Weekly Update 16 October 2026

Reflection

Tom Young

Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s

Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

Matthew 22:21b

Tom Young

“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  That’s the question tossed at Jesus by the Pharisees and the Herodians in an attempt to trap him with his own words. This question about paying taxes was not just a political question; it was also a moral and theological question. What is legal is not necessarily moral. What is lawful from Rome’s perspective might not be acceptable to God. Therefore, even as one pays taxes due to Caesar, one should also pay what is due to God. As theologian Warren Carter noted, an imperial tax can be paid without the payment being a vote of support for Rome or its ethos. Paying taxes acknowledges Rome’s political power, but not its moral authority to rule. That moral authority belongs to God. Which is why Jesus quickly adds that one must pay to God the things that are due to God.

Considering where our tax dollars are going, I find that to be somewhat comforting. Something to think and pray about as we all decide how much to pledge to our beloved Christ Episcopal Church in 2027. Ingathering Sunday is All Saints Day, November 1.

Sunday Service

18 October 2026
The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 24

Holy Eucharist

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

Servers
Presider: The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: MJ Barrett
Altar Guild: Martie Arnold, Jim Minton
Bread Ministry: Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore
Readers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Ushers: Shirley Barrett, June Cook
Organist: Lynne Berg
Coffee Hour Hosts: Grace & Jim Minton

Readings
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-13
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 594 - God of Grace and God of Glory
H 377 - All People That on Earth on Dwell
LEVAS 70 - I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
H 596 - Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendor
H 544 - Jesus Shall Reign

Bulletin Link: October 18 Holy Eucharist
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Commissioning of Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care Team will be commissioned at Sunday’s service.

Designated Plate Offering
The loose plate offering this Sunday is designated for the Diocese of Olympia Refugee Resettlement Office. If you would like to make a donation by check, please make your check out to “Christ Episcopal Church” with memo to “Refugee Resettlement Office”.

Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.

Ed Barton

Faith Formation Series
Last Things: Preparing for a Christian Death
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall
Presenter: Ed Barton
October 18 Topic:
The Documents that Carry Your Wishes

The series continues on October 25 with the topic Your Funeral and Your Last Gift. At this session, you will have the opportunity to fill out a Christ Church funeral planning record.
Come to one session or all four.
The series concludes on All Saints Sunday, November 1.
Questions? Please contact Ed Barton.
All are welcome. 

Announcements

A Joyful Noise October 2026

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

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Monday, October 19
5:30 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

Diocesan Convention

MJ Barrett

Christ Church’s Delegates to the 2026 Diocesan Convention are MJ Barrett and Tom Young. They will be attending the convention October 23-24, along with Alternates Sharman Badgett-Young and Kay Landis, and The Rev. Vicki Johnson.

If you have input for MJ and Tom prior to the Convention, please contact them at mbarrett1910@gmail.com (MJ) or seathos@comcast.net (Tom).

2027 Stewardship

In October we focus on our commitment to God and the church for the coming year. Sharing our abilities and giving monetarily are powerful acts of worship and partnership. These acts fuel our ministries, support our community, and transform lives, including our own. Thanks be to God!
-Your 2027 Stewardship Committee
Sharman Badgett-Young, June Cook, & Tom Young

Pledge cards may be mailed to the church office, or placed in the offering plate or the mail drop (to the right of the parish hall door). All pledges will be blessed on November 1, Ingathering Sunday.

Centering Prayer

Maggie
‍ ‍ Collinge

Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15-1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge.

Meditation/Silent Prayer

Todd Fifield

Weekly on Wednesdays
5:00 - 5:55 pm
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.

Evening Prayer

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
October 21 Presider: Todd Fifield
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

Weekly on Fridays
9-10 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Tom Young.

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Hello Everyone,

I will be working on the calendars for November this week so please let me know if there are any shifts you will be missing. We are in a really delicate time right now at the Red Door with many days having a bare minimum of folks here to run the shop. If any of you are able to help cover an extra shift please let me know. I need help in donations on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, I need help on Wednesday mornings from 10-noon. I also currently have multiple shifts in the pricing area that are available. Please and Thank you. 

Specials this week at the shop are: Green tagged clothing is $1, Kids books are 4/$1.00 and Tools are all half price.

We have displays out for Halloween, Fall and we have also put out our gorgeous tableware for a fancy Thanksgiving meal. Stop by and take a look to see if there is anything that you simply can't do without. We will start with Xmas displays probably the second week of November if not sooner!

One last note: Please take a moment to have a conversation with me, before moving any of the display furniture in the shop. As the manager, it is my job to approve those kinds of ideas. Thank you. 

Happy Fall Yall!
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

Tino & family
Val & family
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