St Andrew’s Newsletter
June July
State of the Building
Twelve people turned out for the work party on May 30. We picked up trash, weeded, cleaned out under the outside stairwell, painted white stripes on the parking lot steps, hung a new cabinet in the office, and tidied up the kitchen. The women of the church appreciate the new “grown-up” toilet that Walt Schrader installed. Emerson Johnstone painted outside stair risers and helped the Schmidtkes install the new picture hanging system in Giles Hall. The vestry is helping with ideas to handle the problem of birds getting in our walls, and the County Noxious Weed Board may be able to help with our Japanese Knotweed outbreak that persists. Have you had a chance to see the stained glass windows Chris and the Hyde family installed in Giles Hall? It’s wonderful to have them down from the attic and out for everyone to appreciate.
The Building and Grounds Committee is in the process of drafting a 5-year plan to better manage our time and resources. As we work on that we are currently in the process of completing updates on the electricity in the offices, installing crushed rock under the stairwell, completing stair painting, and installing markers for memorial plantings in the garden. Eric Kohl and Dan Schlesser work hard to keep our grounds mowed. We greatly appreciate the care the people of St. Andrews take in maintaining our beautiful church.
From the Vestry
The Vestry met at its regularly scheduled meeting this past Wednesday, June 17 in the Music Room. We had a brief oral report from our Treasurer letting us know that there were no red flags and that bills were being paid. Technical problems precluded a written report. Buildings and Grounds reported that we are currently trying to address the recurring problem of birds entering the building and then being stuck in the walls. The solution may require a lift to get to the peak of the roof over the Sunday School room entrance. We’re also moving forward with grounding the breaker box located in the organ nook and placing actual grounded outlets in the Priest’s office and the church office. The current estimate is $1,500 and will be paid for by part of a recent $15,000 donation to our permanent maintenance fund. Having ungrounded outlets is a potential fire hazard and also places our technology at risk in the event of a power surge.
We approved a modified set of Mutual Ministry goals, deleting a nebulous “continue to increase the choir offerings” objective as well as a commitment to connect with the College for Congregational Development this year and adding an objective of “enhance[ing] physical and auditory accessibility” to our worship space and building by enhancing our audio and video technologies and doing any appropriate modifications to our spaces. We also added staffing of an activity booth at community events and discerning a new mission and vision to our objectives. We are also hoping for more social events like our fifth Sunday potlucks and small group book and Bible studies. All of this was to align our objectives with current or proposed initiatives.
There was some substantial discussion regarding placing a “We Stand with Immigrants” sign on church property. It was decided that the only signs permitted on church property would be those dealing with church events, so these did not qualify. We also had a discussion regarding the use of herbicides and pesticides in the church garden, mindful of our call to care for creation and to guard the health of our parishioners. We will consult with experts on how to minimize the use of carcinogenic substances while also minimizing the maintenance needs of our garden.
On the Outreach side, Laurel is heading up the Red White and Boom booth on Saturday, July 4 and is asking for volunteers to staff the booth. We could use four people each hour from 11 am to 4 pm. A sign-up sheet will be circulated. We were also presented the opportunity to participate in the “One Parish One Prisoner” program that would match St. Andrew’s up with a currently incarcerated individual that is due to be released in Aberdeen in the next couple of years with the goal of establishing a relationship with that person and facilitating their assimilation back into the community. Several safety concerns were raised and we will seek more information before deciding whether to move forward.
Finally, the Vestry was sad to receive a report from Fr. Tom that an individual had been found deceased in a handicapped space in our parking area the previous day. Law enforcement and emergency services were called and removed the person from the area, with Servpro needing to be called for cleanup. Thanks to Nancy and Phil MacNealy for supervising the cleanup and passing along the news. We prayed for the soul of this person and for their family.
From the Priest-in-Charge
Continued thanks for all of the prayers and offers of help for Lisa and me. We are both back in Aberdeen, setting up a longer-term rehabilitation schedule for Lisa, and living into a “new normal” of watching what we eat more carefully and getting more exercise. Good for both of us! We have been eating some healthy and excellent meals from several parishioners and are grateful for the meal donations.
On the church front, we are well into summer and looking forward to connecting with the community through our Red White and Boom! Booth on Saturday, July 4. Any help with the booth would be gratefully received. See Laurel for more information. Summer is also a time to step back, take a breath, and prepare for the program year that starts in September. We are hoping to have a “welcome table” with new name tags inside the church, more opportunities for learning and fellowship, and a focus on inviting, welcoming and connecting newcomers and returning members alike.
Most importantly for the 2026-27 program year will be a concentrated effort to discern our mission and vision for St. Andrew’s with a focus on community engagement. We want to formalize and raise the profile of our support of entities like Family Promise and the Aberdeen Food Bank while also seeking out other ways of being of service to our community. If you are involved in a community non-profit organization and would like to have St. Andrew’s support that organization, see Fr. Tom or Laurel (our Outreach Liaison) and let us know!
— Fr. Tom+
New Summer Office Hours for Father Tom
As of June 15, Fr. Tom will generally be working from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mondays as his day off. You are welcome to call him on his cellphone. He will generally be in the office from 10 am to 6:30 pm Wednesdays and Fridays, but please call to confirm if you’re planning to stop by.
Coffee Hour Rotation
We are trying to get together a regular rota for Coffee Hour, with 5th Sundays being a potluck. Please see Nancy Olsen or Ronni if you are interested in claiming a Sunday.
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.
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, 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, Michael R, Debby M, Lorene H, Lisa N, Dennis D, Elaine P, Mike A, Cheyenne B, Don H, Barb S, Dale O, Nichole H, Angela B, Shelley C, Bill E, Casey K, Rodney H.
Those in current military service:
Andrew Roth, Breanne Gunther, Ian Gunther, Nicole Hyde, Jordan Bush, Josh Sindorf, Madison Sylvester, Brandon Roeseler, Casey Sindorf, Gabriel Calderon.
Prayers for Israel, Gaza, Iran, 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.
June
Anniversaries: Alan & Sue M, the Dunavants
Birthdays: Megan C, Roman T, Buck C, Gayla B, Rene’ M, Marsha S, Grace B
July
Anniversaries: Rob A & Dorothy A-A
Birthdays: Michael C, Kerry T C, Nichole H-D, Joseph C, Donn P C, Dan M C, Alan S C, Linda M
Church Calendar
July
- July 1st—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- July 8th—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- July 9th—Building and Grounds Meeting at 9:30 am
- July 15th—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- July 22nd—Evening prayer at 6:15 pm
- July 23rd—Building and Grounds Meeting at 9:30 am