We seek God's healing love and share that love with all
by growing in relationship with God, each other, and our neighbors.
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An Active Space Is a Safe Space
A message from Fr. John Spicer, Rector
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As you know, our weekday-morning HJ’s Café has been suspended for the past several weeks following security incidents, including threatened violence, drug abuse, and calls to emergency services. Following a process of listening and discernment about how to prioritize safety and HJ’s mission, the Vestry has approved a plan to change our barista ministry with our neighbors. Beginning March 27, HJ’s Café will be open on Fridays and Saturdays only, from 8 to 11 a.m. At other times through the week, Brew Crew baristas will serve groups using the building, but not in an open-café format.
How did we get here? Soon after we suspended café service, we began gathering input from our neighbors, parish stakeholders, and community agencies that serve people dealing with houselessness and mental-health issues. Led by Sarah Tepikian, our outreach coordinator, and Zach Beall, our executive director of operations, we held a listening session at HJ’s, attended by more than 50 parishioners, neighbors, and representatives of groups using the building. In that session, we reminded these stakeholders of our priorities for the café and all of HJ’s ministry: first, ensuring the safety of guests, volunteers, and staff; and second, living into HJ’s mission to provide generative welcome to our neighbors, connecting them with St. Andrew’s. I was heartened by community members’ gratitude for the blessing of HJ’s in our neighborhood and the important place it holds for their groups and in their own lives. I was also grateful to hear near unanimity supporting those priorities of safety and generative welcome to connect the neighborhood and the church.
Meanwhile, Sarah and Zach consulted with community agencies serving people enduring houselessness and mental-health issues, including the Kansas City Public Library and the city’s office of homeless services. The most important lesson they took away was this: An active space is a safe space. When a space is alive with people who have reason to be in it, there’s less room for the kinds of troubling behavior we’d been seeing and need to avoid. This lesson tracks with our experience, too: When community events were taking place during HJ’s Café hours, including the Friday-morning neighborhood jam session and the Brookside Farmers Market, we never had serious security issues. Those problems arose at times when the café was the building’s only significant activity.
So, beginning March 27 and going forward, HJ’s Café will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, during the neighborhood jam session and the Brookside Farmers Market. In addition, we’ve enhanced behavioral guidelines; a security guard will be present during Café hours enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for infractions; and we’ll follow a tiered structure of consequences, including immediate banning from the building when someone puts others’ safety at risk. On other days of the week, our Brew Crew will provide barista service for parish activities, as well as neighborhood events and meetings not open to all.
I’m very grateful to Sarah, Zach, Brew Crew Chief Craig Lundgren, and our Vestry for their careful work in listening for and following the Spirit’s guidance in how we can best provide generative welcome for our neighbors while keeping everyone safe.
| | | | Call our toll-free number 800-808-1625 to listen to worship on your phone! | | |
What is the Season of Lent?
Lent is a 40-day journey of reflection and renewal, rooted in Jesus’ time in the wilderness, that invites us to step away from distractions and ask deeper questions: Who am I, and who is God calling me to be? In the Episcopal Church, we mark this season with purple, a color that symbolizes reflection, transformation, and the deep work of the soul. Lent isn’t just about giving something up; it’s about making space for prayer, self-examination, and acts of love. Wherever you are on your spiritual path, Lent isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, asking the questions, and letting God meet you on the journey.
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Lenten Sermon Series: Following Jesus Together
In our Sunday Scripture readings this Lent, we’ll hear some of the greatest stories about Jesus: standing up to Satan in the wilderness, teaching the experts how to live by the Spirit, healing the Samaritan woman’s broken self-image, giving sight to a man born blind, and raising Lazarus from the dead. How can we follow where Jesus is leading us? When we try to travel alone, we’re more likely to get lost or stumble on the rocks along the path. But when we turn to those alongside us, the way becomes much more clear … and more life-giving. Through the Sundays of Lent, we’ll find the path Jesus is setting before us, consider how we might be tempted to stray, and give thanks for the companions God gives us on the way.
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Lenten Devotional: Five Minutes With God
Coming soon: Our Lenten devotional, Five Minutes With God, invites you into a simple, meaningful daily practice without adding burden to your plate. With brief readings and reflection questions, the guide helps you engage Scripture, prepare for Sunday worship, and grow in relationship with God—both in personal prayer and through conversation with others. If you haven't received a copy in the mail, pick one up in the entryway as we take our Lenten journey together.
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Palm Sunday
Sun., Mar. 29, 9:30 a.m.
Monday in Holy Week
Mar. 30, 12 p.m.
Taizé
Tues., Mar. 31, 6 p.m.
Wednesday in Holy Week Apr. 1, 12 p.m.
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Maundy Thursday
Apr. 2
Agapé Meal — 6:00 p.m.
Eucharist — 7 p.m.
Watch (overnight)
Good Friday
Apr. 3
Stations of the Cross
— 12 p.m.
Liturgy — 7 p.m.
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Holy Saturday Prayers Apr. 4, 9 a.m.
Easter Vigil
Sat., Apr. 4, 7 p.m.
Easter Day
Sun., Apr. 5,
8 & 10:15 a.m.
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Easter Lily Tributes
Celebrate someone special this Easter with a $25 donation toward Easter lilies. Their name will be featured in our Easter Sunday bulletin. Click here to complete the lily and flower donation form, then make your contribution online at standrewkc.org/give or by check to St. Andrew’s. You can also honor a loved one with a $60 donation for altar flowers, which includes a personal tribute message. To ensure inclusion, please submit all names and tributes by Monday, March 23.
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Volunteer at Our Brookside Farmers' Market Coffee Tent: This Sunday's Ministry Minute
St. Andrew's is once again hosting a coffee tent during the Brookside Farmers' Market 2026 outdoor season, held every Saturday morning from April 11 to October 31 at the HJs Community Center parking lot. Please join us as often as your schedule allows, whether once or twice during the season or as a regular volunteer. Enjoy coffee and conversation while building community with the market farmers, guests, and each other! We are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and start conversations in one of two shifts: 7:40 to 9:30 a.m. or 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Two volunteers are needed per shift. To learn more, please come to coffee hour after this Sunday's services and stop by the table in the Jewell Room. To sign up contact Gina Heise or sign-up here. Thank you!
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Contemplative Ministries Commission
Rooted in the ancient Christian traditions and guided by the wisdom of the mystics, the Contemplative Ministries Commission at St. Andrew’s seeks to nurture a community centered in the transforming presence of God. We aim to cultivate stillness, inner healing, and holy attentiveness, encouraging all people to awaken to their true identity in God and to the sacredness of all creation.
Weekly Offerings
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Sacred Spaces, a time of community and centering prayer or meditation, is held weekly on Tuesdays from 6-6:30 at HJ’S Youth & Community Center. A virtual option is also available. On 4th Tuesdays, the time of prayer and meditation is followed by a brief talk and discussion.
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Sacred Spaces Book Discussion, following Sacred Spaces on 2nd Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30.
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Yoga, Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:30, at HJ’s Youth & Community Center, join us for a gentle, slow-flow yoga, focusing on mindful stretching, strengthening, and breathing. Yoga can help us shift our attention to internal exploration and become a tool for spiritual growth. We strive to embody a “peace that passes understanding,” offering spaces of silence and spiritual companionship.
We invite all into the journey from self-preoccupation to communion, from fragmentation to wholeness, and from contemplation to action. For more information, contact Mtr Rita Kendagor or vestry liaison, Ann Holliday.
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Greeter Ministry Matters
We want all parishioners and newcomers to feel that St. Andrew’s is a community where they truly belong. One simple but meaningful way to help create that sense of welcome is by serving as a greeter. Our current greeter team invites you to join this important ministry, welcoming those who attend the 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services at St. Andrew’s. We will hold a New & Refresher Greeter Training: March 22 at 9:15 a.m. in the Undercroft. Questions? Contact Carolyn Johnson.
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Birthday Card Ministry
St. Andrew’s sends birthday cards to parishioners throughout the year as a simple way of staying connected within our parish community. We are looking for several volunteers to join our current team and help with this monthly ministry. Writers are scheduled by month, and cards may be written at church or taken home, whatever works best for you. All materials are provided.If interested, please contact Mtr. Jean at jean@standrewkc.org.
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Ride Ministry at St. Andrew’s
Thanks to a generous estate gift from parishioner Tina Norton, we’re excited to launch a new Ride Ministry to help parishioners get to worship, church events, and even medical appointments. In partnership with Lyft, rides will be available at no cost to you.
To request a ride, simply email rides@standrewkc.org (or call the church office if email is a challenge) with your name, phone number, pickup location, destination, and times. You can also complete an online form here.
Mtr. Rita Kendagor and Brittany Conge will coordinate your ride and ensure you’re connected with a driver.
| | Can't make it to church this Sunday? Remember that St. Andrew's broadcasts each worship service to our website and our YouTube Channel. You can also catch the sermon the following week on our social media channels. Check out our Linktree for your preferred way to connect with worship http://linktr.ee/standrewskc. | | | |
Jesus With You . . . at Home
If you're worshipping at home, you can pick up consecrated wafers to use during our celebrations of Holy Eucharist. They're available in a basket in the narthex, or from the office, anytime the church is open. If getting out is a challenge, we'll be happy to deliver wafers to you. Just contact Mary Sanders (by email or at 816-523-602, ext. 110) about arranging delivery.
If you need help connecting to St. Andrew’s Online to participate in worship opportunities, but your computer is giving you trouble, just contact Deacon Adam James or 816-352-2742 for assistance.
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Hearing-Assist Devices
You may have noticed a stand of headphones as you come in from the porte-cochere on Sundays. These are hearing-assist devices that amplify the sound system during worship. If you would like to use one, just pick it up as you come in!
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Gordon Parks Elementary School
Thank you for your continuous support for Gordon Parks Elementary Charter School. Since 1999, the school has educated and supported the children of KCMO. Gordon Parks continues to provide door to door bussing, a hot breakfast and lunch, an 11:1 student teacher ratio, a Special Education teacher, an ESL teacher, a reading specialist and wrap around care services in a loving environment. In the 2025/26 school year Gordon Parks added an additional kindergarten classroom and a 5th grade class. This fall the school will have a second 1st grade classroom. Yes, this is an exciting time to be at Gordon Parks!
In the month of March, St. Andrew’s will fundraise to help fund the needed items for the new 1st grade classroom. Please consider making a contribution that would go towards the purchase of the classroom’s books (3 hardback books for $30), student Chromebooks ($100 each) or other technology needs. Any contribution will make a difference! Contributions can be made by visiting standrewkc.org/give, or directly to St. Andrew’s with the memo line “GPES Fundraiser”.
There are always a need for volunteers either on a routine basis or for single events. Please contact Karen Lundgren with any questions or if interested in signing up.
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St. Andrew’s Support for JVS and Volunteer Opportunity
A big thank you to the congregation of St. Andrew’s for support of JVS through the 2025 Christmas Plate offering. Fr. John Spicer recently presented the JVS team with a check for $4,300.50. Through the generosity of St. Andrew’s parishioners, Christmas Plate donations were higher than ever this year! This donation to JVS will be used to address food insecurity needs.
As part of HR. 1, refugees are being notified that they are no longer eligible for SNAP benefits. Seventy-eight percent of JVS families receive SNAP benefits and it will result in a loss of $128,000 per month.
Volunteer Opportunity Highlight: Food Box Sorting & Distribution
JVS receives monthly food donations through their partnership with Jewish Family Services. Volunteers are needed to help prepare these donations and deliver them to client homes. Volunteers assist with sorting and packaging food items into boxes for specific JVS families. They also help transport and deliver boxes to households as needed.
This opportunity is open to individuals who are looking to volunteer once per month. No prior experience is required. The next distribution date is set for March 20 at 11:00am. Email volunteer@jvskc.org to learn more and get signed up!
If you have questions about St. Andrew’s work with JVS, please reach out to Gina Heise, Partnership Liaison to JVS. Thank you!
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Haiti Fundraiser Save the Date
Join us on April 26th for a cocktail party at HJ’s Youth and Community Center benefitting St. Augustin School in Maniche, Haiti. All donations collected will be used to fund the lunch program that our students rely on. Enjoy a cocktail, a light bite, and hear updates about the lives of the students at St. Augustin.
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Celebrating St. Patrick – Music of Lent and Ireland
Join us on Sunday, March 22 at 5:00 PM for an evening of sacred and Irish music featuring the St. Andrew’s Parish Choir. The program includes Lenten anthems by Mozart, Elgar, and Howells, alongside beloved Irish folk songs such as Down by the Salley Gardens, The Rakes of Mallow, and Wearing of the Green. Organists Dr. Jacob Hofeling and Dr. Thomas R. Vozzella will perform on St. Andrew’s mighty Aeolian-Skinner/Quimby pipe organ. A light reception with Irish libations and treats will follow.
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Practicing the Presence of God Retreat
May 29–31, 2026 | Savior Pastoral Center (Kansas City, KS)
Join St. Andrew’s Contemplative Ministries Commission for a two-night guided silent retreat led by Rev. Canon Lisa Senuta, centered on the teachings of Brother Lawrence.
This retreat offers gentle guidance into silence, communal prayer, reflection, and spiritual direction—whether it’s your first silent retreat or a familiar practice. Come experience rest, community, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence in daily life.
Details:
• Begins Friday, May 29 at 5 p.m. (check-in 3–5 p.m.); concludes Sunday at noon
• $250/per person, single accommodation; $210/per person, double accommodation, includes meals.
• Simple accommodations with private baths (Strecker Suites)
Participants are asked to attend the full weekend. Click here to sign up or learn more.
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Trinity Guild Meeting & Luncheon
Thursday, March 26, 10:30 a.m., St. Andrew’s Jewell Room
All women of the church (and their friends) are invited to join us for the March 26th Trinity Guild meeting and luncheon. Our speaker will be Shanelle Varone, who will share Children’s Mercy Hospital’s bold program “Illuminate” lighting the path forward for the youth mental health crisis. RSVP to Jean Keine.
| | Children, Youth & Young Adult Ministry | | Contact Veronica Wiebold for questions about children, youth, or young adult ministries. | | |
Sunday School
Our classrooms are located in the Children’s Wing. Signs in the church entryway will help you find your way to each room. Each room is identified by a brightly colored door—look for the matching heart color to help guide you:
- ❤️ Nursery (Infant–3 years) – Christa McLaughlin
- 💛 Yellow Room (3yrs -Pre-K) – Sally Cox
- 💚 Green Room (Kindergarten–1st Grade) – Sarah Thompson
- 💙 Blue Room (2nd–4th Grade) – Veronica Wiebold
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March
- Mar 22 – High School Devotional | 6:00–7:00 PM
April
- Apr 5 – Easter Weekend (No Youth Group)
- Youth help needed for Easter Egg Hunt between services
- Apr 12 – High School Youth Group | 6:00–7:00 PM
- Apr 19 – Middle School Youth Group | 4:30–5:30 PM
- Apr 19 – Leadership Interviews | 12:00–4:00 PM
- Apr 26 – Acolyte Training | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
- Apr 26 – High School Outreach Day (Haiti Project) | 6:00–7:00 PM
- Apr 28–30 – Haiti Project Prep | 3:00–6:00 PM
For questions about youth ministry, leadership roles, or events, please contact: Veronica Wiebold, Veronica@standrewkc.org
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The 20s and 30s are often a time of change and growth. In the midst of busy schedules and life transitions, this group gathers to build friendships, explore faith, and share life together through conversation, laughter, and service.
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Weekly Discussion Group: Meets after the 10:15 a.m. service at HJ’s Community Center to reflect on the week’s Gospel reading and sermon.
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Third Sunday Brunch: On the third Sunday of each month, the group gathers after the 10:15 a.m. service for brunch. Participants meet in the Jewell Room before heading to a nearby restaurant for an informal time of connection.
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Game Nights & Social Events: Game Nights are held every other month on the fourth Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at HJ’s (next one in April). On alternating months, the group gathers for other social events at varying times and locations.
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Service Opportunities: Members regularly volunteer with the Free Store ministries and participate in other service opportunities at church and in the wider community throughout the year.
For more information or to get connected, contact Tim Dodderidge, 20s/30s Vestry Liaison.
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Episcopal 101
Thursday nights, Feb. 19 through March 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Café 9:15
Sunday morning, 9:15-10 a.m.
Christian Journey
Sunday, 8:45-10 a.m.
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The Sacred Way
Sundays in Lent, 9:15-10 a.m.
Good Book Club
Daily
Men's Lectionary Group
Thursday, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
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You can mail your gifts to the church, give online, or text STANDREWKC to 73256.
Send a Venmo gift to @StAndrews-EpiscopalChurch. Be sure to notate your intention for the gift.
| | St. Andrew's is here for you. | | |
Please remember that St. Andrew's is here for you. If you are in need or you are aware of another parishioner in need of assistance, please email Mtr. Rita Kendagor, assistant rector. You can also submit a request online or call the church office at 816-523-1602.
Send us your prayer requests through a form, our Facebook page,
or by texting PRAYER to 816-312-5152.
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Steve S.
Frances
Rozzie
Bobbie
Helen
Marie
Mike
Becca
Hans
Tucker
Nancy
Cory
Abby
Thaddeus
Bill
Melina
Steve H.
Gail
Peter
Corbin
Carol
Austin
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Joanna
Frances
Steve
Wendy
Scott
Allie
Rick
Walt
Katie
Bennett
Quincie
Dick O.
Erin K.
Sally
CC
Elizabeth
Katie
Kaden
Penny
Maggie R.
Larry S.
Kathleen S.
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Tom
Carol
Gretchen
Andrew
Dennis
Amanda
Stefani
David P.
Jamie P.
Taylor M.
Mason & family
Jim
Grant
Carrie
Jerold & Isaac
Laura (Lolly)
Frank
Peggy
DeVette
| | If you wish to add or remove a name, please notify Erin Lemanski no later than Sunday at noon for the Prayer List to be updated each week. Names will be listed for six months, unless otherwise stated. Thank you! | | |
Worship is in person and livestreamed each Sunday.
Friday at 12 p.m. – Noon Eucharist – Watch here
Sunday at 8 a.m. – Rite I Holy Eucharist – Watch here
For those who find spiritual comfort and strength in the rich Elizabethan language of centuries-old worship, our early-morning service of prayer, Scripture, a sermon, a musical solo, and time-honored hymns, is the perfect way to start your Sabbath.
Sunday at 10:15 a.m. – Rite II Holy Eucharist – Watch here
Worship the Lord in the beauty of Scripture, a sermon, and prayers for ourselves and our world. Glorious hymns, organ, and choral music intertwine with the spoken parts of our celebration. We offer online Children’s Chapel via Zoom before 10 a.m.; and in-person Sunday school during the 10 a.m. service.
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Bulletin & Messenger Deadline
The publication deadline for the Saturday Messenger and Sunday bulletin is on Sunday at noon one week before publication.
Material received after Sunday at noon will be added to the next week's publications.
Please submit material to Erin Lemanski (erin@standrewkc.org)
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