The St. Georgian Weekly E-newsletter
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Greetings Beloved St. Georgians,
Today is the National Day of Prayer. President Harry Truman declared the first National Day of Prayer on July 4, 1952. It was later moved to the first Thursday in May. The official language of the declaration encourages everyone to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.”
The National Day of Prayer is an opportunity to come together, with all our personal, partisan and religious differences, and turn to God. To adapt St. Paul: In Christ there is no Republican or Democrat, no Libertarian, or Green! That may be hard to imagine. This week, we have seen again how we struggle mightily with political and ethical differences and the role of government in our lives. There is no shortage of fear, anger, falsehoods, and despair. Lord, have mercy!
Every day in Morning or Evening Prayer, these words are offered during the “suffrages” (an old word that refers to intercessory prayers but is more familiar now as a word about voting rights, interestingly): “Lord, keep this nation under your care; and guide us in the ways of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; your saving health among all nations.”
In offering this prayer, we do not assume that God favor our nation or any other. We also must recognize that while we ask for God’s care, we are the hands and feet of Christ. It is upon us to do the hard work of justice and insist on truth as we strive to love all our neighbors, even the ones with whom we disagree, even the ones who threaten us, as ourselves. The crucified and risen Christ demands no less.
Your rector and brother in Christ,
Joe+
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For everyone's health and safety, please:
- Do not attend services in person if you are at all unwell or if you have been in contact with a sick person.
- Seat yourself in any pew with a cushion.
- Follow the instructions of ushers to avoid crowding in the narthex and aisles.
On Wednesdays, at 12 pm, we offer Noonday Prayer with Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayer in the nave. All are welcome! Please contact Fr. Will if you would like to volunteer to help with this service.
The Daily office (Morning and Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer) is offered on Zoom and led by a group of lay persons on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 am and 5:30 pm. All are welcome. Click here to join.
Meeting ID: 890 4918 9545 Passcode: 638538 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592
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"..for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." - Luke 6:38
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Your generous gifts help fund our ministries and serve the community. Thank you!
For example, this month your gifts have helped:
- Resume our Monday Night Community Dinners to provide fellowship and a hot meal for our neighbors
- Welcome all in the Love of God to our worship services
- Celebrate two baptisms in Eastertide and prepare for more at Pentecost
You can make a one-time or recurring gift electronically or text to give (send a text message with the dollar amount [e.g. $50] to: 540.701.4133). You can also mail a check to the church office (P. O. Box 7127, Fredericksburg, VA 22404).
If you have any questions, please contact our Business Manager, Ben Hicks.
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Return of In-Person Community Dinners
Our in-person Community Dinners in conjunction with Micah Ministries have returned. St. George’s is responsible for cooking and serving a hot meal to our neighbors in need on the third Monday of each month. We need your help to make it possible! We are looking for volunteers to help with cooking, serving, and setup/cleanup. We are also looking for donations of your yummy desserts to share with our neighbors. You may sign up directly using Sign up Genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4DA9A92FA5FD0-micah. If you have any questions of need assistance signing up, please contact Diane Young and Angela Devine at CommunityDinners@stgeorgesepiscopal.net.
Shrine Mont Parish Weekend October 7 – 9: Registration Now Open
We are excited to explore ways to find Joy in the Morning at our annual Parish Weekend at Shrine Mont! Register now, and receive a $25 discount if you pay in full by June 5. Paper registration forms are available in the Narthex or in the parish office, or you can register online here. If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Davis at danielle@stgeorgesepiscopal.net.
Congratulations to Laurel Loch
Our Parish Administrator, Laurel Loch, recently completed all the requirements for a Masters of Science in Church Management through the Villanova School of Business. Her graduation is May 14. Please join us in congratulating her! Over the past two years of study, she has often done research and projects directly related to our work and ministry together. We look forward to her continuing to bless our parish through applying what she has learned and give thanks for her service.
ICYMI - Concert Series Video on YouTube
Did you miss seeing Laurie Rose Griffith and Peter Mealy with John and Mary Vreeland at our recent concert? We've published a video of the concert here. Take a listen and enjoy this beautiful music in a beautiful space.
Prayer Shawl Knitters Resumes
St George's Prayer Shawl Knitters will have their first meeting in a very long time on Tuesday, May 10 from 10 – 11 am in Faulkner Hall. Anyone interested is welcome to come and see what we do and hopefully join in. Any questions please call Mary Ellsworth at 540.898.1078.
Memorial Day Prayers
During the May 30 worship service, we will include a list of names of veterans who have died in military service to the United States (can be from any time). If you have a name of a loved one that you would like to add, please send it to the office by Monday, May 24. Please include name, rank, and branch of service.
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Coming Up - Mark Your Calendar
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Ascension Day - May 26
Join us at 7 pm on Thursday, May 26 as we celebrate Christ's Ascension with worship and Holy Eucharist.
Concert Series Concludes on May 22 at 3 pm
Our Concert Series concludes on Sunday, May 22 at 3 pm with an Afternoon Organ Concert. St. George’s organists – John Vreeland, Achim Loch, and Brooks Kuykendall will perform, featuring works by Bach, Buxtehude, Reger, Brahms, and Wagner. Concert is free with donations accepted at the door.
Summer Schedule Begins May 29
On Sunday, May 29, we will shift to our “summer schedule” with services at 7:45 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm. Our Compline service takes a break as well as Sunday school classes.
Save the Date: Pentecost Sunday, June 5
Outdoor service and picnic at 10 am at Old Mill Park. We will hold our 10 am service on June 5 outside, weather permitting, at the picnic shelter near the canoe launch at Old Mill Park (far end of the parking lot). More information to come.
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Sunday Adult Forum: Family Histories and Healing with Dr. Paula Royster, PhD
On this Mother’s Day, we welcome the director of the Center for African American Genealogical Research as she shares about the importance of documenting family histories, in general, with particular focus on her work to recover the histories of the oldest African American families in our region. St. George’s is supporting her work through our Matthew 25 Fund as part of our commitment to racial justice and healing.
In Sydnor Hall and on Zoom at 10 am - note earlier start time!
Zoom Meeting Details:
Meeting ID: 832 1668 8396
Passcode: 218382
Dial in: +1 301 715 8592
Young Adult Bible Study, Wednesdays 7 pm on Zoom
Join us for our on-going Bible study for young adults (broadly defined, meaning anyone from 18-45ish!), on Wednesdays at 7pm on Zoom for a little over an hour. If you haven't joined before, or haven't been in a while, any week is a good week to start! In follow-up to our fall study, we're continuing reading through classic stories that we probably first encountered in Sunday School. If you're interested in joining, want the Zoom link, or want more information, please be in touch with our Missioner, Fr. Ethan at missioner@thehousefxbg.org.
Sunday School
Children's formation will meet in the large preschool classroom (instead of Sydnor Hall) at 10 am for Community Gathering. Community Gathering invites all children and youth to a short time of communal song and prayer - parents are welcome to drop off or stay for this time. At 10:10 am all students will walk with teachers: K-2nd grade will meet in the large preschool classroom - 3rd-5th grade will meet in classroom facing market square. Please pick up at 11 am in Market Square (at the lower level exit). If you would like to volunteer your time to lead or assist Sunday School please touch base with Marian Lamphere or email children@stgeorgesepiscopal.net
Although masking is optional for worship, we are requiring masks for children’s formation indoors. We want to be careful of our younger participants who are not vaccinated, and social distancing is more difficult in the classroom than in worship. We also want to be inclusive of as many of our parish family as possible, and not everyone is comfortable being unmasked in closer quarters. As community transmission levels decline further, we will reevaluate our protocol and appreciate everyone’s flexibility and understanding.
Youth Group:
Our next Youth Group meeting is Sunday, May 15 from 5 pm – 7 pm in Faulkner Hall. We will have a dance party hosted by DJ Lance!
RBG Group 1 - Tuesday Evening via Zoom
On Tuesday, May 17 from 7 - 8:30 pm, Charlie Russell will be facilitating How to Fight Racism by Jamar Tisby. Please contact Marcia Russell ( marcia@crussellphoto.com) or Anne Beals ( oakleyfrm@gmail.com) if you have questions or wish to join the group.
RBG Group 2 - Tuesday Afternoon via Zoom
On Tuesday, May 17 at 2 pm, our RBG 2 group will meet to discuss Lee Daniels' award-winning film, The Butler. Please note this month we are meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. In June, we will go back to meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month (June 28). Please contact Pam Jewett-Bullock topjjb@aol.com or Anne Beals oakleyfrm@gmail.com if you would like to join the group.
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Pray for the Election of the 14th Bishop of Virginia
The Diocese of Virginia has announced a slate of nominees for bishop, including our rector, the Rev. Joe Hensley. Meet and Greet sessions will occur May 20-24, and the Electing Convention will be June 4. Please pray for our Diocese in this time of discernment, for Joe and all the nominees and their families, for Diocesan leaders, and for our parish staff and vestry. May God give us a bishop who is a faithful pastor, caring for God’s people and equipping us for our ministries, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Learn more about the process and the nominees at www.virginiabishopsearch.org/process.
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Pray for Peace
Let us pray for an end to the war in Ukraine as well as other wars and threats of war around the world.
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
--Book of Common Prayer, pg. 815
To give in support of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, we recommend Episcopal Relief and Development (www.episcopalrelief.org). If you are interested in offering other responses, please contact clergy or staff so that we can be helpful in supporting your ministry.
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St. George's Episcopal Church | 540 373-4133
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