Weekly Update 4 September 2026
Reflection
June Cook
The Future is Bright!
June Cook
When I ‘reflect’ for articles in the Weekly Update, my mind usually goes straight to what’s happening in my life, or what’s happening in the life of Christ Church, and putting those things in the context of what we learn from Scripture.
At a special BC meeting called last Monday evening to consider postulancy (the next step in the ordination process) recommendations for our discerners, I was reminded deeply and forcefully how our small congregation demonstrates those good Christian qualities extolled in the Bible...We care about each other. We’re honest with each other. We support each other. We challenge each other. We listen to each other without being judgmental. We walk with each other. We surround each other to share grief, anxiety, joy, hope, blessings, disappointment, life challenges, and so much more.
I think we’d all agree that Christ Church is in a time of transition, and change is almost always difficult. Deacon Eric and Rev. Courtney are no longer with us...we’ve had five deaths this year...we’ve been dealing with financial challenges...personal roles are changing and adapting.
But amid these changes and uncertainties, I see such a powerful vision of the future for Christ Church! I see a refreshing of our Ministry Support Circle with new people who have creative ideas about how to take us deeper into our learning and spirituality. I see expansion of our vibrant lay ministry, calling us all to explore and share our many gifts to make our common life more vibrant and meaningful. I see discerners working toward ordination to make our Total Common Ministry model complete with sacramentalists.
Church ‘success’ has often been measured in increasing membership, bigger budgets, more staff, etc. This ‘more, more, more’ mentality isn’t all bad, of course. We want our Episcopal form of Christianity to grow. But beating ourselves up because we don’t have enough kids, young people, and young adults really isn’t productive. We’re planted in a community where retirees and older adults are the norm. We grow where we’re planted. Sitting in the church pews (chairs), look around you, and you’ll see energy, commitment, love of God, and strong faith in those faces. The future for Christ Church is bright!
Sunday Service
6 September 2026
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 18
Season of Creation
Holy Eucharist
10:30 am
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service is also available on YouTube.
Servers
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Eucharistic Ministers: MJ Barrett, Melissa Simonsen
Altar Guild: Mary Gronholt
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Readers: Grace Minton, Jim Minton
Ushers: June Cook, Margaret Whatley
Organist: Lynne Berg
Eucharistic Visitors: Shirley Barrett, Jim Minton
Coffee Hour Host: Grace Minton
Readings
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.
Hymns
H 8 - Morning Has Broken
H 654 - Day by Day
H 416 - For the Beauty of the Earth
H 325 - Let Us Break Bread Together
H 412 - Earth and All Stars
Seasonal Bulletin & Insert
We will be using a seasonal bulletin during Season of Creation, which encompasses all the Sundays in September and the first Sunday in October. Please keep your bulletin to use the following Sunday or return it to the Usher. Each Sunday, an insert with the readings and hymns for that Sunday will be provided.
Bulletin Link: Season of Creation Bulletin
Bulletin Insert: September 6
YouTube Sunday Service Link
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.
Faith Formation
Zimzum Discipleship
12:15-1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Please join us for this small-group practice rooted in reflection, conversation, and shared spiritual growth.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
Announcements
A Joyful Noise September 2026
Find all the September news at A Joyful Noise September 2026.
New Offering: Meditation/Silent Prayer
Todd Fifield
Weekly on Wednesdays, beginning September 16
5:00 - 5:15 pm: 1st period Meditation
5:15 - 5:20 pm: Walking Meditation or Break
5:25 - 5:40pm: 2nd period Meditation
Christ Church Sanctuary
Come dwell in silent prayer. This is a quiet, intentional time to be still in God’s presence–to pray, reflect, or simply rest. There will be two 15-minute periods of silent prayer, with a 5-minute walking meditation/break between them. Come for one period or stay for both. No experience is necessary; Todd will guide you through the time.
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Todd Fifield at 360-202-1138, todd.j.fifield@gmail.com
CROP Hunger Walk
Christ Church will be participating in the 2026 CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, 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.
To register to be a part of Christ Church’s team or make a donation, 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
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
September 2 Presider: Todd Fifield
All are welcome.
Men’s Group
Weekly on Fridays
8:00 - 9:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
All are welcome.
The Red Door Thrift Shop Update
Dawn Jex
Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager
Hello Everyone!
I've had a few questions and/or comments from your peers and thought it would be helpful to share those here:
Clothing Pricer - "Can we please ask the volunteers who have checked out items to try on - to put their items out on the sales rack if they return them to the shop? It's confusing when I find already priced items hanging on my rack. It would save me time if they would just put them out where they belong." Me: Awesome feedback. I will share that with everyone. :)
Debbie - "Are we combining mens and womens pajamas? What about athletic wear?" Me: Yes, I think that makes sense to combine these items together as we have one section and it does not specify men or women. Good thinking Debbie!
Please remember that we are closed For Labor Day next Monday 9/7. So all of you Monday folks, put this on your calendar.
Sales this week are:
All Pillows 50 cents
Women's Pants $1.00
White tagged clothing $1.00
For those of you who didn't know, I will be out next week. My mom is coming home from PT Rehab after breaking her pelvis. So I will be going down to Salem to get her home, set up with caregivers, take her to appointments and make her home safe for her walker etc. There is a wonderful group of volunteers who are covering all of the shifts for next week. On my office window is a calendar with each person who is helping out next week if you have any questions. I am always available on my cell phone in case of an emergency but I have faith in you all to handle anything that arises. Please make sure you know where to find phone numbers - on the bulletin board in the back room.
I Will BE HERE all this week so if you have any questions, let me know. AND a big THANK YOU to everyone who is helping next week so I can go be there for my mom.
Hugs Y’all
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
Val
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