About Us
Our parish is
made up of about 200 family units, both multiple and single person
households. The members come from as near as a block from the Church
to as far away as Copalis Beach and the north beaches, Elma to the
east and Westport to the south. We have become The Episcopal Church
for Aberdeen and the Twin Harbors area. We share the Grays Harbor
area with four other parishes; St. John’s in South Bend, St.
Christopher’s in Westport, St. Luke’s in Elma, and St. Mark’s in
Montesano.
We are an Episcopal church, which refers to the fact we are guided by a
bishop. The bishop of our diocese is The Right Reverend Gregory H.
Rickel. He is responsible for a total of 104 congregations in the
Diocese.
The congregation of St. Andrew’s is one of 7,416 congregations in the
Episcopal Church of the United States, organized into 116 Dioceses
and presided over by Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori. This makes us
part of the world wide Anglican Communion which numbers in the 90
million members who worship in a similar fashion.
St. Andrew’s, as a church community, is organized much like an amalgam of a large
family and a business corporation. The head of the
family/corporation is the Rev. Dale L. McQueen in conjunction with
our Senior Warden, Kim Kite. The Priest has
oversight in all things connected to worship, and keeps St. Andrew’s
connected to the larger ministerial community. The Senior Warden is
in charge of the parish in the absence of the priest and preside
over the Vestry. The Vestry takes care of the temporal needs of the
parish, overseeing the care and maintenance of the building and
grounds and making things run as smoothly as possible.
The Dame Julian of Norwich is the Prayer Circle for St. Andrew’s.
St. Andrew’s Guild is the women’s social group for the parish, and St. Veronica’s Guild maintain the altar, vestments, vessels, and
flowers for all services. The Chancel choir, Handbell Choir and
musicians of St. Andrew’s, under the capable guidance of Linda
Monsen and Merry Jo Zimmer, furnish music. The Acolytes,
Torchbearers, Gospel Bearers, Crucifers and Thurifers assist with
the celebration of liturgy. The Lectors read the lessons, and the
Chalice Bearers help serve the Eucharist. Ushers serve as greeters
and sources of information for those entering the sanctuary at
worship services.
St. Andrew’s welcomes all baptized people at the altar of God.
What We Believe
Episcopalians believe that there is one loving God who creates all things, and who manifested that love by sending Jesus, the Son of God, to humanity to make clear that all people are first of all children of God. Jesus was born a full human being, was crucified and put to death by people who were threatened by his message and authority. He subsequently was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples before ascending to God’s heavenly realm. We know Jesus through those who believe in him as the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
Jesus’ stories were always about coming to know a loving God who forgives sins and who wants people to be reconciled with one another. Christians believe that we have been given the ability, or power, for our sins to be forgiven and for reconciliation to be achieved through God’s Holy Spirit acting in us and through us. In other words, we learn that God wants each of us to share in the ongoing creation of a just and peaceful world when we invite God’s power to work in us and through us.
Episcopalians accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We believe the mission of our church is the restoration of all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
How We Worship
Our worship is centered in regular communion with God and one another through celebration of the sacraments, the holy things which remind us of our identity as children of God. Of primary importance are water, bread and wine.
Water is the symbol of baptism, whereby we are brought into God’s special community, the church, and commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In doing so, we affirm that through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, our sins have been forgiven and that we share in a new spiritual life which is eternal.
Bread and wine were used by Jesus as signs of his life among us; the bread represents his body, and the wine his blood. Each time we receive the consecrated (blessed) bread and wine, we receive Christ anew into our selves and are made whole with Christ and God.
Our primary worship service is celebration of the Holy Eucharist, or feast, wherein bread and wine are consecrated and distributed to those who have been baptized. Scripture is read and interpreted through a sermon or homily. Prayers are said, and there is usually a corporate confession of sin followed by a prayer of absolution.
The Peace of God is shared in recognition of God’s call for us to be at peace with one another in the name of Christ. Songs of praise are sung, and colorful vestments are worn by the clergy in celebration and praise of God’s love and glorious Creation.
