Your St. Andrew’s Origin Story
Just about 20 years ago, Greg and I moved back to California from North Carolina. We’d spent 6 years in that lovely state, but after finishing our degrees there (PhD for him from Duke and MSW for me from UNC), we decided that we wanted to be closer to family because we had a baby on the way.
When we had mostly settled in, we came to church at St. Andrew’s because my dad was the appointed pastor at that time. This decision didn’t involve a lot of thought on my part because my dad had almost always been the pastor at the church I attended (with my 6 years at Duke Chapel being the exception). Of course, we would go to the church where my dad was serving.
Two years later, the Bishop called him to say there was a different church he should serve and so my parents moved. This wasn’t a surprise to me entirely as it was the life I grew up in. But this time was a little different since I was not going to move with them as I had when I was younger. This time they would leave, and we would stay and that’s what happened.
But in those two years, we had grown to love St. Andrew’s. We were sad to see my folks leave, but we had made some wonderful friendships. We had gotten involved in various places and ministries in the church. We had found community here and through that community, we felt the presence of God – and that is still the case today.
I suspect each of you has a story of how you came to be connected with St. Andrew’s. I have been privileged to hear some of those stories. I know that some of you have been lifelong United Methodists and so when life brought you to St. Andrew’s, you landed here and felt at home. I know others of you decided to go to church one Sunday, picked the church you could see out a window or as you drove by on the freeway, and found a family of faith.
Though, I wonder – do you know each other’s “St. Andrew’s Origin Stories”? We sit in the pews next to each other, we greet one another with handshakes or hugs, and even share stories on the patio. But I don’t know if we know the reasons, stories, and/or people that landed us here in this place together.
So here is my challenge to you: this week after worship when you are chatting at lunch or coffee on the patio, share the story of how you came to St. Andrew’s. Share what brought you here and why you stayed. Share where you have found community and where you have seen God at work. If you’re feeling especially brave, share what those experiences have meant to you, how your heart has been changed, and how you have grown throughout the time you’ve been a part of St. Andrew’s.
Our lives weave in and out of one another’s and a tapestry of God’s work is revealed. At times, we can only see a little of our own threads with their various colors. But sometimes, if we look carefully, ask some questions, and share some of our own stories, we can see more of what God is creating among us all - and how beautiful that tapestry is together.
Blessings,
Emily
P.S. If you are not able to join us on Sunday for these conversations over coffee or lunch, but still want to be a part of it all, email me at emily.sabts@gmail.com and tell me how you came to be connected with St. Andrew’s, where you’ve seen God at work in this community, and how you’ve grown because of it. I’d love to hear your story.
