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!
St. George’s Episcopal Church will host The St. George Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, February 17 at 3:00 pm as part of the church’s Chamber Concert Series. Selections for the concert will include: Mozart’s “Symphony #29”, Gershwin’s “Lullaby”, and Homilius’ “Kommt, frohe Volker, herzu”, featuring the Choir of St. George’s.
Today is National Unity Day, but you’d never know it by looking at the headlines and news. Everyday at The Table at St. George’s is National Unity Day – Kindness/Acceptance/Inclusion. Yesterday the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank came in to do their annual inspection of our food pantry. One of the questions concerned who we allow to shop. Our answer was anyone who walks in the door and asks for food. We invite them to come back weekly as long as they have a need. Another question was about the area we serve. We have people come from Manassas, Triangle, King George, Caroline, Orange, Stafford, Spotsylvania, as well as Fredericksburg. We even serve people passing thru Virginia who have been told to go to The Table.
Nominations are now open for St. George’s Vestry. There are four positions opening up for the class that will serve 2019-2021. The vestry is the parish council of lay persons, elected by other active members of the parish, who, with the rector, have responsibility for the care and control of church property and the transaction of the business of the congregation. At St. George’s, the vestry is also a group that helps the rector, other clergy, staff, and commissions to discern and carry out the vision of where God is calling us as a congregation. There is “business” to which we must attend, but there is also a lot of joyful sharing and growing in faith and love.