A Message from the Junior Warden:
Especially since becoming Junior Warden, I have been able to see how much members of our congregation do to support each other and the church. People are often in and out; weeding the garden, cleaning out some neglected corner of the church, or dropping something off for the NFP or another event. I love that so many of us have a sense of ownership of, as well as responsibility for, our church and how comfortable many of us are in it. St. Andrew’s is a sacred space, but also has a snug and homey feel, which may be what draws us there. There are also the visits to each other’s homes when we are sick, hurt, busy, or grieving. As individuals and a community, the members of our church are often the “people who show up;” caring, involved, and incredibly giving of their time and resources.
In the aftermath of our collective experience of COVID, however, I have felt a sense of giving “hangover,” certainly in myself. It is a combination of exhaustion, some resentment, a feeling of (though not necessarily a reality of) increasing scarcity and entropy. Not to mention, my life has changed so much in the last three years! I have different priorities for my time and money: I do not feel like the same person I was a few years ago. But, I think the pandemic also brought a sense of clarity, about what is important, central, and, hopefully, lasting. St. Andrew’s is one of those things for me.
It is pledge season. We are operating with a $30,000 deficit and no fat in the budget. I cannot imagine our church without Reverend Jen, Renee, and Will (who introduced himself so beautifully last Sunday.) I do not like asking more of generous people who already give so much of themselves; I have also chaffed recently at being asked to do more, but if we want to keep our church as a place of renewal, respite, beauty, and community, we will have to show up for ourselves this year. But, hey, that’s what we do.
Please keep this in mind as you consider your pledge.
Kate Berry
A Note from Albrecht:
Dear Saint Andrew’s friends,
Thank you so much for your very generous gift and the amazing buffet on All Saints’ Sunday! You all made my last Sunday as music director at Saint Andrew’s so special, and I’m very grateful for all your kind words, and for all the beautiful notes which I received.
I cherish the last six years which I spent with you a lot, and I will miss working with the choir and instrumentalists, and making music with the children and youth. I feel very blessed to be a part of the music at Saint Andrew’s and in the Greencastle community.
Peace and love,
Albrecht
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.
The Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, November 19, led by The 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 5 minutes prior to the start of the service.
Click here for the service booklet for November 19.
The Latest Updates
YOUTH GAME AND CRAFT DAY: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
All are invited for an afternoon of Advent crafts, games, and a potluck lunch on December 10. Youth from Gobin will join us after the service for a festive afternoon of fun and fellowship. Details to follow soon.
GIVING TREE
We will receive the Giving Tree tags this week. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this organization, it is for children in need living in Putnam County to receive Christmas gifts. Each child receives an article of clothing, a toy, and one other item. We will create a SignUp Genius that you can choose a gift/gifts for a respective child. Our assigned children range from 2-15 years of age. If you would rather not shop you can make a donation and we will do the shopping for you! If you choose this option you can give me your donation at church or mail them to me at 709 Toddson Drive. The checks can be made out to me or to St. Andrew’s. All gifts must be unwrapped. The limit for each gift is $25.00. Please bring your items to church or deliver to my house by December 6. If you have your gift at an earlier date it is okay to bring them to me at your convenience. My phone number is 653-6734 (H) or 720-0105 (C). Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness. Blessings, Gwen Morris
EVENING PRAYER
Most weeks, the Tuesday Bible and Book group meet at 4:30 p.m. On these Tuesdays, there is a service of Evening Prayer beginning at 4:00 p.m. Don’t be afraid to join in even if you come late.
WELCOME, WILL PEARSON!
Sunday, November 12, we welcomed our new organist and Music Director, Will Pearson. Will is a faculty member in DePauw’s School of Music and lives in Greencastle. Steeped in the Anglican musical tradition, Will sang professionally in the Choir of Men and Boys at the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, NY through his childhood and teens, and has studied organ and historical keyboards at the Eastman School of Music. He has extensive experience as an organist in many different denominations—and we are blessed to have him as our Music Director and organist. Welcome to Saint Andrew’s, Will!
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!
BIBLE AND BOOK GROUP, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 4:30 PM
Our Bible study/books group(s) started up again. We are reading Matthew 25:31-46.
TWO PARISHES – ONE GAME, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Folks from St. Andrew’s, Greencastle and St. John’s, Crawfordsville will gather at Wally’s (inside Sparks Center, Wabash College campus) between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. for fellowship and sustenance before the start of the 7:00 p.m. game. Save your voice so you can cheer for your favorite team! No RSVP necessary – just come and have fun! FYI – No tickets required for the game. Let Jen+ or Renee know if you plan to attend. We will have a carpool for those who are interested! Questions? E-mail Nancy Bennett at bennettn71@gmail.com
COMMUNION AT THE WATERS, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
Once a month Sunday services are continuing at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, December 10 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 21, 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, 2023 will be noon – 2:00 p.m.
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Peggy Angleton
The family of Gabrielle Antonidias, friend of Jen+
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
Sarah Oldstone, sister-in-law of Jen+
Martha Rainbolt
Gordon Redden
The family of Jack Romer, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
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
The family of Bill Yeazell, friend of Chris Oldstone-Moore
Dwight Ziegler, brother of Stephanie Gurnon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Grace Church, Muncie: The Rev. Paul Jacobson, 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 Myanmar (Burma).
Birthdays: None.
Anniversaries: Page & Narda Cotton, November 24.