Membership
There is no pressure for participants to become members. Visitors and associates can participate in almost all activities except for holding a leadership position or voting at congregational meetings.
Feeling Ready to Join?
You are invited to become a member of St. Andrew at any time of the year. However, to help those new to our community, we offer several visitor classes throughout the year to share about the Lutheran tradition, the ministries of St. Andrew, and ways to become involved in our faith community. These classes typically happen on a Sunday afternoon from 12:20-2:30 pm. Each fall, however, this class is expanded into a four-week series called Come and See, typically scheduled in October during our Adult Education Hour from 9:45-10:30 am. All these classes offer a time to explore your faith more deeply and ask questions. You will have the opportunity to meet others and share about yourself. These open sessions honor each person's voice, and your questions and experiences are always welcome.
At the culmination of the Come and See series, everyone in the congregation is invited to participate in a Journey of Faith experience. This "journey" offers regular sessions to deepen your connection with God, scripture, and others, ultimately inviting you to reaffirm your faith. Child care or Sunday School is available for children during these gatherings.
Becoming a Member
Again, there is no pressure to become a member of the congregation. If you feel interested in joining formally, there are three different ways to become a member. The one that applies to you will depend on your previous experience with church.
Baptism: Persons who have not been baptized receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Persons may be baptized at any age. Children under 14 do not usually join the congregation alone but join along with other family members. If you are interested in being baptized or have a child you would like to have baptized, please email Pastor Cindy at pastorcindy@salcvan.org.
Letter of Transfer: Persons who are active members of another Lutheran congregation may request a letter of transfer from their congregation. No formal ceremony is required, although we’ll probably welcome you formally as part of a service.
Affirmation of Faith: Baptized persons not currently members of another Lutheran congregation join through “Affirmation of Faith.” This is a brief ceremony during a worship service in which new members publicly affirm their Christian faith and are welcomed into our congregation.