A Letter from the Priest-in-charge 

                                                                                         January 15, 2007

 Dear Members and Friends of St. Andrew’s,

For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I have had the pleasure and have received many blessings from my experience as the Priest-in-charge of St. Andrew’s mission in Pickerington over the past year.  Every thing has its time and season.  God, through divine wisdom, governs this world where particular things and operations at particular times take place.  We hope that in those times such things and ministries may be done with propriety and success, with God’s help.

For me, my season and ministry is coming to an end at Saint Andrew’s.  A new season is beginning with great energy and enthusiasm as the mission’s Search Committee has received the names of excellent candidates who desire to be considered and called to be the next Vicar of Saint Andrew’s.  Please continue to pray for a clear and blessed discernment process for the Search Committee and the candidates.  Pray, listen for and then follow the Spirit of Truth.

In considering the mission’s Budget for 2008 and preparations for the new Vicar, the Mission Council is taking prudent steps to ensure Saint Andrew’s financial strength and health in the support of a new Vicar when he or she is called to St. Andrews’ hopefully in the Spring.  To that account, the Mission Council has decided not to renew my contract.  In the meantime, the council will ensure that supply clergy will serve the congregation on Sundays and that adequate administration and pastoral care are available during the week.  Therefore, my last Sunday during this season at Saint Andrew’s will be January 27, 2008 (The Third Sunday after the Epiphany). I will be presiding at both the 8:00 and 10:00 o’clock services.

The Gospel reading for that Sunday is from Matthew 4:12-23; and according to it, Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee. There, Jesus calls his first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”  Seasons change in life and in our ministries. Fishermen become followers of Jesus and evangelists, catching people and not fish.  My season has changed and I will follow my Lord and Savior to my next adventure in proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and in discovering my next ministry.

I exhort all of you to continue to follow Jesus Christ and continue to support Saint Andrew’s, as God’s mission in Pickerington moves forward to a new and exciting season! Follow Jesus!

                                                                                                              The Reverend Frank A. Edmands