Neighborhood Churches Re-Opening

Neighborhood churches are planning to reopen after being closed for almost a year.

St Stephen’s Episcopal Church (4805 NE 45th Street,) is opening its doors for limited in-person worship beginning  on Sunday, May 30th at 10 am.  

The church information sent out says:

This is an invitation to return. But remember, this is a limited re-opening. It may not be possible for us to accommodate all who desire to attend on a particular Sunday, especially at first. We are limited by the continued requirements for physical distancing and the configuration of our pews. We will increase the numbers gradually, keeping in mind your safety and the directives of the governor and the diocese. And of course, we will continue to provide our worship services online for those who choose not to attend in person at this time, and for our worshipping community at a distance. 

Everyone who plans to attend in-person worship must register on-line in advance. Registration will open on the Tuesday before the Sunday service you desire to attend. You will take your temperature before attending services, and will be asked to fill out the waiver and agreement form when you arrive. Masks will be worn by everyone ages two and over throughout your attendance. 

The only entry to the building will be at the main doors. Since our pew configuration limits how we can seat people, an usher will help place people so that we can have the maximum number of people allowed. At the Dismissal, ushers will assist keeping the usual physical distancing. You are asked not to linger in or around the buildings. There is no in-person Coffee Hour or other programming after the liturgy. 

Seattle Community Church (4501 46th Avenue NE) will also open this month starting with 15 people admitted the first Sunday and growing to more on following Sundays. 

St. Bridget Catholic Church (4900 NE 50th Street) appears to have already welcomed its congregation back saying:

I am grateful to see more and more members of our parish beginning to return to in-person participation at our Masses.

For more information go here. 

Sunday "Evensong" At St. Stephens Church

St. Stephens Church (4805 NE 45th Street) is holding an Evensong on Sunday at 5pm.  Here is information:

Evensong March 10 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Evensong was originally formed as a combination of the monastic offices of Vespers and Compline. The liturgy of Evensong is taken from our Book of Common Prayer’s service of Evening Prayer, most of it is set to music, hence the title, Evensong.   This liturgy consists of hymns, psalmody, readings from scripture, the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, chanted prayers, an appropriate anthem as well as the two canticles appointed for Evensong, the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, and the Nunc Dimittis, or Song of Simeon.  Refreshments will be offered after each service.

Go here for more information. 

Saturday Free Neighborhood Advent Festival At St. Stephens Church

A neighbor would like to invite the community to the first annual "Laurelhurst Seattle Holiday Advent Festival" on Saturday from 1-3pm at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (4805 45th Avenue NE).

Anna, the coordinator told the Laurelhurst Blog:

This special event is designed to have something for everyone, including live reindeer, ornament making, cooking decorating, festive singing with professional carolers, carnival games, door prizes and all the fixings to make beautiful wreaths! We’ll have cocoa and cookies! Don’t miss the chance to visit with live reindeer, take photos with Santa, and enjoy holiday season’s best treats and drinks.   

We have great support from neighborhood businesses, with door prize donations from Varlamos, JaK’s, Burke Gilman Brewery, Mio Posto, Sand Point Grill, Epic Barber, Metropolitan Market, QFC, Safeway, and Magnuson Café & Brewery!  

It’s a great opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors, spread holiday cheer and usher in the Christmas spirit! This fun and festive event is for all Laurelhurst neighbors! It’s a free event – and everyone is welcome.

For more information go here.

Sunday Concert At St. Stephens Church

St. Stephen’s Church (4805 NE 45th Street) is hosting Seattle Sounds with Philharmonia Northwest on Sunday at 2:30pm.  There will be a Concert Prelude at 2pm in the Parish Hall for a conversation with composer Ken Benshoof and cellist Walter Gray.

The information says:

Hear contemporary Seattle composers William Bolcom, Ken Benshoof, and Sarah Bassingthwaighte. Famous for his ragtime pieces, Pulitzer Prize winner William Bolcom blurs the boundaries between popular and art music with his jazzy Seattle Slew Suite.  

Ken Benshoof’s beautiful lyricism is reflected in his Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra. Sarah Bassingthwaighte’s Sleeping in the Forest, uses ever-shifting harmonic and rhythmic patterns to portray the richness of nature’s beauty.

Program includes:

Sarah Bassingthwaighte: Sleeping in the Forest – World Premiere

Ken Benshoof: Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra, with Walter Gray, cello

William Bolcom: Seattle Slew Suite

Tickets are $15/20 in advance or $20/25 at the door.  One child under age 18 is admitted free per ticket-holding adult.

Sunday "Evensong" At St. Stephens CHurch

St. Stephens Church (4805 NE 45th Street) is holding an Evensong on Sunday at 5pm.  Here is information:

Evensong Premiere  Within this wonderful time of prayer and meditation, we will celebrate the premiere of Michael John Trotta's Gloria, a three movement setting for choir, brass, percussion, and organ.  Evensong" is a chanted, lay-led service that  appeals to people of different faiths. Admission is free to the service and everyone is welcome.

The anthem will be "Gloria" by Michael John Trotta, who was the composer of "The Seven Last Words of Christ." The "Gloria" has been underwritten by our "Cloud 9" grant committee and will feature the organ, brass, percussion, and our amazing choir.The choir has been working hard on this piece and we would love to see you all there.

Go  here for more information. 

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Sunday Community Tailgate At St. Stephens Church

A neighbor would like to share this information:

On Sunday, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (4805 NE 45th Street) is kicking off the fall season with a tailgate on the front lawn.  

The day begins with worship services at 8 and 10:30am with “Episcopal Trivia” in between services.  

Following the 10:30 service, St. Stephen’s will host a free outdoor tailgate party till 2pm. with food and fun for all ages (and beverages, including beer).  

Dress up in your favorite team's gear for a chance at one of the door prizes. Enjoy games, a donut wall, a church tour, and much more. 

Come to a service, stay for the tailgate. Invite your friends, your family, your neighbors. It's free!

Emergency Hub Established In Neighborhood

Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published this information in their recent newsletter:

LEAP: Emergency Hub Established in Laurelhurst 

John Temple, LEAP leader, reports that St. Stephen’s front lawn is now our neighborhood meeting place following a devastating earthquake or other major catastrophe. St. Stephens also agreed to put the storage container to equip our new HUB with communications gear on their property.  

We now need to buy that storage POD and all its contents. Things such as: Short wave and GRMS radios, large antenna, large batteries, inverter, generator, enclosed tents, chairs, computer, printer, display boards, hard hats, vests, tools, table, the container itself, and so much more. These emergency support items will cost about $20,000. It is time to donate to your own community’s preparedness and resilience.  

The next closest operational networked HUBs are about five miles away in Victory Heights or Lake City. We would have to send runners there for communications needs. And, they will be busy with their own needs.  

To reach $20,000, we need $200 from just 100 people. Or, $12 from each and every household in Laurelhurst. Don’t just let other people do this. Be those other people.  

Please send your tax-deductible donation to LCC Foundation and mail to: LCC Foundation/LEAP, PMB #373, 4616 25th Ave. NE, Seattle 98105. To make your donation online, click the Laurelhurst Foundation link on the Laurelhurst Community Club homepage (www.laurelhurstcc.com). Donations of any size are welcome. For private discussions about your donation, contact John Temple directly at JohnRTemple@msn.com. For general information and questions, email LCCearthquake@Outook.com.  

The sooner we hit the goal, the sooner we can get the HUB ready. We cannot predict an earthquake, we can only prepare. John Temple will post on NextDoor as we reach goal increments of $5,000 from this funding request.  

Liquefaction Zone: Did you know that much of Laurelhurst’s waterfront property, Talaris, University Village, and the Center for Urban Horticulture natural area, Husky stadium, and other local spots are in Seattle’s liquefaction zone? Check out the map.  

Tonight Special Opera Performance At St. Stephens Church

A neighbor who attends St. Stephens Church (4805 NE 45th Street) invites the neighborhood to an opera concert tonight at 7pm.

The information says:

Invitation To An Evening of Opera 

Please join us for a Benefit Recital by Survivors of Breast Cancer and Pulmonary Fibrosis 

Operatic selections performed by:  

Sopranos: Marianne Weltmann, Eleanor Stallcop-Horrox, Mary Jo DuGaw 

Mezzo-Soprano: Melissa Plagemann 

Tenors: David Bukey, Stephen Wall 

Baritone: Michael Monnikendam 

Accompanist: Beth Kirchhoff 

Admission ($25 donation) and all additional contributions are tax-deductible and will benefit families of current pulmonary transplant or breast cancer patients.

Go here for more information.

                      

Lunchtime Concert at At St. Stephens Church

St. Stephens Church (NE 45th Street) is having a concert called "Christmas Works from 18th century Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, and Bolivia" today from 12:10-12:50pm.

The invitation says: December's program features acclaimed soprano Danielle Sampson along with GRAMMY (R) award-winner Stephen Stubbs and the Pacific MusicWorks House Band performing seldom-heard Christmas works for soprano, strings, and continuo from 18th century Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, and Bolivia. _____________________________________________________

For more information go here.

Auditions For Upcoming St. Stephens Church's "Godspell" On Friday And Saturday



St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (4805 NE 45th Street) will be having a summer theater camp for 13-17 years olds, regardless of church affiliation July 31-August 18 from 10am-1pm with the performances on August 19 and August 20.

Michael Monnikendam, Director of Music Ministries, who will direct the musical production, provided this information:

The church will be performing "Godspell," is a musical based on the Gospel According to Saint Matthew, and originally opened off Broadway in 1971.  

Auditions for solo parts will be held on Friday, June 23, from 10 -2pm and on Saturday, June 24, from 11-2pm.  

We invite your teens to experience an ecumenical musical theater camp this summer.

 

Michael Monnikendam has been the Director of Music Ministries at St. Stephen’s Church for the past 5 years. He performed with opera and musical theater companies from the east to the west coast and has also performed in music festivals in Europe.  He has a Master’s of Music Degree from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

Go here to signup and for more information and to pay on-line go here.  The cost is $200

For additional information and questions contact Michael at (206) 522-7144 Ext. 304.

 

 

St. Stephens Chapel 75 Years Old

 

St. Stephen's Chapel (4805 NE 45th Street) is celebrating 75 years with a celebration tomorrow at 7pm, followed by a reception where items of the history of the Chapel, built in 1957, will be on display.

St. Stephens posted in their newsletter:

Our Chapel has been part of many weddings, baptisms, confirmations, funerals, and other special spiritual formation.   

We hope to see old friends and new at the celebration!

 

For more information go here.

Andrei, Homeless Man, Follow Up Comments



The Laurelhurst Blog recently posted about Andrei, a homeless man, who frequents the neighborhood and northeast Seattle.  Several comments were received following the post.

One stated that Andrei sometimes sleeps at St. Stephens Church (4805 NE 45th Street). Neighbors at times hear him talking to himself.  The Police are not able to ask him to leave unless there is a posted No Trespassing sign.

Andrei reportedly also often walks through the Villa Academy property ((5001 NE 50th Street). Parents have reported that they have been sent information on the individual and interacting safely with him.

Andrei frequents the streets around Laurelhurst Elementary School - 46th, 47th and 49th Avenues NE usually going to and from Laurelhurst Park.

One neighbor reported:

We live on the 4500 block of 52nd Avenue  NE and believe, but are not certain, that Andrei was the man who took our motion sensor light on December 21st about 7:30 pm (see pictures above).  

His clothing matches what we have seen him and what has been reported that he usually wears.  

Perhaps he was carrying a knife or pliers to remove the light from our tree. Our camera didn't pick him up leaving our street after approaching our property.  

Some of the neighbors have seen him on the street in the daylight and wondered if he was living in the Villa forest.

Suspicious Man Near St. Bridget's Church And Homeless Man At St. Stephens Church

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

We live across the street from St Bridget's Church on NE 50th Street and on October  19, our neighbors told us that around 3pm, they saw a man climbing over their front yard fence.  

When they asked him about it, he said he was doing some work at our house which wasn't true. He then walked between our homes and into our backyard before disappearing.  

He was described to me as Hispanic with a ponytail. One of our other neighbors reported the incident to the police.

 

Other neighbors have reported seeing a homeless man, not Andrei, regularly sleeping at the entrance to St. Stephens Church on NE 45th Street.

Monster Bash Saturday At St. Stephens To Benefit Children's Hospital

Three Feet of Sunshine's 8th Annual Monster Bash, benefitting Seattle Children's Pediatric Advanced Care Team, is happening on Saturday from 3-7pm at St. Stephen's Church (4805 NE 45th Street). The cost for the event is $13 and will be held rain or shine.

The event will have a variety of activities for all ages, including pony rides, Dracula’s dance-off, ghoulish games and prizes, creepy crafts, the Phantom Photo Booth, costume contest and parade, haunted house, pumpkin painting, Seattle Fire truck visit, kid's dj and dancing, crafts, popcorn, cotton candy, cauldron of prizes and the Yummy Mummy Cupcake Walk.   UW Dental School will provide some Tricks-and-Treats-to-Protect-Your-Teeth goody bags which include sugar-free candy, an apple, a water bottle, toothbrush, toothpaste and some tips on how to enjoy delicious Halloween treats in a mouth-friendly manner.
The popular kids band, Recess Monkey, will perform two shows at 4 and 5pm. Every guest will receive a Halloween themed cupcakes, donated by Trophy Cupcakes.  And Craven Farm is donating pumpkins for each child to take home.  Guests will also be treated to re-usable Trick-OR-Treat totes.

Also available will be the card signing station, where giant cards will be signed and sent to Seattle Children’s patients who are spending Halloween in the hospital.  

Three Feet of Sunshine was established by Amy and Klane White  in July 2009 in memory of their daughter, Susannah, who spent the last year of her life at Seattle Children's Hospital,  in the care of the palliative and nursing teams at Children's Hospital.

The logo was designed by Susannah at 8 years old. And the name, Three Feet of Sunshine, came from a friend of Susannah's who wrote a tribute to Susannah with that title, about about their friendship, as an assignment in 9th grade.

Three Feet of Sunshine, a Seattle Children's Guild, "is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families who bear the weight of potentially life-threatening illnesses, by sharing the ever-sunny disposition and steadfast spirit of sweet Susannah - a little girl, despite spending the last year of her life in the hospital, always had a smile to give and a hug to share.  We raise awareness and funds aimed at providing opportunities and extending support programs devoted to enhancing quality of life for pediatric patients and their families."

Monster Bash enlists many volunteers, including neighbors, Seattle Children’s staff , UW students and middle and high schools students.  High school and university students work in teams and serve as mentors to middle school volunteers. Children who were once attendees of the event return as volunteers in middle school and high school.
 Bring a new, unused costume for a Seattle Children's Hospital patient and receive an extra special trick-or-treat.  All proceeds benefit Seattle Children's Hospital Pediatric Advanced Care Team. 

For more information go here or visit Facebook.
 

Conga line

face painting

pony ride

Classical Music Concert Sunday at St. Stephens Church

 
St. Stephen's Church.(4805 NE 45th Street) is having another Philharmonia Northwest on Sunday at 2:30pm.

Philharmonia Northwest Orchestra is celebrating their 41st season was started in 1976.  It was established by Frances Walton  whose policy was to "perform standard and non-standard repertoire for chamber orchestra, filling an unoccupied niche in the Seattle musical scene. The orchestra has performed music from Baroque to world premieres all over the city and the Northwest region," their website says.

Sunday's concert featues Matt Drumm playing: Rossini: La gazza ladra overture, Ney Rosauro: Concerto for Timpani and String Orchestra and Hayden: Symphony No. 103 ("Drumroll").

The information says:

We ring in our new era with the loud snare drum roll of Rossini’s La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie) overture. The drum theme continues with our very own percussionist, Matt Drumm, performing a romantic timpani concerto by Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro, described as “[a] unique work that explores the lyrical potential of the timpani.” Haydn’s famous “drumroll” Symphony No. 103 concludes the concert.

 

For more information and to buy tickets go here.

(photo courtesy of Facebook)