September 26, 2013

The bells of St. Andrew's

The services for this coming Sunday, September 29th, the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM. We will welcome Tom Reinfuss, our postulant to the Vocational Diaconate, as our homilist and will offer our "official" Saint Andrew's blessing and send-off as he begins his formal training. Please join us as well for coffee hour in his and Peggy's honor.

Sunday’s eucharist will be offered to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life of Roy Grace. Roy died last December and at that time a congregation of over 400 family, friends and, colleagues celebrated his life with a the Burial Office. Since September 30 is the anniversary of his birth, it will an appropriate time to celebrate this eucharist in his memory.

Readings for this Sunday: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31.

The Blessing of the Animals! Next Sunday, the first Sunday of October, we will have ONE service only at 9 AM. In honor of the Feast Day of Saint Francis, your feathered, furry, or finned friends are invited to join you for church and a special blessing! (Please: Dogs on leashes, cats caged. Any large animals wanting a blessing should come to the front lawn at 10:45.) The transept will be reserved as a non-animal area for humans with sensitivities to fur. Do spread the word with your friends -- human and otherwise :-)

The success of our booth at the Sandwich Fair depends on what we sell and sufficient staffing of our booth. The signup list for booth-tenders is near the kitchen door in the Parish Hall. Please help out. We're counting on you. If you are willing to bake or do jams and jellies, see Carol Tubman or Lynne Clough. (See below for preparation details.)

The Rector's Discretionary Fund, the source of assistance that we provide to people in deep financial need, is in need of replenishment. If you are able, please make a contribution, designating such on the memo line of a check or using a Discretionary Fund envelope. Thank you.

There is a Service of Morning Prayer every Wednesday at 9 AM. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.

Two happy Families!

A new parish directory is in the works!!! Please check with Duane for a new picture or if you happen to have a favorite “head shot” of your own, you are welcome to email your picture to Debra in the office (office@standrewsinthevalley.org). Even if we have your picture from a previous directory, maybe it’s time to update it? Thanks.

The Lakes Region Convocation will be meeting here on Tuesday, October 1^st. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear about the resolutions for our Diocesan Convention in November, so consider yourself invited! As host parish, we are the providers of refreshments for the evening. If you can lend a hand with refreshments and radical hospitality, please talk to Bruce Kennedy, our Senior Delegate.

 

Preparations are continuing for the Sandwich Fair – October 12-14. If you can make jams and jellies- great! Also looking for donated baked goods for the fair in addition to preserves, specifically: small-sized quick breads, whoopie pies, and cookies.  These are preferable and seem to be more what fairgoers want over full-sized pies (but we definitely will want those for the pie auction!) and cakes. Contributors need to contact Carol Tubman at cctubman@msn.com about preserves that they are making or Lynne Clough at littlefarm239@roadrunner.com about baked goods.  Lynne has collected many recipes for different types of whoopie pies and is happy to share them.  The standard chocolate with vanilla cream filling did not sell as well as the fall-flavored ones, such as pumpkin and gingerbread.  Carol will be preparing labels for all food products, so she will need to be e-mailed a list of ingredients and quantities of whatever will be contributed.

Food Pantry Donations:  We are a low on some foods and on miscellaneous “non-food” items. If you have a chance to add to our Sunday food basket or drop items off during church open hours, it would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions: Mac n’ cheese, spaghetti sauce, instant coffee, shampoo, dish soap, evaporated milk, elbow macaroni.  Thank you. Peg R.

Food for thought … continuing from last Sunday’s sermon:

We had two lively discussion last Sunday about the Parable of the Dishonest Manager¸ (Luke 16:1-13), a perplexing passage for many. If you are interested in pursuing it further, you might be interested in this conversation on Episcopal Café with comments from clergy and lay people from across the church. It can be disorienting, and even upsetting, when scripture passages are difficult to understand. Sometimes we truly need to be part of a praying and interpreting community to discover the life-giving word – and even then, we may need to wrestle together! Never hesitate to ask if you feel stymied. Remember, we are all together on this journey in Christ. http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/ethics/the_parable_of_the_dishonest_m.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+episcopalcafe+%28Episcopal+Cafe%29

 Almighty God, give us your children grace to understand and live the wisdom and truth that is in Christ Jesus; Grant that by his teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  [Collect for a theologian and Teacher, adapted. BCP p. 249]

See you in church this Sunday as we celebrate the dynamic life of our parish with Tom and Peg’s send-off and our upholding of Judy and Larry.

Heidi +

September 19, 2013

St. Andrew's-in-the-Valley

The services for this coming Sunday, September 22nd, the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM, with coffee hour following each service.

Readings for this Sunday: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13.

There is a Service of Morning Prayer every Wednesday at 9 AM. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.

Plan to be with us on Sunday September 29^th. Tom Reinfuss, our postulant for the vocational diaconate, has begun his training program, which will keep him occupied at churches other than St. Andrew’s on most Sunday’s, and because of this, we will be seing less of Peg as well. On the 29^th we will give them our official send-off – knowing that, since we are Tom’s home parish, they will continue to be part of us. Tom will take the pulpit that Sunday to bring us up to speed about the details of his journey forward, we will give them a special blessing, and honor them at coffee hour..

A new parish directory is in the works!!! Now we need your picture! Duane will be here on Sunday to do photos after the service. Please see him in the “photo studio corner” of the Parish Hall. If you have already left town for the season or happen to have a favorite “head shot” of your own, you are welcome to email your picture to Debra in the office (office@standrewsinthevalley.org). Even if we have your picture from a previous directory, maybe it’s time to update it? Thanks.

The next Lakes Region Convocation meeting will be held here at St Andrew's on Tuesday, October 1^st. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear about the resolutions for our Diocesan Convention in November, so consider yourself invited! And since we are the host parish, we are the providers of refreshments for the evening. If you can lend a hand with refreshments and radical hospitality, please talk to Bruce Kennedy, our Senior Delegate.



Jams & jellies 2012

Preparations are continuing for the Sandwich Fair – October 12-14. If you can make jams and jellies- great! Also looking for donated baked goods for the fair in addition to preserves, specifically: small-sized quick breads, whoopie pies, and cookies. These are preferable and seem to be more what fairgoers want over full-sized pies (but we definitely will want those for the pie auction!) and cakes. Contributors need to contact Carol Tubman at cctubman@msn.com about preserves that they are making or Lynne Clough at littlefarm239@roadrunner.com about baked goods. Lynne has collected many recipes for different types of whoopie pies and is happy to share them. The standard chocolate with vanilla cream filling did not sell as well as the fall-flavored ones, such as pumpkin and gingerbread. Carol will be preparing labels for all food products, so she will need to be e-mailed a list of ingredients and quantities of whatever will be contributed. Gretchen is the person to call (323-7459) with offers to decorate gourds and to cover shifts at St. Andrew's place at the fair.

 

A sign-up sheet for volunteering at the Fair is in the Parish Hall. Please be sure to note the time and day for yourself and find a substitute if you are unable to be there. Thank you in advance for your help. 

Look for the signup for baking next week.

Baked goods 2011

 

Save the date: Sunday September 29^th. Tom Reinfuss, our postulant for the vocational diaconate, has begun his training program, which will keep him occupied at churches other than St. Andrew’s on most Sunday’s, and because of this, we will be seing less of Peg as well. On the 29^th we will give them our official send-off – knowing that, since we are Tom’s home parish, they will continue to be part of us. Tom will take the pulpit that Sunday to bring us up to speed about the details of his journey forward, we will give them a special blessing, and honor them at coffee hour..

Food Pantry Donations:  We are a low on some foods and on miscellaneous “non-food” items. If you have a chance to add to our Sunday food basket or drop items off during church open hours, it would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions: Mac n’ cheese, spaghetti sauce, instant coffee, shampoo, dish soap, evaporated milk, elbow macaroni.  Thank you. Peg R.

September 12, 2013

A sign of September: Our locust tree (mountain ash) in full fruit behind the rector's office. Yes, insects have feasted on the leaves, but the fruit is abundant. Perhaps there's a message in that.

The services for this coming Sunday, September 15th, the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM, with coffee hour following each service.

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

There is a Service of Morning Prayer every Wednesday at 9 AM. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.

A new parish directory is in the works!!! Now we need your picture! Duane will be here on Sunday to do photos after the service. Please see him in the “photo studio corner” of the Parish Hall. If you have already left town for the season or happen to have a favorite “head shot” of your own, you are welcome to email your picture to Debra in the office (office@standrewsinthevalley.org). Even if we have your picture from a previous directory, maybe it’s time to update it? Thanks.

Thank you to all who contributed to our Annual Rummage Sale. As we all know there is a definite need in our community and your donations help fill this need. A huge THANK YOU to all of my helpers:  Dale Appleton, Gretchen Behr-Svendsen, Lynne Clark, Lynne Clough, June Donovan, Sara Kelley, Claudia Kennedy, Cathie Lewis, Grete Plender, Peg Reinfuss, Elaine South, Lisa Thompson, Sammie Wakefield, Heidi –  and the men, Frank Lombardi, John McGowan and Brooks South.  Many hands made for a very successful sale making over $800.  If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize and thank you.  Peace, Diane Lombardi.

The Lakes Region Convocation met at Trinity Church, Meredith on September 3^rd. St Andrew's-in-the-Valley was represented by a six-member delegation (by far the largest).  The evening agenda centered around the Diocesan 2014 Budget with an enthusiastic give and take in the discussion.  Several questions were raised that will require further clarification by the Diocesan representatives. 
The next Convocation meeting will be held here at St Andrew's on Tuesday, October 1^st. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear about the resolutions for our Diocesan Convention in November, so consider yourself invited! And since we are the host parish, we are the providers of refreshments for the evening. If you can lend a hand with refreshments and radical hospitality, please talk to Bruce Kennedy, our Senior Delegate.

Food Pantry Note:  We are a little low on some foods and on miscellaneous “non-food” items. If you have a chance to add to our Sunday food basket or drop items off during church open hours, it would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions: Mac n’ cheese, spaghetti sauce, instant coffee, shampoo, dish soap, evaporated milk, elbow macaroni.  Thank you. Peg R.

Jams and jellies fair display 2012

Preparations are ramping up for the Sandwich Fair – October 12-14.

Calling all jam- and jelly-makers!!! This year will be depending on the “value added” items even more than in the past, so we need your help. Please let Gretchen know (323-7459). 

We are also looking for people with artistic and crafting skills to help with turning dried gourds into decorative items. A team is already underway and some beautiful items have been created, but we’d welcome more helpers for this fun and satisfying project.

Save the date: Sunday September 29^th. Tom Reinfuss, our postulant for the vocational diaconate, has begun his training program, which will keep him occupied at churches other than St. Andrew’s on most Sunday’s, and because of this, we will be seing less of Peg as well. On the 29^th we will give them our official send-off – knowing that, since we are Tom’s home parish, they will continue to be part of us. Tom will take the pulpit that Sunday to bring us up to speed about the details of his journey forward, we will give them a special blessing, and honor them at coffee hour..

Food for thought…

As part of last Sunday’s dialogue sermon with the children, we were working with the idea presented in the reading from Jeremiah that God is the potter and we are the clay. Our young people were each given a small piece of malleable, white clay that could be hardened only with heat in the oven. As each of them worked their clay, at first there were complaints that the clay was too hard and couldn’t be worked. (Are we ever so hard or resistant that God has a tough time shaping us?) But as the clay soften in their hands different forms began to emerge – balls, snakes, bowls, snails, and blossoms. A question was posed: In what way might God be trying to shape you? Someone suggested, “in God’s image.” And what might that mean? Loving. Helpful… And what about the clay? What might you do with the clay? “Make something useful. Make something beautiful” Useful. Beautiful.

What if we were able to simplify our possessions such that everything we have is either useful or beautiful? Imagine how that might change your life? What is it that gets in the way of making that a possibility?

See you in Church!                 –

Heidi+

September 5, 2013

The services for this coming Sunday, September 8th, the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, will be at 8 and 10 AM, with coffee hour following each service.  

Readings for this Sunday: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-5,13-17; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33.

There is a Service of Morning Prayer every Wednesday at 9 AM. We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship. This coming Wednesday there will also be a Round Table Eucharist in the Prince Room at 6:00 to which all are welcome. It’s followed by brown bag supper at 6:30 and the Vestry meeting at 7:00.

A new parish directory is in the works!!! Now we need your picture! Duane will be available to do photos after the service this coming Sunday. Please see him in the “photo studio corner” of the Parish Hall. If you have already left town for the season or happen to have a favorite “head shot” of your own, you are welcome to email your picture to Debra in the office (office@standrewsinthevalley.org). Even if we have your picture from a previous directory, maybe it’s time to update it? Thanks.

Our Annual Rummage Sale is this Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 to 3. $5 for a whole bag of clothes! Come and look for treasures among the piles! Thank you to the hard working volunteers, especially Diane Lombardi, who have put in many hours this week setting up. Thank you, too, to those of you who have made clothing contributions. The team would love some extra hands around 2:30 Saturday to bag up what doesn’t sell. Many hand make light work … an hour at the most!

Food Pantry Note:  We are a little low on some foods and on miscellaneous “non-food” items. If you have a chance to add to our Sunday food basket or drop items off during church open hours, it would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions: Mac n’ cheese, spaghetti sauce, instant coffee, shampoo, dish soap, evaporated milk, elbow macaroni.  Thank you. Peg R.

Preparations are beginning for the Sandwich Fair – October 12-14.

Calling all jam- and jelly-makers!!! This year will be depending on the “value added” items even more than in the past. Take advantage of the fresh fruit and berry. If you know where elderberries or blackberries are plentiful for picking, let Gretchen know (323-7459).  We are also looking for people with artistic and crafting skills to help with turning dried gourds into decorative items –

 

We do well at being a welcoming parish, but here’s the question: How do we move beyond just being welcoming to become a truly inviting Parish? Join with your rector and some vestry members for this year’s Evangelism Institute on Saturday, September 21, 2013, from 10:00 to 3:00 at Lake Opechee Inn, in Lakeport, (Laconia) NH. The registration deadline is this Sunday, September 8, so do it now … on-line at http://evangelism.nhepiscopal.org/

This year’s Institute will feature fewer speakers, but more conversation leaders. As attendees, we will be more engaged with the presenters but also with each other at your tables. The day will be broken into four movements: Speed Evangelism, Come and See Q&A, a Welcoming Ministries panel, and a World Cafe conversation.

Special thanks to Kate Vachon, flutist (pictured left), who joined Bernice last Sunday to enrich our worship with wonderful music by Georg Philipp Telemann and Johan Helmich Roman.

 Greetings from Nancy and Peter, who sold their Tamworth house in July and are making their new summer home in the Portsmouth area (Winters they live in New York City.) … Nancy stopped by the other day to thank us for the wonderful send off they received and to express their gratitude for this parish in their lives. Nancy and Peter, we miss you! Be sure to come back next summer for a visit!!!

 Food for thought on the importance of living in the present, from Br. Curtis Almquist, SSJE…

The real risk is to be living with your sights focused on the future instead of being grounded in the present while peering into the future. If you get ahead of yourself in life, it’s like cutting in line. “Now” matters. We need the present to prepare us for the prospect of the future. We actually need now. If we don’t find life now, life will always elude us.
 

See you in Church!                 –

Heidi+