My Dear Friends, I have been busily working on wrapping things up here at St. Philip’s while simultaneously trying to find a house to live in (that will let me keep my cats) and meeting with moving companies, etc . And through it all I have been reflecting on our life together, on the seven years I have been a part of your life and community. When I came to St. Philip’s I thoug ht it was going to be a s a sort of long term interim...three to four yea rs at most. But it quickly became obvious that I was being called to stay, something for which I am extremely grateful! I have found this to be such a community of love and caring. From my first pastoral visit (to Merlinda Williams) to now I have been loved, accepted and supported and I hope you have felt the same from me. I will look back on these years of our ministry together as highlights of my life. When I first came here a phrase kept running through my head, “I shall not leave you comfortless”. That same phrase has reappeared in thoughts and dreams... And now we must go our separate ways, to new min- istries, new people and new places. I go with an open heart and pray for you all to have the same; An open heart to what and who comes next. I have NO DOUBT that our God, who is a good and loving God, has great things in store for St. Philip’s! God bless and keep you ALL! With love, Rev. Mary
I have been busily working on wrapping things up here at St. Philip’s while simultaneously trying to find ahouse to live in (that will let me keep my cats) and meeting with moving companies, etc .
And through it all I have been reflecting on our life together, on the seven years I have been a part of your
life and community.
When I came to St. Philip’s I thought it was going to be as a sort of long term interim...three to four years
at most. But it quickly became obvious that I was being called to stay, something for which I am extremely
grateful! I have found this to be such a community of love and caring.
From my first pastoral visit (to Merlinda Williams) to now I have been loved, accepted and supported and I
hope you have felt the same from me. I will look back on these years of our ministry together as highlights
of my life.
When I first came here a phrase kept running through my head, “I shall not leave you comfortless”. That
same phrase has reappeared in thoughts and dreams... And now we must go our separate ways, to new min-
istries, new people and new places. I go with an open heart and pray for you all to have the
same; An open heart to what and who comes next. I have NO DOUBT that our God, who is a
good and loving God, has great things in store for St. Philip’s!
As a parishioner, I‟m a fairly new member. My husband Tony and I moved toMarysville from Seattle in May, 2006. When we were looking for houses, it was agreat selling point for me to be living on 84th street, knowing that St. Philip‟s was justa couple of blocks away. I‟ve had many wonderful moments and memories with Mary these last five years.
One of them was a sermon called “Five Steps to Discipleship”. Mary gave us all littlecards with the five key points to from the sermon remember. Even today I still havethat card on my window sill in the kitchen. What I don‟t like about that sermon is the title. It‟s because it seems to really mean“Five Steps to Stewardship”. But if you want to make up your own mind on the title,here are the five steps again for you to give some thought:
Everything you have is a gift from God.
No one has everything, no one has nothing. All you have you will lose. While you are in possession of it, you and only you decide how to use it. How you use everything that passes through your hands will determine the
kind of person you are and will become. Gratitude begats Gratitude Janice Saulewicz
Everyone, as I mentioned last week in church, I really enjoyed and felt so privileged to represent
you at this year‟s diocesan convention. There were many moments I enjoyed and some (like the
endless minutia and voting processes) I found tedious and boring but necessary. Mike‟s article really covered just about every high point there. The Friday night Eucharist was so
special, as two people were ordained as deacons. Again, my heart soared to see the wonderful
balance of male and female clergy represented in our diocese and in our denomination. Now we
need to continue to include more people of color and draw in more youth to share in the Good
News. Mike and I attended a workshop that previewed the “College of Congregational Development‟. As
was listening to the presentations, many things went through my head concerning our future as a
parish.
Now what do we do?
How do we draw in more people?
What can we do to attract those 35 years old and under?
What does it take to invite youth in grade school, middle school, and high school to our par-
ish and engage them in participating in the parish?
Do we need to get creative on when to have services, such as in the evening for those who
work shifts and can‟t attend Sunday morning?
Should we schedule special workshops and request special grant money from the diocesefor advertising them?
How do we learn from our wonderful church elders and continue to pass on the torch they‟ve
carried all this time at St. Philip‟s?
As you can tell, my mind was and is racing
with so many things to consider. We will be
discussing our involvement in the College
of Congregational Development in the up-coming months.
I don‟t have any answers to these ques-
tions. But with God‟s help and your sup-
port, I know we can go forward with a posi-
tive future for St. Philip‟s. Sincerely, Janice Saulewicz
It was a pleasure for me to attend the 101st Diocesan Convention on Friday and Saturday
Lynnwood, WA. I really enjoyed being there and seeing our Diocese at work. It really hit home
me how fortunate we are that we have Greg Rickel as our Bishop because of his ability to bringctions together to a common goal with humor and straight talk. We listened to the many debates
out resolutions covering such items as the Diocesan assessment rate, cost of living adjustment
OLA) for 2011, Supply Clergy compensation increase, suspension and reconsider mandates by
eneral Convention resolution A177, Diocesan Council restructure, establishing the first Sunday
Lent as Episcopal Relief& Development Sunday and the ever popular Thank you for Justice for
orking people. Janice and I also attended a session put on by The College for Congregational
evelopment that we hope to pursue and investigate as St. Philip’s moves to the next level in our
nistry.
But enough about the tasks we worked on and move on to the highlights for me. I really en-
yed The Holy Eucharist on Friday at 5:30P.M. During a portion of the service they also celebrat-
the ordination of two deacons, Mark Melis Blindheim and Carter Ricks Hawley, which was ex-
ng for me to observe. Bishop Rickel always sends them out to “find trouble and bring it back.”
a symbol of the “dirty” work that they must do, he gives each new Deacon one of his wife’s
sh towels along with a Bible. It was a meaningful and moving part of the service. It was also
atifying to me to see the diversity of our Clergy in the Diocese with many of the Liturgical Minis-
s being female and also young (younger than me anyway) There was also live music with a
oir from St. Hilda-St. Patrick and a Brass Quintet playing Bach, Brahms and Handel. There
ere so many people attending that there was standing room only. It was also enjoyable to see
e young acolytes carrying torches and a cool sphere with bells inside that jingled when they pro-
ssed around the perimeter and up the aisle. The crucifix was also kind of a Coptic cross and
On Sunday (Nov 6) many of us had a surprise certificate from our rector, Mary! She had de-
signed a certificate for those of us who had Re-Affirmed our Baptismal Vows on August 28, 2011.
The re-affirmation happened on 28 August at our annual picnic and visit from our Bishop
Greg Rickel, at the home of Phil and Peggy James on the Stilly. The event took place in andaround the Stillaguamish River, although the majority of us did not immerse ourselves in the river.
The parish always appreciates Mary’s special way of recognizing individuals and special oc-
casions with her creative talents and graphic skills on the computer.
Thanks again, Mary for your many talents and your love and thoughtfulness!!!
That same same Sunday, she shared a most spectacular picture she had taken of a whale
breeching near the San Juan Islands. Her love of photography and nature has inspired all of us to
participate in our many local nature activities!
Also—that Sunday we were celebrating All Saints Day with another outstanding and relativesermon. (go to YouTube which is attached to our web site http//saint-philips.org.)
