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 June 18, 2020 edition of The Newsletter



The Newsletter 
Saints James and Andrew
Greenfield, Massachusetts

Dear People of Saints James and Andrew,

So many of us have been deeply impacted by the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, and by the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, nationwide protests, and subsequent reconsideration of assumptions about policing in our nation.  A terrible thing has become the catalyst to, we dare hope, increasing awareness of the systemic ways in which racial inequality and injustice have continued to impact so many in our nation. I think and hope that, sixty years after the Civil Rights movement, our nation is again ready to take real steps to reshape attitudes, practices, and systems in order for all of God’s children to share fully in God’s abundance.  Many of us have moved from a posture of working not to be racist to one of working to be actively (and increasingly) anti-racist.

Throughout this season of Ordinary Time we will incorporate prayer addressing anti-racist concerns into our Sunday liturgies. You’ve heard from Heather and me – many times – that our prayer shapes our belief: in fancy terms, churchy folks say lex orandi lex credendi.  When we pray, we do so not because God needs to hear what we may have to say, but because we ourselves do.  Prayer changes us. Acts of identifying things I need to lift up to God and then expressing those concerns, hopes, and regrets make a difference in the ways I view and behave in the world.  As people of faith, we know that prayer is one of our most powerful tools for bringing about the changes that the world needs – both within ourselves and outside of ourselves.

This summer and into the fall we will pray together – sometimes simply and briefly, and sometimes at greater length - acknowledging the suffering that racial injustice has caused.   We will pray in repentance, and pray for our own growth and for the wisdom to hear and the courage to act in following the Spirit toward a more just and peaceful world.  Together we will make a difference.

Faithfully yours, 

Rev. Molly

Important Updates

Presiding Bishop's Word to the Church: When the Cameras are Gone, We Will Still Be Here - Episcopal News Service

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/presiding-bishops-word-to-the-church-when-the-cameras-are-gone-we-will-still-be-here/

Parishioner Feedback Survey:  As we begin the process of opening our physical buildings, the Vestry wants very much to have your input.  To that end, we are putting together a short survey to determine how best to get your feedback and to gauge how comfortable you are returning to worship  If you are not comfortable filling out an online survey, but have input to give, please call our Parish Administrator, Beau, at (413) 773-3925. Those who receive a hardcopy of the newsletter will receive a hardcopy in the mail. We are also aware that some people might choose to give feedback anonymously.  While we would love to know who you are in the event that we would want to follow up, we will offer you the choice of whether or not you self identify. The survey will be open through June 25.  Here is a link to the survey: https://forms.gle/TaTiKVx9YgSPRiJM6

  -The Church Chat Working Group

Parish Life

STAY CONNECTED:

SUNDAY WORSHIP, 10 a.m.

WORSHIP LEAFLET

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR, Sunday, 10:45 a.m.

SSJA FACEBOOK PAGE

PARISHIONER CHECK-IN GROUP

WEBSITE

VIRTUAL OFFERING PLATE
Here is a photo of the newest tree on campus, a Pink Dogwood, lovingly sponsored by the Flower Guild. Over the past several years we have tried to plant new trees as older ones have needed to come down. You may have noticed the legacy Sourwood tree planted in 2014 by the Third Century Society near the cloisters, the two Cloud 9 Dogwoods along the wall by the rectory driveway planted in 2016, the Autumn Cherry planted in 2016 by the rear entrance to the rectory, and the Cleveland Pear planted in 2020 in the rectory yard. Next time you are on campus, be sure to take in the many new trees that live amongst us.
- Rev. Heather

Notices and Announcements

Check out Heather and Molly‘s June 15th update on YouTube.
A unique short-term pastoral need:  A member of the congregation is experiencing a “wrinkle” in making a housing transition and may need a place to stay for up to a month before the new space is available.  In addition, three cats need to find new homes.  If anyone has a room to offer on a short-term basis or could provide a loving home to one or more nice felines, please be in touch with either Heather or Molly.  Thanks.

Happenings

We are excited about our Virtual Potluck & Compline offering on Wednesdays at 6pm. You are invited to join us by phone or video for a virtual potluck and compline every Wednesday, 6-7 p.m. until June 24. This will be an opportunity to check in, for fellowship, to break bread and pray together. 

Meeting ID: 825 6402 3285
To join by phone: 1(646) 558 8656
To join by Zoom video: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82564023285

Grow in Faith Summer Book Group: Please join us on June 21st after virtual coffee hour from 11:30 - 12:30 for our first Grow in Faith: Summer Book Group discussion. We will be discussing Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. Without giving too much away, the author focuses on various themes found throughout the Bible, while diving deeper and moving behind the scenes to provide historical and cultural perspective into the times, the places and the writers of the books. The discussion will be led by Dan Carew. 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83677765943

Meeting ID: 836 7776 5943
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83677765943# US (New York)

Dial by your location
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 836 7776 5943
Franklin County Pride
Over the past few years, Saints James and Andrew has participated in Franklin County Pride by decorating the church and lining the lawn of the church in solidarity. This year, the parade and celebration has been canceled, but there are still ways to show support. On June 27, we will, again, decorate the lawn of the church for Pride. You can come by the church during the day and take your picture in front of the decorations and share on social media. Or, Franklin County Pride is encouraging people to step out of your homes on June 27 at 2pm, the time the parade was to start, and make a joyful noise (play instruments, bang pots and pans, blow whistles) to show your support. If you have questions, feel free to contact Erin Donnally Drake- erin.donnally.drake@gmail.com.

The Stitchers at St Andrew’s Guild were looking forward to getting started on another sewing project (see the quilted pillow above), but alas, it’s not to be, at least not now. I know you’re busy with schooling and your parents might be a bit worn out with it all, but here’s an offering for a summer at- home sewing project.

We can provide a kit that includes directions, fabric strips, batting backing and binding (everything you need to complete the project).  If you have a machine at home, and you’ve completed the flannel PJ project, you can do this! A Facetime chat could be helpful if you get confused.

If you’d like to borrow a machine (this would require an adult at home who’s familiar with them), we can work that out.

It will take a while to get this all together, so please let us know if you are interested.

email is best kaubrymcavoy@aol.com, or cell 4137753887

Cheers,
-Kathryn for St Andrews Guild

Please join us on July 19th after virtual coffee hour from 11:30 - 12:30 for our second Grow in Faith Summer Book Group.  In Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, Father Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest, relates his experiences with Homeboy Industries, a program he founded to provide an alternative to gang membership for young, mostly Latinx men and women in Los Angeles. Poignant and often funny, Tattoos provides an inspiring testament to the power of unconditional love to transform and redeem broken lives—and our own.   The discussion will be led by Joanne Melish.


A Zoom meeting link will be provided closer to the date.

Mission and Ministry

Sunday Sandwiches Program:
Each Sunday four volunteers (who are not experiencing any cold like symptoms) prepare bagged lunches to be handed out from the takeaway window in the Whiteman Room from 12-12:30 PM.  Three Ways to Help: 

  1. Donate items:  individually-wrapped granola bars, trail mix, plastic sandwich bags and brown paper lunch bags--which can be dropped off at a bin near the elevator in the parish hall  between 11 and 12:30 on Sundays.

  2. Volunteer:  To help with preparing, distributing and cleaning up from Sunday Sandwiches, contact Nancy Maleno and she will add you to the schedule (413) 772-0678  or nkmaleno@gmail.com.

  3. Donate money:  You can send donations to the church with a note marking it for ‘mission’.

Weekly Bible Study:
Join us on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to whenever we finish, usually 7:45 p.m. 
Via Zoom.
Call Charlie at 413-522-7914 to get on the notification list.
Second Helpings To Go:
On Mondays starting at 4:30 p.m., our volunteers package and distribute a nice hot meal for our neighbors in need! Our “customers” respectfully keep social distance as they pick up their dinner at the Whiteman take-out window.
-Contact Maggie, magsween10@yahoo.com  or Erin, erin.donnally.drake@gmail.com for more information.
Weekly Spiritual Reflection:
Join us on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to around  7:45 p.m. 
Via Zoom.
Call Charlie at 413-522-7914 to get on the notification list.
Whitney’s Pantry:
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m, on the last Monday of the month, a dedicated group of volunteers pack bags of personal essentials for our neighbors in need. The bags are then distributed free of charge at our Whiteman take-out window to very grateful recipients.
-Contact Doris dorismcl219@gmail.com for more information.

Transitions

  • Shirley Edna (Brown) Bennett has reached the end of her earthly days. She was a life-long member of our parish and will be missed.

Vestry News

  1. We’ll be sending a letter out soon with an update from the vestry on the progress the working groups are making and our timeline.  

  2.  We’ve had a good response to the survey sent out earlier last week, and we hope if you haven’t taken the survey yet that you’ll take time this week to do so. The survey closes on Thursday, June 25.

Ministry Friends

Both the Episcopal Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are staunch supporters of the Poor People’s Campaign. Please join us at 10 am Saturday morning (re-broadcast at  pm) at www.poorpeoplescampaign.org for this historic event and hear from people most directly affected by systemic racism, systemic poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the false narrative of religious nationalism. WE HAVE REAL SOLUTIONS! 

Around the Diocese


➡️  Preregister here:  pmott@diocesewma.org
Important Resources

A Process for Moving Forward 

and other COVID updates can be found on our Website.
Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead:
5 sermons from 5 black preachers
FCC Warns Public About COVID-19 Scams

The FCC offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:
  • Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
  • Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
  • Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
  • Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
  • Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren't hacked.
  • Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website) before donating. (Learn more about charity scams.)
Find out more

 

Calendar
Click HERE to view the complete calendar of events on our website.

Prayer List:  Names are on the list for 4 weeks, then removed. Feel free to re-add at any time.
 Eryn, Alissa, Cindy, Bill, Mike, Christen, Beth, and Peter.
 
Contribute to The Newsletter:  by emailing the office by Monday, June 29, 2020. Published on the first and third Thursdays of the month. 

Our Mission:  We believe God is calling us to cultivate a community of love, joy, hope, and healing. Jesus is our model for a life of faith, compassion, hospitality, and service. We strive to be affirming and accessible, welcoming and inclusive; we seek to promote reconciliation, exercise responsible stewardship, and embrace ancient traditions for modern lives.

Vestry Contact Information

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Virtual Office Hours:  
Monday - Friday:  9 am-12 pm
Closed on Holidays

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