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Senior Warden’s Report
As we celebrate the Christmas season, I am reminded of John Rutter’s carol All Bells in Paradise, which proclaims:
“The birth of Christ comes down in peace, A child of humility. The keys to his kingdom belong to the poor.”
These words speak powerfully to who we are as St. Andrew’s and to the work we are called to do. Our parish should be proud of its long and faithful record of serving members of our community who are in need.
Our Tuesday Evening Suppers continue to be a vital expression of loving our neighbors. This past week was especially meaningful, as our volunteers persevered despite the challenge of having no hot water. Under the steady leadership of Auburn, the supper went forward with grace and commitment. Deacon Dan has also been a key and valued member of the Tuesday team, offering both service and support.
Please join me in welcoming the Rev. Roberto Maldonado, who will be part of our ministry team as we continue the search for a full-time priest. We are grateful for his willingness to serve and walk alongside us during this period of transition.
Many thanks as well to Katie and her musicians, whose music and joy greatly enriched our Christmas celebrations and lifted our spirits throughout the season.
Finally, please note that the next Vestry meeting will be held on January 25, 2026. On behalf of the Vestry, I wish everyone a Happy New Year, filled with peace, hope, and renewed purpose.
Barbara Ratcliffe
Senior Warden
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This Sunday - January 11th
1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Worship Service
10:30 am
Sunday School
Seekers (2nd-5th grade)
Godly Play (age 3-1st grade)
Nursery (ages 0-3)
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Transition Updates
- The Vestry has approved our Calling Committee slate: David Carlson, Anne Cass, Alex Wu, Cathleen Flowers, Hans Kullberg, and a youth representative: Sam Carlson.
- The Vestry approved the "charge" for the Calling Committee & our Calling Committee was commissioned at church.
- The calling committee co-chairs, David Carlson and Anne Cass, met with Gwynn Lynch from the Diocese to review the calling committee process.
- The Calling committee held two in person Listening Sessions to gather input from the congregation as well as collecting feedback via a web form.
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A detailed survey called the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) went out to parishioners. There were 64 responses. Our results showed we are a church with high energy, satisfaction and adaptability.
- Pastor Cyndi Jones served as our Interim from January through November.
- Our senior warden, Barbara Ratcliffe, has secured substitute coverage for us. Father Roberto Maldonado and Rev. Canon Jeff Martinhauk are serving our church as supply priests for next few months.
- The calling committee co-chairs, David Carlson and Anne Cass, are meeting this Sunday with the committee as we continue the discernment process. The committee has also been in contact with the Diocese about the review process.
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Our Stewardship Theme
Tell Out Our Soul
Our theme for this year’s stewardship campaign is Tell Out Our Soul.
As Christians we are story tellers. We have an ancient narrative, one that describes the beginning of time and the relationship between God and God's Creation. We see this story grow through the prophetic tradition until our story recounts the life and gifts of the Son of God. But the story doesn't end with the Resurrection just as it did not end with the Cross, it continues on in each of us today as we encounter and are transformed by the Good News.
Luke's Gospel is bookended by the animated story-telling of two women named Mary. Early in the Gospel, Mary the mother of Jesus, tells us of her encounter with the Divine who informs her that she will bear a child who will change the world. She proclaims her joy: "Tell out my soul! The Greatness of the Lord!"
At the end of the Gospel, another Mary, Mary Magdalene, visits the tomb to discover it empty and receives instructions from the Risen Christ to go tell the others. She carries this Good News with jubilance to the Disciples.
What is your Good News; the idea, dream, challenge placed in your heart by God, that needs to be shared? What is the ministry to which you are called which will change the world, sharing your talents, gifts, and love with your neighbors?
Our Stewardship Campaign this year focuses on these stories - the ones inside you, the ones you are still writing, the ones we tell about those who have gone before us. We are all a part of this ongoing narrative - the ongoing Creation. Hear the stories that we share weekly throughout the campaign that relate the creative spark in us with the ways in which we are called to serve God and love our neighbor.
As we reflect on and appreciate all we as a community have created in this space, making a pledge is one way to show gratitude for where we’ve been and commit to continuing the good work in this place.
Making a pledge for 2026 is like speaking a reminder over our St. Andrew’s community - that while things are changing, we are and always will be a transformative community of people living this life of faith together.
We encourage you to prayerfully consider making a financial commitment to St. Andrew’s in 2026. If you have made a pledge before, please consider increasing your pledge if possible so that we can keep our vibrant ministries thriving in this upcoming transition. Our goal is to raise $200,000 in pledges for 2026 - can you join us? We are currently at $125,000, which is 62% of our goal! Please mail back your card, pledge online, or bring the card to church as soon as possible.
Gratefully,
The Stewardship Committee
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We Need Your Voice: EDSD Landscape Survey
Diocesan leadership has begun work on a new strategic plan to guide us through the next five years. Our Courageous Love plan has carried us faithfully through major milestones—like the Good News Festival and the opening of Comunidad de Luz—as well as unexpected challenges, including COVID. Episcopalians in our diocese are invited to help shape what comes next. Your input is essential. Please take a few minutes to complete the HolyCow! Consulting Landscape Survey and add your voice to this important discernment.
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Rebel Women Bible Study
Wednesday at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary
The Bible is full of women who bucked the status quo. Ruth, Naomi, Deborah, Jael - meet the real women of the Bible. No experience reading the Bible? No problem! We approach these stories with curiosity and encourage doubt, questioning, and wrestling with the text.
Discover that "biblical womanhood" is all about risk, strength, and justice for the marginalized.
Come connect with other women asking big questions and seeking support on their spiritual journey.
We are beginning a new book this week, "God in the Dark" by Os Guinness. There is no assigned reading, we'll read it together in our meeting time. Please join us!
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Supporting Food Insecurity in Our Community
Our Hunger Supper is feeding more people than ever each week, with attendance surpassing 100 this past Tuesday. Monetary donations can be made to support the meal program through our website at: Hunger Supper Support
What else can we do to help?
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in City Heights has a mobile food pantry every week on Wednesdays and Thursday. They are facing an increased demand on their resources.
If you would like to contribute any of the following items, please bring them to church and we can direct them to St. Mark's:
Protein products: peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken
Rice
Cash contributions
If you would like to volunteer, they need volunteers on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30am till noon.
Email Joanna for more information, or to sign up to volunteer.
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Shoreline Community Services is requesting: individually packaged snacks, oatmeal, ramen noodles, pretzels, cereal bars, applesauce, fruit cups, and more.
Drop off: 1004 Chalcedony St., San Diego | Mon–Fri, 10 AM–4 PM
Amazon Wishlist (delivered to Shoreline): https://a.co/4730MPu
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PROCLAIM Epiphany Youth Retreat
Who: Youth in grades 6-12
Where: Camp Stevens
When: February 14, 2026 at 1:00PM – 10 a.m. February 16, 2026
Cost: $175 (flexible pricing available. Please see registration for details!)
The most anticipated weekend of the program year is coming! Epiphany Youth Retreat– a weekend filled with fun, friends, and faith. This year we will continue to explore the year’s theme, PROCLAIM, with programming around knowing yourself and sharing God’s love in the world. Seniors will also get an evening to reflect on their future and where God is calling them next.
The retreat includes two nights' accommodations at Camp Stevens, five delicious meals, campfires, games, hiking, crafts, worship, friends, laughter and more!
REGISTRATION CLOSES JANUARY 14TH AT 9:00 PM
MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
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Sign up for Realm!
Want to make online giving easier? Sign up with Realm, a church recordkeeping solution used by our church. Follow these simple instructions to join, set up your online giving and opt‐in or ‐out of our online Parish Directory!
STEP 1: Go online to https://onrealm.org/standrewspb/
Click on “Register Now.” Enter your email address and a password, click on “Register.” An email will be sent to you as verification.
STEP 2: From your email inbox, open the email with the subject “St. Andrew’s PB: Email Verification.” Click on the “Verify your email” link and login using the password.
If Realm has matched your email address to church records, you will be asked to Verify your Birthday to link with an account we have already set up for you.
If Realm did not find a match, you will be asked to fill in your name, address, birthday, and phone number. Click on “Send Information” and you will be taken to the Realm home screen.
From here, you will be able to set up online giving, view giving history, and set your online directory preferences.
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Are you curious about the context of The Incarnation? Learn the backstory to our Advent Season Lectionary.
Sign up for online Hebrew Scriptures 2 classes in early 2026. Several Saint Andrew’s parishioners have enjoyed studying with the instructor, Dr. Moseley. It is a great opportunity to learn more about our faith. See the attached document for more information.
| | Happening in the Neighborhood: | |
Participate in the Beautiful PB Arts in PB Survey
Beautiful PB is transforming a long-vacant building in the heart of Pacific Beach into a dynamic arts hub. If you're looking to spark creativity in your life, beautifulPB invites you to share your interests for future classes and events. Here we will connect students, adults, neighbors and visitors through affordable classes, after-school programs and camps, performances and festivals.
We'd welcome your feedback though our quick survey below:
Arts in PB Survey
or you can find more information here: https://beautifulpb.com/pb-arts-center/
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Support Saturday Meal Service
Every Saturday morning, Jodie and her team of volunteers set up their folding tables in front of St. Andrew's and feed anyone who is hungry. This past Saturday, they fed 80 people a hearty breakfast.
Jodie and her team from small potatoes foundation have been serving meals on Saturdays at St. Andrew's since June 2024. Their organization is dedicated to offering nourishing and wholesome meals to those facing hardships.
Check out this note from Jodie:
"We deeply appreciate your generosity in allowing us to use your church lawn as a space to feed our guests. Your support truly helps us in our mission to serve those in need. We are dedicated to making a significant impact on the lives of our neighbors facing adversity and food insecurity. We believe a meal made with love is a tangible way to show compassion and understanding. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us continue feeding our neighbors in
need. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making a lasting impact.
From our bustling kitchen, Chef Jodie"
Scan the QR code to give directly to small potatoes foundation. We're so grateful for Jodie and her team, and for the difference they make in our neighborhood.
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Call Your Representatives and Ask for Ceasefire in Gaza
“People of faith and goodwill can organize and address our governments to call for humanitarian aid to flow freely to those in desperate need in Gaza; for the release of all hostages; for an end to all targeting of children and other civilians; and for a de-escalation of violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.” - Previous Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
As death, destruction, and violence continue in Gaza, we urge you to lift your voices and do everything possible to put pressure on all parties for an immediate and sustained ceasefire.
We are not helpless in the face of the world's horrors. Takeon a new spiritual practice: every day, call your representatives and ask them to call for an immediate ceasefire, access to humanitarian assistance to end starvation and avert any further risk of famine, and urge the release of hostages.
You can click this link to go to the Episcopal Public Policy Network website, which has a script for contacting your representatives, as well as a form you can fill out right on the site.
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