September 13, 2020 Newsletter

St. Aidan's Weekly Newsletter

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost 9/13/20

The mission of St. Aidan's is to make disciples by proclaiming Christ as Lord and making a difference in our community.

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FOR COVID19 INFORMATION, CLICK HERE!!!

Our Sunday service is now broadcast live on our Facebook page. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE LIVE BROADCAST. You can access Facebook through our website. Click Videos and you will see the Live Broadcasts. There will also be a red LIVE indicator if it is in progress. Be sure to check in a few minutes early.

September 13 Sunday Worship Service

Eucharist Service RITE II, 10:00 am - Rev. Thomas Baker Sermon: Conflict Resolution According to Jesus

We have different documents you can access for our worship service. The In-House Bulletin includes the order of service using the Pentecost Worship Booklet. It also includes Announcements, Thanksgivings and Prayers. Click here for the Bulletin used for In-House Worship. Click Here for the St. Aidan's Day Worship Booklet The Lectionary Readings are: Exodus 14:19-31;Psalm 114; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35.  Click here for the Lectionary Readings For those who wish to use the Book of Common Prayer while watching on Facebook Live, use this order of service link. It includes the Lectionary readings and Prayers of the People. Click here for the order of service using the Book of Common Prayer. This link is also available on our Facebook page under Notes.

In-House Service: Remember Social Distancing! If you are attending our In-House Worship Service, please remember to sit on a chair holding the Worship Booklet and Bulletin.

ROTA for Sunday, September 13 Chalice Bearer: Ben Strain Lector 1: Sarah Smith Lector 2: Mark Sappenfield Intercessor: Clarice Ewing Ushers: David Kahn, Don Seifert Counter: Julie Wojtas Altar Guild: Julie Wojtas Click here for the September-October 2020 ROTA ATTENTION: If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please find a replacement.. Sharon Seidel

Fr. Tom's Talk ... I’m betting you had, or have, a favorite teacher. Mine was Sister Carmel who belonged to the Sisters of Mercy and taught Systematic Theology in my first year of seminary. Since I hadn’t been in school since graduating college ten years earlier I was nervous starting seminary. I wasn’t questioning my call but I was worried about school work. Things didn’t get better when I heard horror stories about Sister Carmel. Former students told me, “She was exacting, harsh, and never gave a grade above a B, if you were lucky.” On the first day of class Sister Carmel told us, “The Sisters of Mercy are here to tend the sick and teach the ignorant.” Nervously, I coughed as if I was sick. Sister Carmel stared at me and then laughed and said, “At least you’re not ignorant!” Turned out the stories about Sister Carmel were exaggerated. Yes, she was demanding but always fair. She expected a student’s best work and was always available to help. Her smile lit up the room and, to the shock of many, she was very funny. She made what can be the dry and difficult subject of Systematic Theology my favorite class. More importantly, she saw the best in her students, nourished their skills, and expanded their knowledge. That’s what teachers do, thank God. They enlighten, encourage, and give their students the precious gift of knowledge that reaches beyond the classroom and into the future. This year a pandemic is causing anxiety and fear among students and teachers. I’m asking you that you keep in your prayers students and their teachers especially Jane Bush, Ruth Henderson, Krista Ann and Chris Graham, Ben Strain, Kathleen McGowan, Mark Pretzel. Please let us know if we forgot anyone so we can add their name to the list.  “O Eternal God, bless all schools especially Briarwood Elementary (our partner school) that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; grant that those who teach and those who learn may find You to be the source of all truth, Amen.” (New Zealand BCP, p.140)  Please let me know if you’d like to sit down and talk or enjoy a coffee, at a social distance of course, or feel free to call me. My office hours are Monday - Thursday 10 am - 3 pm. … Fr. Tom

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22

Seventy-seven times is a lot of forgiveness. Sometimes, just on time is a lot of forgiveness too! Is there one big forgiveness hurdle we can’t seem to get over? Perhaps this Sunday would be a good time to lay that particular burden to rest.

Unison The parish email system is accessible through our website – www.staidansolathe.org! See Julie Wojtas (630 865-3931) for information or any questions. Be sure to check Unison for all updated information regarding St. Aidan's .

Click here for St. Aidan's September 2020 Calendar

The Calendar at St. Aidan's Sunday, Sept. 13 9:00 am: Adult Forum, In-House and Facebook Live ... Mark's Gospel, Chapters 5-8 10:00 am: Worship, In-House and Facebook Live 11:15 am: St. Bridget's Chapter of the Daughter of the King Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15 8:00 pm: Al Anon Wednesday, Sept. 16 12:00 pm: Noon Day Prayer - Facebook Live only Thursday, Sept.17 8:00 pm: Al Anon Sunday, Sept.20 9:00 am: Adult Forum, In-House and Facebook Live ... Mark's Gospel, Chapters 9-13 10:00 am: Worship, In-House and Facebook Live 11:15-11:30: Drive-Thru Communion Tuesday, Sept. 22 8:00 pm: Al Anon Wednesday, Sept. 23 12:00 pm: Noon Day Prayer - Facebook Live only Thursday, Sept. 24 JCFM-Center of Grace Meal 8:00 pm: Al Anon Sunday, Sept. 27 9:00 am: Adult Forum, In-House and Facebook Live ... Mark's Gospel, Chapters 14-16 10:00 am: Morning Prayer, In-House and Facebook Live Thursday, Sept. 29 8:00 pm: Al Anon

Episcopal Hurricane Relief! Hurricane Laura slammed into the Gulf Coast last week, which was the same week that marked the 15-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Episcopal Relief & Development is in constant communication with the impacted dioceses working to reach vulnerable populations devastated by the storm. Click here to Support Episcopal Relief Hurricane.

Announcement Updates

Adult Forum Adult Forum is on Sunday at 9 am. It is both in-house and on Facebook. We studying the Gospel according to Mark. Sept. 13: Mark Chapters 5-8.

Noon Day Prayer with Fr. Tom and the Prayer Book Please join us for Noon Day Prayer on Wednesday. It is on Facebook only.

Drive-by Communion St. Aidan's now has a once-a-month, drive-by communion. This month only, it will be on September 20, from 11:15 -11:30. It is usually on the fourth Sunday of the month from 11:15 am - 11:30 am.

St. Aidan's Weekly Newsletter The Weekly Newsletter is sent out on Fridays at Noon.

St. Bridget's Chapter of the Daughters of the King - New Food Ministry! St. Bridget's Order of the Daughters of the King hopes to start a new food ministry. We hope to keep on hand at the church 7 gallon-size zip lock baggies of food (with a long shelf-life) to be available for Father Tom to give away when someone in need stops by St. Aidan's.  If any parishioners would like to help provide food for the baggies, or the zip lock bags, please contact any Daughter on Sunday after church or text Carolyn Sturgeon at (913) 499-9375.

Johnson County Food Ministry at Center of Grace - August 27 St. Aidan's provides the Fourth Thursday of the month drive-thru meal through Johnson County Food Ministry at Center of Grace. Contact for the JCFM Fourth Thursday meal at Center of Grace is Barb Belt or Carolyn Sturgeon.   We are making 150 meals, boxing them and distributing them outside - the dining room is still closed. Volunteers will be needed to shop, prepare food, box the meals, make individual baggies of cookies/brownies, and hand out the packages at 5:30 that evening.

Don Hutchinson Says Goodbye ... We wish him well. He will be greatly missed!

9-9-20 Dear St. Aidan's Family,                                                                                        It is with sadness, gladness and remembrance that I write and reflect on my time at St. Aidan's. Oh, in case you have not heard , I am moving to Smyrna, TN. I want to tell each and every St. Aidan's, member, visitor and friend that I love you all. I came to St. Aidan's as my family and I relocated for a career opportunity. I have stayed here for the Agape love and family I have here. I have now found another soul, Elizabeth Da Cunha, that shares the full love that I believe God intended us to find as well as a shared ministry of serving youth. But her job is in Nashville, TN. We intend to start in 2021 a ministry that aims to have one unrelated adult take an active interest in a junior or senior high youth. Studies show that if a youth can point to one unrelated adult as a mentor, they increase their chance of success by 75%. As I reflect back on my time here, I remember The Griffith's freezer breakdown; Steve Varzaly's Klingon and camp fire stories; Gwen's piano playing and bulletin sorting; Installing an alternator on Gwen's sedan with Harry's help; The Long's ever presence; Bob's birthday notes; Mary Powers asking about my family; Mtr Julie's ability to turn a sermon into a weekly reflection on what opportunities I missed last week and how to look for them this week.  I would love to list every event that in fact grew my love and faith. Kind of like a mustard seed. I want to thank Jim and Jane, Don and Janet, Paul and Jill, Ray and Fran, Clarice and Roger, Barb and Mike, Mark and Norma, Carolyn and Jim, Neil and Mary, Neal And Shirley, Russ and Julie and anyone I forgot who showed me how two souls become one.  Sarah Smith has taken over my Diocesan Representative Responsibilities. Thanks Sarah. I will attend my last vestry meeting this October. It is not possible to be present to count the offerings and perform other Jr. Warden duties.   I will continue work on the light conversion that I proposed is last year's Annual meeting. It was somewhat tabled for the renovations in case it could be done as part of it. It was not, so I will get the information and quotes out for the vestry. I will also move the Domain host to Weebly as that comes up for renewal. If there is anything else I have forgotten please let me know. I want to close by noting that I moved here in 1996 for a job and career and found a church. I now move for love and ministry and leave my family, not a church. I never thought I would feel such a depth of love for you all. I am sure this is the result of EfM. I highly recommend it to grow your spirit and ground your faith. I will leave you with this to ponder:           Does God intend Black Lives to Matter?  Or       Does the Creator intend ALL SOULS to MATTER?    Don't be grounded in this world, transform your mind to the essence, the spirit, for this world is inherently broken and only by our ability to focus on the non-physical and love in spite of it, will we co-create with God. Your Friend, Don Hutchinson

St. Aidan's Day 8-30-20

St. Aidan's Information ...

Pledges: Reminder, if you are unable to attend the in-house service at St. Aidan's, you can send your pledges and offerings to the office.

Pastoral Concerns In case of pastoral emergencies, please contact Fr. Tom Baker at 785-670-0158 (call or text) or email him at tbaker1102@yahoo.com.

Prayer Requests Please email any prayer requests to Karon Wintrode, and she will post them on Unison.  kwintrode22@comcast.net.

Click here to see September Birthdays and Anniversaries

Thanksgivings and Prayers  Thanksgivings – We give thanks for the birthdays of Sandra Conrad and Brad Flick. We give thanks for the people of St. Aidan’s and the privilege of serving each other, our church and our community throughout the year. We give thanks for the faithfulness and resilience of St. Aidan's parish as we all work together during this difficult time, finding new ways to stay connected in spite of the challenges.   Cycle of Prayer –        In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Province of Uganda. in the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the people of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Breakthrough/Episcopal Social Services in Wichita.  For Our Parish Leadership –             We pray for our rector, Rev. Tom Baker and his wife, Cherie. We pray for the members of the Vestry: Senior Warden Julie Wojtas, Junior Warden Don Hutchinson, Jane Bush, Mark Sappenfield, Sarah Smith and Kathy Mencer; for the Vestry Clerk, Carolyn Sturgeon; for our Treasurer, Tim Tatlock; and for our delegates, Don Hutchinson and Carolyn Sturgeon, and our Alternate, Sarah Smith.   For Our Troops, Veterans, and Law Enforcement – Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women in the service and law enforcement at home and broad. Defend them with your grace; give them courage; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence; through Jesus Christ. Amen.   For the Departed – Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that all your faithful people may at the last enter into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   For Guidance and Grace Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    For Healing – Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Episcopal Youth Ministries

Kansas Youth News

STAY CONNECTED St. Aidan's Episcopal Church 14301 South Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 913-764-3050 Email: staidansolathe@sbcglobal.net Website: www.staidansolathe.org Facebook Page: St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Olathe, KS Twitter: @staidansolathe  ‌ ‌

Click here for updated Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Information