Every winter the congregation of St. Andrew’s meets in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 a.m. service for the Annual Meeting. This year will be different due to the pandemic. The Chancellor of the Diocese of Virginia has provided guidance and all parishes have permission to meet and vote online. This year, we will meet on February 7th at 11:15 a.m. via Zoom. During this meeting the Annual Report is presented, Vestry members offer presentations of their work from the past year, discussions are held about what’s happening in the Diocese, some Vestry members rotate off service, and new members are elected into service. We look forward to this annual gathering and hope you are able to be there, wherever you are located geographically.

The nominees for the Vestry are offered by Vestry members and have been vetted to ensure they are eligible to serve.

Voting at the Annual Meeting is conducted by secret ballot and will be done electronically this year. It will only require clicking on a link, selecting options, and hitting "submit." While we are online, proxy ballots are still not permitted. To vote, a person must be an adult, communicant in good standing. This means that you are at least 16 years of age, a confirmed/registered member of St. Andrew's, and are faithful in worshiping, praying, and giving.

The term of office for a Vestry member is three years. A Vestry member is expected to participate fully in parish events and encourage others to do so, attend monthly meetings—held the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.—assist the priest-in-charge both in dealing with current issues and in furthering the spiritual growth and programs of St. Andrew’s, and take on a major responsibility for some area of parish life and the programs associated with it.

Scroll down to see the 2021 Vestry nominees, complete with short bios and their visions of the future of St. Andrew’s. We do ask that you please read these before the Annual Meeting. We are so grateful to have such wonderful dedication and faith from each of these individuals. Thank you! 

We also ask you to take a moment to remember our retiring Vestry members, Mark Foster, Jane Girondo, Christine Kelly, Rebecca Umberger, Carl Jones, and Karan Wright (eligible for re-election), and thank them for all their hard work and dedication to St. Andrew’s. They have not only served during a transition, but during the onset and into the pandemic! If you have an opportunity, please let them know of your and our gratitude.

In 2003, I first came to St. Andrew’s in search of a church to call home. I sought a church for my child's religious and ethical teaching, and an intellectually stimulating church group. I and my husband officially became Episcopalians at St. Andrew’s a few years later. St. Andrew’s had exactly the right atmosphere for a young family, very friendly and inviting, with plenty of activities, guest speakers, and priests with thought-provoking discussions for all ages.

My volunteer work began in the nursery and then I taught Sunday School classes from 2003 to 2018. I became the Ministry leader for Families with Young Children from 2007 to 2011. Cooking is a favorite past time, so I've been making food for the Casserole Committee for several years. My full-time job is as a Security Specialist for the U.S. Navy, where I regularly conduct interviews and present briefings to personnel. For many years on up to the present, I have served as the Secretary for my neighborhood HOA and as a Girl Scout leader. I’ve really enjoyed volunteering for Fairfax County’s Hypothermia program over the past few years. Another strong interest is with regard to Outreach. I served on the FoMA board from 2011-2019, sing in the choir, and perform music in church services. Music concerts and other artistic performances are a great way to attract new people to our church. So, I hope we can get back to offering those cultural events again soon.

For the past nine months I’ve served on the Vestry, learning a lot about the Worship Committee and Stewardship process. It has been an unusual year, a tough year to ask people to financially support all the outreach programs St. Andrew’s wanted to continue throughout the pandemic. There is a great need in our community for people who have what they need in this life, to help those who do not. My ministry interests at St. Andrew’s are whatever helps others.

I was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition and had been attending a local church since our family moved to Burke in 2011. Several years ago, however, I felt called to find a new spiritual home for myself and my sons, Henry (14) and Jack (12), with the support of my husband, Steve, who is Jewish. In 2018, I felt truly blessed when we walked through the doors of St. Andrew’s, where our whole family was warmly welcomed from the very first day. Having found such a special place to grow spiritually, I was received into the Episcopal Church in 2019.

Since joining St. Andrew’s, I have volunteered with the FACETS meal preparation and the annual hypothermia prevention programs, and my family has regularly participated in the annual CROP walk with the St. Andrew’s team at the annual CROP walk. For the past two years, I have coordinated St. Andrew’s Giving Tree, providing Christmas gifts to children and adults in need. I also regularly serve as a lector for the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service.

I am honored to be nominated for the Vestry, and I would be committed to supporting our continued community outreach, enriching our fellowship and worship, and seeking to grow our membership.

My husband (Will) and our family (Libby, Charlie, Bridget) have been coming to St. Andrew’s since 2013 and I was reaffirmed in the church in 2016 (I was raised Lutheran, but have been attending Episcopal churches since I was 22). I am a reader for services, teach Sunday School, help with coffee fellowship hour (pre-Covid), and try to help with Hypothermia Week whenever possible. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know fellow parishioners through multiple foyer groups over the past few years.

Having served on the board of a Lutheran camp for nine years, I’m familiar with many of the fun, interesting, and sometimes dull but necessary aspects of running a ministry. Having three kids aged 8-14 makes me fully vested in developing a vibrant children’s program whether that’s Sunday School or a teen youth group or something else. One of the reasons I ended up “converting” (my mother’s words) to the Episcopal Church was its focus on social justice and service. I believe strongly in our work with ECHO, Hypothermia Week, and other service opportunities, and would love to find even more ways to serve those around us. I’m a big believer that if you want to attract people to the church and to Jesus, it helps if you feed them first and commit to attending to their most basic needs.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve this parish!

I’ve attended Episcopal churches since 6th grade and was confirmed in my mid-20s. My involvement at previous parishes was mainly singing in church choirs in Jacksonville, FL; Mukilteo, WA; and Carmel, CA.

My family has been at St. Andrew's since the Navy brought us to DC from Japan in 2003. I still remember one early Sunday taking our oldest son to Sunday School the first time. Linda and Wayne Lleong were teaching 4–5-year-olds. We felt so welcome from day one.

I've previously served on the Preschool Board and the Vestry. I joined the choir two years ago and am on the teaching team for 6th-8th grade Sunday School. I'm our liaison to the Scout organizations sponsored by St. Andrew’s: BSA Scout Troop 1849 (which meets weekly at the church in normal times) and Cub Scout Pack 684 (with boys and girls mainly from Sangster Elementary School); I attend their monthly leadership meetings and help provide support/continuity. I serve as a lector/lay reader, and as a Day Leader when we host the Hypothermia program. I’m glad to be the long-time “delivery guy” for Food for Friends – our outreach program led by the Preschool – delivering food bags to Bonnie Brae Elementary.

Professionally, I'm a procurement analyst for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. I previously served a career in the Navy, focused on logistics and acquisition/contracting.

I think St. Andrew's is called to do what we can to support the poor, widows and orphans, and foreigners through our Outreach programs. Participate in Racial Reconciliation. Supporting each other and especially families with young children through our ministry and formation. To keep welcoming visitors every single Sunday, finding and connecting with them. Fulfill the role in our Diocese that our church should have as a large, vibrant parish.

I love this church and could serve effectively.

Greetings. I was humbled when approached about running for Vestry. I’m a cradle Episcopalian and we’ve been members at St. Andrew’s since 2012. We first worshiped at St. Andrew’s from 2007-2010 when I was stationed at the Pentagon before moving overseas. My wife, Kelly, and I have three sons. Marshall and Adam are college seniors and Sam is a freshman at West Springfield High School. The St. Andrew’s community has been a big part of our lives. The pre-school helped shape our youngest son in his early years and Kelly served on the board for three years.

I had the privilege of serving on the Vestry from 2016-2018 where I served as the lead for fellowship and the co-lead on the outreach commission. With an army of great volunteers, we enjoyed some meaningful fellowship. Some of you may remember our first big BBQ cookoff. Prior to joining the Vestry, I led the greeter ministry for almost two years. I’ve continued to serve as an usher and each year I volunteer as a day leader for the Hypothermia Prevention program along with other one-off jobs such as serving on the stewardship committee.

My vision for St. Andrew’s is a thriving parish that provides everyone a place to worship, serve and belong. Challenging economic times such as these require more fiscal discipline and creativity to deliver the programming we all cherish. The current environment is proof our church provides us strength during both good and tough times. I currently work at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as the Deputy Chief of the Office of Public Affairs. If selected as a lay person, I would apply my career experience in the military and federal government to help build upon the special parish community we have and the critical ministries that we offer.

I’m a native Northern Virginia, growing up in Alexandria. I was raised Roman Catholic and I practiced my faith by attending church by myself as a child because I could feel the holy spirit within me when I attended mass. As an adult, I lost that feeling as I did not agree with a lot of the doctrine, and church attendance became more of an obligation. My husband and I tried several other churches but fell in love with St. Andrew’s. I felt a sense of community and fellowship that I had never felt in our previous church and the Episcopal church’s doctrine aligned perfectly with my own beliefs. We became active in St. Andrew’s almost immediately, taking over the Greeter ministry and participating in church fellowship (Shrine Mont; Newcomer Visitation) and community service activities (Hypothermia Week). After 5 years at St. Andrew’s, I would like the opportunity to take my ministry to the next level, by being received in the Episcopal church and being part of the Vestry.

Prior to St. Andrew’s, I taught 4th grade catechism class at St. Bernadette’s. I was also a Girl Scout leader (10 years) and have actively supported my community by volunteering at NOVA training center, ECHO, So Others Might Eat, held various PTA offices, was a NVSL Stroke and Turn official, Springfield Youth Club coach and team mom for more activities than I can count.

I am a strategist and a futurist, and I can use my proven vision and leadership skills, obtained by being a financial executive in the US Federal Government and private industry, as well as my experience volunteering and being a leader in the Springfield/Burke community, to help the church solve their toughest problems. I would like to help St. Andrew’s continue to grow and help the community by working with the vestry to develop new, non-traditional ways of worshiping, serving others, and enjoying fellowship that will attract new families and all parishioners. Based on my track record in working and collaborating with others, as well as my reputation for the person who gets things done, within budget and on-time, I can be a great Vestry contributing member.

My history with the Episcopal Church began in childhood while attending Episcopal schools in Honolulu and Virginia from grade school through high school. Our family began attending St. Andrew’s soon after our youngest daughter, Emma, was a student at St. Andrew’s Preschool in 2002. My wife, Jeanne began teaching at St. Andrew’s and was the Director, prior to her retirement a year ago. Consequently, my involvement with St. Andrew’s has been to support the Preschool Director with various Preschool Tasks, such as setting up for Preschool Sunday, making repairs or maintenance to the playground and the Food-For-Friends Program. I also served as a lay reader and mowed the lawn for St. Andrew’s prior to our hiring a professional landscaping service a few years ago. I usually participate in the fall and spring clean-up. In the past few years, I have been a regular Usher for the 10:00 a.m. service or special services and previously acted as a greeter. 

My vision for St. Andrew’s is for our church to spread the word about the Gospel and reach more people in the community. I truly believe that St. Andrew’s is a special place where everyone feels welcome and can experience Christ’s love and can be a better person through his example. 

My family and I came to St. Andrew’s shortly after we moved to Northern Virginia in 1979, and we have remained members here to this day. At the invitation of the Vestry I was able to use my organizing skills to restore and continue St. Andrew’s participation in Hypothermia Prevention. While no longer leading this ministry I am pleased to see that outreach continues to serve our neighbors in need. It enables our parish to be deeply involved with FACETS in protecting lives and recognizing the humanity of our guests. 

I served on the Vestry following the Outreach lead of those before me and explored ways that our parish could be involved and responsibly contribute to those in need near us and across the world. While on the Vestry I served as Junior Warden, focusing on the campus care and improvement to the landscape, the implementation of the acquisition of the Graham property, and with Eagle scout candidates saw to the creation of the outdoor chapel area and pathways.

I enjoy watercolor painting, sharing with parish members, bluegrass music, and enjoy working in St. Andrew’s gardens which are a holy place. I see myself as part of a team with others in St. Andrew’s continuing to responsibly help those in need and would work to maintain our facility and campus for those who will worship here again.