Dear Friends in Christ,

How are you doing? From the beginning of the pandemic to now, this question is becoming more difficult to answer quickly. The pandemic is continuing even in the midst of a vaccine rollout. We also look this week toward the inauguration and the many emotions we have associated with January 20th given the images we saw on January 6th. How are you doing may take a good 30-minute answer these days!

Let’s take a visit on how we are doing through the lens of our church calendar. We are in the season after the Epiphany and before our penitential Lenten season. This is a time when we acknowledge the manifestation of Jesus in the world. This is the Jesus of Nazareth which walked amongst us 2,000 years ago. This is the Jesus who died on the cross. This is the Jesus who was Resurrected on the third day and ascended into heaven. This is the Jesus, the revelation of God that came at a particular time in our history and is also here now. This is the revelation of Jesus in our own lives and through the church. How are we doing at recognizing that this is real, that our faith is real and Jesus works in and through us and the church?

We receive comfort from this presence and knowledge. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son! It is a comfort and a discomfort, because with it come discipleship. While we are comforted, we are also encouraged to act on and share “how we are doing,” and to listen to how others are doing. Our Presiding Bishop asked us in his January 8th sermon to “bless someone…to bless someone with whom we disagree…and with whom we disagree.” It begins with a listening ear and authentic sharing. This week, we all need blessing!

Before we bless and act on “how we are doing,” we may need to ask ourselves and share with God. This is prayer. While we are unable to open the sanctuary doors, I invite you to a sacred place in your life. Perhaps it is coming outside the church, or a walk to our outdoor chapel. Do you have a space in your house and a time to pray? There are many online resources, including the Diocese of Virginia’s 6 days of prayer on Facebook. Check our Facebook page and website for any updates on prayer resources and reach out to your fellow parishioners. And, pray, any place and any time. From here, we may listen and follow the path of discipleship.

How are you doing? Know that you are a beloved child of God, called into discipleship, and given an eternal promise of hope through love.

Please continue to be safe and pray.

Faithfully yours,

@ 6:00 p.m. – Taizé Service

@ 8:00 a.m. – Liturgy of the Word

@ 9:00 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg: 142 074 0872 | pwd: CMrCxTkf488)

@ 10:00 a.m. – Liturgy of the Word (also on Facebook)

@ 11:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour (Mtg: 863 4884 3653 | pwd: 163336)

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

@ 9:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer Service

@ 10:30 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg: 856 9253 7645 | password: 856550)

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.

Fairfax is not an anomaly for the growing number of cases around the nation. We are far from meeting metrics to regather and, until further notice, we the Diocese of Virginia has asked that we pause all outdoor and indoor worship throughout the diocese. However, vaccines are beginning to roll out and we encourage you to check your eligibility. Please check the Fairfax Department of Health Covid-19 website and be in touch with your doctor. Those 65 and older may begin to

register on January 18th. We also invite you to look at our Covid-19 resources on our website, for any up-to-date information and spiritual information.

Starting January 19, 2021, our preschool will begin registering for the 2021-2022 school year. Current families, siblings of alumni, and Parish members get priority on registering. Registration opens to the community on February 16, 2021. Classes are filled first come first serve, so please don't delay if you are interested. Please visit our website for more information and to view a virtual tour of the preschool.

Contact: Tami Phillips (preschool@standrews.net)

Year-End contribution statements will be available by the end of January and will be sent out via email. If you would rather receive yours by mail, please contact Michelle ASAP.

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)

This year we will not be able to host guests at St. Andrew's but we will be providing meals and other essentials to the Hypothermia Shelter in Tyson's Corner.

We will collect a specific set of donated items for the breakfast and lunch meals which can be found on the signup genius. Please note that the requested items are on the signup genius and differ from the items that we have collected in the past (for instance they do not need jackets at the moment). We will have teams to safely assemble and deliver the meals to the shelter. We have contracted with a local professional caterer, whose business has also been impacted by Covid, who will be providing dinners to the guests and staff at the shelter during our week.

We have donation drop offs as listed on the signup genius starting January 21st for non-perishable items. Our week begins Sunday evening, January 31st and ends Wednesday evening, February 3rd (Floris UMC will take over on the 4th and finish out the week).

Please take special notice of the drop off dates and times on the sign up genius; due to COVID we can only offer limited opportunities to drop off items. There will be volunteers at the church to gather dropped off items so you will be able to drop items off at the front door during the main dropoff times.

Thank you for all you do to help this vulnerable population in our community!

Contact: Steve Koss & Elaine Runkel (hypothermia@standrews.net)

Save the date: Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 7th at 11:15ish via Zoom. More details to follow.

Contact: Emily Nein (emily@standrews.net)

A new batch of Forward Day by Day booklets are now at the church and will be mailed to anyone who requests a copy. Forward Day by Day is published in printed form three months at a time and includes a Bible passage from the sequence of lessons for daily use plus a brief meditation.

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)

A Sign-Up Genius has been created, so pick a time that works best for you/your family and sign up here to schedule a meeting.

Contact: Betsy Cotten and Rebecca Umberger (fellowship@standrews.net)

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)

Please keep these members of our community in your prayers: 

Contact: Deborah England (prayer@standrews.net)