September 1, 2022

Looking forward to September and beyond, engagement will be the focus for the staff here at St. Andrew’s – that is to say, we will try to encourage engagement from people within the congregation and beyond in the congregations ministry and mission.  I have talked before about an engagement model I find helpful - the four quadrants of a congregation’s life – personal piety, personal service, communal piety and communal service.  We will be encouraging people to strengthen the life and witness of St. Andrew’s in each of these four areas. Please view the attachment included to see this model laid out.  If there are any individuals skilled in graphic design, please let the church office know – we would love your help in designing this model to be both professional and visually appealing.

The principle behind this engagement model is that our faith involves being and doing, not just believing.  To believe, according to some recent church scholars, has more to do with leaning into the mystery of God; leaning into that which we find of real meaning and importance in our life and responding with lives of service, care, and love.  To believe in Jesus is to love Jesus and to be a follower of Jesus – to do what Jesus did.

Sometimes this is called a praxis model – it moves from theory into practice.  For people of faith, it moves from what we believe into how we live out what we believe.  If we believe God is love, we open ourselves to be transformed by that love and strive to live that love out in all we do.  It is hard, but it is powerful and ultimately incredibly meaningful.  It brings joy, peace, and happiness – indeed it brings to use an old word, salvation.

Barb and I will be offering a Confirmation / Communicant’s class this fall beginning after church on October 2, 2022, starting with a meal together.  It has been a few years since we had a confirmation class so we will be opening this class up to anyone who is interested, regardless of age.  We will be exploring this praxis model of faith throughout

Take care everyone and have a wonderful week

Marty