St. Benedict’s Weekly Prayers: Week of June 1, 2025

Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Collect:

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. 
Amen.

The Reverend Dr. Beth Echols

References below names "LFF" are celebrations from "Lesser Feasts and Fasts", 2021.  Holy Days are from the Book of Common Prayer Holy Day celebrations.  You can find "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" online at https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/21034

Daily Prayers for those in need or trouble:

Prayers for the Parish
Kathleen, Mary, David, Isabel, Gary, Judy, Patricia, Matthew, Chris, Pam, Ray, Kay, Pat, Andy, John, Elisabeth, Kathy, Rebekah, Becky, Kristie, Jacob, Aaron, Daphne, Sally and Jane

Prayers for friends of St. Benedict
Nancy Jo, Adam, Tina, Amanda and Jess
__________________________________________
In the case of a pastoral care emergency please call the Rector directly
360-485-7281

Monday - June 2- For Parish Members

Tony and Doretha
Don and Kay
Zula

(LFF:  Blandina and Her Companions, the Martyrs of Lyons, 177)

Tuesday - June 3 - For Parish Members

Mary
Jody and John
Barb

(LFF:  Martyrs of Uganda, 1886)

Wednesday - June 4 - For Parish Members

Bob and Karen
Felicia
Donald and Jenny

(LFF:  John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli), Bishop, 1963)

Thursday - June 5 - For Parish Members

Bob
Judy
Collie and Martha

(LFF:  Boniface, Bishop and Missionary, 754)

Friday - June 6- For Parish Members

Jim and Sharon
Otis
Alesya

Saturday - June 6 - 

Rogation Days
 
We come before you our God and Sustainer,
remembering that you are our Creator
and the source of all being.
Out of your love the universe was born.
From primordial darkness you put in place
all that is needed for growth
and saw that it was good.
You have put this world into our hands:
may we recognise your Spirit within it,
disturbing and challenging us to care for creation,
for the weak and the deprived.
Lord we remember that we are called by you
to nourish the earth and its diversity of life,
to share the gifts you have given, with one another
and with the poor of the world.
Amen

The Reverend Dr Beth Echols

Sunday - June 7, 2026
Day of Pentecost

Worship Services - 8 & 10:30 am

For the members of our parish family that
passed away  this year:

Ildiko Baldwin
Reverend Robert Williams
Reverend Eldwin Lovelady
Robert Wilson
Patricia Basta

Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

A Prayer for this Parish

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for St. Benedict's parish family.  Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.  Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
      Amen.

Parish Leaders

The Rev. Dr. Beth Echols, Rector
The Rev. Tony Irving, Deacon
Mr. Bob Zych, Senior Warden
Ms. Kelly Ellis, Junior Warden
Vestry members
Jan Akin, Bob Beckman, Karen Fraser,
Norman Gregory, Nancy Zabel, Gerry Apple, clerk

Our Beautiful Brass Thurible

Nancy Zabel, Sacristan

To enhance our worship during special liturgical days, we have been blessed to receive this beautiful brass Thurible (Censer) from the Diocesan Altar Guild for a small cost, saving about $1000.  It is used in the Episcopal church to burn incense during worship. It is a symbol of prayer ascending to God, sanctifying and purifying the space and congregation as holy. It also adds a sensory experience to worship creating reverence. It is a tradition that has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. 
We will burn Frankincense from our new Thurible on Thursday, May 29th at our evening Ascension service.  Psalm 141:2, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

The Nicene Creed 1700 Years Later

During the months of May and June in the year 325, some 381 bishops in a fledgling new sect, on gossip and rumor, gathered in a Roman province that is now part of Turkey. The Emperor, Constantine the Great, called the men together, including Santa Claus, to resolve a growing schism. We are still repeating and debating their work today. Join us on Sunday, around 9:15. You may be surprised by what you discover.

The Book of Joy

Bob Zych, Sr. Warden

Vestry has a practice on our agendas of reflecting on the internal values extracted from the Episcopal baptismal vows. Vestry intends these deeply held principles to guide our discernment and decision making.  

At the Vestry meeting earlier this month, our Sacristan reflected on the value of joy. I found her insights profound, and I followed her suggestion to The Book of Joy. The book captures the conversations between the Dahli Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu about joy over a week-long session between the two enlightened men from vastly different religious experiences. The content is inspirational, challenging, and deeply thought-provoking as it explores the pillars of joy. The theme is that joy is a state of mind, an attitude that can only be developed over time. Practice choosing to be joyful.  

I listened to the audiobook, and I found it more delightful than the written words. If you are open to some common-sense wisdom full of mischievous humor, consider delving into this wonderful title. I found it in the Timberland Library. And may the God of hope fill you with Joy and Peace, which passes all understanding. 

Sign Mock-Up Ready for Viewing

A mock-up of a sign designed by Lacey FastSigns was installed on May 25 by Clarice and Norman Gregory so the congregation and church leadership could evaluate if a permanent sign would benefit the parish.

Book Club Update: June 11

The Wednesday Morning Book Group is starting a new book:  We Will Be Jaguars:a Memoir of My People  
by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson. Nemonte is a leader of the Waorani people from the Amazon 
Region of Ecuador as well as being the winner of the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize.

We expect to start discussing We Will Be Jaguars at our 11:00 am Zoom meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

If you’re new to the group and wish to join us, please send me an email, and I’ll send you a link to the meeting.  
Send the email to Anne Metzler at annieg426@gmail.com .

Saint Suppers are Back: June 14 @ 5:30

After about 10 years we are bringing back one of our favorite ways to get to know each other.  Saint Suppers are dinners for 8 adults in a host home.  The host makes the main dish, and the guests bring the rest.  In the past we did these 3 – 4 times a year.  Our 1st one is Saturday, June 14th at 5:30.  Susie Zych and I are looking for hosts.  The only requirement is a table for 8 people. 
Once we have at least 4 hosts we will put out sign up sheets. 
Susie and I will assign singles and couples to a home and the host will call you to work out the details.  Email one of us to be a host and we will contact you.
Questions? Nancyzabel4@gmail.com or zychsusie@gmail.com

Save the Date: June 27th--Baked Potato Bingo

Mark your calendar for Everyone Bingo Night and Potato Bar. Friday, June 27th 5:30 to 7:30. Everyone is invited!   Food, Fun and PRIZES!

Faith in Action Ministry Update

The Faith in Action Ministry is up and running! Soon there will be a survey form asking for YOUR input on you SBEC can best make a difference.  Please share your thoughts and place it in the box.  Attached you will find links to 3 documents

• Faith in Action Policy

• Faith in Action Survey

• A Funding request submitted by Collie and Martha Liska

Please look them over and let the team know your thoughts in the survey.

Saint Benedict Episcopal Church: The Hands of Christ in the Heart of Lacey

SBEC Expects Summer Solstice Magic to Happen Again

—Norman Gregory, Building Steward

2500 years before the Common Era, Neolithic and Bronze Age People built Stonehenge so on the summer solstice the sun would rise between two specific stones and light the center of the structure. No one knows how they did the calculations but it clearly involved a huge amount of effort to make this work. 
Lacey Washington has its own solstice event that has remained a bit of an open secret among the congregation of St. Benedict Episcopal Parish.  When the church moved into their new building in 1987 all were impressed at their new house of worship.  One striking feature of the building was a large round window above the altar.  Looking at that window one parishioner felt that it needed something more so she took it upon herself to create a stained glass dove that to this day hangs in the center of the circle.
It wouldn’t have been until the first time that the sun shined through the window on the Sunday closest to the summer solstice that the annual “communion of the dove” would have been noticed at the 8 AM service.  Since this was clearly not planned, it may have even been missed that first year or seen as a one-off event but in any case the shadow of the dove joined the congregation in progressing down the center of the aisle for communion. Since then this bit of magic occurs every year on the Sunday closest to the solstice (as long as the clouds allow the sun to shine).
Now a number of the parishioners make it an annual event to watch on the special Sunday to see if the dove will join them for another year.
If you want to come and see a special solstice event yourself without having to travel further than 910 Bowker Street in Lacey then please join us for the 8 AM service on June 22nd and if the sun shines at the right moment we expect the magic to happen once again.

Celebrate Military History Month

The local news, Jolt (Military) recently reported that over 50% of veterans who retire or complete their tour of duty remain in Puget Sound.  Our own St. Benedict Episcopal Church attests to the welcome service members and their families receive. 

During the month of May that celebrates our military, please reach out to service members and invite them to join us for worship and fellowship.  If you are a Veteran, we are glad you are here.

Capital City Pride 2025: June 27-29

St. Benedict has been asked to support St. John Episcopal Church in Olympia as they prepare for Capital City Pridefest 2025!  More information about this event will follow shortly but, in the meantime, to have it on your calendars, it will be the weekend of June 27-29, with the parade on Sunday morning starting at 11am.   Kelly is working on gathering contact information if any SBEC parishioners want to consider volunteering!  SBEC has been a great source of support for our LGBTQIA+ community for years, and showing our support to our neighbors at St. John is part of being the Hands of Christ in the heart of Lacey!

English Ivy

English Ivy has been a frequent topic of discussion in the St. Benedict landscape, as well as around the larger community. Although the plant may appear appealing, English Ivy is a Class C noxious weed widespread in Washington (Source: WA State Noxious Weed Board). The ivy grows very aggressively and invasively, overwhelming other plantings, and even choking trees. Controlling the ivy became a landscape maintenance frustration at SBEC. 

Vestry opted to eradicate the ivy infestation around the Columbarium and back parking lot. A contractor was hired to remove the ivy and begin a longer management process to safely and responsibly eliminate the plant. 
What a difference this has made lookig at the before and after pictures above!
Later this year, SBEC will craft a plan for replanting the areas with more friendly foliage.  

Wednesday Healing Service

The Episcopal Church has an established tradition of providing healing services. The St. Benedict Healing service is a public gathering where folks come together to pray for healing and wholeness for themselves and others, with the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. The Service emphasizes prayer, spiritual support, and a sense of community in seeking God's healing presence.

Our community is blessed with the Great Cloud of Witnesses and so we call on the Saints of our faith to inspire us to wholeness.

We gather each Wednesday at the side chapel at 12:15. I hope you will join us.

Oppose Extreme Tax Cuts!

Congress is attempting to extend tax cuts first enacted in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These tax cuts benefited the wealthiest Americans, and current proposals would pay for tax breaks by cutting programs such as Medicaid and food assistance that protect the most vulnerable. As a church, our priority is to center those at the margins of society, including by supporting a tax code that reduces economic disparities.  

As the markup for the reconciliation package moves forward, we urge you to oppose an extension of costly tax cuts at the expense of programs that serve those who are vulnerable.  

Join us in calling for a fair tax system that gives relief to those who need it the most!