St. Alban’s has hosted the diocesan Safeguarding God’s Children training in the past. We hope to host it again in the near future. As soon as we confirm another date for training at Saint Alban’s, or if a training session is offered nearby, we will publicize it in Around the Parish, the parish website, the Gospel Grapevine, and the Sunday announcements.

What we are doing this for: to make the church a safe and a joyous place for all people. We appreciate your help!

Thanks to the following people who have already completed the training and the background application form.

Ainsley, Margaret

Andenes, JoAn

Becker, Phyllis

Coale, Lisa

Ford, Karen

Forsberg, Connie

Forsberg, Lee

Hanson, Eric

Hanson, Susan

Johnson, Ben

Kiest, Dorothy

Leech, John

Leech, Sarah

McClelland, Phil

Shaw, Hazel

Wilson, Shirley

Thanks also to the following people, who have completed the background check authorization form and are awaiting the next available training session:

Bee, Liz

Bee, John

Gordon, Carol

Hagen, Catherine

Long, Kendra

Long, Meredith

Both the background check and the training are required by diocesan policy for everyone who regularly works with children and youth and all vestry members and church officers. At least two unrelated Church Personnel must supervise activities.

Child Abuse Prevention Guidelines

Handbook for those who work with Children or Youth

Authorization for Background Check

Safeguarding God’s Children – Online Option

The online version of Safeguarding God’s Children is especially geared for vestries, bishop’s committee members, parents who occasionally transport children, new hires (until the in-person training is available), retired clergy who are not on a regular rota, Diocesan House employees who do not work with children and any others who may be interested in this training.

The in-person training is still required for all active clergy, all paid employees, any persons (paid or unpaid) regularly working with youth, and Sunday school teachers and nursery attendants.

How to take the online course:

1. Go to http://www.safeguardingonline.org.
2. Click on the link at the bottom of the page.
3. Enter your login and password. (You must obtain a login and password from Blaire Notrica at bnotrica@ecww.org or 206.325.4200/800.488.4978)
4. Once you’ve logged in, click on the title of a course to begin that course.
5. Click on the orange arrows to advance through the course.

http://ecww.org/how-we-serve/safe-church-safeguarding-gods-children-online-option

Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 8:00 pm, Annex Conference Room

Gathering prayer

OPENING OF BUSINESS

Call to Order

Consent Agenda:

1. Approval of Agenda & Norms for Meeting
2. Minutes from Last Vestry Meeting (Clerk)
3. Pastoral Report (Rector)
4. Financial Report (Finance Committee)
5. Funds reallocation recommendation (Finance Committee)
6. Signature card for general checking and money market savings accounts (Finance Committee)

Vestry Retreat Check-in and Follow-up (Senior Warden)

Adjournment

Sending prayer

REMINDERS:

Vestry meetings 2nd Wednesday of each month (except August) 7pm Annex Conference Room

Annual meeting date to be determined

You are God’s delight: God takes joy in you. God’s delight: is it light-hearted and frolicsome? Sometimes the sky effervesces with joy. There is something beneath that first delight: There is a deeper deep down gladness that comes with the fullness of being realized – made complete. God delights in you made complete and joyful and whole.

God’s delight in you comes with the invitation to a journey – a pilgrimage to places we could not choose to go, a journey into Christ, in Christ, and with Christ; a path that leads up to Jerusalem to the procession of the Palms and the Passion of Holy Week, and onward from Cross to glory. Glory – shining forth of the joy of God beyond our imagining: we are invited onto a path of joy that looks at first like sorrow – and certainly contains it – but contains within it a larger purpose and a future with hope beyond hope.

In faith we walk with Jesus this Lent. Each week we are invited further in and further up.

The themes, provided for us by Bread for the World (bread.org), we share ecumenically, for Wednesday evening prayers (6.30pm at Edmonds Lutheran Church), as well as our Sunday worship gatherings.

I. Jesus calls us to repent and believe in the good news – the news that, in Jesus’ words, “the time is fulfilled; the reign of God is close at hand” (Mark 1.9-15) [Feb26, Feb29]

II. Jesus invites us to become his true disciples: to take up the cross and follow him (Mark 8.31-38) [Mar4, Mar7]

III. Jesus calls us to true worship, overturning the presumptions of shallow piety and fake religiosity, clearing the table, to focus on what really matters, the presence of God in our lives and in our worship (John 2.13-22) [Mar11, Mar 14]

IV. Jesus is lifted up for our salvation: look to Jesus, on the Cross, for the source of our wholeness, our healing from the sins we are struck with (John 3:14-21) [Mar18, Mar21]

V. Jesus invited us to follow and serve – and this invitation he extends to all who seek him (John 12.20-33) [Mar25, Mar28]

This Lent we will look at these themes of deep celebration of joy found in following, in serving, always looking to Jesus as the source of salvation and the founder of our faith.

How will you take up this invitation? Join us on Lenten Sundays and Wednesdays, as we seek together what it means to live in the joy of the journey on the cross-ward way of Christ.

Lent poster

• Sharing Christ’s love
• Empowering people to grow spiritually
• Deepening our relationship with Christ and
• Living out our faith in the community and the world

Saint Alban’s vestry is going on retreat this weekend at Camp Huston (Friday 7pm – Sunday 11am) to consider, through prayer, rest, fun, and conversation, how to follow Christ into the hopeful future that God has planned for us. We will be gathering, listening to the Word, celebrating, and going forth as bearers of God’s good news of grace. Kendra Long will be leading us in meditations on the career of Simon Peter, how he heard and responded to God’s call. Please be in prayer with us as we seek together how to continue to serve God’s purpose as God’s people.

“I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.” (Psalm 85:8)

JRL+

We will be using Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer as the format for our worship, and each week will feature a hymn and brief homily on the following topics:

Feb. 29:  Jesus calls us to repent and believe in the good news Mark 1:9-15

Mar. 7:  Jesus invites us to take up the cross Mark 8:31-38

Mar. 14:  Jesus calls us to true worship John 2:13-22

Mar. 21:  Jesus is lifted up for our salvation John 3:14-21

Mar. 25:  Jesus invites us to follow and serve John 12:20-33

These themes were identified for us by Bread for the World, an ecumenical advocacy for hungry people (www.bread.org). We will be taking up an offering each week which will benefit Bread for the World, Episcopal Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Annie’s Kitchen and the food bank at Bethel church.

Feb. 12  Spreading the Word Mark 1:40-45

Feb. 19  The Transfiguration Mark 9:2-9

Feb. 22  Ash Wednesday: Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Feb. 26  Jesus calls us to repent and believe in the good news Mark 1:9-15

Mar. 4  Jesus invites us to take up the cross Mark 8:31-38

Mar. 11  Jesus calls us to true worship John 2:13-22

Mar. 18  Jesus is lifted up for our salvation John 3:14-21

Mar. 25  Jesus invites us to follow and serve John 12:20-33

April 1    Palm Sunday: Mark 11:1-11 & Mark 14:1-15:47

April 5 – Maundy Thursday: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

April 6 – Good Friday: John 18:1-19:42

April 8    Easter Day: Mark 16:1-8

April 15  Jesus and Thomas John 20:19-31

April 22  Jesus Appears to His Disciples Luke 24:36b-48

April 29  ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ John 10:11-18

May 6     ‘I am the True Vine’ John 15:1-8

May 13  ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ John 15:9-17

May 20  The Ascension of Jesus Luke 24:44-53

May 27  The Coming of the Holy Spirit John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

June 3     Trinity Sunday: John 3:1-17

June 10  The True Kindred of Jesus Mark 3:20-35

June 17   The Mustard Seed Mark 4:26-34

June 24   Feast of Saint Alban, First Martyr of Britain Matthew 10:34-42

JRL+

• Sharing Christ’s love
• Empowering people to grow spiritually
• Deepening our relationship with Christ and
• Living out our faith in the community and the world

Saint Alban’s vestry is going on retreat this weekend (February 3-5) at Camp Huston (Friday 7pm – Sunday 11am) to consider, through prayer, rest, fun, and conversation, how to follow Christ into the hopeful future that God has planned for us.

We will be gathering, listening to the Word, celebrating, and going forth as bearers of God’s good news of grace.

Kendra Long will be leading us in meditations on the career of Simon Peter, how he heard and responded to God’s call.

Please be in prayer with us as we seek together how to continue to serve God’s purpose as God’s people.

“I will listen to what the LORD God is saying,

for he is speaking peace to his faithful people

and to those who turn their hearts to him.”

(Psalm 85:8)

Herbert O’Driscoll – A Hymn in Praise of the Humble Pancake

In the weeks prior to the Pancake Dinner, there will be fun facts shared about Shrove Tuesday such as: who invented pancakes; how Shrove Tuesday got its name; how Fat Tuesday relates to Shrove Tuesday; and a variety of other names used worldwide, etc.

The cost is $4 per adult; $2 for kids under 10 years; babes in arms eat for free.

All in attendance are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food bank. Cash donations will be accepted as well.

Items that could be beneficial for people who use the food bank:

• Paper products

• Baby food, diapers or formula

• Any nutritious canned goods, i.e., vegetables, fruits

• Any boxed item, i.e., mac & cheese

• Canned meats, i.e., tuna, chicken or beef

• Cereal

• Peanut butter, jelly

• Hygiene products

As always, volunteers are needed to help make this a successful event.

Look for the sign-up sheets in the parish hall—Lee Forsberg

SHROVE TUESDAY

Mark your calendars for FEBRUARY 21^st – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper!   Easter is on April 8^th this year, so Shrove Tuesday will sneak up earlier than you might be expecting.  There are some great plans being made to get us into the Lenten season.  Be sure to watch for sign up sheets and other fun information posted in the Narthex over the next few weeks.  Questions, please contact Lee Forsberg.

SUPER BOWL PARTY – Sunday, February 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  Details to be announced.  Contact Phil McClelland for more information.

HANDS ON UPDATE

During January the Hands On Ministry Team is collecting items for Move-In Kits for the Compass Center.  Move-In Kits provide the formerly homeless Veterans ready to transition to independent living with household essentials such as sheets, pots & pans, cleaning supplies. Please take a look at the desired items list in the Parish Hall (we are looking for new items). Bring any items you would like to donate and place in the designated laundry basket.  Contact: Maryellen Young.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH CALENDARS

There are a few church calendars still available.  They are on the shelf in the Narthex, next to the Forward publications.  Cost is $3 each.  Contact: Judy Kistner.

PSALMS: The Prayerbook of the Bible - An adult education class continues to study the Psalter, during the Education Hour on Sundays, 9:15-10:15 a.m., in the Annex. New participants in the discussions are always welcome.  Contact: Eric Hanson.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS

In the calling of the fishermen, what word is repeated to indicate their enthusiasm?  Immediately!  Are we in the habit of responding to God’s call to us immediately, or is our answer “maybe sometime I can become your diligent and faithful follower, but right now ___________(you fill in the blank) is much more important.”  Where would the Church be today if the disciples, and the many faithful who came after, had made such a response?

THIS WEEK AT ST. ALBAN’S, January 23 – 29

Monday — 7:00 p.m., Scouts

Wednesday — 11:00 a.m., Morning Page Turners Meeting (PH)

Thursday — Noon, Parish Care Team Meeting (PH)

Thursday – 5:00 p.m., Music Group

Sunday  –            The Rev. John Leech, Celebrant and Preacher

8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:15 a.m., Adult Education (Annex)

10:30 a.m., Sunday School

10:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II

There will be a memorial service for Thelma DeLong on Saturday, January 29 – 11:00 a.m. at Brighton Court.  Additional parking is available, if needed, to the west in the college parking lot.

CALENDAR NOTES:

Feb 3-5: Vestry Retreat

Feb 5: The Rev. James L. (Jim) Friedrich will preach and celebrate.

Feb 12: The Rev. M. Sue Reid will preach and celebrate.

February 21: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – plan to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for local food banks.

February 22 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. There will be services at Noon and 7pm with Eucharist and the imposition of ashes for those who wish.

Serving in Worship Next Sunday, January 29, 2012

8:00 a.m:  Susie Nichols (Reader), Jeff Tobin (EM)

10:30 a.m.:  Carol Gordon (Reader), Connie Forsberg (EM), Dan Mullene (EM), Karen Cresse (Greeter).

Hem Teams:  Rita Bennett & Shirley Wilson; Barbara Hatt & Betty Bell

Altar Guild:  Susie Nichols, Cheryl Healy, Sarah Burns

Readings:  Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Holy Trinity Cathedral Fund, c/o Episcopal Church Foundation, 815 Second Ave., New York, New York 10017 • www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: We already gave to Episcopal Relief & Development. Didn’t that help Haiti?

A: Episcopal Relief & Development does just that: emergency relief and long-term development.  They have provided short-term employment, provisional homes, and sanitation systems in addition to other community-focused recovery programs. But only The Episcopal Church can rebuild our churches.

Q: We have so many problems here at home; how can we send our money overseas?

A: Haiti is a diocese of The Episcopal Church just like your diocese; they are here at home.  A member of Province II along with such dioceses as New York and Newark, the Diocese of Haiti has nearly 100,000 members, 97 churches, and 256 Episcopal schools.* And yet its per capita income is about $480 a year, slightly less than in Zimbabwe.**

Q: Shouldn’t we be providing food and shelter instead of building the Cathedral?

A: People turn to the church during times of trouble for practical help as well as spiritual strength. Within days of the quake people flocked to the Cathedral grounds for food, shelter, and a safe place to stay. And in Haiti, many of the services people associate with the government—education, medical care—are provided by the Episcopal Church. By rebuilding the Cathedral, you’re helping to rebuild the central pillar of a support system that was once very broad and strong.

Q: The earthquake was over a year ago. Why has it taken so long to rebuild?

A: The quake wiped out 70% of Episcopal Church buildings as well as nearly all the government buildings. Many government employees were killed along with nearly all the United Nations aid workers stationed there. During the wait for foreign aid, which has been slow to arrive, Haitians have taken to clearing the rubble by hand. You can watch work being done on the Cathedral site here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmNLTEpq-pM.

* Source: The Office of the General Convention as of January 2010

Table of Statistics of The Episcopal Church from the 2008 Parochial Reports

** Source: NationMaster.com

Holy Trinity Cathedral Fund, c/o Episcopal Church Foundation, 815 Second Ave., New York, New York 10017 • www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do we know how the money will be spent?

A: Episcopal Relief & Development has funded a Chief Operating Officer for the Diocese of Haiti for the next three years. Mr. Sikhumbuzo Vundla has more than sixteen years’ experience working with international organizations, including CARE International and World Concern. Working directly with Bishop Duracin, Mr. Vundla oversees the financial and operational aspects of the Diocese of Haiti during this rebuilding process, including rebuilding the Cathedral. His position includes management of funds raised in the US, oversight of the rebuilding effort and coordination between Rebuild Our Church and projects funded by ERD. You can read more about Mr. Vundla’s appointment on the News & Videos page at www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal.

Q: Is my gift tax deductible in the U.S.?

A: Yes! Just make sure to include your contact information. Here’s how:

• Give online at www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal and your tax receipt will arrive by email within hours.

• Write a check to “Rebuild Our Church in Haiti” and mail it with your contact information to:

The Episcopal Church Foundation, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017

Be sure to include the name of your church and your diocese!

• Give cash at your parish fundraiser by putting your gift in one of the Rebuild Our Church envelopes provided. Be sure to fill out the contact information on the envelope.

• Make a gift of stock by calling Nancy Grizzaffi at the Episcopal Church Foundation at 1-800-697-2858 or e-mailing her at all@episcopalfoundation.org.

FAQs