2009 Annual Meeting

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of rural Hays held its annual meeting on January 18th, 2009.  The meeting was presided over by Senior Warden Dennis Johnson.  The annual meeting was combined with a light lunch.  Those in a attendance were Father Peter Nissen, Dennis and Denise Johnson, Frances Eichman, Dan and Gwen Johnson, Fred McIntosh, Gretchen Banker, Theresa Geist, Robert and Christianne Luehrs, and Paul and Jacinta Faber.

The meeting opened with an invocation offered by Father Nissen.

The minutes of the 2008 annual meeting were read.  Dan Johnson moved to accept the minutes of the meeting as submitted.  Paul Faber seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.  The treasurer's report for 2008 was read.    The 2009 budget was proposed and discussed.  Frances Eichman moved to accept the the financial statement and proposed budget.  Dan Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion was carried.

In the new business, the first item on the agenda was the appointment of various congregational officers.  Dennis Johnson and Fred McIntosh were reappointed to the posts of senior warden and junior warden respectively.  Gwen Johnson will continue in her role as treasurer.  Jacinta Faber was reappointed clerk.  Dan Johnson and Paul Faber were reappointed to serve on the Bishop's Committiee.  Gretchen Banker was newly appointed as the third member on the Bishop's Committee.

Robert and Christianne Luehrs will serve as delegates to the 2009 diocesan convention to be held on October 15-17, 2009, at the diocesan cathedral in Salina.

Father Nissen announced that there will be a diocesan workshop on January 30-31, 2009.  The workshop is entitled, "Seeing the Face of God in Each Other."  The conference will focus on welcoming diversity in to the Episcopal Church. 

Father Nissen then challenged the congregation to develop a mission statement. 

Paul Faber moved to commend and thank Senior Warden Dennis Johnson, Junior Warden Fred McIntosh, and Treasurer Gwen Johnson for their exceptional contribution to St. Andrew's Church.  Dan Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion was carried followed by a round of heartfelt applause.

Paul Faber moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Dan Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion was approved and the meeting was adjourned.

Faithfully submitted by Jacinta Faber, clerk.

Father Nissen's sermon, January 18, 2009

The text for today is the Old Testament reading, I Samuel 3:1-19.

The boy Samuel heard God calling him in the temple. He continued to hear God's call to him.

There are many temples in our lives, temples where we hear God calling us.  There are temples of friends, families, church congregations, and people that we work with.  Let us listen to the many voices that come to us so we may grow and be all that we can be.  The only voices we do not listen to are those of negativity, voices which say "no, you cannot" or "you can never do that!"  Yes, you can!

The possibilities for St. Andrew's Church are many.  Let's develop a mission statement so we can listen to God cualling us and then let's put into practice that call.  Let us live out our baptism promises.  

St. Andrew's annual meeting Jan 18

The annual congregational meeting of St. Andrew's Church will occur after the worship service January 18.  All are welcome to stay for a cup of coffee and a relatively quick business meeting.  (We will not be having a dinner.)

Father Nissen's sermon for January 4

Although Jan 4 is actually the second Sunday of Christmas, we chose to celebrate the Epiphany.  The text for the day is the Old Testament reading for the first Sunday of Epiphany, Isaiah 60, verses 1 through 6:

Arise, shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come;

and over you the glory of the Lord has dawned.

Though darkness covers the earth and dark night the nations,

on you the Lord shines and over you his glory will appear;

nations will journey towards your light and kings to your radiance.

Raise your eyes and look around: they are all assembling, flocking back to you;

your sons are comings from afar,

your daughters walking beside them.

You will see it, and be radiant with joy,

and your heart will thrill with gladness;

sea-borne riches will be avished on you

and the wealth of nations will be yours.

Camels in droves will cover the land,

young camels from Midian and Ephah,

all coming from Sheba

laden with gold and frankincense,

heralds of the Lord's praise.

The familiar camels of Christmas carols and manger scenes bring an air of adventure to the Christmas/Epiphany story.  But in reality camels can be difficult animals to deal with.  They are predictably unpredictable, often complaining, and usually wanting to stop the work that has been given to them.

Human beings are like this, too.  Let us remember that despite our stubbornness God deals with us.  He is leading us and has tasks for us, even when we do not sense it.

God's promises depend on God's redeeming the whole world.  This is why there is hope for all of us and for all creation, even in the midst of our troubles and conflicts.  God will always bring us light--sometimes through people, sometimes through song, or maybe Bible readings or worship services.  

So we must not get down on ourselves!  Like the camel, we can get past our difficult dispositions  and carry our burdens when we are led by our Master.  We can all work miracles in Jesus' name!

The Prairie Spirit

The congregation is the subject of a picture and brief article on page 8 of the December, 2008, issue of The Prairie Spirit.  Here is a link to the issue: St. Andrew's picture and article.  (This is a PDF file, however, so it downloads rather slowly.)