The Society of Saint Andrew

The Society of St. Andrew welcomes people of all faith traditions, as well as those whose desire to help others springs from simple altruism or from a commitment to use earth’s resources wisely in service to brothers and sisters in need. Wherever we come from, and whatever our motivation, we offer ourselves in service, to use earth’s bounty to feed hungry people. The Society of St. Andrew founders lived in a covenant (faith-based contractual) relationship, where they held all things in common, followed the directives of scripture, and sought to live faithfully and simply in community, basing their lives together on the early Christian community described in Acts 2:2-47. They called their covenant community a “society,” and we honor the humility and vision of our founders today (39 years later) by continuing to use “society” in referring to the organization. In the Gospel of John (John 6:1-14), Jesus has been teaching for hours, far from the city, and it is long past mealtime. The disciples want to pack it in and send everyone home for supper. But Jesus tells his followers not to dismiss the crowds, demanding instead: “You give them something to eat.” As John’s gospel recounts the event, Andrew is the disciple who brings a boy to Jesus with some small fish and a few loaves of bread. Jesus blesses the food and shares it with the gathered crowd. This little bit of food, that seems only enough for a child’s lunch, with God’s help becomes an abundance that feeds thousands. “St. Andrew” comes from the disciple Andrew. As “The Society of St. Andrew,” we are people who find abundance where others see scarcity, and we use that abundance to feed all who are hungry.