The Messenger
Growing together in God's Love
September, 2018
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[The August issue of the Episcopal Church of Connecticut's clergy newsletter featured a reflection on "Ordinary Time" that Shariya wrote.
Here is the opening of her reflection and a link to the whole piece. ]
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Ordinary Time
by: Shariya Molegoda
I
n recent years I’ve discovered a special love for this long season we call Ordinary Time. The altered pace in our schedules invites us (or at least me) to engage in intentional recreation and to be more readily available for God’s re-creative action. It becomes something of an extended sabbath during which I hear an invitation to re-visit priorities and to re-order affections. It permits a prayerful re-calibration of my moral compass.
And, to do this, I find it particularly helpful to spend a part of Ordinary Time in places, and among people, I have loved since my beginning. To that end, I make what I have grown to regard as an annual pilgrimage to parts of Sri Lanka that constitute the context of my earliest formation.
[more]
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Coming up at St. Andrew's . . .
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C
alendar Highlights
Sunday, September 9
10:15am: Church School Registration
Saturday, September 15
Noon-3pm: Southeast Region picnic
Sunday, September 16
10:15am: First Sunday of Church School
Sunday, September 16
5pm: S.O.S. potluck dinner
Tuesday, September 18
7:00 pm: Vestry meeting
Saturday, September 22
8am-3pm: Raise the Roof build
in New Haven
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Potluck for Peace
Come Meet the Hussaini's
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Come join us as we welcome and meet the Hussaini's, our refugee family. We will gather for a Pot Luck meal on Sunday, September 16 in Farmer Hall at 5pm. Bring a “West Asia” dish to share. Your entire family is welcome.
We are planning a short panel discussion which will include Chris George, Executive Director from IRIS, and will try to raise some much needed funding for IRIS too.
In order to get a count, if you plan to attend, send an email to
jaime.sue@hotmail.com
with your name and number of attendees. We can’t wait to see you all and celebrate freedom and peace together!
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Southeast Region Picnic on Sat, September 15
Come Mix and Mingle with Fellow Episcopalians
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St. Andrew's is one of 17 parishes in the Southeast region of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Parishioners from all 17 congregations will gather for fun and food at noon on Saturday, September 15 in Waterford at the Waterford Beach.
Grilled burgers, hotdogs and chicken, and beverages will be provided. Please bring a side to share.
Help us plan by RSVPing at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/se-region-picnic-tickets-49283818227
.
Directions: Go to Eugene O’Neil Theater, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT (Once inside grounds, take first right and follow road to picnic area.)
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Help Renovate a Sea Captain's House
Another Raise the Roof Build Is Underway
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St. Andrew's continues in the vital work of providing affordable housing for the less fortunate. On Saturday, September 22 a crew of volunteers will work on another
Raise the Roof (Habitat for Humanity) build in New Haven. They will be working on the renovation of a former sea captain's house along the Quinnipiac River. Additional hands are welcome. If you would like to participate, contact Matt Valentine
by email (
matt_valentine@hotmail.com
) or phone (386-679-5155).
A crew of St. Andrew's parishioners helped build a house on Vernon Street in New Haven in June.
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A message from Laura Downes
Come, "
Walk in Love
" with us this fall
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Last spring a group of parishioners and vestry members from St. Andrew’s attended the diocesan-sponsored Spring Training, a day of prayer, fellowship and learning. Gary Naegel and I attended a workshop on Stewardship. We were both energized and intrigued with the things we learned from Adam Thomas, rector of St. Mark’s in Mystic. I was inspired enough to offer to be this year’s Stewardship chair, knowing that the strong committee included Gary, John Armstrong, Kristen Garnett, Helen Kitzman and Rebecca Rastetter.
We are excited to unveil our theme for this year: Walk in Love. The 2018 pledge drive will begin Sunday, September 30 and wrap up Sunday, October 21. You’ll be hearing more from us soon.
Thanks,
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Groups Gather: Worship, Study, Healing, Prayer
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Learning the ministry of healing prayer
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In July parishioners from St. Andrew's and several other churches in the Southeast region gathered for an introduction to healing prayer and the laying on of hands. We heard that praying with and for others is a skill and an art, and it can be learned.
This fall a small group will gather and support each other in learning this ministry. Time and location have not yet been worked out. If you are interested, contact John Armstrong.
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Listening and learning on Wednesday mornings
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Wednesday mornings at 11 a smallish group of parishioners, imaginatively named "the Wednesday Morning Group," meet to discuss a book or story. This summer they read
A Journey Through Mark
and Flannery O'Connor's short story "Revelation." This fall they may read another O'Connor story and Shariya hopes to lead sessions on the Book of Ruth.
New members of the group are always welcome. To learn more speak to Shariya!
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Much Is Planned for the Coming Year
High School and Middle School Youth Groups This Year
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Is anyone ready for a little faith-filled fun? The chance to make new friends, help others and try something new has arrived. High school and middle school youth groups kick off September 16 and 23. A huge shout out to Erin McHugh, who will be lending a hand with our high school youth along with several selfless and fun-loving parents, and to Sarah Valentine and Amy Greenleaf, who are helping with our middle school crew. Want to lend a hand? Call or email Mary to jump on board: 203-980-8175 or
merklemaryk@gmail.com
.
A new monthly Sunday morning discussion group is in the works for our post-confirmation and other high school students. We need a name for this group, and a consistent Sunday of the month when we will meet. Stay tuned for details.
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Seen and Heard Around the Church
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Click on any of the images below to hear some of our music or see an album with more pictures.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
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Staff
Rev. Shariya Molegoda,
Rector
Barbara Gibbons,
Parish Administrator
Grant Underwood,
Music Director
Mary Merkle-Scotland,
Youth Minister
Shelby Auletta,
Church School Coordinator
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Officers
Gary Naegel,
Senior Warden
Gary Cimmino,
Junior Warden
Colleen McHugh-Heflin,
Treasurer
Louise Beecher,
Clerk
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Vestry members at their April Retreat.
L to r: Ray Hencir, Mark Auletta, Louise Beecher, Matt Valentine, Nancy Karas, Gary Cimmino, Laura Downes. Jane Kraus, Rev. Shariya, Gary Naegel.
Missing: John Armstrong (photographer), Maeve Merkle-Scotland, Anastasia King, Mark Tardie, Colleen McHugh-Heflin
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