Helen Hanson has been an Episcopalian ever since she can remember.  What’s interesting is that she is of the rare St. Andrews sect.  What’s that?  It consists of people that only attend churches named St. Andrews!  She grew up in Patterson, New Jersey where her family attended St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Lincoln Park.  In 1973, she moved to Downers Grove with her husband, Douglas.  She’s been attending our St. Andrews ever since.

Music is a theme that runs deep through the halls of our church, and Helen fits right in.  She is a piano player, although arthritis keeps her from playing.  She has a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota (where she met Doug) in Music Education, and for many years she coached and accompanied musicians of all types.  She was also a member of the choir for over 20 years.

Around St. Andrews, Helen is very active.  Every week when she attends Sunday worship, she brings supplies for the Downers Grove Area Fish Food Pantry.  She also helps with Sandwich Board.  This is a program, sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church that provides worship and a hot meal to Aurora’s people of need.  It’s collaboration between 8 area churches, and we host it once a month.

Helen is another reason why St Andrews is such a wonderful place to worship and a blessing to our community.

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