A Message from a Parishioner:
A Parishioner’s Dilemma
Recently I’ve been hearing from Americans United for Separation of Church and State—much alarmed about the danger that churches will persuade the government to legislate morality, while politicians are appropriating the churches to garner voters for their agendas. Ouch!
I grew up in a family of Army chaplains, where church and state meet. Tax payers are supporting clergy and chapels everywhere. The chaplains give “character guidance” lectures to instill patriotism and acceptance of the Army’s authority. My husband, when he was (luckily!) a peace-time draftee, handled the separation problem by deciding that, under fire, he would let himself be shot rather than kill another human being. (He was a preacher’s kid, too—and a winner of a marksmanship medal.)
So what are your thoughts on separation of church and state? Where do we find our standards of morality and incentives to be humane? Are migrant throngs a potential economic asset in an aging society or a threat to Anglo-culture and our “pure blood”? As one commentator suggested, we have to choose either “wrong and strong” or “meek and weak.”
The nation started with a hard choice between Federalism on the authoritarian English model of monarchy and a noble elite or a diverse Republican heterogeny of immigrants of all classes from Europe and Africa, not to mention the challenge of an indigenous population. In the 1950’s I heard in a sermon a warning against voting for John F. Kennedy for fear that the country would be run by the Pope! Maybe we need to separate the churches from going after each other, too. Let’s hope that Jesus and history can help us!
Edith Welliver
P.S. A motto posted in the church I attend here: “If things are too hard to stand, kneel.”
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 September 4 and September 11.
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 17B
In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, September 1, 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 September 1.
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. The Jedele family is providing chicken fajitas. Table service and drinks will be provided. Please feel free to bring a side dish to share! The address of the lakehouse is 9531 East Keep Lane, Rockville, Indiana 47872. Rain date: September 22.
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. Our next meeting is September 3. NOTE: There will be no Bible Group on Tuesday, September 10.
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
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
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. Christoper’s, Carmel: The Rev. Cara Spaccarelli.
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: Daniel Gurnon, September 2; Nicholas Voermans, September 5.
Anniversaries: Orcenith & Pamalee Smith, September 5.
Special Events and Services
