On our way to the Lake Eucharist last Sunday, Jim and I missed our turn. We went several miles out of our way and had to turn around. This seemed silly because we knew we had to turn at the Walker boat ramp. But we were talking and not paying attention. I mention this because I enjoy talking where you’re so involved in what the other person is saying that you forget to pay attention to something else like where you’re going! I’ve driven home from Terre Haute before and because my friend and I were so engrossed in our conversation we ended up in Plainfield before we realized it. I mention conversations in the car because if you live in Greencastle, you probably spend a significant amount of time going to and from larger cities. But these verbal connections can be made anywhere and anytime. Having good conversations is part of the human experience. We need to connect with others. Whether it’s with a friend you haven’t seen for awhile, someone you are just meeting, or a spouse; good conversation is our way of connecting to one another. I remember going to dinner with a friend and being so involved in our conversation that when the waiter approached our table for the third or fourth time, we finally decided we’d better order dinner.

Jesus made these connections with people. He sat with them and he talked. He ate with people and he talked. If you are living your life trying to be more like Jesus, talking seems like the right thing to do. Start conversations, make connections. Stay in touch with old friends. Chat with family members. Get out and meet new people. By making these connections, we can show our love for God. Even if the conversation doesn’t concern religion, our words and our actions both reflect who we are and what we stand for. I want to stand for kindness. I want to be a friend that can be counted on. I want to experience the joy of a good conversation even if we miss our turn and get lost for a bit.

Karen Hirt Mannon, Senior Warden

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 away September 8 – 15.

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, September 16. We will discuss D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, chapters 4 and 5, at 4:30. All are welcome.

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, September 27 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.

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.

Your prayers are asked for: