June 11, 2020




FROM THE RECTOR

Last week I wrote about not being in a rush to return to in person worship, especially until we are at a point where most people will feel safe retuning and we are able to share the Eucharist. In the clergy call with our Bishop this morning, we discussed the possibility of an outdoor Eucharist where we observe the necessary safety precautions and everyone brings their own bread. Bringing your own bread would take care of the issues around distributing communion, as well as eliminate the need to move around. You could bring rice crackers like we distribute for those who are gluten free, a dinner roll, or homemade bread – whatever would seem most appropriate for Communion for you.

I’d really like to hear how you feel about this. We know that gatherings held outside are less risky than those held indoors. And we know the number of cases in our communities remains low and, so far at least, relatively flat.  I think this is doable and that we can keep our risk low, but I don’t want to move forward unless the majority of us are in favor and feel it would be safe to attend. We will talk about this at coffee hour this Sunday, but please feel free to email me if you have concerns.

We would not do this until July, and I’d like to have a team of people who would help me plan, as well as people who would help set up and clean up. After holding the first service we would evaluate and move forward accordingly. We might decide to do this once or twice a month, every week, or never again!

There are numerous conditions that would need to be met, and the following list may not be exhaustive. Keeping that in mind, please consider whether you would attend an outdoor Eucharist under these conditions:

·         Maintain 6 ft. distancing at all times 

·         Wear masks

·         Verbal exchange of the Peace while remaining in place

·         Bring your own bread for Communion. (Wine would not be offered.)

·         Building open for bathrooms, but no gathering. Markings on sidewalk for standing in  line, and enter through one door, exit another

·         Bulletins sent out for you to print at home, with limited number available at church

·         No singing

·         No coffee hour

·         No sound system

·         Bugs and warm weather are likely so bring your own bug spray, bug hat, fan, etc.  

·         We would not be able to provide a tent big enough for everyone to remain physically distant. Do you need a tent for shade? Would an umbrella suffice?

·         Service would be canceled in the event of rain or excessive heat (and held via Zoom as usual)

·         A Safety Officer is required by the Governor’s guidelines

 Questions to consider:

1.    Given these conditions, would you attend an outdoor service?

2.    Would you be part of the planning team?

3.    Would you be the safety officer?

4.    Would you help with set up and clean up (chairs, table for the altar)?

I’ll pose these questions at coffee hour on Sunday. Please respond to me via email if you will not be in church on Sunday or have personal concerns. I look forward to hearing your feedback!

See you Sunday!
Caroline

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP               

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM 
via Zoom (see email for Zoom information) 
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/

AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR 
A VIRTUAL 
on ZOOM

Next Sunday, June 21, we will worship with the Bishop at 9:00 am, as I will be on vacation Monday, June 15 – Sunday, June 21.

Coffee Hour on Zoom will follow services on both Sundays.

 Many thanks to Pat Adams and Sammie Wakefield for hosting Coffee Hour and our Compline and Morning Prayer services on Zoom in my absence. These services will not be available on Facebook Live while I’m away, so plan to tune in via Zoom.


READINGS FOR SUNDAY

Sunday, June 7th
The Second Sunday after Pentecost
Trinity Sunday
Year A

COLLECT
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
READINGS

First Reading: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7

In our Hebrew scripture the Lord appears to Abraham and promises that he and Sarah will have a son. As often seen in biblical narratives, the Lord’s presence is disguised, this time in one of three visitors. Abraham may suspect God’s nearness, but he also generously fulfils his duty of hospitality to strangers. Because both of them are well beyond the years of childbearing, Sarah laughs when she overhears the exchange between God and Abraham, but the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise will later bring her great joy. Abraham will place his trust in God’s power and through this son become the father of a great people.

Psalm 116:1, 12-19: An offering of thanksgiving and praise by one who has been rescued from death.

Romans 5:1-8

In this reading Paul bids the disciples to rejoice in the reconciliation and hope which are theirs because of the sacrifice of Christ on behalf of sinners.  Through faith we have justification; we are given a right relationship with God.  Now even our sufferings can lead to endurance, and this to a perseverance which strengthens our hope.  God has shown great love for us in that, while we were still God’s enemies because of sin, Christ died for us.

Matthew 9:35-10:8
In our gospel reading Jesus continues his mission of preaching, teaching, and healing, and he commissions his twelve disciples in this ministry with him.  The need for this work is great.  The twelve are constituted as a kind of new Israel, and their healing acts and proclamation tell that God’s ruling power as drawn near.  At first this ministry will be concentrated on the Jewish nation.  Later it will reach to all peoples.  The disciples are to meet every circumstance with confidence and trust in God.


Click below to see the readings: 

PRAYERS FOR EACH OTHER
One thing we can always do while we stay at home is to pray for each other! We would like to keep our prayer list up to date and publish it each week in the Thursday Memo. Please email Deb at office@standrewsinthevalley.org with any updates.



This Week We Pray for

Health and Wholeness for: Angela B, Ryan C, Doug Crapser, Richard Cady, Dave Appleton, Courtney and her baby, Christian, Tiffany, Kyren, Dorothy O'Donnell, Lisa Lemire, Donn Carty, Bob & Sue Huckman, Kenneth LaForge, Jennifer M, David Manley, Robin Martelle, John McGowan, Gabriele Wallace, Carolyn Jarvis, Tamara, Milan McNall, Marilyn Cloran, Joan Marshall, Rick, John, Carolyn Boldt, the Huckman family, as they grieve the death of Tom's uncle, Norm.

For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Susannah Keith, Alida, Dylan, Brian & Sara Kelley, Bob Wallace, Carl Mamigonian, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.

For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.

For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.

FUN WITH NAMES

Last week’s answers:

1. A crucifix carries an image of the crucified Jesus; a cross does not. Either one may be          carried in procession, in or outside the church. 

2. Barbara Lord has woven a beautiful white frontal for Saint Andrew’s, a gift from Rev. Heidi to celebrate Heidi’s ministry with us. Our Pentecost Sunday frontal is gold and red; for the season of Pentecost it is smaller, green, and decorated with a chalice, grapes, and bread.                                            

3. A dalmatic is a vestment worn by a Deacon during celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.       

4. Although Doris Chadwick arrived to start writing her three-volume autobiography, it was Bishop Polly Miskin who was looking for her cope.

A NEW PUZZLE

Which of the following rectors used a red plastic telephone to talk with God during the sermon?  

1. Mike Kyle 
2. Wallace (Wally) Anderson 
3. Jim Kellett

The Rev. Frederick C. Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”) was born in: 
1. Boston, MA 
2. Pernambuco, Brazil 
3. Cleveland, Ohio 
4. Rowley, England 

What is a Pyx? 
1. A tool used open your car door so you can retrieve your keys 
2. A judge’s gavel 
3. A receptacle used to carry the consecrated Sacrament to the sick. 

“Mr. Cowper” (I am not sure if this appellation was his preference or the habit of my family) became which “first” of the following at Saint Andrew’s? 
1. Minister 
2. Rector 
3. Vicar 

The Lectionary (Reading) for Sundays is arranged in a ___-year cycle, in which Year A always begins on the First Sunday of Advent in years evenly divisible by ___. 
1. two/five 
2. three/three 
3. five/three

SAFE CHURCH

If you are up for Safe Church Renewal
you must do your renewal modules on Armatus
then sign up for meetings online.

The next Safe Church Zoom call is scheduled for

and scroll down the page until you see dates to register.

If you have questions, please contact Safe Church Minister, Marty Cloran.

 DINNER BELL

No DINNER BELL until further notice.

Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!


COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER

The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.

Food pantry continues to serve the communities needs
New Hours
Alternating Wednesdays
12-6 pm
Next Food Pantry: June  24
Any questions call 603-960-4067


 FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE


I will be out of the office Thur, June 4th-Thur, June 11th.
The office will be closed, however, 
if you need assistance please contact 
Rev. Caroline at 603-323-6193.
Thank you.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Can You Imagine?

For example, what the trees do

not only in lightning storms

or the watery dark of a summer’s night

or under the white nets of winter

but now, and now, and now—whenever

we’re not looking. Surely you can’t imagine

they don’t dance, from the root up, wishing

to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting

a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly

more shade—surely you can’t imagine they just

stand there loving every

minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings

of the years slowly and without a sound

thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,

and then only in its own mood, comes

to visit, surely you can’t imagine

patience, and happiness, like that.

                                 ~ Mary Oliver, Devotions, p. 192

  
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.
  


Birthdays
7        Cathie Lewis, Becky Riley
11      Dale Appleton
16      Tina Quinn
19      Christi Humphrey
26      Gabriele Wallace, Mary Harrington


Anniversaries
1        George & Patti Rau
14      Bob & Susan Luz
16      Bernice & Ron Thompson
20      Vic & Sally DeGroot
22      Joan & Bob Wright
28      Kit & Suzanne Morgan

  
PHOTO GALLERY- Breathing "Outside"

Share your "BREATHING OUTSIDE" 
photos and I will post each week!
send to office@standrewsinthevalley.org

Now that the weather is getting better and we are finding time outside
please share your pictures of what you are doing...
Getting your gardens ready? Going for a hike?
Planting flowers? Taking in a picnic? Wildlife encounters?
  


LINKS