Ever wonder where we got the word Halloween? It comes from All Hallow’s Eve, the night before the feast better known as All Saints’! Hallow (as in “hallowed” ground) was a common term for something holy and set apart, and so the time around All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) became known as Hallowtide, much like Christmastide or Eastertide.
This is a time when we sit in the space between death and rebirth, remembering saints and sainted loved ones, and praying for those who have gone before and are in between.
We hope it will be a hallowed time for you and invite you to join with your fellow parishioners in this time or worship and remembrance.
All Saints’ Sunday, Nov 5 – Special Sunday Schedule
Join for 7:45 and Celtic services as normal (with a bit of festive flair), and a combined 10 am Eucharist to mark the festival of All Saints.
We remember those who have set an example for us, raise them up, and give thanks to God for their witness to the Church throughout history. We will not be having formation, but will have a festive coffee hour hosted by the Daughters of the King after the 10 am service.
Note: hypoallergenic incense will be used at the 10 am service.
All Souls’ Commemoration, Nov 6, 7 pm Eucharist
On this day, we remember those especially who have died in the past year.
This is a beautiful service of grief and hope, filled with music and poetry, and all are welcome. It includes the solemn reading of the necrology, the names of all those who have died in the past year, as we commend them to the care of God.
Clergy and parishioners of other churches in our region will join us for this special time together.
Note: hypoallergenic incense will be used at this service.
The Necrology
If you have a name to add to the Necrology, the list of our loved ones who have died in the past year, please send us their name here. The necrology will appear in the bulletin for All Saints’ and will be solemnly read for All Souls’. We ask that names be submitted by October 26.
Fence Ribbons
As is our yearly tradition, all who pass by the church are invited to write the name of a loved one who has died on a ribbon and place them on the fence outside the graveyard. It’s a wonderful way we engage with our whole community, even those for whom All Saints’ Day is new. The fence ribbons will be available beginning this Sunday, Oct 29.
Graveyard Care Day – Saturday, Oct 28
On the Saturday before All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov 1 and 2), we invite all St. Georgians to come care for our graveyard as a way to honor those who have died and remind ourselves of our place in the communion of saints. We will clean gravestones using safe techniques (all supplies provided) and do some light landscaping maintenance from 9 am – 12 pm.
Scary Music for Organ Concert
Our most popular annual concert is back on Saturday, Oct 28 at 7:30 pm. Join us – if you dare – for Scary Music for Organ! The Organists of St. George’s (Trystan Bennett, Brooks Kuykendall, Achim Loch, and John Vreeland) will perform haunting renditions of works by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Langlais, Ginastera, Mizzy, Reger, and Franck. The evening will be terrifyingly delightful and monstrously entertaining. Feel free to come in costume. The concert is free with donations to the organ fund accepted at the door.
Micah Community All Saints’ Remembrance
On Thursday, Nov 2, we join together with our neighbors and partner congregations to celebrate the lives of the homeless and formerly homeless members of our community who died in the last year. We will gather on the Fredericksburg UMC green in the memory of those who are often left with no headstone, yet who are claimed by God. The All Saints’ Remembrance will begin with a “Camp Vigil” at 5 pm, where a memorial campsite is illuminated for each neighbor who has died. That will be followed by an ecumenical liturgy at 6 pm.
