+ St. Andrew’s NET +

March 2008

 

 

PASTORAL LETTER by Diane Montague

 

On the day we arrived back in St. Johnsbury, David and I “waded” up our driveway in thigh-high snow   (knee-high for David)!  We’re getting in on winter’s last gasp, but you have been living through the entire siege!  And you’ve also been living through the last few months at St. Andrew’s while I viewed events from Mexico!  Hardly seems fair!  However, I have some very encouraging news.  We have an organist AND a childcare person.  Marian Wagner has agreed to play the organ for us, and we trust that Kerry Surles will take care of our children on Sunday mornings. 

 

Last month I encouraged you to reflect on what we are accomplishing, despite low winter attendance and, as yet, no Priest.  At this morning’s combined service with St. Peter’s, Rev. Whittaker talked about the joy he senses in the many small congregations he so graciously serves in the Northeast Kingdom, among which we are numbered.  He suggests that maybe we’re “better on the edge” rather than “huge and successful” and thinking we’re in charge.  Yes, we are tired, especially those who are on the Vestry or in other positions of responsibility in the church.  But we come to church and serve because we want to, not because anyone makes us.  We serve out of joy and with free commitment.  At least, I hope we do.  Let’s ask the Lord to rekindle the flame of joyful service in our hearts.

 

During this Lenten month, let’s use this prayer for ourselves and for those we have elected to leadership.

 

“Dear Lord, we elect, but you confer authority.  We occupy roles, but you form hearts.  We are sensitive to who has power and who wants power, but your Son took his place among the weak.  Help us to care more about vision than about viewpoint, more about servant-hood than about rules, more about mercy that about merit.  Help us to have the courage to lead by serving and putting aside the world’s easier ways.  Help us to emulate the Apostles, not in the early days when they craved power and preference, but in the latter days after Calvary, when they prayer only for courage and wisdom.  All this we ask in the Name of One who led by serving and suffering.  Amen.”

 

 

VESTRY NOTES

 

The Diocese informs us we will soon have names to consider for our new Priest-in-Partnership

 

Sarah Maynard will take over as NET Editor and Webmaster starting in April.  We now have our own domain name at www.standrewsvt.net .  Our thanks to John Ayers for all of his work.

 

 

ANN HARPER - RIP

 

Ann D. Harper, a Lyndonville, VT, resident, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, at her residence. Mrs. Harper was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lyndonville. She was an office secretary for several different companies.

Ann is survived by her three children: Robert of O'Fallon, Mo.; Patricia Harper-Lentricchia, her children, Eli, Ethan and Emma all of Hancock, N.H.; Susan Wolston of West Burke, her children, Paul Perry of Richmond; and Rebecca Grenier of Essex Junction.

A brief family service will be in the Memorial Garden at the Cathedral Church (Episcopal) of St. Paul in Burlington.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Pearsons Funeral Home, located at 70 Church St., Lyndonville.  To sign an online memorial, please go to www.pearsonsfh.com.

 

 

PASTORAL CARE

 

If you are looking for pastoral care please don’t hesitate to contact someone on the Pastoral Care Team:
Sybil Hazen 626-8678, Marion Parks 626-7213, Jocelyn Burrell 748-5247, Lin Hill 467-3308, and Robin Bergman 633-2871. (Sybil and Marion head up this group.)

Pastoral care is the work of the congregation – this is our group of facilitators -- all of us should feel encouraged to send notes or make phone calls when we see the need, particularly at this time where we lack the spiritual guidance of a priest.  We also must remind ourselves to reach out for help when we need it.

 

 

ODDS AND ENDS

 

Marian Wagner will be our Organist on a regular basis!  We are delighted to have her!!

 

Kerry Surles is on a 3-week trial to be our childcare person.

 

Blessing animals is a joyous day at church. No one has ugly pets… shall we try it?

 

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

 

 

LAUS DEO submitted by John Ayers

 

In Washington, D.C., by law, there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.  On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words.  In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there.  These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo!  Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.   So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?  Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.  It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. 'Praise be to God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments.  From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant - a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.  The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask?  Why a cross?  What about separation of church and state?  Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, and is not in the Constitution.  So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God!  Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings.  As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.  On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.  Praise be to God!  Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'

Few are aware of Washington's prayer for America:   'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.  Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.'  (Psalm 127:1)

 

 

HUMOR

 

A 4-year-old boy was asked to return thanks before a big dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip.

Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited. After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"

 

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

 

Vestry Meeting – March 20^th at 5:30pm