More than 800 Collin County families will receive turkeys and food boxes

complete with all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving Dinner

Seven Loaves Community is asking the community to provide select food items to help fill boxes for Thanksgiving Dinner for families in need. More than 800 Collin County families returning with vouchers will receive full Thanksgiving meals.  The majority of the recipient families will participate in a “turkey drive thru” on Friday, November 18, from 4-6 p.m. to pick up turkeys and boxes with all the trimmings. In addition to obtaining items from the North Texas Food Bank, Seven Loaves depends on the generosity of the community and local businesses to help provide the following in these specific sizes:

Green Beans in 15 ounce cans

Kernel Corn in 15 ounce cans

Sweet Potatoes in 15 ounce cans

Mixed Vegetables in 15 ounce cans

Box of Stuffing Mix

Box Mashed Potatoes (serves 8)

Macaroni & Cheese (7.25 oz. box)

Cornbread Mix (bag or box)

Items should be dropped off at Seven Loaves Community, located at 5801 W. Plano Pkwy., by Monday, November 14.  Enter the doors on the northeast side of St. Andrew United Methodist Church at Mira Vista and Plano Parkway and drop the items in the collection bins just inside the doorway.

“This is such a generous community, and we are so very grateful to the many families and businesses whose help ensures that many Collin County families will have a wonderful Thanksgiving to share with their families,” said Jeff Dooley, Executive Director for Seven Loaves.  “We thank you in advance for the difference you will make!”

Seven Loaves is also accepting funds to help purchase these items along with 16-18 pound turkeys.  The total cost to cover a meal is $32. Please mail checks for this amount to Seven Loaves Community, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX  75093. For more information visit www.7loavescommunity.org.

The Seven Loaves Community was established in 2009.   The Food Pantry, the first initiative of Seven Loaves Community, serves an average of 550 families a month. The program includes Joseph’s Coat, a clothing closet, which provides an average of 4,000 garments each month; Project Hope, a mentoring program to support women in crisis; and Plus One, providing hygiene products to clients. An estimated 130,000 people in Collin County live below the poverty level, more than half of which are children.  www.7loavescommunity.org

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS:

St. Andrew United Methodist Church - Growing Up with Plano

At age 34, Rev. Robert Hasley, an associate pastor at Highland Park United Methodist Church, was asked if he would like to go to Plano to lead a new church, where he continues to lead as senior pastor today 

Special Services and Celebratory Reception Planned for Saturday, Sept. 24 & Sunday, Sept. 25

In 1986, a young associate pastor at Highland Park United Methodist Church was given the assignment by the Bishop of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church to “go north” and lead a new church in a growing suburb called Plano with a population of 107,602. Plano now has a population of 271,166, St. Andrew has a membership of 7,000, and Rev. Hasley is still leading the congregation, serving as senior pastor today.

“As a new pastor with a young family and little experience, I am not sure why I was asked to lead St. Andrew, but I count every day at St. Andrew as a special gift and a blessing. I have literally grown up with this wonderful church family in this dynamic city,” said Rev. Hasley. “When I think back to those early years, we used to joke that traveling up to Plano was the equivalent of heading up to Oklahoma. Now look at it! Collin County is rapidly expanding with an expected population increase from 800,000 today to 1.4 million by 2022. St. Andrew is blessed to be a family of faith multiplying and expanding with this growth, and I am very excited about its future.”

The community is invited to reflect on the past and look forward to the next 30 years at a special Legacy Worship Service, Saturday, September 24, 6 p.m., and Sunday, September 25, 9:30 and 11 a.m. (identical services), all in the sanctuary at St. Andrew, 5801 W. Plano Parkway. Services will be followed by a special reception in Smith Worship Center.

“St. Andrew was founded upon a vision of boldness,” said Rev. Hasley. “As prices of land in the growing North Dallas and Plano area were spiking, it took a coordinated effort by the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, Highland Park United Methodist Church, and former Dallas Mayor Robert Folsom, who wanted to see a new church begin in this area, to make it happen. Five acres of land were negotiated at the corner of Mira Vista and Plano Parkway – the most expensive property at that time acquired by the North Texas Conference. St. Andrew ultimately purchased an additional 16 acres adjoining the site, creating the present campus of 21.214 acres.”  

It all began on May 1, 1986. Sponsored by Highland Park United Methodist Church and its senior pastor, Dr. Leighton Farrell, which supported St. Andrew financially for its first three years, and Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, which shared its church members list, St. Andrew began its formation with an organizational meeting held that summer at Shepton High School. Meetings were held in homes, and the name of the church was decided: St. Andrew United Methodist, named for the disciple Andrew, who was the first evangelist, introducing Peter to Jesus. The first worship service was held at Shepton High School on September 7, 1986, and was attended by 500 people. By the end of 1986, St. Andrew had 250 members.

On April 8, 1990, the church family marched from Shepton to the building site where a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the first building phase. Former Dallas Mayor Robert S. Folsom and Mr. and Mrs. D. O. Tomlin provided vital leadership and financial support to St. Andrew during the early years.

On May 19, 1991, services began in the sanctuary in the first building, with Rev. Charles Stokes leading the congregational singing.  As membership grew, additional classroom and worship space was needed, and fundraising efforts began to expand the church with the Festival Hall addition. This was dedicated on September 10, 1997, expanding the facilities to 70,000 square feet.

Continuing the legacy of vision begun by Highland Park UMC, St. Andrew responded to the needs of the congregation and community by helping to begin Grace Avenue UMC in Frisco, which held its first service in June 1999.

Entering the new millennium, the church faced another milestone growth. A record-breaking capital campaign allowed for the construction of a new sanctuary, classroom space, parking, and other facilities on property owned by the church across a scenic pond. The sanctuary, which seats 1,600 on three levels, is often utilized by local choral and instrumental ensembles for performances and professional quality recording. The Letourneau pipe organ was hand crafted by the Canadian firm Orgues Letourneau Limitee. It contains 4,335 pipes made from tin, zinc, and wood, and is one of the largest in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

“Known for its mission work in the community, most visibly for Seven Loaves Community, St. Andrew’s first mission work actually began before dirt was ever turned,” added Rev. Hasley. “An apartment ministry in East Plano for latchkey children was begun at the request of Sigler Elementary School Principal and church member Margaret Reynolds. The plan was to give children a safe place under the influence of the church to come after school. The complex rented us the apartment for $1. Today St. Andrew has expanded our missions work beyond what anyone could have imagined in those early days.”

Begun in 2009, Seven Loaves Community, a 501 (c) 3, is a nonprofit agency housed in St. Andrew United Methodist Church. The Food Pantry, the first initiative, serves an average of 550 families a month. The program includes Joseph’s Coat, a clothing closet, which provides an average of 4,000 garments each month; Project Hope, a mentoring program to support women in crisis; and Plus One, providing hygiene products to clients. Additionally, St. Andrew’s 4 Corners Global Outreach operates Clinica Emanuel in the remote southern mountains of Costa Rica, providing medical care to the Cabécar people.

When Hurricane Katrina displaced tens of thousands, St. Andrew answered the call to provide housing, food, clothing, and worship opportunities in Plano for over 250 people. This led to a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the construction of five homes for families who now make Plano their home.

“Jesus teaches us that each time we help the hungry and reach out to the sick, helping someone in need, we are serving Christ,” said Rev. Hasley. “We thank God for reminding us who we are and giving us hope for the future. If by His grace, we move forward, there are many miracles to be performed. We have to continue to serve in His name.”

In the fall of 2012, St. Andrew added a new worship service in a more contemporary style called The Well, led by Associate Pastor Rev. Arthur Jones. Jones continues to lead all services today.

“Our contemporary services have been very well received with strong attendance each week,” added Rev. Jones. “One reason St. Andrew is successful in what it does is because we understand that we must continue to adapt to the needs of our congregation and our community. By providing different styles of worship experiences, we will continue to reach a broader audience.”

“The gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ has brought St. Andrew to this point in our history and will lead us into the future,” added Rev. Hasley. “St. Andrew is a church that chooses compassion over condemnation. We choose laughter and joy, and we choose to be there for our children and their children and love them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout our history, the Lord has blessed us with a congregation of ‘passionate servants of Christ.’  Our passion to serve, upheld by the grace of God, gives me great confidence that we will continue to make a difference for Christ in this community.”

“When the workers began digging to prepare the foundation for our second phase of building in 1996-97, they found solid rock which required much machinery to break through,” added Rev. Charles Stokes. “St. Andrew is literally built upon solid rock, and spiritually that is what we have been built upon these 30 years. When looking at all we have done and all the ministries we have supported over the years, I believe that God calls each of us to be here at the moment and time we are here, giving us the opportunity to play key roles in the growth and development of St. Andrew.”

A North Dallas Lemonade Stand Raises $10,000 for Fallen Officers Families and Goes Viral,

Launching St. Andrew UMC’s Summer “Spark Tank” Program Into the National Spotlight

Shortly after the July 7 sniper attack in downtown Dallas, a group of young girls decided they wanted to help. It started as a simple neighborhood lemonade stand that received matching funds from a new summer initiative called “Spark Tank” at St. Andrew UMC in Plano, and from there it kept gaining momentum.  The girls presented a check for $10,000 at the Dallas Police Association to benefit fallen officers’ families.   The story went viral and was seen on national news including ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the Huffington Post, and other publications across the nation and Canada.

“The more people that got involved and the more word spread on social media, the more money started coming in for the lemonade stand,” said Kimberly Nelon.  It was just amazing to see the support of everyone and hear everyone’s comments when donating to the girls. This has been an amazing experience for all of us!”

“Spark Tank, launched at St. Andrew UMC on May 23, could not have come at a better time,” said Rev. Arthur Jones, Associate Pastor, St. Andrew UMC.  “This summer our community needed and wanted to come together more than ever to show love to one another.  With 79 Spark Tank projects initiated this summer, the program was a huge success.”

Spark Tank first began when a St. Andrew UMC church family, who wishes to remain anonymous, became inspired from a sermon they heard.

“The ‘Build Your Kingdom’ sermon series focused on how it is our job to build the kingdom of Christ here on earth,” added Rev. Jones.  “It is the Lord’s Prayer in action…’thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.’  It challenges you to view the world in the way that Jesus did, asking how can I help my neighbors.”

Providing $166,000 for three summers ($500,000 total) as matching funds, the donor family is encouraging church members to initiate hands-on projects to actively serve others outside the walls of St. Andrew.  Funding may be requested up to $1,000 per person and group projects may be approved for higher matching dollars. Youth projects require no personal investment. 

Another Spark Tank project was started by church member Miranda Jack, 19, who had seen a news story about a fire in West Oak Cliff at Iglesia De Cristo Camino De Santidad.  She wanted to do something to help the church and enlisted the help of her Sunday School class. The fire completely destroyed the sanctuary of the church, which did not have insurance.   

“Through Spark Tank, we were approved with a $5,000 challenge grant, providing a total of $10,000 and a way for our Sunday school group to provide new carpet, paint, and other needs to restore some sense of normalcy to this congregation. 

“Our church members are so grateful,” said Edith Lima, the pastor’s wife.  “It motivates them that outsiders are coming to help us, and they want to help, too.”

This summer, St. Andrew’s youth traveled to Providence, Louisiana, for their annual mission trip.  While there they determined the most critical needs for a Spark Tank project.  They were able to bless additional families and individuals beyond their original goals, including purchasing a refrigerator for a family with an infant.

St. Andrew’s Salt and Light Youth Choir, a 60-member ensemble of 6th-12th graders, traveled to New York City on a choir trip, where they performed a concert at the Brooklyn United Methodist Church home.

“We learned that the home was in need of iPod shuffles,” said Phillip Haworth, Associate Director of Traditional Worship, St. Andrew. “And yes, we bought them in New York and took them on the subway to present to them at our concert.  Rev. Vera Isaacs, the home’s chaplain, was thrilled!  The iPods are used for therapy for their residents, especially those with dementia.  When nothing else calms, the music puts them at ease.  It was a memorable day for everyone.”  Additionally, a Spark Tank grant provided funds for the chaplain ministry at the home.

Church member Heather Davis of North Dallas recently organized two projects, enlisting the help of numerous youth volunteers. They provided 50 stuffed animals to children at Hope’s Door in Plano and raised $9,481.83 to provide school supplies and 500 backpacks to foster children through Friends of Wednesday’s Child. 

“This project reminds me of the Methodist hymn ‘Pass It On,’” said Davis.  “The song begins, ‘It only takes a spark to get a fire going.’ That’s exactly what’s happening! It has been amazing to get all of these kids involved so quickly – all wanting to give back and create new projects. They want to pass it on.” 

Most recently, St. Andrew pastors and staff served lunch to the Dallas police officers of the Southwest Patrol Division – the division where three of the fallen officers worked. Teaming up with Lockhart Smokehouse and Stir, who provided the food, about 150 officers enjoyed lunch and special gift cards from Spark Tank funds.

From Dallas to Zimbabwe, Spark Tank projects have benefited people across the world.  The St. Andrew United Methodist Men are taking kids from Richardson High School to visit colleges as well as to area businesses to help them with the practical and social skills needed to continue on with a career.  Funds from Spark Tank are helping with everything from study materials to gas for transportation and dinners.  Another project involved several St. Andrew families picking out, purchasing and delivering bikes, helmets, and locks to the Chin Community Ministry in Lewisville.  These new immigrants do not drive. Teens use the bikes to get to school and adults to get to work.  The Spirit Sunday School class at St. Andrew helped to raise $5,000, and Spark Tank matched for another $5,000 to help with the building of the “All Abilities Playground” in McKinney, originated by the Rotary Club of McKinney.  The class also helped with some of the construction.  Additional projects included furnishing an apartment for a refugee family, fixing air conditioning for several struggling families, helping a teachers’ aide with her mortgage after multiple illnesses, and buying random groceries for people in the Aldi in Carrollton. Walter Sithole, a church member from Frisco, inspired by his two young daughters, collected clothes, food and supplies to take to a number of churches and orphanages  in Zimbabwe. 

“It has been wonderful to see our congregation initiate so many different ways to become the hands and feet of Jesus,” said Rev. Robert Hasley, senior pastor, St. Andrew UMC.  “We are beyond grateful to a very special church family who has started it all and can’t wait to continue the program next summer.”

St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community to “A Salute to America” Memorial Day weekend FREE concert Sunday May 29, at 4 p.m., in the church sanctuary, located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas.  Free snow cones will be served following the concert. 

The concert will feature the St. Andrew Chancel Choir and Imperial Brass, the Bells of St. Andrew, and the Salt and Light Youth Choir, performing a variety of patriotic and Americana music.  A military honor guard will provide the presentation of the flags, and a special invitation is extended to all veterans as each branch of the military will be recognized during the program.  Children will be invited to come forward during one of the concert pieces, waving American flags that will be given to them.

"A Salute to America has gained a reputation as one of the area's most beloved musical celebrations of God and country,” said Taylor Davis, Director of Music, St. Andrew United Methodist Church.  “It is our pleasure to offer it once again this Memorial Day weekend as a gift to the community. We clap along with Sousa marches, sing along with the great national anthems and hymns, honor our military, and then close the program with a plea to God for peace across the world. Dress casually and come enjoy the festivities.”

For information, call 214-291-8037, email tdavis@standrewumc.org or visit www.standrewumc.org.

Stop by on your lunch break each Wednesday in April, and enjoy a respite in the middle of the week 

St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community to its second annual lunch-time organ recital series, highlighting the sounds of the impressive 4-manual Létourneau in the refined acoustics of the sanctuary, each Wednesday in April, from 12:00 to 12:35 p.m., at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093.

“With the success of our series last year, we are thrilled to present this series again this year. These midday recitals provide a respite of beautiful music in the middle of the week,” said Dr. Jonathan Gregoire, Associate Director of Music/Organist. “We have another first-class group of organists scheduled. Whether you could attend last year or not, we invite the community to join us each Wednesday as our magnificent Létourneau organ is brought to life in the hands of these talented performers.”

In order, the organists include: Dr. Damin Spritzer, Assistant Professor of Organ, University of Oklahoma (April 6); Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch, Christ Church (April 13); Dr. Jonathan Gregoire, St. Andrew United Methodist Church (April 20); Dr. Heyon Jeong, St. Michael and All Angels (April 27).

"Lunch-time recitals provide a welcome break in the work day to unplug from the office, with a set length for the perfect morsel of music,” added Gregoire. “Please join us any Wednesday that work best in your schedule, and experience the beautiful resources of St. Andrew.”

(no food is allowed in sanctuary, but there is a central courtyard area next to the sanctuary and by the creek that is a nice picnic area)

ABOUT THE ORGANISTS:

Sought after for lectures and performances, praised for “enormous sensitivity and musicianship” (AAM Journal), and hailed as “elegantly assured” (Dallas Morning News), Damin Spritzer has performed organ recitals all through America and records internationally. She has been a featured artist for American Guild of Organist Conventions, and had the honor of being heard with “Pipedreams” radio broadcasts on numerous occasions as well as in the Netherlands and Canada. Cathedral Organist and Artist-in-Residence for Cathedral Arts at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Dallas, she was appointed Visiting Professor of Music for the fall semester of 2014 at the University of Oklahoma, and as Adjunct Professor of Organ Literature and Sacred Music at the University of North Texas. Previously she held positions with University Park United Methodist Church and Saint Rita Catholic Church, both in Dallas. Her doctorate was received from the University of North Texas, her Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music, and her Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Her first two commercial CD recordings are world-premiere discs of the music of Rene Becker, and were recorded at the Church of Saint Soloman and Saint Gregory in Pithiviers, France, and at the Cathédrale de la Sainte-Croix à Orléans, France. Both were released with RavenCD.com to critical acclaim, and two more volumes are forth-coming, focusing on Becker’s American years and on his unpublished manuscripts. Beginning fall of 2015, Dr. Spritzer is the Assistant Professor of Organ at the University of Oklahoma.

Hailed as “A world-class virtuoso” and “an expert at defining darks, lights, shadows and colors,” Bradley Hunter Welch is increasingly in demand as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and collaborative artist. A native of Knoxville, TN, Bradley holds the Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Musical Arts, Master of Music degrees, and the Artist Diploma from Yale University where he studied with Thomas Murray and Martin Jean. He also holds the Bachelor of Music degree magna cum laude from Baylor University where he studied with Joyce Jones. Dr. Welch is the 2003 First Place winner of the Dallas International Organ Competition and was also awarded the Audience Prize for the second time, having previously won it in 2000. He was Director of Music & Arts at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX from 2009 to 2014 and currently devotes his full-time attention to a thriving solo concert career. Between his concert and recording engagements, Dr. Welch serves as Artist-in-Residence as Christ Church (Anglican) in Plano, TX--one of the largest Anglican churches in the United States. In addition to these duties, he performs approximately 20 concerts annually under the exclusive artistic management of Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, Hartford, CT. His premier recording is the first solo organ recording of the Cliburn Organ at Broadway Baptist Church. Bradley is married to Kara Kirkendoll Welch, a flutist in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Adjunct Professor of Flute at Southern Methodist University. They have a son--Ethan Hunter Welch--and a daughter--Avery Kristine Welch.

Praised for his “expert account” of Vierne’s Carillon de Westminster by The Dallas Morning News, Jonathan Gregoire, serves as the Associate Director of Music and Principal Organist at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. In addition to accompanying the many choirs of St. Andrew, he is the Director of the St. Andrew Academy of Music and serves as curator for the Sanctuary’s exquisite 4-manual Létourneau Organ, Opus 87. Dr. Gregoire performs nationally and internationally, and received the title of Diploma Laureate in the 2013 Tariverdiev International Organ Competition. He has received top honors for his degrees in organ performance from Arizona State University, the University of Kansas, St. John’s University and the Interlochen Arts Academy. He is pursuing an Artist Diploma at Southern Methodist University working with Prof. Stefan Engels. For additional information, including audio links, please visit:www.jonathangregoire.com.

Hyeon Jeong, the first prize-winner of the Fort Wayne National Organ Competition and the Flint International Organ Competition, holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Michigan, where she was a recipient of the prestigious Regent Fellowship. Her numerous awards and honors include the Rackam Grant and Dean’s Grant from the University of Michigan, the Graduate Scholarship from the University of Cincinnati, and the President Honor Scholarship from Yonsei University. A medal recipient of the Concours International d'Orgue Grand Prix de Chartres, France, she also received top prizes in the Mader National Competition and the Dublin-Ireland international Competition. Dr. Jeong has taught at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis and is currently Associate Director of Music at Saint Michael and All Angels Church in Dallas, one of the largest Episcopal churches in the United States. Her performances have been featured on many broadcasts including NPR's nationally broadcast Pipedreams.