St Andrews Newsletter
February March
“Our Souls and Bodies” One-Day Seminar
Our previous seminar series has been consolidated into a one-day seminar focusing on funeral and estate planning, with emphasis on funeral planning. We will focus on having the sometimes difficult conversations with family about planning and what you should think about and for what you should plan. We will begin at 9 am and end by Noon on Saturday, March 21st in the Great Hall. Join Fr. Tom for this prayerful journey!
Vestry Report
The Vestry of both returning and newly elected members gathered for our retreat and orientation on Saturday, February 21 in the Sunday School Room here at St. Andrew’s. We gathered along with Sheri Hyde, our new Clerk and Betty Paulsen, our re-elected Treasurer (and now former Senior Warden!). We spent much of the morning talking about the unique position of the Vestry being both a secular board of directors as well as a discernment committee whose job it is to discern what God is calling St. Andrew’s to do and to be as a church.
One of the primary activities of the Vestry in 2026 will be the formulation and execution of a Mutual Ministry Agreement with the Priest-in-Charge detailing goals and objectives for the year and who is responsible for accomplishing them (priest, Vestry, or congregation). Members of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to submit suggestions to Fr. Tom or to any Vestry member regarding what we should be doing as a church in the coming months and years. The Vestry will finalize these plans at our meeting on March 18 but will also continue to refine them over the course of the year as needed.
We ended our time with our regular business Vestry meeting where we received and approved the Treasurer’s Report from Betty, decided to retain the current slate of signers on our checking account, did final approvals for administration of our newly-sponsored Scout troop and pack, and elected JoeLeanne Hyde as our Junior Warden. We also approved an $11,756 bid to repaint the Great Hall, G Street entry, Giles Hall, and the adjacent hallway. The funds will come from our Permanent Maintenance Fund. The colors will remain the same, except for the entry which will be painted to match the Great Hall (white/off white). The painting will be done prior to Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Finally, we received an update from the Buildings and Grounds committee on refurbishing our bathrooms and bringing the women’s room up to ADA standards. This will involve replacing the partitions in both bathrooms and relocating one of the toilets in the women’s restroom.
We were happy to welcome back Joeleanne Hyde, Laurel Sheffield, Nancy Marie Olsen, Eric Kohl, and Will Sharpe as well as newly elected members Rose O’Keefe, John Herr, Ray A. Wasson, and Ronnie Enstrom. This represents nearly a fifty percent turnover for the Vestry, so lots of fresh energy and ideas as well as getting people up to speed. Stay tuned for more!
From the Priest-in-Charge
It was wonderful to gather with our Vestry more than a week ago to begin to think about future plans after many years of keeping things running and searching for a priest took much of the time and energy of previous Vestries. I felt good about looking forward to the future while appreciating all that had come before. This planning process is just getting started, however!
As we move through Lent, I’m freshly conscious of the tumult in the world around us. I’m attempting a delicate balance in my preaching between completely ignoring what is going on in the world around us and addressing specific acts and issues. That means that, more often than not, I make passing references to current issues and let you, the members of the congregation, apply those lessons to your own lives. That’s probably what I will continue to do, but I’m happy to get feedback regarding whether I should be more or less pointed about dealing with what is going on in the world. I’m feeling less and less like this is a partisan question and more and more like it is a question of whether we expect our government to embody Gospel values.
Finally, Lisa and I (and our cat) have settled into our house on the hill, which we are all enjoying. Thanks again to everyone who helped us move from our apartment and to Lynne for her hospitality and welcome to this new (to us!) home. We look forward to many years here! We are also looking forward to springtime and an end to cold and rain, but we share that with many others as well. For now, we will enjoy what sun we get and look forward to the weeks ahead!
Beware of Fake Email Requests
At least one of our members has received an email supposedly from Fr. Tom requesting help. These emails are phishing and scams. If you are unsure, check the email address which should be from standrewsgraysharbor.com. Even so, Fr. Tom will NEVER email or text you asking for gift card donations, or other assistance. Contact Fr. Tom directly (do NOT reply to the email) if unsure.
Directory Update
We are updating the parish directory. A clipboard with our most current information is available under the bulletin board across from the kitchen. Please review your entry and leave a check mark if it is correct, or corrections if it is not.
Food Bank Reminder
We are still collecting egg cartons, as well as other items for the food bank, especially protein. Also, remember that milk and butter are in short supply, so things that can be made with just adding water are preferred.
Coffee Hour
We are in need of coffee hour hosts for several upcoming Sundays, including Palm Sunday and Easter. 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 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, Annette P, Tom Q, Dot D.
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.
February
Anniversaries: —
Birthdays: Sue M, Bob W, Russel S, Fr. Tom
March
Anniversaries: Ray & Sue W, William & Marsha S
Birthdays: John K, Phil M, Ray W, Angela S, Kati B, Kristin B, Eva S, Bruce W
Church Calendar
March
- March 4th—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- March 11th—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- March 12th—Building and Grounds meeting at 9:30 am
- March 18th—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- March 21st—“Our Souls and Bodies” Seminar from 9 am to noon
- March 25th—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- March 26th—Building and Grounds meeting at 9:30 am