Update from one of our Convention Delegates

The 184th Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis took place this past Saturday, November 13 in Plainfield, on Zoom, and via Facebook Live. Thea Warren Simpson and I represented St. Andrew’s.

Next week, Thea will share the messages our guest speakers (the Rev. Kim Jackson, senator from Georgia and Episcopal priest, and Ms. Tina Tchen, esq., Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama and life-long Episcopalian) brought to us. I would like to share the action items of the convention.

Bishop Jennifer welcomed everyone to “the family reunion of the Diocese.” Indeed, it was a joy-filled celebration, all held within the context of a celebratory worship service. The proceedings opened with a New Orleans-style band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” and the opening lines of the worship service, then we moved into the business of the day. Mid-day, the “worship” continued with the Bishop’s address and Holy Eucharist. The final blessing and dismissal were at the close of convention. It is remarkable how combining the business and worship into a single experience makes this time together as the family of Christ feel very special.

Resolutions at the 2021 Convention:

The 184th Convention considered three resolutions. All were approved.

Cooperating Ministries (Resolutions 1 & 2)

In Indiana and across the world, our diocese had founded or partners with a wide range of ministries. (Click here: https://indydio.org/ministries/ministry-partnerships/) to learn more about our work. We call these ‘Cooperating Ministries.’ At this convention we welcomed two new cooperating ministries.

  1. The first is St. Nicholas Early Learning Center (http://www.stnicholasel.org), a ministry to very young children founded by Trinity Episcopal Church, Indianapolis. Their goal is to provide childhood care and education in an intentionally diverse environment.
  2. We also welcomed The Avenue Foundation, a public foundation, founded by St. Paul’s, Indianapolis, whose mission is to “address the racial wealth gap in Indianapolis by education, incubating, and investing in Black entrepreneurs, visionaries, artists, and faith communities in order to focus on racial equity through economic justice and community (re)development.”

Resolution 3: Encourage General Convention to Research and Document the Episcopal Church’s Role in Native American Residential Schools. This resolution, authored by our diocese, will come before General Convention, which meets in July 2022. It specifically calls for understanding if The Episcopal Church in Indiana had a role in the relocation or abuse of Native Americans here. The goal is to have a full understanding of our history regarding Indigenous peoples and to act for healing of these deeply felt wounds to our neighbors.

Coming together once a year, as a diocese, is a family reunion. At Saint Andrew’s we get a sense of that relationship when Bishop Jennifer visits, however, engaging with The Episcopal Church in central and southern Indiana as a gathered household is an experience that is inspiring, eye-opening, and fun! I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to participate and I encourage everyone to spread your wings and be part of the wider church.

Blessings,

Terry Noble

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SINGING, MASKING, AND SEATING

As we gather in person for Sunday worship, please remember we still need to be protective of each other as the Delta Variant of the Covid virus continues to spread. The Delta Variant is many times more contagious and believed to be more dangerous, particularly to those who are not yet vaccinated, than earlier strains. Even those who are vaccinated may become infected and transmit the virus. To protect our communities until this subsides, the Diocese has suggested that you wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status and take a congregational singing hiatus. During this time only one cantor and a small choir will be allowed. We also ask that you maintain social distancing. Please only sit in pews with prayer books and hymnals. Hopefully, one day soon, we will all be able to lift our voices in song. Many thanks to everyone for your patience.

THE GIVING TREE

It is hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner. Once again St. Andrew’s will participate in the Giving Tree. Your generosity throughout the years has been outstanding. Putnam County children continue to benefit from your kind hearts. Each child receives three gifts; two articles of clothing and a toy. Gifts should not be wrapped. The Giving Tree program provides the gifts to the parent/guardian so that he/she can gift them to the children. Wrapping paper and tape are also given to the families so that they can wrap the gifts at home.

The deadline to return gifts to me is December 5th. The supply chain issues have necessitated early shopping so as soon as you have your gifts, please call me to plan a drop-off at 709 Toddson Drive. Cell Phone: 720-0105, Home Phone: 653-6734. If you do not wish to shop, Cathryn and I are happy to shop for you. You can send your checks to me or send them to the church and Renee will reimburse me.

Lastly, the link below is Sign Up Genius. It will take you to St. Andrew’s page to sign up for a child and gift you can choose to shop for this season.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094ca9a922a1fc1-standrews

Thank you for your open hearts,

Gwen Morris

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

We are excited to announce this year’s Christmas pageant “The Rest of the Story,” which will take place on Sunday, December 12th during the service!

Caroline and Albrecht will reach out to all parents of the cast members and will send additional information and schedule individual and group rehearsals. For questions about the Christmas pageant, please feel free to contact Caroline Good (cgood@depauw.edu) or Albrecht von Gaudecker (albrecht.von.gaudecker@gmail.com).

Thank you,

Albrecht von Gaudecker

Connect With Us

Prayers and Reflections for this week

We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. Those of us writing them have also found it an enriching experience and have decided to continue. The meditations are written by persons from Saint Andrew’s, Gobin UMC and Beach Grove UMC. The daily meditations 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!

The Last Sunday after Pentecost/Christ the King

Sunday In-Person Morning Worship, November 21 led by The Rev. Kelsey Hutto-Ford

You can connect to the service via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.

If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 847 8600 1703 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.

Click here for the service booklet for November 21

Non Food Pantry Latest

Saturday, November 20

• Noon to 3:00 p.m.
There will be a drive through distribution coordinated by Alex Roehrkasse and sack lunches will be given out. 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. Kroger is not able to acquire enough products for us so the items are being purchased from a variety of sources. This is much more expensive. Donations to help offset this extra cost will be gratefully accepted!

Top 3 Needed Items
  • Menstrual Pads
  • Tampons

  • Toilet Paper

Your prayers are asked for:

The family of Jack Angleton, brother of Peggy Angleton
Rick and Jena Baker, nephew of Lucy Wieland
Russell Ball, husband of Jennifer Ball
The family of Wolfe Beckman, grandfather of Thea Warren-Simpson
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us at Saint Andrew’s
Page Cotton
Bernice Emrick, mother of Karen Hirt Mannon
The family of Margaret Anne Ervin, sister of Bob Haymaker
The family of Eric Fladeland, friend of Tim and Caroline Good
The family of David Gerkensmeyer, father of Sarah Gerkensmeyer
Jim and Susan Grivas, friends of St. Andrew’s
Mary Ellen Gurnon, aunt of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon
Keith Keysor, friend of Andy Cullison
Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob and Mimi Breese
The family of Dr. John Lovett, father of Nancy Lovett
Grayson Lyons, great nephew of Peggy Angleton
Art Mannon, brother of Jim Mannon
Mary Mountz
Marilyn Mourouzis
Leo Nelson, brother-in-law of Joanne Haymaker
The family of Helen Noble, mother of Terry Noble
Gordon Redden
The family of Jordan Sanders, sister of Jim Ensley
Elizabeth and Natalie Sheffler, daughter and granddaughter of Page and Narda Cotton
Gloria Smith
Barbara Stinson, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Skip Sutton
Sydnor Thompson, brother of Harriet Moore


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 Bangladesh.

Birthdays: Mia Beck, November 23 . Boyd Ensley, November 26

Anniversaries: None

GCYG

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