On February 26^th, we “packed the house.” Well, not literally, but without too much arm twisting or locking the doors, we had a robust quorum to conduct the yearly business of the parish. Many thanks to all who stayed.

The only “required” work for the congregation on that day is to elect new members to the Vestry and two representatives to represent St. Andrew’s at the fall Diocesan Convention. Here at St. Andrew’s, we seem to do a lot more. We heard from each of our ministry chairs: Dana Glessner, Children’s Ministry; Kate Berry, Outreach; Justin Glessner, Fun and Fellowship; Jim Mannon, Pastoral Care; and Dave Murray, Property. What we all learned is that with much joy, much is being done; and as a community of faith there is much to do, much to be celebrated, and an ever-growing thankfulness for each and everyone in our “flock”. (We also have interest sheets available that afford everyone a chance to learn more about and possibly get involved in new ways here at St. Andrew’s.)

Our newly elected Vestry persons are Karen Hirt-Mannon, Jim Ensley and Tim Jedele. They join Brian Cox, the new Senior Warden, Kate Berry, Carrie Klaus, Harriet Moore, Pam Smith and Fred Vallowe. These are the people to take any questions and concerns you have about the work of the parish to. Kate Berry and Jim Mannon will be representing us in the fall. We are grateful to all of you for your service.

Most important to note, from our meeting, was the deep appreciation we all have for the incredible music we are blessed to have on Sunday mornings, from Albrecht von Gaudecker and the choir; the office support from Renee Hood; and our most gifted and special new Rector, Jennifer Oldstone-Moore. St. Andrew’s is indeed blessed.

Moving forward, we do have financial challenges, and we will all be needed to creatively work to solve them. St. Andrew’s, our time together, and the good we can and do accomplish are important parts of each of our lives and the greater Greencastle community. We have something very special happening here, we are glad you are a part of it. Thank you.

Sue Murray

Instructed Eucharist 2.0: Rich Tradition, Layered Meanings – Standing, Kneeling, and Sitting

Did you know that comedian Robin Williams was Episcopalian? He had a Top-Ten List of Reasons to be Episcopalian:

10. No snake handling.
11. You can believe in dinosaurs.
12. Male and female God created them; male and female we ordain them.
13. You don’t have to check your brains at the door.
14. Pew aerobics.
15. Church year is color-coded.
16. Free wine on Sunday.
17. All of the pageantry – none of the guilt.
18. You don’t have to know how to swim to get baptized.

And the Number One reason to be an Episcopalian:

1. No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.

We explored Reason #5 two weeks ago; we will cover Reason #4 soon, and I hope that Reasons #7-9 have been touched in sermons you’ve heard and the conversations and Bible study that marks our tradition. [As for Reason #10, there were snake handling churches where we lived in Ohio, and there well may be in Putnam County. Our reason for not snake handling is connected to Reasons #7-9 and the fact that the ending of the Gospel of Mark, chapter 16 verses 9-20 was added later—but I digress. We can chat about this some other time.]

As for Reason #6—well, the reason is not about keeping the people of God aerobically fit but a mixture of tradition and layered meaning.

In the early church, everyone stood for the entire service. There were no pews for sitting or kneeling, and the very earliest communities were house churches. This tradition has continued in many Eastern Orthodox churches today.

Kneeling became an important symbol of piety and humility in the Middle Ages, and reflected the relationships between lord and vassal that marked the social hierarchy and practices of that time.

Through the centuries, as Christianity became first legal and then a dominating power, churches were built and furnished in ways that reflected the theology of the time. Pews that face a pulpit reflect the growing specialization of clergy and emphasis on theology compared to the centrality of the Love Feast (aka the Eucharist, but with more food) of the early church.

The Episcopal Church has kept the sitting, the standing, the kneeling, and the movement in the sanctuary (Reason #1?) with all that history and meaning, as well as personal preference and piety. Today we may stand through the prayers and liturgy—and even the confession to indicate that through Jesus’ offering on the cross we are all worthy to stand before God. Kneeling continues to show humility and reverence, “making ourselves small” before God. The celebrant is so designated by costume and seating in the front, but the work of worship and prayer belongs to all of us; movement through the sanctuary underscores the meaning of “liturgy”—which means “the work of the people.”

The Book of Common Prayer indicates that we can stand or kneel as suits our piety, our custom, and the state of our knees, including when receiving communion. Sitting is always an option when it meets individual need. It is customary, however, to kneel during the Confession, Eucharistic Prayer, while receiving Communion, and for the post-Communion Prayer during the seasons of penitence, Advent and Lent, and to stand during the fifty days of Easter from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.

See you Sunday!

Jen+

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

Summer Enrichment Program

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 12, 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 12.

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

On March 14 we will begin Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s The Last Week, Chapters 1 and 2 (Palm Sunday and Monday). 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. The Zoom link can be found on the St. Andrew’s website at the very bottom of the last page. NOTE: No 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Study on Tuesday, March 14 because we’ll have the Vestry Meeting and neither study will be held on Tuesday, March 21 as Rev. Jen will be away at a conference.

EASTER FLOWER FORMS

Easter flower remembrance forms have gone out. Please return to the church office or drop in the collection basket by Tuesday, March 28 for publication in the Easter Sunday service sheet.

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! Training is on March 15 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. There will be additional trainings on June 17 and September 7. Please consider being a LEV! Contact the Rev. Mary Taflinger at taflinger@indiodio.org with questions. Register here.

VESTRY NEWS

Congratulations to the three new Vestry members elected at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 26: Karen Hirt Mannon, Tim Jedele, and Jim Ensley. Many thanks also to our representatives for Diocesan convention, Kate Berry and Jim Mannon. And a thousand thanks to outgoing Vestry members for their service: Justin Glessner, Jim Mannon, and Sue Murray. Our next Annual Meeting will be in February, 2024. Please start thinking about becoming a Vestry member in the future!

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, ORGAN RECITAL, 4:00 P.M.

Please join us for an organ recital at 4:00 p.m. on March 19 here at St. Andrew’s! Albrecht von Gaudecker will present organ works by Samuel Scheidt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jeanne Demessieux, Louis Verne and others. A free will offering will be collected to benefit the Non-Food Pantry.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, POTLUCK, FUN, & FELLOWSHIP, 5:30 P.M.

Come to Albrecht’s organ recital – and then stay for food, fellowship, and fun! Please bring a covered dish to share and be ready for good eats, good friends, and good times. Our friends from St. John’s, Crawfordsville have been invited to join us.

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 very 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 this Sunday, March 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.

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: