Thoughts on Changes Ahead
The weather is changing. The current global pandemic is also changing in ways good and bad. Most of us have been vaccinated by now and happily infection rates in our neck of the woods are dropping. Across the globe, however, things look differently, and the morphing virus continues its deadly spread. But I recently read an article in an issue of Biblical Archaeology Review which causes me to begin reflecting and thinking about other certain as well as uncertain changes ahead.
Before explaining the article, I must mention something heard and learned long ago. Change is difficult and on occasion even dreaded. The hardest part of change, though, is not what lies ahead, but what we must lose or leave behind to get there. For we mere mortals, loss of the past (grief?) is more painful than fear of the uncertain and unknown future.
Back to the article. Francesco Arduini has hypothesized that the great Antonine Plague (c. 165 – 180 C.E.) was the primary cause and origin of child baptism in early Christianity. While unknown and even opposed prior to the plague, the baptism of infants and children became acceptable and eventually even the norm shortly after the plague. Apparently the unusually high infant and child mortality rate during the plague caused church leaders to revise not only their practices and rituals, but even their theology. And, frankly, this would not be the last time! Our church has adapted, morphed, and adjusted in response to forces beyond immediate control numerous times over the past two millennia. As a beloved theology professor of mine used to quip, expect the church response to every change to be this – “as the Church has always taught…!”
So, what might we take from this? I can’t and won’t try and answer for you. But speaking for myself, I can’t and will try and never forget this – God is the one in control.
Blessings,
Mark
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Prayers and Reflections for the Easter Season
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!
A Heartfelt Thank You to Volunteers and Friends!
We had such a wonderful week leading up to the April Non-Food Pantry! It was Supermarket Sweep and we (and the other members of the Putnam County Pantry Coalition) got a lot of donated product. We also got donations of products and money from the Emergency Food Pantry and the Period Project, as well as from individual friends of the NFP! Thanks so much to everyone who supported us this past month!
Thanks to our community’s generosity, we were able to give out a lot in April: 244 bags, 180 bottles of cleaning products, packs and packs of diapers and baby wipes, feminine hygiene, and incontinence products.
This was the last NFP for the DePauw volunteers before they go home for the summer, so please be on the lookout for my next email asking for volunteers for May’s distribution day, May 29th.
All best,
Kate Berry
New St. Andrew’s Book Study
If asked, what’s the first prayer which comes into your head? Chances are most people will answer “The Lord’s Prayer.” How about you?
While “The Lord’s Prayer” is the best-known Christian prayer, have you ever wondered why this is so? Would it surprise you to know that it is as much a Jewish as a Christian prayer? Would you be surprised to learn that it is “both a revolutionary manifesto and a hymn of hope?”
Beginning on Wednesday evening, April 28, please join us for our next St. Andrew’s Book Study as we read and discuss The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of The Lord’s Prayer by John Dominic Crosson.
As before, our Book Study will occur at 7:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: April 28, May 12, and May 26. If interested and needing a copy of the book, please contact Renee at the Parish Office or Fr. Mark at frmark1988@gmail.com.
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday Worship, May 16
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 May 16
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, May 29
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution and no lunch. Kate Berry is coordinating the distribution. We are very grateful to 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 4 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Lorrie Anderson, cousin of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Jo Ella Burns, friend of Terry Noble
Douglas Butler, brother-in-law of Claudia Butler
The family of Margaret Anne Ervin
Jeanne Fitzpatrick, friend of Jim and Karen Mannon
The family of Eric Fladeland, friend of Tim and Caroline Good
The family of Tom Gibson, brother of Gwen Morris
The family of Micah Grimm, friend of Zac and Savannah Johnson
Mary Ellen Gurnon, aunt of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon
Rena Hale, sister of Thea Warren-Simpson
Steve Jones
Keith Keysor, friend of Andy Cullison
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob and Mimi Breese
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
Art Mannon, brother of Jim Mannon
Stanley Morris
Mary Mountz
Marilyn Mourouzis
Sue Murray
The family of Rev. Bill Novak, friend of Fr. Mark Van Wassenhove
The family of Bruce Ploshay, friend of Page and Narda Cotton and former member of Saint Andrew’s
Gordon Redden
Jordan Sanders, sister of Jim Ensley
The family of Jeff Sheffler, son-in-law of Page and Narda Cotton
The family of Peter Staats, friend of Suzanne Hassler
Skip Sutton
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
The family of Phyllis Wright, grandmother of Zac Johnson
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Saint John’s Church, Washington: The Rev. Dennis Latta, Rector.
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 Anglican Church of Korea.
Birthdays: Riley Beck, May 19 . Skip Sutton, May 20
Anniversaries: None.
GCYG
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