St. Andrew's Shield

“...above all taking the Shield of Faith ...”   Ephesians 6:16

Volume 52, Number 4                                                                                                February 28, 2007

From the Pastor’s Heart

Teresa of Avila was a nun who lived in Spain during the 1500s.  Her superior ordered her to write a book on prayer, even though she didn’t feel spiritual enough, didn’t have time to fit it in with all her other duties, and besides that, she was not well, which compromised her ability to do her required daily tasks.  Isn’t that the situation many of us encounter today?  When it comes to prayer, we find all sorts of reasons why we cannot submit to that essential spiritual discipline.  Teresa’s response to her own dilemma gives us words to carry us through Lent:

“But, as I know that strength arising from obedience has a way of

simplifying things which seem impossible, my will very gladly resolves

to attempt this task although the prospect seems to cause my physical

nature great distress; for the Lord has not given me strength enough to

enable me to wrestle continually both with sickness and with occupations

of many kinds without feeling a great physical strain. May He Who has

helped me by doing other and more difficult things for me help also in this. 

In His mercy I put my trust.”

Trusting in God’s mercy together!

Pastor Ann

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of St. Andrew's will be held immediately after worship on Sunday, March 11.  Any and all business can be considered.

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Making a Difference – Community Service Opportunities with Area Children and Youth

As the liaison to our partner school, Waite Phillips Elementary, I have recently been receiving increased email correspondence from Partners in Education, the joint venture of the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce and Tulsa Public Schools.  It seemed a good idea to pass this information about more community service opportunities on to all of you.

I received an invitation to and attended a Partners’ breakfast recently.  At the breakfast were representatives from various community organizations that participate in the partnership effort.  Most were known entities in the community: Campfire, the Rader Center, and of course, Tulsa Public Schools.  It was announced that Union Public Schools is also now being included in the partnership, with mentoring programs beginning in selected elementary schools within that district.

 As the representatives stood up to introduce themselves and their organizations, I was especially struck by one, partly because it was one I had not previously heard about, and mostly because of the very personal connection the speaker had to his organization.  Dayo Adentula, formerly of Nigeria, lost his son, Joseph a few years ago.  Joseph was an innocent victim of a drive-by shooting that occurred in his north Tulsa neighborhood.  Instead of turning angry and bitter, Dayo has begun a foundation in his son’s name, designed to help young African American men find alternatives to the angry and destructive life-style of violence on the streets.  The Joseph Adetula Foundation attempts to accomplish this through various means.  Dayo’s current focus, and where he needs the most help, is in advocating for youth facing long term suspension within the Tulsa Public Schools, helping them remain in school and find a second chance.  He told me that he has found that almost every young man he has worked with so far has been able to turn themselves around, stay in school and stay out of more serious trouble.  The numbers of young people needing this kind of service are more than he can handle.  If this is an opportunity you would like to learn more about, you can contact him at dayo58 AT yahoo DOT com.  To learn more about the Joseph Adetula Foundation, go to http://www.josephadetulafoundation.org.

Tulsa Public Schools also needs help to find enough tutors (50) for the students at Madison and Monroe.  They are trying to make sure these students are successful on the upcoming state achievement tests.  Tutors will be paid, they will use prepared test preparation materials and work with small groups of students.  TPS would prefer mature adults who do have a college degree.  A teaching certificate is not required.  If you or someone you know might be interested, please share this with them right away.  If you have questions, contact Roberta Ellis' office. The contact information is: phone (918)746-6577; FAX 918-746-6521; ellisro AT tulsaschools DOT org.

As always, service opportunities continue to be available at Waite Phillips.  They always welcome more mentors and classroom aides, and are most appreciative of all we do for them.  There are still “apples” of needed items available on the wish tree at the end of the west hallway.

Serving together,

Ruth Wilcox

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Thank You…

The Board of Deacons sincerely thank and are very appreciative of Jeannine Spencer's culinary masterpieces.  Jeannine baked all the delicious cakes and cooked her sumptuous hamburger stew to feed approximately 100 folks at the homeless shelter January 26th.  The hot meal received rave reviews and there was enough food for second servings.  Jeannine was assisted by Rodgers, Joyce and Lee Pauli, Candace Baird and many other members who helped with the cooking and serving.  Jeanne Hollis, Secretary

NEWS from the PEWS!

Britanni Lee, granddaughter of Jimmy and Donna Lee, recently participated in the Tulsa Public Schools spelling bee, at the county level.  Grandma and Grandpa are mighty proud of her!

Carbs or no carbs…what do you want for breakfast?  Come to Fellowship Hall on Saturday, March 3<sup>rd</sup> from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and make your choice.

“MARINERS”

THANK YOU, CHEFS!

The 2007 Chili Cook-off, one of the Mariners annual fund-raising events, was a great success.

Congratulations go to Pastor Ann who won the Judges’ Trophy for a 2nd year in a row. (She’s tied with Rob Turley for that distinction) and Second Place went to Kazi Ahmed (a friend of Rob & Mari). Our judges, Lora, Kim and Kim from Love4Life Unlimited, said they enjoyed their task.

First and Second Place winners of the Popular Favorite Award are the two vegetarian entries prepared by Becky Balser and Dennis Dowell.  Our thanks to all the great volunteers who presented their creations for judging or brought all the yummy side items and to the hungry congregation who happily consumed nine pots of chili and three pans of cornbread.  What little that remained will be used to augment one of the dinners St. Andrew’s provides for the Day Center for the Homeless.

The total amount raised was $275.60 which beat last years total.  Way to go, St. Andrew’s!

CALLING ALL BAKERS!

Children's Ministry wants all ARK kids to know that they will have a chance to COOK instead of act in March.  For our lessons on the Lord's Supper, ARK kids will have the opportunity to make bread on Sunday, March 18. This bread will be used in our next communion service (April 1).  Mark your calendars and plan to be here for this special opportunity!

DIRECTORY ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS

updates are available for:

The 2007 Church directory is now available.  If you have not picked up a copy, please contact the church office at 627-9600.