Rest in Peace: The Rev. Robert L. Williams

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The Reverend Robert L. Williams, a beloved servant of God, devoted family man, passionate traveler, and accomplished musician, passed away on March 5, 2025, at Providence Saint Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Born on June 30, 1936, in Findlay, Ohio, Reverend Williams proudly served in the United States Army, playing the French horn in the military band.
During his service, he met and married the love of his life, Daphne B. Grint, in Lowestoft, England, with whom he shared a remarkable 68-year marriage. Together, they raised five cherished children while traveling through Europe, the United States, and Canada. Reverend Williams is survived and will be missed by his devoted children—Karen, Michelle (Marion), Andrew (Julie), Patrick (Susan), and Celia—as well as fourteen treasured grandchildren and eleven beloved great-grandchildren.
Following a distinguished 22-year career in the United States Army, Reverend Williams was ordained and dedicated himself to serving the Lord for forty-eight years in Washington and California. He found profound purpose in ministering to the needy, including prison inmates, shut-ins, and hospital patients.
In addition to his loving wife Daphne, Reverend Williams will be deeply missed by his grandchildren—Jason (Nicole), Devon (Connor), Rachel (Jeff), Orin, Nathan, Joshua (Aubrie), Kaitlyn (Kyle), Korey, Claire (Daniel), and Shane—as well as his eleven great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and compassion and will be deeply missed by all who know him, including his brother- and sister-in-law, John and Barbara Grint, of Lowestoft, England.
His family would like to thank the staff of Providence Saint Peter’s Hospital, Olympia, Washington for their kindness, compassion, and dedication to service. They also wish to thank Bishop LaBelle and Pastor Echols, both of the Episcopal Church, The Diocese of Olympia and Bishop Tom Nelson, Olympia 1st Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Instead of flowers please consider making a donation to Cure Alzheimer’s or Alzheimer’s Association. Our family is deeply grateful for your generosity.

Burial Office and Commendation will be held at St. Benedict Episcopal Church, March 26, 2025 at 11:00 am, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

Committal and Internment will be at Woodlawn Funeral Home Cemetary at 2:00 pm.

Notes From the Sacristy: Communion Wine

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by Nancy Zabel, Sacriston

This Californian vineyard has a long tradition of making the finest sacramental wines on the market. All wines are prepared in accordance with Canon Law. Vineyards have ecclesiastical praises by the Bishops in their respective dioceses. The Eucharistic wine is traditionally red to symbolize the blood of Christ, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The use of red wine helps to visually, and symbolically represent the blood of the new Covenant, as mentioned in the words during the Eucharist. 

Adult Education Update: Giving Up Church for Lent

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—Rev. Dr. Beth Echols

Church, do we really need it?  The numbers in America are staggering
Key Statistics:

  • 20% of Americans attend church every week (Gallup)

  • 41% of Americans are in monthly church attendance or more (Gallup)

  • 57% of Americans are seldom or never in religious service attendance (Gallup)

  • Regular church attendance has steadily declined since the turn of the century (Gallup and Pew Research Center)

Some of our most brilliant thinkers even prophesied with glee the death of religion and in particular, Christianity,
“And I said, isn't it great that religion is just fading as a force in American life? We'll all be more enlightened and more tolerant and less bigoted and ignorant as a result.” (Jon Rauch)
It turns out that the Lord is not finished yet and many pundits are singing a different tune that is more lament than delight.
We will explore the ever present and always evolving face of religion in America during Adult Education.
I hope that you will join us.

Altar Guild UpDate

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The Altar Guild meets every Sunday after the 10:30 service to take care of the sacred vessels, vestments, and linens.
We would love to have you join us. Alone, our responsibilities take 30 – 40 minutes on Sunday.  With YOU... about 15 minutes. We are especially looking for parishioners from 8:00.  You are invited to come and see what it's all about.  Email for more information: nancyzabel4@gmail.com

Let There Be Light

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Norman Gregory, Building and Grounds Steward

Oh how the Altos and Sopranos do grumble when they can't their music see!

(The Tenors and Basses are so used to being kept in the dark.)

When what should appear but Devin with his electrician's license in hand
to lead the charge while Norman played apprentice with glee.

And soon the choir area glowed with a new found light and all was ready
for the next time we sing "Hark!"

(Sorry bad poetry but great lighting!)

Where did the big juniper bush go??

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Norman Gregory, Building and Grounds Steward

Some folks will notice right away that a big juniper bush has disappeared from our porch area at St. Benedict Church.  The juniper was likely planted along with the other original landscaping when the church was opened.  Since that time it has grown quite (make that "very") large and needed to be trimmed frequently to keep it from making it impossible to sit on the benches that Don Laford upgraded a couple years ago.  It was felt that it had outgrown its place in our landscaping plan. Today we removed the plant and were pleasantly surprised to see that taking it away really opened up the front of the church to people looking in from the parking lot!

Now comes the fun part: Spring is on the way and we have some "lonesome" dark, rich soil looking for some roots to nourish. If you have ideas for plants that could live there and add to the beauty of our church home than please let Junior Warden Kelly Ellis (peopleswarden@stbenedictlacey.org) know of your thoughts. (Ideas so far include azaleas and spring bulbs.)

Pear Blossom Place

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The 2024-2025 Winter will probably be a cold one. Pear
Blossom Place will be helping the homeless individuals by
providing a warm shelter when the weather outside becomes
very cold.

Pear Blossom Place is located in Olympia behind the Casa Mia.
Homeless families with children live at Pear Blossom Place
throughout the year. Plus, this very accommodating place will
provide room on the first floor for single individuals who are
homeless during times when the weather gets severe. Pear
Blossom Place needs the following items for these homeless
individuals: Pillows, Blankets, Single bed sheets, Bath towels
Each Sunday after the second service, I will deliver these items to
the Pear Blossom Place. The administrative team and staff at
Pear Blossom Place are very grateful of all the items that our
congregation have provided them in the past.

If you have any questions concerning this project you may text ,
call or email me.   360-480-5330; geraldappl@yahoo.com.
For more information, please check out their website:
https://fscss.org/services/pear-blossom-place/