Cheryl Notari, Senior Warden

The concept of stewardship is based on the belief that all that we have, and all that we are, comes from God. We commit ourselves to stewardship as a way of thanking God. It is much more than the financial support of our ministry together. It is also includes the decisions we make about how we use our time and our talents. Recognizing that a gift of time and talent can require some thoughtful discernment, the stewardship committee has put together a "time and talent" survey to help you explore and consider how you might choose to use your gifts.  

We are encouraging each member of the parish, from middle school age on up, to take the time to consider how your gifts might help with God's work at St. George's. The survey asks that you check the boxes of the skills that you are willing to offer or areas of interests that you would like to explore. As you fill out the survey, you will notice that there are a number of items that are listed that are not yet formal ministries of St. George's. These items include things like offering rides to church or to the doctor, and Vacation Bible School. If there are a number of people interested in these ministries, we can begin to offer them at St. George's.

Watch for the survey, or contact Cheryl Notari for more information.

My dear friends,

Greetings and Happy Epiphany! Now that the festivities of Christmas (and all the wonderful music that adorns them) are well behind us, we can now look forward to new and exciting celebrations.

At St. George's, the entire month of February is devoted to Black History Month, and, as usual, the music department is planning to celebrate this important tradition in grand style. Every week will feature a spiritual sung by our adult choir, and many of your favorite gospel hymns will be featured from one of our fabulous hymnals--in particular, Lift Every Voice And Sing ("LEVAS").

A special jazz service has been scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 19 at the 10:30 AM service. Richard Berggren is polishing up his various trumpets for the occasion, and has arranged for a special jazz combo to join us. You won't want to miss it, so make sure to be there--and bring all of your friends, too!

May the New Year bring each and every one of you an abundance of peace, joy, and prosperity!

Affectionately,

John Ayer

Choir member Doug Franklin shares how the choir lifts his voice and his spirit. 

I have always enjoyed singing. As a kid, I learned to sing pop songs and rock songs; I knew all the Peter, Paul, and Mary songs by heart, and I could imitate Dylan with the best of them. Never really learned to read music, though.

A friend of mine in Troop 5, which was sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church in Plainfield, persuaded me to join the choir there, because they had some good looking girls, he said. We joined, and they did. We became members of the church. I had gone to Unitarian Sunday School before that, but I ended up being baptized a Presbyterian.

We had some fun times with the girls and the choir, and then we finished high school and went off to college and I became an agnostic. And things stayed that way for many years, until I had some hard times in my life, between a career crisis and our family being overwhelmed with the care of my son Michael. Many of you know Michael--he is a beautiful person, but he has autism and can be very difficult sometimes. I entered into a period of depression, when it was all I could do just to get up in the morning.

Through friends, we learned about the St. George's Revels, where people wore costumes and celebrated, and there was music and merry making. We came and were welcomed and my younger son, Nicholas, danced all evening on the stage of the parish hall. And I remember Diane Sammons was dressed like Snow White. It was a typical St. George's welcoming experience.  

One thing that happened soon after I came here--I'll never forget--is that Barry Stopfel asked me to teach Sunday School. And I said, "I can't do that, I don't feel like I've reached the place I'd need to be to be able to do that." And he said, "Where you are is good enough."  

The article in its entirety appears here. 

It's always welcoming to have coffee, savories and sweets waiting in the parish hall after the 10:30 AM and second Sunday family services. The food and drinks do not magically appear as manna or from Keebler elves, however. Instead, we on the Coffee Hour Committee work our magic to ensure there is always something good to enjoy after the services.

We solicit parish volunteers to provide "a snack or two for 50 people", a dozen or two of bagels or donuts or the like. And to help set up and clean up. A list is provided for signup at the entrance to the parish hall. Or you can email Dan Helming. Every family unit should consider giving once a year!

The committee has a representative at every 10:30 AM service to assist. The committee supplies coffee, milk, juice, and accoutrements and will usually ensure something is there, if not from a parish volunteer, then from the store or the freezer.

The committee is anticipating losing a few members in the new year--and taking back a few, but always needs new volunteers to assist in making the coffee, setting up the serving table, and cleaning up afterwards. You're assigned a Sunday only twice a quarter and if you're away, even last-minute, you can kick your assignment back to the committee. Being on the Coffee Hour Committee is a great way to meet fellow parishioners and to try new recipes if you enjoy cooking (although this is not a requirement). Please consider joining our ranks. Contact Dan Helming.  

We are also coordinating the Children's Service to be self-sufficient from the families participating in that service. (just 12 Sundays per year of cookies and iced tea/coffee!) Christine Carlson and Amy Cox-Martins are leading that effort. See them to sign up for one of the months this year!

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? James 2:14