December14, 2017
Important Links
A Note From the Rector
Greetings beloved St. Georgians,

There was a wonderful energy in the room at the annual meeting this past Sunday. One person reflected later: “I have been to a lot of annual meetings where the mood was one of skepticism and resistance. When I walked in the room, I felt a sense of positive enthusiasm.” It takes all of us to create that sense of engaged community, and I am grateful to be your rector in this place at this time. You can see more about what happened at the meeting by going to the webpage. I will also be posting my sermon from Sunday, which was a reflection on Advent waiting in connection with our parish life. On Sunday, I called for the creation of a “connection commission” which would help connect St. Georgians with each other and with opportunities to offer time and talents together. I also described a process of “reviewing and renewing” our ministry together over the next two years. Leaders are needed. If you feel called to help, please be in touch with me.

Advent is a season of preparation. “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight,” says John the Baptist quoting the prophet Isaiah. This Saturday we will be preparing in a new way. I am inviting anyone who serves on Sunday mornings as an acolyte, readers, ushers, prayer leader, or Lay Eucharistic Ministers to gather monthly (as you are able) on the third Saturday from 11-noon for a rehearsal of our worship service. We will try this for a few months in the hopes that practicing together will enhance our service in worship. You do not need to come every month, but come a few times a year. We are asking acolytes to come every other month if possible. For people who are interested in serving in worship, this will be a way to learn about the roles and get some training. For people who just want to learn more about how our worship service works, you are also welcome! Just show up at the church at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 16. The next one is January 20.

We are also in a season of giving. As you make plans for all your holiday gifts, there are many opportunities to share abundance through St. George’s. We have extended the deadline for memorial and honorary gifts (for listing in the Christmas bulletins) to Monday. You can give to one of our ministry funds and/or to help provide our Christmas greenery. End of year gifts to St. George’s may actually be helpful in your finance and tax planning. It is also time to review our spiritual practices of giving to our annual budget and fulfill pledges for 2017 if we can. Take a leap of faith. We are still accepting pledges for 2018. If we have 60 more pledges, we will meet our participation goal and likely fund our dream budget for next year. As we remember the gift of Christ to us, we give in many ways as part of our response.

As we wait with anticipation for God to come again and for our fulfillment as a beloved community in Christ, we pay attention to this moment and live as if it is THE moment, THE moment that we may catch a glimpse of God entering the world. Take a deep breath. Keep awake, brothers and sisters. God bless you.

Your rector and brother in Christ,
Joe+

Pics of the Week
DIOCESAN ORDINATION
St. George's was host to the Diocese of Virginia as our bishop ordained six new priests. From the Diocese: "Snow and freezing rain couldn't stop the ordination of the Diocese of Virginia's six newest priests: Josh Bascom, Katherine Dougherty, Jaime Leonard, Will Packard, Pilar Padrón and Matt Rhodes! Bishop Gulick delivered his last, passionate sermon at a diocesan event. A special thank-you to St. George's, Fredericksburg, for its incredible hospitality and world-class music."
Adult Christian Education
10 a.m. Sunday
 
Advent and Christmas Carol Sing Sydnor Hall
Please join us in Sydnor Hall after the 9 a.m. service for a fun time singing Advent and Christmas Carols.

There will be no Christian Formation on December 24 and 31.
 
This Week at St. George's

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY
We will be joining Trinity Episcopal Church for a trolley caroling party on Friday, Dec. 15. Meet at Trinity at 6:15 p.m. to go on the trolley, then return for hot chocolate/cider and a party, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Please bring a snack to share. Optional: Bring a wrapped under-$10 gift to share, if you like.  Please RSVP at this link!

WORSHIP LEADERS PRACTICE
This Saturday! Calling Sunday morning worship leaders: acolytes, ushers, readers and chalice bearers. "Practice makes perfect." Beginning December 16, we will have a monthly worship leader practice session on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m - noon in the church. We will walk through the Sunday service together, practice our roles, and gain a better sense of how the pieces fit together, all so that we can offer our service to God with grace. It is also a good time for people interested in these ministries to come and learn so you can get involved. 

MEN'S GROUP CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
The Men's Group will have their holiday buffet breakfast this Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Courtyard Marriott (620 Caroline St.) at 8 a.m. Suggested donation to cover cost: $16--but don't let the cost deter you from coming. RSVP (if you need child care, mention that too) to  stgeorgesmensgroup@gmail.com.

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR MEMORIALS AND THANKSGIVINGS
Memorials and Thanksgivings in the Christmas bulletin are a popular way to commemorate loved ones at the holidays. Donate Christmas Greens or give to one of St. George’s ministry funds. We have extended the deadline to Dec. 18 but please get your memorials in as soon as possible. You can donate online at this link: Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings


LAST WEEKEND OF ECW FUNDRAISER
ECW will be offering St. George's Christmas ornaments ($10 each or 3 for $25) and running a silent auction of a floral painting by local artist Patricia Leonardo Murray at coffee hour after each of the morning services.

WE'RE STILL LOOKING FOR...



New on the Web
News and Announcements

VESTRY RESULTS
Congratulations to our newly elected vestry members: Janice Brunson, Sheryl Stroud Bryant, Terry Dorn, and Trip Lloyd. Thank you to all who were willing to serve. 

STEWARDSHIP: THE SPIRIT OF GIVING TOGETHER
We give thanks to God for all those who have returned their 2018 pledge materials. Please return the pledge cards (even if you do not plan to pledge), respond using the online form (this week, if possible!), or contact Business Manager Ben Hicks or our rector directly. 2018 pledging envelopes will be available in the narthex starting this Sunday, for those who have asked for them.

EMAIL FIXED! All stgeorgesepiscopal.net email addresses are working again! If you sent us an email between Dec. 7 and about 1 p.m. Dec. 12, we did not receive it — please resend!  

DONATE GREENERY FOR CHRISTMAS
The Flower Guild needs magnolia and other seasonal greenery to use in decorating the church for Christmas. If you have greenery to donate, please bring it to the courtyard by Sydnor Hall before 9 a.m on Dec. 20.

ADVENT CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES
Join us for centering prayer and lectio divina: contemplating Advent readings during this season of expectation. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Saturdays, starting Dec. 2 (meet at Faulkner Hall). Contact Jennifer Vaughan at jennifer.pax@gmail.com for more information. Also, our Monday evening 7 p.m. lectio divina group led by Tom Rotella continues, now meeting in the Elsie Lewis Room, and is open to all. 

HOMELESS MEMORIAL DAY
Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Join us in Market Square on the first day of winter and longest night of the year to remember our neighbors in need who have passed away in 2017. Many have gone without funerals or family to grieve. Service is sponsored by Micah Ministries and Fredericksburg Interfaith Leaders. 

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
All the loose offerings from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be going to the following recipients this year: Episcopal Relief and Development’s Puerto Rico Fund; our Haiti Mission Team; and Stafford Food Security, feeding local school children. 

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT REHEARSAL
Saturday, Dec. 23, 2 p.m., meet in Sydnor Hall, kids preschool through 5th grade will be able learn our simple play. Parts and costumes will be given out. The Pageant is part of our 4 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service.

OFFICE NOTES
The office will be closed on Dec. 25-26 for Christmas, and then will be on a limited holiday schedule for the rest of the week, open 9 a.m.-12:30 a.m Dec. 27-29. The office will also be closed on Jan. 1. Regular office operations resume on Jan. 2.

PILGRIMS CLASSES
Pilgrims is our clergy-led group for adults who are new to St. George’s and/or the Episcopal Church and for members who would like a refresher course and an opportunity to reaffirm their faith. It’s also for anyone interested in being baptized, confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Selected Saturday mornings in Sydnor Hall, 9 a.m.-noon, beginning Jan. 6. For schedule and class information or to sign up, please contact Jan Meredith in the church office.

HAITI BENEFIT CONCERT
Dec. 31 in the nave. 8 p.m.: Organists Achim Loch, Trystan Bennett, and Director of Music John Vreeland. 9:30 p.m.: The St. George Jazz Ensemble. Admission: free, with donations benefitting our sister parish in Haiti.

YOUTH SHRINE MONT WINTER WEEKEND
Jan. 13-15. Youth must make a $50 deposit with the church to reserve their slot by Jan. 1. Total cost: $150 (skiing is extra). Contact Lance Roeske for details: 540-907-8111.

LOOKING AHEAD:
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S SCHEDULE

Make a note about our Christmas services this year! Christmas Eve falls on the fourth Sunday of Advent, so here’s our schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

Dec. 24:
  • Advent Sunday services at 7:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. (no jazz band)
  • Christmas Eve Family Service with Pageant at 4 p.m.
  • Christmas Eve Jazz Eucharist at 7:30 p.m.
  • Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist at 11 p.m.

Dec. 25:
  • Christmas Day Eucharist at 11:15 a.m.

New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31:
  • Services at 7:45, 9, 11:15 and 5:30. No compline.
  • Haiti benefit concerts that evening at 8 (organ) and 9:30 (jazz band).

The office will be closed on Dec. 25 & 26, and open from 9-12:30 Dec. 27-29. The office will be closed again on Jan. 1, and resume normal hours on Jan. 2.

The Table at St. George's will be closed on Dec. 26 and January 2.

St. George's Episcopal Church | 540-373-4133 | office@stgeorgespiscopal.net |
www.stgeorgesepiscopal.net