A Message from the Rector:
Dear Friends,
I am writing from ECCO, which is the Episcopal Church Camp and Retreat Center of the Diocese of San Joaquin. It is just down the road from Yosemite—I won’t get to the park, but I am surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. I am waking up pretty early (three hour time difference!) and instead of turning over, one night I just put on my shoes and coat and went out to look at the sky—so many stars that are usually not visible, and a waxing moon, with the outline of the mountains around us. This conference/retreat has been very intense during the days, but the surroundings and fellowship are a balm.
At one of our worship services, a person told a story from childhood. A class of Sunday School children were asked to write prayers. The storyteller said that he loved Sunday School, loved God, loved praying, and couldn’t wait to write a prayer. He did so, and turned it in. The next Sunday he got it back, and it had “C-” written on it. What struck me was that what a Sunday School teacher judged about his prayer in 6th grade haunted him through teen years, into his twenties, to seminary, and even beyond, even into the priesthood. Wow.
I don’t know how you feel about praying and your prayers, but I hope that if you feel constrained, or uncertain, or if you’ve been judged or made to feel small that you will reconsider. In my newsnote two weeks ago, I outlined resources that have been helpful to me in prayer (there are so many more, and if mine don’t work for you, there is a mode that will). In this message, I want to offer to you that prayer—a way to create space and connection with the Holy One—is a mystery that may be found in the most ordinary and the most unlikely events. I’ll offer this poem as illustration and maybe a starting place.
Peace,
Jen+
I Happened To Be Standing–Mary Oliver
I don’t know where prayers go,
or what they do.
Do cats pray, while they sleep
half-asleep in the sun?
Does the opossum pray as it
crosses the street?
The sunflowers? The old black oak
growing older every year?
I know I can walk through the world,
along the shore or under the trees,
with my mind filled with things
of little importance, in full
self-attendance. A condition I can’t really
call being alive.
Is a prayer a gift, or a petition,
or does it matter?
The sunflowers blaze, maybe that’s their way.
Maybe the cats are sound asleep. Maybe not.
While I was thinking this I happened to be standing
just outside my door, with my notebook open,
which is the way I begin every morning.
Then a wren in the privet began to sing.
He was positively drenched in enthusiasm,
I don’t know why. And yet, why not.
I wouldn’t persuade you from whatever you believe
or whatever you don’t. That’s your business.
But I thought, of the wren’s singing, what could this be
if it isn’t a prayer?
So I just listened, my pen in the air.
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: There will be no drop-in hours on Wednesday, November 1 as Rev. Jen will be out of the office.
The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost – All Saints’ Day
Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, November 5, led by The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, 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 5 minutes prior to the start of the service.
Click here for the service booklet for November 5.
The Latest Updates
2024 PLEDGE DRIVE – ROOTED IN ABUNDANCE
Annual Stewardship Campaign letters have gone out. If you did not receive yours, please contact the office. Please prayerfully consider your pledge and also serving on a ministry group. Return forms to the church office, collection basket, or by mail by Sunday, November 26. Thanks in advance!
REV. JEN OUT OF OFFICE THROUGH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Rev. Jen will be away for her father’s memorial through Friday, November 3. NOTE: There will be no drop-in hours Wednesday, November 1.
BISHOP’S VISITATION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 10:15 AM
Bishop Jennifer will be visiting St. Andrew’s this Sunday, November 5. She will be joining us for the All Saints’ celebration and for our brunch in honor of Albrecht. She will also hold a Q & A right after the service as the brunch is being set out. Please bring your questions and comments – and your party hats! Following the brunch, she’ll be meeting with Vestry members.
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 10:15 AM
This Sunday on All Saints’ Sunday we will read the names of those we remember who are no longer with us – those who died in the previous year, and also those who are on our heart. If you would like to make a votive candle for a loved one, please bring a photo or computer picture to be printed.
FALL BACK – TIME CHANGE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Due to the Daylight Savings Time change, please remember to set your clocks back one hour today, Sunday, November 5.
BIBLE AND BOOK GROUP, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 4:30 PM
Our Bible study/books group(s) started up again. We are reading Rachel Held Evans’ Searching for Sundays, a book about “loving, leaving, and finding the church.”
SACRED JOURNEYS: LOURDES VIDEO SHOWING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
In honor of Veterans’ Day, we will have a viewing of this video that covers the annual International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes that is an opportunity for healing, camaraderie, and spiritual renewal for those who have served in the military, many of whom have suffered traumatic injuries. The stories and experiences of the pilgrims is extremely moving. This will be at 6:00 p.m. in Hamilton Hall, a light dinner of soup and bread will be offered.
DIOCESAN YOUTH GATHERING, NOVEMBER 11, 9-5 P.M. EST, ST. PAUL’S, INDIANAPOLIS
We are holding a gathering for youth at Diocesan Convention, open to grades 6-12 throughout the Diocese. This free gathering will have activities that include fun games, activities, a mental health first aid workshop, and puppy play. This is one of the first opportunities youth have to connect with other youth throughout the Diocese as we relaunch Diocesan Youth Ministry. Parents do not need to attend Convention for youth to participate. To sign up, go to https://indydio.org/diocesan-convention/ or email Heather Kenison, Diocesan Youth Director, heather@indydio.org
You can also click on each event name to download flyers: Diocesan Youth Ministry Vision Summit and Diocesan Youth Gathering.
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Once a month Sunday services are continuing at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, November 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!
THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY
Please add bleach, Laundry Detergent, and adult incontinence pads/underwear to your shopping list for the NFP. Every little bit helps our budget go farther in helping meet the needs of folks in Putnam County. The next Non-Food Pantry will be Saturday, November 18 from noon – 3:00 p.m. There is a sign-up sheet posted in Hamilton Hall for folks to help with a product pick-up and/or as well as for help on November 18 at the monthly distribution. FYI: Baskets at church are now dedicated for the NFP and not the food pantry.
SAVE THE DATE FOR FEBRUARY, 2024
The Philadelphia Eleven documentary will be shown at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Korb Classroom in the Wabash College Fine Arts Building. After the screening Bishop Jennifer will participate in a panel discussion.
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. 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, November 18
• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a distribution in Hamilton Hall and light lunches will be served inside. We are grateful for all those who have worked so 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: Distributions now take place indoors and participants must provide proof that they live within Putnam County. New hours of operation beginning December 16 will be noon – 2:00 p.m.
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Peggy Angleton
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Sharon Bone, friend of Emily Knuth
Douglas Butler, brother-in-law of Claudia Butler
Richard A. Butler, father-in-law of Claudia Butler
Adam Cohen, friend of St. Andrew’s
Anita Edenfield, friend of Skip Sutton
Nathan Elson, friend of Michael Knuth
Bob Fatzinger, brother of Barbara Pare
Cynthia Florindo, friend of Claudia Butler
The family of Adele Rietz Grobe, mother of Claudia Butler
Mae Haymaker, granddaughter of Joanne Haymaker
Kimberley Heithaus, niece of Joe & Jenny Heithaus
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
Thad Jones, brother of Steve Jones
The family of Jane McRae, friend of Claudia Butler
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Marilyn & Leo Nelson, sister & brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
Martha Rainbolt
Gordon Redden
The family of Kathy Sanders, friend of Suzanne Hassler
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Skip Sutton
Karen Swalley, friend of Thom & Gwen Morris
The family of Jerry Taylor, friend of Warren & Connie Macy
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore
Dwight Ziegler, brother of Stephanie Gurnon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Bishop and staff of the Diocese of Indianapolis: The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Canon Brendan O’Sullivan-Hale, The Rev. Canon Kristin White, Ms. Janet Brinkworth, Ms. Kim Christopher, Ms. Lauren Hacker, Ms. Heather Kenison, Ms. Kelly Nickson, Ms. Jen Phelps, The Rev. Mary Taflinger, Ms. Erinna Vandever.
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 Anglican Church of Mexico.
Birthdays: Cyrus Gurnon, November 5; Jubilee Majors, November 6; Nancy Lovett, November 11.
Anniversaries: Tim and Kate Jedele, November 10.
Special Events and Services
