The
readings for this Sunday are Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20.
What
a wonderful Lobster Dinner we had last weekend! . . . Super thanks to Jay and
Yvonne Ramsey, friends of the DeGroots, who so
generously provided the equipment and their services in support of the mission
and ministry of Saint Andrew’s; to Sally DeGroot and David Manley, lead
organizers; backed up by a team of workers: Vic DeGroot, Carol Tubman, Gretchen
Behr-Svendsen, Chris and Bob Mills, Dale Appleton, Barbara Lord, Peg Cade,
Muffy Smith, Kathy Johnson, Bernice Thompson, Cathie Lewis, Carolyn and Bob
Seston, Duane Dale, and George Rau; to Debra Hoyt, for her office attentions to
this event, to the Community School for the lettuce and Ledgewood Farms for the
corn; and to any others whose names have been accidentally omitted. It was a
wonderful, successful event with over 70 in attendance!
One
of the strengths of this parish is our life as a community. 35
of us gathered for the now annual Summer Sunday Brunch at the Rectory. Good
fellowship, good conversation, and good food. Thanks for coming!
Consider attending our Diocesan Picnic this Saturday, August 9: Celebrating Friendships and Diversity – Our own lives and ministries often leave us to little time to celebrate
with each other over a shared meal and give thanks for the gift of the Spirit
that guides us in our lives in and outside of our places of worship. The
Diocesan Outreach Commission and Bishop Rob invite all to the Diocesan Picnic,
August 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Church of the Woods (92 Foster Rd,
Canterbury, NH). http://www.nhepiscopal.org/.
Be
part of this important endeavor that raises funds for our Community Food
Pantry, Dinner Bell, and overseas efforts to eliminate hunger. The walk begins at the
Baptist Meeting House on Church St. in Sandwich, and goes for about five miles.
We need walkers: Saint Andrew’s folks will be joined by teams from other area churches and individuals. You will need to pick up a registration/sponsor form which are available at church on Sunday.
We need sponsors: Be open to providing financial support to one (or several) walkers. Support in any dollar amount is welcome, but the more money we raise, the more people our efforts will assist.
We need walkers: Saint Andrew’s folks will be joined by teams from other area churches and individuals. You will need to pick up a registration/sponsor form which are available at church on Sunday.
We need sponsors: Be open to providing financial support to one (or several) walkers. Support in any dollar amount is welcome, but the more money we raise, the more people our efforts will assist.
Food for thought as we
continue the Jacob saga…
Nine of us met for our “First Wednesday “ supper last night reflecting together on the Jacob story we have been hearing, but this time through the lens of the 20th century German writer Thomas Mann. Using a 2003 translation (only the second translation of Mann’s vast tome, Joseph and his Brothers, we listened to his detailed and evocative rendering of rendering Rachel’s death and the birth of their son Benjamin, with particular interest in the reality that profoundly difficult experiences often lead to personal/spiritual growth and transformation.
Nine of us met for our “First Wednesday “ supper last night reflecting together on the Jacob story we have been hearing, but this time through the lens of the 20th century German writer Thomas Mann. Using a 2003 translation (only the second translation of Mann’s vast tome, Joseph and his Brothers, we listened to his detailed and evocative rendering of rendering Rachel’s death and the birth of their son Benjamin, with particular interest in the reality that profoundly difficult experiences often lead to personal/spiritual growth and transformation.
The
Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) passages provided by our Sunday lectionary
continue in Genesis for the next month, with the focus shifting from Jacob to
his first son by Rachel – Joseph. This Sunday we will hear from Genesis 37 of
his being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. If you have been engaged
with this story – as I know many of you have been – I strongly encourage you to
pull out your Bible and read from chapter 37 to the end of Genesis (chapter
50).
Like
the Jacob cycle, this cycle of Joseph and his brothers is richly detailed saga,
from which our lectionary clips only small segments. Do yourself a favor, and
settle in with this good book! Don’t be daunted; it’s less than 20 pages. Read
it as you would any good story, with a bookmark in hand so you can stop when
you’re ready and come back another day. And if your only Bible is the King
James translation, you might want to borrow another translation from our church
library. Perhaps we’ll devote our next “First Wednesday” supper on September 3rd
to another portion of Thomas Mann’s Joseph
and His Brothers as we continue to know and explore this foundational piece
of portion of Holy Scripture, learning to better see and understand ourselves
and God through these ancient stories!
Summer blessings,
Heidi+
Heidi+
Lobster
and Steak Dinner
Brunch
at the Rectory
