Featured Video:
Christmas Pageant
December 24, 2011

Sunday, January 22 & 29:
Introduction to Basic Skills for Icon Writing

Icon writing is an art grounded in meditation. Each brush stroke in an Eastern Orthodox icon is painted prayer. Traditionally the icons are created using egg tempera on a gesso board surface. Learn about the prayers, how to mix egg tempera, about the colors used and the painting skills needed to write (paint) an icon. Learn about the 22 steps that are needed to write an icon. Learn about materials and sources. If there is interest, a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC will be arranged.

Cost: $25.00 for materials.

The class will be taught by Lancey Clough on Sunday, January 22 and 29, 3 - 5 p.m. at on the third floor of St. George's Resource Center. Please RSVP to Lancey (email at right).

Month of February:
Black History Month

At St. George's, the entire month of February is devoted to Black History Month. And as usual, the music department is planning to celebrate this important tradition in grand style. Every week will feature a spiritual sung by our adult choir, and many of your favorite gospel hymns will be featured from one of our fabulous hymnals, Lift Every Voice And Sing.

Also, a special Jazz Eicharist has been scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 19 at the 10:30 a.m. service. Richard Berggren is polishing up his various trumpets for the occasion, and has arranged for a special jazz combo to join us. You won't want to miss it, so make sure to be there – and bring all of your friends, too!

Week of February 5-12:
Hosting Homeless Families for IHN

During the week of February 5-12, we will host several homeless Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) families at St. George's. The families will arrive Sunday afternoon February 5 and leave on Sunday afternoon February 12.

Volunteers are needed to serve as meal preparers, greeter/servers, evening host and overnight host. Two volunteers are needed for each nightly task.

To sign up, please check the IHN chart in the Parish Hall, or contact Martha Gardner, IHN Coordinator (email at right).

Friday, February 10:
Movie Night

Join us on Friday, February 10 to watch Rejoice & Shout.

Noted music documentarian Don McGlynn takes viewers on a journey through 200 years of African American Christian music, using rare performance footage, audio, stills and interviews to document the history and power of gospel music. The influential groups and musicians profiled include the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Smokey Robinson, and historians interviewed include Anthony Heilbut and Bill Carpenter.

Our location is PTW, located at 1 Pierson Road in Maplewood. PTW is just off Valley Road, with the driveway entrance just past Weichert Real Estate. It is the barn-sized building across from the garden shop, and ample parking is available. Our movie begins at 7:30 p.m. Popcorn and a beverage are provided.

Sunday, February 12:
Spiritual Salon

Spiritual Salon is a monthly gathering for informal conversations over a pot-luck dinner about spiritual issues and topics. Books will provide the springboard for the conversation in different areas of faith and spirituality. The group is open to all.

Due to the Bishop's visit on the second Sunday of January, our next meeting will be Sunday, February 12 to discuss The Shack by William Young. We'll meet at 5 p.m. at the Rectory.

Please RSVP to the Rev. Bernie Poppe, Rector (email at right).

Sunday, March 18:
Annual Meeting

St. George's Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 18 after the 10:30 a.m. service. The Annual Meeting concerns the election of Vestry members, the review of budget and other issues from the past year as well as looking forward to the coming year. It's a time to learn about how the church works and forms its ministry.

All members are encouraged to come and so there will only be one service that day at 10:30 a.m. The service will be followed by the election of Vestry members, and a luncheon in the Parish Hall with presentations and a time for questions. We have a strong parish and meeting such as this help to keep it strong and focused on God’s service!