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January 2020

Meeting Andrew By Kula Maria Thompson-Williams

Many stories about Saint Andrew exist, but for length and our purposes here – it is important to

highlight that he is a patron saint and was Christ’s first disciple. Furthermore, St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated on November 30th, but we decided to begin the festivities a little early here at St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dover. We earmarked a Sunday, November 24th to honor three members and celebrate their lives of faithfulness and service to the church and community. Although it took a few

months to plan, we eventually decided on a buffet-style dinner and a small crowd of thirty-five friends, family, and other members of the congregation. The event was a surprise and the three honorees – Hazel Partridge, Peggy Long, and Clarence Brown were informed in close proximity to the actual day.

The three members have all spent over twenty years in St. Andrew’s. Peggy Long continues to bless the congregation with her voice, baked goods, hearty soups, and genuinely sweet nature. Clarence Brown also served in the choir and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for ten years. He has an affinity for Tug Boats, Oil Tankers, the Sea, and was the first person of color to be Master

of a ship. Interestingly, Clarence Brown was born on Pearl Harbor Day and served in the Navy and Coast Guard. The third honoree, Hazel Partridge is a strong pillar of St. Andrew’s. She has served as the Administrative Assistant for sixteen years and spent ten years as Youth Advisor. Hazel Partridge served in the Air Force and came to St. Andrew’s from an extensive career as a law enforcement specialist. She is an irreplaceable gem to the operation of the church and congregation life. Although we designated a few hours to commemorate the lives of faith, the presence, love, and continued service of these three members are treasured gifts at St. Andrew’s.

In essence, we derived at this notion of faithfulness from God. There is over fifty references to God’s faithfulness in the Bible. Moreover, He has called every believer to faith and gives us a miniscule of

His great faith. Eventually, as we weather life’s storms – bury loved ones, battle illnesses, build, lose and end careers, face persecution and betrayal, something changes. Our faith muscles grow, and we become spiritually stronger and more reliant on God. This belief makes its way into our worldview – the way we live and treat others. Then, an outpour of faithfulness becomes especially visible in the way we serve God, each other, and our community. Meeting Andrew at St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dover is a celebration of this faithfulness that is evident in the lives of those we honoured this year. On the surface, all three members – Hazel Partridge, Peggy Long, and Clarence Brown are mere glimpses of what it means to live a life of faithfulness in God. However, to learn more,

one would need to interact with these three wonderful persons, or hear stories about them from friends and family members.

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January 2020

425 North DuPont Highway

Dover, DE 19901

Telephone 302-736-1617

www.salcdover.org

Peggy Long

Clarence Brown

Hazel Partridge

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(Continued From Page 1)

But the truth of the matter is Hazel, Peggy and Clarence represent a seasoned, faithful, loving, and growing body of believers here at the church. Around the same time next year, we hope to expand and continue this celebration of faithfulness to God and each other. Now, to paraphrase a portion of the words of the Apostle Paul from Philippians 3: 12 – not that we [at St. Andrew’s] have obtained perfection in faithfulness, but we continue that we may reach our goal in Christ Jesus. Besides, all of us and yes even the honorees– Hazel Partridge, Peggy Long, and Clarence Brown desire to hear that phrase which makes the journey worthwhile – well done.

Faith Formation Ministry Kula Thompson-Williams, Chair

Meeting held December 7, 2019

➢ Faith Formation hosted a Professional Development Workshop – Career Fair for residents at Whatcoat Shelter. 25 persons attended the workshop. 6 members of SALC donated time, facilitated topics and other resources to make the workshop a success. In addition, 12 persons donated clothing, bags, shoes and items to the ‘dress for success’ component of the fair.

➢ Faith Formation hosted a Prayer Vigil for Veterans, Addicts, Military, Single parents, Shelter families, Bereaved, and American Families. 3 members attended and participated in prayer, reading out of names, and contemplative prayer. During the vigil, names of some veterans from SALC and the community were written on hearts and posted at a prayer station.

➢ Faith Formation also served as one of the hosts for Whatcoat Community Thanksgiving Dinner. 2 members donated time to serve food and 6 members of SALC donated items for the dinner.

Congregation Council President – Norman Hedrick

Meeting was held Nov 16, 2019

• MSP Committee Update – Rick Burrow • Rick explained that this committee is responsible for obtaining a “resume” for the congregation

in order to proceed with the first stage of calling a new pastor. • Rick distributed a 3-page survey for Council to complete for feedback – a 10-page survey will

go out to the congregation to complete. • Call Committee

o It has been suggested that Lonna Price co-chair this committee with Kathy Milito. o Robin Burrow made a motion to approve of Lonna and Kathy co-chairing the Call

Committee, seconded by Norm Hedrick. Unanimously approved. o Rev. Robin Simson Litton, Assistant to the Bishop - Western Cluster, is planning to attend the

December Council meeting. • Finance Committee Update – Dick Foskett

• The finance committee’s explanation of the endowment fund should be completed and given to Council by our December 16th meeting. There was further discussion concerning a 3-year average for the Endowment Fund.

• Dick stated the 2020 budget should also be completed by the December 19th Council meeting

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• Electric Sign – Carol Boettler

o Carol is hoping to get another donation for the sign in the near future. To date we have $18,000, included donations made, and donations pledged. Another member said he will most likely make a donation for the new sign.

o We need a total of $27,000 for the new sign, which includes electrician’s fees and taking out the trees in front that block the sign and replacing them with smaller trees planted further from the street.

• Virginia Shockley made a motion to approve the purchase of a new electric sign, seconded by Dick Foskett. Unanimously approved.

• Great Hall Management o There was discussion about who will replace Lynda and Dick Foskett in managing the Great

Hall. • Nominating Committee

o Carol Babst and Carol Boettler will have completed their terms on Council as of January, 2020. They will meet and search for nominees for Secretary, Evangelism and Communications chairs.

Evangelism Chair – Carol Boettler Meeting was held Dec 4, 2019

• Advent Devotional Update - The devotionals have been distributed; feedback is positive! Food

for thought: a theme for next Christmas could be Christmas memories…

• Sine Nomine - The Burrows hosted 29 people in November. Becky is seeking a host after the

holidays.

• Soup to Share - We will make soup in January after the Cookie Walk. Sue Hoecker will invite the

congregation to help us. She reports that the Josephson’s have secured another grant from

Thrivent for this project.

• Epiphany Stars - Carol has ordered the stars and will tell Pastor about our project.

• New Members - Discussed with Pastor.

Finance Committee Dick Foskett – Chair Meeting was held Dec 11, 2019

• Endowment Fund - New Endowment Fund was reviewed and approved and sent to council for

approval.

• Expense Budget - Was reviewed and additions for the new pastor pay package and Call

Committee funding was included. Will be reviewed and approved at the January Finance

Committee meeting.

• Income Budget - Income Budget was discussed and is waiting for end of year numbers and

Stewardship report. Budget will be reviewed and approved at January Finance Committee

meeting.

• Delaware Community Foundation - DCF is the investment group who handles St. Andrews

Endowment Fund. The Fund in the past 2 ¾ years has grown by 16%.

• Special and Reimbursement Budget line items - Reviewed Special and Reimbursement line

items and how they will be handled at end of year.

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State Legislature Back In Session Delaware’s Legislature is back in session in January, and the Delaware Lutheran Office for Public Policy will be following its activities. In addition to providing general information about legislative happenings, this year the Office will pay special attention to two issues: The Environment and Education.

THE ENVIRONMENT: Delaware already has a goal of having at least 25% renewable energy by 2025, and state officials claim they are on target to meet that goal. This does not mean that 25% of all energy use in the state will come from renewable sources; it refers only to Delmarva Power. Gas usage for heating homes and for running automobiles is not included. Nonetheless, it does mean that Delmarva Power will be using more solar panel fields and wind turbines and that more “community solar fields” will be built, which individuals could than use for their energy purchases. There is likely to be an effort made to set a new, and higher, goal, for – perhaps – 2030.

A bill has been introduced to create, over a next five years, a $500 million Trust Fund to deal with the many water pollution issues in the state. The funds are likely to come from bond issues which would have the effect of spreading the costs out over many years. Delaware has a lot of water issues – from industrial pollution and from agricultural run-off. Safe drinking water is a concern, as is the health of our state’s waterways.

Why do Lutheran Christians care about the environment? Because we read the Bible! The Creation Story in Genesis 1 says that we have “dominion” over the earth. That means we’re here to take care of it. We call our surroundings “creation” because we believe they belong to God!

EDUCATION: Numerous education-related issues will be before the Legislature this year. There are proposals to increase health and mental-health resources available in public schools. Some additional funding will no doubt be found for schools with a high proportion of low-income or English-as-a-second-language students. Some of these efforts are no doubt in response to an ACLU lawsuit which argues that the funding of these schools is inadequate. The results of this lawsuit aren’t expected anytime soon, but it appears likely that the judge will order counties to do tax reassessments – something that hasn’t been done in 40-50 years.

Senator Elizabeth Lockman is chairing a commission which is likely to recommend educational reforms, especially in the Wilmington area, but the results aren’t expected anytime soon.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a long record of advocating for strong funding for public schools. --Gordon Simmons, State Public Policy Officer

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January Birthdays & Anniversaries Lea Cooper January 05 Frank Furr January 19 Charles Henning January 05 Barbara Horstick January 19 Robert Ballis January 06 Peter Stewart January 19 Phyllis Moses January 06 Carol Babst January 22 Shirley Brown January 07 Aaron Bonniwell January 25 Betsy Gustafson January 10 Helen Baird January 27 Marion Wagner January 13 Patrick Donahue January 27 Aiden Elliott January 15 Amber Atallian January 28 Leona Hill January 16 Christie Bonniwell January 31

James Dowd January 19 James Schilling January 31

Anniversaries Date/Years Married Julie & James Alzin January 5 (39) Jan & Larry Pace January 15(36) Pam & Hal Schmehl January 22(47)

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2020 Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends Announced

Your marriage relationship is something that provides the greatest potential for happiness. Is yours living up to this potential? Please make 2020 the year you resolve to attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend to learn how to maximize the joy and

intimacy that God intends for your marriage! The following Northeast US Weekends have been scheduled:

* April 24-26, 2020 at Country Inn & Suites, Ithaca, NY. A hotel with lots of country charm in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. * May 1-3, 2020 at Heritage Hotel in Lancaster, PA. A recently-renovated hotel, home of the unique, treehouse-inspired restaurant, "Loxley's."

* October 2-4, 2020 at Comfort Inn Latham-Albany North--just 10 miles north of Interstate 90 near Albany, the vibrant capital of NY. * October 16-18, 2020 at Olmsted Retreat. A stunning, hotel-style retreat Center in the Allegheny National Forest, 2 hours north of Pittsburgh.

Please go to the national website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org to see the very reasonable group rate for each Weekend. You may make your payment for the cost for your lodging and 5 meals for each of you plus the registration fee with your credit card, or you may mark the option to send a check. Scholarships are available for those in need who request them at the website. Registrations are limited by the size of the conference rooms, so to be sure to get the Weekend of your choice, sign up at your earliest convenience at www.GodLovesMarriage.org . For questions please contact Northeast US Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, at fjschamber@comcast.net or 724-325-3166.

The Men of St. Andrew’s from Jim Long

1. The first 2020 Men’s meeting will be held Saturday January 25th, 8 a.m., north of church at the Speedway Café.

2. The pork dinner was a tremendous success we grossed over $3500.00. Funds were distributed to the following: Youth ministry, SALC outside sign fund, Towne Point Elementary and Dover InterFaith Mission. Most due to our church’s community outreach. Hats off to great folks who volunteered their time and money, 4. A great hall date has been requested for a spaghetti dinner on April 25, 2020.

###################Historic Presentation############## MARTIN LUTHER KING PRESENTATION BY DANIEL PRITCHETT on MLK's holiday, January 20. No school and Dan is available to do a 2:00 PM presentation in the Great. Check the time. We hope those who can't drive at night will be able to attend. FREE!!!!! and open to the church and anyone interest in the community. FREE!!!!!

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SOUP DAY – January 8, 2020 Please join us as we replenish our freezer of soup for members and

friends of St. Andrew’s in need. This is an outreach program of

Evangelism and Pastoral Care Committees.

YOUR help is needed!! 9:00 AM, Wednesday, January 8th. We chop veggies, and

package rolls to create loving packages to deliver to sick, new members/neighbors,

families in mourning, and any deemed essentially in need. If you know of a

member/friend who would benefit from the gift of soup, please call Sue Hoecker (698-

1921) or Kathy Josephson (335-4673)

Thank you to Chuck and Kathy Josephson, who obtained a grant from Thrivent for

our project. We appreciate their efforts.

Mark your calendars now for this event to gather in fellowship “Soup To

Share”…January 8th. 9 am, Great Hall Kitchen.

Submissions For Annual Congregation Report Due Jan 10 All church committee chairs are requested to submit their reports for the Annual Congregation Report to the church office no later than Jan 10, 2020. The preference for submittal is via email or computer-generated data which can be “cut and pasted” into a document. If you

are unsure whether you need to submit a report please contact the church office as soon as possible for further information.

It is not too late to submit your pledge and Time & Talent sheets. Either drop them in the offering plate when you are at church or mail them to the church. Thank you!

Numbers for December were 249. Our next food pantry collection date is January 5. Please mark your calendar and thank you for your donations.

Are available -- to take home, to share with others…in the Narthex and on the bulletin board next to the Newsletter. Back copies will be available for a while. They are being posted on our web page salcdover.org

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Where: St. Andrew’s

Lutheran Church

When: January 26, 2020

Time: After the 9:30 am worship

And After the Meeting

Main meal furnished by Congregation Life

(Chicken, Ham and Drinks)

Bring a side dish or dessert

(Side, Salad, vegetable or dessert)

Sign Up on the Bulletin Board for food

A Thought From the Pastor

As I’ve been making my way around the congregation, and meeting with many of the members, I’ve learned a lot about the early days of St. Andrew’s. There are a few charter members and others from the early days who still have stories to tell. The congregation was founded in 1958, and there are still a few who remember the early meetings at the VFW hall (some remember that the church was basically meeting in a bar) and the Grange Hall, and then the wonderful days when the “first unit” was built and the congregation squeezed into what is now our Christian

Education room. Hundreds of new members joined St. Andrew’s in those first years. I find it to be very strange – although I imagine that this would be revealed in the history of most congregations – that the high point of outreach would be in the first years of the congregation’s history. Large numbers of new people came in those days – something that has never been repeated. St. Andrew’s really had very little to offer people in those days. Mostly a dream, a goal, and the prospects of it costing a lot of money to accomplish it. And in the beginning, there was only one primary evangelist -- mission developer Pastor Raymond Best – who had to spread the word through hundreds, probably thousands, of door-to-door visits. St. Andrew’s, as a congregation, now has so much more to offer….a beautiful building, several hundred members, a commitment to service in the community and, through the Lutheran church, around the world. The tradition of St. Andrew, from the Scripture, is that according to John’s Gospel, Andrew was the first disciple, and that the first thing Andrew did was to go and find someone else (his brother, Peter) to join in. Do you know someone you can invite? A friend, a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker? Are you telling others about how Christ is alive in your congregation? There are still stories to tell. --Pastor Gordon Simmons

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Youth & Family Ministries By/From Lonna Price

Another year has nearly come to an end! There have been so many obstacles and changes this year, but we have made it! Children’s church and youth group both designed and constructed their own (vastly different) advent wreathes during meetings. We learned about the wreathes and many of the symbols and meanings that go along with them. Children’s church constructed theirs out of green playdough and birthday candles, appropriate since Christmas is when we get to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday! In the last days of December, we are putting our finishing touches on the Christmas Eve Family Service, volunteers are still welcome to join us as we practice lines and try costumes following service on 12/22. Anyone who wants to join in during service on the 24th will be welcome, there are plenty of parts with minimal to no lines and we can always use another Angel or Shepherd! As we look forward to the new year and a new decade, I wanted to say thank you so much for how St. Andrew’s is Home. This church has been a home and comfort to me through various stages of my life personally and I love looking back and seeing how through so much change many of the foundations have remained the same. This church is a loving and welcoming family, we reach out to one another and build bonds and connections that span years, challenges, and lives. Thank you to everyone who has touched the lives of myself and my family. Rylee and Evan are blessed to have so many extra people that they love as aunts, uncles, and bonus grandparents here in this congregation. All of your love and support is so appreciated and a reminder of God’s love for us all.

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Music Ministry Year in Review and Thoughts on Going Forward Shelley Reel It is hard to believe that on Christmas Eve one year ago, I directed the Chancel Choir at St. Andrews for the very first time after directing a choir that same evening at the church I served in Odessa. What a great year it has been at St. Andrews since then. The Chancel Choir and the Bells of St Andrews have worked very hard (and very successfully) in adapting to the style of a new director. Their ongoing support, commitment and willingness to try new things has been awesome.

They have embraced new anthems while remaining true to singing and ringing old favorites from the music library. The congregation has supported a new anthem sponsorship program which allows us to build our music libraries without putting undue strain on the annual operating budget. Along with the choirs, the congregation has been a joy. Members of the congregation sing hymns and responses at every worship service with passion and enthusiasm. While we have much to be thankful for, we also have ongoing needs to help ensure St. Andrews makes progress on our never-ending journey from good to great. We need more voices in the Chancel Choir, especially female voices. While we added to two new female voices this year, we also lost two. We also need more ringers in the Bells of St. Andrews. In both cases, new members do not need to read music or audition. All are welcome. Not sure if singing in the choir or ringing bells is something you want to do? Give us a try. Come to a rehearsal to see what we do (and how much fun we have doing it). There is no obligation to continue if you decide being in a choir is not the right fit for you right now. Please give us a try. As you well know, there have been and are many changes underway at St. Andrews inside and outside of the music ministry They include, but are not limited to, a new choir director, a new choir accompanist, a youth director, a pastoral retirement, an interim pastor and the ongoing call process for a new pastor. As we go through these and other changes, I encourage you to reflect upon the following observations on change by futurist Leon Martel taken (and slightly edited) from the preface of his book – Mastering Change. We live in a world of change, yet we act on the basis of continuity. Change is unfamiliar; it disturbs us. We ignore it, we avoid it; often we try to resist it. Continuity, on the other hand, is familiar; it provides a sense of safety and security. Thus, when we plan for the future, we prefer to assume present conditions will continue. But they rarely do. As a result, we experience unnecessary loss and miss unseen opportunities. I propose we recognize that change is natural and to be expected, and that continuity is unnatural and to be suspected. If we identify and prepare for those changes that will affect us, change will become familiar and we will welcome it, seeing in it not cause for alarm but reason for action. And as we come to understand and use change, we will be better prepared for the future, increasingly able to make tomorrow’s world, the world we want it to be. Whatever changes occur going forward, one thing will not change at St. Andrews. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit – the lay leadership, the staff and the congregation will always embrace the words penned by J.S. Bach (whom many consider to be the greatest church musician ever) on all of his musical compositions – “Soli Gloria Deo “– To God Alone the Glory.

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Worship Helpers Jan 5 – Feb 2, 2020 Jan 5 9:30 a.m. Ushers The Hornes Assisting Min Sue Hoecker Reader Julie Alzin Comm. Asst. Julie Alzin Comm. Asst. Betsy Gustafson Comm. Asst. Jim Willard Greeter D. Kiefer Acolyte TBD Altar Guild R. McCormick/L. Tovcimak Bread Maker Ruth Lyon Coffee Men’s Group Projection Virginia Shockley Nursery Teri Massingill Jan 12 9:30 a.m. Ushers The Boettlers Assisting Min Betsy Gustafson Reader Leona Hill Comm. Asst. Leona Hill Comm. Asst. Ruth Lyon Comm. Asst. Rosemarie Milne Greeter Shirley Brown Acolyte TBD Altar Guild R. McCormick/L. Tovcimak Bread Maker Carol Boettler Coffee Choir Projection Bob Federwitz Nursery Judy Ballis Jan 19 9:30 a.m. Ushers P. Donahue/R. Burrow Assisting Min Erik Klemmer Reader Ruth Lyon Comm. Asst. Ruth Lyon Comm. Asst. Carol Babst Comm. Asst. Gwen Humphrey Greeter Marilyn McFarlin Acolyte TBD Altar Guild D. Zook/P. Schmehl Bread Maker Sarah King Coffee Council Projection Jim Willard Nursery Teri Massingill

Jan 26 9:30 a.m. Ushers B. Federwitz/S. Brown Assisting Min Jim Willard Reader Rick Burrow Comm. Asst. Sue Hoecker Comm. Asst. Shirley Brown Comm. Asst. R. McCormick Greeter Carol Babst Acolyte TBD Altar Guild D. Zook/P. Schmehl Bread Maker Abbie O’Grady Coffee WELCA Projection Weah Williams Nursery Judy Ballis Feb 2 9:30 a.m. Ushers The Hornes Assisting Min Pat Donahue Reader Becky Donahue Comm. Asst. Becky Donahue Comm. Asst. Judy Ballis Comm. Asst. Bob Ballis Greeter Betsy Gustafson Acolyte TBD Altar Guild E. Bice/V. Shockley Bread Maker Robin Burrow Coffee Men’s Group Projection Tom Price Nursery Teri Massingill

If you find these dates do not work in your calendar please attempt to switch with someone

else and call the church office at 736-1617. If you can’t find someone to switch with please call

the church office as soon as possible so we can find a replacement for you in the schedule.

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St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Directory Church Office – 302.736.1617 extension 1

STAFF: (Telephone numbers listed are home phone) Pastor: Pastor Gordon Simmons, Interim Pastor, (302.526.2225);

Email – bikerrev67@aol.com

Administrative Assistant: Hazel Partridge office@salcdover.org

Youth Ministry: Lonna Price (302.382.5762) ymasalc@gmail.com

Music Director: Shelley Reel (443.786.9010) or shelley@goeaston.net

Organist: Samuel Mace (302.526.9273) or Samuel.Mace@email.wesley.edu

Custodian:

CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERS, MEMBERS, & COMMITTEE CHAIRS/LIAISONS:

President: Norm Hedrick (302.387.1528)

Vice President: Robin Burrow (302.724.7778)

Secretary: Carol Babst (302.538.5635)

Treasurer: Roberta McCormick (302.653.9102)-Liaison -Pastoral Care

Faith Formation: Kula Thompson-Williams (516.309.9733)

Church Property: Lewis Friday (302.465.1650)

Communications Committee: Carol Boettler (302.223.6798)

Community Outreach/Special Projects: Sarah King (302.222.4886)

Evangelism: Carol Boettler (302.223.6798)

Congregational Life: Robin Burrow (302.724.7778)

Finance Committee: Dick Foskett (302.697.8225)/Gwen Humphrey (302.724.7278)

Stewardship: Art Ellisen (302.223.5441)

Financial Secretary: Arlene Willard (302.697.3713)

Pastoral Care Committee: Kathy Josephson (302.335.4673)

Personnel Committee: Robin Burrow (see above)

Worship & Music: Virginia Shockley (302.359.9236) - (Sam Reinhardt – Liaison)

(302.659.0415)

OTHER KEY PERSONNEL

Men of St. Andrew’s – Jim Long (302.538.6971)

Women of the ELCA (WELCA) – Kathy Josephson (302.335.4673)

Librarian: Karen Jerolamon (302.734.1386)

Church Facility Usage Committee: Position Open

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