My mother passed away in January. Edna Bernice Crawley Emrick was a great mom. I’ve been thinking a lot about her life lately and her life outside of being my mom.

In her eulogy Jim and I talked about how she was an “everyday” saint. Her entire life, everyday, she spent thinking of others. She was the most selfless person I know.

From a very young age she took care of her younger siblings and her sick mother. Her Saturday routine began at 5:00 a.m. and lasted all day – doing the wash by building a fire, hauling buckets of water from a creek to fill the tub several times to wash, rinse, do the bleach load, rinse again. She used a crank wringer to wring the water out of the clothes before hanging it all on the line to dry. She did the household chores. She would always start dinner or cook it all if need be. When she was seventeen, she left school and began working full-time to bring in more money for the family’s needs. She saved enough to buy a house for all of them in Greencastle at the age of eighteen.

When I was younger I always knew she worked, sometimes more than one job or a part-time job while she was on one of her four maternity leaves. She never expected my dad to be the sole bread winner. They were a team. I had a much more comfortable upbringing than theirs. I know this was my parents’ plan, but I didn’t realize how much more comfortable until I was an adult and started asking questions. Mom never volunteered her struggles, disappointments, or responsibilities. When asked about it, she simply answered, I did what needed to be done.

This is what I think about. She did what needed to be done. Not what she had time to get done. Not what she wanted to get done. Not what would be fun to do. She did what needed to be done.

We have discussed many ideas in Bible study and on Sunday mornings at St. Andrew’s. The one I keep coming back to is from Micah 6:8: “…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Or another version if you prefer: “…to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly…” Three things: 1) Do justice, 2) Love kindness, and 3) Walk humbly.

My mother never quoted Micah to me, but I know she knew this was the way to live. She told me by examples. Do justice, Karen, always do what is right. Treat others fairly. Love mercy or kindness, Karen. Show kindness to whomever you meet. And walk humbly. Do what is needed, Karen, but don’t toot your own horn. Just do what needs to be done. Help others always.

Now, especially during Lent, I am trying to follow the words of Micah and those same examples from my “saintly” mother. What a beautiful life she led. I only hope I am living up to her examples.

What a beautiful world it would be if we all could put aside our personal “stuff” and do what needs to be done. With the Lord’s help, I am trying.

Karen Hirt Mannon

Instructed Eucharist 2.0: Rich Tradition, Layered Meanings – Words of Penitence, Words of Awe

Through most of the church year, at the beginning of our Sunday service we begin with an acclamation (usually “Blessed be God, Father Son and Holy Spirit”) and then sing the Gloria, a hymn of praise to the Trinity. The words of the Gloria come from the song of the angels at Jesus’ birth from Luke 2:14. These words sung by angels became embedded in the liturgy by the 4th Century, and have been a part of Christian liturgies since. In our Episcopal tradition, the Gloria is a part of the entrance rite for Sunday Eucharists—except during Lent and Advent. During Lent and Advent we turn to the “Kyrie elieson” (Lord, have mercy) or the Trisagion (Holy God, Holy and Mighty…). “Kyrie elieson” is alternated with “Christe elieson” (Christ have mercy), and is sung three, six, or nine times, good numbers for our Trinitarian foundations. You will also hear the Kyrie in some of the Prayers of the People when the people’s response is “Lord, have mercy.”

“Trisagion” means “Three times holy,” and the words are an ancient hymn from the eastern church. Although the title is Greek, we usually sing the Trisagion in English: “Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.” The Trisagion is also traditionally used at Reconciliation (Confession), a rite available to Episcopalians. It is traditionally chanted at each of the Stations of the Cross, a devotional practice especially observed during Holy Week. The Gloria, Kyrie, and Trisagion all remind us of our relationship to God which is framed by praise and prayers for mercy. These three in particular remind us of our Christian heritage from both the eastern church and the western church—Constantinople and Rome, Greek and Latin—“Gloria” is Latin and “Kyrie” and “Trisagion” are Greek.

Have you noticed that we sing different tunes to the same words of the Gloria, Kyrie, and Trisagion, as well as the Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy), Fraction (Christ our Passover), and Agnus Dei (O Lamb of God)? All of these words are embedded in the liturgy and are heard most if not every Sunday. Because the words are used so often, composers craft “settings,” that is, different music for the same words. Over the years, you will come to know many settings and have favorites that may be tied to certain seasons, or that you simply like the best.

Jen+

Tuesday 4:30 p.m. In-Person & 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Studies & Lenten Readings

It’s Pysanky Egg Time!

Summer Enrichment Program

Family Support Services

We have upgraded our Sunday worship online streaming option.

You will find our worship service being streamed from our Facebook Page or continue to go to St. Andrew’s website and be redirected from the link on the front page.

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: Rev. Jen will be out of the office Wednesday, March 22 so no drop-in hours that day.

Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, March 26, led by 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 at 10:10 a.m.

Click here for the service booklet for March 26.

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY – 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL & 6:30 P.M. VIA ZOOM

On March 14 we began discussing Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s The Last Week. This book details Jesus’ life from his triumphal ride into Jerusalem to the cross, and will be excellent preparation for the events of Holy Week. On March 28 the 4:30 group will discuss Chapter 2. The 6:30 group will start in Chapter 1 (Palm Sunday). The Zoom link can be found on the St. Andrew’s website at the very bottom of the last page.

EASTER FLOWER FORMS

Easter flower remembrance forms are due back by Tuesday, March 28 for publication in the Easter Sunday service sheet.

PRAYER LIST

We ask that you review those names listed on the Ongoing Prayer List and let us know of any additions, deletions, or updates. We will be reviewing this quarterly moving forward.

LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS

The Diocese is offering training for people to become Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV). This training licenses you to take the blessed sacrament to those who cannot come to church, including residents of The Waters. It is a wonderful way to be church! Trainings are on June 17 and September 7. Please consider being a LEV! Contact the Rev. Mary Taflinger at taflinger@indiodio.org with questions. Register here.

DEVOTIONALS

Forward Movement Day by Day devotionals are available in the Narthex. They are an easy way to take on a Lenten practice, reading a reflection and a prayer each day.

NEW ZOOM LINK

The new link can be found on the St. Andrew’s website at the bottom of the last page. Click on the Zoom icon to join as an attendee.

COMMUNION AT THE WATERS

Once a month Sunday services have resumed at The Waters. The next service will be Easter Sunday, April 9 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.

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: