What a wonderful service we experienced this past Sunday as we celebrated All Saints!  I am always moved by St. George's tradition of remembering all of those we consider to be saints who have passed over the course of the year, and we had the moving baptism of Jennifer as well.  November is here, and great things are in store as we get closer and closer to the holiday season.  

All Saints' Sunday also marked the conclusion of our Spirituality of Stewardship season at St. George's. Thanks to all who have returned a pledge card.  If you haven't had a chance to turn your pledge card in, there is still time.  Members of the vestry will be making phone calls in the next couple of weeks to encourage you to do so.  Pledging to St. George's is an important component of our spiritual discipline, and shows your dedication and thanksgiving for the gifts you have received from God.

I was bummed, as I know you were as well, by the change of dates for this year's parish retreat.  But, I am happy to see that there are twenty five folks that are able to attend.  Even though this year's retreat will be different from prior years, it will be a good respite for those able to go.  If you have signed up for the retreat more information will be available soon.  

This month also marks the birth of my second child, Harper.  Heather and I are excited to meet him, and excited for you to do so as well.  The due date is November 20th, but of course he can come any moment now.  After his birth I will be on a two-week paternity leave.  The services during my absence will be left in the capable hands of our very own Rev. Susan Dolan-Henderson.  I want to express my gratitude to all for your well wishes during this time, and the gracious baby shower the St. George's community is throwing for us on Sunday, November 9th during coffee hour.  God bless you all, and I hope to see everyone soon!

God Bless, 

Each Fall, St. George's gathers for a time of rest, relaxation, and community building at the

beautiful Well Spring Retreat Center on Wessendorff Ranch in the Texas Hill Country.

This year's retreat dates have changed to Friday, November 21 - Sunday, November 23.

The retreat is dedicated to enriching our communal bonds as we enjoy times of worship, family and individual recreation, social activities, and great food! There will be plenty of dedicated free time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Texas Hill Country, including the spectacular sight of the famous 'narrows.' Accommodations for families with children will be in motel style rooms with a dormitory arrangement for others when the motel rooms fill up.  You are asked to bring your own bedding, beverages and snacks to share.

Online registration is available on the church website: 

http://sgchurch.org/events2.asp

(Family Maximum cost is $125)
Friday - Sunday Adults: $45
Friday - Sunday Children: $25
Saturday Only Adults: $15
Saturday Only Children: $10

If you don't have school-age kids, you aren't likely in the habit of clipping Box Tops for Education. But you've almost certainly seen them. They're the little pink rectangles on the labels of everything from Kleenex boxes and printer paper to granola bars and canned veggies. Each of those tiny Box Tops for Education labels equals a dime for any K-8 school. You wouldn't throw away a dime, would you? Please consider clipping and saving your Box Tops to support the schools attended by the children of our church family. There's a collection box on the table in the narthex. A full list of participating products can be found here. Questions? Ask Emily Dieringer or email  emilysdieringer@gmail.com

The four weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day is the season of Advent.  Advent not only marks the beginning of a new year in the church calendar, but it is also an important season to center ourselves around some particular themes. The primary theme of Advent is the patient anticipation for the birth of Christ. During the hectic secular season of the holidays, Advent affords us a period of expectation, patience, and hope.  At the same time, Advent also has themes of Jesus' reign over the Kingdom of God as the risen Christ. One focus of Advent is what is commonly called the "Second Coming".  Advent is the celebration of the promise that Christ will bring an end to all that is contrary to the ways of God.

Many churches, including St. George's in the past, adorn the church and it's ministers with purple-colored hangings (on the altar and the vestments of the clergy). The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church is primarily connected to what is known as the Sarum Rite (an Old English rite). In this tradition, blue is the traditional color of Advent.  During the Middle Ages, when blue was an expensive color to reproduce, purple was often used instead.  Theologically and for the church, the color purple denotes a time of penitence, commonly used during the season of Lent when we are led to be penitent of our sins.  Advent is not necessarily a penitent season, and so the use of purple during this time is not fully appropriate.  Blue is the color of the Blessed Virgin, and some of the important Advent themes are about the expectant birth, hope, expectation, confidence, and anticipation which are all represented through the color blue. For these reasons the Altar Guild and Kevin have decided to make a change to St. George's season of Advent. Through the gracious memorial gifts the church has received we were able to purchase new altar hangings and vestments for Advent in a beautiful blue color.  We are excited to see these new hangings displayed during Advent, they are truly spectacular!  

Below is a statement of St. George's actual income and expenses compared with the budgeted income and expenses for the first nine months of 2014. 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 $15,010 as of the end of September. Thanks to all who have contributed thus far. It's not too late to donate 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.

The Vestry will begin its 2015 budget preparation this month, for adoption at the December Vestry meeting and presentation to the parish at the annual meeting in January.  If you haven't done so already, please turn in your 2015 pledge cards as soon as possible to facilitate this important budget work.  Thank you!

YEAR TO DATE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2014

*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 ($15,735.50).

Please contact parish treasurer Frances Rickard at fajrickard@gmail.com or 512.346.5216 if you have any questions. 

St. George's School starts their Annual Fund Drive this month. Be on the lookout for a letter inviting you to support us as we raise money to make improvements to our campus. I thank you in advance for your support in our endeavor to raise $15,000.  

Celebrating Sukkot:

Preaching in community:

Preparation for writing our Vows:

Our retreat with Sr. Helena Marie in September was richly encouraging and yielded practical direction as well.  There is a hope that we'll develop an ongoing relationship with the Sisters.  We've made progress with finding a Bishop Visitor and in discussing the possibilities with Bishop Doyle now that he's back from his sabbatical.

Thanks to those of you who are faithful in encouragement and prayers.  We were delighted to have a few St. George's folks join us for the music sessions with Sr. HM.  Thanks so much for coming.

Blessings and peace,

Judith

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.  Amen.

and

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever.  Amen.