A NOTE FROM THE RECTOR
Greetings beloved St. Georgians,
The fourth Sunday in Lent has been known as "Refreshment Sunday," or "Mothering Sunday" or "Laetare Sunday." What's the story? There are many versions, as there often are in church history. One version says that the fourth Sunday in Lent was intended to be a bit of a break from the solemnity and fasting. Pink colors were permitted instead of the purple. Sunday is always a break from the fast, but this day has a special cake tradition (has anyone ever made a "simnel" cake before?). "Laetare" (Latin for "rejoice") is the first word of a special piece of music sometimes used on this day.
All this makes sense. The church, for all its fasting, tends to build in breaks to make our solemn observances more bearable. I was most intrigued, though, by the "mothering Sunday" name. Before there was a "Mother's Day" in May, the church encouraged the visiting of one's mother on the 4th Sunday in Lent. There is more to the story, though. In the 16th century in England, there was a tradition of returning to one's "mother" church (the church of your baptism or upbringing) on this fourth Sunday. It was a time of family reunions. In order for servants to participate, they were given a day off so that they could travel home for the observance.
Is all this just a bit of church trivia? Given that fewer people are fasting in Lent, why make a big deal of the day when you can relax a little? Here is a thought for our times. What if we used this Sunday as a reminder to think less about giving ourselves a break and to think about giving others some refreshment? Maybe a person in your own family or neighborhood could use some time off or just a break. Maybe God is calling you to bring some refreshment to a situation in the world where people are struggling. We have learned, for example, that many of the Latina/o Table food market shoppers are staying away (not coming to get needed food), because they feel vulnerable and like targets in public (whether they are here legally or not).
Some of us will observe this Refreshment Sunday by feasting at an interfaith potluck at the Olde Silk Mill from 1-3. Contact Gay Rahn asap if you plan to come so we can make sure there are enough seats. As we get to know neighbors of all faiths, we learn more about each other's needs for refreshment. "Bring a dish, make a buddy" (no pork or alcohol, please). We are also hosting a free pipe organ concert with recording artist Gail Archer at 3 p.m. Bring a neighbor or friend for some refreshing music on our amazing organ.
Note that Bishop Shannon comes April 2 for a visitation with confirmations and more. We are having a church clean-up event on March 31 (evening) and April 1 (morning). Come help our mother church of St. George's shine.
May this mothering Sunday be a time of refreshment and rejoicing for all.
Your rector and brother in Christ,
Joe+
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 PIC OF THE WEEK
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CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
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Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are enjoying their new classroom in the Princess Anne Building! There's more room to spread out, do their work, and enjoy a circle with Deacon Carey. This coming Sunday, you can see what the kids from all ages of Catechesis are doing. The walls of Sydnor Hall are lined with the children's work and reflections. Be sure to stop by and browse them on Sunday.
In other news for our school-age kids, Kids Care, o
ur outreach club for 2nd-5th graders, will be visiting Poets Walk, a Memory Care Community, on April 2 at 2 p.m. Last month we sent notes and hand drawn self-portraits to our 'senior buddies.' This month we will join them for ice cream and bingo and a visit from Lilly the therapy dog and Tommy Thompson.
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| NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS |
INTERFAITH POTLUCK LUNCHEON
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Friendly faces at a 2016 interfaith potluck |
A group of interfaith leaders in Fredericksburg, including our clergy, meet regularly to discuss what it means to be neighbors. They are inviting members of their congregations to a potluck lunch on March 26 from 1-3 p.m. at the Olde Silk Mill on Princess Anne St. Bring a main dish, side, or dessert to share (no pork or alcohol please). Please RSVP to Gay if you can come.
LECTIO DIVINA
Meditative reading of scripture that leads us into prayer and action in our lives. Led by Tom Rotella. No experience necessary. Mondays, 7 p.m., Faulkner Hall.
SPRING PARISH LIFE BROCHURE
MICAH NOON LENTEN SERVICES
The Micah Ecumenical Ministries partner churches are coordinating Wednesday noonday services followed by a luncheon during Lent. The Presbyterian Church will be the host parish on March 29, with the Rev. Larry Davis preaching.
For complete schedule, visit
www.stgeorgesepiscopal.net/micah-noon-lenten-services
. Our usual Wednesday Eucharists will resume on April 12.
RITE OF RECONCILIATION
The clergy are available by appointment throughout Lent to meet with anyone wishing to make a private confession of sins. Contact the clergy directly.
BISHOP JOHNSTON VISITS
The Right Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, will be at St. George's on April 2, preaching at the 9:00 and 11:15 services and leading Adult Forum at 10 a.m. A reception will follow: please contact Jan Meredith in the office if you can bring table-ready finger foods.
EASTER EGGS
Order your homemade, beautifully decorated, chocolate-coated peanut butter Easter Eggs by April 2 for only $8 per egg. The 8-oz. eggs may be personalized at no additional cost. All orders MUST be prepaid. Order forms are on the website and in the pews and narthex, or you can order in Sydnor Hall after morning services. Proceeds from the sale will go toward scholarships for Shrine Mont Summer Camps for children and youth as well as for our family retreat at Shrine Mont in the fall.
FEEDBACK FOR MEN'S GROUP
We were taking a look at our Men's Group survey results and realized: We want to hear from the men of St. George's even if you've never come to a Men's Group meeting. What sort of programs might bring you to one?
Fill out the survey here. You can skip questions that don't apply to you but we are particularly interested in what meeting times might work better for you and what sort of programs or activities you'd like to participate in.
PARISH SPRING CLEANING
Help us spruce up our building and grounds. Friday, March 31, in the evening, and again April 1, starting at 9 a.m. Sign up for either or both sessions in the narthex or Sydnor Hall,
or contact
Michelle
in the office.
SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER:
Join us at our monthly potluck, April 1, 6 p.m. Sydnor Hall. Hosted by Rogers and Carol Lawson, and Linda and Harry Dolph. RSVP to the Lawsons, 540-786-2637 or
[email protected]
ECW BLOOD DRIVE
 Did you know? Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross provides about 40 percent of the U.S. Blood Supply--for patients in nearly 3,000 U.S. hospitals! The Avis Harris chapter of Episcopal Church Women is sponsoring a blood drive on Thursday, April 6, from 3-7 p.m. in Sydnor Hall. Sign up in Sydnor after the service on Sunday,or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or online at www.redcrossblood.org.
PARISH PRAYER PARTNERS IN EASTERTIDE (3P in E):
A seasonal prayer project for the 50 days of Easter (from April 16 to June 4).
Fill out a form online or in the narthex by April 9, and 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
You can give Easter flowers in honor or in memory of loved ones; or, give a gift that keeps on giving long after the flowers are gone with a donation to the Memorial Trust Fund or the General Endowment Fund. Please fill out the form online or in the narthex tract rack no later than April 7.
PLASTIC EGGS
Youth are collecting Easter eggs and things to fill them with (stickers, temporary tattoos, candy, etc.) for our giant egg hunt on Easter morning. Please bring to the office or leave them in the Narthex. We also need volunteers to help fill the eggs! Contact Gay if you are able to help.
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. Contact the church office or [email protected] if interested.
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| ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION |
This Sunday, March 26, 2017
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Join us THIS SUNDAY at 10 a.m. for:
Adult Forum: Expanding the Spiritual Imagination, Sydnor Hall
"Expanding Our Spiritual Imagination: The Sermon on the Mount." Join our rector, the Rev. Joe Hensley, as he continues his exploration of Matthew 5-7, one of Jesus' most famous teachings. What does it mean to be "the light of the world," and how is Jesus calling us, as disciples, to a creative, unconventional vision of what it means to live as part of God's dream?
Parker Palmer's Five Habits of the Heart, Faulkner Hall
Join us for this series on the 5 Habits of the Heart; taken from the work of Parker Palmer and focusing upon ways we can lovingly respond to life and each other.
This week we will explore habits of speaking and acting into our own version of the truth while checking and correcting it against the truths of others. This leads to the final habit of developing a capacity for creating community
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Led by Jennifer Vaughan. See the video below from the Center for Courage and Renewal for information about the Fourth Habit -- the link will take you to other videos about other habits as well.
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| The Fourth Habit of the Heart: A Sense of Voice and Agency |
Mark your calendars for May 19-21 as a weekend at St. George's to continue exploring the habits of the heart, as we learn ways to heal our souls and communities.
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ORGAN CONCERT
This Sunday at 3 p.m., join us for a special guest organist concert featuring GRAMMY-nominated performer Gail Archer. Free, with donations benefiting the Organ Fund.
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YOUTH DAY OF SERVICE
 The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and Parish Youth Ministries is holding a Spring Day of Service for youth this Saturday. This event is focused around volunteer work and giving back to the community and will be held at Shalom Farms, a regional food access and community development project in Midlothian, VA serving 1,500 individuals and families per year.
Meet at St. George's at 8:30 a.m. on March 25, 2017. Pizza lunch provided. Wear close-toed shoes, clothes that can get dirty, and a rain jacket just in case. Please let the office or your youth leaders know if you can go by Friday (tomorrow ).
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BUILDING TREASURES
Part 4: Assets
This week we are mainly concerned with long term or capital assets - securities, IRA's real estate and life insurance and donating them to help the church with future needs. In some cases you may be giving assets that don't provide you with much income during the year so you ultimately may realize more value here with a church donation. In other cases you are donating appreciated assets, and avoiding some or all of the tax consequences.
Read more to learn about donating stocks, IRA proceeds, real estate, life insurance benefits, and cash. Answer the question at the end of this post from Ben Hicks, our business manager, and be entered to win a Hyperion gift card!
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LENTEN CARBON FAST
The Environmental Stewardship group encourages St. Georgians to participate in the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. Every day during the Lenten season (through Easter Sunday) you will receive an email with a brief message about what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. It takes 60 seconds to sign up at their
website or text CARBONFAST to 22828.
Join thousands of participants, challenge your friends, and build a healthier future.
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| THE TABLE |
THE TABLE IS COLLECTING....
The Table is collecting small (1 pound) bags of white rice and dried beans, such as pinto, kidney, lentils, etc.
for distribution at our market-style pantry. Please leave donations in the Narthex baskets on Sundays or bring to the office during the week. Thanks!
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