About Us
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
5301 Hatchery Rd.
Waterford Township, Michigan 48329
248-673-7635
Our Mission:
Our Mission, Vision and Values guide everything we do at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Waterford.
Mission
Our mission is to go forth into the world and in the name of Christ, share its trouble and double its joy. Rooted in the loving ministry of Jesus we endeavor to follow in his footsteps to sustain a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being, regardless of age, position in society, spiritual needs, physical health or personal identity. We also understand our mission as inclusive of all God’s creation, especially animals who have been abused or neglected.
Vision
We envision a strong, vibrant Episcopal ministry in Waterford which is sustainable and committed to welcoming and reaching out to individuals throughout their life cycle. We envision advocating for a compassionate and just society through our actions and our words, dedicating ourselves to a spiritually centered, holistic approach to meeting the needs of our community.
Values
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Service of the poor: Generosity of spirit, especially for persons most in need
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Reverence: Respect and compassion for the dignity and diversity of life
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Integrity: Inspiring trust through personal interactions in which our walk should match our talk.
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Wisdom: Integrating tolerance, excellence and stewardship
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Dedication: Affirming the hope and joy of our ministry to help heal those in need
Strategic Goals
Each year the Priest-in-charge and Vestry will collaborate and agree upon by a majority vote, a set of strategic goals for the current calendar year. Strategic Goals and their implementation are to be consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Projects and/or Activities
Each approved strategic goal will have a corresponding list of projects and/or activities to accomplish said strategic goal. Projects/activities will be prioritized, approved (if both fiscal and time resources permit) and assigned a project/activity lead person. Such lead person may be a Vestry member, or a designated volunteer who will report to a designated Vestry member. Lead or designated Vestry persons will make routine progress reports at regular or special Vestry meetings.
Our Staff:
Rev. Cannon Jonathan Sams
Father Sams is our Priest in Charge
Thomas
Williams
Our Staff:
Rev. Cannon Jonathan Sams
Father Sams is our Priest in Charge
Sue Newill
Parish Administrator
Since May 2012, Sue Newill is the friendly voice you hear when you call St. Andrew’s on Mondays and Fridays. Although she is part-time, she is invaluable to the life and ministry of the congregation. Sometimes Rugby the Sheltie, Sydney (Mini Aussie) and Ruby the tiny Mini Aussie can be found in the church office. Sue enjoys reading, cooking, and counted cross-stitch. She has three adult children: Sara lives in Oregon with her husband, Jeff; Ryan and Rachel who are currently living in the Waterford area.
Lois Vestuto
Music Director
Lois' education in music and theater arts at a small conservatory in Washington DC. Two and a half years later, she met her husband, Richard Vestuto. They were married and began a family with Lois being a stay-at-home mom. But Lois was drawn to her musical calling, and readily volunteered her time assisting her husband Richard with his full-time music ministry career.
In the late 70’s Lois had the opportunity to again work on her education. She attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan, where she studied systematic theology, Christian morality, and scripture. She accepted her first full-time music ministry job in the early 80’s with the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. Her first assignment was with St. Patrick Catholic Church in White Lake, Michigan. While there, Lois continued her studies in liturgy and ministry at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit Michigan.
In the late 80’s Lois left St. Patrick Church, accepting a new assignment at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Waterford Michigan. She worked there for thirteen years until 2001 when Lois retired from her music ministry with the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit.
Lois has since worked part-time in a Presbyterian church and an ELCA Lutheran church, before finding herself very much at home here at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Lois plans to serve here as long as she is able to continue her beloved music and liturgical ministry. She feels called to spiritually guide, encourage, and teach others how to best use their skills for the greater glory of God.
Sherri Brown
Organist
Sherri Brown holds a Masters in Church Music from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Music Education from WMU. She previously served here at St. Andrew’s, her home parish, as the Children’s Choir Director and Bell Choir Director, and assisted with organist duties and the adult choir. She has taught elementary music in Livonia and also held positions at Nativity Episcopal, St. Luke’s Chapel, the First Congregational Church of Clarkston and Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church of Dearborn. She returned to St. Andrew’s, as organist, in December of 2019.
Our Vestry:
The Vestry welcomes you to St. Andrew’s! We are a friendly, inviting church who put a lot of emphasis on outreach and supporting each other through all the good times and trials of our lives. We also support the community with a lot of our outreach ministries-for example we regularly collect food to give to Open Door, there are a number of people who volunteer at the Baldwin Center, the Waterford Senior Center, and we regularly collect pet supplies that are then taken to the Oakland County Animal Shelter. See the Ministries tab for a complete list of all the wonderful works people here are involved in. One of our favorite mottoes is “Give of your time, talents, and treasure”. The people here at St. Andrew’s don’t just attend a Sunday service, they live their faith inside and outside of the church. As our former deacon, Marlyn always said at the end of the mass, “The Mass is ended- our service continues”. If you’re looking for a church, we encourage you to come visit us, and make the journey with us. To all of our current members, we thank you for all your hard work and support!
Waterford, Michigan
