Second Sunday
Family Eucharist
Sunday, November 11
On the second Sunday of each month, St. George's celebrates a lively Family Eucharist for small children at 9:15 a.m. The music, readings and homily are all child-friendly, and the children learn about one of the central rituals of the church through an instructed Eucharist.
All children are welcome, regardless of church membership.
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Healing Eucharists
Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.
All are invited to attend our regular Wednesday healing service at 7:30 p.m. A Holy Eucharist with healing prayers incorporated into the liturgy, it's quiet, beautiful and perfect for prayer support.
Please note there will not be a healing service on November 21, the day before Thanksgiving. |
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Submissions
Our article submission deadline for the December issue of Dragon Tales is Monday, November 19. Submission is easy using our online form.
Your Feature-Length Articles Wanted!
With the new website, it is now very easy to publish feature-length articles. Parishioners are invited to submit for consideration articles about church- or spirituality-related topics. This is a great way to tell the world about St. George's and the people in its community!
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Greetings!
We pray that all is well with you and yours after Hurricane Sandy. In November, we celebrate the harvest while being mindful that many in our community do not enjoy such bounties. There are opportunities to donate turkeys and other food items to local food banks and to reflect on thanksgiving during the meditation classes offered this month. We also will continue our tradition of the annual Thanksgiving reception at St. George's. Read on to learn more about the engaging activities planned. See you in church -- and beyond! Dragon Tales Team |
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St. George's undamaged
but without electricity
after Hurricane Sandy
We give thanks that St. George's was not damaged by Hurricane Sandy. However, as of today electricity at the church is still out, and the entrance to the parking lot is blocked by downed trees and power lines.
Because there is a gas hot water heater, there is hot water and showers available at St. George's for any members who would like to use it -- contact the parish office (973-762-1319) to find out when the church is open. Parking is available on Ridgewood Road.
On Sunday, November 4 -- All Saints Sunday -- St. George's 10:30 a.m. service was a joint ecumenical service with Morrow Memorial Methodist and Prospect Presbyterian, held at Morrow. (In the above photo, the Rev.'s Bernie Poppe, Chris Heckert of Morrow and Rick Boyer of Prospect Presbyterian stand together at the altar). It was a wonderful service, and afterwards everyone agreed we should do this again -- and not wait for another hurricane!
Please note that the Healing Service on Wednesday, November 7, and all three services on Sunday, November 11, will take place at St. George's as scheduled -- with or without electricity!
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 Rector's Message
 | The Rev. Bernie Poppe,
Rector |
Over the last two months we held conversations after each of our services - 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. They were titled "Envisioning Conversations" and were a way to open up a dialogue at St. George's about our ministry, where we've come from, what we're doing now, and where we might go in the future. We wanted to discern where God is calling us.
"Discernment" means finding the appropriate action to respond to God's call to us. God's call can appear as a vague tug at our consciousness or a compelling drive. Personal ambition, guilt or desire to please can disguise themselves as a call from God. Discernment is best done in a group to filter out the possible static of these undue influences. This is true for individuals and larger communities. So we wanted to hear from the assembled community of St. George's to see if we could discern a call from God to move into our next chapter.
There was much overlap among the responses, and I'd like to share some of them here. The first question was: What is St. George's to you? What place does it hold for you, in your life? Answers pointed toward St. George's being a safe place, where healing and openness are experienced. It's a diverse, welcoming community that offers an anchor, a moral compass, progressive values and is non-judgemental. It's a place for individuals, couples, families and children; a place where seekers find God.
The next question opened much more discussion: What is the possibility you see for St. George's - for our ministry within, for our work in the world? Answers ranged from involvement in local social service projects for youth and adults, further witness to inclusivity and advocacy, children's programs, and speakers for adult education.
Further distilling of the material showed the level of stress felt by people in this congregation. Some of the areas of concern were the economic situation in the country, the uncertainty of employment, the increasing level of rudeness in our culture, and the difficulty of raising children in this age of technology. Sometimes churches can add to the stress felt by families by adding yet more projects, activities and goals. Even activities that have noble goals require a level of energy that may not be available. It's not our aim to deplete energy, but to build it up.
Ministry doesn't always have to be about "doing." It can also be about "being." Parents in the family service relished the experience of sitting with other parents in a structured conversation while the children were occupied in another part of the building. Talking about issues and stresses had an amazing appeal. Part of the learning of this exercise might very well be that our healing mission is to our membership in building up the energy needed to face the coming week of stress at work or the "outside world." The community at prayer and fellowship can accomplish this. Certainly, opportunities for other kinds of activities in the community and beyond will still be available, but we can also pay attention to the call for the spiritual salve of a loving community.
Jesus calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. One of the ways we love ourselves is to recognize when we're tired and rest in the company of others and the presence of God. Thank you for participating in this discernment activity.
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Music Notes
My Dear Friends,
 | John Ayer,
Organist & Choirmaste |
Greetings, and Happy Autumn! For those of you who have been attending church regularly since the beginning of September, you surely will have witnessed a few changes, not the least of which have taken place in the music program... First, we have retained four new choir section leaders, who have already demonstrated strong leadership and musicality. In addition to their responsibilities as choir leaders, you can often see (hear) them singing motets at communion as a solo quartet as well. They are all undergraduate students at Westminster Choir College in Princeton. They are Madeline Schmidt, soprano, Sarah McMahon, alto, Chae Anderson, tenor, and Lucas DeJesus, baritone. I hope you will introduce yourself to each of them and welcome these students into the St. George's community. Second, the choral library, now moved to the room adjacent to the choir room, is organized, easily accessible and represents works of various musical periods and styles. Feel free to come by and take a peek; we're located right next to the room in which the vestry holds their monthly meetings - third floor, north wing. And, speaking of the vestry, special kudos to Lydia Andersen and Lancey Clough for their splendid paint job and reorganization of the vestry room! The choirs are presently gearing up for special musical offerings, namely the service on All Saints' Day (Sunday, November 4th) and the Annual Advent Service of Lessons and Carols (Sunday, December 16th). As always, we hope you will take full advantage of these presentations, for the music sung at both of these liturgies is especially beautiful and meaningful. Come, and bring all of your friends, too. Lastly, I continue my fervid pitch for more choir participation... Both our youth and adult choirs are comprised of folks who are enthusiastic, talented and dedicated to the idea of making great sacred music. But they can't do it alone; they need your help, too. As we near the beginning of a new church year, won't you consider joining us and help bolster the ranks? I believe I speak for all choristers when I say we would welcome you with open hands and hearts. Come join one of our choirs and experience the wonders of church music. I promise you won't regret it! In Peace and Friendship, John Ayer |
Giving Thanks at St. George's
 | | Martha Gardner, Outreach Committee |
The Outreach Committee invites you to give thanks in November by giving to others.
There are several opportunities in November for us to give thanks for the many blessings we have received:
- Donations of Turkeys for Thanksgiving. On Saturday, November 17, the South Orange Elks (220 Prospect Street, across from Our Lady of Sorrows) is going to be a drop-off site for The Community Food Bank of New Jersey's annual Turkey Drive! CFBNJ's Turkey Drive allows them to provide a crucial holiday meal for those who would go without at Thanksgiving. They are asking for frozen turkeys and canned non-perishable food items to help provide a Thanksgiving meal.
- Donations of Food for Local Food Pantries. Please continue to bring in food and place it in the barrels in the narthex and by the parish hall door. We are continuing to bring the food to the food pantries at St. Joseph's (Maplewood) and Our Lady of Sorrows (South Orange.) We have recently added a third food pantry, Christine's Pantry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Orange. If we learn of specific requests - especially as the holidays approach - we will send them out to the parish list serve and put them in the bulletin.
Read more
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Concert Fundraiser Success
On Saturday, October 20, nearly 60 St. Georgians and friends gathered in the parish hall for a concert given by our own Elaine St. George (aka Elaine Bennett) and the award-winning vocal group Marquee Five. Attendees submitted requests in advance from the worlds of pop, jazz, and Broadway and the concert was rounded out by songs from the artists' own repertoires. Proceeds from the concert totaled over $2,100 to benefit the capital campaign for our new heat and central air-conditioning system. The capital campaign committee offers its heartfelt thanks to Elaine and Marquee Five for sharing their talents with us.
Clint Ratazak
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Sunday School Update
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Amy-Cox-Martins, Director of Sunday School
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Sunday School is in full swing with our highest enrollment in years! We welcome Sebastian Hill, who will be joining me to teach the 1st-3rd grade group. Kristen Chamorro will continue with her PK-K group in Godly Play while Jane Bleasdale and David Gorman together teach the 4th 6th graders.
Recently the children were asked by Cheryl Notari and Sharon McSorley of the Vestry to make pledges to St. George's. The kids came home with yellow pledge cards for parents to review and sign. And the kids aren't off the hook yet as they also will participate in the annual candy tithe to donate 10% of their Halloween candy stash to the church missions. We will ring in All Saints Day with our annual Dio de los Muertos celebration to remember those who have passed in our lives.
Each week the children follow the Gospel readings with relevant activities in their classrooms. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated teachers here at St. George's.
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Gabriel Kai Batista Memorial Gift
The donation of the Red Tricycle in Gabriel Kai Batista's memory will be held at the 9:15 a.m. Family Service on November 11, 2012, instead of the usual 10:30 a.m. service. This will be the 5th year I donate a tricycle to one child at Turning Point Community Services which is run by Deacon Chris McCloud. I hope that many of my 10:30 a.m. friends will join me on this occasion. Yolanda Silverio |
 Preparation for our upcoming production, scheduled for the weekend of March 9-10, 2013, has begun. We will be holding auditions during the next few weeks and hope to see many of you and your families participating. Remember, this is an event for everyone - adults, children, teens, the whole family - whether you have "show-biz" in your background or just want to experience something new in a friendly environment.
The auditions are informal and brief - we just want to see you and familiarize ourselves with your voice. We have in mind a range of tunes to accommodate a range of performers, taking into account age, gender and vocal ranges and abilities. So bring along a favorite tune, something you enjoy singing; if you forget or don't know what to choose, no worries, as we will have music available for you.
We look forward to seeing you, at the piano, in the church, on one of the following dates:
- Sunday, November 11 - 12:15 p.m.
- Sunday, November 18 - 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 2 - 12:15 p.m.
Contact Cathy Jameson for more information.
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For All the Saints
Meditation Classes
 Fr. Poppe will hold a series of meditation classes on Wednesday nights in November called "For All the Saints." On November 14 and 28 we'll meet in the Rector's Office directly following the healing
service which begins at 7:30 p.m. The class will begin at approximately 8 p.m.
The structure of the class will focus on the works of St. Francis, St. John of the Cross and Dame Julian of Norwich. We'll look at their lives and a sample of their written work and use it as a vehicle for meditation. The class will end at 9 p.m. All are welcome.
Please note that due to Hurricane Sandy, the class scheduled for November 7 had to be canceled.
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Annual Thanksgiving Reception
On Sunday, November 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. we will have our annual Thanksgiving reception in the Parish Hall with all sorts of Thanksgiving goodies in a sit-down buffet. Men traditionally staff the kitchen, but we welcome service in the kitchen or donations from anyone, especially new members. We always need several turkeys or hams, and we will need carving and serving skills in the kitchen. Please email Shaunille McDonald or Dan Helming, or sign up on the list posted near the doorway to the Parish Hall.
Read more
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North Porch Festive Tea
On Sunday, November 18, North Porch Women & Infants' Centers will hold a Festive Tea from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Episcopal House in Newark. The tea will present a featured speaker, Cynthia Lamy, EdD, Senior Fellow at the National Institute of Early Education Research at Rutgers University and Metrics Manager at the Robin Hood Foundation. Cindy will be discussing her new book, American Children in Chronic Poverty: Complex Risks, Benefit Cost Analysis and Untangling the Knot.
Please join us and bring supplies for our centers in Northern New Jersey. Most needed are any of the following items:
- Diapers size 3,4, and 5
- Jars of baby food
- Enfamil formula
- Baby wipes.
If you can't attend but would like to donate, please drop donations in the Narthex or by the parking lot door. For more information, contact Lindsay McHugh.
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"Adam's Fire" Men's Group Meeting
 A new group for men has started on the last Friday night of the month called Adam's Fire. The inaugural meeting in September was successful, and the desire was strong to continue this way of exploring our beliefs, doubts and issues in between.
We'll next meet on Friday, November 30, at at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Garden, weather permitting. If it's too cold or raining, we'll meet in the Rector's office.
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Seeking Crafters & Volunteers
for Crafts Bazaar
 St. George's will be holding a Crafts Bazaar on Saturday, November 24. Do you knit? Make jewelry? Candles or cards? We're looking for anyone who makes handmade items to showcase and sell. We'll charge a minimal table fee; a percentage of all sales will benefit St. George's. We need crafters and volunteers.
Please contact Kathy Carliner as soon as you can to reserve your craft table and to help out. Volunteers are needed! Spread the word to any crafters you know; all are welcome and the more we have, the more successful it will be!
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The Tree of Angels
Sunday, December 2, will mark the first Sunday of Advent, and with it begins the annual Tree of Angels fundraiser. It's a "short" Advent this year because of where Christmas falls, and thus there will be only THREE Sundays following (December 2, 9, 16) on which we can raise funds for the Christmas flowers, trees and greens that we decorate our sanctuary and nave for the holy day. For the modest amount of $5 per name, you can buy an angel for the boughs of our community tree in the Parish Hall, either as a memorial or in thanksgiving. The Altar Guild will inscribe your loved ones' names on the list of remembrance to be included at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at St. George's. Read more
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Thank you for taking time to enjoy Dragon Tales!
Sincerely,
Dragon Tales Team
St. George's Episcopal Church |
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