November 7, 2021
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An Advent Journey Towards Anti-Racism
Please join St. Andrew’s Reckoning With Racism cohort in a six-part exploration of how racism has played a role in the history of Oregon, and how we can all move toward being anti-racist.
Whether or not you are able to attend the class sessions, you are invited to take part in a congregation-wide Racial Equity Challenge. The goal is to do at least one thing each week that brings each of us closer to becoming anti-racist. The website 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge—America & Moore is filled with suggestions for ways to read, listen, watch, notice, connect, engage, act, reflect, and stay inspired in the journey. Watch the Weekly News for a description of each week’s class and suggestions for which challenges are related to that topic. A complete schedule can be found on the St. Andrew website.
We are hoping to document our efforts as a community of faith toward the goal of becoming anti-racist. In the Narthex, you will find a display board and paper candle cut-outs. Please write what you did in the past week on one of the candles, and add it to the
board. Together, we can shine some light in the darkness of racism.
November 7: Mary Smith will lead an Introduction to the Series. Topics will include moving from “not being racist” to becoming an anti-racist, acknowledging white supremacy, and changing our bodies as well as our minds.
This week’s Racial Equity Challenge suggestions: 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge—America & Moore. We encourage you to explore one or more of the following actions to begin your journey.
Read: Explaining White Privilege To A Broke White Person
Listen: Do the Work podcast (episodes 30 – 50 mins)
Watch: Systemic Racism Explained (4 minutes)
Notice: Who is and is not represented in ads on television, periodicals, billboards, etc?
Connect: Follow organizations on social media. This week, consider: Antiracism Center—IXK
Engage: Enter the process to learn and bridge knowledge gaps.
Act: Invite friend(s), family, and/or colleagues to do the 21-Day Challenge with you.
Reflect: Take time every day to reflect on what you chose to do, what you’re learning, and how you are feeling.
Stay inspired: Create a Soundtrack4Justice playlist that fuels you and/or can serve as a conversation starter with people of all ages.
“Leading in a Liminal Season”
Discernment is the faithful practice of listening and sifting to determine the next step. As disciples, one primary place to listen is scripture, as well as neighbors, creation, and tradition. In this three-week class we will practice discernment with three parables of Jesus, using the Kaleidoscope Bible Study Model, which includes Mutual Invitation and Respectful Communication Guidelines. This class is designed for you to attend one session or two or all three. We will be on Zoom; please bring your bible.
Pastor Susan
Midweek Evening Prayer
Throughout the pandemic, Midweek Evening Prayer services have been a regular occurrence on Zoom, but in November they will be taking a little break. All are invited to join in the practice of Centering Prayer at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 10, via Zoom.
Beginning December 1, Advent Evening Prayer will be returning, with worship offered in person in the Sanctuary as well as via Zoom.
Pastor Mark’s Chi Ro Lectures
This November 12-14, Pastor Mark will be delivering a weekend of lectures titled “Doing Ethics in Extraordinary Times: The Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer” at Central Lutheran Church in Eugene. German pastor and theologian Bonhoeffer is often celebrated as an example of a modern Christian martyr for his participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler, while he himself avoided justifying his actions. What does it mean to “do ethics in extraordinary times”? What does Bonhoeffer’s witness mean for us today?
All lectures will be held in person and via livestream and are free and open to all.
LECTURE, Friday, November 12, 7:30 pm
Creating Courageous Human Beings: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Bonhoeffer’s Ethics (Livestream link)
WORKSHOP, Saturday November 13, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (Zoom link; Meeting ID: 873 5470 025 Passcode: 149731)
LECTURE, Saturday, November 13, 7:30 pm
When the Ground Moves Under Our Feet: Being Responsible in Extraordinary Situations (Livestream link)
SERMON, Sunday, November 14, 8:30 am
Worship at Central Lutheran Church, Eugene (Livestream link)
ADULT EDUCATION, Sunday, November 14, 9:45 am
What Does It Mean to Tell the Truth? (Livestream link)
If you plan to attend in person, please note that the Saturday morning workshop will be held at Bushnell University, Library, Room 203, 1188 Kincaid, while all other events will take place at Central Lutheran Church, 1857 Potter Street. For details, go to https://welcometocentral.org/chi-ro-brocker/.
Thanksgiving Thanks
He has done marvelous things! Our Thanksgiving Food Drive goal has been met. With the funds in our account from last year and giving this year, we have sufficient funds to purchase $50 Winco gift cards for 75 Community Action families. This will be a welcome gift to families who really need your help. Community Action works with families on parenting, financial stability, housing, and education.
Thank you for your generous gifts! Any additional donations to the Thanksgiving Food Drive fund will be donated to the St. Matthew Food Pantry for feeding anyone in the community who needs food assistance.
Please contact LuAnn Staul (ljstaul@gmail.com, 503-314-6321) or Linda McDowall (mcdowall.ml@gmail.com, 503-649-5091) with questions.
Welcoming Afghan Refugees
The St. Andrew Sanctuary Team is following news of the wave of refugees from Afghanistan to the United States currently underway. Some 75,000 refugees are now being held, vaccinated, and vetted at US army bases. Salah Ansary, director of the Portland office of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW)—and himself uprooted from Afghanistan in 1978—said up to 200 Afghans are expected to be resettled in Portland by March 2022.
St. Andrew has a history of responding to such crises. After the fall of Saigon, St. Andrew was among the Lutheran congregations that helped resettle more than 50,000 refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. More recently, we worked with LCSNW to provide shelter and support to the Alajrab family from Syria.
The Sanctuary Team has committed itself to updating the congregation on developments and helping to discern our response. LCSNW anticipates need for sponsors and volunteers in the coming months. However, the critical need now is financial support as the Portland office ramps up to staff and resource the program for this new population of refugees. Online donations may be made directly to lcsnw.org by clicking on the “Donate” button,
specifying “Refugee Services,” and indicating “Portland Metro Area” as the preferred office.
If you are interested in volunteering in the future, please contact Bonnie Bliesner at larrybliesner@comcast.net or Cindy Stadel at cstadel@hevanet.com.
Our Children’s Library Is in the Cloud
Each time I work in the Children’s Library, my appreciation for the wonderful collection Mary Nell Mahler added continues to grow. It’s a library any elementary school would love to have! Our picture book section is especially bountiful. During the pandemic, I’ve tried to think of ways to help you better appreciate and use this beautiful library and wonderful collection of books.
I decided to start putting our collection on the Internet (or in the Cloud ), so you can see what we have and search for items. My goal is to have our more than 5,000-6,000 books uploaded by January 2022. So far, we have only about half of the books uploaded. You can take a peek at what’s there so far by going to: https://www.librarycat.org/lib/standlib. Either click on one of the book covers parading across the screen, or use the search box and search by topic, title, or author. If you want to read more about the book and/or read reviews, click on the LibraryThing or Amazon link at the very bottom of your selected book page.
All of these books, and also the ones I haven’t yet uploaded, are available for checkout. Please just use the book pockets and cards to check out, for now. Eventually, we hope to use electronic checkout.
One problem I’ve encountered is that many times the call numbers showing on the web, do not match the call number spine label which shows where it is located in our library. This is because the uploads automatically assign Library of Congress Dewey Decimal Classification numbers for every book. The Dewey numbers in the nonfiction section are pretty close, but our picture books, early leveled readers, and fiction are in separate sections. If you can’t find a book, just send me a note, and I’ll find it for you. Check the link often as we add more books to the cloud every week.
Barbara Gutzler
Children’s Librarian
Table Talk: Back from the Climate Brink
Gathered around the table in his home, Martin Luther talked freely and openly with his colleagues and students about matters of faith, theology, and varied aspects of daily life. To cultivate this kind of spirited discussion we have a tradition at St. Andrew of gathering for Table Talks. Pastor Brocker invites you to participate in the next Table Talk via Zoom on Tuesday, November 30, 7:00-8:00 pm.
Seminarian Karen Klingelhafer is currently working on a course paper focused on how the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King, Jr. can help us address the climate crisis and move us toward a safer planet. She has offered to lead our November Table Talk. In preparing us for this Table Talk she writes: “The smoke – layered on top of a housing crisis wrought by last year’s wildfires, a resurgent strain of COVID-19 and a crippling drought – has left many in the region teetering on the brink. Among the most vulnerable to the overlapping crises: people experiencing homelessness and those who work in the agriculture industry.” Are we at a crisis situation with climate change? Is there a consensus throughout the world? With so many concerns, what do we focus on? How
can we (as a church, as individuals) make an impact?” This is an especially timely topic given that the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is being held in Glasgow, Scotland, October 31 – November 12.
Book Sale Help Needed
I’m going to need help setting up for the big day of St. Andrew’s Used Book Sale. Needed are three people who can stand still holding ten pounds over their heads for five minutes, repeatedly. It won’t be for hours and hours, just long enough for me to hand down books above the top shelf, after which they’ll be put on carts and pushed into Fellowship Hall. So, 3 people, 10 pounds over your head, at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 27; go home when you get tired. Thank you!
Pam Farr
Adult Librarian
Grateful and Amazed
I am delighted with the number and great quality of the books you people have brought in for the book sale. Thank you! Some, I must admit, I have kept out to put in the library itself. So if you don’t see your book at the sale, that’s probably why. I am also amazed at the number of very smart people this church has! I mean, I knew there were smart people; I just never realized how many, or the divergent number of subjects you read. It’s been a challenge deciding how to sort some of them.
Please note also that it is not too late to bring in more books. There can never be too many books, (or too much chocolate). You are welcome to bring in books, make-and-do type magazines, and beat-up volumes for the free box right up to the day before the sale. I am sorting as I go, so you can bring in books on Saturday, November 27, (the day before the sale), if you can’t get them here sooner.
Pam Farr
Adult Librarian
Hanging of the Greens
Please join us Saturday, December 4, at 9:30 am for the “Hanging of the Greens.” We’ll set up the Christmas tree and decorate the church for all to enjoy as we celebrate Advent and
the birth of Christ. Boy Scout Troop 618 is generously donating the wreaths and greens to deck our church again this Christmas season. If you have questions, please contact Tammy Piscitelli.
Don’t Forget to Fall Back
his weekend, we turn back time. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before heading to bed on Saturday night. It’s a good practice to replace the batteries in your fire alarms on time-change weekends, too.
Preparing for next Sunday, November 14, 2021
Lesson: Daniel 12:1-3
Gospel: John 11:32-44
Go to the “Preparing for Worship” webpage for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
St. Andrew and the Scouts
For almost 50 years, St. Andrew has had a mutually beneficial relationship with the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA. The BSA offers several scouting programs and recently renamed their core program, formerly the “Boy Scouts,” to “Scouts BSA” when girls were invited to enter the ranks a few years ago. St. Andrew has three BSA units today:
- Scouts BSA Boys’ Troop 618 (ages 11-17); chartered ~1972
- Scouts BSA Girls’ Troop 5618 (ages 11-17); chartered in 2020
- Venturing Crew 618 (coed, ages 14-20); chartered in 2019
The BSA operates their scouting programs by chartering local organizations, such as churches, clubs, civic associations, or educational organizations to implement their scouting programs for youth within their communities. The chartering organization owns the assets and liability for the BSA units. Units are led entirely by volunteers appointed by the chartering organization, who are supported by local councils using both paid professional Scouters and volunteers. Our troops at St. Andrew are organized within BSA’s Cascade Pacific Council, which approves charters.
Per the BSA Charter, units have the following organizational structure overseeing the youth Scout leadership and must abide by both the BSA and chartered organization’s guidelines and rules of operation.
- Scouting Executive (the president or CEO of the chartered organization): Scott Taylor, council president
- COR: Chartered Organization Representative (appointed by the Scouting Executive annually): Gordon Teifel, church member
- Troop Committee Chair (established by COR and BSA unit leadership): Jay Locke, troop parent
- Scoutmasters (for each unit): Keith Covington, Troop 618; Cynda Machuca, Troop 5618; Chris Shortell, Crew 618, all troop parents
And St. Andrew appointed an additional person to act as liaison with our Troop units.
- Council Scout Liaison (appointed by St. Andrew Council): Dwight Jerde, council member
In order for the BSA units to continue operating, the Church Council must renew St. Andrew’s charters for each of our BSA units, and it is time to do that again this year. However, given a shifting landscape, the Council is seeking feedback, insights, questions, comments, and viewpoints from interested members of the congregation.
Why are we asking specifically for congregation input?
- The BSA filed for bankruptcy protection in February 2020, largely as a result of sex abuse court judgments against the BSA, local councils, and units. More than 83,000 unique claims were filed by the November 16, 2020 filing deadline for abuse claims.
- Organizations that sponsored BSA units are currently NOT included in the bankruptcy plan deal and may be sued by claimants, as chartering organizations legally own liability for the operations of BSA units.
To be clear, there have been no abuse claims associated with BSA Troop 618 or any of the St. Andrew BSA units. These units are respected as being exceptionally well run and have a solid history of youth protection.
It is also clear that St. Andrew would be liable for any claims filed through our current charter agreement, just as the church would be liable for sex abuse claims arising from its own Children & Youth Ministry.
What we need to decide is how to continue to support our BSA units going forward. Do we sign new charters for 2022? Do we offer a facility use agreement instead, allowing the Scouts the use of our space without signing charters? The Oregon Synod and ELCA require each individual church to make its own decision and do not offer any liability protection for us. The congregation does have liability insurance, which includes specific limits for sex abuse/molestation coverage (which we purchase; this is not provided by the ELCA or Oregon Synod). The BSA also will provide primary liability insurance coverage for the charter organization as part of the BSA charter agreement.
Recently the United Methodist Church decided that it will no longer allow individual churches to charter Scout units. Current charters between Methodist churches and BSA units are being extended through March 2022 so Scout units have time to enter into new charter relationships that will allow them to continue to function.
Members of St. Andrew’s Congregation Council want your input before making their decision. You are invited to provide feedback through any of the following three channels:
- Email Scouts@standrewlutheran.com with your questions, concerns, comments.
- Fill out a Google Form (which you can do anonymously).
- Talk to Council President Scott Taylor, Council Member Barton Robison, or Council Scout Liaison Dwight Jerde.
We value our partnership with Scouts BSA, support the youth our units serve, and seek to protect the well-being of St. Andrew Lutheran Church going forward. We ask that you not take this discussion onto Facebook, and that you share your views no later than Friday, November 12, via any or all of the three channels identified above.
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 Deanna Rhoda (sister-in-law) | Peace and God’s comfort at their deaths | Doris Larson |
| Family and friends of Dick and Janet | Peace and God’s comfort at their deaths | Carol Hogan |
| Kay (mother) | Comfort, peace and God’s love as death nears | Linda Olshausen |
| Nan Thompson | Affirmation of her decision to forego further cancer treatment and acceptance by family and loved ones | Nan Thompson |
| Dr. Cara Steinkeler | Strength as she supports dying COVID patients and their families | Gary & Gail Grafwallner |
| Chris Sinn (brother) | Healing | Randy & Michelle Sinn |
| Chris Williams (son) | Peace, comfort, and healing from COVID | Jerry & Anne Williams |
| Madeleine (granddaughter) | Strength and healing | Mary Smith |
| Phyllis Vachal | Comfort and pain relief | Larry Vachal |
| Chris Entrikin | Healing and recovery | Jerry Entrikin |
| Maverick Dixon (nephew) | Thanksgiving for his birth and successful surgery | AJ & Rebecca Uecker |
| Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar & Oregon Synod Staff | Strength and wisdom | Staff |
| Refugees and immigrants | Acceptance, safety, and just treatment | Staff |
| Military personnel, especially Justina Hailey Hope Brocker, Evan Dahlquist, Dawson Dethlefs, Neil Fiegenbaum, and Jerami Reyna |
Protection and safety | Staff |
| Hope Lutheran Church (Heppner, OR) Zion Lutheran Church (La Grande, OR) |
Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Masjid Omar Farooq (Beaverton) | 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 |
Highlights for the Week
Go to the complete online church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, November 7
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and Livestreamed |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: A Journey Towards Anti-Racism, Part 1 | Fellowship Hall and via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: Leading in a Liminal Season | via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Children’s Ministry with Donna Brocker | Children’s Library |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation (for grades 6-8) | Library and via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Youth Room |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and via Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
Monday, November 8
| 6:00 pm | Scout Troop 618 Meeting | East Parking Lot |
| 7:00 pm | Men’s Book Club | Bliesner Home |
Tuesday, November 9
| 7:00 am | Sunrise Women | Elmer’s Restaurant on 158th (1250 Waterhouse Ave) |
| 7:00 am | Men’s Gathering & Bible Study | Elmer’s Restaurant on 158th (1250 Waterhouse Ave) |
| 9:00 am | Facility Management Team Meeting | St. Andrew Room |
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
| 1:00 pm | Lydia Circle | St. Andrew Room |
| 1:30 pm | Service Committee Meeting | Library |
| 6:00 pm | Girl Scouts Adult Meeting | Fellowship Hall |
| 6:00 pm | HR Meeting | via Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Adult Education Meeting | Library |
| 7:00 pm | Finance Team Meeting | via Zoom |
Wednesday, November 10– Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 10:00 am | Yoga Class | Fellowship Hall |
| 6:00 pm | Bells of Grace Rehearsal | Sanctuary |
| 6:00 pm | Sanctuary Team Meeting | Library |
| 6:45 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Centering Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Choir | Sanctuary |
Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day (church office closed)
Friday, November 12
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
Sunday, November 14
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and YouTube |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: A Journey Towards Anti-Racism, Part 1 | Fellowship Hall and via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: Leading in a Liminal Season | via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Children’s Ministry with Donna Brocker | Children’s Library |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation (for grades 6-8) | Adult Library |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Youth Room |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) Zoom Worship with Communion |
Sanctuary Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |