Dear Friends in Christ,

Dear Friends in Christ, 

As we sit in this season after the Epiphany and before Lent, we cannot help but draw parallels with our lives. We sit in this season of Omicron and hope to see Easter ahead. Yet, we are in a time when the light continues to grow and the amount of sunlight continues to get brighter. This is a time when we might reflect on that light, which is founded in Christ. How might we shine this light or reflect Christ’s light in this time? 

Who are those people who show this light in the world; in your life? Who are those saints, such as Dr. King, who we celebrate on Monday, who show the light in the world? As disciples, and in our Baptismal Covenant, we are called to help and be the light, at all times and in all places. 

I look forward to worshiping with you online or in person this Sunday. 

Faithfully yours,

The Rev. William L. Packard

(571) 449-7438

Masks are 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.

Saturday, January 15th *Our Saturday services are no longer streamed online*

@ 6:00 p.m. – Taizé

@ 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite I

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

@ 8:00 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 online services are also available on our Facebook page.

There is a Prayer Guild Meeting this Saturday, January 15th, at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. Click here to join, or use the meeting info below to attend.

Meeting ID: 889 5400 6525

Passcode: 230498

Contact: Deborah England (prayers@standrews.net)

We continue to see health metrics reflecting high rates of transmission and with high impacts on our health system in Fairfax County and the nation. We will continue to exercise some stricter measures for the safety of all. This will include registration at our 10am service to help reduce numbers which increases our ability to social distance and increases our airflow rate. We will continue to wear masks in the building at all times for those aged 2 and older. Our formation activities will continue. We ask that you stay informed about the pandemic, your own health risks, and the risks of others around you. We also ask that you worship with us online if you have any symptoms or if you have had a close contact with anyone who has COVID-19, even if you are fully-vaccinated. 

If you desire to worship in-person and would like to ensure ample space, our 6pm Saturday service and our 8am Sunday service have about 17 attendees. 

Here are the health metrics for Fairfax County as of January 14: 

According to the Brown School of Public Health, there were an average of 219.6 cases per 100k people over the last 7 days, placing us solidly in the red zone. According to the CDC, there were 1,500.52 total cases per 100k over the past 7 days, which is solidly in the red zone for the CDC as well. There were a total of 17,219 cases in Fairfax County over the past 7 days. This is an 18% increase over the past 7 days. The death rate last week rose to 17. This week, there were fewer than 10 deaths with that data labelled as “suppressed.” 

Over the past 7 days, there were 332 new hospital admissions for COVID, representing a 44.98% increase. 21.52% of hospital beds were used for COVID purposes (7.17% increase) and 15.21% of ICU beds were used for COVID (6.08% increase). Our health systems are under high to extreme stress in Fairfax County according to the Minnesota COVID-19 Hospital Tracking Project. INOVA Fairfax is under “Extreme” stress, meaning that more than 20% of their beds are being used for COVID reasons according to a tool developed by NPR in consultation with University of Washington and University of Minnesota. If you know of healthcare workers, you have probably heard about the stress in our systems and we will continue to pray for them and all those impacted. 

74.9% of Fairfax County residents are fully-vaccinated according to the CDC and 90.1% have received at least 1 dose. For the eligible population (older than 5), 79.9% is considered fully-vaccinated. In Fairfax, 35% of residents have received their booster shot and this percentage goes up to 59.4% for those over the age of 65. We encourage you, if eligible and able, to get vaccinated and receive a booster dose. While you may be able to contract COVID-19 with vaccines and a booster, studies indicate that the likelihood of severe illness are significantly reduced.  

We are doing the best that we can to navigate the pandemic and thank you for your patience. We know that many people may have contracted COVID-19 and we pray for you and we ask everyone to pray for continued guidance during the pandemic.

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

Join us Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for Holy Eucharist Rite II. We gather in the Nave, with masks and plenty of room for social distancing. Afterwards, starting at 10:30 a.m., we have Bible Study with Justin Smith, our seminarian, also in the Nave. We’re talking about God’s covenants with his people. We started with Abram (Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:1-5). Next we’re discussing David (II Samuel 7:1-7). Please join us on January 19th.

Contact: Emily Nein (emily@standrews.net)

St. Andrew’s is hosting our annual Hypothermia Prevention Program from January 30th - February 6th. During this week, we will welcome approximately 35 guests each night and provide them with food, fellowship, and shelter. There are many volunteer slots that will need to be filled in order to make this week a success.

We also have a need for donated items. Any donation is greatly appreciated and can be dropped off on the brick ledge across from the Church Office. Please mark all donations with “Hypothermia Program.” We are ready to receive donations now through February 2nd, but prefer to receive them in late January.

Food Items: Bottled water (16 oz.); Individual chocolate milk & juice (apple/orange) boxes; Individual cups of pudding, fruit, & applesauce; Individual packs of raisins, chips, popcorn, nuts, pretzels, trail mix, & cookies; Individual V-8 cans; Peanut butter or cheese cracker packs; Sunny D (6-8 oz.); and Chewy granola/breakfast bars

Personal Items: Hand or foot warmer pouches; Cell chargers; Reading glasses (all but esp. 2.5-3.5); Travel size toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brushes, tissue pouches, foot powder, hand lotion, Chapstick, etc.), rain ponchos.

Other items: a few board games, appropriate DVDs, daily newspapers, and magazines.

Contact: Steve Koss (hypothermia@standrews.net)

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)