St. Andrews Update -- February 24, 2021


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Midweek Update from St. Andrew's - February 24, 2021

I love trees. They are majestic creations: deeply rooted in the earth, reaching up to the heights. Trees often appear as symbols of life and community. Birds perch in their branches, children climb their limbs, poets and philosophers sit in their shade. As a part of the landscape, trees can feel like friends. I love trees.

However, even tree lovers must admit that their beloved can pose hazards. They can be home to pests, fuel for fire, and their heavy limbs can fall to the demise of anyone or anything below. For these reasons sometimes the hard decision to remove a tree becomes inevitable. This past week the Session faced such a decision. After several heavy branches fell during recent storms and concerned with the safety of the children who attend the preschool and their families as well as church members, the Session voted to have the four Eucalyptus trees removed and replaced with smaller, native trees. They will be removed next week.

I will miss looking up at those huge trees (I know not everyone found them as charming as I did). But I am relieved that the hazard that they pose will be removed. I plan on saying goodbye next week and, if you feel so inclined, I would encourage you to drive through the parking lot and thank them for providing shade, the music of wind through leaves, and a place for the crows to play. Their roots will feed the soil of their replacements, so you can thank them for doing that as well. If you weren't that fond of them, you can bid them good riddance too.

I look forward to their replacements. They will be the trees that I will look back on and say "I remember when they were planted...that was my first year here at St. Andrew's."

Life moves forward!

Jen

Send in your favorite Hymns by March 17!

Lent

Let us know what your favorite hymn is and we will include it in the worship service on the Sundays following Easter. Since it takes time to record the hymns, the deadline for sending in your request is Sunday, March 17. Provided Erin can sing them and Tim can play them (and they can pretty much do anything), we will get them in! Thank you.

COFFEE HOUR ON SUNDAY

Coffee Hour for 2/28/21

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85281959585?pwd=ZmEzOG50eTR5WFRsWU9uNDl5TGJsQT09

Meeting ID: 852 8195 9585

Passcode: 217540

One tap mobile
+16699009128,,85281959585#,,,,,,0#,,217540# US (San Jose)

ADULT ED

Adult Education Series continues this Sunday! Rev. Jen Fraser will continue with the fourth lesson of her six-week class, "Reclaiming Evangelism.” This is an honest examination of the history and practice of evangelism with an eye toward re-discovering the intention and meaning behind Matthew 28: 19-20. The class consists of four main sections.

1) Evangelism and the early church

As the early church was first developing, evangelism was a means of inviting the marginalized into the "way of Jesus." Opening up an alternative spiritual community to Gentiles, the poor, slaves, women, and children in which the Roman honor/shame value system was inverted, and God appeared among (and cared for) the lowest in society.

2) Evangelism and the politically emerging church

As the church began to emerge as a political power, hierarchical structures were consolidated within the institution. Evangelism then becomes a means of securing allegiance and controlling the resources within territories.

3) Evangelism as a tool of colonialism

From early modern European expansion, to the "Christianizing" of Native American communities, to the contemporary white evangelical church's embrace of the conservative political agenda, evangelism continues to serve as a tool for consolidating power and wealth.

4) Evangelism in a multi-cultural, interfaith society.

Is it possible to redeem evangelism from its legacy as a tool of political, social, economic and cultural dominance? What should we call it when we open up about matters of faith with our family, friends and neighbors? Can we share our spiritual/soulful experiences with others without trying to "convert?" Do we as Christians have something of real value to offer the "non-believer?"

Please Join us Sundays right after Coffee Hour at 11 AM on Zoom!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85281959585?pwd=ZmEzOG50eTR5WFRsWU9uNDl5TGJsQT09

Meeting ID: 852 8195 9585
Passcode: 217540

One tap mobile
+16699009128,,85281959585#,,,,,,0#,,217540# US (San Jose)

St Andrews Presbyterian Church

4575 Auhay Drive, Santa Barbara
CA 93110 United States

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