A Message from the Junior Warden:
December is a whirlwind. The semester’s end means lots of work for teachers, school staff, and students, and after that, parents must entertain their kids at home, usually while continuing to work. Many of us rush to finish projects and the business of life before the start of the new year. There are the increased good works and volunteerism that so many take part in during the holidays. And then, there’s the fun stuff: holiday parties, Christmas concerts and performances, travel, hosting, and all the busy-ness that goes with spending time with family and friends and creating and recreating end of the year traditions. I love doing all of this and, as Christians, it’s what we’re supposed to be doing, right? During Advent, we are preparing for the birth of Christ and that preparation is a lot of work! Babies need lots of things! It feels wonderful to be a little engine of warmth and light chugging away busily as the world gets colder and darker.
But, Advent is also intended to be a period of waiting, of stillness. The whole world (or at least our hemisphere) is slowing its heartbeat and holding its breath. I think we are encouraged to do the same. The more we slow down during this time, the less we try to fight the shortening days, decreasing temperatures, and winter boredom, the easier it is to hear the early whispers of anticipation of Christ’s birth. I realize that for the last year I’ve written almost exclusively about stillness and seasonality; about how doing less and leaning into the cold, dark, smaller times can be restorative and make it easier to hear our inner voices, as well as God’s. I know I find this nugget of wisdom particularly meaningful and useful at this stage in my life and that it does not apply equally well to all people in all stages. But, even, and perhaps especially, if doing less this time of year seems unappealing or impossible, I would encourage everyone to experiment a little with it; maybe just one night, or even one hour! You might be surprised!
I wish everyone a happy Advent and merry Christmas, regardless of whether you are in motion or at rest.
With love,
Kate Berry
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 January 2 – January 11, 2024.
The Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, December 17, led by The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m. Greening of the church will take place immediately following the service today!
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 December 17.
The Latest Updates
CHRISTMAS FLOWER REMEMBRANCES
Christmas flower forms were included in the December 3 service sheet. Please return those to the church office by this Sunday, December 17.
HELP NEEDED WITH SEVERAL MINISTRIES
Both the Altar Guild and Beyond Homeless Shepherds are in need of persons to help out monthly. If you are able to help out a month or two a year or just want more information, please contact Renee in the church office. We are also in need of Ushers, Lectors, Intercessors, Chalice Bearers, Coffee Hour hosts, Youth Acolytes, 2nd persons in Sunday School room, and The Waters Communion Service helpers.
EVENING PRAYER
Most weeks, the Tuesday Bible and Book group meet at 4:30 p.m. On these Tuesdays, there is a service of Evening Prayer beginning at 4:00 p.m. Don’t be afraid to join in even if you come late.
BIBLE AND BOOK GROUP, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 4:30 PM
Our Bible study/books group(s) started up again. We are reading “Belonging” by Karoline Lewis. NOTE: This group will not meet December 26 or January 2.
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS, SUNDAY, JANUARY 14
Once a month Sunday services are continuing at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, January 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!
THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY
Please add bleach, toilet paper, and tampons 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 next Non-Food Pantry will be Saturday, December 16 from noon – 2:00 p.m. 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 December 16 at the monthly distribution. FYI: Baskets at church are now dedicated for the NFP and not the food pantry.
SAVE THE DATE FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2024
The Philadelphia Eleven documentary will be shown at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Korb Classroom in the Wabash College Fine Arts Building. After the screening Bishop Jennifer will participate in a panel discussion.
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. 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, December 16
• 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! NOTE: Distributions now take place indoors and participants must provide proof that they live within Putnam County.
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Peggy Angleton
The family of Gabrielle Antonidias, friend of Jen+
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Sharon Bone, friend of Emily Knuth
The family of Richard A. Butler, father-in-law of Claudia Butler
Adam Cohen, friend of St. Andrew’s
Anita Edenfield, friend of Skip Sutton
Nathan Elson, friend of Michael Knuth
Bob Fatzinger, brother of Barbara Pare
The family of Alan Good, father of Tim Good
Mae Haymaker, granddaughter of Joanne Haymaker
Kimberley Heithaus, niece of Joe & Jenny Heithaus
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
Thad Jones, brother of Steve Jones
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Logan Murray, grandson of Dave & Sue Murray
Marilyn & Leo Nelson, sister & brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
Sarah Oldstone, sister-in-law of Jen+
The family of Brian Pohlar, friend of Trudy Selvia and many at St. Andrew’s
Gordon Redden
The family of Jack Romer, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
The family of Kathy Sanders, friend of Suzanne Hassler
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
The family of Heidi Stecher, friend of Jen+
Skip Sutton
Karen Swalley, friend of Thom & Gwen Morris
The family of Jerry Taylor, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Deb Wilder, sister of Connie Macy
The family of Bill Yeazell, friend of Chris Oldstone-Moore
Dwight Ziegler, brother of Stephanie Gurnon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s, Bedford: Ms. Kristina Baker, Senior Warden.
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 Papua New Guinea.
Birthdays: Mike Majors, December 21.
Anniversaries: Larry & Dawna Wilson, December 17; Joe & Jenny Heithaus, December 19; Curtis & Debbie Beck, December 20.
Special Events and Services
