June 2,2016

Thursday MEMO

Garden lilacs given in memory of Joe Mullen
This coming Sunday, June 5th, we will have ONE service only at 9:00.  We will gather for worship in the Parish Hall for a “Story Circle Liturgy.” Holding our liturgy in the Parish Hall will allow us to worship “in the round,” making it a much more effective way for us to see each other as we share our mini-stories. Within the regular structure of our Eucharistic liturgy, at the time of the sermon, we will reflect on our time together as priest and people by sharing stories of moments or events in our life together that have shaped who we are as God’s people and who Saint Andrew’s is as a church. So… between now and Sunday morning, consider what very brief (2 minute max) story might you tell. How have you been touched and changed? What moment(s) have helped you see yourself or others in a transforming way? Our stories will be the sermon. And if you are unable to be with us in person, you are invited to jot down one (or several) of your “moments” and we’ll figure out how to share them. “I remember the time when…..”
We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship. Coffee hour will be hosted by the Vestry.
Readings for this Sunday: 1 Kings 17:8-24, Psalm 146, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17. (In order to maximize our Story Circle time, we will omit the Galatians reading.)

Our brother in Christ Walter Fortier died peacefully early Wednesday morning at the age of 94 at Mineral Springs in North Conway, where he has been living for the past five years. He was a life-long member of St. Andrew's, and is service will be held at Saint Andrew’s next Thursday, June 10, at 11 AM, followed by burial in the Chocorua Cemetery and a reception at Runnell's Hall in Chocorua. There will be calling hours from 6 to 8 the previous evening, Wednesday, June 9th, at Lord's Funeral Home in Center Ossipee.
The Annual Taste of the Valley Dinner to support Bearcamp Valley School & Children’s Center will be held this coming Sunday at Hobbs Tavern!!! More eateries than ever before will be participating. Children and seniors, $10. Table of 10 adults $10. First seating 4:30 - 6:00, Second seating 6:00 to 7:30.
Free BOOKS! The Rector and spouse are thinning out their bookshelves!!! Take a look at the collection on the window ledge in the Parish Hall and help yourself. New possibilities every week! Lots of topics! If you’d like to kick in some change, any money will go to our Dobyns Library account.
Vestry update: At the Vestry’s recent meeting they accepted with regret, but with appreciation for his service, David Manley’s resignation due to constraints of his work. Sammie Wakefield has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Thank you, Sammie! And welcome back to the Vestry! Your experience and gifts will be especially appreciated during this transition period.
The Annual Meeting for Dinner Bell teams will be this Saturdayat 9 AM
in the Parish Hall. It is hoped that representatives of all Dinner Bell teams will be present. to work out scheduling assignments for the coming year. DB is a vital ministry that takes place each Sunday evening at 5 here at St. Andrew’s. It is shared with other area churches, individuals, and organizations. Consider coming to the meeting to find out more about it.
Our Annual All-Parish Eucharist and Picnic at White Lake State Park will be held on Saturday, June 26, beginning at 10:30 AM. Mark your calendar now. Details will be forthcoming. (The regular 8 AM service will take place as usual at the church.)
Sara Trudnack has begun her work as our new cleaning person. If you cross paths with her, be sure to introduce yourself. On Wednesdays she is often accompanied by her ten-year-old daughter, Lilly.
The Rector’s upcoming availability…
With only six weeks remaining until my retirement and two weeks of vacation days available to me -- and knowing that some of you may want to connect individually with me before I leave, I want you to be aware of my schedule. I will be primarily “off” from June 8
th through June 21st. The Rev. John Allen will cover the services on June 12th and our Lay Worship Team will officiate for Morning Prayer, with Betsy Hess as preacher, on June 19th.
And I dearly hope that you will be able to be with us the evening of Friday, July 15th for the celebration honoring our time together! A planning committee is already at work and details will be forthcoming. My last Sunday will be July 17th, when we will have a single service at 10 AM. And if you expect to be away then, please be sure to let me know. Hard as it can sometimes be to say good-byes, leaving with them unsaid would be a loss for both of us.

Food for thought as we consider our upcoming sharing of stories…When you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything. —Thich Nhat Hanh
May we listen to each other with ears of our heart.
See you Sunday,
Heidi+