Community Ministries

St. Andrew’s is a founding partner with some of these organizations and has been long-committed to supporting these local agencies – and our neighbors. We can always use someone to teach English and American culture to the stranger among us, to shop for or prepare a meal for hungry neighbors, or provide shelter. Might you consider giving your time – and yourself – to one of these outreach efforts?

Hypothermia Prevention

St. Andrew’s is hosting our annual Hypothermia Prevention Program from January 25 – February 1, 2026. During this week, we will welcome approximately 50 guests each night and provide them with food, fellowship, and shelter.

Many volunteer slots will need to be filled to make this week a success.

We also need donated items. Any donation is greatly appreciated and can be dropped off on the brick ledge across from the Church Office. Please mark all donations with “Hypothermia Program.” We are ready to receive donations now through late January.

Click here for our updated list of needed items and when to drop them off.

Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO)

ECHO operates with an all-volunteer staff to help those in our Burke-Springfield community who are struggling in long-term poverty or who have an overwhelming emergency that they cannot handle alone. Supported by 25 religious congregations, various community organizations, and individuals, ECHO is committed to making our neighbors’ hardships more manageable. Trained counselors provide family guidance and counseling to help the individual or family overcome their difficulties in the longer term.

We collect clothing and household items, donate school supplies, conduct an annual food drive, and prepare and deliver Thanksgiving Baskets to needy families. The children at St. Andrew’s Preschool hold their own special Christmas collection for ECHO’s Holiday Shop. In addition, several parish members generously share their time and talents on an ongoing basis by volunteering at the ECHO facility.

Parishioners who wish to donate non-perishable food; housewares; clean, gently-used seasonal clothing; or school supplies may do so either by dropping off items at the ECHO facility in Springfield or by leaving items in our ECHO donations box located in the hallway across from the Multi-purpose Room.

Visit ECHO’s website at www.echo-inc.org to explore volunteer opportunities as well as view a current list of needs and hours of operation.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

ESOL

Tuesday Mornings
9:30 – 11:00 am
St. Andrew’s Parish Hall

Registration is on September 1, 2026 for new students. Students may register at any time during the school year. We observe the Fairfax County Public School’s calendar for holidays and closings due to weather conditions.

Cost

There is a one-time registration fee of ten dollars.

Classes

Teachers conduct English classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Beginning classes work on English vocabulary and grammar. Intermediate classes include reading and conversation. Advanced classes emphasize conversational English and understanding American culture.

Student Body

We have a diverse student body. Students come from countries in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South and Central America. They come from diverse educational backgrounds and hold a variety of beliefs. All are welcome at St. Andrew’s and in our program.

FACETS

FACETS was founded in 1988 to respond to the diverse and multiple needs of homeless and low-income people living in Fairfax, Virginia. Today, more than 95 local faith communities, as well as numerous businesses, schools, and organizations, actively serve as FACETS’ partners.

FACETS strives to build strong families and safe communities by improving the quality of life for impoverished men, women, and children who are homeless, precariously housed or living in low-income government-subsidized housing communities in Fairfax County. Programs and services include basic needs assistance, financial assistance, counseling and outreach, educational enrichment programs, permanent supportive housing, and transitional supportive housing.

FACETS’ Hot Meals program provides nutritious meals to homeless individuals living in motels or on the streets. Volunteers, mostly from FACETS’ faith partner communities, prepare and deliver meals every day of the year. St. Andrew’s has teams of volunteers – about 68 individuals in all – who share the work of shopping, setting up, cooking, and delivering 100-125 meals on the first and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Our “Giving Tree” is another way in which St. Andrew’s ministers to FACETS. Each December, FACETS’ clients provide a “wish list” of specific holiday gifts, perhaps needed items of clothing or special toys for their children. Our parish families fill these “wishes”, leaving their wrapped gifts under the Giving Tree for delivery to FACETS families.

Additional information about FACETS and other volunteer opportunities can be found at www.facetscares.org.