Look.
A lot of us are worried these days. A lot of us are looking for meaningful relationships. A lot of us want to be seen and known and valued as we are.
St. Andrew's is a kind of old-fashioned, but nevertheless effective, answer to some of these ills.
And, here's the thing: you don't have to believe any sort of thing to come here and belong. Yes, we talk about Jesus and praise God. It's a church. And God is who animates us and Jesus is why we keep going.
Church is one of those Third Spaces where folks can be human together; visit and sing and share space in an inspiring building.
This church is a place where awkward things happen in public and we don't worry too much about it. This church is a place where people of different generations become friends. This church is a place where everyday people make contributions that matter. People don't travel far to come here—they walk or ride bikes, some of them drive—but they're all North Portland neighbors.
We committed to solidarity with the poor. It's also super important to us that people who haven't always been welcome in church or in society are honored here. We are queer, we are immigrants, we are lawbreakers, we are misfits, we are social justice grannies, we are on the spectrum, we are survivors of religious abuse. Most of us fit into at least one of those categories.
You'll fit right in. Sundays at 10:30.
Scripture.
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The Bible is so good! And it's the best kept secret, because it has a crummy reputation. We don't apologize for the Bible at St Andrew's—we embrace it, with all its complications and, sure, embarrassing parts. Like any relationship, the way we relate to scripture can change over time, can evoke strong feelings, can benefit from generosity and patience. Like Jesus himself says, it can be sharp—like a sword—so, handle with care. During the sermon time in our worship, we dig into scripture as a community. We listen to it, let it speak, ask it questions, open our hearts to it, and witness how it works in each other. We treat it like a living thing and trust that God speaks to us through it. We anchor our communal living in its stories. We return to it for guidance. We give it space to work in us for healing and discernment. For one season, we tracked how many of the Sunday scripture passages (the lectionary) contained a command to care for the poor. It was a lot, y'all. In this season of uncertainty and fear in our national life, we look to the experience of the Hebrew prophets, and of Jesus, who lived and ministered under unjust regimes. Here's some good news, straight from the Gospel: When someone asked Jesus which part of the law is the greatest, he answered, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
St Andrew's is a regenerating congregation.
God is doing a new thing in an old place, and it is messy and beautiful! A core group of faithful elders have maintained and sustained a worshiping community here for decades. In recent years, challenges like Covid and the death, from cancer, of a beloved priest diminished the congregation.
But God has brought new life through the partnership with WeShine PDX and in the deepening of our self-understanding as a congregation in solidarity with the poor and other church rejects. Today, St Andrew's is growing as North Portland neighbors discover community, social action, and deep engagement with scripture here. We invite you to be part of this experiment in resurrection! It's a work in progress (isn't all of life?!) and we're still pretty scrappy. There's also an exciting synergy as, in the (paraphrased) words of the prophet Joel, in another time when God was doing a new thing, "I will pour out my Spirit...old people will dream dreams and young people will see visions."
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Thanks to God and our ancestors in the faith, we are the stewards of a serene and inspiring sacred space in North Portland. Our vision—God's vision, we believe—is that it grows into its potential as a place for the community to find stillness and peace, alleviate loneliness, shelter creativity, and provide sanctuary.
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Do you have skills to contribute? We honor participation above perfection! Your offerings will be seen and valued in this small place. Join folks already engaged in things like:
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Making music in worship
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Naturescaping the grounds
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Fixing buildings (kind of constantly)
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Meeting and greeting new folks
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Volunteering at the pantry
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Bringing food
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Adorning the church with artwork
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Hearing and blessing the brokenhearted
Who We Are
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven...
Thanks to God, WeShine, neighbors and many other supporters, St Andrew's Village now offers alternative shelter to older adults (45+) and people with physical disabilities who are living on the street. For more information, and to refer someone to be considered for shelter, contact St Andrew's Village Manager Favoure Miller (favoure@weshinepdx.org)
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St. Andrew's Letter to the Community for Pride
Dear Friends and Neighbors in North Portland,
This Pride month, our congregation at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church amplifies our welcome and appreciation for queer folk and all those who love them. Glory! You are wonderfully made.
These are hard days. In times when the state legislates hate, the church is called to practice the liberating, all-embracing, nonjudgmental love of Christ. And so, in response to the attempted erasure of queer people and especially of trans kids in the recent national narrative, we say: this is wrong.
We say: we receive and affirm our holiness in the vision of our God and Creator, and no law or politician can diminish it. We say: we are all, every one of us, created in the image of God.
Transformation is at the heart of our faith, and we honor and rejoice in the life stories of all who have been (and are being) transfigured into their most authentic and true selves. Transfiguration is a spiritual practice most of us hold in common, whether or not it is evident in our outward appearance.
We, the community of St Andrew’s, pray for the transformation of fear into love. We pray for the safety and flourishing of trans and genderqueer and nonbinary kids and adults in this dangerous time. We pray in thanks that we get to live and worship and in this community of North Portland. Happy Pride, everyone.
Sincerely,
Reverend Jennifer M Creswell
and the congregation of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
About Us
St. Andrew’s is a neighborhood church with a mission of being a good neighbor by acting with humility, hospitality, and integrity in our community.
We worship every Sunday morning at 10:30 in our historic sanctuary, and all are very welcome.
We are a simple, friendly, neighborhood church, praying to God from the Book of Common Prayer
If you visit us on Sunday, you are invited to join us in singing a variety of sacred music, praying from the Book of Common Prayer, hearing readings from the Bible, collectively reading from its Psalms, and celebrating a proclamation from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The short sermon is usually interactive and conversational, making space for everyone present to engage with the words of scripture through their life experience. We will remember the signposts of our faith through the Nicene Creed, silently confess our sins, offer our prayers for all in need, and warmly share the peace of Christ. But, our most important act will be to remember that Christ is always present with us, by returning to the way Jesus taught us on the night before he died.
"While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." - Matthew 26:26-28
The Episcopal Church is a middle way between the Catholic and Protestant traditions. If you have been to a Catholic mass, you will find our service very familiar, though our Vicar and Priest, Reverend Jennifer, is a woman. And, in our church you will always be welcome to worship with us, and to share in communion, no matter who you are, how you look, or where you come from. As Jesus Christ taught, we extend an especially warm welcome to those marginalized by others, for the way God made us. We heartily welcome and affirm people of all races, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, income levels and states of health. We respect that different people may understand Christ a bit differently, and that's okay by us. We are here to pray together, in common, and nurture our spiritual lives, in community.
In our church, all are welcome at the table of the Lord. You too!
Pray With Us
Want to Find Out More?
Visit our Facebook page for regularly updated information on services and news.
To join our email listserv for updates on service schedule changes/cancellations, pastoral needs in our community, and congregational activities, email nopoliturgy@gmail.com and request to be added.
For urgent pastoral needs please contact Rev. Jennifer by email or 503-953-4208.
We would love to serve with you! The St Andrew's community practices our faith primarily through worship and service. Our Sunday morning gathering is a sacred time set aside to worship God and be together. There are several ways to get involved in Sunday morning worship. You might set the altar table, read a lesson, greet people as they arrive, or give someone a ride to church. We are busy throughout the week serving as opportunities arise. These might be volunteering at Hereford House pantry, engaging in housing advocacy, or supporting the WeShine village. There are service opportunities for people with different abilities and skills, and the needs are always changing!
St. Andrew's Land Acknowledgment
The land and the waters, the sky and the plants and the animals in this place are gifts of the Holy One, the Creator. We are not the first people to pray on this land. The Oregon Land Donation Act of 1850 removed tribes and offered free land to white settler/colonizers, who laid claim to 2.5 million acres of tribal land—including what is now North Portland—over the course of seven years. 45 years later the founders of St Andrew’s, our foremothers and forefathers in the faith, from whose labors and sacrifices we now benefit, established an Episcopal church and community in this place. Furthermore, our church stood to witness the forced removal of families of Japanese descent from the Portland area and the destruction of the community of Vanport, home to Black, Native, and other workers who migrated to the Portland area for jobs in the shipbuilding industry. By acknowledging the sins of our ancestors we do not excuse ourselves but commit, before each other and before God, to the ongoing work of restoration and reparation which the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ requires of us. We proclaim proudly that we live in the city with the ninth largest Indigenous population in the US and we uplift and support NAYA’s mission “to enhance the diverse strengths of our youth and families in partnership with the community through cultural identity and education.”
Church Can Be Hard
It can be hard to step into a new church for the first time. It can be especially tough if church hasn't always been a safe or affirming place for you. If you are thinking about visiting St Andrew's, please know that you will be welcomed with dignity here. You'll be greeted by folks--including our priest--who are glad to see you, but you won't be pressured to do anything. There is tissue in most of the pews, because church can be an emotional place. You can choose whether or not to participate in the liturgy, or just let it wash over you. You might decide to visit a few times to help you decide if this community is a good fit for you. We trust and pray that the Spirit is guiding you as you seek a spiritual home,
Need Food?
Hereford House Pantry
7704 North Hereford Ave., Portland, OR 97203
(925)-989-9638
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( We are downstairs in the white building next to the church )
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Fridays!!!!
from 12:00pm (noon) until 2:00pm
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The pantry offers "Drive up", "Walk up" and "Bike up" service! Cars enter the church entrace on Hereford Street and join the line around the back side of church! If walking or biking up it is helpful to have your own bags but we have bags if needed.
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Stay safe and thank you so much for visiting.
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Looking For a Volunteer Opportunity In Your Neighborhood?
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The helping community you are looking for is right here at Hereford House. Be one of the helpers who unload, pack, and distribute food to hungry neighbors. Volunteers are often, but not exclusively, pantry clients. We could especially use folks to unload pallets from the Oregon Food Bank on Friday mornings (around a 45 minute commitment). If you can help, please let pantry director Rita know (925) 989-9638 ritita46@gmail.com.
Hereford House Pantry is an equal opportunity provider.
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Pictures!
 Saints of the church, pray for us |  We get spicy on Pentecost |  Hans in awe |
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 Reflections |  The village is underway! |  Our All Saints altar--remembering the Great Cloud of Witnesses |
 We pray for the life of the world |  It takes a congregation to hang a pride flag! |  St Marsha P Johnson, icon written by Kelly Lattimore. |
 Portland For All event: candidates for local office address local concerns. |  Our Advent wreath honors the Holy Family as refugees. |  The red (prayer book) and blue (hymnal) help us worship God |
 Christ is the light of the world |  In times of grief...lighting candles for murdered children |  Praying from the Book of Common Prayer |
 Christ our light holds our griefs and our joys |  Beauty! Art by a former priest and flowers from our gardens |  YOU are welcome to our messy, joyous community! |
 The Lord is present in flame, in art, in bread and wine |  Remember we are dust, and to dust we will return |  Hereford House Pantry has fresh fruit and vegetables for you |
 We are all in this together |  Our food pantry is here to serve |  Flowers grace the altar |
 All are welcome at the table of the Lord |  We love rainbows |  Imagine a big boat, upside down |
 Flower are beautiful, and beauty is important |  Icon of Blessed Dorothy Day, written by Justin Morgan |  People of prayer |
 When we have we give, when we need we receive |  Simple and colorful, that's us |  Icon of Saint Andrew, written by Justin Morgan |
 Let the sun shine in |  Waiting in the desert |  Waiting on the Lord |
 Simple beauty |