The following is the February 2007 edition of the St. Andrew's Tidings publication. You may download a copy to your computer by clicking on this pdf icon.

TIDINGS
VOL. CLXlV • February 2007

PARSON'S PARAGRAPH
Betty and I (and "Fran") are settled in our cottage and enjoying life at Nags Head and being blessed by the love of our new brothers and sisters-in-the-Lord. Our cottage is definitely not "Dove Cottage," in which Fr. Tim and Cynthia ("Barnabas" and "Violet") lived ( A New Song, the Mitford series). We are grateful for the very nice living space which has been provided for us. We both thank you!     We have invited our friends from the south, the Grand Strand, and St. Stephen's, North Myrtle Beach, SC to visit us (just bring linens).  

Although we are in the season of Epiphany, we have to plan ahead to Lent, which starts on February 21, Ash Wednesday. Beginning on Thursday, February 22nd, at 6 PM we will start with a potluck supper, followed by a Bible study on the Sayings of Jesus and ending by 7:30 PM.   We will continue these suppers and study through March 28 th Friday Noon beginning February 23 and every Friday through March 30, we will have the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel. Holy Week services will be announced later. I will be here on Passion/Palm Sunday to assist Charles as he returns from his sabbatical. 

Your Delegates and I will be traveling to Fayetteville on February 8 to attend the Diocesan Convention. This will be the first convention I have attended since I retired from active ministry in February 1997. But I look forward to doing the "business of the Church" and to meeting new persons and some others I have known from other parishes in the Diocese. Our Granddaughter, Calista, lives in Fayetteville, where her husband was stationed at Fort Bragg, and is now in Iraq. I hope to have some time to see her. 

Faithfully, Ken ( E-mail address: kmtuckernc@atmc.net )

VESTRY CORNER
In an effort to keep you informed on the activities of your vestry, we will be providing a brief synopsis of our monthly meetings each month in the Tidings. For more detailed information, there is a copy of the minutes posted on the bulletin board outside the church office or feel free to contact any vestry member with your questions. At our January meeting we examined our responsibilities in Charles' absence. We reviewed procedures for opening and closing the facilities and each member reported on his or her "area of responsibility".   

The church's case regarding the problems with the HVAC system goes to arbitration on February 8 th and the vestry discussed potential long-awaited resolutions to these on-going problems.   Jay Tutwiler, Jerry Workman, Bill Froelich, and Emily Lewis will attend the proceedings on behalf of St. Andrews along with our attorney and expert witness.  

The vestry will hold a retreat on February 17 th . At that time we hope to review the findings of the Vision Committee as well as look further at our individual areas of responsibility, what they involve, and how we can support one another in our various assignments.

As we look toward the future and Charles' retirement, we must plan for the changes that we face.   The Episcopal Church has standing procedures in place for seeking and calling a new rector. We are in the process of arranging a meeting between the Bishop and the vestry to discuss this process, our role in it, and what we can expect over the next two years.  

Finally, my personal thanks to all of you who have so graciously offered your support as I take on the role of Senior Warden. The job is much easier knowing that I have such a wealth of great resources to rely on, and I will do my best to serve you well.  

MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee convenes regularly a few days before the monthly Vestry meeting. As such the committee's responsibilities can be summarized as follows:

• Keep pace with the parish's financial position and well being.
• Submit findings and recommendations to the Vestry for meaningful action.

The church's Treasurer (Skipper Hines) and Bookkeeper (Joy Kupetz) provide timely reports, tools and insight, which are essential to the work of both the Finance Committee and Vestry.

As we wrap up 2006 the Finance Committee is happy to start with good fiscal news: The 2006 Budget consisted of 159 Pledges Units totaling $313,474; current tally shows that Actual Pledges exceeded Budget by $17,474, totaling $331,228. As we commence with 2007 the Finance Committee would like you to know where we stand regarding Pledges:

•  Currently only 110 Pledge Units have been received; last year there were 159 Pledge Units with our Parrish's Long Range Goal being 300 Pledge Units.

•  Current Average Pledge of $1,863 with a goal of an Average Pledge exceeding $2,000.

•  Current Total 2007 Pledge Dollars of $204,945 with a 2007 Total Budgeted Pledge Goal of $348,369.

If you have not already done so, please remit your Pledges as soon as possible while keeping our Parrish Goals in mind.   If you have already made your pledge, thank you!  

CHILDREN AND YOUTH CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
This February we have a great set of curriculum for our children and youth in Sunday school.   Lesson plans include many of our favorite stories about Jesus. The goal is to increase the children's understanding of the multicultural world in which they live by including multicultural music, art and literature as part of their faith formation.
 
In March, a four week Lenten Series.  Named  "Our Journey Toward The Rising Son: Exploring God's Plan Through The Lord's Prayer" will be presented, our goal is to help children assimilate the meaning of The Lord's Prayer, provide them with a piece of our liturgy that they can understand and participate in during church and provide an opportunity for them to learn how to pray out loud.   It is going to be an excellent Journey Towards the Rising Son!   It is hoped that you will renew your commitment to have your children present for each Sunday in March.
 
Finally, the Children's Choir and several of our Church Youth provided us with a lovely and meaningful Christmas Eve service. The leaders of the choir and the children worked very hard and it showed. Preparations are underway for another musical offering during Easter. Practice is scheduled for the first three Sundays of January and February, in the Chapel at 9 AM. The children's choir is open to all children.

MUSIC NOTES
It will soon be a year since I first came to St. Andrew's and I am very excited as to the direction of the music department. The bell choir is meeting once a week on Wednesday at 6 PM.   The adult choir meets Wednesdays at 7 PM. We have a great group who sing and very well, a talent that is important in both singing and playing fields. As each of the choirs grow, they are enhancing their repertoire and challenging their abilities.  

BIRTHDAYS IN FEBRUARY
Happy Birthday to those celebrating in February:
1 Patricia Hardy, 2 Lewis Ball, The Rev. William H. Brake, Jr., Marlene Hall, David Lehr, 3 Robert Anderson, Orry Gray, 4 Toby Hurd, JoAnne Nolte, 5 Patti Johnson, Elizabeth Davis, Henry Stokes, Linda Taylor, Sandra Walker, 6 William Hazelwood, Linda Saunders, 8 Bryan Katherman, Haley Rea, Elizabeth Spruill, Noble Woodall, 9 Kevin Bruce, E.J. McDermott, 10 Gene O'Bleness, 11 Ladd Bayliss, Mary Helen Clemmer, Sarah Downing, Virginia Godley, Rebecca Hurd, Mimi Iacone, Michael Reeves, 12 Branton Byrum, Amy Wyant, Kristi Stallings, Larry Taylor, 13 Janet Bryant, Brian Jack, Ida Manly, Matthew Preston, 14 Stuart Foreman, William Jordan, Arabella Frucci-Saunders, 15 Maria DePedro, 16 Catherine Hyer, Brenda Pitonyak, 17 Joseph Jenkins, John Woolard, Sr., 18 Hank Griffin, Peggy Owens, Isabela Rainey, 19 Amanda Beardsley, Randolph Foster, Wallace Harvey, III, Walter Wheless, 20 Brant Murray, 21 Morgan Leavel, Debra Simons, 22 Katy Bell, Martha Melugin, 23 Madelyn Houseknecht, Skip Irwin, 24 Devin Sanders, Harriett Woolard, 25 Jeannie Brake, Colin Griffin, Smith Harrison, Anna McGinnis, Betsy Steketee, 26 Crile Chrisler, John Cleaver, Ansley Miller, Buster Nunemaker, 27 Hannah DeLucia, Nannie W. Milliner, Ronald Strachan, Molly Wiggers, 28 Chris Bradshaw, W. Froehlich, Elizabeth Robbins, Maura Trivette, 29 Joan Woodall.

ANNIVERSARIES IN FEBRUARY

Happy Anniversary to those celebrating in February:
1 J.B. & Marjorie Cheshire, Dr. Henry & Elizabeth Geidel , Todd & Mischelle Hayman, 2 Drs. Charles Davidson & Patricia Johnson, 3 Bailey & Pamela Gray, 5 Ken & Betty Tucker, 14 Paul & Laura Skrypek, 19 Dr. Jerry & Joyce Pickrel.