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Wilderness – February 2020, St. Georgian

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The following is Associate Rector Areeta Bridgemohan’s monthly opening message from our weekly e-newsletter the St. Georgian. If you’d like to receive our weekly e-newsletter, sign-up here.

Wilder · ness
“state of the wild”
The Rev. Lisle Garrity, Founder and Creative Director of A Sanctified Art, a collective of artists and ministers seeking to offer their gifts to the church and to the world, will be our Lenten weekend facilitator this year. Her group has developed Lenten resources on the theme of wilderness, and St. George’s will be drawing on their resources this Lent.
The wilderness is an important space in our sacred story. The wilderness is a place of despair, barrenness, wandering, exploration, growth and purification. The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. In that time, they learned about trusting God, about waiting patiently, and they learned about the risk and the possibilities of freedom. Daily, they relied on God to feed their bodies with manna. They relied on God to feed their souls by holding fast to the promise that God would lead them to the promised land. This was a critical time in the formation of the community’s identity.
Lent also begins in the wilderness. On the First Sunday of Lent we’ll hear that “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matt 4:1a). Although the wilderness may seem to have limited signs of life, God uses it to spark spiritual growth. Sometimes the wilderness helps us see more clearly where God is active and moving. Sometimes the wilderness helps us let go of the baggage we don’t need but stubbornly or mindlessly cling to. Sometimes the wilderness leaves us with no choice but to trust God. Sometimes the wilderness helps us discover treasures in the world that we overlooked and reveals hidden treasures within ourselves. In our wandering in the wilderness, we discover that there is no place in our lives or in our souls where God does not dwell. May this Lent be a time for us to discover what God has in store in the wilderness.
Your sister in Christ,
Areeta+
Prayer
The Rev. Sarah Are, A Sanctified Art (2020)
One: God is in the water that restores our soul.
All: And God is in the night when we lose our way.
One: God is in today and tomorrow, raising up leaders, prophets and dreamers.
All: And God is in the wilderness with us—every step of the way.
One: So with confidence we declare—
All: If God is in those spaces, then God is surely here.
One: Let us worship the God of creation.
All: Let us worship the God of wilderness spaces. 

Pilgrim’s Path Classes Start January 11

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The Pilgrim’s Path course is for anyone who wants to more deeply explore the Christian journey through the Episcopal Church. It is ideal for those who went through a confirmation class way back when, those who have never been to church, those who haven’t thought much about faith at all, those who are always seeking, and those who are beginning to wonder but aren’t quite sure.

We welcome everyone and invite you to ask, challenge, probe, think, feel and identify perhaps for the first time – what you believe and how to give expression to that belief. For 2020, classes run 9 am to noon in Sydnor Hall on January 11, January 25,  February 8, February 22, March 7, March 21 and April. To sign up, fill out the form below or click here. You can also call the office if you prefer: (540.373.4133).

 

 

Two Generous Grants Support The Table at St. George’s

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The_TableThe Honeywell Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation and Transurban Express Lanes Community Grant Program provide funds for fresh food purchases at local food pantry

Fredericksburg, Virginia (October 3, 2019) —Two generous grants from the Honeywell Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation and the Transurban Express Lanes Community Grant Program ensure The Table at St. George’s will have necessary funds to purchase fresh produce. The Table at St. George’s is a market-style food pantry that provides fresh produce and pantry items to those in the Fredericksburg region experiencing food security. The Table gratefully acknowledges the valued support of these grants.

The Honeywell Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region has provided financial support for the Table since 2013. Most recently, they have awarded The Table $15,000 in grant funding. The funds will help the food pantry provide food and fresh produce to those who rely on the weekly operation of The Table to supplement their nutritional needs.

The Table will also use a grant of $3,000 from the Transurban Express Lanes Community Grant Program for fresh produce purchases for The Table’s weekly food distribution.

Additionally, both grant awards will support the continued operation of The Table in the World. This special initiative delivers fresh produce during the growing season from June to October to seniors and the affordable housing community at five local sites. The Table in the World partners include Rappahannock Area Agency for Aging, doing business as Healthy Generations.

In 2018, The Table distributed more than 160,000 pounds of food, of which 43% was fresh produce. The weekly pop-up food distribution at historic St. George’s Episcopal Church in downtown Fredericksburg continues the congregation’s longstanding tradition of providing for those in need. The Table fosters not only better nutrition for those experiencing food insecurity, but a strong sense of community among the volunteers who serve and those being served, the shoppers of The Table.

Shoppers at The Table include the young and aged, the able-bodied and the physically challenged, the unemployed and many who are working one or two jobs but are unable to earn enough to adequately nourish their families. Food provided by The Table and other such food operations can make a significant difference in the amount of food available to the people of our community, many of whom receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The Table, operating since January 2012, is located in the church’s parish hall. Open every Tuesday from 9:30 – 11:00 in the morning and 5:00 – 6:30 in the evening, it serves hundreds of people from the city of Fredericksburg and surrounding counties, including Caroline, King George, Orange, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.

The Table is grateful for the generosity of all who support its efforts to improve the lives of people living with food insecurity. More than 90% of funding for The Table comes from awards, donations, fundraisers, and grants. In-kind donations are provided by corporations and local businesses.

For more information, contact Laurel Loch at 540.373.4133 or laurel.loch@stgeorgesepiscopal.net.

To learn more about The Table and see a video on its operation, visit

https://www.stgeorgesepiscopal.net/outreach-and-mission/the-table-at-st-georges/.

 

Sabbatical Letter from Pastor Joe

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Our rector, the Rev. Joe Hensley, will be on sabbatical June 3 – September 4, 2019. If you have a pastoral emergency (e.g. death, hospitalization, loss of job) and need to speak with a member of clergy, please call or text 540 361 8573. While Joe is away, our associate rector, the Rev. Areeta Bridgemohan will serve as acting rector. You can reach Pastor Areeta by calling the church office 540 373 4133 or via email.

If you have any questions, please contact our church office (540 373 4133).

Here is the letter Joe sent to the parish announcing his sabbatical.

 

April 8, 2019

Greetings beloved St. Georgians,

Grace to you and peace from God and our Savior Jesus Christ. I am writing to share more details about the announced sabbatical leaves for myself and our director of music ministries, John Vreeland. John’s last Sunday before leaving will be May 19. Mine will be Sunday, June 2. John will return August 18, and I will return September 4. This is an opportunity for reflection and renewal for us and for the parish as a whole.

The word, “sabbatical” comes from “sabbath,” times of rest commanded by God in scripture. St. George’s strives to exemplify sabbath practice by offering an extended time of rest every few years to full-time employees. This is time to truly unplug, which can be hard to do on days off or even on vacation. John and I wish to thank the congregation for your support as we receive this restful break.

Late last year, St. George’s applied for and received a generous congregational renewal grant from the Lilly Foundation. These grants are awarded for sabbatical renewal of both clergy and congregation. The grant will fund the expenses for me and my family to do some traveling, as well as some parish activities. The theme of the application was “wholeness,” which we have been exploring during this program year. I hope this period of rest can be a time to renew our connection with God through our bodies, the people we care about, and with all of creation. There will be more information coming about

the activities planned during the summer. Please mark your calendars for the first event, our spring outdoor service and picnic in Hurkamp Park on June 2.

The vestry has convened a sabbatical committee that is working to ensure the bases are covered while John and I are away. Life in the parish continues over the summer, and we will also need to be planning for fall. The committee is also considering how this time can be a renewal. With this letter is a list of the committee members and some frequently asked questions the committee has developed. Please contact the office if you have additional questions or concerns. Please join me in thanking our talented staff for their support and particularly to the Rev. Areeta Bridgemohan and Achim Loch for stepping in to key leadership roles.

I will close with a few words from author, Philip Shepherd, who is one of my inspirations for “wholeness.” He writes: “There is a gravity that is calling to your heart, and that loves you in all your brokenness. It is gently inviting you into a dance of surrender to your wholeness…When you take a chance on that dance, and venture even one step into its wild peace, you will be helping us all.” For us, that “gravity” is God. May we all know the grounding and grace of God’s gravitational love in this coming season.

Your rector and brother in Christ,

The Rev. Joseph H. Hensley, Jr.

Sabbatical FAQ’s

Who are the members of the sabbatical committee?

Marilyn Farrington, Russ Carter, Sheryl Stroud Bryant, Areeta Bridgemohan, Laurel Loch, Nick Cadwallender, Anne Beals, Hurley Bogardus, Ethel Hellman, and Joe Hensley.

What will Joe and John be doing on their sabbaticals?

Joe will begin and end the sabbatical with spiritual retreats at monasteries. He will also visit with family and friends that he does not get to see very often. The centerpiece of the sabbatical is a family trip to Hawaii where they will hike and camp, exploring God’s creation.

John’s sabbatical will include lots of rest time, a trip to Brazil with Mary to visit with their son and new granddaughter, a week or two working with Parsons organ builders for some hands on experience in organ construction and maintenance, and two composition projects: a new Brazilian Mass setting for the 9 am Eucharist, and composing a hymn tune to accompany a poem by Beth Spragins written for St. George’s 300th anniversary celebration.

Who will cover Joe and John’s responsibilities in their absence?

Areeta Bridgemohan, will serve as the clergy in charge of the church. Our priest associate, Bob Miller, will add hours to his schedule. Our young adult missioner, David Casey, will continue his work in the wider community and be available occasionally. Our assistant director of music ministries, Achim Loch, will oversee music ministries during John’s sabbatical. In addition, we are hiring Dr. Brooks Kuykendall, a fellow St. Georgian and head of the music department at UMW to play some Sundays as well as Dr. Kelly Kazik, our former assistant organist.

Who will cover the expenses of the sabbatical?

St. George’s puts aside funds each year into a sabbatical fund, which will pay for the additional compensation needed. Joe and John will receive their usual compensation during the sabbatical period. A grant from the Lilly Foundation will cover all Joe’s sabbatical activities. There should be no need to go into the general operating budget for any sabbatical expenses, and it should not impact the church budget.

Whom do I call for pastoral care?

During the sabbatical, you may contact either Areeta or Bob. Our pastoral care ministries, particularly One Body Response Team and Stephen Ministers will also be responding to needs as they arise. Contact the church office or the pastoral emergency phone (540-361-8573) if you have an urgent pastoral need. Clergy will be available to conduct baptisms or funerals as needed. If you need to plan a wedding, please be in touch with Areeta.

Will Joe or John be in contact with St. George’s during the sabbatical?

An important part of a sabbatical is to make a complete break from things. In the unlikely event that some extraordinary news absolutely must be communicated to them, Areeta or Laurel Loch, our parish administrator, will know how to contact them. They will look forward to catching up with everyone on their return. If you happen to see them around town, it’s only natural to wave and say “hello”. Please do help them maintain the spirit of their sabbaticals, though, by providing separation from their duties and parish life.

What if I have other questions?

Please contact a member of our Vestry or reach out to Areeta or Laurel. If they cannot answer your question immediately, they will communicate it with our sabbatical planning committee so it can be addressed.

Registration Open for 2019 VBS!

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Register your child today

**Update: July 22: Please note that registration is now full. Please contact Hecti Musa if you would like to place your child on our waiting list. 

Registration is now open for our summer Vacation Bible School.

Our VBS program, “Abundance Orchard” runs July 29 – August 2 from 9 am – 12 pm. All children ages 4 – 8 are welcome. Register here.

Space is limited, so please sign up today!