The Banner                   September 2015
In This Issue
 

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
9:45am - Choir Rehearsal
10:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite II  
                   with Kids Word

5:00pm - Recovery Worship Service


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
Head of School
Vestry
Melissa Eason Brackin
Raul Carrera
Mark Casstevens
Brad Dieringer
August Dolan-Henderson
Spencer Gordon
Claire Irwin
Alice Nelson
John Rickard
 
Melissa Eason Brackin
Senior Warden
John Rickard
Junior Warden
Sandra Villalaz
Financial Secretary

Frances Rickard , Treasurer
 
Spencer Gordon , Clerk
 
Mark Casstevens, 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.

October Banner Submissions
Deadline for news for the next issue of
The Banner is  Thursday, September 24th.
Please e-mail information, schedules, photos and articles you would like included in next month's edition to stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com .

Mark Your Calendars 
     
Sept 2        Wednesday Weavings
Sept 6        Labor Day Sunday
Sept 12      Women's Book Group, 3:30 pm
Sept 13      Commitment Sunday
Sept 13      SafePlace Sew-In
Sept 16      Wednesday Weavings 
Sept 20      Discovery Class begins, 9:00 am
Sept 20      Family Chapel Service, 5:00 pm
Sept 27      Lifelong Learning begins
Oct 4         Blessing of the Animals Fair


Prayer Requests 
      Is there someone in your life for whom you would like the St. George's community to pray? Perhaps you have a loved one who is recently deceased, you know someone working through a medical issue,  or otherwise  dealing with a difficult circumstance.  The process for placing someone on the prayer list is simple: Complete the Prayer Request form located in each pew (attached to the Welcome card) and place it in the alms basin during the offertory collection. You may also email your prayer requests to the church office .  


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

We are in the midst of our Fall kick-off, with our Labor Day Liturgy on Sunday, September 6th and Commitment to Ministry Sunday on September 13th.  Both Sundays will be, as always, great celebrations!  See the articles below for more information regarding each of these events.  And, what a spectacular Sunday we had at the Blessing of the Backpacks yesterday.  I was pleased to see so many church and school families in attendance as we celebrated the beginning of the school year.  
It is a great pleasure to welcome our seminarians back to St. George's. All three of them, Andrew, Gerald, and J., are eager to begin their ministry among us.  You can read more about them in an article below.  If you have not already met them, please introduce yourself and extend them a warm welcome.  
I am very pleased to announce that beginning this Sunday and continuing through the end of the Season after Pentecost (the last Sunday will be November 29th) we will have special service music composed by our very own Music Minister, Anne Weaver.  Anne has worked very hard composing these service music pieces, and I believe they are rather beautiful and very singable. As with any new music introduced to the parish, it will take us a bit to become familiar with them.  So, please have patience and enjoy this special offering Anne has produced for the community of St. George's.  
I pray that you continue to feel God's presence in your life at work, school, in your leisure, and especially here at St. George's.  We are truly a vibrant community that seeks to reveal God in all we do.  May God bless you and keep you this month and always.  

Peace, 
The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert  

Welcome to our Seminarians

From 
J. Clarkson

My wife, Abigail, our daughter, Louisa, and I have spent the summer in Austin. Abigail has continued her work at the St. David's Healthcare Foundation while Louisa has enjoyed a variety of day camps and a quick trip to visit friends in Asheville, NC. I have spent the summer doing a Clinical Pastoral Education internship through Seton Healthcare at Brackenridge Hospital. For eleven weeks, I was assigned to a floor and made pastoral visits during the day. I shared evening and weekend on-call duty with seven other interns, and had the opportunity to minister to patients and families of all sorts and conditions. This experience has been challenging and affirming, helping me to discern my gifts for ministry and my passion for pastoral care.

From 
Andrew Ellison:  

Hello all, my family and I had an eventful summer as well as a restful one.  We spent a lot of time together as a family after the loss of our Nolan.  Thank you all for your support, we truly appreciate it.  Later on this summer we spent a week in Galveston where we enjoyed being with each other.  In August, as most of you were aware, I was with you working on supplemental field education.  I read the book  Being Mortal 
and thought about ways we can use this material theologically and pastorally.  I look forward to reading this again with you all and being a part of the discussion during the upcoming Lifelong Learning.  Doing this field parish work has enabled me to drop an elective this semester, meaning I only have to take three classes.  I look forward to being back with you full time this year, and spending this final year with you all.

From 
Gerald Mendoza:  

Melissa and I spent most of our summer here in Austin. Firstly, her work did not allow for much time off and secondly, I was focused on my intensive physical therapy and additional treatment modalities to help me with my weak back, which caused me so many problems last semester. We had a lot of time to spend with some good friends though. And we got to get away for a few days to Miami to visit with my parents. We're very much looking forward to coming back to St. George's this semester in preparation for our ministry to the people of God and the church.


Youthword

Starting in September we will have a new group emerging from KidsWord.  For kids entering 5th grade and older, Youthword will   meet as a separate group during the first part of the church service on Sundays. This fall we will explore Matthew 25 and connect our understanding of this scripture to real service out in the world. Together we will plan monthly projects that people like us can actually do.  Youths and their parents are invited to  head over to Wright House and see what we can do together .


Wednesday Weavings

The adult discussion group known as Wednesday Weavings will meet on the first and third Wednesdays in September from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We share a simple meal, have a short time of centering prayer, and discuss a selected reading from the journal  Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life.  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 September 2 at Frances and John Rickard's home and September 16 at Gayle and James Wall's home.  

Copies of the reading will be available in church on the Sunday before the Wednesday gathering. Please join us if you can.  For more information, e-mail Frances Rickard at  fajrickard@gmail.com.


Labor Day Liturgy
September 6th
 
At both services  on the  Sunday of Labor Day Weekend (September 6th) 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. 


Women's Book Group
September 12th
 
The Women's Book Group Meeting will take place on Sept. 12th from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM.  The meeting will be at Martha Paull's home ( E mail:  mpaull@grandecom.net).

We will be discussing  The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kinsolver.

Please RSVP to Martha Paull so she can plan for food and drinks. All are invited to attend even if you have not read the book. Come and enjoy the company of many fabulous women in our church.


Commitment to Ministry Sunday
September 13th
 
At both services on  Sunday, September 13th , we will celebrate  Commitment to Ministry Sunday!  At the core of our identity as Episcopalians and St. Georgians is the worship service, thus it is appropriate to lift up our interests in the ministries of the church during our liturgy.  Included in the bulletin for this day will be a separate insert that will have a list of all the ministries of St. George's. Each person will be
invited to check off the ministries  they are either interested in being involved with or are already participants of

There will also be a place on the sheet to include your name and contact information. At the offering, we will have a special liturgy where the congregation will come forward to place their sheets on the altar. After the service we will enjoy our regular coffee hour together. 

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
 - 1 Corinthians 12:12

SafePlace Sew-In and Bag Assembly
Sunday, Sept. 13th

150 Comfort Bags is our goal for the next SafePlace Delivery! 
The sew-in will be on September 13 after church, with lunch provided.  You can help greatly even if you can't sew, since we need pressers and ribbon stringers.  We will need sewing machines, irons, ironing boards, scissors, thread, seam rippers and safety pins.  Please help if you can!
 
We will stuff and assemble bags on September 20 after church.  Several items are still
needed: small hand or body lotions and some small travel sized deodorants.   Please leave the items in the closet in Kleberg on the table to the right of the door, or bring them with you on the 20th. 
We will need many hands to assemble that many bags, so please bring your willing hands.
 
We have had such positive response from SafePlace about these bags, which are given to the women and men who are reporting sexual violence or assault and are undergoing clinical exams and official reports.  The victims see these beautiful bags as a sign of healing and hope and a promise that they have not been abandoned.  We have received many testimonials of thanks and appreciation.  Take a moment to look at the letters on the bulletin board in Kleberg if you haven't already. 

And thank you for your participation in this ministry, 
Sarah Campbell and Hollie Gordon


Fundraiser for Eloise House/ SafePlace
St. George's is helping SafePlace celebrate the opening of Eloise House, their new on-site forensic facility for survivors of sexual assault. Our housewarming gift is a basket of therapeutic and relaxing items for survivors to use during their visit to Eloise House.  Our fundraising goal for these items is $300. To see the photos of the various items and to select an item to donate toward, please see the bulletin board in Kleberg near the piano for more information. We will be accepting donations through Sunday, September 13th.  PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO ST. GEORGE'S WITH "OUTREACH/ELOISE HOUSE" IN THE MEMO LINE.   

F or more information, also please reach out to Carolyn Moreau or Alice Nelson.  Thank you for helping survivors heal from traumatic experiences.

Family Chapel
Sundays, Sept 20th 5:00 pm

The Family Chapel 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 consist 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 with a parent seminar led by a staff member of St. George's School.    Come and enjoy the 
5 pm Family Chapel Service  of St. George's on Sunday, September 20th and don't forget to bring a dish to share!

St. George's Healing Service: Every Wednesday at 12:15 pm in the Church

All are invited to attend our weekly Healing Service consisting of a shared sermon, healing prayers, and communion.  There are countless moments in our lives in which we seek prayers for either our own or our loved ones ailments, difficult circumstances, and/or trials.  The Healing Service affords a mid-week respite in which our prayers are lifted to God in search for God's continual presence to be in our midst.  The Episcopal Church's understanding is that through the laying on of hands and the administering of the sacrament of unction (anointing of oil) God's healing grace is bestowed upon the sick and needy.  This is so, with the full knowledge that God's healing and grace is available for all conditions of humanity.  The emphasis of healing during the service by no means denotes a cure of particular ailments.  Rather, healing signifies a restoration to wholeness for individuals seeking the sacrament of unction, and therefore maintaining and strengthening their relationship with God.  God's healing of the sick in mind, body, and spirit is, and always will be, a mystery to humanity.  And through the celebration of God's mysteries, we become participants in the divine, whether a cure is the ultimate outcome or not.

Discovery Class
Sundays, Sept 20th - Oct 18th 

Father Kevin will teach the Discovery class for all youth and adults who seek to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church. The  five-week course, which begins Sunday, Sept. 20th at 9:00 a.m.,  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 Dena Harrison's presence with us on Sunday, October 25th.  

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

Lifelong Learning
Sundays, Sept. 27th - Oct. 18th

Starting on Sept. 27, as part of lifelong learning during the coffee hour in Kleberg Hall, we will begin a parish-wide book study.   The book we will be reading is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.  This is an important book, that not only deals with end of life issues, and also touches on relationships with healthcare providers, aging, and aging parents, among other things.  It is suggested that members try and read the book (each week chapters will be assigned) so that we can have more discussion and less lecture, but all are welcome whether you read the book or not.  If you cannot afford the book, please contact Fr. Kevin.  This study will continue through Oct. 18th.

Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 4th
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 and to help with set-up and clean-up.  


Donations for Kitty Quilts

My friend, Connie Carson, makes bedding out of old t-shirts for the kitty cages at the Austin Animal Center.
If you have  any old t-shirts too far gone for donation to needy humans, please  consider donating them to this worthy cause. Any weight, color, or design of tee is fine and it doesn't matter if the shirts have holes, rips or stains as long as they have been  freshly laundered . Also appreciated are donations of used spools of old sewing thread, any color.

We will be  collecting these items at the Pet Blessing or , if you prefer to bring them before then and  place them in the collection basket at the south entrance to the church. I will be happy to take them to Connie. 

Thanks so much! 
Gayle Wall

Annual Parish Retreat
November 13-15, 2015

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 will be held from   Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15.
The retreat is dedicated to enriching our communal bonds as we enjoy times of worship, family and individual recreation, social activities, community building 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. There are no single occupancy  rooms. 

You are asked to bring your own bedding, beverages and snacks to  share.

Registration forms will be available  shortly. 
The cost of the retreat includes sleeping accommodations and all meals. Scholarships
are available; please contact Kevin Schubert for more information. Come and enjoy a relaxing  weekend in a loving restful environment!

Retreat Cost Breakdown

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


Being Green at St. George's
This Month's Focus: E-Waste

We would like to welcome the following members to St. George's Church: Environmental Stewardship will be collecting small electronic items the month of September to take to Ecology Action of Texas. If you have items you'd like to contribute, please bring them to Kleberg Hall. There will be a designated collection point located near the piano and St. Hildegard closet. Since we will be transporting the electronics in our own cars,  please no televisions, computers, or larger appliances.

The following locations will accept large items for e-cycling. Follow the links for more information:

1. Staples: will accept most office supplies, regardless of brand or place of purchase

2. Austin Resource Recovery: accepts televisions and large appliances

3. Goodwill: will resell, refurbish, or recycle a variety of items
 

Welcome New Members

We would like to welcome the following members to St. George's Church:
Laura Cook & Joel McAlister

Welcome!

St. George's Episcopal School

The energy is picking up at SGES as we headed back to school on Monday 8/31! 
We've officially opened two new classrooms and have filled them both with wonderful teachers and wonderful children! The teachers had a great week of training and team building, with enough time left over to prepare their classrooms.  The Blessing of the Backpacks was such a success and we thank you for your generosity in providing donations toward the School's Scholarship Fund. We are so grateful to our community and to the members of St. George's Church.  

We have a lot of exciting things happening this month:
          -  We will be closed Monday, 9/7 for Labor Day.
- Grandparent's Day is Monday, 9/14 @ 8:30am
- Family Picnic is Thursday, 9/17 @ 5-7pm
- Family Chapel starts again on Sunday, 9/20 from 5:00-6:30 pm where we         will be discussing Toilet Training v. Toilet Learning in the Parent Seminar      
   portion of the evening.


September Birthdays and Anniversaries

We wish the following parishioners a very happy September birthday:
Stephanie Meldrum (Sept. 1), Spencer Gordon (Sept. 6), Joey Trevino (Sept. 6), Beverly Williams-Hawkins (Sept. 9), Gladys Dykes (Sept. 10), Jennifer Long (Sept. 15), Suzette Puckett (Sept. 16), Divesh Manohar (Sept. 20), Gregg Miller (Sept. 22), Colin O'Donnell (Sept. 23), Donna Johnson (Sept. 24), Ramon Trevino (Sept. 24), Sandy Welles (Sept. 28), Hollie Gordon (Sept. 30), Leopold Trevino (Sept. 30)

Congratulations!
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