October 2, 2014


 
The altar flowers last Sunday were given by Judy and Larry Grace
in loving memory of their son, Roy, and arranged by Dale.
This coming Sunday, October 5th, the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, we will have only ONE service of Holy Eucharist at 9 am, to honor the Feast Day of Saint Francis with our annual Blessing of the Animals. As usual, dogs on leashes are welcome, cats and other small animals should be caged or crated. We will designate the transept as an “Animal Free Zone,” and welcome larger animals for a blessing outside at 10:15. Invite your friends to “Bring-Your-Pet-to-Church Sunday!” Special thanks to the Pastoral Care Committee for hosting Coffee Hour.

Micah is looking forward to seeing his canine friends again this Sunday. Be sure to pass the word along to them and offer them a ride! Do you recognize his collar?
The MEMO Editor wishes to express an apology to the Cocco for the misspelling of his name last week. It’s Cocco – not to be confused with the hot beverage!

The readings for this Sunday are Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46.
The Women’s Lunch Bunch will meet this Wednesday October 15th, at noon at the Mt. View Station Restaurant in Center Ossipee. Contact Dale Appleton with questions. 

 Weaving Generosity into our Life: Our Fall Pledge season got off to a lively start last Sunday as the first pledgers took the opportunity to weave their strands into our growing banner. As soon as you have turned in a pledge card, each member of your family is invited to add to the weaving. A basket of possibilities is provided, but feel free to bring a fabric strip or ribbon of your own.
 
The (unofficial) color of the day was purple…

Nine of us gathered yesterday for the first of five sessions entitled Embracing an Alternative Orthodoxy, a study series, with presentations by Richard Rohr in conversation with a group of Christians from various denominational backgrounds (via DVD), followed by our own conversations and explorations: Our second session – Eco-Spirituality – will be meet on October 15, at 11 am in the Prince Room. Session 3, The Cosmic Christ, will meet on October 22 and Session 4, Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy, on October 29. Please RSVP to frantzdale@gmail.com if you plan to attend so that you can receive some reflection questions in advance. [See the Food for Thought section at the end for some reflections on today’s conversation.] If you missed yesterday’s session and would like to view the DVD on your own, please speak to Heidi.
 Preparations for the Sandwich Fair, Oct 11 – 13
Set-up for the Fair is in less than one week! Now’s the time for bakers to get going. Convenient-to-eat snacks are very popular. Call Carol (539-2780) to let her know your plans.
Volunteers needed to staff our booth: Seriously, WE NEED YOUR HELP! The success of our booth at the Fair depends on being well staffed! With three of us on deck at all times, we can be relaxed and welcoming vendors, tend well to our customers, provide help for each other, and have a good time reaching out to folks. To volunteer, please call the office (323-8515). Please leave name, phone number, and preferred staffing time. Or sign up on Sunday.
The available times follow:
Saturday, October 11
7:30 pm to 10:30 am: 3 needed
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm:  2 needed
3 pm to 6 pm:  3 needed
Sunday, October 12
7:30 pm to 10:30 am: 1 needed
10 am to 1 pm:  1 needed
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm:  1 needed
3 pm to 6 pm:  3 needed
Monday, October 13
7:30 pm to 10:30 am: 1 needed
10 am to 1 pm:  all set
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm:  2 needed
3 pm to 6 pm:  1 needed
The ChIPsProject: Over the next few weeks, you'll be hearing more about the ChIPs Project.  This project provides Christmas gifts for incarcerated parents to give to their children.  This year we'd like to accept financial donations in October, and then have a group shopping expedition in early November to select gifts.  If you're interested in helping, please let Kathy Bunker (Kathy_bunker@yahoo.com) know. For some heartwarming information on the ChIPs project, read this article from the Diocesan Web site:
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102613649529-500/ChIPs+article+2014.pdf 
Looking ahead to the Bishop’s Visit on December 14th: About every two years, the Bishop makes and “official” visit to Saint Andrew’s. On that day we will have ONE service at 10 o’clock at which Bishop Hirschfeld will preach and preside, as well as baptize, confirm, or receive into this branch of the church any who are interested. If you would like to be baptized, confirmed, or received, please talk to the rector right away so that we can make appropriate preparations. Please mark your calendars now for this special service so that you can plan to be with us.
An update on contributions received in response to our anticipated budget shortfall: To date 21 households have either generously contributed or agreed to contribute a combined total $5,540. Thank you. If you are behind on your pledge payments it would help our cash flow for you to bring your payments up to date as soon as possible. If others of you are able, additional special gifts are still welcome. Thank you.
These brave turkeys were caught one morning last week by Debra out the office window! The flock has recently been visiting our back field at least twice a day.

 Food for thought, in the form of a few quotes from our Study Group exploration of the Atonement…
“Jesus did not come to change the mind of God about humanity, but to change the mind of humanity about God.”  John Duns Scotus, d. 1308
“The actual atonement that Jesus did was the emptying of himself to do what God wanted.” Raymond Raney, DVD participant
“As a culture we are at the pluralistic level. That’s why so many things that were understood at the magical and mythical level don’t make sense to us anymore. I don’t want to throw them out, I want to ask how you raise them up so that they are truer than ever. Once we get to the highest non-dual or mystical level, we really understand the transaction of love – the transformational power of love. I don’t want to throw out any of these doctrines or dogmas; rather, let’s find out what they really mean.
“That’s why we use the term “alternative orthodoxy.” We’re still concerned about being orthodox, but what so many people call orthodox is childhood conditioning passing for orthodoxy. It doesn’t help because when they go off to college at the rational level of consciousness where it doesn’t make sense anymore, they throw out the baby with the bath water. That’s why agnosticism and atheism are largely a child of Christianity. If you go to formerly Christian nations you find a high degree of agnostics and atheists.” Fr. Richard Rohr
“We’ve been shaped by American culture. We like will-power religion: “I can do whatever I need to do.” The language of the scriptures and the mystics and saints is not the language of willfulness but willingness – the language of surrender.”  Fr. Richard Rohr
A Prayer of Alcuin, and 8th Century Celtic saint:
Give us, O Lord, we pray,
firm faith, unwavering hope, a passion for justice.
Pour into our hearts
the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding,
the Spirit of Counsel and Spiritual Strength,
the Spirit of Knowledge and True Compassion,
The Spirit of wonder in all Your Works.
Light Eternal, shine in our hearts;
Power Eternal, scatter the darkness of our ignorance;
Might Eternal, have mercy on us.
Grant that we may ever seek your face
with all our heart, soul, and strength.
And in your infinite mercy
bring us at last to the fullness of your presence
where we shall behold your glory
and live your promised joys.

In the name of Jesus,
Our body and blood,
our life and our nourishment. Amen.
See you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+