My father, Alan Good, was a Presbyterian minister. He memorized the Sermon on the Mount, and every so often would give it as his sermon. But he didn’t announce that he was delivering the “Sermon on the Mount,” he would just start talking like it was a normal sermon. He would get compliments on a “good sermon,” but rarely would his congregants realize he was just reciting the passages from Matthew.

I remembered this again not long ago, when Rev. Jen led us through the Sermon on the Plain in Luke, which also has Beatitudes similar to the Sermon on the Mount. Kurt Vonnegut called on Christians to post the Beatitudes along with the Ten Commandments in public places. Can you imagine, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” at the Pentagon? Anyhoo…….

The Episcopal devotional guide Forward Day by Day has been helpful for me for decades, back when they were just small booklets you could pick up in any Episcopal Church. And just like our friend Orcenith Smith recently shared with us, my Episcopal journey also started in Boston, when I lived in the Allston neighborhood in grad school. I moved around a lot working in theatre, and for many years just attended the closest Christian church I could walk to during that particular job. It was under the guidance of now Bishop Mary Glasspool as a strong and loving leader that I started seeking out Episcopal congregations during subsequent moves.

Out of these and other experiences, far past and very recent, I have developed a meditational discipline that I keep on most days. I try to start my day in gratitude, with my hands turned upward. I recite the Beatitudes out loud, both from Matthew and now also from Luke. (I can’t seem to memorize them; I keep a Word doc that I read from most days. I don’t know how Dad did the whole Sermon on the Mount.) Then I will read two or three lessons from the Sermon on the Mount or the Sermon on the Plain, Philippians 4:4-8 (“if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”), then move to the daily reading from Forward Day by Day, which is now online. And I conclude by singing a verse or two from a handful of songs I find uplifting, with my palms up to encourage a spirit of gratitude to start my day.

One of those songs is “Lord of the Dance,” which, if you’re not steeped in the theology and what it means, can sound kind of disturbing – “They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, and left me there on a cross to die.” But for those of us who share this understanding, we know that that’s not where the story ends, nor where the song ends. And this is one of the songs I’ve used to center myself for going on forty years now. It was also one of my Father’s favorite songs, which I didn’t know until his funeral just a few weeks ago, and the congregation shared that song as part of his Celebration of Life. I am glad to have this one last connection with my Dad, and I am glad to share this experience with all of you now. May you find peace in your daily lives, in your connections, and may we continue to help one another in these journeys. Rejoice and be glad!

Yours in peace and gratitude,

Tim Good

A Message from the Senior Warden:

The very first time I attended St. Andrew’s I had the overwhelming feeling of coming home. The beautiful building, the friendly people, that day’s sermon; it all felt right to me. I have been an Episcopalian for over ten years now. In that time I have grown to love this denomination, especially as it is practiced and expressed here at St. Andrew’s. As a career public school teacher, I have learned the virtues of listening, attentiveness, leadership, and the willingness to help and go the extra mile. I have been on the Vestry for a year and I look forward, humbly, to serving the church as senior warden. I know it will be a challenge, but I hope to grow in the wisdom, patience, and servanthood that the position demands. Most of all, I want to be of help, not only to Rev. Jen, but to all our parishioners whatever their needs might be.

Blessings,

Karen Hirt Mannon, Senior Warden

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: No drop-in hours Wednesday, March 13.

Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, Sunday, March 3, 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 March 3.

ST. ANDREW’S ANNUAL MEETING 2024

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, St. Andrew’s held its annual meeting. Led by Senior Warden Brian Cox, the meeting was a year-in-review of the parish’s mission, activities, and planning. This document gives a picture of a busy and fruitful year.

The Annual Meeting is also the time for expressing gratitude to lay leaders whose terms have expired, and to welcome those stepping into new roles for the coming year. The body thanked outgoing Senior Warden Brian Cox, Junior Warden Kate Berry, and Vestry-at-Large member Harriet Moore. St. Andrew’s welcomed incoming Senior Warden Karen Hirt Mannon and Junior Warden Jim Ensley, and voted in favor of another two-year term for Vestry-at-Large member Pamalee Smith. The 2023 Vestry voted to reduce the Vestry size from 9 to 6; going forward two Vestry members will rotate off each year. Karen Hirt Mannon and Sue Murray were voted in as Diocesan Convention representatives for the Diocesan Convention November 8-9 in Plainfield.

The Annual Meeting also featured reports from the work of Ministry Groups, giving thanks for their faithful work and coordination of parish life of St. Andrew’s. Click here for Ministry Group and Committee information. For the Annual Meeting Rector’s Summary report, click here.

ADVENT HOUSE UPDATE!

Per Brian Cox, our Advent House community project is exciting and making great headway. The bathroom and new stairs are completed, and lighting is nearly finished. We now need your help to clean and paint the upstairs bedrooms and hallway. Join us, whether as a family or individual, for some good old fashioned fun. No painting expertise necessary; all supplies will be provided in the room. Let’s come together and make a difference for our St. Andrew’s family and community.

Click here to sign up.

TUESDAYS IN LENT

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! NOTE: No Bible Group on Tuesday, March 12.

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT

This Lent we will have two series that alternate weeks, a movie series with discussion and an introduction to the devotional practice of the Stations of the Cross. A short worship service and a simple meal will be offered at each gathering. The offering will be duplicated at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. so that all have an opportunity to attend. February 28: Introduction to the Stations of the Cross at both times. March 6: A River Runs Through It Movie and discussion at both times. March 13: Stations of the Cross: Applying Them to Our Lives at both times. March 20: Bonhoeffer Movie and discussion at both times. March 27: Stations of the Cross: Devotional Practice at both times.

A SERVICE OF LOSS AND LAMENT: SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 4:00 P.M.

St. Andrew’s will be hosting a community service to reach out to those who have lost children, infant or adult, whether through miscarriage, abortion, still birth, SIDS, illness, addiction, accident, or alienation. This is a service for lament and healing, and will be crafted to be accessible to and comfortable for people with various faith backgrounds. Rev. Jen and community leader and grief counselor, Jai Miranda, are the coordinators. Please reach out to those you know in the community who have suffered loss.

SECOND SUNDAY DISCRETIONARY COLLECTION

Monies in the loose plate collection on the 2nd Sunday of each month go towards Rev. Jen’s Discretionary Fund used to help the less fortunate in Putnam County. NOTE: Sunday, March 10 loose plate offerings will go toward the Rev. Jen’s Discretionary fund.

SAVE THE DATE: EVENSONG AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 5:30 P.M.

Rev. Jen will be leading this sung evening prayer at the Cathedral. They offer this service every Tuesday and Thursday from September – May.

THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY

Please add Adult Pull-Ups Size Large, 4 and 5 year old Children’s Pull-Ups, and boxes of Laundry Sheets to your shopping list for the NFP. The laundry sheets are more popular and desirable especially for the older folk as they are much easier to handle. 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, March 30 from noon – 2:00 p.m. Please let us know if you are able to help out in any way. FYI: Baskets at church are now dedicated for the NFP and not the food pantry.

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.

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.

Your prayers are asked for: