Greetings!

Scam email Warning

I would like to repeat the information we sent out in an earlier this week about scam emails sent to parishioners sent in my name and how to respond.

The scam typically begins with a simple email such as "Are you there?" or another friendly message. In the most recent case the email was entitled "CONFIDENTIAL MATTER". Once a conversation begins, the sender claims to be working on a church ministry or charitable project and eventually asks the recipient to purchase gift cards or send money, promising reimbursement later. The email will often say that Adrian is in a meeting and so you cannot speak with him at that moment - this is a lie.

Please know:

• Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole, Oliver Simpson, or anyone else at St. Andrew's will never ask you by email or text to purchase gift cards, MoneyPak cards, Paysafe cards, or any similar financial products.
• We will never ask you to send gift card numbers, PINs, or other financial information by email or text.
• If you receive any message that seems unusual, unexpected, or requests money or gift cards, do not reply.

If you receive a suspicious message:

• Do not purchase gift cards or send money.
• Do not reply to the sender.
• Forward the email to Oliver Simpson at Oliver@standrewswellesley.org.
• If you are unsure whether a request is legitimate, call the church office or contact Adrian directly using a phone number you already know before taking any action or his church email address.

Unfortunately, scams targeting churches and clergy have become increasingly common. These criminals rely on trust and urgency to persuade people to act quickly without verifying the request.

We appreciate your vigilance and your help in protecting our parish community. Please consider sharing this information with family members or others who may not regularly see church communications.

Yours in Christ, Adrian

Links for the 10am Sunday service AND Morning Prayer

• The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Sundays at 8am, 10am (also online), and 5pm. Morning Prayer and the 5pm services are on their regular schedules. (Use the link above to our YouTube channel.)

• Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 4pm (the doors are locked, please ring the intercom) and Friday, 9am to noon (church access by appointment) unless otherwise announced. Tuesday at noon is the deadline for all materials for the bulletin, the e-Pistle, or any email for the following Sunday. 

• 12-Step Programs  Men’s AA, Wednesdays at 7pm; Women’s AA, Thursdays at 7pm; Emotions Anonymous, Saturdays at 9:30am; Sober Sisters AA, Saturdays at 10:30am.

Regular meetings and gatherings, unless otherwise announced

Sundays • 9am adult Christian learning • 9:45am Kids’ Place • 9:45am church school • 11am coffee hour • 4:00pm Confirmation • 5:30pm Rite-13 • 5:30pm youth group

Thursdays • 12pm beginner’s Bible study • 5pm St. Andrew's Choristers • 7:30pm St. Andrew's Choir

First and third Saturdays at 8am • men’s Bible study

Second Tuesdays at 11am and second Wednesdays at 7pm • Open Bible Study 

To Contact Staff

Visit our website here, or sign into your Realm account here.

St. Francis and the Sultan

In 1219, St. Francis and Brother Illuminato accompanied the armies of western Europe to Damietta, Egypt, during the Fifth Crusade. His desire was to speak peacefully with Muslim people about Christianity, even if it meant dying as a martyr. He tried to stop the Crusaders from attacking the Muslims at the Battle of Damietta but failed. After the defeat of the western armies, he crossed the battle line with Brother Illuminato, was arrested and beaten by Arab soldiers, and eventually was taken to the sultan, Malek al-Kamil.

Al-Kamil was known as a kind, generous, fair ruler. He was nephew to the great Salah al-Din. At Damietta alone he offered peace to the Crusaders five times, and, according to western accounts, treated defeated Crusaders humanely. His goal was to establish a peaceful coexistence with Christians.

After an initial attempt by Francis and the sultan to convert the other, both quickly realized that the other already knew and loved God. Francis and Illuminato remained with al-Kamil and his Sufi teacher Fakhr ad-din al-Farisi for as many as twenty days, discussing prayer and the mystical life. When Francis left, al-Kamil gave him an ivory trumpet, which is still preserved in the crypt of the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.

The flames behind Francis and the sultan have a dual symbolism. In Islamic art, holy persons are shown with balls of flame behind their heads. The second purpose of these flames is to disarm a later medieval legend in which Francis challenged the Sufis to step into a raging fire to prove whose faith was correct. In this icon, the flames represent love. The text at the bottom of the icon is from the beginning of the Koran: ”Praise to God, Lord of the worlds!”

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
—St. Francis of Assisi

Notices and Announcements

Deadline for materials to add to this notices section is noon on Tuesdays for both the bulletin and the e-Pistle.

9am Christian Learning

Join us on Sunday, October 18 when Pam Alexander leads a class on Repentance & Repair. On Sunday, October 25, David Guyden teaches a class on Considering the Psalms. These classes are part of a 4-part series Formed by Practice & Holy Words. Everyone is welcome. Come once, once a month, or once a week. We meet in the parish hall or on Zoom.

—Margaret Schwarzer

Faith and Current Affairs Forum

You are welcome to come to Room 2, on Sunday, October 18, at 11:30am, for a parishioner-led discussion group, Christian Faith and Current Events. This, the first of four planned sessions, will be led by Paul Criswell and will explore Faith, Democracy, and Good Government—What Does Our Faith Tell Us to Do? This will not be a political debate, but rather a chance to learn, discuss, and explore how our Christian faith and the doctrines of The Episcopal Church guide our attitudes and actions regarding public affairs. There will be some brief reading available, including official releases from The Episcopal Church, short articles, and discussion points. This is intended as a chance to discuss our faith and beliefs in an open and respectful forum. If you are interested, please contact Paul Criswell.

Oktoberfest!

Who needs to travel to Munich for Oktoberfest when St. Andrew’s is hosting its own? Join us on Saturday, October 24, from 6pm to 8pm in the parish hall for an evening of adult fellowship featuring live Bavarian brass music by The Oompa Meisters, a stein-hoisting contest, and other festive games. Enjoy drinks and hearty hors d’oeuvres while celebrating with friends old and new! Festive Oktoberfest attire is encouraged, but not required. Guests are welcome. Adults $20, Seniors $10. Sign up on Realm by Wednesday, October 21. —Sarah Harris

Soul Sisters

Please join us for dinner and a book discussion on Joyful, Anyway by Kate Bowler. On this occasion we will have two meetings: October 20, 10am to 11:30am in the Harvey Room or 6pm to 7:30pm that same evening in the parish hall. Questions to Heather Schaefer or Sarah Robbins-Cole.

Feeding Ministry

Feeding others is often the heart of Christian ministry and the St. Andrew's Feeding Ministry brings parishioners to our kitchen to cook a healthy, hot, nutritious meal. Join us for a sociable and fulfilling effort! Our next few dates are: Oct 20, Nov 17, Nov 24 and Dec 16, from 11am to 1pm each time. No special skills required, just your enthusiasm! The meals are delivered to St. Stephen's Youth Programs. Click the link to Realm to register.

—Cam McCormick

Invitation to Village Churchwomen’s Luncheon and Program

On Tuesday, October 20, at noon, please join the Village Churchwomen of Wellesley Village Church for their fall program with lunch served at noon followed by a special event presented by Ted Reinstein of the nightly TV news magazine, Chronicle. Ted will be sharing excerpts from his book, Travels Through the Heart and Soul of New England, with stories of the many memorable people he met along the way: “People whose struggles, toughness, triumphs, and humor define the very essence of New England…” For more

information, please email Sarah Harris.

All Hallows’ Eve, Sunday, November 1

Please come to an intergenerational celebration for All Hallows’ on Sunday,

November 1, at 5pm in the church for a short service followed by dinner in the parish hall. Costumes are welcome!

Wellesley Turkey Trot

Come join St. Andrew’s Team! You are invited to be a part of our St. Andrew’s Turkey Trot team this year. Last year, 70 of us between the ages of 5-80 ran; let’s do it again!

Please go to the Wellesley Turkey Trot website. When it asks you if you want to join a team, click “yes” and then find us —“St. Andrew’s” in the list of teams running. (This is a popular race, and it sells out in October every year; we encourage you to sign up soon.) Click here to sign up. 
—Margaret Schwarzer

Water Table at the Turkey Trot Race

The Dubé family has been staffing our Turkey Trot water table for the past five years, but they can’t do it this year. Is there a volunteer or volunteer family to: set up a St. Andrew’s folding table, get big plastic water urns from the church, fill them, and hand out a few hundred little paper cups full of water at the one mile mark (across the street from our parking lot.)? Homemade signs ready to hang up on the table, too. Please reach out to Margaret Schwarzer. 

Fall Book

Witness to Belief, edited by Russell J. Levenson, Jr. is our summer/fall book! This book interviews 12 famous actors, scientists, musicians, and politicians about their faith in God and the religious lives they lead. Prepare to be inspired. Jane Goodall, Sam Waterston, Amy Grant, Admiral William H. McRaven and others share how faith carries them though their demanding days. Margaret can help you order it at a discount through Wellesley Books. Email her if you want a copy. Cost: $24 (Save $5 by ordering with us.)

—Margaret Schwarzer

A note from the Financial Administrator’s Office

As we head into the fourth quarter, please take note of the following:

• Memo lines When paying by check, please write your intention on the memo line. If prepaying your pledge, 2027 Pledge should appear on the memo line. Funds received in 2026 will be credited on your 2026 annual donation statement regardless of the intended year.
• Online Pledging To make your pledge online, go to Realm and under Giving select the + Pledge button. Select 2027 Pledge/Gift and enter the annual amount. The default is set for “as can” instead of “set a schedule” so you should enter the full amount of your pledge. You can also select the + Give button to set up or adjust a giving schedule directly from your bank (preferred) or credit card.
• Stock Donations If you are donating stock, please send me an email to let me know if the name, number of shares and where the proceeds should be applied.

Please reach out with any questions and thank you for your continued support of St. Andrew’s! —Joanne Butler

Children and Youth

Kids’ Place Childcare

Kids’ Place is for children three and under, or any older child who would prefer to be in nursery care rather than church school and is open from 9:45 to 11:45am. 

Church School

• Godly Play I  Pre-k to first grade meet in the children’s chapel.
• Godly Play II  Grades two and three meet in Room 201.
• Upper School/Way of Love  Grades four and five meet in Room 204.

Confirmation Class

This year’s confirmands are invited to join the youth group for apple picking right after the Sunday service. We will return to church at 1:30pm.

Rite-13

Rite-13, for sixth and seventh graders, is on Sunday, September 27. Meet in the parish hall at 5:30pm for dinner and then will go to Room 201 for their program. Rite-13 ends at 7pm.

Youth Group

On Sunday, October 18 Meet in the Harvey Room for lunch followed by apple picking. We will return to church at 1:30pm.

Calling all church school families!

Please register for church school/youth programs by following this link.

St. Andrew’s Choristers

We are seeking an adult volunteer to attend Chorister rehearsals on Thursdays from 5pm-6pm. Safe Church guidelines require two adults to be present with children. No musical participation is required—just your presence. If you can help, please contact Andrew Sheranian or Sarah Robbins-Cole.

Prayers

Parish Prayer List

Cynthia Scott, Patricia, Asher Griffin, Gertrude Hughes, Cam Czubek, 
Barbara Henderson, Leslie Holmes, C.J., Landis Greathouse, Shelby Pierce, 
Pat MacKinnon, Stephen, Marina, John Cigan, Michael Vanin, Tomoko, 
Ralph Mercer, Donald, Katherine, Wayne, Bar-ry, Trip, Joan W., Susan Link, 
John Wright, Rosie, Kiki H., Betsy C., Annie, Lianne Young, 
Pat Gillooly, Olivia Guagliano, Beverley Moran, Nancy, Pat, and Laurin Baldwin.

Social Media

To stay up to date with St. Andrew's virtual content, make sure to like and follow St. Andrew's on the social media platforms you use.

• Follow our parish instagram, @staswellesley, for photos of our parish life throughout the week.
• Subscribing to our YouTube Channel will let you know when new service videos are posted.
• Following our Facebook page and turning on notifications will help you know when we are live.