St. George s Episcopal Church February 2017 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 24, No.

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1 St. George s Episcopal Church February 2017 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 24, No. 1 JOURNEYS by Father Daniel Pearson newly constituted Calling Team which begins its work in February. At this point, the very dead of winter won t last long as contacts, recommendations and interviews will usher in a new season. A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter. These are the first few verses of T.S. Eliot s poem, Journey of the Magi. As we journey on through the poem, we are aware of the difficulties and temptations of coming to Christ as well as the changes in store for those who make the trek. For me, something resonates with the journey we at St. George s have been taking in this transitional year. We are reminded that there is never a good time to lose a leader, especially when satisfaction is high just the worst time of year. Winter makes death or at least dormancy obvious. Then we find ourselves waiting for a new day, for the seasons to turn and bring new life. Winter is wonderful for honing patience and for practice in being faithful as people at St. George s can attest. Most journeys have stages which is certainly true of seeking a new rector. As of the end of January, stage one will be complete. For many months, our Discovery and Discernment Team has been fully employed and has appreciated the prayers and support of the congregation. Following a report to the congregation at the Sunday Forum on January 29, the work of the D & D Team will be handed over to the St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 1 And speaking of a winter journey, I will be taking a little trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, on February 22 for pre-op work and then surgery the next day to replace a hip. Happily, The Rev. Roger Franzen will take services for me for a couple of weeks as I begin hobbling down the road to recovery. ANNUAL MEETING PLEASE JOIN US SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 ONE SERVICE AT 9 A.M. St. George s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 5, with one service of Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m., followed by a brunch and the annual meeting. Please mark your calendars. We hope you will plan to attend. Look for signup sheets in the Parish Hall if you are able to volunteer to help or to bring a dish to share.

2 THE SUNDAY FORUM Sundays in the Parish Hall 9:15 a.m. 10 a.m. by Father Daniel Pearson February 5 February 12 February 19 February 26 EDUCATION UPDATE by Heather Whitesell Children & Youth Coordinator Parish Annual Meeting following one service of Holy Eucharist Rite II at Christian Basics: The Creed Presented by Fr. Daniel Pearson Christian Basics: Major Teachings: Incarnation, Redemption, and the Trinity Presented by Fr. Daniel Pearson Gospel-Based Discipleship Children's Corner The kids were very excited to perform our annual Epiphany pageant. It is always fun to sing and celebrate this important time in our Christian history. Thank you to all families who participated in getting the children to the rehearsal and helping with costumes etc. In Chapel, we move from the joyous Christmas season to the preparation for Lent and the coming of Easter. Soon we will be putting away our Alleluia banner! Youth News For their outreach project the teens have chosen to fill backpacks for homeless youth through YouthLink, MN. Parishioners can help in two ways: (1) A donation of $10 will provide supplies to fill one backpack, and (2) View the list of suggested supplies in the parish hall and bring in toothbrushes, warm socks, etc. This project will run through the end of February, so please give generously. Lent Madness Our fundraiser this year will be participation in the Lent Madness Saints "playoff." Be prepared to root for your favorite Saint as you advance and maybe even win the Golden Halo! Look for a poster in the parish hall and for more information, contact Kristin Malone. St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 2 FESTIVAL CHORAL EVENSONG SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 4 P.M. by Randy Egan Organist/Choirmaster The solemn season of Lent looms but before we enter that more sober time of the liturgical year, St. George s Choir will present A Festival Evensong on Sunday, February 26, at 4 p.m. The centerpiece of the Evensong will be George Frederick Handel s feisty extended anthem, O Sing unto the Lord. Besides the choir, the piece features solos and duets by Artists-in- Residence Dorothy Benham and Philip Eschweiler. At the Offertory, Dorothy will sing the ravishing Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini a truly sublime piece for a lyric soprano. It is not heard that often, but is absolutely gorgeous. Premiered at the Evensong will be a set of evening canticles, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, by distinguished Canadian composer, Richard C. Baker. The canticles were commissioned by Dr. Arlan Winikoff in memory of his wife Gale. Gale was a beloved, long-time member of St. George s Choir. The canticles have been sub-titled The St. George s Service and have been published. It is our hope that in time this Winikoff set will be sung in churches and cathedrals around the country. We are deeply grateful to Arlan Winikoff and family for their generosity in funding the commission of this fine music. February 26th promises to be a major musical Sunday at St. George s a time to reach out and invite in! Do mark your calendars. Do plan to come and bring a friend! Reception will follow. COFFEE FUND From the Treasurer, Kathie Brown Please remember to put money in the jar when you have coffee, donuts etc. on Sunday mornings. Keep in mind that the donuts cost the church 80 each and the coffee fund also needs to cover coffee, tea, lemonade, sugar, cream, paper cups and paper napkins.

3 grat i tude The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness by Deacon Diane McGowan Words do not seem adequate to express my thanks and gratitude to all my friends at St. George s. When I arrived at the church on Christmas morning after having fallen on the sidewalk at my home, I had a monumental headache, no glasses, and the room was spinning. Fr. Daniel insisted I get medical attention and Ron Holbach stepped right up to take me to Urgent Care and from there to Methodist Hospital where I remained for five days. After your outpouring of prayers and support following my spine surgery in April to once again, in short order, responding to my fall on Christmas Day with more cards, prayers, love, and an amazing gift certificate to the Bite Squad leaves me filled with God s blessings. Thanks to you there have been no more popcorn dinners. Instead, my family and I are dining on wonderful food from a variety of first-rate restaurants. Oh how spoiled I am getting. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR KIDS CAFÉ By Michael Hansen CAN YOU HELP? Please come join us the fourth Tuesday 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 7 p.m. Kids Café dates for 2017 are February 28, March 28, April 25 and May 23. Please sign up in the Parish Hall, and feel free to reach out to Michael Hansen for further information Michaelhansen2008@hotmail.com. by Patty Dittrich Parish Administrator Everyone who worked in any capacity to make the Christmas services so meaningful: lectors, chalice, Altar Guild, people watering poinsettias during the season. It takes many hands to get things done around here. Thank you to my husband, Dave, for coming in and putting up the aisle candles and taking them down after Christmas. Who knew that he would get jobs when I started working here? Also, thank you to Dave for the many trips to Sam s Club and carrying cases of toilet paper and paper towels to the lower level. It is appreciated. Bill Stromberg for his countless tasks around St. George s. Also, for being a sounding board on various projects. Thank you! Fr. Daniel and Deacon Diane for their support and understanding during the stressful season. Their patience and support is so appreciated. BIRTHDAYS 1 Tom Harmon 14 Amanda Seifert Landon Rousselow 16 Donald Janke 7 Julie Milligan 20 Aaron Holbach 8 Betty Bauer 24 Nila Poole Steve Monroe 26 Jan Hagerman 9 Bob Jones 27 Alissa Swartwood Eileen Harvala 29 Jane Jacobson 10 Kitty Reese SECOND SUNDAY/ SECOND OFFERING: February 12. (The second offering is donated to the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP). St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 3

4 Sympathy is extended to Camille Schroeder and family on the death of her husband Paul on January 16. Paul had been very active in the St. Louis Park community, and especially here at St. George s. Paul s service will be on Monday, February 20, at 11 a.m. at St. George s. Burial will be on Tuesday, February 21, at 10 a.m. at Fort Snelling. Memorials to St. Louis Park Schools Foundation, St. George s, or STEP. Sympathy is also extended to Preethy Goonetilleke on the death of her mother, Marie, on January 14. Marie lived in Montreal. Preethy has been our tenant in the Christian Education Building for over 25 years. She heads up the Little Flowers Montessori School. STATEMENT OF EPISCOPAL CHURCH PRESIDING BISHOP CURRY REGARDING PRAYERS FOR THE PRESIDENT. January 12, 2017 This past week, Barack H. Obama, the 44th President of the United States, in the tradition of Presidents dating back to George Washington, gave his farewell address to the nation. Next week Donald J. Trump, in the same tradition of this country, will take the oath of office and be inaugurated as the 45th President. NEW ADDRESS: Carol Peterson s new address is 9 Seventh Ave. So., Apt. 510, Hopkins, MN Carol s new phone number is FINANCIAL UPDATE for the month of December, the last month for which we have records: Income $21, % of budget Expenses $20, % of budget Total for month $ Year to date ($2,264.15) Budget year to date $ Average Attendance for December: 8 a.m :30 a.m. 61 Total average for both services was 84 Congratulations to Melissa Monroe and Sean Roder on the birth of their son, Wyatt Gunnar Roder, on January 10, Wyatt weighed in at 7 lbs. 4 oz. Congratulations to the grandparents, Steve and Colleen Monroe, and the rest of the family. St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 4 We recognize that this election has been contentious, and the Episcopal Church, like our nation, has expressed a diversity of views, some of which have been born in deep pain. There has been much discussion, and some controversy, about the appropriateness of the Washington National Cathedral hosting the Inaugural Prayer Service this year, and of church choirs singing at inaugural events. Underneath the variety of questions and concerns are some basic Christian questions about prayer: when I pray for our leaders, why am I doing so? Should I pray for a leader I disagree with? When I pray what do I think I am accomplishing? On one level these questions seem inconsequential and innocuous. But real prayer is not innocuous. It is powerful. That question can become poignant and even painful as it is for many in this moment, given that some of the values that many of us heard expressed over the past year have seemed to be in contradiction to deeply-held Christian convictions of love, compassion, and human dignity. So, should we pray for the President? We can and, indeed, I believe we must pray for all who lead in our civic order, nationally and internationally. I pray for the President in part because Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. If Jesus is my

5 Lord and the model and guide for my life, his way must be my way, however difficult. And the way prayer for others is a part of how I follow the way of Jesus. This practice of praying for leaders is deep in our biblical and Anglican/Episcopalian traditions. Psalm 72 prays that the ancient Israelite king might rule in the ways of God s justice, defending the cause of the poor, bringing deliverance to the needy. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 encourages followers of Jesus to pray earnestly for those in leadership, that they may lead in ways that serve the common good. Even in the most extreme case, Jesus himself said, while dying on the cross, Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, was praying for Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Rome who ordered his execution, and for all who were complicit in it. In this spirit, the Prayer Books of the Anglican/Episcopal way have always included prayer for those who bear the authority of government, praying in a variety of ways that they may lead in the ways of God s wisdom, justice and truth. When we pray for Donald, Barack, George, Bill, George, or Jimmy, Presidents of the United States, we pray for their well-being, for they too are children of God, but we also pray for their leadership in our society and world. We pray that they will lead in the ways of justice and truth. We pray that their leadership will truly serve not partisan interest but the common good. When we pray for them, we are actually praying for our nation, for our world, indeed we are praying for ourselves. Prayer is not a simplistic cheer or declaration of support. Prayers of lament cry out in pain and cry for justice. Prayer can celebrate. Prayer can also ask God to intervene and change the course of history, to change someone's mind, or his or her heart. When we pray for our enemies, we may find that we are simultaneously emboldened to stand for justice while we are also less able to demonize another human being. help our society live out what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. So we work for a good and just, humane and loving society. We participate as followers of Jesus in the life of our government and society, caring for each other and others, and working for policies and laws that reflect the values and teachings of Jesus to love your neighbor, to do unto others as you who have them do unto you, to fashion a civic order that reflects the goodness, the justice, the compassion that we see in the face of Jesus, that we know to reflect the very heart and dream of God for all of God s children and God s creation. I grew up in a historically black congregation in the Episcopal Church. We prayed for leaders who were often lukewarm or even opposed to our very civil rights. We got on our knees in church and prayed for them, and then we got up off our knees and we Marched on Washington. Following the way of Jesus, we prayed and protested at the same time. We prayed for our leaders who were fighting for our civil rights, we prayed for those with whom we disagreed, and we even prayed for those who hated us. And we did so following the Jesus, whose way is the way of unselfish, sacrificial love. And that way is the way that can set us all free. As we celebrate the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we may find guidance in his words, spoken during one of the most painful and difficult struggles in the Civil Rights Movement. He asked that all participants live by a set of principles. The first principle read: As you prepare to march, meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus. Should we pray for the President? Yes! The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church Real prayer is both contemplative and active. It involves a contemplative conversation with and listening to God, and an active following of the way of Jesus, serving and witnessing in the world in his Name. For those who follow the way of Jesus, the active side of our life of prayer seeks to live out and St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 5

6 Calendar of Events February 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday NO Bible Study 5 Annual Meeting: one service at 9 am: 9 am - HE, Rite II 10 am Potluck 11 am Annual Meeting 12 8 am HE, Rite I 9 am Choir 9:15 am Adult Forum 10:30 am HE, Rite II 2 nd Sunday/2 nd Offering 6 6 pm Staff meeting HAPPY VALENTINE S DAY 11 am Bible Study (Parish Hall) am Bible Study (Parish Hall) 6:30 pm AA(LL) 9 6:30 pm AA(LL) 16 DAYD 6:30 pm Supper Club at Tom & Roxy Zaun s DAYD pm Grief Support Group (CEB) 6:30 pm AA (LL) 19 8 am HE, Rite I 9 am Choir 9:15 am Adult Forum 10:30 am HE, Rite II 11:30 am Welcoming Committee 11:30 am Memory Loss Support Group am Memorial Service for Paul Schroeder No St. Mary s Circle 7 pm Vestry 21 22* No Bible Study 23* 6:30 pm AA (LL) 24* 25* 26* 8 am HE, Rite I 9 am - Choir 9:15 am Adult Forum 10:15 am HE, Rite II 4 pm - Evensong 27* 28* 2-4 pm Grief Support Group (CEB) 3-6:30 pm Kids Café at Perspectives Key: HE Holy Eucharist * Fr. Daniel on medical leave CEB Christian Education Building LL Library Lounge PH Parish Hall DAYD Dinner at Your Door St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 6

7 Ministers of the Eucharistic Assembly February 2017 Readings February 5 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany One service at Isaiah 58:1-9a Psalm 112:1-9 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Matthew 5:13-20 February 12 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 February 19 Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119: Corinthians 3:10-11, Matthew 5:38-48 February 26 Last Sunday after the Epiphany (Festival Choral Evensong 4 p.m.) Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 99 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 Lectors Chalice Ushers 8 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Carole Leonard Kristin Malone Mary Kuhfeld Cyprian Troyer Ron Holbach Bill Stromberg Marilyn Clark Mary Weekes Darylynn Benjamin Marilyn Clark Kris Kelley Alan Poulsen Scott Clark Bruce Becker Tom Zaun Lou Michelich Carole Leonard Maraline Keeling Devin Snyders Marion Miller Maraline Keeling Amanda Norman Kathie Brown Ron Holbach Ron Erickson Jane Jacobson Bob Jones Karen Hurlbert Mike Oiler Lindsay Benjamin Karen Hurlbert Amanda Turgeant Mike Oiler Ron Holbach Ron Erickson Tom Zaun Lindsay Benjamin Acolytes: Harper Malone Ian Rash Calista Snyders Brendon Snyders 10:30 a.m. Richard Norman Coffee Hour: 8 a.m. ANNUAL MEETING Maraline Keeling Mary Kuhfeld Betty Bauer 4 p.m. Richard Norman Carole Leonard Geri Alberg 10:30 a.m. Alan & Mary Poulsen Bonnie Jones Bob Jones Gloria Monroe Johnson Patricia Janke Don Janke St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 7

8 About St. George s 5224 Minnetonka Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN Office hours Monday-Friday: 2:30 p.m. Parish staff: Daniel Pearson, Transition Priest danielp@stgeorgesonline.org Diane McGowan, Deacon smarl@aol.com Patty Dittrich, Parish Administrator pattyd@stgeorgesonline.org Heather Whitesell, Children and Youth Coordinator heatherw@stgeorgesonline.org Randy Egan, Organist/Choirmaster eganmusic@earthlink.net ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Priest-in-Residence: Mildred 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; Carole Leonard, Parish Warden; Cathy Asgian, Caryl Eschweiler, Michael Hansen, Kristin Malone, Lou Michelich, Jessica Olson and Tom Zaun. Clerk of the Vestry: Kristin Malone Parish Treasurer: Kathie Brown LENT BEGINS ASH WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2017 Ash Wednesday services will be held at 12 noon and 7 p.m. on March 1, Lenten program During this time of transition, we do not plan to put on a Lenten education program this year. We encourage parishioners to focus on individual prayer and meditation during Lent. Our prayer life is a central pillar of this community of saints. We ll keep it strong. SUPPER CLUB AT THE ZAUN S FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 6:30 P.M. by Roxy Zaun The February Supper Club will be hosted by Tom and Roxy Zaun at their home, th Avenue North, in Plymouth, on Friday, February 3, 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 1. This is a wonderful evening and we look forward to seeing both old and new faces. St. George s Newsletter February 2017 Page 8