Messenger 7-08:7-08 - St Andrew`s Episcopal Church

THE MESSENGER
Growing Together in God’s Love
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MADISON, CONNECTICUT
The Cost of Freedom
ST. PAUL WROTE, “FOR FREEDOM
CHRIST HAS SET US FREE.”
Summertime
Services
On June 15, we
began our summer
worship schedule —
two Sunday services,
8:00 am & 9:15 am.
We will not have
Saturday services.
Performance
Series
Three musical
performances will
delight the entire
family. See page 3.
Refreshments
this Summer
Volunteers are
needed to provide
refreshments after
the 9:15 am services.
During the summer,
we will serve iced
tea, lemonade, and
cookies outside.
Please sign up at
church, or contact
Donna Johansen at
[email protected]
or 245-6729.
Freedom is not free. I’ve seen that phrase
on many bumper stickers, usually followed by
‘Support our Troops’ and an American flag. As
July 4th approaches, I am reminded of the
efforts and sacrifices of countless thousands of
men and women who have labored and served
to gain and maintain our country’s freedom
over the past 232 years. And I am extraordinarily grateful to them all. It is a huge blessing
to be a citizen of the United States.
St. Paul uses similar language in his letter to
the Galatians, when he writes, “For freedom
Christ has set us free.” (5:1) Jesus has given
his life for all of us, Paul says, so that each of
us will live into our full potential as children of
God, heirs of Christ’s promise.
Freedom indeed is not free. It comes with a
price. Because Jesus has freely given his life for
each of us, as members of his Body, the Church,
we have responsibilities and obligations to the
faith community. Our responsibilities include
faithful stewardship of our resources, our time,
our talents, and our treasure. It’s a lot easier to
talk of stewardship of our time and talent than
how we use and give our treasure. Yet Jesus
talks more of our relationship to money and
possessions than he speaks of anything else.
At the same time, we live in a culture that tells
us we can never have enough. And so most of
us work to accrue and amass, and we often
measure our self-worth by our possessions and
financial resources.
The Bible teaches us that all that we have is
a gift from God.
continued on page 2
Lend a Hand (and Hammer)
St. Andrew’s has been given the opportunity to work at the Madison Cares/Habitat
house in New Haven on Saturday, July 19.
If you have questions or would like to sign
up, please call Glenn Stewart at 245-3220.
JULY 2008
Wednesday Night Suppers
at the Surf Club
This summer, join us on Wednesday
evenings at 6:30 pm for “St. Andrew’s
Friends” picnics. Simply pack up the family
and your cooler with your favorite picnic
(including drinks) and join friends from St.
Andrew’s at the Point. The whole idea is to
make it simple and stress free, bring fixings
for the grill, sandwiches from Bradley & Wall,
or pick up a pizza. It’s BYO everything!
No need for a beach pass after 5:30 pm.
If you have any questions, call Donna
Johansen at 245-6729.
Blessings
By Susan Miller
I had no hope of getting an article published
in this month’s Messenger; life has been a bit
hectic as of late. Many of you may know that
we sold our house and moved to Church Lane.
I figured with the gas prices and the number of
hours I spend per week at church, this should
turn out to be a cost-effective endeavor.
On a more serious note, this short article is
intended to thank all of you who have been so
thoughtful and helpful during times like these
that can be very stressful.
Times like these make me appreciate most
the true meaning of church community. St.
Andrew’s has been, and will always be, such an
important part of my life. This is largely because
of the wonderful people who worship there.
People who are Christ-centered. People who
know the true meaning of reaching out to
those in need, even if it’s just someone like me
making a move across town.
I’ve been overwhelmed by your acts of kindness! One special person, who will remain
anonymous because recognition is not about
whom she is, stopped by
continued on page 7
Our Mission — To deepen faith and transform the world as Christ calls us
through joyful worship, music, study, and service to others.
On June 1, 29 people were welcomed into St. Andrew’s community by participating in the new member liturgy, at all three services. Shown here are
those joining at the 9:15 service: Laurie, Andrew, and Mason Bussmann; Rachel, Frank, Luke, and Julian Carfora; Helen Kitzman; Symphony,
Kris, and Melody Kloszewski; Sandi and Eric Manna; Susan, Darryl, Marisa, and Nathan McCann and Louise Buehler; Sharon Service, Charlie
Corso, Sharon Service, Jr., and LaShawna Sayles; and Lisa, Fred, and Emily Sollars. Taking part in the new member liturgy at the 8:00 service was
Adah Stalnaker, and at 11:00 Shirley (King) and Scott and Gianna Santoro. We are so glad all these people have chosen to make St. Andrew’s
their church home, and we encourage all parishioners to make them feel welcome.
God has given us life, freedom, and unconditional love
Outreach Update
Best wishes to all of the students
and chaperones traveling on the
H.O.M.E. Youth Mission Trip to
Orland, Maine in late July.
Thanks to the parish budget and
Serendipity, Outreach was able to
provide a donation of $2,600
toward this trip — a dollar-fordollar match of the fundraising
profits realized through the youthsponsored Pancake Breakfast, Car
Wash and Concert night.
Congratulations and Godspeed
as you share the spirit of St. Andrew’s
in that rural community!
Book Group Update
The Book Group will continue to
meet during the summer on Wednesdays,
11:00-12:15. We continue to read
What Jesus Meant by Gary Wills.
On July 17, we will begin What Paul
Meant, also written by Gary Wills.
All are welcome — men and
women! Conversation, sharing, and
fellowship are all part of it. For more
information, speak to Mother Louise,
Helen Kitzman, or Grace Crawford.
2
continued from page 1
That God, the ultimate Giver, has given
us life, freedom, and unconditional love
— regardless of our financial worth. We
are infinitely valuable and valued because
God loves us, not for any other reason.
It is ironic that the “abundant life”
which Jesus promises us, which is part
of living into the freedom for which we
are made, comes to those who learn
how to give things and money away.
Perhaps this makes more sense when
we remember that we human beings are
made in the Image of God. We tend to
forget that fact frequently. If we become
more God-like, that is become givers
ourselves, we live more and more into
that abundant life.
Frederick Osborne III, director of Gift
Planning for the Episcopal Church
Foundation, tells the following story:
“Once, during an Episcopal Church
Foundation meeting in Chicago, in the
evening I walked along that glitzy
monument to materialism known as
‘Magnificent Mile.’ The exclusive
boutiques, the brand-name fashion
centers, the chrome, brass, hand-rubbed
walnut, the green marble counter-tops,
all tumbled over each other in my senses.
“In the midst of all the plenty, I passed
a bag lady on the street, dressed in rags
and looking filthy. She held out a dirty
paper cup and asked in a raspy voice the
usual pathetic please, ‘Spare change?’ —
expecting, I am certain, a quick-footed
getaway on my part.
“Rummaging in my pocket and finding two quarters, I said, ‘Will this help?’
She replied tiredly, ‘Well, I guess so.’
“About to drop them into her cup, a
strange urge came over me. ‘What,’
said I, ‘if I gave your $20 instead of fifty
cents? Would that help?’
“Breaking into a grin she said, ‘I could
get a shower. I could get a room for the
night. I could wash my clothes. I could
buy some supper.’ I took out the bill,
stuffed it into the little cup. ‘Bless you,
and thank you, thank you, thank you!’
she said.
“The urge that came over me was the
realization of how much I have been
given, how much I have. The great joy I
felt in helping her, really helping her, far
exceeded any “worth” that $20 bill had
for me. What was little to me went so
very far for her.
“Having put aside any sense of
scarcity, I derived great satisfaction from
seeing my abundance, when shared,
bless us both.”
In that moment, Fred Osborn lived
into the freedom to which we have all
been called. May God give each of us the
courage to live into that freedom and
sense of abundance as we ponder and
pray about our stewardship of our time,
our talent, and our treasure.
— Mother Louise
THE MESSENGER
•
JULY 2008
Summer Theater
Performances
You are cordially invited to
attend one (or all) of our Summer
Performance Series:
■ Peter
A Musical Prequel to Peter Pan.
Performance on Friday, July 18 at
7:00 pm.
■ Broadway Bistro
A Musical Revue of Popular
Broadway Shows. Performance on
Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 pm.
Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm.
Advanced reservations are
required to attend the dinner portion
of this evening.
■ A Funny Thing Happened on
the way to the Ark!
A delightful musical rendition of
how Noah convinced the animals
to get on the Ark. Performance on
Friday, August 1 at 7:00 pm.
All three musical performances
are intended for the entire family
and will be enjoyed by children and
adults! There is no charge to attend,
but a $5 donation per person (over
the age of 5) is recommended.
For “Broadway Bistro,” there will
be a fully catered meal including
salad, roll, choice of lemon chicken
or pasta, vegetable, and dessert —
served downstairs at 6:00 pm. The
charge for this meal will be $15 for
adults, $8 for children (no charge
for children under 5). Advanced
reservations can be made by calling
the church office at 245-2584, call
Joy directly at 230-8264, or e-mail
your request to joyann228@
yahoo.com.
You may attend the performance
without participating in the dinner
if you prefer.
Any questions? Call or send an
e-mail directly to Joy at the numbers
shown above.
THE MESSENGER
•
JULY 2008
Uganda Mission Buzz... Investing in Nets
World Malaria Day was back on
April 25. Did you know that malaria
remains a leading cause of death among
African children under age 5? Malaria
kills a child every 30 seconds. Every 30
seconds! That is a staggering statistic
that is hard to imagine. Especially since
this is a fully preventable and treatable
disease.
The poor and the voiceless are, of
course, the most affected because they
are unable to pay to prevent or treat this
deadly killer that claims about one
million children every year. Most of these
deaths could be prevented by simply
providing a long lasting, treated bug net
that they can place around their beds.
Actually, a whole family can be protected
by just one net. The cost of one of these
special nets is only about $7.50. Many
organizations are getting involved in an
effort to help combat this deadly disease,
and we are too.
Last December, Team Uganda provided
funding for 20 nets when our friend
Rev. Chris Ochaloi in Uganda told us
about the need in a Kaberamaido village.
When he arrived, he distributed the nets
to the people, only to discover that he
was short and some children did not
receive one. Thanks be to God, the
Outreach Commission has just donated
the funding for 20 more nets. We will
send these over and hope to continue to
help out with providing more nets in
the future. It seems so simple for us to
do — and an easy way that we can help.
Above is a photo from Uganda of
Rev. Chris handing out the nets after he
blessed them. He thanks us all on behalf
of the villagers for this great work.
Our Outreach Commission has
recently made the Uganda Mission one
of their “core” projects and has a set up
an annual contribution of $2000 for
funding opportunities such as the
mosquito nets. Thank you, Outreach!
Together at St. Andrew’s, we are making
a difference!
— Team Uganda
Sole to Soul Project
Building on the great start of the
recent Vacation Bible School’s service
project, Team Uganda will continue to
collect “croc” shoes throughout the
summer. These shoes are available in a
wide variety of sizes and colors, and they
will protect little bare feet at the CHAIN
Foundation Orphanage in Uganda.
We would love to have as many shoes
as possible to send over in November
with Martha Hoffman and the rest of
the mission group. Please place your
crocs in the collection box located in the
narthex.
(Psssst... Ocean State Job Lot, in
Clinton, has croc-style shoes on sale for
$5 a pair.)
3
Our 2008 high school graduates were acknowledged at the outdoor service and parish picnic on June 8 at the Surf Club. Pictured above are (left
to right) Karen LaRocca, Caroline Maguire, Abby Albright, Josh Gregory, Josh Mattei, and Emily Sollars. Other graduates include Hillary Clifton,
Lindsey Flanders, Stephano Ghigliazza, Brynn Reynolds, Katherine Sterling, and Jeb Weaver. We wish them success in their endeavors.
A Story About a
Church Treasurer
It was a spectacular day at the Surf Club on
June 8! Thank you to everyone who helped
make our 2008 outdoor service and parish
picnic such a success!
There is a story that has been
repeated in many places over the
years — a true story I am told...
It seems that there was a church
which needed a new treasurer, so they
asked the local grain elevator manager
to take the position. He agreed under
two conditions.
One, that no treasurer’s report
would be given for the first year, and
two, that no questions would be
asked about finances during that year.
The people were surprised, but
finally agreed since most of them did
business with him, and he was a
trusted man. At the end of the year
he gave his report:
The church mortgage of some
$68,000 had been paid.
The minister's salary had been
increased by 10%.
The congregation’s pledge to the
Mission Work of the denomination
had been paid twice over.
There were no outstanding bills.
And there was a cash balance of
$11,252!
Immediately the shocked congregation asked, “How did you do it?
Where did the money come from?”
He quietly answered, “Most of you
bring your grain to my elevator.
Throughout the year, I simply withheld 10% on your behalf and gave it
to the church in your name. You
didn’t even miss it!”
•
•
•
•
•
4
THE MESSENGER
•
JULY 2008
Serendipity News — Bus Trip to the Gardner Museum in Boston
■
Bus Trip on October 1
Please join the fun and fellowship of
Serendipity’s first road trip to Boston’s
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on
Wednesday, October 1, 2008.
The Gardner Museum is the remarkable achievement of Isabella Stewart
Gardner — who collected art, designed
a museum for it, and then installed it
personally. (Kind of like Serendipity?)
For more information, the museum
web site is gardnermuseum.org.
This bus trip is open to ALL parishioners, ladies and gentlemen included,
as well as Serendipity volunteers, and
any interested friends.
The schedule for the day is as follows:
Depart from Route 79 commuter lot
at 8:15 am.
Guided museum tour — 12:30 pm
Depart Museum —3:30 pm
Arrive back in Madison — 6:30 pm.
•
•
•
•
The cost per person, including bus
travel and a guided tour of museum, is
$50. (Lunch arrangements have not
been determined yet.)
Please make your check payable to
St. Andrew’s Church and write “Bus
Trip” on the memo line. We can only
reserve seats with a check payment.
Sign up and return checks at Serendipity.
Reservations and check payment must
be received by September 1.
If you have questions, contact Kristen
Garnett at [email protected] or
call 245-8284.
■
Volunteer Luncheon
Thank you to Doreen Sproule for
hosting a beautiful volunteer luncheon
on a sparkling summer day. We all
enjoyed the fellowship, Anne Greene's
poetry, and the lovely cool breeze off the
Long Island Sound.
■
Please Volunteer
If you are willing to help out at
Serendipity — either during business
hours or behind the scenes — please
contact the store at 245-4731, or talk to
Laura Downes, Nancy Karas, Kristen
Garnett, Doreen Sproule or Sue Morriss
to get started.
Meals On Wheels
Drivers are needed on Mondays
for the Meals on Wheels program.
This is a perfect opportunity for high
school or college students who need
community service hours. Even if you
can spare just one Monday, please
call Martha Stewart at 245-3220.
A Thank You Note from Leah Ann Portley
Thank you everyone for the wonderful reception to celebrate 10 rewarding
years of ministry! It has been a pleasure and a joy becoming part of the community at St. Andrew’s and my family and I are especially grateful for the privilege of
serving the children here.
I want to thank Donna Johansen for the lovely reception, Jane Leake for her kind
words and organization of the event, Lynn Milner for choosing perfect gifts from
the parish, and Laura Miller for the creation of a memory book that I will treasure
for many years. Thank you also to the Vestry, the Church School teachers, and all
of the children for your many good wishes and very thoughtful cards and gifts!
Peace and Love, Leah Ann
As a tribute to Leah Ann Portley’s ministry as director of our church school program, the Spirit Choir presented a special musical selection.
THE MESSENGER
•
JULY 2008
5
J U L Y
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
6
7
8:00 and 9:15 am
Holy Eucharist
Lucy LaRocca to preach at
9:15 service
Preschool Camp
9 am - Noon
all week
13
14
8:00 and 9:15 am
Holy Eucharist
Preschool Camp
9 am - Noon and
Choir Camp (“Peter”)
all week
7:30 pm
Exec. Comm. Mtg
20
21
8:00 and 9:15 am
Holy Eucharist
Preschool Camp
9 am - Noon and
Choir Camp (Broadway)
all week
7:30 pm
Vestry Meeting
27
28
8:00 and 9:15 am
Holy Eucharist
8
15
22
29
Choir Camp (Ark)
all week
H.O.M.E Mission Trip to
Orland, Maine — all week
2 0 0 8
WEDNESDAY
2
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
11:00 am -12:15 pm
Book Group
6:30 Picnic at Beach
9
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
11:00 am -12:15 pm
Book Group
6:30 Picnic at Beach
16
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
11:00 am -12:15 pm
Book Group
6:30 Picnic at Beach
23
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
11:00 am -12:15 pm
Book Group
6:30 Picnic at Beach
30
FRIDAY
THURSDAY
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
11:00 am -12:15 pm
Book Group
6:30 Picnic at Beach
SATURDAY
4
3
5
Independence
Day
10
11
12
18
19
7:00 pm Search
Committee Meeting
17
7:00 pm
Choir Camp
performance of
“Peter”
24
25
26
Choir Camp
“Broadway Bistro” —
6:00 pm Dinner;
7:00 pm Show
31
Treasurer’s Notes
First 5 Months — Actuals vs Budgets
CHURCH OPERATIONS
5-MONTH ACTUAL
The Easiest Way to
Give to St. Andrew’s
Help support the many missions and
ministries at St. Andrew’s while you buy
your groceries.
Just by using Stop & Shop cards —
5% of all purchases go directly to St.
Andrew’s! These cards are convenient
and easy to use.
You can buy Stop & Shop cards after
each service, at coffee hour, or during
the week in the church office. Visa and
Mastercards are accepted.
Income:
Expenses:
YTD BUDGET
TOTAL 2008 BUDGET
$172,458
$156,036
$386,560
$386,560
5-MONTH ACTUAL
YTD BUDGET
TOTAL 2008 BUDGET
$63,002
$67,530
$55,750
$66,355
$152,035
$155,049
5-MONTH ACTUAL
YTD BUDGET
TOTAL 2008 BUDGET
$38,766
$31,031
$7,735
$40,600
$30,100
$10,500
$98,000
$75,855
$22,145
$175,629
$157,587
PRESCHOOL OPERATIONS
Income:
Expenses:
SERENDIPITY OPERATIONS
Income:
Expenses:
Profit:
— Respectfully submitted,
Dave Mason, Treasurer
6
e-mail: [email protected]
THE MESSENGER
•
JULY 2008
Green Matters
Everyone, Everywhere Conference
Thanks to a parishioner’s suggestion, I’ve placed a basket on the table
below the “Green Matters” section of
the bulletin board in Farmer Hall. As
a start, there are some magazines and
another parishioner’s contribution of
material from the Mercy Center on
environmental topics.
So, please browse, help yourself,
share, and consider contributing
something relevant to help keep the
basket full of fresh, green ideas.
“Green Matters” information is
now divided between the Farmer Hall
bulletin board and one in the classroom hallway.
Another parishioner sent an email regarding a National Geographic documentary slide show on
the problem of using plastic bags.
Plastic bags are serious threats to
wildlife, they continue to clog landfills, and they increase the use of
petroleum. Paper bags are not the
answer. Many people at St. Andrew’s
now use cloth shopping bags, and
this is the way to go. See the
National Geographic News Video,
“Edward Norton: Bag the Bag”:
www.thegreenguide.com. Then, click
Daily News Video, and search
“Edward Norton…”.
There are many items of interest
on the National Geographic web site.
If you have comments or suggestions, please send an e-mail to
john_c_fuller@ sbcglobal.net.
— John Fuller
After attending this conference in
Baltimore, I can now see the “base path”
of opportunities and relationships
promoting “connectivity” that were so
cleverly set up.
Arriving at the Maritime Center
along with about 250 others was first
base. Meeting and seeing like-minded
missioners about the halls, during meals,
workshops, worship, small group sessions,
etc., was truly helpful and rewarding.
The informative workshops provided
time to hear others share their own
personal knowledge and experience, and
also time to connect with them and
others in attendance — rounding second
base! Third base included three plenary
speakers. They brought with them so
much insight, not only in their own
area of expertise, but also inspiring ways
to apply their ideas to all that we do as
Christians or “pilgrims” following God’s
calling to us all. A powerful concept
was presented — that mission is not
about making connections, but rather
about transforming the connectiveness
— everywhere — with everyone — that
already exists.
For me, sliding into home plate was
the plane ride home. I sat next to a
total stranger, but within the hour-long
flight, we connected not only as
humans and women and missioners,
but also as people who have been called
and are pilgrims on our own journeys.
This beautiful woman exchanged her
address and phone number with me,
and we decided that we would continue
to pray for each other and our work.
She then opened up her checkbook and
wrote a check for $100 to help fund
mission work in Uganda. I was overwhelmed with her generosity and her
compassion, and I accepted her check
with tears in my eyes. But later, after I
arrived at home and was retelling the
story to my family, I realized she did not
write a check for $100, as I had thought.
It was for $1,000.
God is so good and blesses us all
richly in following our call to mission.
What will your trip around the bases
look like? Are you taking a swing at the
pitches that come your way? Try and
see…. I dare ya!
— Martha Hoffman
President of Call To Care and
Chair of St. Andrew’s Team Uganda
(and… just another pilgrim)
No Vacation from Hunger
There are people in our community who need the support of food
banks and other agencies to eat
adequately. Please consider buying a
few extra non-perishable food items
and place them in our food collection
basket. Thank you.
Blessings
continued from page 1
Biodegradable cutlery made from corn (not petroleum)
Corn plastic products look and feel just like regular plastic, but they are 100%
biodegradable and compostable. Corn plastics are made from PLA (polylactide).
PLA is made from corn — and corn is a renewable resource. Did you know that
regular plastic is made from petroleum?
Corn cutlery has a heat tolerance of 140 degrees(F). All other corn plastic food
containers and cups can only withstand temperatures of 110 degrees. Store these
products out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place. BiodegradableStore.com
guarantees that all products shipped out of their temperature-controlled warehouse
in Boulder, Colorado are in good condition prior to shipping.
Plus, corn cutlery seems to be about the same cost as regular plastic cutlery.
You can order these products from: www.biodegradablestore.com .
THE MESSENGER
•
JULY 2008
on a Saturday to my new home and
planted all my flower boxes for me. As
she put it, “just taking one little chore
off my plate.” One example of those acts
of kindness that Christians do for each
other. Acts of kindness that is so much
about who we are at St. Andrew’s.
Today we left our residence of the past
nine years. This move was bittersweet —
but one I could feel at peace about as I
spent my morning worshiping at St.
Andrew’s.
Thank you my friends for all your
support.
Peace, Susan
7
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
232 Durham Road, Madison, Connecticut 06443
Telephone: (203) 245-2584 • Fax: (203) 245-2601
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.standrewsmadison.org
Parish Hours: Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm
THE MESSENGER is a monthly newsletter of St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church. Contributions are always welcome. The
deadline is the 15th of the preceding month. Please send an
e-mail to [email protected]. All articles may be
edited for space, style, and content.
Editor: Denise Forrest
The Parish Staff
Interim Rector
Parish Administrator
Preschool Director
Organist & Chancel Choir Director
Director of Spirit Choir & Musicals
Guitarist
Sexton and Verger
Louise Kalemkerian
Barbara Gibbons
Leah Ann Portley
Mark Sullivan
Joy Weaver
Jim Olden
David Mikus
The Parish Vestry
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
Clerk of the Vestry
Susan Miller
Bill Crawford
Dave Mason
Lynn Milner
Charles Albright, Laura Downes, Rich Fisler, Geoff Gregory,
John Paulson, Olivia Scaros, Art Seymour, Terry Sinclair,
Maggie Walden
Efficient — eventful — eNews !
St. Andrew’s weekly eNews is another channel of
communication for parishioners. This electronic update
contains scripture lessons for the coming Sunday, events
and announcements for the coming week, and a short
reflection by clergy and/or lay members.
To receive eNews, go to — www.standrewsmadison.org
— and sign up on the home page.
THE MESSENGER
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U S POSTAGE
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
232 Durham Road
Madison, Connecticut 06443
Permit No. 45
Madison, CT 06443
PA I D
JULY 2008
Parish Office: (203) 245-2584
Editor: Denise Forrest