PASTORAL LETTER

Dear People of St. Andrew’s,

This is such a difficult time to write an article. We are in the midst of Lent, have yet to go through Holy Week and Easter and the next Net doesn’t come out until we are mid-way through the Easter season. It’s a time of roller coaster emotions for those who observe the Christian calendar.

We begin with this week’s lesson from Jeremiah where we are told that a new covenant will be written on the people’s hearts. So we begin with the need to "clean house," to make our hearts ready to receive the law saying that we are God’s people forever. Next week we experience the joys and sorrows of Palm/Passion Sunday. We enter in great joy with loud singing and waving of palms sure that the one we worship is a King. We leave having participated in the passion gospel, saying the words out loud – "crucify him."

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday bring us more hard lessons. We learn about humility when we re-enact Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, doing the dirtiest, lowest job in the household. And yet Jesus did it to show us what servant hood is all about. Good Friday teaches so many lessons about who we are, what we are like and about the total generosity and loving spirit of Jesus, even on the cross.

Easter joy is possible because we have actively made the journey through Holy Week. "He is Risen" has meaning because of the passion beforehand. On the second Sunday of Easter, a day when our Bishop will be with us, we hear of Jesus post-resurrection appearance and of Thomas who has to see to believe.

It’s a journey worth taking because especially because we know the outcome. Join us at church each Sunday and on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday so that we can take that journey in community.

God’s blessings to you,

Jean  

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Palm Sunday, April 5 Procession, Eucharist and Passion Narrative
10 a.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 9th
7 p.m.
Eucharist with foot-washing

Good Friday, April 10 12 noon and 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 12
Holy Eucharist Celebration
10 a.m.

Please remember to bring your bells!

UTO INGATHERING TO BE MAY 10

We usually hold the Spring Ingathering of the United Thank Offering on Mothers’ Day. That will be Sunday, May 10. It has often been said that this is a good way to honor our mothers by giving to UTO to help others, as our own mothers always have done.

If you do not already have a blue box for UTO they will be available. Envelopes to transfer your six month’s savings from the blue box will also be available, as well as pertinent information about the UTO.

Vermont churches often benefit from UTO grants. Maybe we might be the recipients of this program.

 EASTER LILIES NEEDED

If you wish to contribute money for Easter Lilies or to give Easter flowers to Saint Andrew’s children, please let Betty Maynard know by Palm Sunday, April 5. Forms to fill out will be available so that you may indicate who your gift is in memory of or in honor of. Or you can call Betty at 748-4947 or e-mail her at sarah516@myfairpoint.net.

INTRODUCING

Samuel Dame Deller-Cheney, weighing 4lb, 8oz, was born on Monday March 23. Parents are Bradford and Rebecca Deller-Cheney; Grandparents are Karen and Hank Cheney. Congratulations!!!!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Things are moving right along in Jones Hall. It is insulated and warm – including the closet under the stairs (now that’s a story you’ll need to ask folks about)!! The bathroom looks like a real bathroom (with only a few final touches left) and the framing is going up for the offices. Flooring was chosen after many thoughtful considerations – a durable/washable nylon carpet will be in the hall and vinyl tile for the kitchen and bathroom. Paint has been chosen (oh so many colors to choose from!!) for the main hall, and a stove will soon be selected. Things are certainly moving right along, but we also chose to slow the process down so that the right and best decisions were made for St. Andrews’. Please know that some sorting (and throwing) has been going on too as we will need to be even more thoughtful as to what will go back into our newly created hall. Please feel free to talk to your Vestry about any ideas, concerns, and suggestions you may have. – Julie Nicknair-Keon

PASTORAL CARE

If you are looking for pastoral care please don’t hesitate to contact someone on the Pastoral Care Team:
Sybil Hazen 626-8678, Marion Parks 626-7213, Jocelyn Burrell 748-5247, and Robin Bergman 633-2871. (Sybil and Marion head up this group.)

Pastoral care is the work of the congregation – this is our group of facilitators -- all of us should feel encouraged to send notes or make phone calls when we see the need. We also must remind ourselves to reach out for help when we need it.

FROM JON BERGMAN

Dear St. Andrew's Community, I'm writing to thank the Church community and those individuals who made donations to PowerShift '09 for their generosity. Your contributions accounted for round trip transportation for two students and then some. This is an incredible opportunity for all of us going to the convention; and one that would not be possible without the support of communities like St. Andrew's. I was truly touched by the generosity of my family at St. Andrew's.

Thank you, and God bless.

Jon Bergman

HUMOR

Genealogy

A little girl asked her mother, 'How did the human race appear?'

The mother answered, 'God made Adam and Eve and they had children
and so was all mankind made.'

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.

The father answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which
the human race evolved.'

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, 'Mom, how is it
possible? You told me the human race was created by God, and
Dad said they developed from monkeys?'

The mother answered, 'Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you
about my side of the family and your father told you about his.'