St. Andrew’s Update–November 20, 2024

Narthex Renovation

You may have noticed when you came to worship this past Sunday that something was different. The Narthex (the vestibule leading into the sanctuary) had been cleared of some items. The old bulletin board and the two chairs had been replaced by a pew. This is the second step in a renovation of that space alongside the entryway into Morgan Hall. This renovation has been planned out over a two year period. It involved a survey of committee needs, several variations on a design plan, an unexpected surprise (termites!), and two approvals—one by the Endowment committee and the other by Session. Decisions take a while in the Presbyterian church, but they do happen, eventually.

As I mentioned above, the removal of the furniture was the second step in the process. Here are the four steps in the renovations:

1. Termite treatment and gutter/roof repair

   1. The Narthex and portions of the sanctuary sustained water damage as a result of issues with the gutters, which led to a termite infestation. The termites were removed and the water damage as well as the gutters have been repaired.

2. Removal of bulletin boards and furniture in the Narthex and removal of the literature rack in the Entryway of Morgan Hall

   1. This clearing out of the Narthex is in preparation for repairing the termite damage and painting the interior. The removal of the literature rack in the Entryway of Morgan Hall is to make way for new literature holders, the installation of a digital kiosk, and a bulletin board in that area, creating an information center near the library.

3. Painting and repairing the interior of the Narthex

   1. Damaged drywall will be repaired, the floor cleaned, the walls and door frames will be painted and the entry doors will be sanded and restrained.

4. Installation of artwork in Narthex

   1. This will be the final step. Once the repairs and cleaning has been completed, new artwork will be installed in the Narthex. The artwork will reflect the seasons of the church year (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Easter, etc.)

The renovations are being paid for by funds from the 1997 Endowment Fund. This fund was designated by members of the church over 27 years ago to be used solely for special projects just like this one. As I said in the opening, these renovations are the results of a lot of hard work by the committees of this church, particularly the Worship Committee. I am very excited to see the process unfold over the next few weeks and I hope you are too.

Blessings,

Pastor Jen

Naegle Scholarship Application Open

We are pleased to announce that eligible members of St Andrew’s may apply to the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation for financial assistance. The scholarships are provided by the grace and generousity of the Naegle family. The application can be found HERE and closes February 16, 2025.

Adult Education

Will be held this Sunday after morning worship and fellowship. Rev. Jen Fraser will be leading a talk entitled “Evolution as a Child of God.” She will present how a view of religion from an evolutionary time frame affects our sense of mission and injects hope and joy into our faith lives here and now. This single session is a follow up of her earlier presentation on “God After Einstein.” Please join us in the Window Room at eleven.

December 8, 2pm

Presbyterian Women’s Tea

Please join this festive gathering of women! This much-anticipated holiday tradition is a wonderful way to welcome the Christmas season. There will be delicious food, hot tea, lively conversation, old friends, new friends, and jolly music. There will be a special collection for the PW Thank Offering. 100% of this money goes directly to mission, serving people in the United States and around the world.

In the Entryway to the Fellowship Hall

Pick Up Your Free Copy

Strengthen your faith with These Days, an inspiring and uplifting daily devotional! Each issue of These Days features:

– Scripture suggestions
– Thought-provoking daily reflections written by clergy and lay leaders
– Inspiring prayers
– Adult coloring pages
– Colorful artwork on the outside covers with poems, prayers, and songs
pertinent to the issue’s theme
– Information about the writers

This moving devotional is released in printed format quarterly in regular or enlarged print.

42nd Annual Messiah Sing Along

The 42nd annual Messiah Sing Along will take place on Tuesday, December 17, at 7:30pm in the First Presbyterian Church, corner of State and Constance. This Santa Barbara holiday tradition will benefit Unity Shoppe. Phillip McLendon will conduct this performance of George Frederick Handel’s choral masterpiece, “Messiah.” James Mooy has organized the orchestra which includes members of the Santa Barbara City College Symphony. Erin Bonski-Evans is the organist. Four outstanding soloists will also perform. All are volunteering their talents.That covers everything and everybody except the chorus. That’s because the chorus is you — the audience! Tickets are $10, 100 percent of which goes to Unity Shoppe, the Santa Barbara non-profit which helps some 18,000 of our low-income neighbors, children, and the elderly annually. Tickets and music scores (bring your own) are available at Chaucer’s in Loreto Plaza and at the door. Tickets are also available at the Unity Gift Shoppe, 1209 State Street. It’s great music and great fun for a great cause. Everyone is invited to make a joyful noise and raise your voice on high. Or come to listen. It’s always a great performance!

November 24, 3pm

SBCC Choir Performance

Come see a great Choir perform on Sunday, November 24 at 3pm!  Silkie sings in the SBCC Choir and the whole group will be doing a Holiday Season Celebation.  There will be some sing-alongs as well so it will be great fun! Tickets are $15 or $10 for students and seniors. Will be at the First United Methodist Church at 305 East Anapamu St.

SB Mission Conference

PANEL OF PRACTITIONERS. Keynote speaker Tim Soerens will be followed by a panel of local practitioners who have been pursuing justice and Jesus for the long haul. They will share the spiritual and communal practices that have helped them endure in their work. This takes place at Engage, the 23rd annual Santa Barbara Mission Conference, Saturday, Feb. 1, at First Presbyterian Church. Also included are outstanding breakout sessions, which will motivate you, empowered by God’s Spirit, to engage in your mission. You have a choice – attend in-person or participate remotely. Either way, you may register by going online at sbmissionconference.org or by picking up and completing a brochure at any of the conference’s partner churches.

St. Andrew’s Nametags Available

Sign up for a St. Andrew’s nametag at the coffee hour or through Linda Sorensen (805-886-3470). You are welcome to list your pronouns and select from 3 backing options. We have them available to order at $9.25 each (check or cash). There will also be a free option available.

Be a Planet Protector!

St. Andrew’s is now collecting plastics that cannot be recycled at home. Bring in your plastic film labeled #2 or #4 and turn them into residential flooring. To learn more about Planet Protectors, click here. Here are examples of what we can take:

Pallet Wrap
Grocery Bags
Bread Bags (turned inside out)
Case wrap (toilet paper, paper towels, water bottles)
Dryclean bags
Newspaper Sleeves
Electronics Wraps
Bubble Wrap
Plastic Shipping Envelopes
Air Pillows
Ziplock bags
Produce Bags
Ice Bags
Salt Bags
Wood Pellet Bags

All plastics must be clean and dry. Collection is located in the Narthex.

Volunteer for Coffee Hour!

There are openings for Fellowship Coffee Hour on November 24 and December 29. Please consider one of these dates.

Five Stars for St. Andrews

If you love our congregation and hope to grow together in numbers and faith, would you consider submitting a positive, personal reveiw to Google and/or Yelp? Often a Google search is a potential visitor’s first step to finding us. A few simple words about why you love St. Andrew’s will help others make an important decision.

Calendar of Events

Happening This Week

11/21 (Thurs) – Meditation Group 10:15am (Lowerey Room); Worship Committee Meeting 3:30pm (VOS); Buildings & Grounds Meeting 4pm (LIB)

11/22 (Fri) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

11/23 (Sat) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

11/24 (Sun) – Worship 9:30am (S); Fellowship 10:30am (MH); Adult Education 11am (WR)

11/25 (Mon) – Running Stitches 9:30-12:30pm (WR); AA Grateful Group 8pm (YL)

11/26 (Tues) – Parkinson’s 1pm (MH); Session 6:30pm (VOS)

11/27 (Wed) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

The Numbers Are In!

St. Andrews’s donated 128 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara! Even more than last time! Great job everyone!

Let’s make our donations even bigger by bringing in items such as…

• Peanut butter
• Canned soup
• Canned fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Canned stew
• Canned fish
• Canned beans
• Pasta (most prefer whole grain)
• Rice (most prefer brown rice)

Lost & Found

Lost and Found will now be in the Weekly Update!  If you recognize any of the following or know someone who might, please stop by the office on Tuesday-Friday from 9am-2pm and Silkie will give it to you!

• Black Umbrella
• Tortoise Shell Reading Glasses
• A Receipt from Lang Motors
• Black Reading Glasses with Diamonds on Edges
• Frameless Reading Glasses
• A Set of Keys with the Chrylser Symbol
• Small Orange Dinosaur
• Pearl Bracelet
• Small Gold Earring Heart-Shaped with a Cross Inside
• Small Turqoise and Silver Earring
• Anker Glasses Holder
• A Silver Half-Hoop Earring with L-Shapes Throughout
• A Piece of Mail for Patrick Hinckley
• Small tube of Hand Lotion
• A Green Clear Tumbler with a Straw
• A Clear Tumbler with a Black Lid
• A Blue Tumbler
• Glasses Case with Zebras
• Green Jeweled Earring

*happy*birthday*happy*birthday*

November Birthdays

Birthdays will be in the Weekly Updates from now on!  If you don’t see your birthday on here and would like to get it added please email Silkie at silkie.hur@standrewspcusa.org.

11/3      Judith Muller

11/7       Maggie Knauss

11/7       John Rubin

11/8      Diana Lee

11/8      Tom Weisenburger

11/13     Barbara Hoffman

11/16     Elvia Addison

11/27    David Sommers

11/29    Margaret Siadel

11/30    Brian Wise

2025 Worship Schedule

The 2025 schedule is being created. This includes liturgists, sound and slides, ushers and greeters, Sunday School teachers, and more. See Pastor Jen for more information.

It Takes Many Hands

Church ministry is the work of many hands and includes everything from caring for the grounds to planning worship to organizing mission opportunities and more. If you are interested in lending a hand see one of the Elders below about joining a committee or you can talk to Pastor Jen anytime:

• Buildings & Grounds – Porter Spencer
• Congregational Life Team – Shannon Gerow
• Worship – Julie Sommers
• Personnel – Diana Lee
• Mission –
• Finance – Melinda Gerow
• Membership – Melinda Gerow
• Digital Presence Team – Dana Monk
• Adult Education – Maggie McMillan
• Children & Youth Ministry – Carol Lefley