The Banner                            March 2014
In This Issue
Calendars
Ash Wednesday
Rector's Corner
Host Coffee Hour
Safe Place Ministry
St. George's History
 

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

Assistant Priest & Minister to

St. Hildegard's Community

 

The Rev. John Brewer

Deacon 

Anne Weaver 

Music Minister 

Vanessa Nering
Newcomer Minister/
Office Administrator


Kate Wright

Interim 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  

Josh Shipman
Seminarian

Ashley Urquidi 
Seminarian

Laurence Wainwright-Maks

Seminarian  

 


MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Click on the following links to find:
March Lay Ministries Schedule
March Activities Calendar

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

April Banner Submissions
Deadline for news for the next issue of
The Banner is Wednesday, March 26th.
Please e-mail information, schedules, photos and articles you would like included in next month's edition to stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com .

  
On Wednesday, March 5th at12:15 pm and 7:00 pm the St. George's community gathers for Ash Wednesday services.  This service initiates the season of Lent in the church calendar, which is a season of penitence and fasting.  The observance of a holy Lent includes self-examination and repentance by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and reading and meditating on God's holy Word (BCP p. 265).

 

Daylight Saving Time begins

 

 

Sunday, March 9th, 2014
Be sure to move clocks forward one hour from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. before you go to bed Saturday night, or you'll be late for church on Sunday!


Rector's Corner
Dear St. George's Family,
Spring is here!  Or maybe, almost here I should say...  This is my favorite time of the year, as the flowers bloom and the trees get full, the rains come, and the weather becomes bearable.  This month we begin our holy trek through Lent to the glorious morning of Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus.  I look forward to observing Lent with my St. George's family.  Lent is a season of the church that speaks to our ability, as God's children, to commit our entire selves (mind, body, and soul) to recognizing the ways in which God seeks our undivided attention towards our complete health, vitality, and obedience.  I pray that each of you may be revitalized by the observance of this important penitential season.  I also hope that during Lent you will also take part in our Grace Lenten Series led by The Rev. Kathleen Russell of the Seminary of the Southwest.  Check out the article below for more information.  May God bless you this spring and the seasons to come.  Thank you all for your spectacular devotion and commitment to St. George's!  

 

Peace, 
The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert  
Shrove Tuesday on Sunday!
 
 
Come join St. George's Youth in Kleberg Hall for pancakes, little smokie sausages and some Mardi Gras music March 2nd after the 10:30 service; in traditional celebration before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. This year, please also check out the parish-wide book swap, in progress on the perimeter of Kleberg. Donations collected for pancakes will go to help fund a youth group mission trip this summer. For info about how to help, please contact Suzette Puckett: cshpuckett@austin.rr.com. 
 Mardi Gras Celebration - March 4th 
 

  

This month we will celebrate Mardi Gras at the Nomad bar (1213 Corona Dr) 

 

Join us  

Tuesday, March 4th at 5 pm at the 

Nomad Bar 

  

  

 
Permanent Head of School search

The Search Committee received 22 applications for the Head of School position of St. George's Episcopal School by the deadline of January 10, 2014.  Initial phone screenings were conducted with a number of applicants.  Six applicants were selected for semi-finalist interviews between late January through early February 2014.  Finalists interviews will be conducted in late February through early March. The Board of Trustees hopes to announce the permanent Head of School in April, who will assume duties on June 1, 2014.
 
- Carolyn Moreau
   Chair
   Head of School Search 
   Committee
Family Worship Service!  

 

We had a great celebration at the 2nd Family Worship Service held Feb. 16th.  The Family Service focuses on community building and children as we worship God and share our faith through word, action, and service.  The first thirty minutes of the service consists of prayers, readings, sermon, and songs directed toward children and their families.  The service then moves into a special table liturgy; sharing communion alongside a pot-luck meal.  The service provides families an opportunity to worship God through community while not disrupting children's nap time and Sunday morning activities; as well as providing a meal before bedtime.  So that we can steer clear of Spring Break events, the next 5 pm Family Service of St. George's will be on Sunday, March 23rd
**Family Worship Service will not be held on Easter Sunday, April 20th.*

"It's My Turn" Coffee Hour

April 27th is the next "It's My Turn" Sunday.  This is an opportunity for parish members to host the coffee hour that follows the 10:30 service.  You can also team up to make it a group effort!  An additional opportunity to host coffee hour will be June 22nd. To sign up, please let the church office administrator know, who will add your name to the on-line calendar (stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com). For any questions or clarifications, please contact Martha Paull, mpaull@grandecom.net
 
Grace Lenten Series
Wednesdays 6:30- 8:00 pm
Mar. 19 & 26. Apr. 2 & 9 
 
All are encouraged to attend the Grace Series this Spring! 
The Grace Series consists of four lectures centered around pertinent questions concerning life, faith, culture and society. We gather in Kleberg Hall, beginning with a potluck meal, followed by a lecture. This year, the program will be led by The Rev. Kathleen Russell, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Seminary of the Southwest.  The Rev. Russell will lead a discussion around a Theology of Imagination.  Through the various forms of art: poetry, song, images and story, we grow in our relationship with God.  Come and be inspired through our imaginations! 

Safe Place Ministry

We are excited about our new opportunities to serve Safe Place, a refuge for women and children seeking asylum from family violence.

 

1. Put diapers and wipes on your shopping list!  

There is an overwhelming, continuing need for diapers and wipes at the center.  The most common size needed is 6 month--but contributions of any size are welcome.  On Tuesday Chuck delivered a trunk full to the center, and the staff were most appreciative.  Let's keep it up.

 

2. We have agreed to provide comfort bags to women who are victims of sexual assault.  The center staff visits over 400 of these women in the hospital every year.  They have requested a bag of beautiful and calming things to reassure these women and affirm that they are valuable and beautiful.  We hope to make the bags themselves either out of pretty material or perhaps hand paint or decorate them.  Items we will include are things like herbal tea, lip balm, a small journal and pen. 

 

We will have a brainstorming session in Kleberg on Sunday, March 2nd during the pancake luncheon.  Please join us if you are interested.  If you are interested in making the bags and/or providing items, let us know.

 

Sarah Campbell                                   Hollie Gordon 

cowmarket2@gmail.com                     gordonhollie3@gmail.com

512.569.3081                                      512.922.2190                                                


Volunteer for Drive a Senior

All over the Austin metroplex area, most of our elderly citizens want to live in their own homes where they know their neighbors, where all their "things" are around them, where memories of past happy times are a comfort. If these seniors can get an occasional ride to the doctor, the pharmacy or the grocery store, then they can continue living independently in their own homes. It is a small thing for those of us who furnish these rides, but it is a huge and life-changing gift for those who receive them. Volunteer for Drive a Senior and experience the satisfaction of knowing you have truly made a difference in someone else's life. Share a chuckle, some wisdom, a story from older times; do it in honor of your own mother or grandmother. Give a ride and get a lift for yourself! Contact Pat Liston at 512-786-6248 or  patliston@suddenlink.net to volunteer in Northeast Austin at times that fit your own schedule, or visit DriveaSenior.org .                                             

Children's Museum Outing

Thanks to those who came out to the St. George's outing at the Thinkery Children's Museum!
    
 

Diocesan Council 2014 

On a chilly, foggy day, your delegates to Diocesan Council traveled to Galveston.  Father Kevin, Deacon John, Alice Nelson, Spencer Gordon, Mary Stewart Miller and Patsy Chandler represented you on the floor.  John and Frances Rickard were part of the volunteer team covering the Registration table.

The procession at Friday evening's opening service was impressive as always with representatives from each parish carrying their banner, many deacons, a flock of priests, and several bishops.   Ask Spencer about his experience with our banner!  The Diocese of Texas has an ongoing companion relationship with the Diocese of Southern Malawi and Bishop Alinafe Kalemba was there.  I received communion from him and he has the sweetest smile!   Bishop Michael Smith from the Diocese of North Dakota and Bishop Hector Monterroso from the Diocese of Costa Rica were also there and on Saturday they and Bishop Doyle signed agreements to enter into a companion relationship.  Bishop Dena Harrison gave the "sermom" (a typo in the service booklet!) speaking about the importance of meaningful relationships.  Everything begins with a relationship - in community, marriage, friendship, the workplace.  You are indeed blessed if you have a friend who will tell you if you have spinach between your teeth, if your outfit just doesn't work, or when you have done something especially wonderful.  Think of where your support and encouragement begins.  The music was provided by a jazz band featuring a very talented saxophone player.  When it came time for the offering, Bishop Doyle told us it would be given to St. Vincent's House in Galveston and stated that he would like to see at least $5000 in the plate.  Imagine the delight when God so moved those gathered that a little over $10,000 was given!

Saturday's business session was blessedly uneventful with proposed changes to Canon 43 being rescinded.  St. Aidan's, Cypress, joyfully celebrated their new status as a parish with procession, song and remarks by their exuberant rector.  The Bishop's Address was focused on tenacity - using new data to achieve a goal when old ways don't work.  God is tenacious, so we need to be also.  Main points:  clear goals, clarify mission, surround ourselves with like-minded people, honesty, be not afraid to fail, awareness of what we have - an attitude of gratitude.  We are in our fourth year of membership growth and a recent survey indicated that our score regarding what is working in the diocese is 7.56 out of 10.  Bishop Doyle says we are good at being disciples, but it is now time to be apostles.  So be courageous when you are afraid - be tenacious!  There were 22 rounds of applause during his address! 

Even though Kevin was not elected as a representative to General Convention, I personally was very pleased with those who will serve on Standing Committee, Executive Board, Trustee of the Church Corporation, Trustee of the University of the South, Provincial Synod and General Convention.

 

We were all truly blessed by our time in Galveston and thank you for sending us!

 

In His love,

Patsy Chandler

 

To read Bishop Doyle's address:

CAD Council Address[1]

   

News from


March Events 

 

*Saturday, March 1st Family dig and clean up of St. George's grounds!  
BYOS (Bring your own shovel!) and a bag of plating soil and or mulch please! 10:00 am (likely until 11:30/noon, but come as you are able) 
For inside helpers - the school library could use help re shelving books!

*March 10th-14th Spring Break at St. George's!

March 11th, 12th, and 13th Spring Break Camps at St. George's. 
9am-5pm each day at a rate of $60.00/day. 
Open to all current SGES students!  
 
March 25th is our next Open House for Prospective Parents 
from 9-10am. Meet in Kleberg Hall   
St. George's History
St. George's office has received some historical documents of our great church! The files we received are invaluable to understanding our past. 
The history of St. George's is rich and interesting, and should be shared with all!  So, each month Father Kevin will choose a piece of that history to include in the monthly Banner. Please click on the link below for the retyped historical piece. We hope you enjoy these installments of our history, and gain insight into our beloved church.     

 

 Historical account of St. George's Episcopal Church

 

March Birthdays and Anniversaries

We wish the following parishioners a very happy March birthday:
Pat Booker (Mar. 1), Carolyn Roseboom (Mar. 6), Elaine Hosage (Mar. 9), Patrick Dieringer (Mar. 9), Emily Dieringer (Mar. 10), Jeremy Stevens (Mar. 10), Richard Stuart (Mar. 12), Josh McGonigle (Mar. 16), Vanessa Nering (Mar. 16), Christina Fultz (Mar. 23), Lisa Knaggs (Mar. 24), Scott Hoffman (Mar. 25), David Savage (Mar. 30), Frances Rickard (Mar. 31), Kirk Wilson( Mar. 31)

And a very happy anniversary to:
Robert Blech & Mary Stewart Miller (Mar. 20)

Congratulations!
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