THE

Dragon SAINT GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH December 2019 The Episcopal Parish of Belleville

Saint George’s One Foundation

Since St. George’s entered this time of transition and renew-al, I’ve been thinking about a few parish blessings.

Over 12 years ago, I told Father Coleman that he might find that our laity were very comfortable leading and working at the church. Relating to that, a good friend of mine used to say, “We do church well!” Yes, this is one of our many blessings.

I’m also reminded of a second blessing. We have a good staff as well as involved laity to maintain active ministry within our community. Presently, we are blessed with Fr. Samson as a semi-permanent supply priest. He will be with us from Advent through Christmas, and agreed FOUNDATION–p. 2

Welcome to the Refurbished Canterbury Room!

First-time visitors to St. George’s and St. Mark Lutheran Church typically step first into the Canterbury Room, or narthex. It is here that they form their initial impressions of our parish communities. Thus what we present to them in this space is an important part of our evangelistic outreach to visitors and new members.

Over the years, as happens in our own homes and in our shared spaces, we’ve accumulated a lot of STUFF in the Canterbury Room. It all undoubtedly had a purpose at some time or another, but in the case of much of it that purpose has, well, expired, leaving just a large collection of clutter (along with some key things that should remain).

St. George’s Vestry, with input from St. Mark Pastor Brian Robison, has been working to restore the Canter-bury Room to its original welcoming purpose. Things are vastly improved! Two matching oak tables will now hold printed materials for our congregations. And two new matching, glass-enclosed bulletin boards will dis-play necessary posted items. These will include the service schedules, educational programs, and current com-munity service project information. The secretaries of our parishes will have the key to these cases and will post these materials.

Separately, an attractive binder will hold the flower chart, where members of both congregations can sign up to give flowers.

To maintain the Canterbury Room in its more orderly and refurbished condition, both parishes will remove any donated goods — food, clothing and the like — to the offices each week. There will be no storage in the Canterbury Room or in the coat rack area at the top of the stairs, nor any printed materials posted on the walls or woodwork.

Many thanks to Bill Zimmermann, who repainted the Canterbury Room – beautifully!

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Financial Report

FOUNDATION–PAGE 1

to be available through the month of January.

Two key ministries at St. George’s need strength-ening. By the grace of God, our children’s Sunday school has continued to operate primarily through the efforts of volunteers and collaboration of the families who have children in attendance. Howev-er, a superintendent is necessary to manage the program.

Our food pantry ministry with St. Mark is func-tioning well, but could always use additional assis-tance. The board, which supervised the pantry, needs a representative from St. George’s. Four times a year, it meets to plan and ensure ongoing operations. While it serves those in need, the pan-try itself could always use more able-bodied volun-teers throughout the week. If either opportunity is of interest, please contact me.

The Mission Leadership Team (MLT) continues to search for an interim rector and is seeking mem-bers for the Rector's Search Committee. If you would like to serve on the search committee, please contact me, Chuck, or any MLT member.

Initially, the search for an interim was moving slowly. However, in late November, the bishop sent us two possible candidates for consideration.

When we initially met with the bishop, he asked us to consider “freezing” the MLT for a year. This would provide continuity during the search. The bishop cited St. Andrew’s, Edwardsville as an ex-ample. Our MLT voted to freeze the current body. As a result, there will be no election of MLT mem-bers at the annual meeting in late January. The next MLT election will be in 2021.

As an annual tradition, we will once again collect a Christmas Purse to thank our clergy and staff for all they do throughout the year. Please watch for a letter in early December.

I would like to thank everyone who has responded to our stewardship drive over the past month. I am very encouraged by your generosity and support to continue the worship and ministry of St. George’s. For those of you who haven’t pledged for 2020, please take some time to think about how you can support St. George’s financially, and return your pledge cards to Henry.

During the first week of December, the Finance Committee will meet to draft the initial 2020

budget, and your pledges will support that effort.

Again, thanks to all who use their initiative to make small improvements around the parish. Ultimately, this aids us in spreading the gospel in the Belleville community. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3:9-10, “For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. Ac-cording to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.” —Brian Maves, Sr. Warden

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Saint George’s Parish Family

We pray for:

Parishioners: Tom Boschert, Susan Cantonwine, Jorge Fernandez, Audrey Fouts, Barbara Gates, Don Gillen, Ron Hoercher, Ariana Irby, Beverly Lee, Douglas Lee, Carol Ludwick, John Lynch, Mary Mohrman, Liz Stelling, Jean Vaughn, Charles Wilson;

Family & Friends: Tina Anshus, Pat Bennett, Sue Buckley, Mary Cafferata, Fr. Gary Dalmasso, Hope Doering, Joe Fitzpatrick, Grace Fox, Heather Holden, Debbie Hobbs, Kenneth Hoffmann, Paula Holmes, Constance Hunsaker, Maeve Kincaid, Robert Laedlein, Clara Laing, Sandy Langenbach, Kim Levick, Ismael Lopez, Jon Ludwick, Donna Lynk, Brenda Martins, Eileen Mashek, Charlene McCormick, Katie McCrary, Kristi Meyer, Eileen Montgomery, Rena Moody, Gabby Murillo, J.W. Oglesby, Thomas and Helen Partridge, Lynne Phillips, Maggie Phillips, Trina Pierce, Bo Pritchard, Betty Radzik, Holly Rasmussen, Darnell Rideout, Larry Rigsby, Anne Rosanswank, David Sheard, Susan Sleaford, Andrew Smith, Thomas Stallone, Barry Streeter, Sarah Steinhardt, Jemma Sullivan, Marisa Sullivan, Margie Thomas, Stacey Toenjes, John Ziegler Paul Travous, Robert Weikert, Kelly Whitney, Grace Ziegler, Jamie Ziegler, Jason, Rachel;

For those in service of our country: Joshua Arbogast, Sean Arbogast, Neal Ballas, Dan Durbin, Steven Gates, Daniel Gearhart, Kenneth Gearhart, Beth Graboritz, Gene Hart, Dustin Kelley, Dan Kitchell, Eric Lunan, Jacob Marler, Ryan Marler, David Moses, Nathan Scott, Ryan Smith, Philip Surrey, George Wallace, Creighton Worley;

Those celebrating birthdays 3 Joan Barnes Sarah Bender Aidan Gillen Sean Gillen 7 Dawn Jung 8 Ellen Treadwell 10 Richard Slocomb 15 Brandon Walters 17 Kevin Korte 18 Becky Korte 19 Dan Gillen Eddy Lynk Stephen Skaff 26 Robert Massie 27 Walker Skaff 28 Sydney Walters 31 Pat Ledden Marilyn Boschert

Those celebrating anniversaries 2 David and Tabitha Gable 12 Douglas and Beverly Lee 21 Robert & Ashley Jarvis 30 Chris & Louise Robertson

The Faithful Departed For Lumley Bevineau who died in November. Lumley was the husband of Elma Bevineau.

T o the untiring Vestry, Nancy, our musician extraordinaire, Henry, our often unsung hero

of "running " St George's, Ruth Ann for keeping us "straight,” Mike for keeping us neat and ti-dy, and all the volunteers–a huge THANK YOU for taking care of St George's!

Merry Christmas!

The Congregation Dear Friends,

J orge and I would like very much to thank all of you who have been praying for our daughter

Ariana’s recovery. We are especially grateful to the Order of St. Luke. Your prayers have been a com-fort to us and Ariana is well on her way to a full recovery. She is still walking with a brace but she is walking and improving every day. This has been a very long road but your support and your kind-ness as well as your prayers have made it so much easier. Thanks again to you all. Faithfully Yours,

Jorge and Maryann Fernandez

A huge Pumpkin Palooza Thanks to everyone for making our event a success! Through the

efforts of all bakers and buyers, we raised $665.00 for the food pantry. May we continue to help those in need in our community.

Sincerely,

Ann Martens

Words of Thanks

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A ST. NICHOLAS EVE CELEBRATION

Book Club is reading A Painted House by John Grisham. The group will gather for discussion and appetizers on Thursday, December 5, 5:30 p.m., at Joan Barnes’ home. Members are asked to bring a favorite starter to share. Please call or text Sue Vaughn if you will be attending. 618-593-7213. New members are always welcome.

ANTICIPATING AND CELEBRATING

The Women's Ecumenical Dining Group (WEDG) will be observing the anticipation in the Advent season and the celebration of Christmas on Monday, December 16th. We will be gathering for DINNER at 6:00 pm at Bella Milano, O'Fallon, 455 Regency Park, phone 624-0700. Reservations are an absolute "MUST". Please call the church office, 233-6320, for your reservation. Come for Good Fun, Good Food, and Good Conversation!

IT’S RECESS TIME! Sunday School will be in recess from Dec.22–Jan. 5. Clas-ses resume one Jan. 12. The Choir and Choristers will be in recess from Dec. 25-Jan 1. Rehearsals resume on January 8.

FLYING TO A FINISH

Saint George’s parish, under the auspices of Lutheran Child and Family Services, participates annually in the An-gel Tree Ministry. This outreach project was developed to provide gifts of clothing and toys to needy children. Angel Gifts must be returned by Sunday, December 8.

SWEET TREATS FOR INMATES

The Ministry of Criminal Justice is asking local churches to donate two dozen Christmas cookies for inmates at the Saint Clair County Jail and the Juvenile Detention Center. The cookies should not contain peanuts, nuts, or peanut butter, as some inmates have allergies to these ingredients. Donations will be collected at Saint George’s on Sunday, December 15.

On Monday, December 16, 6:00 p.m., volunteers are needed to package the cookies at Christ United Methodist Church. Christ Church is located at 339 Frank Scott Park-way East, Fairview Heights.

BLOWERS AND MOWERS

Saint George's has 2 snow blowers & at least 2 mowers in the dungeon. Anyone who would like these items should contact the wardens or the church office.

What’s Happening Around Saint G’s?

This Month Advent & Christmas 2019 Schedule of Liturgies

Christmas Pageant

Presented by St. George’s Children

Sunday, December 15

10:30 a.m.

(at the Eucharist.)

Reception Celebrating Nancy Ypma’s 30th Anniversary as Music Director

Follows the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist in the parish hall.

Eve of the Nativity

Tuesday, December 24

Holy Eucharist: Rite Two with

Children’s Homily

5 p.m.

Chorale Prelude

9:45 p.m.

(Features the Adult Choir)

Solemn High Mass of Christmas Eve

The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two

10 p.m.

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 25

Eucharist for Christmas Day

with St. Mark Lutheran Church

9:45 a.m.

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COME LET US ADORNE IT!

Saint Margaret’s Altar Guild is decorating the sanctuary on Saturdays, Dec. 14 and 21 at 9:00 a.m. Final prepara-tions will be made on Monday, Dec. 23 at 10:00 a.m. Volunteers and are needed for these workdays!

CHRISTMAS FLORAL DONATIONS

Special Christmas Flower envelopes may be found in the pews. Anyone wishing to donate flowers should fill out the front portion of the envelope and return it, with a check or cash, to the offering plate or the office by December 23.

ARE YOU CALLED TO SERVE?

St. George’s is looking for coordinators to lead Chris-tian Formation. Positions are available for a Sunday School Superintendent and Coordinator of the Adult Forum. For additional information or to volunteer, contact one of the wardens or phone the office, 618-233-6320.

The Food Pantry needs additional volunteers. The

pantry is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week, 9:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Duties include bagging groceries, stocking, and food distribution. To volunteer, contact the office.

A DATE TO REMEMBER!

Friends of the Groom will be returning to St. George's on March 21 and 22. Friends of the Groom is a theatre company that shares the work of God through drama, art, and music. Activities will be offered for Christians of all ages. Watch upcoming newsletters and the announce-ments for updates.

Saint George’s Episcopal Church Clergy & Staff

Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield The Rt. Rev. Daniel H. Martins, D.D

Rector Emeritus The Rev. Canon Elliot Blackburn

Music Director Nancy S. Ypma, D.Mus.

Parish Administrator Henry Evans

Treasurer Ruth Ann Weber

Sexton Mike Cardoza

Mission Leadership Team Brian Maves, Senior Warden Chuck Evans, Junior Warden

Term Expires 2020 Maryann Fernandez Joan Barnes Brian Maves

Term Expires 2021 Margaret Brown Chuck Evans Sue Vaughn

Term Expires 2022 Jim Gillispie Vicki Hall Dawn Jung

Schedule of Eucharists Sunday 8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist (said) 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist (sung)

Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm stgeorgeoffice@sbcglobal.net 618-233-6320

Connect with Us! Check out St. George’s website, stgeorges.wordpress.com, and please “friend” us on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/St-Georges-Episcopal-Church-164542564364/.

Short Takes

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Saint George’s Episcopal Church 105 East D Street Belleville, IL 62220