Bee hives? Honey? What's that all about? Come taste and see!

Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley
Thursday MEMO
for September 9, 2010

The will be services at 8 and 10 AM this Sunday, September 12th. Join us for worship as we kick off our Fall Pledge Season. The Rev. Charles LaFond, Diocesan Canon for Congregational Life, will be with us as our preacher. Pledge packets will be distributed following each service. If you are unable to be with us in person, yours will be mailed to you during the week. The Stewardship Committee has had an especially fun time preparing for this season. Come! Taste and see!

Memorial Garden Stucco Painting Party this Saturday beginning at 8 AM. We could use a few more participants for prepping as well as painting. And a cheering squad is alwyas welcome ... just know you might be put to work! Call Duane at 367-8220.

Our Annual Rummage Sale will be held next weekend: Friday, September 17th, 10 to noon, and 5:30-8 PM; Saturday, September 18th, 8 AM to 1:30 PM. Spread the word. Prices are terrific and there are always "choice finds" to be had! The sign-up sheets for helpers is in the Parish Hall.

Dinner Bell help needed next Sunday, September 19th! Twice a year the rector and her spouse sign up to be Dinner Bell chefs, and Duane and I need your help! Traditionally, we team up with young people in the parish and their parents to prepare, serve, and clean up the meal that Saint Andrew's hosts each week -- but anyone would be welcome to join us. If you can give us a hand, let me know by phone, email, or in person. Many thanks. Your ideas about what to serve would be welcome (but are not required).

Readings for Sunday: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10

Food for thought:
From Charles LaFond "The View from Blackwater Bluff," September 2009

Honey bees are, by their nature, aware of their needs... Throughout the spring, the bees were wildly optimistic about life, due to huge vats of sugar syrup which slowly leaks into the hives as an encouragement from the beekeeper. The presence of the sugar syrup stimulates optimism -- resulting in the production of everything from wax cells to larvae to honey.
Under normals circumstances, a strong colony of 100,000 bees will collect considerably more honey than they need for winter. That extra honey is the last to be stored by bees and is the only honey which the beekeeper collects in the closing days of summer. The bees are not making honey for "I." The bees are making honey for "We." They do not exist as individuals, but rather as a collective which seeks to meet each others needs. The notion of "I" seems not to have any power in the bee hive.
Since I am not a bee, I am not as good at separating what I need from what I want... My honey bees are modeling a way of life echoed in nature throughout the wild kingdom: "take what you need. Leave the rest to others needs." It seems that only we humans have confused our needs and our wants. And truth-be-told, as I look back on my summer vacation of pottery, friendship, and pledge payments, these things are not just what I need but also what I want.
On most days, it is enough.

See you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+