Weekly Update 6 February 2026

Reflection

Jim Minton

Jim Minton

“They should practice the seeking of God’s presence in all things, in their conversations, their walks, in all that they see, taste, hear, understand, in all their actions, since His Divine Majesty is truly in all things by His presence, power, and essence.”
(Letters of Saint Ignatius of Loyola)

Ignatian spirituality has appealed to me since I first embarked on my spiritual journey. Inigo Loyola was a vain and hot-tempered soldier who first met God while recovering from wounds received in battle. From then on his life would never be the same. God in the world was the core of his beliefs. A busy God, always at work. He made it his life’s mission to show others how to encounter the same God.

I’m just a toddler in the Episcopal faith, but my thinking and ways of looking at things have changed markedly in the past couple of years. Faith seems to do that to you. Previously I would see a pretty sunset and think “wow, that’s beautiful”, whereas now I see God’s handiwork. Looking at all the bird life in our area I marvel at God’s creation.

What is more difficult for me is seeing God’s hand in day-to-day life. How do I find God in our world today given all the violence, intolerance, and hatred? What I need to accept is that what we’re experiencing now is nothing new. It’s been around since Cain slew Abel, and it will continue long after I’m gone. The only control I have is how I respond to all of it. I think of the first two Commandments, Love thy God, and Love thy Neighbor as Thyself. If I choose to focus on sin and evil, then that’s what I will find. However, if I look for God’s hand in things, for light, not darkness, then that’s what I find. I’m not terribly successful at this yet, but I’m working hard at it. I have always been a bit hot-tempered, just like Inigo Loyola, but I would like to think I’m learning to rein it in a bit. With God’s help I can. The world is indeed “Charged with the Grandeur of God”.

Sunday Service

Sunday, 8 February 2026
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Holy Eucharist

10:30 am
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service is also available on YouTube.

Servers
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Homilist: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: John Okerman
Altar Guild: Kris Whitely
Bread Ministry: Jerlyn Caba
Readers: Todd Fifield, Jerlyn Caba
Ushers: MJ Barrett, Shirley Barrett
Organist: Lynne Berg/Tom Young
Coffee Hour Hosts: Charlene Corbin

Readings
Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 112:1-10
1 Corinthians 2:1-16
Matthew 5:13-20
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 488 - Be Thou My Vision
H 126 - The People Who in Darkness Walked
WLP 810 - You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord
H 505 - O Spirit of Life
H 537 - Christ for the World We Sing!

Bulletin Link: 8 February 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.

Faith Formation
Zimzum Discipleship

12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room

Topic: Creating Justice: Practicing Paradise

We will consider this question, among others:
“But what kind of place is paradise and where is it to be found? Is it part of a world that once was but is no longer? Is it part of a dream that can only be realized in the world to come? Or does it perhaps exist here and now, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear?

Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com, or The Rev. Eric Johnson, anacorteseric@gmail.com

All are welcome.

Dinner at the Brick

Christ Church hosts Dinner at the Brick this Sunday, February 8.
Dinner at the Brick, a program of Westminster Presbyterian Church, offers a free dinner to the community each Sunday at 4:30 pm.
Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore are our lead hosts.
Volunteers are needed to help with several jobs, including shopping, cooking, serving, setting up, and cleaning up. To volunteer, please contact Stephanie at sdgalbraith1963@gmail.com or Dan at dam1966@mac.com.

A Joyful Noise February 2026

Find all the February news at A Joyful Noise February 2026.

The Coming Week at Christ Church…

Evening Prayer

Todd Fifield

Wednesday, February 11
6pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Todd Fifield
All are welcome.

Lenten Rule of Life Informational Meeting

The Reverend
Courtney Jones

Thursday, February 12
4pm
Facilitator: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Zoom

Lent is not necessarily about “giving something up” —it’s about living more intentionally. This session introduces the idea of a Rule of Life: a simple, prayerful framework for shaping daily rhythms around prayer, rest, work, and relationship.

At this informational meeting, we’ll explore:
-What a Rule of Life is (and what it isn’t)
-How it can support spiritual growth during Lent
-What participating in a small Rule of Life group might look like

Rule of Life Group Gatherings
Gatherings begin the week of February 22 
Day & time will be set by participants at the Informational Session. Those who wish to continue will help shape a Lenten Rule of Life small group, meeting regularly for mutual encouragement and reflection.

No prior experience or previous participation required.
If you’ve done this before, you’re very welcomed and encouraged to attend again!

All are welcome.

Men’s Group

The Reverend
Eric Johnson

Weekly on Fridays
*New Meeting Time*
8:00 – 9:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Eric Johnson.
All are welcome.

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone and Welcome to February!!!

Now that we are in February we have finished our first quarter at the Red Door. Since we give out grants at the end of Oct, our fiscal year ends at that point and we start again Nov. 1. So that means Nov, Dec and January are our first quarter. Strange I know, but just wanted you to wrap your head around how quickly things go. We only have 9 months left till we give away grants again. Big Grin!

Thank you to everyone for your patience while we transitioned into our new addition. I am grateful for everyone's input and ideas as we moved things around, found the best spot to store things and helped me stay organized. I think we are doing really well in this endeavor but if you have more ideas please feel free to let me know. 

I have a few cashier shifts available this month: (MJ? Susan? Marie G?)
Tuesday Afternoon on the 10th
Thursday Afternoon on the 5th and 12th

Other than that, things are good for now. We have several new volunteers: Jeremy, Susan Miller, Marisha and Mia. So please welcome them and make them feel at home. If you see them struggling or needing a hand, please give them some help and encouragement. 

At the end of the day please remember to take a few minutes to clean up your work area, maybe sweep the floor or use a dry swiffer around on the shop floor. Please use systems/cleaning products we already have in place for this purpose. It's amazing how quickly everything gets dirty and we can help Debbie by doing our little bit every day. Please and Thank you. 

We will be open all month. We do not close on President’s Day as a rule. But again, you are all volunteers so if you want to take that day off just let us know. We are in the last two weeks of Valentines displays and will begin a Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day Display next....Then we are on to EASTER!! 

In Love with LOVE this month,
Dawn Jex

Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
Red Door Thrift Shop
360.202.9966

Red Door Shopping Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm

Red Door Donation Hours:
Monday & Wednesday: 10am – 1pm
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm

Profits generated at the Red Door Thrift Shop fund Christ Church’s Community Support program.
Shoppers, Volunteers, & Donations are always welcome!

Day by Day

Day by Day daily devotions may be accessed at the following link:
Day by Day Daily Devotion.

Prayer List

John, brother of Lynne, & family
Pat, mother of Dan
Creamy & family
Jim, father of Stephanie
Gaylene
Veronica
Mary
Diane
Rev. Rilla & family
Myrna
Arra, aunt of Carol
Sandy
Dale
Zoanne
Linda
Tom
Karen
Leslie
Diana
Val
John
Foundation for Academic Endeavors
Linda & Messina family, Basile family, Tammy, Rachel, and Charlene, family & friends of Mary