The Beacon
: Senior Warden Report:
I hope this up-date finds everyone doing as well as possible under the current situation.
Kathy and I have been without phone service for much of April. As many of you know, we live in an isolated area and this makes us feel somewhat disconnected. Between phone cables getting cut by an excavator working on our driveway and now, something affecting the phone lines for our neighbors and us, email is the best way to communicate with us at this time.
I had a phone conversation with Canon Neysa last week (We had phone service for two days.) and no mention was made of opening things up in our church building anytime soon. I asked her to keep me up-dated on current discussions by the Diocese.
Please give thought and prayers to all who are battling the COVID19 epidemic. Also keep in your prayers the members of our parish who are having medical problems at this time.
I would like to remind everyone to remember to mail your pledges to the church address at:
Please communicate with one another and do whatever is necessary to stay safe.
Thank you all and God Bless,
Ron Scott
Senior Warden
Jr. Warden Report:
April, 2020
God’s presence and peace be with you all during this season apart – I miss you!
In last month’s report, I failed to include that plaques were installed to honor two of our church family members in early March. Upon BAC approval and thanks to the coordination & delivery by Ann & John Evanow, we now have a plaque in the Vesting Room for Wes Wilcox recognizing his work in the many improvements in that area; and another in the library for Ted Hawkins recognizing his work in crafting our beautiful table – with thanksgiving and appreciation of their gifts of time, talent & craftsmanship.
Items of note for the month include:
I’ve been in contact with Canon Neysa regarding our approved grant of $2,865 for our plumbing repairs; as the Diocesan offices have been closed for several weeks and their staff is working remotely, apparently our paperwork has yet to be processed – we are resubmitting that again this week both by mail & electronically, and our check should be forthcoming.
I’ve been in contact with Norm Wells regarding the asphalt portion of the plumbing project – he assures me that they are still working, and that our job is on the schedule and will be completed.
Florence Sign Shop completed the refreshing of our front vinyl sign and it is ready for the name of our new Vicar whenever he/she is called.
I postponed my meeting with Siuslaw Glass to inspect & give a bid on the windows on the west side of the Sanctuary, until such time as the current social distancing requirements are changed.
During this time when our church is closed, our long-time cleaner / housekeeper has been focusing her work on deep cleaning of the sanctuary, kitchen and other areas as well as the inside of all windows, so that our church home will be clean & ready when the time comes for us to gather once again.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Malone, Jr. Warden
ST. ANDREW’S FINANCES FOR MARCH, 2020
March, 2020, Income: $7,294.32
March, 2020, Expenses: $10,462.09
March, 2020, Net: ($3,167.77)
Jan.-Mar., 2020, Income: $20,726.81
Jan.-Mar., 2020, Expenses: $19,882.89
Jan.-Mar., 2020, Net: $843.92
The Alleluias are Back!
This is for you, Willie, Charlie and Robin………………
Just to keep things interesting, Charlie is undergoing Rehabilitation in Eugene, for a stroke on April 5th, and subsequent Carotid Endarterectomy on April 7th. Terri hopes he can come home on Friday – May 1st (May Day!). Meanwhile, write to Charlie at:
Charlie Pennington
Oregon Rehab Center
1255 Hilyard, 4th floor
Eugene, OR 97401
(Opening mail is part of his Occupational Therapy.)
Wille too is recovering from a stroke and as of April 10th was at his home, undergoing physical and speech therapy, etc. The goal is to get Willie on his feet. Betty and their grandson Shawn are caring for Willie. You can send emails and e-cards to Willie at willieleach1@gmail.com.
Not to be left out, Robin Sullivan broke his leg walking in his garden on Saturday, April 25th. After evaluation at Peace Health, he was taken to Riverbend and was operated on on Sunday. The break was at a location where he had broken his leg years ago when he was a college senior (riding his Harley) so there were already screws and rods plus scar tissue inside. But the orthopedic surgeon, who Elenor said was wonderful, put him back together again with plates, screws and lots of stitches. He is doing very well, Elenor reports, and is anxious to come home. That might happen on Wednesday. Their daughter from So. CA will be coming up then to help out. Email address: sullivan62@charter.net.
So please pray for Robin and Elenor; Willie and Betty; and, Terri and Charlie, and send cards and many positive thoughts as they face the long road to recovery.
Outreach at St. Andrew’s
Huge thanks to team Wes and Barb Wilcox, Bill McArdle and Tom Velvin for cheerfully making and installing a perfect wheelchair ramp for Charlie. We are so grateful.
Terri and Charlie. Terri Pennington
THE ORDER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING ®, LIGHTHOUSE CHAPTER
May, 2020
The Exhorter
As we explore the seven motivational gifts according to Romans 12:6-8, and with guidelines from the book “Discover Your God-given Gifts” by D. & K. Fortune, we continue with characteristics and problems of the exhorter, and share some Biblical examples.
The person with this gift aims for your heart - while last month we looked at the teacher, who aims for your head. It could be understood that the exhorter may be the most interesting and palatable teacher - efforts being geared toward edifying and encouraging other people.
For this, and all the following gifts, you are invited to ‘score’ yourself in this sense: does the statement fit you never (0), seldom (1), sometimes (2), usually (3), mostly (4), always (5)? You may wish to total your scores, keep them in a safe place, so that at the end of this year of columns you can then determine how you are operating in your gifts.
Characteristics of the Exhorter:
1. Loves to encourage others to live victoriously.
2. Wants a visible response when teaching or speaking.
3. Prefers to apply truth rather than research it.
4. Prefers systems of information that have practical application.
5. Loves to prescribe precise steps of action to aid personal growth.
6. Focuses on working with people.
7. Encourages others to develop in their personal ministries.
8. Finds truth in experience, then validates it in Scripture.
9. Loves to do personal counseling.
10. Will discontinue personal counseling if no effort to change is seen.
11. Is fluent in communication.
12. Views trials as opportunity to produce personal growth.
13. Accepts people as they are without judging them.
14. Is greatly loved because of positive attitude.
15. Prefers to witness with life rather than verbal witnessing.
16. Makes decisions easily.
17. Always completes what is started.
18. Wants to clear up problems with others quickly.
19. Expects a lot of self and others.
20. Needs a “sounding board” for bouncing off ideas and thoughts.
Problems of the Exhorter:
1. Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give opinions or advice.
2. Will use scriptures out of context in order to make a point.
3. May be “cut and dried” in prescribing steps of action.
4. Is outspokenly opinionated.
5. Can become overly self-confident.
Biblical Exhorters
1. Barnabas - even his name means “son of encouragement” - Acts 4:36, 11:22-26
2. Peter - the mouthpiece for the disciples - Acts 2:14-41; 3:1-4:2
3. Silas - Acts 15:22-40; 16:25, 29; 17:4, 10-15; 1 Peter 5:12
4. Titus - 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13-14; 8:6-23; 12:18; Galatians 2:1,3; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus
5. Aaron - Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
A lovely prayer by St. Teresa of Avila:
“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient.”
United Thank Offering Call for Prayers for the 2021 UTO Book
Our Diocese was well represented when asked for prayers in 2018, and I hope this will give you another opportunity to contribute to the next book which will be given away during our 2021 Triennial and Convention. All submissions need to go through this website:
https://dfms.formstack.com/forms/uto_book_of_prayers2020.
The categories are similar to before: Gratitude, Guidance, Healing, Love of God and Creation, Sorrow or Fear, Prayers for Morning, Prayers for Midday, Prayers for Night, and Other. The form is self-explanatory and is necessary for submission.
Stay well,
Kathy Lenox
Diocese of Oregon United Thank Offering Representative
541.997.0375
Masks and Hospitality
Dear friends in Christ,
Many of you are using this difficult time to sew masks as a ministry of radical hospitality. I am truly grateful for this important ministry. The below message came from Bishop David Bailey, Episcopal Church in Navajoland which is part of Province VIII of the Episcopal Church. There are some very urgent needs right now especially for a very small diocese with great needs.
As of April 15, there are 813 COVID-19 cases with 28 deaths in Navajoland. If you can help sew masks and/or mobilize your friends who sew, they will be grateful for your generosity.
You may mail them to: Episcopal Church in Navajoland, P.O. Box 720, Farmington, NM 87499. You may also make a donation by going to their diocesan website.
With gratitude,
Alan Murray (Trinity Cathedral, Portland)
Peace and Justice Coordinator, Province VIII of The Episcopal Church
We can keep celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day all year by continuing to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Say No to Single Use Plastic and shop locally as much as we can! Here's an article from the newsletter of the Episcopal Church Province 5 (midwest states) by Jacklyn Lenten to encourage us:
Benefits of Shopping locally & more sustainably
"Many people like the idea of buying organic, locally sourced foods that are good for both our bodies & the planet. But we can get overwhelmed by the options, confusing labels and prices of these foods as we wander the aisles. Here's some help:
Every time we make a purchase we're choosing to support the business/person. Whether we realize it or not we're contributing to their success. So we need to take into consideration our own values & maybe do some research on some of our 'go-to brands'/businesses to make sure they line up w/our values.
For example, you may want to support producers that are certified fair trade, don't test on animals or buy non-GMO produce. Figure out what brands align with your values & look for them when you shop.
Look for locally sourced products - when your purchase dollars go to therm you'll be reinvesting in our local economy. These local vendors are our neighbors, buy groceries, pay taxes, put their kids through school locally, visit local doctors & get cars repaired locally. So when you contribute to a local vendor's income that's reinvested into the Florence area instead of your $ going to a multi-million$ conglomerate far away. It's a win-win for everyone involved.
Besides the economics, think of the freshness and cleanliness of your food. Usually local farmers don't have $ or equipment to produce genetically modified produce that's protected by large amounts of pesticides and their livestock doesn't carry the antibiotics and hormones used by many large corporations. By purchasing locally you can almost guarantee your food is free of harsh chemicals!
Also, locally sourced foods don't travel nearly as far. Farmer's Market foods make it possible to have foods picked hours before. The freshness of local produce can't be beat and the planet will thank you for reducing travel-related emissions!
Although it can be more expensive, there's much more value behind your dollar & many variables worth considering. By purchasing locally, you're investing in your local economy and your health as well as purchasing the freshest products available (unless you're growing your own!)
Just some thoughts to ponder before your next trip to the grocery store."
(Susie, an admitted chocolate addict :- ), strongly advocates for buying only Fair Trade chocolates to prevent child-labor/harmful chemicals used. Info/symbols are shown on the product's labels; some examples of these companies are Endangered Species, Lily's, Tony's Chocolonely, etc.)
Good news about our own Farmer's Market: It will reopen on May 12th & will again be every Tuesday next to the Veteran's Park in Old Town. Changes due to protections for all of us, will be that like some restaurants, we will order & pay for the produce we want online (florencefarmersmarket.org) Then we will drive through parking lot & pick up our prepared bags.
Susie Stevens-Briody
Search Committee Update
The Search Committee is busy reviewing documents from previous searches planning for our current Vicar search. The Committee consisting of Ron Scott, Marilyn Fennel, Jo M’Gonigle, Charlie Pennington, Tom Velvin, and Rosemary Rebello will work on our search for a new Vicar using the guidelines set by the diocese. If you have any comments or thoughts about a new Vicar, let one of the committee members know.
Rosemary
Do NOT forget the PIES!!
The 2020 Annual Pie and Craft Sale will be held on November 21st, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This will be an opportunity for the St. Andrew’s family to get together to raise funds for the church’s use and for the larger community. More to come in the Fall.
Two Doses of Vaccine to Prevent Shingles
From the Register Guard and St. Andrew’s Health Ministry
Dear Dr. Roach: I read in my morning newspaper that you recommend two doses of the vaccine to prevent shingles. Year ago, I received one dose although I forget the name of it. What exactly is the second dose? Right now, I’m 70 years old and do not have shingles. – B.B.
Dear B.B.: If you had a single dose years ago, you had Zostavax, a live vaccine that afforded some protection, but the protection wasn’t perfect and started to wear off after a few years. The new vaccine is called Shingrix, and is a two-dose series.
Two doses are necessary even if you had the previous Zostavax, and Shingrix is recommend if you are over 50, irrespective of whether you have had the previous vaccine and/or have already had shingles.
If you actively have shingles, it’s recommended you wait until the shingles is completely gone before getting the vaccine.
Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama Rev. Mary Caucutt, D.Min. Rev. Andrew T. O’Connor Rev. Canon Tanya R. Wallace
M.Div., Ph.D.
Changes to Walkabouts and Electing Convention Dates
Dear Clergy, Convention Delegates, Vestry/BAC Clerks, and Parish Administrators,
In good faith and out of an abundance of caution and love, the Walkabout Week and Electing Convention are postponed until August. Our hope is that there will be a window of opportunity from a health and safety perspective, allowing us to meet our candidates and for them to come to know Oregon.
· Walkabout week: August 9-14, 2020 – sites to be determined
· Electing Convention: August 29, 2020 – Church of the Good Samaritan, Corvallis
· Ordination and Consecration: January 30, 2021 – Trinity Cathedral, Portland
As we continue through this uncertain and ever-evolving environment, we will continue to monitor health and safety recommendations and may make further adjustments as needed.
Your Standing Committee and Transition Team
SUPPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS THROUGH THIS DEADLY CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Dear Friend in Christ,
Jesus’ first commandment is to love God with all our heart. Yet, equal to this is his next commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly made clear that we are all neighbors — and our neighbors in the world's poorest regions urgently need our help.
Please, if you are able, make an emergency gift to support our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund.
As the virus outbreak has spread, we've been supporting our program partners at home and around the world. They are committed to safely serving the most vulnerable communities, but the challenges are great.
In many of these communities, physical distancing is difficult. Many lack running or clean water, and HIV, malaria, poor nutrition and limited access to health services put people in greater danger of COVID-19.
Your gift today enables us to safely provide spiritual care, to help disseminate public health messages and to provide basic humanitarian relief and equipment — all of which are essential in this emergency.
God is unmistakably calling us to love our neighbors in this time of crisis. Please answer this call by rushing a gift to our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund and bring desperately needed resources and hope to our most vulnerable neighbors right away.
We will get through this crisis by helping one another. In doing so, we will grow stronger.
Yours faithfully,
Robert W. Radtke,
President & CEO
P.S. As I write this, ambulance sirens pierce the silence of the empty streets below my window. Here in New York City, these are difficult days. But we know that many communities around the world are far less equipped to handle this emergency. Please donate today to ensure that we can support our partners on the ground as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Episcopal Relief & Development • 815 Second Avenue • New York, NY 10017
1-855-312-4325 • episcopalrelief.org • © 2020. All rights reserved.
A couple of jokes from Susie S-B “because we need smiles now more than ever!!”
A father was at the beach with his children when his 4 year old son ran up to him & grabbed his hand, leading him over to a seagull that lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died & went to Heaven," the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment & then said, "Did God throw him back?"
After the baptism of his baby brother in church, Tom sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him several times what was wrong and finally the boy replied "That priest said he wanted us brought up in a Christian Home and I wanted to stay with you guys!"
A Message from Father Frazer:
This essay by an Eastern Orthodox priest says much that is a comfort in these days I give the link, and some excerpts from it.
https://publicorthodoxy.org/2020/04/22/communion-beyond-the-eucharist/
The Church is not a priest on one side of a screen doing something prescribed for the people on the other. It means rather that the whole gathered Church is the priest and her congregation is the world, which “God so loved!” The so-called Nones are spiritually in our liturgy because we offer it on their behalf, while we confess our sins or the circumstances that have alienated them from being physically in our gatherings.
Does Christ appear only in bread and wine after we say the “right” words, or is He not the One who gathers us in the first place, even before we open our mouths? Before consecrating the Gifts, at his sermon the celebrant greets the faithful: “Christ is in our midst!” Do we believe it or not? And at the consecration when we ask for a “change” to take place, our plea is for the Holy Spirit to change us. We offer one another up to God so that the Holy Spirit can make of us a New Creation, going out from our gathering more and richer in spirit and mind than when we came in. Think not only of the Nones but of many others who, for myriad reasons, cannot directly taste this Meal.
What is the motivation for the efforts at continuing physical communion? Is it not the same movement of faith by which the woman with her flow of blood touches the hem of Christ’s garment? The physical matter of the world becomes pigments on icons, wood for altars and crosses, cotton and silk for bright vestments, wine and bread for Christ’s human body, and so on. But the ultimate sacred matter is the human being standing right in front of me in any place at any time, bearing in herself the timeless image of God. The liturgical lifting up of “sacred matter” must now become the lifting of the lonely sister in the hidden precincts of our own little worlds.
At the last liturgical gathering when each of us was able to receive the actual Holy Gifts, we were told to depart in peace, and to BE communion for the world. That command has not expired, and remains our daily work until we gather again at liturgy, whenever that timeless Hour once more dawns for us in time. Meanwhile and forever: Christ is in our midst!
Fr. Alexis Vinogradov is Retired Rector (1978-2015) of St. Gregory Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY.
I hope this up-date finds everyone doing as well as possible under the current situation.
Kathy and I have been without phone service for much of April. As many of you know, we live in an isolated area and this makes us feel somewhat disconnected. Between phone cables getting cut by an excavator working on our driveway and now, something affecting the phone lines for our neighbors and us, email is the best way to communicate with us at this time.
I had a phone conversation with Canon Neysa last week (We had phone service for two days.) and no mention was made of opening things up in our church building anytime soon. I asked her to keep me up-dated on current discussions by the Diocese.
Please give thought and prayers to all who are battling the COVID19 epidemic. Also keep in your prayers the members of our parish who are having medical problems at this time.
I would like to remind everyone to remember to mail your pledges to the church address at:
Please communicate with one another and do whatever is necessary to stay safe.
Thank you all and God Bless,
Ron Scott
Senior Warden
Jr. Warden Report:
April, 2020
God’s presence and peace be with you all during this season apart – I miss you!
In last month’s report, I failed to include that plaques were installed to honor two of our church family members in early March. Upon BAC approval and thanks to the coordination & delivery by Ann & John Evanow, we now have a plaque in the Vesting Room for Wes Wilcox recognizing his work in the many improvements in that area; and another in the library for Ted Hawkins recognizing his work in crafting our beautiful table – with thanksgiving and appreciation of their gifts of time, talent & craftsmanship.
Items of note for the month include:
I’ve been in contact with Canon Neysa regarding our approved grant of $2,865 for our plumbing repairs; as the Diocesan offices have been closed for several weeks and their staff is working remotely, apparently our paperwork has yet to be processed – we are resubmitting that again this week both by mail & electronically, and our check should be forthcoming.
I’ve been in contact with Norm Wells regarding the asphalt portion of the plumbing project – he assures me that they are still working, and that our job is on the schedule and will be completed.
Florence Sign Shop completed the refreshing of our front vinyl sign and it is ready for the name of our new Vicar whenever he/she is called.
I postponed my meeting with Siuslaw Glass to inspect & give a bid on the windows on the west side of the Sanctuary, until such time as the current social distancing requirements are changed.
During this time when our church is closed, our long-time cleaner / housekeeper has been focusing her work on deep cleaning of the sanctuary, kitchen and other areas as well as the inside of all windows, so that our church home will be clean & ready when the time comes for us to gather once again.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Malone, Jr. Warden
ST. ANDREW’S FINANCES FOR MARCH, 2020
March, 2020, Income: $7,294.32
March, 2020, Expenses: $10,462.09
March, 2020, Net: ($3,167.77)
Jan.-Mar., 2020, Income: $20,726.81
Jan.-Mar., 2020, Expenses: $19,882.89
Jan.-Mar., 2020, Net: $843.92
The Alleluias are Back!
This is for you, Willie, Charlie and Robin………………
Just to keep things interesting, Charlie is undergoing Rehabilitation in Eugene, for a stroke on April 5th, and subsequent Carotid Endarterectomy on April 7th. Terri hopes he can come home on Friday – May 1st (May Day!). Meanwhile, write to Charlie at:
Charlie Pennington
Oregon Rehab Center
1255 Hilyard, 4th floor
Eugene, OR 97401
(Opening mail is part of his Occupational Therapy.)
Wille too is recovering from a stroke and as of April 10th was at his home, undergoing physical and speech therapy, etc. The goal is to get Willie on his feet. Betty and their grandson Shawn are caring for Willie. You can send emails and e-cards to Willie at willieleach1@gmail.com.
Not to be left out, Robin Sullivan broke his leg walking in his garden on Saturday, April 25th. After evaluation at Peace Health, he was taken to Riverbend and was operated on on Sunday. The break was at a location where he had broken his leg years ago when he was a college senior (riding his Harley) so there were already screws and rods plus scar tissue inside. But the orthopedic surgeon, who Elenor said was wonderful, put him back together again with plates, screws and lots of stitches. He is doing very well, Elenor reports, and is anxious to come home. That might happen on Wednesday. Their daughter from So. CA will be coming up then to help out. Email address: sullivan62@charter.net.
So please pray for Robin and Elenor; Willie and Betty; and, Terri and Charlie, and send cards and many positive thoughts as they face the long road to recovery.
Outreach at St. Andrew’s
Huge thanks to team Wes and Barb Wilcox, Bill McArdle and Tom Velvin for cheerfully making and installing a perfect wheelchair ramp for Charlie. We are so grateful.
Terri and Charlie. Terri Pennington
THE ORDER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING ®, LIGHTHOUSE CHAPTER
May, 2020
The Exhorter
As we explore the seven motivational gifts according to Romans 12:6-8, and with guidelines from the book “Discover Your God-given Gifts” by D. & K. Fortune, we continue with characteristics and problems of the exhorter, and share some Biblical examples.
The person with this gift aims for your heart - while last month we looked at the teacher, who aims for your head. It could be understood that the exhorter may be the most interesting and palatable teacher - efforts being geared toward edifying and encouraging other people.
For this, and all the following gifts, you are invited to ‘score’ yourself in this sense: does the statement fit you never (0), seldom (1), sometimes (2), usually (3), mostly (4), always (5)? You may wish to total your scores, keep them in a safe place, so that at the end of this year of columns you can then determine how you are operating in your gifts.
Characteristics of the Exhorter:
1. Loves to encourage others to live victoriously.
2. Wants a visible response when teaching or speaking.
3. Prefers to apply truth rather than research it.
4. Prefers systems of information that have practical application.
5. Loves to prescribe precise steps of action to aid personal growth.
6. Focuses on working with people.
7. Encourages others to develop in their personal ministries.
8. Finds truth in experience, then validates it in Scripture.
9. Loves to do personal counseling.
10. Will discontinue personal counseling if no effort to change is seen.
11. Is fluent in communication.
12. Views trials as opportunity to produce personal growth.
13. Accepts people as they are without judging them.
14. Is greatly loved because of positive attitude.
15. Prefers to witness with life rather than verbal witnessing.
16. Makes decisions easily.
17. Always completes what is started.
18. Wants to clear up problems with others quickly.
19. Expects a lot of self and others.
20. Needs a “sounding board” for bouncing off ideas and thoughts.
Problems of the Exhorter:
1. Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give opinions or advice.
2. Will use scriptures out of context in order to make a point.
3. May be “cut and dried” in prescribing steps of action.
4. Is outspokenly opinionated.
5. Can become overly self-confident.
Biblical Exhorters
1. Barnabas - even his name means “son of encouragement” - Acts 4:36, 11:22-26
2. Peter - the mouthpiece for the disciples - Acts 2:14-41; 3:1-4:2
3. Silas - Acts 15:22-40; 16:25, 29; 17:4, 10-15; 1 Peter 5:12
4. Titus - 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13-14; 8:6-23; 12:18; Galatians 2:1,3; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus
5. Aaron - Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
A lovely prayer by St. Teresa of Avila:
“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient.”
United Thank Offering Call for Prayers for the 2021 UTO Book
Our Diocese was well represented when asked for prayers in 2018, and I hope this will give you another opportunity to contribute to the next book which will be given away during our 2021 Triennial and Convention. All submissions need to go through this website:
https://dfms.formstack.com/forms/uto_book_of_prayers2020.
The categories are similar to before: Gratitude, Guidance, Healing, Love of God and Creation, Sorrow or Fear, Prayers for Morning, Prayers for Midday, Prayers for Night, and Other. The form is self-explanatory and is necessary for submission.
Stay well,
Kathy Lenox
Diocese of Oregon United Thank Offering Representative
541.997.0375
Masks and Hospitality
Dear friends in Christ,
Many of you are using this difficult time to sew masks as a ministry of radical hospitality. I am truly grateful for this important ministry. The below message came from Bishop David Bailey, Episcopal Church in Navajoland which is part of Province VIII of the Episcopal Church. There are some very urgent needs right now especially for a very small diocese with great needs.
As of April 15, there are 813 COVID-19 cases with 28 deaths in Navajoland. If you can help sew masks and/or mobilize your friends who sew, they will be grateful for your generosity.
You may mail them to: Episcopal Church in Navajoland, P.O. Box 720, Farmington, NM 87499. You may also make a donation by going to their diocesan website.
With gratitude,
Alan Murray (Trinity Cathedral, Portland)
Peace and Justice Coordinator, Province VIII of The Episcopal Church
We can keep celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day all year by continuing to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Say No to Single Use Plastic and shop locally as much as we can! Here's an article from the newsletter of the Episcopal Church Province 5 (midwest states) by Jacklyn Lenten to encourage us:
Benefits of Shopping locally & more sustainably
"Many people like the idea of buying organic, locally sourced foods that are good for both our bodies & the planet. But we can get overwhelmed by the options, confusing labels and prices of these foods as we wander the aisles. Here's some help:
Every time we make a purchase we're choosing to support the business/person. Whether we realize it or not we're contributing to their success. So we need to take into consideration our own values & maybe do some research on some of our 'go-to brands'/businesses to make sure they line up w/our values.
For example, you may want to support producers that are certified fair trade, don't test on animals or buy non-GMO produce. Figure out what brands align with your values & look for them when you shop.
Look for locally sourced products - when your purchase dollars go to therm you'll be reinvesting in our local economy. These local vendors are our neighbors, buy groceries, pay taxes, put their kids through school locally, visit local doctors & get cars repaired locally. So when you contribute to a local vendor's income that's reinvested into the Florence area instead of your $ going to a multi-million$ conglomerate far away. It's a win-win for everyone involved.
Besides the economics, think of the freshness and cleanliness of your food. Usually local farmers don't have $ or equipment to produce genetically modified produce that's protected by large amounts of pesticides and their livestock doesn't carry the antibiotics and hormones used by many large corporations. By purchasing locally you can almost guarantee your food is free of harsh chemicals!
Also, locally sourced foods don't travel nearly as far. Farmer's Market foods make it possible to have foods picked hours before. The freshness of local produce can't be beat and the planet will thank you for reducing travel-related emissions!
Although it can be more expensive, there's much more value behind your dollar & many variables worth considering. By purchasing locally, you're investing in your local economy and your health as well as purchasing the freshest products available (unless you're growing your own!)
Just some thoughts to ponder before your next trip to the grocery store."
(Susie, an admitted chocolate addict :- ), strongly advocates for buying only Fair Trade chocolates to prevent child-labor/harmful chemicals used. Info/symbols are shown on the product's labels; some examples of these companies are Endangered Species, Lily's, Tony's Chocolonely, etc.)
Good news about our own Farmer's Market: It will reopen on May 12th & will again be every Tuesday next to the Veteran's Park in Old Town. Changes due to protections for all of us, will be that like some restaurants, we will order & pay for the produce we want online (florencefarmersmarket.org) Then we will drive through parking lot & pick up our prepared bags.
Susie Stevens-Briody
Search Committee Update
The Search Committee is busy reviewing documents from previous searches planning for our current Vicar search. The Committee consisting of Ron Scott, Marilyn Fennel, Jo M’Gonigle, Charlie Pennington, Tom Velvin, and Rosemary Rebello will work on our search for a new Vicar using the guidelines set by the diocese. If you have any comments or thoughts about a new Vicar, let one of the committee members know.
Rosemary
Do NOT forget the PIES!!
The 2020 Annual Pie and Craft Sale will be held on November 21st, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This will be an opportunity for the St. Andrew’s family to get together to raise funds for the church’s use and for the larger community. More to come in the Fall.
Two Doses of Vaccine to Prevent Shingles
From the Register Guard and St. Andrew’s Health Ministry
Dear Dr. Roach: I read in my morning newspaper that you recommend two doses of the vaccine to prevent shingles. Year ago, I received one dose although I forget the name of it. What exactly is the second dose? Right now, I’m 70 years old and do not have shingles. – B.B.
Dear B.B.: If you had a single dose years ago, you had Zostavax, a live vaccine that afforded some protection, but the protection wasn’t perfect and started to wear off after a few years. The new vaccine is called Shingrix, and is a two-dose series.
Two doses are necessary even if you had the previous Zostavax, and Shingrix is recommend if you are over 50, irrespective of whether you have had the previous vaccine and/or have already had shingles.
If you actively have shingles, it’s recommended you wait until the shingles is completely gone before getting the vaccine.
Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama Rev. Mary Caucutt, D.Min. Rev. Andrew T. O’Connor Rev. Canon Tanya R. Wallace
M.Div., Ph.D.
Changes to Walkabouts and Electing Convention Dates
Dear Clergy, Convention Delegates, Vestry/BAC Clerks, and Parish Administrators,
In good faith and out of an abundance of caution and love, the Walkabout Week and Electing Convention are postponed until August. Our hope is that there will be a window of opportunity from a health and safety perspective, allowing us to meet our candidates and for them to come to know Oregon.
· Walkabout week: August 9-14, 2020 – sites to be determined
· Electing Convention: August 29, 2020 – Church of the Good Samaritan, Corvallis
· Ordination and Consecration: January 30, 2021 – Trinity Cathedral, Portland
As we continue through this uncertain and ever-evolving environment, we will continue to monitor health and safety recommendations and may make further adjustments as needed.
Your Standing Committee and Transition Team
SUPPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS THROUGH THIS DEADLY CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Dear Friend in Christ,
Jesus’ first commandment is to love God with all our heart. Yet, equal to this is his next commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly made clear that we are all neighbors — and our neighbors in the world's poorest regions urgently need our help.
Please, if you are able, make an emergency gift to support our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund.
As the virus outbreak has spread, we've been supporting our program partners at home and around the world. They are committed to safely serving the most vulnerable communities, but the challenges are great.
In many of these communities, physical distancing is difficult. Many lack running or clean water, and HIV, malaria, poor nutrition and limited access to health services put people in greater danger of COVID-19.
Your gift today enables us to safely provide spiritual care, to help disseminate public health messages and to provide basic humanitarian relief and equipment — all of which are essential in this emergency.
God is unmistakably calling us to love our neighbors in this time of crisis. Please answer this call by rushing a gift to our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund and bring desperately needed resources and hope to our most vulnerable neighbors right away.
We will get through this crisis by helping one another. In doing so, we will grow stronger.
Yours faithfully,
Robert W. Radtke,
President & CEO
P.S. As I write this, ambulance sirens pierce the silence of the empty streets below my window. Here in New York City, these are difficult days. But we know that many communities around the world are far less equipped to handle this emergency. Please donate today to ensure that we can support our partners on the ground as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Episcopal Relief & Development • 815 Second Avenue • New York, NY 10017
1-855-312-4325 • episcopalrelief.org • © 2020. All rights reserved.
A couple of jokes from Susie S-B “because we need smiles now more than ever!!”
A father was at the beach with his children when his 4 year old son ran up to him & grabbed his hand, leading him over to a seagull that lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died & went to Heaven," the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment & then said, "Did God throw him back?"
After the baptism of his baby brother in church, Tom sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him several times what was wrong and finally the boy replied "That priest said he wanted us brought up in a Christian Home and I wanted to stay with you guys!"
A Message from Father Frazer:
This essay by an Eastern Orthodox priest says much that is a comfort in these days I give the link, and some excerpts from it.
https://publicorthodoxy.org/2020/04/22/communion-beyond-the-eucharist/
The Church is not a priest on one side of a screen doing something prescribed for the people on the other. It means rather that the whole gathered Church is the priest and her congregation is the world, which “God so loved!” The so-called Nones are spiritually in our liturgy because we offer it on their behalf, while we confess our sins or the circumstances that have alienated them from being physically in our gatherings.
Does Christ appear only in bread and wine after we say the “right” words, or is He not the One who gathers us in the first place, even before we open our mouths? Before consecrating the Gifts, at his sermon the celebrant greets the faithful: “Christ is in our midst!” Do we believe it or not? And at the consecration when we ask for a “change” to take place, our plea is for the Holy Spirit to change us. We offer one another up to God so that the Holy Spirit can make of us a New Creation, going out from our gathering more and richer in spirit and mind than when we came in. Think not only of the Nones but of many others who, for myriad reasons, cannot directly taste this Meal.
What is the motivation for the efforts at continuing physical communion? Is it not the same movement of faith by which the woman with her flow of blood touches the hem of Christ’s garment? The physical matter of the world becomes pigments on icons, wood for altars and crosses, cotton and silk for bright vestments, wine and bread for Christ’s human body, and so on. But the ultimate sacred matter is the human being standing right in front of me in any place at any time, bearing in herself the timeless image of God. The liturgical lifting up of “sacred matter” must now become the lifting of the lonely sister in the hidden precincts of our own little worlds.
At the last liturgical gathering when each of us was able to receive the actual Holy Gifts, we were told to depart in peace, and to BE communion for the world. That command has not expired, and remains our daily work until we gather again at liturgy, whenever that timeless Hour once more dawns for us in time. Meanwhile and forever: Christ is in our midst!
Fr. Alexis Vinogradov is Retired Rector (1978-2015) of St. Gregory Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY.
The Monthly Newsletter of
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Florence, Oregon
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Florence, Oregon
