The Banner                    August 2014
In This Issue
Calendars
Rector's Corner
Blessing of the Animals
Wednesday Weavings
Christopher House
SafePlace Ministry
 

ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 

4301 N. IH 35
Austin, TX 78722  
 

Phone: 512.454.2523    

stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com

 

Church office hours:  

Monday - Thursday 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

www.sgchurch.org  

 

Sunday Schedule

8:00am - Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:00am - Contemplative prayer
9:45am - Choir rehearsal
10:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite II  
                   with Kids Word

4:00pm - St. Hildegard's Worship


The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert

Rector

The Rev. Judith Liro

Assisting Priest & Minister to

St. Hildegard's Community

 

The Rev. John Brewer

Deacon 

Anne Weaver 

Music Minister 

Vanessa Nering
Newcomer Minister/
Office Administrator


Jerri Thompson

Day School Director

Vestry

Melissa Eason Brackin

Patsy Chandler

Mark Casstevens

August Dolan-Henderson

Spencer Gordon

Stephanie Meldrum

Mary Stewart Miller

Alice Nelson

John Rickard

 

Patsy Chandler

Senior Warden

John Rickard

Junior Warden

Melissa Eason Brackin

Financial Secretary

 

Frances Rickard, Treasurer

 

August Dolan-Henderson, Clerk

 

Mark Casstevens, Day School Liaison  

 


CALENDARS
Click on the following links to find:

Click here to sign up to be a reader or intercessor during our Rite I & II services.

September Banner Submissions
Deadline for news for the next issue of
The Banner is Monday, August 25th.
Please e-mail information, schedules, photos and articles you would like included in next month's edition to stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com .

Mark Your Calendars 
     
August 3        Discovery Class @ 9:15 am
August 6        Wednesday Weavings 
August 9        Women's Book Group
August 10      Blessing of the Animals meeting
August 20      Wednesday Weavings 
August 21      Hallelujah Hour @ 5 pm
August 24      Blessing of the Backpacks
August 31      Labor Day Liturgy*

       *bring an item that symbolizes your vocation      

A Collect for the Future of the 
Human Race

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Rector's Corner
Dear St. George's Family,

 

Each year, as summer draws to a close, I always get a bit excited. On the horizon I'm just able to see all that's in store for us at St. George's in the fall.  And this year adds a bit more excitement with the birth of our second child in November.  But, I can't get too far ahead of myself, because there's a multitude of exciting things happening in August!

 

This Sunday, August 3rd, we will begin the St. George's Discovery Class, our preparation course for adult baptism, confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation.  These 4 classes, held in Kleberg Hall at 9:15 am on Sunday's, will provide an excellent venue for newcomers and long time attendees of St. George's to learn more about being Episcopal.  We will use our former rector David Hoster's book, Continuous Creation 2009, as our primary resource.  See the article in this publication for a link to download the book.  Once the classes are completed, those individuals who wish to join St. George's will be confirmed when Bishop Fisher will be with us on September 7th.  

 

As school gets rolling again we will also celebrate our annual Blessing of the Backpacks. This special service on Sunday, August 24th at 10:30 am is a great opportunity for the church and day school communities to get to know one another.  But, more importantly, we invite all returning students to bring their backpacks or lunch boxes to be blessed for a safe, healthy, and productive year in school.  

 

The following Sunday, August 31st, is Labor Day weekend, believe it or not.  Everyone is invited to attend a special service that day to celebrate our particular vocations by placing a symbol of their vocation on the altar.  This simple offering symbolizes our trust in God to mold us into becoming kingdom bearers to the world through our particular vocations.  

 

The month of August is full of great opportunities to build community and grow in our relationship with God.  I pray that you and your family are able to attend, not only these events mentioned here, but all the events described in this month's Banner.  God bless everyone this day and always.  
 

 

Peace, 
The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert  

Discovery Class: 
Adult Preparation for Baptism, 
Confirmation, & Reception

Beginning Sunday, August 3rd from 9:15-10:15 am 
Father Kevin will teach all adults that seek  to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church.  This
four week course will lead those interested in the polity, history, theology, and biblical interpretation of the Episcopal Church; with a special emphasis on St. George's.  All are welcome to attend, even if you are undecided about joining St. George's Episcopal Church.  The class is in preparation for
Bishop Jeff Fisher's presence with us on Sunday, September 7th.  
Father Kevin will be utilizing the book Continuous Creation 2009 written by a 
former rector of St. George's, the Rev. David Hoster.
To access the e-book click here.

For more information please email Father Kevin: 
kevinljschubert@gmail.com


Blessing of the Animals
Calling all animal lovers! 

We have an exciting opportunity on the horizon and your help is needed!  St. George's is partnering with Austin Pets Directory to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with a 
Blessing of the Animals and Community Fair on Saturday, October 4th.  This event will be hosted on our campus and volunteers are needed to help welcome people and their pets the day of the event.  If this sounds like something you would like to be involved with, please contact Vanessa Nering at stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com.  
Mark your calendars for the organizational meeting scheduled for SundayAugust 10th, following the 10:30            worship service.  

Wednesday Weavings

 

The Wednesday night adult discussion group, known as Wednesday Weavings, meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in different homes. We share a simple meal, have a short time of centering prayer, and discuss a selected reading for the evening. Readings come from Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life and are circulated in advance.

 

Because we discuss a different reading each time, feel free to come any Wednesday you can. Please bring a contribution for the salad bar meal (for example, fruit, vegetable, or crunchy toppings).This month, the gatherings are on August 6th at Carolyn and Walter Moreau's home, and on August 20th at Frances and John Rickard's home.

 

David McGhee has set up a website on Rallyhood.com that provides a central source of information for the group, including meeting dates and an electronic copy of the upcoming reading. If you would like to join the Rallyhood site (this is completely optional), please e-mail David at dmcghee@austin.rr.com. Printed copies of the reading will also be available at church the Sunday before the group gathers on Wednesday.


Hallelujah Hour

Join us for our monthly community fellowship hour!  
Hallelujah Hour is held on the 3rd Thursday of the month. 
We will meet at the Draught House Pub & Brewery (4112 Medical Pkwy #100, 78756).  So mark your calendars for Thursday, 
August 21st at 5:00 pm!


Women's Book Group

The next meeting of the Women's Book Group will be on Saturday, August 9th, 3 - 5 p.m. at Belinda McGee's home to discuss "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd. Please contact Carolyn Moreau at carolynmoreau@austin.rr.com for directions and more information.


Hospitality Baskets 

Hospitality Baskets for Christopher House will be on sale Sunday, August 10th & 17th
This outreach ministry serves families who have a loved one at Christopher House, a facility for terminally ill patients in their final days who are under the care of Hospice Austin.  Hospitality baskets include basic daily necessities and sell for $10 each. Our goal is to deliver two baskets each week. You may deliver your basket(s) any day of the week you select.  We encourage donors to personalize the baskets with fresh fruit, baked goods, and a handwritten note.  If you feel called to participate in this ministry or have any questions, please see Mary Stewart Miller or contact her at or 512-220-5821.


Altar Flowers & Candles

Effective September 2014 the requested donation for flowers or candles 
for 
services will be $35.00

 

Altar flowers and candles are donated by parishioners in honor or in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a blessing in your life. The candles are donated monthly, the flowers weekly. If you would like to sign up for one of the two Sundays available this year for flowers, either Sept. 28 or Nov. 23, simply add your name to the flower chart hanging in the Narthex of the church.  Be sure to print your name clearly and note their purpose so it can be acknowledged in the Sunday service bulletin.

 

A tax-free donation of $35.00 is requested for either flowers or candles. 

The donation can be made by check to St. George's Episcopal Church with "Altar Flowers/Candles" clearly noted on the memo line. Checks are preferable but If paying by cash, place it in an envelope marked "Altar Flowers/Candles" with your name clearly printed on the front for accurate accounting and place it in the alms basin. Please do not mail cash. Checks can be placed in the alms basin or mailed to the church office at 4301 N. I-35; Austin, Tx. 78722.


SafePlace Ministry

 

Huge thanks to everyone who made the July collection of the Comfort Bags such a beautiful time.  We had over 40 bags, each one lovely and unique--a gift to a woman or man who has not been used to lovely things.  The making of bags and the outpouring of items for filling showed the generous heart of our congregation.  It was deeply moving to have the bags blessed at the altar and to meet the two young women from SafePlace who serve as nurse advocates for the program.  They reiterated how deeply appreciated the gifts are, and said they just wanted to meet the people who were making these bags.

 

Our next assembly of bags will be Sunday, September 21st, with blessing the following Sunday.  If you are willing to sew bags, your skills are needed and appreciated.  The pattern is posted on the Outreach bulletin board in Kleberg, or can be emailed to you.  Contact Sarah at cowmarket2@gmail.com.  If you are willing to shop, please check with Hollie Gordon.  We want to split up the list in order to avoid duplicates.  (However, if you are out and about and see something special, go ahead and buy!  We can always store any extras for the following collection.)
 

 


Blessing of Backpacks and St. George's School Installation of Teachers & Board Members
 
Mark your calendars for our annual back to school celebration on 
Sunday, August 24th!  During this special service we will 
bless the backpacks or lunch boxes of those entering a new school year.  
We will also participate in a special installation liturgy for our beloved 
St. George's Episcopal School teachers & board members. 
 
 

Labor Day Liturgy
 

At both services on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend (September 1st) our tradition is to pause and remember the contribution we make to the building up of God's kingdom in the world and to renew the understanding of our particular vocations as a partnership with

 God.  You are encouraged to bring an appropriate symbol of your labor to present at the altar.

For those working and earning a salary, the choice is usually pretty straightforward. Ditto those in school. If you're retired or not currently employed, you might give some thought to what your current calling or mission in life is. (For some, it's finding a job!) A special liturgy will be included during the regular offering in which  the symbols will then be presented. 
 
 

Parish Financial Statement 

 

Below is a statement of St. George's actual income and expenses compared with the budgeted income and expenses for the first six months of 2014.  Please contact parish treasurer Frances Rickard at fajrickard@gmail.com or 512.346.5216 if you have any questions. A more complete report is posted on the bulletin board on the north wall of Kleberg Hall.

 

The Capital Improvements Fund, which is not represented in the figures below, has accrued $12,510 as of the end of June. Thanks to all who have contributed thus far. It's not too late to contribute to this fund, which will go toward property improvements beyond our regular operations and maintenance budget.  Make your check out to St. George's, and be sure to note "Capital Improvements Fund" on the memo line.


 

YEAR TO DATE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

JANUARY - JUNE 2014 

 

 

Actual

Budgeted

Loose offering & pledges

$80,137.60

$86,544

Other income*

$19,340.72

$ 18,228

Total Income

$99,478.32

$104,772

Total Expenses

$102,273.96

$105,575

Difference between Income and

   Expenses

 

($2,795.64)**

 

($803)

 

*Includes donations for altar flowers and other income for operations purposes, such as building use fees and reimbursements from St. George's School and St. Hildegard's. Does not include donations to Outreach Committee projects, memorial funds, Newcomer Ministry grant funds, or special fund-raisers.

**To offer a comparison, at this point last year the difference between actual income and expenses was a negative balance of ($10,567.95).

   

August Birthdays and Anniversaries

We wish the following parishioners a very happy August birthday:
Rob Blech (August 2); Ruth Crawford (August 3); Noah Savage (August 3); David McGhee (August 4); Tom Sethre (August 5); John Rickard (August 6); David Stuart (August 7); Dewey Brackin (August 12);Ada Pewitt (August 12); Carole Metcalf (August 13); Loretta Navarro (August 13); Ronn Worcester (August 17); Royce Blech (August 19); Roberta Miller (August 19); Sarah Campbell (August 23); Jonathan Sayer (August 27); Sue Worcester (August 27); Dale Curry (August 29); Luna Trevino (August 29); 

And a very happy anniversary to:
Carolyn & Scot Powe (August 27).

Congratulations!
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