THE

Dragon SAINT GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH September 2017 The Episcopal Parish of Belleville, Illinois

But You've Got to Know the Territory

The opening scene of my favorite American musical "The Music Man", depicts salesmen on a train heading for Iowa. So much is changing with the automobile, and the ways of selling and buying. One salesman says:

You can talk, talk, talk, talk you can bicker, bicker, bicker. You can talk all you wanna but it's different than it was.

the response is wise:

No it ain't, no it ain't, but you gotta know the territory.

We are likewise in the midst of enormous changes in our society and church, which have caused steep declines in church membership, stewardship giving, and attendance. The new Episcopal "Red Book" has just appeared with 2016 statistics. Once again all key statistics are down in the entire Episcopal Church, the Springfield Diocese, and St. George's. Why? Is this only a St. George's con-cern? Or are there trends in the Episcopal Church, all mainline churches, even synagogues and even the very conservative folk in the splinter groups whom have bro-ken away from the Episcopal Church, which show mas-sive loss due in part to the secularism, individualism, and consumerism in our whole country? Bishop Wayne Smith of Missouri said a couple years ago that "Christendom" is over.

Let's discuss what is happening to St. George's with our own losses, and do so in the context of "the territory". How do we sing the Lord's song in a new, strange land? (See Psalm 139.)

On Sundays, September 10 and 17, two forums will be held at 9:15 a.m., to describe “the territory” and how to maintain a vibrant witness to Christ. I will make a brief presentation at both, and then open the floor to any and all discussion.

TERRITORY, pg. 5

See You at Sunday School!

It is with great enthusiasm that Saint George's announces the return of Sunday School on September 10. This year, Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m. The children and youth will assemble in the chapel for music and then break into groups for lessons. Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade use the Godly Play Curriculum. Special lessons are designed for the older children.

Saint George’s is currently looking for Sunday School teachers. For additional information and to volunteer, please contact Mae Scott at 618-726-7025 or the parish office at 618-233-6320.

September Lessons 9/10 The Holy Family 9/17 Second Creation 9/24 The Circle of the Church Year

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Giving Thanks to God with the UTO

It has been several years since St. George's has had an ingathering for the UTO. The UTO is the United Thank Offering of the National Episco-pal Church. It is given in thanksgiving of the many blessings of this life. The monies collected are distributed to the various missions and minis-tries of the Episcopal Church worldwide.

This year, St. George's delegates to Synod will present a check to the UTO ingathering diocesan chairman. Any donations should be placed in the plate during September, with a notation on the memo line of "UTO". And, yes, as with all giv-ing, it is tax deductible. Blessings are all around. Look deep into your heart, and be thankful.

Financial Report

Saint George’s is Looking Ahead

The Parish is invited and encouraged to attend two special presentations on “The Future of St. George’s.” The presentations are sched-uled for Sundays, September 10 and 17 at 9:15 a.m. On both days, Father Coleman will make a brief presentation and encourage discussion from the floor.

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We pray for:

Parishioners: Tom Boschert, Lore Cook, Ted Cook, Maryann Fernandez, Audrey Fouts, Nancy Friesen, Jeff Gates, Don Gillen, Sharon Gottschall, Jeff Harvey, Ron Hoercher, Mary Ann Karch, Steve King, Sharon Lavely, John Lynch, Charles McConnell, Mary Mohrman, Rebecca Rea, Margaret Schilling, Vince Torigian, Jean Vaughn;

Family & Friends: Sue Buckley, Mary Cafferata, Shirley Cafferata, Tony Clavier+priest, Chris Coats+priest, Jim Cox, Hope Doering, Mark & Virginia Ellis, Margaret Evans, Barbara Fisher, Don Fisher, Grace Fox, Ken Gearhart, Mavis Grimm, Cynthia Guyon, Jack Hafford, Aldara Henderson, David Irby, Maeve Kincaid, Richard King, Barry Langenbach, Kim Levick, Ismael Lopez, J.J. Ludwick, Lisa Ludwick, Donna

Lynk, Charlene McCormick, Katie McCrary, Donald Mueller, J.W. Oglesby, Lynne Phillips, Bo Pritchard, Betty Radzik, Holly Rasmussen, Susan Sleaford, Andrew Smith, Harold Smith, Linda Smith, Barry Streeter, Kent Thomas, Stacey Toenjes, Stormy White, Kelly Whitney, Grace Ziegler, Jamie Ziegler;

For those in service of our country: Joshua Arbogast, Neal Ballas, Dan Durbin, Steven Gates, Daniel Gearhart, Kenneth Gearhart, Beth Graboritz, Gene Hart, Kalen Jones, Dan Kitchell, Eric Lunan, Tyler Murphy, Nathan Scott, Philip Surrey, Travis Welborn, Creighton Worley;

We Celebrate With Those Celebrating Birthdays: 3 Shelby Lavely Sam Parsons 4 Kate Hendrix Bob Vaughn 5 Nancy Friesen 6 Maryann Fernandez 9 Richard Slocomb 14 Marilyn Gillen Ronald Rauh 15 Philip Kammann 16 David Buckley 17 Mary Mathus Sue Slocomb 18 Sherri Welch 20 Nathan Harres 21 Katy Hall Mitch Maves 25 Robby Hall Trudy Pannirselvam Chris Robertson Samuel Skaff Patrick Walters Kate Welborn

Saint George’s Parish Family 26 Ben Viguerie 28 Aria Minelli Claire Skaff 29 Joe Bono Guy Cantonwine

Those Celebrating Anniversaries: 6 Matt Pidgeon & Nancy Friesen 12 George & Marilee Evans 15 Joe & Carol Hooten Kevin & Becky Korte Jeff & Judy Mowry 21 Gene & Debi Hart 23 Don & Marilyn Gillen 24 Christopher Buckley & Trudy Pannirselvam

New Member Elizabeth Henderson Stelling

Thank You Thank you for all the cards, phone calls, kind words and prayers we received after our mother passed away. Thank you also to everyone who helped with her memorial service and reception. We are truly grateful for all the love and support at such a difficult time.

—The Family of Pat Brock

The entire Massey family would like to express their heart felt thanks to the members of St. George’s and St. Mark for the gifts of love that you so generously shared remembering Jim. We appreciated your prayers, thoughts and contributions honoring Jim’s memory.

Sincerely, Betty Massey

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

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The WEDG (Women's Ecumenical Dining Group) will be gathering at Eckert's Country Restaurant for dinner, 6:30 pm, on Thursday, September 14. Eckert's is located at 951 South Greenmount Road, Belleville, (corner of Greenmount and Hwy. 15), phone 233-0513. Come for dinner and do a little shopping, or maybe even a lot !!! Please call the church office, 233-6320, for reservations (head count). Ladies, this “Dutch Treat” event is definitely for YOU ! So if you are 18 or above.....Come for Good Fun, Good Food, and Good Conversation.

On October 6th and 7th, 11:00 am - 10:30 pm, St. George’s will participate in the Belleville Chili Cook-Off. St. George’s has participated for 22 years. Proceeds are donated to the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association. To make this event a suc-cess, volunteers are needed!

Volunteer Opportunities include:

Recruiting and scheduling booth workers Manning booths Mixing and heating batches Delivering chili to the booth Set-Up on Thursday evening, October 5, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Clean Up & Dismantling on Saturday evening, October 7, 10:00 – 11:30 pm

To volunteer or for additional information, please phone David Buckley at 618-520-9333.

For $1 per vote, attendees are invited to vote in the People's Choice contest for their favorite chili. All proceeds from voting are donated to the Community Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville.

Pots, pans, and peppers awaiting their savory solution.

WEDG at the Hop House Front row: Roz Holden, Liz Briesacher, Carol Ludwick, Kathy Parsons Back row: Marti Evans, Cindy Lynk, Nancy Ypma, Sue Vaughn, Elaine Thebus, Diane Laedlein, Joan Barnes, Betty Givens.

The Chili Challenge is Coming!

WEDG to Pick a Peck at Eckert’s

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They Who Sing, Pray Twice! Choristers will start rehearsals again on Wednesday, September 6th at 5:30 p.m. Our rehearsals occur in the choristers' room upstairs by the Sunday school rooms and they last until 6:30 pm. All children in 2nd-7th grade are invited to join us! We sing every other week, at the 5:00 Christmas eve service and present a musical in May. We sing, learn how to read music, learn about the church, play musical baseball and have holiday parties.

The Adult Choir will also resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. Rehearsals go until 9:-00 p.m. The adult choir sings every Sunday and for Feast day services. We also join St. Mark choir to sing at joint services. New members are ALWAYS wel-come!

I look forward to seeing all choristers and choir members back, and new singers too! Please call or email me if you have any questions!

Musically yours,

Nancy Ypma, Director of Music and Organist

The Adult Choir and Choristers join forces!

Toddhall Retreat Center Announces New Executive Director

Kevin Korte has been selected as the new Executive Director of Toddhall Retreat and Conference Center.

With a background in camps and retreat centers, Kevin has managed the YMCA of Southwest Illinois Lakeside Center for many years. He was Development Director for Sunnyhill Camp and Retreat Center in Dittmer, Missouri, which included adventure activities, a lake, swimming pool, cabins, and bunkhouses.

Kevin was also Director of the Council for Extended Care and had oversight for the Independent Supported Liv-ing Program, which served adults with developmental disabilities. Most recently he taught special education stu-dents in Edwardsville.

Kevin is married to Becky and has one son, Stephen. They have been members of St. George’s for over twenty-five years. He is very motivated to be a part of such an important and vital ministry, and wishes to thank the many volunteers and staff who make this ministry possible.

TERRITORY from pg. 1 Beginning September 24, I will lead a discussion on Archbishop Rowan Williams' books on "Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Pray-er" and "Being Disciples: Essentials of the Chris-tian Life". I believe these are very fine books, hailed from many churches, as effective guides to who we are and our acclamation of Jesus as Lord. They are available on Amazon.

This is, what I trust, will be extremely helpful and nourishing to our souls as we face the culture around us.

Faithfully in Christ,

Fr. Dale+

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Saint George’s Episcopal Church 105 East D Street Belleville, IL 62220

Saint George’s Staff & Vestry Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield Sunday School Director Newsletter Team

The Rt. Rev. Daniel H. Martins, D.D Mae Scott Henry Evans

Rector Sexton Cindy Lynk

The Rev. Canon Dale Coleman, Rector Jeff Holtgrewe

Rector Emeritus

The Rev. Canon Elliot Blackburn Vestry

Music Director Steve Skaff, Senior Warden Tom Boschert

Nancy S. Ypma, D.Mus. Brian Maves, Junior Warden Maryann Fernandez

Parish Administrator Ruth Ann Weber, Treasurer Nancy Friesen

Henry Evans Julie Herr, Clerk Cindy Lynk

Sarah Bender Bill Zimmermann

Office Hours Lumley Bevineau

Monday - Friday Father Coleman 9:00 am - 3:00 pm fatherdale@sbcglobal.net stgeorgeoffice@sbcglobal.net For Pastoral Emergencies phone: 618-789-3723 618-233-6320