Pilgrim: (noun) A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.

I never would have envisioned myself a pilgrim. But in July 2024 I was just that. I was fortunate enough to travel with 18 others to Manchester, England. Our theme was “Loving God, Loving Neighbor”. Jen+ started talking to St. Andrew’s many months before regarding the Pilgrimage. I must admit that I didn’t hear the Loving God, Loving Neighbor, as much as I heard we were going to explore the Episcopal Church’s involvement and response to slavery. As a new Episcopalian, I was excited to learn about the Church’s history during the time of the slave trade, and to learn more about a subject, slavery, that isn’t discussed much.

In the months before the pilgrimage, Jen+ and Chris sent us information about Wilberforce and his abolitionism, where we were traveling, and background to slavery in general. We had a fair amount of pre-pilgrimage reading. As we got closer, I was a little concerned that the heavy topic of slavery was going to be a “downer” on our trip.

But LOVE came through from the very beginning. When we gathered at the church parking lot to caravan to the airport, we immediately started caring for one another. You could feel the genuine care coming to and from everyone! We joined most of our additional pilgrims at Manchester Airport. LOVE continued to grow with each additional person.

Jen+ gave us each a booklet with bold letters LOVING GOD, LOVING NEIGHBOR – and we did just that!!! From Whitby to our hostel in Helmsley and then onto Kington Upon Hull and into York. What a great first couple of days! Then on to Kirkstall and Manchester and ending in Liverpool. All different and all outstanding! But York was truly special. My life, and dare I say, spiritual life, was changed that day. Our pilgrimage started the day as tourists, expecting a standard visit to York Minster. We were blessed to be invited to participate in the Eucharist with prayers of blessing following the marriage of Pierre and Adrian in the Quire at the Minster. It was the first such event at York Minster. LOVING GOD, LOVING NEIGHBOR.

I learned a lot about slavery and the abolitionist movement and the church. And I still wrestle with the issues that plague the church from its “benefit” from such a horrible institution. We worshiped together daily and sang many beautiful songs, just our small group. I developed a deeper connection to St. Andrew’s and the individuals who I worship with on a weekly basis. I made a new friend from “across the pond” with David Crout’s mother, Christine. Jean, from Iowa, whose talent lead us in is song, and Ken, our knowledgeable leader.

I fulfilled my role of a pilgrim – I traveled to sacred places for religious reasons, and I am the better for it.

Trudy Selvia

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.

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!

SACRED POETRY GROUP

Our Sacred Poetry began meeting again. We will meet on occasional Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in Hamilton Hall with the next meeting on Wednesday, January 29. We are enjoying close readings of poems by John Donne and George Herbert. All are welcome!

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.

IMPORTANT SAVE THE DATES

February 2, 2025: Discussion of Parish 2025 Budget and Finances and February 16, 2025: St. Andrew’s Annual Meeting. See below for more information.

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 January. 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, January 25 from noon – 2:00 p.m.

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.

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.

Your prayers are asked for: