The Church of St. Andrew the Apostle
The Messenger
Advent / Christmas Presence
December 2015
Inside this issue:
ECW Luncheon,
3
Toys, Prayer Shawl,
Pancake Breakfast
TGIF, Music
Committee, Secret
4
Santa, BeadForLife,
Church St. Eats
Christmas Week
Schedule
As a child, I recall one year discovering in
the eaves of our attic a large “stash” of
Christmas presents. I immediately
informed my younger sister, Jeannine, who
had the common sense to wisely advise me
NOT to say a thing about this to my
mother or father. I wish I had taken her
sage advice. I instead nonchalantly thanked
my mother for the “King Zoar” which was
not the brightest decision to do to a 1950s early 1960s mother. Discipline was very
different back in the day! Years later, we
would laugh about this memory.
Thankfully, the scene each Christmas
morning was all joy and love with such
generosity that one year while in high
school I broke into tears over the utter
lavishness. My heart still rings with joy at
the thought of these happy childhood
memories.
5
We tend to equate Christmas with the gift
giving of the Magi. The giving of gifts or
“presents” is a wonderful tradition,
although I confess now in late middle age
that my favorite gifts are the building of
possible new “memories,” rather than
receiving “stuff.” Also, I rarely think of the
Magi anymore when I think of gifts. I’m
always thinking about Jesus these days.
Always. Sometimes so much that you
would think he is living in the attic of the
rectory! That’s God’s best gift. The story
somehow has become truer than true to me.
God generously sent to earth his one and
only Son, Jesus, the greatest gift of all and
for all. That’s why we give gifts. We
commemorate this most amazing gift by
offering each other tangible expressions of
our love each Christmas. Tidings of great
joy!
Advent is when we prepare our hearts for
his loving presence. In addition to the
presents you plan to share with one
another, will you pay attention — will you
notice — the gift of God’s presence? Please
consider coming to church and worshiping
and connecting with God. He’s right here!
Also, how about the attentive presence you
can offer to another? And for heaven’s
sake, how about gifting yourself, how about
the listening presence you can offer to your
own heart and soul in quietness and rest?
One of my old colleagues, the Reverend
Steven Macchia, from the Gordon Conwell
Theological Seminary, has suggested “This
kind of presence is far more precious than
any tangible present we give or receive from
another.”
Let me close with a little wisdom from one
of my three favorite Christmas movies,
“The Bishop’s Wife.” This 1947 movie
classic centers around a wife (Loretta
Young) and her Episcopal priest husband,
just turned Bishop (David Niven) who
struggles from spiritual doubt and from a
loss of the awe and wonder of life itself.
They are saved by a rather suave and wise
angel (Cary Grant). The angel replaces the
bone dry Christmas Eve sermon by the new
bishop with a sermon that sums up what I
also am trying to share with you.
Continued…..
Rector’s Message (continued)
This message still preaches well and is a joy to share:
Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.
Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child’s cry, a
blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with
birthday gifts. We haven’t forgotten that night down the
centuries. We celebrate. We celebrate it with stars on
Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.
But especially with gifts. You give me a book. I give
you a tie. Aunt Martha has wanted an orange squeezer
and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget
nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all
that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to
hang it up. The stocking for the child born in the manger.
It’s his birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t let us ever
forget that.
Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And
then let us each put in his share, loving kindness, warm
hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the
shining gifts that make peace on earth.
Love in Christ,
Father Bill +
ECW Christmas Luncheon
This year the ECW Christmas luncheon will be held on Monday, December 7th at 12:00 noon at the home of Joy
Franklin, 14 Textbook Avenue, Rocky Hill. This luncheon is open to all women of the parish. For those of you
new to our parish, every year the women of the church gather together for a pot luck luncheon at someone’s home.
A wonderful time is always a guarantee. We also make up “care packages” to take to our many parishioners who
are shut in, or just in need of a visit. Everyone who comes to the luncheon is asked to bring a Christmas gift bag
and 12 of the same items, i.e. 12 decks of cards, 12 packs of cookies, 12 note cards, etc. Then one item from
everyone is put in the Christmas bag and then delivered to our special friends. A sign up sheet will be in the back
for the pot luck. Hope to see you there this year.
This is a Time for Giving
We need unwrapped toys or games for a child of any age. When you are Christmas shopping, please remember a
child. Bring these gifts to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The toys will be distributed by The Church
of the Good Shepherd in Hartford. They will be picked up after Christmas and will be given out on Three Kings
Day. This will make a lot of children happy. God’s glory shows through each child as they receive these toys and
through you as you delight in picking out the toy. Thank you for your generosity that has always been shown in past
years and let’s make this year another generous one. The Church of the Good Shepherd is greatly appreciative of
our donations.
Larry and Ethel Anderson
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets Dec.9th at 7pm in the Well's room. Email or call Jean Miller-Smith @
jmsmith7473@yahoo.com or 860-563-6708. Prayer Shawls are given in celebration of a special event or comfort.
Pancake Breakfast
Come and join us for a pancake breakfast between services on Sunday, Dec.13. Don't miss the opportunity to
connect with old friends and meet new friends. Plan to enjoy yourself!
TGIF
TGIF will be celebrating the holiday season with some FUN activities on 12/ 18. We will again do a gift
exchange of gifts valued at $10-15.00. Those interested in baking can also participate in a cookie exchange:
bring at least 4 dozen cookies and leave with at least 4 dozen cookies. Cathy H. also has a craft in mind for us,
and we will do a carol sing-a-long. Come one, come all, and wear your "gay apparel"! Come de-stress with the
best!
Music Committee
The Music Committee is exploring the idea of sponsoring a parish wide talent show to showcase the musical
talents of our own. If you think you'd be interested in singing, dancing or playing an instrument in a spring time
show please let Mary Laing know.
Secret Santa
Thank you to everyone who took a Secret Santa gift card. Please purchase your items and return them
UNWRAPPED to the back of the church by Sunday Dec. 13 so the little elves have time to wrap. Please enclose
the gift card and indicate you've returned the gift by putting the date on the list on the back table. This helps me
to know who I have to chase down! If you'd like to be a Santa's helper and wrap gifts or decorate at the
hospital, please contact Joy Franklin or Eileen Dorrington. Thank you for your continued support. Your
generosity blesses others in profound ways, and will be returned to you tenfold.
Bead For Life
Thank you to all who purchased BeadForLife merchandise. I will let you know the final sales number soon.
Church Street Eats
Please sign up for serving dinner to the homeless at Church Street Eats on Dec. 15. This is a way to reach out to
men and women, our" neighbors", that takes just a couple hours of your time and will fill your soul with
satisfaction by doing Jesus' work. This is perhaps the best Christmas present you can offer to Christ.
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Sunday, December 20
Greening of the church following the
10:30 a.m. service.
Thursday, December 24
4:00 p.m. Youth Service with Pageant
(Please bring an unwrapped toy for donation)
Thursday, December 24
10:00 p.m. Rite I Traditional Candlelight
Service
Friday, December 25
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with carols
Sunday, December 27
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service
(please note one service only and time change)
331 Orchard Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: 860-529-7622
Email: office@thechurchofstandrew.org
The Church of St.
Andrew the Apostle
331 Orchard Street
Rocky Hill, CT
06067
December Birthdays: Janine Fiedler, William Veinot, Erin Brouillard, Frank
Grillo, Jenna Masiello, Lisa Piombino, Tim Elliott, Jeanine Amendola,
Dan Charpentier, Kristine Makwinski, Devyn Wagner-Morella, Patrick
Curry, Eunice Ecker, Christine Wagner-Morella, Katie Shebat, Val
Chaniewski, Mike Milak, Carolyn Caouette, Laureen Cannata, Cindy
Kershaw, Amanda Mitchell, Joan Pazdziora