Messenger 9-09web:9-09 - St Andrew`s Episcopal Church

THE MESSENGER
Growing Together in God’s Love
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MADISON, CONNECTICUT
Rector’s Reflections
Fellowship at
the Surf Club
Well, we have had
a few rainy Wednesdays this summer,
but we hope those
who joined us for the
Wednesday night
picnics at the Surf
Club enjoyed them!
Let’s see how many
Wednesday nights
we can continue to
meet in September!
Two Work Days
One work day has
been set for Saturday,
Sept. 12, to finish up
some projects at the
Rectory, the church
building and grounds.
Also, St. Andrew’s
Cares Day (our semiannual outreach
effort to help a local
homeowner in need)
is scheduled for
Saturday, October 12.
Please save both dates
for your whole family
to join in some great
fellowship and an
opportunity to
accomplish something worthwhile.
St. Andrew’s is beginning its 50th Anniversary Year soon, and it is time to establish an
ad-hoc group to plan festivities to celebrate our
golden anniversary. Please let me know if you
would like to be a part of this committee that
will plan and lead these 50th anniversary
celebration activities. The first meeting of the
50th Celebration Ad-Hoc Committee will be in
September. I look forward to hearing ideas
that you have to celebrate these past 50 years.
Birthdays and anniversaries can be wonderful opportunities to reflect on what has been
accomplished and where we want to grow.
When I was 25 and my friend John died, I
began to live life with the question, “How do I
need to live my life so that in one year or five
years or twenty years, I can look back and
celebrate those years with no regrets, even in
the midst of whatever painful experiences may
come to my loved ones or me?”
In addition to the 50th Anniversary celebrations, perhaps for St. Andrew’s, we can begin
to explore how St. Andrew’s wants to live out
its ministry so that in the future, we can look
back and celebrate those years that were lived
intentionally, with the undergirding of Christ’s
love and affection for God continued on page 2
SEPTEMBER 2009
Sing in the Spirit Choir
Excitement is in the air, crisp fall weather
begins, new “back to school” clothes are worn
and before you know it — it’s time for Spirit
Choir! We have an exciting year planned —
combining old favorite tunes and introducing new ones — music ranging from contemporary to gospel to bluegrass. Beautiful
ballads and tunes will rock the 9:15 service,
something for everyone to enjoy! Plus we
will have surprises that feature guest
musicians and soloists. So join us!
Spirit Choir rehearsals begin Thursday,
September 10, 5:15 – 6:15 pm.
We rehearse in the Choir Room every
Thursday at 5:15 pm and again every Sunday
morning at 8:30 am to prepare for Sunday
9:15 services. Even if you can’t make it on
Thursday night, you can join us on Sunday
mornings. CDs and music packets containing all of our upcoming anthems are available in the Choir Room. So pick up a CD
and sing along! Even if you can’t come to
every rehearsal, we encourage you to come
when you can, and share the music with us
and our congregation. Looking forward to
seeing my old friends and new ones this year!
— Joy Weaver
Meeting for Youth Activities
Join us on Tuesday, September 8 from
7:00 - 8:30 pm to discuss what, as a parish,
we would like our youth group activities to
include. Discussion topics:
• Types of youth group activities
• Musical productions
This open dialogue is particularly important for parents of middle school and high
school students. We will meet in Farmer
Hall, and light refreshments will be served.
Please contact Barb in the parish office
by e-mail at barb@standrewsmadison.org
or call 245-2584 if you plan to attend.
Choose Your Response
A priest was on his way through St. Peter’s
Square. He was late for an assembly with the
cardinals and Pope John Paul II. St. Peter’s
square was filled with the unfortunate who had
come in search of redemption. Since the priest
was late for his meeting, he found it difficult to
stop to help any individuals. However, the
priest was shocked when he caught the eyes of
one lost soul wandering the square. It was
someone he had known in seminary. They had
been ordained together.
continued on page 2
Our Mission — To deepen faith and transform the world as Christ calls us
through joyful worship, music, study, and service to others.
News for Newcomers
Celebration Dinner
If you are new to St. Andrew’s,
welcome! The Welcoming Commission
would like to let you know about several
programs to help you become more
familiar with our parish.
Please join us on Sunday, October 18.
In the morning, there will be a “Ministry
Sunday” — all of the different ministries
such as Outreach, Altar Guild, and Team
Uganda set up informative displays, and
members can answer any questions you
might have. There will be an opportunity
to sign up to participate in all of the
great activities that our church community offers.
Later that same day, the Welcoming
Commission will host an informal dinner
for all who have come to St. Andrew’s in
the last two years. Childcare will be
provided. We call this getting-to-knowyou event “Life at St. Andrew’s,” because
it provides an opportunity for you to
meet the leadership of the church and
other newcomers and to hear about what
it means to be a member of St. Andrew’s.
More information will be provided in
next month’s Messenger.
We have plenty of space on the bulletin
board in the Narthex (entryway) for
pictures of newcomers. The photographs,
with a little information about new
individuals and families, are displayed
so everyone can get to know you. If you
are relatively new to St. Andrew’s and
have not been approached to have your
photo taken yet, we’d like to hear from
you. Martha Stewart takes care of updating the bulletin board, and she can
be reached at 245-3220.
— Martha Stewart
■ Save the Date!
Our annual Celebration Dinner
will be held on Saturday, November 7.
To volunteer to help with this festive
evening, contact Donna Johansen at
dmjarm@snet.net or call 245-6729.
■ Photos Needed
The fall Celebration Dinner usually
includes a digital slide show of the
year’s events at St. Andrew’s. You are
encouraged to submit digital photos.
Activities may include: worship services, musical performances, Spaghetti
Supper/Auction, H.O.M.E. mission
trip, newcomer events, summer theater
camps, rectory renovation, and other
events. For details about how to
submit photos, please contact John
Fuller at brush50mm@sbcglobal.net.
Fellowship and Coffee
Now that it’s September, refreshments
will be served in Farmer Hall after the
9:15 service. Please volunteer for a
Sunday to make coffee and bring your
favorite plate of cookies! Sign up at
church, or contact Donna Johansen at
dmjarm@snet.net or call 245-6729. And
don’t forget to bring your own mug!
Rector’s Reflections
continued from page 1
Wanted:
Friendly people to Greet
The Welcoming Commission is
still looking for volunteers to help
greet people as they enter church —
to make them feel welcome and help
them find their nametags. If you
would be willing to do this every
month or two, or have questions,
please contact Jane Leake at 421-8472.
2
and one another. As we begin to look
forward to the next 50 years of
St. Andrew’s ministry, I recollect that
the Profile, developed by the Search
Committee, stated Spiritual Formation
was the number one goal. That is a very
broad topic. I look forward to a parishwide meeting to put some context and
meat on that desire for Spiritual Formation. Perhaps that exploration into
Spiritual Formation can guide the parish’s
focus for years to come.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Mary
Choose Your Response
continued from page 1
The priest was compelled to stop. He
listened to how his friend had lost his
way. He told his friend to wait patiently
in the square, and he assured him he
would return. The priest went to his
meeting and explained the encounter.
He asked the cardinals what they could
do. Of course, they went to the square,
brought the man back, cleaned him up,
and put him in clerical clothing.
The priests brought the man to the
luncheon with Pope John II and somehow the man’s story made its way to the
Pope’s compassionate ear. The Pope
asked for his confession to be heard by
this man. The room was filled with
varied emotions. In one single act, the
Pope reached out with purity of heart
and purpose. To this day, the priest who
had fallen on hard times and would give
confession to the Pope, leads a youth
ministry in Africa.
This story was shared by Joan Lewis
while I was on vacation in July. Joan
works for EWTN as a lead reporter for the
Vatican and has had personal contact
with the Popes over the last 30 years.
When asked if any one story stood out in
her mind, this was the story she shared.
In the June Messenger, I hoped to
convey a message about personal leadership. The word “responsibility,” when
broken down, speaks that each of us has
the “ability” to choose our “response” —
a first step in personal leadership. Pope
John Paul II demonstrated his ability to
respond with humility and empathy,
ultimately to transform the life of wayward soul. I work tirelessly to manage
my ability to choose my response. The
story of Pope John Paul II will forever be
emblazoned in my mind.
Peace, Rob Card
cardshouse@yahoo.com
October 11th
THE MESSENGER
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
Church School, Youth Activities, and More
Summer has rapidly disappeared and
fall — and the start of the school year —
is here. Why does summer seem to get
shorter as we grow older? Blessings and
peace to all as you get your schedules
together. May we seek time to just “be”
as we begin the manic pace of the school
year and the activities which accompany
it. May your time and your child’s time
at St. Andrew’s be a respite in the busy
pace of daily life this year.
■ Nursery
Childcare for children ages 6 months
to two years resumes on September 13
during the 9:15 am and 11 am services.
Just come to the nursery in the classroom
wing and complete a form. You will be
given a pager so our childcare provider
can contact you during the service if
your child needs you.
■ Church School
• August 30 — Ice Cream Social
and Church School Registration!
• September 13 — First day of
Church School for the 2009-10 year!
Yoohoo — can you hear God calling
you? We are still looking for another
one or two people to help teach the
Journey to Adulthood (J2A) program.
These are 8th and 9th Graders preparing
for Confirmation in 2011 — ideally, it is a
two-year teaching commitment. Thanks
to Jean Card and Grace Crawford for
leading the way. Another pair to help
teach will round out this group nicely —
thank you in advance.
Are you interested in helping lead a
great group of older teenagers? If so,
please contact Mary via e-mail at
themsgroup@snet.net or call 245-2584, x3.
SIGN UP NOW! Did you know that
registration has started for all classes
and youth activities at St. Andrew’s.
Please download a registration form
from the St. Andrew’s web site and put
your completed form in the bin next to
my office door. Thank you!
Here’s who is doing what this fall:
• Ages 3-4 / Pre-K: Susan Wines
and Heather Meachen
• Kindergarten/1st Grade: Trish
Arida and Sandy Butler
• 2nd/3rd Grade: Jen Parthasarthy
and Rachel Carfora
THE MESSENGER
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
• 4th/5th Grade: Florie Earle, Tracy
Lynch, and Rebecca Rastetter
• Rite 13: Lee Scaros, Kerry Arena,
Glenn and Martha Stewart
• J2A: Jean Card, Grace Crawford
and ??
• YAC: Mary Merkle-Scotland,
Judy Albright and ??
■ Substitute List
Do you miss teaching, but can’t quite
manage an ongoing commitment?
Substitute teachers are needed. I am
compiling a list of substitutes that might
be available in a pinch. Thanks to those
who already have offered. If you are
interested, contact Mary at themsgroup
@snet.net or call 245-2584, x3.
■ Youth Activities
Adults are needed to help with middle
school and high school youth programs
this year. Have you always loved the
energy of adolescents? Do you miss an
excuse to be silly or throw whipped
cream around? Do you have a hankering for a sing-along or some mini-golf?
Youth activities only can happen with
enough adult volunteers. Consider this
ministry for a change in your life and in
that of our youth. For details or to sign
on as a volunteer, please send an
e-mail to Mary at themsgroup@snet.net.
■ Mom’s Prayer Group
The Mom’s Group begins anew in
September! All moms are welcome.
The group meets at Jen Conroy’s home
at 53 Liberty Street. For more information, please call Jen at 779-5420.
— Mary Merkle-Scotland
themsgroup@snet.net
TAKE
Rite 13 Pool Party
All 6th and 7th Graders are invited
to a Rite 13 pool party at the Stewart’s
house at 40 Shorelands Drive on Friday,
September 4, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Dinner
will be provided.
Come meet your new teachers for the
next two years — Kerry Arena, Lee and
Luke Scaros, Glenn and Martha Stewart.
Please RSVP to 245-3220 to let the
Stewarts know if you can come — we hope
you can!
Preschool News
Wow! Can it be?
By the time you read this, the
classrooms and playground will have
been readied to welcome the preschool
children for the 2009-2010 school
year. On September 3 and 4, all of the
children and their parents will come
to school to meet their teachers and
new classmates. On September 8,
school begins!
Please, as always, keep the children
and the teachers in your prayers.
I know that I can speak for everyone
at St. Andrew’s when I say that we are
blessed to be part of these precious
early years of growth and development.
The teachers and I take the trust that
the families put in us very seriously,
and we appreciate your support in
making St. Andrew’s Preschool a
vibrant, spirit-filled place for young
children.
Peace,
Leah Ann Portley
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3
Holiday Fair Set for Saturday, November 14
Help Fill a Theme Basket!
Planning Meetings
• September 1, 6:30 pm, location to be determined
• September 14, 6:00 pm at Florie Earl’s house
• October 13, 7:00 pm at St. Andrew’s
• October 26, 7:00 pm at St. Andrew’s
Also, please start thinking about donations and craft items to
contribute. If you have any questions, call Florie Earle at 421-0100.
Storage Space Needed
Space is needed to store items for the Holiday Fair Tag Sale from
October 15 - November 15. Free or inexpensive space is preferred.
It can be a garage, barn, warehouse, or any other dry secure space.
If you can help us meet this need, please contact Rachel Carfora at
421-1114, or send an e-mail to rachel_e_ carfora@sbcglobal.net
(Note: underscores before and after the “e” in her e-mail address).
Maggie and Margaret will organize
THEME BASKETS for the Holiday Fair —
and once again, they need your help.
If you are interested in creating a theme
basket or donating items toward one,
their committee will gladly put them
together, plus provide the basket for you!
Be creative with your theme!
As most of you know, the Holiday Fair is one of
St. Andrew’s biggest fundraisers and donating items
for a basket is an easy way to participate in the fair.
So please help us out. If you have any questions, call
Maggie Walden at 318-5045 or Margaret Mason at
421-4359. They look forward to hearing from you.
Quick Cuisine — ‘Cooking Up Some Fun’ Fundraiser !
At Quick Cuisine, they do the shopping and chopping. You can reserve a
spot to select and assemble meals for
your family. St. Andrew’s has arranged
a group party for Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5,
and Dec. 3. at 6:30 pm at Quick Cuisine,
8 Post Office Square in Clinton.
■ Fun with St. Andrew’s Friends
■ What to expect on arrival
Enjoy some wine, cheese, and conversation with others from St. Andrew’s —
mingle in the party area before and after
assembling your meals. St. Andrew’s
Church will receive 10% of all
dollars spent at Quick Cuisine!
Quick Cuisine will give you a printed
copy of the menu you have selected.
You will be shown around and given a
space in the refrigerator to store your
meals while you work on others. Head
to the assembly stations and follow the
simple directions to put together your
meals. Labels with detailed cooking
instructions are provided, so once you
have assembled your meal, you can
label it, place it in the refrigerator and
move on to the next station until you
are finished.
■ Here’s how to Start
Remembrances
A funeral was held at St. Andrew’s
on July 24 for Richard “Dick”
Rochford. Dick passed away at the
age of 75 in New Jersey.
He was known for his wit and
strong commitment to issues, having
played an integral role in the purchase
of our pipe organ. He often was the
front man for upcoming fundraisers
and special events, performing his
limericks to the enjoyment of the
parish. He was quite proud of his
Marine background, loved to tell
stories and sail the open water. He
and his wife Betsey, who predeceased
him last year, were long-time faithful
and involved parishioners. He is
survived by his two children and their
families, including six grandchildren.
A reception followed the service in
Farmer Hall.
4
Browse the month’s menu offerings —
there are 12 entrees for self-assembly.
Entrees change monthly and a seasonal
selection of ready-to-take-home appetizers, entrees, soups, sides, and desserts
also is posted. You can order meals that
serve either 2-3 or 4-6 portions. Make
your selections (requirement of 3 meals
minimum) at the Quick Cuisine web site
at customerservice@myquickcuisine.com.
Then come into Quick Cuisine during
our reserved sessions to assemble and
pick up your meals. You must order
and register on their web site in
advance. Each session is limited to
12 people. Be sure to make space in
your freezer for your Quick Cuisine
meals. All meals are stored in disposable
foil pans or plastic Zip-Lock freezer bags.
Plan on spending one hour or less
preparing your meals. Be sure to wear
comfortable shoes. An apron will be
provided to help keep your clothes clean.
Bring a cooler or laundry basket with
you to transport your meals home.
■ For more information
View the Quick Cuisine web site at
myquickcuisine.com or call them at
(860) 664-9456.
Thank you Florie Earle for organizing
these sessions. If you have other questions, call her at 421-0100.
Buy. Eat. Compete.
THE MESSENGER
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
Theatrical Tidbits: Musical Performances are fun-filled and rewarding
■ Summer Performances
Summer 2009 proved to be a fun-filled
three weeks full of song, dance, drama,
adventure, and did I mention fun?
Our first Choir Camp performed
“The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hits.”
Our dynamic cast of 17 very talented
children enlightened the audience with a
humorous script and memorable musical
numbers. Camp 2, “Broadway Bistro,”
featured song and dance from popular
Broadway shows — and more than 60
family and friends enjoyed this dinner
theater. Our final camp was a rockin’ 50s
style musical — “Hula Hoops and Halo’s.”
A fabulous cast of 14 teenagers, wearing
poodle skirts and leather jackets, bopped
their way into our hearts with great
music and high-energy dance numbers.
All three Choir Camps brought new
friendships, happy faces, full hearts and
joy to all who were involved or had the
privilege of seeing the productions. Tie
that in with exciting afternoon adventures
of bowling, mini-golf, beach trips, movie
days, pool parties, and Lake Compounce
— and you’ll see we shared a summer
experience no one should miss.
■ Musical Productions
As we look towards the fall, I know
our youth look forward to building on
the friendships and experiences that
Auditions for Musicals
All who audition are guaranteed a
part in the performance!
“Altar Boyz and Girlz”
Auditions — Sunday, September 13,
3:00 – 6:00 pm. This musical is for
teens in Grades 6 - 12.
Performances — Friday, January 8
and Saturday, January 9 at 7:00 pm.
“The Mystery of St. Nicholas —
Or Will the Real St. Nicholas Please
Stand Up”
Auditions — Sunday, September 27,
1:00 – 2:30 pm. This musical is for
children in Grades 1 – 6.
Performance — Sunday, December 6
during the 9:15 am service.
THE MESSENGER
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
began in summer. Even if you were
not involved in summer choir camps,
there is a spot for you in one of our
fall/winter productions!
I am excited to announce “Altar Boyz
and Girlz” as our teen winter show and
“The Mystery of St. Nicholas — Or
Will the Real St. Nicholas Please
Stand Up” for our junior group.
Currently playing off-Broadway,
“Altar Boyz” is a fun, contemporary
Christian rock musical. Our revised
version, “Altar Boyz and Girlz,” has
plenty of featured roles for boys and girls,
as well as ensemble roles. It has high
energy, big BIG music with even BIGGER
dance numbers as well as great comedy.
“The Mystery of St. Nicholas — Or
Will the Real St. Nicholas Please Stand
Up” is a musical that tells the story of the
real St. Nicholas. This original musical
will give kids in Grades 1 – 6 a chance to
sing and dance with their friends!
Auditions are simply to help us determine which part each child will receive
and will take place in Farmer Hall. ALL
WHO AUDITION ARE GUARANTEED
A PART! Auditions begin with all the
girls and boys learning songs as a group.
Each child will have the opportunity to
sing privately for us (only if they choose
to) and be given a scene (and scene
partners) to read. We will have the
opportunity to talk about the rehearsal
process and get to know each other.
Teens auditioning for “Altar Boyz
and Girlz” who are interested in a
“featured role” should come prepared to
show me a Hispanic accent, perform a
rap, show me some hip hop moves and/
or show me your impression of a true
“home boy or girl.” Rehearsals for “Altar
Boyz and Girlz” take place most Sundays
from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Rehearsals for
“The Mystery of St. Nicholas — Or
Will the Real St. Nicholas Please Stand
Up” will be most Sundays from 1:00 –
2:30 pm. No rehearsals during school
vacations, some holiday weekends and
half of December. A complete rehearsal
schedule will be available at the auditions
or in the parish office.
I promise everyone that chooses to be
part of our theatre programs will have a
fun and rewarding experience! I will be
available 30 minutes before the auditions
begin or after any 9:15 service on Sunday
mornings for parents or children who
would like to meet me, see the rehearsal
schedule, or ask questions.
To contact me — send an e-mail to
joyann228@yahoo.com, call me at home
(203) 230-8264, or leave a message for
me at St. Andrew’s, and I will get back to
you. I look forward to an exciting season
with my extended family at St. Andrew’s.
— Joy Weaver
Crop Walk planned
The Crop Walk will take place on
Sunday, October 4. Participants walk
from the Madison Green to the
Guilford Green, which is approximately 5 miles. By walking, funds are
raised to help support local, national,
and international hunger-fighting
causes. Please participate by walking,
sponsoring, or shuttling walkers.
Donation forms and information
packets will be in Farmer Hall. For
details, contact Jean Card at 421-8604
or jcardshouse@sbcglobal.net.
Lines of Communication
We are fortunate to have dedicated
people helping us to communicate. At
present, if you have an event planned
and would like to share it with the parish,
please contact the following people:
• The Messenger Newsletter —
Denise Forrest 245-9089
messenger@standrewsmadison.org
• Web site — Terry Sinclair 245-0384
sinclan@comcast.net
• E-News — Bill Crawford 318-0060
woc_md@yahoo.com
• Sunday Bulletin — Barb Gibbons,
Parish Administrator 245-2584
barb@standrewsmadison.org
5
The 2009 Youth Mission Trip Goes H.O.M.E.
2009 Participants: Judy Albright,
Sam Albright, Sandy Callinan,
Chris Chapman, Elizabeth
Chapman, Emily Fisler, Rich Fisler,
Tim Forrest, Perri Freeman, Emily
Gumbrecht, Melissa Hoffman,
Dick Johansen, Donna Johansen,
Rachel Johansen, Matt Kaempf,
Ryan Kollar, Amy LaRocca,
Kelsey Lynch, Marisa McCann,
Colleen McHugh, Erin McHugh,
Kara McHugh, Anne-Claire
Merkle-Scotland, Mary MerkleScotland, David Mikus, Hannah
Morgan, Dan Nestor, Sean Nestor,
Nicole Nietlisbach, Kelsey Page,
Sarah Palmer, Renee Parrinello,
Charlotte Perkins, Tom Philips,
Monica Power, Shana Reese,
Alexia Scaros, Luke Scaros,
Dennis Stewart, Glenn Stewart,
Cory Zachos, and Demi Zachos.
S E P T E M B E R
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Check St. Andrew’s weekly eNews for the most
up-to-date announcements. To receive our eNews,
go to — www.standrewsmadison.org — and sign up
on the home page.
6
8:00 and 9:15 am
Holy Eucharist
7
8:00, 9:15, 11:00 am
Holy Eucharist
First day of Church School
3-6:00 pm Audition, see pg 5
9:00 pm Compline Service
20
8:00, 9:15, 11:00 am
Holy Eucharist
WEDNESDAY
1
2
6:30 pm
Holiday Fair
Meeting
6:00 pm
Supper at Surf Club
8
9:00 am
Holy Eucharist
9
9:00 am
Holy Eucharist
2 0 0 9
THURSDAY
6:30 pm
Quick Cuisine in Clinton
5:30-7:30 pm
Rite 13
Pool Party at
Stewart’s house
10
11
6:00 pm
Supper at Surf Club
5:15 pm — Spirit Choir
7:00 pm — Chancel Choir
14
15
16
17
6:00 Supper at Surf
Club
5:15 pm — Spirit Choir
7:00 pm — Chancel Choir
23
24
6:00 pm
Holiday Fair
Meeting
21
22
7:00 pm
Vestry Meeting
9:00 am
Holy Eucharist
SATURDAY
4
7:00 pm
Meeting about
youth activities
9:00 am
Holy Eucharist
FRIDAY
3
Parish Office
Closed
9:00 pm Compline Service
13
TUESDAY
5
12
8:30 am
St. Andrew’s
Work Day
(see page 1)
18
19
25
26
5:15 pm — Spirit Choir
7:00 pm — Chancel Choir
9:00 pm Compline Service
27
28
8:00, 9:15, 11:00 am
Holy Eucharist
1-2:30 pm Audition, see pg 5
9:00 pm Compline Service
School Holiday
6
29
30
9:00 am
Holy Eucharist
LOOKING AHEAD
• October 4 — Blessing of the Animals and Crop Walk
• October 10 — St. Andrew’s Cares Day
• October 18 — Ministry Sunday during coffee hour
• November 7 — Celebration Dinner
THE MESSENGER
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
Millennium Development Goals and St. Andrew’s — We’ve Got it Going On
Did you know that this past July, the
Episcopal Church USA met for a General
Convention in Anaheim, CA to debate
and discuss many complex issues?
Considering these tough economic times,
the General Convention participants
had to cut the budget by nearly $23 million over the next three years. But there
is good news! As reported by Devon
Anderson, President of the EGR
(Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation),
“The 0.7% funding for the Millennium
Development Goals [MDG] was restored
in the approved budget, totaling a little
under $900,000! Because of the work of
EGR for the past three years, the momentum to reinstate the 0.7% was in full gear
from the very beginning of General
Convention. EGR members fanned out
and delivered moving testimony at all
budget and related hearings. We built a
historic coalition with Episcopal Relief &
Development and the Episcopal Church
Women, testifying together with passion
and resolve. In the House of Deputies
and the House of Bishops, EGR members
called our church to stay focused on its
call to partner with the world's poorest
people in eradicating global poverty.”
“Now is the time to recommit ourselves to the MDGs,” our members said,
“Not back away. Before us is a defining
moment. We can choose to slowly
erode our commitment to the global
community out of our own sense of
economic fear and uncertainty, or we
can step out in faith in God’s abundance
and take a chance on mission, despite
the cost.”
Resoundingly, our General Convention chose mission and sacrificially
placed it in the very heart of our budget.
This choice is a very proud moment for
the Episcopal Church — a decision in
which we can all rejoice and give thanks.
And we at St. Andrew’s in Madison
also have chosen mission! The work
that we do with our brothers and sisters
in Uganda is a testimony to that. We are
continuously stepping out in faith and
in action to help accomplish the MDGs.
But what exactly are the MDGs you
ask? The Millennium Development
Goals are eight goals to be achieved by
2015 that respond to the world’s main
development challenges. The MDGs are
drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration
that was adopted by 189 nations — and
signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium
Summit in September 2000. They are:
October 11, 2 - 4 pm, Farmer Hall.
This first annual St. Andrew’s event
features a pie contest, pie eating,
pie buying, and just plain fun.
Don’t miss the first annual “Pies, Pies, Pies” event.
Come see the beautiful selection of pies for sale.
Watch the judges as they decide which pies are
noteworthy and pick the “Best of Show.” Try a
delicious piece of apple crisp and your favorite
beverage. Join in and donate a pie to benefit
St. Andrew’s Ugandan orphans. Pies will be sold
for $10 each. A serving of apple crisp costs $1;
coffee, tea, or juice are complimentary.
THE MESSENGER
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
Bring your pies for judging
(fruit or cream) to Farmer
Hall no later than 2 pm on
Sunday, October 11, 2009.
Include the recipe —the pie
doesn’t need to be original.
There will be divisions for
women, men, and youth.
Lots of awards and prizes
for the best. For complete
details and an entry form,
go to St. Andrew’s web site
and click on “Pies.” This
is going to be a fun-filled
afternoon with plenty of
laughs, good food, and
astute reactions from our
panel of celebrity judges.
Help us fund tuition costs
for the orphans — Cathy,
Timothy, Josephine, and
Calvin.
Team Uganda
• Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty
and hunger
• Goal 2: Achieve universal primary
education
• Goal 3: Promote gender equality
and empower women
• Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
• Goal 5: Improve maternal health
• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS,
malaria, and other diseases
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental
sustainability
• Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Thank you — to each and every one
of you — for your commitment, imagination, and persistence in responding to
God’s clear and resounding call to
mission in the world. We just could not
have done it without all of you.
Blessings,
Team Uganda
Green Church News
Currently on the Green Bulletin
Board in Farmer Hall are some
extracts from The Forum on Religion
and Ecology web page. These News
Clippings from the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP)
point to the many faith communities
involved with climate change issues.
What may surprise readers is the
role of China, which releases the
most greenhouse gases. James Miller
wrote in June 2009, “Now here’s a
curveball to secular Western policy
experts: China’s intellectuals are openly
debating the role of Confucianism,
Buddhism, and Taoism in promoting
the Communist Party’s vision of a
harmonious society and ecologically
sustainable economic development.”
For more information on this
ecumenical response to the environment, visit these web sites:
• www.csmonitor.com and search
James Miller, June 2009
• The Forum on Religion and Ecology
at www.news@religionandecology.org.
— John Fuller
7
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
232 Durham Road, Madison, Connecticut 06443
Telephone: (203) 245-2584 • Fax: (203) 245-2601
E-mail: welcome@standrewsmadison.org
Web site: www.standrewsmadison.org
Parish Hours: Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm
The Parish Staff
Rector
Parish Administrator
Preschool Director
Director of Children’s and
Youth Ministry
Organist & Chancel Choir Director
Director of Spirit Choir & Musicals
Guitarist
Sexton
The Parish Vestry
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
Clerk of the Vestry
Mary A. Canavan
Barbara Gibbons
Leah Ann Portley
Mary Merkle-Scotland
Mark Sullivan
Joy Weaver
Jim Olden
David Mikus
Rob Card
Matt Parthasarthy
Bill Downes
Olivia Scaros
Charles Albright, Sandra Butler, Rich Fisler, Jenny Gerst,
Geoff Gregory, Terry Sinclair, Martha Stewart,
Robert Stimpson, Maggie Walden
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 messenger@standrewsmadison.org. All articles may be
edited for space, style, and content.
Editor: Denise Forrest
Choir Rehearsal Schedule
■ Spirit Choir — Thursday Rehearsal 5:15-6:15 pm
Sunday Rehearsal at 8:30 am
This youth and adult choir sings each Sunday morning at
the 9:15 am service during the school year. The selections
include a varied palette of musical styles, including gospel,
jazz, folk, and contemporary music.
■ Chancel Choir — Thursday Rehearsal 7:00-8:30 pm
Sunday Rehearsal at 10:15 am
Open to all high school and adult singers, this choir sings
each Sunday morning at the 11:00 am service during the
school year. The Chancel Choir sings a wide variety of music —
traditional literature, gospel, jazz, folk, and music of the great
composers, including their Masterworks.
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
Pastor Mary Canavan
Parish Office: (203) 245-2584
PA I D
SEPTEMBER 2009
Editor: Denise Forrest