St. Andrew’s NET

October, 2007

 

 

PASTORAL LETTER by Diane Montague

 

The view from my window is glorious!  The huge sugar maple just down the road is crowned with color.  There is a light mist over the fields.   An idyllic scene.  An end and a beginning.  The brief summer over and a long winter ahead.  But for a short time we revel in the glory of God’s colors.  So enjoy!

 

In the church also a new beginning with its challenges and aspirations.  The summer months of sun and sea and outdoors is almost over and we are returning to worship and praise God together.

 

When I recently read the prayer for September in the new Vestry Resource Guide, I was surprised to discover that the beginning of the new church year can be fraught with conflict and difficulty.  For myself personally, as I try to minister among you as interim Senior Warden, I often become overwhelmed with all the “jots and tittles” of church life and lose perspective on what we’re really all about:  loving God, serving him in his people and serving the community around us.  Because only a few of us carry the responsibilities of active ministry, life can become all ‘church’ and not much ‘worship’.  I know I speak for the Vestry and others who give huge amounts of time and energy just to keep things going.

 

With this in mind, as we enter into the new church year, I share this prayer with you all, and encourage you to pray it, to apply it to your own lives, and to reflect on your own ministry, asking how you might share your life and gifts in a more active way within the community of St. Andrew’s.

 

“Dear Lord, we know that when two or three gather together in your Name, you will be in the midst of them…and so will conflict.  We know from Scripture and our own experience that we can disagree about anything, from money management to institutional priorities, from who gets credit for victory to who gets blame for failure.  Power and money are especially difficult for us.  Help us to manage our conflicts wisely, with more attention to fact that rumor, with more desire to listen than to prevail, with open hearts and not closed minds.  All this we ask in the Name of One who was never fully understood, never fully accepted, never fully heard.  Amen.”

 

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.

 

 

 

VESTRY NOTES

 

We want to let you all know that we and the Discernment Committee are well underway in the search for a priest.  Be encouraged!

 

The Building Committee is waiting for revised drawings from the architect and plans to review them with the entire congregation.

 

 

STEWARDSHIP by Nicky Stevens

 

October highlights the Stewardship ministry at St Andrew's.  Every member is a steward and is encouraged to take time and have a good look at our personal and corporate resources which are abundant through God's boundless love and care.

      

St Andrew's many ministries exemplify how our lives are enriched by this community of faith: worship and music that sustain and support us, a vibrant Christian education being planned for our young members, a youth choir being launched, pastoral care, hard working vestry leadership, strong financial stewardship, a dedicated Altar Guild, and so many others who do the Sunday bulletin, maintain the building as best they can.  

 

As we begin our Pledge drive this month, we will be reminded of the need to continue to support these ministries, to support calling a priest who will lead us in spiritual life, and to maintain the upkeep of our church building.  Your financial support is needed, and with God's help I believe, as St Julian of Norwich believed that "All is well, all is well, all is well indeed" at St Andrew's.

 

 

PASTORAL CARE

 

We were saddened to learn Phil Lavoie passed away on September 14th from complications following surgery.  We are grateful for the opportunity to help him with phone calls, visits, transportation and prayers in his final weeks.  Our prayers are with Chip Mesics as he recovers from arm surgery following a bicycle accident.

 

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 748-3083, 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

 

We desperately need an organist/pianist!  If you have any leads at all, please let me know.  The organist situation in the Northeast Kingdom is ‘critical’, according to one person I called.  Diane Montague 751-8646

 

Sarah Maynard has made a wonderful banner for the official kick-off Liturgy of the 175th Anniversary Celebration for the Diocese of Vermont.  This will happen on June 2, 2007.  In addition to the Diocesan Convention (November 2 & 3, 2007), the banners will be on display at the 2008 Convention in Rutland, and any additional events being planned by the 175th Anniversary Committee.

The banner is on display in the church sanctuary, and we will be having a special presentation and blessing probably during the service on Sunday, October 21.

 

We were delighted to have the congregation from St. Peter’s join us (with Jim Fish playing the organ) for the Tester baptism on September 23rd!  We look forward to worshipping with them at St. Peter’s again on October 28th.

 

 

KIDS FOR PEACE by Libby Hillhouse

 

I hope you have seen the front page splash on September's Mt. Echo!  Our camp was so much more than we had hoped for or even expected.  The kids were wonderful and seemed to mesh seamlessly- Jew, Christian and Muslim, East and West.  The whole concept of "respectful observation" and learning about each other's traditions was lived out in every moment.  Soccer, of course, was the main hit. We are very proud, indeed.

I was able to go to NYC with a small K4P group to the opening of the Desmond Tutu Peace Center.  We offered two sessions on the camp to great acclaim.  The concept clearly moves people deeply, especially when the kids themselves bear witness and can speak for themselves on the experience.  We even had
our photo taken with Bishop Tutu!

I want to say again, thank you to the vestry for supporting Kids4Peace with its generous matching grant towards this summer's program.  God willing, inshallah, we will continue for many more years!!

Peace, shalom, salaam, Libby

 

 

HUMOR

 

After the baptism of his baby brother in church, Thomas sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.

His father asked him three times what was wrong.

Finally, the boy replied, "That pastor said he wanted us brought up in a good Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys."

 

KIDS KORNER

 

 On the first Sunday of each month the service will be Family-centered.  All children will attend and will take part in the

service. Talk to Karen Cheney or Anna Kennedy with your questions or ideas.

 

Karen Cheney is leading a Children’s Choir.  If you have children who would like to participate, please talk to Karen or call her at

748-1447 for more information.

 

On the first Monday of each month there will be a Youth event.  Talk to Nene Riley or Nicky Stevens to get more information.

 Anna Kennedy will be leading Church School for younger children on the 2nd and 4th/5th Sundays each month.

We are looking to hire a trained child-care person to be with the children each Sunday morning.  Please call Anna Kennedy or

Diane Montague if you are interested.

 

 

CONTEMPLATIVE CORNER

 

Read: John 21:16-17.

Reflect:  Jesus asking Peter three times about his love for him parallels Peter’s denial of Jesus three times.  Do you remember that whatever you have done, Jesus is ready to redeem it?  Recall and reflect on this past week.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

              

Vestry Meeting, October 11^th, 5:30pm