Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples.
Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
Fr. Ben Hankinson, Rector
Celebrant for all services.
If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask and observe social distance.
May 23, The Day of Pentecost

Holy Eucharist | Rite I, 8 a.m. | Rite II 10 a.m. (Sung)

In-person attendance for up to 75 worshippers
Audio only at 8 a.m. | Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Outdoor coffee hour following the 10 a.m. service.
Readings for Sunday, May 23
  • First Reading - Acts 2:1-21
  • Psalm 104:25-35, 37
  • The Epistle - Romans 8:22-27
  • The Holy Gospel - John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 - "I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment."
Make Your Offering!
The Week of May 23
  • Pray with Fr. Ben daily via Facebook Live.
  • Wednesday, Evening Prayer via Facebook Live, 5:30 p.m.
Coming up
  • The Visitation, Holy Eucharist, Monday, May 31, 5:30 p.m.



Fr. Ben presided over the 6:30 p.m. Vestry meeting on Thursday, May 20. Returning and new vestry members were in attendance: Kevin Babb, Walter Bohn, Marty Cavanaugh, Heather Clausen, Liz Edwards, Brian Pezza, Bill Schaefer, Velma Schmidt, Carl Slaughter. Maxine Callies, Assistant Treasurer, was also in attendance.

Announcements/Fr. Ben:
  • Evening services will move to 5:30 beginning with The Visitation;
  • Fr. Ben will be taking some time off during the summer months and Fr. Boase will be on call for pastoral emergencies during those times;
  • There is discussion in the Diocese about possible regional gatherings for young people since the church camp will not occur.

Business:
  • Fr. Ben presented a draft policy for proceeding under the new Covid-19 guidelines for Illinois. Vestry members were particularly interested in the possible change in guidelines at communion. In the end, the group opted to stay with current guidelines for the time being. The new guidelines eliminate sign-ups, open the church to a maximum of 75 attendees, and give guidance to vaccinated and non-vaccinated members that encourage good general health and well-being practices. Link to policy.
  • The following vestry members will continue as vestry officers: Kevin Babb, Senior Warden; Walter Bohn, Junior Warden; Marty Cavanaugh, Clerk of the Vestry. Thanks to these individuals for their service was expressed.
  • Riley Atwood will complete his term as parish treasurer as of May 31 and Maxine Callies has agreed to fill this position. (Applause)
  • Walter Bohn presented information on an annual service contract for the elevator and members present approved subscribing to this service.

Committees:
  • Discussion is underway regarding educational programs for our children (e.g. Church School) and for adults beginning in the fall. These programs will probably take place in the 9-10 o'clock hour on Sundays so Fr. Ben can participate. All study classes will be live in the future.
  • Kathryn Biarkis, Liz Edwards, Julie Hamilton, and LaVernn Wilson will be meeting with Marian Smithson on May 21 to review carpet tile samples and decide on the three options that they would like to investigate further by requesting 24 x 24-inch tile samples for each.

Other:
  • Brian Pezza will check on the availability of Township Park for a fall church picnic on September 19.
  • The meeting was adjourned circa 8:10 p.m. The next meeting is June 17.
Update on the Bishop Election

The Election Committee and the Laity, Priests, and Deacons have been engaged and busy during the Listening Phase of the Election process for the 12th Bishop of Springfield. The Listening Phase ended on Sunday, May 16, 2021. The Election Committee wanted the faithful of the Diocese of Springfield to have multiple ways to offer insights, ideas, and opinions into the development of the Profile.
 
From March 16 to March 31 the faithful of the Diocese had the opportunity to complete a survey to help understand the characteristics they felt were most important in a new Bishop of Springfield. Information gleaned from the survey will help tell the story of the Diocese of Springfield to potential nominees and the Delegates to the nominating and election Synods through our Diocesan Profile. The survey was developed in conjunction with the Survey Research Office at the University of Illinois – Springfield (UIS). There were seven hundred seventy-seven (777) total respondents which is a 58% response rate based on the 2019 Average Sunday Attendance (ASA). This was a much higher than anticipated return rate! (Click here to continue.)
Parish Notes

  • The Bohns have returned from travel and are ready for you to visit the greenhouse. Call Walter Bohn at 618-920-0189 to make an appointment. The greenhouse is at 2836 Keebler road in Maryville and ready for you to pick out vegetables and herbs for your garden and hanging baskets for the porch or entryway. Please bring cash or a check. All sales benefit St. Andrew’s.
  • The Episcopal Church continues Pentecost programming today and tomorrow: One in the Spirit - Saturday, May 22, 6-7:30 p.m. EDT, A Concert for the Human Family, and “From Many, One” Community Conversations. Also, Sunday, May 23, 4-5:30 p.m. EDT: Churchwide Pentecost Revival Worship from Philadelphia, Navajoland, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Link.
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh