We are celebrating our first year as members of St. Andrew's, having moved to the area about 3 years ago. At our first service we felt we found our church home. We were welcomed by the people we sat with as though they already knew us and soon learned that this congregation lives the Gospel! St. Andrew's community outreach and social justice work is without equal in North County. We joined the weekly food pantry volunteers and it's a highlight of our week. It's a small miracle that we can source, pick up, set up and give out over a ton of food to 250+ families every week. We learned that many volunteers are 'outside' the congregation--it's a broader community effort to serve our guests each week. Also, we're a bit surprised that we WANT to be at Sunday services nearly every week. We get a spiritual shot in the arm to help us 'go forth' and find some joy and goodness in the world and do good. Our biggest takeaway from our first year is that the parish staff and lay members authentically embrace, respect and care for each other. That church culture enables us to do the same for our neighbors. read more

Went in on Saturday for food services only to have individuals start acting unruly when I went to complain Dan came at me with wild hand gestures I had to tell him four times to put his hands down when talking to me only to be told to leave or he would call the cops. This is just disgusting and outrageous you go to complain about unruly people only to have staff treat you very poorly shame on this church and why don't you have more staff to monitor what's going on and have a talk with Dan and tell him you don't come at people aggressively and in a threatening way I don't care if you don't like what you're hearing if people weren't acting up I wouldn't have had to complain two thumbs down for this so called church!!!! read more

I'm a queer person. I am 110% included, accepted and celebrated at St Andrew's. I appreciate so much that I can participate fully in all activities, leadership roles, and ministries. Speaking of which, they are totally focused on loving their neighbors-- what Jesus said to do. All love. No judgment. Great children's program and robust youth group. Excellent music. Outdoor coffee hour. Beautiful worship. They provide a hot meal and showers on Saturdays for people in the community. Food pantry on Thursdays. Mail service. Document storage. Working with community organizers to keep elected officials on track with their promises for affordable housing and other services to improve Encinitas and the lives of people here. They're not perfect. No group of humans is. But they love people, and are always growing and striving to be better. I highly recommend St Andrew's! read more

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - People sharing their thoughts during a coffee hour on the patio. - Churches Near Me - Encinitas, California

I have now been a parishioner for a few years. St Andrews just completed a big building refresh / construction project. There is a new youth space, more gathering space in the parish hall, and more usable outdoor space. There are a lot of community volunteer opportunities here - a food pantry, community outreach. They also have small groups, which is a good way to get to know ppl. XYZ: A group for elders. Young Adults group that does Bible study. A men's group that goes hiking. A women's group that reads together. Something for everyone to feel welcome. read more

If you're looking for a church that supports our community through regular outreach services, this is it! In addition, we appreciate the thoughtful sermons and the fact that we "do not have to check our brains at the door." This is a stellar church with so much to offer for those with families as well as anyone of any age. Proud to have called St Andrews our church for over 20 years! read more

We found St. Andrews about five years ago after visiting several different churches in the area looking for the right fit. We quickly felt at home there. My wife was Presbyterian and I was Catholic when we were married so we found Episcopal to be the perfect mix. A lot like Catholic, but less guilt. We have two young boys so it was important we were at a church that had babysitting, Sunday School and other options to take care of the kids so we could get our spiritual rejuvenation. Our kids love going to St. Andrews each week. I was a little hesitant about having a female priest since I grew up Catholic, but as I went to mass each week I realized I was getting such a cool we perspective. Mother Brenda is really great, welcoming and wise. I appreciate her sermons and counsel a great deal. So check it out, you'll likely feel right at home and love the experience! read more

St. Andrew's is a warm welcoming church that encourages participate as you see fit. There are numerous activities and ministries available; serving but the church and community. Children are engaged and celebrated throughout the services and events. The clergy is deeply committed to service and assisting in your spiritual journey. read more

Our family was looking for a new church home. after reading on the website "God loves you, no exceptions" we decided we would try St. Andrews. After just one visit, we couldn't believe the Rector, Mother Brenda greeted us by name! The youth minister welcomed our daughter also by name!! it was during the COVID pandemic and to welcome us a member of the community baked us a banana bread and brought it to our home!!! Mother Brenda met with our family and listened to us. My husband isn't a church going type of person but he joins us many Sundays and is comfortable at St. Andrews. If you're looking for a new church home or are just interested in celebrating a holiday I encourage you to try St. Andrews! It is an amazing community of faith and people who care deeply. The services are relevant and inspiring and this church does great work community. read more

My husband and I started attending St. Andrews about two years ago. We loved this church the first time we attended. It's inclusive to all, and Mother Brenda is a wonderful leader. Her sermons are always relevant - tinged with humor and filled with humanity - and she makes everyone feel comfortable. We were married in the Episcopal church thirty years ago but found the church we were married in was too conservative. We looked for another church and found St. Andrews and were immediately impressed with the amount of community outreach this church does. It's a wonderful church with a caring congregation. read more

I love the sense of community St. Andrews offers, and the number of ways to experience that community. There is of course Sunday morning services and Sunday School but also a huge number of outreach opportunities (food pantry, showers for the homeless, and Friday lunch program) as well as small groups to participate in. There's always something going on at St. Andrews. It's a loving, accepting, purpose-filled church. read more

I love this church. There is a warm, welcoming community feeling. You can be who you are here. Much of the focus is really living the values that Jesus taught, which is translated into a lot of outreach activities (food pantry, Friday lunch program, Shower of Blessings etc.) The services are generally pretty traditional, but there are non traditional ones too. For example St. Nick came to visit last week and told the children a little about his life and then left them all small gifts outside!. The Blessing of the animals is another favorite when your animals come to church. It's chaos but super great!. read more

I've been a member of St. Andrew's for almost 30 years, from when we were dating to married and now raising children. It has always been a place that welcomes new people: we believe that God loves us all, with no exceptions. It is a family-friendly church, with activities for parents, young children, and teenagers. We also have active participation from folks who are single, married, and empty nesters. Join us! read more

How can I give 6 stars?!!! This church community is wonderful. We feel it's a second family to our small family of four. Our daughters attended preschool here, then Sunday School and now participate in the amazing Youth Group. Our clergy is second to none. They are compassionate, sincere and smart. Come for a visit and find a new church community for yourself. We're a welcoming bunch. read more

I like St. Andrews because you don't have to check your brain at the door. Mother Brenda's sermons are always thought provoking, relevant and funny. Enough could not be said for the St. Andrews' "family." It is a place where lifelong relationships are formed. I know I am a better Christian because of my friends at St. Andrews. read more

St. Andrew's hosted a Harvest Festival in October that featured a reggae band, a chili contest, trick or treating, and a petting zoo for the children. People who benefit from St. Andrew's food pantry and community lunch were invited to attend and the event raised money for their ministries. There are always social events, and there are forty ministries including an interfaith homeless shelter and hot showers provided to the homeless. The worship services are excellent, but it is easy to be active even if you do not attend worship services. Their electronic media is frequently updated (website, Facebook, e-mails) so you can be involved in the activites that occur each day. read more

Mother Brenda, Richard and everyone I've met seems authentic and kind at St.Andrews, Encinitas. The parish attendees are always friendly, smiling, and approachable. I learn the most from the men's Bible study on Saturdays. And, on this day, the St. Andrew's volunteers are cheerfully handing out lots of food and clothing to our most underprivileged, vulnerable community. The (mostly men) are sober, clear-eyed cheerful, and polite. I always see lots of food and refreshments on the tables. I think I heard that the showers are available that day also. I bet St. Andrews is helping the homeless and those in need every day of the year. It's just that kind of organization. I believe in the strength of love and hope; I'm lucky that way. I have found friends at this church. I plan to make more friends there. Thank you, Richard and Brenda, for your compassion and generosity of spirit. I love this prayer by St. Francis; It is better when we put others ahead of ourselves. It is better to understand than to be understood. It is better to give than to receive. Where we see hate, we shall bring love. When we see despair, we will offer hope. Where we see sorrow let us bring joy; for it is better to love than to receive love; and, It is in forgiving that we are forgiven. And, it is in dying that we are born into Eternal life -- what a beautiful passage. read more

We have attended St. Andrew's Episcopal Church for about 7 years and are very happy. We are a family of 5, with 3 children involved in their Sunday school program. The head minister, Mother Brenda, is delightful. She loves the entire congregation, from the XYZs, a group for older church members, down to the Sunday school age children, whom she regularly involves in church services. I think our church really stands out in three main areas: outreach, youth programs, and inclusion. First, if you enjoy volunteering, or want your children to become involved in community volunteer programs, then St. Andrew's is the church for you. From Thursday Lunch, the Friday St. Andrew's Food Pantry, the Episcopal Refugee Network, Wounded Warrior Foundation, the Episcopal Relief Fund, beach cleanups, assembling toiletry bags for the homeless, etc., St. Andrew's has a wide range of programs to help many vulnerable areas of our community. We have enjoyed getting involved, as a family, to help these very important programs that are sadly always in need. Second, we love the programs for youth that St. Andrew's offers. Sunday school, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, and most recently family programs periodically put together by our brand new Director of Family Ministries. There are plenty of opportunities for our children to LOVE going to church and learning about God. Finally, we like that St. Andrew's is so inclusive. It is a place for everyone to worship, not be judged, and to be accepted for who they are. This is what God teaches us, and we truly believe St. Andrew's exemplifies this. We have been very happy with St. Andrew's! -Jennifer R. read more

Thoughtful, inclusive, and welcoming church. When I started attending I was shy and enjoyed the services but left right after without joining in the social programs. Over time though I was inspired by the respectful and friendly people around me who participated in many of the outreach programs and spoke about them at the service and also through the email newsletter. Now I feel energized and happy to be part of the St. Andrews programs that help the homeless, and feed the hungry. I love this church! read more

My wife and I have been members of St. Andrew's for over ten years. This parish is welcoming and accepting. We enjoy the involvement of children and younger adults in the life of the church. Attendees come from all over North County and range in age from families with children to seniors, like us. Services on Sunday are Holy Communion. We experience a variety of music, but mostly the traditional hymns. We are thrilled with our rector and her leadership, excellent sermon preaching based on the Bible readings for that Sunday and sense of humor. There are many opportunities for involvement within the parish. And there are also many, many active programs outside the church which care for those in the community. We have met so many good friends here. We feel very fortunate to have found St. Andrew's, Encinitas. read more

I love my church family. It's a place where my son is welcomed and encouraged to participate. A perfect example is Ash Wednesday. Typically this is a very solemn service...in a quite church. Not really kid friendly and so I would never have brought my son with me. St. Andrew's turned this on its head. They hosted an "Ash-n-Dash" at 5:30 pm next to the pre-school playground. This was a wonderful experience. The kids were able to play during the lessons and prayers...no shushing necessary. When it came time to distribute the ashes, Mother Brenda called the kids over and administered them through the fence...meeting the kids where they were. Providing my son with ashes, not excluding him, opened conversations in the car home that I would never have imagined. read more

This is the perfect place for families! Everything from their Godly Play Sunday School curriculum each week to their Vacation Bible School in the summer time. St. Andrews is very accommodating to families. They even had a Ash and Dash service in the parking lot near the playground for Ash Wednesday this week which allowed my kids to receive the ashes without having to sit through a service in the Church. #smart read more