IIWHERE TO WORSHIPII
Witnesses
of faith
ST. ANDREW BY-THE-SEA OFFERS TWO CAMPUSES FOR WORSHIP AMY COYNE BREDESON
The Rev. Dr. Robin Dease wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived at St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church on Hilton Head Island in July 2021. Being the first Black woman — and the first woman in general — to lead the mostly white, elderly congregation was a little daunting. The people of St. Andrew were used to a different style of preaching than Dease brought to the pulpit. They had grown accustomed to their pastor of 14 years, the Rev. Neil Yongue, who was almost 20 years Dease’s senior. Coming from a charismatic African-American church background, where there’s clapping, dancing, hands
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raised in the air and shouts of “Amen,” Dease has had to learn to control her cadence a bit. With a ring in her nose and a great sense of humor, Dease was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome she received from the congregation at St. Andrew. “They don’t even know about my tattoos and motorcycle,” Dease said with a giggle. Part-time associate pastor Rev. Frank Lybrand has helped Dease understand the ethos of the church. Dease said the two offer a good balance. “It’s been a blessing,” Dease said. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful community. I think part of it is because St.
