The first time I visited St. Andrew’s Church was in the winter of 2021. Ross and I had been visiting various Anglican, Catholic, and Episcopal churches in the Brazil and Terre Haute area. Church hunting was not going well…many services had left us feeling discouraged, alienated by overly-politicized theology from the pulpit or cliquish congregants who didn’t feel particularly welcome. On top of this, the wound of our former church community’s untimely dissolution from pastoral indiscretion felt especially raw. I had suggested we visit St. Andrew’s on a whim, but I was racked with anxiety, disillusion, and distrust even as we sat in the pews. Even though the liturgy was familiar to me, being in this church didn’t feel safe or comfortable. I do not remember much of the service that day; I do remember the people who came and talked to us after the service, their kindness, and their genuine interest. I left the building thinking this congregation was good people, but there was no way I was ever going to feel as needed and wanted as in my previous church community. And I think, for that point in time, that was true– the next time Ross and I visited St. Andrew’s several months later, things seemed different. I didn’t necessarily feel more comfortable, but after getting to know more people and hearing more about the lifeblood of this specific congregation through its various ministries, I now had a tiny bit of imaginative space to consider committing, serving, and participating as a member of this church family. God was–so slowly it seemed indiscernible–patiently working on loosening the grudges of my church hurt, and softening my heart to make room for others and new community.

Over the last decade, I’ve watched friends around me deconstruct, reconstruct, and rigorously examine the tenets of their Christian faith. And while I believe that in every life stage, the shape of our faith deserves critical observation, I have long deeply desired to be a part of a community where I can observe the lives of older Christians faithfully living out their calling. God is still challenging me in my imagination for what I may expect of Godself in this chapter of my life in Indiana–which is very much a time of transition and steep learning curves and change and healing and joy.

All-Knowing God, Your mystery and love extend beyond buildings and institutions and people who fail us. Continue to show yourself to us in the lonely spaces, in the moments when we are impatient and just want to be healed. Be near to us as we make it through this week.

Amen.

Sara Nimori

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.

Sunday Morning In-Person Morning Worship Service, October 1, 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 October 1.

BIBLE AND BOOK GROUP TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 4:30 PM

Our Bible study/books group(s) are starting up again. We will be reading Rachel Held Evans’ Searching for Sundays, a book about “loving, leaving, and finding the church.” Please let Rev. Jen or Renee know if you would like the office to order a copy of the book for you. The price is $18. There are also copies available through Evergreen Library Consortium if you have a library card, and copies are available by Kindle and on used book websites.

MONTHLY LUNCH BUNCH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11

The Lunch Bunch gatherings are resuming the 2nd Wednesday of every month. They will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in Hamilton Hall. All are invited! Lunch will be provided. Free will offerings are accepted.

BAPTISM AT ALL SAINTS NOVEMBER 6

All Saints Sunday is especially designated for the holy rite of baptism. If you are thinking about being baptized or having your children be baptized – or if you are curious about the rite and its meaning–let Rev. Jen know.

PILGRIMAGE TO ENGLAND JULY 9 – 17, 2024

Join us for an exciting, challenging, and uplifting pilgrimage to England from July 9 – July 17. We will travel through key sites of Anglican spirituality and service with a focus on abolitionism. Please click here for an informational brochure or pick up a hard copy in Hamilton Hall. Financial Aid is available! If you have questions, contact Rev Jen. The projected cost is $2,400 plus airfare. To reserve a place on this unique pilgrimage, send a check for $200 per person made payable to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church with “Pilgrimage” on the memo line. Payment will be in three installments due October 15, January 15, and March 15.

THIS WEEK’S SHOPPING LIST FOR NON-FOOD PANTRY

Please add body soap, bleach, Comet, and Pine Sol (or similar cleaner) to your shopping list for the NFP. Every little bit helps our budget go farther in helping meet the needs of folks in Putnam County. The next Non-Food Pantry will be Saturday, September 30. There is a sign-up sheet posted in Hamilton Hall for folks to help with a product pick-up and/or as well as for help on September 30 at the monthly distribution. FYI: Baskets at church are now dedicated for the NFP and not the food pantry.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

Every week the Wednesday St. Andrew’s newsletter has a reflection about life and faith. Most are observations about daily life and where we experience God in the midst of the “same old, same old.” We would love to feature your thoughts – – a few paragraphs that will help us all see more clearly how the Holy One touches us in our ordinary lives. Please let Renee or Jen+ know if you are interested.

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.

COMMUNION AT THE WATERS

Once a month Sunday services are continuing at The Waters. The next service will be Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 – 2:45 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!

ON-GOING 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: