Upcoming Events

• May 5th is Older Adult Sunday.
• We will celebrate Pentecost on May 19th with a special worship service and brunch in Heffner Hall. Join us for “Brunch Church.”

Spring Book Discussion The final meeting to discuss Dr. William Yoo’s book, “What Kind of Christianity” will be this Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM in the Youth Lounge, when we focus on Part 3, “The Reckoning.” Dr Yoo will join us in person on May 5th to talk about his work and entertain our questions. All are welcome. We will provide livestream of Dr. Yoo’s presentation; the discussions are in-person only.

• Join us for our All-Church Walk next Saturday, April 13th at 10:30. We’ll be walking on various trails in Mason Mill Park, 1458 McConnell Drive in Decatur

• On April 18, the Tucker Farmer’s Market returns to our front lawn on Thursdays from 4-7.

Our free book table also returns at the market on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Please see the April Lamplighter for details about donating books and volunteering at our table.

This month we begin a four-week foray into the difficult history of American Presbyterians’ complicity in slavery and anti-black racism as we collectively read and digest William Yoo’s award winning book, “What Kind of Christianity.” On three consecutive Sunday afternoons, April 14, 21 and 28th at 4:00 pm in the Youth Room, we will discuss the three-part study in which the Columbia Seminary Professor recounts the concurrent development of the Presbyterian denomination in America alongside Presbyterians’ promotion of slavery and anti-Black racism. Contrary to common misconceptions of the Presbyterian church as abolitionist, most Presbyterians supported the institution of slavery, and knew of its inherent physical and sexual violence, either tacitly approving or ignoring it. Whether in the north or south, Presbyterians held racist attitudes toward African Americans and readily acted on them. As the Presbyterian church today seeks to promote racial justice, we must first acknowledge and understand the deep-rootedness of racial injustice in our history and identity as a denomination.

The April book discussions will prepare us for Dr. Yoo’s May 5th appearance at St. Andrews, (4 pm in the sanctuary) where he will present the themes of his book and entertain our questions. Numerous reviews of “What Kind of Christianity” laud it for its “clear-eyed view of the truth of the past,” but also for its attention to anti-Blackness in the present. Not leaving us totally hopeless, Yoo also offers imaginings of a different possible future. As Kirk Nolan, of Presbyterian College notes, “Yoo highlights a way forward for all Christians committed to addressing systemic racism.” Start now to prepare yourself to participate in this important book study by beginning to read “What Kind of Christianity” and by viewing Dr. Yoo’s recent Matthew 25 summit address, which touches on some of the same themes as the book. [Note: Yoo’s presentation starts at 1:15:30] Discounted copies are available for $15.00 in the church office. For more information contact LaVerne Byas-Smith

by Pat Baker

We will be touring the historic Oakland Cemetery on Tuesday, May 7th at 10:30 am. The rich history of what was originally called the City Cemetery or Atlanta Cemetery dates back to when the land was purchased in 1849. Volunteers will be providing us with a choice of two guided tours, one on foot and one in a golf cart; each will last around an hour. The space on the golf cart is limited so sign-up will be on a “first come, first served” basis. The walking tour will be easy-going with lots of stops as we listen to the tour guide. After the tour we will enjoy lunch at DAS BBQ Grant Park, next to the cemetery.  

The cost is $6.00 for folks over the age of 65 and $12.00 for everyone under 65; proceeds support the mission of Historic Oakland Foundation. Payment can be made to Pat Baker on the day of the tour, BUT all reservations for this day trip have to be in to the church office NO LATER than April 29th.   Please contact the church office or Pat Baker with your reservation, or if you have any questions. 

St. Andrews Free Book Exchange Table, a huge success last fall, returns to the Tucker Farmer’s Market this month when it reopens on church grounds April 18th. The Book Table was a success, not because we received lots of book donations and gave away a ton of books. The Table was a success because it became a place of contact with myriad neighbors from Tucker and beyond. Nancy Qarmout, Farmers Market director, graciously placed our table at the market’s entry so every shopper passed it. Book Table volunteers delighted in greeting everyone as they entered the market. After inviting them to the table with the lure of “free books!,” we engaged browsers in light conversation about books, the weather, the market, and so forth. We met so many interesting and engaging neighbors. One young woman was newly transplanted to Atlanta and was thrilled to find a book on adoptions, just as she was praying through the decision to adopt. Several shoppers with children used the treat of a new book to appease, encourage, and yes, even bribe good behavior from restless little shoppers. We fielded occasional questions about St. Andrews church and, when appropriate, extended invitations to visit. At least one market shopper did.

Whether or not book browsers consider visiting our church, we value this opportunity to serve and get to know our neighbors and community, and for them to get to know us as a church that loves and serves.

This spring we need your help with the Free Book Table. We need volunteers to help sort and prepare book donations, to set up and break down our display, and to host the table during Market hours. We’ll be there for the Market’s opening day April 18th and most 1st and 3rd Thursdays throughout the summer. The two hosting shifts (4-5:30 pm; 5:30-7 pm) pass quickly as you come to enjoy interacting with neighbors, fellow volunteers and even other vendors. It’s a place of real community-building.

We also need gently loved books. We especially need children’s books, and well-kept novels and histories. Other popular genres include travel books and cook books. If you have gently used books you’d be willing to pass on — that you’d be proud to share — please drop them off at the church office or leave in the bin in the Narthex labeled “Book Table.” We appreciate your well-considered donations. Once again to join the Book Table team, contact LaVerne to get on the schedule: by email; or call 678-429-0411.

Everyone is welcome to join the Fidelis Sunday School Class, which meets at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings in the Library, and on Zoom (password fidelis). The class uses The Present Word series of books. This month, the study theme is The Measure of Faith. Contact Deanna Hall for more information

The class on the Book of Revelation has finished looking at the background information with Bruce Gore. After a break of 6 weeks, we will be starting to actually go through Revelation verse by verse. Please join us in the youth room starting May12th at 2:00 pm as we delve deeper into the material by Bruce Gore, facilitated by Arch Baker. Everyone is welcome, even if you have not attended any of the other classes.  

Clifton Sanctuary Ministries

There are spots available for upcoming dates to bring food to Clifton. For more information or to sign up, click here. This ministry is a very easy thing to do while maintaining your social distancing since meals are dropped off on Clifton’s front porch after calling ahead to let them know when you are coming.



A group gathers on the 4th Sunday each month after worship to make lunches for Clifton. If you are interested in helping, contact Phyllis Bearden.

Our congregation feeds the men at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries on the fourth Sunday of every month.

Join us in welcoming new members to St. Andrews! Patrick (Pat) and Bernadette Angelo joined St. Andrews on March 24th.