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The Good Word
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: Feburary 2015 The Episcopal Church Welcomes You! Rector’s Reflections The season between The Feast of the Epiphany and Lent
Inside this Issue Rector’s Reflections ............ 1 A View From the Pew ......... 2 beginning with Ash Wednesday is the shortest it can possibly be this year.
Another “Good Book” ........ 3 It is six Sundays, including The Baptism of Our Lord. I begin here because
Empty Baskets ...................... 4 I am deeply into the planning for the season of Lent. During Advent, the
One Book St. Andrews ........ 5 question that was consistently on my mind was what does incarnation look
Lent Events ............................ 6 like? That question is giving way to a Lent question, what does
Birthdays ............................... 6 resurrection look like? Or, if the Good News of Jesus is that death and
Calendar Items
Taize @ Terra Sancta
7:00 PM Feb 11
Shrove (Fat) Tuesday
5:30-7:00 PM Feb 17
ASH WEDNESDAY
10 Am and 7 PM Feb 18
Morning Prayer
Mon, Tues, Thurs Fri
8:30 AM
All throughout lent
Finance Committee
noon Feb10
Vestry follows Soup
on Wed Feb 25
resurrection are a reality in our lives, how does that change us, how do
with live in that reality? I’d like for us to pursue this question during Lent
this year, but I also believe we, the Community of Faith that is St Andrew’s,
attest to the reality of death and resurrection.
You are a community of people, a community of faith in which God
shows up, that is incarnation. We are incarnational people. In the body and
blood, in the prayers and the word, in the mystery, God shows up. In your
hands and your feet as we pray for those who are facing surgery or are in
any need, God shows up. In the faces and voices of children, God shows
up. In the coffee and treats shared with all who come, God shows up. And,
God shows up when you go out into the world to feed people, to listen to
people, to care for people, to make music, to learn, to work, to play.
And in you God shows up even when the going gets tough. When
our community dies to the way it was, and rises to the new life that God
has for us, we live the reality of death and resurrection. That is our
strength. That is our mission. God shows up, in the midst of joy and
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org sorrow, in the midst of death and life, and that Good News changes us, transforms us, and we carry that
Good News into the world and the world is changed, we are changed, and we bring that change back into
the church, so that we may worship and praise the God who shows up.
This year our theme for Lent begins with the cross of Jesus, and develops as we consider our
baptismal promises.
From our Book of Common Prayer, “Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first
he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the
way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord. Amen.”
Traditionally, Lent is the time of the catechumenate. That is a big word that means formation and
learning. We will walk the way of the cross, consider our baptismal promises, learn about ourselves as
Episcopalians, and celebrate our baptism as we arrive at the Great Vigil of Easter. Later in this Good Word
you will find a listing of the events that take place during Lent.
The title of the "reading and reflection" guide for this school year's EFM (Education For Ministry)
class is "Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World". Another shared common reading for all four years is "The
Bush was Blazing but Not Consumed" by Eric F. Law. In the spring we will read "Globalization, Gender and
Peace Building" by Kwok Pui-Lan. Even before the most recent local headline, reporting yet one more
incident of racial slurs and abuse that seems at times to be epidemic, our class has had, and will continue to
have, difficult discussions about all the various forms injustice takes in the daily lives of our brothers and
sisters---or even ourselves.
Webster defines "justice" as: the quality of being just, impartial, or fair Also: the principle or ideal of
just dealing or right action: conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness ; the quality of conforming to
law; conformity to truth, fact, or reason : correctness Or : the process or result of using laws to fairly judge
and punish crimes and criminals Ever since the dawn of time (or at least Kindergarten), justice and fairness
have been important in the lives of human beings. Just when we think we've all evolved and evils like
racism are "getting better", we are once more thrown from our pedestal by the reality of abuse, ignorance, &
violence in our communities. Eric Law defines this pedestal as "Ethnocentrism, the Tower of Babel that each
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org cultural group builds, resulting in the inability to communicate and relate to persons of another culture."
In our own Baptismal covenant we promise to "Strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being."
I was forced to consider that vow in the light of all of the nasty ideas of "justice" I plotted against
those who abused the adults and children at the recent hockey game. No punishment seemed too awful for
those perpetrators of hate and violence, and yet ---we who follow Jesus Christ and His teachings---are
called into that impossible "Love, that passes all understanding." The love that trusts in God's righteousness
and in our country of established laws.
My prayer is that I will never be found guilty of doing nothing when faced with any form of abuse or
injustice. I pray that this might become like a "Damascus Road" for those who abused; a turning point in
their lives. I pray for intelligent conversation and education among all people, so that no one reaches
adulthood with the notion that by abusing others, they are elevated---that their self-esteem depends upon
someone else being less.
“A Lectors Guide and Commentary to the Revised Common Lectionary”
Year BBy J. Ted Blakley, St. Mark’s Press
The front cover of the book reads “For Anyone Who Wants to Read the Bible with Understanding”,
and I’ve found this to be true.
This book is very useful for those who might want to understand the Sunday readings ahead of
hearing them read for the first time. The format includes a short commentary for everyone, suggestions for
lectors, and a pronunciation guide for the Old Testament reading, the psalm, the epistle and the gospel.
For instance on Ash Wednesday in the first reading the commentary leads us to understand that the
prophet Joel is describing in vivid detail the devastation wrought by a plague of locusts through the land
which he likens to an invading army. No one can remember such devastation. He goes on to say that there
is a ray of hope if only the people will return to the Lord with fasting, weeping, and mourning. In the
commentary on the Isaiah reading we read that the Israelites have been taken into captivity in Babylon. In
this reading Isaiah gives reasons why the people have still not been released and he gives ways for this to
happen. These ways become ways we can live a fulfilling Lent.
In addition the suggestions for lectors are clear, easy to understand and helpful. And of course most
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org lectors need occasional pronunciation help. I got this book on Amazon for a little less money than the
Episcopal book store was asking. I find it an excellent way to prepare for the Sunday liturgy and highly
Perhaps you have noticed that some Sundays when the ushers bring up the food basket it is
overflowing with abundance. And then maybe the next Sunday, it appears almost empty. Let's change
that! Let's fill that basket every Sunday. The food you bring in helps to alleviate hunger in our community.
People come to the church and are able to leave with food to feed themselves and their families. Food is
also taken from St. Andrew's to help stock the shelves at the Church Response Food Bank. During Lent
this year we are going to try to focus our attention on keeping that food basket filled every Sunday.
Perhaps we can form the discipline - the habit - of keeping that basket full throughout the year.
Here are some suggestions as you think about what to donate:
1. Watch the sales ads
2. Remember that some people do not have access to cooking utensils so packaged food that can be
heated right in the package is convenient
3. Look at the instructions - does it require extra ingredients that someone may not have?
4. Please do not donate items that have passed their expiration date.
5. Ask yourself if the food item is something you would eat.
6. Please bring only non-perishable food.
"Some items are in high demand at the food bank and you may not realize it. Because they aren’t
essentials, the staff doesn’t publicly ask for them. A survey on Reddit.com asked volunteers what items
people would be most appreciative of and we’ve listed the top 10 below. If you’re looking for an easy way
to help out, pick some of these up while shopping and drop them off at one of our area food banks.
1. Spices: Think about it. People who rely on the food bank eat a lot of canned food, rice, oatmeal, white
bread, etc. They love spices. Seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg,
allspice, oregano, basil and so on.
2. Feminine Products: Can you imagine being worried about affording these? Pads, tampons, panty liners,
etc. Recommended: Buy in bulk at Sam’s Club for donating.
3. Chocolate: People don’t need it, but think about being in their shoes and how nice it would be to be
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org given a chocolate bar or brownie mix along with your essentials.
4. Toiletries: Grocery stores are great about donating surplus or unsold food, but they have no reason to
donate toilet paper, tooth paste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc. Food stamps often don’t cover these.
5. Canned meats and jerky: This isn’t true of all food banks, but some struggle to give users enough
protein.
`6. Crackers and tortillas: They don’t spoil and everybody likes them.
7. Baby toiletries: Diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, baby shampoo, baby soap, baby food, bottles, etc.
8. Soup packets: Sometimes you look at rice, beans, instant potatoes, and cans of vegetable and think,
“What do I make with this?” Hearty soup is a complete meal.
9. Socks: From a former homeless person: “Socks mean the world to you. They keep you warm, make you
feel like you have something new, and just comfort you.”
10. Canned fruit other than pineapple; Food banks get a lot of pineapple donated. Their clients love it when
other kinds of fruit are available.
And remember! Food banks love cash donations because it allows them to buy whatever they need!"
Article by Woody from 1027kord.com
We each have the ability to make a difference. Working together, we at St. Andrew's can have a big impact
on helping to ease the hunger that plagues our community. Please help to keep the food basket overflowing
with the abundance of our generosity. When the basket is empty, someone is going hungry.
For Lent this year I am asking that we all engage in reading a book together. It is Your Faith, Your
Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church, written by Jenifer Gambor. This book carefully unpacks the
Episcopal Church’s language of worship, theology, church structure, and sacraments, so that everyone will
have the vocabulary and framework to share their beliefs and practices, explore the Bible, and understand
prayer and discern their own ministry within the church. We will engage this conversation two ways. Some
will gather on Sunday morning at the 9 o’clock hour for face to face conversation, some will engage in
conversation electronically, with questions and discussion on facebook. Remember to like the St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church Rapid City facebook group, (not the page, and not the group that is St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church.)
I have purchased 10 books, they are $14.00 each. You can buy one from me, you can buy one online from
Morehouse or Amazon, and you can buy a kindle version (contains real page numbers.)
5 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org Pre-Lent Events
Sunday February 1st , Bishop Visit
Thursday February 5th, Westhills 2:00 pm
Saturday February 7th, Breakfast Club 8:00 am
Tuesday February 17th , Shrove Tuesday 5:30 – 7:00 Come and eat pancakes!
Lent Events
Wednesday February 18th , Holy Communion and Ashes 10:00 am and 7:00 pm
Thursday and Friday February 19th – 20th, Morning Prayer 8:30 am
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday February 23rd – 27th Morning Prayer 8:30 am
Wednesday nights during Lent
Again we will be gathering as the Episcopal Church in Rapid City, the Wednesday schedule is
5:30 Compline and Song, 6:15 ish Soup. Feb 25 at St. Andrew’s, March 4 at Emmanuel, March 11
at St. Matthew’s (ALSO TAIZE @ TERRA SANCTA at 7), March 18 at St. Andrew’s, March 25 at
Emmanuel. Birthdays in February 6 Heather Jenner
10 Kathy Waggoner
11 Larry Sharkey
16 Deacon Marty Garwood
29 LaVerne Johnson
Watch over your children, O Lord, as
their days increase; bless and guide
them wherever they may be.
Strengthen them when they stand;
comfort them when discouraged or
sorrowful; raise them up if they fall;
and in their hearts may your peace
which passes understanding abide all
the days of their lives; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org Cornerstone Mission Meal Contributions The Cornerstone Mission meal will be on Monday, Nov 10th. Please bring salads and
cakes to St. Andrew's on Sunday, Nov. 9th before church services. Please be sure that
your name is on the container, and that the words “Mission Meal” are on the
container. If you have questions, please call Carolyn at 342-8680.
The monthly Cornerstone Mission meal is one of Saint Andrew’s oldest ministries. We have
wonderful folks who bake cakes and cookies and who make salads for the monthly meal. There is
another way for you to assist with this ministry. If you’re not a baker or a salad maker you can
contribute items needed for the meal. The following items are available at Sam’s, and are used
every month as part of the complete meal that Saint Andrew’s provides. These items may be
brought to Saint Andrew’s anytime, and left in the Cornerstone Mission basket in the office.
ITEM NAME
SIZE
AMOUNT NEEDED
EACH MONTH
LOCATION IN
SAM’S CLUB
CANNED VEGETABLES
Del Monte Whole Kernel Corn
Del Monte Blue Lake Green Beans
# 10 can (106 oz.)
# 10 can (101 oz.)
2 cans
4 cans
Aisle 23
Aisle 23
PASTA
Daily Chef Wide Egg Noodles (Bag)
5 lbs. (80 oz.)
1 bag
Aisle 22
TOMATOES AND SAUCE
San Benito Diced Tomatoes
Don Pepino Pizza Sauce
# 10 can (102 oz)
# 10 can (6 lbs. 8 oz.)
2 cans
2 cans
Aisle 22
Aisle 22
SPICES
Tone’s Italian Spaghetti Seasoning
Tone’s Garlic - granulated
Tone’s Black Pepper - ground
Tone’s Paprika – Spanish style
14 ozs
26 ozs.
18 ozs.
18 ozs.
Small portion of jar
Small portion of jar
Small portion of jar
Small portion of jar
Aisle 21
Aisle 21
Aisle 21
Aisle 21
Toiletry of the Month Did you know the most common disease in the world
is tooth decay? While easy to cope with for most people ,the
proper implements are necessary to maintain good oral
health. If we can provide these implements for Love INC, we
can get a handle on this common and real problem for those
less fortunate
This month the call is for Toothbrushes and Floss.
7 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 910 Soo San Dr Rapid City SD 57702 605-‐430-‐0920 Email: [email protected] www.standrewsepiscopalchurch.org Return Service Requested +Inspiring Worship+ +Transformational Faith Formation+ +Relevant Outreach+ St. Andrew’s Staff and Vestry Bishop: The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant Rector: The Rev. Kathy Monson Lutes Deacons: The Rev. Deacon Marty Garwood Parish Administrator: Zachary Owen Sacristan: Deacon Marty Garwood Music Minister: Curtis Price Children’s Faith Formation: The Rev. Kathy Monson Lutes Nursery staff: Kaitlyn Wolber Sexton: Linda Erickson Senior Warden Junior Warden Treasurer Vestry 2015 Vestry 2016 Linda Simmons Steve Renner Joan Sutton Jane O’Leary Suzy Braun Bjo Schreier vacant Shelli Vallis Tim Wolber Bobbi Dunfee Eddie Crandall 8 We would like to send you the Good Word by e-‐mail. Please send your e -‐mail address to [email protected]