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| Pictures from Rector's vacation |
Readings: Song of
Solomon 2:8-13, Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10, James 1:17-27, Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
Many thanks to Lisa
Thompson and Gretchen Behr-Svendsen for their very able, willing, and
thoughtful liturgical leadership last Sunday when, at the last minute, Susan
Ackley – our supply priest – was called to the bedside of her dying
mother-in-law in Virginia. Not only were Lisa and Gretchen (two of our three
licensed lay worship leaders) prepared to officiate for Morning Prayer, but
they stayed with the plan Susan and I had decided upon weeks ago – to focus the
liturgy on the work and witness of New Hampshire’s martyr for racial justice,
Jonathan Myrick Daniel, on the 50th anniversary. Jonathan was killed
is he stepped in to shield a young black woman, Ruby Sales, from the blast from
a 12-gauge gun intended for her.
Have you been wearing
your nametag??? Probably not. Very few of us have been. But summer is a
time of lots of flux in our congregation. It would be a great help to many if
you would dig your nametag out of your mailbox and wear it on Sundays! Thanks
from all the folks who don’t know everyone’s name. If you don’t have one,
please leave a note on Debra’s desk and she will make one up for you.
Our sympathies go out
to Bill and Val May. Bill’s mother died this week at her home in New
Jersey.
A Celebration of the
life of Susan Chiaradonna will be held this Saturday at 1 o’clock on the
lawn behind the Parish Hall. Her partner, Marc Plauche, came to me several
weeks ago at the time of her death asking whether I would do a service at the
funeral home. When I asked Marc whether he might like to have the celebration
here instead he accepted my offer with much gratitude. Marc has strong ties to
this place (among other things he has done much of our roofing!), but for
someone deeply connected to the natural world, the idea of holding a simple
informal liturgy outdoors seemed wonderfully appropriate. As always, members of
the parish are encouraged to attend as a way of extending hospitality and
offering a prayerful presence to the wider community.
The Church World
Service CROP Walk has been a regular part of our summers for quite a few
years. This year, in response to the realities of summer heat for this 6 mile
walk, the organizers have scheduled the actually walk for Sunday, October 25th. Since fall is a busy time and we want to
include the support of our summer friends as well, sponsor forms will be
available this coming Sunday. Let’s plan for a strong group of Saint Andrew’s
walkers for October 25th! At least half of the money raised by the
CROP Walk comes back to our Community Food Pantry and our Dinner Bell Program.
The balance goes to overseas development work. Gretchen Behr-Svendsen is our
contact person.
Sandwich Fair preparations are underway for October 10, 11, 12.
We will be vending jellies, jams, baked goods, and crafts crated by all who
are willing and able to be involved! Contact:
Carol Tubman or Chris Mills for project ideas and specifics.
I hope by now we are all aware of the importance of including true Sabbath time into our lives – time set apart from the often pressured demands and complexities or our regular lives to restore body and soul – consciously living God’s presence. It was easy, relaxed time in a beautiful and treasured place (Woods Hole), with time to walk, bike, rest, read, swim sail, putter with a bit (but not too much) of gardening and building upkeep. Our motto for “Sabbath day work”: Stop as soon as at feels like work! We had time with friends and a few day’s visit from our son Chris.
I hope you also have been able to carve out some similar time your this
summer. And if you haven’t done so yet, it’s not to late! Even a few hours
lived with a Sabbath mindset can go a long way to restore our balance and allow
us to see and live life with a new clarity.
I could not have unwound and used the time as well as I did were it not
for the willingness and faithfulness of many of you – perhaps most especially
Carol, Debra, Lisa, and Gretchen – for taking care of things in my absence.
Thank you to all who made my time away possible. It’s good to be back.
See you in church,
Blessings, Heidi+
more vacation pictures from Heidi
more vacation pictures from Heidi
