growing together in god’s love - st andrew's … · growing together in god’s love june...
TRANSCRIPT
Growing Together in God’s Love
June 2016
Volume 5 Issue 6
Calendar highlights:
Saturday, June 4
10:00 am: Confirmation,
St. John’s Essex
Sunday, June 5
9:30am: First Informed Holy
Communion
Sunday, June 12
10:00 am: Service at the Surf Club
11:00 am: Parish Picnic
Tuesday, June 14
6:30 pm: Women’s Book Group
Sunday, June 19
9:00 am: Summer Schedule begins
Tuesday, June 21
7:00 pm: Vestry Meeting
One step at a time, always made new Journey of Faith has Twists and Turns
Before we set out on the summer diaspora, we will celebrate the new
ministries that have emerged among us in those who are celebrating their first
informed Holy Communion and those being baptized and confirmed. We will
also continue to support in prayer those discerning God’s call of a candidate for
rector. I bid your prayers for all of these folks. We’ve got multiple reminders in
the exchange of vows, pouring of water and eating and
drinking at God’s table, that the ministers of the Church are
“lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons….[and that] the
ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church;
to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according
to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of recon-
ciliation in the world; and (Continued on Page 2)
Youth Matters
Thanks, Praise, a Busy Summer Ahead !
Blessing of the Seniors will take place Sunday, June 12 at the church
picnic following the 10 o’clock service at the Surf Club. Join us as we congratu-
late Katherine Garnett, Joey Milner, Tori Milner and Michael Van Ness on their
high school success. . . and thank them for their contribution to life here at St.
Andrew’s. Katherine single-handedly ran the Sunday (Continued on Page 3)
Inside this issue:
Youth Matters 3
Music in March 5
Transition Update 6
Spaghetti Supper Thank You 6
June 12 Picnic 6
Community Gardening 7
Treasurer’s Report 10
Summary of Vestry Meeting 10
Seen Around Church 11
Page 2
Mother Jenni (continued from Page 1) to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the
Church.” (BCP, The Catechism, p.855)
Fortunately I never had to memorize The Catechism, like some of my Lutheran and Roman Catholic
friends. Fortunately I have always been thankful for its existence and easy accessibility there in the back of
the Prayer Book. It’s sort of a relief to find direct, simple, brief answers to questions often asked by those who
are coming to faith… and those often asked by people of faith already who have reached some new level of
development. The journey of faith comes with unpredictable events, new turns and directions, traffic jams
and the occasional flat tire or wrong turn. So, it’s good to have some framework setting out a course as to
how to meet the expectations of baptism and its faithful living: represent Christ in being a witness to his love
(e.g. respect people, choose to care for others, live thankfully, generously, joyfully, strive for justice and
peace, learn how his story connects with yours and SHARE IT); learn how to be a reconciler; participate in the
community of faith’s worship and governance. Wise counsel whether we’re looking for answers or not. It
may seem a tall order; it can be—it’s never done alone, it’s taking time to rest and play along the way, it’s ac-
complished one step at a time, it’s always made new.
You are all cordially invited to new ministries of service offered in thanksgiving for the life of God in
and among us. As the parish prepares for new leadership, everyone has the opportunity, the privilege and—
yes, even the duty to consider how you—each one of you—can participate in Christ’s life and God’s mission
in Madison. I am living in the hope that the Spirit will fill each one of you with compassionate hearts, imagi-
native minds and steadfast wills to gladly greet all that God has in store in the future you will be making to-
gether.
Additionally, in regards to ordained ministry here this summer, my weekly time with the parish, be-
ginning June 1, will include on-site presence only on Wednesdays and Sundays through July 31. After that
time a combination of Morning Prayer with Holy Eucharist will be celebrated as supply priests are available
and your rector begins.
The peace of Christ be always with you,
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Staff Officers Vestry
Jenni Matheson, Interim Rector Gary Naegel, Senior Warden Mark Auletta
[email protected] [email protected] Gary Cimmino
Barbara Gibbons, Parish Administrator John Armstrong, Junior Warden Art Criddle
[email protected] [email protected] Kristen Garnett
Grant Underwood, Music Director Cathy Golden, Treasurer Nancy Karas
[email protected] [email protected] Colleen McHugh
Mary Merkle-Scotland, Youth Minister Louise Beecher, Clerk Rebecca Rastetter
[email protected] [email protected]
Shelby Auletta, Church School Coordinator
David Mikus, Sexton
Anita Spear, Preschool Director Messenger Editor: John Armstrong
Page 3 Volume 5 Issue 6
Youth Matters, (Continued from Page 1) morning childcare program. Joey was one of the most popular
counselors in last summer’s VBS program. Tori worked with the Altar Guild and kept everyone on their toes.
And Michael entertained us with his fine saxophone playing. On Sunday we will give them a special blessing
as they journey forward. Let’s just pray we can get them out of bed in time…!
Thanks and Fun this Past Month
Color Wars. Middle School Youth Group had a colorful afternoon on Sunday, May 15 playing Color Wars down at the Surf Club. Sacks of orange, green, purple, pink, and blue were tossed, flung, and swung at one another in a series of tag-like games and tug-of-war. Great spirit, fun, and laughs were enjoyed by kids and adults alike!
Thank you Chef Mark! Chef Mark Tardie once again led the dads (and a couple of moms!) and the many kids who sliced, chopped, baked, grilled and deco-rated Farmer Hall for the second annual Mother’s Day Brunch! A shout out to Kate Henderson and Mark for their generosity and for making this special event possible! And thanks to all of the hands that came on Sat-urday to prep for the brunch!
Thanks, High School Gardeners! The High School Youth Group--a small, but dedicated few-- planted the food pantry garden under the guid-ance of Brenda and Gary Naegel. Zucchini, butternut squash, snap peas, tons of tomatoes, beets, radishes and more went into the ground mid-May. With sunshine and enough water, we should be harvesting by July and in some cases mid-June. If you would like to help maintain the gar-den this summer, please contact Brenda.
Coming Up this Summer
On June 5 from 5 to 7pm, we will hold our end of year celebration with a picnic at the Surf Club. Rain site is the church. MSYG will provide hot dogs and hamburgers, if everyone else could bring sides, drinks, and/or dessert. See Sandy or Mary with any questions.
Summer Camp at Camp Washington! July 17-22 is middle school week at Camp Washington! We have a great group of middle school youth heading to camp that week and there is room for more! Join your other friends from St. Andrew’s and experience the fun of a week of sleepover camp in beautiful Lakeside, CT. Swim, hike, canoe, kayak, make crafts, sing at a late night bonfire, make new friends and see church in a whole new way! If those dates don’t work for your family or your kids are older, July 24-29 offers a week of outdoor adventure camp (ages 8-12) and a week of teen camp (13-16) for older girls. With the outdoor ad-venture camp, make the woods your home during this exciting week where traditional camp activities will mix with special camping skills for a completely unique Camp Washington experience. Get a taste of what it's like to live "off the grid" and fully immerse yourself in God's amazing creation. Go to http://www.campwashington.org/ to register and for more information. Many scholarships available.
Final Call for High School Youth! Come volunteer for VBS, June 20-24. Make new friends, chase kids, impact the younger generation, gain much needed leadership skills and grow in your own faith. This is a great way to kick off summer. There are a few spots open, especially with the middle school group! Contact Mary or Shelby to volunteer. (More on next page)
Youth Matters Here at St. Andrew’s
Page 4
HOT OFF THE PRESS! The Vacation Bible School (VBS) is filled to capacity and then some in just a couple of weeks this summer. As a result of the overwhelming response to our middle school program, we have re-cently added a second section to keep things safe and accommodate the numbers. If your or a friend’s child in 5th-8th grade did not make it in the first time, please contact Shelby ( [email protected] ) to regis-ter as the official registration website is closed. Cost is $90, scholarships available.
I Wish I Had a Hammer. . . The summer mission trip to H.O.M.E. in Maine is scheduled for August 21-27! I
am still looking for at least one other chaperone to join the fun at H.O.M.E. this summer. We have three and
with one more, we will be able to take 20 kids. Anticipated cost is $450 and CHAPERONES ARE FREE!
Wahoo!
Scholarships are always available and friends are always welcome! Please contact Mary ([email protected] ) with any questions or to volunteer to drive or help with any youth events.
Goal is ongoing collaboration Southeast Region Holds First Convocation
The weekend of May 20-21 Mother Jenni and I trekked to the town of Moodus and My Father’s
House, a retreat center, for the Southeast Region Convocation. The Southeast region runs east from Madison
up the coast line to Stonington and north from Madison up to Haddam. The northeast corner of the region
includes Voluntown—but the three furthest out churches are in Preston and Norwich. There are twenty par-
ishes in the Southeast Region, and there were clergy and lay leaders from most of the twenty parishes.
A major goal of the convocation was for people in the region to get to know each other, so we broke
up into small groups and worked together on exercises where we shared ideas and stories. I had some par-
ticularly interesting conversations with the Rev. Nihal Delanerolle, who is the part-time rector of St. Paul’s in
Westbrook. The two of us agreed we should look for ways to collaborate.
Official business was transacted Saturday morning. Each of the six regions sends a lay and clergy rep-
resentative to the newly formed Mission Council. We used a very sensible election process: clergy and lay
leaders who wanted to serve as representatives threw their name into a hat, and then two names were drawn.
The winners were the Rev. Adam Thomas, rector of St. Mark’s in Mystic, and Suzy Burke, an active lay leader
at St. John’s in Essex. Other business included the formation of a committee to write a job description for a
Regional Missionary, who will work to stimulate collaboration among the twenty parishes. A committee was
also formed to plan next year’s Convocation.
Page 5 Volume 5 Issue 6
Music at St. Andrew’s: June, 2016
Sunday Eucharist Updates
“Creation of Peace” (9:30 am Sunday, 6/5) The Sr. Youth Choir and Spirit & Chancel Choir will sing
for the last time until the fall! Instrumentalists will also lead worship. Please join us in worship.
Announcements and Happenings
Choir Room Renovation Update: Cathy Golden recently visited during choir rehearsal to receive
feedback from the choir on what the renovation can/should look like. Thanks to Cathy and all who offered
their input!
Music Ministry Celebration Dinner is slated for June 10 for all musicians and families/supporters of
music ministers at St. Andrew’s. Musicians, be on the lookout for an e-vite!
The Summer Music Schedule is in the making and will be complete in mid-June! Please email
[email protected] if you are willing to offer your time and talent for this important ministry.
Welcome to New Choir Members in S&CC: Valerie Hayward, Anthony Hayward, and Jess Baycroft:
welcome! You add so much to our ministries and we are blessed to sing with you.
Choirs Resume for the Fall
It’s not too early to mark your calendar! Choir re-
hearsals resume the week of Sunday, Sept. 4 and
choirs first sing on Sunday, Sept. 11. Come and join
us in singing!
Page 6
Transition Update
It’s a moving target, but here’s an update on the search for a new rector. The bishop’s office received
16 applications so the position of full-time rector attracted strong interest. Applicants came from many parts
of the country with the majority from New England.
The transition team reviewed the applications, including a biography/resume and either an audio or
video recording of a sermon. That process narrowed the field down to six candidates, and the transition team
is now in the process of conducting Skype interviews with each of those candidates.
Before the end of June the transition team will give the vestry a list of finalists. The bishop’s office will
do background checks on those candidates, and the vestry will check references and meet with each candi-
date here in Madison, as early in July as possible. The vestry will then decide which candidate to call to be
St. Andrew’s next rector, and, with the bishop’s approval, formally offer the position.
Come Join Us on June 12 for the Picnic
Join us on Sunday, June 12 at the Surf Club in
Madison (weather permitting) for the annual Parish
Picnic. The worship service will take place on the
point at 10 o’clock, followed by a picnic. Grilled
hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks and all the fixings will
be provided. Please bring a salad side dish, fruit
salad, veggie dish or dessert to share! This year we
have decided not to pass the hat for “donations” so
the event is a real bargain! Please present the park-
ing pass included here at the gate. Feel free to bring
family and friends!! Please contact Mark Auletta
617-877-6550 or Barb Gibbons at the church office
with questions, or if you would like to help. Thanks!
Spaghetti Supper Thank You
Our 25th annual Spaghetti Supper & Auction was a wonderful success thanks to the generosity of
many people. First, the food was scrumptious as always--thanks to Barb Gibbons and her kitchen crew. We
had wonderful donations and lively, hilarious auctioneers, Jim Golden and Patches Earle, who encouraged
bidders to raise their paddles. Set up was orchestrated by Brenda and Gary Naegel. Thank you to Lynn
Milner for organizing check -in and check-out. John Algiere from the Madison Wine Shoppe donated the
wine-tasting and a dozen bottles for the live auction. Sue McCann and Mother Jenni were instrumental in
organizing the raffle baskets, mystery boxes, silent auction and live auction booklet. This is a true team ef-
fort! Proceeds from the event go directly to the church annual operating budget and totaled roughly
$15,000. If you were a bidder or donor and you need further information, please contact me. Thanks again
for a fun night of fellowship.
Kristen Garnett
Page 7 Volume 5 Issue 6
Gardening at Bauer Park and on Church Grounds
The weather is finally warm and we are excited to be gardening together for a second year to benefit
Madison's Food Pantry. To kick off the gardening season, Mother Jenni led an outdoor procession on May 1,
Rogation Sunday, bestowing blessings and offering prayers for a productive harvest. Along with kind
weather and the help of volunteers, we are certain to reap an abundant harvest all the while experiencing a
special connection to God’s creation and one another.
Gardening continues at Bauer Farm
This year, we are again raising produce at
Bauer Farm on Copse Road in Madison in plot #37,
approximately one mile from St. Andrew's. From
early to mid May adult volunteers amended the soil,
and the youth group energetically lent a hand plant-
ing lettuce, tomatoes, peas, beets, squash, and rad-
ishes—they are anxiously waiting to see what pops
up out of the ground!
Gardening activities expand to church grounds
Over the past few weeks we expanded our
horticultural efforts to include the courtyard of the
church to the right of the main entrance. Raised
beds have been installed and the church school and
nursery school students have been busy planting
herbs and flowers for both the pantry and church
use. This area is accessible to handicapped parking
spaces and the beds are "back-friendly" (waist-high)
making it a pleasurable gardening experience for all ages including those with special needs. An inviting new
table and chairs with an umbrella enhances the space and provides a shady respite for a gardening, coffee, or
a lunch break as well as small group discussions.
Sign up to volunteer at the gardens
We hope you will drop by both of these green spaces and join us in some way large or small. Whether
or not you have a green thumb, consider signing up to volunteer for a variety of activities including planting,
watering, weeding, and harvesting at either location.
To get started, visit: https://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/st-andrews-madison-community-
garden/home. The website will invite you to create an account and in response, the website administrator will
activate your account and send you an email that will provide further instructions for viewing and selecting
available dates to volunteer. You may opt to sign up for a recurring day of the week or you may also sign up
for random dates.
If you have questions, please contact Brenda Naegel at [email protected] or 203-887-7640.
See you in the garden!
Page 8
Rogation Sunday
Page 9 Volume 5 Issue 6
From the Children We Support in Uganda
Page 10
Finance Committee Report and Financial Update
April 2016 Monthly
Income Year-To-Date YTD Budget
Annual
Budget
Total Pledges 13,365 61,841 71,012 213,040
4% from Endowment 5,355 21,420 21,420 64,260
Supplement from
Endowment 0 0 20,000 60,000
Fund-Raisers 14,252 13,814 8,332 25,000
Other Income 0 2,050 1,832 5,500
Total Income 32,972 99,125 122,596 367,800
Expenses 30,783 109,283 124,872 374,606
Difference -2,189 -10,158 -2,276 -6,806
Summary of June Vestry Meeting
Rector Search. The search for a rector was discussed. [See article on Page 6.]
Mother Jenni’s Hours. The Rev. Jennings Matheson’s hours as interim pastor will be reduced
to two days a week through June and to Sundays only through the end of July. The Episcopal
Church limits the amount retired clergy can earn under contract, and the reductions are being made
so that she can meet those terms and still provide services to St. Andrew’s as long as possible.
The Rectory. The air conditioning problem that caused a damaging leak in the rectory has
been repaired and efforts are underway to repair the damage to a ceiling. Meanwhile, the Building
and Grounds Committee is investigating how to correct a problem with the rectory’s well, which is
producing odiferous, rust-colored water.
Welcoming Garden. The vestry approved the expenditure of $1,200 to outfit the new Wel-
coming Garden next to the church with one table, chairs, cushions, and an umbrella and stand. Chil-
dren from the St. Andrew’s Pre-School planted herbs in the raised beds that are part of the garden.
These and vegetables from the church’s plot in the Bauer Park Community Gardens will be donated
to the local soup kitchen.
Traditional Music at 9:30 Service. The vestry expressed approval for Music Director Grant
Underwood’s decision to include traditional hymns along with contemporary music at the 9:30am
service.
Holiday Fair. A review of this year’s Holiday Fair led to the conclusion that certain rooms
that required a lot of work but produce little income should be eliminated. The church will also
reach out to other local churches who hold holiday fairs about the possibility of creating a
“passport” for avid fair-goers. A co-chairman is being sought for this year’s fair.
Page 11 Volume 5 Issue 6
Seen Around the Church
St. Andrew’s Church
232 Durham Road
Madison, CT 06443
Mailing Label
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID GUILFORD CT PERMIT NO 283
The Messenger the monthly newsletter of:
St Andrew’s Episcopal Church
in Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-2584
On the web: www.StAndrewsMadison.org
Jenni Matheson, Interim Rector
Gary Naegel, Senior Warden
Barbara Gibbons, Parish Administrator
Grant Underwood, Music Director
Mary Merkle-Scotland, Youth Minister
Shelby Auletta, Church School Coordinator
David Mikus, Sexton
Anita Spear, Preschool Director
Come Worship with Us on Sundays
Services at 8 and 9:30
Sunday School 10:15 - 11:00
New this year, the St. Andrew’s Arts Camp
will offer rising first through fifth graders an
arts curriculum proven to cultivate creativity:
• Music and song
• Visual art and media
• Drama and storytelling
• Movement and game playing
And it all comes with a message:
Kids are the peacemakers and doers of their generation, they can
create a lasting peace through active, compassionate living!
Middle-school and high-school youth are invited to
participate as Counselors.
The dates are July 11-15.
Watch your email for full details!