May 30th, 2013
Saint Andrew’s-in-the-Valley
Thursday MEMO

This coming Sunday, June 2, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, there will be ONE service only at 9:00. The coffee hour will be hosted by the Vestry. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.


LATE-BREAKING NEWS: Mark your calendars!

The Vestry invites you to AN ALL-PARISH PICNIC at White Lake Park, off of route 16 in Tamworth, on Sunday, June 23rd! We have reserved the pavilion. We will gather at 10:30 a.m. for an informal outdoor eucharist that will be followed by the picnic and social and recreation time! Hamburgers, hotdogs, and veggie burgers – and the grills to grill them on – will be supplied. We ask you to bring salad, chips, beverages, or desserts. The lake will be available for swimming and kayaking. The lake is shallow for quite a distance, so it will warm up quickly and will not pose deep water risks for young ones. The pavilion and the rest rooms are wheel-chair accessible, so our hope is that it will be a fun, multi-generational gathering for everyone. Feel free to invite your friends.
The regular 8:00 service will be held at Saint Andrew’s as well.

The new grass is growing!
Thank  you, George!

Copies of People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity, a book recommended by our bishop that is being read by Vestry members, are now available in the office. The cost is $15, checks payable to St. Andrew’s. We have ordered extra copies, so if you are interested, please pick one up. There is a “borrowable” copy as well. This book will jump-start an ongoing conversation about what’s next for us. Start reading. Start thinking and reflecting.
 We will be offering some Meal & Conversation opportunities this month. See the sign-up sheet on the easel in the Parish Hall. As the title implies, the book explores what is at the heart of Episcopal identity and the mission of the church, opening us up to new awareness, understandings and opportunities.

Questions about John Booty’s burial last weekend:
We remembered John in our prayers last Sunday with reference to the interring of his ashes. A number of people have asked me whether they had missed the service. Here’s the clarification. Last Saturday 25 of his family members gathered on the family farm to celebrate John’s life with a simple Prayer Book Burial Office and Committal service.

On Saturday, July 13th, at 3 pm we will celebrate his life here at Saint Andrew’s with a Requiem Eucharist for which our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Rob Hirschfeld, will be the celebrant, the Rev. Ellen Aitkin (a former student of John’s, a scholar, and professor at McGill University in Montreal) will be the preacher, and the Rev. Clare Fischer-Davies (also a former student of John’s, as well as rector of Saint Andrew’s-in-the-Valley from 1986-1990) will be vocal soloist.

Since John’s scholarly work, writing, and teaching have touched so many in the Episcopal Church, and because he has been so loved and admired, I expect we may have quite a number of guests. John dearly loved Saint Andrew’s and being part of this parish family. I hope you will plan to be with us on July 13 to celebrate and give thanks to God for John, and that you will plan to bring a contribution for the reception table. This will be another golden opportunity for us welcome guests and to share our beloved church Saint Andrew’s with new friends.


The summer Mountain Top is in the works.
Material is due in electronic form to Debra by Friday, June 7.

Readings for this coming Sunday: 1 Kings 18:20-39, Psalm 96, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10

Food for thought on the topic of Hospitality from Br. David Vryhof, SSJE…
True Christian hospitality requires a giving of ourselves, an opening up of who we are, a willingness to stretch our sometimes-narrow lives to step outside of our comfort zones. If we truly try to follow Jesus, our outlook on the world – especially its strangers, its poor, its homeless, its helpless, its needy, even its enemies – will be forever changed.

See you in church.
Blessings, Heidi+

May 23, 2013

St. Andrew’s-in-the-Valley Thursday MEMO

 Drawing Our Prayers...

Never underestimate the attentiveness and sincerity of our children. This is the Gospel procession: Rev. Heidi, in orange with green Gospel Book, Chris in yellow, Peg R. and "Tall Tom" with torches, Preston as crucifer with the cross. Clearly the gospel is GOOD NEWS! Look at the smiles! 

Thank you, Preston, for sharing your work with us!



Services this coming Sunday, May 26, Trinity Sunday and the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, will be at 8 and 10m AM with coffee hour following both services. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship. This marks the unofficial beginning of summer. Summer friends are now returning. It’s the perfect way to reconnect after a long winter.

Following the later service, we will be interring Joe Mullen’s ashes with a brief committal service in our Memorial Garden. All are welcome.

Don't miss more Pentecost pictures below. Special thanks to all our multi-lingual readers: Dale (English), Lisa (French), Cecile (German), Val (Spanish), Nadia (Bulgarian), Heidi (Latin).


Copies have been ordered of People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity, a book recommended by our bishop, that is being read by Vestry members. We hope to have them available in the office this Sunday. The cost is $15, checks payable to St. Andrew’s. We have ordered extra copies, so if you are interested, please pick up a copy. There will be a “borrowable” copy as well. This book will jump-start an ongoing conversation about what’s next for us. Start reading. Start thinking and reflecting.  We will be offering some Meal & Conversation opportunities next month and following. As the title implies, the book explores what is at the heart of Episcopal identity and the mission of the church, opening us up to new awareness, understandings and opportunities.

The Rev. Charles LaFond, who has served for seven years as our diocesan Canon for Stewardship and Congregational Life, has been called to a new position at the Cathedral of Saint John in Denver, Colorado, to begin in July. Clergy and diocesan lay leaders gathered last weekend in Concord for a celebratory meal and send-off, which included opportunities for sharing stories of gratitude for all that Charles has brought to this diocese.
Thank you, Charles! We'll miss you!



Food for thought and prayer as we approach Trinity Sunday...

Trinitie Sunday, by George  Herbert (1593-1633)
(Notice how he holds together for us the sense of three in one.)

Lord, who hast form'd me out of mud,
And hast redeem'd me through thy bloud,
And sanctifi'd me to do good;

Purge all my sinnes done heretofore:
For I confess my heavie score,
And I will strive to sinne no more.

Enrich my heart, mouthe, hands in me,
With faith, with hope, with charitie;
That I may runne, rise, rest with thee.

As Susanna Metz puts it, "One poem that brings together the Trinity of creator, redeemer, and sanctifier; the understanding that repentance and forgiveness also come from the God who loves us so that, as the third stanza of the poem tells us, we flow with the energy that grace gives us."

See you in church!
Heidi+

Dale's friend Nadia proclaims the Gospel in Bulgarian.

"Hail thee, festival day! Blest day that art hallowed for ever, day when the Holy Ghost shone in the world with God's grace!"

Jackson brings his infectious spirit to our celebration!

Preston exuberantly conducts Bernice for the postlude!

May 16, 2013

Services for this coming Sunday, May 19^th, the Day of Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 am with guest trumpeter, Randy Ouellette. Remember to wear red (or orange or magenta!) in celebration of the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit!

Readings for this Sunday: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35; 37; Roman s8:14-17; John 20:19-23.

Debra, from the office,  is on vacation and will be returning June 4th.  Please contact Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale if you should need office assistance in her absence.

Sunday, May 12th, George Rau joined Tom Reinfuss for a visit on a ship in Portland Maine. George reflects, “My first comment is that I can now appreciate why you love this ministry! As I approached the day of the visit, I was nervous about many things. This concern was quickly put to rest. The boarding of the ship was very exciting. Going up the gangway and seeing this huge tanker first hand is amazing. I was most struck by the reception by the captain and especially the crew of both Tom and Seafarer’s Friend as a whole! They are truly a special group of individuals who both need and seek this association. I loved the chance to experience why Seafarer’s Friend is such a special place for one Tom R. Thanks for a very special day.”

 

 

Our summer altar flowers program is underway. If you wish to provide flowers from your garden please complete an envelope from the Altar flower chart in the Parish Hall and turn in to the office. Thank you. We encourage flowers to be given in memory, in honor of or in thanksgiving.  If you do not have garden flowers and would like flowers to be ordered ($20), please note that accordingly on the flower chart and submission envelope.

 

There are many building projects to be completed during our good weather!  If you are able and would like to help out, please contact George Rau (Building and Grounds Committee) and/or Duane Dale (Building Projects) to see where you might lend a hand.
Please mark your calendar:
We will be interring Joe Mullin’s ashes on May 26^th, Trinity Sunday, in our Memorial Garden following the 10:00 service. David invites you to join us for this brief committal service.

 The Celebration of the Life of the Reverence John Booty will be held here at Saint Andrew's on Saturday, July 13^th.

Food for thought and reflection from Barbara Cawthorne Crafton as we approach the Feast Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit…
The Spirit gives the gift of life – Gave it at creation and gave it at the first Pentecost – Gives it in the moment of forgiveness and in every sacrament of the church – Gives it at birth and continues to give it throughout life – Gives it at the moment of death and afterward, when we are all in Christ and Christ is in all.

Blessings,
Heidi+

May 16, 2013

Thursday MEMO for May 9, 2013

Services for this coming Sunday, May 12^th, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, will be at 8 and 10 am with guest preacher, The Rev. Patricia Stelz. Rev. Heidi and Duane are on vacation in California and will be returning on the 15^th. In her absence, the Rev. Pat Stelz will be presiding and preaching for both services. She’s looking forward to being back, having covered once in the winter. Enjoy her; she has just accepted an interim position in Massachusetts so will no longer be available to us.

Readings for this Sunday: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26.

Thank you to the many hands who stayed to help with the spring cleanup last Sunday. The last few items from the grove are gradually finding their way to the dump for a nice clean look to the Church’s backyard.
Tom, Jonathan, Carol and Sammie were part of the crew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim works on demolishing an ancient picnic table.

 

 

 

Progress is being made on the ramp area.  Loam was delivered last week and will be seeded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many projects to be completed!  If you are able and would like to help out, please contact George Rau (Building and Grounds Committee) and/or Duane Dale (Building Projects) to see where you might lend a hand.

Please mark your calendar: The Celebration of the Life of the Reverence John Booty will be held here at Saint Andrew's on Saturday, July 13th, the time yet to be decided. John died at

Happy Spring!

Debra

May 2, 2013

The cast of The Murder at Kirkstone Manor

There will be ONE service only at 9 am this coming Sunday, May 5th, the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Our Spring Work Day will follow the service. 

All-Parish Spring Work Day this Sunday! Come and join in the fun and satisfaction of sprucing up our grounds for the growing season. The forecast is for fair weather, so remember to bring your hat and sunscreen along with your work gloves, rakes, tarps, and your favorite gardening tools. Yes, you’re welcome to wear your gardening clothes to church. George Rau, our Property Committee chair, and Carol Tubman, our Senior Warden, have done some good planning of the work that needs to be done. The Liturgy Committee will be providing hearty coffee hour food to fuel us all and ice tea and lemonade to keep us hydrated! Come, team up, and have a good time. People of all abilities  are needed. What better way to celebrate Rogation Sunday, the day appointed for asking God’s blessing on all that grows – our “vineyards, flocks, and fields!”

Readings for this Sunday: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29.

The Women’s Lunch Bunch will meet next Wednesday, May 8th at noon, at the Mountain View Station Restaurant in Center Ossipee.  Contact Dale Appleton if you have questions.

By all measures the Mystery Dinner was a wonderful success. Huge thanks go to: Chris Mills (script creator and director); actors Tom Reinfuss, Lisa Thompson, Chris Mills, Kaitlyn Marshall, Duane Dale, Heidi Frantz-Dale, John McGowan, George and Patti Rau, John Marshall, and Val May; chief kitchen-planner and chef Sally DeGroot, ably assisted by Jim Leavens and  a very capable wait-staff of Bill May, Dale Appleton, Gretchen Behr-Svendsen, Peg Reinfuss, Cathie Lewis, Lynne Clough, Carol Tubman, and David Manley; Lynne Clough and Duane Dale took the lead on publicity; Carol worked with Lee Custer and Art Knowles on the set; Duane provided cast photography and video. We were blessed with a wonderfully appreciative and responsive audience. Thanks also to our bevy of dessert chefs and to all who lent a hand for set-up and clean-up as well, especially Debra who cleaned the oven! The evening was a thoroughly collaborative event – yes, a lot of hard work, but a whole lot of spirited fun!

See more photos below:

Here are the preliminary figures:  Our total income was $1633.  Taking off about $400 for expenses, we'll net about $1233, which is a little ahead of last year. Half of this will go to support our outreach projects and half will support our operating budget.

And to keep you informed….Duane and I will be leaving on Monday morning for 10 days away, primarily visiting our son Chris in California, returning to work on Thursday, May 16th. The Rev. Pat Steltz will be taking the services during my absence. She’s looking forward to being back, having covered once in the winter. Enjoy her; she has just accepted an interim position in Massachusetts so will no longer be available to us.

Please mark your calendar: The Celebration of the Life of the Very Reverend Dr. John Booty will be held here at Saint Andrew's on Saturday, July 13th, the time yet to be decided. John died at home on April 17th.

Greetings from Ed and Marie Walters! Peg and Tom stopped in on Ed and Marie in their new home in South Carolina when they were nearby visiting Tom’s mom. There’re doing well and are in a great community.

Good News Food for thought from Br. Eldridge Pendleton, SSJE:

God’s glory will shine through our lives. It will also shine in our faces, the shine that comes from knowing God loves us personally, deeply, and has given us work to do, to bring the promise and light of God’s transforming love to our broken and despairing world.  

 Blessings in the season of glory and new growth!

Heidi+ 

More from the Mystery Dinner: