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Reflecting on 2018

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At the adult forum on Sunday, February 3, 2019 we took a moment to reflect on a busy 2018 and plan for 2019. Our Rector, The Rev. Joe Hensley, presented our new logo. The quatrefoil image appears throughout our building architecture. The four circles are reminiscent of the Four Gospels. The intersecting lines remind us of crossroads. We will gradually transition over to this new look. The change will take time, but it will be mindfully done.

Additionally, Joe shared highlights from the annual report. This document includes reports from our ministry commissions. While it isn’t exhaustive, it helps give a picture of the accomplishments of the many different ministry areas at our parish. To request a hard copy of the report, please contact the church office.

Download a copy of the 2018 Annual Report here.

 

This video gives a snapshot of 2018 and our time together:

Looking ahead to 2019

Senior Warden Marilyn Farrington shared an update on the 300th Anniversary commission. Events will fall into at least one of these categories: spiritual, historical, outreach, or fellowship. Events currently planned are: gala and art show, exhibit at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, golf tournament, homecoming, fun run, and speaker series. To get involved, please contact Marilyn.

Joe also announced the dates of his sabbatical. He will be away June 3 – September 3, 2019. The theme of his sabbatical is “Rooted in Wholeness”. He has received funding from the a Lilly grant to help cover expenses. While he is away, the parish will also have opportunities for renewal and chances to explore the same theme.

Junior Warden Terry Dorn reported that we have hired an architect firm – L / K / H Architects, LLC. – to work on a master plan that addresses our needs for more space and better accessibility. The process is just beginning and more updates are forthcoming.

Thank you to everyone for making 2018 a success!

Lenten Weekend 2019

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The_Rev_Ōshin_Jennings
The Rev. Liam Ōshin Jennings

Rooted in Wholeness: Contemplative Prayer and Mindfulness

March 8 – 10, 2019. Featuring the Rev. Ōshin Jennings, leader of No Barriers Zen in Washington, D.C.

Online registration is now closed. Please register when you check-in at the door.

How do we remove barriers to nurture our inner selves? This year’s Lenten Weekend invites participants to let go of their thinking and surrender to God’s wholeness through practices of meditation and contemplative prayer. Our keynote speaker is The Rev. Ōshin Jennings. Rev. Ōshin is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest, a trained psychotherapist, and multi-media artist. He is the first known Deaf Buddhist monk and leads No Barriers Zen, a meditation community based in Washington, DC. The aim of No Barriers Zen is to make meditation practice accessible to people of all abilities and disabilities.

This weekend is accessible to all Deaf, hearing, and ASL communities and is made possible in part by a grant from the Episcopal Conference of the Deaf (ECD).

 

Schedule of Events

Friday – March 8
Sydnor Hall
6 pm: Potluck dinner – bring a dish to share!
Nave (note location change)
7 – 9 pm: Introduction to Meditation by The Rev. Ōshin Jennings

Seats and a limited number of cushions will be available. Please feel free to bring your own meditation cushion.

Saturday – March 9
10 am: Tour of St. George’s facilities
Nave (note location change)
7 – 9 pm: Expanding Our Practice by The Rev. Ōshin Jennings

Seats and a limited number of cushions will be available. Please feel free to bring your own meditation cushion.

Sunday – March 10
Nave
9 am: Worship Service with Homily by The Rev. Ōshin Jennings

Sydnor Hall
10 am: Adult Forum discussion “The Embodied Buddhist Journey” led by The Rev. Ōshin Jennings

Youth Floor
12:30 pm: Lunch with Youth

Nave
2 pm: Interfaith Panel Discussion: How do different faith communities participate in meditation?
Panelists:

Rev. Ōshin Jennings, our keynoter for the weekend
Seham El-Ansary, Islamic and inter-faith scholar and community leader, Fredericksburg-area resident. She is the founder and director of WAH- Women Alliance For Humanity, self-prosperity coach, former education and management consultant, and a lifelong community activist who has dedicated her efforts to civic empowerment, women & youth training, interfaith outreach, and the betterment of the community. She holds an MBA and a BA in Social Sciences and Education, with a minor in Psychology. She lectured in many universities, churches and synagogues. Her community work has been featured in various local newspapers, TV & Radio shows, in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Education and empowerment work is her paramount focus and passion in life.
Dr. John McLaughlin, M.D. physician and mindfulness based stress reduction instructor. John has been involved in meditation and contemplative practices since his late teens. He started with TM (Transcendental Meditation) and currently practices in the Non Dual tradition in the Ramana Maharshi and Sri Nisargadatta lineage. His root teacher in Adyashanti. John is a cofounder of the Yoga Foundation of Fredericksburg which is a nonprofit organization which offers yoga, mindfulness and wellness workshops with a focus on the underserved in our community.  He teaches Mindfulness Bases Stress Reduction (MBSR) after having finished his teacher training with the founder Jon Kabat Zinn at the University of Massachusetts. He has a strong science background having trained as a MD and now combines his passion for the Body with that of the Mind and Spirit.
The Rev. Joe Hensley, rector of St. George’s.
The Rev. Ed Jones, Episcopal deacon and former editor of the Free Lance Star will serve as the moderator for the panel discussion

 

Online registration is now closed but you are welcome to attend! Please register at the door when you check-in.

 

Fall 2018 Parish Life Brochure Now Available

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Our Fall 2018 Parish Life brochure is now available. Pick up a hard copy in the church office or the tract rack in the Narthex. You can also download a copy here.

This brochure has highlights of important dates, activities, and events. It also includes information on our Christian Formation for all ages. Take a look and see how you can get connected!

2018 Lenten Devotional: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John

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Have you ever wished to deepen your relationship with God? To experience a warm friendship with God? Maybe even fall in love with God – again – or for the very first time?

Join our rector, Joe Hensley, and the monks of the Society of St. John the Evangelist for a six-week Lenten journey through prayer and reflection on The Gospel According to John.

Go to meetingjesusinjohn.org to download a reflection journal (or order a hard-copy) and materials and sign up to receive email reflections from the monks. Joe will be leading online and in person conversations at various points along the way, but you can participate at anytime from anywhere.

Contact Joe if you plan to participate or if you would like to join us but cannot access the online materials.