St. Andrew’s Update–November 6, 2024

Message from Membership

As we enter the season when we traditionally receive more visitors to church, it is helpful to think about what constitutes a warm welcome at St. Andrew’s. The membership committee contemplates how we help visitors know us and discern if they want to join our community. We have learned that people visit a church for a variety of reasons. People come because they are new to the area and have enjoyed a meaningful relationship with their last church. Others are searching for ways to make a difference in a world that seems broken. Some visit because they are experiencing a time of loss or spiritual crisis. We want all visitors to feel welcomed, but the response to each of these individuals might be different. Ultimately, the relationship Jesus is forging with us will be the determining factor in choosing a church, but there are small ways we can let visitors know who we are and what we value.

• We love our friends at church and hope to know them well, so we are facilitating the use of name tags to help us make connections with guests (and each other). Name tags are now available for purchase or free. Please consider keeping them in your car, and wearing them for all church functions.

• Let’s think carefully about whether our language is inclusive. When we refer to common terms known to “churched” people, but that are confusing to newcomers, we create a barrier to knowing us. When we say “join us for the fellowship hour,” not everyone will understand the reference. “Join us for coffee after the service” is clearer to visitors. For some, words like Narthex, doxology and session may be new terms that need clarification.

• We love our church and want to share what makes us special, but stepping back and listening to what brings a visitor to us will help them understand we are holding a place for them. We often have the impulse to share how great we find St. Andrew’s, but remember, visitors, with their new energy and knowledge, are tremendous gifts to us.

• We strive to be a bridge. Can you introduce a visitor to Pastor Jen or a member with whom they may have something in common? Could you suggest an upcoming event they may enjoy? Guests appreciate thoughtful invitations, even if they can’t always attend our events.

Do you have suggestions for enhancing our visitor’s experience at St. Andrew’s? We would love to chat with you. As we head into this important time of year, we ask God to help us remember what a blessing guests are.

Melinda Gerow

Membership Committee Chair

Adult Education this Sunday

Adult Education will be held in the Window Room this Sunday at 11, with the fourth installment of Dr. Amy-Jill Levin’s video Parable Course. This week’s lesson is “The Persevering Widow And Unjust Judge – How Parables Promote and Demote Women.” Come join us for a lively and informative presentation.

Clean Up Day!

Come join us on Saturday, November 16th from 9am to noon for our clean-up day.  There will be free lunch provided afterwards as well!

Hymn Sing

Please join us for another All-City HYMN SING. Pianist David Talbott will lead our hour-long singing of the great hymns of the faith, with his signature audience choice selections. Talbott was the resident musician at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center for 40 years, and was previously organist and pianist at Montecito Covenant Church. He is now guest organist at El Montecito Presbyterian Church, and lives at The Samarkand. Join us for a great hour of singing together.

SB Mission Conference

SB MISSION CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN. Registration for “Engage,” the 2025 Santa Barbara Mission Conference, is now open. Register by going here or by filling out a form available at partner churches and then sending a check. Come in person or join us via livestream. You can look forward to keynote speaker Tim Soerens plus outstanding breakout sessions. The sessions will motivate you, empowered byGod’s Spirit, to engage in your mission. The date is Saturday February 1st.

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.

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

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 October 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)

2024 Worship Schedule is Up!

The 2024 Worship Schedule is up and ready to view.  Please click the following link here to access the Schedule.

Thank you for your gift of time and dedication!

*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

Calendar of Events

Happening This Week

11/7 (Thurs) – Meditation Group 10:15am (Lowerey Room); Mission Committee Meeting 3pm (VOS)

11/8 (Fri) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

11/9 (Sat) – Book Club 10am (LIB); Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

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

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

11/12 (Tues) – Naomi Circle 9:15am (LIB); Personnel Committee Meeting 1pm (VOS); Parkinson’s 1pm (MH); Digital Presence Team 7pm (VOS)

11/13 (Wed) – Wading Through Watercolors 1pm (WR); Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH); Choir Practice 6:45pm (S)

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