Preparing the "living water" for the baptism of Isaiah and Lilyana last Sunday






Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley

Thursday MEMO

August 26, 2011

Services for this coming Sunday, August 14th and the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM. This will be my last Sunday before beginning my three-month Sabbatical Leave, and in recognition of that I have been led to understand that the 10:00 service will include some sort of “send-off”. (Child Care will be available at the later service.)

At the writing of this MEMO, we are all keeping an eye on the path of hurricane Irene and its schedule and path. In the event that Sunday morning is in the midst of a very serious storm, I will make the necessary decisions about changes in our service schedule by 6:30 AM. At that point, I will send an email to all on our group list, as well as put a message on the church voice mail.

Hopefully, in a few days, we'll all be laughing that there was "much ado about nothing." But better prepared than sorry! Get those cell phones charged up, locate you flashlights and candles, fill vessels for drinking and wash water, and be sure that you have sufficient food and medications to see you through several days, in case we lose power. And let us keep all those affected by this huge storm in our prayers.

This is Rummage Sale Weekend!!! Friday, August 26: 5-7 and Saturday: 9-1. In addition there will be a number of craft and white-elephant booths outside on Saturday. If you’d like to help with “pack-up” at the end, please call Diane at 539-6134, or just show up around 12:30 and lend a hand.

Readings for Sunday: Exodus 3:1-15, Psalm 105, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28

A “signing off” from your rector:
First, just to let you know, the Thursday MEMO will continue in my absence thanks to Debra’s willingness, but it will be in a much simplified form. One of the joys of doing these weekly MEMOs has been the little responses I get during the week – both from year ‘round regulars, and from out-of-town affiliates. That opportunity for contact will have to wait until I return. However, if you happen to have a relevant photo, a prayer, or a brief quote or reflection, send it to Debra at office@standrewsinthevalley.org and she will try to work it in.

It will be a new experience for all of us for me to be away from the church for three months. I hope you will keep me in your prayers as I promise to keep you in mine, so we will continue to be present to each other through the power of the Spirit. Remember that these three months are an opportunity for you as well as for me. This church is blessed by strong and faithful lay leadership that includes each of you and your unique gifts. Enjoy. Listen. Learn. Love… And be faithful to God and each other in your worship together.

If we allow ourselves to be open to it, we will all be changed and made new in some way.

With blessings and much love,
Heidi+

Our amazing new stove!

Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley

Thursday MEMO

August 18, 2011


Services for this coming Sunday, August 14th and the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM, with coffee hour following each service. The 10:00 service will include the service of Holy Baptism, as we welcome Isaiah and Lilyana Arsenault into the household of God. Child care provided at the later service.

It is also CROP WALK Sunday, so your last chance to sign-up to walk and/or pledge support to our walkers. Do join us. (The proceeds from the Lakes Region Church World Service Walk are divided among international, national and local projects, with our Community Food Pantry and Dinner Bell receiving significant support.)

Our Kitchen is on a roll!!! The new stove is now installed, and handsome counter-tops went in yesterday. The prep sink and slop sink are yet to be installed, and there’s still a bit of finish work to be completed but do plan to take a look at the progress on Sunday!

HELP WANTED: If you happen to be available to lend a hand for an hour or so at 5:00 Friday, it would help our lone volunteer get the contents of cupboards back in place.

MORE HELP WANTED: This is Rummage Sale Week!!! Your clean, in-good-condition contributions of clothing and household linens may be dropped off on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. We still need a few more workers during those days to do set-up (sorting clothing and setting out clothing on to tables and racks). A few workers are also needed DURING the sale, as well as for “wrap-up.” The sign-up sheet is in the Parish Hall, or call Diane at 539-6134.

Rummage Sale: Friday, August 26: 10-noon and 5-7 Saturday, August 27: 9-1

In addition, if you would like to set up a craft or white-elephant booth of your own on Saturday outside, during the rummage sale, please contact Debra in the office next week. We ask only a contribution from your sales ($10? 10%? 100%? It’s your choice.)

Readings for Sunday: Exodus 1:8–2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

Wisdom for living well from and old Cherokee story…

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil – it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is God – it is joy, peace, love, kindness, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

See you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+

Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley
 Thursday MEMO

August 11, 2011

Services for this coming Sunday, August 7th and the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM, with coffee hour following each service and child care provided at the later service. Do join us for worship and sociability. And check over your entry in the draft copy of the new Parish Directory

Our Kitchen update is on a roll!!! Plan to take a look at the progress on Sunday! Thanks this week go to Duane Dale and Vic DeGroot who are doing the necessary demolition and moving of appliances to make the new work possible! And to Debra Hoyt for power-cleaning under the old stove. Stay tuned for more changes next week as well. Temporary inconvenience. Permanent improvement!

And while you’re in the mood for admiring improvements, poke your head into the “Vesting Closet” by the coat rack and come into to the office and take a peek up the folding stairs to that attic. Debra has been hard at work creating order and setting things right. Thank you, Debra!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: This summer’s offering by “Advice to the Players” is not to be missed! Three shows remain (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), each at 2PM on the Sandwich Fairgrounds Stage. A familiar member of the parish is one of many brilliant performers. But you will have to look very, very closely. The disguise is very good!

The Rummage Sale is fast approaching…August 26th and 27th! This coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, bring in those clothes you’ve been gathering together that you haven’t worn for a year. And spread the word. If you are able, sign up for a few hours of helping with set-up, selling, and clean-up. Many hands make like work!

In addition, if you would like to set up a craft or white-elephant booth of your own outside, please contact Debra in the office. We ask only a contribution from your sales ($10? 10%? 100%? It’s your choice.)

Reminder: Sunday, August 21st is CROP Walk Sunday! Will you be a walker? Will you be a sponsor? The proceeds from the Lakes Region Church World Service Walk are divided among international, national and local projects, with our Community Food Pantry and Dinner Bell receiving significant support.

Readings for Sunday: Genesis 45:1-15, Psalm 133, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:21-28

Food for thought amidst the wild beauty of this season … from Mary Oliver

“The Lover of Earth Cannot Help Herself”
In summer, through the fields of wild mustard, then goldenrod,
I walk, brushing the wicks of their bodies and the bright hair
Of their heads – and in fact I lie down
That the little weightless pieces of gold
May float over me, shining in the air, falling in my hair, touching my face –
Ah, sweet-smelling, glossy and colorful world, I say,
Even as I begin to feel my left eye then the right eye begin to burn
And twitch and grow very large ––
Even as I begin to weep,
To sneeze in this irrepressible seizure of summertime love!

God's gifts and glory take many forms!

See you in church.
Blessings,
Heidi+

Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley
Thursday MEMO
August 4, 2011


We will be having ONE service only at 9 AM this coming Sunday, August 7th. Do join us for worship. Coffee hour will be hosted by summer members and will lead into an all-parish conversation at which we will look ahead to September, October, and November, when the rector will be on Sabbatical. This will be a time for the Sabbatical Committee to share the plans that are now in place for the running of the parish, including clergy coverage and lay leadership, and for your questions to be addressed and suggestions heard. A refresher leave is not only a gift to the rector but also an exciting opportunity for the congregation. Please plan to stay for this discussion.

Dinner Bell servers last Sunday: Heidi, Haley, and Jennifer

Kitchen update: Plans are moving forward! Thanks to a very generous grant from the Tamworth Foundation, over the next few weeks our kitchen will see new counter-tops, a new stove, and a new prep sink! Please bear with any temporary inconveniences – such as removed moldings and some rearrangement of counter-top items. Thanks also go to Duane Dale and Vic DeGroot who will be doing the necessary demolition to make the new work possible!

The Rummage Sale is coming…August 26th and 27th! So start sorting those clothes that you haven’t worn for a year and gather them together for drop-off on the 23rd or 24th. And if you are able, sign up for a few hours of helping with set-up, selling, and clean-up. Many hands make like work! In addition, if you would like to set up a craft or white-elephant booth of your own outside, please contact Debra in the office. We ask only a contribution from your sales ($10? 10%? 100%? It’s your choice.)

Readings for Sunday: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:13-21

Food for thought, prayer, and action….
Those of you who were with us last Sunday will remember that we heard as our Gospel Matthew’s account of Jesus calling Peter to step out of the boat and walk across the water to him. In my homily I reflected on Tom Reinfuss’s discernment process in light of that story. On Monday morning I found a book on my desk from our affiliate member Ray Walker entitled If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat!” by John Ortberg. I’m only two chapters into this poignant and humorous book which focuses very directly on the ways in which “water-walking” brings a deeper connection to God, and, conversely, NOT stepping out of the boat at all “leads to stagnation, unrealized potential, and unfilled longings,” as well as to a sense that “I’m not living my life; the one I was supposed to live.”
NOT stepping out leads...

To sinful patterns of behavior that never get confronted and changed,
Abilities and gifts that never get cultivated and deployed –
Until weeks become month
And months turn into years,
And one day you’re looking back on a life
of Deep intimate gut-wrenchingly honest conversations you never had;
Great bold prayers you never prayed,
Exhilarating risks you never took,
Sacrificial gifts you never offered
Lives you never touched,
And you’re sitting in a recliner with a shriveled soul,
And forgotten dreams,
And you realize there is a world of desperate need,
And a great God calling you to be part of something bigger than yourself –
You see the person you could have become but did not;
You never followed your calling.
You never got out of the boat!”

This upcoming refresher leave time is an opportunity to all of us – you and me – to grow in our dependence on God and to “step out of the boat!” It’s a time to say “Yes!” Might there also be an interest in having a group read this book together, to discuss, encourage, and pray together during the fall?

See you in church.
Blessings,
Heidi+