A letter from Fr. David

Dear St. Andrew's Community,

As the search process for a new rector enters its final phase, you and I have been anticipating the ending of the interim period and saying farewell to each other.  The time has come for me to move on to the next phase of life and focus on some of the energizing tasks and challenges awaiting me.

I have given notice to the vestry that I am resigning as Rector in the Interim effective Sunday, October 2^nd.  With two weeks vacation remaining, my last Sunday with you will be September 18^th.  We knew this day would come when we began our journey together in October of 2014, but that does not make the farewells any easier.

You have been a consistent source of joy to me in our service together.  The vestry and staff and team leaders and volunteers have served together with love, energy, and commitment.  Together you have brought St. Andrew's to the beginning of a new era, one filled with inestimable possibilities.  As you join with God in God's mission of gathering all people to the experience of divine love, and do so free of concerns about institutional well being, you will be amazed at the ways in which St. Andrew's will flourish.

You--your faces, your stories, your loving embraces and encouraging words--will live on in my heart from now on. Please know that you will be held in my prayers. 

I feel excited for you.  Your new rector will be most fortunate!

God's peace,

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Music by the Bay

St. Andrew's own Jim and Bunny Neff hosted a wonderful evening of music, food, cool breezes and good friends at Fort Monroe recently. The US Air Force Heritage Brass played patriotic tunes and old favorites. It was a great evening!

Meet Elizabeth, Interim Minister of Youth & Children

By Elizabeth Koerner, Interim Minister of Youth & Children

I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve St. Andrew’s in my new role as Interim Minister of Youth and Children.  When Fr. David asked me to consider this invitation, I was surprised and uncertain about whether to accept the offer.  I spent some time in prayer and reflection and have come to believe the Holy Spirit has placed a challenge in my spiritual path in order for me to stretch myself in my service to God.  So, here I go, with God’s help and the support of my parish community!

Fortunately, I have had an excellent teacher and mentor in Harper.  I worked closely with her in planning and facilitating EYC for the last two years, meeting with her for several hours at least once a week.  I was also able to attend nearly every meeting and youth event, especially during the 2015-16 year.  Harper also left me with a wealth of resources for planning.  And, I will be working with our new Interim Minister of Christian Formation, the Rev. Jen Kimball, who has tremendous experience with young people.

My goal for this interim period is to continue Harper’s work.  I am not looking to make any major changes in any of the programs, but rather to continue the programs she created.  Our EYC will still meet on Sunday evenings and our youth will still to able to attend weekends at Chanco.  We will continue to offer Tweens and Children’s Chapel.  As Harper envisioned, we continue to “Plant Seeds, Make Change.”

Taking the Lord's Prayer Challenge

This summer, the St. Andrew's community was invited to participate in the Lord’s Prayer Challenge. Parishioners of all ages prayed the Lord's Prayer wherever they were - at the beach, on vacation, at the pool - and posting videos and photos of it on Facebook. You can learn more about the challenge on our website here.

On Sunday, September 11, we will celebrate and give awards for the youngest participant, the oldest participant, the most enthusiastic, etc. You can check out all of the videos on our YouTube channel.

St. Andrew's volunteers join with Hilton Presbyterian to read to children

On July 28 a group of volunteers from St. Andrew's had the wonderful experience of reading to children at Marshall Early Learning Center as a part of the SPARK program (Summer Program for Arts, Recreation and Knowledge).  The theme this year was Read Around the World.  The children were absolutely delightful and we hope to participate, maybe even more extensively, again next year! Our volunteers were Margaret Bivens, Barbara Daniels, Merrill Hemmert, Rachel Roby, Diana Skelton and Danny Switzer.