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| Just a few of the many hands helping out with last Sunday's cleanup (more pictures below). |
Services for this coming Sunday, The Fourth
Sunday of Easter and sometimes known as Good Shepherd Sunday, will be at 8
am and 10 am. It also happens to be Mothers’ Day. We hope you will bring the
family and honor your mother or the mother in your midst by joining us for
worship and fellowship.
Readings for this
coming Sunday: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 19-25, John 10:1-10.
Special thanks to Marty
Cloran, who took the pulpit last Sunday to share with all of us some
poignant stories from his volunteer work with CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocates for Children), opening the eyes of our faith that we might glimpse
the power of Christ's redeeming work in the lives of our neighbors. Interested
in knowing more about CASA? Pick up a flier from the table in front of the
bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
Hearty thanks to all who
teamed up on our All-Parish Clean-up Sunday: Chris B., George R., George
P., Lisa, Sammie, Gretchen, Heidi, Grete, David, Marty, Ellie, Duane, Betsy,
Beverly, Lisa's friend Sarai, Carolyn, Brooks, Elaine, Dale, Joan W., Cathie,
Haley, Lexi, and anyone else whom we’ve accidentally overlooked and known only
to God!
The windows now sparkle, the chancel is immaculate, the gardens are weeded and sprouting more greenery by the minute, and the front tree has been pruned (see photo above).
The windows now sparkle, the chancel is immaculate, the gardens are weeded and sprouting more greenery by the minute, and the front tree has been pruned (see photo above).
The Community Food Pantry is encouraging a new approach to non-food
donations: May 11th is Laundry Detergent Week. Help stock the
shelves with this necessary item that is not covered by Food Stamps. (May 18th
will be Dish Detergent Week.) Thanks.
Last Sunday we also sent Sammie
off as our emissary to mobility-impaired children in Peru with Eleanore’s Project:
Lord, we ask your
blessing upon Sammie, who with joy gives of her skills, her time, and heartfelt
prayer to these children of poverty, too easily forgotten. May our gifts and prayers be a source of
spiritual courage and joy to her and to all who take part in this ministry of
healing. Enlighten our imaginations with visions of the delight and excitement
of these children, free to move with their new wheels! Give to Sammie and her companions the
courage, creativity, hope, and stamina, that, sustained by your presence, they
may do this holy work of love, returning home with the joy that crowns
Christian love in action. God bless you, Sammie, in the Name of the Father, and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Women’s Lunch Bunch will
meet this coming Wednesday, May 14th at the home of Sally
DeGroot. Please bring a covered dish to share. Call the office for directions
(they will also be printed in this Sunday’s bulletin). Questions, or need a
ride? Call Dale at 539-3761.
Introducing “First
Wednesdays!” During Lent a number of us gathered each Wednesday at 5 pm for
a simple shared meal of soup, bread, and salad. As we ate, we listened to a
20-minute reading that was followed by discussion. We closed with a brief
Eucharist, departing by 7 o’clock. Those of us who were regular found ourselves
missing that mid-week gathering – the table fellowship, the simple, tasty food,
and the thought-provoking conversations. We are proposing to continue that
form, meeting once a month rather than every week. Hence, “First Wednesdays” –
with the plan to meet on the First Wednesday evening of each month. Please join
us. Contact Rev. Heidi if you'd like to provide something for the meal.
Lat night, prompted by hearing selections from Confronted by God: the Essential Verna Dozier, we had a lively discussion about the ministry of the laity. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 4th at 5:30 p.m.
Lat night, prompted by hearing selections from Confronted by God: the Essential Verna Dozier, we had a lively discussion about the ministry of the laity. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 4th at 5:30 p.m.
On Thursday of this
coming week, May 15, Saint Andrew’s will be hosting the clergy of the diocese
for their monthly gathering. These opportunities for learning, deeper
formation, and the building of strong collegial relationships among the clergy
of the diocese, including the bishop, take place at different churches through
the diocese, although most frequently in the central area. This gathering will be
led by the Rev. Caroline Fairless and Jim Simms, building trust and equipping us to deal effectively with
difficult conversations. Special thanks to the Vestry team, headed by David,
who will provide us with coffee and coffee cake on arrival and a “spread” for
lunch. Since there will be about 45 clergy here and we will be making use of
the Parish Hall, the Prince Room, and the sanctuary, please try to avoid other
use of our space until after 2:30.
Food for thought and
reflection on this, the Feast Day of Dame Julian of Norwich…
Born around 1342 in England, she was taken
gravely ill when she was 30 and was given last rites. On the seventh day, her pain and illness left
her completely and she had a series of 15 visions of the Passion of Christ that
brought her incredible joy. She prayed with and explored these visions for much
of her life, becoming an anchoress (recluse) in a small cell attached to the
Church of St. Julian at Norwich, became a spiritual counselor and guide to
many, and eventually wrote a reflection on her visions called Revelations of Divine Love [which
happens to have been the first widely circulated book written in the English
language by a woman]. If you are
interested, there are copies in our parish library.
Brother James Koester of SSJE writes The good news of the passion, cross, and death of Christ is that he suffered most, not because he was tortured, but because he loved much. It was because of love that he suffered. It was because of love that he died. And it was because of love that he rose again. As Dame Julian of Norwich says, “love was the meaning” not only of Christ’s birth, but also his death.
Brother James Koester of SSJE writes The good news of the passion, cross, and death of Christ is that he suffered most, not because he was tortured, but because he loved much. It was because of love that he suffered. It was because of love that he died. And it was because of love that he rose again. As Dame Julian of Norwich says, “love was the meaning” not only of Christ’s birth, but also his death.
She is perhaps best known for referring to Christ as “our
courteous Lord,” who offers to us these words: “I can make all things well; I
will make all things well; I shall make all things well; and thou canst see for
thy self that all manner of things shall be well.”
These word are also reflected in the folk song, and
traditional medieval dance “Bells of Norwich.”
Loud are
the bells of Norwich and the people come and go.
Here by the tower of Julian I tell them what I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich and let the winter come and go;
All shall be well again, I know.
Here by the tower of Julian I tell them what I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich and let the winter come and go;
All shall be well again, I know.
Love, like the yellow daffodil, is coming through the snow.
Love, like the yellow daffodil, is lord of all I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich and let the winter come and go;
All shall be well again, I know
Love, like the yellow daffodil, is lord of all I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich and let the winter come and go;
All shall be well again, I know
Ring for the yellow daffodil, the flower in the snow.
Ring for the yellow daffodil, and tell them what I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich and let the winter come and go;
All shall be well again, I know
Ring for the yellow daffodil, and tell them what I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich and let the winter come and go;
All shall be well again, I know
See you in church.
Easter
Blessings,
Heidi+
Heidi+
