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November–December Newsletter

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   St Andrews Newsletter

November — December

A Letter From Father Tom

Dear Family of God at St. Andrews:

Thank you so much for your warm welcome to Lisa and me these past several weeks. While we are still settling in (and will likely be unpacking boxes for months to come), things are slowly falling into place in both our own personal lives here in Aberdeen as well as my ministry here with you at St. Andrews.

As we settle in and as St. Andrew’s looks hopefully to the future, I wanted to establish some expectations for how we treat one another in the months and years to come. These “Rules for Respect” come from a retired bishop friend of mine. I like them because they prevent a very common occurrence in which “people are saying…” becomes a continual refrain in a congregation, leading to hurt feelings, miscommunication, and sometimes people leaving the church. Since I’m new here as your Priest-in-Charge, I thought it might be worth establishing these norms. It is also a fact that, as we get more comfortable with one another, we may be tempted to take what I might call “relational short-cuts” and pretend that we’re just good friends rather than parishioner and priest. For those reasons, here are the Rules for Respect:

  1. If you have a problem with me, come to me (privately).
  2. If I have a problem with you, I will come to you (privately).
  3. If someone has a problem with me and comes to you, send them to me. (I’ll do the same for you)
  4. If someone consistently will not come to me, say, “Let’s go to Fr. Tom together. I am sure he will see us about this.” (I will do the same for you.)
  5. Be careful how you interpret me-I’d rather do that. On matters that are unclear, do not feel pressured to interpret my feelings or thoughts. It is easy to misinterpret intentions.
  6. I will be careful how I interpret you.
  7. If it’s confidential, don’t tell. If you or anyone comes to me in confidence, I won’t tell unless a) the person is going to harm himself/herself, b) the person is going to physically harm someone else, c) a child has been physically or sexually abused. I expect the same from you.
  8. I do not read unsigned letters or notes.
  9. I do not manipulate; I will not be manipulated; do not let others manipulate you. Do not let others manipulate me through you. I will not preach “at you.” I will leave conviction to the Holy Spirit (she does it better anyway!)
  10. When in doubt, just say it. The only dumb questions are those that don’t get asked. Our relationships with one another, at the end of the day, are the most important things so if you have a concern, pray, and then (if led) speak up. If I can answer it without misrepresenting something, someone, or breaking a confidence, I will.

A church is a family, but it is more than a family—it is a community of people who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. That means loving God and each other as best we can. We will frequently fail in doing this, say things we shouldn’t, or otherwise disappoint one another. That is what being in community with other human beings involves. When that happens, we are to seek and give forgiveness and always assume that people are trying their best. As we move into Advent and the expectation of the anniversary of Jesus’ birth at Christmas, let us give one another the gift of love and grace!

Blessings,

— Tom+

The Rev. Tom Sramek, Jr.

Priest-in-Charge

 

State of the Building

Our Building and Grounds Committee continues to take care of projects around the church property.  Recently Alice, Eric and Gerhard planted an Adirondack crab apple tree in memory of Mert Turner.  Annette donated 50 bulbs and Eric planted them in the gardens to be enjoyed next spring.

Colin is able to remotely set the thermostats in the upstairs Sunday School room, Giles Hall and the Parish Hall.  He has also repaired the garbage disposal.   We are using high-quality furnace filters and running the furnace fans during the winter to minimize passing along illnesses like Covid and flu.  When the rains began several of us checked the basement pump and water levels to make sure rain water was flowing away from the church.

Lynne, Gerhard, and Kerry have cleaned out the Whiteside Room and it is now available as an additional meeting room.  Part of that process was clearing out the closet under the stairs in the men’s room and storing the long white tables there.  No more back-breaking hauling tables up and down the stairs!  Exercise equipment that had been stored there was donated to Rehab Visions.

We’re getting things done, but there’s always more to do.  Some of the things we need help with:

  1. Colin needs someone to back him up to remotely set the thermostats.
  2. Wash windows a couple of times a year.
  3. Pick up trash outside weekly.
  4. Weed the gardens when the weather permits.
  5. Paint the kitchen and old ramp inside doors.
  6. Paint out the graffiti on the outside walls.
  7. Paint the wooden risers on the G Street and front stairs.

We’re also hoping to find someone who might have “handy person” skills.  For example, changing the light bulbs in the upper organ chamber, repairing the cracked plaster in the Parish Hall, checking the rotten trim on the front porch columns, and advising on projects.

If you’d like to help out, please contact Merry Jo Zimmer at 360-789-7549.

Kris Dancey Memorial

We mourn the passing of Kris Dancey, wife of the late Jim Dancey and long-time member of St. Andrew’s. We will celebrate her life this Saturday, November 29 at 2 pm, followed by internment of her ashes alongside Jim’s in the columbarium he had a hand in creating.” Reception to follow. There is a sign up sheet for who wish to contribute cookies to the reception, or you can contact Lynne Schmidtke.

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.

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.

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, Cheyenne B, Don H, Barb S, Pat O, Dale O, and Tom Q.

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.

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

December

Anniversaries: Eric & Sherri H

Birthdays: Bobbi M, Charles, Regna, Mary K, Bruce R, Robert B

Church Calendar

November

  • November 30th—St Andrew’s Day; Pledge Ingathering

December

  • December 3rd—Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm
  • December 10th—Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm
  • December 17th—Evening Prayer at 6:15 pm
  • December 20th—Greening of the Church
  • December 24th—Christmas Eve service with music at 7:30 pm; NO Evening Prayer
  • December 25th—Christmas Day contemplative service at 10 am
  • December 31st—NO Evening Prayer

January

  • January 3rd—Twelfth Night Dinner