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Our Hungers

In 2017, a communal process engaging the entire parish identified the following collective hungers that shape and guide our life together as we follow God.

What do we hunger for?

We Hunger for COMMUNITY.
We celebrate the sense of “home” and “open arms” found at St. Andrew’s. Yet we know that being community is never a given, but always a process. We strive to be an authentic and diverse community, caring deeply for one another and healing hurts when they arise. We hunger to be a model of what it means to communicate across differences, valuing the perspective and dignity of each person, and doing the sometimes hard work of being both authentic and loving.

Colorful banner with rainbow stripes and an LGBT pride flag, with the text 'Embodying God's Love for All' and 'St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Yardley' at the bottom.

We Hunger for ACTION AND JUSTICE.
Living out our baptismal vows to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being,” St. Andrew’s puts our faith in action by addressing both physical and social needs. Our church has a long tradition of addressing food insecurity (including a nationally-recognized food program), as well as focusing on affordable housing and education by working closely with community partners. We continually deepen our commitment to social justice, learning, self-change, and advocacy to contend with internalized and structural inequities. We celebrate our interfaith partnerships with other faith communities in the area, and continue to seek ways to be agents of God’s healing and justice in the world.

Group of volunteers preparing meals at a food service event in a community center.

We Hunger for SPIRITUAL FORMATION.
We hunger for a rich spiritual life for all ages. We value liturgies that welcome all and embody an “open table” of love for every blessed child of God while lifting and uniting our souls through music. We value sermons that stimulate both our intellects and hearts, and give us practical ways to live every day with the love of Jesus. We give thanks for our children and for the programs that shape their faith—Godly Play, Rite 13, and Journey 2 Adulthood (J2A)

A group of people participating in a church service inside a historic chapel with stained glass windows, some holding sheet music, and three individuals dressed in white robes at the front near lit candles.

We Hunger for SACRED BEAUTY.
Our hunger for sacred beauty is fed by what surrounds us—our musical life together and the community created through it, the faces of companions on our journey, our historic campus on Lake Afton in the heart of Yardley, and our weekly poetry group forging friendships and inspiring new works across the country. And we continually yearn for new ways to bring forth the sacramental beauty in our collective worship, our community, and in each person.

A choir and orchestra practicing in a church with stained glass windows and religious decorations.

We Hunger for ABUNDANT LIFE.
We hunger for the abundant life promised by Jesus in John’s gospel, a life that turns five loaves and two fish into a feast for five thousand. And we know that Christ taught that abundance is felt most in what we give and how we care for others. We hunger to engage in God’s mission in ways that challenge and transform us.

A stone church building with three stained glass windows and a banner promoting online joining, rainbow-colored Pride flag, and weekly activities.