Church family, are we living into our vision? Are we striving to meet our mission? If not, why not? and how can we reach the goals we have set for ourselves both personally and collectively?

Mission Statement

To love and serve God and our neighbor, by striving to meet the needs of God's people.

Vision Statement

To be a Christian community of faith where love lives, love works, to spread the good news of God's grace and mercy.

Photos by Andrea Porter & Darcel Arrington

Thank you to everyone that prepared food, served food and donated towards our luncheon on Sunday! A good time was had by all and the food was awesome.

We look awesome family!!

Our history is too much to be contained in one month! Check out the PDF by clicking on the link below. There is a wealth of information for you to expand your knowledge.

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS/Anniversaries

See what's happening this month.

The Season of Lent

Our Lenten journey continues on this 2nd Sunday of Lent 2026, as we explore the call to faith and the promise of new life. On Sunday, we will hear God’s call to Abram to leave everything familiar behind and trust in His promises. We also encounter Nicodemus, who comes to Jesus at night seeking understanding and learns that entering God’s kingdom requires being born from above. The key message is that God's love is not to condemn, but to save and restore. 

As part of Lectionary Year A, the service focuses on themes of faith, trust, and spiritual rebirth through the following key points: 

Key Points & Themes (Lent 2, Year A):

• The Journey of Faith (Genesis 12:1-4a): God calls Abram to leave his familiar life and trust in an unknown future, echoing the call for Christians to move beyond comfortable, established routines during Lent.
• Being "Born from Above" (John 3:1-17): The Gospel focuses on Nicodemus's night visit to Jesus, challenging believers to experience a spiritual rebirth, a process of transformation rather than a one-time event.
• God's Saving Love: John 3:16 highlights that God's love for the world motivates a desire to save, not condemn, offering a glimpse of grace.
• The Call to Trust: The lessons encourage believers to trust God's promises, especially when facing "barren" or uncertain times in life, similar to the faith of Abraham and Sarah.
• Reflective Focus: The Second Sunday in Lent is a time to focus on repentance, prayer, and returning to God with a steadfast heart.

Thank you to everyone for making our Annual Meeting and fellowship successful. We make a great team! As a result, we are officially changing the service hours.

Bible Study-9:30 AM to 10:15 AM

Worship Service- 10:30 AM

In addition, we would like to congratulate our newly elected Vestry Members: Dr. Roderick Adams, Dianne A. Smith, and Andrea Porter. By God's grace, we welcome you to our leadership cadre and look forward to serving with you. The Vestry also elected its Senior Warden, Carmen Wildgoose, and its Junior Wardens, Dianne Smith and Darcel Arrington.

We also thank members Jerome Rubin, Les Blakemore, and Lois Jackson for the service they each rendered during their elected term, which has expired.

365 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 365

The Vestry will meet on Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 PM via ZOOM

Current Vestry News

St. Andrew's 2026 Vestry members. Senior Warden- Carmen Wildgoose, Junior Wardens- Darcel Arrington and Dianne Smith, Lois Jackson/clerk, Dr. Giesele Greene, Andrea Appling, Andrea Porter, Dr. Roderick Adams, Will Kessell, and Brenda Shepherd.

New Picture Coming

Vestry Summary February 24, 2026

Vestry Members in Attendance via ZOOM: Andrea Appling, Andrea Porter, Rod Adams, Giesele Greene, Darcel Arrington, Brenda Shepherd, and Dianne Smith. Clerk of Record: Lois Jackson.

Excused absence: Carmen Wildgoose

Unexcused: Will Siefert-Kessell,

We began the meeting with prayer and Bible study. Following the Check-in, the

Clerk Lois Jackson presented the January minutes, which were accepted as

presented with corrections.

February 24, 2026 

Meeting Summary 

Meeting Purpose

Review parish operations, finances, and key initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Declined Chestnut Symposium: The proposal was declined due to financial constraints and facility issues (leaky roof, undersized undercroft), but St. Andrews will offer historical video content.
• Financial Health: January saw a ~$1.9k deficit. A $12k grant will clear assessment arrearages, but a decision is needed on reviving the scholarship fund, which requires diverting funds from the operating budget.
• Facility Needs: A new roof is the top priority. Junior Wardens will schedule a WF Hahn walkthrough to assess this and other issues, including a parking lot sinkhole.
• Community Engagement: A movie night is planned for spiritual fellowship. The parish's "ministry of hospitality" to unhoused visitors was identified as a key strength for the parochial report.

Topics

Financials & Parochial Report

• January Financials:
• Income: $16,287.63
• Disbursements: $18,225.90
• Deficit: $1,938.27
• Diocesan Assessment Arrearages:
• A $12,000 grant was received to clear the balance.
• Plan: Pay July–September immediately; pay October–November next quarter. The balance must be current through June for the convention.
• Parochial Report Narrative:
• Carbon Footprint: Recycling bulletins via the nearby Cleveland Recycling Center (M-F, 9-3) and continued use of Zoom meetings.
• Key Ministry: "Ministry of hospitality" to unhoused visitors, exemplified by the meal ministry and Bible study.
• Online Giving & Envelopes:
• Easy Time Update: A March 10 meeting with Anna Bank will update online giving options and create a QR code for the foundation.
• Envelopes: A rush order was placed for envelopes covering the full year, starting in January.

Facility Maintenance

• Junior Wardens' Walkthrough: A new spreadsheet will track facility needs.
• Top Priority: New roof needed to fix persistent leaks.
• Safety Issue: A parking lot sinkhole is a hazard, especially at night.
• Action: Schedule a walkthrough with WF Hahn to assess the roof and other issues.
• Panic Button: The undercroft panic button is missing its battery (CRV/CV type); Darcel will replace it.

Chestnut Symposium Proposal

• Decision: The ad hoc committee declined the proposal to host the September 27 worship service and reception.
• Rationale:
• Financial: Inability to fund repairs for the men's bathroom and other facility needs.
• Capacity: The undercroft is too small for the expected reception.
• Reputation: Concerns about negative press coverage of the venue's condition.
• Alternative: Dr. Regenia Williams (WRHS) suggested St. Andrews create historical video presentations.
• Vestry Position: This is an acceptable alternative.
• Worship Venue: Recommended Christ Church as a more suitable Episcopal venue.
• $1,000 Offer: The funds can be used for event tickets for St. Andrews members.

Parish Life & Scholarships

• New Activities:
• Movie Night: Feb 26 at 4 PM, facilitated by Giesele.
• Stations of the Cross: Good Friday at 5 PM, before the service.
• Holy Land Photos: Rev. Sharon will present photos, facilitated by Dianne.
• Scholarship Fund:
• Context: The fund was paused during COVID, and its $5k earmark from the foundation grant was used for general operating expenses.
• Decision: Andrea will analyze the budget to determine a sustainable funding amount for scholarships.

The Vestry members are trusting in God to bring all ideas and necessary functions to fruition.

In Christ,

The Vestry