St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Ayer, Massachusetts
Faith, Community, and Love
Programs
Monday Morning Bible Study
. . . We preach Christ crucified:
stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
I Corinthians: 23-24
There is always something more to be found in the Scriptures, and the group that meets on Monday mornings, led by John Ferrillo, is presently engrossed in a very relevant study of I Corinthians using a study guide developed by the Santa Barbara Community Church in Santa Barbara, California. Interested? You are most welcome to come to the Parish Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Monday's, have a cup of coffee and maybe a snack, and join in the discussion. You'll find an ecumenical and friendly group--members of the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal churches attend regularly. Bring your favorite Bible, your children (one dad brings his toddler and they manage just fine), and an open heart. The study usually wraps up around 11:00 a.m. No reservations necessary--just show up at 9:30 on Monday mornings.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
An ongoing study of the Gospel of St. John as interpreted by The Most Rev. William Temple, Archbishop of York (1929-1942) (later Archbishop of Canterbury (1942-1944)), in his book Readings in St. John's Gospel (1939). In his 1992 biography of Temple, the Rev. John Kent, Lecturer in Ecclesiastical History and Doctrine at Bristol University in England, described him as "the outstanding religious figure in Britain in the twentieth century." All are welcome to join in at any time. The Rev. Alan B. MacKillop is the moderator. The group meets at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall.
Foyer Groups
We all know the foyer in a home as a place of welcome. Foyer Groups are made up of six to eight people who meet in each other's homes once a month for a SIMPLE meal and relaxed conversation. Foyer Groups are a means of developing Christian community. They enable us to make new friends of those who may have been just names or faces in the congregation and to deepen relationships with those we have known for years.
At St. Andrew's, we generally have two Foyer Group cycles each year--one in the fall, another in the spring. The Parish Life Commission will provide signup sheets in the Peabody Room, make up the groups, and advise the first hosts to contact the other group members to invite them to the first meal. The group will then work out its own schedule for the balance of the cycle.
"In A Manger"
Join us on Saturday, December 8, 2007 for "In A Manger", our 5th annual exhibition of Nativity Sets from around the world. This year, there will be over 150 Nativities--some are family heirlooms, many are folk art Nativity sets collected by parishioners and local residents, others are loaned by the parishioners of St. John's Episcopal Church in Lowell. Included will be a wide variety of tabletop and miniature Nativities, and a Christmas tree decorated with Nativity ornaments. All Nativities are welcome, as well as ornaments, quilts, wall hangings, and advent calendars. If you have a Nativity scene that you would like to lend to the exhibit, or are willing to ask friends and family to lend their Nativities, please let us know. For more information, contact the Parish office 978-772-2615.
St. Andrew's Share-A-Ride Program
Need a ride to Sunday services or some other St. Andrew's event?
Bad weather making you nervous? Car in the shop? Given up driving? No problem!
We can help with weekly or one-time transportation. Membership Commission member Judy Adams has organized a St. Andrew's Share-A-Ride Program. Please speak with her at coffee hour after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sundays or leave a message for her at the Parish office (978-772-2615). She will match you up with a St. Andrew's volunteer driver in your neighborhood.
If you are willing to be a volunteer driver, please contact Judy Adams.
St. Andrew's Weavers
St. Andrew's Weavers meet every Thursday from 12:20- 2:20 pm to learn about this wonderful fiber art, and plan to donate some of their work to the parish Holiday Fair this November. Lynn Ferrillo the teacher writes: "There is one more loom available, if you'd like to join us. The more the merrier!" Experienced weavers are welcome, but no previous experience is necessary. Learn all the steps in weaving, from warping the loom, to watching the fabric grow before your eyes as you weave, to "finishing" the fabric after it is removed from the loom. All the equipment is provided. You pay just $5 per day, and purchase the yarn you use. For more information, contact the Parish office 978-772-2615.
More information about other programs at St. Andrew's coming soon.