The St. Georgian Weekly E-newsletter
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A Word from Our Priest Associate
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Each year Linda and I take vacation with our family in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Great time for rest, relaxation, renewal of spirit, and generally a time to recharge—right? Well, actually, while I love to go every year and I love to spend time with my wife, our children and grandchildren, it is not exactly sabbath time—way too much going on and way too many things to do and get done. It always reminds me of Martha and Mary, our gospel story for Sunday coming. Do we take time out to rest, spend time with God, and just BE, or get to work and do those things that need to be done?
Sabbath, for Christians, and Jews alike, is a time of rest; a time to set aside the “busy-ness” of our lives and just BE. The sabbath is a day set aside from the other six days of the week as the day that God blessed and hallowed “because on it God rested from all the work God had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3). Sabbath-time is an extension of the sabbath that we set aside as a longer period for rest and regeneration, especially in our relationship with God.
I can remember when our culture took this day of rest more seriously than we do today. Banks and Post Offices were closed, most businesses were shut down, even sports events and golf courses didn’t begin until afternoon. However, that was a different time and even then, the rest of life went on as usual just as busy as every other day of the week. Americans, it seems, really don’t know how to just rest, relax and BE.
But sometimes, intentionally or unintentionally, we find ourselves in a place of quiet, in a time of quiet, and as Frederick Buechner says, “You’re not feeling tired enough to sleep or energetic enough to go out. For the moment there is nowhere else you’d rather go, no one else you’d rather be. You feel at home in your body. You feel at peace in your mind. For no particular reason, you let the palms of your hands come together and close your eyes. Sometimes it is only when you happen to taste a crumb of it that you dimly realize what it is that you’re so hungry for that you can hardly hear it.” That, Beloved friends, is when God is speaking to you out of the silence—sabbath.
We try very hard here at St. George’s to offer opportunities for prayer, and rest; times to deepen our relationships with God, creation and with one another. Seek them out. I wish for you to find moments of sabbath, not only on Sunday but everyday for the rest of your life.
Peace and blessing,
Bob+
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We spent time reflecting on the below poem during this week's staff meeting. We shared with one another what it means to give and also the best gift we have ever received. We enjoyed the poem—and the conversation it inspired—so much that we wanted to share it with you as well. —St. George's Staff
“When Giving is All We Have” by Alberto Rios
We give because somebody gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.
We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.
We have been better for it.
We have been wounded by it—
Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood nails.
It’s story is old, the plot worn thin and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:
Giving is first, and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.
You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me
What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give—together, we made
Something greater than the difference.
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Summertime Sabbatical Fellowship: Game Night
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On Friday, July 26 at 6:30 pm we are having a Game Night in Sydnor Hall. Bring your favorite board or card game for this fun night of fellowship! Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Singles, couples, and families are all welcome to attend.
Nursery for little ones is available.
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Register for Vacation Bible School!
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Register today for Abundance Orchard!
Children ages 4 – 8 are invited to join us July 29 through August 2 on a journey through the Old Testament. We will explore how God and God’s people used food. And we will learn to be good stewards of the gifts of food we have today. Sign up today!
Deadline for registration is Monday, July 22.
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Mark Your Calendars - Looking Ahead
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We have a number of opportunities this summer for fellowship! We hope you will join us.
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Wednesdays July and August
Yoga Classes - all levels welcome, please bring your own mat
5:30 pm (Sydnor)
Friday, July 26
Family Game Night
6:30 pm (Sydnor)
Saturday, July 27
Family Meditation
1:15 - 2 pm: Ages 5 - 8;
2:30 - 3:30 pm: Ages 9 - 12 (Sydnor)
July 29 - August 2
Vacation Bible School
Sunday, August 18
Director of Music Ministry John Vreeland returns from sabbatical
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Saturday, August 24
Tubing, Trolley, and Picnic
2 pm (Old Mill Park, Shelter #2)
Saturday, September 7
Saturday Night Supper with Rev. Joe hosted by Sabbatical Planning
Committee
6 pm (Sydnor)
Sunday, September 8
Rector, the Rev. Joe Hensley returns from sabbatical
Rally for Service Sunday
10 am (Hurkamp Park)
Sunday, September 15
Summer worship schedule ends.
Christian Formation resumes
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Adult Christian Formation - Sunday, 10 am
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Please note that our formation is taking a break over the summer and will resume September 15.
During the summer, we will be offering a sermon talk-back with the preacher. Join in the conversation following the 10 am service in Sydnor Hall.
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Spotlight On: Vacation Bible School
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A big thank you to our VBS volunteers who have been working hard to plan and organize a wonderful week of spiritual enrichment for children. This year children will explore the Old Testament with our Abundance Orchard VBS. It's not too late to join the fun!
Please contact
Hecti Musa
if you would like to help with the programming the week July 29 - Aug. 2.
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Pastoral Emergency Phone Number
If you have a pastoral emergency, including but not limited to hospitalization or a death, please text or call 540.361.8573 to reach the clergy on call.
Courtesy Reminder
During services, we ask everyone to please silence electronic devices so that all can focus on our worship together. Be mindful that using electronics during services may be distracting to others, even if they are silenced, so please be considerate of those beside and around you.
Yoga Wednesdays
Wednesdays in July and August, we will offer free Yoga classes from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in Sydnor Hall. July will feature Restorative Yoga taught by Carly McHale and August will be Family Yoga taught by Janice Brunson. Please bring your own mat.
Meditation Evening with Rev. Oshin
Friday, July 26 7 - 9 pm Rev. Oshin Jennings from No Barriers Zen will be returning to Fredericksburg for a night of meditation. All experience levels welcome. You, just as you are are welcomed. For more questions contact
Beth Klein. Event will be held at Mill Race Commons North, 725 Jackson St Fredericksburg VA 22401.
Meditation for Children and Families
We have a special program on Saturday, July 27 in Sydnor Hall for children and their families. Rev. Oshin Jennings, a Deaf Zen Buddhist priest and the teacher at No Barriers Zen in Washington, D.C., will hold a special meditation/mindfulness workshop specifically designed for children and the adults who love them. We will have two separate sessions to better meet the needs of the children attending: Ages 5 - 8 from 1:15 - 2:00 pm, and ages 9 - 12 from 2:30 - 3:30 pm. Older children are welcome at either session. Nursery is available for children under 5. Cushions and sign language interpretation provided. Suggested donation is $20/family. If your child has any special needs, please let
Emily Hoell know how we may help accommodate.
Looking for Children's Worship Folders?
Our Sunday Worship activity folders for children are now located in the back pews of the church. Please see an usher if you'd like one for your child.
Invitation to serve as an acolyte
Acolytes are an essential part of our worship team. They lead the congregation in worship as they carry candles, bear the Gospel Book, carry the cross and help with communion. All children and youth from our parish are encouraged to serve, starting from second grade onwards. We will have acolyte training and lunch for all acolytes on Saturday, August 17 from 10:30 - 1:00 pm in the Nave. Please contact Hecti Musa
hector.musa@stgeorgesepiscopal.net
if you are interested in acolyting and attending.
Seeking personal prayer minister for 5:30 pm service
We are seeking volunteers to offer personal prayer at the Celtic service. If you feel called to participate in offering prayers for others, please contact the
office. A personal prayer minister retreat will take place on Sunday, August 18th. All personal prayer ministers and those interested in learning more are invited to attend (to RSVP please contact
Vicki Lewis).
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our prayer shawl knitters create shawls for those needing comfort and prayer. They meet the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10 am in Faulkner Hall. All who would enjoy a peaceful hour of knitting are welcome. Contact Mary Ellsworth (540.898.1078) for more information. The next meeting is September 3.
Looking for Your Name tag?
If you are missing your name tag on the board in the narthex, please request one on the sheet on the Welcome Cart or by contacting the
church office. Once we get your request, we will make you one with the new logo. If you keep yours in a different spot, let us know so that we may make you a new one. Thanks for your patience.
Holy Baptism
We will have baptisms on September 1 and November 3. Please contact
Hecti Musa
or
clergy
if you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child, so we can arrange preparation sessions.
Support St. George’s Concert Series
Last season, we offered our concerts for free, with donations accepted at the door. Thanks to your overwhelming support, free concerts have been a great success. Attendance has increased by 56% over the previous year, and continues to grow with every concert.
The 2019 - 2020 season features Washington’s Camerata, the St. George Chamber Orchestra, Terra Voce, Peter and Will Anderson, local favorite Hazel Run, and more. To donate, please pick up a concert season brochure at church or
click here.
Donate Your Empty Printer Ink and Toner Cartridges
Recycling printer ink and toner cartridges helps us receive discounts to purchase office supplies. Please consider donating yours by dropping them off at our church office.
Registration Open for Shrine Mont
Join us in the mountains! Our annual parish weekend at Shrine Mont is Oct. 11 - 13.
Register on our website or fill out the form in the brochure in your pew.
Sabbatical Reminder
Our rector, Joe Hensley, will be away on Sabbatical June 3 - September 4. John Vreeland, our director of music ministries will be on sabbatical May 19 - August 18.
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Your donations help us continue our ministries so we can serve our community.
You can also text to to give. Send a text message with the dollar amount (e.g. $50) to: 540.701.4133. If it is your first time giving via text, you'll receive a link to add your billing information.
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Slow down.
Hit the pause button.
Take a deep breath.
Close your eyes and repeat the short meditation either silently or aloud.
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"Arise, shine, for your light has come.”
Amen.
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St. George's Episcopal Church | 540 373-4133
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