Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
Tom Young
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
From All Saints’ Day to Thanksgiving to the beginning of Advent, November is a great time to remember how blessed we Anacortesan Episcopalians are. This is the month when it hits me what God has done for me.
Like our loved ones around a Thanksgiving table, let’s say what we are thankful for! OK, I’m thankful that I -
—Live in Anacortes, a beautiful little town that’s got everything.
—Attend a vibrant church that provides so many opportunities to grow in Christ.
—Am fortunate enough to have access to good medical care.
—Have a warm and safe place to live.
—Am in reasonably good health.
—Am never in want for food and clean water.
—Have a loving spouse and friends who care about me.
—Have the means to share my abundance and time.
—Am a follower of Jesus, who has saved me from a life of selfishness, sad isolation, and aimlessness.
Stewardship moment
In November our stewardship and finance teams will be busy planning
the 2027 operating budget, based mostly on the financial pledges received. Have you made a pledge yet? The amount doesn’t matter; every pledge counts! Every pledge helps our treasurer and Bishop’s Committee plan for the coming year.
Financial pledges aside, I encourage us all to consider how we might serve God in 2027. We are blessed to have so many options here at Christ Church! We’ve got ushers, readers, Eucharistic Visitors (EVs), Eucharistic Ministers (EMs), lay preachers, altar guild, hospitality, pastoral care, morning/evening prayer leaders, choir, Audio/Visual, One Parish One Prisoner program, spiritual formation events, and attending services. As a total common ministry (TCM) church, there’s something for everyone!
May God richly bless you!
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. (1 Peter 4:10)
All Saints’ Sunday
Sunday, November 1
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Prior to the service, you will be invited to light a candle in remembrance of a loved one.
Our All Saints’ Sunday service will conclude in the Memorial Garden with the dedication of memorial plaques for Diane Canington, Valerie Long, Dee Roberts, and Creamy Wilkins-Manning.
2027 Pledge Card Ingathering
Our annual pledge card Ingathering will take place on Sunday, November 1.
All pledge cards received at the service, or prior, will be blessed at the service.
All Souls’ Day Service
Evening Prayer
Ed Barton
Ed Barton
Monday, November 2
4:00 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Ed Barton
On All Saints’ Sunday, we celebrate the whole company of heaven. The next day, All Souls’ Day, we remember by name the people we love who have died. Join us for a spoken service of Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, in the traditional Rite I language. Bring the names of those you want remembered, and we will pray for them by name. No music, about 30 minutes, and an early hour for anyone who would rather not drive after dark.
Please note: This is an extra service.
Wednesday Evening Prayer continues as usual.
Guest Homilist from OPOP
Dan Moore
Candice
Baughman
Please join us on Sunday, November 8, for a special homily to be presented by Candice Baughman, Parish Mobilizer with the One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) central team.
Candice brings lived experience from both inside and outside the walls of incarceration. She will help us learn more about OPOP and how we can develop our parish’s relationship with Alivia, our sponsored friend who is currently incarcerated and expected to be released in late 2027. We look forward to hearing Candice’s personal story and perspective as we continue our journey of friendship and support with Alivia. In addition to the homily, Candice is invited to Coffee Hour following the service, to take questions and hear from our general congregation.
A Visit from Rev. Courtney
The Reverend
Courtney
Jones
Sunday, November 15
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Our beloved Vicar of recent past, The Rev. Courtney Jones, will join us on November 15 as presider and homilist at our 10:30 am service. Rev. Courtney, now serving the Diocese of Olympia as Canon Missioner of TCM Churches and Dean of the Iona School for Ministry, will join the congregation for Coffee Hour following the service.
Trans Day of Remembrance Service
Wednesday, November 18
6:00 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Please join us for a Trans Day of Remembrance Service. Since 2012, the Episcopal Church has been a force for trans people’s rights. Each year, Episcopal Churches around the U.S. remember the trans, non-binary, and two-spirited lives lost in the past year.
All are welcome.
Valerie Long Memorial Service
Val Long
Saturday, November 21
1:00 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Dianne Andrews
A reception will follow in the Parish Hall Gathering Room.
All are welcome.
Pastoral Care Ministry
At the October 18 service, eight congregants were commissioned to serve as members of the Pastoral Care Ministry Team. Jerlyn Caba, Stephanie Galbraith, Geoff Holmes, Mary Ellen Huggins, Wes Huggins, Diana Hunt, Kay Landis, and JoAnne Linroth join existing members Maggie Collinge, Rev. Vicki Johnson, and Tom Young. They serve the church by walking with, and caring for, those congregants dealing with loss, grief, and other challenges.
If you would like to meet with a Pastoral Care Team member, please contact the church office or Pastoral Care Team Lead Maggie Collinge.
Ministry Support Circle News
June Cook
June Cook
Melissa Simonsen has taken on a new role as an Associate Judge with the Tulalip Tribes and her time, previously flexible, is now more structured and consuming. She, therefore, is regrettably stepping back from her Circle role. We will miss her wise counsel and always cheerful spin on whatever comes her way. Expect to see her participating in her other church roles. She won’t be a stranger!
Melissa
Simonsen
As you may know, our very own Deacon Vicki has decided to retire from her role as an active deacon in the Diocese as of the end of this year. This means she, also, will no longer be a Circle member. We wish her fair winds and calm seas on her cruising voyages and on her personal and spiritual paths.
This all means that Maggie Collinge and I will be the remaining Circle members for a time, and we will be reaching out to other church leaders for collaborative guidance, when needed. In the meantime, we’re researching several avenues to adding members before Emily Sander and Mary Ellen Huggins come on board next summer. Your Ministry Support Circle is in a period of significant change, but we remain committed to furthering the Kingdom of God by working to raise up congregants called to all orders of ministry.
The Christ Church Ministry Support Circle comprises The Rev. Vicki Johnson, June Cook, and Maggie Collinge.
November Designated Plate Offering
Our loose plate offering on Sunday, November 15, is designated for the Anacortes Family Center.
The Anacortes Family Center provides a comprehensive approach to serve women and families with children. AFC creates an individualized plan to help each family reach self-sufficiency, with the goal of ending their reliance on social services. The program includes homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, transformative housing, and affordable housing. The emergency shelter offers a safe place for those in urgent need. Intensive case management helps clients identify barriers and set short and long-term goals and achieve self-sufficiency by the end of their sixty to ninety-day program. AFC's holistic approach includes access to health care, budgeting, life skill classes, legal assistance, and mental health counseling.
Learn more at Anacortes Family Center.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Anacortes Family Center in the memo line. Thank you!
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
Monday, November 16.
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
November Faith Formation
Mary Ellen
Huggins
Sunday, November 1
Scripture: Continuing the Conversation
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Sunday, November 8
OPOP Presentation with Candace Baughman
Coffee Hour
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Sunday, November 15
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.
Sundays, November 22 & 29
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
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
5pm
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.
9-10am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
All are welcome.
Looking Ahead to Advent…
Sharman Badgett-Young
Sharman
Badgett-Young
Hey Christ Church friends!
It may be early yet, but the Formation Team is going all out to offer a special Advent Prayer Experience on December 6th, and we want to make sure you mark it on your calendar. It will run from shortly after church until 1:00 pm, downstairs in the Parish Hall.
Drop in and experience five different "stations" offering devotional activities inspired by the Advent Season. Bring a friend, if you wish.
Watch the Weekly Updates for more information!
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…
…Jim Minton on November 2
……Siriana Simonsen on November 11
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
In November, we will celebrate Holy Eucharist on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays, and Morning Prayer on the 5th Sunday.
Please check your Weekly Update for each week’s Servers & Hymns.
YEAR A
1 November 2026
All Saints’ Day
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12
8 November 2026
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 27
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Homilist: Candice Baughman
Readings:
Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
15 November
The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost-Proper 28
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Zephaniah 1:7,12-18
Psalm 90:1-12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
22 November
Christ the King Sunday
*10:30 am Holy Eucharist*
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95:1-7a
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46
YEAR B
29 November 2026
The First Sunday of Advent
*10:30 am Morning Prayer*
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Todd Fifield
Homilist: Maggie Collinge
Readings:
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37