2140 Mission Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 488-3550
Blog
Read our recent posts
Starr King Winter Wonderland
Starr King's Winter Wonderland by Mary Ellen Ferguson On Saturday, January 28, Sue Davis and I participated in the first ever Winter Wonderland at Starr King K-8. Over 150 children…
Read More
Your Investment in the Work of St. Michael’s
A message from the Senior Warden, Doug Davy St. Michael’s is part of the head, hands, and feet of the Body of Christ, and our stellar staff are the head,…
Read More
Give in faith … so our love will be here for generations to come
A few weeks ago, Dave and I went to Yosemite, it was a gift from my children for my 60th birthday. They chose for us a place to stay near the southern…
Read More
The Baptismal Covenant
Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? I believe…
Read More
This violence has to stop!
What does one do when driven to hopelessness and a sadness so deep it penetrates one's very being? The senseless violence of a shooting by an eighteen year old who…
Read More
COVID-19 Updates
COVID GUIDANCE UPDATE - RE-GATHERING TASK FORCE Assumptions we agreed upon: People who have not been fully vaccinated are required to wear masks. People are empowered to make their own…
Read More
Campus Space Renovations
Thank you to the Church Renovation Committee and Capital Campaign Committee. We are moved back into the classrooms and the Sanctuary and are enjoying the beauty and enhancements of the…
Read More
On an adventure with Jesus
What would it be like to be a follower of Jesus, on an adventure. You left your boat (or your tax booth) and are out traipsing around Galilee and Jerusalem. …
Read More
Ash Wednesday Reflection
"The mind that comes to rest is tended In ways that it cannot intend: Is borne, preserved, and comprehended By what it cannot comprehend. ... into ... rest, or out…
Read More
Rev. Mary’s "Templeton" by Rev. Mary
Pets come in all shapes and sizes. I know this as evidenced at the many “Blessing of the Animal” services I have participated in with my family. Our family has brought some…
Read More
St. Michael’s smallest helper Bleu, the mini blue heeler
Many of you have probably already met our youngest and smallest helper around the office but don't let her petite structure fool you! She is full of personality and will…
Read More
Remembering 9/11 by Rev. Mary
Sometimes you plan something getting an inkling you are doing it for a purpose, yet not having the ability to clearly identify what it might be. This happened to me when…
Read More
Spiritually Speaking – Remembering 9/11
Michelle Falcy Its surreal to think that it has really been 20 years (or nearly) since that day. It changed everything at the time and impacted all of our lives…
Read More
Centering Prayer – A Different Voice by Kate Muris & Chuck Schaller
We live in a cacophony of noise these days, noise that is unwelcome, unsettling, unedifying. Centering Prayer offers a different voice… the still, quiet voice of God. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and…
Read More
Spiritual Direction: I Said Yes… by Kate Muris
I said yes … To an invitation to journey with a spiritual director. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t know what a spiritual director was when I first heard…
Read More
Words I try to live by
As community, we are walking together to find purpose and meaning in our lives. Many would say that LOVE is the meaning of life and being that love in the…
Read More
Angel Story: A Holy Message by Tina Ferriot
I believe in the presence of God’s holy angels in our lives and how we can experience unexpected messages of God’s grace in those Holy moments. As a Mercy Hospice volunteer,…
Read More
Angel Story: One with many Angels by Laura Quené
John has been an IT guy for over 4 decades. His computer career began in The Netherlands, then there was a decade in South Africa and lastly 26 years in the…
Read More
Angel Story: A Higher Angel? by Paula Frink
At first, I didn’t know if I had an angel story. I never had some profound divine intervention. But then I started thinking… Back in 2007, I was looking for something. I didn’t…
Read More
An Angel in the Skies by Chris Chamness
While stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina I decided to pursue a lifelong yearning to learn to fly. The local flying club, conveniently co-located at Simmons Army…
Read More
God’s Plans by Michelle Falcy
Feels kind of strange writing this today when I am at one of my lowest times in a while but I’ve been mulling over how to best put into words…
Read More
An Angel in the Park by Rev. Mary
I grew up in a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. It was a place where I knew my neighbors and all the children played together. When I was five years old,…
Read More
Driving with the Holy Spirit by Reneé Pierce
Driving home one night last week, I saw a woman heading towards the bus stop at Watt and El Camino. The bus pulled away, not seeing the woman dashing to…
Read More
The Examen by Renee Pierce
My Lenten Journey has changed from year-to-year as I continue my spiritual quest. One year I chose to write a Gratitude Log for each day of Lent and post it…
Read More
"Trust in God and Be Grateful" by Chris Chamness
My conventional Lenten "Journey" began in February with regular participation in the Lisa Sargent directed program Living Well Through Lent 2021, a Living Compass seasonal resource (hereafter LWTL). In a…
Read More
Keeping a Holy Lent by Jennifer Franz
How could this possibly be difficult? I barely go anywhere. I am totally blessed by the presence of two young people in my life who run my errands and get my provisions…
Read More
Partial Wins
I was raised Roman Catholic and I have to say that I have never been particularly consistent or successful at giving something up during lent. No meat on Fridays…No problem,…
Read More
Listen… Listen… Pray by Kate Muris
I talk a lot! But I want to learn to listen!!! I want to learn to listen with better intention, better retention. I want to listen in the silence of my head…
Read More
To Take Away or To Add? That is the Question. by Paula Frink
Do I take away or add? This has become an interesting question regarding Lent during a pandemic. Taking away now seems so fruitless and empty since most of us have…
Read More
Ah Lent! God Loves All People! by Tina Ferriot
Scripture give us many ways to know this Love that God has for people. And we can also come to know this love through our institutional church, which celebrates God’s…
Read More
Approaches to our Lenten Journeys by Mary Ellen Ferguson
I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, in a small town where almost everyone belonged to a church community, during a time when elementary students were released from school…
Read More
Go into the quiet, Listen for God, Feel God’s peace and joy
This advent I am going to try an experiment and I invite you to join me if you wish. I want to experience that Christmas joy I felt as a child. I…
Read More
Deacon Cindy Long COVID-19 Coping
At first, when the idea of writing about how I was doing with the pandemic was suggested, I just couldn't do it. It was challenging enough to get through each…
Read More
Madeline Hudak COVID-19 Coping
How are you coping with COVID? My answers are pretty specific: Alcoholics Anonymous Program and God. I have been spending my time trying to focus on bettering myself and being…
Read More
Laura Walker COVID-19 Coping
Vincent Van Gogh said, "I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?" As a gentle breeze rustles through the camphors and tinkles…
Read More
Pamela Busby COVID-19 Coping
How are you coping with COVID? I am walking more, taking more time to enjoy nature; flowers, birds, weather. I am taking time for reflection and gratitude. What have you…
Read More
Invite*Welcome*Connect and Black Lives Matter by Mary Mussell
In reflection of Rev. Mary’s sermon for June 28th, Invite*Welcome*Connect and Black Lives Matter have many similarities in how we listen and communicate. When we listen, we need to do…
Read More
Jennifer Franz COVID-19 Coping
I am one of the fortunate ones. My income is steady and more or less assured through September. I can put food on the table, although I'm an extremely reluctant…
Read More
Carolyn Konrad COVID-19 Coping
Miracles Do Happen What surprises me most about my own part in this pandemic is my reaction to the order to “Shelter in Place.” As an introvert, this sounded…
Read More
Paula Frink COVID-19 Coping
Wisdom in the midst of a Pandemic II’ve learned that being told that I MUST stay at home is very different than just having a personality who likes and…
Read More
Chris Chamness COVID-19 Coping
WISDOM IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC What have you learned from the "Shelter in Place" order? God is always with us, we are never truly alone. In William Shakespeare's Sonnet…
Read More
Janice Bowdler COVID-19 Coping
I live with a bagpiper. And that bagpiper isn't going off to his practice session on Monday's anymore. And that bagpiper is a bit hyperactive. It's a good thing…
Read More
Eileen Thomas COVID-19 Coping
Rather than "sheltering in place" in our home with my husband, John, I am staying with my mom in her farm home north of Woodland. Surrounded by three…
Read More
Kate Muris COVID-19 Coping
by Kate Muris Kate Muris Stuck On flypaper - can't move - one foot in one foot out Ok to be home, cooking again and loving…
Read More
John Cozza, Music Director, COVID-19 Coping
Since the beginning of the Shelter-in-Place order, I have been starting my mornings off with a 20-minute Centering Prayer meditation, followed by listening to a Bach cantata. These are works…
Read More
Peter Hewitt COVID-19 Coping
How I am coping with COVID: Being asymptomatic, and knowing almost no one who is or has been symptomatic, let alone diagnosed with COVID-19, I am focusing on being…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 30 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 19:23—20:16 23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you,…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 27 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 17:22—18:14 22As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, 23and they will kill him, and…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 21 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 14:1-21 14 At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; 2and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 20 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 13:44-58 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 18 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 12:46—13:23 46While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, "Look, your mother and…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 17 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 12:22-45 22Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see.…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 16 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 15 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 11:1-24 11 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. 2When John heard in…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 14 The Gospel of Matthew Easter. 2020
Matthew 10:16-42 16"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 13 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 9:27—10:15 27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28When he entered the house, the blind men…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 12 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 9:1-26 9 And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town. 2And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 11 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Matthew 8:14-34 14When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; 15he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 10 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
DAY 10 Matthew 7:21—8:13 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 9 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
DAY 9 Matthew 7:1-20 7 "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 8 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 8: Matthew 6:19-34 Reflection If we lived by the values of the gospel as outlined in the Lord's Prayer, our trust in God would be so complete that we…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 7 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 7: Matthew 6:1-18 Reflection The Lord's Prayer is the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, and it is both simple and comprehensive because it has every element a prayer should…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 6 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 6: Matthew 5:21-48 Reflection Jesus here continues his challenging teaching, reminding his followers—and us—that it is not enough to fulfill the letter of the law. Rather, what is in…
Read More
What are we called to do as a Christian Community?
In reading the list Paul's writes to Christians of his time, I wondered what it would translate to me during this time. Here is my go at it! Romans 12:9-13…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 5 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 5: Matthew 4:23-5:20 Reflection This passage brings us to the Sermon on the Mount. I think many of us read all of these "blessed" statements as comforting, as if…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 4 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 4: Matthew 4:1-22 Reflection Jesus begins his ministry in the Jordan River with the baptism by John. Immediately the Spirit leads him into the wilderness to fast for forty…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 3 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 3: Matthew 3:1-17 Reflection John the Baptist appears on the stage of Matthew's Gospel dressed in the classic garb of a Hebrew prophet and eating locusts and wild honey…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 2 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 2: Matthew 2:1-23 Reflection It is amazing. The incarnation of God is a young child. And this young child is dependent on young parents to keep him safe (Jewish…
Read More
The Good Book Club: Day 1 The Gospel of Matthew Easter 2020
Day 1: Matthew 1:1-25 Reflection Most people want to skip the genealogy. A long list of names does not make for riveting reading. However, we are all interested in our…
Read More
Glory to you, God!
Glory and Honor to you - God - of all creation. You are worthy to be praised. Glory to you - Holy Spirit - who lives within all creation.…
Read More
Christmas Check List
Lately I have felt a yearning for a “Hallmark” Christmas. You know the kind that does not exist. The romantic image of multi-generations waking up on Christmas morning in the…
Read More
Lessons Learned: Charles King Fisher
This post is from the words spoken at the Celebration of LIfe of Charles King Fisher Jr, by his beloved daughter J.C. Fisher, November 24, 2019. How do you sum…
Read More
What are your Essentials?
I woke up this morning remembering only a snippet of my dream. I am standing in a line where I am taking things – I remember a loaf of beautiful…
Read More
What makes St. Michael’s distinct in our living the Gospel?
What makes St. Michael's distinct in our living of the Gospel and understanding of Christ at work in this place at this time? When asked this question as an ice-breaker…
Read More
Freedom without Boundaries is not Freedom at All!
"Freedom. The power of self-determination--that is, of deliberately choosing and following a course of action."* Freedom without boundaries feels a lot like anarchy if you ask me. The absence of government…
Read More
What is the Christian Response when Powerful Retaliation is an Option in Syria?
In a New York Times article titled "U.S. Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons at Least 50 Times During War" The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R.…
Read More
In the final days of lent …
In the temptation of Christ ..... went into the desert alone .... Alone in the desert Alone - in my skin, learning to be me ..... …
Read More
Thank God for the Ten Commandments
Hear the commandments of God to his people: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me. Amen. Lord…
Read More
Preparing for Lent
Shrove Tuesday will begin our journey through Lent to Easter! Please join us for the Pancake Supper Tuesday night at 6pm in the Parish Hall. Shrove Tuesday gets its name…
Read More
A Christian Response to the Orlando Shootings by Rev. Mary
My heart broke in two when I heard the news. One half was angry, the other was incredibly sad. I did not feel fear the way many of my brothers…
Read More
The Twelfth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:39-40 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became…
Read More
The Eleventh Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:36-38 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven…
Read More
The Tenth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:33-35 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child…
Read More
The Ninth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:29-32 Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you…
Read More
The Eighth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:25-28 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy…
Read More
The Seventh Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:22-24 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it…
Read More
The Sixth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:21 & Isaiah 7:14 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before…
Read More
The Fifth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:17-20 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told…
Read More
The Fourth Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:15-16 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that…
Read More
The Third Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2: 13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on…
Read More
The Second Day of Christmas
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:8-12 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and…
Read More
Christmas Day!
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:4-7 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and…
Read More
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 1:39-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his…
Read More
The Third Sunday of Advent
SCRIPTURE: LUKE 3:7-18 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them…
Read More
The Second Sunday of Advent
SCRIPTURE: Passage taken from Luke 3:1-6 “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled,and…
Read More
The First Sunday of Advent
SCRIPTURE: Passage taken from Luke 21:25-36 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see…
Read More
Happy are they who do not sit in the seats of the scornful…Psalm 1:1
Reflections from Psalm 1, Morning Prayer October 12th ... Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor…
Read More
Temptations …
Temptation shows up in our lives in a myriad of ways. The one thing I know about temptation is that it is part of the human condition and we all…
Read More
78th General Convention–NorCal Photos & Blog
Want the latest information from our Deputies at the 78th General Convention in Salt Lake City? Click here to see photos and read their blog!
Read More
Called to the Single Consecrated Life by Tina Ferriot
It is truly amazing what God calls each of us to be and do in the world. I am writing to share with you my experience in being called to…
Read More
Thank you, St. Michael’s–I’ll be back!
It always seems fitting to be in the season of Pentecost as our weather heats up! From my Roman Catholic childhood, a prayer to the Holy Spirit often rattles around…
Read More