barren ecosystems. Through living water comes healing; but in order to receive new life, we too must step into the water and also become part of God’s river of life, taking part in the healing of creation.
It is a symbol of renewal and birth: water flowing from the Temple as a sign of God’s caring and healing for us. We are called to step into the water, until we are so deep that we must depend on God’s grace to sustain us. Those who receive this water are invited to become sources of life for others, allowing God’s love to flow through them into the world. And thus the water of God will become in us “a spring of water welling up to eternal life”, as Jesus promised (John 4:14).
The Symbol invites Christians to a spiritual immersion - praying together while contemplating water from rivers, sources, fountains, baptismal fonts, lakes and sea, inspired by the Spirit of God, working together for the renewal of Creation.
This Symbol also urges us to dive into the “tears” of creation (Romans 8:22-23), by allowing our hearts to be touched by the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Indeed, the Season of Creation is also an appropriate time for fraternal closeness and solidarity with the vulnerable and the poor, chiefly those who suffer from environmental degradation. We can learn from their stories, from their resilience, from their commitment, and together keep hope alive.
Prayer for Season of Creation
Living Water
Holy God, whose Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning, we gather as part of your community of all creation, thirsty for your grace. We give thanks for the gift of water, the veins of our common home, that sustains the cedar and the whale, the pasture and the city. We are grateful for the local waters that nourish our homelands and our fellow creatures. We give thanks that in your well-watered garden, every drop is a sacred testament to your love.
Yet, we confess that we have treated this gift as a mere commodity. We have choked the seas with our waste and watched the warming tides rise in judgment. We lament the cracked earth of the drought-stricken and the salty tears of the climate refugee. Melt our frozen hearts, O God, and let the waters of repentance flow.
Lord of all Life, you promised that wherever the river flows, everything shall live. Stir in us a calling to care for the waters — to protect the watershed, defend the rights of water, and honor the dignity of the thirsty. May your Word be a spring within us, gushing forth for the healing of the nations.
May God our Father who brought water from the rock sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord who is Living Water refresh us for the work of restoration. And may the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen.
Learn more about Season of Creation at Season of Creation 2026.
CROP Hunger Walk
Christ Church will be participating in the 2026 CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, September 20.
We are Team Anacortes Christ Episcopal Church. The walk is about 3.1 miles. We will begin at The Depot and follow the Tommy Thompson Trail.
From the CROP Hunger Walk website:
No one in this world should be hungry. That's why the CROP Hunger Walk is more than just a yearly gathering. It's a movement that's 57 years strong, made up of compassionate people in more than 500 communities across the U.S.
The steps we take - and the funds we raise together - will provide life-saving support including emergency food and resources, along with the seeds, tools and programs that will help families feed themselves in the future.
Every step and every donation ends hunger!
Learn more at CROP Hunger Walk.
To register to be a part of Christ Church’s team, please visit the CROP Hunger Walk website, click “Join or start a team” and then search for “Anacortes Christ Episcopal Church”.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
Ministry Support Circle News
June Cook
June Cook
The Ministry Support Circle is very pleased to announce that Mary Ellen Huggins and Emily Sander have enrolled in the Iona lay track for coursework leading to commissioning in the Circle. Based on your recommendations from the May survey, those seen as having strong leadership support potential were contacted, and the expectations discussed. Other strong candidates were also put forward by the congregation but declined because of work or family obligations. Please keep Mary Ellen and Emily in your prayers as they take the next steps in their important lay ministry journey.
In the past we’ve worked to refresh the Circle after members elected to step back for personal or family reasons. Because preparation for Circle commissioning typically takes about a year, there were times when Circle responsibilities were carried by fewer people. Rev Courtney is encouraging TCM congregations to assess, annually, the needs and wishes of Circle members concerning their time of service. This should result in more stable numbers to meet all on-going needs for ministry support in the congregation. If you or someone close to you was invited to consider the Circle but graciously declined, this may be a promising option next year….or the next!
The Christ Church Ministry Support Circle comprises The Rev. Vicki Johnson, June Cook, Maggie Collinge, and Melissa Simonsen.
Faith Formation
Mary Ellen
Huggins
Sundays, September 6 & 27
Zimzum Discipleship
12:15-1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Please join us for this small-group practice rooted in reflection, conversation, and shared spiritual growth.
Sunday, September 13
Scripture: Continuing the Conversation
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
All are welcome.
Questions regarding Faith Formation? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting
Thursday, September 17
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
September Designated Plate Offering
Our loose plate offering on Sunday, September 20, is designated for The Salvation Army Food Bank.
In addition to providing food assistance, the Anacortes Salvation Army Food Bank provides emergency shelter in the form of motel vouchers, as well as emergency financial assistance with rent and utility bills, and thrift store and bus vouchers. This valuable resource provides a hand up to those in need and provides resources and services to better their lives.
Learn more at Anacortes Salvation Army Family Services.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Salvation Army Food Bank in the memo line. Thank you!
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
Monday, September 21
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
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
New Offering:
Meditation/Silent Prayer
Todd Fifield
Weekly on Wednesdays, beginning September 16
5:00 - 5:15 pm: 1st period Meditation
5:15 - 5:20 pm: Walking Meditation or Break
5:25 - 5:40pm: 2nd period Meditation
Christ Church Sanctuary
Come dwell in silent prayer. This is a quiet, intentional time to be still in God’s presence–to pray, reflect, or simply rest. There will be two 15-minute periods of silent prayer, with a 5-minute walking meditation/break between them. Come for one period or stay for both. No experience is necessary; Todd will guide you through the time.
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Todd Fifield at 360-202-1138, todd.j.fifield@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
Parish Hall Gathering Room
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 to…
…Frank McCoy on September 4
……Melissa Simonsen on September 8
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
6 September
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 18
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Readings:
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
13 September
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 19
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: Sharman Badgett-Young
Readings:
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:1-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
20 September
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 20
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Homilist: Tom Young
Readings:
Jonah 3:10-4:11
Psalm 145:1-8
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16
27 September
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 21
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Ed Barton
Homilist: Shirley Barrett
Readings:
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Psalm 25:1-9
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32