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Clickable Table of Contents |
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Thoughts from Pastor Sarah |
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Dear Kindred in Christ,
On Saturday, May 1 your COVID task force met to discuss our intention of beginning Hybrid Worship on Pentecost, Sunday, May 23. We considered the current risk level (high/extreme), considered the vaccination status of many in our congregation, considered state guidelines for worshipping communities at times of high/extreme risk, and CDC guidelines... and decided to proceed with our intentions.
On Sunday, May 23 we will welcome up to 50 people in the sanctuary, and as many more as wish to gather on-line, for a socially distanced, hybrid celebration of Pentecost. My very first Sunday as your pastor was Pentecost 2017! It feels quite appropriate to have this new beginning on this, the church's birthday and a fourth anniversary of my relationship with you!
In hybrid worship, some gather in-person, in the sanctuary, for worship while others join the service on-line (via Zoom or Facebook). We will ask that those who wish to worship in-person sign up in advance-- either on-line Thursday-Saturday prior, or by calling the office during the work week. We also ask that those who are not feeling well or have any symptoms of illness to please stay home. We will be doing health screening and will guide worshippers to use specified entrances and exits and sit in designated spaces to ensure social distancing. We ask that all worshippers be masked at all times. Only one to two designated people will be able to sing during worship. Gathered worshippers may hum along. Virtual worshippers can sing with gusto. Children can play under the supervision of McKenna Faulkner and a weekly volunteer in the gym or on the playground outside. We will encouraged a distanced sharing of the peace and outdoor fellowship after worship.
Recent CDC guidelines suggest that it is safe for masked, vaccinated people to worship together. There is risk for unvaccinated people, but we are taking precautions to allow this to be a safe worship experience regardless of vaccination status. We are so grateful that multiple vaccinations are available and that all adults are now eligible to be vaccinated. We are hopeful that 12-15 year olds will soon be eligible as well. We are heartened that so many in our fellowship have had access to vaccines and are reconnecting with grandchildren and friends and feeling more freedom than they've felt in a long time. We hope that those who feel safe doing so will include a return to the St. Andrew's sanctuary in their new weekly rhythms. We trust that you will make the choices that are right for you! If worshipping from home is best, we'll be here for you. If gathering in-person will strengthen your spirit, we'll be here for you.
We'll need lots of volunteers to ensure a smooth transition to this new way of worshipping together. If you intend to return in person and would be happy to volunteer, please let me know.
Have questions about these plans? Join me for coffee chat tomorrow between 10 and 12 or stay after worship on Zoom on Sunday to share your thoughts.
And stay tuned for more information about how to sign up and what to expect.
I hope several of you are joining Dr. Yang for adult education at 9 am on Sunday mornings between May 3 and June 6. Even if you missed the first class, you're welcome to jump in! And, of course, I'm looking forward to two more weeks of entirely virtual worship together.
Peace be with you and our world,
Pastor Sarah |
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May 9
Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21; Luke 18:9-14
May 16
Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29; Luke 1:68-79
Read these passages online here. |
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A reminder not to respond to e-mails or texts from St. Andrew's pastors, staff, leadership, or members requesting monetary favors or on-line purchases. These are scams. If you have questions, please call the church office first. Please stay safe in cyberspace! |
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ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING THROUGH JUNE 6!
You're warmly invited to the adult education class,
Stories of the Early Church, taught by Dr. Yang, between May 2 and June 6 (six Sundays, 9:00-9:50AM), on Zoom.
(Please note this is a different link than our worship link so you'll need to log off after class and then log into worship if you desire to participate in both.)The following questions and more will be explored with relevant images and video clips! "What happened to the twelve apostles after the book of Acts? Why was the Roman persecution of the early church inevitable? How did Constantine change the face of Christianity forever? How did Mediterranean monasticism begin? What caused the split between the West Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox?" No need to sign up in advance. All are welcome. Questions? E-mail Dr. Yang.
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A New Opportunity to Serve Neighbors in Need
Three friends of one of our member families need to leave an unsafe housing situation. They are in the process of finding new housing and anticipate that they will be moving on or around May 9. They are able to rent a 12-15ft U-Haul but need someone to drive it for them. They also need help loading and unloading furniture and other large items on and off the U-Haul for the move. Anyone who would like to help must be trans and disability friendly. Please contact Wolf (pronouns they/them), exclusively through texting, at 971-212-2888 and let them know you are from St. Andrew's that you are hoping to help with their move. Thank you!
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ANTI-RACISM STUDY GROUP- THIS SATURDAY
We are continuing our discussion of
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. This is the zoom link for our gatherings (the same link works for both gatherings). We meet on the second Saturday (next month- May 8) at 1 p.m. and the third Thursday (May 20) at 6 p.m. For May, please read chapters 9-11, and transcribe key quotes from each chapter. If you'd like to do more, make it a commitment to learn something about policing in Oregon or Portland, or about youth incarceration in Oregon before we gather next time. Bring insight to share in May. You may also want to write a six word story about your feelings about the police, the George Floyd/Derek Chauvin case, or the last words video we watched in our April Sessions. Questions? Please contact Pastor Sarah.
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JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
Emily and Adam Dew are expecting their second boy to join little August in early July. We at St Andrew's want to celebrate this new addition with some sweets, a chance to learn a little about Emily, gifts for the family and well wishes. You can order a gift from a registry and have it sent for the Sprinkle or drop gifts at the church from 10-11 am on Saturday, May 22, the day of the virtual gathering. RSVP early and we'll send you some sprinkles (literally!) for the day's festivities to add to a cupcake, peanut butter toast or cream cheese bagel. If you haven’t already received an Evite and want to join us, contact Lori Sweeney or Carol Patterson. Come celebrate! |
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ZOOM MEMORIAL FOR CHARLIE BROWN MAY 23
Below is the zoom link for The Rev. Charlie Brown's community memorial on Sunday, May 23rd at 2 PM. Charlie passed away on January 8, 2021.
Tualatin Presbyterian Church Live is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: The Rev. Charlie Brown Community Memorial
Time: May 23, 2021 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2381998927?pwd=L0dSTlVZSVRNQkJiVzRmbWJSbER1dz09
Meeting ID: 238 199 8927
Passcode: TPC2020
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,2381998927#,,,,*576802# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,2381998927#,,,,*576802# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 238 199 8927
Passcode: 576802
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdBG63S8YC
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MAY 2021 LETTER FROM CASCADE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Greetings PW Sisters and Friends!
The Spring Gathering on April 24 was held via Zoom with participants from all over Oregon and Washington. Many thanks to the PW Presbytery Coordinating Team and to our keynote speaker Susannah Morgan, CEO of the Oregon Food Bank for their contributions to the success of this gathering. Also participating was Heather Crow- Martinez, Clerk of Session from Warm Springs, with an informative report on the food pantry there. For those who wish to make contributions to the Oregon Food Bank please make your checks out to PW Cascades Presbytery and mail to:
Mary Lou Williams, PWP Treasurer
14601 NW 26th Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98685
Be sure to designate on your check that you wish to contribute to the Oregon Food Bank.
If you would like to contribute to the Warm Springs food pantry Heather Crow-Martinez asks that you purchase gift cards from Safeway or Fred Meyer and mail to:
Dan Martinez/Emergency Manager
Emergency Management Dept.
Conf. Tribes of Warm Springs
PO Box C
Warm Springs, OR 97761
Jane Holmes, PWP Cluster Liaison in the Central Region, introduced the 2021-22 Horizons Bible Study,
What My Grandmothers Taught Me by Merryl Blair. Many of you will already have received your copies by now. Here’s a link to the flyer: https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Grandmothers-advance-flier.pdf
The program concluded with a short business meeting followed by a worship service featuring a video on hunger from the 221st General Assembly, and a litany written by our own Spiritual Nurture coordinator, Barbara Votrobeck. Here’s a link to the video with Heath Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/0LQVTHIi7rI
The PWP CT will be planning the Fall Gathering in the coming months with hopes that we can meet in person by then. In the meantime you can plan on attending the virtual Churchwide Gathering planned for early August 2021. Here’s a link where you can find more information: https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/what_we_do/build-community/churchwide-gathering/
The next in-person CWG is planned for 2024, date and place TBD.
As always, feel free to contact me with any comments or questions you may have about PW and I will do my best to answer!
Blessings,
Lynne Martin, Moderator
PW in the Presbytery of the Cascades
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COVID VACCINE
The news is good - getting the covid vaccine has gotten easier and more efficient in recent weeks. The Oregon Health Authority announced this week that vaccine appointments are no longer getting filled within minutes of being released, and you can now easily find appointments within a few days at the mass vaccination sites and private facilities such as area pharmacies. The state vaccination website has also gotten much easier to navigate. So now is the time to set up your vaccination appointment if you were waiting for the process to become less challenging. Remember that everyone aged 16 and above is eligible for a vaccine now, and it is expected that the vaccine will be approved for everyone aged 12 and above in the coming days. Rides can still be arranged if needed by contacting Becky Schiefelbein.
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Learning & Fellowship Opportunities |
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Members of all classes and groups are encouraged to continue reading and studying at home. Please contact your group
leader if you do not find a list or link below.
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MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Several St. Andrew's men meet twice a month (facilitated by Charles Duncombe, often accompanied by Pastor Sarah and/or Pastor Tom) for an early Wednesday morning Bible Study. Given COVID numbers at present, this is once again an on-line only gathering. They meet the first and third Wednesday of every month. Let us know if you want to get connected.
Here is the zoom link (good for every session!). (The passcode is: breakfast.
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ENNEAGRAM DISCUSSION GROUP
Having completed our basic introduction, we are turning our attention for the next several months to the Enneagram and relationships. In October we began reading
The Path Between Us, by Suzanne Stabile. We are working our way through the study guide to this book, and in May(
on Saturday, May 22- we'll start at 1:15 this month) we'll wrap up this book with lesson six and make plans for next steps. Even if you've never joined us, but want to get involved, you're welcome! Join us on zoom. Contact Pastor Sarah with questions. |
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We know that there are many requests for basic needs assistance right now. Please contact the Church Office Admin or Mission Team Leader if you have questions or need help with drop-off or deliveries. We hope that you find one or more opportunities that call to you, and please know that any amount
of support is appreciated and makes a big difference! |
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FACE MASK MINISTRY
Please consider making masks for one or more of the following situations:
1. Masks for the West Women’s and Children’s Shelter in both adult and child sizes in any style.
2. Fabric and purchased paper masks for the St Andrew’s Service Project the last Saturday of each month when we assemble 50-75 hygiene bags for the houseless.
3. Inventory of fabric masks for use at St Andrew’s. Hopefully most people will wear their own masks, but we want to have some available to use and keep if they need to.
Fabric and materials are available. Please contact me if you can help with masks and/or quilts for children in hospitals and foster care.
Blessings,
Connie Jo Blumthal |
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FIRST SATURDAY DONATION DROP-OFF 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Our masked volunteers will greet you curbside in front of the church to receive your donations to West Women’s and Children's Shelter, Ziploc Ministry and Neighborhood House Food Pantry. We will also have lots of filled Ziplocs available for pickup. If you’d like to sign up to donate supplies or make a casserole, visit the West Women’s Signup and the Ziploc Ministry Signup.
A great need right now is for supplies (especially socks) for the Ziploc bags distributed to our neighbors living outside who are hard hit by the pandemic and the cold weather. If you would like to support this ministry please send your donation marked “Ziploc Ministry” to the church. Contact Marilyn with questions. Thanks for your generosity to St. Andrew’s ministries.
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Online Gatherings & Events Links
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Every Wednesday
6:30 pm - Evening Prayer on Zoom
Every Friday
10:00 am - Noon Coffee Chat on Zoom
Saturday, May 8
1:00 pm Anti-Racism Study Group on Zoom
Sunday, May 2-June 6
9:00 am- Adult Education on Zoom |
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On behalf of the Ruggles family, I wish to thank our St. Andrew’s friends for your outpouring of love and support and prayers at this difficult time of Jim’s passing. We received so many thoughtful notes, cards and calls and felt God’s love and peace from each one.
With loving thanks, Bev
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2021 PER CAPITA
The Presbytery voted to set total per capita for the Presbytery at $36.50 for 2021. The motion was adopted at the July 2020 stated meeting.
Every year we pay the set per capita amount for every member of our congregation to the Presbytery of the Cascades. They then remit per capita payments to the Synod of the Pacific (larger regional council) and to the General Assembly (national regional council). We support the ministry of our wider church through faithful payment of per capita. You are welcome to make a donation specifically with the intention of covering your per capita expense ($36.50 per member of your household), or you may consider this part of the pledge you make to the congregation and not make an additional contribution. You can send a check by mail indicating per capita on the memo line or make this contribution on-line, choosing the per capita designation. If you have any questions about per capita or other matters of church finance, feel free to be in touch with Pastor Sarah.
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ROAD CONSTRUCTION ALERT
St. Andrew's has received notice of construction that will be ongoing from August 2020 to August 2021. The City of Portland will be repairing sewer pipes all along Dosch Road and around Hillsdale Crest. Please be aware of street closures, flagging, and delays. For more information, including street closures and scheduling, please visit the City's website here. |
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For on-line giving please visit:
standrewspdx.com/give
Thank you for continuing to support the ministries of St. Andrew's through your online donations and checks sent by mail.
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