Upcoming Worship Se

Upcoming worship services

Jan 14, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Jan 21, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Jan 28, 10:00, Morning Prayer

Feb 4, 10:00, Holy Communion, Father Hillin
Feb 11, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Feb 18, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Feb 25, 10:00, Morning Prayer


THIS is a link to the church calendar of the Episcopal Church. It has links to further information about the people who are commemorated on any particular day.



Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Annual meeting; January 17, 2010


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2010


2010 annual Meeting

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of rural Hays held its annual meeting on January 17, 2010. The meeting was presided over by Senior Warden Dennis Johnson. The annual meeting was combined with a light lunch. Those in attendance were Father Peter Nissen, Dennis and Denise Johnson, Frances Eichman, Dan and Gwen Johnson, Fred McIntosh, Gretchen Banker, Theresa and Kaelyn Geist, Tiana and Telia Rubio, Dustin and Maleah Vine, Christiane and Robert Luehrs, and Paul, Jacinta, and Xan Faber.

The meeting opened with a statement of gratitude from Senior Warden Dennis Johnson. He thanked all the members of St. Andrew's for their help and support in the past year.

The minutes of the 2009 annual meeting were read. Dan Johnson moved to accept the minutes of the meeting as submitted. Christiane Luehrs seconded the motion. The motion was approved. The treasurer's report for 2009 was read. The 2010 budget was read and discussed with Fred McIntosh voicing concern about dwindling funds in the treasury. It was acknowledged that though St. Andrew's continues to operate in the black, a few cost cutting measures would be implemented this year. Robert Luehrs moved to accept the financial statement and proposed budget. Dan Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried.

In the new business, the first item on the agenda was the reappointment of all congregational officers. Dennis Johnson and Fred McIntosh were reappointed to the posts of senior warden and junior warden respectively. Gwen Johnson will continue serving as treasurer, and Jacinta Faber as clerk. Dan Johnson, Gretchen Banker, and Paul Faber were reappointed to serve on the Bishop's Committee.

Robert and Christiane Luehrs will serve as delegates to the 2010 diocesan convention, which will be held October 22-23 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pratt.

Senior Warden Dennis Johnson addressed the poor condition of St. Andrew's driveway. He will research what surfaces are available and what it will cost to restore the driveway. Dennis Johnson also spoke about simplifying St. Andrew's mission statement.

Father Peter Nissen brought up the topic of starting a Bible study and training a few members of the church to assist with visiting homebound congregates.

The congregation gave Father Nissen a rousing round of applause for his excellent service to St. Andrew's.

Dan Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned. Fred McIntosh seconded the motion. The motion was approved and the meeting was adjourned.

Faithfully submitted by Jacinta Faber, clerk.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Father Nissen's message for January 17, the second Sunday after Epiphany

The text for today comes from John 2: 1 - 11.  (Click here and then click on the blue arrow to hear a reading of this text from Eugene Peterson's contemporary version of the Bible, The Message.)

Today we read about the wedding in Cana of Galilee.  St. John calls Jesus' miracles "signs," which means they point beyond themselves.

The turning of the water into wine reminds us that Jesus can transform us and bring us joy.  We can have a profound sense of God's love as we accept Jesus into our hearts.  Being born again and living a day at a time makes all the difference in the world.

THANKS BE TO GOD!

Father Nissen's Christmas message

The text this year is from the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1 through 14.

One of the themes of Christmas is that of light and darkness.  All of us have happy times--times of light-- but all of us also have times of sadness, pain, darkness.  For many Christmastime is a sad and difficult time, especially if there is not enough money for presents, a family illness, or a loved one who has died.

John's Christmas message tells us that there is light in the midst of darkness.  Jesus gives us hope and courage to go on.  Jesus--God himself who became one of us--show us there can be new life in difficult times.  And the difficult times can give us resurrection and new insight, if only we walk faithfully with our Lord.  We can get rid of self-pity and live in hope.  MERRY CHRISTMAS indeed!