Re-Gathering Update

September 17, 2020
 
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)
 
Dear St. Andrew’s Family,
 
Your Wardens, Vestry, and I wanted to give you an update about our plans for in-person worship.
 
As you may know, we have formed a “Regathering Committee” to guide our process. Over many meetings the past few months, the committee has put together a detailed parish plan for coming together again. We have considered many of the challenges involved and established protocols both for worship inside the church and for services in our garden.
 
On Sunday, September 13th our vestry received the committee’s plan and voted to proceed with the diocesan regathering process. As you may imagine, there is a long checklist of benchmarks that we must meet, as well as a great deal of planning involved. Our next step is to get approval for our plan and have our “regathering shepherd” look over our worship spaces.
 
Our worship, when we do regather, will necessarily be a different experience than what we are used to: it will be shorter, there will be no congregational singing, masks will be required, and there will be social distancing. Our capacity will be limited so everyone must sign up beforehand in order to attend. Likewise, those who are in vulnerable populations: our older members and those who are immunocompromised, will be encouraged to continue worshipping from home.
 
In order to make our regathering a success we do need volunteers. If you are planning to join us and are willing to volunteer to be an usher, to assist with setup and cleaning, or help in another way, please contact me at clergy@standrewshanover.org.
 
We will let you know as soon as possible when we get approval and are planning for our first in-person service.
 
I look forward to seeing everyone again (properly distanced, of course).
 
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Kevin+
GREEN TEAM
Good Trouble for a Healthy Planet: 2020 Faith-Based Organization Consultation on Climate Emergency

Thursday, September 24, 10:00 a.m.
LEARN: The Episcopal Church, in collaboration with a coalition of interfaith partners led by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will offer a virtual webinar on “Good Trouble for a Healthy Planet” on September 24, 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. EDT. It will address the impact of human activity on the planet and the urgent need for action to obtain sustainable and resilient communities globally and develop strategies for moving forward to address climate change.
 
Convening on the anniversary of the 2019 interfaith-based consultation to address the climate emergency, "Climate Emergency: Faith-based Organizations Raising Ambition -- Leaving No One Behind” -- this second interfaith consultation will feature opening and closing plenaries, as well as concurrent workshops that will run from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. EDT. Presentations will be supported by web-based materials and social media tools to be used throughout the day by participating organizations.
 
The Consultation will feature interactive workshops on:
  • Envisioning a Sustainable and Just Economy for a Resilient World
  • Taking Responsibility for the Climate
  • Buen Vivir: pathways to a healthier planet
  • How to Activate More People of Faith to Action
  • Solutions that Work: Adaptation and Mitigation
  • Climate Migration (including displaced persons)
  • Climate Grief
  • Restoration and Nature Based Solutions
Access descriptions of the workshops here.
 
Register for the virtual event here.
Registration Deadline: Close of business on Tuesday, September 22, 2020

For more information about upcoming online workshops, click the button below.
OUTREACH
I received this note from Cathy just before I sent out the enews today. If you can use any of the items listed below or know of a good home for them to go to, please contact Cathy at the email below.

This is Cathy Gilmour. I am a former parishioner who has moved, but I came back into town to close out my house here. I have multiple items that I am willing to donate to the church or to other parishioners if they are able to pick them up from my home in Hingham. I will give them to people on a first come basis, but they need to contact me and arrange a time for pick up. I can also provide photos to reduce contact.
 
Here are some of the items I have available:
2 black metal file cabinets from Office Max with keys (very good condition)
Upholstered settee
King bed, 2 nightstands, dresser (Pennsylvania house) older, but good condition (available 10/14)
60 inch dining table with wrought iron base
4 wooden chairs (Nichols & Stone)
Oriental rug red, black & tan (9 ½ x 7 ½)
 
If you are able to pass this along, I am grateful. 
 
Thank you,
Cathy
PRAYERS & PRAISE
PRAYER LIST - Please remember to keep these people in your prayers:

Carroll & Sue, Claire & Don, Zack, Nancy, Bev, Beth, Steven, Susan, Winston, Hawk & Matthew, Karen, Erin Kate, Leah, Hannah, Sophia, James & Judith, Lula Mae, Pam, AJ, Paul, Rich, Florence, Jamie, Janet M., Gayle, Jennifer, Tim, Katrina, Boppy, Delores, Ben, the Brennan Family, Sarah, Julie, Jackson, Eileen & Larry, Gerry, Michele, Jenn & family, Andrea & Rick, Elizabeth, David, Coleman & Phyllis, Ken & Barbie, Gary, Phyllis, Meredith, the Howe family, Fr. Kevin, Bill, Frank,
and the Schmiz family.

If you would like someone added to the Prayer List, please contact Carole in the office by email or phone by Wednesday noon. Thank you.