August 11, 2022
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Clickable Table of Contents
Thoughts from Pastor Sarah
Dear Kindred in Christ, 
 
What a glorious celebration of ordination, installation, and communion on Sunday.  And already Darwin is leading the mission team with energy, intelligence, imagination and love!  We had a good meeting last night.  Congratulations to Darwin and thanks be to God for Darwin.
 
Speaking of that meeting-- St. A's increased our mission outreach during the pandemic and it seems a good moment to assess what's working, what needs refinement, what needs to be released.  So your mission team is going to take the rest of August and early September to do that discernment and, in particular, to work on refining and evolving our Ziploc ministry.  We are cancelling the August bag packing and hope to launch the new incarnation of this ministry in September. 
 
We are beginning our short series on the Book of Ruth this Sunday.  And from the outset we glimpse displaced and grieving people.  Perhaps our study of this book will open up new insights into mission.
 
This Sunday we'll be joined by Lasana Kanneh, a Liberian refugee/immigrant who is engaged in music ministry in the Pacific Northwest.  He will lead our singing and offer several solo pieces.  He will also sell CDs after the service.  And next Sunday we will dedicate the memorial bench for Pastor Emeritus Charlie Brown.  Please join us at 9am the next two Sundays for these special occasions.  
 
I also invite you to join us next MONDAY at 9am for a memorial service for Dr. Phil(ip) Parshley, father of our Marianne, long time member of St. A's.  The service will be live in the sanctuary and on Zoom.  The Zoom button on the website will get you into the service (as will the link in the previous sentence). A reception will follow in the narthex and courtyard.  
 
So many opportunities to give glory to God, connect with Christ and each other, and serve our neighbors.  Thanks be to God.
 
Coffee chat will be virtual tomorrow.  Hope to see/hear many of you between 10 and 12 tomorrow and to worship with you Sunday and Monday, the 14th and the 15th!
 
Peace be with you, Pastor Sarah
 
beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com
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. 
 
August 14
Ruth 1:1-22; Matthew 5:3-9
 
August 21
Ruth 2:1-23; Luke 6:36-38
 
Read these passages online here
 
New News & Announcements
SUMMER HOURS AT ST. ANDREW'S
 
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 9:00AM
OFFICE HOURS: TUES - THURS, 9:00-4:00
BOOKKEEPING HOURS: MON - WEDS, 9:00-1:00
SPECIAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE - AUGUST 14
On Sunday, August 14, we will be joined in worship by Lasana Kanneh, an immigrant from Liberia, who performs under the name IJenNeh-- for a mix of African and reggae music.  He has asked many times to come to St. A's and finally we are making it happen.  He will lead our congregational singing for the day and will offer 2-3 pieces of his own as part of our hour of worship.  Please join us in person or on-line to enjoy the blessing of this special music.  

CHARLIE BROWN MEMORIAL DEDICATION SERVICE

On Sunday, August 21, we will be honoring the memory of Pastor Emeritus, Charlie Brown, with the blessing of a new outdoor bench dedicated to him. Please join us for this hour of worship along with Edda and family.

NEW NATIONAL SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
People experiencing a mental health crisis have a new way to reach out for help in the U.S., by calling or texting the numbers 9-8-8. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. It will function much like 9-1-1, but is solely dedicated to addressing mental health needs. Click here for more information on this potentially lifesaving new program, and help spread the word.
FUNDRAISERS TO FEED LOCAL FAMILIES
St. Andrew's is currently in conversation with St. Barnabas Episcopal Church about how we might be able to help them stock their weekly food and hygiene item pantry. They currently serve about 65 households a week solely on financial donations from individuals and organizations in the community. We can begin showing our support by dining at the new Mike's Drive-in, in Tigard, on August 24th from 4:00-8:00pm. Click here to access the flyer, present it when buying your food (required), and 15-25% of your sale will go to St. Barnabas's feeding program.
 
St. Barnabas is also looking for volunteers to help staff their booth at the Multnomah Days community street fair on August 20th. Katy and her daughter will take the first shift from 11am-1pm. If you are able to give an hour or two of your time up until 5pm contact the office and let us know. And if you're there and see us stop by and say hello, and consider making a donation.

LOVE PLAY? JOIN US IN THE NURSERY!

Only three more volunteers are needed for the nursery. Click here to sign up for one of the five remaining Sundays of summer to help at 8:45 with the nursery, where Aubrey Schiefelbein shepherds our little ones while the Lighthouse teachers take a summer break. Thank you to all who have volunteered!

CONFIRMATION IN 2023
Pastor Sarah is working on planning for a Confirmation retreat and experience in 2023. If you have a youngest in your life who is ready for confirmation, please let her know.  She will likely collaborate with some other colleagues in the presbytery so we have a bigger retreat experience.  At present a January retreat is being planned with several mentor check-ins over the next six months.  If you'd like to be a confirmation mentor, or learn more about this, please let her know. 
Learning & Fellowship Opportunities
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.

COMMUNITY BUILDING EDUCATIONAL SERIES

This fall we would like to offer a series of workshops on “Community Builders: Creating Harmony and Collaboration Among Diverse Folk”, by Eileen Meija. Eileen is an expert educator whose focus is on creating learning experiences and communities centered on the cultivation of a high degree of psychological safety, which recent research shows is a key factor in growing community. This mutually beneficial series would contribute to her continued work with the Stanford Applied Compassion program where she is developing examples and methodology for how to apply this knowledge in real-world communities.

 

Workshops would be held on eight consecutive Saturdays in October and November, beginning on October 1 and ending on November 19. The specific timing and location within our building are yet to be determined. We need at least 12 participants in order to make this happen, and other area faith communities will be invited to attend as well. This will be a significant time investment, but highly worth it, especially for those who participated in the screening of "Purple: America We Need to Talk" and expressed a desire for more concrete learning experiences around connecting across difference.

 

This series is geared for all those age 18 and over, and welcomes a diversity of learning and processing styles. Please contact Pastor Sarah or the office if you would like to participate.

ANTI-RACISM DISCUSSION GROUP
The Anti-racism discussion group will resume meeting in September to begin conversation around the book, 'Caste: The Origins of our Discontents', by Isabel Wilkerson. This book, "examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions." Discussions will now be held on the second Thursday of each month, beginning September 8, at 6:00pm on Zoom. Regulars and new-comers alike are invited to join us, and are encouraged to begin reading the book over the summer. Contact Pastor Sarah for more information.
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). 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. Our August discussion will focus on Type 7-- The Enthusiast.  I encourage those interested in joining us to find an hour to watch this video from last year's Enneagram and Coffee summit. Participants are also encouraged to review other literature or web information about Type 7.  Make note of what you observe/learn and join us on Saturday, August 27 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.  
Service Opportunities & Mission Updates
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!

THANK YOU!

Thanks to Steve Ihrig and his faithful team that waters the drainage planter, the Charlie Brown memorial dogwood, and the flower pots that greet you at the front doors. We are grateful for their service!

WELCOME KITS FOR THE MULTNOMAH SAFE REST VILLAGE 
Last weekend 25 'Welcome Bags' were assembled by youth groups at St. Luke Lutheran Church and delivered to the Multnomah Safe Rest Village for the participants who current reside there. These bags were made possible by a grant from the Oregon Synod ELCA, $250 from the St. Andrew's Neighborhood Ministries funds, and bags donated by the Garden Home Trader Joes. Each bag included essential household items suggested by the SRV staff, as well as soft and cozy fleece pillows made by the St. Andrew's quilters from their fabric scraps (you can see some peeking out from the tops of the bags pictured). Thank you to all of those who made this happen!

ZIPLOC MINISTRY *UPDATE*

**THERE WILL BE NO BAG FILLING IN AUGUST**

SATURDAY, SEPT 3, 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.

 

As the Mission Team discerns the retooling of our Ziploc ministry, we ask for the following donation items that will continue to be distributed to our ministry partners during our process:

  • feminine hygiene products (especially sanitary pads)
  • diapers (especially larger sizes)
  • toilet paper
  • paper towels
  • disinfectant cleaner/wipes
  • NEW underwear
  • socks
  • travel toothbrushes/toothpaste

Items can be dropped off on September 3rd, anytime during office hours, or on Sundays. Contact Darwin if you have any questions.

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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

 

We’ve been supporting Amir and Khatera through donations to the Afghan Refugee Fund and the efforts of the Hillsdale Afghan Refugee Team (HART, many members of which are also members of St. Andrews). Amir, who grew up working in his family’s welding business, has just started working for Fought & Co., which does major metal projects from its Tigard location. Thanks to Carolyn Gazeley for spotting the job opening! Khatera, who had recently suffered a severe bicycle accident when we first met her, is now walking well and has received needed dental care, thanks to the efforts of many taking her to appointments. She is now looking forward to getting back to work; she was a banker in Afghanistan. Both are now taking English classes at PCC. Thank you for your time, money, and prayers helping them on their resettlement journey.

 

Continued donations to help this family can be made to the Afghan Refugee Fund, via St. Andrew's, and should include your name and address, and whether you’re a member of St. Andrew’s. Questions? Ask Amy Houchen or Rebecca Nasson.

beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com
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.
Virtual Gatherings & Events
Sunday, August 14 & 21
9:00am Worship, Zoom & Facebook
(also in person)
 
Friday, August 12 & 19
10:00am Virtual Coffee Chat, Zoom
password if needed-coffee
 
Monday, August 15
9:00 am Memorial Service for Philip Parshley, Zoom
(also in person )
 Reminders & Ongoing News
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COVID VACCINE AND BOOSTER RECOMMENDATIONS

The CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. Use their COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when your child or teen can get boosters to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

 

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.

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE FOOD PANTRY TOURS
The Neighborhood House Food Pantry is moving! Their new location on Barbur Blvd will let them expand on their food pantry and senior programs with larger receiving, production, and storage capacities, a larger shopping area, and easier public access for both recipients and volunteers. They are offering free tours of this new space all summer long, which will also include information on their capital campaign to make this project a success. Click here for more information, or go to their Sign-Up Genius to schedule your tour.
beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com
FREE COVID TEST KITS BY MAIL, AND AT ST. ANDREW'S
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.
 
Additionally, St. Andrew's has received four cartons of Covid test kits from Multnomah County. They will mostly be distributed through our Ziploc ministry, but if you or someone in your community are in need and have not yet received your free kits we can make some of our supply available to you. Contact the office if you have any questions or requests.
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NEW MEMBERS
Are you interested in becoming a member of St. Andrew's? Let Pastor Sarah know today! And keep your eyes posted for the next Inquirers' Class.
beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com

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.

Member Database Access is available anytime. Contact the office to get set up.
 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. 

Office: 503-246-4276 
Office hours 9:00am - 4:00pm, Tuesday - Thursday

Bookkeeper hours: 9:00am - 1:00pm, Monday - Wednesday


Click HERE to send an e-mail.

Click HERE to view the church calendar.


Click here to read current and past issues of the Cascades Connections, a publication of the Presbytery of the Cascades

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, Pastor and Head of Staff
Don Feely, Director of Music Ministry
Katy Rustvold, Office Administrator/Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator
Krissy Wilds, Bookkeeper
Nina Schiefelbein, Design and Media Specialist
beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com
beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com
beckyschiefelbein@gmail.com
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