March 15, 2018
Important Links
A Note From the Rector
Greetings beloved St. Georgians,

As we some to the end of the fourth week of Lent, I pray that this season of renewal, reflection, and returning to God is fruitful for you. As always, if you have been slow to start a Lenten practice, it’s not too late. God is always ready. I hope you enjoyed the video greetings the past couple of weeks. We will have more of those in the future, but it seemed a good idea to write again this week.

Sometimes we still need to hold a letter in our hands instead of reading it electronically and we have found ourselves in one of those occasions. We mailed a letter via postal mail on Monday with a message from our associate rector, Gay. Check your mailbox, and make sure to read this beautiful letter—I will have more to say in response on Sunday. But for now, I’d like to add that one of the great blessings of being rector here these past three years has been the chance to work with such a gifted, fascinating, and gracious priest and colleague. Gay’s words to us are a reminder that God showers grace upon us through her ministry.
  
I would like to invite you to join me this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for an open forum in Sydnor Hall. The next months and years bring multiple new opportunities for us as a parish. I would like to share some of those with you and hear your hopes, dreams, concerns, and questions. I will also have a few words to conclude our three-part forum series on reconciliation.

I also want to share with you that we have added a new staff member to our team this week. Barbara Miller-Richards is now our parish secretary. Formerly this position had the title, “secretary/receptionist” but we’re shortening it to “secretary.” Barbara will be greeting visitors to the office, answering the phone, and providing administrative support to the staff and parish leaders. She works 25 hours per week. Barbara and her family have worshipped at St. George’s for years, so she is no stranger, but please join me in welcoming her to this ministry.  

Finally, we had a meeting of our stewardship commission this week. We are shifting to a year-round approach, emphasizing different elements of stewardship in different seasons. Stewardship is much more than the fall gathering of pledges. If you would be interested in serving on this commission, please let me know. The practices of giving and encouraging good stewardship of all we have received through grace are such an integral part of the spiritual work we do here together.

Your rector and brother in Christ,
Joe+
Pic of the Week
Youth in Global
The Youth in Global Community group traveled to New York City and represented St. George's at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. They shared their stories, learned from women all over the world, and attended a special Eucharist led by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Learn more about their trip by checking out our Facebook page or better yet: ask them to tell you about their experience.

Adult Christian Education
10 a.m. Sunday
 
Adult Forum: "Where do we go from here?"
Sydnor Hall
An open forum with the rector: As we anticipate transitions, growth, and a 300th anniversary in the coming months and years, what questions, concerns, hopes, and dreams would you like to share? Joe Hensley will also say a few words to conclude our series on reconciliation and set out some next steps. 


Bible Study
Faulkner Hall
This Sunday we continue our reading and discussion of the parallels of the Passion of Christ as recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We will discuss the similarities, differences, and the proclamation at the heart of the early church. Please note that we are meeting in Faulkner Hall.


 
Lenten Practices
MICAH NOON LENTEN SERVICES
Micah Ecumenical Ministries is again coordinating the downtown parishes for Wednesday noonday services followed by a luncheon during Lent. This week, Fredericksburg United Methodist Church is hosting. For a complete schedule, visit www.stgeorgesepiscopal.net/micah-noon-lenten-services. Our usual Wednesday Eucharists will resume on March 28. 
 
This Week at St. George's
MEN'S BREAKFAST ON SATURDAY
The St. George's Men's Group is having its monthly breakfast meeting on Saturday, March 17, at 8:00 am in Sydnor Hall. Men aged 13 and older are welcome to attend. Child care is available, please let us know in advance.

YOUTH GROUP OUTING ON SATURDAY
On Saturday from 4 - 6:30 pm, youth are meeting at Rush Hour escape room and then heading for pizza at Sbarro's in the food court at the mall. Cost is $30. Lance will also meet with any parents who weren't able to go to youth group on March 11 to talk about the March for Our Lives plan. There will be no youth group meeting on Sunday.

CONCERT ON SUNDAY
Join us at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 to hear The Telos Trio perform music for flute, clarinet, and piano. Tickets are $10, students and children admitted free.

EASTER EGGS
Sunday is the last day to order your homemade, beautifully decorated, chocolate-coated peanut butter Easter Eggs! Fill out the form online or in the narthex or purchase them in Sydnor after the 9:00 and 11:15 services.

STAND FOR REFUGEES
Our next meeting is Monday, March 26, 7 - 8 p.m. on the Youth Floor. Join us for an update on our refugee families. You will have an opportunity to complete necessary volunteer paperwork, and to let us know how you'd like to help. Contact Janice Brunson for more information: jbrunson@verizon.net 540-370-1887. 
News and Announcements
PALM SUNDAY IS MARCH 25
We will have outdoor, musical processions to begin both the 9:00 and 11:15 services. Gather across George St. in front of the former library/school board building. 

READERS NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER VIGIL SERVICES
For these special services, we need additional readers to help present the “Passion play” on Palm Sunday and Good Friday and to present the vigil lessons on Saturday night. Please contact Joe or Gay if you would like to help.

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES UPDATE
There is additional information about events on March 24 in Washington, D.C., Fredericksburg, and Richmond in the news section of our website for those who would like to offer their prayers and presence in the call, led by the youth of our nation, to reduce gun violence in schools and communities.   

MEGAPHONE NEEDED
On Palm Sunday and Good Friday we have two outdoor liturgies with processions and are in need of an easily moveable amplification device so that service leaders can be heard. Contact Joe if you have one to lend.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Summer comes and it is time to plan for our wonderful VBS week in late July. Join Carey and others to help plan fun for our kids. Email Carey to find out more!

LABYRINTH
Calling all labyrinth walkers! We need help organizing and staffing our labyrinth for Good Friday. Contact the office if you can help with this ministry.

PLANT-BASED COOKING CLASS
Our next plant-based cooking class is Wednesday, March 28, 5:30-7:30 pm, in Sydnor Hall. Join Lynn Stine and her son, Dr. Christopher Stine for a class in preparing "good for you" and "good for the Earth" foods. Vegan potluck dinner follows the class. Bring a plant-based item to share or make a donation to St. George's Food Pantry (The Table). Stewardship of the Earth begins in the kitchen!

DOCENTS NEEDED
Would you enjoy sharing the history of St. George's with downtown visitors? St. George's docents provide informative tours of the church during the summer. Training and resources are provided. We can accommodate many schedules. We will have a meeting on Apr. 5, 7 p.m. in Faulkner Hall to organize the summer docent program from May 1 to Labor Day. Email ben.hicks@stgeorgesepiscopal.net if you would like to become a docent and/or have questions about the program. 

PLASTIC EGGS
Youth are collecting Easter eggs and things to fill them with (stickers, temporary tattoos, etc.) for our giant egg hunt on Easter morning. Please bring to the office or leave them in the Narthex.

HELP WANTED
St. George’s is searching for an additional facilities manager to work 20 hours per week on maintenance, security, and event support. Contact the Rector if you know someone who might be interested. 

SIGN-UP FOR SHRINE MONT CAMPS
Registration for Shrine Mont Camps is open! Campers and prospective camp counselors take note that there are many options for different age groups and interests. Scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance. See www.shrinemontcamps.net for more information.

PARISH PRAYER PARTNERS IN EASTERTIDE (3P in E)
A seasonal prayer project for the 50 days of Easter (from April 1 to May 20). Fill out a form in the narthex or online by Mar. 25. You will be given a name of another parishioner to pray for, and your name will be given to someone. We’ll reveal the partners at a special event later in June, date to be announced.

EASTER THANKSGIVINGS AND MEMORIALS
Donate for Easter lilies or give to one of St. George’s ministry funds. Forms are available in pews, in the narthex, or online. To be in the Easter bulletin, donations are due by March 25. Learn more about about our funds here.

GLORY RIDGE
Youth rising 8th grade and above are invited to sign-up for our July 1 - 7 mission trip to Glory Ridge. Cost is $150 with a $50 deposit due by our organizational meeting, March 25, at 4 p.m. on the Youth Floor. See Emily Hoell, Gay Rahn, or Joe Hensley for more information.

VITAMIN COLLECTION
The Haiti Team is collecting children's chewable vitamins to take to Haiti during their mission trip in April. No gummy vitamins please. Place vitamins in the collection basket in the narthex by April 1st.

CAMPING ON THE RIVER
Mark your calendar for April 14 and plan to join our youth for camping and a 2-mile river trip led by the Virginia Outdoor Center. Stay tuned for more details.
 
LOST AND FOUND
Our church office has a lost and found filled with forgotten treasures. Stop by if you have misplaced something when you've been here at church—we just might have what you've been looking for!
St. George's Episcopal Church | 540-373-4133 | office@stgeorgesepiscopal.net |
www.stgeorgesepiscopal.net