An Episcopal Parish at 331 Orchard Street
The Church of St. Andrew the Apostle sits on Orchard Street in the small town of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Part of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and the worldwide Anglican Communion, the parish describes itself in a single sentence that hangs over everything else it does: "Where everyone is welcomed, celebrated and transformed by the Holy Spirit to reflect Hope, Faith and Love in the world." The church's mission statement, "Renew Self - Renew Community - Renew the World - All for Christ," gives that welcome a direction.
St. Andrew's takes seriously both the roots of Anglican Christianity and the rhythms of weekly life. Its worship follows the Book of Common Prayer, its two great sacraments are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist, and its preaching connects Scripture to the everyday. A midweek service on Wednesday mornings, a Pre-Marriage Course for engaged couples, a long-running set of reflections from the Rector, and a calendar of daily devotions on the church's online presence all keep the parish connected outside of Sunday.
Sunday Mornings at 8 and 10
Worship on Sunday happens twice, at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, with the later service livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube for those joining from home. Both services follow the same shape: prayers, Scripture readings, a sermon, and the celebration of the Eucharist, drawn from the Book of Common Prayer that has guided Anglican worship for generations.
Online worship is treated as full participation rather than a backup plan. The Church Online page invites viewers at home, on the road, exploring faith for the first time, or simply unable to attend in person to join "through prayer, Scripture, music, and reflection as we gather in Christ." Worshippers can watch the livestream directly on Facebook or YouTube, and the most recent sermon is posted on YouTube for catch-up viewing.
Wednesday at Eleven: A Quieter Service
For those who find Sunday mornings crowded, or who simply prefer a smaller gathering, St. Andrew's also meets on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. The midweek service is described as casual and welcoming, drawing somewhere between fourteen and twenty people on a typical week. It is built for visitors who want a lower-key way to engage without feeling overwhelmed.
The Church Office is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon, and the parish welcomes inquiries from anyone considering a first visit.
Seven Marks: How St. Andrew's Understands Itself
The Who We Are section lays out seven ways the parish names its identity, each one rooted in the Anglican Christian tradition.
- Biblical. Scripture is described as the foundation of faith, guiding belief, shaping daily life, and feeding preaching and teaching.
- Creedal. The parish affirms the historic creeds of the Church, the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, as foundational expressions of faith that connect St. Andrew's to believers across time and place.
- Confessional. The parish openly upholds the faith handed down through the Reformation heritage of the Anglican Communion, drawing theology from the Creeds, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion.
- Liturgical. Worship is shaped by the common prayers and sacraments of the Anglican Communion, centered on the Eucharist, and rooted in Scripture.
- Sacramental. The parish upholds Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist as the two great sacraments instituted by Christ, while honoring other sacramental rites of the Church.
- Evangelical and Catholic. St. Andrew's holds together the authority of Scripture and the traditions of the Church, equally committed to sharing the Good News and standing in continuity with the universal Church.
- Apostolic. Faith is rooted in the teaching and mission of the apostles, tangibly seen within the episcopacy, and expressed in proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples, and serving others.
Renew Self, Renew Community, Renew the World
The parish's mission statement, "Renew Self - Renew Community - Renew the World - All for Christ," is built into its logo, and Fr. Patrick walked through that logo in a Rector's Blog post.
At the center of the logo is the Jerusalem Cross, one of the oldest Christian symbols: a large cross surrounded by four smaller ones. The four smaller crosses recall the four Gospels, and the five together recall the five wounds of Christ. Around the Jerusalem Cross is a darker circle with no beginning and no end, recalling God's eternal nature and the unity of the Trinity. Behind the Jerusalem Cross, the X-shaped Cross of St. Andrew points outward in four directions, recalling the apostle's humble martyrdom and the parish's sending into the world. The four points articulate the four parts of the mission: renewing self, renewing community, renewing the world, and aiming it all for Christ.
"We do not pursue personal renewal to become better versions of ourselves," Fr. Patrick wrote. "We do not serve our community to receive recognition. We do not share the Gospel to build our own reputation or grow an institution. Everything is for Christ."
Baptism: Marked by Water, Sealed by the Spirit
Holy Baptism is treated at St. Andrew's as one of the foundational sacraments of the Christian faith and an important milestone both for the baptized and for the parish community. Through water and the Word, the church teaches, God welcomes new members into the covenant family, proclaims grace, and marks them as His own. The baptismal liturgy includes the renewal of baptismal vows by the gathered congregation, a reminder that baptism is not a private event but the entry of a new member into a community committed to worship, prayer, learning, service, and growth.
Families and adults interested in baptism begin by downloading and submitting a Baptism Request Form. Those seeking documentation of an earlier baptism can request a baptismal affidavit through a separate form, since the parish cannot recreate an original baptismal certificate.
Marriage: A Covenant Prepared for Carefully
In the Anglican tradition the parish serves, Holy Matrimony is a sacred covenant rather than a private arrangement, "a holy vocation through which God's grace is revealed and lives are shaped in love, sacrifice, and discipleship." Because of the weight of that vocation, the parish asks every couple wishing to be married at St. Andrew's (or by the clergy elsewhere) to participate in its Premarital Preparation Program and to meet regularly with the clergy through the process.
Couples start by downloading and submitting a Marriage Request Form. After an initial meeting with a member of the clergy, they are invited to register for the Premarital Preparation Program.
A Pre-Marriage Course Built on Conversation
The Premarital Preparation Program centers on the Pre-Marriage Course originally developed by Nicky and Sila Lee and published through Alpha. Run as a free five-session series, the course creates space for engaged couples or those exploring marriage to talk through Communication, Conflict Resolution, Commitment, Connection, and Shared Values. Each session pairs engaging video content and real-life stories with guided private conversations and exercises to complete together, paced steadily and reflected on prayerfully.
Fr. Patrick leads the course at St. Andrew's, and couples work through the material together rather than in a group setting.
Preaching and Daily Devotionals
Preaching at St. Andrew's is meant to open the Scriptures, reveal the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, and help people connect faith to everyday life. The preaching follows the Gospel readings of the Revised Common Lectionary, giving the church year a built-in shape that connects the parish to congregations across the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion.
Sermons are recorded and posted on the church's Sermons section, with preaching shared between Fr. Patrick and visiting clergy.
Alongside the weekly preaching, the church keeps a daily devotional rhythm through its online reflections. Two streams of writing appear regularly. The Rector's Blog carries longer reflections from Fr. Patrick on topics like mercy, meekness, the comfort of Christian mourning, and the meaning of the parish logo and mission. Daily Devotion entries offer short Scripture-based readings with an opening prayer, a takeaway sentence, a reflection, a closing question, and a final thought, often written around church seasons like Lent. Past series have included "Faith Works, Love Labors, Hope Sees," "Let Justice Roll (Amos)," "Breaking the Illusions," and "When God Dies."
The Vestry and Pastoral Leadership
St. Andrew's is led by its Rector, the Rev. Patrick Bush, who also goes by Fr. Patrick. The Rector's preaching and writing shape the spiritual life of the parish, and the Rector serves as the instructor for the Pre-Marriage Course. Richard Charron serves as Organist, supporting the musical life of worship.
The vestry, the elected lay leadership of the parish, consists of nine members who pray, discern, and care for the resources of the church alongside the Rector. Co-Wardens are Angela Strodel (class of 2026) and Maryann Drennen (2027), with Ken Hinsch, Lori Bradshaw, Susan Slaga-Metivier, Joan Pazdziora, and Marie Burlette as additional members. Kate Ancona serves as Clerk, and Andy Zeidler as Treasurer. The vestry meets on the third Monday of each month. Meetings are open to members of the congregation, who may observe though not participate without an invitation from the chair. Published minutes and the monthly agenda are posted through the parish's online resources.
Reaching Beyond the Walls
Two outward-facing efforts sit alongside the parish's regular rhythms. Outreach and Mission Grants are available through St. Andrew's for anyone with an idea to share the Gospel or serve others in the local community; applications are reviewed by the parish.
A second recurring program, called "Come and See," has paired Lenten study with the Christian art collection at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. Led by Fr. Patrick, the program gathers parishioners to look at how different artists have interpreted Scripture, depicted God, and reflected the spiritual journeys of believers, then discusses the intersection of art and faith. Sessions have been offered both on weekday afternoons and Saturdays during Lent.
The parish also invites members and friends to sponsor altar flowers for a Sunday. Arrangements are offered to the glory of God and may be given in thanksgiving for blessings received, in celebration of a special occasion, or in loving memory of a family member or friend. The sponsorship carries the giver's dedication into the Sunday bulletin, and reservations are taken week by week through the online calendar.
Visiting, Giving, and Staying in Touch
St. Andrew's welcomes first-time visitors to either the 8:00 or 10:00 AM Sunday service or the 11:00 AM Wednesday service. Visitors who let the parish know they are coming will be greeted by a host ready to answer questions. A friendly introduction to the parish is available on the I'm New section. Online worship is available every Sunday at 10:00 AM through the parish's Facebook and YouTube presence, and the most recent sermon is posted on YouTube for catch-up viewing.
A weekly announcement email keeps the congregation informed of upcoming events, ministry updates, and opportunities to serve, with a sign-up available online. Online giving is available through the church's Giving link in the main navigation. The office can be reached by phone at 860-529-7622 or by email at office@thechurchofstandrew.org during office hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 AM to noon.