Message from Margaret+

Transcription

1 St. Andrew s Tidings Message from Margaret+ Week before last, I was impacted and touched by Frank Lopez s talk about tithing. I understand what he meant about not having missed a meal or paying a bill. When my family decided to tithe years ago, I think we started somewhere in the 2% range, and moved up the scale towards 10 %. Now that I am by myself, I still tithe, and have been so blessed by so many events, people, and happenings. One of the major happenings was being able to come to St. Andrew s. There s just something about this place and people that touches me to the core. I think it s a God thing. I am so thankful for those in this parish who pledged last year: Nancy Young, David Wooton, Art and Mary Wimpenny, John and Mary June Wave, Jeanette Tremaine and family, Howard Temple, Anne Staley, Margaret Shepard, Dick and Margaret Seeberger, Gene Sapp, Snookie Raines, Archie McLemore, Bobbie McKay, Kathy McClure, Frank and Kathy Lopez, Fran Tate, Jean Joyner, Donna Johnson, Camilla and Jerry Jimmerson, Jeremy and Heather Hudson, Ken and Helen Graves, Bill and Shirley Gobat, Dan Finley, Colleen Dykins, Peggy Douthit, David Dean, Bob Dallas, Ted Czupryk, Judy Cooley, Hannah Davis, Belle Casler, Anita Ables, Laurie and Wyn Ayers, Bob and Toni Banks, John and Nell Barnett, Tania Watts, Dr. John Benton, Pat Bernett, and Dee Bonebright. And I truly give thanks to those of you who did not fill out a card but give generously and regularly. The cards help us to gage where we are, and our giving to the Diocese. I recently read a piece by Erin Weber Johnson who tells this story: Last night my family was invited over to our friends house for supper. With kids similar in age, this meant we had four kids at or under 6 years of age. It was fun and boisterous. In the midst of our roasted chicken, laughter, and interrupted conversation (Mama!! I`m really done, can I puhlease be excused?!), I found myself enveloped into a conversation about God s abundance. During our time there, we started talking about stories of transformational giving. Our friend, who works for a social service organization of a partnering denomination, described how a local church had given its end of the year Christmas offering to a local social service organization. This was extraordinary as many churches rely on end of the year gifts to ensure they are able to make all budget needs. This is especially true as sometimes parishioners pledge but aren t able to complete their pledge or unexpected expenses arise that require additional giving.

2 This Church was willing to look beyond its own needs. Instead they believed they had enough and collectively gave their resources to a social service organization that impacted the lives of many in their local community. I immediately remembered (and shared) a similar story that occurred in my life about decade ago. In , my husband and I served as missionaries for the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Taiwan. As part of our training, we fundraised for part of our expenses. A small parish, in the Diocese of Olympia operating week to week for its income, gave up its much-needed offering to support our ministry. Again, believing they would have enough, they gave sacrificially. I came away from our meal last night thinking about other examples of giving in my life. Our conversation sparked both an increased connection to my friends but also a deep feeling of gratitude. Stories of transformational giving are powerful. They cross denominational, organizational, and missional lines. When given the opportunity, the sharing of stories of giving unite communities. It provides individuals an opportunity to reflect on how another s sacrificial gift impacted their life profoundly. When we think about stewardship education, here s one simple way to teach about giving year round. Do you have a personal story to tell? Namaste. Let me know if you have a story to tell! Margaret+

3 9 a.m. for Sunday School for All Ages Adult Sunday School: Prayer (A four week study) Led by Sally Brewer Godly Play for Youth and Children Led by Lucy Dozar Coming Up for Adults: Embracing Spiritual Awakening Diana Butler Bass on the Dynamics of Experiential Faith We will be exploring such questions as Why do people in America have a very different relationship with religion than people did 50 years ago? Or- Why do some people list themselves as spiritual but not religious? ~ ~ ~ Coming Up Taize Service in Celebration of All Saints Day November 1 st, 4 p.m. Accompanied by String Trio: Mary Ellen Reedie, Yasya Brown, and Ann Wilson.

4 The Labyrinth Our labyrinth is a copy of the labyrinth in the Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France. The labyrinth is an archetypal symbol of journey and spiritual renewal. Archaeologists believe the first labyrinths were in Egypt and central Italy around 4500BCE, though one archaeologist found a meandering labyrinth pattern on a figurine which dated from BCE. It appeals to seekers from every faith. When we walk the labyrinth, we link body and soul, having a both spiritual and physical experience. It is a device to help us find God-if you happen to be looking for God! It is sacred space which leads us to its center-as well as our own center. The whole space, ground and air, is made holy by the prayers and petitions of the faithful who walk. (From The Labyrinth All Saints, Kitty Hawk, N.C.) Our labyrinth is open every Tuesday and Wednesday for your praying, centering, meditation, problem-solving, reflection, and inspiration.

5 WORSHIP WITHOUT WALLS RESUMES OCTOBER 18 EVENING SERVICE, AND JAZZ BY AMANDA ADAMS 4:00 PM ON THE FRONT LAWN BARBECUE PROVIDED BYOB- AND CHAIR Casual ~~ Contemporary ~~ Family Friendly

6 St. Thomas by the Sea - Fall Fair A unique Arts and Crafts experience Sat., October 10, am 4 pm St. Thomas by the Sea Episcopal Church (First Ave. and Wisteria Lane) Laguna Beach (West end of PCB) Fine art, glass, jewelry, pottery, primitives, wind chimes, mosaics, wood and much more! (23 craft vendors, 2 food vendors) Entertainment by Surfside Middle School Chorus Proceeds to benefit St. Thomas by the Sea Outreach Projects

7 PARISH WORK DAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 TH BEGINNING AT 9 A.M. THERE IS A LOT TO DO IN THE YARD, THE KITCHEN, AND FLOWER BEDS. BRING YOUR WORK GLOVES, TOOLS AND HELP OUT! ALL ARE NEEDED

8 The St. Andrew Oaks Garden of Hope is a new ministry for the purpose of reaching out beyond our doors and sharing God s love and care with people in our immediate neighborhood, specifically students and their families from Oakland Terrace Elementary School. The garden serves as a learning environment for the students. It is hoped that it will also serve as a way of establishing relationships with their families. The fall garden will be planted on Friday, Oct. 2. This year an additional class will participate and about 40 students/families will be involved. On Wed., Oct. 7, the students will walk to Byrne Hall to prepare a spaghetti dinner for their parents incorporating some of the crops from the spring garden. The students also plan to serve their parents at the spaghetti dinner to be held in Byrne Hall on Friday, Oct. 9, 5:00-8:00 p.m. As their teacher has noted, This will give my students an opportunity to shine in their parents eyes. Here are ways you can help: -Assist in the kitchen on Wed., Oct. 7, 8:00-2:00 (all or part of the time) -Attend the spaghetti dinner and interact with the students and their parents and try to build relationship with them as a representative of St. Andrew s Episcopal Church. Please RSVP to Laurie Ayers by Oct. 5 if you plan to do this. -Agree to go to the garden one day a week and water the garden.

9 Office Help We could really use some volunteer help in the office especially on Fridays. Please consider donating a few hours of your time. It would be much appreciated. St. Mary s Guild St. Mary s Guild will meet Tues., Oct. 13 for a FUNTIME!! This is our picnic in St. Andrew s St. Park meeting. Please bring spouses, friends or a newcomer. We will meet at the church at 9:30 am and carpool to the park. Our menu will be hotdogs, slaw, chips and brownies. The Ayers, Barnetts, Floores and Wimpennys will be our chefs. Please call Mary Wimpenny at to let us know if you will join in the fun.

10 THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS NEXT SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, AT 10 A.M. AT THE PET GARDEN, AND AGAIN ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 TH (The Feast of St. Francis) AT THE 10 A.M. SERVICE BAY LIGHTS THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ATTENDED BAY LIGHTS: CAMILLA AND JERRY JIMMERSON, FRANK AND KATHY LOPEZ, BELLE CASLER, BARBARA AND TOM SONTAG, LAURIE AYERS, ANNE STALEY, AND MARILYN HERMANSEN, PLUS YOUR RECTOR. WE HAD A FABULOUS TIME, THE FOOD WAS GREAT, THE CROWDS WERE BIG, AND A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. JUST ASK THEM! THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DONATED WINE, AND THANKS TO VINCENT PISANI, COLLEEN GREEN, AND BONNIE TATE WHO DONATED WORKS OF ART, AND TO LIZ ROBIN WHO DONATED A WEEKEND AT HER CONDO FOR THE SILENT AUCTION. THE BISHOP S BARBECUE SPONSORED BY ST. ANDREW S WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, WITH KUDOS GIVEN BY BISHOP RUSSELL.

11 Please keep the following in your prayers: Iva, Bob, Bill., Wendy, David, Sandra, Vincent, Leslie, Mary, Bobbie, Hong, Hazen, Anna, Rita, Eric, Janice, Corey, Kelly, Anne, Diane, Sue, Luke, Jon, Beryl, Corey, Lindafaye, Richard, Patricia, Jeremy, Heather, Gail, Teresa, Virginia, Patrick, Lisa, Adam, Lynn, Mr. & Mrs. Collins, Peggy, Bill, Toni, Bob, Mike, Harry, Betty, Toni, Bob, Nick, Dee, Sandra, Keith, Jayne, Ryan, Carol, Jack, Kathy, Oz, Jimmy, Teresa, Russell (Names are left on the prayer list for 3 weeks, unless specified for a longer time) We pray for our men and women in the Armed Forces at home and abroad: Richard, David, Brian, Jason, Billy, Colin, Todd, Brett, Jordan, Jeremiah, Richard, Patricia