St. George s Episcopal Church February 2018 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 25, No.

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1 St. George s Episcopal Church February 2018 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 25, No. 2 TOWARDS A NEW VIEW OF LENT: WHAT? by Fr. Tom Gehlsen I can t believe I m even considering Lent let alone writing a reflection about the Season of Lent. I am constantly running to keep up with the moving of time and events!! Sign to me? One day, the Devil decided to close up shop in a certain part of the world, and decided to hold a fire sale and an attitude auction. Some evil people were pleased to get his tools like fear, ignorance and prejudice and be able to play his infernal games at half price. But one person seeking to be more spiritual and caring, wandered into the shop. Intensely curious, he looked around at all the tricks of deception and the tools of malice, until he spotted the quality on the highest shelf that had the highest price. Boldly, he asked the devil what that quality was, and why was it so expensive. The devil replied, That is discouragement. Why is it so expensive? That s simple. It s my favorite. With the tool of discouragement, I can pry into any person or any group and cause all kinds of havoc and damage. So as we prepare for another Season of Lent in darkness headed toward light, let us light a flame in our hearts for hope, for compassion, for the courage to look deeply at ourselves. By not being discouraged by life s challenges, we uncover the diamonds among the dust, to find new insights and opportunities, and learn how best to accept ourselves as being loveworthy, just, and kind!! More as we move on our journey through Lent! CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY & CONFIRMATION by Fr. Tom Gehlsen Some have inquired about having a Celebration of New Ministry, which is celebrated when a priest is being instituted and inducted as the rector of a parish. The Wardens and Vestry along with myself are waiting to hear back regarding the Bishop s schedule. In our discussions there was and is a desire to celebrate this ministry on a Sunday where we can have one service and hope as many as possible from the parish will attend and celebrate as a community. I have been in contact with the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN) office and am now waiting for the Bishop s schedule to be finalized. Sundays for Bishop Prior are usually packed with various celebrations as all parish communities would like his presence. At the time of the Celebration of New Ministry, the Bishop will be confirming three of our young people who are currently being prepared for the sacrament. This is due to missing the deadlines given for those who wished to be confirmed at St. Mark s on April 29. Due to my arrival in July, all the deadlines were in August. The Bishop has agreed to celebrate both when he visits. St. George s Newsletter February 2018 Page 1

2 EDUCATION UPDATE by Heather Whitesell Children & Youth Coordinator Children's Corner The Epiphany play was a big hit this year. Thanks to the Rash and Schulte families and Jade and baby Summer for their important contributions! (See photo below.) Children continue to learn about our Christian ancestors as we move out of the Christmas season and prepare for Lent. Youth News The young people have decided for their Lenten project this year they would like to raise money for our friends on the Rosebud Mission in South Dakota. It has been a cold winter and there is always a need for propane and firewood. The youth will hold a Rock-athon at the end of February. Watch for ways in which you can help and donate for this important cause. Confirmation We have three youth beginning the Confirmation process this winter: Brendan and Calista Snyders, and Richard Norman. We hope to have them confirmed here at St George's this spring. February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 ADULT FORUM Sundays in the Parish Hall 9:15 a.m. 10 a.m. Gospel-based Discipleship Annual Meeting Lent: Why is it Necessary? Presented by Fr. Tom Gehlsen End of Life Directives Presented by The Rev. Phil Rose Gospel-based Discipleship High Education Issues Presented by Dr. Mitch Pearlstein, PhD Easter Gospel-based Discipleship ECMU: Where are we in the mix? Presented by Fr. Tom Gehlsen FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 Tom Harmon 10 Kitty Reese Landon Rousselow 16 Donald Janke 7 Julie Milligan 20 Aaron Holbach 8 Betty Bauer 26 Jan Hagerman Steve Monroe 27 Alissa Swartwood 9 Bob Jones 29 Jane Jacobson Pictured from the left are Amanda Norman, Lilly and Elena Schulte, and Jade and baby Summer who were actors in the January 7 Epiphany Pageant, accompanied by Organist & Choirmaster Randy Egan. TYPEWRITER GIVEAWAY by Heather Grieger, Parish Administrator If anyone would like the electric typewriter from the parish office, please contact Heather at , or office@stgeorgesonline.org. St. George s Newsletter February 2018 Page 2

3 LENTEN SERIES Feb. 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21 Wednesdays, 6 7:30 p.m. by Fr. Tom Gehlsen Join us for Souper Bowl Wednesdays Exciting times are ahead during Lent 2018!! We are planning a series on Wednesdays during the Lenten Season that will look at a couple of interesting issues of important to most of us. We will investigate and discuss two areas: When Bad Things Happen to Good People & Life After Life Events We will start the evening with a simple soup and bread supper beginning at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. At about 6:30 p.m. we will begin our investigation and discussion on the above mentioned topics. We will end around 7:30 p.m. so we can all get home at a decent hour. We invite and encourage everyone to participate. These topics always generate lots of fun-type discussion in the light of what we believe. A preliminary schedule will look similar to this: February 14 Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, distribution of ashes. February 21 Beginning discussion on topics with distribution of summaries and book entitled Life After Life; by Dr. Raymond Moody. February 28 View video on Dr. Raymond Moody. March 7, 14, 21 Investigation and discussion on the book Life After Life. IMPORTANT NOTE: It is very important for you to sign up that you will attend, as food will be prepared and books will be ordered for each participant. You can sign up on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall as well as by calling the church office, Father Tom will facilitate the investigation and discussion during the series. If you have any questions, be sure to ask him as these are topics of great interest to him as he has encountered situations in both these areas. SAFE CHURCH TRAINING by Jane Jacobson The Episcopal Church in Minnesota requires clergy, staff, vestry members, church key holders, LEVs, and volunteers who work with/teach children or youth be trained in Safe Church policies and renew the training every 5 years. St. George s will be hosting two training sessions in Safe Church policies on Saturday March 3, 2018: Safeguarding God s Children from to 12 p.m., and Safeguarding God s People from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee and rolls will be provided in the morning and a light lunch will be served to those participating in the afternoon session. The Safeguarding God s Children session is required of anyone who has a key to the church and facilities, clergy, staff, vestry and volunteers who work with/teach children and youth. The Safeguarding God s People session is required of clergy, staff, vestry and LEVs. If you have changed your volunteer status at St. George s, it may change what session(s) you must attend. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Jacobson at THANK YOU from Heather Grieger Parish Administrator For the warm welcome to the St. George s family. I look forward to seeing more friendly faces (and remembering names). For your patience and understanding during the transition of the new Parish Administrator. by Heather Grieger Parish Administrator I am in the process of updating the phone directory for If you have any updates or changes, please contact Heather at the office, , or office@stgeorgesonline.org. I would also like to include addresses if at all possible as another way to get in contact with our members. St. George s Newsletter February 2018 Page 3

4 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :30 pm AA(LL) 4 8:00 am, Rite I 9:00 am - Choir 9:15 am GBD 10:30 am HE, Rite II 11:30 am Education Comm. 11 Annual Meeting One service at 9am 9 am HE, Rite II 10 am Potluck 11 am Annual Meeting pm Grief (CEB) am- 12 noon- Scripture Study (PH) 7pm Nurses (LL) Ash Wednesday Services at 12 noon & 7 pm. 8 6:30 pm AA(LL) 15 DAYD 6:30 pm AA (LL) 9 6:30 pm Supper Club at the Zaun s 16 DAYD nd Sunday/2 nd Offering 18 8:00 am HE, Rite I 9:00 am Choir 9:15 a m Adult Forum 10:30 am HE, Rite II 25 8:00 am - Rite I 9:00 am - Choir 9:15 a m Community Coffee 10:30 am HE, Rite II pm St. Mary s Circle (PH) 3:30-5 pm Kids Perspectives 7 pm - Vestry pm Grief (CEB) am- 12 noon- Scripture Study (PH) 6 pm Lenten Series & soup supper (PH) 7pm Nurses (LL) am- 12 noon- Scripture Study (PH) 6 pm Lenten Series & soup supper (PH) 22 6:30 pm AA (LL) Key: HE Holy Eucharist CEB Christian Education Building LL Library Lounge PH Parish Hall DAYD Dinner at Your Door SECOND SUNDAY/ SECOND OFFERING: February 11. The second offering is donated to the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP). Food donations for STEP are always welcome at any time and may be placed into or next to the red wagon in the Narthex. St. George s Newsletter February 2018 Page 4

5 MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARISTIC ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 2018 February 4 Fifth Sunday After Epiphany Readings Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-12, 21c 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 February 11 The Last Sunday After Epiphany ANNUAL MTG. One service at 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 February 14 Ash Wednesday 12 noon & Joel 2:1-2, Psalm Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, February 18 First Sunday In Lent Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-9 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 February 25 Second Sunday In Lent Genesis 17:1-7, Psalm 22:22-30 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38 Lectors Chalice Ushers 8 am 10:30 am Acolytes: Coffee Hour: 8 am 10:30 am Mary Kuhfeld Mark Schulte Mary Kuhfeld Amanda Turgeant Cyprian Troyer Bruce Becker Scott Clark Tom Zaun Lou Michelich Ian Rash Sarah Rash Alan Poulsen Mary Poulsen Marilyn Clark Caryl Eschweiler Marilyn Clark Leslie O Donnell Bill Stromberg Richard Norman Nolyn Snyders Annual Meeting Brunch 12 noon Kristin Malone 12 noon Kristin Malone 12 noon Bruce Becker Tom Zaun Bill Stromberg Ian Rash Maraline Keeling Cyprian Troyer Sarah Schulte Maraline Keeling Kris Kelley Bruce Becker Ron Erickson Jane Jacobson Bob Jones Richard Norman Lilly Schulte Betty Bauer Don Janke Patricia Janke John Rash Leslie O Donnell Jessica Olson John Rash Ron Erickson Tom Zaun Lindsay Benjamin Ian Rash Lilly Schulte Geri Alberg John Carlson Jane Carlson VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR KIDS CAFÉ Monday, February 19 by Gregg Jacobson CAN YOU HELP? Please come join us the fourth Monday of each month at Perspectives Kids Café, 3381 Gorham Ave. in St. Louis Park. We help elementary-aged children prepare an evening meal and set the tables. Then we help clean up afterwards. We need two shifts of volunteers. The first shift is from 3:30-5 p.m. and then 5 p.m. to Volunteers are needed for Monday, February 19. We hope you will join us. Please sign up in the Parish Hall, and feel free to reach out to Gregg Jacobson for further information. St. George s Newsletter February 2018 Page 5

6 About St. George s 5224 Minnetonka Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN Office hours Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. Parish staff: The Rev. Thomas J. Gehlsen, Ph.D., Rector tomg@stgeorgesonline.org The Rev. Diane McGowan, Deacon smarl@aol.com Heather Grieger, Parish Administrator office@stgeorgesonline.org Heather Whitesell, Children and Youth Coordinator heatherw@stgeorgesonline.org Randy Egan, Organist/Choirmaster randalleganmusic@gmail.com ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Priest-in-Residence: The Rev. Dr. Mildred L. Cox Artists-in-Residence: Dorothy Benham, soprano; Philip Eschweiler, tenor; Stephen Houtz, baritone; Don Moyer, bass; Elizabeth Woolner, emerita. Vestry: Laura Harmon, Rector s Warden;, Parish Warden; Iris Alexander, Cathy Asgian, Lindsay Benjamin, Caryl Eschweiler, Kristin Malone, Lou Michelich, and Jessica Olson. Clerk of the Vestry: Kristin Malone Parish Treasurer: Connie Kotula ST. GEORGE S ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 One service at Followed by a brunch and the Annual Meeting. Please plan to join us for this important meeting of St. George s parish. We will have one service of Holy Eucharist at, followed by a brunch and the Annual Meeting. Please note: Individual packets for the Annual Meeting will be on a table in the Parish Hall. Please pick up a packet and review it prior to the meeting on Febuary 11. Look for signup sheets in the Parish Hall if you are able to volunteer to help or to bring a dish to share. LENT BEGINS ASH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14 Ash Wednesday services will be held at 12 noon and on February 14, SUPPER CLUB FRIDAY, February 9, 6:30 p.m. At Tom & Roxy Zaun s The February Supper Club will be hosted by Tom and Roxy Zaun at their home, th Avenue North, in Plymouth, on Friday, February 9, at 6:30 p.m. This is a potluck that is open to all adults in the parish. You can bring a hot dish, a salad, a dessert or an hors d oeuvre. Please RSVP to Tom or Roxy Zaun at before Wednesday, February 7, and let them know what you plan to bring. St. George s Newsletter February 2018 Page 6