St Andrews Newsletter
October—November
Letter from Father Tom
Dear Family of God at St. Andrew’s:
It is good to finally be with you after many weeks of anticipation and preparation. As our Senior Warden noted, I did seek you out as a place that might be open to having me join you in ministry in Aberdeen and Grays Harbor. As the Vestry is aware, I am a “techie,” having started my working life as a telephone technical support specialist for a fax and data modem company and having been fascinated with computers since middle school. If you look in my office, you will find some vintage computers that still work displayed there! I grew up in Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area, so technology has always been a part of my life. One thing I’m hoping to do is to enhance St. Andrew’s web site, social media, and other technologies. Not the usual thing for a priest, but then I guess I’m not the usual priest!
As you may also be aware, I will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of my ordination in just over a month, so I’ve been doing this for quite a while, serving congregations from a 10 person plantation chapel in Southern Virginia to a 1,000 person church in suburban Virginia, both of those during seminary. For the most part, I’ve served churches about the size of St. Andrew’s and have enjoyed being a part of churches which are large enough to be active in their communities and small enough that almost everyone knows one another. I look forward to getting to know each one of you, though it will be easier for you to remember who I am than for me to remember dozens of people’s names. Be patient with me and we will get to know one another in the weeks and months to come.
I come here at a very unique time for St. Andrew’s, for the Episcopal Church, and for the world around us. The church in general is discerning what it is to be a faithful post-Christendom (society supporting the church) and post-pandemic church in a very culturally and politically polarized world. St. Andrew’s will be going through our own discernment process as we set goals and seek God’s direction for us in 2026 and beyond. I’m looking forward to being on that adventure with you all and welcome any feedback you wish to give me along the way.
I now have a work email address, which is frtom@standrewsgraysharbor.com and is live and active. Feel free to email me with anything you need. My cell phone number is in the bulletin in case you need me for an urgent pastoral matter. May God bless our shared ministry and I look forward to new adventures!
Blessings,
— Tom+
Holiday Bazaar
The Holiday Bazaar November 8th from 10 am to 3 pm. Baked goods, jellies, books, plants, and gently used kitchen items, as well as fall and holiday décor will be on offer. There will be a lunch provided and a chance to win a quilted advent calendar, among other fabulous quilts, at the raffle!
Welcome Dinner
We will be hosting an informal welcome dinner for our new priest-in-charge, Fr Tom, on November 1st at 6 pm
Food Bank Reminder
We are still collecting egg cartons, as well as other items for the food bank, especially protein.
Cards for Pat Stamateo
We have received word that Pat has had a bad fall and is currently recovering at Panorama’s Convalescent & Rehabilitation Facility. Thankfully, “in sprite of a terrible fall, she is still as sharp as a tack.” Her daughter, Geri, goes to see her several times a week, so if you would like to send her a card, send it to Geri Scott 809 Alden Road Aberdeen WA, 98520.
Help for Building and Grounds
The Building and Grounds Committee has openings for several extra hands. Although we have someone to clean the church interior once a week, we could use help picking up trash outside, cleaning windows, and general building upkeep. If this is something you would like to do (yes you can pledge service on your pledge cards!), please contact a member of the Building and Grounds Committee — Alice Bertram, Eric Kohl, Colin McAfee or Merry Jo Zimmer.
Undie Sunday
St. Andrew’s has a history of supporting our local clothing bank by having Undie Sunday, where we collect underwear and socks for all ages. You may start bringing donations of items or a check with the notation of Undie Sunday at any time. We will have the ingathering on November 16th.
Aluminum Can Collection
With Mert’s passing, we are looking for volunteers to carry on her work of taking the aluminum cans to recycle for church donations. Please call the office or talk to the priest-in-charge if you are interested.
Safe Church Training
As per Diocese guidelines, all church keyholders are required to undergo Safe Church Training. We will be holding a training session on November 15th from 9 am to 2 pm. A light lunch will be provided. If you are a keyholder, please RSVP via the sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
Camp Huston Events
November 27th–30th—Thanksgiving Family Camp
December 4th–7th—Quilter’s Holiday
Coffee Hour
We are in need of coffee hour hosts for several upcoming Sundays. If you are interested, the sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Prayer Chain
If you, a friend, or a family member are in need of prayer, please contact Laurel Sheffield with the details you are comfortable sharing at laurelcsheffield@gmail.com or 859-457-0550 (text only) and your request will be passed on to the congregation to be lifted in prayer. Prayer requests will initially go out through the church’s email, but if you want to make sure to receive Laurel’s emails going forward, make sure to add hir email address to your address book!
PRAYER LISTS
The following is a list of people for whom our prayers are asked. For the sick, lonely, and suffering; for those who mourn, and for those who rejoice, and others: JoAnne A, Bob A, Mason A, the members of the AA and NA groups, Marsha, Sara, Dom Philip Bernard, Louise B, Ginger H, Mike A, Don & Judy M, Danny S, Maurice F Jr, Paul & Susie T, Dianne M, Muriel, Richard H, Pat M, Michael R, Debby M, Lorene H, Lisa N, Dennis D, Elaine P, Mike A, Annette P, Cheyenne B, Don H, Barb S, and the friends and family of Kirsten Anderson.
Those in current military service: Andrew Roth, Breanne Gunther, Ian Gunther, Nicole Hyde, Jordan Bush, Josh Sindorf, Madison Sylvester, Brandon Roeseler, Casey Sindorf.
Prayers for Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East: Loving and liberating Creator, send your healing Spirit upon all involved in the current conflict and violence in the Middle East. Comfort those who mourn or who have been harmed by brutality. Stand with those who are fearful. Protect and provide for the powerless and the vulnerable. Inspire a spirit of forbearance and understanding within all and uphold those who even now work for a just and durable peace. In the name of Christ. Amen.
October
Anniversaries: Larry & Judie S, Dennis & Barbara D
Birthdays: Erin C, Dorothy B, Sherri H, Alice K, Michelle T, Annette P, Jane P, Marley S, Ruth K, Richard W, Kathy A, Susan D, James I, Karla P
November
Anniversaries: Bob & Jan W, René and Ann M, Mark and Lin H
Birthdays: Sammantha C, Phyllis C, Jack S, Denise C, Betty P, Christian S, Gabrielle S, Louise B, Barbara D, Marlene C, Bette W, Br. Philip Bernard, Eric K
Church Calendar
November
- November 1st—Welcome dinner for Father Tom at 6 pm
- November 5th—Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm
- November 8th—Holiday Bazaar at 10 am
- November 12th—Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm
- November 13th—Building and Grounds meeting from 10 am to 11 am
- November 16th—Undie Sunday (bring new socks and underwear for donation!)
- November 19th— Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm; Vestry meeting from 7 pm to 9 pm
- November 30th—St Andrew’s Day; Pledge Ingathering