A Word to the Episcopal Church

There is an excellent letter on the Episcopal News Service from our Presiding Bishop and Primate, Frank Griswold, about the state of the Church. I encourage you all to read it.

Annual Meeting Time

St. Andrew's will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25th. Following the liturgy, we will have a short break for coffee and then gather in the church for our 2004 meeting. One vestry-person will be elected along with a slate of new convention delegates. Preparations for our 150th Anniversary celebration will also be discussed. Following the meeting, we will gather for a potluck luncheon in the parish hall. Please join us!

Church of the Redeemer will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 1st following the liturgy. Elections will be held for Bishop's Committee and delegates and our 2004 outreach programs will be discussed. Please plan to attend!

Happening #42

Happening is a program designed for high school youth. The weekend retreat seeks to bring young persons to a fuller knowledge of what it means to be a Christian and to a deeper level of commitment to doing God’s work. During the weekend, participants experience the love of our Lord Jesus Christ as shown through the sacraments and the ministry of fellow students, clergy, and lay adults. Teens are encouraged to take a renewed faith back into their worlds. Father Whit will serve as spiritual director for Happening #42 in the Diocese of Western Louisiana. Happening #42 will be held a Camp Hardtner on the weekend of January 16th, 17th and 18th. Please keep the candidates, youth staff and adult team in your prayers.

Sawdust is Flying

Renovation of St. Andrew's kitchen is well underway. All of the appliances are being replaced, cabinets and countertops reworked, a dishwasher added and much more. But, that's not all... Painting of the nave and chancel will soon be underway and the restroom renovation will be completed. Come take a look around - but watch out for the dust!

The Epiphany

Each year on January 6th, we celebrate The Epiphany. It is the day when we remember that Jesus was recognized not only by the his own people, the Jews, as special, but also by the people of of the nations, or gentiles. The wise men symbolize this recognition by their coming to visit the child and their presentation of gifts.

May each of us come to our own epiphany about who Jesus is and what he means to us.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(The collect for The Epiphany, from The Book of Common Prayer, page 214.)

Thanks to Ruth's House

Shortly after Christmas, we received and e-mail from a volunteer at Ruth's House Thrift Store in Haverhill, Massachusetts. They had been searching around on the world wide web looking for a place that needed some children and babies' clothing and found our article about the Sanyu Babies' Home in At the Crossroads - Online. After a couple of e-mails, to work out the details, they are sending us about five boxes of clothing for the children and babies at the home. Our small local project, has grown into something truly special thanks to the support of the good people at Ruth's House! We thank them for their generosity.

There is still time for you to make a donation too! Join us in this exciting work.

Black Eyed Peas

Everybody knows the old southern tradition of eating black eyed peas on New Year's Day. It is supposed to bring a good new year, good luck and prosperity. It you feel like you need a little help this year, click here for some good recipes, or better yet - make it your new year's resolution to come to church. Prayer, study and good friends will surely help you more than a few peas once a year!