A Message to the Parish by Fr. Martin Yabroff - St. Andrews Episcopal Church Tacoma
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A Message to the Parish
February 2019 by Fr. Martin Yabroff
Dear Friends,
At our Annual Meeting on January 27, as the people of
St. Andrew’s have been doing over the 128 years of this congregation, we
celebrated what God is doing in our midst. Our focus and faith is not
about what we are doing but rather concerns God’s presence and purpose
through us and with us now. This was underscored in our lessons for
our meeting Sunday: Nehemiah 8:1-10 – as the people gathered for the
reading of the Scriptures, they worshipped and wept and feasted, because
“the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 1 Cor.12:12-31 – our bodies and
this Church both have many members, and all are needed, with all our
diversity of abilities and perspectives and spiritual experiences. Luke
4:14-21 – Jesus proclaiming God’s mission for him (and for us as his
followers) to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery
of sight to the blind, freedom for those oppressed, to proclaim God’s favor
now.
Let us thank God for inspiring and empowering our dedicated
parish staff: Linda Brice, Naomi Shiga, Sunshine DeGennaro, Matthew
Moravec, Beth Rich, Milly Hickman, and Meghan Mullarkey who is now
serving at St. Columba’s, Kent.
Let us offer thanks for God’s working through all the faithful
The Tartan
leaders and servants in our many ministries. And thanks to God for
Fr. Ed, now an honorary Canon of the diocese and an inspiration to us
all.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
St. Andrew’s is a stable and fairly healthy congregation, whose
Average Sunday Attendance rose slightly between 2017 and 2018. We
are welcoming some new households with an increasing number of young
children and ‘younger adults’. As we begin 2019, we are in a time of
transition nevertheless. Our Curate for the past 1½ years has left to
serve in another congregation, and our Youth Director, Sunshine
DeGennaro, has announced her retirement. (Her letter is in this issue.)
This can be an exciting time as we learn from God and one another how
we shall move ahead together in these new times for our world and for
the Church.
One key area for our seeking God’s guidance and to learn and
minister in new and creative ways is in ministry with children, youth,
families and younger adults. At our Annual Meeting, we had good
discussions of our vision here. (Notes are posted in the Ada Webb Room.)
We will follow up this discussion with a meeting on Sunday, February 24
about 11:30 am with families and all who are interested.
Continued on next page
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Rector article continued
That meeting will be facilitated by our diocesan Canon for Children & Family Ministries,
Valerie Reinke. I also hope many will participate in the Better Together conference on
March 2. These are new times, and we seek new ways to participate in what God is
stirring here and through St. Andrew’s.
A second area for our seeking God’s guidance is our kitchen renovation – how are
we called to serve our parish and community through our kitchen, and what
improvements shall we make to it?
At our Annual Meeting, we also elected Carol Baarsma, Victoria Dodson, Tom Egnew
and Judy Nelson to our Vestry. Kristina Younger and Jeffrey Boyce were elected
Alternates to Diocesan Convention. Margo Fleshman was elected to the Endowment/
Planned Giving Committee. And Treasurer Bill Brice reviewed the 2018 Financial Reports
and 2019 Parish Budget.
Let us thank God and one another for the privilege of serving here together. I am
thankful and humbled to be priest and pastor among you all.
A Letter from our Youth Director
My St. Andrew’s Family,
After much prayer, thought and discussion, I have made the decision that the time
has come to retire as the Youth Director here at St. Andrew’s.
I sincerely appreciate the support provided to me directly as the youth director and
the ongoing support for all youth here. It has been my joy, honor and privilege to have
served in this position for the last 15 years.
St. Andrew’s is a spiritually strong, open and inclusive community. I believe that we
can look both inside and outside the box to see where we, as a community, go from here. I
don’t know how it will look as a program but I do know that if we look to God for guidance
that this guidance will shape what we need.
Of course, I will support as best I can as I have no plans to leave St. Andrew’s. My
resignation date will be on February 28, 2019.
Sincerely,
Sunshine DeGennaro
Note: St. Andrew’s will have a special reception and celebration of Sunshine’s ministry with
our youth on Sunday, March 3 following our 10 am service.
ALL ARE INVITED to a parish Meeting on Sunday, February 24 at 11:30am to
discuss children, youth and family ministries at St Andrew’s. Our diocesan Canons (staff)
for Youth Ministry and for Family Ministry will be with us to facilitate.
TH E TA R TA N
3
Mark your calendars for our next Organ concert at St. Andrew’s
Sunday, February 17 at 3pm featuring Dana Robinson and Paul Tegels.
The program will include two 4-hand arrangements of Mozart compositions: an
arrangement of a string quartet, and an arrangement of a divertimento for winds. Very
different in style and complexity, the string quartet is in the form of Adagio and Fugue,
and is very chromatic and intricate
The other part of the program are some of Yuko Hayashi's favorites. Yuko was our
teacher at the New England Conservatory in the 1980's. The selections include the Bach
chorale "Schmücke dich", the Bach organ arrangement of a Vivaldi concerto for two
violins and orchestra (in a minor), selections from the Second Suite of the French Ba-
roque composer Clérambault, and the 4th Triosonata by Bach.
More about our guest organists:
Dana Robinson, a native of Boston, has performed on some of the most significant
modern and historic organs in the United States, Professor Robinson is presently
organist of Grace Lutheran Church in Champaign, Illinois. His performances are
frequently featured on the nationally syndicated radio program, Pipedreams
Paul Tegels, a native of the Netherlands, is Associate Professor of Music, and serves as
University Organist at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA.
February Adult Education: Black History Month
We will be discussing the new movie Green Book and the reality of white privilege. Please
see the movie on your own (invite friends to both the movie and our discussion series.)
On Monday, February 11: we meet to discuss the movie.
Monday, February 18: Discussion of white privilege, led by Sandy Dick
Monday, February 25: Follow-up discussion of white privilege.
We will meet from 7 to 8pm in the Ada Webb Room. This series is presented by Sandy
Dick, Annika Jeffers and Reberta Skinner.
Associated Ministries – Interfaith Women’s Conference
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Curtis Jr. High School, University Place
2019 Theme – “Seeking Peace: Our Journey”
For more information: https://associatedministries.org/iwc
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St. Andrew’s Scholarship Opportunities—by Judy Nelson
The Outreach Committee is pleased once again to offer educational scholarships.
Scholarships may range in amount from $100 to $1,000, and are awarded annually. Any
currently enrolled or potential student is eligible to apply. Classes may be for high school,
college, vocational school, continuing education, re-training or additional degrees.
Priority will be given to the St. Andrew’s community. Application packets are available
online and in the church office. Each application must be completed according to the
instructions contained inside the packets or they will be disqualified.
Please note: Incomplete packets, or packets received after the deadline will NOT be
considered for funding. All information provided to the committee will be held in strictest
confidence and will not be released without specific written permission from the applicant.
Successful applicants will be notified in May, 2018 and dispersed in June, 2018 for
educational programs taking place between June, 2018 and May, 2019.
Questions? Please email Judy Nelson at scholarships@saintandrewstacoma.org
Heart Month—Cyndi Wolfer, RN, MSN; Parish Nurse
The month of February is associated with hearts not only due to Valentine’s Day but
also related to the American Heart Association’s National Heart Month. The first Friday
of the month has been designated as National Wear Red Day to raise awareness about
heart disease. This year it is Friday February 1. Heart disease is the leading cause of
death for men and women in this country. Often heart disease has no symptoms until
the heart has been damaged. Here are some ways to help you keep your heart healthy.
Heart Healthy Tips:
Know your numbers: your cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure,
If you don’t know what these numbers are get a check up to check these
numbers
Eat healthy: make a goal to try a new fruit or vegetable this month. Minimize
your use of salt by choosing or preparing foods with little or no sat
Get moving: During your lunch break take a walk, walk up the stairs more in-
stead of taking the elevator or park farther away from the store so you need
to walk a short distance.
Stop smoking: It is hard to quit so it is best to get help with this.
On Sunday February 10, I will be available between services to check your blood
pressure. Please stop by to find out what your blood pressure is. Happy Heart
Month!
5
Scholarship Appeal—by Judy Nelson, Scholarship Committee Chair
St Andrew’s has a long history of designating 10% of our income to community
outreach. Thank you for your contributions to our church making this possible.
Several years ago, in response to a growing awareness of a need within our parish
community, the St. Andrew’s Scholarship was established. The Community Outreach
Committee recognized the value of higher education to our families and community along
with its escalating costs. A portion of the overall 10% outreach allocation was designated
to support this focus.
Scholarships have been awarded to youth and adults who are directly or indirectly
part of the St. Andrew’s family. In the past, the average award has amounted to about
$500 and has been given to 6 to 10 applicants annually. This amount covered the aver-
age cost of books for a student. However, according to The National Association of College
Stores, and the College Board the current average has increased to about $655 and, de-
pending on the area of study, may be considerably higher. For the first time, the Com-
munity Outreach Committee decided to reach out to our St. Andrew’s community to ask
for contributions specifically for scholarships.
Our scholarships do make a difference. Recently Hayley Adams wrote;
“The St. Andrews scholarship I received for my college education financially supported my
educational goals. With a lesser financial burden I was able to give my full focus on my
educational goals, leading me to a degree in Public Relations and Business. St. Andrew’s is
a family that supports their own to meet their goals or help overcome challenges."
Throughout the month of February, we are asking you to make a donation to these
scholarships. Please make out your check to St. Andrew’s, and be sure to designate it for
scholarships. We know you have many demands on your pocket book and want to thank
you for considering supporting this outreach effort. Together we continue to support and
grow our community through education. Thank you.
6
Days For Girls & Daughters of the King—by Linda Rines
On Sunday, February 17, after the 11am coffee hour, our Daughters of the King chapter is
sponsoring a Days For Girls Workshop in the downstairs parish hall.
Several of our parishioners participate in the Tacoma Chapter of Days For Girls which is
an international non-profit that prepares and distributes sustainable menstrual health so-
lutions to girls who would otherwise miss school during their monthly periods. This
movement has reached more than one million girls around the world. To learn more,
please visit: DaysForGirls.org.
At our Workshop from 11:30am to 2pm, you will be able to learn more about Days For
Girls and help us prepare the kits that will be distributed either internationally or to local
homeless girls and women. Help with many different tasks is needed, not just sewing. It
is OK to drop by during the workshop or stay and help for the whole time. All help will be
GREATLY appreciated!
The Order of the Daughters of the King is an organization of women empowered by the
Holy Spirit to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to reflect God’s love
throughout the world. We are an extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service
and evangelism. To learn more, please visit: Daughters of the King
Troubled Waters or River of Life:
Christian Worship and Care for the
Earth’s Waters
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 I 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. I Christ Episcopal Church
Registration: $30 by Feb. 11 (includes lunch) Scholarships available. .
The deep bays of the Puget Sound, the rain that greens the land, many rivers,
creeks and aquifers that flow into our homes and churches: we know well our local
waters. We also know that continued pollution, climate change, threatened species,
and water privatization spell trouble for the flowing of this free gift from the Creator.
In this conference, we explore water – the one thing upon which all life depends
– and Christian commitments to care for our local waters in western Washington: an
ethic of care flowing from Christian worship. Join us as we consider the ways in which
worship, learning and advocacy invite congregations to give thanks to God for this pri-
mal gift and promote environmental justice.
For more information:
https://www.plu.edu/congregations/troubled-waters-or-river-of-life7
Better Together: A Faith Formation
Mini-Conference
St. Margaret, Bellevue | March 2, 9:30am-4:00pm | $15 Registration
(includes continental breakfast and lunch); $10 per Child (on-site care and
child’s lunch)
Church staff, clergy, music directors & volunteers are invited to this day-long event
designed to provide faith formation resources, inspiration, and opportunities for
collaboration.
We’ll start the day with our keynote speaker, the witty and wise Bev Gaines, a
spiritual director and life coach with two decades’ experience working in Episcopal and
other church settings. Next choose your own adventure with workshops in four different
faith formation tracks: Children & Families, Youth, Adults, and Music & Arts.
Better Together is co-sponsored by the Diocesan Children’s Commission and the
Commission on Liturgy & The Arts.
Please sign up with Fr. Martin to car-pool. Scholarships are available. We hope that St.
Andrew’s can have a good number of participants for this timely conference. For more
information: https://ecww.org/diocesan-ministries/faith-formation/bettertogether/8
Living Well, Dying Well: Planning the
Last Chapter of Your Life
Saturday, February 23, 2019
St Andrew’s Episcopal Church – Seattle
9:00 am - 2:30 pm Registration fee: $20.00
Check in at 9:00 am, program starts at 9:30 am. Registration deadline: Feb. 18, 2019
How will you and your loved ones make decisions that respect your autonomy and en-
hance your human dignity in the last chapter of your life?
Bishop Rickel, Dean Steve Thomason, health professionals, attorneys and clergy from
our area will share stories and provide medical, legal and spiritual tools and guidance.
Workshop includes lunch and many resources. Bishop Rickel will lead a reflection after
showing the film “Speaking of Dying.” Everyone who attends will receive the Life Planning
Manual, a very good tool developed by our diocese. Join us!9
Daughters of the King—St. Elizabeth Chapter at St. Andrew’s, Tacoma
The Daughters’ of the King welcomed a new member at the Sunday service Jan. 20.
Victoria Sager was presented as a candidate for membership by Pam Tinsley.
Father Martin led the service of admission and the congregation pledged their support.
The members that were present rededicated their membership and their commitment to
lead godly lives and to labor faithfully for God’s Kingdom.
The Daughters have created a supply of Prayer Blankets for those who may need a
bit of encouragement and warmth in their lives. If you know of someone that you would
like to give a blanket to, or if you yourself would like one, let the office know. They are a
bit larger than lap size.
Farewell to our Curate Meghan Mullarkey, Luke and Cascade10
February 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
7am SA
7pm Choir
3 8/10 Holy Eucharist 4 5 6 Noon Eucharist 7 8 9
1pm Bible Study 10:30am AA
11:15aam Youth 10am-4pm Weaver’s 7am SA
Group 6pm AA Business Guild
Meeting
7pm Glory and Praise
7:30pm Men’s 7:45pm AA Choir
Al-Anon
10 8/10 Holy 11 12 13 Noon Eucharist 14 15 16
Eucharist 10:30am AA 7am SA
1pm Bible Study 1pm Finance
8:45-9:45am
Parish Nurse on Duty
7pm Black History
2-4pm Diocesan Youth
discussion
Event
7:30pm Men’s 7:45pm AA 7pm Choir
Al-Anon
17 18 19 20Noon Eucharist 21 22 23
8/10 Holy Eucharist 1pm Bible Study 10:30am AA 7am SA
11:15am Youth Group
12-2pm Days for Girls
7pm Black History
7pm Vestry
3pm Organ Concert discussion
7:45pm AA
7:30pm Men’s 7pm Choir
Al-Anon
24 8/10 Holy 25 26 27Noon Eucharist 28
Eucharist 1pm Bible Study 10:30am AA
11:30am Parish meet- 7pm Black History 5-7pm
ing on youth family discussion Jackson St. Food Bank
and ministries 5-7:15pm Youth Group
7:30pm 7:45pm AA 7pm Choir
Men’s Al-Anon11
February Birthdays February Anniversaries
2 Charlie McDaniel 2-6-1988 Michael & Diann Rainer
Carola von Wrangel 2-6-1999 Tim & Stephanie Gallagher
3 Michelle Beckham
6 Nolan Roberts
Derek Strausbaugh
13 Kenneth Dick
14 Rena Girard
Fran Hurlow
Don White
17 Bill Howe
Becky Ezell
23 Kristen Kochanski
27 Mary Lowenberg
28 Peggy Nelson
29 Marcos Glass
Vestry Viewpoint—by Don Ramage
On Sunday, January 27th, we held our annual parish meeting. For this month’s vestry
article, I would like to simply remind you of our table discussion topic. I find that I often have a
recollection of a moving sermon a week or two back, but can’t quite remember exactly what it was
about, or remember a fine feeling of strength and solidarity in a meeting, but can no longer
remember the agenda thereof. I hope that you came away with a sense of fellowship from our
parish meeting, but also that throughout this year, you will keep in mind and even feel moved to
act upon our discussion questions:
What is our vision for children, youth, and families at St. Andrew’s?
What is God doing and calling us to do and be regarding children, youth and families?
In our table discussions, we noted our gratitude on fifteen years of fine and dedicated ser-
vice from our youth leader, Sunshine DeGennaro. Since Sunshine will soon retire from her posi-
tion, we discussed ways to continue supporting the youth to do all the fine things they have been
doing, as well as find future directions for our youth group. One point made was that we need to
get input from our youth. Another point, which emerged from several tables was that all
generations of parishioners can interact with the youth, whether helping with the youth group, or
through intergenerational activities.
This discussion topic led me to think back on my own youth, and on the people in my
church who shaped and supported me. These brothers and sisters—as we called each other—had
a more powerful effect on my life than anyone from school or other places outside of the church.
There were numerous camping trips, full of fun and adventure for our church scout troop. I didn’t
realize then that our adult leaders might not have been as eager for the fun outing as we were,
and I now appreciate their efforts all the more. I think back on our organist who gave me lessons
in music, as well as confidence, our youth choir director who drove three hours each way through
a Wyoming blizzard to make sure I could hear a performance of Handel’s Messiah in Salt Lake
City, and on what I appreciated most at the time—adults who would spend time to talk and listen
to me.
All of us have similar memories of people who touched our youthful lives in meaningful
ways. Recalling these memories might be a source of inspiration for our present moment at St.
Andrew’s and ways great and small, or even small, but great, that we can support the wonderful
youth in our parish.12
Non-Profit Org.
* St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church U.S. Postage *
7410 South 12th Street PAID
Tacoma, WA 98465
Tacoma, WA
Permit No. 512
ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED
*
The Mission of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is
to know Christ and to make Christ known.
St. Andrew’s
Phone: 253-564-4402
Email: saintandrews@net-venture.com
Rector: Fr. Martin Yabroff — Email: yabroff@net-venture.com
Vestry Members
Clergy
Carol Baarsma
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gregory Rickel, Bishop
Victoria Dodson The Rev. Martin Yabroff, Rector
Tom Egnew The Rev. Canon Edward A. Sterling, Associate
Liz Herriges, Senior Warden
Judy Nelson Staff
Don Ramage Linda Brice, Parish Secretary
Ken Rhodes Naomi Shiga, Organist & Choir Director
Sunshine DeGennaro, Youth Pastor
Jessica Richards
Matthew Moravec, Sunday School
Kristina Younger Administrator
Tartan Editor
Finance Ministry
Linda Brice
Bill Brice, Treasurer
Beth Rich, BookkeeperYou can also read
