| Monthly Newsletter
ST. ANDREW'S SIGNPOST
The Rev. Linda Mayer, Community Priest
Linda Cox, Senior Warden
Mike Clayton, Junior Warden
MAY 2012
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A Farewell to Fred
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Fred Rarden was truly a rare man. Since his retirement as a Methodist minister and his return to Chelan, St. Andrew’s was blessed with Fred and Genie in the congregation, and the Chelan Valley was as well.
While serving as pastor at the Chelan Methodist Church he was a member of the Apple Cup Players in the mid 1970s. Fred served as president of the Hospital Foundation during that time. He was a pilot and his license plate read “I am God’s co-pilot”. His care of Genie during her illness was legendary.
Fred was described as always having a twinkle in his eye. He loved a good joke or story. He was ecumenical in his philosophy and when he joined St. Andrew’s, referred to himself as a “Methopalian”. Fred liked the structure and sound of the Episcopal liturgy. He loved music and got St. Andrew’s involved with Bach Feste and Habitat for Humanity.
Fred showed up for every work party at the church, some say partially for the lunch and dessert. He loved dessert, especially chocolate, and always had several bowls of soup. The parish hall shelf that holds hats and purses was his doing, as were the pencil holders in the pews. Fred served on the Vestry, felt responsible for the buildings and grounds, and helped build the Columbarium. He was the perpetual helper and co-director with Frank Needles of the Food Bank for several years before they convinced Paul Palumbo to take over. (Paul claims it was a conspiracy).
We will miss this gentle man who loved life for all of his 84 years and believed life was about service to others. Most of all he loved God wherever God was.
Linda Mayer’s Homily at the Celebration of Life of Fred Rarden
Dear Fred, What a special person you were in my life and the life of all those at St. Andrew’s. You will be missed for your appreciation of the liturgy, for your bringing Bach Feste music to our church, for getting us to be a partner with Habitat.
I first met Fred when he was pastor at the United Methodist Church. He allowed me to run off copies of a letter to the members of our congregation, since our copier was non existent or broken. Too long ago now to remember the details.
Then one Sunday morning, after Fred and Genie returned to Chelan, I looked up and saw them in the pew. It was a very ecumenical Sunday as the sermon I read that morning was written by the Lutheran pastor as our rector had left town on vacation without giving me a prepared sermon.
When I thought about entering seminary, Fred was part of my discernment team. His wisdom was profound. So many people today feel they are spiritual and have a good relationship with God. However, relationship with God comes also from worshiping Him in Community.
Fred loved the wisdom of St. Benedict and made at least one retreat. Benedict recognizes the great core truth that most of our existence “does not occur in ecstatic moments of divine enlightenment,” but, in the ordinary moments of daily life.
If we can be aware of the presence of God in each of these ordinary moments and do each small thing with holy attentiveness, then we will be able to attain great insight for the whole of life. We will have a deeper relationship with God as we worship God in community.
Fred worshiped in community each and every Sunday. And, in his spiritual biography he indicated his spirituality grew in his retirement years as he has more free time for reflection and meditation. Fred cherished the time of quiet and silence in private devotions and in corporate worship. He accepted “Mystery” as the “essence of the God-human relationship". In Fred’s own words “the spiritual journey continues into life beyond life”. He is now on that journey into the arms of his loving God. Amen.
Friends of Fred visit after the Commendation
July Oliver serving punch in Parish Hall
Reverend Frank Needles says good-bye to a dear friend.
Vestry Notes April 12, 2012
- The vestry was advised that Nooks and Crannies is no longer in business and we will need to find another person or business to do our snow shoveling.
- Bids are being asked for the installation of a kitchen vent.
- St. Andrew’s Endowment Fund is now with Edward Jones Financial.
- The Diocese has changed from Deanery to Regions and there will be a regional meeting at St. Luke’s, Wenatchee on June 2 from 10am to 3pm.
- Judy Oliver reported that the grounds will continue to be sprayed for spiders etc.
- Lake Chelan Hospital has a Hospice/Alzheimers support group for caregivers who need relief.
- Next vestry meeting will be the vestry retreat Saturday May 19th at Perry’s on the southshore.
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Happy Birthday to You Happy Anniversary
John McLeod – 3 Jeannine & Bill Shaffer - 4
Dave Gellatly – 12 Orlo & Beverly Hill - 24
Mike Clayton – 17
Nyla Kamphaus – 20
Jon Madden – 23
Judy Thayer – 29
Larry Hibbard will be touring the church with two groups in May. They will be attending a Revitalize Washington Conference in town and a particularly interested in historic architecture.
Linda Mayer will open the church for them on May 23 at 3:30 pm and
May 24 at 8:30 am.
Spring Regional Gatherings
As a continuation of last fall’s Convention decision to restructure the Diocese from six ‘deaneries’ to four ‘regions,’ the Regional Development Team of the Diocese of Spokane is planning and hosting a series of four spring regional gatherings. While having their own local flavor, each gathering will include the following four components:
- General Convention in July--Introduction, Issues, and Insights
- Regional Development & Action – Background, Function & Elections
- Networking Lunch – Vestries, Wardens, Treasurers, and other Leaders
- Vestry 101 – Developing shared language, wisdom and best practice
Dates for the regional gathering are. ..
Saturday April 28 10am to 3pm @ Nativity, Lewiston
Saturday May 5th - @St. Timothy’s, Yakima
Saturday May 12th @ St. Stephen’s Spokane
Saturday June 2nd 10am -3pm @ St. Luke’s Wenatchee
More information can be found at the diocesan website SpokaneDiocese.org
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The Diocese has elected to divide into four regions to be more effective in the mission of the Church and allow the regions to take a larger role in the process. Involvement from all levels will be key to being the church on the move.
Until now, our St. Andrew's church has been a part of the "Wenatchee Deanery". With the structural change we become one of the churches in the "Northwest Region" .
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CALENDAR FOR MAY 2012
Click on above link to see events scheduled for this month
There will be no ECW Meeting in May
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, PO Box 1226, Chelan, WA 98816120 East Woodin in Chelan (509)682-2851 mainbox@standrews-chelan.org
Editor--Liz Perry 687-1304 psgstudio@aol.com
Webmaster--Jean Haskell 682-4448 jeanhskll@gmail.com
Web Site: www.standrews-chelan.org
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