Richelle De Aragon

Children’s & Youth Director
 

What is one of your favorite things to do in the South Bay?

Since I am new to the area I love to grab lunch with people after church and experience some good local restaurants. 

Who was your hero when you were in junior high?

One of my junior high heroes was my voice teacher Renee. We met every week and at times she was somewhat of a therapist to me. She cared for me so well, encouraged my growth, and taught me some beautiful songs that have stuck with me to this day. 

What movie scene inspires you?

A movie scene that inspires me is towards the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy when Frodo and Sam have almost made it to Mount Doom and Frodo can't go any further. The ring of power has taken all of his strength and as they get closer to destroying it, the ring is getting heavier and heavier to carry. Sam picks up his friend, throws him over his shoulder and says, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" To me this is a picture of the kindness of the Christian community. There are times when we can carry one another's burdens and there are other times when we cannot take on what others are carrying but we can come alongside them and care for them. When we cannot relieve others of the pain we can be with them in it.  
 

CONTACT:
rdearagon@sntandrews.org | (310) 540-5252 ext. 229

Peter Charles

Creative Arts Director
 

What is one of your favorite things to do in the South Bay?

I love introducing friends to my favorite restaurant in town, Green Temple!

Who was your hero when you were in junior high?

I used to watch TV reruns of Zorro, which caused me to idolize the suave, caped crusader. His distaste for political corruption coupled with his skills with a sword made him the ultimate hero in my mind.

What movie scene inspires you?

Stranger Than Fiction tells the story of a man who discovers that he is the main character of a renowned writer's developing book and that his life is dictated by the story the author pens. After realizing that this particular writer always kills off her main characters, the man wrestles with his inability to control his fate as he finds love for the first time. However, after reading the outlined ending of the book, the man makes peace with his fate and encourages the writer to finish the story.

This willing sacrifice on behalf of the man perplexes the jaded, pessimistic writer and restores some of her confidence in humanity. As a result, she reworks the end of the story and doesn't kill off her character. She explains her decision to change the outcome of the book as follows: "It's a book about a man who doesn't know he's about to die and then dies. But if the man does know he's going to die and dies anyway, dies willingly, knowing he could stop it, then... I mean, isn't that the type of man you want to keep alive?"
 

CONTACT:
pcharles@sntandrews.org | (310) 540-5252 ext. 228

Dr. James Hurd

Chancel Choir Director & Organist
 

What is one of your favorite things to do in the South Bay?

One of my favorite things to do is to dine out in the South Bay at places such as North Italia, Kincaid's, and PF Chang's.

Who was your hero when you were in junior high?

When I was in junior high, my hero was my father Rev. E. Bernard Hurd, Sr.

What movie scene inspires you?

One movie scene that inspires me comes from the movie Heaven Can Wait. An angel grabs a man who experiences a terrible accident; but when he arrives in heaven, he explains that he is not supposed to be dead and tries to proves the angel made a mistake in grabbing him too soon. He persists in his complaint only to discover he is correct. He is then sent back to earth but must inhabit another body. I am inspired by how he receives another chance and the way in which he goes about attempting to accomplish things he did not pursue in his first life.
 

CONTACT:
music@sntandrews.org

Bob White

Business Manager
 

What is one of your favorite things to do in the South Bay?

Playing volleyball at the beach with friends, surfing, and sailing with family

Who was your hero when you were in junior high?

My dad and grandfather; still are.

What movie scene inspires you?

The scene from Endless Summer when they ride the perfect waves in Africa for a mile inspires me because I surf and aspire to that perfect wave. I feel there is always hope, although I may never see it. I am also inspired by the scene in Shawshank Redemption when Tim Robbins talks about hope with Morgan Freeman and then encourages him to check out the box next to the wall near the large tree when he gets released from prison.
 

CONTACT:
rwhite@sntandrews.org | (310) 540-5252 ext. 232

Heather White

Office Administrator
 

What is one of your favorite things to do in the South Bay?

Playing volleyball at the beach is one of my favorite things to do, since we're blessed to live by the beach in the South Bay. It's fun; it's free. It's great exercise, and you can't really injure yourself! I also love the camaraderie with the other players.

Who was your hero when you were in junior high?

I guess my hero in junior high would be my mom. She fought cancer bravely but lost her battle when I was in 7th grade. My dad is a close second. Being the youngest of 4 girls by quite a few years, I was the only one still at home when she passed away. He cared for me while she was sick and afterwards.

What movie inspires you?

It's a Wonderful Life is inspirational to me in that it reveals how all of the things we do in this life really can and do have an impact on others, whether positive (George Bailey) or negative (Mr. Potter). Many times we do not even realize the impact we are having. I especially like the last scene where all of the town's people are coming to the Bailey's home with donations of whatever they are able to give in support of the Bailey family. I always like a happy ending where good triumphs over evil...a very Biblical theme.
 

CONTACT:
hwhite@sntandrews.org | (310) 540-5252 ext. 221

Ginny Nenno

Church Accountant
 

What is one of your favorite things to do in the South Bay?

Walking along the esplanade and watching the ocean

From your perspective, what are the characteristics of a hero?

A hero is someone who has integrity and is willing to take on a great deal of responsibility.

What types of movies inspire you?

Classic musicals such as The Sound of Music and Oklahoma
 

CONTACT:
gnenno@sntandrews.org | (310) 540-5252 ext. 227