A Message from the Rector:

When I learned about the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas, I figured I would remember it because it falls on the same day as Groundhog Day. What I didn’t realize is that Groundhog Day is actually an offshoot of Candlemas, brought by immigrants settling in a new land and making it a little more like home with an American groundhog touch.

Doesn’t this Candlemas ditty remind you of groundhog forecasting?

“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won’t come again.

If Candlemas Day be dry and fair,
The half of the winter’s to come and more;
If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,
The half of the winter’s gone at Yule.

Major metropolitan churches may celebrate Candlemas each year, but our parish will only celebrate it in the years that February 2 is a Sunday. It is a feast rich in resonances and associations:

*It is one of the few accounts of Jesus’ life between his nativity at Christmas and his appearance in Galilee as a teacher and healer—the others are his circumcision and naming, which we celebrate at the Feast of the Holy Name on January 1; the visit of the magi at Epiphany, celebrated January 6, and the mention in Luke of Jesus’ parents realizing that he is lost in Jerusalem and then finding him at the temple talking to the religious leaders with wisdom beyond his years.

*It is one of several moments in Luke in which the Holy Spirit is active—the Holy Spirit absolutely predates Pentecost!

*It is the source of one of the four great canticles or songs, of the church, all found in Luke chapters 1 and 2, including the Magnificat of Mary (1:39-56); the Benedictus of Zechariah (1:57-79); the Gloria of the angels (2:1-20) and here the Nunc dimittis of Simeon (2:25-35).

In other words, the Feast of the Presentation is part of a rich prequel to the Gospel’s depiction of the ministry of Jesus, showing the hopes and joys of the people around Jesus before his conception, at his birth and as an infant, and as a child.

Candlemas used to be the end of the Christmas season that lasted 40 days. “40” has resonances in the Bible of a time that is complete: Noah on the water for 40 days, the Hebrew people in the desert for 40 years, Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days. There are various folk traditions associated with Candlemas, but as its name suggests, it has become the day in the church year to bless the candles and oil that will be used for church for the year. Simeon’s song upon seeing Jesus in the temple includes the words, “For these eyes of mine have seen the savior whom you have prepared for all the world to see, a light to enlighten the nations and the glory of your people, Israel.” The light is latent in the candles we bless just as Jesus the healer and savior is latent in the baby cradled in the arms of the old man, Simeon, who has been waiting patiently for decades for this moment.

February 2 is still in the cold and dreary part of winter—but in Indiana and much of North America, it is also the month that the first green leaves poke above the soil even when there is still the likelihood of snow and winter storms. Life is latent in the soil and in the seeds in the ground, light is latent in the candles and oil, and our own lives may flourish where and when we least expect it. It reminds me of a line from a poem by Henry Vaughn that I read quoted by a favorite author about her journey to baptism:

“And here in dust and dirt, O here,
The lilies of his love appear.”

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.

Pastoral Visitation of the Bishop

On February 23, 2025, the Sunday service at Saint Andrew’s will be led by the Right Reverend Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows. This will be a festive occasion, celebrating the Rite of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, and rich in fellowship at the altar and at the feast prepared for all in Hamilton Hall after the service. We will see you then!

The plate offering that day will go to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. For those who wish to give online: https://onrealm.org/indydio/give/bdfe

Click here for the QR code.

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, February 9, led by The Rev. James Lemler, 10:15 a.m. NOTE: Rev. Jen will be away that day.

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 February 9.

The Latest Updates

FEBRUARY 16 ANNUAL MEETING

The 2025 Annual Meeting, led by Senior Warden Karen Hirt Mannon and Jen+ is a time to review the work of the previous year and plan for the coming year. We will elect 2 new Vestry members and 2 parish representatives for Diocesan Convention. We will need a quorum of church members–please join us!

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. NOTE: No meetings February 4 or 11.

WOMEN IN THE BIBLE SERIES

You are invited to join an eight-week “Women in the Bible” study. We will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. from January 29 through March 26. The series is presented by Prof. Sandie Gravett. Details are in Hamilton Hall; register by e-mail to kramer501@msn.com with “Women in the Bible Series” in the subject line.

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 baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, and Adult Depends (any size) to your shopping list for the NFP for the month of February. 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, February 22 from noon – 2:00 p.m.

KROGER COUPONS

If you have any unwanted Kroger coupons, please bring them to Hamilton Hall and place in the window ledge near the “Little Library”. We would like to make them available to our Non-Food Pantry recipients so that they might be able to take advantage of them to help extend their food budget. Thanks in advance!

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, February 22

• 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
  • Baby Wipes

  • Disinfectant Wipes

  • Adult Depends (any size)

Your prayers are asked for:

Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Vernon Bane, father of Joanne Haymaker’s daughter-in-law
Beth Benedix, friend to many 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
Tom Kaiser, friend of Jen+ & Chris
Teresa Masten, friend of Karen & Jim Mannon
Sally Motsch, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Mary Mountz
Jeri Mucia, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Logan Murray, grandson of Dave & Sue Murray
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Skip Sutton
The family and friends of Karen Swalley, friend of Thom & Gwen Morris
Dwight Ziegler, uncle of Stephanie Gurnon

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:
Diocesan Cooperating Ministries and the people they serve: Alternatives, Inc., The Avenue, Craine House, Damien Center, Dayspring Center, Exodus Refugee Center, Julian Center, St. Nicholas Early Learning Center, St. Richard’s School, and Trinity Haven.

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 Parish and school in Mithon.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Australia.

Birthdays: Clay Glessner, February 11.

Anniversaries: None.

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