A Message from the Rector:
Thinking Ahead
Mortal Flesh
So much priestly work involves blessing flesh and blood. Our sacraments bring together flesh, spirit, heart, and mind in holiness. For instance:
*in baptism, we use water and oil to anoint foreheads, sanctifying the promises of baptism and welcoming new members into the Christian faith;
*in the rite of communion, dust-of-the-earth transformed into bread and wine; in our dust-of-the-earth hands and mouth this blessed and sanctified bread and wine feed us for our work in the world
*marriage brings together two dust-of-the-earth, time-limited bodies to step into a shared life
*funerals sanctify that dust-of-the-earth, the mortal remains that have made life possible and that now return to the earth
Beloved
“It is hard to let go of beloved flesh,” writes Madeleine L’Engle in her memoir Two Part Invention, describing her husband’s terminal illness and death. I thought these words as I sat at my father’s deathbed last July. Paradoxically, I thought them again as I reverently held our granddaughter Miriam this July, just a few hours after her birth. Our very bodies are a paradox: made of the dust and mud of the earth; filled with spirit and the very breath of the Holy One. Our bodies—fragile and mortal as they are—make possible our existence in the dimensions of time and space. Despite the challenge of letting go of beloved flesh, funerals are a source of healing.
The Cost of Loving
In casual conversations lately I’ve noticed a shift that suggests a misunderstanding about love, relationship, and grief. It is typified by a conversation with a friend who told me that she didn’t want a funeral because she “didn’t want anyone to cry” when she died. This person is such a generous and tenderhearted person. I think she feels anxious guilt about being the source of pain to those who love her and respect her. And yet who does not feel longing and sadness when a loved one is no longer among the living? Grief is the price of love and of community, and it will be experienced somehow, funeral or no funeral.
Thinking Ahead
Funerals are a gift to those who mourn. They give a framework, a structure, a time set apart, a process for acknowledging, experiencing, loss and grief which can be experienced and honored rather than shunned or hidden. On Sunday, September 22 at 11.30, Jen+ will offer an opportunity to think ahead about funeral services and related topics. We will also have information about funeral homes; grief counselors; local artisans who create heirloom mementos; and resources for legal assistance with wills, trusts, and gifts. Even if you have only one hymn you’d like played at your funeral or memorial service, come and fill out an information sheet! We will keep all planning on file in the parish office—and you may find the planning life-giving and healing.
In peace,
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 9:00 – 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.
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 16B
In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, August 25, led by the Rev. Bill Wieland, 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 25.
The Latest Updates
SACRED POETRY GROUP
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!
LAKE EUCHARIST SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: SAVE THE DATE!
On September 15 we will gather again chez Jedele on Raccoon Lake for Eucharist outdoors followed by a pot-luck lunch, fun in the water, good conversation, and the joy of being in nature. Rain date: September 22. The address is 9531 East Keep Lane, Rockville, Indiana 47872.
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 meet on August 27 and discuss the next two chapters: Born Again and Kingdom of God. It will end around p. 148.
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
This fall we will have a class for those interested in the rites of 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.
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.
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. 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, August 31
• Noon to 2:00 p.m.
There will be a distribution in Hamilton Hall and light lunches will be served inside. We are grateful for all those who have worked so hard to obtain supplies for the Non-Food Pantry. Items are having to be purchased from a variety of sources making it 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
Toppy Beach, sister of Skip Sutton
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at St. Andrew’s
David Bryant, brother of Stephanie Gurnon
Marthe Chandler, friend of Martha Rainbolt
Clara Copeland, friend of Jen+
Kim Frank, sister of Pamalee Smith
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim & Cathryn Ensley
Carole Greenawald
Janet Jenks, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
The family of Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
The family of Whitney Morrill, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Marilyn & Leo Nelson, sister & brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
Sarah Oldstone, sister-in-law of Jen+
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Skip Sutton
Karen Swalley, friend of Thom & Gwen Morris
Dwight Ziegler, uncle of Stephanie Gurnon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. David’s, Bean Blossom: The Rev. Kate Wilson, The Rev. William Morris.
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 Mexico.
Birthdays: Nick Bullen, August 27; Trudy Selvia, August 30.
Anniversaries: None.
Special Events and Services
