In a book of devotions on my coffee table I read a summertime entry that reflected on Thornton Wilder’s play “Our Town”:

“There’s no cry in our literature more poignant, more anguished than Emily’s in that terrible moment before she returns to her grave on the hill. ‘Good bye, good bye, world. Goodbye, Grover’s Corner… Good bye, Mama and Papa. Good bye to clocks ticking… and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new ironed dresses and hot baths… and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you… Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it, every minute?”

Perhaps the particular blessing of the summer is that we slow down in the heat, bringing to mind the moments of sweetness from summers past: a perfect juicy peach, Marco Polo at the pool in the heat of the evening, the wavering fireflies, sitting with friends on the porch with a cold drink.

The fullness of life in small details makes me think of Jesus in and amongst everyday people. He looked them in the eye as they talked, listened to their stories, had a simple meal with them. People remembered these moments about Jesus when they wrote the Gospels just as much as they remembered what we now observe as Holy Week. Jesus’ life moved through the Galilean countryside to a crescendo in Jerusalem, but part of Jesus’ influence on earth was that the world (and we) are important and beloved enough to be taught to “[savor] the snail’s pace of love” that is the gift of daily life.

I know many of you are already starting the school year. The sweetness of summer is in part the sense that the sweetness of the passing of time. May we savor the minutes even as we keep counting and planning the years.

Jen+

Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:00 – 11:00 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, August 21.

In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, August 11, 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 5 minutes prior to the start of the service.

Click here for the service booklet for August 11.

HEARTFELT THANK YOU!

On behalf of all of the pilgrims who made their way to England in July, a huge thank you to Rev. Jen and Chris, who spent this past year researching, planning and preparing us for an adventure that was incredibly special and life affirming. We covered seven different cities in our seven
days on the ground. With the help of our Wonder Voyage guide and Jen and Chris we seamlessly covered miles, learned as we went, and found time for unforeseen encounters and opportunities. In preparation for our time together Chris and Jen put together beautiful booklets about each day of our journey with prayers and meditations to guide us on our way. We also came home with special worship materials focused on social justice that we used daily for prayer and song. We made new friends, enriched relationships and are ever grateful to Rev. Jen and Chris. Thank you!

WELCOME OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ORGANIST

Welcome to our new Director of Music and organist, Nicholas Voermans. Nick has deep experience and expertise in church music and in leading musical offerings in worship. We are grateful that he will be part of St. Andrew’s while he studies organ improvisation at Indiana University. Welcome, Nick!

SACRED POETRY

Our Sacred Poetry group will gather again beginning this fall. We will be reading the sacred poetry of George Herbert and John Donne. Please let Jen+ know if you are interested and we will find a time that suits all!

BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION AND EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

This fall we will have a class for those interested in Baptism: initiation and dedication to the Christian path, Confirmation: commitment to the Christian path after baptism, and Reception: for those who have been confirmed in the Roman Catholic church or the Lutheran church who wish signal membership in the Episcopal Church. The classes will also be for the curious, and those who want to know more about the core tenets and practices of our faith. We will have baptisms on November 3, on the celebration of All Saints, and confirmations on February 23, during Bishop Jennifer’s visitation. Please contact Jen+ if you are thinking about Baptism or Confirmation – or if you would simply like to be a part of this class. We will begin these meetings in October.

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY

The Book and Bible Group has begun again, meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays with Evening Prayer celebrated at 4:00 p.m. We are reading Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity. This book is widely available via the internet or borrowed from the library. We will begin on August 13th with the first section, ending on page 79. August 2oth there will be no book group; our second meeting is August 27th.

LAKE EUCHARIST SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: SAVE THE DATE!

On September 15 we will gather again chez Jedele on Raccoon Lake. We will have our service outside, followed by a pot-luck lunch, fun in the water, good conversation, and the joy of being outdoors. Rain date: September 22.

VESTRY MEETING MINUTES

If any of you are interested in what your Vestry is doing, there are two copies of each month’s minutes on the top of the piano in Hamilton Hall. Feel free to read and return!

THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY

Please add razors, Stain Remover Sticks, and shaving cream to your shopping list for the NFP for the month of August. Meals and conversation in Hamilton Hall are going well. Patrons are now able to pick out items they most need. Your contributions help our budget go farther in helping meet the needs of those in Putnam County. The next Non-Food Pantry will be Saturday, August 31 from noon – 2:00 p.m.

FREE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

We have some large print Day by Day daily devotionals in the sanctuary that you are free to take home for your personal devotions–and if we know that people would like copies, we can order the right amount. Many of you may also appreciate the on-line version of Day to Day. Click here.

ON-GOING COVID PROTOCOL

We continue to respond to both our county’s current CDC designation and to the current variant. Masking is optional. Decisions on COVID policy have moved from the Reconvening Committee to Rev. Jen and the Wardens.

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. 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.

Your prayers are asked for: