Sunday, November 25, 2018, 9:15-10:00 am, Advent Practices for Anyone, with The Rev. Kate Wesch, and Katie Bucy

Preparing for Christmas can feel more frenzied than fun, especially when we have unrealistic expectations of ourselves and lose sight of what we are celebrating. Come explore ways you can prepare intentionally for Christmas by observing Advent practices. A variety of options will be discussed for families of all sizes and stages of development.

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The Rev. Kate Wesch is the Rector of St. John the Baptist.

Katie Bucy is a lifelong Episcopalian, raised at St. Paul’s Episcopal Seattle in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. She is a graduate of Education for Ministry (EfM) and a former co-mentor of an EfM class that met at St. Mark’s Cathedral. Before retirement Katie was an Early Intervention Specialist at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, working with students who struggled academically. At St. John the Baptist, Katie is a member of the Adult Formation Team, is a Eucharistic Minister, and a Lector. When her sons were young she taught them to observe Advent.

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Sunday, December 2, 9:15-10:00 am, Wendell Berry: On Matters of Simplicity, with Karen Glover

God’s earthly creation is fashioned in exquisite balance, but it can be and has been disrupted by unbalanced human behavior. Literature, whether story, poetry, or essay is one of the most particular and effective ways of being present in and relating to the material world that God so loved. At its best, it inspires action towards a loving relationship with God’s Creation. In this session, we will explore one modern American writer’s literary reflections on these profound issues.The works of Wendell Berry are beautifully rendered, hard-hitting, and heart breaking as truth often can be. Quote from Kari: Wendell Berry speaks to my heart because he sees and shows all of the complexity of human beings and obviously loves his people, both real and literary, in the most honest, honorable way I can imagine, very much as we aspire to do as Christians.

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Kari Glover is a longtime member of Epiphany Parish. Now retired, she was a corporate lawyer based in Seattle for several decades. The daughter of a Montana rancher and farmer, philosophy major in college, and 25-year volunteer board member with public libraries, she is an avid and appreciative reader.

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Sunday, December 9, 2018 9:15-10:00 am, Introduction to Underhill House/Silence, with the Rev. Susan Dean

Underhill House:

Imagine a place of quiet, where people can slip in; let down and relax; sit undisturbed in meditation, reflection or prayer; and then leave as they are ready.
Imagine a place of hospitality, where trained listeners can help people find their way; not get in the way, but be there, truly present.

Imagine a place of welcome, where people of faith or no faith can seek and discover the presence of the holy in their lives.

Our need for silence in a noisy world is growing. The Rev. Susan Dean, Founder and Executive Director of Underhill House, will introduce us to this ministry which provides a quiet place to pause for prayer on Capitol Hill. In the season of Advent, join us to reflect about silence, listening, and making meaning in our lives. Besides developing this emerging ministry, Susan serves as a spiritual director and has gifts in discernment, women’s spirituality, and healing ministry.

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December 16, 2018, 9:15-10:00 am, Joseph, the Father of Jesus, with Ken Duvall

Join long-time SJB parishioner, Ken Duvall, as he guides us in exploring Joseph, the Father of Jesus, through Adam Hamilton’s book, Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph.

A summary of the book reads: “From his beginnings as a humble carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph’s place in the nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. Join Adam Hamilton as he examines Christmas through the eyes of Joseph. Absent from much of the biblical narrative, Joseph never spoke a word, but his courageous actions were crucial to the birth of Christ and God’s salvation plan for humanity.”

Per Ken, people attending the class should not feel obligated to buy or read the book.

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Ken Duvall has been a member of St. John the Baptist for many years. He’s been involved in Books and Bricks, is a Eucharistic Minister, and a Lector. Ken is an EfM (Education for Ministry) graduate and is involved in Stephen Ministries. In his spare time Ken is a regular volunteer at the Center for Wooden Boats.

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Sunday, December 23, 2018, 9:15-10:00 am, Books and Bricks, St. John’s Mission to Africa, with Janet Johnson, Paul Dahlke, and Mary Mac

St. John the Baptist has had a connection with Mulundi Village, Kenya, since 2004 when the parish partnered with Mulundi Village to build an Anglican church, St. James Batavia. Since then this ministry has expanded to outreach to Mulundi Primary School and several secondary schools in the area. Some of the missioners visiting Kenya this past July will speak about their experiences, including teaching, visiting schools, worshiping in the local church, and distributing the pencil cases made by SJB’s Arts and Crafts Co-op.

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Janet Johnson grew up in Mulundi Village. Her parents valued education highly and ensured she had an opportunity to pursue higher education. Many others were not as fortunate, and Janet and her husband, Mike, are both committed to helping provide a future for children in Africa.

Br. Paul is a Life Professed Friar in the Order of St. Francis an Anglican Franciscan Religious Order. He has also completed a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as well as a mission trip to Mulundi, Kenya with the Books and Bricks organization.

Mary Mac is a working art teacher and artist. Printmaking is her medium of choice. She has also completed pilgrimages to Assisi and the Holy Land, and just returned from teaching art in the primary school in Mulundi, Kenya.