A Message from the Junior Warden
Recently, I learned of the Celtic Christian tradition of ” thin places.” Thin places
are those in which the distance between Heaven and earth seems smaller. For some
people a thin place might be a favorite summer camp, a hike in a deep woods, or
walking a trail in tall mountains.
I would like to think that we who worship at St. Andrew’s regard our church as a
thin place. Doesn’t our beautiful music and inspired liturgy and preaching invoke
in us the feeling that Heaven is very near? And if Heaven is near it follows that
God is closer to us as well.
The trick, it seems to me, is to take that “nearer to Heaven and God” feeling with
us when we leave the church and enter the secular world. For it is very easy to
interpret the ways of the contemporary world as far from God. How can we feel that
God is near when so much that happens in the world seems closer to Hell?
I don’t have an easy answer for this other than to suggest that all of us at St. Andrew’s
need the renewing hope of Sunday worship. I, for one, need to weekly renew and
remind myself that Heaven is nearer than the outside world portrays it. I must capture
again and again the feeling of rebirth that accompanies worship. For what I am able
to do in the thin place of St. Andrew’s is to capture a tiny bit of that Heaven that is so
close. And I try to hold my little slice close to my heart. When my bit of Heaven feels
close, I am thus continually reminded that I worship a God who transcends the world,
and is ever near, ever just, and ever merciful.
Jim Mannon
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SINGING, MASKING, AND SEATING
As we gather in person for Sunday worship, please remember we still need to be protective of each other as the Omicron Variant of the Covid virus continues to spread. Even those who are vaccinated may become infected and transmit the virus. To protect our communities until this subsides, the Diocese has suggested that you wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status and take a congregational singing hiatus. During this time only one cantor and a small choir will be allowed. We also ask that you maintain social distancing. Please only sit in pews with prayer books and hymnals. Hopefully, one day soon, we will all be able to lift our voices in song. Many thanks to everyone for your patience.
Connect With Us
Prayers and Reflections for this week
We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. Those of us writing them have also found it an enriching experience and have decided to continue. The meditations are written by persons from Saint Andrew’s, Gobin UMC and Beach Grove UMC. The daily meditations 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!
The Fifth Sunday after The Epiphany
Sunday In-Person Morning Worship Service, February 6 led by The Rev. Kelsey Hutto-Ford
You can connect to the service via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.
If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.
Click here for the service booklet for February 6
Non Food Pantry Latest
Saturday, February 26
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution coordinated by Alex Roehrkasse and no sack lunches will be given out at this time. We are very grateful to Kate Berry, Martha Rainbolt, Carl Huffman, Karen Hirt Mannon, and Christiane Wisehart who have worked very hard to obtain supplies for the Non-Food Pantry. Kroger is not able to acquire enough products for us so the items are being purchased from a variety of sources. This is much more expensive. Donations to help offset this extra cost will be gratefully accepted!
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
The family of Jack Angleton, brother of Peggy Angleton
Russell Ball, husband of Jennifer Ball
The family of Wolfe Beckman, grandfather of Thea Warren-Simpson
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Lee Bird, nephew of Lucy Wieland
Bernice Emrick, mother of Karen Hirt Mannon
The family of Margaret Anne Ervin, sister of Bob Haymaker
The Rev. Nancy Ferriani and the family of Bob Ferriani, friends of the Warren and Connie Macy
The family of Eric Fladeland, friend of Tim and Caroline Good
The family of David and Janis Gerkensmeyer, parents of Sarah Gerkensmeyer
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim Ensley
Jim and Susan Grivas, friends of St. Andrew’s
Mary Ellen Gurnon, aunt of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon
Keith Keysor, friend of Andy Cullison
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob and Mimi Breese
The family of Dr. John Lovett, father of Nancy Lovett
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
Majors family, family of Renee Majors
The family of Art Mannon, brother of Jim Mannon
Mary Mountz
Marilyn Mourouzis
Leo Nelson, brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Ann Kelly Newton
The family of Helen Noble, mother of Terry Noble
Gordon Redden
The family of Jordan Sanders, sister of Jim Ensley
Elizabeth and Natalie Sheffler, daughter and granddaughter of Page and Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Barbara Stinson, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Skip Sutton
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
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 in Mithon.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of Ireland.
Birthdays: Maureen Carkeek, February 6 . Clay Glessner, February 11
Anniversaries: None
GCYG
Special Events and Services
