Weekly Update 22 May 2026

Reflection

The Rev. Courtney Jones

Rev. Courtney Jones

Pentecost has been one of my favorite feast days of the Church year for aesthetic reasons. In the congregation that I previously served, it was bagpipes and drums, bird kites, incense, and cake. Here it’s pennants and ribbons and pictures and wearing red and –  importantly –  also cake.

But Pentecost, as you well know, isn’t merely an aesthetically rich feast day. It’s also a theologically rich feast day.

As a feast day that centers around the birth of the Church, it is less a feast about stability or certainty and more a feast about being surprised by God’s power. It is a feast about what happens when the Holy Spirit enlivens a community standing at the edge of change.

Last week we heard about the disciples looking up at the sky, scratching their heads after the ascended Jesus. This week, we find them gathered together again. They are still uncertain, still waiting, and still not entirely sure what comes next. And it is in that liminal space that the Spirit is poured out on the disciples as a rushing wind, tongues of fire, voices suddenly capable of proclaiming good news in ways they never imagined.

That feels especially meaningful to me this year.

As many of you know, this month marks the conclusion of my formal role as your interim vicar. Don’t worry – I don’t plan to use this reflection to craft a long-winded goodbye. Because this isn’t goodbye. I remain connected to Christ Church in my role as Canon Missioner for Total Common Ministry Congregations. I fully expect to continue to watch the Holy Spirit move among you. 

After all, I’ve already seen it. I’ve seen it in the many ways in which you have been inspired and equipped as ministers: in the formation of preachers, worship leaders, pastoral caregivers, and other lay leaders. I’ve seen it in the generosity, and creativity, and resilience of this congregation. I’ve seen it in your willingness to embrace an outsider like me, and allow me to walk with you for this season of your congregational life. To serve among you in this time has been a privilege.

Pentecost reminds us that the Church was born in a moment like this: when the future is not entirely clear, but the Spirit is already moving ahead of us.

Courtney+

Sunday Service

Sunday, 24 May 2026
The Day of Pentecost

Holy Eucharist

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

Servers
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: MJ Barrett, Ed Barton
Altar Guild: Martie Arnold, Jim Minton
Bread Ministry: Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore
Readers: Emily Sander, Ed Barton
Ushers: June Cook, Margaret Whatley
Organist: Lynne Berg/Tom Young
Eucharistic Visitor: June Cook
Coffee Hour Host: Hospitality Committee

Readings
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Acts 2:1-21
John 7:37-39
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 224 - Hail this Joyful Day’s Return
LEVAS 116 - Spirit of the Living God
LEVAS 119 - Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
WLP 782 - Gracious Spirit, Give Your Servants Joy
LEVAS 115 - Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit

Bulletin Link: 24 May 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Memorial Plaque Dedication
Our service this Sunday will conclude in the Memorial Garden with the dedication of a Memorial Plaque for Carleton Manning.

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

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

Announcements

In Memoriam

Long-time congregant Sarah Tobien passed on to her new life in Christ on May 4. Please offer prayers of thanksgiving for Sarah’s life and keep her loved ones in your prayers.

A Joyful Noise

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

Ministry Support Circle Nominations

Please remember to return your Ministry Support Circle recommendations by Sunday, May 31. Nominations may be mailed, dropped in the mail slot, or placed in the offering plate.

Ministry Support Circle Meeting Notes

June Cook

June Cook

Circle Notes, May 18

Formation
Sharman and Mary Ellen have distributed a survey to assess interest in various faith formation options.  A Formation Team meeting with Courtney+ is scheduled for May 21.

Discernment
Lengthy discussion about the content of 'ballot' for congregational input on potential new Circle members, including the tabulation procedure and follow-up actions to be taken.

Worship
-Pentecost review
-Plaque for Carleton installed in Memorial Garden on Pentecost Sunday
-Congregational photo taken on Pentecost Sunday

Spiritual Life/Pastoral Care
-Rev. Vicki's pastoral care class is close to completion; commissioning will be sometime this summer
-Creamy in hospice

Faith Formation Survey

Mary Ellen
Huggins

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 . 

Questions?
Please contact Sharman Badgett-Young or Mary Ellen Huggins.

Altar Flowers

Mary Gronholt

You are invited to provide altar flowers for our Sunday services. Flowers may be given in honor or memory of a loved one or in celebration of any occasion.

Please sign up on the Flower Chart in the Parish Hall Gathering Room or notify me.  A check for the recommended donation of $45 may be made to Christ Church with “altar flowers” in the memo line. Please notify Marcy 2 weeks prior to your date with the dedication you would like printed in the bulletin. Many thanks to all of you who have so generously provided flowers.

-Mary Gronholt, Altar Guild Director

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

Sharman
Badgett-Young

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
May 27 Presider: Sharman Badgett-Young
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 Red Door Family,

Just a quick reminder that we will be closed on Memorial Day to honor those who lost their lives while serving in the US armed forces.  Enjoy a three-day weekend everyone and hug your family members. In the shop we will be continuing our Red, White and Blue displays this week and then next week we will move on to Father's Day. 

If you haven't seen it yet you should really stop by the shop and see all the work that was done last week to our second retail space by Angelique and Tracy! We had some lovely furniture donated and it is looking great in there! We have created a "Man Cave" area with dark book shelves, records, weights and golf clubs.

Last week, I sent you copies of the calendars for June. We have quite a few people who will be out in the back room - so take a look at the calendars on the email or on the bulletin board and let me know if there is anything there with which you can help. I have been called for Jury Duty starting on 6/8 so I will need help opening and closing the shop on the days that Debbie cannot cover. Please let me know if this is something you'd be up for - Claire? Angelique? Paula? Bettyann? I'm hoping to not be chosen so this may be for nothing but best to be prepared. 

That's it for today, short and sweet. 

Love y'all - see you soon,
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

Please offer prayers of thanksgiving for the life of Sarah Tobien.
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, and Rachel, family & friends of Mary