Heinrich Hofmann, "Christ and the Rich Young Ruler", 1889 - Wikipedia
Art at Riverside Church, New York | Mark 10: 17-31
Weekly Sunday service information and parish news.
Fr. Ben Hankinson, Rector
Celebrant for all services.

In light of the recent State of Illinois indoor mask mandate, all worshippers are asked to wear masks when attending church, including those who are fully vaccinated. We pray that through compassionate fidelity to the common good, we will see the present surge subside.
October 10, Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

Religious Study
Sunday Adult Forum - 9:15 in Pearson Hall
Church School for Children - 9:15 in the church garden

Holy Eucharist | Rite I, 8 a.m. | Rite II 10 a.m. (Sung)
In-person attendance for up to 75 worshippers | Masks required.
Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Coffee hour following the 10 a.m. service.
Readings for Sunday, October 10

  • Amos 5:6-7,10-15
  • Psalm 90:12-17
  • Hebrews 4:12-16
  • Mark 10:17-31

Make Your Offering!
Mail: Send your check to St. Andrew's Treasurer, at 406 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville 62025.
Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 10

Monday, October 4 was the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. At St. Andrew’s, we will remember him with Evening Prayer and blessing of the animals on October 10 at 5:30 (postponed from October 3). Bring your favorite furry friend to the church garden for a blessing by Fr. Ben!
The Week of October 10

  • Evening Prayer & Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, 5:30 p.m.
  • Charlie's Lunch Bunch at Sugo's, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.
  • Evening Prayer, Wednesday via Facebook Live, 5:30 p.m.
  • Rector's Class with Fr. Ben via Zoom, Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Future Dates
  • Springfield Diocese Annual Synod meeting, October 15
  • Springfield Diocese Nominating Synod meeting, October 16
  • Fr. Ben away October 17 and 24. Fr. John Henry will be guest celebrant.
  • Book Fair at Leclaire Parkfest, Sunday, October 17, 12 to 5 p.m.
  • First Sunday of Advent, November 28



Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (For a Church Convention, BCP p. 818)
 
Leadership and governance is a kind of stewardship. I say this because this time next week, we will have concluded the regular business of the annual Synod and probably nomination of the three finalists for the next Bishop of Springfield as well.
 
One of the most valuable resources of the Diocese is the people, ministering together in the name of Jesus Christ. Just as families and individuals come together to form the life of the local church, so too are we members of the diocesan community. We contribute time, energy, and resources to the common work of the Gospel across central and southern Illinois. And it is in our coming together, in the Synods of the Diocese, that we take counsel with one another and seek God’s will.
 
In addition to the regular work of the Synod, the delegates are tasked with electing a bishop. Months of preparations, deliberations, and prayer will culminate in those who will continue on in our corporate discernment of the life and future of the diocesan family. With that comes the weight of responsibility.
 
Stewarding that responsibility comes from the ever-present truth that any power we have to make such decisions is from God. We act on behalf of the church of Jesus Christ. He is the head, and we are the body. It is his will which we seek to do and not our own. It is his candidate we strive to call to this ministry. May God help us to do just that.

Fr. Ben
 
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (For the Election of a Bishop, BCP p. 818)
Reflections on the Election of
the 12th Bishop of the Springfield Diocese
by Fredna Scroggins

When I volunteered to serve on the Election Committee for the 12th Bishop of the Springfield Diocese, I had no idea of what it involved, but I was interested in learning. And learning I have! The process of electing a Bishop in this diocese is different from most. We have a transparent process, a process that does not entail a search committee nor do the people on the Election Committee, with a couple of exceptions, know anything about the nominees. Here is what I know. 

The people who were selected to serve on the Election Committee (hereafter EC) chose which subcommittee they wanted to work on at our first and only in-person meeting due to the COVID19 pandemic. For the duration of the process, we met via Zoom for two hours on the second Saturday of each month. I chose Nominations. I could have chosen Profile, Listening, or Communications.

My role became chief developer of the nomination process. I read the search material from several dioceses. The EC wanted to have a nominations process that could be done entirely online. No trees would die! Working with Hannah Dallman, the Diocese Communications Coordinator, I would have an idea and ask Hannah if we could do whatever it was. She is a delight to work with and knows what can and cannot be done. Between us, and with feedback from the entire EC, we developed an application process that could handle both clergy and lay nominations, the application itself, including references, and supporting material including sermons and responses to questions that are a part of The Episcopal Church personnel files.  Any priest in good standing in The Episcopal Church is eligible to be nominated by another clergy member and a lay member. No self-nominations were allowed. 

Meanwhile, the Listening Committee was sending out survey questionnaires to all parishes asking who we are and what do we want of a Bishop. That was a major task. This was followed by the Listening Sessions where parishioners were invited to attend a session to discuss what was important in a Bishop. From all of that information and other independent research, the Profile Committee developed the Diocesan Profile.

To continue reading Fredna's article, click here.
Bishop Election
Follow the Process for the Election of a New Bishop!

  • Information on the nominees - Link

  • Election Discussion Guide - Link

  • Diocesan profile (information for candidates) - Link

  • Timeline for the election process - Link
Notes

  • Deane Thomas and Pat Hulme are the new coffee hour coordinators. They invite all parishioners to volunteer to host a coffee hour at least one Sunday each year. Go to the new online signup soon and choose your Sunday! Link.

  • Note from Elizabeth Donald - The Relay for Life book sale will be Sunday, October 17 at Leclaire Parkfest! We need volunteers to help load books at the church that morning (and perhaps the day before), set up at the park, and pack up at 5 p.m. We have two nonprofit organizations picking up the unsold books, so let’s help them clear out! Volunteers who can carry and volunteers with large vans or trucks are especially welcome. Please contact Elizabeth Donald at elizabethdonald@yahoo.com to sign up! This is Relay’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and we could use all the help we can get. 

  • The altar flowers this Sunday are in honor of the wedding anniversary of Walter and Mary Bohn.

  • Help needy families who regularly rely on the Glen-Ed Pantry to make ends meet by providing supplies for a good Thanksgiving dinner. Donate a Thanksgiving basket for $30. Send your check to this address:
  • Faith Coalition Edwardsville, P.O. Box 84, Edwardsville, IL 62025.

  • Fr. Ben's fall study class began on Wednesday, September 22, and continues on fall Wednesdays at 6 p.m via Zoom. The topic is the Timeline of the Bible. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5094879945
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh