Lifelong Formation
In the Episcopal Church, Christian formation is defined as a "lifelong process of growing in relationship with God, self, others, and all creation." It is transformative and guides us to becoming the person God wants us to be. For each of us this is a continuous process of learning in ways that are formal and informal, personal and in community, and involve both action and reflection. At St. Augustine's we offer Christian formation activities throughout the year for adults and for young people, such as Godly Play.
Adult Forum
Sunday Adult Forum: The Adult Forum is held in our Parish Hall on some Sundays at 9:15 am, following our first coffee hour (which happens right after the 8 am service).
Topics range from current events, health, and stewardship to liturgy, history, Biblical studies and Christian education.
June is PRIDE Month
Profiles of a few LGBTQIA+ Leaders
The Rev. Wil Gafney
The Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible.
The Rev. Ellen Marie Barrett
The first open lesbian to be ordained to the priesthood.
Bayard Rustin
(1912–1987)
Human rights activist known for his work during the Civil Rights Movement.
Philip Lance, Ph.D.
American psychoanalyst and former community organizer who began his career as an Episcopalian priest.
Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson
The Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop.
Harvey Milk
Visionary civil and human rights leader who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry
The 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
Sen. Cal Anderson
Washington's first openly gay state legislator.
“Coming in that first night and having someone say out loud, ‘Whoever you are, wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome at this table’ — that was overwhelmingly exactly what I needed to hear.”
Hear testimony from Leigh Foster, an attendee at The Crossing, a Boston church whose primary ministry is providing a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ folks.
JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Juneteenth 2024 will occur on Wednesday, June 19.
Archives exhibit chronicles evolving roles of women in The Episcopal Church
From early work to support church missions to the struggle for equal representation in church leadership and ordination, the history of women in the church is told in “For the Extension of the Kingdom: Women of The Episcopal Church,” a comprehensive online exhibit curated and presented by The Archives of The Episcopal Church.
Morning and Evening Programs:
These programs are organized by the adult formation committee. Our parish offers programming following an academic year model.
-
Meets on Wednesday after the Healing Service to discuss books on current theological themes in addition to books for Advent, Lent, persons such as the Beguines or Mary Magdalene.
-
A reflection on the scriptures for the next Sunday along with the passages for that Sunday
-
Using the Lectio Divina meditation method the group explores the meaning of a passage selected by the convener
-
Weekly updates from the Diocese of Olympia
-
Meets by for contemplating of spiritual matters
Young People
Godly Play (ages 4-11), 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: During the 10:30 service children from 4 to 11 learn that God is with them not only here or there but everywhere. St. Augustine’s, using the Godly Play program, offers lessons each Sunday from September to June