CARE AND MISSION
We are a mission-minded congregation. Our members have a keen interest in serving God by helping address hunger, homelessness, oppression and poverty. Come join in on the conversations and active service that reflect our commitment to both faith and works.
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Mission Partnership Giving
We pledge a portion of our general budget to the General Assembly for mission work here and abroad.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Gifts go to the Presbyterian Hunger Fund, the Self Development of People Fund, and the Presbyterian Disaster and Refugee Resettlement Fund.
Peacemaking Offering
Gifts are used for ministries of peace and reconciliation in the church, in the community and around the world.
Christmas Joy Offering
This offering assists active and retired church workers in times of need, and helps support the eight racial and ethnic schools and colleges related to the Presbyterian church.
Pentecost Offering
These funds are used to help at-risk children, both locally and around the world. The funds are also used to nurture faith in children and teens.
Christmas Eve Offering
Our Christmas Eve offering is dedicated to a select local or global mission that we choose each year.
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In 2010, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church established a 10-year covenant partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Santa Clara, Cuba as part of a long-standing partnership established between the Presbytery of the Cascades, of which St. Andrew's is a member, and the Central Presbytery of Cuba, of which Santa Clara is a member. These partnerships are for the purposes of strengthening the Cuban Presbyterian Church which experienced great persecution until 1990, and which has endured much economic hardship. An equally important goal is peacemaking between the two churches and our two countries. Every two years St. Andrew's sends a team to Santa Clara, Cuba to provide financial support, bring medicines and other needed supplies, also to develop relationships with our Cuban sisters and brothers. Team members discover that this time of community brings rich rewards and lasting friendships. St. Andrew's holds bi-annual auction/dinner to raise funds for the Santa Clara Church and for furthering the goals of the partnership. The auction is a festive evening featuring great food, terrific auction items, entertainment, and fellowship with friends from all over the community. There are many opportunities to learn more about the partnership, assist with the auction and to travel with the team. To learn more about the St. Andrew's Cuba Partnership, contact Marilyn Palumbo.
ST A'S CUBA MISSION
NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY
Neighborhood Ministry carries out the local mission of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church through the support of clothing drives, medical clinics, schools, shelters, food pantries, and community centers. For more information please contact Kara, Neighborhood Ministry Coordinator.
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SW HOPE: Feed the Hungry
An annual effort during February & March by Churches in southwest Portland to raise money and food donations for the Neighborhood House Food Pantry. St. Andrew's is the chairing organization, providing leadership for publicity and events such as restaurant nights, concerts, and 5K runs, and donations from local businesses. https://nhpdx.org/sw-hope/​
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NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Partners with diverse individuals and families to build community and achieve their goals for health, education and self-sufficiency. Services include a senior center, a Head Start Preschool, and food pantry. St. Andrew's members volunteer in the food pantry and help with bulk mailings. Visit http://nhpdx.org/ for more information.
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Operation Nightwatch
Through our Ziploc ministry we support this organization, whose mission is to provide radical hospitality to alleviate the isolation experienced by those living on the streets at times of the day that other resources typically aren't available, by providing bags filled with critical items need to survive living outside. www.operationnightwatch.org
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West Women & Children's Shelter
A ministry of the Salvation Army, the shelter also provides food, clothing, and services to survivors of domestic violence. St. Andrew's members help with food and holiday gifts for residents.
https://westwomens.salvationarmy.org/
St. Andrew's Neighborhood Ministry team members are Laurie Donald, Jeanette Kloos, Marilyn Palumbo, Mary Poulsen, and Mary Sherwood.
Each Sunday at 10am we gather to worship, recognizing that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, although our culture and circumstances are ever-changing. Musicians and artists help us worship God in a variety of ways. We alternate between more "traditional" and more "modern" music in worship, and some weeks we use a bit of both!
We hold several special events each year with music as a focal point. The choir performs a special Advent and Christmas choir concert in December. We host a jazz band in the summertime during one worship service. Special solo and group vocal and instrumental musicians perform during services throughout the year.
Contact Us
Feel free to email Pastor Sarah or our Music Director, Don Feely, or any member of the choir if you have questions about how to get involved.
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MUSIC MINISTRY
Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
(Luke 18:16, NIV)
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The Importance of Raising Children in a Faith Community
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Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
(Proverbs 22:6, NIV)
Church is where children are joined with all generations in a story that has been going on for thousands of years. It is the story of people called by God to bring love, joy, peace, and justice to the world.
At St. Andrew's, children join a long legacy of those who have been loved and cared for by their elders. It has been quite some time since our many childcare and school-aged classrooms have been filled with the unmistakable sounds and signs of children. But we are looking to the future and making plans to revive these spaces so that children of all ages can continue this legacy for generations to come.
Children Learn More Through Participation
St. Andrew's is a community that puts a high value on intergenerational relationships and we have a strong desire to have more young families join us in worship.
We welcome babies, toddlers, and older children to stay and worship with their families as well! Activity bags are available during worship (designed for ages 5 and up) to keep little hands and minds busy. And we love hearing those voices lifting up praise to God in song and experiencing the sheer joy that causes children to break out in exuberant dance during a hymn.
On mornings when children are present, we invite them to light the Christ candle at the beginning of worship (with assistance, of course). And Pastor Sarah will take time during the service to have a conversation with them to tie the lectionary theme for the day into a meaningful message geared towards younger attendees.
By participating, we know that children are learning far more than they would simply by observing the adults in their lives in a church setting. This exposure introduces them to the nature of God—creative, courageous, wise, and loving—as revealed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
If You Need Some Time
We understand the many facets of parenthood and recognize that there may be times when you would prefer to attend a service without your children. We’ve got that covered!
Our volunteers, who have undergone thorough background checks, are available to provide parents and caregivers a chance to take in each Sunday’s service and fellowship without the unique distractions that often come with little ones and can provide support to families in our sanctuary or in the nursery, should families wish to have their children go to a designated childcare room.
Do not think of this as babysitting! These individuals are fully invested in nurturing the spiritual growth and development of your children and take the responsibility quite seriously (but they do so in a fun and approachable way – singing songs, sharing a Bible story, doing story-related crafts, supervising free play, and more!).
Other Family-Friendly Items to Note
Supper Church
Twice a month, we invite families to attend Supper Church where we celebrate one another and share fun, prayer, and praise. Each Supper Church includes a meal, a story-related craft activity for the children (themes follow the lectionary for that week), and a chance for adults to chat and gather in fellowship.
St. A’s Library
Children are a gift from God. We are all stewards of God’s children. Parents see to their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth, but the church also provides a space to help parents in that mission, helping adults and children alike develop and strengthen their relationships with Jesus Christ.
St. Andrew’s has been blessed with a gorgeous space (the Shannon Memorial Library) where children, parents and caregivers, and staff can learn a host of information – or simply take out a book, listen to a song or story, and find peace for a few moments each week – to continue on in their faith journeys.
Our library may feel like a time capsule in some ways (cassette tapes of sermons and VHS children’s movies are available, and you’ll even find a card catalog!), but it is fully stocked with a host of valuable information for your personal and spiritual growth, as well as that of your children. In the coming months and years, we hope to bring this space into the modern day (more digital offerings and newer titles); but in the meantime, we invite you and your family to stop by St. A’s any time and check out some materials!
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY