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| Highlights from July-September 2004 - Volume 1, Issue 3
Thoughts on Time in the Good Old Summertime Dearly beloved in Christ; Most of you know by now that Liz and I took two weeks of our vacation time to drive to San Diego for our daughter, Andrea's, wedding and back (photographs available on request-or if you will stand still long enough for us to show them to you.) However, you probably don't know that we filled the time during the drive listening to books on tape: specifically, two books on the Alamo and the Mexican War, subjects dear to the heart of any Texan. This period is of special interest to me since my great-grandfather, William H. Young, was a volunteer with the Texas Rangers during the War with Mexico. We listened with fascination as the books described the thinking of the various communities and individuals during that volatile era. The issues were much more; complex than popular concepts allow. For example, there were Tejanos who supported Texas Independence and Anglos who opposed it. Some Mexican citizens who considered Santa Anna a tyrannical dictator offered US General Winifield Scott the Presidency of Mexico after he captured Mexico City. Yet, many Americans opposed the War altogether as an unprincipled land- grab by a strong power invading and bullying a weaker neighbor in order to expand Southern slavery. Some Americans who volunteered to fight were under the totally mistaken impression that Mexico was trying to take Texas away from the United States! There were also many reasonable, sensible, and well-informed people on both sides who disagreed with one another. Shakespeare wrote "All's well that ends well", and in the end Texas, California, New Mexico, and Arizona all became part of the USA. Judging from the number of Mexicans anxious to live and work in the robust economy here that was evidently not an altogether bad thing. Yet those in the United States, in Mexico, and in the Republic of Texas who made the decisions which eventually led to our present borders could not have known how all this would have turned out in the 21st century. So often life is like that. We think we know what the consequences of our choices and actions will be, yet often we are deciding largely in the dark. Sometimes it turns out that the things that caused us the most pain and grief in the short term have eventually been the sources of our greatest joy (ask any new mother!) My point is that much of our lives and their meaning is hidden with God, the Maker of Time and the King of the Ages, no matter how much we think we know and understand. That thought ought to motivate us to greater trust in Him. After all, His omniscience and goodness have brought us this far-and are perfectly capable of seeing us through to a future we can only dimly perceive.
Yours in Christ,
Thanks so much to all our Parish Family for acting on the request that I made in my first newsletter. I asked everyone to invite family and friends to share in the good things that St. Andrew's has to offer. You responded, as there's been a noticeable increase in attendance at the 10:00 service. It was very nice to see 100 people in church at one service. I hope you will continue to invite these same people to the good programs we have within our church family. If you haven't guessed by now, we are at that awkward stage in the life of a church when it is trying to transform from a Pastoral Church to a Program Church. I might add that this is an awkward stage for any priest. He doesn't quite have enough hours in the day to get all the things done that require his attention. He needs lay people to take over some the responsibilities that have been his in the Pastoral Church. This in turn, requires a larger congregation from which to choose because we don't want to burn out the lay leaders already charged with a great deal of responsibility. We have made a good start, so keep asking and inviting. The members of our church Growth Committee have met several times and are trying to focus on areas that have the largest propensity for growth. St. Andrew's School and Vacation Bible School will be two areas where significant gains can be made. The Stewardship Committee has met and planned the time frame for the Evergreen Program which will be implemented this year. This effort will be a lot more personal than just getting a pledge card in the mail, and I hope everyone will respond favorably to this new program of commitment and renewal. I want to thank Father, everyone on the vestry and the committees and all the lay leaders for giving of their time, talent, and treasures as we strive to take St. Andrew's to the next level. Dave Johnson
Spaghetti Supper - October 6, 2004 The Women of St. Andrew's request donations and contributions for raffle items and door prizes for the annual Spaghetti Supper. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors. For those who have attended in the past, you know to expect a fun filled evening.
The staff and volunteers of Brighter Tomorrows extend their warmest heartfelt "THANKS" to the Women of St. Andrew's for the wonderful Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The WSA provided a delicious meal complete with dessert and libation. Each attendee was given a lovely place card favor. We Cannot thank this great group of women who gave of themselves to make Brighter Tomorrows volunteers and staff feel really special This was truly a gift of love and sacrifice and we hope this is the beginning of a long term relationship. Sandra L. Rogers |
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Last modified: 03/19/06. |
