 |
| SEE PHOTO GALLERY BELOW FOR MORE ON "BREATHING OUTSIDE" |
FROM THE RECTOR
Earlier this week the Bishop sent a new template for moving ahead in the days of the pandemic, called "Following the Good Shepherd on the Path Ahead." It can be found here: https://files.constantcontact.com/97815e8b001/12001b8e-c479-49eb-9864-11fd858b33e1.pdf
It is
a long document, 16 pages in length. Here is a Table of Contents to help you
navigate it:
Page 2
– From Bishop Rob
Page 3
– Guiding Principles
Page 4
– New Hampshire Under the Stay At Home Order
Page 5
– What Does “Stay At Home” Mean for Our Church?
Page 7
– Criteria for Lifting the Stay at Home Order
Page 8
– Phase One Reopening
Page 9
– What Does Phase One Look Like for Our Church?
Page 11
– Phase Two Reopening
Page 12
– What Does Phase Two Mean for Our Church?
Page 14
– Offering Holy Eucharist During Phase Two
Page
15 – Building Use Considerations During Phase Two
Page
16 – Contemplating Church During This Time of Unexpected Quiet
“The
principles and recommendations in this document are guided by the expertise of
medical and civil authorities as well as by the theological foundation of the
Way of Love.”
What is made very clear in the document is that we will not be physically
gathering for church any time soon, or able to participate in the Eucharist
immediately upon return.
So
over the next several weeks I will ask for your input to help me craft our
online worship experience. There are a number of options before us.
1. Our current Sunday service format
is a form of “Ante-Communion,” made up of the Liturgy of the Word from the Service
of Holy Eucharist, which includes everything through the Prayers of the People,
and closing prayers including the Lord’s Prayer and various prayers from the
Prayer Book and other sources.
2. Another option available to us is
Morning Prayer.
3. And yet another option is for me
to preside over the Eucharist as usual, but without anyone receiving Communion.
This is what the Washington National Cathedral is doing as I understand it. The
bread and wine are consecrated, but not consumed by anyone. The idea of this
has felt very odd to me, and until very recently our Bishop hasn’t encouraged
it. He isn’t “encouraging” it now, but is allowing it.
Another
area to consider
is whether we have our own St. Andrew’s service every week or if on occasion we “attend” the diocesan service offered by Bishop Rob. This could be once a
month or less frequently.
A
separate but related question is whether to join the diocesan service on
Pentecost Sunday on May 31.
All of these options are now on the table. I ask you to consider them, email me if you’d like to give me your opinion in writing, and plan to discuss the options after church on the next several Sundays. We’ll see where that takes us!
The
one thing that has been decided is that we will continue to worship
together at 10:00 every Sunday but the first of the month. On the first Sunday
our service will be at 9:00.
Meanwhile,
enjoy the rest of the week, and share your “Breathing Outside” pictures for the
Thursday Memo – what a great idea, Deb! And Bruce, is that bear in your
yard?!!
I
look forward to seeing you Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Caroline
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM
via Zoom (see email for Zoom information)
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
5/10/2020 BULLETIN LINK
via Zoom (see email for Zoom information)
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
5/10/2020 BULLETIN LINK
AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR
A VIRTUAL
on ZOOM
READINGS FOR SUNDAY
Sunday, May 10th
The Fifth Sunday
of Easter
of Easter
Year A
COLLECT
READINGS
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Click below to see the readings:
PLEDGE PAYMENT REMINDER
Thank you for continuing to honor your pledges during this time. While we cannot gather in the church, our usual practices for counting, recording and depositing your pledge payments continue. You may mail your checks to the office or set up a direct payment through the bill pay feature of your bank. Our expenses continue as usual, even though we are not able to gather in person.
BOOK GROUP
Join our Book Group
on Wednesdays at 12:30 during the Easter Season
The Gospel Of Matthew
We will join the Good Book Club for a study of the Gospel of Matthew.
Daily readings began on Easter Sunday
and continue through the Day of Pentecost, May 31.
For the daily reading schedule go to
https://www.goodbookclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Readings_Matthew.pdf
Daily readings began on Easter Sunday
and continue through the Day of Pentecost, May 31.
For the daily reading schedule go to
https://www.goodbookclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Readings_Matthew.pdf
MIDWEEK WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Each of these weekday services will be live streamed on Facebook and available on Zoom.
Please email Caroline for the Zoom link
rectorsaitv@gmail.com
COMPLINE
Monday-Thursday at 8:30 p.m.
MORNING PRAYER
Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.
WE HOPE YOU WILL Continue to JOIN US FOR WORSHIP and FELLOWSHIP in our online presence.
But my journey that day took my thoughts in a different direction. As my feet felt the stone beneath them worn away by centuries of pilgrims, some on their knees, others walking; my ears heard the clink of centimes slipping into the Gift Shop tills, the organ drowning out the reedy voices of local mourners at a funeral in the nave; and my eyes closed while all of us stopped our walk to let the coffin and the funeral procession pass across the labyrinth, out under the Rose Window, I thought: When I open my eyes, I will see the cathedral filled with medieval families, their cattle and sheep, hunkering down here as a place of refuge against foreign soldiers, political unrest, or disease. For a long moment, time became fluid, untamable, eternal.
OUTSIDE CHURCH - Walking the Labyrinth
People have been building and walking labyrinths since ancient times. As with all powerful symbols, labyrinths have been adapted across the centuries to become, for us, a prayerful pathway to God.
The “oldest positively dated”(1) labyrinth in King Nestor’s Palace, Phylos, Greece dates from 1230 BC. Yet, connected with Earth Mother, labyrinths are thought to have existed as spiritual guides much further back in prehistory. Medieval Europe saw stone labyrinths built into the floors of many cathedrals. In a time when penitential pilgrimages to Jerusalem were quite dangerous (harsh weather, thieves, and murders being part of the landscape), the labyrinth was designated as an official substitute. A penitent made his or her journey to the center, often crawling on hands and knees, as part of their restitution for sins “known and unknown”.
The 11-circuit labyrinth (1221 AD) at Chartres Cathedral in France is best known to us through The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress. Meeting with the cathedral staff in 1991, she was instrumental in persuading them to open the labyrinth to small meditation groups, and later to the public. A priest in the Episcopal Church, Lauren served as Canon for Special Ministries at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco during which time she not only “introduced walking meditation back into the Christian tradition but also introduced the labyrinth back into Western culture.”(2)
In 2008, while in France, I went to Chartres to walk the labyrinth on the June solstice. I learned that there are mathematical truths in the setting of the labyrinth: if, for example, you were to bring down the great Rose Window out of the western façade and lay it over the labyrinth, you would find that they are identical in circumference. This is not an accident. It is based on the art, science, and alchemy of proportion. (3)
But my journey that day took my thoughts in a different direction. As my feet felt the stone beneath them worn away by centuries of pilgrims, some on their knees, others walking; my ears heard the clink of centimes slipping into the Gift Shop tills, the organ drowning out the reedy voices of local mourners at a funeral in the nave; and my eyes closed while all of us stopped our walk to let the coffin and the funeral procession pass across the labyrinth, out under the Rose Window, I thought: When I open my eyes, I will see the cathedral filled with medieval families, their cattle and sheep, hunkering down here as a place of refuge against foreign soldiers, political unrest, or disease. For a long moment, time became fluid, untamable, eternal.
Labyrinths can change our sense of time. They have been with us since pre-history, re-purposed as succeeding generations deepen their understanding of God and Christ, the Word, who was with God in the beginning of time.
(1) R. Richardson, web article. (2) www.laurenartress.com (3)Lonegren, Sig, LABYRINTHS Ancient Myths and Modern Uses, Gothic Image Publications 7 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9DP England, 1991 ISBN 0-906362-16-4 SEE ALSO: Artress, Lauren, WALKING THE SACRED PATH, Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool, Riverhead Books, New York, 1995 ISBN 1-57322-007-8 This book is a clear, informative modern classic for all seekers and students of the labyrinth.
Next week: Walking the Labyrinth: Threshold, Journey, Rest, and Return
Lisa Thompson
OFFICE HOURS AND HOW TO REACH US
The Office is closed, but Deb continues to respond to email, phone messages and fulfill her other responsibilities.
If you need access to the building, please call the office first to see if the building will be open.
Please contact Caroline during regular "office" hours. I am available 9:00 – 5:00 Sunday – Thursday via email (RectorSAITV@gmail.com) or cell phone (603-553-9254). Please limit your calls to me to these times, except in the case of a true emergency. Of course you may also email me at any time, but I will answer email during my regular hours. Many thanks!
If you are sick PLEASE let Caroline know!
PRAYERS FOR EACH OTHER
One thing we can always do while we stay at home is to pray for each other! We would like to keep our prayer list up to date and publish it each week in the Thursday Memo. Please email Deb at office@standrewsinthevalley.org with any updates.
This Week We Pray for
Health and Wholeness for: Dave Appleton, Hettie Buck, Courtney and her baby, Christian, Tiffany, Kyren, Dorothy O'Donnell, Lisa Lemire, Donn Carty, Bob & Sue Huckman, Kenneth LaForge, Jennifer M, David Manley, Robin Martelle, John McGowan, Gabriele Wallace, Carolyn Jarvis, Tamara, Milan McNall, Jerry Williams, Marilyn Cloran, Joan Marshall, Rick, John, Carolyn Boldt, the Huckman family, as they grieve the death of Tom's uncle, Norm.
For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Susannah Keith, Alida, Dylan, Brian & Sara Kelley, Bob Wallace, Carl Mamigonian, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Susannah Keith, Alida, Dylan, Brian & Sara Kelley, Bob Wallace, Carl Mamigonian, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
How to Protect Yourself & Others
Older adults and people
who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher
risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 illness. More
information on Are you at higher risk for serious illness?
DINNER BELL
No DINNER BELL until further notice.
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!
SAFE CHURCH
If you are up for Safe Church Renewal
you must do your renewal modules on Armatus
then sign up for meetings online.
The next Safe Church Zoom calls are scheduled for
If you have questions, please contact Safe Church Minister, Marty Cloran.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
We cannot meet at this time, but KNIT ON!
If you have any questions, please call Lin Frank at 323-0402.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A Prayer of St. Columba
Be O Lord,
a guiding star above me,
a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me,
and a bright flame before me,
today, tonight and forever. Amen
St. Columba founded the monastery on the island of Iona, Scotland in the 7th century.
COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
Food pantry continues to serve the communities needs
New Hours
Alternating Wednesdays
3-7 pm
May 13, 27
May 13, 27
Any questions call 603-960-4067
FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE
MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.
1 John Marshall
7 Elaine South
15 Kitty Lou Booty
15 Betty Faella
17 Kit Morgan
18 Tim Huckman
20 Tom Forbes
28 Bob Luz
28 David Gatrell
7 Elaine South
15 Kitty Lou Booty
15 Betty Faella
17 Kit Morgan
18 Tim Huckman
20 Tom Forbes
28 Bob Luz
28 David Gatrell
Anniversaries
13 Tom & Jen Huckman
20 Jonathan & Lois Brady
26 Grete & George Plender
28 Bruce & Denise Foreman
30 Bob & Gabriele Wallace
20 Jonathan & Lois Brady
26 Grete & George Plender
28 Bruce & Denise Foreman
30 Bob & Gabriele Wallace
PHOTO GALLERY- Breathing "Outside"
photos and I will post each week!
send to office@standrewsinthevalley.org
Now that the weather is getting better and we are finding time outside
please share your pictures of what you are doing...
Getting your gardens ready? Going for a hike?
Planting flowers? Taking in a picnic? Wildlife encounters?
FROM CAROLINE HINES
"Here are some pics from my walk today. The white flowers
are Bloodroot, located in the woods beside the church, and the yellow ones are
Trout Lilies growing along Whittier Rd.
FROM DEB HOYT
"It was just wonderful sharing
sunshine and fresh air for a few minutes
this weekend with Shelby".
FROM BRUCE KENNEDY
"Take your bird feeders down. Please"
LINKS
