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Clickable Table of Contents |
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Thoughts from Pastor Sarah |
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Dear Kindred in Christ,
I believe it was over a year ago when the Deacons first suggested we hold a memorial service on a Sunday morning when it would be safe to do so. They had hoped it might be the beginning of a new normal time, but as we are once again in another period of medium risk and rising case counts, we're still very much in the midst of the altered reality that is a global pandemic. When we set the date of May 22, 2022 months ago we did not know that that would be on the heels of the grim milestone of 1 million American lives lost to COVID 19. Now it feels like our timing is just right, even if not in the ways imagined. The weather forecast for the weekend is also lovely. We should have a beautiful day for gathering to remember, reflect, grieve, and celebrate. And, as always, if worshipping from home is wisest, safest, best for you, you will be able to join us on Zoom or Facebook.
If you are a family member or close friend of the 17 whom we will specifically name in this service (see e-news from a few weeks ago for the list), you are welcome to bring a picture or memorabilia to display on a table in the narthex. And if you are grieving losses beyond the 17 whom we will name, please know that there is space for all our grief-- both personal and global. There will be silence held for the naming of additional loved ones lost and everyone will be invited to take paper butterflies with seeds embedded in them, one for each personal loss, at the end of the service. All of our grieving is held in the hope born of the resurrected Christ. We trust in God's power to bring life out of death.
At the beginning of May, a few of us from St. A's went to Imago Dei church to listen to Suzanne Stabile share Enneagram wisdom. In her main presentation on Saturday she talked at length about liminality-- that in between space and status, transition, not yet-ness- identifying liminality as the perfect circumstance for transformation, but it is also anxiety provoking and fraught with peril. She noted that for the past two years we have been in liminal space globally. She commented on how much focus there has been on "getting back," "going back," "back to the way things were." But there is no back. There is only forward. And perhaps even only waiting here, in the between, for a while yet. Nothing is as it was, nor can it be. We may wish that church, particularly, were a bastion of tradition and predictability, but everything has changed and is changing, even church.
I delight that in the past several weeks we've welcomed new friends to our fellowship, some of whom may even become members (please let me know if you'll be ready for that on June 5!) And we celebrated a more normal communion and healing prayer service. And we've experimented with increasing the number of singers on Sunday morning even as we've resumed mask wearing for worship leaders. And this week we'll do something I'm not sure we've done before, we'll hold a memorial service on a Sunday morning for a lot of people. I am grateful for the way that your elected leaders are adapting and facilitating ministry in our ever changing landscape and for all the ways you are all showing up and giving generously and being the church as we yet wait for clarity about who we are becoming.
If you haven't come back for in person worship yet, perhaps this is the week to do so. There will be cupcakes! And more significantly, there will be a loving fellowship of partners in ministry eager to welcome you home.
Questions? Bring them to coffee chat on Friday between 10 and 12, or drop me an e-mail or give me a call. I'm here for you.
In Christ,
Pastor Sarah |
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Mask-wearing is now STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, not required during worship. The Session voted unanimously to require vaccination for those attending in-person worship and other St. Andrew's events, with possibility of medical exemption. The COVID task force decided that we will implement this policy via the honor system. We trust the congregation to abide by the vaccination policy and will not require proof. |
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May 22
Philippians 1:1-18a; Luke 9:46-48
May 29
Philippians 2:1-13; Luke 6:43-45
Read these passages online here
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ANTI-RACISM STUDY GROUP
The next meeting of the Anti-Racism Study Group will be tonight, Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 6pm on Zoom. We are listening to and discussing the podcast series, the 1619 project, released in 2019. This month we will be discussing episode 5 (both parts). There are many dimensions to this project, including a recently released book, but we are focusing on the podcast. Check out this interactive website for an introduction to the project as a whole. Click Here to join on Zoom. Questions? Or interested in getting connected? Please contact Pastor Sarah.
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On
Sunday, May 22, we will be holding a
memorial service during our regular Sunday worship time to acknowledge all those lost in the past two years and to honor their memory. We have had memorial services for some, but not all, of those who have died, and many of us have not had the opportunity to bring our memories before God and hear a witness to the resurrection as we remember. Your deacons have been hard at work to plan a very special Sunday of remembrance and we hope many will join us. |
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STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE MULTNOMAH SAFE REST VILLAGE
The Multnomah Safe Rest Village is one of six such sites scheduled to open in Portland in the near future. Because of its proximity to St. Andrew's we are publicly committing our support to the success of this location, and it's goal to provide short term housing and wrap-around services to individuals currently living outside as they are supported in their journeys to acquiring permanent housing. A statement of support intended to be sent to public officials and other community entities was drafted, and approved by your Session last week. It states:
We at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Southwest Portland are writing to express our support of the Safe Rest Village that will occupy the Sears Armory site on SW Multnomah Blvd. One of our church’s core values is to be in service to our neighbors, and this includes all who live in our midst whether in or outdoors, permanently or temporarily sheltered, and especially those who have no shelter at all. We look forward to developing strong relationships with the Safe Rest Village participants and All Good Northwest, and working together to make this a successful program where people can learn to live and thrive into permanent housing. Knowing that the proposed Safe Rest Villages are facing opposition from many in our city, we want to publicly proclaim that there are also many of us who are in support of these efforts to find sustainable solutions to getting people off the streets and into housing that supports their needs. St. Andrew’s is also leading efforts to build a coalition of faith communities in Southwest Portland to amplify this support even more. Please feel free to reach out to us as needed, as a resource to strengthen your work in creating humane solutions to homelessness that maintain the dignity we all deserve as beloved children of God.
Pastor Sarah and Katy are currently working with a group of other faith leaders in Southwest Portland, as well as the Hillsdale Assistance Team, to find collaborative ways we can work with our neighbors at this Safe Rest Village to serve the common good of all those in its midst. Feel free to reach out to them for more information, and more updates will come as our work unfolds.
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NEW MEMBER OPPORTUNTIES
Are you interested in becoming a member of St. Andrew's? Pastor Sarah would love to welcome you at the June 5th service, and possibly host an inquirers' class before then. If you would like to take part please contact Sarah ASAP! |
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UPCOMING LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
After our Pentecost service on June 5, Pastor Sarah will be hosting a screening of a new film called "Purple: America We Need to Talk", at 1 pm on Zoom. Anyone and everyone who is concerned about the division in our nation and the difficulties we have connecting across lines of political difference is invited to join her to watch this short film about facilitated dialogue between those of different, strongly held convictions in a particularly purple part of our country. We will then engage in dialogue about what we have seen. Plan to get some lunch or brunch after church and then log on to Zoom for this exciting learning opportunity. Friends, family, and neighbors are invited to join us too. |
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FREE COVID TEST KITS *UPDATE*
A third round of free, at-home Covid Test Kits are now available to order online. This time you will receive eight boxes instead of four. If you have already ordered and received these kits previously this year you are eligible to do so again. Visit the same website as before to place your order. |
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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 on first and third Wednesdays at 7am, usually in Pastor Tom's living room (with masks and distance). They will be studying 1 Samuel in their upcoming gatherings. New participants are welcome. For more information, please contact Larry Patterson or the church office. Virtual participation is available upon request. |
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ENNEAGRAM STUDY GROUP
On the fourth Saturday of every month, we gather on Zoom at 1:00 pm to discuss the Enneagram-- a system for understanding human personality and relationships. We are once again considering one type at a time as 2022 unfolds. Our May discussion will focus on Type 5-- The Investigator. I encourage those interested in joining us to find an hour to watch this panel of type 5 speakers from last year's Enneagram and Coffee summit. Participants are also encouraged to review other literature or web information about type 5. Make note of what you observe/learn and join us Saturday, May 28 at 1:00pm on Zoom to discuss what you learned and are left wondering after viewing the panel and/or reading. All are welcome to join us on this journey of deeper self-understanding. |
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POP ARTS & FAITH - FILM, ADVERTISING, & FASHION
What do pop arts have to do with Christian faith? What intersections do we see between the two unlikely genres? Wait a sec! Doesn't Jesus also make good use of pop arts of his own time in the Gospels? Let's explore these fun questions and more in this course! Guess what? We will begin the first session with
Queen's legendary song, "Bohemian Rhapsody."
This series of four classes have been re-scheduled to the month of July, July 3, 10, 17, and 24, before worship from 9:00-9:50am, in person in the chapel, and will be led by Rev. Sunggu Yang.
Recommended text (completely optional): Sunggu A. Yang's Arts and Preaching: An Aesthetic Homiletic for the 21st Century, especially chapters 4 and 5.
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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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ZIPLOC MINISTRY
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 10:00 - 12:00pm: ZIPLOC FILLING
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 11:45 - 12:15pm: ZIPLOC/DONATION DROP-OFF
During stressed times, our monthly donations make a huge difference to our partners. You can sign up to bake a casserole for West Women’s and Children’s Shelter, or provide other needed items listed below. Bring your donations to FIRST SATURDAY DONATION DROP-OFF, a great time of fellowship at St. Andrew’s! Click here to sign up for a donation. Here are the most requested items:
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE FOOD PANTRY
- feminine hygiene products (especially sanitary pads)
- diapers (especially larger sizes)
- canned fruits
- canned tuna
- soups and chili
WEST WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S SHELTER
- toilet paper
- paper towels
- disinfectant cleaner
HYGIENE 4 ALL
- NEW underwear
- socks
- leggings
- T-shirts of all sizes
- men’s pants
- gently used men's walking shoes
ZIPLOCK MINISTRY
- socks
- pop-top tuna
- pop-top chili or ravioli
- water (10-12 oz)
- Gatorade (10-12 oz)
- travel toothbrushes/toothpaste
Our masked volunteers will greet you curbside in front of the church to receive your donations. We will also have lots of filled Ziplocs available for pickup and delivery. If you would like to support this ministry financially 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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HELP RESETTLE AN AFGHAN FAMILY
Extend hospitality to strangers. Romans 12:13b
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35
A group of St. Andrew’s members (Carolyn Gazeley and Brad Van Allen, Rebecca and Scott Nasson, Ric Tower, Steve Griffith, Amy Houchen), former members, and people from the local community have joined together to resettle Afghan refugees. The first two refugees are a brother and sister in their twenties and thirties, who came through the humanitarian parole program. Both have been living at the Houchen/Wise house for several weeks, since their housing allowances expired. Both are learning English, to improve their employability.
The group has found them an apartment which, with utilities, will cost about $1650 per month, only some of which may be covered by Oregon’s Afghan housing assistance program. There will also be costs for the rental deposit; obtaining asylum papers; drivers’ licenses; and gas, insurance, and maintenance for a car (one may be donated). We have gathered most of the furniture they will need, and also some of such necessities as kitchenware.
While much of the process can be accomplished with volunteering of time and supplying material goods, money is necessary, too. The Session has approved a designated fund for the purpose. Donations to the Afghan Refugee Fund should include your name and address, and indicate whether you’re a member of St. Andrew’s. Questions? Ask Amy Houchen, or Rebecca Nasson.
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ST. ANDREW'S QUILTERS
The St. Andrew's quilters meet on the second and third Wednesdays of each month at 9:30. Their beautiful creations are donated to organizations that provide warmth to those in need. All are welcome to join them! Contact Gail Planck for more information. |
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NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Food Pantry donations:
Click here for an up-to-date list of their most needed donation items.
Volunteer Needs:
M-F 9am-4pm
- Food Pantry: In-Pantry Support: Prep food boxes, stock shelves, and help out in the food pantry
- Food Delivery: Deliver 1-3 food boxes in a personal vehicle to clients
- Bulk Food Assistance Prep: Active shift that consists of prepping food boxes, loading a truck, driving in a personal vehicle to the apartment building, and helping unload the truck
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HYGIENE4ALL DONATIONS
H4A is always in need of donations of clean clothes, gently used or newly purchased, or money for the purchase of clean clothes (particularly fresh underwear). H4A is also in need of fresh, small (travel-sized) hygiene items (hotel shampoo and conditioner, for example). Please do not donate partially used items. Here are the most needed clothing items:
- new underwear (must be new)
- socks
- basic T-shirts of all sizes
- leggings
- pants (especially men's sizes 30 to 34)
- gently used men's walking shoes (most requested sizes 10 to 12)
- stretchy dresses
If you would like to lead a donation drive for H4A or work on one of their other needed projects, contact Marilyn. If you’d like to read more about H4A check out this H4A article and visit the H4A website. Money donations can be made directly to H4A here. |
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Virtual Gatherings & Events
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Sunday, May 22 & 29
(also in person)
Thursday, May 19
6:00pm Anti-Racism Study Group, Zoom
Friday, May 20 & 27
10:00am Virtual Coffee Chat, Zoom
password if needed-coffee
Wednesday, May 25 & June 1
6:00pm Virtual Evening Prayer, Zoom
Saturday, May 28
1:00pm Enneagram Discussion Group, Zoom
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Pastor's Virtual Coffee House 10 am on Fridays, Zoom
Password, if needed: Coffee |
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SOLAR PANELS - THANK YOU!
Thanks to your generosity, we have all the donations and pledges we asked for! The only financial piece remaining is finding someone who can use the tax credits to shelter rental income. (The church, which doesn’t pay taxes, can’t use the credits.) The solar firm we’re working with is searching, but if you know a good candidate, let us know, Amy Houchen or Steve Cook.
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EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR UKRAINE
PC(USA) is responding to the crisis in Ukraine by providing funding for sibling churches and ecumenical partners who are on the ground in the region and already experienced in receiving refugees from Central and Eastern Europe. If you would like to help support this work you can make a financial donation through their website. If you would prefer to donate through St. Andrew's, indicate this with your giving and we will forward it on for you. See the flyer below for more ways to support these relief efforts. |
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RIDES TO CHURCH
We are grateful St. Andrew’s is now open for Sunday worship services and are anxious to reunite with friends, fellow members, and all who wish to be part of this. To help make this happen, some of our Deacons are starting a program to give rides to church to people who need them. If you would be interested in receiving this service, or know someone else who would, please let us know so we can get you on our list. If you would be interested in being a driver, please let us know that too. With enough volunteers people may only be needed once a month. Contact the office, Merrie Backer, or Larry Kelly to sign up, or if you have any questions.
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COVID VACCINE AND BOOSTER RECOMMENDATIONS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that everyone age five and over receive a Covid vaccine. Additionally, they recommend that everyone over the age of twelve who are 2-6 months (depending on which vaccine you received) past their last Covid shot get a booster. Vaccines and boosters can be found through your provider, or at local pharmacies using the Get Vaccinated Oregon (GVO) locator map. Pop-up sites have also been established by the Oregon Health Authority and individual counties. Click here for a list of high volume vaccination locations by city. Most of these are for walk-ins only, so be prepared for varying wait times.
To stay up to date on all CDC recommendations and guidelines you can access their website here.
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Member Database Access is available anytime. Contact the office to get set up. |
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COME TOGETHER WITH ST. ANDREW'S IN 2022
Thanks to the many who have answered the call to come together by making pledges in support of St. A's ministry in 2022. If you haven't yet done so, it's not too late! Don't forget to send in your pledge card, or click here to make a pledge online. Additional pledge cards are located in the narthex.
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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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Katy Rustvold, Office Administrator/Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator
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