This is a free publication for members and friends

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1 St. George s Episcopal Church November 2012 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 18, No. 11 YOU ARE ALL SAINTS by Father Paul Allick This is the time of year when we celebrate the Communion of Saints. On the Feast of All Saints, November 1st, we remember the great saints who are known throughout the whole Church. They are celebrated not because they were perfect but because they were heroic in following Jesus Christ. On November 2nd we remember All the Faithful Departed (also known as All Souls Day.) On this day we remember the saints known to us personally, all those whom we love but see no longer. The distinction between these two days is subtle. On both days we remember that we are all saints by virtue of our baptism; we are all called to heroic service in following Jesus Christ. Some of us are celebrity saints like our patron George and some of us are remembered within our particular communities. The Catechism describes it this way, The communion of saints is the whole family of God, the living and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and praise. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 862) Christians think differently about the dead. We believe that for the departed, life has changed not ended. We are still in communion with those who have entered the next phase of their eternal life. We are still with them through sacrament and prayer. The feasts of All Saints and All Souls date back to the earliest days of Christianity. There has always been a desire, of Christian people to express the intercommunion of the living and the dead in the Body of Christ by a commemoration of those who, having professed faith in the living Christ in days past, had entered into the nearer presence of their Lord. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts 1994, p.410) We are part of a long line of saints who have built up the Church. As we gather this season to remember our celebrity saints and the more ordinary ones like us, we do not gather simply to memorialize them but to live like them. It is the call of each generation of the Church to carry on the mission begun by our ancestors. It is our call to leave behind a Church which teaches the faith, worships the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and spreads the Good News. Our parish elders have worked hard and given much to leave us this little slice of Mother Church we know as St. George s in St. Louis Park. Surely we are now called to make sure that it will be here for the next generation of saints. ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAYS IN NOVEMBER :15-10:00 a.m. Parish Hall The Other Sacraments In many of our adult education and confirmation classes we discuss the seven sacraments. Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist always get all of the attention. In this course we will explore the other five sacraments one by one. (Continued on page 2) November 2012 Page 1

2 November 4: Ordination Some ministers are asked to serve in specific roles but all Christians are ministers by virtue of their baptism. November 11: Holy Matrimony What is marriage in the Church? How does it differ from a civil marriage? Who is allowed to receive this sacrament? November 18: Reconciliation of a Penitent We confess publicly at each Holy Eucharist. Sometimes we may need to confess privately. November 24: Unction We anoint the sick and lay hands on them for healing of mind, body and spirit. And we believe that it works. A SPECIAL SATURDAY ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM by Father Paul Allick When: Saturday, November 17, 10 a.m. 12 noon. Where: The Parish Hall What: Whole Christianity We have received a very positive response to our fall Sunday morning Adult Education class, Whole Christianity. One participant remarked that every parishioner should be in this class because it has helped us understand what it means to be an Anglican and how to explain our identity to others. Thus we will be offering the class in its entirety on Saturday morning, November 17. Please join us for coffee and conversation. All are welcome whether you could not attend on Sunday mornings or if you missed a few sessions and want to hear it again. The class is taken from a catechism study called Whole Christianity: A Book of Instruction in the Teaching and Worship of the Anglican Communion as contained in the 1979 American Book of Common Prayer by The Reverend Hugh C. Edsall. In the introduction, Fr. Edsall writes, If you expected a nice, innocuous, sweet book, modestly saying that the Episcopal (Anglican) Church is a pleasant place to go if you feel like it, this book will make you uncomfortable. If you are looking for solid reasons to believe and get excited about complete Christianity, it will give you some. WARDEN S CORNER by Harry Kelley, Parish Warden Greetings! I know this is the November newsletter, but I d like to go back one day, to October 31. I have Halloween in my blood. Part of this is a love of spooky movies, all those monsters with only one name: Dracula, Jason, Freddy, Wolfman, the Creature. In Wisconsin where I grew up, my cousin and I would watch the late Saturday night TV monster-fest, hosted by the esteemed Dr. Cadaverino and his sidekick Igor. When my family moved here, I found the same kind of show hosted by The Count and Elvira. Life was good. Part of the attraction is its place on the calendar: first of the Big Three family holidays. Each year, it signals the beauty of the seasonal changes all around us. And of course there s the candy. In 2011, Americans spent 2.4 billion dollars on Halloween candy, which represents between 5,000 and 7,000 yummy calories per child. There s the pageantry. We all have warm memories of costumes that we wore, that our children wore: dragons, and bats, and clowns, and hippies; the lady down the street with her giant steaming cauldron, the graveyard with cardboard tombstones, the guy across the street with his strobe lights. Think about it: this is the only holiday where our neighbors open their doors to each other in friendship. We don t do it for Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or Easter. Sure, we have family and religious traditions with each of these holidays. But on Halloween, we go forth. We visit each other, we talk, we laugh, we see how our children have grown. And we share something silly and joyful, something that goes beyond the candy and the decorations. It s a witch s brew of stewardship, and irreverence, and love. We read the newspaper and look at the world, and we can appreciate the lyric: We need a little Christmas, right this very minute. I would argue that we need a little Halloween, too. November 2012 Page 2

3 WHY PLEDGE? by Kathie Brown Finance Committee Chairperson EDUCATION UPDATE By Heather Whitesell Children s Corner The children have been participating in Gospel discussion during Children s Chapel. They have lots of thoughtful insights and give the teachers opportunity to explore their own faith ideas further. Twice a month there will be a faith-based craft project offered in the parish hall during coffee hour. Please ask the children about their creations and do not hesitate to participate! Apple Fun This year brought a gorgeous fall day for the trip to the Minnetonka Orchards. Malaine, Betty Bauer and I had a wonderful time enjoying nature at its best. We took the hayride, listened to music and of course sampled apple cider. Betty bought a bag of apples which she hoped to use for some tasty apple crisp!! Youth News This year we are trying out some discussion using Gospel-based Discipleship. The teens seemed to really enjoy it and had a lot to say. We read the Gospel passage from three different versions of the Bible which was topic-provoking as well. As our outreach project for the year, we are committing to helping out the STEP program. For October, teens brought gently-used clothing, shoes and outerwear to donate. Thanks to all who participated in this very important cause. Congratulations to Roxy Zaun for being named the top nurse at North Memorial Hospital. BLOOD DRIVE Many thanks to the eight people who gave blood during our semi-annual blood drive. Next year s drives, 2013, will be in May and October; the exact dates to come later. You have given the gift of life to someone. A preliminary budget draft for 2013 is showing a budget deficit of almost $14,000. This assumes a modest increase of 2% in staff salaries (for 2012 there were no salary increases) and modest increases in some other expense categories. This also assumes a 5% increase in pledges over the 2012 budget which might be considered ambitious. And if we do achieve the 5% increase, it will likely be due to the generosity of the family of a long-time member of St. George s. This member passed away during 2012, and she gave the largest single pledge to St. George s. Her family gave a one-time donation, almost as large as her annual pledge, for In the last several years, we have lost several long-time members and generous contributors due to death. We need new pledges to make up this loss. While 75-80% of our member families pledge, we need every family to pledge something to St. George s. Whether you attend regularly or occasionally, we need your financial support. Unfortunately, the services a church provides are not free. Our wonderful priest and parish staff are instrumental in making St. George s what it is and need to be paid. Salaries are our largest expense. In addition, there are expenses that go along with maintaining a building and offering programs and activities. I look forward to an increase in the number of families pledging to St. George s in Can you help make that happen? NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 5 Thomas Bauer 8 Kendra McGill Connie Kotula 9 Preethy Goonetilleke 12 Nathan Harmon 14 Doug Gniot 15 Dorothy LeBakken Gladys Williamson November 2012 Page 3 17 Colleen Monroe 19 Odessa Pamonicutt 23 Mary Weekes MacLain Herbers 28 Jina LeBakken 29 Milt Hill 30 Jake Gysland

4 STEP HOLIDAY PROGRAMS by Camille Schroeder WHO ARE WE? by Brad & Jennifer Slater Thanksgiving Food Distribution: STEP will be offering a Thanksgiving Food Distribution November 7 through November 21. Volunteers are needed to pack the food bags prior to November 7. Foods that are needed are: bags of stuffing, cranberry sauce, cans of gravy, cans of chicken broth, cans of French-style green beans, Jello, sugar for baking, and cans of corn. Any other foods that you enjoy for the holiday can also be donated. Our first meeting was in 1977: Jennifer s family had just moved to Minnesota, and was assigned a student chaperone to help her find her classes and orient her to 9th grade life at Wayzata Junior High. As an added bonus, the chaperone introduced Jennifer to her older brother, Brad Slater. STEP Toy Shop: Our friendship was immediate, and love soon followed. We were married on October 28, 1991, thus, the Halloween snowstorm of 91 figures prominently in our honeymoon memories, as we drove back to Minnesota from Wisconsin during the storm. Despite that adventure, we still love to travel, and in 2006 we purchased our first Airstream travel trailer so that we can take our home and two dogs with us when we go. For the Holiday Gift Program, Target gift cards will be given to youth and gifts of $30 to $40 will be given to infants through age 10. Watch for bargains and bring your donations in any time, but no later than Sunday, December 16. Brad is a graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato, and is employed as a carpenter, specializing in outdoor remodeling projects. When not working on projects for others, Brad is busy restoring our second Airstream travel trailer, a 1957 Overlander. Volunteers are needed for the week of Dec. 17 for sorting and distribution. More information will be in the December newsletter. Jennifer holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas; her undergraduate studies included a year as an exchange student in Denmark. She works in the insurance industry, managing insurance programs for the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies. Jennifer coordinates the outreach efforts for her employer, fundraising for and participating in many charity events throughout the year. Why not pack up a full bag of groceries to donate? The need is great and we can help. (STEP will not be having a December holiday food distribution.) THANK YOU Bill Stromberg for coming over to turn lights on and off after Darchei Noam recently used the parish hall. Fall clean-up volunteers: Barb Behrens, Tom Boe, Mary Poulsen, Kris Kelley, Bill Stromberg, Carole Leonard, Gloria Monroe-Johnson, Harry Kelley, Gregg Jacobson, Patty Dittrich, and. SAVE THE DATE SUPPER CLUB - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 Save the date Supper Club will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at the Schroeder s. We live in Plymouth, and are delighted to be part of the St. George s family! NEW ADDRESSES: Bob McFarlin, Sr London Rd. Apt. 205 Duluth, MN Frank Wallbrink 3701 Bryant Ave. S. Apt. 820 Minneapolis, MN November 2012 Page 4

5 TAX LAW CHANGES? by Lou Michelich Endowment Fund Officer Financial publications are filled with articles about possible changes to the federal tax laws and the uncertainty of what may be included as we approach the end of Despite the uncertainty, this is still a good time to take a look at your estate plan and charitable giving before the end of the year. St. George s Endowment Fund could be a helpful vehicle to assist in your planning. For the past several years, the income from this fund has been used to help meet the budget needs for the church. The balance in this fund at the end of September 2012 was $345,750. The fund monies are actively invested and have shown good growth in difficult financial times. The larger the fund is the more immediate benefit St. George s parish will realize from its growth. Monday, December 10, :30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Minneapolis Convention Center Project Homeless Connect is a one-stop shop for delivering services to people experiencing homelessness. Hennepin County and the city of Minneapolis are partnering with service providers, businesses, citizens, and faith communities to bring multiple resources to one location where people can come to find the services they need. These services include: housing providers, employment specialists, medical care, mental health care, benefits specialists, eye care, haircuts, transportation assistance, food, and clothing. 2,000 participants are expected for this event and at least 1,000 volunteers are needed to make the day successful. There are two shifts for volunteers: 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. A 90-minute training for the project is required for everyone except those who trained and volunteered for a previous event. A HUGE THANK YOU by Patty Dittrich Thank you to Gayle Vann for contributing a beautiful meditation spot out near the columbarium in memory of her husband, Leon. Gayle and Carole Leonard spent many hours meeting with Bachman s, going over plans, taking plans to the Buildings & Grounds Committee, and then to the Vestry for approval before moving forward with this project. The love and care shown by both Gayle and Carole has been wonderful to watch. Carole has come over to water the new sod and the new plantings, and Gayle came over during the construction to make sure things were going according to the plan. It is a beautiful area we can all enjoy for many years to come. This is a wonderful memorial to a man who was loved by many. Thank you to Gayle and Carole for all their efforts and hard work. To volunteer for December 10, please go to the web site Click on the bar in the heading that says, Please join us as a volunteer. All volunteers must register on-line and must be at least 18 years of age. For more information, see Camille Schroeder who has volunteered for several years. If you want to volunteer we can carpool. Hope to see you there. JUST A REMINDER from Patty Dittrich Parish Administrator If you are in the Christian Education Building for a meeting and lights are on and the switch plates are covered, please DO NOT turn the lights off. Darchei Noam cannot turn lights on during Shabbat and Holy days, and they cannot technically ask anyone to turn on the lights for them, they have to lead you in the hopes you catch on to what they need. Now, if you are in the building and the lights are on and there are no covers, please feel free to turn off the lights. November 2012 Page 5

6 Calendar of Events - November 2012 Sunday 4 Monday 5 Tuesday 6 Wednesday 7 Ingathering of pledges Thursday Friday Saturday Office Closed 6:30 pm AA (LL) 7:00 pm All Saints Day Eucharist Darchei Noam sets up parish hall for their use Darchei Noam uses parish hall Fr. Allick s day off 11:00 a.m. Gospelbased Discipleship (CEB) 8:00 am HE, Rite 1 8:30 am - Choir 9:15 am -Adult Education 10:15 am HE, Rite II Election Day Darchei Noam sets up parish hall for their use Darchei Noam uses parish hall Fr. Allick s day off SPECIAL ADULT EDUCATION CLASS Whole Christianity 10 a.m. 12 noon in parish hall 6:30 pm AA(LL) Daylight Savings time ends :00 am HE, Rite 1 8:30 am - Choir 9:15 am Adult Education 10:15 am HE, Rite II 11:30 am Sunday School/Youth Group 15 11:00 a.m. Gospelbased Discipleship (CEB) :00 am HE, Rite 1 8:30 am - Choir 9:15 am Adult Education 10:15 am HE, Rite II 9:00 am St. Mary s Circle meets to go down to St. Mark s. 11:30 a.m. St. Mary s Circle lunch :00 a.m. Gospelbased Discipleship (CEB) 6:00 pm Mission Committee 6:30 pm AA (LL) 6:30 pm Youth Group HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 24 Office Closed Office Closed Fr. Allick s day off 6:30 pm AA (LL) 7:00 pm - Vestry 8:00 am HE, Rite 1 8:30 am - Choir 9:15 am Adult Education 10:15 am HE, Rite II 4:00 pm - Evensong DAYD 7:00 pm - Finance 2nd Sunday/2nd Offering 25 DAYD :00 a.m. Gospelbased Discipleship (CEB) 30 Fr. Allick s day off 6:30 pm AA (LL) 7:00 p.m. Buildings & Grounds MEMORY SUPPORT GROUP By Gloria Monroe-Johnson On September 22, the team participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer s. It turned out to be a very beautiful day to walk and enjoy this fun event. Some of the group walked 3 miles while others chose to do the shorter route. It did not matter which one we chose because we all did it to raise money for research and education in finding a cure for this debilitating disease. We would like to give an extra special thank you to all who donated and/or participated in this event! With your donations, St. Georges helped to raise our goal of $1,005! It is wonderful to be part of a parish that has been showing ongoing support! November 2012 Page 6

7 Ministers of the Eucharistic Assembly November 2012 November 1 (Thursday) 7 p.m. All Saints Day Service of Holy Eucharist Readings Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44 November 4 Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost November 11 Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 18 Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost November 25 Last Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King) Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34 Ruth 3:1-5;4:13-17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12: Samuel 1:4-20 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132:1-13 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37 Mary Kuhfeld Steve Harvala Maraline Keeling Karen Hurlbert Leslie O Donnell Laura Harmon Cyprian Troyer Kathie Brown Kris Kelley Mary Kuhfeld Carole Leonard Steve Harvala Maraline Keeling Karen Hurlbert Mary Poulsen Leslie O Donnell Gloria Monroe-Johnson Mary Weekes Cyprian Troyer Sydney Norman Caryl Eschweiler Jeffrey Evans Harry Kelley Kris Kelley Ron Holbach Tom Harmon Larua Harmon Ron Holbach Bob Miller Lou Michelich Rosie Michelich Bruce Becker Ron Zaltz Barb Behrens Bruce Becker Bob Miller Kitty Reese Bill Stromberg Tom Zaun Milt Hill Jane Jacobson Bob Jones Tom Zaun Milt Hill Sydney Norman Korpo Yeakehson Jade Carlson Nathan Harmon Lay Eucharistic Visitors Steve Harvala Heather Whitesell Mary Poulsen Laura Harmon Mary Kuhfeld NO LEV VISITS Coffee Hour: 8:00 a.m. Ron Holbach Karen Hurlbert Holbach Family Betty Bauer Carole Leonard Geri Alberg 10:15 a.m. Gloria Monroe-Johnson Iris Alexander Milt Hill Gladys Williamson John Carlson Jane Carlson Mary Poulsen Chalice Laura Harmon Lectors Paul Schroeder Mary Poulsen Greeters Ushers 8 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Acolyte Nathan Harmon Kris Kelley ALTAR FLOWERS by Patty Dittrich Everyone appreciates the beautiful flowers on the altar on Sundays. This is made possible by donations to the Altar Flower Fund. The cost of the flowers is $55. We have been fortunate enough to be able to save the flowers for use on two Sundays, so our cost has been cut down considerably. If you have been thinking of donating altar flowers in memory of someone or in honor of a special occasion in your family (i.e. birth of a grandchild, anniversary, special birthday), please do so. If you can t afford the full $55, we understand, but if we get one donation of $27.50 each week for two weeks, that covers the cost of flowers for two weeks. Altar Flowers is not a budgeted item here at St. George s. If you donate the flowers in memory of someone, please leave the flowers here for the next week. Thank you. November 2012 Page 7

8 About St. George s 5224 Minnetonka Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN Office hours Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. 3 p.m. Parish staff: Paul Allick, Rector paula@stgeorgesonline.org Patty Dittrich, Parish Administrator pattyd@stgeorgesonline.org Heather Whitesell, Children and Youth Coodinator heatherw@stgeorgesonline.org Randy Egan, Organist/Choirmaster eganmusic@earthlink.net ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Priests in Residence: Mildred Cox Anne Scheible Vestry: Wardens: Jane Jacobson, Rector s Warden; Harry Kelley, Parish Warden Parish Treasurer: Ron Holbach Vestry: Iris Alexander, Ryan Anderson, Tom Boe, Milt Hill, Mark Kraabel, Mary Kuhfeld, and Bill Seely Clerk of the Vestry: Bill Stromberg FESTIVAL CHORAL EVENSONG & VIOLIN CONCERT: November 25, 3:30 p.m. by Randall Egan, Choirmaster STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4 Sunday, November 4, is Stewardship Sunday. We will gather pledge cards at the 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services. Please pray and meditate on how you might want to contribute to the ongoing mission of St. George s parish. If you are pledging already, can you increase it? If you have never pledged, please consider doing so. No amount is too small. It all adds up. St. George's Choir will present Bach's cantata #172, "Sing Praises! Your Voices" and the "Alleluia" portion of the same master's celebrated motet, Praise The Lord, All Ye Nations. The music of Bach will be featured in the context of an Ånglican Festival Evensong which will include the Minneapolis premiere of a new setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Canadian composer, Richard Baker. The choir has been diligently preparing this music since September and hopes for a stirring performance! Preceding the Evensong, 15-year old virtuoso violinist Benjamin Brashear will play a short program beginning at 3:30 p.m. Invite a friend, relative or co-worker. You will go away enriched. Refreshments will follow. Free-will offering received. November 2012 Page 8