A Message from the Rector:
Dear Friends:
When I arrived at Saint Andrew’s in 2022, the first long conversation in the parish was whether and how to display the rainbow flag emblem outside Saint Andrew’s. We didn’t rush—we wanted people with questions and concerns to have time to voice them to Vestry, or to me privately, or even anonymously. Some people pointed out that to Greencastle, we are already known as open and affirming: the priest who preceded me was a married gay man. I also heard concerns not so much about our stance on being open and inclusive, but worry about the practice of having specific messages posted publicly depending on the current social and community concerns.
To explain the importance of a public symbol, I shared stories of people who came to parishes I have served, people who were nervous and wanted to hear ahead of time that they would indeed be able to worship—and to be fully welcomed—before they ever crossed the threshold of the sanctuary. For example, in my previous parish, I met with a young man who had been referred to me by his therapist—I am sure that I did not know the person who made the referral, and that the referral was made simply because I served the Episcopal Church, a liberal leaning church in a very conservative community. This young man was gay and was struggling with his Christian identity because he had been singled out, humiliated, and shamed in his home church during a worship service. He wasn’t going to take a chance on another church unless there was, literally, a clear sign that he would be welcome.
So we have the rainbow images outside our church and on our website. The rainbow is a public sign to those who are new to the area; and those who have been hiding their sexuality from the community; and those who have been deeply hurt by church; and those who will not worship at a church that excludes others because of their sexuality. These people know, simply by looking at our sign, that they will be welcomed and be full participants in Saint Andrew’s worship and congregational life.
Our participation in Greencastle Pride last week was another moment of visible witness and support, a way to alert those who never dreamed that they would go back to church that there is a place for them in ours. Pride gives us a chance to frame our “open and affirming stance” in terms of the Bible and theological study—that is, that our rainbow flag is a Christian response to a challenge of our time.
One of the persons who has taken notice of our flag and joined our community recently asked me to share their thoughts and hopes to you. Here is what they said:
“I am part of the LGBTQ community…I just feel lost. I fear for my friends, I fear for myself, and I fear that something is going to happen…[to keep me from] being with the one I love. I’m just asking you to please move with God’s grace in this world. Look out for our marginalized communities at this time. They are scared, they feel in danger.”
Saying that they didn’t know how to fully express themselves, this person finished by offering this prayer, which I have abridged for the newsletter:
“Creator God, we marvel in awe of the expansiveness of your creation. Your margins of diversity are boundless, and for that we thank you. Each of our beloved LGBTQIA+, brown and black siblings are wonderfully made, all in your image. Teach us to love people, just as they are, and embrace their identity fully, as you have…Our LGBTQ+ siblings are not a “political issue,” they are beloved, whole, and holy just as they are. Protect them and all our marginalized communities at this time, Father God. In your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.”
May our parish and our church community continue to grow in awareness, courage, and love.
Jen+
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. NOTE: Rev. Jen will be out of the office Tuesday, October 7 – Friday, October 17 so there will be no drop-in hours during those 2 weeks.
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 22
In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, October 5, led by The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, 10:15 a.m.
You can stream the service via St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Greencastle, Indiana 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 October 5.
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The Latest Updates
HEALING PRAYER
SAINT ANDREW’S 2025 DIRECTORIES
For those of you who had your photos taken for the new church directory, you can pick them up in the office during normal business hours, Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – noon, or on Sundays at church from Karen Hirt Mannon. For those who didn’t have their photos taken, please inquire with Karen as there are only a limited number of extras available.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
The Book and Bible Group has begun again, meeting at 4:30 p.m. most Tuesday afternoons with Evening Prayer celebrated at 4:00 p.m. The next one will be Tuesday, October 21 at 4:30 p.m. All are welcome. NOTE: No Evening Prayer or Book and Bible Group on October 7 or October 14.
ALTAR FLOWER CALENDAR
An altar flower calendar is posted in Hamilton Hall. Sign up to sponsor the altar flowers to commemorate a birthday or anniversary, remember a loved one, or in thanksgiving for an important event. We ask a donation to help offset the cost of the altar flowers and other worship expenses. Be sure to tell the office your dedication so that it can be printed in the bulletin. Please make checks payable to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and in the memo field please put this information: Altar Flowers, person’s name, occasion, Sunday date you’d like for the flowers to be on the altar.
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 music stand in Hamilton Hall. Feel free to read and return!
SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY
Please add Adult Pull-Ups (all sizes) and bed pads to your shopping list for the NFP for the month of September. If you are donating adult pull-ups/briefs, they should be the ones without tabs. We are currently overstocked in adult diapers and period products. 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, October 25 from noon – 2:00 p.m. If you can help with this ministry in any way, please contact Harriet Moore or Carl Huffman.
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!
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, October 25
• 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!
Top 3 Needed Items
Your prayers are asked for:
Haile Bane, grandson of Joanne Haymaker
Beth Benedix, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Jennifer Clarke, friend of Patti Harmless
Lynda, friend of Sarah Finlay-Black
The family of Jeanne Fitzpatrick
Katie Gleichman, relative of Jim & Cathryn Ensley
Tom Kaiser, friend of Jen+ & Chris
Hansford Mann, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Teresa Masten, friend of Karen & Jim Mannon
Mickeal
Sally Motsch, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
Logan Murray, grandson of Dave & Sue Murray
Elizabeth & Natalie Sheffler, daughter & granddaughter of Page & Narda Cotton
Deloris Smith, friend of Emily Knuth
Skip Sutton
Sydney, friend of Joanne Haymaker
Larry Taylor, former member of St. Andrew’s
The family of Edith Welliver
Dwight Ziegler, uncle of Stephanie Gurnon
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. Francis-in-the-Fields, Zionsville: The Rev. C. Davies Reed.
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 Parish and school in Mithon.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Tanzania.
Birthdays: Charlie Good, October 8; Sara Nimori, October 8.
Anniversaries: Larry & Skip Sutton, October 5.
Special Events and Services
