St.
Andrew’s NET
January,
2007
Dear Friends,
I’m told the Pastoral Letter should be a note to the Parish bringing the love and hope of Christ's work into our lives; a reflection on who we are, how we're doing, and what God is calling us to do. It must be unusual for the Treasurer to be writing it, but as we start the New Year, if your financial officer can express optimism there is indeed a bright future for us. I do believe God wants us to fulfill His mission.
Our financial situation is improving. Two
thirds of the 2007 pledges are in and average significantly higher than
2006. In mid-December we received an
unexpected and very generous bequest.
This is significant to the renewed health and vitality of St. Andrew’s.
In October I attended Calvary Episcopal
Church in Golden,
Some of our recent changes are material in nature… the energy-efficient heating system and the renovations to Jones Hall. These are outward signs of positive change at St. Andrew’s and demonstrate what can happen when we concentrate on what we CAN do. We are working diligently to find a new priest who will help with our missions. We believe God is helping in this endeavor.
Though an Episcopalian for 50 years, this is my first time as a vestry member. Thanks to all of you I have learned much about compromise and the power of love and faith. One member loaned me a book titled “What’s so Amazing about Grace.” Grace provides powerful tools to unhook us from the past so we can enjoy the future. I am looking forward to hearing how the Grace of God has continued to touch individual’s lives as much as it’s touching us as a group. Please accept my thanks for your help and patience. I am grateful for the chance to contribute.
The wonderful fellowship at St. Andrew’s is the glue that holds us together and provides the foundation on which to build our parish. I look forward to your fellowship in the years ahead. From my first days at St.Andrew’s I felt God wanted us to grow and prosper. That feeling is stronger than ever. With His help we shall!
Happy St.
Andrew’s New Year and May God Bless Us All! John
Ayers, Treasurer
Vestry Notes:
As most of you know by now, our parish is
in the midst of a discernment process for calling a priest into our midst. In fact, we are engaged in this process with
St. Peter’s, Lyndonville, to explore shared clergy time. A Task Force, made up of Libby Hillhouse, Sr.
Warden, Vestry member Jeff Kay, and Diane Montague, has been meeting with the
Rev. Canon Thad Bennett and with the Task Force of St. Peter’s. We have held two parish meetings to share
the process and our progress, and have provided ample opportunity for comment
and response as we prepared our final document.
We now have that final document. It outlines what we have done together and lists the remaining work to be done. This document must now be accepted by both vestries if we are to proceed with the calling process. At that point, our priest candidate will send us her profile and her own ministry statements – and then we schedule an interview!
The ministries expressed by both parishes are almost completely in common – and we have had some wonderfully honest, spirit-filled conversations. Our Bishop, Tom Ely, has offered us an extraordinary opportunity to expand our mutual ministries and join in a community that is filled with Christ’s love. We believe that joining in mutual ministry with St. Peter’s will lead us to a closer understanding of God in our midst.
The Vestry and the Task Force will continue to keep everyone as informed as possible – and, of course, all Vestry meetings are open to anyone who wants to come. As soon as the Vestry votes to accept the final document, if it does, indeed, vote to proceed, the document will be available for all to review. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision about whether or not to call this candidate is predicated on a MUTUAL vote by both Vestries, St. Andrew’s and St. Peter’s. If both Vestries do not agree, the process will be ended.
Please continue
to be present with us as we move forward in this process. It is intense, it is filled with the Spirit,
it is a gift not to be taken lightly.
The Vestry will move forward in prayer and in community to discern what
God is calling us to do.
Blessed be! Libby Hillhouse, Sr. Warden
Annual Meeting!!
Please
plan to join us on Jan. 21 immediately after worship. Finger foods are needed.
A discussion heard from time to time at St. Andrew's is how many people are no longer with us. John Ayers had identified 50 names. When I stop and think of those with whom I have worshiped with over the last seven years, I see many faces; most I can call by name. I can hear their voices; bring to mind the wisdom I absorbed from them. I can remember the rejoicing of weddings, births, and health returned. Like others, I had thought our fewer numbers were mostly due to death and discontent. But when I wrote down a name or a description into categories, I found that most had moved away. Some moves were for changes in health and independence, but most were because of changes in employment.
I have been enriched by each and every one of these individuals and miss many of them. I am reminded that life is a journey which leads down many paths with an ever changing array of companions. Remembering these faces reminds me that God gives us this day and that we need to cherish it and all those with whom we share the day. And most importantly, we need to reach out and invite new faces to join us and to warmly welcome those new faces who come through our doors on Sunday. For those who like numbers, my unofficial count follows.
6 have died
27 have moved away
4 have changed churches
11 have stopped coming for reasons I don't know
2 not able to attend due to health
50 total - more than half moved away or died
Choir:
The ministry of
the choir is to lead the congregation in worship both in music and word. New members are welcome to join us at nine on
Sunday to prepare for the
Just a personal
note of farewell…this seems to have become a habitual journey for me! I leave for
As an extra, I’ll
be in
This trip also marks the end of my tenure on the Vestry and as Sr. Warden. I know the Vestry will do a wonderful job of carrying on until we have a new priest, so please give them your support!
I will miss you. I will have you all in my prayers. Please do the same for me……
May we all continue to shine in the light of God’s
love, Libby Hillhouse
…..was a huge success! Dennis Keon offered his incredible service as caterer and cook for our first-ever spaghetti dinner. It won rave reviews for both taste and ease of service! It was special to have so many kids helping with the bussing of tables and folks seemed to positively enjoy washing dishes. Our earnings are slightly over $1000. Thanks to all who helped and all who helped eat!
Our pastoral care team is always available to help, especially to make phone calls, offer rides, send cards and flowers, organize food as needed, and set the communications going to share important pastoral news.
Team members:
Jocelyn Burrell 748-5247
Sybil and Skip Hazen 626-8678
Lin Hill 467-3308
Lisa Norsworthy 695-1408
Marion and Foster Parks 748-3083
Robin Bergman 633-2871
We are blessed to have the Rev. Jean MacDonald with us on Jan. 14th, Feb. 4th and 11th. We will welcome the retired Bishop of Michigan, Bp. Stewart Wood, on Feb. 18.
See the
“Worship Minister Schedule” for January details.
RETURN
1/12/07