Events

St. Andrew Families with kids from infant - 12th grade: Join us for our annual Family Pumpkin Decorating Night at the Sonoma Plaza! We’ll provide the pumpkins and all the decorating supplies. And this year, we want the grown-ups to get in on the fun too, so we’ll be bringing some extra fancy supplies... rhinestones, flowers, and more. Feel free to bring a friend too! And appetizers or snacks to share are always welcome. We know it won’t go to waste! After decorating, the kids can run around the Plaza and playground while the grown-ups hang out and visit. Please RSVP to Kaitlyn Tinder so we have an idea of how many pumpkins we’ll need. But we’ll have extras, so if you decide to join us at the last minute, please come! We’d love to have you. If it rains, we’ll move the fun to the church. Otherwise, bundle up and we’ll see you at the Plaza!

Join us for an easy to moderate hike on the Jack London Mountain and Quarry Trail. This is a 3.2 mile unpaved loop trail with an elevation gain of approximately 551 feet. It will take about 3 hours. The route explores the lower mountain area and the historic stone quarry that produced the stones used to build Wolf House. At the halfway point, we will pause for 10 minutes of silence to fully be in the moment with the sounds of nature and our own thoughts and prayers. More in depth details will be in next week's newsletter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Barbara Roberts of the Green Team: 760-808-2270 or cal19bleer@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Carried by faith... because we are carried, we help carry others. Your presence, participation, prayers, care for others and financial generosity are all part of what makes this community and its ministry possible. If you did not pick up your stewardship packet on Sunday October 4, it was mailed to you on October 6. If you haven't received it, email the church office at andrewpres@sbcglobal.net to request a packet. Review the materials, complete your pledge card, and mail or bring it with you for Dedication Sunday on November 1. Thank you for supporting St. Andrew!

What defines Saint? In our Reformed Tradition, “saint” is a title that applies to the whole people of God, not just a select few. They are the living and the dead. We are, all of us, saints through our active faith in God. On Sunday, November 1, in honor of All Saints' Sunday, we will fill the communion table with pictures of our loved ones. Please plan to bring a framed photo of a loved one to place on the table that morning. We will hold a Ritual of Remembrance as we process while listening to special music and place a fallen leaf on the communion table and cloths that will surround our photos

During the Season of Advent Revs. John Griffin and Jeff Gaines will lead an Advent Taizé Prayer Service. What is Taizé? The Taizé community is an international ecumenical Christian community located next to the small village of Taizé outside Cluny in the Burgundy region of France. Founded in 1940 by Br. Roger, who brought together brothers from all over the world, the community has long been committed to promoting and praying for reconciliation, peace, and unity. Each week it welcomes up to 8000 people, mostly young adults (19-30 year olds), from around the globe. They spend time in prayer, song, Bible study, workshops, discussion, and fellowship. The community has developed a style of worship that reflects its lifestyle: it is simple, beautiful and prayerful. An aspect of Taizé prayer is the music which is sung through simple prayer-chants. By singing together simple chants that are short, easy to learn, and repeated many times, those worshipping in the style of Taizé are able to let go with their mind, and to settle into their hearts, allowing themselves to listen to the Voice of the Holy One. Our prayer is that this service will give you a chance to pause and listen during these Advent Holy Days of the Holiday season. Join us!

This quiet, contemplative service is held in a candlelit sanctuary with reflective music. Long periods of silence and the chance to light a candle as a prayer will be offered. For those who are looking for time set aside in darkness, on the darkest night of the year, this is a space to honor the beauty of solstice. For those who are looking to honor grief and sadness for themselves, others, or the world, this is a sacred sanctuary. Hope comes in the flickering small light of a candle, star and the presence of warm bodies gathered together to honor what is sacred on the longest night and the longing of our collective hearts.

JOIN US FOR COFFEE AND CONVERSATION! We enjoy connecting as a church family and meeting new people—please join us for coffee after worship service each Sunday! Our weekly coffee service is going "green"! Since there are no compostable paper coffee cups available, we are now serving coffee in ceramic mugs. Enjoy your favorite coffee or tea then put your used cup in the designated area and the Coffee Team will put them in the dishwasher. If you accidentally take the mug with you, please return it (You are also more than welcome to bring your own mug!).

IT’S IMPORTANT TO FOSTER CONNECTIONS AS A CHURCH FAMILY! We invite and encourage everyone at our worship service to take a moment to introduce yourself and extend a warm welcome to someone you may not know yet. Each introduction not only enriches our worship experience but also contributes to the supportive environment we cherish at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. Let's embrace this joyful opportunity together, knowing that every warm welcome can lead to meaningful relationships and spiritual growth for us all!

ON GOING EVENTS:

ST. ANDREW CHORALE AND BELL CHOIR: Share your musical talents with the Congregation! The St. Andrew Chorale Rehearses on Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:00pm followed by the St. Andrew Bell Choir Rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm. See Barret if you are interested in joining! Note: this group takes a summer hiatus and meets Fall-Spring

FRIDAY MORNING WOMEN’S MEDITATION—9:30-10:30am in the St. Andrew Conference Room Whether you’re a meditation guru or just needing some quiet time to yourself, we want to provide a space for you to decompress and connect with other women. All are welcome; bring a friend! Note: this group takes a summer hiatus and meets Fall-Spring

GRACEFUL AGING WOMEN’S GROUP—every 2nd and 4th Fridays from 2:00-3:15pm on Zoom. All women are welcome—contact Nancy Kirkpatrick with questions. Note: this group takes a summer hiatus and meets Fall-Spring

GUYS' GROUP AT ST. ANDREW —Join the Guys of St. Andrew on the third Thursday evening of each month here at the church for some friendly poker playing! No experience necessary! Low stakes; winnings go to St. Andrew. Be sure to sign up to be in the email group and get the details! To sign up: contact Bill Hammett or the church office at andrewpres@sbcglobal.net. Note: this group takes a summer hiatus and meets Fall-Spring

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