Stewardship: More than enough

This Sunday I used my Beatitudes-Feeding-of-the-5000 chalice and paten which I brought home from Tabgha, the designated location of those events. The pattern of the fish and the loaves in the tilework bring to mind the “more than enough” theme that Kate has so beautifully discussed in her messages to the congregation.

Many thanks to Kate for her leadership in this year’s stewardship campaign, and to you and your work for, and contributions to, St. Andrew’s.

Rev. Jen

A Message from the Senior Warden

A hymn that is sung in my mother’s home church every Sunday after communion goes like this:

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angel wings. I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

That is the presence I felt Sunday as our St. Andrew’s family shared the joy of baptism; broke bread together; celebrated, with grateful hearts, our triumph over a difficult few years; the saints that have gone before us; and the new and ever changing small kingdom of Christian believers that we are building together.

I was truly moved and humbled by the kind words spoken and indeed feel privileged to have each of you in my life and a part of our family.

May the Lord richly bless you and all you love.

Sue Murray

Chrismon Tree Project for Elementary Youth

The Chrismon tree is a holiday tradition started by a Lutheran woman in the 1950’s, but has since spread to multiple denominations, including the Episcopal Church. The Chrismon tree is an evergreen Christmas tree that represents a sense of eternal life provided in Christ. The tree is decorated a bit differently from an original Christmas tree in the sense that it only uses clear or white lights, and all the ornaments, called Chrismons, are made of white and gold materials, representing Christmastime liturgical colors.

The word “Chrismon” was made up by a woman named Frances Spencer and combines the words “Christ” and “monograms.” The Chrismon ornaments are all symbols that have meaning behind them relating to Christ, the Holy Trinity, and terms familiar in the Advent season. It is traditional for Chrismons to be handmade, so to better understand why it is they are displayed in the first place. Some common Chrismons are a cross, a crown, a shepherd’s crook, hands in prayer, a scroll, etc.

Making Chrismons is one of my favorite memories of growing up in my home church. Since the ornaments are all homemade, it was always an interesting challenge of creativity when finding what materials to use. Common materials for us were as simple as paper, toilet paper rolls, cardboard, and of course, every kid’s favorite, glitter glue. Bringing in the finished product to show my classmates was something to look forward to every week, even if it might have sparked some friendly competition between us. The different ornaments all hold specific meaning and making them allowed me to better understand the symbolism behind them. This was always exciting, especially because I would have the opportunity to relay that information to my congregation. By the end of the Advent season, you have a full tree made of handmade ornaments and a better understanding of common Christian symbols. These are easy to make at home as well, but the community coming together to decorate a tree for the congregation is always very rewarding.

Macie Barker, Youth Director

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. Also, she has chosen Mondays as her Sabbath day.

Sunday Morning In-Person Morning Worship Service, November 13, led by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m.

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: 858 0497 0006 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again.

Click here for the service booklet for November 13.

YOUTH RAKE & CHURCH GAME NIGHT

Friday, November 18, 4:30 p.m., arrive at church to rake leaves and invite friends, family, and people you don’t know very well to join you. Bring your favorite game. At 6:00 p.m. dinner will be provided and then it is time to GAME. Fun for all!

UPDATE ON MAUREEN CARKEEK

Our good friend, Maureen, is going to be spending a little time at Mill Pond. If you’d like to drop her a card or line, the address is 1014 Mill Pond Lane, Greencastle, IN 46135 and the phone number there is (765) 276-0322.

ADVENT WREATHS

Next Sunday, November 20, we will make Advent wreaths during coffee hour. We need a guesstimate to buy candles, wreath frames, and greens. Please let the church office know if you plan to make one.

FAVORITE HYMNS

Rev. Jen is compiling a list of hymns that are most loved by the congregation. Hymn selection is based on the lectionary and season of the year, and we would like to include your favorites in our choices!

2023 PLEDGE DRIVE

Kate Berry is this year’s Pledge Drive Coordinator. Forms are due back by November 21.

HELP NEEDED WITH CHORES ON THE PROPERTY

Brian Cox, Junior Warden, has compiled a list of small jobs still needing done on the property before winter sets in. Please sign up to complete a task or two to help lighten the load. Click here for the list. Thanks in advance for helping keep St. Andrew’s beautiful!

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY – 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL

On Tuesday, November 15 we will be reading and discussing Luke 23:33-43. You can find the week’s readings at lectionarypage.net. All are welcome!

SACRED POETRY GROUP

On Thursday, November 17 at 11:30 a.m. the group will continue reading the poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The youth are up to some fun – learning about Christian symbols and making Chrismon ornaments. Join them by being an occasional volunteer! Once you have completed your Safe Church training, all you have to do is show up.

COMMUNION AT THE WATERS

Once a month Sunday services have resumed at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, November 13 at 2:00 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! NOTE: We are in need of a piano player for this service.

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.

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.

Your prayers are asked for:

I would like to discuss our returning to communion by wine via the common cup.

Background: The Diocese of Indianapolis has stated that we may return to full communion (both bread and wine), but that receiving the wine can be by common cup only. Several parishioners have had questions about this. Here’s what I’d like you to know at this point.

• The Vestry voted and approved our new COVID guidelines recommended by the Regathering Committee.
• We might use the words “full communion” to indicate that we are finally back to both bread and wine, but it has ALWAYS been true that taking either one is a complete communion. You do not need both to fully commune.
• The choice is yours, Eucharist by Eucharist. You can decide to let the cup pass because you have a cold; if you are worried about others you can pass; you can wait until we return to intinction. Just cross your arms over your chest—or just shake your head and quietly demur.

Yours in health, restoration, liturgical engagement, and literature review,

Rev. Jen