Good Things Ahead

Holy Week was a time of busyness and Holiness as we commemorated the Divine gift that Jesus brought to the world through His most unselfish gift of love for us and for the world. I am so grateful to all who participated in helping to create such meaningful worship experiences through that week and Easter Sunday. As we begin the Season of Easter (The Great 50 Days), St. Augustine's calendar is full of things to look forward to. 

April 11: We'll Baptize little Benjamin Teague at the 10:30 service
April 18: Canon Shannon Manning will preach and participate in our Annual Parish Meeting.
April 25: Adult Sunday Formation will resume (see details below).

And we will have 2 weddings, and perhaps another baptism during the month of May.
And of course, there will be more to come from the Search Committee as they continue their work. Please complete the survey when you receive it; it is important to the future of your church.

​It's an exciting time at St. Augustine's, and I am so very happy to be surrounded by your energy as you demonstrate your love for God and your love for one another.

Blessings+
Fr. Brad.

​Sunday Adult Christian Formation is returning to St. Augustine’s!

Fr. Brad will be leading The Discovery Series. Whether you are new to the Christian Faith, new to the Episcopal Church or a life-long Episcopalian, this course will provide you with information and insight as you continue your journey with Christ.

The first program in the series – The Path to Episcopal Worship - includes an instructed Eucharist, a history of the Episcopal Church and information about the Church’s traditions and governance. Designed for newcomers, visitors and life-long Episcopalians, this Program explains the symbolism in our worship and the governance of the Church.

This program is presented in 3 segments: April 25, May 2, May 9 – at 9:15 in Byrd Hall. (We are exploring ways in which the course can be offered online concurrently.)

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday, April 18th @ 9:15am in Byrd Hall and by Zoom. You have received an email from Dotty Suthon regarding amendments made to the Church Charters and Bylaws, please review these and contact her with any questions as a vote will be made at the meeting. We will also vote on new Vestry members, at this time the nominees are: Donovan Ohrt-Champagne, Ronald Coats, and Kate Smith.

This week you will receive an email with profiles on each nominee to give everyone a little
background on who they will be voting for.

Maundy Thursday, April 1st
6:00 pm - Maundy Thursday Liturgy
(socks collected for the homeless)

Readings for Maundy Thursday Service

Good Friday, April 2nd
11:30 am – Stations of the Cross
12:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
5:30 pm – Stations of the Cross
6:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgy

Bulletin for Good Friday Service

 Easter Sunday - April 4th
8:00 am - Festival of Holy Eucharist
9:15 am - Easter Egg Hunt and Courtyard Safe-Distanced Gathering
10:30 am - Festival of Holy Eucharist

Readings for Easter Services

We will be taking reservations for Easter to help us prepare and anticipate overflow if needed. Please use the links below to sign up for the service you will be attending:
8:00am Service Reservation  or 10:30am Service Reservation

Search Committee Update

​The Search Committee with advice from the Diocese is creating a survey that will be sent out in the next few weeks.

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday, April 18th @ 9:15am in Byrd Hall and by Zoom. You have received an email from Dotty Suthon regarding amendments made to the Church Charters and Bylaws, please review these and contact her with any questions as a vote will be made at the meeting. We will also vote on new Vestry members, at this time the nominees are: Donovan Ohrt-Champagne, Ronald Coats, and Kate Smith.

If you interested in self nominating please contact Susan Scotton. We will have more information about the meeting in the weeks to come.

8:00 am -Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist Rite I
10:30 am - Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist Rite II

In order to remain safely distanced, Palm Sunday Services will begin in the Church, rather
than in the courtyard.

Join us Sunday in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website
or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet

8:00am Service Bulletin
 10:30am Service Bulletin

We will be taking reservations for Easter to help us prepare and anticipate overflow if needed. Please use the links below to sign up for the service you will be attending
8:00am Service Reservation or 10:30am Service Reservation.

Maundy Thursday, April 1st
6:00 pm - Maundy Thursday Liturgy
(socks collected for the homeless)
 
Good Friday, April 2nd
11:30 am – Stations of the Cross
12:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
5:30 pm – Stations of the Cross
6:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
 
Easter Sunday - April 4th
8:00 am - Festival of Holy Eucharist
9:15 am - Easter Egg Hunt and Courtyard Safe-Distanced Gathering
10:30 am - Festival of Holy Eucharist

​
​Search Committee Update
The Vestry of St. Augustine's would like to introduce and welcome our Rector Search Committee members. They are: Raul Esquivel (Chair), Susan Hackett Walpole (Vice-Chair), Stephen Braud, Patrick Goodman, Tony Gregorio, Myra Noustens, Donovan Ohrt-Champagne, and Kate Smith.

We were blessed that so many people were willing to serve. We will have ways for everyone to participate in this process as it moves along.

Palm Sunday, March 28th
8:00 am -Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist Rite I
10:30 am - Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist Rite II

In order to remain safely distanced, Palm Sunday Services will begin in the Church, rather
than in the courtyard.
 
Maundy Thursday, April 1st
6:00 pm - Maundy Thursday Liturgy
 
Good Friday, April 2nd
11:30 am – Stations of the Cross
12:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
5:30 pm – Stations of the Cross
6:00 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
 
Easter Sunday - April 4th
8:00 am - Festival of Holy Eucharist
9:15 am - Easter Egg Hunt and Courtyard Safe-Distanced Gathering
10:30 am - Festival of Holy Eucharist

St. Augustine's is governed by its original Charter, prepared in 1963 and amended
throughout the years. The Charter contains the rules that we must follow in doing business,
such as when the annual meeting is held and who qualifies as a member of the church. The
Vestry has been working for several years on updating the Charter and bringing it in line
with the recommendations of the Diocese and the National Church. At the same time, we
were advised that we needed to prepare and adopt Bylaws for the church.

Attached to this email is the proposed Amended and Restated Charter and the proposed
Bylaws, both approved by the Vestry. These will be presented and discussed at the Annual
Meeting on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at 9:15 am. I encourage all members to read these
carefully - everyone should understand how your church works!

In order to get this and all of the other items done at the Annual Meeting, I ask that anyone
who has any questions or needs any clarification contact me prior to April 18th.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Dotty Suthon
Chancellor

Church Charters 
Church Bylaws

Third Sunday of Lent 

Join us Sunday in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website
or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet

8:00am Service Bulletin
10:30am Service Bulletin

GUMBO SALE: GREAT FOOD FOR A GREAT CAUSE
 
This Sunday from 9 am until noon (or while supplies last), MOSA, the Men of St. Augustine's, will be giving away their delicious chicken and sausage gumbo. Yes, giving away! Donations are happily received, and this year all proceeds will be dedicated to the Honduran Scholars program to benefit Hillary Barrera, our 2021-2022 student who happens to be our friend Mother Olga's own daughter. Hillary has been preceded by ten other Honduran students who have had their lives changed by this opportunity. Having come from modest circumstances, they are now honors students in excellent universities studying such majors as chemical, electrical and civil engineering, veterinary medicine, public health and creative entrepreneurship.  Enjoy your delicious gumbo!

PEN PAL MINISTRY

Our St. Augustine's Pen Pal Ministry was developed in hopes to bring members closer to their own faith and church community by extending an outreach to others that need a greater since of community themselves. We want our members and letter recipients to feel the sense of community that will always be the St. Augustine's way. Each month, Catherine Coats emails out a list of people that might benefit from a letter or card. You can write letters to who you want, send uplifting messages to who you want, or even have your children color a picture to those you want. After you write, Catherine asks that you send her feedback, so she can fill in gaps to those who have received less communication than others.  If you would like to write letters or you know someone who should be receiving them, please contact Catherine Coats.  

VESTRY ELECTION PROCESS BASED ON PRAYERFUL DISCERNMENT
 
Dear All,
In order to continue to be effective in spreading the Good News of God, churches require good and faithful leadership. Many people are hesitant to participate in the ministry of Vestry Member. It seems that hesitancy often occurs because some people really do not know what the work of a Vestry consists of, or the responsibilities of those who serve on a Vestry. Please see the information below, and I do hope that you will consider attending this brief informational session.
Blessings+,
Fr. Brad
 
The process by which vestry members will be elected at St. Augustine's this year will be a process of Prayerful Discernment by those who feel they may be called to this ministry of church leadership. The process takes place as follows:
 
        Discernment Session - Sunday March 14 at 9:15 am in Byrd Hall and via Zoom

• Any who feel they might be called to the ministry of vestry member, including former vestry members, are strongly urged to attend this session led by the Rector (Fr. Brad) and Senior Warden (Susan Scotton) in which the responsibilities and expectations of vestry members are presented. All who wish to attend must inform the Senior Warden prior to the meeting, and those who wish to attend via ZOOM must provide an email address so that an invitation to the meeting may be sent.

• At the end of the session, each attendee will be given a nomination form on which she/he may indicate if she/he would like to nominate herself/himself to run in the vestry election. Those who wish to nominate themselves, must let the Senior Warden know to ensure that their names are included on the election ballot.

 

• Because attendance at this session is required for one to be included in the regular nominations, any who wish to attend but are unable to do so should contact the Rector or Senior Warden prior to the March 14 session to make other arrangements. In other words, everyone will be given an opportunity to participate in this process.

• Self-Nominations

  While anyone may encourage another to run in the vestry election, nominations will only be
accepted from the individual seeking election. The purpose is to ensure that only those who
are willing to commit themselves to this ministry are nominated.

• Floor Nominations

Self-Nominations will be allowed from the floor during the Annual Parish Meeting.

UPDATE ON OUR SEARCH JOURNEY
 
The Vestry is happy to announce that Raul Esquivel has agreed to be chairman of our search committee and Susan Walpole will be vice chairman. We are grateful to the many of you who have submitted your names for consideration. We will be in touch with you shortly.
  
Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: send forth your Holy Spirit to guide the Search Committee, Vestry, and parish family of St. Augustine's to be of one heart and mind in our search for a rector who will worship in our midst, become part of our parish family, and guide us in spiritual growth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Great Food for a Great Cause
 
This Sunday from 9 am until noon (or while supplies last), MOSA, the Men of St. Augustine's, will be giving away their delicious chicken and sausage gumbo. Yes, giving away! Donations are happily received and this year all proceeds will be dedicated to the Honduran Scholars program to benefit Hillary Barrera, our 2021-2022 student who happens to be our friend Mother Olga's own daughter.

Hillary has been preceded by ten other Honduran students who have had their lives changed by this opportunity. Having come from modest circumstances, they are now honors students in excellent universities studying such majors as chemical, electrical and civil engineering, veterinary medicine, public health and creative entrepreneurship. Their joy and gratitude for this experience has been immeasurable, and they plan to use the gifts they have been given to change the world. They have certainly become part of our St. Augustine's family, and we are blessed by their presence in our community.

​Hillary may be the last student we are able to sponsor due to increasing costs, so this year will be extra special. Your generosity and prayers for Hillary are appreciated as you enjoy your delicious gumbo!

Third Sunday of Lent 

Join us Sunday  in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet

8:00 am Service Bulletin
10:30am Service Bulletin

Dear All,
In order to continue to be effective in spreading the Good News of God, churches require good and faithful leadership. Many people are hesitant to participate in the ministry of Vestry Member. It seems that hesitancy often occurs because some people really do not know what the work of a Vestry consists of or the responsibilities of those who serve on a Vestry. Please see the information below, and I do hope that you will consider attending this brief informational session.
Blessings+
Fr. Brad
 
Vestry Election Process Based on Prayerful Discernment
 
The process by which vestry members will be elected at St. Augustine's this year will be a process of Prayerful Discernment by those who feel they may be called to this ministry of church leadership. 

The process takes place as follows:

• Discernment Session - Sunday March 14 at 9:15 am in Byrd Hall and via Zoom
  • Any who feel they might be called to the ministry of vestry member, including former vestry members, are strongly urged to attend this session led by the Rector (Fr. Brad) and Senior Warden (Susan Scotton) in which the responsibilities and expectations of vestry members are presented. All who wish to attend must inform the Senior Warden prior to the meeting, and those who wish to attend via ZOOM must provide an email address so that an invitation to the meeting may be sent.
  • At the end of the session, each attendee will be given a nomination form on which she/he may indicate if she/he would like to nominate herself/himself to run in the vestry election. Those who wish to nominate themselves, must let the Senior Warden know to ensure that their names are included on the election ballot.
  • Because attendance at this session is required for one to be included in the regular nominations, any who wish to attend but are unable to do so should contact the Rector or Senior Warden prior to the March 14 session to make other arrangements. In other words, everyone will be given an opportunity to participate in this process.
  • Self-Nominations: While anyone may encourage another to run in the vestry election, nominations will only be accepted from the individual seeking election. The purpose is to ensure that only those who are willing to commit themselves to this ministry are nominated.
  • Floor Nominations: Self-Nominations will be allowed from the floor during the Annual Parish Meeting.

Update on Our Search Journey
 
The Vestry is happy to announce that Raul Esquivel has agreed to be chairman of our search committee and Susan Walpole will be vice chairman. We are grateful to the many of you who have submitted your names for consideration. We will be in touch with you shortly. 

Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: send forth your Holy Spirit to guide the Search Committee, Vestry, and parish family of St. Augustine's to be of one heart and mind in our search for a rector who will worship in our midst, become part of our parish family, and guide us in spiritual growth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
Pen Pal Ministry

Our St. Augustine's PenPal Ministry was developed in hopes to bring members closer to their own faith and church community by extending an outreach to others that need a greater since of community themselves.  We want our members and letter recipients to feel the sense of community that will always be the St. Augustine's way.  Each month, Catherine Coats emails out a list of people that might benefit from a letter or card.  You can write letters to who you want, send uplifting messages to who you want, or even have your children color a picture to those you want.  After you write, Catherine asks that you 
send her feedback, so she can fill in gaps to those who have received less communication than others.  If you would like to write letters or you know someone who should be receiving them, please contact Catherine.
 
Please do not leave messages on Fr. AJ's church voicemail. We are unable to retrieve any messages left in that mailbox.

Gumbo Sale

MOSA is back with a FREE Gumbo Takeout Dinner (donations accepted). It will be distributed on Sunday March 14th from 9am to 12pm. We will have chicken and sausage gumbo in quart size containers, while supplies last.

Second Sunday of Lent 

Join us Sunday  in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet

 8:00 am Service Bulletin
10:30am Service Bulletin

The Passing of Edgar Walker

As most of you know by now, Edgar Walker, Sr. entered Life Eternal on February 17, 2021.  
There will be a service for Family Only at St. Augustine's.
 
I am sorry to announce that long-time parishioner T. C. Wicker entered Life Eternal on 
February 24, 2021.  There will be a service for Family Only at St. Augustine's
 
Eternal Rest grant to them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

STAYING CONNECTED

It is no secret that many of our friends are experiencing isolation, even loneliness, during the current pandemic. I ask that you take a little time to think about your fellow members whom you have not seen in a while and simply give them a call - or a text - or an email. And I mean that not only for those who are attending church.  If you find that you miss your Church and your friends because you are self-isolating, you can reach out, as well.  You never know who would love to hear from someone else who shares the same love that you have for your church and the people who have been united through this place of fellowship and worship.  It's important that always seek ways to stay connected - and right now it's more important than ever. Go ahead - make a call - the joy you bring someone else will be joy for you as well.

First Sunday of Lent 

Susan and Clint Walpole have beautifully written our collect that we will use during our search for our next Rector. It will be used on Sundays and before Vestry and Search Committee gatherings. The beginning is from the Collect for St Augustine's of Hippo.
 
Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: send forth your Holy Spirit to guide the Search Committee, Vestry, and parish family of St. Augustine's to be of one heart and mind in our search for a rector who will worship in our midst, become part of our parish family, and guide us in spiritual growth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
News From the Vestry

Now that we have welcomed Fr. Brad St. Romain as our Interim Rector, the Vestry can move forward with the next step: forming a search committee to find our new rector. Therefore, we are asking all members of the congregation to pray and think about whether they are called to be a part of this process. All members of the congregation will be involved in supporting and praying for the committee throughout, but we need 7-9 people to serve on the committee who can see what is best for our future. Members of the search committee must be good listeners and committed to our community. The members will meet with Shannon Manning, Canon to the Ordinary, for training on the process. The search will last at least one year, so a member should be able to commit the time and effort. It may be necessary for one or more members to travel in order to interview or see candidates. If you feel called to this work, please contact Susan Scotton.
 
This Sunday, Feb 21st, the first Sunday of Lent, we will cautiously gather back in Byrd Hall for adult Christian Education. No food or coffee allowed, masks required and no tables, chairs will be spaced 6 feet apart.

​Join us Sunday  in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet

8:00 am Service Bulletin
10:30am Service Bulletin

STAYING CONNECTED

It is no secret that many of our friends are experiencing isolation, even loneliness, during the current pandemic. I ask that you take a little time to think about your fellow members whom you have not seen in a while and simply give them a call - or a text - or an email. And I mean that not only for those who are attending church.  If you find that you miss your Church and your friends because you are self-isolating, you can reach out, as well.  You never know who would love to hear from someone else who shares the same love that you have for your church and the people who have been united through this place of fellowship and worship.  It's important that always seek ways to stay connected - and right now it's more important than ever. Go ahead - make a call - the joy you bring someone else will be joy for you as well.