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.
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+
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| Dale's friend Nadia proclaims the Gospel in Bulgarian. |
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| "Hail thee, festival day! Blest day that art hallowed for ever, day when the Holy Ghost shone in the world with God's grace!" |
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| Jackson brings his infectious spirit to our celebration! |
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| Preston exuberantly conducts Bernice for the postlude! |
