“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Mark 9:50
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.
September 26, Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Religious Study
Sunday Forum for Adults - 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.
Make Your Offering!
Mail: Send your check to St. Andrew's Treasurer, at 406 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville 62025.
The Week of September 26

  • Evening Prayer, Sunday via Facebook Live, 5:30 p.m.
  • Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
  • Study Class with Fr. Ben, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
  • Vestry Zoom meeting on Facility Use policy, Thursday, 6:00 p.m.

Future Dates
  • Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 3, 5:30 p.m.
  • Quilt Guild work meeting, Wednesday, October 6, 10 a.m.
  • Springfield Diocese Annual Synod meeting, October 15
  • Springfield Diocese Nominating Synod meeting, October 16
  • First Sunday of Advent, November 28



As we continue our look at the many forms of stewardship, we’ll look down the road a week as we consider the Blessing of the Animals on October 3 at 5:30 p.m.
 
In Genesis we are reminded that God has called us to be stewards of his creation. From the beginning, we have been charged as overseers of the earth, plants, minerals, and other resources. More than that, we have the responsibility and blessing of being caretakers of the creatures as well.
 
Throughout time, we can develop relationships with animals, caring for them and building bonds between us. Depending on the circumstances an interdependence can form where we might rely upon them, they on us, or both. For example, a cow on a farm can provide milk and calves while keeping the grass mowed and well-fertilized.
 
Likewise, anyone who has incorporated a dog, cat, or some other creature into their home life knows that those animals often truly become a part of the family. Not only do they take up physical space in the house, but they can carve out a niche in our hearts as well.
 
In the Blessing of the Animals, we remember and renew the call to stewardship God gave to our first parents by entrusting us with the care of his creatures, and we celebrate the present role which our beloved animals play in our lives. I invite you to bring all your family members out and don't forget your human relations either, for a time of prayer and blessing as we celebrate the beauty of all creatures of our God and king.
 
And speaking of stewardship of what we have and can share with others, this is a great opportunity to invite friends and their pets to catch a small glimpse of who we are and what we do as the people of God at St. Andrew’s!
Study with Fr. Ben: Wednesdays and Sundays

Fr. Ben's fall study class began on Wednesday, September 22, and continues on fall Wednesdays at 6 p.m. The topic is the Timeline of the Bible.
  • Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5094879945
  • Class I information at this link.

He will also be leading an adult forum on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. between the 8 and 10 a.m. services. The fall class series will be focusing on the Catechism as found in the Book of Common Prayer.
Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 3

Monday, October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. At St. Andrew’s, we will remember him on the evening before at 5:30. Bring your favorite furry friend to the church garden for a blessing by Fr. Ben!
 
St. Francis was patron saint of animals and ecology and was born in Italy
around 1181-1182 After a wild youth and a brief career as a soldier, Francis
had a conversion experience that inspired him to renounce his family’s wealth
and devote his life to God. His dedication to poverty, humility,
obedience, patience and compassion soon attracted followers and, in 1209,
he received permission from Pope Innocent III to form a new religious order
known as the Friars Minor or Franciscans. (Source: Humane Society website)
Bishop Election
Nominees for Twelfth Bishop of Springfield Diocese Announced!

  • Information on the nominees - Link

  • Diocesan profile (information for candidates) - Link

  • Timeline for the election process - Link
Curry and Twelve Faith Leaders Meet at White House

[ENS, Sept. 22] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joined 11 other faith leaders representing the ecumenical advocacy group Circle of Protection during a Sept. 22 visit to the White House to advocate for passage of legislation supporting families, workers, and citizens.

Circle of Protection includes leaders from a wide range of denominations, including Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Disciples of Christ and Quaker. Curry was one of 20 leaders who signed the group’s letter to President Joe Biden and members of Congress specifically urging passage of three bills focused on investing in infrastructure, supporting families and strengthening voting rights.

“If passed and signed into law they would strengthen the physical and social infrastructure of our society, cut family and child poverty more than any time in our lives, and ensure the precious right to vote for all people made in God’s image,” the Circle of Protection letter says.
The dozen faith leaders who visited the White House met with Melissa Rogers, Josh Dickson and Trey Baker, who run the administration’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and Cedric Richmond, director of the Office of Public Engagement.

“There’s a moral high ground that these bills have an opportunity to meet,” Curry said after the meeting in a news conference outside the White House. “That moral high ground is to make sure that the people most in need are cared for, and the symbol of our deepest need is our children. … That’s what we stand for regardless of our religion, and that’s what this country stands for at our very best.” Click here to continue.
Notes

  • The altar flowers this Sunday are in honor of the wedding anniversary of Maxine and Doug Callies.

  • This Wednesday, we observe the Feast Day of St. Michael and All Angels. Michael is said to be the captain of the heavenly armies. He is mentioned in the Scriptures in Daniel 10:13,31; 12:1 (where he is said to be the prince of the people of Israel); in Jude 9 (where he is said to have disputed with the devil about the body of Moses); and in Revelation 12:7 (where he is said to have led the heavenly armies against those of the great dragon). He is generally pictured in full armor, carrying a lance, and with his foot on the neck of a dragon. (From Lectionary Resources.)
Sunday at the Park - Church Picnic Pics
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh