Your weekly news & updates
May 26, 2022
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A Special Message from the Bishop |
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Tuesday evening, May 25, the Rt. Rev. David Reed offered a reflection and call to prayer in response to the school shooting in Uvalde,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Earlier today, a teenage gunman murdered at least 14 elementary-aged students and a teacher in their school in Uvalde. Not somewhere far off, but within the Diocese of West Texas. Not strangers, but children in a close-knit community of which the beautiful parish family of St. Philip’s is a vital part. People we know and love are heart-broken and grief-stricken tonight, even as they seek ways to care for and comfort the devastated families and their town. This is so utterly wrong.
Words of outrage are not enough to express our hatred of this evil done to little children who simply went to school this morning. Expressions of sorrow scarcely touch the depth of families’ grief tonight. There is nothing we can say today to comfort the parents, siblings, and grandparents whose lives were left in ruins by this evil violence.
What we have to offer is ourselves. To turn ourselves, our hearts and minds, to those who are suffering in Uvalde – to reach out our hands to lift up and to extend our arms to embrace – this is what we have to offer, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and following him in whatever ways are available into the pain and brokenness of our brothers and sisters in Uvalde and at St. Philip’s Church. We have received power to love and to resist hatred.
And we can pray. We must pray. Ignore the cynics, and pray with all your heart. Let your cries reach to the heavens. Let your anger and despair be your prayer. And listen to God answering in return. Look for God’s tears revealed and listen for his perfect and righteous anger. Give yourself over to opportunities to join in the Spirit’s work of binding up and healing. Love with all you’ve got, and never, ever surrender to the darkness.
In the few hours since the news broke, I have already received so many emails, texts, and phone calls from around the Diocese and around the country, offering to do whatever they can, send whatever is needed, to support Uvalde. Episcopal Relief and Development has reached out and offered resources. The Presiding Bishop’s office has been in contact. Bishops have called me, including Bishop Scott Mayer of neighboring Northwest Texas and Connecticut’s Bishop Ian Douglas, whose diocese suffered the horrific Sandy Hook massacre. Clergy and people within West Texas are standing by, offering love, support, and prayers. As more information becomes available, we will do all we can to uphold our brothers and sisters of St. Philip’s, looking to them and their rector, the Rev. Mike Marsh, for guidance as to how we can support their community.
Because I believe in Jesus, I am convinced that sin and death are defeated and darkness will never prevail over the light of resurrection. Because I believe in eternal life, I trust that the senseless murder of these innocent children is not the final thing to be said about them. If the Gospel is true, it is true in all times and in all places, including in Uvalde tonight. If God is with us, then he is with us even in those times and places where it seems that death and darkness have prevailed.
Jesus loves the little children. He tells the disciples to move aside and make room for them, and he takes the children in his arms and blesses them. In your prayers, make room for the children of Uvalde—all of them, and of all ages—and pray for all victims of violence that the Peace of Christ will be known and welcomed.
Let us pray.
O God our Father, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust your beloved children of Uvalde to your everlasting care and love, and bring them fully into your heavenly kingdom. Pour out your grace and loving-kindness on all who grieve; surround them with your love; and restore their trust in your goodness. We lift up to you our weary, wounded souls and ask you to send your Holy Spirit to take away the anger and violence that infects our hearts, and make us instruments of your peace and children of the light. In the Name of Christ who is our hope, we pray. Amen.
Love in Christ,
+David Reed
Bishop of West Texas
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Like other churches across the Diocese we ring the church bells in memory of those who have passed. During the services this Sunday at 8 am and 10 am, we will ring the bells in memory of the lives lost during the tragedy at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. Please continue to pray for all the victims and their families. |
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We got the idea to go to Big Bend National Park next spring for a parish retreat. Lodging for 4 is around $120 per night. There are camping and RV options as well. Doesn't camping or lodging in the park and exploring God's creation sound great? Before the decision is made that this is where the parish retreat will be, we would like to get a head count of those who would be interested in going. If that is you or your family, please contact Jim Miller at riorondal64@icloud.com or send an email to Charlene at secretary@standrewseguin.org with the count of how many of your family who would like to go.
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This Sunday is Grad Sunday!
We hope you all will join us in McKeogh Hall after the 10 am service to celebrate our graduates with a special prayer and reception in their honor!
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In observance of Memorial Day, the church office will be closed Monday, May 30th. We will reopen Tuesday, May 31st at
9 am. Let us remember those who courageously gave their lives and have made the ultimate sacrifice. Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Memorial Day!
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Field Day at Jefferson Elementary!
Our adopted school, Jefferson Elementary is having a field day for the students on May 31 from 8:45 am until 2:00 pm. They would love for us to send volunteers to help these kids enjoy their last day of school. Click here to sign up to volunteer for an hour in a team of two. Contact Kelly at kfollis@seguin.k12.tx.us or 830-305-1534 with any questions you may have.
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Seguin ISD and Jefferson Elementary extend their sincere thanks to St. Andrew's for participating in the Adopt-A-School program. Jefferson had a wonderful year thanks to the efforts and support of our church. Fr. Stephen accepted a Certificate of Appreciation awarded to St. Andrew's by Dr. Matthew Gutierrez, Superintendent of Seguin ISD on Tuesday, May 24th. |
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Mark your calendars!! On Sunday, June 5th, Adult Christian Formation will make a comeback! We will meet in McKeogh Hall between services to start a study of famous families of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. See you there!!
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Join the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas' Christian Formation Committee for a one-day, in-person Bible Study Facilitator training. Taking place at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi on Saturday, June 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the training is open to anyone interested in leading a Bible study, Sunday school, small group or other formation classes for adults. Whether you are brand new to facilitating or have years of experience, this class will give you new tools and ideas to bring to your group.
Click here for more information and to register. Registration cost is $20 per person and includes lunch, as well as a chance to practice facilitating a class.
Contact Suzanna Green, Bishop's Deputy for Christian Formation, at formation@dwtx.org with questions.
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The church office will be closed Monday, June 20th in observance of the Juneteenth Federal Holiday. We will reopen Tuesday, June 21st at 9 am.
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Join us for our next Veterans Ministry meeting which will be held next Tuesday, June 21st at 6 PM in McKeogh Hall. Questions? contact Robert Pike at robertpike81@yahoo.com
The Memorial Day visit to Walnut Springs Nursing Home has been canceled due to several COVID cases among the nursing home staff. Please know that the nursing home extends thanks to us and to those who planned the event.
Although we are not able to attend this event, our Veteran Ministry team is still actively connecting with Walnut Springs on ways to help the veterans who live there. Currently we are searching for a thin bookshelf (approximately 3 ft. wide x 6 ft. tall) for the storage of their books. They would also appreciate puzzles and magazines. Contact the office if you have any of these items to donate.
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After the blessing of the St. Andrew's Little Free Library and the St. Andrew's Kids Prayer Books, many of you showed an interest in purchasing the prayer book featuring artwork of our St. A's kids. The issue is we are not completely sure on how much we paid per book. So to cover all unforeseen costs, we are asking $40 per book. Please contact Charlene at the office to let us know you would like to order one. After compiling the list and collecting funds we will order that many books. Any monies left over will be put in the Children's Ministry fund. |
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Anyone entering or continuing college next year is invited to apply for the St. Andrew's College Scholarship. Click here for the application.
If you are interested in the continued success of this scholarship, please consider making donations to the church made out to St. Andrew’s Scholarship Fund. We hope and pray that this scholarship will be a resource for more fruitful relationships with the high schools and universities in our location and will also further help instill in the hearts and minds of younger generations the love and hope our church has for them.
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Pastoral Care is a very important ministry at St. Andrew's. Some may think that Pastoral Care is just the ministry that takes care of the reception following a funeral, but there is much more to it. Caring for a person who is struggling with a difficulty, being present during a time of pain, praying with someone in a crisis are just a few of the important things that Pastoral Care does. In our church, pastoral ministry for the sick and dying is one of the most significant ways that members of the Body of Christ continues the ministry and mission of Jesus. Pastoral ministry is considered to be the responsibility of all the baptized.
We are looking for a new chair of Pastoral Care. If you are interested please contact the office at 830-372-4330 or send Charlene an email at secretary@standrewseguin.org
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We need some tech-back up! Are you a Techie? Do you want to become one? Join the St. Isidore Guild-St. A's very own Tech Geniuses! We're looking for a few dedicated people who are interested in learning how to do all things tech at St. Andrew's. If you're new to the tech world, don't worry we'll train you! See Jack Merrell if you are interested in joining.
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The Master Gardeners have started working on the maintenance of the Garden! Future plans are being made. Want to be a part of it? Follow this link to find out different ways to become a
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has two peer-led support groups that meet twice a month. One group is the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group which is for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition that meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 pm via zoom. The other is the NAMI Family Support Group which is for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition that meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 pm also via zoom. The meeting dates for May are as follows...
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group-
NAMI Family Support Group-
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Sadly, Marsha has decided to retire later this year. It will be so hard to replace her but if you know of someone with accounting experience, please have them call the office.
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The edited proof of our directory was sent back to the directory company last week. They have corrected the errors and have sent it off to be printed. The new directories should be shipped to us within 4-5 weeks!
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The Christian Closet (old nursery) for TruLight 127 is in need of volunteers to help either Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm or Thursdays from 1pm-3pm so families can come and get some clothing, etc.
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Click here for our new Annual Events Parish Calendar! The calendar serves as a general overview of the life of the church. In a sense, it is a “living calendar,” events may be added and removed, and of course, not all church events will be listed.
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Twelve Step Recovery
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meets at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Youth House on Crockett Street.
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SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2022: SEVENTH SUNDAY of EASTER
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Chapel)
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Church)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022
12:00 p.m. Healing Eucharist (Chapel)
10:30 a.m. Women's Bible Study (McKeogh Hall)
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022
8:00 a.m. Brotherhood of St. Andrew's (McKeogh Hall)
The 10 am services are recorded and available online on Facebook (click on Video tab) and our web page under Sermons anytime after Sunday.
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Ministers in the Lord's Service |
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Celebrant-
Fr. Stephen Shortess
Rev. Patricia Riggins
Vestry of the Week-
Kelly Follis
Lay Reader-
8 am- Gary Bethel
10 am- Kelly Follis
Crucifer-
Kambrie Boeder
Altar Guild-
Sally Keddal
Joyce Richey
Linda Lynn
Holly Modl
Offertory Tellers-
Jeanene Smith
Anne Galaway
Ushers-
Arthur & Carlotta Coffman
Musicians-
Wendi Gustafson- Music Director/Organ
Samuel Gaytan- Violin
Bill Gibbons- Guitar
Gil Merkle- Guitar
Melinda Ingersoll- Guitar
Don Richey- Baritone
Leo Garcia- Choir Director/Cantor/Soloist
Soloists- Kayla Hinton, Kellie Ranft, Bryanna Vasquez
Cameramen/Technicians-
Aaryn Perry
Gil Merkle
Jack Merrell
Warren Wundt
Betty Anderson
Will Follis
Susan Rinn
Michael Sharp
Sound-
Jim Anderson
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Birthdays
David Olson- June 1
Canaan Casey- June 3
Anniversaries
Don & Marty Keil- June 2
If you have a birthday or anniversary next week and it's not listed, please call the Parish Office and leave a message for Charlene to add it to the list.
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If you or another member of the parish are sick or in the hospital and would like a contact from Fr. Stephen, please notify the Parish Office. We don't want anyone to get missed! Contacting the office will ensure that Fr. Stephen is notified.
If you would like to add a name, etc., to the prayer list, send an email to secretary@standrewseguin.org. If you have a pastoral situation that needs attention, please contact the parish office.
If a member of your family is in the armed forces, please send their name to Charlene via email at secretary@standrewseguin.org or by phone (830-372-4330) so they can be included in the Prayers of the People each Sunday.
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For more St. A's events CLICK THE CALENDAR BELOW
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St. Andrew's dares to embrace its Episcopal Heritage by living out the Great Commission of Christ through the intimacy of community, discipleship, and service.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, a congregation of The Episcopal Church, and a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church| (830)372-4330 | 201 E. Nolte St. Seguin, TX 78155| standrew@standrewseguin.org | standrewseguin.org
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