News from St. Andrew s

Transcription

1 News from St. Andrew s December, 2012 January 2013 We are a diverse community of faith called by God to love, worship, pray, support, and serve. Dates to Remember 1/6 Feast of the Epiphany Gifts for Our Little Roses Coffee Hour hosted by the Sunday School Teachers Taking down the decorations in the church 1/13 Bishop s Visitation Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Baptism 1/14 7 p.m. Covenant Team Meeting at St. Andrew s 1/20 Annual Parish Meeting 1/24 7 p.m. Deanery Council Meeting Christ Church-Lockport 1/26 9 a.m. 2 p.m. Vestry Retreat 1/27 Food Pantry Sunday Noon Sunday School Teachers Meeting 6 p.m. Sunday Cabaret at Community Missions: St. Stephen s 1/28-2/6 Deacon Rocky will be in Honduras Looking Ahead 2/3 Scout Sunday 2/8 Fish Fry Begins 2/10 Burning of the Palms 2/13 Ash Wednesday Noon Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes at St. Andrew s 7 p.m. Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes at St. John s 2/17 First Sunday in Lent 6 p.m. Sunday Cabaret at Community Missions: St. John s 2/18 6:30 p.m. Vestry meeting 2/24 noon Sunday School Teachers meeting Your Vicar s View And you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. [Isaiah 58.11] This new year begins at St. Andrew s with an exciting affirmation of God s promise to create through us a haven where everyone will be made strong, where abundant life is renewed, and where God s redeeming love is unmistakably real. Every Sunday we will celebrate the gifts of grace with which God has blessed our community. On January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, our worship and coffee hour will be a festive celebration of Light of Christ. On January 13th, we welcome Bishop Franklin for his first official visit to St. Andrew s. The bishop visits each congregation in the diocese only once every two years, so this is a special occasion in our life together. Because it is now the custom for youth to be confirmed when they are 15 (rather than at age 13, as was our previous custom), we will not present a Confirmation class this year. But we are graced to welcome 7 children in Holy Baptism, and everyone will have a chance to meet and talk with Bishop Franklin during our festive coffee hour following the service. On January 20th, the Rev. Canon Carolyn Lumbard will lead our Annual Parish meeting. Carolyn led our Vestry Retreat last year, and she will build upon our parish discussion to lead this year s Vestry Retreat on January 26th. The Annual Meeting is an important event in the life of every parish. It is a time for us to reflect together, with gratitude and resolve, on our mission and our ministries. On January 27th, we will offer Deacon Rocky and Diane Dworak prayers as they prepare for their annual visit to Honduras, and we will present them with our contribution toward new linens for the Our Little Roses School for Girls. May all of us find joy and hope in the time we share throughout this new year. Sunday January 20, 2013 Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon Mutual Ministry Review facilitated by The Rev. Canon Carolyn Lumbard Please plan to join in sharing our dreams, visions & goals Come and see the presentation of our new website Elections: Warden: Stacy Lampman Vestry: Liz Depew & Jerry Harrington

2 Page 2 News from St. Andrew s Fish Fry 2013 It is that time of year again. Fish Fry at St. Andrew s runs from Friday, February 8, 2013 through Friday March 22, 2013, from 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Of course, all the action does not happen in those two hours, so here is the help we are looking for again this year: Thursday night we shred cabbage, set tables, make coffee, and prepare condiments Friday morning we need many, many desserts; help with clearing and clean up, coffee pourers, dessert cutters, and help with take-out. Please consider helping out this year. You can speak with me directly if you have interest and I will definitely connect you with a job for every week or for what will fit into your time limitations. I am also looking for a volunteer again this year to pick up the rolls from Wilson IGA either Thursday night or Friday morning. I cannot emphasize enough the need for desserts over the 7 weeks of Fish Fry. We need over 400 servings per night, and your donation is much appreciated. Consider keeping track of your baking expenses and they can be recorded as a gift to the church for tax purposes. All of us need to do our part to make Fish Fry a success. I look forward to working with you in this very important ministry for St. Andrew s! Any questions, or if you are a new volunteer who needs a job, call me at Stacy Lampman STEWARDSHIP: Known as OUTREACH Stewardship is year-round practice. Giving, not until it hurts, but until it is deeply rewarding, is the key to authentic Christian stewardship. Manyof us think of giving in very limited terms making a financial contribution. But as Christian stewards, we are called to give of more than just our money; we are called to give of our action, our ability, and our abundance: the very essence of our lives. Most of the time I tend to confuse Outreach with Stewardship. Under which heading should the following be placed: feeding the hungry? giving drink to the thirsty? clothing the naked? visiting the imprisoned? sheltering the homeless? visiting the sick? Our hearts are so rewarded and blessed when we are good stewards of our God-given gifts. Give, and it will be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back. [Luke 6:38] May we continue to be good stewards throughout this year. Blessings. Deacon Rocky Food Pantry Sunday January 27th. Help make someone s day a little happier and healthier! Financial Status as of November 30, 2012 # of Pledges on time 14 Total Expenses $131,193 # of Pledges Ahead 14 Actual Income $113,039 # of Pledges Behind 22 Income equals 86.2% of Expenses

3 News from St. Andrew s Page 3 The Bishop is coming to Burt! Sunday January 13, 2013 Bishop Franklin will make his first official visit to St. Andrew s on January 13. He will preside and preach at our service at 10 a.m., and he will baptize 7 children: Laney, Lauren, Jonathan & Daniel Kelahan; Ethan & Skyler Knott; and Patrick Michael McMaster. After the service he will join us for a festive coffee hour and an informal Q & A. Please plan to bring your family and friends for this special occasion. Schedules January Acolytes January 6: Michael Vogt, Chad Gilson, William Beilein, James Leibring January 13: All Acolytes: Melissa Pestinger, Mark Vogt, Jarrett Gilson, Sarah Leibring January 20: Jacob Roeseler, Sue Villeneuve January 27: Matthew Vogt, Jonathan Pestinger, Chad Gilson, James Leibring Lay Readers January 6: Dorothy Cheasty & January 13: January 20: Stacy Lampman & January 27: Lisa Roeseler & Lynn Schauer-Bewley Altar Guild Stacy Lampman & Liz Gilson Collection Counters Liz & Mike Depew January Birthdays 1st Daniel Kelahan 3rd Diane Breczka 4th Brandon Winkley 8th Ethan Bronschidle & Jerry Harrington 9th Baylee & Michael McMaster 10th Lynn Schauer-Bewley & Agnes Kagels 15th Mark Gilson, Amanda Behr, & Hannah Jocks 16th Prudy Waters & Shaun Finley 18th Sue Villeneuve & Dale Duhow 19th Melissa Pestinger 20th Gary Few 21st Dorothy Cheasty 24th Allie Seeloff 25th Joanne Flewell 26th Dale Haidvogel 28th Matt Vogt, Todd Lyon, & Bradley Duhow 29th Mary Ann Hawkes 31st Dale Nikitas & Morgan Bedford January Anniversaries 10th Thomas & Marilyn Olsen 14th Joe & Diane Breczka & Mike & Baylee McMaster Outreach: Christmas 2012 Your generosity and outpouring of caring provided three families a most wonderful Christmas. Not only did they receive gifts for the children and parents, but enough food and TOPS cards to provide for them for a long time. Because of you they now know the true meaning of Christmas, the true gift of the Christ child. They know the loving care given to them by God s people of St. Andrew s. Diane Dworak Outreach Coordinator Christmas Party-2012 Thank you to all the people who came to the Christmas Party on December 7 th. There were 32 in attendance! It was another enjoyable evening of singing along with Kevin at the keyboard, chatting, warm fellowship, and delicious food. When you set up your 2013 calendar, mark December 6 th for next year s party. Maybe we ll get even more people to come out and experience what is always a wonderful evening. Thanks again for making your Christmas Party a wonderful success! Larry and Prudy Waters

4 News from St. Andrew s Page 4 Sunday School News The students of St. Andrew s have spent Advent preparing their hearts for the arrival of the infant Jesus. As part of their getting ready for Christmas they presented the congregation with the gift of a living program of Advent Lessons and Carols. Many thanks to all youth and their families for taking time during this busy time of year for rehearsals, costume preparation, and extra help. To celebrate Epiphany, the arrival of the Wise Men, students will present a new banner and be engaged in the service in a variety of ways. They will return their mite boxes on January 6, an offering to bring light to those in need. The offering will go to Our Little Roses School for Girls. That day, all congregational members are encouraged to bring gifts of socks, underwear, or money for the purchase of pillows for the girls of Our Little Roses School,aged through 18 years old. On January 13, our children and youth will witness seven of their friends baptisms, visit with Bishop Franklin, and learn more about spreading the Good News and Joyful message of Jesus. Your Sunday School Teachers Your Warden s View Greetings. I trust the New Year s finds everyone well. As I come to the end of another term as warden, and given the time of year, I reflect back on where we were, think on where we are and dream about where we might go. As I have gotten older, I have started to think about things like legacy. If I do leave a legacy from my 4+ terms as Warden over the last 14 years, it is that St. Andrew s has largely done what I so passionately encouraged those years ago. I felt then, and I feel now that success is found in investing in strengths and making weaknesses irrelevant. To that end, we have made significant investments in our music ministries. We see and hear the fruits of those investments every Sunday. It surrounds us and helps define who we are. So, if I do have a legacy, I hope mine is found in the singing of children, the playing of guitars and in all the joyous noises that make our worship experience so rich. God bless and keep you all in the upcoming year. 2 Views from the Vestry Reflecting on my completed three-year Vestry term, I am glad to have served. It provided me with the opportunity to learn much more about the inner workings of our church and of the Diocese. It also enabled me to become closer with the other persons that I served with, as well as with our Vicar Judith and Deacon Rocky. I believe that serving on Vestry is an experience that any interested member would enjoy. While on Vestry my personal main focus was on the financial aspect of St. Andrew s operations, and I was pleased to have helped in re-allocating some of the church s investments for increasing earnings and growth. This interest is something which I can continue to be involved with after Vestry by continuing my membership on the Finance Team, as well as on Building and Grounds.. Bill Buchanan Martin H. Gregg Knowing that my term on Vestry is ending, I look back on this time with a variety of emotions. I look forward to more behind-the-scenes participation, as far as church leadership positions are concerned. But I also look back with a certain level of satisfaction on a variety of experiences at St. Andrew s, such as working directly with the Building and Grounds Team and the NCWP workers from Niagara County to maintain and improve our church property. This last Vestry term has taught me that one is never too old to learn new things and new ways of doing, and to derive enjoyment from it! That we have a thriving active congregation is no doubt due in large part to the leadership of our priest, Judith, and the makeup of the vestries since her arrival. I applaud the diversity of the people on Vestry with whom I have served over the years, but I especially want to thank the current members for their enthusiasm and dedication. I have felt a sense of personal and pride in what we at St. Andrew s are about, and being a part of it. Thanks to all for allowing me to serve. Larry Waters

5 SAINT ANDREW S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2239 West Creek Road P.O. Box 133 Burt, New York Vision Statement 2012: standrewsburt@verizon.net God is renewing us in His love. Website Office Hours Telephone Number Tuesday Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Closed Mon. & Fri. (716) The Bishop of Western New York: The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin Vicar: The Very Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Nelson Rocky Dworak Vicar s Hours Vicar s Phone home (716) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. cell (716) VESTRY MEMBERS Wardens Martin Gregg Natalie Beilein Vestry 2014 Lisa Roeseler Paul Mayer, Jr Kathy Massie Lynn Schauer-Bewley 2012 Larry Waters Bill Buchanan Vestry Clerk Cheryl Knapp Officer Manager Music Director & Organist Treasurer Michael Depew Joe Breczka, Jr. Michael Depew Parish Nurse Altar Guild Director Co- Director Judi Naylor Susan Villeneuve Dorothy Cheasty Sexton Jerilyn Carney Outreach Coordinator Diane Dworak St. Andrew s Community Store Cynthia Harrington Church School Superintendents Kathleen Gregg & Nancy Pestinger Choir Librarian Shirley Litz Newsletter Editor Kristyne Colley St. Andrew s Community Store Store Hours Closed Sunday & Monday Tuesday & Wednesday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.& 6-8 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Niagara Deanery Convention Delegates Martin Gregg Stacy Lampman Susan Villeneuve Judi Naylor Diane Dworak Doug Wintersteen

6 January 2013 St. Andrew s Episcopal Church 2239 West Creek Road P.O. Box 133 Burt, New York Dated Material To: