“The peace of Christ be always with you.” We say these words following the proclamation of the absolution of sin in our liturgy. Through Christ, humanity has peace with God. Christ's death and resurrection cleanses us of all sin. We can stand in God’s presence clean of sin and at perfect peace with God. And then, in the liturgy the words that follow are “and also with you.” This refrain captures the fact that Christ’s atonement also brings peace between fellow humans.

Christ is the great peace bringer. Christ removes the barriers that separate people. In confession we repent of the evil we do each week. Doing so removes the grievances between us and allows people to live in community. The act of receiving forgiveness softens hearts to live in unity with one another.

Passing the peace is a promise of what is to come when Jesus comes back and brings his kingdom fully.

When we pass the peace, we are living into the promise that one day all the barriers will be destroyed. That God’s whole creation will live in peace with one another and with God. The act of standing up to pass the peace is an act of faith. That faith stand proclaims that one day God will put all things right and we will live in perfect peace with ourselves, one another and all creation.

Thus, passing the peace reminds us that we are people of the Kingdom of God. As Christians, our first alliance is to Christ. Our baptismal commitment is to be people who act like Jesus. We commit to be people of reconciliation and peace. Passing the peace is the last act of the liturgy before communion. We pass the peace before communion to remind us that the communion shapes us into Kingdom people. Communion acts as the potter’s wheel and forms us into peaceable people who live for God’s kingdom of justice and flourishing for all. God’s reconciling internal calm combined with the nourishment of the Lord’s table creates a person of peace.

My peace-offered hand embodies this truth when I pass the peace. When I offer my hand to shake your hand, I am offering you peace, love and joy. My embrace is also a prayer for you that you do well, that you will have everything you need to thrive and live the life God wants you to live. That peace symbolizes all the good I hope for you. This moment is a snapshot of the love and care I have for you and the peace that Christ has created between us.

During the pandemic, of all the activities I miss most due to social distancing, is passing the peace.

In the liturgy after confession I, the priest, say, “The peace of Christ be always with you” and I miss hearing the resounding harmonious return of, “And also with you.” I miss walking through the sanctuary and shaking hands and hugging each other. I miss passing Christ’s reconciliation peace to each of you. This deeply grieves me.

I am not alone in this. I think the passing the peace is a unique symbol of Christian community. I think you miss this also. So, I decided to start The Passing the Peace Project.

St. John's Lincoln Food Pantry

Recently, Gary and I went to a farm in Minnesota with Chloe and Liv. Chloe guided us to a hillside which overlooked acres of corn fields and vineyards.

We sat next to her on the grass as she delivered a "sermon on the hill." What wonderful insights children have that cause us to pause and listen to what is really worth hearing.

Pastor Maryellen, Gary and Chloe

You may have noticed Pastor Anny’s beautiful shepherd’s stole. Pastor Anny’s stole depicts a shepherd and its flock. Pastor Anny says, “I see myself as a shepherd. So, I ordered this stole from two ladies who make these Story Stoles.”

There is a story behind these very special stoles.

Each stole is memorable and shares a story from scripture that corresponds with the liturgical church calendar. Every stole is handmade, using beautiful and vivid materials and comes with a corresponding Bible verse on the back collar to share God's Story.

Story Stoles was created by two talented women. Stacey Siebrasse, a Lutheran pastor, and her sister, Brooke James, graphic designer, and mother of three boys. They grew up in a creative household. Their mother, a talented seamstress and quilter, taught them sewing and the art of imaginative design from a young age.

Their father also reinforced their sense of wonder and experimentation. When sitting around a campfire one evening, talking about their interests in the arts, Stacey and Brooke decided to embark as sister-partners on a creative adventure.

 “I’ve been thinking about making my own stoles,” said Stacey, “stoles that are more than conceptual - stoles that help me share actual stories from scripture.”

“You come up with the concepts,” responded Brooke, “and I’ll design them!” With that, Story Stoles™ began. Since then, Brooke and Stacey have been working to design and create stoles that not only correspond with the liturgical church calendar but also favorite stories from the Bible.

Story Stoles is located in Havre, MT, a town located 45 miles from the Canadian border with a population of nearly 10,000. Montana State University-Northern is located in Havre.

Visit the Story Stoles website to explore all of the beautiful stoles they have created.

www.storystoles.com

Online Giving - Electronic Donations

Between 35% and 40% of our monthly giving is being donated online. Visit the St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church website at:

Click on the 'Donate' button. Follow the screen instructions to create an online profile. You can make one-time donations and also set up recurring gifts. You can use credit cards and build your points and miles. You will have the option to help offset the credit card processing fees.

 If you need more information, please contact Chris or Steve at:

Chris Deering (916-484-9195) or lmalex@mac.com)

Steve Merhson (916-768-6933) or steve.mershon@icloud.com

By Janice Stenzel

Acres of Hope: When COVID-19 hit, Acres of Hope was forced to close its ReNew Store in Roseville and saw the instant vanishing of 40% of its income. The store was able to reopen in May, but with limited hours, volunteers and customers, they have yet to recover. In addition to that, all fundraisers, events and speaking engagements were canceled, and there is no idea yet, when or if they will be able to resume those large gatherings and events.

Lisa Risdal, Executive Director, Acres of Hope

St. Luc School Haiti: In addition to having to deal with COVID-19, St. Luc’s School in Haiti was horrified to find its school vandalized and chairs, tables and chalkboards were stolen right before school was to begin. Outreach Ministry provided $500 to St. Luc’s to assist them in restoring the school so classes could begin again.

Lighting for Literacy, Thai/Myanmar: Outreach Ministry provided $500 to Lighting for Literacy to fund shipment of 10 solar charging stations for laptops for Thai/Myanmar border Migrant Learning Centers. These learning centers benefit teachers and hundreds of students. Lighting for Literacy provides opportunities for STEM middle and high school students to build sustainable and renewable lighting systems which are then provided to students in under-served countries. (See article below).

The Gathering Inn Hosting Program: Outreach Ministry continues to work with The Gathering Inn Hosting Program Team to provide and prepare the monthly dinner for The Gathering Inn guests on the second Wednesday of every month. During this time of COVID-19, the meals are prepared and delivered to The Gathering Inn and St. John's Roseville, where the guests are housed for the night. 

In addition, the Outreach Team will send a cooking team, once each quarter, to The Gathering Inn Auburn location, to prepare a meal on-site in their designated kitchen trailer. Cost will be borne by an Outreach grant. The Gathering Inn is the only homeless shelter in South Placer County and the only shelter that takes families. Join us as we extend to them a warm welcome from St. Augustine. www.thegatheringinn.com

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to Outreach Ministry and made these grants possible. If you are interested in joining our team, we meet on the first Sunday of the month. Presently that is on Zoom. Our next meeting will be Sunday, September 6^th, at 3 p.m. Please contact Camille Grabowski at camillegrabowski@gmail.com or 916-409-5509.

The St. James Food Pantry is open at the church in Lincoln, primarily serving people in that community. The number of families they support has risen in the past few months. They greatly appreciate our support.

Unlike some of the larger food cooperatives, the Pantry needs items packed in smaller containers. Here is a list of popular items: fruit cups, peanut butter (16 ounce), Mac n Cheese, cereals, canned tuna and chicken, pinto beans (small bags), rice and small boxes of pancake mix.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, St. Vincent de Paul has closed its kitchen and dining room. For now, the volunteers prepare the meals, place them in brown bags, and Supervisor John Mayne distributes the lunches.

On August 20^th, the volunteers prepared bag lunches for the patrons, adding chips, trail mix and bottled water to the main meal in the brown bag. Volunteers Catherine Beckman, Janice and Rick Stenzel assembled the lunches. The Supervisor of St. Vincent de Paul, John Mayne, passed out the lunches at 11:30.

Our volunteers for the upcoming session on September 17^th are John Redmond, Deidre Shonk and Steve Broce.

The goats and sheep returned to St. Augustine. Hopefully they ate every piece of grass and weed. We welcome the goats to our property. They keep us safe from fire.

A couple of years ago, Sam Weston brought his dream of a Bear Ministry to St. Augustine. He envisioned us building bears, with special “blessed” hearts, to be given to youngsters in the hospital. He wanted them to have something to hold on to, something they could turn to when they were scared, hurting or just needed a friend. Well, many of us helped Sam build some bears. And they were welcomed and loved by their lucky recipients.

There is still an inventory of materials to build more bears. Sam is bringing this project back and is looking for some help with building them. He needs sewers, stuffers and hand stitchers.

Can you lend a hand???? If so, please contact Sam at:

He would be happy to fill you in on the details of how you can be of help.

Join the St. Augustine Blessing and Movie Night, Friday September 11^th at 7 p.m. Reservations are required.

Please join the St. Augustine Movie and Blessing Night, Saturday, August 12^th at

Dear Sunday School Students,

Missing you all.

As you all know from reading the Regathering Safety Measures that were sent out, Sunday School will not resume when Church first opens.

We are looking forward to when we will be able to worship in person. Check your Shutterfly for weekly links to Godly Play lessons or the St. Augustine Facebook page.

Please feel free to reach out to Natalie at mommy.cooper1@gmail.com or Kara at ksdiaz22@gmail.com if you have any questions or need assistance. We are so fortunate to have our Church community and want to make sure our kiddos know we are here for them.

Natalie and Kara

Pastor Anny will be our guest for the Daughters of the King (DOK) "gathering" on Zoom, Sunday, September 13^th, at 11:30 a.m.

Our new Pastor will share her background, experience and her Calling. "Pastor Anny needs to know us, and we need to know her!" said Carol Ann Hackley, DOK president.

DOK usually meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Notification will be sent when in-person meetings are scheduled to resume. For more information, please contact Carol Ann Hackley at:

tchackley@yahoo.com

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew holds its regular monthly meetings at 9 a.m. in Canterbury Hall the fourth Saturday morning of the month. During this time of restrictions, due to COVID-19, the Brotherhood is observing social distancing and holding its meetings via Zoom.

The Brotherhood Executive Director, Tom Welch, was the guest speaker for the August 22^nd meeting. Welch discussed what was going on at the Executive level of Brotherhood. He also encouraged any Brothers who might be interested in being part of the Executive Board or wish to be President of Province VIII (west coast) to contact him.

The Brothers approved a $200 donation to Acres of Hope, including an additional anonymous donation. The Brothers are considering a fund-raising event in November, either virtual or outdoors, for the wildfire victims of Northern California. There was interest in doing a Bingo afternoon/early evening. Plans are still in the making.

Anyone who has an interest in the Brotherhood can contact:

Director Rob Shonk at robshonk1976@hotmail.com

Secretary John Redmond at jcred40@gmail.com

Treasurer John Quigley at jjquigley28@gmail.com

The Brotherhood will continue to observe social distancing and will hold their meeting via Zoom. The next meeting will be September 26^th.

Simply visit the link below or visit our website to get started! smile.amazon.com/ch/68-0305177

Bob & Chris Deering

Don & Ginny Dearing

Willie & Nicole Johnson

Raymond & Anny Genato

John & Susan Ronan

Greg & Sara Postulka

Gerrson & Kelly Bran

Michael & Emily Buck