A Joyful Noise October 2026

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

Senior Warden Message

Tom Young, Senior Warden

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Our Episcopal Calendar & Stewardship

Tom Young

Our Episcopal Calendar
In the Narthex, free for the taking at the beginning of each year, are Episcopal Church Year Guides. These calendars show special days commemorating saints and other heroes of the faith, special liturgical days, appointed daily feasts, fasts, and liturgical colors (the season of Advent is a lovely shade of purple). Each calendar month also lists the scriptural readings from the Revised Common Lectionary for Sundays and special days.

To give you a taste, here are some highlights for the month of October: October 6: William Tyndale, Priest
October 15: Teresa of Avila, Mystic and Monastic Reformer
October 17: Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
In addition, Saint Luke, Saint James, Saint Simon, and Saint Jude are celebrated during October.

Stewardship
In a few weeks you will receive a stewardship letter and pledge card. As you consider your pledge for the coming year, I encourage you to consider how you might serve God and your church, in service and/or monetarily. Whatever form it takes, your generosity empowers our church to embody the love of Christ in real and tangible ways.

Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will.  (Psalm 103:21)

Church Office

Marcy will be away from the office September 28 through October 8. During this time, June Cook will be responding to phone calls and emails received at the office phone number and email address. There will not be a Weekly Update during this time.
The Season of Creation bulletin and October 4 bulletin insert are available on the church website.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 4
Following the service
Christ Church lawn
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg

Please bring your beloved pet to Christ Church for a Blessing! There will be Blessing Certificates and, of course, Treats!

Please invite your friends and neighbors, human, furry, and feathered. All are welcome.

Questions? Please contact Shirley Barrett.

Faith Formation Series
Last Things: Preparing for a Christian Death

Ed Barton

Most of us will leave the hardest decisions about our deaths to the people we love most, on the worst days of their lives. Nobody wrote down the hymns. Nobody named who speaks for us at the hospital. Nobody told the family we wanted to be buried at Christ Church.

This October, you can change that. Join Ed Barton for a four-week series on Sundays at 12:15 pm* in the Parish Hall, after coffee hour. Each session runs one hour and ends on time.

October 4
What We Believe Happens
Death and resurrection in Scripture, the Creeds, and the Burial Office.
*This session will begin following Blessing of the Animals.

October 11
The Church at the Bedside
Prayers for the sick and dying, anointing, Communion at home, and when to call the church.

October 18
The Documents that Carry Your Wishes
Health care directives, POLST, powers of attorney, wills, and beneficiary forms. Categories and vocabulary only, with a list of places to get advice.

October 25
Your Funeral and Your Last Gift
At this session, you will have the opportunity to fill out a Christ Church funeral planning record and consider a legacy gift.

We close on All Saints Sunday, November 1, as we remember the faithful departed. We will complete planning records and keep them in the parish office. 

Ed teaches this series as a seminarian, not as an attorney, and will not give legal advice. Everyone is welcome, whether you are planning ahead or walking through a loss right now.

Season of Creation Film

My Octopus Teacher
Wednesday, October 7
6:30 pm, following Evening Prayer
Parish Hall Gathering Room

To celebrate the Season of Creation, you are invited to view the 2021 Oscar- and BAFTA-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher. We'll gather at 6:30 pm to share snacks; the movie will start shortly afterward.

This story of a photographer and the octopus he befriends includes spectacular underwater scenery in a kelp forest off the South African Coast during a year of the octopus' life.

Following the film, we'll share scripture and discussion questions.

"So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm..." (Genesis 1:21a)

CROP Hunger Walk

Several Christ Church congregants participated in the CROP Hunger Walk on September 20. Thank you to walkers Diane Guinn, Wes Huggins, Judy McClelland, Kelley Wells, JoAnne Linroth, Maggie Collinge, Jim Minton, and Mary Ellen Huggins. Funds raised provide emergency food as well as resources to help families feed themselves in the future.

Ministry Support Circle News

The Rev. Vicki
‍ ‍ Johnson

Retirement Notice
Dear Friends in Christ,
Lately we have talked about spiritual gifts, wondering who among us might sense a call to ordination, ministry with the Ministry Support Circle, or a different ministry within or outside of the church. However, with a call to ministry there inevitably comes a time to step down from that ministry, opening yourself up to serving God in a new and different way. That time has come for me. I have informed Bishop LaBelle that on January 1, 2027 I will be retiring as an active deacon in the Episcopal Church. Even though I am retiring, I will not be leaving Christ Church. My intention is to remain a member of Christ Church, serving God in some new and different way, as each of you do.
Faithfully,
Vicki
The Rev. Vicki Johnson

In This Time of Change
In this time of major changes, know that members of the Ministry Support Circle are available to talk with you about your thoughts, ideas, concerns, and hopes for the future.
-June Cook

The Christ Church Ministry Support Circle comprises The Rev. Vicki Johnson, June Cook, Maggie Collinge, and Melissa Simonsen.

Pastoral Care at Christ Church

Maggie Collinge

Maggie
‍ ‍ Collinge

Pastoral Care Team
Eight of our congregants spent several weeks this past Spring in training with The Rev. Vicki Johnson to serve as Pastoral Care Team members. Jerlyn Caba,  Stephanie Galbraith, Geoff Holmes, Mary Ellen Huggins, Wes Huggins, Diana Hunt, Kay Landis, and JoAnne Linroth will be commissioned to the Pastoral Care Team at the October 18th service.   They will be charged with walking with and caring for those among us who experience the challenges of grief, loss, and uncertainty. All Pastoral Care Team members are mindful of confidentiality and privacy and will always ask permission before sharing information. Remember them in your prayers that they may do the good and faithful work of Jesus among us.

Eucharistic Visitors
We will also soon welcome several new Eucharistic Visitors to take Holy Communion to those unable to join us for Sunday services. Mary Ellen Huggins, Kay Landis, Grace Minton, and Jim Minton have recently completed training in this area. They join Shirley Barrett, Maggie Collinge, June Cook, and  John Okerman in this important ministry.

If you would like to meet with a Pastoral Care Team member or would like to arrange a visit from a Eucharistic Visitor for yourself or a family member, please contact the church office.

Diocesan Convention 2026

MJ Barrett

Christ Church’s Delegates to the 2026 Diocesan Convention are MJ Barrett and Tom Young. They will be attending the convention October 23-24, along with Alternates Sharman Badgett-Young and Kay Landis, and The Rev. Vicki Johnson.

If you have input for MJ and Tom prior to the Convention, please contact them at mbarrett1910@gmail.com (MJ) or seathos@comcast.net (Tom).

Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting

Thursday, October 15
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room

October Designated Plate Offering

Our loose plate offering on Sunday, October 18, is designated for the Diocese of Olympia Refugee Resettlement Office.

Founded in 1978, Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement Office (RRO), an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, serves refugees and asylees in the Seattle area. Clients come from all over the world, seeking guidance and assistance in building a new life in America and achieving economic self-sufficiency. The mission of the Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement Office is accomplished through resettlement, job placement activities, and business development programs that promote self-employment.

Learn more at Diocese of Olympia Refugee Resettlement Office.

Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Refugee Resettlement Office in the memo line. Thank you!

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Monday, October 19
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

Centering Prayer

Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15-1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Collinge.

Meditation/Silent Prayer

Todd Fifield

Weekly on Wednesdays
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.

Evening Prayer

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

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…
…Betty Anne McCoy on October 7
……Helen Simonsen on October 26

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

4 October
The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 22
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: Todd Fifield
Readings:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:7-14
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46

11 October
The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 23
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: Tom Young
Readings:
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14

18 October
The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 24
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-13
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

25 October
The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 25
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Sharman Badgett-Young
Homilist: Emily Sander
Readings:
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46