January 13th, 2022


Dear St. Andrew Family, 
 
This letter comes to you in light of the rising coronavirus cases in our area, including growing cases for members of St. Andrew. After receiving a communication from our Synod Bishop (see Bishop's letter HERE), our Safe Re-Start Task Force met to discuss our options.
 
Schools are moving to a rotating remote schedule due to staffing shortages. St. Andrew Preschool has had to utilize substitute teachers and staff to accommodate staying open. While we have many safety protocols in place that have kept cases of covid distant from within our walls, we now know many of our members and their families are falling ill. The Bishop encouraged us to honor our calling to care for each other, and the St. Andrew Executive Team supports the following Safe Re-Start Task Force recommendations.
 
With all these factors, we elected to suspend in-person worship for the final three weeks of January, beginning this weekend, January 16th. We will reassess in late January to determine whether we will return to in-person worship in February, starting with WOW on February 2nd.

Some specific things to note:

  • Worship will be livestreamed on YouTube at 8:30 am each Sunday, with live chat. A recording of the video will then be uploaded again and set for a live premiere at 11:00 am. If all goes smoothly, both worship times will have live chat. Head to the SALC YouTube page for links: https://www.youtube.com/c/StAndrewLutheranChurchVancouverWA


  • Adult Education Hour, featuring the lecture series and discussion on "What has happened to my church?" will meet via Zoom on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45 am: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3608927160

  • All children's programming is suspended through January. This includes Sunday morning Godly Play, Middle and High School Sunday School, Wednesday Children's music, Wednesday High School Small Group, and Wednesday Confirmation classes. 

  • On January 21st at 2:00 pm, the memorial for Bill Burbridge will be livestreamed on YouTube, with live chat. Only family and worship leaders will be present in the sanctuary. A memorial announcement with a link is forthcoming.


  • The congregational invitation to meet with Karen Norton will be online via Zoom on January 23rd at 2:00 pm, using the church Zoom account: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3608927160. More details in this week's eblast.

  • Small groups are asked to determine their own meeting status. Leaders, please let the office know if you will plan to meet via zoom, in-person, or suspend gatherings for the next couple of weeks. 

  • WHO will remain in operation as scheduled. 

  • The Food Pantry will remain open on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm. Donations can be dropped off on Wednesdays beginning at 12:30 pm. 

  • The St. Andrew office will be closed to the public. Please try to address your questions or concerns by email or call the office at 360-892-7160 during regularly scheduled office hours.

Please hold our community, near and far, in your prayers. Trusting in the presence of the Holy One, we are bold to proclaim our resilient faith and hope during this challenging time. We are grateful for the diligence, care, and understanding our congregation has shown. We give thanks to God for you and for this entire family at St. Andrew.
 
In Christ, 

(Executive Team) Virginia Haberkamp (Vice President) Carol Burbridge (Secretary), Beth Oliver (Treasurer), Cindy Muse (Pastor)
(Safe Re-Start Members) Kathleen Brown, Leland Saele, Joanne Antonelli, Greg Schuster, Dave Harms, Jane Seidel, Chris Natland, Sam Solano, Jane Seidel, Amy McCann, and Pastor Cindy Muse