Dear Friends in Christ, 

The third week in Advent brings with it joy. In a season of preparation, contemplation, and discernment, we remember and discover the joy found as we encounter God. This joy extends beyond the “most wonderful time of the year” feeling and goes into something deeper. 

Perhaps this Sunday we can see what this “something deeper” entails. Sunday at 10:00 a.m., we welcome the Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor for a service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation. This is a service when individuals who have been in an intentional period of prayer and preparation affirm their Baptismal promises with the laying on of hands by the bishop. What an appropriate time to encounter joy in the service and presence of God in our lives! This is the substance of a deeper joy that may be found in our discipleship. 

Through our lives in search of following Christ, we slowly uncover the joy which lies at the core of faith. In our experiences of being alive from the mundane, to the struggles, the pains, the happiness, and delights, we encounter God. Throughout our lives we engage in our gift of free will and often strive to assert our will and seek our way. In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to seek not our will, but God’s will. Over the course of a life lived towards discipleship, we slowly hear and turn towards decisions daily that are of God. 

This path seems serious (which it is), but in this intentionality it does not need to be somber. We remember and discover that joy is at the heart of such a life which will far exceed any expectations we have. “This is the secret of joy,” states theologian Evelyn Underhill, “we shall no longer strive for our own way; but commit ourselves, easily and simply, to God’s way, acquiesce in his will and in so doing, find our peace.” 

The short season of Advent helps us to prepare for Christ’s coming at birth and second coming. As a sign for our larger preparation and call to discipleship, we remember what is at the heart of our lives which seek God; JOY! 

We congratulate those who will be confirmed, received, and reaffirmed in their faith this week. We remember the joy found in our lives lived towards discipleship and the joy found in Christ’s peace. 

Faithfully yours, 

The Rev. William L. Packard

(571) 449-7438

Masks are still required for everyone two and older. We do ask that if you are feeling ill to please stay home and follow along with our online services, which can be found at the links below.

@ 6:00 p.m. – Evening Prayer

@ 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite I

@ 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite II

@ 9:00 p.m. – Compline with St. Phoebe's (via Zoom)

Note: When joining any of our Zoom meetings, please make sure your name is displayed.

2nd Note: If any of the service links above don't work, check our website for updated links.

Note the 3rd: All of our services are also available on our Facebook page.

The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor will be here for our 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, December 12th to Confirm, Receive, or Reaffirm those who have worked on becoming full members of St. Andrew’s. We hope you can join us for this joyful occasion.

After the service there will be a Q & A session with Bishop Taylor in the Parish Hall.

There is a rehearsal & costume fitting for all participants at 9:15 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room on Sunday, December 19th.

There is also a rehearsal starting at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, December 24th.

If your family is participating in the pageant, email Amy so she can send you the registration link for the service. Once the link goes live to the public, it’s first come first serve.

Contact: Amy Dutton (amy@standrews.net)

Reminder to wrap and label your gifts with the child's first name/last initial, case manager's name, and age. If you select your child from the in-person tree, you can use the ornament provided.

Thank you all for your generosity and help in making sure these kids have a wonderful Christmas!

Contact: Jen Koerner (facets@standrews.net)

Friends of Music and Arts at St. Andrew's is back! Please mark your calendar for the season opener on Sunday, December 19th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Nave.

Join us for a delightful Celtic concert of sacred and seasonal music for the Advent-Christmas season with KAREN ASHBROOK & PAUL OORTS on hammered dulcimer, harp guitar, accordion, and pennywhistle, along with Irish-American singer EILEEN ESTES.

All donations collected during the concert will go to FACETS and ECHO. Free Admission. Masks Required.

Contact: Gabe Simerson (foma@standrews.net)

This year we return to our tradition of decorating the church for Christmas with your gifts of poinsettias. Each poinsettia is a visual symbol of your gift, given as a memorial for a loved one or a thanksgiving for a blessing in your life. Your thanksgivings and memorials will be printed in the Christmas service bulletins.

Envelopes for your donations are located on the bulletin board outside the office. Suggested donations: $25. Please return your envelope to the office by Wednesday, December 15th.

Thanks to everyone who has already turned in their 2022 pledge. We are at 88% of our pledge goal and 72% of our participation goal! For those who haven’t pledged yet, we invite you to do so via one of these options:

Contact: Brian Jones & Karan Wright (stewardship@standrews.net)

We are still in need of volunteers in the Pre-K and Nursery classes. If you are vaccinated and 14 years or older, please sign up to volunteer. More support is needed for the Nursery to remain open.

There is also a need for teachers in our older classes, as well as another Godly Play leader, and Sunday School Superintendent. Please contact Christie and Stacey if you are interested in helping out.

Contact: Christie Dasher & Stacey Peters (formation@standrews.net)

As health metrics indicate, we are seeing a slightly greater impact of COVID in Fairfax County. The Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole has moved into the “Red” category and Fairfax County remains a level below (Orange).

According to the Brown School of Public Health, there are an average of 17.5 cases per 100k in Fairfax over the past 7 days which is an increase from last year. We remain in the “Orange” category which states that we need to continue taking precautions to reduce spread. According to the CDC, we are now in the Red or High transmission zone which is triggered when you reach more than 100 total cases per 100k over the past 7 days. Our actual number is 115.64 total cases per 100k which is a 54% increase from last week. The number of deaths remains “suppressed” in the statistics indicating that there were between 0 and 9.

Over the past 7 days, there were 40 new COVID-related hospital submissions in the county. This is a rate of 3.49 per 100k people and a rate of 2.49 per 100 beds. 3.35% of hospital beds are being used for COVID-related admissions and 4.6% of ICU beds are being used for COVID-related purposes. This is a slight increase from last week.

Vaccination rates remain high in Fairfax County and continue to increase. 85.2% of our population has received at least one dose and 72.3 are considered fully-vaccinated. 96.7% of the population 12 and older has received at least 1 dose and 83.5% of the population 12 and older is fully-vaccinated. Beginning this week, parts of the population who are between 5-11 will become fully-vaccinated as this is the earliest that they will be beyond 2 weeks of their second shot since Pfizer authorized use for the age group. If you have questions about receiving a vaccination, regardless of age group, please contact your doctor. If you are traveling and would like to access these statistics for the areas to which you are traveling you may find the Brown School of Public Health at this link and county-level statistics at this link from the CDC.

Contact: The Rev. Will Packard (will@standrews.net)

We welcomed John Lent from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem for a Forum a few weeks ago and we pray for St. Andrew's, Ramallah in our weekly Prayers. If you are interested to hear what is going on with AFEDJ, you may read their December newsletter here

We are grateful for this relationship and for this connection in the Church Universal.

Do you enjoy coffee? Are you interested in supporting one of our global outreach programs, El Hogar Ministries? Now you have a delicious way to help.

Esperanza Dulce (translated from Spanish, “Sweet Hope”) is coffee grown in Honduras and roasted in Denver, with all profits benefiting El Hogar. Beans are grown on a small farm near Tegucigalpa, not far from El Hogar’s primary school. You can order either whole bean or in one of many ground coffee styles, from French press to cone filter. $12 for a 12 oz. bag (plus shipping). Order here.

El Hogar is an Episcopal mission that provides a loving home and education in a Christian environment for over 200 boys and girls suffering from severe poverty. St. Andrew’s has supported El Hogar for many years. The program, which runs from 1st through 12th grade, ensures that students receive a quality education and learn a marketable trade. Why not check out this smooth, aromatic coffee roast, while giving to a worthy cause.

Contact: Jewell Gould & Jonathan Withington (outreach@standrews.net)

With the holiday shopping and giving season well underway, we want you to be on the lookout for potential scams. As a reminder, the church, our staff, Vestry, clergy, will not request personal information, gift cards, or money over email or text. If you have the slightest bit of doubt about a communication from the church, please be sure to contact us directly. If it is truly urgent, you will hear our voice and can confirm in person.

Contact: The Rev. Will Packard (will@standrews.net)

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)

Please keep these members of our community in your prayers: 

Contact: Deborah England (prayer@standrews.net)