A Message from the Junior Warden:
At least once a day, Otto brings me his favorite book, Richard Scarry’s I am a Bunny, which describes the different activities of the bunny, Nicholas, as the seasons change from spring to winter. He chases the butterflies, watches the birds and frogs by the pond, blows dandelion fluff, and watches animals prepare for winter and the first snow fall before he goes to sleep and dreams about spring. When we get to the end, Otto starts turning the pages from right to left and we go backward through the seasons and the year, ending with daffodils and dogwood flowers. Especially with a welcome and spectacular spring out the window right now, I appreciate ending the story not just dreaming of spring, but living in it.
But, as he gets older, I hope I can teach Otto the importance of each of the seasons individually and, especially, in their cycle. It would, of course, be wonderful to have nothing but springs and summers in our lives, but there will always be times when circumstance, illness, sadness, or age make the landscape of our experience seem cold, barren, short, and dark.
Since Otto’s birth I have thought a lot about what this new season has brought me. He was born near the start of winter, and though we’ve gone through a year and a half of seasons since then, in some ways it has remained winter, for me, at least. I’ve done it happily, but have pruned much of what used to take my time in order to live according to Otto’s rhythms. For months, I spent most of my time sitting on the couch with him, trying to get him to eat, or to sleep. We had lots of family and friends visit and help, John went to work every day, but I just sat. Sitting on the couch with Otto was the only thing that ensured any of us slept enough to barely function the next day. I read a lot. I got good at balancing soup on the couch cushions. It was often very boring. (I realize I am lucky to be allowed so much boring time with my kid.) I felt guilty about how much everyone did for me. I worried people might be saying unkind things about me and how little I was accomplishing. But, I also felt that this sitting was what we both needed. We were, and in many ways still are, conserving our energy for what is coming next. Otto is, literally, learning what it means to move through this world. And I am soaking up as much time as I can with a kid who is growing increasingly independent.
I think there is wisdom, and eventually peace, in correctly identifying the season you are in and trying to live as much in sync with it as possible.
Reverend Jen shared a prayer with me recently that seems to ask these very questions: What time of year is it for me right now? What should I do during this season?
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
With love,
Kate Berry
Connect With Us
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. Mondays are her Sabbath day. NOTE: Rev. Jen will be out of the office May 29 – June 30 so no drop-in hours May 31 or the entire month of June.
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday Morning In-Person Prayer Service, May 14, led by Sue Murray, 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 May 14.
The Latest Updates
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?
Every week the St. Andrew’s newsletter has a reflection about life and faith. Most are observations about daily life and where we experience God in the midst of the “same old, same old.” We would love to feature your thoughts – – a few paragraphs that will help us all see more clearly how the Holy One touches us in our ordinary lives. Please let Renee or Jen+ know if you are interested.
FREE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
We still 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.
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.
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 this Sunday, May 14 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, May 27
• 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. Items are having to be purchased from a variety of sources making it much more expensive. Donations to help offset this extra cost will be gratefully accepted! NOTE: There will be no distributions in June or July. Distributions will resume August 26 with new guidelines and will take place indoors.
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Gary Barcus, friend 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
Norm Crampton, former member
Bob Fatzinger, brother of Barbara Pare
David Grueber, stepson of Scott Kissinger
Don & Laurie Hamilton, friends of Dave & Sue Murray
Kimberley Heithaus, niece of Joe & Jenny Heithaus
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
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
Beth Thoenen, friend of Jen+
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s Church, Washington: The Rev. Dennis Latta, Rector.
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 the Province of West Africa.
Birthdays: Skip Sutton, May 20.
Anniversaries: None.