Weekly Update 21 August 2026

Reflection

Grace Minton

Grace Minton

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophesy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)

These beautiful words from Paul’s Letter to the Romans speak to me of the value of our Total Common Ministry Church: each of us has a place and special gifts to offer. We are provided many opportunities to follow in Christ’s footsteps through worship and taking part in the services, feeding the hungry, helping the needy, and visiting the sick. Taking part in the faith formation offerings such as the ZimZum discussions or theology potlucks are ways to strengthen our own faith as well as that of others. Joining one of our many ministries might prove valuable both to our church and to ourselves.

Liz Cooley Jenkins writes in The Christian Century regarding this passage: “Paul’s partial list of gifts that make up the body of Christ is about more than efficiency or divvying out church tasks effectively. It’s about mutuality and interdependency. God has set things up so that we must rely on each other.” Relying on each other is a vital part of our TCM and as we move into this new “phase” of our church--with new members discerning to join the Ministry Support Circle or discerning their call to ordination—I think it’s particularly vital that we each draw on our gifts in support.

Sunday Service

23 August 2026
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 16

Holy Eucharist

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

The Rev. Canon
Carla Robinson

This Sunday we welcome The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson, Canon for Multicultural Ministries and Community Transformation in the Diocese of Olympia, as our Presider and Homilist.

Servers
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson
Eucharistic Minister: MJ Barrett
Altar Guild: Melissa Simonsen
Bread Ministry: Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore
Readers: Jason Wells, Judy McClelland*
Ushers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Organist: Lynne Berg/June Cook
Coffee Hour Hosts: Hospitality Committee
*Updated

Readings
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 304 - I Come with Joy
H 654 - Day by Day
H 525 - The Church’s One Foundation
MHSO 129 - God of the Sparrow
H 522 - Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken

Bulletin Link: 23 August 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Coffee Hour
A festive Coffee Hour follows the service, with time for conversation with Canon Robinson. All are welcome.

Faith Formation
Scripture: Continuing the Conversation
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Clergy Office
All are welcome as we share our thoughts and study the scriptures more deeply. 
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com

Announcements

A Joyful Noise August 2026

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

Ministry Support Circle News

June Cook

June Cook

The Ministry Support Circle is very pleased to announce that Mary Ellen Huggins and Emily Sander have enrolled in the Iona lay track for coursework leading to commissioning in the Circle.  Based on your recommendations from the May survey, those seen as having strong leadership support potential were contacted, and the expectations discussed.  Other strong candidates were also put forward by the congregation but declined because of work or family obligations.  Please keep Mary Ellen and Emily in your prayers as they take the next steps in their important lay ministry journey.

The Christ Church Ministry Support Circle comprises The Rev. Vicki Johnson, June Cook, Maggie Collinge, and Melissa Simonsen.

CROP Hunger Walk

Christ Church will be participating in the 2026 CROP Hunger Walk on Saturday, September 20.
We are Team Anacortes Christ Episcopal Church. The walk is about 3.1 miles. We will begin at The Depot and follow the Tommy Thompson Trail.

From the CROP Hunger Walk website:

No one in this world should be hungry. That's why the CROP Hunger Walk is more than just a yearly gathering. It's a movement that's 57 years strong, made up of compassionate people in more than 500 communities across the U.S.

The steps we take - and the funds we raise together - will provide life-saving support including emergency food and resources, along with the seeds, tools and programs that will help families feed themselves in the future.

Every step and every donation ends hunger!

Learn more at CROP Hunger Walk.

To register to be a part of Christ Church’s team, please visit the CROP Hunger Walk website, click “Join or start a team” and then search for “Anacortes Christ Episcopal Church”.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@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

‍ ‍ Jim Minton

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
August 25 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,

Here are some upcoming events:
On Wednesday 8/26 we will be having our Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at Washington Park. We have rented the same picnic pavilion that we used last year near the gravel parking lot on Puget Way just at the very entrance to the park. The picnic will begin at 4pm but please feel free to come early to just hang out and visit if you like. We should be done by about 6pm. 

Please bring: a folding chair or blanket, an adult beverage if that's something you enjoy and your dish to share.
Here is what I have you bringing:
Trish - Corn Pudding
Milagritos - Lamingtons
Doug - Big Beans
Sandy Chasteen - 
Laurie T - Coleslaw
Joanne L - Bean dip/chips
Carlos - Cowboy salad - I'm intrigued!
Clay - Mac and Cheese
Wendy - Pies
Dawn - Devilled Eggs
Kari - Surprise
Amy - Cookies
Sarah - chips and dip
Deb - Potato salad
Betty Anne - Brownies
Janet - potato salad
Beth - devilled eggs
Steve Mayer - 
Claire - spicy corn fritters

The Red Door will be providing pulled pork and buns for everyone, paper plates, cups, silverware, napkins, and name tags. I also need to get us something to drink. I will get bottled water or fruit juice. 

I also want to make sure to let the church members know that you are more than welcome to come to this event. We would love to meet you and this would give you a chance to get to know all the wonderful volunteers who run your outreach mission. 

The next Event is Labor Day:
We will be closed for Monday 9/7 Labor Day. If you are a monday person, please put this on your calendar. 

Our Specials this week are: 
Blue tagged clothing $1.
Tools half price
glassware half price. 

I think that's everything. If I've forgotten something or you have questions just shoot me a quick message. It's almost the end of summer yall! Enjoy the sunshine while you can!

Hugs,
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