Want a printed copy of the Weekly News? Click on the printer icon to the right or download and print the PDF.
Preparing for Our Annual Meeting
Ministry Forum: Sunday, June 6, 10:00 am
Ministry Support Forum: Sunday, June 13, 10:00 am
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 6:30 pm
On the Sundays prior to the Annual Meeting, people are invited to gather via Zoom between Sunday worship services to learn more and share their questions/opinions about St. Andrew’s ministry focus for the coming year and the proposed budget for 2021/2022. Voting to approve these items, as well as the nominations for new Council members and next year’s Nominating Committee, is conducted during the Annual Meeting itself, which will also be held remotely this year via Zoom.
Wednesday Evening Prayer
Midweek Evening Prayer services will continue to be offered through the summer months via Zoom. Meditations will be drawn from Devotional Classics. This Wednesday, June 9, we will focus on C.S. Lewis and “Giving All to Christ.” Look for links to this worship service at mid-day on Wednesdays in Allison’s email.
Lydia Circle
You are invited to join Lydia Circle for Bible study and fellowship Tuesday June 8, from 1:00-3:00 pm in the St. Andrew Room, where we will again be able to serve coffee. If you’ve been fully vaccinated you don’t need to wear a mask. Please bring a copy/picture of your vaccine card so that the office can record it.
The Bible study is taken from the June issue of Gather magazine and is the first of a three-part study entitled “Just L.I.F.E. (Liberation Is for Everyone!). The first session is “Just Wisdom” and is taken from Proverbs 8. We will meet Woman Wisdom and explore what wisdom means in ways we haven’t done before. You are welcome to come even if you haven’t read the lesson. For questions, contact Mary Brown at 503-439-3917.
A Call for Worship Volunteers
As we prepare to return to in-person worship on July 4, perhaps you’ve been thinking about your role in the services. Interested in reading the scriptures? Offering the prayers of the people? Serving communion, or lighting the candles?
These are all roles handles by volunteers from the St. Andrew community, and you are invited to participate! No experience is necessary, and you will receive all the training you need. We work with your schedule so you can attend your preferred service and still worship with your family or friends.
Please contact Minister of Music & Media Allison Katsufrakis at allisonk@standrewlutheran.com if you have questions or would like to volunteer.
Celebrating Juneteenth & the End of Slavery
What’s special about June 19th?
June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that enslaved people were now free. For black people trying to establish a new status, annual celebrations of Juneteenth were times for reassuring one another, for praying, and for gathering remaining family members. Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980 and in Oregon last month.
This Juneteenth at 10:00 am, the Oregon Remembrance Project (https://www.oregonremembrance.com/) will be installing a historical marker in Coos Bay remembering the story of the only documented lynching in Oregon, that of Alonzo Tucker in 1902. The St. Andrew Reckoning with Racism cohort invites you to participate in person or via Zoom at 10:00 am on June 19th. [Details to follow.] We hope to find reconciliation and communal healing through a sober reflection on history.
Earth Camp Needs “Shadows”
The Earth Camp team needs a couple more people to volunteer as “Shadows” for camp week, July 12-16. The camp will consist of five groups of seven kids, with each group accompanied by two youth “Guides.” The Shadow’s role is to be an adult presence with one of the five groups throughout the week. It’s the easiest volun-teer role in Earth Camp! If you’d like to volunteer or have more questions about this opportunity, please contact the camp’s pro-gram director, Kyler Vogt, at kvogt@standrewlutheran.com.
Members Vote to Become a Sanctuary Congregation
In a Special Congregational Meeting on Sun-day, May 23, 84 members and two others gath-ered via Zoom to consider the proposal put forth by the Sanctuary Team that St. Andrew follow the lead of the Oregon Synod and ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) to declare itself a Sanctuary Congregation. After members of the team reviewed the proposal and entertained questions, members were asked to vote by show of hands. The result was overwhelming approval, with 74 members voting in favor, one against, and three abstentions.
Filling the Food Barrel
Things are beginning to return to something nearer normal. We learned earlier this week that St. Matthew Lutheran Church is once again accepting packaged and canned food for its food bank. Now that St. Andrew’s doors are unlocked during office hours, feel free to donate non-perishable food to the food barrel in the Narthex. We are resuming deliveries to St. Matt’s and know that there are many hungry people who will benefit from our gifts.
Tribute to Trom
If you missed last Sunday’s party celebrating Jennifer Trom’s ten years and one month as a paid employee of St. Andrew, don’t worry. Our tech team recorded the whole thing and you can view it at your leisure at
Enjoy a decade of memories!
Grunewald Guild Classes
The Grunewald Guild, a faith community fostering art and creativity along the banks of the Wenatchee River in Washington, has announced its lineup of summer classes for July, August, and September 2021. Whether you’d like to explore journal making, songwriting, word collage with calligraphy, ceramics, writing, jewelry making, weaving, photography, or other arts, the Guild is likely to offer some-thing to nourish your soul and renew your spirit. One class title, “Hand Embroidery: Sinking into Slowness,” reveals the character of the Guild, which invites makers to slow their pace and consider how process itself can help people remain grounded and attentive. To learn more, go to:
Many, Many Thanks!
Dear People of St. Andrew,
My heart is full! The love and care and grace you’ve shown to me as Parish Manager over the years was exactly what I needed to thrive in the position. And then, in last Sunday’s “Tribute to Trom,” your kind words and gifts–including the amazing gift of time with my family at Holden Village as guests, not volunteers!–was a wonderful way to bring my time on staff to a close.
Many, many thanks.
Peace,
Jennifer Trom
A Native Rose
Nootka roses are blooming in St. Andrew’s woods. These erect wild or species roses are named after an island off Vancouver, Canada. They only grow in areas with a minimum of 270 frost-free days, produce hips that are large and round, and grow in an upright habit, reaching heights of three-six feet.
Both Native Americans and early settlers relied on Nootka rose hips and shoots to meet their nutritional needs during the winter when food was scarce. They created eye washes from the plant and crushed the leaves to treat bee stings, too, as well as drying them to use as an air freshener. Chewing up Nootka rose leaves also serves to freshen the breath.
Spreading the Warmth of Christ’s Love
Thank you to everyone in your congregation for your faithful support of the Port-land Rescue Mission. During COVID, the practical support from local churches has been a real encouragement to the people we serve and to our staff.
In February, I visited St. Andrew and received many beautiful quilts made by the ladies of your congregation. Recently Pam Farr hosted me again for a short visit, including a walk to your lovely Sanctuary of the Firs, and presented us with much-needed towels.
Please reach out if there’s any way the Portland Rescue Mission can support and serve your church. Thanks again!
Janet Fraser, Community Involvement Manager
Portland Rescue Mission
In Need of Prayers…
If you know someone in need of prayers, please contact the church office by phone at 503-646-0629 or email office@standrewlutheran.com Tuesday-Friday, prayerchain@standrewlutheran.com Saturday-Monday.
| Family and friends of Marvel Lund | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Staff |
| Family and friends of Deborah Townsend (mother) | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Holly Bishop-Perdue |
| Carol Grover (sister) | Peaceful passing | Nan Thompson |
| Nan Thompson | Acceptance and strength | Nan Thompson |
| Barton Robison | Effective treatment and pain relief | Staff |
| Marlene Maxwell | Effective treatment and healing | Bruce Maxwell |
| Koby (son-in-law) | Healing after surgery | Jim & Teri Brosh |
| India Jensen Kerr | Healing and recovery | Staff |
| Gary Grafwallner | Healing of his left eye from Bell’s palsy | Gary Grafwallner |
| Madeleine (granddaughter) | Continued strength through increased chemo treatment | Mary Smith |
| Everyone affected by COVID-19 | Strength and support | Staff |
| Those impacted by racial injustice | Care in times of pain, violence, and crisis | Staff |
| Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar Oregon Synod and staff | Strength and wisdom | Staff |
| Refugees and immigrants | Acceptance, safety, and just treatment | Staff |
| The homeless | Comfort, hope, and shelter | Staff |
| Military personnel, especially Justina Hailey Hope Brocker, Evan Dahlquist, Dawson Dethlefs, Neil Fiegenbaum, and Jerami Reyna | Courage and protection | Staff |
| Zoar Lutheran Church (Canby, OR) Creator Lutheran Church (Clackamas, OR) | Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Al Furqan Islamic Center (Portland, OR) | Blessings on our interfaith partners | Staff |
| Individual friends and loved ones in need of prayer | Whatever they most need; say their names in your heart or aloud | Everyone |
Mason Bee Update
Brian Cheney reports that St. Andrew’s mason bees have completed their pollinating work for the season and have filled at least six dozen straws with egg-filled cocoons. Those eggs will hatch next spring and begin pollinating early bloomers such as fruit trees in 2022.
Meanwhile, Cheney has placed two boxes of leafcutter bees near the garden shed that will hatch over the next month. The slightly smaller leafcutters take the summer shift, pollinating those plants—including many in our gardens—that bloom long after those first flowers of spring.
why some people be mad at me sometimes
they ask me to remember
but they want me to remember
their memories
and i keep on remembering
mine.
Lucille Clifton
The poet who wrote “why some people be mad at me sometimes” was one of the 20th century’s most prominent African-American poets. She once remarked that “writing is a way of continuing to hope,” and that “perhaps for me it is a way of remembering I am not alone.”
Memorial Service for Marvel Lund
Thursday, June 10, 2021
11:30 am
Willamette Cemetery
Pastor Susan Kintner is officiating.
Those attending the service will be
directed to a reception that will follow.
Preparing for Sunday, June 13, 2021
First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Go to the “Preparing for Worship” webpage for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
Highlights for the Week
Go to the complete online church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, June 6
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship with Communion | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Ministry Forum (in preparation for Annual Meeting) | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship with Communion | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 12:30 pm | Earth Camp Meeting | Patio |
Tuesday, June 8
| 7:30 am | Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study | Elmer’s Restaurant at 158th |
| 7:30 am | Women’s Sunrise Spirituality Group | Elmer’s Restaurant at 158th |
| 9:00 am | Facility Team Meetin | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Garden Patio of former Orchards in Petercort Shopping Center |
| 1:00 pm | Lydia Circle | St. Andrew Room |
| 1:30 pm | Service Committee | Zoom |
| 6:00 pm | HR Meeting | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Finance Team Meeting | Zoom |
Wednesday, June 9 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 10:00 am | Reopening Committee Meeting | Zoom |
| 6:30 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Wednesday Evening Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Centering Prayer | Zoom |
Thursday, June 10
| 11:30 am | Memorial Service for Marvel Lund | Willamette National Cemetery |
| 1:00 pm | Virtual Team Ministry Meeting | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Executive Committee Meeting | Zoom |
Friday, June 11
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Garden Patio of former Orchards in Petercort Shopping Center |
Sunday, June 13
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship with Communion | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Ministry Support Forum (in preparation for the Annual Meeting) | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship with Communion | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 3:00 pm | Spirituality Book Group | Zoom |
Connecting to Worship
8:30 am: Worship in the Sanctuary or watch the livestream of worship on YouTube.
- The same link will bring you to the recording of the service to watch anytime after the livestream ends.
- An audio recording of the 8:30 am service will be available Sunday afternoon by simply dialing 503-643-9416.
11:00 am: Worship in the Sanctuary or participate in worship via Zoom
The link will be sent via email and by notification from the church app.
- To participate via Zoom, you can use a smart phone, computer, tablet, or a telephone.
- To participate in “Virtual Coffee Time” simply log in early or stay logged in after the Zoom worship service ends.
Not getting church emails? Click on the green button below to contact the church office to recieve the livestream worship link and zoom invitations.
Need Help? If you discover that you need help connecting to St. Andrew’s online worship services and meetings, please email Rebecca Fako Uecker. She will be available by 9:30 am on most Sunday mornings and 5:30 pm on most Wednesday evenings to provide same-day help for church-related purposes.
Ways to Give: Thank you for supporting our ministries!
We thank you for your support of the ministries of St. Andrew. If you are able, please give now using any of the following options:
Postal Mail: Simply mail a check to the church office. Let us know if you’d like giving envelope mailed to your home each month by contacting the church office.
Text Giving: Simply text any amount to 503-386-9646 to donate to the Ministry & Mission Fund. To donate to another fund, text keyword to get a list of funds, then type the dollar amount and fund name to give. For example, to give to the local food bank, text 50 food to give $50 for food.
Give via Church App: Download “Church by MinistryOne” from the App store and watch sermons, submit prayer requests, and give a one-time or recurring gift.
Give Online: On the St. Andrew website, click on “Give” at the top of the page. Here you can view your giving, set recurring gifts.
Direct Deposit / “Simply Giving:” Request a form from the church office to enable automated giving from your checking or savings account through the “Simply Giving” program.
Stock Donation: Download the form to donate stock. Please contact our Financial Secretaries in advance of processing the form or if you have questions.
Thank you for supporting the ministries of St. Andrew!