Come Grow With Us

FaithWeaver Friends!

2012-03-07T09:26:00.004-06:00

A new and exciting program for our youth began last week! It's called FaithWeaver Friends and is being led by Vicki Sohriakoff with a team of dedicated volunteer teachers. The program is designed to help kids connect their Christian faith with their real life. Activities include: journaling, making crafts, playing games, and working on projects. Children from preschool to fifth grade are invited to attend! The fun begins at 6:30 and ends at 8:00pm.

Dylan is 8 years old, and was kind enough to answer some questions about the program:

What did you learn at the first meeting of FaithWeaver Friends?
"Don't be afraid to follow God."

How many kids were in your group?
"Five."

What was the most fun thing you did?
"Follow the leader at the game station."

Are you excited to go back next week?
"YES, I'm excited to see what things we are going to do."

Tell me one thing other kids should know about FaithWeaver Friends:
"Kids should know it is fun."

There you are, folks. A firsthand account of the very first meeting of FaithWeaver Friends at St. Augustine's!

If you are interested in volunteering as a teacher or getting your child involved, please call the church or e-mail Vicki for more information!

Christmas Pageant

2012-02-07T11:09:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile since the St. A's Christmas Pageant, but I just can't get it out of my head. It was amazing, sensational, and so easy for parents! (I like that last part best!)

The Christmas Pageant for this past Christmas was called a No Rehearsal Pageant and was researched by Sandra Squires. When asked why she chose this particular pageant, she said, "I read the pageant, and I laughed out loud. So I took the idea to the Christian Formation Committee and they approved it. It is called a "no rehearsal" pageant, and I did have moments of panic about that since all the stress rests on the behind the scenes adults, but that is what I wanted so the kids could just enjoy it."

And enjoy it they did! Luke Cudly was kind enough to answer some questions about the pageant.

What part did you play in the pageant?

"Head Shepard"

What was your favorite part of the pageant?

"Leading the others down the aisle."

Did anything really funny happen? If so, what?

"Yes. The narrator made funny comments to the kids. He was very funny."

Were you nervous?

"Yes."

Would you like to do this kind of pageant again?

"Kind of. It was fun."

Luke mentioned the narrator. The role of the narrator was to guide the characters through the play. Remember, this is a no rehearsal play. The children showed up, dressed in their assigned costumes, and did what the narrator told them to. It was important for them to listen to the narrator as they were to act out what he was saying. This left a lot of room for interpretation!

This type of pageant could not be done without the help of some adults. Sandra was asked about those wonderful adult volunteers and she responded, "I knew we had few people in the congregation who could do the role or Narrator, and Jim Tomanek, a naturally funny man, agreed to do it. I also knew that Summer Murray had really good acting skills from a Christmas play I had seen her in a couple of years ago. So I got them on board early. I also knew I needed a costume person, and Robin Proctor (BLESS HER HEART) agreed to be head of costuming. Mary Wells, who also can do anything, offered to help and I asked her to be in charge of props and work with Robin on costumes. They are the real unsung heroes in this entire process."

Sandra herself did quite a bit of background work to ensure that this really was low stress for the children. As a parent of a children in the pageant, I had no idea what all went into it. I sure was enlightened when she explained the process to me.

"We signed kids up for parts for about 3 weeks ahead of time, pulled them out of Sunday school to find costumes for them (Robin and Mary had to make a lot of costumes since the kids were pretty young).

I talked to the middle school and high school kids about being wranglers a couple of weeks ahead of time, and they were great. They also helped with the dressing, supervised the kids who were coloring and doing things to keep busy while we were getting everyone ready.

I met with the kids after church the Sunday before the pageant to show them where they would be sitting in the church and sort where they would walk to the front. It was then I assigned everyone colored bracelets, including the wranglers, so they would know what they group was to sit with. That was just an idea I came up with to make sure they knew who were the other people in their group.

Then the morning of the performance, we asked people to come at 9:15 to get dressed, and they were really good to do that. I had announced for a couple of weeks in advance that we could take kids the day of the performance who were visitors, and we did get a few of those as well.

When it was time to go into the church to seat them, I called all the kids together, and we prayed, which we do using "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." We sang, "He's Got the Whole Pageant in His Hands."

I have to say, this pageant was a hit with the congregation as well as the children. Were you there? If so, please share your thoughts in the comment section. We'd love to hear what you thought of the whole thing!

Beyond the Checkbook

2012-01-30T15:38:00.001-06:00

Beyond the Checkbook

Feb 24-5 I'll be at a Camp Joy Holling attending a retreat with 20 guys from across the diocese talking together about the role of laymen in growing the church. The fact that these are all men is not a sexist thing in any way; this is the annual diocesan men's retreat, which the companion to the better-attended (and better funded) annual diocesan women's retreat. So don't throw rocks at me just yet. Hear me out.

The topic is incredibly interesting to me. I have had several jobs in my life, and really three pretty distinct careers. I was a Respiratory Therapist and worked in hospitals in Wyoming and Nebraska for 7 years. In 1984 I started a home medical equipment company and was a small business owner for a decade. And after selling that business I took a few years off before going to seminary in 2003. Those three careers are different in a whole lot of ways, but there are some connections and constants between them. My time as a business owner taught me a great deal about cash flow, financial statements, sales & marketing, working with employees, and serving customers. When I went to seminary, I thought some of those skills would translate, and I was largely right about that (although there are huge differences between church and corporate life, too).

Anyway, I know we clergy stand to gain a lot by asking our parishioners to share their work experiences with us. All too often we are focused on implementing our vision of the future by asking our members to volunteer their time and give their money but leave their business and life experiences at the door, when what we need to do is look beyond the checkbook, and begin by asking folks what they have learned in their business lives and what has worked in other places, and apply that knowledge to our vision for the church.

It isn't an exact fit -- church and business -- and I am not suggesting we adopt a purely corporate view of the church. What I am saying is that we need to ask folks what their corporate life has taught them that might translate to church life in ways that would help the church grow.

Which presumes two things: 1) that we can be humble enough ask for advice, and; 2) that churches actually want to grow.

Fr. Mark+

2012-01-07T22:49:00.000-06:00

Did you make a New Year's resolution? It seems like most of us do. What I find to be the most interesting is the variety of resolutions that are set. Quit smoking, lose weight, take up a new hobby, go back to school, sleep more, organize my home, leave my boring job and do something I love, take a vacation, conduct more random acts of kindness, put my spouse before myself more often, redo the main bathroom, and yell less-hug more are just a few that I have heard from friends and acquaintances.

As many researches and professionals would tell you, having a plan and setting goals is the best way to ensure that you have success with your resolution. What better plan can be set in place than to ask God with assistance? All of the things you want for yourself by way of resolutions are things that God wants for you too. (Okay, so maybe He doesn't have much of an opinion about the decor of your bathroom, but if it makes you happy, then He'll be happy for you.) Make the first step in your resolution be to pray and ask God for help.

The first few days of 2012 have been difficult on my resolution. I think I'll take my own advice, pray, and see how it goes!

Trunk or Treat

2011-10-29T12:00:00.004-05:00

Friday night, St. A's was transformed into a Halloween Haunt with fun for all.

The festivities began with hot dogs, chili, chips, and other treats to provide all participants with full and happy tummies.

The little ghosts and goblins then ventured outside to Trunk or Treat at some creative and fun trunks.

Our beautiful gardens were turned into a haunted trail- only the bravest were able to make it all the way through!

A great big thank you to everybody involved! This was a fantastic event!

Warm sun and fresh air...

2011-10-04T11:12:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, October 2nd, we combined an outdoor service with an animal belssing which resulted in a fantastic worship experience. God blessed us with picture perfect weather in the form of bright sunshine and moderate temperatures.

Our beautiful garden provided the most fantastic worship space where we were surrounded by all of God's creation- the flowers, the grass, the trees, etc.

Members were encouraged to bring their pets of all shapes and sizes. Some of which decided to add their own vocalizations to the prayers and hymns. All of the furry companions were well behaved. (Except when they voiced their converns when the horse made its appearance.)

This is an event will most hold again in the future- if not for the worshp and blessing of the pets, but at least for an excuse to make puppy chow for the humans!

Blessing of the Animals

2011-09-30T08:55:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, you are invited to bring your pets of all shapes and sizes to our outdoor service for a special blessing. I've witnessed all sorts of animal blessings from horses, to fish, to dogs, to cats, and even my guinea pig was blessed once! You may ask yourself, "What's the deal with this animal blessing? Why do we do it?" Well, I think I may have found the answer-

"This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” Taken from here.

So please join us with you fuzzy, furry, slimy, gilled, small, large, whatever pets for a special service at 10:00am.

How can we help you grow?

2011-09-17T09:06:00.003-05:00

There are so many opportunities at St. Augustine's to get involved and find your 'place' which utilizes your talents and falls in line with your interests.

Music-
If you are blessed with the gift musical talent, you may consider joining the choir or offer to perform a piece during the service.

Athletics-
If you are blessed with the enjoyment of physical activity, you may consider organizing a walk to assist us in our quest to "Walk to Bethlehem."

Reading-
If you find enjoyment in reading and discussing texts, you may consider joining one of our book clubs or bible study groups. Your unique perspective will be welcomed within the group.

Gardening-
If you are blessed with a 'green thumb', you may consider adopting a berm to nurture and care for.

Socializing/Social Networking (Yes, it is a talent, skill, and interest)
If you find enjoyment in just being with others, you may want to join one of our many social groups or assist in organizing the next social gathering. If face to face interaction is not quite your cup of tea, you may try submitting a writing to the blog for publication.

This is just a small sample of ways to get involved and plant your seed in the soil at St. Augustine's. If you need assistance finding the right contact person to get involved, please call the office to receive that information.

Did you say Jumping Pillow?

2011-09-09T21:45:00.000-05:00

Yes, I did say Jumping Pillow- and more!

When: Sunday, September 11, 2011

12:00 pm

Where: KOA Campground

14601 Hwy. 6 Gretna, NE.

Please bring your favorite salad, side, or dessert to share. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided.

The pool will be open for swimming. There is mini golf, sand volleyball, badminton, pedal carts, banana bikes, and the JUMPING PILLOW!

Beautiful weather, great activities, parish friends….. what could be better? See you there!

Hearts Break

2011-09-09T09:36:00.009-05:00

Yesterday I went to a jewelry store by my house to pick up my watch which had been repaired (total bill -- $5.80! What a bargain!!) It's a small shop, and there were only two customers, myself and a young woman with her son. As I waited my turn, I couldn't help but overhear parts of their conversation. She was there to sell her wedding ring. The shop owner was explaining that selling on consignment would likely bring her more money, but it might take months to get an offer. Alternatively, he offered to buy the ring outright, however it would be at a lower price. The woman was obviously distressed, fighting back tears, and I heard her say, "Well, I have some bills that are due now, so I'll just have to sell it." The man went to the back of the shop to write out the check.

Now it was just the three of us in the small waiting area -- the woman, her little boy, and me -- and it was uncomfortable. Finally, I broke the silence with a sort-of meek, "How are you doing?" That was all it took. She told me she had never had her wedding ring off in all the years she had owned it, that she and her husband had filed for divorce (something she had never dreamed would happen) and that she needed the money because she had to pay her attorney fees. It was such a painful story, and she wept as she told it to me. I nearly wept myself remembering the pain of my own divorce and of the people I know who are going through the process right now.

I offered that I knew many who had been divorced, as well as several who were struggling with it right now just as she was. I said I was even thinking about starting a divorce support group at our church, and that I knew of one right up the road at a Presbyterian Church that maybe she could look into. We talked a little about faith communities and how they can be a place of comfort and support during these kinds of life crises. I told her where our parish was located and invited her to visit if she ever needed to just sit in church and feel welcomed by others. About that time the owner returned with her check and she left.

Now, I doubt I will ever see her again, and I don't for a minute think our conversation was in any way profound, but it was instructive for me on two levels. First, I am reminded just how painful it is to go through a divorce. For all parties. And especially when there are children. It happens, I know that. It is often inevitable and sometimes perhaps even for the best. But the pain and suffering are real and palpable, and if you know anyone who is in this process or contemplating it, please know that their lives are being turned inside out and they are frightened.

Second, I am mindful that the church is one of the places where people can go in these times of brokenness and hurt. That the church isn't obligated to "fix" their situation or solve their problems, in fact, that is when we are at our worst, but we are at our best when we are a safe and welcoming place where someone in pain can find peace, even just a little, and acceptance where they are. We, the church, are at our best when we embody the loving face of Christ that people need, that we all need, when we hurt.
If people come hungry, we must feed them. If they are homeless, we must give them shelter. If they are broken and hurt, we must be the place, a safe and loving place, where they might experience the healing presence of our Risen Lord. Pray for those going through divorce today. Their hearts are breaking. Our break with theirs.

Fr. Mark+

The First Annual St. Augustine's Luau

2011-07-27T10:05:00.002-05:00

A big thank you to the Chase family for hosting the 1st Annual St. Augustine's Luau! An equally large thank you to the Cudley family for sharing their smoked meat skills with the rest of us! By far, the highlight of the evening was Fr. Mark's hula dance complete with coconuts and grass skirt!

St. Augustine’s 4th Annual Golf Tournament

2011-07-26T15:41:00.000-05:00

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Pines Golf Course

7516 North 286th