Dear Friends,
The Season of Pentecost has not yet begun, still the Holy Spirit already dances in the hearts and lives and events of this congregation and its ministries! In April alone, I’ve witnessed its jig during Discovery Weekend; the St. Andrew’s Sisters Soul Gardening morning; the discussion of “The Ragamuffin Gospel,” by our Eucharistic Ministers, visitors and lectors; the Spring Clean-Up; the St. Andrew’s Minstrel’s concert; and, certainly during our worship time together. I’ve noticed its footprints in the work done around the church—in the closet in the office, the new exit lamps, the electrical outlets, and the plants springing forth in the pots on the Front Porch. Ah! There’s so much joy left in the path of the Spirit; I feel like I do after a good polka—excited, energized, and elated—wanting at least one more dance!
And so there will be, not just one, but many more. Some we know about as they are on the calendar, and some are only a spark waiting to be ignited. I’m looking forward to the play put on by the Clarkston Players and featuring our own Melissa Butler; the new Adult Christian Education program that begins on 4/30, Women of the Bible with Susan Boyer, who is a very spiritual person herself; the Ministry Development Commission will begin its work for the EYSJ meeting this month, starting with the Informational Meeting on 5/21; the Squeakers and their moms and grand-moms and other important women in their lives will be singing on Mother’s Day; and the Newcomer’s tour is scheduled for May 18. And, folks, these are only the things I know about. When you add all that you know about, whew! the Spirit will need a new pair of dancing shoes!
If dancing is a metaphor that doesn’t work for you, let me suggest walking with the Holy Spirit. Let me remind you about the pilot offering of our parish-delivered Exploring Your Spiritual Journey (EYSJ). There are signs and informational packets in the Richardson Room, and LouAnn Leonard, Bob Wollard, and I are available to answer your questions and hear your comments and concerns about the program any time, and especially on May 21, 2008, 7 p.m., in the St. Gregory Room (a.k.a library/music room/multi-purpose room). This program and other St. Andrew’s discernment opportunities are meant to help you commit some time to your self and your spiritual life and ministry. And, I’d like to alert you to another walk, a physical walk.
Waterford’s annual C.R.O.P. (Christians Resolve to Overcome Poverty) is scheduled for the first Sunday in October, October 5, 2008. Last year, St. Andrew’s raised nearly $800, bringing relief to many who live near or far. The area walk raised over $10,000, and twenty-five percent of it stayed right here in our community helping people who count of the Baldwin Center, Open Door, Meals on Wheels, and the Good Samaritan Food Pantry for help.
St. Andrew’s not only sends walkers and donations of money several people work together to provide a “water station” here on our corner. They put up a canopy and provide bottles and coolers of water, oranges, home-made energy bars for the walkers as well as water for their pets who walk with them. This year, I am hoping that someone will feel called to co-ordinate the program here at St. Andrew’s, become the Recruiter. The task is not hard nor is it very time consuming; what it does require is an enthusiasm for and commitment to wanting to overcome world hunger and poverty. If you think this is a ministry for you, please contact me. Watch for more about the C.R.O.P. Walk in future editions of “The Companion” and in the bulletins on Sundays!
Let us go forth, rejoicing (walking or dancing), in the Power of the Holy Spirit!
Deacon Marlyn
