A Message from the Rector:
Peace be with you.
We hear these words throughout Eastertide, the 50 days of the season of Easter that end in Pentecost.
We hear them because the disciples heard those words from Jesus. To their ears, those words must have given the same relief as “I forgive you” or “Don’t worry, I still love you.” We often hear that Easter is about the once-and-for-all forgiveness of sins, but I wonder…if that were the case, why would encounters with the resurrected Jesus so often begin with words of comfort and reassurance, of forgiveness? Wouldn’t the disciples be worried that, in fact, they weren’t forgiven for their utter failure, their fears, their denials, fleeing from the scene, hiding behind locked doors, which is, in fact, where they hear the words, “Peace”?
I thought about that as I spent the week with my family, participating in all the familiar dynamics and roles that my family and I have lived these many, many, years, the behaviors that come back so naturally to me when I am with my brothers and my parents. We get along, and we annoy each other, and we fight, and we love each other. As I navigated the most polished and well-practiced relationships I have, I thought about how very important it is to have the little words of peace spoken and spoken often. We all may agree in the abstract that we are family, but we practice and perfect being family by doing and saying it in countless small ways through the minutes, hours, and days of our time together. A family tree is one thing; living life as family is another.
Was the incarnation completely over when Jesus shocked the disciples by appearing behind a closed door and Thomas touched Jesus’ side and palms? I will leave that question to theologians—but Word made Flesh, dwelling with us as us, showing, not telling the way to live into the relationships that God craves for us—continued after Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Shalom,
Jen+
Non-Food Pantry Meeting, Sunday, April 23, 1:30 p.m., Hamilton Hall
We are having a meeting Sunday, April 23, at 1:30 p.m. in Hamilton Hall. In that meeting we will explain the difficulties which the NFP is facing and then work together on how we can overcome them. We definitely want to continue the NFP, but we need to change the format since the current drive-through format is not sustainable. We need additional leadership and new proposals, and we want to hear your ideas. All are welcome to this meeting.
Peace,
Martha Rainbolt
for the NFP Committee, Kate Berry, Christiane Wisehart, Karen Hirt Mannon, and Rev. Jen
Connect With Us
Rector’s Office Drop-In Time
Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for anyone who would like to stop in and visit. You are always invited to make an appointment for a time convenient for you. Mondays are her Sabbath day. NOTE: No drop-in hours Wednesday, April 26 as Rev. Jen will be away at a conference.
The Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, April 23, led by The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m.
You can stream the service via St. Andrew’s Facebook Page. Click on this link to view the Live Stream. We will start the Live Stream at 10:10 a.m.
Click here for the service booklet for April 23.
The Latest Updates
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?
Every week the St. Andrew’s newsletter has a reflection about life and faith. Most are observations about daily life and where we experience God in the midst of the “same old, same old.” We would love to feature your thoughts – – a few paragraphs that will help us all see more clearly how the Holy One touches us in our ordinary lives. This would be for the 4th Wednesday of the month publication. Please let Renee or Jen+ know if you are interested.
SAFE CHURCH COURSES FOR VESTRY
This is just a reminder for the Vestry leaders and members to complete their Safe Church courses by April 12. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Renee in the office and she can help you with those.
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS
The Diocese is offering training for people to become Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV). This training licenses you to take the blessed sacrament to those who cannot come to church, including residents of The Waters. It is a wonderful way to be church! Trainings are on June 17 and September 7. Please consider being a LEV! Contact the Rev. Mary Taflinger at taflinger@indiodio.org with questions. Register here.
NEW ZOOM LINK
The new link can be found on the St. Andrew’s website at the bottom of the last page. Click on the Zoom icon to join as an attendee.
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS
Once a month Sunday services have resumed at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, May 14 at 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. If you’d like to help with this ministry in any way, please contact Rev. Jen or Renee. All are welcome to attend!
ON-GOING COVID PROTOCOL
We continue to respond to both our county’s current CDC designation and to the current variant. Masking is optional. Those who serve bread and wine will mask so that anyone who comes to the altar can feel secure. Decisions on COVID policy have moved from the Reconvening Committee to Rev. Jen and the Wardens.
Prayers and Reflections for This Week
We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. The meditations are written by persons from Gobin UMC and Beech Grove UMC. They 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!
Click here to view the readings and accompanying links.
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, April 29
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution and sack lunches will be served. 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:
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Gary Barcus, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Douglas Butler, brother-in-law of Claudia Butler
Richard A. Butler, father-in-law of Claudia Butler
Adam Cohen, friend of St. Andrew’s
Family & friends of Michael Condra
Norm Crampton, former member
Bob Fatzinger, brother of Barbara Pare
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim Ensley
Alan & Vickie Good, father of Tim Good
David Grueber, stepson of Scott Kissinger
Kimberly Heithaus, niece of Joe & Jenny Heithaus
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Emmanuel Myril, Karen Hirt Mannon’s son-in-law’s father
Sarah Oldstone, sister-in-law of Jen+
Pamela & Linda
Gordon Redden
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Skip Sutton
Jerry Taylor, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Beth Thoenen, friend of Jen+
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ Episcopal Church, Madison: The Rev. Mary Slenski, 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 Church of the Province of Uganda.
Birthdays: None.
Anniversaries: Sara Nimori and Ross Whitten, April 24.
Special Events and Services
