A Message from the Senior Warden
We have a new rector! It is official now! On Palm Sunday we will welcome Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore and her husband, Chris to St. Andrew’s and Greencastle.
Rev. Jen has been a professor at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio for over 20 years. She most recently chaired the Department of Religion; was the Director of the East Asian Study Program; and was the Program Director for the year-long First Year Seminar for all first year students. She is fluent in, and can conduct services, in English, French and Mandarin. She did her undergraduate studies at Swarthmore College and has her Ph.D from the University of Chicago.
Like many Episcopal priests, Rev. Jen accepted the call to the priesthood later in life. She was ordained a priest in 2016 in Cincinnati. She has served rural, urban and suburban congregations. As she told our search committee, “One of my passions is interfaith understanding and outreach so that we can live the gospel rule of loving our neighbor as ourself within the parish and within the community.”
We owe many thanks to Brooke Cox, Chair of our Search Committee, and all who served with her: Joanne Haymaker, Terry Noble, Kate Berry, Cathryn Ensley, Thom Morris, Dennis Knuth and Dave Murray. When they started this journey no one thought their tenure would be so long. Thank you and WELCOME REV. JEN.
Sending this with great joy,
Sue Murray
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SINGING, MASKING, AND SEATING
As we gather in person for Sunday worship, please remember we still need to be protective of each other as the Delta Variant of the Covid virus continues to spread. The Delta Variant is many times more contagious and believed to be more dangerous, particularly to those who are not yet vaccinated, than earlier strains. Even those who are vaccinated may become infected and transmit the virus. To protect our communities until this subsides, the Diocese has suggested that you wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status and take a congregational singing hiatus. During this time only one cantor and a small choir will be allowed. We also ask that you maintain social distancing. Please only sit in pews with prayer books and hymnals. Hopefully, one day soon, we will all be able to lift our voices in song. Many thanks to everyone for your patience.
Connect With Us
Prayers and Reflections for this week
We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. Those of us writing them have also found it an enriching experience and have decided to continue. The meditations are written by persons from Saint Andrew’s, Gobin UMC and Beach Grove UMC. The daily meditations will be in the newsletter each week and go from Wednesday to Tuesday, except for Sunday. Whether you enjoy these every day, or as the Spirit moves you, may this resource continue to bring you spiritual food for the journey. Blessings!
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday In-Person Morning Worship, December 19 led by Rev. Kelsey Hutto-Ford
You can connect to the service via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.
If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.
Click here for the service booklet for December 19
A Message from Thea Warren Simpson
Merry Christmas 2021! This year has brought with it lots of changes for everyone, us included! As we walk through the season of Advent we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. This thought has been on my mind as our family also prepares our lives for a big change. After a few years of being the last remaining sister to stay in Indiana, it has been my hope to move up closer to my family in Minnesota, but it seemed that was not the plan God had for us. Dennis has been trying to move to a different position within his job for the last 2 years to no avail. But, after much thought, Dennis and I decided we wanted to make the leap to move up to Minnesota even if we didn’t have jobs up there quite yet. God works in amazing ways because a few weeks after we had made the decision, Dennis had an offer from the Minnesota division of PNC for a job in the Twin Cities! We are excited and nervous as we pack up our house and move north the week after Christmas!
I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for the wonderful church family you have been to us! We have always felt welcome and thought of in this congregation. Our church has been a wonderful place for my kids to learn about family and Christian life, and for me to grow. We are sad and will miss you all terribly! I know that we will never live on a street where we live close to so many of you, can walk to service, and be a part of such a closeknit community. You really are family. Thank you so much for all the love and support you have given us!
Love,
Thea, Dennis, Gus, and Hettie Simpson
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, December 18
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution coordinated by Alex Roehrkasse and sack lunches will be given out. We are very grateful to Kate Berry, Martha Rainbolt, Carl Huffman, Karen Hirt Mannon, and Christiane Wisehart who have worked very hard to obtain supplies for the Non-Food Pantry. Kroger is not able to acquire enough products for us so the items are being purchased from a variety of sources. This is much more expensive. Donations to help offset this extra cost will be gratefully accepted!
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
The family of Jack Angleton, brother of Peggy Angleton
Rick and Jena Baker, nephew of Lucy Wieland
Russell Ball, husband of Jennifer Ball
The family of Wolfe Beckman, grandfather of Thea Warren-Simpson
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Bernice Emrick, mother of Karen Hirt Mannon
The family of Margaret Anne Ervin, sister of Bob Haymaker
The Rev. Nancy Ferriani and the family of Bob Ferriani, friends of the Warren and Connie Macy
The family of Eric Fladeland, friend of Tim and Caroline Good
The family of David and Janis Gerkensmeyer, parents of Sarah Gerkensmeyer
Jim and Susan Grivas, friends of St. Andrew’s
Mary Ellen Gurnon, aunt of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon
Keith Keysor, friend of Andy Cullison
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob and Mimi Breese
The family of Dr. John Lovett, father of Nancy Lovett
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
The family of Art Mannon, brother of Jim Mannon
Mary Mountz
Marilyn Mourouzis
Leo Nelson, brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Helen Noble, mother of Terry Noble
Gordon Redden
The family of Jordan Sanders, sister of Jim Ensley
Elizabeth and Natalie Sheffler, daughter and granddaughter of Page and Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Barbara Stinson, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Skip Sutton
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Church of the Nativity, Indianapolis: The Rev. Ben Wyatt, The Rev. Karen Sullivan.
Our companion dioceses: The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil: The Most Rev. Mauricio Jose Araujo De Andrade, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of Brasilia. The people and Diocese of Haiti and Saint Andre’s in Mithon.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of the Province of Central Africa.
Birthdays: Andy Cullison, December 25
Anniversaries: Joe and Jenny Heithaus, December 19 . Curtis and Debbie Beck, December 20
GCYG
Special Events and Services
