St. George s Episcopal Church November 2015 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 21, No.

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1 St. George s Episcopal Church November 2015 This is a free publication for members and friends Volume 21, No. 11 THE PRAYER OF SELF-OFFERING by Father Paul Allick When we look at our breakfast plate we see that the chicken made a contribution of the eggs and the pig made the sacrifice of the bacon. Christians are called to sacrificial giving because we follow a savior who sacrificed everything. It was through his self-offering that we were relieved of our sins and set free from eternal death. Jesus didn t come among us to make a contribution and then leave everything as it basically was before he arrived. Through his sacrifice he transformed the universe. Christians are called to this same self-offering whenever possible. Christ does not call us to make a few comfortable adjustments to our lives. He calls us to be transformed inside and out. In the Eucharistic prayer at our 8 a.m. liturgy, the celebrant prays, We offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. This is part of the Prayer of Oblation. In it we recognize that we aren t only remembering Christ s sacrifice on our behalf, we are participating in it by offering ourselves with him. In the Eucharistic prayer at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, after praying that the bread and wine will become for us the body and blood of Christ, the celebrant prays this oblation, Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace. The Catechism teaches us this, Oblation is an offering of ourselves, our lives and labors, in union with Christ, for the purposes of God. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857) Our life in Christ is not only about getting what we need from him and his Church. In equal amount it is also about discerning what Christ and his Church need from us. When I visit with other Episcopal clergy I hear a common lament, How do we get people to commit more to the Church? Where is everyone on Sunday? How can we get people to pledge? As is the case with most Episcopal parishes in our neighborhood, there is no reason our pews should not be practically full on Sundays. Even with just our current membership this would be possible if more people attended more regularly. There is no reason we should not be able to close our deficit this year with the membership we have now. When it comes to our participation in the worship, ministry and financial health of our faith community, are we making a contribution or a sacrifice? Commitment, or Sacrifice? St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 1

2 GIVE TO THE MAX DAY THURSDAY, NOV. 12 Donate generously to our favorite charities! by Deacon Eileen Harvala & Camille Schroeder The 2015 Give to the Max Day is Thursday, November 12, and is a day when we are all encouraged to donate generously to our favorite charities. Two vital community non-profit organizations that are participating are programs St. George s supports the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) and Perspectives, Inc. St. George s vestry has generously committed $2,500 each to STEP and Perspectives as match amounts for Give to the Max Day. Your support is important to both of these organizations, which serve our community. You can donate by going to STEP s goal for Give to the Max is $135,000. This is STEP s largest fundraiser of the year and your support is important. The St. Louis Park Emergency Program serves the people of St. Louis Park in many ways. It is primarily a food shelf but it also helps its clients with transportation, clothing and rental assistance. It also provides seasonal help such as school supplies, holiday gifts and special holiday food and gift cards, as well as warm winter coats and accessories. STEP clients must live in St. Louis Park and they meet with a social worker each time they visit STEP. The five social workers provide counseling, information and referrals to outside agencies for help in employment, health/mental health issues, housing, transportation, financial advice and parenting/family issues. In the past fiscal year (July 2014 June 2015), STEP served 8 percent of the St. Louis Park population and 18 percent of the children in St. Louis Park. The food shelf distributed 557,857 pounds of food. This organization provides vital services to those in need in St. Louis Park. Please consider donating to STEP on Give to the Max Day to help STEP reach its $135,000 goal. For additional information, or to donate, go to In 1976, a small group of women came together, dedicated to addressing a deadly disease. Their goal was to increase community awareness around the issues of addiction and its systemic consequences. With committed hearts and a defined vision, Perspectives was founded. Now, close to 40 years later, Perspectives is the largest supportive housing program for homeless and recovering mothers and children in the state. Since its inception, more than 5,000 families have been helped by Perspectives services. Women and children that once experienced nothing but separation, trauma, addiction and abuse are able to move into completely furnished apartments and begin to access case management, mental/chemical health, and employment services as well as an out-of-schoolprograms for the kids. Each year, its programs have an impact on the lives of 1,000 individuals in our community, with more than 50 percent of those children. In 2014, Perspectives served 129 St. Louis Park School District students in their Kids Connection & Summer Explorers program. Ninety-three percent met or exceeded the district s attendance goals. More than 82 percent of the students maintained or improved their academic performance. Kids Café served 1,200 breakfasts, 1,700 lunches, 6,200 dinners and 8,200 healthy snacks. In 2014, more than 72 percent of the women maintained their sobriety and 68 percent of their families moved into permanent housing. These wonderful outcomes are made possible by donations secured during Give to the Max Day. For additional information, or to donate, go to St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 2

3 ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ST. GEORGE S EPISCOPAL CHURCH November and December :15 10 A.M. in the Parish Hall connect with other youth and children's ministry leaders. I have gained new thoughts and ideas that I am eager to implement here at St. George's No Classes: November 1 and 8 November 15: The Work of a Missionary Church We will unpack the theology of this address given by Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple to the clergy of the Church in Minnesota in November 22: A Crash Course in the Crusades We often hear the crusades used as an example of the evil done by the Christian Church. But do we even know what the Crusades were about? Let s find out. ADVENT Advent Through the Eyes of Those Who Waited An Advent Study by Carol Wehrheim an educator, writer and editor from the Presbyterian tradition. November 29: The Prophet Isaiah December 6: St. John the Baptist December 13: The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary December 20: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary SAFE CHURCH TRAINING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 by Patty Dittrich & Jane Jacobson The Episcopal Church in Minnesota requires that 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 is hosting two training sessions in Safe Church policies on Saturday, November 21 from 8:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Rolls and coffee will be available for the morning session which will be Safeguarding God s Children. We will break for a quick lunch before beginning the afternoon session, Safeguarding God s People. The Safeguarding God s Children session is required for 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. EDUCATION UPDATE by Heather Whitesell Children & Youth Coordinator Children's Corner It is great to have Chapel time under way once again. Children continue to explore their faith through discussion around Gospel lessons in the context of our Chapel bulletin. I am grateful to all Chapel volunteers including our two new youth helpers, Jade Carlson and Priscilla Hagerman. Youth News The young teens had a fun time at the Fall Harvest Festival for our October event. There was a hayride, petting zoo and the infamous corn maze. Luckily we exited the maze with the same number of people who went in! I recently had the opportunity to attend the Youth Connext summit on Faith formation. It was great to St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 3 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 the Parish Office, THANK YOU TO OUR CLEAN-UP DAY VOLUNTEERS Many thanks to the joyful group of St. George s parishioners who came out for the Fall Clean-up Day on Saturday, October 17: Geri Alberg, Gregg Jacobson, Harry & Kris Kelley, Carole Leonard, Kristin Malone, Julie Milligan, Jim Scheible, David Sell, Bill Stromberg, and Nancy Taylor. Pews were wiped down, floors swept, windows washed, bushes trimmed, gardens cleaned up, and hosta plants were cut down. Thanks be to God for the beautiful weather that day. It was perfect for getting the jobs done.

4 A HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF THE MINISTRY FOR PERSONS WITH MEMORY LOSS Submitted by: Facilitator: Gloria Monroe Johnson, RN Coordinator: The Rev. Dr. Mildred Louise Cox, RN The Beginning: The ministry for persons with memory loss began as a proposal in The proposal was developed by The Rev. Dr. Paul Nancarrow, former Rector of St. George s Episcopal Church, and The Rev. Dr. Mildred L. Cox. Initial invitations to an information meeting yielded little response. The next step was to have telephone conversations with clergy in churches and if interested, to set a time to introduce this ministry to their congregations. Dr. Cox, the coordinator, would be based at St. George s Episcopal Church and if churches desired, would speak to congregations during their coffee hours or at other designated times. Eight congregations expressed interest and the coordinator was invited to provide information about the ministry. St. Alban s Episcopal Church developed a support group following our meeting with the rector and congregation. Their support group would continue for more than a year. St. John s expressed a desire to develop their own ministry. Other churches received us graciously for our initial meeting, but no further contact. Holy Trinity has since begun a program for African Americans with memory loss. core group of seven or eight persons who attend and support the group on a regular basis. The group meets on the Second Sunday of each month. The facilitator, Gloria Monroe Johnson, R.N., says, The Memory Loss Support Group has offered a comfortable setting where members of the congregation can discuss issues related to caregiving for family members, issues regarding their own health and memory, telling their own story. Our intent is to focus on current and new information about causes of memory loss and current and new treatments. We will explore ways to improve the health and daily life of the congregation. We will continue working to understand the dynamics affecting families and individuals dealing with memory loss and confusion related to Alzheimer s or other dementias. We will support The Alzheimer s Association through fundraising and joining in the Walk to End Alzheimer s. We will attend Meeting of The Mind Conferences held yearly and sponsored by Mayo Clinic, Rochester, and The Alzheimer s Association. Our goal: To grow old with grace. St. George s Church: During this early period, there were education sessions what is dementia or memory loss? What are the causes? What are the treatments? What are the needs of family as caregivers? What is Alzheimer s Disease? Where are resources for the care of persons with memory loss? Speakers such as Ted Bowman, writer and lecturer; and Dr. William Donovan, member of St. Mark s Cathedral and a caregiver for his wife, provided helpful information for understanding the impact of memory loss on relationships and family life. The Walk to End Alzheimer s was introduced to the congregation. A walking group has continued for several years with fundraising of $700 - $1,100. The Support Group: Several years ago, The Rev. Paul D. Allick, Rector of St. George s, encouraged the Coordinator to initiate a support group. Persons have moved in and out of the group as needed. There is a St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 4 FINANCIAL UPDATE for the month of September 2015, the last month for which we have records. Income $19, % of budget Expenses $20, % of budget Total for month ($976.86) Year to date ($16,680.51) Budget year to date($13,488.96) ($) equals negative amounts. Average Attendance for September 8 a.m :30 a.m. 83

5 Prince and Angeline Yeakehson Xerxes Ave. S. Bloomington, MN Phone: Edith Ward 102 Hultquist Place 715 Falconer Street Jamestown, NY Phone: Don and Patricia Janke, 8549 Irwin Rd. #237 Bloomington, MN NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 5 Thomas Bauer 15 Dorothy LeBakken 8 Kendra McGill 17 Colleen Monroe Connie Kotula 19 Odessa Pamonicutt 9 Preethy Goonetilleke 23 Mary Weekes 12 Nathan Harmon Maclain Herbers 14 Doug Gniot 28 Jina LeBakken A thank you was received in the parish office from Bobbie Dahlke of MNDot for letting them use St. George s parking lot for the celebration of the opening of Minnetonka Boulevard on Thursday, October 8. She enjoyed meeting the wonderful people of St. George s. ADVENT WREATH MAKING NOV. 29 By Heather Whitesell Children & Youth Coordinator Please join us in the Parish Hall after each of the services on Nov. 29 for our annual Advent wreath activity. If you still have a metal wreath base at home, please bring it with you. WINTER WARMTH FOR OUR VETERANS by Deacon Eileen Harvala There are many veterans who are homeless and living on the streets. Please help us gather warm underwear that can be given to these veterans. Needed items are all sizes of underwear (particularly large and extra large sizes), including boxers and briefs, T-shirts, thermal long johns and undershirts, and winter-weight socks. There is a basket in the Parish Hall. FR. PAUL ON VACATION NOVEMBER 2-11 Fr. Paul will be on vacation from November 2-11, returning to the office on Thursday, November 12. The Rev. Dr. Mildred Cox will be our guest celebrant at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, November 8. Deacon Eileen Harvala will preach the sermon. SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 SUPPER CLUB AT THE SCHROEDER S Save the date of Friday, December 4, 2015, for the supper club get-together. The time is 6:30 p.m. and the place is the Schroeder s. Call ( ) or (pacam@mchsi.com) the Schroeders to let them know you re coming. The party is a potluck for the adults of the parish. Plan on bringing a hot dish, salad, dessert or an hors d oeuvre and plan on having a relaxing, fun evening. Hope to see you there. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November. 1. Remember to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night. St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 5

6 Calendar of Events November 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 All Saints Day 9 am Choir Rehearsal 2 * 3 * 4 * No Bible Study today 5 * 6 * Fr. Allick s day off 7 * A brunch follows both services. 6:30 pm AA(LL) 11:30 am Education Committee 8 * 9 am Choir Rehearsal 9 * 10 * 11 * No Bible Study today Fr. Allick s day off 14 11:30 am Memory Loss Support Group 11:30-1:30 pm Middle teens group 2 nd Sunday/2 nd Offering 6:30 pm AA (LL) 15 9 am Choir Rehearsal 9:15 am Adult Education noon St. Mary s Circle am Bible Study (CEB) 19 DAYD 20 Fr. Allick s day off DAYD 21 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Safe Church training in parish hall. 11:30 am Welcoming Committee 7 pm - Vestry 6:30 pm AA (LL) am Choir Rehearsal 9:15 am Adult Education 3:30-7 pm Kids Café (Perspectives) 11 am Bible Study (CEB) Happy Thanksgiving! OFFICE CLOSED Fr. Allick s day off OFFICE CLOSED 29 9 am- Choir Rehearsal 9:15 am Adult Education Advent wreath making after both services 6:30 pm AA (LL) 30 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 4 6:30 pm: Supper Club at the Schroeder s Key: HE Holy Eucharist CEB Christian Education Building LL Library Lounge DAYD Dinner at Your Door * Fr. Paul will be on vacation from November 2 11, returning on Thursday, November 12 St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 6

7 Ministers of the Eucharistic Assembly November 2015 November 1 All Saints Day November 8 Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 15 Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost November 22 Last Sunday after Pentecost Christ the King November 29 First Sunday Of Advent Readings Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11: Kings 17:8-16 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-14, Mark 13:1-8 Daniel 7:9-10, Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37 Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-9 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Lectors Marilyn Clark Karen Marie Cherry Carole Leonard Maraline Keeling Karen Hurlbert Mary Weekes Sydney Norman Mike Oiler Kristin Malone Caryl Eschweiler Jim Jenkins Marion Miller Cyprian Troyer Leslie O Donnell Jessica Olson Chalice Maraline Keeling Karen Hurlbert Laura Harmon Alan Poulsen Kris Kelley Mike Oiler Kristin Malone Kathie Brown Ravi Norman Cyprian Troyer Amanda Turgeant Leslie O Donnell Jessica Olson Ushers 8 a.m. Bruce Becker Ron Holbach Scott Clark Ron Erickson Bruce Becker Ron Holbach Scott Clark Ron Erickson Bruce Becker Ron Holbach 10:30 a.m. Tom Zaun Don Janke Tom Zaun Lou Michelich Jane Jacobson Bob Jones Tom Zaun Lou Michelich Bill Stromberg Don Janke Acolytes: Richard Norman Brendon Snyders Calista Snyders Harper Malone Aidan Seifert Sydney Prince Richard Norman Coffee Hour: 8 a.m. Ron Holbach Karen Hurlbert Holbach family Betty Bauer Carole Leonard Geri Alberg Carole Leonard Geri Alberg 10:30 a.m. Don Janke Patricia Janke John Carlson Jane Carlson Alan Poulsen Mary Poulsen Bob Jones Bonnie Jones Gloria Monroe-Johnson VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR KIDS CAFÉ by Deacon Eileen Harvala Please join us on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Perspectives Kids Café. We help elementary-aged children prepare an evening meal and set the tables. We sit with the children, encouraging them to eat because many won t eat again until lunch at school the next day. We help clean up afterward. We need two shifts of volunteers. First shift, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.: three to four volunteers to help prepare the meal (please arrive as close to 3:30 p.m. as possible). Second shift, 5 to 7 p.m.: two volunteers to eat with the children and clean up. If arriving before 5 p.m., please wait until the meals are ready to be served to avoid congestion in the kitchen area. Kids Café dates for are November 24, January 26, February 23, March 22, April 26, and May 24. There s a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall. For additional information, please contact Deacon Eileen at EileenH@stgeorgesonline.org. St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 7

8 About St. George s 5224 Minnetonka Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN Office hours: 9 a.m. 2:30 p.m., Monday - Friday Parish staff: Paul Allick, Rector paula@stgeorgesonline.org Diane McGowan, Deacon smarl@aol.com Eileen Harvala, Deacon eileenh@stgeorgesonline.org 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: Carole Leonard, Rector s Warden; Tom Boe, Parish Warden; Iris Alexander, Caryl Eschweiler,, Mary Kuhfeld, Kristin Malone, Bill Seely, and Tom Zaun Clerk of the Vestry: Mary Weekes Parish Treasurer: Kathie Brown REMINDER: IN-GATHERING SUNDAY CELEBRATION NOV. 1 On Sunday, November 1, All Saints Day, St. George s will gather in our 2016 stewardship pledges, welcome new people to our community, and share a meal following each service. *Pledge in-gathering *Welcoming *A shared meal We hope you plan to join us. Please join us in welcoming the following parishioners as new members of St. George s. John, Deb, Sarah, and Ian Rash Michael Hanson and Josh Schultz The Rev. Bob Havens St. George s Newsletter November 2015 Page 8