Weekly Update 15 May 2026

Reflection

Ed Barton

‍ ‍ Ed Barton

Easter 7 is technically the "Sunday After the Ascension," but I like to think of it as the "Wait, What Now?" Sunday.

In our reading from Acts, the disciples are standing around staring at the clouds after Jesus ascends. Two men in white robes basically have to snap their fingers in front of their faces: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" It’s the divine version of a project manager walking onto a job site and finding the entire crew staring at a hole in the roof instead of picking up their tools.

As someone who deals with complex systems (and writing this shortly after the tax deadline, my brain is essentially one giant, over-taxed spreadsheet), I really appreciate a good hand-over from one manager to another. In the Gospel, we see Jesus finishing his "on-site" work and transitioning to his "High Priestly" role. After three years of intensive training, he’s handing it over to the apostles to carry on His mission.

To be honest, His hand-over feels a bit like a pilot handing the controls to a passenger who just finished a “How to Fly” YouTube video, and the pilot saying, "I’m going to go see if we have any more of those Biscoff cookies in the back. If the mountain starts getting bigger, that’s just a perspective thing. You’ve got this." 

The good news is that God isn't just lounging in the "heavens" as mentioned in the Psalm. God is also in the "fiery ordeals" Peter talks about in the epistle. God is in the mess, the unexpected events of life, and the anxiety we’re told to "cast" on God’s lap.

Peter warns us to "keep alert" because life has a way of trying to destroy our peace. It’s easy to get distracted by the "roaring lions" like the stress of the day, the urgent email, or the general chaos of the world around us. But the promise this week is that, after we’ve "suffered for a little while,” God will be the one to restore, support, and strengthen us through the Holy Spirit.

Let’s learn from the apostles…we don’t need to stand around staring at the sky to find God. Our job is to stop looking up long enough to notice the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and then get back to work of making the world into God’s Kingdom. This redemptive work is already in progress, it doesn't do itself, and angels clearly aren't going to come down and do it for us. It is our calling as Christians to make differences, big and small, to make the world a little more like heaven.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Before our gathering on Sunday, May 17, please take the time to complete this Spiritual Gifts Inventory as the next step in our shared discernment. If you prefer a paper copy, just let us know and we’ll make that available.

Sunday Service

Sunday, 17 May 2026
The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Note:
In order to celebrate Holy Eucharist on May 24, Pentecost Sunday, we will celebrate Morning Prayer on the third Sunday this month.

Morning Prayer

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

Servers
Presider: Todd Fifield
Homilist: MJ Barrett
Altar Guild: Melissa Simonsen
Readers: Jim Minton, Grace Minton
Ushers: Jerlyn Caba, Geoff Holmes
Organist: Lynne Berg
Coffee Hour Hosts: Judy McClelland, Grace Minton

Readings
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 450 - All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
H 604 - When Christ was Lifted from the Earth
H 460 - Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
H 494 - Crown Him with Many Crowns

Bulletin Link: 17 May 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

May Designated Plate Offering
The loose plate offering this Sunday is designated for The Cat’s Meow.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with “The Cat’s Meow” in the memo line.

Coffee Hour & Presentation
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.
At our May 17 Coffee Hour, we’ll explore our spiritual gifts together and begin reflecting on how each of us may be called to serve.

As we move forward, we’ll invite the congregation into a time of shared discernment: Whom is God calling to serve on the Ministry Support Circle in this season? You will receive a list of eligible members to assist in this process.

Following the May 17 Session
Please submit your nominations by May 31. Nominations may be mailed, dropped in the mail slot, or placed in the offering plate. Please listen, pray, and notice where gifts and call may already be taking shape among us.

Announcements

A Joyful Noise

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

Congratulations to Rev. Courtney!!

The Rev. Courtney Jones received her Master’s of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology this past week.

Congratulations Rev. Courtney!

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Monday, May 18
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

A Farewell to Rev. Courtney on Pentecost Sunday

The Reverend
Courtney Jones

Pentecost Sunday is May 24.
Rev. Courtney will preside at the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist service.

Our annual congregational photo will be taken following the service. Remember to wear red!

At Coffee Hour, we will honor Rev. Courtney and bid farewell to her as our Interim Vicar.

Faith Formation Survey

Sharman
Badgett-Young

Christ Church is planning Faith Formation Classes and activities for our congregation.  Your input is valued in creating a calendar of meaningful opportunities for the second half of 2026. Completing this survey will help Christ Church offer classes that interest you.  

You can open the survey by clicking this SURVEY LINK . 

Mary Ellen
Huggins

There are 10 questions for you to answer, although none are required. The first question asks for your name and most other questions are either:
-Multiple Choice which asks for one answer 
-Checkboxes which ask you to choose all answers that apply
-One last question asks for you to write in any other suggestions you might have

We will have a paper copy of the survey available at Sunday service on May 17th.

We appreciate your time,
Sharman Badgett-Young and Mary Ellen Huggins

Save the Date: Youth Retreat

Begins: Friday, June 12, 6pm
Ends: Sunday, June 14, 11am
St. David’s Church, Friday Harbor
Questions? Please contact Youth Leader Melissa Simonsen, mvsimonsen@gmail.com

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

Todd Fifield

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
May 20 Presider: Todd Fifield
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Vicki Johnson, 509-302-7364, vicki_johnson66@yahoo.com

Men’s Group

Tom Young

Weekly on Fridays
8:00 - 9:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions?
Please contact Tom Young, 425-263-1916, seathos@comcast.net
All are welcome.

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone,

Man, are we enjoying this sunshine or what? It seems like summer is already in full swing here at The Red Door. We have just made it through the Mother's Day Displays and will be working toward Memorial Day very soon, followed by Father's Day. Can you believe it's May already? I also forgot that we are in 2026 the other day!!!

I think I mentioned last week that the Red Door Committee is looking for at least one more volunteer. This is a ONE hour per month Commitment. Your role would be to join us for a meeting once per month and help us make decisions about issues that arise. It's a great chance to be helpful, be heard for your ideas, or just be supportive of the Red Door Team. If you are interested in attending the next meeting, I will be at The Red Door on June 9th - 4:30-5:30pm to attend the meeting and you are welcome to join me. 

In a little over a month, we are contemplating being open for Whale of a Sale again. Last year we made almost $900 so I'd say it's worth it to have a repeat. The date will be June 27 which is a Saturday. We would need at least two volunteers - one for the morning and one for the afternoon to make this possible but would be happy to have a few more.  We do not need to have donations open that day but we can if we want? Please let me know if this is something you would be interested to help with. Thank you.

Last week, I was stopped in the shop by an Optometrist. She had a few pairs of glasses in her hands and proceeded to let me know that it is illegal for us to sell prescription glasses. I know that was not our intent but unfortunately some were put out for sale recently. So we need to be extra careful that we ONLY put out the readers. The way you can tell that they are readers is that the magnification (for example: +2.00) can be seen on the inside of the arm. If the writing is too small and you cannot read it, please ask Debbie or I. 

Also last week - Or on May 1 we had a half price sale to help with "Spring Cleaning." We made over $2,000 that day! It was sooo busy with customers and all of our volunteers were working like champs to help everyone and get things done! You are amazing! I appreciate each of you and what you do to make this shop even better than it's individual parts. We are soaring and it's because of you and your time and talents. 

Thank you always,
Dawn

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

Proceeds 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

Sarah
Family & friends of Bonita
Rev. Eric & Lynette
Charlene
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
Pete & Charlene & family, Rachel, Heather, and Billie, family & friends of Mary