Weekly Update 4 July 2025
Reflection
John Okerman
The Transformative Power of Kindness
John Okerman
Last month, more than fifty University of Washington students spent a Saturday morning at Mary’s Place Family Shelter on Aurora Avenue. The young volunteers brought paint, rollers and brushes—and, most importantly, energy and ideas. Over the course of the morning the students:
Stripped away chipped paint from the shelter’s play area
Repainted the playground fence in bright primary colors and stenciled uplifting messages (“Be Brave,” “You Belong Here”)
Hung new swings and repainted the old slide
Laid down fresh turf so little ones could play safely
By lunchtime, parents who’d been cooped up indoors with restless kids stepped outside to discover a completely transformed space. Tears welled up as children raced to try the swings and slide, and moms and dads told volunteers it was the first time in months they’d felt “somewhere just for us.”
This simple morning of painting and play-set assembly rippled far beyond fresh paint.
Families received moments of normalcy.
Dignity was restored to parents who worry they can’t give their kids much.
Everyone who was involved was reminded that kindness and a few hours of hands-on service kindness can lift spirits—and strengthen community bonds—for years to come.
This example of “kindness” happened recently, nearby, and among ordinary people. The UW students were intentionally or unintentionally following God, loving their neighbors and, in the process, making our world a better place.
Today, provocative and often inflammatory rhetoric is often directed towards others. Immigrants are regarded as vermin; individuals, cities, and groups are referred to as garbage. Words like “traitor” or “fake news” get tossed around casually, so there’s no room left for nuance or real listening. It seems that a little kindness would go a lot farther than demeaning, provocative rhetoric.
In the season of Ordinary Time, the Scripture readings invite us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). What does that mean? It means that true faith is lived out in everyday acts of compassion. A principal way to “love your neighbor” is through a basic act of kindness. A kind act to your neighbor is the tangible expression of God’s love in our world. When you embrace these small opportunities to serve, you are following Christ and sharing this key Gospel message.
Kindness isn’t merely a warm feeling—it’s a deliberate choice to see and respond to the needs around us. Each act of kindness breaks down barriers, builds trust, and opens doors for deeper connection. By offering patience, respect, and generosity, you remind our neighbors that they are valued by both you and God.
Kindness is both humble and transformative. It starts in quiet moments—listening without judgment, sharing without strings attached, forgiving without keeping score. Kindness is simple. Kindness is saying to someone
I really appreciate what you did for the coffee hour.
How is everything going for you today? May I stop by and just visit?
May I drive you to buy some groceries (or to a medical appointment)?
As you journey through summer, fall, and “Ordinary Time”, “loving your neighbor” can be an impactful but simple act of kindness, a tangible expression of God’s love for us.
Sunday Services
Sunday, 6 July 2025
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Year C Proper 9
Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
9:30 am
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 “O” Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: Melissa Simonsen
Christ Church Holy Eucharist
10:30 am
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service is also available on YouTube.
Servers
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Homilist: Sharman Badgett-Young
Eucharistic Minister: Jason Wells
Altar Guild: Mary Gronholt, Val Long
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Readers: Jason Wells, Tierney Wells
Ushers: Betty Anne McCoy, Frank McCoy
Eucharistic Visitor: Maggie Collinge
Organist: Lynne Berg
Coffee Hour Hosts: The Wells Family
Readings
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
Galatians 6:1-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.
Hymns
H 657 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
H 654 - Day by Day
WLP 757 - Will You Come and Follow Me
VF 147 - There Is a Longing in Our Hearts
LEVAS 136 - I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Bulletin Link: 6 July 2025
YouTube Sunday Service Link
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service.
All are welcome.
Announcements
A Joyful Noise July 2025
Find all the July news at A Joyful Noise July 2025.
Hospitality Ministry Help!
Grace Minton
Dear Friends,
Grace Minton
The Hospitality Ministry performs a number of special functions throughout the year—Agape Dinner, memorial receptions, Mass on the Grass, and soup suppers. We (Jerlyn Caba, Judy McClelland and I) also arrange coffee hour every single Sunday, and here’s where we really need help. As many of you know, Geoff and Jerlyn spend the summer months in Minnesota, and in the past, Carol and Art Watson traveled from Arizona to stay in Geoff and Jerlyn’s home in their absence. Carol graciously filled Jerlyn’s place in Hospitality for the summer months (and Art sang beautifully in the choir). Unfortunately, the Watsons aren’t coming to Anacortes this year so Judy and I really need another person to help.
We’re looking for coffee hour-loving folks to sign up for two-week stints for the summer months. The only requirements are the ability to get to the Parish Hall early on Sundays (around 9:45) to start the coffee and set out whatever food is being presented, and clean up afterwards by running the dishwasher and putting away dishes. We provide on-the-job training and the rewards are immense!
Please let me know which two weeks you’d like to sign up for.
With thanks,
Grace
Deacon Eric’s Update
The Reverend Eric Johnson
4 July 2025
The Rev. Eric Johnson
One Parish One Prisoner
(https://www.undergroundministries.org/opop)
On Monday, 30 June 2025, I met (via Zoom) with Dexter Kearny, a PCUSA pastor and Parish Mobilizer for One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP).
Fun facts I found:
A parish will normally have a seven-to-ten-person team to connect with the prisoner. This team will be aided, as required, by other members of the parish.
OPOP builds a relationship over a two-year period with employers, lawyers, families, correctional facilities, neighbors and the incarcerated person. The first year is time for getting to know each other (letters, emails, phone calls, visits (depending on the distance). In the second year, the prisoner is released; the parish helps with obtaining a driver’s license, finding housing and a job, etc. (The No. 1 parole violation is driving without a license. When the parolees go to the Department of Licensing, they often discover that they cannot be issued a license if they have old court fines. [No license=no driving=no job=no fines payoff=no license=rinse and repeat.] The parish can overcome this by setting up a payment plan.)
Prisoners are paroled to the county in which they committed the crime. Thus, a person who grew up and whose family and friends are in Marysville and who commits a crime in Anacortes will be paroled to Skagit County. This can be negotiated with the parolee, the crime victim and the parole officer (sometimes with help from the OPOP team).
Based upon the feedback I received from our parishioners, I filled an online church interest form at Underground Ministries to say that we’d like to continue to explore the program. This makes zero commitment; the formal commitment will an action taken by the Bishop’s Committee. This just puts us on their radar so we can continue the conversation and find out more.
Other Episcopal churches in WA who are part of the OPOP network include St. Paul Bellingham; St. Paul Mount Vernon, Christ Episcopal Tacoma, St. Andrew Port Angeles, St. Columba Kent, St. Stephen Longview.
The Rev. Jonathan Weldon (Bellingham) is Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Centering Prayer
Maggie Collinge
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15 - 1:45
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome at this short, simple service: a scripture reading, 20 minutes of silence, an intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360 202-558.
Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00 - 6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions? Please contact The Rev. Eric Johnson.
All are welcome.
The Red Door Thrift Shop
Weekly News
*The Red Door Thrift Shop has a new phone number: 360-202-9966.*
Dawn Jex
Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager
Happy July!
I want to start by giving a huge shout out to everyone who worked this past Saturday for Whale of a Sale. We made approximately $900 and everything went smoothly. BIG Thank you to Debbie for running the show, our volunteer cashiers and everyone who was cheerful and greeted customers. We are making a positive impact on our community financially and by creating a loving and welcoming environment in the shop and that's because of people like you. Good Job everyone.
August 13th is the date for our annual potluck picnic so put that on your calendar. Then please send me a quick message with what you would like to bring for the potluck. The board and I are thinking about moving the location of our get together so I will update you on that info as soon as I have it. Plan to bring a folding chair or blanket, an adult beverage if that's your preference, and a dish to share. We usually have approximately 30-40 people in attendance.
Debbie's one year anniversary is this month! So next time you see her, give her a hug (or a handshake or a high five) and tell her how much you appreciate her. Debbie is an integral part of our team and I am so grateful to have her here. I hear nothing but good things from you about her - so be sure to tell her Happy Anniversary and Thank you.
This month we will be focusing on the Fourth of July and Summer at the shop: Camping/Hiking/Outdoors Items.
Please remember that we are closed this Friday 7/4 for the Independence Day Holiday.
We are still looking for a permanent Tuesday Afternoon Cashier. This shift is from 12:30-3pm. This job entails being accurate when handling money, cheerful with customers and able to multitask in a busy environment.
July Calendars are up on the Bulletin Board. Please let me know if you need to make any changes to your schedule.
Lots of Hugs to everyone and welcome to Summer!
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
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
Diane
Lorne
Rev. Rilla & family
Linda, sister-in-law of Lynne
Creamy
Myrna
Arra, aunt of Carol
Sandy
Dale
Zoanne
Linda
Tom
Karen
Leslie
Diana
Val
John
Foundation for Academic Endeavors
Brendan, Glen & family, and Sandy, family & friends of Mary