A Message from the Rector:
During this past week I’ve worked on parallel tracks. One track thinks about my father and my family—little and big matters to take care of, saying goodbye to Dad’s mortal remains, memories from pictures and scraps of letters and writing. Dad’s death is the subtext to my days right now.
The other track prepares for the week’s sermon. It was a good week for sermon prep. I love the reading from 1 Kings when Elijah finds God in the silence. I also love Psalm 85, especially verse 10: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and truth have kissed each other.” Paul’s letter to the Romans has a favorite quote from Isaiah—“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news,” bringing hardworking, overlooked feet to our attention.
I was kind of irritated by the passage from Matthew’s Gospel, though. Jesus makes his disciples get into a boat, and then in the midst of a terrible nighttime storm he comes walking across the water. I have heard so many jokes and seen so many Jesus action figures that my mental picture of this moment is severely compromised. And then Peter wants to walk on the stormy seas—and of course panics, sinks, and yells for help. Really? We know Peter often misses the point, but is he also just plain stupid? Being an ocean girl, I know the feeling of being trapped by waves that hold you under so that you don’t know which way is up, remember terror I’ve felt swimming not that far from shore. Water can be powerful, overwhelming, and chaotic.
In the midst of these mental meanderings one commentary stopped me cold. In Peter’s cries for help on the wild ocean, Maria Mallory White heard this quiet, meditative song:
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall.
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Precious Lord has been the hymn that has accompanied me in these days and weeks of grieving. The day after returning to Indiana, this hymn opened my heart when we sang it at Evening Prayer at Waycross. he words and music have continued to be a companion in sadness while affirming the net of love that holds me. In the Gospel images of a wild sea, and in the music of a quiet and powerful hymn, I am grateful to be reminded of the enduring presence and love of the Holy One, reaching out in noise and tumult, reaching out in quiet word and stillness.
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: Rev. Jen will be out of the office Friday, August 25.
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Morning In-Person Morning Worship Service, August 20, led by The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m. Elementary Youth Formation begins today. There will also be Acolyte Refresher and Training after Worship.
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 20.
The Latest Updates
ELEMENTARY YOUTH FORMATION
Formation for elementary aged youth will start Sunday, August 20. Macie will be leading the youth with a combination of lessons from Godly Play, crafts, and lessons suited to the church year. Please consider being a second-adult volunteer in the Elementary classroom! Volunteers need to be certified for Safe Church through on-line courses similar to many that businesses and schools require. Please consider being a volunteer!
CALLING ALL ACOLYTES
On August 20 and August 27 there will be refresher courses for acolytes directly after worship. All are invited–acolytes old and new. If you have not served as an acolyte and would like to, there are many possible roles, from bringing the bread and wine to the altar at communion, to being an usher, to serving at the altar.
POND EUCHARIST
On Sunday, September 17, St. Andrew’s Sunday Service will be at Raccoon Lake, courtesy of the Jedele family. Details will follow soon.
LGBTQ, THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND YOU
For the past several decades, the question of sexual orientation and the church have been topics of great importance–and often great conflict–for Christians. On September 24 we will have an Adult Forum after Sunday service (teens and children are welcome per parental consent) about the Episcopal Church’s decisions to include LGBTQ clergy and marriage. We will look at the biblical basis for these decisions, and also strategies for your every day discussions with friends and family about our “open and affirming” church.
CHURCH WORK SIGN-UP
There are still several inside and outside projects that need doing to maintain our church and grounds and keep them beautiful. Kate Berry, Junior Warden, has compiled a list that can be accessed in the electronic newsletter. Please sign up to do a chore or two, if you are able. Click here for sign-up sheet. Thanks in advance!
THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY
Please add spray cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner to your shopping list for the NFP. Every little bit helps our budget go farther in helping meet the needs of folks in Putnam County. The Pantry returns on Saturday, August 26. There is a sign-up sheet posted in Hamilton Hall for folks to help with a product pick-up and/or as well as for help on August 26 at the monthly distribution. FYI: Baskets at church are now dedicated for the NFP and not the food pantry.
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?
Every week the Wednesday 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. Please let Renee or Jen+ know if you are interested.
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.
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! The next training is on 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 for Bible studies and meetings.
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS
Once a month Sunday services are continuing at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, September 10 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, August 26
• Noon to 3:00 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! NOTE: Distributions will resume August 26 with new guidelines and will take place indoors. Participants must provide proof that they live within Putnam County.
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Haile Bane, grandson 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
Anita Edenfield, friend of Skip Sutton
Bob Fatzinger, brother of Barbara Pare
David Grueber, stepson of Scott Kissinger
Kimberley 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
Marilyn & Leo Nelson, sister & brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Michael Oldstone, especially his wife Elizabeth, father of Jen+
Gordon Redden
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Skip Sutton
The family of Jerry Taylor, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Dwight Ziegler, brother 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 Church of England.
Birthdays: None.
Anniversaries: Sue and Dave Murray, August 22.
Special Events and Services
