A Message from the Rector:
Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly lovely.
The central image in Celtic Christian spirituality is that of the Beloved Disciple laying his head against Jesus’ breast at their last meal, listening to Jesus’ heartbeat. The Celtic tradition tells us to be guided by that heartbeat, the heartbeat of God, which we will know from reading the two scriptures that God has provided: the Holy Bible, and Creation.
This year at Saint Andrew’s we’ve encountered Celtic Christianity in various places: at Rogation Sunday Eucharist in May, where we celebrated the return of life in spring and gave thanks for the parcel of earth we have here in Greencastle; on the Saint Andrew’s pilgrimage this summer as we “listened for the heartbeat of God” in our exploration of the church and abolitionism, and how we can still work against slavery and racism.
We also experienced the heartbeat of God in this last week’s reading, the Song of Songs (also called the Song of Solomon). There is a beautiful thread connecting the wisdom of the Song to the wisdom of the Celtic vision: when we listen to the heartbeat of the Holy One, fully known and yet fully loved, our very way of seeing the world changes. Like the lovers in the Song of Songs, the creation surrounding us every day—squirrels, the seasons, a light breeze, even a field of dandelions—become blessed, sacred, and beautiful. As our vision is transformed, our world is transformed, and we can engage it as Jesus himself engaged the world.
Commentator Stephanie Paulsell suggests taking verses 1:15-16 of the Song of Songs and making them your prayer for a few days, the “love-tinted glasses” through which you encounter the world.
The man says “Ah, you are beautiful, my love, ah, you are beautiful.”
And the woman replies “Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly lovely.”
Listening for the heartbeat of God, we can “read” creation—trees, birds, flowers, but also small human kindness and goodness.
–At Starbucks for a cup of coffee, breathe in the smell of fresh coffee while you note all the people present, and pray
Ah, you are beautiful, my love, ah, you are beautiful
–Walking into your home in the evening, note the street you live on, the plants and animals that are wild outside your home, and those that are in your garden and home
Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly lovely
–at a meeting, hashing out unexciting but necessary plans that will move projects forward, thinking about people’s dedication and the times they show good will
Ah, you are beautiful, my love, ah, you are beautiful.
Would that our cynicism and exhaustion be transformed—all of it—and would that the transformation encourages us to address that which is broken, harmful, and hurtful, a transformative lens for the moments and places of our lives.
In peace,
Jen+
P.S. I sensed not just a few Trekkies in the congregation on Sunday. If you’d like to hear Leonard Nimoy tell the story of the “Live long and prosper” gesture, this is a lovely short video with Nimoy telling the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyiWkWcR86I
This is the letter ש—shin. It is the first letter of shalom (peace) and also of Shaddai (God the Almighty One). The hand gesture is an approximation of shin, evoking God’s power and God’s peace.
Connect With Us
Rector’s Office Drop-In Time
Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:00 – 11:00 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: No drop-in hours Wednesday, September 11.
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 18B
In-Person Sunday Morning Worship Service, September 8, led by the Rev. James Lemler, 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 September 8.
The Latest Updates
AUGUST 25 SERMON
For Fr. Bill Wieland’s complete sermon from August 25, the Fourteenth Sunday of Pentecost, Proper 16B, please click here.
CHOIR
The Choir of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will resume its Sunday Morning offerings on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024. The first portion of the season will include music by Greene, Stanford, Durufle, and Vaughan-Williams.
If you are interested in singing in the choir, please meet with our Organist and Choirmaster, Nicholas J. Voermans, during coffee hour or you may reach out to him at nicholas.voermans@gmail.com.
The choir meets at 9 AM on Sundays beginning with a 5 to 7 minute warm-up followed by the repertoire of the day using spare time to rehearse music for the following weeks.
HELP NEEDED
A spouse of a Waters resident would like to hire someone to help her husband at mealtime. Particularly needed is assistance for the evening meal (5:00-6:00 p.m.), and lunch on the weekends; noon meals are also available through the week. For the job posting, please click here.
SACRED POETRY GROUP
Our Sacred Poetry group will gather again beginning this fall. We will be reading the sacred poetry of George Herbert and John Donne. Please let Jen+ know if you are interested and we will find a time that suits all!
LAKE EUCHARIST SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: SAVE THE DATE!
On September 15 we will gather again chez Jedele on Raccoon Lake for Eucharist outdoors followed by a pot-luck lunch, fun in the water, good conversation, and the joy of being in nature. The Jedele family will provide chicken fajitas. Drinks and table service will be provided. Please feel free to bring a covered dish to share. Rain date: September 22. The address of the lakehouse is 9531 East Keep Lane, Rockville, Indiana 47872.
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 reading Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity. This book is widely available via the internet or borrowed from the library. Our next meeting is September 17. NOTE: There will be no Bible Group on Tuesday, September 10.
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
This fall we will have a class for those interested in the rites of Baptism: initiation and dedication to the Christian path, Confirmation: commitment to the Christian path after baptism, and Reception: for those who have been confirmed in the Roman Catholic church or the Lutheran church who wish signal membership in the Episcopal Church. The classes will also be for the curious, and those who want to know more about the core tenets and practices of our faith. We will have baptisms on November 3, on the celebration of All Saints, and confirmations on February 23, during Bishop Jennifer’s visitation. Please contact Jen+ if you are thinking about Baptism or Confirmation—or if you would simply like to be a part of this class. We will begin these meetings in October.
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 razors, Stain Remover Sticks, and shaving cream to your shopping list for the NFP for the month of August. 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, August 31 from noon – 2:00 p.m.
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, August 31
• 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
Toppy Beach, sister of Skip Sutton
Beth Benedix, friend to many of us 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
The family of Lisa Breese Kincaid, daughter of Bob & Mimi Breese
The family of Whitney Morrill, friend to many at St. Andrew’s
Mary Mountz
Tom Mullen, father of Patti Harmless
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: St. Paul’s Church, Richmond: The Rev. Barbara Anne Fisher.
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 Myanmar (Burma).
Birthdays: None.
Anniversaries: None.
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