Weekly Update 31 July 2026

Reflection

Sharman Badgett-Young

Mary Magdalene’s Retold Story

Sharman
Badgett-Young

Last Wednesday was the Episcopal Church’s special day to honor Mary Magdalene, and we said a collect from the BCP for her at Evening Prayer. An ancient scroll (Papyrus 66) illumines discrepancies between early copies of Chapter 11 from the Gospel of John. Around 200 C.E., a scribe appears to have copied John 11 in Greek from one source document, then compared his copy to a second source document. The first showed Mary at Lazarus’ home when Jesus arrived to raise Lazarus from death. (No one named Martha was there.) The second document spoke of a Mary and a Martha, as if they were the same women Luke wrote about (where Martha did the work of hospitality while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.) The scribe altered his copy to match the second source document, changing some of the references from “Mary” into “Martha.” The changes can be seen on Papyrus 66.

The names Mary and Martha are one letter apart in Greek and both were common names during Jesus’ time. Though older source documents may be gone, both versions of the Lazarus story (with and without Martha) have been found in early Latin translations and were referenced in early Christian writings. Previous researchers have noted the two versions, and a footnote in my NRSV Bible mentions that John’s pair of women is unlikely to be the sisters Mary and Martha from Luke’s Gospel. A 2012 researcher realized that, if Martha, about whom we know little, was removed from this story, it would have been Mary Magdalene who stated John’s Gospel thesis: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the son of God, the one coming into the world.”  (John 11:27)

Could Mary Magdalene, who anointed Jesus with scented oil, who was the first person to meet Jesus following his resurrection, and who was sent by Jesus to tell the others be the same Mary who made the statement of faith about Jesus in John 11:27? A researcher of Papyrus 66 thinks so, calling Mary “the disciple to the disciples.” Pondering what may be Mary’s revelation in John’s Gospel excites those who’ve longed for a female disciple who is as inspiring as Jesus’ twelve. 

Sunday Service

2 August 2026
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 13

Mass on the Grass
Outdoor Holy Eucharist Service

10:30 am
Christ Church Lawn
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service will not be available on YouTube.

Servers
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: Jim Minton
Altar Guild: Mary Gronholt
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Readers: Ed Barton, Emily Sander
Ushers: Betty Anne McCoy, Frank McCoy
Eucharistic Visitors: Shirley Barrett, June Cook

Musical Guests:
Steel Rain, The Pacific Lutheran University Alumni Steel Band, performing under the direction of Dr. Miho Takekawa.

Readings
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 15-22
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Bulletin Link: 26 July 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Potluck Picnic
A Potluck Picnic follows the service. All are welcome.

Announcements

A Joyful Noise August 2026

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

Passing of Dee Roberts

Dee Roberts, a long-time member of Christ Church, passed on to her new life in Christ on July 24 . Please offer prayers of thanksgiving for Dee’s life and keep her family and friends in your prayers.

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

Jim Minton

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
August 5 Presider: Jim Minton
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

Weekly on Fridays
8:00 - 9:00 am
During August, the Men’s Group will meet for breakfast at The Brown Lantern.
All are welcome.

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone,

First of all, I'd like to thank the Monday crew for leaving the spooky and scary baby doll that looks eerily real in my chair for me to find this morning. It was a great way to WAKE UP the boss when she came in to work today! Hahahahaha. I quickly moved her into the box to be priced by someone else. Ewwwww. Also Monday crew - the shop looks great this morning. Thank you for all the work you do receiving goods, pricing and displaying everything for our Tuesday shoppers. Great job!

Calendars for August are up on the bulletin board. I notice that we could use some help on Wednesdays in donations. Anywhere you see someone circled that means they will be out on that day. Feel free to write your name in that spot if you'd like to help out. And let me just say thank you because you ALL are so good at working extra shifts to help cover! You are amazing. 

Here is a quick update on what we have planned food wise for the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on 8/26: 
Dawn - has ordered pulled pork and buns from Dad's Diner and will also bring deviled eggs, plates, napkins, silverware, cups and name tags.  Will also get juice/soda. Please feel free to bring your own beverage if you have something you prefer. 
Milly - Australian Lamingtons (this is a dessert)
Doug - Big Beans
Laurie T - Coleslaw
Joanne L - Bean dip/chips
Clay - Mac and Cheese
Wendy - Pies
Amy - Cookies
Deb - potato salad
Betty Anne - Brownies
Janet - Potato salad
Sarah - Chip dip

Building Stuff - I know some of us have been curious/concerned about the new A/C unit and keeping the shop cool - especially on shopping days. Handy Heating has tested our unit several times and found that it is not cooling as it is supposed to. So they have a new part that they will be installing on Wednesday. You might also notice on the west side of the building that a new gutter system is being installed to drain water from our new roof down the side of the building, under the sidewalk and out to the street. 

We will continue to display items for The Arts Fest which is this coming weekend and then we will begin transitioning to "Back to School." Yes it's already that time. 

Please email me questions or comments. 

Much appreciation and Love,
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

Family & friends of Dee, Diane, Sarah, and Creamy
Tony
Rev. Eric & Lynette
Charlene
John, brother of Lynne, & family
Diane
Myrna
Arra, aunt of Carol
Sandy
Dale
Zoanne
Tom
Leslie
John
Ken & Dana, Pete & Charlene & family, and Rachel, family & friends of Mary