Building God's Kingdom through
Worship, Outreach and Fellowship
In-person Sunday worship begins next week!
How to reserve your seat

On Sunday, November 29 at 10:30 we are planning to begin in-person worship in the church.

Because our regathering protocols limit the number of people who can be present in the church, attendees will need to make a reservation in one of these ways: 
  • If you have access to a computer, or other device, we ask you to make a reservation using our online reservation system. You will receive an email each week on Sunday afternoon with a link to make your reservation for the following Sunday.
  • If you don’t have access to a computer, call Bill Wilds (757-880-5460) and he will make your reservation for you.

Important facts:
  • Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Registration for November 29 opens on Sunday, November 22 at noon and closes on Wednesday, November 25 at noon (or when all spaces are filled). 
  • If you make a reservation and need to cancel let Bill know.
  • If you are not able to get a reservation because all spaces are taken, call Bill to be placed on the waiting list. If something opens up, he will contact you. 
  • Give others a chance - if you attend one Sunday, please wait at least a week before registering again. 
  • All of our services will continue to be streamed online each week and also available to watch later on Facebook.

Please remember that we can regather in person only as long as the 7-day percent positivity rate in our area is under 10%. We are tracking this number daily for the Peninsula and Hampton Health Districts.
St. Andrew’s Regathering Plan

In preparation for regathering on November 29, please make sure to read the entire plan carefully. When you register you will be asked to agree to the protocols outlined in the plan.
Communion this Sunday

There are two ways to receive communion this Sunday:
  1. If you would like to receive the bread and wine in person from a clergy member, come to the River Road door of the church on Sunday between 12 and 1 PM, and make sure to wear your mask. (Note the shorter time frame—we will stop serving at 1 PM, not 2 PM.
  2. If you would like to partake of communion at home while participating in the service virtually, you can call Bill Wilds (595-0371, ext. 1007) during the week from 9:00 AM to noon and make an appointment to come and pick up consecrated communion kits for your family to use during the following Sunday’s service. (If you choose this option, please create/designate a “holy place” in your home to store the consecrated Body and Blood between the time you pick it up and Sunday morning.)
Stewardship update

Dear friends,
As we head into the final weeks and days of this eventful and difficult year of 2020, we find ourselves slightly behind in the number of Giving Together Pledge Campaign cards we would normally have expected to receive by this time. And this translates to being a little more than $100,000 behind our goal of matching (or exceeding!) last year’s pledge campaign total of $555,000. The good news is that there are several families (at least 35), who normally pledge, that we hope to hear from.

We would be most appreciative of your prayerful consideration of submitting all pledge cards no later than Friday November 20!

Thank you!
Doug Burgoyne, Stewardship Chair
St. Andrew's communication survey

Please complete this survey no later than November 30.

COVID-19 has challenged congregations everywhere to find new ways of being the Church. While they’re far from perfect, it’s wonderful to have today’s digital tools to help us connect during this time. We’d like to hear from you about which of the digital tools we’ve been using have helped you feel connected to St. Andrew’s? How can we improve? Please take a few minutes to share your experience with us. Thank you!

Notice of St. Andrew’s annual parish meeting:  
2 PM on Sunday, December 13, 2 PM
Both live and Zoom options available for attending

Annual meetings are a crucial part of our parish life, the time when we come together to reflect on the past year, look ahead to the future, and elect leadership. Because of the pandemic, our annual meeting this year will look and feel different from usual, but it will still fulfill its purpose of enabling us to do the organizational work we need to do. Please mark your calendars now for 2 PM on Sunday, December 13 and plan to participate in the annual meeting, either by coming to the parish hall (where our strict social distancing protocols will be in place) or by logging in on Zoom. More specific information about both options will be available soon, including how to vote via Zoom. Please note: according to Episcopal Church and diocesan canons, no proxy or mail-in voting is allowed. To vote in the annual meeting, you must either be physically present in the parish hall or electronically present through the use of Zoom.
Support THRIVE Peninsula on Giving Tuesday and your gift will be matched!

THRIVE Peninsula is committed to serving Peninsula families during this critical time. The organization has increased its services by more than 40% to respond to the needs of those whose income and stability has suffered due to COVID-19. Distributing fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods through the pantry, offering supportive financial coaching, and providing emergency rent and utility assistance helps families stay financially afloat during crisis. Learn more about how their COVID-19 response here: www.thrivepeninsula.org/coronavirus 

HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR GIFT: Visit www.thrivepeninsula.org/donate on December 1 or give by check to "THRIVE Peninsula" memo: Giving Tuesday /*gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $8000* Questions? Call Angela: 877-6211 ex 3

PORT volunteers needed for December 15

Food prep volunteer positions have been filled. Thanks!
 
We still need people to sign up to serve 2 hour shifts as site volunteers: (December 15, 6:30 – 8:30 pm)
  • After having dinner at Temple Baptist, guests will be transported to 3 different locations: Greek Orthodox Church (4 volunteers needed), Denbigh Presbyterian (8 volunteers needed), and Peninsula Rescue Mission (2 positions).
  • Site volunteers will work from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Click here to sign up: https://signup.com/go/qbHOttb (Volunteers need to individually sign up)
  • All sites will be set up and cleaned to meet Covid requirements by a company certified through W.H.O.

If you have questions please contact Matt Deller
(757)812-9852 or pablodeller@hotmail.com
Reminders:

  • The Women of the Word, led by Anne Kirchmier, is exploring the Letters of Paul on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The link to participate is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86082804214. The meeting ID is 860 8280 4214
  • Centering Prayer, a time of quiet contemplation, meets in the parish hall at 5:15 PM on Wednesdays and 7:30 AM on Thursdays. Questions: contact David Lilley (846-3551 or davidlilley52@gmail.com)
  • The Thursday Morning Bible Study continues this week at 10:00 AM in the Parish Hall.  Don't forget to bring a mask and your Bible, and a copy of The Upper Room
  • The Racism Response Team meets on Zoom Thursday, November 19 at 7 PM. Here's the link to join:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89635810465
  • Praying the Psalms, a four-week series, begins next Sunday, November 29, at 9:00 AM in the parish hall. Registration is required – so email Marc, marcvance.saec@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Something to do at home –
Lighting your Advent wreath or just candles to symbolize Advent:

Beginning next Sunday, November 29, and for the next three Sundays in Advent and on Christmas Eve, we will be lighting the Advent candle(s) during the service. We invite those watching at home to have your candle(s) ready so that you can light yours each week as we light ours.
The Beauty of Advent and Christmas inside the Church

Advent will begin with purple hangings and the Advent candle ring. Seasonal greens will be in place. For Christmas Eve, the church will be decorated as you are used to seeing with lovely red poinsettias and greenery – which you will be able to see at all of our Christmas Eve services.

We will provide poinsettia information concerning order forms and date deadlines in an upcoming December newsletter.
100th Anniversary Book

We have six parishioners so far who have ordered a copy of our beautiful 100th anniversary book – but, we need at least ten orders for the publisher to print the books. If you would like to be added to the list, please contact Bill Wilds (saec.bill19@verizon.net or 595-0371). Once we have enough orders, Bill will let you know so you can submit your payment ($65 is due in advance of the printing).
Virginia Arts Festival book

The Virginia Arts Festival has a holiday promotion on the Sacred Light Book, Stained Glass Windows of Southeastern Virginia, which was printed several years ago. St. Andrew’s is featured on three pages. The book is available for purchase for $17 rather than $25 on https://secure.vafest.org/1291/1295 or by calling Dianna Starkey at 757-282-2802.

One of the interesting features of the book is that it includes suggested driving itineraries for seeing the featured stain glass windows.  Although the public may not have access to the buildings, the architecture and grounds are beautiful and worthy of a driving visit. The book and suggested driving itineraries give the community a fun holiday activity in the safety of their own vehicles.
Scrip gift cards for the holidays

A number of folks have asked if we would offer the Scrip gift cards for the holidays. The answer is “Yes.” There will be one order date – Monday, December 7. Please turn your order into Bill Wilds by Friday, December 4 accompanied with your check made payable to St. Andrew’s Divine Dollars and “Gift Cards" in the memo section. For a detailed list of available vendors click here. If you have any other questions, please contact Bill (saec.bill19@verizon.net or 595-0371).
Lost and found

As cooler weather begins to arrive, the following items are hanging in the narthex: a blue quilted vest, a khaki raincoat, a gray plaid scarf, and a dark gray beret. If you think one of these is yours, call Bill (595-0371) and he will bring it out to you when you arrive to pick it up.
We're here for you!

What if I need to reach the parish clergy or staff?
You can reach us by email, even if we are working from home.

What if I have a pastoral emergency or know of someone else who is ill?
Call or text Anne directly at 804-687-5396
Links to St. Andrew's digital resources:
Other resources for worship at home: