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Monthly Report - May 2026
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What is this INCREDIBLY LONG report? I am glad you asked! Each month, following the Council Meeting, we will include a detailed update about the various aspects of the ministry at St. Andrews. We have not done a good job of keeping you all up to date on all the moving parts in this ministry, so this is one attempt to help fix that! (This is our first run at this format, so please be patient with us and let us know your thoughts and what we can add!)
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Official Acts April through May 17
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Madison Joan Emmel, daughter of Victoria and Brian Emmel, baptized May 3, 2026
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December 30, 1938 - April 14, 2026
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The Adams (John and Lindsay)
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Alexandria Madison Janssen
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We have had so many exciting changes with the completion of our strategic planning, and I just want to say thank you for your patience as we continue to fine-tune our processes and updates.
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I would also like to thank those of you who have already signed up for Church Center, our church app, and joined the directory. If you have not done so yet, we would greatly appreciate you taking a few moments to sign up. Using the app makes checking in, giving, and viewing the church calendar simple and convenient. Additionally, members of St. Andrews can be invited to join the directory, allowing contact information to be shared with fellow congregants. Joining Church Center also helps us maintain the most accurate and up-to-date contact information so we can communicate with you more effectively.
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Thank you again for your continued support and participation in the life of St. Andrews!
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Nichole Wandel, Church Secretary
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Pastor Hoffmann Report - [email protected]
There is so much going on right now at St. Andrews! We have had an incredibly busy year, and I am so excited about the future of our Church and School, and what God is already up to in our midst. As part of our Strategic Plan, we have started with a focus on addressing areas of weakness in Communication and will soon be focusing on the other important areas as well. So far, we have done the following:
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COMMUNICATION (Recent Focus)
Updated our Church and School Websites
Introduced an E-Bulletin Announcement page which is updated weekly
Changed the format of our Friday email
Added a monthly Detailed Report (which you are reading now!)
Hired a Church Director of Media and Communication
Created an interconnected communication channel between church and school
Updated our phone system to allow better access to staff members
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ACCOUNTABILITY (Main Focus this Summer)
Introduced the Church Voice and Parent Pulse feedback mechanisms
Started a Detailed Monthly Report (which you reading now!)
Added an exit interview for all families leaving St. Andrews School before 8th Grade
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ENGAGEMENT (Main Focus this Fall)
Added a Member and Visitor Check-in to our weekly worship services
Started advertising for a part time Director of Volunteer Engagement
Added a session to our New Member Classes to take the Time and Talent Survey
Growth (Main Focus this Winter)
We have a system for following up with visitors
We have changed to focus our websites from information for “insiders” to welcoming new people.
We have introduced a St. Andrews Instagram and have increased our Facebook activity to let the public know more about us and what we offer.
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Over the Summer, Pastor Ethan and I are going to be working on a plan for Discipleship here at St. Andrews. Please keep us in your prayers as we work on helping St. Andrews be a place that better equips people to live out their faith in real life!
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ALSO, if you have any interest in joining our St. Andrews Team in the role of Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, let me know.
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Blessings to you as we walk together in Christ!
Pastor Matt Hoffmann
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Hello St. Andrews! Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on with our youth ministry. Each item includes something or someone that could use your prayer!
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As of today, there are 75 registered participants in this years’ VBS! There are also 34 registered volunteers who are going to make the entire event possible: 15 adults and 19 youth. VBS is an undertaking of our Board of Youth and Family, led by Heather Scalzitti. They, along with many other individuals, have put a lot of effort into the preparations for this event. VBS will take place from June 15-19. Find more information by selecting the Events & Calendar option under the Connect tab on the website.
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Ever since the conclusion of Confirmation in early May, Middle School youth group has begun to meet every Wednesday night. This regularity has allowed us to develop a good rhythm of attendance (about 15 kids) and expectations. Kids are given unstructured time to play and socialize followed by intentional bible lessons where they explore fundamental questions about their faith like; “what do I believe?”
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High School youth group has continued every other Sunday with a consistent group of about 10 young Christians. Something we’ve leaned into recently is ‘preparation for life beyond youth group.’ For example, they’ve been asked to present to the rest of the group things like; how they would use an Old Testament story to proclaim Jesus to someone, research findings of historical people, places, and events mentioned in scripture, etc.
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May 17 was the last day of Sunday School. One observation from the Board of Youth and Family this year was that Sunday School, as a whole, has not received much recognition. So, we concluded the year by celebrating all of our Sunday School teachers and thanking them for their service to St. Andrews. We held a brief celebration between Worship with cake and had the kids sing. We also recognized Laura Rouse and Christa Grabske as they have finished their final year teaching Sunday School and will not be returning next year. With Laura Rouse concluding her time as Sunday School director, we are now in search for someone to fill her role in setting curriculum and general oversite of the program. Please pray for these open positions and for the continued strengthening of our Sunday School program.
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Youth Ministry Leadership Team
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I am almost a full year in as your Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Life and I am so grateful that God placed my family here. I have absolutely loved getting to know the youth and this amazing congregation. One thing that has become clear to me regarding youth ministry is this: a healthy and sustainable youth ministry is greater than any one person. So, in order to breathe more intentionality into our youth program, I (with the blessing of the council) have put together a Youth Ministry Leadership Team made up of these youth-group parents: John McCarty, Jessie Kim, Lynda Schlecht, Alysen Terretta, Eric Bonatz, Tammy Lee, and Mike Pancotto. During our first ‘ThinkTank’ on April 28, we articulated the main purpose of the team like this: “We are here because a healthy youth ministry needs collaboration and intergenerational formation - so that young people are equipped to continue living out their faith once their time at St. Andrews is complete.” Immediately, the group began brainstorming ideas for youth events and, specifically, how youth group will look over the summer. I told the group from the very beginning, “I don’t have an exact picture of what this team will look like. I do know, however, that bringing more voices and minds together will only improve the way we approach Youth ministry.” I am extremely excited about the impact this will make on the spiritual development of the young (and not young) Christians here at St. Andrews. Please keep this in your prayers!
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God of Heaven and Earth, thank you for St. Andrews and the faithful proclamation of your Gospel being made through this church and school. Give us unity in love for you and for each other. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
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I’m incredibly grateful to be a pastor at St. Andrews.
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As we near the end of this school year, our enrollment has reached 159 students, with registration continuing to remain strong. We are giving tours weekly not only for preschool and prekindergarten, but also for students in grades K–8. This year, we have welcomed more tours and shadow days for grade-level students than we have in the past several years, and we are thankful for the growing interest in our school.
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We are also pleased to welcome Mrs. Hillary Delanty as our new principal, beginning Monday, June 8th. We look forward to her leadership and the many gifts and experiences she will bring to our school community.
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We are currently seeking a prekindergarten teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. Mrs. Hall will not be returning as she begins a new career path. We thank her for her dedication and care for our students, and we wish her God’s blessings and all the best in this new chapter.
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Our last day of school will be Wednesday, June 3, 2026. As we conclude another wonderful school year, we thank you for the continued support, encouragement, and prayers you have shared with our school throughout the year. We are truly blessed to be part of such a caring and supportive congregation.
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Music Director Jordan Holiday Report - [email protected]
It was a good year for music at St. Andrews! We had two wonderful recitals by Nick Hansen and Peter Stigdon, as well as the concert performed by Hope Lutheran High School and the hymn festival where we were joined by the choir from Walther Christian Academy. Many thanks to all our wonderful volunteer musicians who dedicate themselves to our choir, bell choir, and brass group! While we have a wonderful choir, we could always use more members! Adult choir is open to anyone in high school or older. Contact Jordan Holliday for more information!
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Director of Church Communication and Media Report - [email protected]
We have been hard at work on our communications! Visit our website, standrewsparkridge.org, to see our latest updates. You can learn more about our ministries, upcoming events, and more. Be sure to look out for the Friday Email Newsletter each week for the latest church news. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@standrewslutheranchurchpr) for weekly photos!
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Church Council - Contact the President of the Congregation
The Church Council met on May 19, and will post the meeting minutes in the monthly update when they are approved at the next meeting. The council is hard at work putting together the budget to present to the Voters ahead of our June 28 Meeting at 10:30am (following the worship service.)
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Board of Christian Day School - Contact the BCDS
We currently have 159 enrolled for next year with many who are in process of completing the enrollment process. The PTL Gala raised over $25,000! Thank you to all who put on this event and to all who so generously bid and donated!
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Our onboarding Principal, Hillary Delanty has been attending BCDS meetings, has met with our school staff, and is being brought up to speed as she starts on June 8. Mrs. Delanty will be attending the Illinois Lutheran School Administrators conference and the FLAME (Future Lutheran Administrators Conference)
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We are currently looking for a Pre-K teacher to start in the Fall. Mrs. Hall has left for a change of career (flight attendant).
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We are celebrating 40 years of teaching ministry and honoring the retirement of our Principal, Ms. Laura Boggs after the service on May 31.
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Board of Deacons - Contact the Head Deacon
The Summer Worship Service times are starting Memorial Day Weekend. Over the summer we will begin to look at how to use our feedback data, our attendance data, and look at making some adjustments to the 11am service when we start back in the Fall. Pastor Matt and Pastor Ethan are looking at how to introduce Catechism Instruction into the late service.
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SOLAR
The final rough inspection of the solar work has been completed and passed. The solar company electrician will connect the panels to our main disconnect in the next week. We will then need a final electrical inspection, once the city passes that Com Ed can switch us on and our panels will be producing electricity. As soon as the project is complete, we will immediately apply for our state and federal incentives.
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OFFICE UPDATE
Rough electrical, framing and drywall work is 95% complete. Painting to begin Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. Once that is done we can trim out and install carpet.
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ELM STREET LOT AND DRIVEWAY
The paving and striping of the Elm street lot is done. The driveway at 912 Elm has been replaced. We still need to backfill all exposed edges which I expect to be completed within 2-3 weeks.
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ELM STREET BASEMENT
Basement remodeling needs to have the layout completed, I expect to meet with Ethan and Wren by weeks end to finalize that. I would expect rough in work to start soon after.
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Board of Fellowship - Contact Board Chair
There have been so many wonderful events this year, thank you to all who helped make these events so successful! Because of the timing of Labor Day Weekend, there will be no May Pancake Breakfast or Fourth Friday Family Fellowship.
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St. Paul of the Cross Food Pantry
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Many households visited the St Paul of the Cross food pantry in March. Thank you! to Lee for handling March deliveries.
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Sunday Night Suppers (SA Sponsored)
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April 19 SNS will be totally funded by Service Ministry budget. Order has been placed with Sunrise Grill and the volunteer roster is complete.
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Sunday Night Suppers at First United Methodist Church)
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Lee and Wendy attended the Coordinating Committee meeting on April 7. Status of SNS.The tentative 2026-2027 schedule has been created. Wendy will distribute the schedule to the SA team for signups when it is final. The season will begin September13. SA will sponsor a January and April 2027 event.
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63 pairs of eyeglasses were collected by youth and school families during January and February. Thank you! to Lee for handling shipping.
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Thank you! to Judy for mailing Easter cards and Portals of Prayer.
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Easter Floral Deliveries to Homebound
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Centracchio (Vi), Mraz (Miles), Stahl (Wendy)
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Feed My Starving Children – 4 of 20 slots have been reserved (as of April 5). Pre-registration was requested by April 8 so any open slots can be released back to FMSC. SA will have six participants. Jennifer will release remaining slots back to FMSC and contact Nichole to discontinue the SignUp Genius.
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Lutheran World Relief backpacks will be funded door collection (May 16/17) and with Service Ministry budget as needed. Backpacks will be assembled at our September Board meeting Ingathering dates for backpacks will be October 3 and 4 at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Naperville. Backpacks will be ordered via school Amazon account.
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Board of Stewardship and Endowment - Contact Board Chair
Some endowment funds will be allocated to a matching fund effort to raise money for a St. Andrews School Scholarship Fund. The Endowment fund is growing and the Jeremiah Tree leaves are a wonderful way to commemorate loved ones. Please contact Ray Pagels to learn more about protecting your family with a Will or Trust or including St. Andrews in your legacy planning.
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Board of Youth and Family Ministry - Contact Board Chair
For VBS have 75 kids already enrolled and we have 34 volunteers lined up! This will be an exciting event.
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Looking to coordinate a babysitter first aid class over the summer
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Looking to purchase a new Sunday School curriculum
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Planning Christmas over the Summer family Movie night.
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Altar Guild - Contact Leader
New Paraments and Stoles are on their way! As the summer schedule starts, there will Communion at all services!
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October 1, 2024 - October 1, 2025
Myra did 523 visits
(Average number of visits per team was 262)
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There are 30 facilites that Myra visits on a regular basis (monthly or bi-monthly), plus she attends the Saturday nightservice and at least one of the Sunday services. She usually has two visits each day, and occasionally will have three!
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Bethlehem Walk Committee - Contact Leader
We will be meeting this summer to start the planning for Bethlehem Walk 2026! Thank you to all who helped last year!
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Financial Update - [email protected]
Through April our fiscal Year-to-Date (YTD) surplus is $2,138. Receipts from donations are on plan, and school income is about $100,000 ahead of plan. YTD spending is about $30,000 higher than plan, driven by higher than budgeted school spending. We expect to run a significant shortfall in May and June and finish the fiscal year with a deficit. We finished the month with about $422,000 in our bank account.
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UPCOMING VOTER'S MEETING - Sunday June 28 at 10:30am (after the service)
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