St. Andrew Methodist students, both high school and middle school, spent a memorable, inspirational, and impactful week, June 6-10, serving others locally in Dallas as well as in New Orleans. Sixty-five high school students, accompanied by 10 adults, traveled to New Orleans, where they worked through Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans (RHINO) to serve four organizations:  Okra Abbey, a community garden and food pantry; Mission New Orleans, a homeless shelter and ministry; Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit for providing safe and healthy housing; and Culture of Cleanliness, an organization focused on beautification of the city. In Dallas and Plano, 35 middle schoolers, accompanied by eight adult leaders and one college student, served at St. Philip’s School and Community Center and at The Storehouse of Collin County.

“What impressed me about all of our students was how eagerly they jumped in and began serving no matter what the task,” said Brian Colligan, St. Andrew’s new director of student ministry. “In fact, they wanted to do even more!”

In New Orleans each day began at 7 a.m. with breakfast and a devotional. The students then traveled to their job sites, where they worked from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students painted homes through Rebuilding Together, and they planted, harvested, and served produce and other food donations to the neighbors at Okra Abbey. Okra Abbey also has a program with outside refrigerators, covered, powered, and stocked by the neighborhood. People who are hungry can come to those and get food.

“One day we had extra lunches, and we put them in the refrigerators and watched as neighbors came for food,” added Colligan. “It was an interesting concept and one that we learned other groups have implemented throughout the city.”

At Mission New Orleans the students painted, cleaned, and washed rooms. One day they took hot breakfast meals out to the homeless. Another day they distributed non-perishable bags of food and visited and prayed with them. Additionally, the students spent time with those staying in the shelter by participating in some of the Bible classes. Through Culture of Cleanliness the students participated in trash audits, picking up trash and logging what they picked up. The organization works with companies that cover the cost of recycling the items. In the evenings the group, staying on the campus of Loyola, would enjoy free time followed by worship and teachings of stories of Jesus serving others.

“I have been on six mission trips over the years, and this was one of my favorites,” said Brody Lofgren, 18. “I felt more connected and fulfilled, and I really wanted to be a light for those we served. I spent some time with one of the homeless men we were serving, and he was a good guy. I had heard before that often homeless are very depressed and just want their life to be over, so I stopped and prayed with this man. All the men were very respectful of prayer and longed for that human connection.”

The middle schoolers cleaned, painted, and organized items at St. Philip’s School and Community Center. Some worked in the onsite food pantry while others picked up trash and pulled weeds on the grounds of St. Philip’s as well as in the surrounding neighborhood. The students also assisted with preparations for an upcoming camp for kids to be held at St. Philip’s in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, they assembled 750 kids’ snack bags for children who visit the food pantry at The Storehouse of Collin County. Each child who comes to the pantry receives a snack bag to remind them they are always welcome there, and The Storehouse is a safe place to ask for help. Lastly, the middle schoolers participated in a poverty simulation, organized by Unite, where they learned what it was like for a homeless person trying to escape poverty.

“This was my second mission trip, and it was a lot of fun,” said Addison Eagle, 12. “We stayed at St. Andrew and went to St. Philip’s during the day. We helped clean up the playground, organize school supplies, work in the office, set up a classroom for summer camp, and basically helped with whatever they needed. “I think one of my favorite parts of the week was the poverty simulation. We pretended to be a homeless family, learning to navigate social service organizations, shelters, and trying to get a job to get money. It was very eye-opening to see what it is really like for them.”

“I’ve spent 15 years in student ministry prior to coming to St. Andrew, and I’ve been on a lot of mission trips,” added Colligan. “I was very impressed with all our students, who consistently served from a place of humility and love. A highlight of the trip for me happened while we were serving at Mission New Orleans. I looked over and saw one of the students, Brody Lofgren, praying with the homeless. I began noticing even more students praying with the homeless. After visiting with them, the students realized that they were not any different from them. Various life circumstances and problems had contributed to their situations. Without question, the students each brought this year’s theme, The Parable of The Good Samaritan, to life. They did not walk by those in need.  Instead, they took the time to get to know them, serving, praying, and staying on mission.”

To see Mission Trip 2023 in action, visit this video link: https://vimeo.com/836616137

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St. Andrew Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people worship each weekend. The Sanctuary hosts worship in both a traditional style with the classic pipe organ and a contemporary style with an LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewmethodist.org; call 972-380-8001.

Beacon of Light invites the community to a free Mental Health Awareness Month Event “Thriving in Transition: How Healthy Families Navigate Life’s Next Season”  on May 10  

After two losses of life within the St. Andrew Methodist Church community just prior to the 2020 pandemic, church pastors and staff knew that a proactive stance regarding mental health was needed and launched Beacon of Light, a new mental health ministry, to serve not only the church community, but also North Texas residents and other churches and centers of faith. The program, launched in 2021, has provided services to 170 families struggling with a variety of mental health issues.

Beacon of Light  provides awareness for mental health, counseling services, and a variety of educational resources to support individuals including newsletters, special events, and a podcast launching in May – all of which can be found on its website.  The counseling services are provided with licensed, professional therapists on a wide variety of the most common mental health concerns and disorders. All counseling services, delivered in partnership with The Center for Integrative Counseling, are provided confidentially at Beacon of Light’s offices, located at 5700 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 1600, in Plano, directly across the street from St. Andrew Methodist. Tele-health services are also available.

“Our pilot program proved that if a church offers a mental health program, people will use it,” said Doug Reed, executive director, Beacon of Light. “On average, someone struggling with mental health issues waits 11 years to seek help. We must remove barriers to treatment, and the church – often one of the first places people turn to when in crisis – is one of the easiest places to seek help. We encourage anyone in the community struggling with mental health issues to reach out to us. Each of us deserves joy in our lives, and if your mental health makes joy seem impossible, we can help.”

Reed, a long-time St. Andrew member who has managed several behavioral health care organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit, was asked to lead this new endeavor. His daughter, Natalie, then 29, died by suicide in January 2020 shortly before the pandemic.

“There are few families left untouched by mental health challenges,” said Reed.  “In our case the impact was immediate and devastating.  We thought that death by suicide happened to others, not our family.  Our vision for Beacon of Light, quite simply, is to combine the power of faith with expert clinical services to help save lives.”

During Mental Health Awareness Month, Beacon of Light invites the community to its first special event, a panel discussion, “Thriving in Transition: How Healthy Families Navigate Life’s Next Season,” on May 10, from 6:30-8 p.m., in Piro Hall, St. Andrew Methodist, 5801 W. Plano Parkway. The event, free and open to all, will feature guest speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Zak, a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years’ experience working with children and adults across the lifespan, as well as a panel discussion with Hannah Wilkins (college freshman); Julee Williams (parent of 4 children, ages 19 to 25); Rev. Kim Meyers, St. Andrew; and Tyler Woodall, LPC, Beacon of Light counselor. The panel will be moderated by Carrie Cravens, LCSW, clinical program manager, Beacon of Light. The discussion will focus on struggles with transition and their impact on mental health; ways to keep connection with family and friends and take care of your mental wellbeing through transition; and the role that faith can play.

“For many families, May represents a challenging time of transition – promotion from one grade to the next; transitions to new schools; and graduations from high school to college mean big changes for families,” added Reed. “Through Beacon of Light, we’ve seen the impact of these transition periods, and it is always our goal to be proactive and provide important resources so that individuals and families have the tactics and tools to manage changing and challenging times.”

Beacon of Light is also working on the development of a comprehensive mental health framework and training program for churches to become mental health informed so they may deliver effective mental health programming within their membership and communities.

“We know that churches are on the front line of the mental health crisis,” said Reed. “There are more than 380,000 churches imbedded in communities throughout the country, but most lack the knowledge, resources, and partners to address even the most basic mental health needs. What if pastoral staff and lay leaders knew how to identify and triage various mental health conditions and illnesses?  How many lives could be changed or saved? Multiple churches have already reached out to us, and our vision is to provide them with programming, training, and resources in the near future.”  

“It’s important for everyone to keep in mind that we have all faced circumstances that left us feeling paralyzed, alone, and free-falling,” added Reed. “In these times, Beacon of Light can provide guidance and help you navigate the complexities of mental health. Join us on May 10, learn more about how Beacon of Light might be able to help you and your family, and take home some helpful information to help you navigate life’s next season. At Beacon of Light it is our hope to further your mental and spiritual health to prevent mental health issues in the future.”

An RSVP is encouraged for the panel discussion but not required. Visitwww.beaconoflightmh.org for a link to RSVP. 

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Beacon of Light launched in 2021 as a ministry of St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano to create a Christ-centered mental health initiative to support the St. Andrew community, those who live in North Texas and other churches and centers of faith. Born out of St. Andrew’s challenge of reacting to mental health crises among its members, Beacon of Light equips individuals and churches with valuable tools and resources to address the continuum of mental health challenges. This means increasing awareness for mental health in general; developing resources to help those in need better understand mental health conditions, treatment options and aftercare considerations; training church and lay leaders to be more informed regarding mental health issues; and providing expert clinical treatment with experienced mental health providers. Key goals include encouraging engagement, reducing the stigma around mental health while removing barriers, and creating awareness of treatment and support services. Visit https://www.beaconoflightmh.org/ , email contact@beaconoflightmh.org, or call 469-385-1828. Beacon of Light is located at 5700 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 1600, Plano, TX 75093.

St. Andrew Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people worship each weekend. The Sanctuary hosts worship in both a traditional style with the classic pipe organ and a contemporary style with an LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewmethodist.org; call 972-380-8001.

St. Andrew Methodist Church announces online registration is now open for Prom Closet 2023, which is scheduled for a two-week period: Feb. 7-9, 11 and 13-18 in Smith Worship Center, at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, on the east side of the church at 1401 Mira Vista Blvd. Girls from ANYWHERE in need of a prom dress are invited to come select a dress and accessories - all at no cost. Appointments are required to improve the overall shopping experience and minimize wait times for the shoppers. Each shopper must be present to select her own dress and accessories and may have one guest, age 16 or older. A personal shopper volunteer will assist each shopper throughout the process. There will be 35 shopping slots per each 1.5-hour time frame.

Prom Closet, a service of the St. Andrew Women in Faith, provides prom attire to approximately 1,000 high school girls each year. When it first began in 2009, 35 girls from local high schools received dresses and accessories. Over the years, Prom Closet has welcomed girls from across Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma as well as exchange students from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and Thailand. Approximately 500 volunteers come together each year to help make prom dreams come true.

“It’s no secret that attending prom can be very expensive,” said Devra Helffrich, a founder of Prom Closet, which was created to provide a unique shopping experience for young ladies who because of finances would be unable to attend prom. “Not only is the need great, but the impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is immeasurable. Each volunteer strives to provide an uplifting experience for the young ladies letting them know they are loved, and they are beautiful. There are countless beautiful and emotional stories of girls and their families who have received prom dresses and accessories.”

This past summer St. Andrew received a wonderful letter from the mom of a girl who was a past recipient of Prom Closet. She shared that because of Prom Closet her daughter was able to attend her Homeschool Prom twice during some of the hardest financial and personal years for the family. Her daughter then returned her dresses to St. Andrew along with a few more and shared how much joy it gave her to know that other girls can benefit, and they will also have amazing memories from their proms.

“Our family was struggling with money and the death of my father,” said Lauren Crowder. “I didn’t want to go out shopping and see dresses I couldn’t afford, but when I came to Prom Closet, everyone was so welcoming and wanted me to be filled with joy. They provided everything I needed including shoes and jewelry. I learned that there are people out there who watch out for others facing difficult times. It’s important for us all to give back when we can do so.”

The Prom Closet is accepting donations of dresses (sizes 0-30), jewelry, shoes, handbags, and wraps. All donations may be dropped off at St. Andrew, 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., Jan. 3 – Feb. 16, just inside the church’s north entry doors on a designated dress rack, Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; and Sunday 9 a.m. - noon. For the north entrance, look for the covered walkway and sign on the building.  A link on Amazon is available for anyone that would like to help by purchasing items, which will be shipped directly to the church. To review items available for purchase, go to this link: Prom Closet Wish List

“We are so grateful for the support and donations from the community as well as our wonderful volunteers – all of whom make Prom Closet possible,” added Helffrich. “We collect dresses, shoes, jewelry, wraps, handbags, and other accessories year ‘round and encourage the community to bring in items to support this important effort. This will be the 14^th year we have held Prom Closet, which has grown to be an extraordinary outreach to girls throughout the metroplex and beyond.”

To register for a 1.5-hour time slot and to volunteer, visit www.standrewmethodist.org/news/promcloset.

For questions and more information email promcloset@standrewmethodist.org, or call 469-385-1810 for more information.

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St. Andrew Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people worship each weekend. The Sanctuary hosts worship in both a traditional style with the classic pipe organ and a contemporary style with an LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewmethodist.org; call 972-380-8001.

St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community for a beautiful evening of music performed by the world-renowned British Vocal Ensemble VOCES8 on Sunday, October 30, at 6 p.m., in the sanctuary at 5801 W. Plano Parkway. There is no admission fee.

Touring globally, VOCES8 performs an extensive repertory – from Renaissance to Nat King Cole – both in its a cappella concerts and in collaborations with leading musicians, orchestras, composers, and soloists around the world. The group has performed at many notable venues since its inception in 2005 including Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Cité de la Musique Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus, Tokyo Opera City, NCPA Beijing, Sydney Opera House, Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, Victoria Concert Hall Singapore, Palacio de Bellas Artes Mexico City among many others. This season they are performing over 100 concerts in the UK and across Europe, in Israel and the United States.

“It is always a privilege to welcome our friends from VOCES8 to St. Andrew,” said Taylor Davis, creative director of traditional music and worship. “Their stunning performances are an inspiration, providing impeccable harmony that sets the tone for an engaging and beautiful evening. To see this talented group perform live is an opportunity that should not be missed. We hope you can join us!”

For more information about this event and VOCES8 visit www.standrewumc.org or www.voces8.com.

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St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.

6^th Annual St. Andrew Cars for Community Car Show to benefit The Storehouse of Collin County

Annual fundraiser supports The Storehouse’s mission to feed, clothe, and care as neighbors in one community

The 6^th Annual St. Andrew Cars for Community Car Show, hosted by St. Andrew’s United Methodist Men’s Ministry, is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, from 12 – 3 p.m. (Awards presented at 3 p.m.) Open to the general public with no admission fee, the event invites car enthusiasts to show off cars while benefiting The Storehouse of Collin County, a nonprofit which provides short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin County in need.

“We are excited to be back in full force,” said Ron Weaver, organizer. “The car show is not only great fun, but it supports The Storehouse, which is doing incredible work helping so many in need in our community. All proceeds go toward supporting its mission to feed, clothe, and care as neighbors in one community. Your donations help provide nutritious meals, essential clothing items, life-changing resources, and educational opportunities.”

The event features raffle prizes and food vendors as well as goody bags for the first 100 entrants. Onsite registration on the day of the event takes place from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and is $25. Online pre-registration is $25. Go to https://give.thestorehousecc.org/event/cars-for-community-car-show/e405948

“We are so grateful to the men of St. Andrew for organizing this annual fundraiser benefiting our neighbors at The Storehouse, said Candace Winslow, executive director, The Storehouse of Collin County. “Both the pandemic and inflation have dramatically increased food insecurity within our community, and we are now serving more than 3,000 families each month – a number that has tripled since March 2020 before the Covid pandemic. Each donation we receive enables us to serve our neighbors holistically, not only meeting their food and clothing needs, but also serving as a ‘conduit of care’ to help with other aspects of their lives.”

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St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.

The Storehouse of Collin County provides short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin County in need through the Seven Loaves Food Pantry, Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, Project Hope Neighbor Care, and The Academy Education Program. The nonprofit was founded in 2009 under the name of Seven Loaves Community, which provided food pantry staples and grew over the years to meet a variety of needs. Over 3,000 families on average access Seven Loaves each month. The Storehouse provides clothing at no cost through Joseph’s Coat as well as counseling and case management through Project Hope. The Academy provides free and reduced-cost classes to assist with language, job, or life skills development. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333