Thursday Memo: February 2013

February 28, 2013

One Service only for this coming Sunday, March 3rd, the Third Sunday in Lent will be at 9 am with Coffee hour following the service, hosted by Altar Guild.

Readings for this Sunday: Exodus 3:1-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Psalm 63:1-8; Luke 13:1-9.

Rev. Heidi and Duane are away on vacation and will be returning Tuesday, March 5th. If you need pastoral assistance, please call the office or contact Warden, Carol Tubman 539-2780 or Jr. Warden, Gretchen Behr-Svendsen 323-7459.

The Tuesday Group will be meeting this week (5th) for families. We’ll gather at 5:00 pm with our box suppers, eat together, then continue our Lenten Bible study and mask making project under Lisa Thompson’s guidance.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry book discussion group plans are underway. Please indicate your preferences as to meeting times on the poster in the Parish Hall or email Debra with your preferences:

A) Thurs. evenings, Mar 7 & 14, with soup at 6pm, discussion at 6:30.

B) Tues. evenings, Mar 12 & 19, discussion at 7pm.
C) Wed. mornings, Mar 6 & 13, discussion at 10am.

Our friends at church of the Holy Spirit in Plymouth thought we might be interested in this. Let our office know and Rev. Heidi will arrange for tickets.

Plymouth State U’s theatre program is performing Stephen Adly Guirgis’ 2005 play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot on the second weekend in March. This thought-provoking, occasionally profane, sometimes wildly funny play re-imagines the fate of Judas in a contemporary setting. Church of the Holy Spirit (and hopefully some folks from other local churches) will be seeing the show at the 2 PM performance on Saturday, March 9, and you are invited to come! There is no group ticketing rate for this production, but if you want to be seated as part of the group, please let Grace know (996-1490, holyspiritrector@gmail.com) by Feb. 20. You can also buy tickets on your own through the Silver Center box office (535-2787). After the show we will adjourn to “Beyond the Bean” on Main Street to discuss the play.

Blessings,

Heidi+

From the office at St. Andrew’s: Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-Noon

*******
Winter Weather Advisory!!! Please keep in mind during the winter when the weather looks questionable for safe travel to call the church before you leave home to check for schedule changes. If a storm comes in on Saturday evening or Sunday, I will make a judgment by 6:30 AM about whether to hold, cancel, or delay services. Cancellations will also be announced on WMWV radio 93.5. I will also send an email out to you if you have provided me with your email address. PLEASE do not travel if it feels unsafe to you. Enjoy a Sabbath morning at home and remember St. Andrew’s in your prayers.*******

February 21, 2013

Our bare Lenten altar with Ethopian Cross.

Services for this coming Sunday, February 24th, the Second Sunday in Lent will be at 8 and 10 am, with guest priest, Ellie McLaughlin. Coffee hour follows both services.

Readings for this Sunday: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35.

A reminder: Next Sunday, March 3^rd, will be ONE Service only at 9 AM.

Rev. Heidi and Duane are away on vacation and will be returning Tuesday, March 5th. If you need pastoral assistance, please call the office or contact Warden, Carol Tubman 539-2780 or Jr. Warden, Gretchen Behr-Svendsen 323-7459.

The Tuesday Group will be meeting this week (26^th) for families. We’ll gather at 5:00 pm with our box suppers, eat together, then begin our Lenten Bible study and mask making project under Lisa Thompson’s guidance.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry book discussion group plans are underway. Please indicate your preferences as to meeting times on the poster in the Parish Hall or email Debra with your preferences:

A) Thurs. evenings, Mar 7 & 14, with soup at 6pm, discussion at 6:30.

B) Tues. evenings, Mar 12 & 19, discussion at 7pm.
C) Wed. mornings, Mar 6 & 13, discussion at 10am.

Our friends at church of the Holy Spirit in Plymouth thought we might be interested in this. Let our office know and Rev. Heidi will arrange for tickets.

Blessings,

Heidi+

From the office at St. Andrew’s: Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-Noon

*******Winter Weather Advisory!!! Please keep in mind during the winter when the weather looks questionable for safe travel to call the church before you leave home to check for schedule changes. If a storm comes in on Saturday evening or Sunday, I will make a judgment by 6:30 AM about whether to hold, cancel, or delay services. Cancellations will also be announced on WMWV radio 93.5. I will also send an email out to you if you have provided me with your email address. PLEASE do not travel if it feels unsafe to you. Enjoy a Sabbath morning at home and remember St. Andrew’s in your prayers.

February 14, 2013

We began our evening liturgy with the
burning of the palms beneath a star-lit sky.

Services for this coming Sunday, February 3rd, the First Sunday in Lent will be at 8 and 10 am, with coffee hour following both services.

Readings for this Sunday: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13.

This past week has been a full one at Saint Andrew’s: the Bishop’s visit, which included the liturgy, at which Elizabeth Wiesner reaffirmed her baptism, and a parish discussion;

a fabulous Pancake Supper, with good food, the Pancake Toss,

and the Rector’s Discreet Tattoo Parlor; and a well-observed Ash Wednesday (at the church and at Lakeview). Please scroll down for a gallery of pictures, and take a look on Sunday in the Parish for more! (Thank you, Duane, for the pix, and thank you to George Rau and his amazing kitchen team for the food!)

Are you adventerous? Join the Scramblers event!

Join us for a “Parish Book Read:” The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. We will read the book on our own in February, then have several opportunities to gather to discuss it. This book is not overtly religious but how can a pilgrimage not be a spiritual endeavor? Consider inviting a friend to join you as a way of broadening our circle. It is a promising, page-turner of a book and will serve as a conversational jumping-off point as we relate Harold Fry’s pilgrimage and explore how our faith background shapes the ways in which we understand our lives. We will hold the discussions in early March. Sign-up sheets are on the easel in the Parish Hall. Books are available in the office for $14 or may be purchased on your own.

If you missed the Ash Wednesday service… Copies of the sermon by Peter Chrysologus, 5^th century bishop of Ravenna, which the rector referred to in her homily, are available by the bulletin board in the Parish Hall (printed on blue paper).

Looking for a way to enrich and focus your Lenten season? Here are some resources:

*Pick up a booklet of Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief & Development from the table in the Parish Hall.

*Visit the Episcopal monastery of Saint John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts on line at http://www.SSJE.org/word. They offer a daily video offering on Prayer.

*Visit www.dailyoffice.org to participate with others around the world who are praying Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer according to the book of Common Prayer. The appointed Bible readings are there, along with the canticles…and some additional material as well.

*You’ve heard about “March Madness,” right? Try Lent Madness at http://wp.me/p26lTn-t8 if you want something informative and WILDLY light-hearted. [Warning: this is NOT your grandfather’s Episcopal Church!]

Remember: This most useful Lenten devotional practice is one you can actually stay with and honor. Perhaps the simplest is to commit to setting aside five minutes each day to be still and fully aware – of your own body, your feelings, the sights, sounds, and smells around you – making yourself present to the Spirit.

Blessings,

Heidi+

From the office at St. Andrew’s: Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-Noon

*******Winter Weather Advisory!!! Please keep in mind during the winter when the weather looks questionable for safe travel to call the church before you leave home to check for schedule changes. If a storm comes in on Saturday evening or Sunday, I will make a judgment by 6:30 AM about whether to hold, cancel, or delay services. Cancellations will also be announced on WMWV radio 93.5. I will also send an email out to you if you have provided me with your email address. PLEASE do not travel if it feels unsafe to you. Enjoy a Sabbath morning at home and remember St. Andrew’s in your prayers.

*******

More Pictures from the Bishop's Visit:

More pictures from the Pancake Supper:

February 7, 2013

This coming Sunday, February 10, we welcome our new bishop, Rob Hirschfeld, to Saint Andrew’s–in-the-Valley. We will be having only ONE service at 10:00. Elizabeth Wiesner will be reaffirming her baptism, Bishop Rob will be preaching and presiding, and the choir has prepared music with guest musician Ron Wold on French Horn. The liturgy will be followed by a reception and an open conversation with the bishop. This is his first opportunity to get to us as a parish.

Readings for this Sunday, The Last Sunday after the Epiphany, are Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 and Luke 9:28-43a.

The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund: It is the church’s custom that contributions to the Bishop’s discretionary Fund be encouraged at the time of the Bishop’s visit to the parish. An envelope will be included in the bulletin for your convenience. This fund provides for the bishop to reach in a myriad of ways around the diocese where there is particular need.

Celebrating the life of Jim Brown: Saturday, February 9, 3 pm. Jim passed away last Sunday after a long and good life. (Call first if the snow is heavy.)

Calling all dried palms!!! Do you have palms from last Palm Sunday tucked behind a picture or into your Bible or Prayer Book? There’s a basket to receive them on the piano in the transept. They will be used to create ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Tuesday, February 12 at 6 pm. Enjoy an evening of wild, pre-Lenten festivity – Saint Andrew’s style! Wear wild clothes, beads, and a mask if you choose! We will have a Pancake Toss (Yes, you get to throw some food around!) and a Pancake Flipping Race, as well as a chance to decorate some Alleluias that we will “bury” (=hide) in the church to find at Easter. Ladies are invited to stop in at the Rector’s Discrete Tattoo Parlor! The menu: Pancakes (with or without blueberries), homemade applesauce, sausage, real local maple syrup, with brownie sundaes for dessert! Spread the word. Invite your friends. The modest cost for all this is $5 for each adult or teen and $2 for children 12 and under. 50% of the proceeds will support our Outreach and Mission projects.

On Ash Wednesday we will have three services: Morning Prayer at 9 AM, Imposition of Ashes and Eucharist at noon and 7 PM. The evening liturgy will begin with the burning of the palms outside the main door. “Return to me with all your heart.” says the Lord your God, for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abiding in steadfast love.

Special thanks to our “Heroes of the Week,” George Rau, David Manly, and Tom Reinfuss who moved furniture out then back in to the Parish Hall and Prince Room for the professional cleaning of the carpets. What a difference!

Thanks to all who made the Annual Meeting such a success – committee chairs, cooks, clean-up squad, and the faithfulness and generosity of the people of Saint Andrew’s throughout the year. And if you missed the meeting, Annual Reports are in your mail boxes. By unanimous acclaim of the Vestry, this year’s special recognition went to Duane Dale who is shown here receiving “The Golden Shovel Award” from out-going senior warden, Sammie Wakefield!

Join us for a “Parish Book Read:” The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. We will read the book on our own in February, then have several opportunities to gather to discuss it. This book is not overtly religious but how can a pilgrimage not be a spiritual endeavor? Consider inviting a friend to join you as a way of broadening our circle. It is a promising, page-turner of a book and will serve as a conversational jumping-off point as we relate Harold Fry’s pilgrimage and explore how our faith background shapes the ways in which we understand our lives. We will hold the discussions in early March. Sign up sheets are on the easel in the Parish Hall. Books are $13 and may be purchased in the office or on your own. It is also available as an e-book through your preferred resource.

Click the link below, then scroll down for a terrific 4-minute video interview with the author.
http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Pilgrimage-Harold-Fry-Novel/dp/0812993292

A Special “Heartsong Workshop, Saturday, February 16^th, from 10-3:

WHAT: Singing, Chanting, Drumming, and Movement
WHO: Adults and young people (9+ or younger and musically enthusiastic) ready to delve into sound, silence, and Spirit. No musical ability needed!
WHY: To build community, grow spiritually, and “sing your way to your sweetest identity!”
This workshop will be held at Holy Cross Church in Weare (near Concord). It will be led by Ana Hernandez, a Composer, performer, and author of a wonderful book, The Sacred Art of Chant.
If your at all interested, let Rev. Heidi know and we can register a group of us.

Food for thought on relationship as we move from Epiphany into Lent:

God has created you as you are…. In God’s scheme of things, God has plans for a relationship with you that lasts forever, a relationship which only grows in intimacy over the years. It’s like an eternal infatuation. You’re always on God’s mind…. –Br. Curtis Almquist

Live into the varied richness of these coming days…and enjoy the snow!

Blessings,
Heidi+

January 31, 2013

A VERY wet day this morning in paradise ...

and a dry basement, thanks to our recent gutter/drainage improvements!

One Service only at 9 am this coming Sunday, February 3rd, the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, followed by the Annual Meeting. Get here any way you can. We are required to have a quorum for the meeting to be valid! If you need a ride, call the office. Please plan to join us in the parish hall after church for a sit-down brunch, followed by our Annual Meeting. Come celebrate being the parish we are, and say thank you to Sammie Wakefield – who is stepping down after 5 years as Senior Warden – and other retiring vestry members. Then vote for new ones! See the slate below. Bring a dish for the food table and we will all feast together!

Readings for this Sunday: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30.

The Women’s Lunch Bunch will meet a week early this month due to Ash Wednesday. They will meet on February 6th at the Mountain View Station Restaurant in Center Ossipee at Noon. All are welcome; please call Dale at 539-3761 if you have questions.

The Fun-Raising Committee would like to invite all interested persons to a wine & cheese/dessert & coffee social 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6th at St. Andrew's. Please come hear about what we've got planned for 2013 and how you can get involved to make it all happen. If you have any questions, please call Lynne Clough at 323-7046 or e-mail her at littlefarm239@roadrunner.com.

Next Sunday, February 10^th – ONE service at 10:00 am. Come welcome our new bishop, Rob Hirschfeld, for his first visit with us; support Elizabeth Wiesner as she makes a reaffirmation of her baptismal vows; and take time during the reception following the liturgy to introduce yourself to our new bishop.

The Nominating Committee presents the following slate for 2013:

Senior Warden: Carol Tubman (1^st year of two-year term)
Clerk: Chris Mills (1^st one-year term)
Treasurer: Bob Seston (2^nd one-year term)

Vestry:

Lynne Clough for a one-year term (to fulfill Chris Mills’s unexpired term)
Barbara Lord (1^st year of two-year term)
David Manley (1^st year of two-year term)
George Rau (1^st year of second two-year term)
Phil Wallick (1^st year of second two-year term)

Convocation/Convention Delegates:

Bruce Kennedy (1^st year of second 2-year term)
Cathy Lewis (1^st year of second 2-year term)
Kaitlyn Marshall (Youth Representative)
George Rau (1^st year of second 2-year term)
Parish Representative to Nominating Committee: Lisa Thompson

Lent is coming! Prepare for the pilgrimage by bringing in your last year’s palms for burning. There will be a basket on the piano …

And mark your calendars for…

*Our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at 6pm on February 12. (Contact George Rau (323-8223) is you’d be willing to lend a hand in the kitchen.)

*Ash Wednesday services on February 13: 9 am Morning Prayer, Holy Eucharist with imposition of ashes at noon and 7pm.

*Join us for a parish book read: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a novel by Rachel Joyce. Want to join us? We will read it this month and then find a couple different times to get together and talk about it in early March. It is not an outwardly “religious” book, but will be a good jumping off point for some conversation about courage, forgiveness, relationships, living, dying, love, pilgrimage and redemption and ultimately how our faith affects our actions! Consider inviting a friend to join you so that we can broaden out circle. If you would like to order a copy of the book, please check out the poster on the easel in the Parish Hall. Later in March we will have a showing of the film “The Way,” another reflection on pilgrimage.

Food for thought at the time of the Feast of the Presentation…

This Saturday is the fortieth day after the Nativity. In Jesus’ time, after forty days a Jewish woman who had delivered a child was considered ritually pure, restored to “health and vitality,” and able to be received in the temple precepts and return to public life and corporate worship. [See Luke 2:22-40.] This passage relays the story as Mary and Joseph and the 40-day old Jesus come to the Temple to offer their ritual sacrifice of two turtle doves. They are greeted by the wonderful elderly pair – Simeon and Anna – who miraculously see in the simplicity of the parents and the Holy Child the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Lord God, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised, for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior whom you have prepared for all the world to see, a light to enlighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel. This brief passage is the canticle known as the Nunc dimittis or the Song of Simeon, regularly said as the second canticle for Evening Prayer and Compline.

February 2nd marks the close of the Christmas season. By tradition it is also the appropriate time to take down the remaining Christmas wreaths, crèches, and other decorations. In the words of an old English carol, “Down with the rosemary and bays, down with the mistletoe; instead of holly, now upraise your greener box for show. The holly hitherto did sway; let box now domineer, until the dancing Easter Day, or Easter’s Eve appear!” So for us, here in New Hampshire, the pine and spruce come down from our altar. And maybe we can locate some box to take the place!

See you in church!

Blessings, Heidi+

From the office at St. Andrew’s: Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-Noon

*******

Winter Weather Advisory!!! Please keep in mind during the winter when the weather looks questionable for safe travel to call the church before you leave home to check for schedule changes. If a storm comes in on Saturday evening or Sunday, I will make a judgment by 6:30 AM about whether to hold, cancel, or delay services. Cancellations will also be announced on WMWV radio 93.5. I will also send an email out to you if you have provided me with your email address. PLEASE do not travel if it feels unsafe to you. Enjoy a Sabbath morning at home and remember St. Andrew’s in your prayers.

*******

UPCOMING WEEK’S CALENDAR:

Fri 2/1:
10 AM-noon Food Center

Sat 2/2:
8 PM AA & Al-Anon (PH,PR)

Sun 2/3:
                9 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II
Annual Meeting following Service
                5 PM Dinner Bell
            (Cook Team: Manley)

Mon 2/4: Church office closed

6:30-8:30 PM Boy Scout Troop (PH)

Tue 2/5:

                10 AM – noon Food Center
                8 PM AA Step Meeting

Wed 2/6:
                9 AM Service of Morning Prayer

Thu 2/7: