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WHO ARE WE?
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church is a 210-member congregation located on the Northern Neck of Virginia, near the Chesapeake Bay. It is a relatively new congregation, having been chartered by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in May of 1988.
The people of St. Andrews believe in Jesus Christ and are eager to share His love.
It is also a congregation that values quality in its service to God and people. The members bring a rich variety of skills and backgrounds that they employ in both the church and the community. The presence of St. Andrews members on numerous community boards, agencies, and projects is but one example of this commitment.
The church is blessed with strong pastoral and lay leaders who take their responsibilities to heart and strive to guide the church with flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm.
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WHAT IS OUR VISION?
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church seeks to advance God's work by prayerfully addressing the spiritual, educational, and physical needs of all people.
We are a fellowship of believers from diverse backgrounds who pledge to enlarge our circle of faith. We proclaim the gospel through worship, education, outreach and fellowship. In following Christ, we impart His love to each other, our families, our community and the world in which we live.
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WHAT ARE OUR CORE VALUES?
We are a congregation guided by Reformed theology and Presbyterian principles of organization and decision-making.
We are a congregation in whom the Spirit is alive and working through all members; therefore we will provide an environment that encourages an open exchange of ideas to further personal faith and to expand Christian service.
We are a congregation called by God; therefore as individuals and as a church we accept our responsibility to recognize community needs as opportunities for service and outreach.
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WHERE IS THE CHURCH LOCATED?
We are located in the town of Kilmarnock. Fortunately, it is a small town (pop. 1,200), so if you get lost, you won't be lost for long!
From White Stone: At the second stop light in Kilmarnock (which is only 50 yards from the first), turn right onto Rt. 200 (E. Church Street). Go 6/10 mile and you will see St. Andrews on the left
From Irvington: Follow Rt. 200 to the end. Turn left onto Main Street (Rt. 3). Go to the next stoplight and turn right onto Rt. 200 (E. Church Street). Go 6/10 mile and you will see St. Andrews on the left.
From Lancaster Court House: After entering Kilmarnock on Rt. 3, turn left at the fourth stop light on to Rt. 200 (E. Church Street). Go 6/10 mile and you will see St. Andrews on the left.
From Burgess and Wicomico Church: St. Andrews is on the right- hand side of Rt. 200 just as you enter Kilmarnock, immediately opposite the intersection of Bluff Point Road (Rt. 608) and Rt. 200.
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WHEN DO WE WORSHIP?
Traditional worship is held each Sunday at 11:00 a.m., September through May.
During the months of June, July and August, worship occurs twice on Sunday. At 8:00 a.m., we have an informal, 30-minute Weekenders’ Worship Service. The more traditional service is held at 10:00 a.m.
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IS THERE CHILDCARE AVAILABLE?
Childcare is available for grades two and below at all our traditional worship services.
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WHAT ABOUT OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL?
Our Sunday School meets each Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m., September through May. Classes are available for all ages and childcare is provided for infants.
Each summer we also sponsor a week-long Vacation Bible School that is open to the community.
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WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS
WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY?
We have pledged to give a minimum of eleven and a half percent of our operating budget to benevolences. Approximately five percent supports a number of organizations in our local community that help people in need. Additionally, St. Andrews sponsors the annual Nail & Sail Program for high school youth, participates in the home delivered means program, and provides meeting space for a wide variety of community organizations. Members of the church are active with several community groups including the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic and the Interfaith Service Council.
In support of national and international efforts to help people in need, we give approximately five percent of our operating budget to a variety of projects in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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WHAT DO PRESBYTERIANS BELIEVE?
Presbyterians are characterized most readily by their form of government. Presbyterian means "rule by Elders," that is, governance is accomplished largely through decisions made jointly by presbyters (elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, traditionally called “ruling elders” and “teaching elders,” respectively). This principle applies to each level of the church, from the local congregation, to the regional bodies called presbyteries and synods, to the national body called the General Assembly. Doctrinally, Presbyterians share the basic views of traditional Christianity. For instance, we believe in the triune God, the authority of scripture, and that salvation comes through faith alone. We are particularly strengthened by the idea of God's sovereignty. Our beliefs are most fully expressed in a document entitled The Book of Confessions. This is a collection of eleven theological statements that have been adopted at various times by churches of the Protestant Reformed tradition from the sixteenth century to the present.
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WHAT IS THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)?
St. Andrews is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which is the largest Presbyterian denomination in America with 2.5 million members. It was formed in 1983 as a union of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA and the Presbyterian Church in the United States. To learn more about the PC(USA) and its related bodies please visit these websites:
The Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Synod of the Mid-Atlantic
The Presbytery of the James
Camp Hanover
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WHAT ARE THE WAYS A PERSON
CAN ASSOCIATE WITH ST. ANDREWS?
For many, simply attending a worship service on occasion is all they seek or need to nurture their spiritual life. We welcome these with open arms. For persons searching for a deeper association with the church, there are four options available to them: Member, Friend, Attendee, and Affiliate.
A Member of St. Andrews:
…has made a profes sion of faith in Jesus Christ
…has been baptized
…has been received into membership by the Session
…has been recognized with a service of reception during worship
…has voluntarily submitted to the government of the church
…participates in the work and worship of the church
…has a right to participate in the Lord's Supper
…has the right to present his or her child(ren) for baptism
…can take part in congregational meetings
…has the right to vote in meetings of the congregation
…has the right to hold office in the church
…is entitled to the pastoral care of the church
…is entitled to the instruction of the church
…is a member of a St. Andrews shepherd group
…receives all congregational orrespondence.
A Friend of St. Andrews:
…actively associates with the congregation but is not ready to unite
…is welcome to participate in the work and worship of the church
…is entitled, if baptized, to participate in the Lord's Supper
…is entitled to the pastoral care of the church
…is entitled to the instruction of the church
…is a member of a St. Andrews shepherd group
…receives all congregational correspondence.
An Attendee of St. Andrews:
...participates in worship
...is, if baptized, entitled to participate in the Lord's Supper
...is entitled to the pastoral care of the church
...is entitled to the instruction of the church.
An Affiliate Member of St. Andrews:
…is an active member of another Christian church
…has temporarily moved from community where active
…has presented a certificate of good standing from his or her church
…has been received by the Session as an Affiliate Member
…is entitled to all the rights and privileges of an active member (see list above) except the right to vote and hold office
…must recertify Affiliate Member status with Session every two years.
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HOW DOES A PERSON JOIN ST. ANDREWS?
There are three ways: by Profession of Faith, by Transfer of Membership, and by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Profession of Faith is the first and most significant step a person takes in his or her faith journey. At this time the individual receives Jesus Christ into his or her life and professes the reception before the worshiping congregation. Baptism is administered if the person has not already been baptized as an infant or child.
Transfer of Membership occurs when a person is already active in a church and simply requests a Letter of Transfer or good standing from that church.
Reaffirmation of Faith is for those persons who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and who were involved in a church at one time but have not been active for some time. If they have been deleted from the former church's roll of membership, we accept their original Profession of Faith and receive them by reaffirmation of it.
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