Announcements & Events

Life at St. Andrew’s

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Women's Association Meeting
The Women's Association will be meeting Monday March 3 at 7:00 pm in the Heather Room. If you are interested in joining in person (or via Zoom), please let Wanda Winterhalt know.

Message of Thanks from Team Outreach
Team Outreach says Thanks! Once again, our community responded! And, this time, it was our whole St. Andrews - St. Peter’s - Nexus family. On February 2, Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) Sunday - we had our traditional, beloved Potato Soup lunch, following our service with the Reverend Theresa McDonald-Lee. After her message about her time in Nepal and the successes they are having with the treatment, and upcoming eradication of new cases, of leprosy there, we gathered together in Iona Hall for soup. We were very happy to also welcome St. Peter’s and Nexus’ folks to our meal. We were even able to sell some extra soup for folks to take home. There were still some leftovers - soup, grated cheese and green onions - so they were frozen and given to the generous folks at Food Not Bombs, to serve to their guests the following Saturday. Wonderful community all around. With the free will offering and soup sales, we were able to raise over $1500 for PWS&D. A heartfelt thanks to all the community worshipping together in this wonderful building, and those who contribute from our virtual family. Thanks, also, to our generous and willing soup makers, servers and those who cleaned up. We can only do this because of all of you!

ANNUAL REPORT for 2024
As has been done for the last few years, the ANNUAL REPORT for 2024 was sent out in the Friday E-blast. If you want a printed copy, they should be available to be picked up in the church office for those without email.

Thank you,
Margie Warren, Clerk of Session

Mite Can 2024 Update
There was a Mighty response to our Mite Cans in 2024! Coins and cash were collected in jars, yogurt containers and cans. Cheques and e-transfers were made directly to the account. In total, an amazing amount of $6,000 was given to support our local partners. $3,000 will be given to the Working Centre to add and preserve affordable housing options in our community. $3,000 will be given to Camino Wellbeing and Mental Health for Walk-In and Single Service Counselling to anyone in need. Your kind-hearted gifts are appreciated by our partners. Thank you! Get started on your 2025 Mite Can now. One mite at a time will make a difference!

Donation Receipts for 2024
As a result of the mail strike, the federal government has extended the time to submit charitable donations for 2024 from December 31, 2024 to February 28, 2025. In order to accommodate this extension, we will be issuing two donation receipts, similarly to RRSP receipts. There will be a donation receipt to cover the period of January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. You will receive these shortly by email. If you have donated during the period of January 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025, you will receive a second donation receipt. This will be emailed early in March.

If you do not have an email address on file and prefer to receive a physical donation receipt, then both donation receipts will be mailed out by the middle of March.

If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Ma at h.ma@standrewskw.com.

GOOD NEWS - Refugee Family Update
We are pleased to announce the arrival of the Saleh family - parents and 2 children, on February 19th. Friends at St. Andrew's started the sponsorship process 2 1/2 years ago for this refugee family whose mother attends our church. Thanks to all involved in this long process.

Survey for a New Lead Minister
The Search Team’s survey for a new Lead Minister has been launched! An email with a link to the survey has been sent out to the congregation. If you did not receive an email, or know someone who would like a physical copy of the survey, contact the office for assistance. Everyone’s voice matters, and this is an important decision for the congregation, so make sure your thoughts are heard! The deadline for survey submissions is Sunday, February 23rd.

Coldest Night of the Year 2025 — Saturday, February 22nd
Coldest Night of the Year – Tomorrow! Well we’re pretty excited! We have lots of walkers from St. Andrew’s and St. Peter’s and we’ve passed our fundraising goal by a decent amount! As always, any last minute walkers are welcome and additional donations will be put to good use by the Ray of Hope. You can still sign up at https://bit.ly/CNOYStAndrewsKitchener. Thank you so much for your support! Walkers: See you in the parking lot on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Dress warm!

Women's Association Cookbook
What's Cooking? We’re putting together a community cookbook and would love to feature favorite recipes from local home cooks! How can you help?

• share your favourite recipes!

• provide your name, unless you don't want it included in the book.

• email your submission to standrewskwwa@gmail.com with the subject line Recipe - category (eg. Recipe – Desert) .... or drop off a copy at the church office .... or stop by the Gas & Grocery table on Sunday to leave your submission or have us take a copy of it for you.

• potential categories include soup, salad, appetizer, breads & rolls, main dishes, vegetarian/vegan, deserts, misc.

• ensure you triple check the recipe details for errors or omissions before submitting since recipes won’t be verified before publication.

• submissions are due by April 30th.

Looking forward to reading your favourite recipes! Thanks for considering being a part of this community project!

Save the date: Pancake Dinner
You’re invited to join us for a Pancake Dinner to kickoff the Season of Lent! We have everything ready for a delicious pancake dinner including pancake mix, butter, syrup, bacon, and sausage! Dinner will be served on Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30PM in Iona Hall. We hope to see you there!

Reminder Regarding Valuables During Sunday Services
Winter is here, which means many of us will be hanging our winter coats on the coat racks outside the sanctuary during Sunday services. Please be reminded that during Sunday services, do not leave keys, wallets or other valuables in coat pockets if you are planning to hang your coat on one of the racks.

2025 Offering Envelopes now Available
The box Offering Envelopes for 2025 are now available in the church office. Please pick up during office hours, Mon to Fri 10 am to 4 pm or on Sunday mornings.

Choir and Handbell Ringers Welcoming New Members
A new year has begun, and if you'd like to try something new in 2025, the St. Andrew's Sanctuary Choir is always welcoming new choristers! If you're looking for something fun to do, singing in a choir is a healthy, social, and rewarding hobby to take up. Choir rehearsals take place Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the sanctuary, and the choir meets at 9:00 am Sunday mornings to prepare before services. Contact the office to sign up. We hope to have you come sing with us!

The St. Andrew's Handbell Ringers are also looking for new members. If you've never tried playing the handbells, now is your chance! Rehearsals for the Handbell Ringers are Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm in the choir room. Contact the church office to sign up. We'd love to have you!

Save the date: Schneider Male Chorus Concert
The Schneider Male Chorus will be returning to St. Andrew’s on Monday March 31 at 7pm. Their September 2024 concert was so much fun that we have invited them back to help launch our 2025 Adopt a Room appeal for the House of Friendship! Invite your family and friends and join us for a lively evening of musical favourites, in support of a great cause.

Room Rentals at St. Andrew’s
Do you or someone you know have an idea for an event? Or maybe your group or business needs a place to meet every week? St. Andrew’s historic building has many rooms available to rent at low-cost which can fulfil many different needs, including a gym and commercial kitchen! For more information or to rent a room, please contact the office or visit standrewskw.com/room-rentals