Youth Summer Save the Dates

Sunday, August 11 Backpack Blessing & Senior Send Off

Sunday, August 18 Kick off Sunday

Sunday, September 8 First Day of Sunday School

Backpack Blessing Sunday, August 11, both services

Most local school districts will be back in session soon, most college students return to class in the next month as well! To send our youth and adult learners off for a year of knowledge, wonder, and exploration, please bring your backpacks to church Sunday, August 11th to either service, for a special blessing.

A Grant For Magdalene Omaha!

In April after Outreach hosted Magdalene Omaha with the screening of the Thistle movie, Julie Pendegraft was moved to help. The next Monday at work, she pulled up the application for their Foundation Community Grants. She filled out all the required information, requested $10,000 and submitted it. She didn’t hear anything until June, when she was told it would be on the agenda for discussion to learn more about Magdalene Omaha and their mission, and potentially move it forward to a larger group discussion, which it did.

After the larger group discussion, she was tasked with asking Deacon Teresa to give a 15–20-minute presentation to the grant-decision makers. Teresa being Teresa knocked it out of the park! After Teresa hung up from the virtual presentation, the committee voted and awarded Magdalene Omaha a $30,000 grant. $25,000 to be used for the residential program building (timely considering they were having plumbing issues) and another $5,000 toward their community center for Wednesday night dinners!

The reason to share this story is simple. If you are looking for a way to help – something as simple as checking to see if your company has a foundation that approves grants or matches funds, exists. The worst that can be said is, “No.” But what if you get a Yes? How many people can YOU help this month?

Christian Outreach Program of Elkhorn(COPE)

Thank you to all the "green thumbers" out there who are sharing their excess garden bounty with COPE. Green beans, zucchini, cucumbers and corn so far have found their way into our clients homes.  The clients really do appreciate you sharing your fresh produce, as that is something we are not usually able to offer them. In June Cope served 250 households which translated to 932 individuals. Also Thanks to all

who donated to the school supply drive. I don't have numbers on that yet, but last year we served 200 children.

Register for Youth Programming

-Register for Youth Programming

If you have a child who will be playing in the nursery during 10:30 church service, attending Sunday School(Youth 3 years-12th Grade) or Youth Group Wednesday evenings(Youth 6th-12th grade). Please update your information by registering your child through THIS FORM

Join Us This Year By Helping in Canterbury Village!

It takes a village to raise a child, and each of us can help them grow in Christ. 

Here's a great big thank you to those who participated last year from dinners to teaching, and especially welcoming new friends! 

Here are a few roles within the Canterbury Village we are hoping you will fill:

• Provide donations as needed
• Assist with Special Events
• Provide dinner(or a monetary donation for dinner), assist in cooking, set up or clean up for Church Family Dinner on Wednesday evenings(1-3 times per year). There will be a paper sign up on Kick Off Sunday.
• Join the planning team for Vacation Bible School
• Please also prayerfully consider volunteering to teach or assist Sunday School or Youth Group this upcoming school year.

The "job description" for teachers and assistants is below: 

• Get to know the youths’ names, interests, and activities; respect what they have to share.
• Participate in the games, activities, or discussions.
• Display a positive attitude (or fake it!).
• Encourage spiritual growth.
• Praise positive behaviors.
• Lead by example.
• Have fun!

Recommended skills: Sense of humor, Flexibility, Patience, An open mind, Listening, Talking/Sharing, Creativity, Ability to act immature but still be responsible

Optional Skills: Dance Experience, Singing Ability, Guitar Strumming, Harmonica Blowing, Tambourine Shaking, Toe Tapping!

To either confirm your previous role, or volunteer for a new role in Canterbury Village, please fill out the volunteer form HERE We would love to have you join this amazing team of people! 

Contact Kate(ministries@sainta.net) with any questions.

We will plan on a group safeguarding event for Staff, Vestry & anyone who works with our you on Sunday, August 11 after the 10:30 service. We will provide lunch for any of our safeguarding class, so please let Kate know if you plan on joining us.

Kick Off Sunday

August 18, Following a Combined

10:30 AM Worship Service

Please join us for lunch, fun and games as we kick off our Sunday School Year! We will provide burgers and hot dogs & dessert and ask that you bring sides.

Some Dates to Keep in Mind For Kick Off:

• August 11-Backpack Blessing & Group Safeguarding
• August 18-Nursery Re-opens during 10:30 service(will be closed for labor day) & Kick Off Picnic
• August 21-Youth Group Kick Off for grades 6-12
• August 25-Acolyte Training & Parent Meeting for all youth
• September 4-Church Family Dinner Kick Off-Communion Class for 1-5th Grade & Episcopal 101 for adults after dinner
• September 29-First Youth Sunday(No Sunday School, youth in church)-Instructed Eucharist at both services

Acolyte Training & Parent Meeting

Sunday, August 25, 11:30-12:15

Rising 3rd-12th graders

From young children ready to start their first ministry during worship to older youth who can help set the table and stand as an example, our acolyte program invites young people at church to use their gifts as full members of the community who help us offer our worship to God.

This year, we’ll be training returning and new acolytes about how to use our Sanctus bell, which you’ll begin to hear during communion again, as well as reviewing how to use our altar railing during communion. We ask that acolytes be in at least 3rd grade to serve as torchbearer and at least 6th grade to serve as crucifer. Please contact Fr Ben and Pam Wright if you have a youth interested in serving in this ministry! Please also send Pam any conflicts you may know about through December, and whether they would like to serve at the 8:30 service or the 10:30 service OR either one, as she is beginning to prepare a schedule. Parents are welcome to stay and learn too, so you can help remind your acolyte of the details. Acolytes are scheduled to serve several times a quarter, and can coordinate subs with one another or through Pam Wright, if there’s a conflict. The training will begin at 11:30 am, after worship on Sunday, August 25th, and is scheduled until 12:15.

If you have an acolyte who would like to serve but isn’t available for the training, please let Pam or Fr Ben know.

While the children are training, we will have a Parent Meeting to discuss the upcoming Sunday School/Youth Group Year. Please join us!

Blood Drive

Saturday, August 24

Our quarterly blood drive for the summer will be on August 24th. These were started by Amy Churchill at St A's, who decided with the best kind of stubbornness that she was going to make sure that our drives gave back as much blood as her treatments needed throughout the course of fighting cancer. Amy kicked off our drives by hosting parties around them, surprising and delighting our church family, donors from the area, and the Red Cross staff, who have called it the best party they've seen at a drive. Her goal was to give back the amount she had used. We believe that she has done all of that and more in the many blood drives she has hosted! 

The Blood Drives have become a core ministry for us at St Augustine's, and we'll be continuing them in Amy's memory.  If you are able to help with this drive, or have friends who would like to give back to others by donating blood, please join us at St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Elkhorn (285 S 208th St, Elkhorn, NE 68022) Saturday, August 24. We would love to beat our previous donation totals in honor of Amy!!

Appointments are scheduled in 15 minute increments(Whole Blood) and on the hour (Power Red). For eligibility requirements and to see the difference between the two donations, CLICK HERE. To schedule your donation time, CLICK HERE St. Augustine Episcopal Church should be at the top, click "see times". If you have any questions, please contact Kate

Special Collection for August is

The Benedictine Way

Our Special Collection during August benefits the Benedictine Way, a community of all types of Christians (all genders, monks and lay people) who attempt to follow Jesus in a specific way, a Benedictine way, which includes a life of prayer, service to the poor and forgotten, and a life of fellowship in community. The Incarnation Monastery is located at 3020 Belvedere Blvd. in Omaha and offers public prayer through the Daily Office Tuesdays – Saturdays as well as Vigil and Vespers on Sundays. The Monastery is available for individual and group retreats. 

They also run St. Benedict's Food Pantry, which is open every Tuesday from 4-6 pm and most Saturdays. The pantry's food is offered to anyone in need. 

In July, we raised $839.28 for Downtown Episcopal Outreach(DEO). A big Thank You to everyone!!

Sacred Ground Returns

Beginning in September, join us for an 11-week exploration of race and racism in America, This curriculum is often offered over a 20 week time frame, however, our Fall group is being offered on a compact timetable for those with busy schedules. This film- and readings-based dialogue series will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00PM and there will be between 3-5 hours of reading and video preparation between sessions. Mother Lisa and Pam Wright will be co-facilitating. Please contact Mother Lisa to register or with questions.