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949-215-6155 ~ www.stgeorgeslaguna.org

Our Mission Statement:

We are a spiritual oasis, welcoming and striving

to serve all in the hope, JOY and love of Jesus Christ.

We are an open & affirming community.

As part of preparation for Reverend Pat's retirement at the end of 2027, the Bishop's Committee is asking for your feedback. Each household should have received a survey by email. If you have not received one, please call the office.

The survey, which was developed by a company that specializes in surveys of church populations, will provide insight into who we are as a church community and where we want to head. 

We will have helpers available each Sunday in August after the service to assist anyone who needs help completing the survey electronically. Finally, hard copies of the survey will be available for those who need a hard copy. 

The survey will close August 31.

We expect to be able to share results of the survey by the end of September.


--Bill Hartman, Bishop's Warden

Collection taken on Saturday to help Venezuelan earthquake victims

A collection taken during the July 11 gathering to watch and to celebrate the consecration of Bishop-elect Antonio Gallardo was designated to aid victims of devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, where Gallardo was born.

The death toll has reached more than 3,500 with many more displaced. The funds, which totaled $287, was sent to Episcopal Relief and Development, the church's disaster relief agency, to aid the people of Venezuela.

From bishop-elect Antonio Gallardo:

Join me in prayer for my beloved Venezuela / Unidos en Oraciones por mi amada Venezuela.

“Holy One, you are our comfort and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis or chaos. Surround the people of Venezuela now with your grace and peace in the aftermath of today’s earthquakes. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild and fill the Venezuelan people with the hope of your new creation through you, our rock and redeemer” (Adapted from Jesuit Prayer)

The Parking Lot has been paved!

It will be sealed in a few weeks.


Thanks to Joyce Swaving & Facilities 
for facilitating this much-needed improvement.


BUT

We still have funds to raise.


We were able to pave the lot by obtaining a short-term loan from the Episcopal Credit Union, which must be repaid.

There are still opportunities to support this effort. Please see below.

There is still an opportunity to give ...

Paving Pathways: Fund for the Future

Thank you to all who have pledged and made payments.


Our goal for the Fund for the Future was $200,000.

Your generosity allowed us to meet our October 31, 2025 deadline on our taxes. 
We are now current with our tax bill.

If you have not pledged to the Fund for the Future yet, we ask that you consider a one-time gift of $1000 - $3000. Any amount you can give will be appreciated.

Payments may be made any time through December 2027.

Paving the parking lot will cost about $72,000, including striping.

Replenishing cash reserves will need about $60,000-65,000.


Pledged to date: 47 pledges for a total of $158,400

Remaining to reach our goal: 41,600

If you have any questions, please see Mark Szen.

On-line via YouTube, Facebook, Constant Contact Link

Lay Eucharistic Ministers - Kathie Killen & Mercedese Bantz

Lectors - Mark Garza; Barbara Boberg


Psalm - Sherry Wright

Intercessor - Deb Spurr


Ushers - Allan Williams; Sue McKenzie 


Shepherds - Joyce Swaving; Kathy Calkins

Ministry Spotlight - South County Outreach, Flo Niermann

Upcoming events:

The Daughters of the King are hosting a

fundraising effort for the United Thank Offering.

The Blue (and color-it-yourself) boxes 
are in the narthex!
Drop a coin or bill in the box each day 
as you are grateful for the blessings of this life.


It all adds up to help others across the country & the globe.

Learn more about the UTO here: 


www.unitedthankoffering.com

Volunteers wanted:

St. George's Community Preparedness/

Disaster Resilience Team

Laundry Love

outreach to our community

1st Wednesdays of each month

at 5PM

Sparklean Laundromat

23532 El Toro Road, Lake Forest

Contact: Kathie Killen

HANDS OF GRACE

offering meals to our community

4th Wednesdays of each month

at

Faith Episcopal Church

27802 El Lazo, Laguna Niguel

Contact: Kathie Killen

St. George's Prayer List

Opportunities for Ministry:

• Altar Guild: An opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the Eucharist, liturgical seasons, care of the sacred vessels, weekly set-up for worship. Contact Kathie Killen.
• Book Group: meets monthly for discussion of current books. For info, contact Barb Boberg.
• Bridge Builders: join in connecting St. George's with our local community. Contact Joyce Swaving.
• Caring Visitors: Offers a confidential, comforting presence for those facing challenges. For info, contact Rev. Pat.
• Communications - volunteer needed to help with e-news and/or bulletins. For info, contact Rev. Pat.
• Community Connections/Outreach - ways to connect our ministries together. Contact: Amy Givan.
• Digital Ministry - volunteer needed to help adjust the sound system during worship. Contact Rev Pat.
• Daughters of the King (DOK) - dedicated to prayer and to serve our community. Contact Amy Givan.
• Financial Ministry - Helping to Review Monthly statements for the Finance Committee: Contact Mark Szen.
• Flower Ministry - learn how to make beautiful arrangements to adorn our altar. Contact: Christy Kellner.
• Flowers 4 Friends - repurpose altar flowers and deliver to our ailing and homebound members. Contact Muriel Witham.
• Green Thumb: join the team of water-bearers who help keep our campus looking refreshed. Contact: Muriel Witham.
• Hands of Grace Soup Kitchen 4th Wednesdays, 5PM, at Faith, Laguna Niguel, contact Kathie Killen.
• Helping Hands and Hearts. Short-term meal service, transport to local medical visits & light shopping for homebound. Contact Deb Spurr.
• Laundry Love Lake Forest, 1st Wednesday, 7-10PM, Sparklean Laundromat, 23532 El Toro Road, Lake Forest. Contact Kathie Killen.
• Loving our Neighbor Ministry - Put faith to action as we learn about and celebrate our diversity. Contact: Amy Givan.
• Men's Ministry - the Men's Ministry gathers for breakfasts, hosts Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and other events. Contact Allan Williams.
• Music Ministry - Join our growing choir! Contact: Emett Loera.
• Newcomers/Hospitality - Be a welcome and friendly face to those who visit us and want to know more about us. Contact Muriel Witham.
• Prayer Shawl Ministry - meets 9 a.m. third Sundays. Contact Libby Freer.
• Seeds of Hope Farm Ministry: Volunteers needed to help prepare, plant and cultivate the gardens. Contact Muriel Witham.
• South County Outreach Food Pantry. Donations taken weekly. Financial contributions welcome. Visit website at: sco.org
• Talk of Ages: an ongoing conversation about the joys and challenges of maturing. Contact Chuck Day.
• UCI Canterbury Campus Ministry. Contact: Fr. Ryan Macias
• Worship Team - volunteers to read the Lessons, Ushers to help parishioners during the service and Lay Eucharistic Ministers to assist the Priest. Contact; Amy Givan.

The FBI recently issued a reminder to be alert to communications that ask you to “act fast, pay money, or turn over personal information.” What is particularly important to remember this year is the ways artificial intelligence allows scammers to create "fake social media profiles, voice clones, identification documents, and videos with believable depictions of public figures or even loved ones."

Always verify information independently before responding to unsolicited donation requests. If you have questions about an email you have received:

• Carefully check the sender’s name and email address 
• Look out for misspelled words and incorrect grammar 
• Do not click on any suspicious links or attachments
• Report the email as spam

Reporting A Scam

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam via email or by phone:

• 1-877-382-4357 (8 am - 7 pm)
• Email phishing-report@us-cert.gov
• File a report at ftc.gov/complaint

In the “Protesting Faithfully” toolkit, The Episcopal Church offers practical resources and spiritual grounding for those standing in solidarity with vulnerable neighbors at protests and demonstrations. Find links to nonviolence training and other resources, as well as downloadable prayers, songs, and Scripture readings. Toolkit resources are available in Spanish where indicated here.

St. George's Episcopal Church

949-215-6155

admin@stgeorgeslaguna.org

www.stgeorgeslaguna.org

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