e-Pistle for October 22, 2018
Dear ,

Every morning I receive an email with a very brief spiritual "thought for the day" from the Episcopal monks at Society of St. John the Evangelist ('SSJE') who are located at the monastery in Cambridge, MA. If you are interested in receiving the email (it is called the "Daily Word") you can sign up for it at https://www.ssje.org/word/

But this morning I found myself at first glance somewhat conflicted by the reflection which was as follows:

When the New Testament talks about coming to faith in Christ, it is always in terms of community. The way to grow into our full stature as children of God is not through competitive individualism, but being made part of a new family, a fellowship, or what the New Testament calls a "koinonia" of love. It is in this community, the Church, the Body of Christ, that we become who we most truly are meant to be, and gain our true identity.
-Br. Geoffrey Tristram,  SSJE
I felt myself in strong agreement that we grow in our faith and find our true calling by using our gifts and talents and time by serving God and our neighbor. But when I first read the piece I found myself questioning the seemingly negative reference to competition. This is because in my own life, I have found there is nothing wrong with a bit of competition - in fact a bit of healthy competition has stopped me from being complacent and helped me to strive to be the best I can be. However, on further reflection I realized that the piece is not talking about 'healthy' competition but 'competitive individualism'.  This latter concept is not about competition to bring the best out of people in order to serve God and our neighbor more effectively. Rather, "competitive individualism' is about the individual using their time and talents to serve their own ego and status without any concern about other people. This runs counter to the thrust of Christ's teaching which we hear in the Gospel this Sunday that we are called to use our talents to serve others and build up God's vision of love for the world, not to lord it over others.
 
Yours in Christ, Adrian .

Notices & Announcements
Day of Service, Saturday, October 20
Giving of time and talent is an important part of our stewardship. Please participate in one of the projects from 9am-11am on Saturday, October 20. Outreach projects include cooking for others and helping the Wellesley Food Pantry. Inreach projects include landscaping, sweeping, dusting (always a favorite!), and cleaning the kitchen. There is something for everyone, child to adult. Many hands make light work! Please check the complete listing and sign up by clicking here.
Night of Fun, Saturday, October 20
Please join us on Saturday, October 20, for a Roaring '20's Party, hosted by the fellowship committee. Get out your glad rags, grab all of your pals, and let's meet up in the parish hall for a roaring good time. Festivities will begin at 6:30pm. Keep your peepers out for invitations in your email. We hope to see you all there. It's going to be the Cat's Meow!  Sign-up by clicking here.
Stewardship Campaign
Our 2019 stewardship campaign is underway and we ask parishioners to make their financial pledge to St. Andrew's by Commitment Sunday, November 4. The theme of our stewardship campaign this year is Investing in our Spiritual Lives. Our pledging to St. Andrew's is about investing in our spiritual lives by financially supporting our church community which guides and enriches us spiritually. Pledges make possible the work of the clergy and staff, our beautiful building, and our many programs including music, education, and outreach. The goal of this year's campaign are to increase in our pledge dollars by 4.5% and to grow our participation to 300 households, by encouraging people who do not pledge to become pledgers.
You should have your 2019 Stewardship packet, including informative materials and your pledge card. Please examine them carefully, be as generous as you can, and return your pledge card (or pledge online) by November 4. Thank you!  
Online Giving
Electronic giving is offered on our website under the give tab to make pledge payments (one-time or recurring) and special contributions (e.g., memorial flowers, outreach). You may use your checking account, savings account, or credit card to make payments. Creating a profile will only take a moment, and you will be able to make changes to your donations and view and print your online donation history. We hope you will take advantage of this convenient feature on our website. 
Reflections from a Modern Italian Pilgrimage
In addition to our 9am Christian Learning class on Sunday, October 28, we will offer a class at 11:30am so that more people can share in the journey. Please join us in Room 2 us for a slide show and individual reflections on Rome, Assisi, and Florence. 
9am Christian Learning Series
Today, Sunday, October 21, we continue our series on the ancient church with Architecture of the Early Church led by parishioner Dr. Peter Fergusson, Emeritus Professor of Art at Wellesley College. Join us downstairs in Room 2. On Sunday, October 28, join us for Reflections from a Modern Italian Pilgrimage. Members of our May pilgrimage will reflect on the art we saw and the spiritual and cultural experiences of our journey.
Confirmation Prep  & Youth Group
Confirmation prep and youth group will meet Sunday, October 28, with eighth-grade confirmation prep from 5 to 6:30pm and high school youth group from 6:45 to 8pm. All youth are welcome. 
All Hallows' Eve Informal Service & Potluck
Celebrate All Hallows' Eve with us Sunday, October 28, at 5pm. We will read some of the Bible's spookiest stories before sharing a meal in the parish hall. Halloween costumes are encouraged! A main dish will be provided; bring an appetizer or dessert to share. This service will emphasize children's participation; all ages are welcome. 
NO Church School, Rite-13 Sunday, October 28: Kids' Place only
There will be no church school, or Rite-13 on Sunday, October 28; although there will be Kids' Place. Sleep in and come to the 5pm All Hallows' Eve service instead!  
Stewardship Educational Workshop 
On Sunday, October 28 at 11:30am, please join us in the Harvey Room for an educational workshop on how to make your contribution to the St. Andrew's in a tax-advantaged way. It will be worth your time!
Book Circle 
Book Circle will meet on Thursday, November 8 at 7pm in the Harvey Room to discuss Pachinko, a novel by Min Jin Lee. Please join us for lively conversation, perspective, and friendship.
Rite-13 Pie Baking 
All Rite-13 (grades 6-7) youth are invited to bake apple pies for the Wellesley Food Pantry on Sunday, November 11, from 3 to 5pm in the parish hall. Please bring a bag of apples, a package of two pie crusts, a disposable aluminum pan, and corers, peelers, or paring knives to share. 
Wellesley Turkey Trot 2018: Team St. Andrew's 
It isn't too early to join Team St. Andrew's for our 11/22 Thanksgiving Day  Turkey Trot.   Sign up this year by clicking here.  Under the blue "Team Registration Style" banner, choose "Join a Team" and then choose "St. Andrew's, Wellesley."  I'm also happy to help people sign up in my office after church. -- Margaret Schwarzer
Consider Honduras Next Summer
Plans are underway in the outreach committee to take a team of young people and adults to El Hogar in early August 2019. If this sounds interesting to you, or to someone you know, please attend an information session on Sunday, November 18, at 11:30am in Room 2. Attendance at this meeting does not commit you to the trip. The team from our parish can be as big as 15 people. Youth travelers must have completed grade 9 by next June. Come and learn more about El Hogar and its mission to transform the lives of children born into extreme poverty-and how you can be part of that work in a "hands on" way. Contact Becky Taylor or Steve Taylor.
Need a Babysitter, Tutor, Pet Sitter or Odd Job-Doer?
Hire a teen or young adult from St. Andrew's. You can get the list in church or from Rev. Catherine Healy
Join the Parish Babysitter, Tutor, or Odd Job Lists
Put your skills to work! To join the parish babysitter, tutor, or odd job lists, contact  Rev. Catherine Healy
Illness and Off-Hour Emergencies
The clergy are always available to assist you. Please email Adrian or call him at 603-831-4938 if you or a member of your family expects to be in the hospital and wishes to be visited. Also, please let us know of names that should be added to our prayer list. Our prayers are with all those in need.
Serving St. Andrew's This Week
Serving St. Andrew's this week
Altar Guild   Bonnie Akins, Barbara Bergstrom, Nancy Echlov, Erica Gelser, Becky Hamlin, Debbie Monti, Caren Parker, Cynthia Scott, Ellen Staelin, and Laura Stettner
Flower Guild   Cynthia Ballantyne and Melissa Bradley
Serving at 8am 
Lay Reader/Chalice Bearer   Nancy Echlov
Ushers   Mark Benjamin and Ken Graves
Serving at 10am 
Acolytes   Karina Cowperthwaite, Christiaan Eikeboom, Kelly Rawson, Cameron Cowperthwaite, and Clara Eikeboom
Chalice Bearers  St. Andrew's Youth
Greeters   Brian & Kim McCaslin
Lay Readers   St. Andrew's Youth
Ushers   David Boghosian and St. Andrew's Youth
Parish Prayer List
St. Andrew's prayer list
Asher Griffin, John Reed, Kim McGovern, Lisa Dutile, Sue Wright, Richard, Jack, Janet, Charlotte Corey, Melissa Stampf, Douglas Jackson, Lee Goodnow, Bob Moore, Lawrence Greenberg, Theresa Given, Betsy Reynolds, Qing Ni (pronounce "Ching Ni"), Ellen Nadolny, Ann O'Sullivan, and Dana Sauro.
Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the lives of
Tom Alexander and Toby Tuytschaevers.
Intercessions from the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Parishes of the South Shore Deanery
Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Hingham
St. John's Church, Holbrook
Trinity Church, Marshfield
Church of Our Saviour, Milton
Order of St. Luke
Prayers for Outreach Partners
We have started a practice of praying each week for one of the St. Andrew's outreach partners in the Prayers of the People. The outreach partners are charities that the parish supports with our time and donations from our parish budget. The aim of this new practice is both to hold the work of these charities in our prayers, and to familiarize the congregation with the different charities we support as we put our faith into action as a parish. 
"Refreshing" the Parish Prayer List
Praying for our loved ones at times of need is a central part of our worship and church life. We would like to remind you that at the beginning of every month, we "refresh" the prayer list. We remove the names of people we have not heard about keeping on the list. We are happy to keep people on the list for as long as they are in need of our prayers but, our proactive approach helps prevent a buildup of people on the list after the need for our prayers has passed. Thanks for your help with this. 
Weekly Deadlines
Deadlines  for Weekly Leaflet and e-Pistle Announcements 
Announcements and gratitudes (and anything else) for inclusion in the weekly leaflet or e-Pistle are due on Tuesdays at noon. Please limit your announcement to 50-100 words. 
St. A's wide sketch
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