THE NETWORK
JULY 2008
Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, Pickerington, OH
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The mission of Saint Andrew's Church is to provide a spiritual community where all are welcome
to worship, learn about God's grace, and be nourished for service to others.
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And now, a few words from our Vicar.
Blessed be the name of the Lord! Wow-so much is going on here at St. Andrew's that my head is spinning. But let me slowdown a moment and tell you what I shared with your Mission Council members in our first meeting together. It was short and sweet and to the point.
We opened Bibles and together looked at Matthew 7:2, at Mark 4:24, and at Luke 6:38.
What is Jesus telling us? In three ways Jesus is telling us one thing: We are paid in the coin we use. It's a powerful message, so essential to his ministry that he tells his disciples this three (or more) times! How we bless others, we will be blessed in return. How we care for others, we will be cared for in return. How we minister to others, we will be ministered to in return. And the other side of the coin is true too. How we neglect others, how we trouble others, how we curse others, how we impede others, we too will be treated. Matthew records Jesus saying "the measure you make will be the measure you get…" Mark's gospel also records that and says he added on another occasion "…and still more will be given you." And then Luke's gospel says Jesus took it even further on another occasion saying that what we will get in return will be "a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over and put in our lap"!
So what does this mean for us at St. Andrew's? I'm glad you asked. As a parish, our calling is to worship God, preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, and minister to the world around us. Each of these is equally important for living up to our potential and our mission. Therefore, our outreach to our community and to our members cannot be a secondary task for us to check off after we've taken care of everything else. Planning on how we will serve God in this world must be as important as planning our committees, our budgets, our fundraisers, and our worship. As we begin planning our future together and as I begin to call on each of you to offer your resources of time and experience and money and skills to our ministry and mission, I simply ask you to prayerfully bring as much care and energy and enthusiasm to our mission planning and work as you will bring to anything else. And then, ask God for the strength, courage and direction to step up, as you are able, and bless the world.
Soli Deo Gloria
(Glory to God alone.)
Fr. Paul
Weekly Worship Schedule
Sunday 8:00 a.m. Spoken Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Wednesday 12:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Ongoing Fund Raisers (that aren't hard at all)
St. Andrew's receives a penny for every search done through Goodsearch. (Simply use Goodsearch instead of Google). Plug in St. Andrew's as the recipient - make sure it is the right one.
St. Andrew's receives a % of sales from Goodshop - similar to Goodsearch. If you are shopping on line, check and see if the store you are going to is in Goodshop.
We recycle ink-jet printer cartridges - there is a box for these in the Narthex.
Gordon Foods gives us a % as well when you shop with them and give them St. Andrew's name so your purchase can be applied to our total at the end of the year.
Newsletter:
Are you interested in submitting anything for the monthly newsletter? Please forward your information to standnewsletter@yahoo.com. You can also leave it in the newsletter mailbox in the narthex.
Treasurer's Report
As of June 18, 2008
Checking account: $1,177.53
Savings Account: 149.25
Outstanding financial issues;
1. 2007 Mission Share - still owe $2,733.22. If this is not paid by the end of the month it is my understanding that our delegates will have voice but no vote.
2. We have not started to pay this years Mission Share to the Diocese.
3. Mortgage from the Diocese - We continue to pay $250.00 a month but in August of 2007 the amount due went up to 2601.00 a month. Here is where we currently stand.
Due Paid Balance
2007 14,755.00 3,000.00 11,755.00
2008 15,606.00 1,500.00 14,106.00
$25,861.00
4. Fifth Third mortgage expires in August of this year and must be renegotiated as a balloon payment will be due of approximately $310,000.00.
Other issues:
1. The school has moved out representing $6,400.00 in lost budgeted income.
2. We have been issued a grant of $12,000 from the Commission on Congregational Life. This grant will not solve our financial issues.
Announcements:
Lay Weeders:
Sounds interesting? Corny? Either way it's an extraordinarily important ministry of hospitality. When you have guests over to your home, don't you make everything as beautiful as possible? This is our church home and we want our guests (and our members!) to feel welcomed, appreciated, and respected too. On Sunday, July 13th, AT BOTH 8:00 AND 10:00 AM SERVICES, please come in your gardening clothes, bring a garden tool or two, and spend a few moments after church helping us pull weeds. And if you have planned something special in our gardens, please identify your flowers so that we will know which to leave and which to weed!
Children's Ministry:
Wanted: Teenagers and Adults who have two months, several ideas, a great heart, and want to help us envision what Christian Education for children and teenagers can look like at St. Andrew's this year and help us get it rolling. This Envisioning Committee will meet only until the start of the church school year. We'll look at how best to utilize our space here, how to divide our age groups, which curriculums to use, how to support and train teachers, and the best ways to involve our children in Sunday worship. There's only room for about 6 people on this limited-term committee. Any larger number and it's less effective. And while some may continue on and teach and work with the program this year, THAT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. Please see the vicar if you would like to be on this 2 month committee.
A Musical Evening:
Saturday, August 16th
Help us welcome Fr. Paul Williams with a BBQ and St. Andrew's version of the Stone Soup Story performed by children. It will be an evening of song, music, and dance. Bring a friend! For more information, contact Andy Taylor 614-237-2224.
Volunteers Needed:
Greeters, Ushers needed for Ministry Schedule. Please contact Elaine Vaughan, 614-837-2668, or email her at beadcatz@aol.com if you are interested in participating. Remember kids can help out ushering, or greeting as well. And how about some adults coming forward to acolyte? See Fr. Paul if you are interested! (It could be fun!)
Craft Fair:
The Craft Fair will not be taking place this year. However, we are looking to have a St. Andrew's table(s) at at least 1 local craft bazaar in the area. If you are interested in participating, let Elaine Vaughan know.
Also, if WOSA would like to be resurrected and make cocoa and tea and coffee mixes, that would be great!
Clean Up:
The school has moved out. Anyone interested in helping to clean the church, let a member of the Mission Council know.
Food Pantry:
Pickerington & Reynoldsburg Food Pantries still need items throughout the summer months as well as winter. Non- perishable items only.
