A NOTE FROM FR. DUANE . . . A couple of songs come to mind in this long summer season of Pentecost: “Tropical Heatwave” and “It’s too Darn Hot.” It has been bad enough for us to have been suffering through the pandemic and now the local temperatures reaching as high as 109 degrees. Whew! Stay inside. Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay safe. Please call if you need help. My direct line is 509-998-6716 or 253-853-5869. Both numbers are received by my mobile phone.
If you know about a heat-suffering person who needs help, reach out, try to connect them with resources they need and if necessary, have them call directly. Whenever I am in the building, the church office is open I would be happy to welcome anyone who needs to come in for a time of cooling off. We have bottled water in the fridge and a solid, functioning air conditioning system in Echols Hall.
This summer season is a time waiting and resting. For farmers it is the season of anticipating harvest and the planting of new crops. Lots of great possibilities lie ahead. And what are we to do? I encourage you to find your rest by focusing on the self-care of prayer. We Episcopalians are a people of prayer, and “prayer changes things.” So, dust off your Prayer Book and begin again to renew your habit of daily devotions. Be invited to join us at church for Wednesday Sit and Pray. “It’ll do you good,” as my parents used to say; “It’s good for what ails you.” And be sure to remind yourselves, the words of this hymn.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land.
A home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day . . .. Amen
A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR WARDEN, PATTI CASE . . . It brings me such joy
to see and hear people in the pews at St. David’s, and I hope that in the near future we will see additional signs of adaptation toward a “new normal.” I have this to say about that. Yay God!
Last month I shared some early thinking about Rector/Vestry Mutual Ministry Goals. Thanks to a lot of great thinking by members, fueled by the spirit, we adopted the following goals at our last Vestry meeting. I think you’ll find they reflect a stepwise approach to fit our culture as a parish, with emphasis on coming back together, ed:
1. By September 30, 2021, Rector to initiate and conduct conversations with each member of St. David’s that ensures ongoing communication, nurturing and supportive pastoral relationships.
2. By December 31, 2021, Rector to learn and functionally internalize key aspects of St. David’s culture, history and pastoral practices in order to honor those elements when fulfilling pastoral responsibilities and creating the Strategic Plan (See Goal 4)
3. By September 30. 2021. Rector and Vestry to ensure effective management and timely reporting of all facets of St David’s financial and administrative operations, including:
– Budget and financial position
– Physical plant
4. By June 30, 2022, Rector and Vestry together lead the development of a five-year Congregational Strategic Plan for St. David’s sustainability and growth.
Of course these goals are a work in progress and they are only as effective as we, the congregation of St. David’s make them. To that end, we welcome your feedback and support.
PLEASE PRAY for all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends and neighbors, remembering especially: Shawn, Mike & Judy, Doug, Barrett, Janet, Greg, David S., David A., Ann, Robin, Betty, Margaret, Jonathan & Christina, Sue, Jesse, Don, Kayla & Ryan, Anthony, Derek, Kurt & family, James, Andy, Suzy, and Rogen & family. Lord have mercy.
JULY BIRTHDAYS . . .
- Judy Callaghan on the 9th;
- Annie-Beth Henry on the 20th; and
- Cathy Warner on the 22nd.
Happy Birthday to all and many happy returns of the day.
DATES TO REMEMBER. . .
July 4th
Independence Day – GOD BLESS AMERICA!
July 4, 11, 18, & 25, 10:30 am
Worship Service at St. David’s and Live Streaming on YouTube.
July 7, 14, 21, & 28, 10:00 am – Noon
Sit and Pray – Come as you are, stay as long as you like!
FROM BETH DAYWATERS . . . The Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties will hold their annual garden tour on Saturday, July 24th. The tour will include Beth’s garden at 1333 Satsop Rd. W., Montesano. Beth says “there will be good music playing throughout the day (indicative of my life as a teen of the 60’s), and it will be a fun day.” There will be three gardens on the tour, one of which is a world-class garden. Tickets will be available at several local businesses for about $12.00 – addresses & directions to each will be included on the tickets.(For further info Email Beth at bethatwatersedge@gmail.com or call 360-249-2231 or 360-580-1810)
