St. Andrew United Methodist Church is Hosting the 11^th Annual PROM CLOSET (no cost and open to any girl from anywhere!) on Feb. 19, 20, 21, and 23, and there are multiple 2-hour volunteers spots still available that need to be filled.

Would you enjoy helping a girl select the prom dress of her dreams or helping her accessorize it with a selection of jewelry? How about helping her select that perfect wrap or handbag or pair of shoes? Yes, you can be a fairy godmother as a volunteer at the Prom Closet. Do you have a talent with sewing or mending? We are still in need of volunteers in a variety of positions throughout the run of the Prom Closet:

Volunteers may choose from the 6 specific areas to work:  

a) Check In  

b) Shopping Area Greeter  

c) Dressing Room Assistant / Re-assembly / Runner / DR Stage Assistant - volunteers must be able to walk up / down steps  

d) Accessory Area Assistant  

e) Check Out

f) Mending.  

All available positions and instructions as well as sign-up via Sign-Up Genius are on the St. Andrew website.  Go to http://www.standrewumc.org/promcloset and select volunteering to review open positions and sign up. 

Volunteering at Prom Closet is a joyful experience and one that you will not forget. Watch the attached prom closet video! And if you know of anyone who needs a dress for prom, please spread the word!

Here are more details on the 11^th Annual St. Andrew Prom Closet:

WHAT:  St. Andrew United Methodist Church is hosting the 11^th Annual Prom Closet, which has grown from serving 35 young ladies in 2009 to 1,207 in 2018. (2018 shoppers represented 76 school districts and 204 schools.) Girls from ANYWHERE in need of a prom dress are invited to come select a dress and accessories, all at no cost. There are 4,000 dresses, sized 0 to 28, available to choose from, many of which have never been worn. The only requirement is that girls must be present to select their dresses/ accessories. Additionally there are 4,000 pieces of jewelry, 150 handbags, and 400 pairs of shoes.

Church and community members, businesses, organizations, and local groups donate dresses, shoes, wraps, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories for this annual event, organized and operated by The St. Andrew United Methodist Women.  The Prom Closet was created to provide a unique shopping experience for young ladies who because of finances would be unable to attend prom.  Area school counselors have been provided information on their campuses. Prom Closet organizers and volunteers confirm that not only is the need great, but the impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is immeasurable.

St. Andrew needs donations of dress sizes, 0-2 and 12 and up.  All donations of dresses and accessories such as jewelry, handbags, shoes, and wraps, may be brought to Room 133 at St. Andrew (east side of church, M-Th, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.) Tax receipts are available. A link on Amazon is available for purchasing items shipped directly to church: https://tinyurl.com/PromClosetWishList

Hotline: 469-385-1810PROM CLOSET INFORMATION:

Website: www.standrewumc.org/promcloset

Email: standrewpromcloset@gmail.com

Facebook: PromCloset:St.AndrewUMC

Instagram: promcloset.standrewumc

Twitter: @promclosetsaumc

Video for donations: https://www.vimeo.com/285139252

Promo video: https://www.vimeo.com/285139116

PHOTOS from 2018: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rlqsexfg99zci6m/AACLwDBIa1rB9BWDeTRfrMd_a?dl=0

Special thanks to our PROM CLOSET partners:  Chico’s and Ulta for providing shopping bags, Dry Clean Super Center/Signature Garment Care and Macy's for garment dress bags; and Market Street for food and water donations.

WHEN:  Feb. 19, 20, 21 (Tues.-Thurs., 4-8 p.m.) and Feb. 23 (Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon)

Note: Prom Closet is closed on Friday, Feb. 22.

WHERE:  St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX, 75093, in Smith Worship Center. (Please look for Prom Closet directional signs due to construction.)

St. Andrew United Methodist Church began 32 years ago 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. St. Andrew is a congregation of people who follow Jesus, live in relationship, serve others, and take risks in faith. Worship includes 4 services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where around 2,000 people gather each weekend. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. Groups gather on campus and throughout the region seven days a week, including small group and Bible studies; a renowned music ministry; service through missions such as The Storehouse of Collin County, providing services to qualifying Collin County residents to help escape the poverty cycle; 4 Corners Global Outreach, reaching remote villages needing medical care; Career Care, a workforce assistance program; and more. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.

Bishop Scott J. Jones and his son Rev. Arthur Jones discuss their second book together:

Scripture and the Wesleyan Way: A Bible Study on Real Christianity

Bishop Scott J. Jones, bishop of the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, and his son, Rev. Arthur Jones, a fifth generation Methodist minister and senior associate pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, have co-authored their second book, Scripture & the Wesleyan Way: A Bible Study on Real Christianity. The community is invited to a discussion about the book at “A Night with the Authors: Wesleyan Way,” on Sunday, January 13, at 5:30 p.m. in Smith Worship Center, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano.  Admission is free.

“This book helps us to rediscover a way of following Jesus taught by 18th century English pastors John and Charles Wesley, which is itself a return to methods used by the earliest Christians after Jesus’ ascension,” said Bishop Scott Jones.  “This way holds the key to unlocking a renewed and vibrant church, and is our best hope for healing the division in our culture today.”

The Bible was central to John Wesley’s faith and the Christian movement he founded. Scripture and the Wesleyan Way provides a Wesleyan approach to the Bible and the Christian life through a Bible study using Wesley’s own words. In this study, authors Scott and Arthur Jones use John Wesley’s sermons to illuminate the Bible passages at the heart of Wesley’s understanding of what it means to be a real Christian. Each chapter explores a key Scripture text and one of Wesley’s sermons on it. Bishop Jones and his son Arthur show how the teachings of Wesley address questions that many of us in the 21^st century still struggle with today.

“John Wesley discovered a challenging yet hopeful message in the Bible, which profoundly shaped his personal life and the Methodist movement he founded,” added Rev. Arthur Jones.  “As you study the Bible with John Wesley, you will hear his call to live a real Christian life and will be inspired to respond to this call with faith and boldness. We hope you can join us on January 13.”

Rev. Jones is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, and Bishop Jones previously served on the faculty at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University as well as pastor of three congregations in North Texas. Their first book together, published in 2015, was titled ASK – Faith Questions in a Skeptical Age. Bishop Jones is the author of several previous books including The Evangelistic Love of God & Neighbor, Staying at the Table, and Wesley and the Quadrilateral, also published by Abingdon Press.  

Bishop Scott Jones stands in a line of Methodist ministers stretching back to his maternal great-grandfather.  His father, Jameson Jones, was a national United Methodist leader and served as dean of Duke Divinity School, as would Bishop Jones’ younger brother, L. Gregory Jones.  His son Arthur Jones joined the staff of St. Andrew UMC in 2010 as an associate pastor.

Following the discussion, there will be a Q&A session.  Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Thanksgiving Food Boxes Will Be Prepared by the North Texas Food Bank

for the Annual Turkey Drive Thru 

1,500 Turkeys Are Sponsored by Long-Time Supporter, Sports Value Consulting

The Storehouse of Collin County is asking the community to provide the trimmings for Thanksgiving Dinner for our neighbors in need by donating $20 to sponsor a Thanksgiving Food Box. Each box, prepared by the North Texas Food Box, contains green beans, cranberry sauce, corn, carrots, cooking oil, macaroni and cheese, spinach and more.  Collin County families registered with the Storehouse will return with their vouchers to the annual turkey drive thru, on November 16, from 4-6 p.m., to pick up turkeys and the Thanksgiving boxes. Sports Value Consulting, a longtime supporter of the Seven Loaves Food Pantry, has underwritten the cost of 1,500 turkeys.

“Due to construction and a lack of storage space this year, The Storehouse will not be receiving and storing food donations,” said Candace Winslow, executive director, The Storehouse of Collin County. “Instead, we are partnering with the North Texas Food Bank, our new Collin County neighbor, to deliver prepared boxes of holiday food items as well as turkeys on the day of the turkey drive thru. We are beyond grateful to our dear friend Michael Rapcoch with Sports Value Consulting for so generously underwriting the cost of all the turkeys. Working together, we will show hundreds of our neighbors they are not forgotten this Thanksgiving.”

"As 35-year Dallas residents, my wife Heather and I place a lot of value in this community,” said Michael Rapkoch, founder and president of Sports Value Consulting, LLC.  “We believe in the vision and passion that the caring Storehouse team practice daily. Grateful for our own blessings, we want to build a bigger table. We're proud to be a part of this Thanksgiving event for a sixth consecutive year." 

The Storehouse will also be the distribution point for Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere’s Food 4 Kids program again this year. Hundreds of families with children attending Plano ISD schools receive food over the holiday season from Seven Loaves Food Pantry each year.

Whataburger will provide insulated bags for the distribution, and Mycon will provide lighting for the evening. Representatives from KCBI 90.9 FM will be on site with a prayer station, offering a special blessing to each family as they exit the drive thru.

To donate a Thanksgiving Food Box, go to http://www.thestorehousecc.org/thanksgiving and click on the PayPal box, titled Provide a Thanksgiving Food Box. Checks may also be mailed to The Storehouse of Collin County, with the memo notation “Thanksgiving Food Box,” 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., Plano, Texas 75093.  Call 469-385-1813 for more information.

St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community to its annual community fall festival on Sunday, October 28, from 5-6:30 p.m., at 5801 W. Plano Parkway. The festival features free fun for the whole family including carnival games, bounce houses, inflatables, and trunk or treat. All children are invited to come in costume. 

Additionally, the United Methodist Men are hosting the second annual Cruise-In Car Show from 3 – 6:30 p.m. with all proceeds from entrants benefiting The Storehouse of Collin County. For spectators, the car show is free.  For anyone interested in entering a car, registration is from 3-4:30 p.m. with awards at 6:30 p.m.  The registration fee is $20 or $15 with a donation of one bag of canned goods.  Awards include “Best of Show” and “Top Ten.” 

Chili, hot dogs, and other concessions are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Ministry. For more information, call 972-380-8001 or visit www.standrewumc.org.

“I love this event because it takes all of the church to make it happen,” said Rev. Kim Meyers, associate pastor, family ministries, St. Andrew.  “Last year, we had an amazing connection group running the chili cook off, serving 140 pounds of chili and 750 hotdogs in just two hours. The trunk or treat participants were many of our preschool families and the church’s young adults, and the student ministry helped us with setting up, running games, and cleaning up.  Everyone played an important role in providing a fun night for the community to enjoy.”

Concert to feature Paul Smith, internationally acclaimed music educator and co-founder of VOCES8; the VOCES8 North American Scholars; members of the St. Andrew Chancel Choir; and audience participation

 St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community to a free concert featuring the VOCES8 North American Scholars, which consists of 12 young singers (2 from Texas) at the beginning of their careers; Paul Smith, internationally acclaimed music educator and co-founder of VOCES8, the award-winning British vocal ensemble; and members of the St. Andrew Chancel Choir, on Sunday, September 30, from 4 – 5 p.m. in the narthex at St. Andrew, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, 75093. The event will also include audience participation games and improvisations.  Additionally, the evening will feature the U.S. premiere of Smith’s musical story, “A New World.” This concert is free and open to the public.

Throughout this week, the VOCES8 scholars are studying the VOCES8 Method, a unique teaching tool, with Paul Smith at St. Andrew. Smith, who created the VOCES8 Method, implements it around the world as a clinician and conductor and head of the VCM Foundation (http://vcm.foundation/). This concert is the culmination of the group’s week-long coaching session with Smith.

“St. Andrew is excited to host Paul and this talented group of scholars this week,” said Taylor Davis, director of music and worship arts, St. Andrew United Methodist Church. “This is our second year to help launch the scholar's season, and we plan to be the home for this launch each fall – with Paul and scholars working in the community as music educators on behalf of the church.”

No reservations are required to attend this free event.

“We hope the community will join us on this enjoyable Sunday evening,” added Davis. “The interactive portion of the concert provides lessons in rhythm, patterns and melody that are unexpectedly fun.  Because they are improvisational, all are completely unique to each audience.”

St. Andrew United Methodist Church began more than 30 years ago 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. St. Andrew is a congregation of people who follow Jesus, live in relationship, serve others, and take 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 nearly 2,000 people gather each weekend. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. Groups gather on campus and throughout the region seven days a week, including small group and Bible studies; a renowned music ministry; service through missions such as The Storehouse of Collin County, providing services to qualifying Collin County residents to help escape the poverty cycle; 4 Corners Global Outreach, reaching remote villages needing medical care; Career Care, a workforce assistance program; and more. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas  75093.  Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.