A Stewardship Message from a Parishioner:
Asking Big Questions
A couple of years ago, during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic when we were confined to our homes and meeting virtually for Sunday services, there was a “Zoom” reading group for St. Andrew’s in which we discussed, among other texts, Barbara Brown Taylor’s Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. After a career spent teaching world religions in a liberal arts college (not unlike our wonderful Reverend Jen+!) to students of varied backgrounds and beliefs, Taylor reflects upon the value of religion and comes up with this: “Religions are treasure chests of stories, songs, rituals, and ways of life that have been handed down for millennia—not covered in dust but evolving all the way—so that each new generation has something to choose from when it is time to ask the big questions about life. Where did we come from? Why do bad things happen to good people? Who is my neighbor? Where do we go from here?” These questions are big ones, indeed. “No one should have to start from scratch with questions like these,” says Taylor. “Without a religion, these questions often do not get asked.”
These “big questions” are, in some form or another, precisely the ones we consider when we come together in worship each Sunday. Reverend Jen’s recent sermon series on Job is a case in point. I value the opportunity to gather weekly in a loving, supportive, and intergenerational group for many reasons, but one of the reasons is our ability to ask these questions together. Although we might come up with different answers, I am grateful for our shared questioning, and for the fact that none of us has to “start from scratch.”
I give to St. Andrew’s to help, in my small way, make possible a community of questioning and of mutual support when the answers seem hard. I am grateful for the community, and the leadership, of St. Andrew’s.
Carrie Klaus
A MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER:
Qualified charitable donations: Giving with IRAs, lowering taxes, satisfying RMDs
Are you aware of new Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules in place for 2024? Are you aware you can make qualified charitable donations (QCD) to qualified 501(c)(3) satisfying your RMDs? Are you confused with all these abbreviations – QCD, IRA, RMD, 501(c)(3)?
Here is a quick FAQ about using these financial tools to help maximize your charitable contributions and lower you tax bill at the same time.
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA to a qualified charity. It offers an efficient way for older Americans to support charities while fulfilling their required minimum distributions (RMDs) and excluding the donated amount from taxable income.
Why is a QCD better than a charitable deduction?
A QCD can potentially enable a donor to give a bigger charitable contribution than they could if they just donated cash.
Is St. Andrew’s a qualified charity?
Yes. St. Andrew’s is a qualified 501(c)(3) charity and qualifies for QCD.
What is the new 2024 RMD rule? How does that effect QCD?
Starting in 2024, RMDs now essentially begin at age 73. The qualification to make QCDs from RMDs still begins at age 70½.
The QCD RMD rule allows individuals over 70½ to donate from their IRA to charities, which can help satisfy their required minimum distributions (RMDs) and reduce their income taxes by lowering their adjusted gross income (AGI).
How do I transfer money from my IRA to charity?
To transfer money from your IRA to a charity, you will need to fill out a designated beneficiary form through your plan administrator. Ensure that the IRA trustee transfers the funds directly from the IRA to the charity to qualify for the tax break.
What is the best way to leave an IRA to charity?
The best way to leave an IRA to charity is to complete the beneficiary designation form, which allows you to name the charity. Alternatively, consider opening a donor-advised fund and naming it the beneficiary of the IRA. This way, the fund can be distributed to the chosen charities after your death.
Please ask your financial advisor or talk with Dennis Knuth, our Treasurer, to see if this would be a good way for you to support St. Andrew’s.
Dennis Knuth
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 Last Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 29B
In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, November 24, 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 24.
Art and Innovation Expo
On November 23rd, at GHS, the McAnally will be transformed into a creative fair event with everything from booths selling handmade creations, to fundraising by catapulting large duct-tape birds! An event to showcase student talent, there will be art from every art student in GCSC schools, as well as entertainment demonstrations ranging from singing to guitar and everything in between. This event is put on by the student run business at GHS: the Tiger Cub Collective.
A huge part of this expo is fundraising for the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry. So please bring canned food! (Monetary donations are also acceptable). With your donations you can purchase life sized angry birds/cannonballs to then launch them in a catapult, and hit and knock down a tower. Similar to the online Angry Birds game, this life sized version will be a lot of fun, but remember- bring non-perishable food to play and support your community!
In addition to the fundraiser we will be having a craft-fair where students and community members will have booths to sell their creative works. This is a great chance to come and see, buy, and support your students and community! And -hint hint- this is a good way to get handcrafted holiday presents. Your purchases will go back into the community, as well as back into the school, helping the student business and student experiences to grow.
For your entertainment we will also have demonstrations put on by students, teachers and others! You can expect a wonderful TZ choir performance, as well as guitar, drums, and more! Come and support these talented people.
Displayed at the Expo will be works from every art student. From primary schools to Greencastle High School, come see students with amazing artistic skills. If you have a student in an art class come support them and look for their work at the Expo! In addition to the art on display, there will be purchasable student works as a fine art sale. Proceeds will go back to the art department.
And don’t worry – there will be food!
This event is made possible by Jedele Enterprises, Distinct, English Family Farms, Mary Allison’s Children’s Trust, and Hometown Dental. Thank you for your support!
This event is for students and community, by students and community, and so please come to this exciting and new event, with hopes of becoming annual.
The Latest Updates
2025 PLEDGE DRIVE – WALK IN LOVE
Parishioner Pledge Drive packets for the upcoming year have been distributed. Let us know if you did not receive yours. Please prayerfully consider and return by this Sunday, November 24. Thanks in advance for your time, talent, and treasure!
KROGER COUPONS
If you have any unwanted Kroger coupons, please bring them to Hamilton Hall and place in the window ledge near the “Little Library”. We would like to make them available to our Non-Food Pantry recipients so that they might be able to take advantage of them to help extend their food budget. Thanks in advance!
SACRED POETRY GROUP
Our Sacred Poetry began meeting again. We will meet again on Wednesday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. upstairs in Advent House. All are welcome!
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
The Book and Bible Group has begun again, meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays with Evening Prayer celebrated at 4:00 p.m. We are reading Abraham Joshua Heschel, “The Sabbath”. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 26. On that date we will read IV, V, VI, and VII–that is, through “Eternity Mutters a Day” which ends around page 70.
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
Our upcoming Confirmation classes are on November 24, December 8, December 22, and January 5. Please let Jen+ or Renee know if you are interested!
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY – SAVE THE DATE!
The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Party will be on Sunday evening, December 8, 5:00 p.m., at the home of Thom & Gwen Morris, 709 Toddson Drive. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. All are invited!
VESTRY MEETING MINUTES
If any of you are interested in what your Vestry is doing, there are two copies of each month’s minutes on the top of the piano in Hamilton Hall. Feel free to read and return!
THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY
Please add baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, and Adult Depends (any size) to your shopping list for the NFP for the month of November. Meals and conversation in Hamilton Hall are going well. Patrons are now able to pick out items they most need. Your contributions help our budget go farther in helping meet the needs of those in Putnam County. The next Non-Food Pantry will be Saturday, November 23 from noon – 2:00 p.m. NOTE: No need to donate more women’s personal hygiene items such as pads and tampons at this time as we are fully stocked on those items.
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. 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. 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 23
• Noon to 2:00 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: No need to donate women’s personal hygiene items such as pads and tampons at this time as we are fully stocked on those items.
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
Toppy Beach, sister of Skip Sutton
Beth Benedix, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Kim Frank, sister of Pamalee Smith
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim & Cathryn Ensley
Carole Greenawald
Janet Jenks, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Tom Kaiser, friend of Jen+ & Chris
The family of Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
Teresa Masten, friend of Karen & Jim Mannon
Sally Motsch, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Lucas Murray, grandson of Dave & Sue Murray
Marilyn & Leo Nelson, sister & brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
The family and friends of Kevin Sanders, friend of Mannon family
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Skip Sutton
Karen Swalley, friend of Thom & Gwen Morris
Dwight Ziegler, uncle of Stephanie Gurnon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Grace Church, Muncie: Ms. Connie Turner, Sr. Warden.
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 South America.
The Episcopal Church: Past Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.
Birthdays: Boyd Ensley, November 26; Renee Majors, November 26.
Anniversaries: Page & Narda Cotton, November 24.
Special Events and Services
