Dear St. Andrew’s Family,
It is with a sense of relief and gratitude to our Lord that I write you this Monday post Hurricane Matthew. The overwhelming sentiment and comment that I have heard from our parish family folks it, “it could have been worse.” And for us, that is true.
I’ve spent a good bit of time checking in with parishioners in person, by phone, email and social media and I want to take a moment to bring you up to speed on where we are as a parish after the past few days.
Parish Relief
Thus far I am unaware of any significant personal or property loss by any of our parishioners. We have established a Relief Team of men willing to help clean up yards, cut trees, etc. Andy Breaux is organizing this team. If you – or someone you know – has a need please let me (SWood@StAndrews.Church) or Andy know (ABreaux@StAndrews.Church).
Parish Communications
I am very pleased with our new parish communication system. We were able to make use of email, social media, and most especially our new website (StAndrews.Church) to give scheduling updates and parish status. If you did not receive an email please contact our parish office (SCook@StAndrews.Church) to verify your contact information. Equally, if you have not connected with us via social media or the website please take the opportunity to do so. You can connect to our social media through our website.
Giving
As you may expect there will be any number of financial needs both locally, regionally and internationally. Two specific and immediate opportunities to give.
First, in response to Hurricane Matthew. Many folks in the Caribbean, along the SE coastline, and in our Diocese were hit hard by the storm and will be in need of assistance.
Secondly, St. Andrew’s will have a financial shortfall due to the cancellation of 10 of our 11 services yesterday. You may or may not know that we depend completely upon member giving to carry out all of our domestic and international ministries as well as meeting practical needs such as paying our bills and supplying salaries to our employees. Each week our giving is about $70,000. If you would like to make a gift you may do so by in the following ways:
- Through our Online Portal: https://standrews.church/give/
- By text message to this number: 843.310.4757
- By check or cash sent to St. Andrew’s Church, 440 Whilden Street, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Preaching Schedule
Our preaching schedule continues uninterrupted. We’ll pick up with Blessed Are the Those Whose Mourn (Matthew 5:4) on Sunday, October 16. The sermon, Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit, from this past Sunday, October 9 is posted online.
Our normal parish schedule resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, 11 October.
Please know that this email comes to you with great appreciate and affection. I – and we – are blessed to have a church family like St. Andrew’s. As pastoral needs arise please pass those along to me. It is a privilege for us to walk along side our member’s lives;
Yours very warmly in Christ,
Steve