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​It kinda kills me when I hear this about the Hebrew Bible—the scriptures in the first part of the Bible, the scriptures of the Jews. A lot of folks, maybe especially progressive Christians, seem embarrassed by the Hebrew Bible, like it’s all fire and brimstone, like it’s all God’s wrath. And, fair enough, it’s not like there’s no violence in those books. And there’s the Law…and there are the consequences of not following the Law. But, People. The Old Testament is also w

On Food The Earth and our Creator give so freely and abundantly—everything creation needs in order to thrive. It’s all there, doing its thing. Have you noticed the apples hanging from trees all over town? Whether a human tends the tree or not, it produces fruit. That’s what it was made to do. Berries cover bushes and vines, mushrooms spring up from the ground, nuts fall from trees. The earth gives, and we take and receive what we need. Except that we’ve commodified food. We’v

There is a wonderful flush that comes over people when they find a new church. It is humbling and inspiring to witness—the generosity of spirit, the impulse to serve, the evangelical zeal with which they invite their friends to church. Here is the community they’ve been looking for! Here is a place where they are known and where they belong! Finding a new church often accompanies a new or renewed commitment to faith and spiritual practices and a desire to learn, grow, and

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

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church has long been a beacon of hope and support in the community, actively engaging in various social justice initiatives. These efforts not only reflect the church's commitment to its faith but also demonstrate a profound dedication to addressing the pressing issues that affect marginalized populations. This blog post will explore the various initiatives undertaken by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, highlighting their impact and the community's respon

The project of improving the corner of Lombard and Hereford is finished! Our huge thanks to Prosper Portland for funding this project, and to Gather:Make:Shelter for dreaming it with us and bringing it to fruition. This corner tells a story. Formerly neglected, it was overhung with low branches and an old concrete block wall was crumbling. The sidewalk was cracked and the wheelchair entrance to Rankin Hall was unsafe due to root damage to the path and wall. This city corner

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 sermon time in our worship, we dig into sc