The Weekly Net
May 6, 2022
From our Rector

Fairfax County COVID-19 Community Level: MEDIUM

Dear Friends in Christ,

Stephen Ministry is a lay-focused pastoral care program found in many churches which has a focus on one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties. During the service this week, we commission our two lay leaders who are the Rev. Kathleen (Kate) Chipps and me. After the service, find out who it engages, what it does and more during the forum hour. Even if you do not directly engage with Stephen Ministry, its presence at our parish will help us cultivate all of our ministries with a pastoral focus. 

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday, online or in-person. Please take a look below at the many events this week and in the weeks to come! 

Faithfully yours,
The Rev. William L. Packard
(571) 449-7438
Worship Services

As of March 26/27, masks are optional inside the building. We do ask that if you are feeling ill please stay home and follow along with our online services, which can be found at the links below.

Saturday, May 7th
@ 6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite II (in-person only)

Sunday, May 8th
@ 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite I
@ 9:00 a.m. – Bible Study (mtg: 2558 737 9909 | pwd: J3DmHkkUG39)
@ 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.
Regathering Update

Fairfax County COVID-19 Community Level: MEDIUM

Fairfax County has moved into the medium community level according to the CDC this week. Recommendations from the CDC are to monitor for symptoms and get tested; stay up-to-date with vaccines, if eligible and in alignment with your healthcare provider; and to consider taking extra precautions, in consultation with your healthcare provider, if you are at risk for severe illness.

While we will not make any changes to our gathering for worship and other events at this time, please consider this information for yourselves and for others who may be at risk. If you are in a ministry and feel you cannot participate but are unsure of how to say this, please be in touch with Will directly. 

You may find more information on this new status and on the health metrics from the CDC here

Weekly Metrics Used to Determine the COVID-19 Community Level
  • Case Rate per 100k: 210.1 (Last Week: 173.2)
  • New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population: 3.4 (2.7)
  • % Staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19: 1.9% (1.4%)

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

Preschool’s outreach program, Food for Friends, provides nutritionally challenged—hungry—children, food to supplement their weekend meals. You can help this ministry by donating individual, microwavable Kraft macaroni & cheese cups and individual, microwavable Chef Boyardee mini ravioli cups on Mother’s Day. Look for the donation bins in the Narthex and/or Parish Hall to drop off your items and help make some Mother’s Day special for those in need. 
Adult Forum: Stephen Ministry

Congregation member, Kate Chipps and Father Will received the leadership training to bring Stephen Ministry to St. Andrew’s and we would like to introduce this program to you this Sunday, May 8th.

In short, “Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.” Come hear more on Sunday, May 8th, during the forum hour.
FoMA Concert: Brass of Peace

Sunday, May 8th @ 4:00 p.m.

Directed by Sylvia Alimena, Brass of Peace is a scholarship brass ensemble dedicated to creating an environment of higher musical learning for the Washington area’s most accomplished high school brass players. A tuition-free program, Brass of Peace is an intensive training program that prepares its members for greater success in the very competitive field of music. Come hear our rising stars of tomorrow! Free admission. Masks optional.

Contact: Gabe Simerson (foma@standrews.net)
Finding our Lost Sheep

The 50th Anniversary Committee is inviting former members to our many anniversary events. We are looking for contact information, especially emails, for some former members. Can you help us find these lost sheep? Please email Martha and January with any information you may have. Thanks!

Jim and Mary Armor; Judy Barton; Rev. Nancy Cox; Jim and Shelle Jennings; Ken and Diane Martell; Mike and Tracey O’Malley; Rob and Betsy Porter; Patti Stevens; Harrison and Priscilla Williams; Rev. Barbara Williamson; and Pat Youmans.

Contact: January Layman-Wood & Martha Turner (50th@standrews.net)
Sweet Treats to Support ECHO Moms

This Mother’s Day, help us sweeten the day for Mothers who need a little extra treat. St. Andrew’s will be collecting individually wrapped chocolates (i.e., Godiva/Lindt, or your special chocolate treat) for ECHO to deliver throughout May to mothers supported by ECHO services.

A basket will be kept in the church hallway for donations. We will be collecting through May 22nd.

Contact: Andrea Hellier (echo@standrews.net)
Mega Parish Clean-Up

Grab some gloves and a rake and come out for our Spring Parish Clean-up from 8:00 a.m. until done on Saturday, May 14th. We will be working both indoors and outdoors, so weather won’t be a factor. This is a fun and easy way for teens and adults to give back to the church and spend time with fellow parishioners outside of the services. The more helpers there are, the more work we can get done.

Planned projects include:
Outdoors: Roof cleaning team to remove leaves; Rear retention pond cleanup; Tree removal in the woods; Tree branch pruning in the parking lots; Blowing debris out of the parking lots; Pulling weeds; Back shed clean up; Outside storage room clean up; Pavement patching in the back parking lot; Power washing the back wall; Beautification of Memorial Garden; Trip/s to the Lorton Landfill (Removal of light bulbs, paints, and other items yet to be determined).

Indoors: We will have inside teams to work on the Nave including cleaning the pews and wood services and also cleaning the glass on doors and windows; Clearing any cobwebs; Vacuuming the Parish Hall.

Hauling Help: We need about 4 pickups with drivers on to haul away some old junk and deliver it to the county dump. We hope to send at least one helper with each truck to assist with loading and unloading as necessary. Chuck Sleeper will assign loads once you get to the church. Please contact Chuck at property@standrews.net if you can help!


Contact: Jonathan Withington (jrwarden@standrews.net)
Stirring the Waters: A Book Study

A continuing group that engaged in the Sacred Ground racial reconciliation curriculum will be hosting a book study on The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community by the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers from the National Episcopal Church.

This group, now called Stirring the Waters, will meet on four consecutive Wednesdays in Easter, May 4th through May 25th, at 7:30 p.m. in a hybrid format (church Conference Room and Zoom). Reading two chapters per week, we hope to engage in faithful discussion. While the study has begun, please let us know if you are interested.

Contact: Sarah Akins & Janet Fife (sacredground@standrews.net)
Celebration of New Ministry

Join us on Sunday, May 15th, at 4:00 p.m. as we officially install the Rev. William L. Packard as the 3rd Rector of St. Andrew’s. This service will feature music, guest preaching, and a fabulous reception. Come together with the people of St. Andrew’s to celebrate this new chapter of our church!

We will need help with setting up the Parish Hall following Sunday School/Coffee Hour on the 15th. We also need volunteers to help with hosting/serving during the reception and with clean-up. Sign up here to help out and/or bring food: http://tiny.cc/texquz.

Contact: Stacey Peters & Sarah Akins (fellowship@standrews.net)
Graduate Sunday

At the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, May 22nd, we are celebrating all who are graduating this Spring. In order to honor everyone’s achievements, please send the following information to Emily by Tuesday, May 17th: your photo, your name, your parents’ names, from where you are graduating, and, if applicable, what you majored in. This is not restricted to only High School and College grads. If you are graduating from any kind of program, we want to know! Photos and info will be posted in the Friday email on May 20th.

Contact: Emily Nein (emily@standrews.net)
Teacher Appreciation

Join us on May 22nd, for the last day of Sunday School when we celebrate both Graduates Sunday and Teacher Appreciation! We’ll have refreshments to honor this year's graduates at Fellowship, beginning at 11:15 a.m., and invite our teachers and their families to join us for a luncheon following Formation's end at 12:15 p.m.

Contact: Sarah Gregory & Woody Browne (formation@standrews.net)
FoMA Concert: Singing Sergeants

The Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force, is one of the world's most versatile and traveled choral organizations. They perform a wide range of musical styles, from traditional Americana, opera, and choral standards to modern Broadway and jazz. As part of The U.S. Air Force Band, the Singing Sergeants’ mission is to honor those who have served, inspire American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and connect with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States.

Free admission. Masks & Vaccination Cards are required.


Contact: Gabe Simerson (foma@standrews.net)
'70s Picnic Bash

Mark your calendars and break out your bell-bottoms, tube socks, and peace signs for the St. Andrew’s 50th Anniversary ‘70s Bash on Sunday, June 5th from 11:30-1:30. Help us celebrate 50 amazing years with a gathering that will take us back to this congregation’s 1970s roots.

Festivities will include live music, food trucks, bouncy houses, games, and prizes for the best ’70s outfits. This bash is guaranteed to have something for everyone: balloon animals, limbo, musical chairs, great food, dancing to classic ‘70s music, and, most importantly, fantastic fellowship.

The picnic will take place immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 5th. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to come to church in whatever ‘70s attire or outdoor play clothes you see fit! Volunteer opportunities to help with the ’70s Bash will be published in the coming weeks!
Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School (July 18th-22nd) is our camp for kids ages 3½ to rising 4th graders. We start each morning at 9:00 a.m. and spend the day making crafts, playing, singing, eating snacks, and listening to Bible stories until pick-up at 12:00 p.m. Classes will be both inside and outside (weather depending) so dress kids appropriately. The cost is $30/child ($70 family max - registration cost only) and $8/t-shirt (t-shirts are optional). Money & registration are due by June 20th.

When registering a child, please register yourself (parent/guardian) first, then add your children. Volunteers can also use the form to sign up to help. There is no registration cost and t-shirts are free for volunteers.


Contact: Amy Dutton (amy@standrews.net)
Online Giving

Your financial gifts to St. Andrew’s are of vital importance to support our ongoing ministries and our outreach to the most vulnerable among us. Please continue to offer your faithful gifts by:

  • Mailing your check to our church office (6509 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke VA 22015)
  • Hand delivering cash or checks to the church mailbox (cash or check should be sealed in an envelope marked with your name)
  • Using your bank’s online bill-pay feature
  • Using St. Andrew’s online giving feature. You will be asked to provide your email address, an amount, date of gift, whether it is one-time or recurring, and a fund. In the fund box, you can click the arrow at the right-hand side to see the drop-down menu (the current options are Pledge and Plate Offering). The next page will give you the option of paying via your bank or debit/credit card. Please note that St. Andrew’s will pay fees on these transactions and you will be asked if you would like to increase your donation to offset these fees.

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)
Prayer List

Please keep these members of our community in your prayers: 
Pam, Linda & Ed Hunter, John & Janet Carver, Bill Hartig, Nancy Knight, Charles Petty, Gloria Covington, Jack Keyser, Hugh Brian Henderson, Olivia Kertesz, Rachel Gordon, Phil Purdom, Christy Bering, Beth Matovick, Natasha Browning, Joe & Karen Steele, Katie Gould, Felix Benitez, Zach Davis, Annie Sher, Frank Traglia, Eddie Fortune, Charles McLeod, John Strong, Maureen Sullivan, Kendal & Hunter Albury, Mary Jeanne Sabo, Donna Schrock

For Those Departed:
Andrew Griffiths (friend of Julie Morgan)


Contact: Deborah England (prayers@standrews.net)
emily@standrews.net | www.standrews.net
(703) 455-2500