St. Andrew's United Church of Cairo

New Intern Pastor Paul Schick (middle) stands with Nuer Sudanese congregetional leader John Yien and Pastor Peter Johnson

Today, Sunday August 28, Intern Pastor Paul Schick began his internship at St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo.  St. Andrew’s welcomes him to the church and ministry and looks forward to the gifts he brings to our congregation.  Paul is a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary (Lutheran) in Iowa, USA.  He will serve at St. Andrew’s for one year in the roles of preaching, teaching, and shepherding other important parts of St. Andrew’s ministry.  Welcome, Paul!

August 27, 2010

Dear Friends of St. Andrew’s,

Christian greetings from downtown Cairo.

This is a season of new beginnings.  The start of school for many young people and teachers promises a new year of learning.  New relationships with people are on the horizon as we engage new arrivals in our city and congregation.  New opportunities for ministry abound, especially within the important programs for refugees.  Within the newness, we don’t always know what to expect, but we will always be surprised by how the grace and goodness of God works among us.  As we look ahead into this new fall of ministry, I hope and pray that these new realities will be filled with the surprising goodness and grace of God.  God is with us to comfort, inspire and challenge us.

As always, if you have any needs, please contact me at the church office (pastor@standrewschurchcairo.com).

In Welcome,
Pastor Peter

Welcome to a new year at St. Andrew’s.  At 7pm on Friday, September 17, you are welcome to join a congregational potluck at the home of Jacob Chew in Zamalek.  You can reconnect with our St. Andrew’s community, join in welcoming Intern Pastor Paul and Stephanie Schick, or connect with new friends.  All are welcome.  More information to follow at church on Friday mornings at 10am.

Dear Friends of St. Andrew’s,

As part of my home assignment this past summer, my family and I drove nearly 6,000 miles by car (that’s more than 9,500 kilometers!) to visit many of the congregations and individuals who sponsor my family and the programs at St. Andrew’s.  It was rewarding to have the opportunity to share the St. Andrew’s story and give thanks for generous support.  We also had the opportunity to fit in some visits with old friends of St. Andrew’s.  In Akron, Pennsylvania, we Johnsons connected with James Wheeler and Linda Herr and their family.  In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, we enjoyed good conversation with former Pastor Clifford and Saida Lewis and family.  In Alexandria, Virginia, I met Mark Victorson who attended St. Andrew’s before my arrival to Cairo.  In Minnesota, we visited with former volunteer Eric Clark, and in Ohio, we connected with Mike and Judy White, who volunteered in the refugee program this past winter.  This list could go on and on.  See some pictures of these reunions on this website.

Although these friends are only a snapshot of the wider community of St. Andrew’s, let us celebrate all the faithful people related to our church.  We are called together in faith by God for community life together.  For most of us, there is no doubt that St. Andrew’s provides “a home away from home” during our short or long stays in Cairo.

Just as I celebrate these old friends of the church, I look forward to seeing returning members this fall.  Some of you will be familiar, and others will be new to our community.  Be sure to invite friends looking for a church home to St. Andrew’s.  I look forward to welcoming one and all to our church community.

Peace,
Pastor Peter

Interested in seeing Cairo through a different lens?  Want to visit a historical or cultural site but hesitant to do it alone?  This fall St. Andrew’s will begin organizing informal visits to various locations in and around Cairo.  If you have a particular location you’re interested in visiting, or have expertise to share, please let Pastor Peter know.  Stay tuned for more information.

Each Friday at 11:45 am, members of the community gather for Bible study in the conference room in the offices of St. Andrew’s.  The group currently is studying the book of James, postponing the long-standing study on the book of Acts until the broader community returns to Cairo in September.  All are welcome.

We’re excited to kick off another year of Church School for children ages 5 through 5th grade on Fridays.  Class will resume on Friday, September 17 during the 10:00 am service.  Anyone interested in teaching on a rotational basis (curriculum provided!) should contact Pastor Peter or Michele Johnson.

St. Andrew’s welcomes Intern Pastor Paul Schick and his wife next week, part of a long line of interns who have been part of the congregation’s rich history to sharing leadership with student pastors of the church. Paul is a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary (Lutheran) in Iowa, United States. Paul and Stephanie were recent volunteers in Kenya through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Young Adults in Global Mission program.

Also as part of their Home Assignment, Pastor Peter and family met for coffee with Pastor Clifford and Saida Lewis in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (USA).  The Lewis’ pass along their faithful greetings to members of St. Andrew’s.  Pastor Clifford served as pastor of St. Andrew’s for four years before their departure from Cairo in June of 2009.

Pastor Peter and Michele (and family) met with former Pastor Clifford and Saida Lewis (Alex and Nawi) in Harrisburg, PA in August 2010.

As part of the summer Home Assignment for Pastor Peter and his family, they visited former members of St. Andrew’s.  This included a visit with the Wheeler/Herr family in Acron, Pennsylvania (USA).  James is a former chairperson of the Church Council and Linda served faithfully on the St. Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) board for several years.

Pastor Peter Johnson and family met up with old friends of St. Andrew's, the James Wheeler and Linda Herr family.

During the recent Church Council retreat, our summer worship schedule was discussed. Per our normal schedule, Friday worship at 10am will be held each week during the summer followed by fellowship in the Guild Hall. However, because of reduced attendance during the summer months, worship services on Sunday morning will not be held. The last Sunday service before the summer recess will be on May 30th. Stay tuned for further announcements about the resumption of Sunday services this fall.