Rev. Josh's Letter to Families

Death by suicide is a difficult topic to approach, but it has touched our community repeatedly in just the short time that I've been here, and I think it's important for us to speak as openly as we can about it.

by Rev. Josh Andrzejewski on January 10, 2023

People who work in the medical field often wear badges that measure their exposure to radioactive material throughout their shift. I have often wished someone would invent the emotional equivalent - a badge that would alert us when we've been exposed to increased levels of grief, sadness, and despair. If such a badge existed, I think all of ours would reflect what we may already suspect: we've absorbed a great deal of shock and pain over a very short period of time. This has been a difficult week for our church family and community, following a painful few months for us. Even if you have not been directly affected by the events we’ve experienced, they can still take a toll as we follow Galatians 6:2 and “bear one another’s burdens.”

Death by suicide is a difficult topic to approach, but it has touched our community repeatedly in just the short time that I've been here, and I think it's important for us to speak as openly as we can about it. We are working on opportunities for teens and adults to process their feelings around suicide and learn tips for prevention. In the meantime, I wanted to remind you that dialing 988 or texting TALK to 741741 will put you in contact with crisis care professionals. You may want to take a moment right now to save those numbers in your phone. I also wanted to direct you to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which has great resources for parents and families. There are warning signs to look for and guidance on connecting with a mental health professional.

Finally, pay attention to yourself and those around you. Know that sleep, eating, and exercise patterns may be different for you right now. The cumulative impact of grief - even grief that you feel on behalf of someone else - is such that you may struggle for some time. How long is hard to predict. If these feelings persist beyond several weeks, if they affect your day-to-day life, or if they don't seem to be improving, it is always a good idea to touch base with your primary care physician or pediatrician. If you’re not sure what kind of help you need, the pastoral staff would be happy to talk with you in person, by phone, or by email - we can find help together.

In the midst of our pain, we hold fast to the hope we proclaimed on Christmas Eve, the hope that is the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it.” As a community of faith, we take turns. Sometimes we’re the ones walking in darkness. Other times, we’re the ones reflecting that light. Wherever you are on this journey, whatever you may be feeling, you are not alone. You are a beloved child of God and a valued member of our family of faith.

You can find the Pastoral staff's contact information on our Staff page. 

About the Author

Rev. Josh Andrzejewski

Pronouns: he/him

Questions about Youth Faith Formation and Confirmation can be directed to Josh. 

Favorite...

  • Bible Verses: Exodus 14:14, Ruth 1:16-17, Esther 4:14, Luke 15, Galatians 5:6
  • Movies: Everything Everywhere All at Once, It’s a Wonderful Life
  • Books: Life is in the Transitions, Life of Pi, Leaving Church, The Lord of the Rings, The Sparrow
  • TV Shows: anything with “Star Trek” in the title, The Good Place, Midnight Mass, The Office, Stranger Things, What We Do in the Shadows, The West Wing
  • Podcasts: Good Christian Fun, The Greatest Generation, Judge John Hodgman, Mega, Radiolab, Working Preacher
  • Music: Alanis Morissette, Coldplay, Dashboard Confessional, Halsey, Taylor Swift, U2
  • For fun I like to: keep and breed tropical fish, build legos, work crossword puzzles, do Wordle  

About Josh

As a child attending Langhorne Presbyterian Church near Philadelphia, Pa., I remember looking up at my pastors and thinking, “Who would ever want THAT to be their job?” A few years after I was confirmed, I learned about God’s sense of humor when I sensed a call to ministry during a high school mission trip. After graduating from Elizabethtown College in central Pennsylvania with a major in Communications and Religious Studies, I enrolled at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Va.

During seminary, I discovered a passion for chaplaincy. My first ordained position was as the chaplain for at-risk youth at UMFS, a residential treatment center. From there, I moved on to VCU Health, where I served as the pediatric chaplain for ten years, providing crisis support to children and families from all walks of life. During those years, I was the interim pastor for several smaller congregations in the Presbytery of the James, as well as assistant professor of clinical ethics at the VCU College of Health Professions.

My ministry has been centered on meeting young people where they are and helping them grow in their sense of belonging, identity, and purpose. I love wrestling with difficult questions and finding concrete ways to apply faith to everyday life.

My wife, Jillian, is a baptist pastor and an avid knitter. Our daughter, Norah, loves writing stories and building legos. In my spare time, I enjoy keeping and breeding tropical fish.

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