A Message from the Treasurer:
No one likes budgets. Yet here we are, discussing budgets. I’m sorry. They are essential. Our budget ensures that St. Andrew’s financial resources are aligned with our long-term mission and priorities. I find it helpful to break our budget down into five buckets or categories. Our five buckets are:
Jen+, Our Priest
Renee, Our Administrator
Nick, Our Musical Director
Our Church Building and Advent House
Our Worship, Outreach and Ministries
I want to ask you a few basic questions. How you answer these questions lead us to our mission and priorities.
Which of these buckets is important to you?
Is there a bucket that we don’t need—a bucket we could eliminate and still fulfill our mission?
Is there a bucket that needs more resources so that we can better fulfill our mission?
With these buckets as our guide, we can compare our priorities versus our reality.
Our people are the first three buckets, or 60% of the buckets. In our 2023 budget, people are 65% of our expenses.
Our buildings are 20% of our buckets and 20% of our budget.
Our ministries are 20% of the buckets and 3% of our budget. That is correct, 3% of our budget is ministries. (For the math astute, see the * below.)
I will ask you again that final question: Is there a bucket that needs more resources so that we can better fulfill that same mission?
* If you add up all the buckets, they equal 100%. The budget reality numbers only equal 88%. The remaining 12% goes to the Diocesan Assessment (10%) and Non-Food Pantry (2%). I usually do not include the NFP in these discussions since their revenue comes from individual contributions and grants. The Diocesan Assessment is an annually adjusted, mandatory amount and not included since it’s, well, mandatory.
Dennis Knuth, Treasurer
A STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE FROM PARISHIONERS:
Roger W. Babson says: “A man’s religion is strengthened by connection with a live church. But your religion must be part of you, something you feel in your heart and practice in your life.” Then he adds, “Religion changes a human being from a small ineffective detached unit, into a part of a mighty whole. It makes him serve others, and this service is returned to him in kind.”
What stirs this spirit of service and generosity? Religion and service combined together provide an opportunity for the spirit to grow. Ask yourself how can you be a part of this significant experience. For us, we have experienced this generosity of service and kindness with many of our current church family and friends and also with those that are no longer with us at St. Andrew’s. Worshipping together and working together for a common cause has made our lives more meaningful.
We have been members of St. Andrew’s for over fifty years and our spirit and generosity and financial commitment to the church’s mission continues to grow. In a letter to the congregation about stewardship some years ago, we wrote, “When deciding on what to pledge to St. Andrews ‘Do not give until it hurts, give until it makes you feel better.’”
Page and Narda Cotton
A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR:
Dear Friends:
As we and the world around us continue to struggle with God’s fundamental commandment to love one another—even those whom we don’t like—I wanted to share this meditation from Fr. Richard Rohr. Fr. Richard’s work can be found here: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-risk-of-living-the-gospel/
Please be bold this week and each day say one prayer of love and for the well-being of a person you regard as an enemy. If you really want to go out on a limb, frame each day with such prayers, one in the morning and one in the evening. It will be a way to say “Thanks be to God” with your life. Know that I will be framing my day with these prayers, continuing my own life of faltering baby steps on the Way of Love—the Way of Jesus.
In peace and hope,
Jen+
The Risk of Living the Gospel
You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?
—Matthew 5:43–48
In a 2017 homily based on this Scripture passage, Father Richard reminds us of the foundational requirements of Christian living:
As Christians, we proclaim that this scripture has authority over our lives, but I am hearing from more and more pastors from all denominations that they are afraid to preach the gospel in this country because they know half the church will walk out. You know what I’m talking about. We are in a state of such deceit, dishonesty, and lack of love for anybody but ourselves that is almost impossible to preach the gospel. The ancient Israelites were told “to love your neighbor,” but Jesus takes it to the nth degree. He says, “No—love your enemy.”
Is there anything happening in America today that would make you think we believe we should “love our enemies”? If Christians do not decide to finally be like Jesus, then let’s just give up on this whole Christian thing. It doesn’t mean anything! If it’s just going to church on Sunday, then we have to stop pretending we’re following Jesus, because we’re just like everybody else—we are into power and money and deceit and war. If we do not preach the gospel, if we do not begin to live the gospel now, then let’s stop pretending that we care about Jesus or about following Jesus.
We are in a very scary position in the United States, and the whole world sees it. We are called to engage in a great mobilization, recognition, conversion, and transformation, because now the issues are too big, too real, and too right in front of us every day.
We cannot be silent any longer. Do not expect me to be silent, and I won’t expect you to be silent, either. It’s going to take courage. It’s going take each of us making little decisions in our little worlds to love, not just our neighbors, but even to pray for our enemies, to pray for our president, to pray for our country. If we can’t do these little things, what does it all mean?
Every one of us in this room has power. To pretend we don’t, so we can just be silent is to say what’s happening is OK and it isn’t! I just read the gospel aloud and held the book above you. You stood up and you said, “Thanks be God,” so now let’s say thanks be to God with our lives. Thank you for allowing me to preach the gospel.
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-fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 26B
In-Person Sunday Worship Service, All Saints’ Day with Baptisms, November 3, 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 3.
The Latest Updates
FALL BACK!
Just a friendly reminder to remind you all to turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night before you go to bed!
ALL SAINTS’ DAY
All Saints’ Day is this Sunday, November 3. Part of our service will remember and name the departed. You are invited to add pictures, mementos, or other objects of remembrance on our Table of Remembrance in Hamilton Hall. Baptisms will also be celebrated at this service.
2025 PLEDGE DRIVE – WALK IN LOVE
Parishioner Pledge Drive packets for the upcoming year will be available in Hamilton Hall after this Sunday’s 10:15 a.m. service. Please prayerfully consider and return by Sunday, December 1. Thanks in advance for your time, talent, and treasure!
SACRED POETRY GROUP
Our Sacred Poetry will be meeting on Wednesday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Hamilton Hall. We are currently reading and talking about the sacred poetry of John Donne. 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 currently reading Sara Miles book “Take This Bread”. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 5.
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
Our Confirmation classes are suspended for a few weeks while we find times for those who are interested. Please let Jen+ or Renee know! Baptisms will take place this Sunday, November 3.
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
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
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: The Bishop and staff of the Diocese of Indianapolis: The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Canon Brendan O’Sullivan-Hale, The Rev. Canon Giulianna C. Gray, Ms. Janet Brinkworth, Ms. Kim Christopher, Ms. Lauren Hacker, Ms. Heather Kenison, Ms. Kelly Nickson., Ms. Jen Phelps, Ms. Elise Shrock, 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 Church of the Province of South East Asia.
The Episcopal Church: Past Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.
Birthdays: Barbara Pare, October 28; Otto Berry, November 3; Cyrus Gurnon, November 5; Jubilee Majors, November 6.
Anniversaries: None.