A Message from a Parishioner:
When our daughters Alice and Becca were very young, my friend Mary Field invited us to her beloved church St. Andrew’s. I understood quickly why she adored this church. We found wonderful, accepting, open-minded people here who cared about Becca and Alice. Although my atheist/agnostic husband did not attend, he was grateful for the extended family we discovered at St. Andrew’s.
Now our grown-up daughters have moved away, but they share special memories of acolyting and Coffee Hour and a loving environment. Their only complaint to me was that we were often running late to church. I am afraid I still struggle with that tendency.
Recently, however, I received a nice compliment. A fellow parishioner shared with me that I inspired her to go to church. I said, “Really? How so?” She replied, “Well, I was running very late this morning and I thought I should not go to church so late. But then I thought, ‘Well, at least I won’t be as late as Harriet, so I think I’ll go.’ “
I can’t wait to tell my daughters what an inspiration I am to the people of St. Andrew’s.
Harriet Moore
Tuesday 4:30 p.m. Bible Study: WHO IS SAVED?
One of the vexing and perplexing questions for Christians (and many others) of our time is the question of salvation. While the Episcopal Church is remarkably varied and fluid in our ideas about God, Jesus, and salvation, the overarching teaching we share is that Jesus’ work was to proclaim God’s saving love to and for all, even those who seemed to outside of the charmed or blessed circle. As my bishop from Southern Ohio, Tom Breidenthal, said in response to a question from a parishioner who wondered who is saved, the general proclamation is that hell is empty.
You may be surprised at this, as you will have heard other teachings from other Christians. To explore this question: Beginning on January 31 we’ll start with a deep dive into John 3:16, which has been shorthand for some groups to claim Christian and salvational exclusivity. We will then read Rob Bell, Love Wins (Harper One, 2011) and discuss the book as well as responses to the book. Following this, we will read C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (available in many different printings and dates), which is Lewis’s rendering of what hell is—and isn’t. You are invited to join our group—but if you are interested in the topic and cannot meet Tuesday afternoons, we can form a second study group, even by Zoom in the evenings.
Lenten reading: HOW DID THE STORY OF SALVATION UNFOLD IN HOLY WEEK?
For Lent, we will switch gears and read a book that utterly transformed my experience of Lent and especially of Holy Week. We will read The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Crossan (Harper Collins, 2006), which uses the Gospels to map out Holy Week day by day, noting what happened to the disciples, Jesus, and the others who were participants in the Passion narrative. During Holy Week, we will recall the unfolding of these events. I urge you to read this book during Lent—and if possible to join our Tuesday group—for conversation. And as will our exploration of teachings of salvation, if you are interested in the topic and cannot meet Tuesday afternoons, we can form a second study group, even by Zoom in the evening.
There is so much richness that can deepen our faith and our commitments—even (or perhaps especially) as we raise questions about what happened and what it all means. I’m looking forward to difficult, wonderful, and ultimately life-giving questions.
Jen+
Connect With Us
Sunday Worship Online Streaming
We have upgraded our Sunday worship online streaming option.
You will find our worship service being streamed from our YouTube Channel or continue to go to St. Andrew’s website and be redirected from the link on the front page.
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. Also, she has chosen Mondays as her Sabbath day.
The Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, January 29, led by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m.
You can stream the service via St. Andrew’s YouTube channel. Click on this link to view the Live Stream. We will start the Live Stream at 10:10 a.m.
Click here for the service booklet for January 29.
The Latest Updates
INSTRUCTED EUCHARIST, JANUARY 29
Have you wondered why the Alleluias and Glorias go in Lent and Advent? What the bowing and crossing is in the middle of the Creed, the Eucharistic Prayers, and other often random-seeming and inscrutable moments? Why we read four different sources of scripture each week: Who chooses it?
Our worship is rich in layers of meaning and tradition that draw from Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation, the early church in Jerusalem, Byzantium, and Rome; the words and gestures each week have been polished by the practice of countless Christians through the centuries. Becoming aware of the deeper meaning may enrich your own worship experience; it will certainly change your mind if you think that ritual is empty.
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP-FEBRUARY 5 AT ST. JOHN’S!
St. John’s Episcopal in Crawfordsville has invited St. Andrew’s to their monthly Fun and Families event on Sunday, February 5. At 5:30 p.m. we will be treated to pizza and pop; at 6:00 there will be a quiz game by quizmaster (and St. John’s parishioner) Christopher Short, who runs a quiz company that supplies trivia games to 600 locations coast to coast. Our quiz will be tailored to church basement clientele. Chris and I love trivia – and pizza. Come make friends and enjoy fellowship up Route 231.
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, JOKESTERS, SINGERS, MAGICIANS…
On Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 21 this year, St. Andrew’s will host a pancake supper and talent show. Be thinking about what you might offer–tell a joke or story? Show some artwork? Sing or play an instrument? More details to follow soon!
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY – 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL
Bible Study continues on Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 in Hamilton Hall. On January 31 we’ll start with a deep dive into John 3:16. NOTE: See more detailed information above about the Tuesday Bible Study.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The youth are up to some fun. Join them by being an occasional volunteer! Once you have completed your Safe Church training, all you have to do is show up – Macie and Jen+ have everything prepared. The youth come into the sanctuary for the Peace.
BUDGET PRESENTATION FEBRUARY 19 AND ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FEBRUARY 26
In order to streamline the Annual Meeting on February 26, the Sunday before the Annual Meeting we will have a presentation immediately following the service on the 2023 St. Andrew’s budget. You are invited to come with your questions and comments. The Annual Meeting will be the following Sunday.
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MAUREEN CARKEEK
Many of you have asked when we will hold the funeral for our beloved Maureen Carkeek. Rite of Christian Burial for Maureen will be celebrated on Saturday, May 27, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s, with a reception to follow.
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS
Once a month Sunday services have resumed at The Waters. The next service will be this Sunday, February 12 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!
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, January 28
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution and sack lunches will be served. 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:
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Douglas Butler, brother-in-law of Claudia Butler
Richard A. Butler, father-in-law of Claudia Butler
Adam Cohen, friend of St. Andrew’s
Family & friends of Michael Condra
The family of Bernice Emrick, mother of Karen Hirt Mannon
Bob Fatzinger, brother of Barbara Pare
Nancy Ferriani, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim Ensley
Alan & Vickie Good, father of Tim Good
David Grueber, stepson of Scott Kissinger
Kimberly Heithaus, niece of Joe & Jenny Heithaus
Shandol Hoover, friend of Dave & Sue Murray
Terumi Imai, friend of Jen+
Kaylee, Ryan, and baby
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
David Lawson, nephew of Peggy Angleton
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
The families of those killed in the Monterey Park shooting, Sara Nimori & Ross Whitten
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Lucas Murray, grandson of Dave & Sue Murray
Emmanuel Myril, Karen Hirt Mannon’s son-in-law’s father
Sarah Oldstone, sister-in-law of Jen+
Pamela & Linda
Gordon Redden
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Skip Sutton
Jerry Taylor, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
The family of Sharon Walters, friend of Connie Macy
The family of Verl Wisehart, father of Christiane Wisehart
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. Paul’s Church, Columbus.
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 Pakistan (United).
Birthdays: Jim Ensley, January 31; Alexander Gurnon, February 2.
Anniversaries: None.
THE COMMON CUP, INTINCTION, AND FULL COMMUNION
I would like to discuss our returning to communion by wine via the common cup.
Background: The Diocese of Indianapolis has stated that we may return to full communion (both bread and wine), but that receiving the wine can be by common cup only. Several parishioners have had questions about this. Here’s what I’d like you to know at this point.
- The Vestry voted and approved our new COVID guidelines recommended by the Regathering Committee.
- We might use the words “full communion” to indicate that we are finally back to both bread and wine, but it has ALWAYS been true that taking either one is a complete communion. You do not need both to fully commune.
- The choice is yours, Eucharist by Eucharist. You can decide to let the cup pass because you have a cold; if you are worried about others you can pass; you can wait until we return to intinction. Just cross your arms over your chest—or just shake your head and quietly demur.
Yours in health, restoration, liturgical engagement, and literature review,
Rev. Jen
Special Events and Services
