The Dragon’s Tale

SEPTEMBER 2019

“St. George’s is a community of disciples joyfully

reaching out in love to nurture, teach, and

heal in Jesus’ name”

St. George’s Episcopal Church

912 Route 146 · Clifton Park, NY 12065

(518) 371 - 6351 www.stgeorgescp.org

Kick Off Sunday and Picnic

September 8

Kick Off Sunday at St. George’s is on September 8. You are encouraged to wear your favorite football jerseys at all services this Sunday as we kick off our fall programming. Sunday School for all ages begins at

10:30 AM. All children and youth should enroll on our website at www.stgeorgescp.org/forms.

We offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3 to 6, Hearts Alive for grades 2 through 5, Rite 13 for grades 6 to 8, and Echo The Story for

grades 9 to 12. Adults may choose one of our Sunday Morning Theological Reflections: The Library TR is open to all. A special TR for

younger adults (20's,30's, 40's) is held in Randles Room 11.

Please join us for a picnic at 4 PM and bring a dish to pass!

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their book, Leadership on the Line, authors Heifetz and Linsky conclude that resistance to change is resistance to loss. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” For something new to appear, something else must disappear. Adaptive leadership brings people face to face with loss and the unknown, which left unaddressed, increases anxiety in people and community. The Church, its leaders, and members are familiar with reactive demands from anxious individuals and communities. Changing the curriculum used in Sunday school classes, in reaction to teachers complaining about low attendance, might be an example of attempting to resolve an adaptive challenge with a technical fix. If changing the curriculum (a technical fix) does not resolve the problem, then looking at the problem as an adaptive challenge makes sense. The problem may be that parishioners are prioritizing other activities, such as Sunday morning sports commitments, over Christian formation classes. Acknowledging this as an adaptive challenge opens the possibilities for the discovery of new solutions and “systemic levels of change.” The problem is often that the “real issue” is the last thing anyone wants to take the risk of addressing. Roxanne Stone, editor-in-chief of the Barna Group, offers research findings that help explain this paradox. Stone says that, “The issues pastors feel most pressured to speak out on are the same ones they feel limited to talk about. In other words, the squeeze comes from all sides: those demanding that the Church take a stand and those outraged when it does or [those] outraged when that stance is other than what they’d hoped.” Parents who believe they are making the caring choice for their children by attending weekend sporting events are unlikely to welcome a challenge to rethink Sunday morning priorities. I would like to offer some reflection questions for you to consider in the days ahead: What challenges are you facing in your Christian journey? What challenges are limiting your ability to bring your children or grandchildren up to know, love and follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior? If these are technical challenges, there should be a known answer that once applied will resolve the challenge and you can move on with other challenges. If these are adaptive challenges, then there are no easy answers because finding the way forward will require a spirit of

From The Rector In last month’s article, I mentioned the subject of adaptive leadership that the church in general and parishes like St. George’s in particular need to embrace in these times of rapid change. The spiral of change that began in the late 1950’s has progressed to where we are today with ever increasing levels of anxiety in what psychiatrist Dr. Murray Bowen calls a “Societal Regression.” In a regression, levels of “acute and chronic anxiety” increase in reaction to the rapid levels of change people are experiencing, hoping to find simple answers to increasingly complex challenges. Murray Bowen observed that while an anxious society may be demanding straightforward and simple answers, “Society is littered with complex problems for which there [are] no simple answers. ”When leaders resolve complex problems with familiar or known solutions, they are offering what Heifetz and Linsky call, “technical solutions,” to “adaptive challenges.” Adaptive challenges exist because the need for adaptive change exists. Change in one part of a system changes other parts of systems or “emotional fields” in which the change first occurs. A useful metaphor for thinking in terms of the family or emotional system is a mobile. If parts of a mobile are free and unencumbered, the mobile stays in balance and all parts move in harmony. When the mobile is out of balance, it will not spin properly. To illustrate the “physics of how systems work,” if one lengthens or shortens or even snips off one of the weights, the entire mobile has to shift. Healthy systems respond to change in adaptive ways for long-term survival. Less healthy systems react to change in ways that limit their capacity to meet the adaptive needs of the system and individuals within the system. Since coming to St. George’s, Mother Elizabeth and I have been offering opportunities for this congregation, and especially its leaders, to improve their capacity to recognize adaptive challenges. This is hard and often times uncomfortable work because it takes us outside of our familiar or comfortable understandings. In his book, Teaching Fish to Walk, author Peter Steinke observed that congregations often resist adaptive change because they have “a low aptitude for the change process and an aversion to conflict.” A low aptitude for change limits the potential for seeing change as opportunity. It is human nature to resist anything new or unknown. In

From the Rector, cont’d

Cont’d on p.3

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adventure and serendipity. St. George’s has tremendous potential to be a “counter-cultural” place where all people can deal with the real issues of life and the Christian faith, seeking God first and out of God’s love for us finding ways to love our neighbors as ourselves, even when that feels incredibly uncomfortable. In God’s Peace,

Fr. Tom

Mother’s Musings, cont’d

Mother’s Musings

September 19th a new class of Community of Hope begins. Community of Hope is a 12-week course based on Benedictine Spirituality that trains people to be lay pastoral caregivers.

The choir and the praise band are always looking for musicians to join them. Speak to Bryan Bee, our interim choir director, or Deacon Bill Lytle, our Praise Band Leader, if you have an interest in either of those groups. In addition to the Praise Band, there are opportunities for people to participate by advancing the PowerPoint slides for the 11:30 service or working the sound board. Speak to Deacon Bill if this is of interest to you.

All of these opportunities are means by which we can be equipped to serve God. If you already have a ministry, these opportunities are a chance to deepen your spiritual maturity.

God didn’t abandon the people while they were in exile in Babylon. He continued to give Jeremiah the words to tell the people. Jeremiah told the people, “For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jer 29:10-11).

God has a plan for each of us. Just like Jeremiah, he knew us before he formed us in the womb, and he consecrated each of us for a particular ministry. He knows us better than we know ourselves. May God bless each of us as we continually seek to discern his will and have the courage to do it.

Mother Elizabeth

The Old Testament reading for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost was from the prophet, Jeremiah (Jer 1:4-10). In that reading God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet. He called Jeremiah to warn the people of Judah that if they didn’t turn back to him and repent of their sins that the nations would serve the king of Babylon seventy years (Jer 25:11). Jeremiah was not thrilled about his call. In his call God said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations (Jer 1:4-5). Jeremiah resisted his call but God told him that he would give him the words to say and not to be afraid. God promised that he would be with Jeremiah to deliver him (Jer 1:8).

All Christians have a call to ministry. On page 855 in the Book of Common Prayer the question is asked, “Who are the ministers of the Church?” The answer is, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” The order given in the answer is significant. Fr. Tom often says, “Clergy come and go, but the people of the parish are usually here for the long term.” You are the constant. You are the people who will walk with them for decades.

Some, like Jeremiah, resist their call. I have heard, and I have experienced it to be true, “God does not call the equipped, he equips the called.” Just as God gave Jeremiah the words to say and was with him to deliver him, God provides for us when we accept his call.

Sunday, September 8th is Kick Off Sunday. We encourage people to wear tee shirts and jerseys of their favorite football team. On this day, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd begins its second year, Sunday school for all ages begins, two classes for theological reflections meet (one for younger adults and one for “more seasoned” adults, and the choir returns at the 9:00 service. On Monday, September 9th bible studies resume: Education for Ministry; men’s bible study; and women’s bible study. On Wednesday, September 11th a new class of Boundaries begins and on Thursday,

Prayer Shawl Ministry From Cindy Hoetzer

In the past two years, St. George's has given close to 100 prayer shawls to people who needed comfort. Each shawl is blessed at the altar, a prayer card is attached, and it is placed in the armoire in Hatlee Hall for distribution. If you know of someone in need of a prayer shawl, please contact a clergy person. The Prayer Shawl knitters and crocheters at St. George’s meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the parish library from 1 to 3 PM. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 10th. Come join us for prayer, knitting, and fellowship. Help is available if you want to learn or if your skills are rusty.

Rector, cont’d from p.2

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Vacation Bible School

Lots of fun while learning that God is good!

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Please note:

Deadline for weekly announcements is Wednesday morning at 9 AM. Send to

stgeorgeofc@gmail.com.

Please remember St. George’s Church in your estate planning. For more information, see

Episcopal Church Foundation brochures in the vestibule.

A Ministry of Hospitality From Brandi Carson Hospitality is a big part of the culture at St. George's. While hospitality goes far beyond Sunday coffee hour, this is the first ministry people think of when thinking of hospitality. Our baristas and bakers work together to give an atmosphere that welcomes new faces to our community and gives a place for old friends to enjoy fellowship. It is a fun and rewarding ministry. Like with all things in life, self-care is important. Our pool of baristas and bakers have shrunk and our ministry team was feeling the burnout. I reached out to the vestry for help and was blown away by the response!! A sponsorship experiment was put in place and many groups were on board to serve. Since July, each coffee hour has been sponsored by a different group, and each coffee hour has had a different feel. We have had popcorn, bubbles, yummy foods, and a VBS inspired setting. It has been a joy to see the smiles and energy of new baristas and bakers on Sunday and a blessing for a respite for self-care for those already serving in this ministry. If you would like to sponsor a coffee hour, please contact me at carsonbrandin@gmail.com or Jeff Granger at jgranger@mac.com. A very special thank you to those who served this summer!!!! Administration and Office Volunteers, EfM, Community of Hope, Clergy, Acolytes and Alter Guild, Wardens, Choir and Outreach!! Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Weekly Healing Service From Deacon Maureen Saint George's is a community of disciples joyfully reaching out in love to nurture, teach and heal in Jesus' name. We are pleased to announce that Saint George’s will be offering a weekly noontime Healing Service beginning Wednesday, September 25. The service will include the Celebration of Holy Eucharist and allow time for individual prayers for healing for oneself or other loved ones. We pray for God’s help for sick bodies, wounded emotions and broken spirits. St. George’s recently graduated several parishioners from Level I of the School of Healing Prayer. Our recognition of this powerful ministry is being awakened. The goal is to restore healing to the importance it had in Jesus’ own vision and in the early Church. We invite you to experience God’s gifts of healing with us.

Congratulations, Deacon Bill

We are pleased to announce that Deacon Bill Lytle is moving from being interim praise band leader to being the praise band leader for St. George’s. Deacon Bill stepped into this position on an interim basis last April and has done an impressive job of bringing the praise band forward while increasing congregational participation in singing as a community. We are blessed to have such a talented and versatile person leading music during contemporary worship while continuing to grow in his role as Deacon for Christian Formation.

Please SAVE THE DATE as Deacon Bill will be ordained priest on Monday, April 20th at 7:00 pm. Plan now to join us on the joyous occasion when Deacon Bill will become Fr. Bill Lytle.

September Anniversaries Dino & Anne Wagle Randy & Susan Gray David & Elizabeth Moore Michael & Arlene Josef Dave & Kim Watson John & Jennifer Heim Fr. Tom & Mtr. Elizabeth Papazoglakis Kenneth & Collette Syvertsen Ken & Abby Bee Karen Gazda & Michael Klimkowicz Doug & Kathy Wood

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Acolytes at St. George’s From Abby Bee Who/What are we? We are part of the Altar Party. That means we work to help and assist the clergy and congregation to help make their worship experience as perfect as can be, to offer it as a gift to God.

Acolytes (of all ages!) and Vergers work directly under the direction of our Rector, Fr. Tom and Mtr. Elizabeth, and also assist Deacons Maureen and Bill as they go about leading us in worship. We assist with lighting candles, carrying crosses, torches, and banners. We also help set the “table,” the Altar, as it is made ready for Holy Communion. We help the ushers after they have collected our offerings and present the gifts of bread and wine at the Altar. To be an acolyte, first you need to be willing to serve God at His Altar. After that there are some things to learn to be able to do the work of serving on the acolyte ministry. To begin the process, you must be 9 years old - the sacred vessels and worship items are sometimes heavy! What if I’m interested? See Mtr. Elizabeth or Abby Bee at bhive6@gmail.com

What if I’m interested, but I’m not 9 yet? Great! There are some things you can do to be ready when you are 9. See Mtr. Elizabeth or Abby Bee. ACOLYTES ROCK!

Women's Bible Study From Cindy Hoetzer The Voice of God with Priscilla Shirer 7 Mondays Beginning Sept. 16 7-9 PM in Hatlee Hall

Join us on Monday evenings this fall for fellowship and Bible study. This session is titled The Voice of God with Priscilla Shirer. Discover the route to clear and daily communication with God - humble obedience. Learn how surrender unlocks His many blessings intended for us, centers us in His will, and helps us discern His voice in everyday life.

• Challenge yourself in the discipline of daily Bible study.

• Gain practical advice for knowing and understanding God's voice through His Word.

• Learn to recognize the Holy Spirit's character, language, and tone of voice.

• Experience a deeper relationship with God and strengthen your daily walk with Him.

This Bible study follows a study guide and videos. We begin each session with prayer followed by a discussion of the weekly readings and a 45 to 60 minute video of Priscilla Shirer’s insights and teaching.

Contact Cindy Hoetzer to register: choetzer78@gmail.com

September Birthdays

Carson Pellett, Kathleen Quail, Wayne Diesel, Abby Bee, David Moore, Charlie Keller, Carolinn Branchfield, Lily Golden, Pam McCabe, Tom Bena, Cindy Hoetzer, Vickye Eckert, Tate Gobel, Allison Leonard, Madison Boone, Brennan Cain, Peter Roberson, Marjorie Bates, Diane Betzwieser, Morgan Syvertsen, Ed Johnston, Laura Zagata, Elizabeth Reyes-Diaz Guder, Lula Polezoes, Kevin Volk, Monica Chaplin, Ethan Clifford, Arabella Glaser, John Snyder, Elizabeth DeRusso, Toby Glaser, Gail Heim

Newest member of Christ’s one, holy, catholic,

and apostolic Church

Magan Magee and Neil Fossett look on as their

daughter receives the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

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Mission and Outreach From Jo Anne Robbins

St. George’s Mission and Outreach is Partnering with the Lions St. George’s Mission and Outreach Committee is partnering with the Albany Troy Lions Club International to help people in need in three areas: vision, hearing and communications. In the area of vision, the Lions collect and reprocess used eyeglasses and sunglasses and distribute them at no charge to the needy in developing countries around the globe. Your used glasses may give a child the chance to stay in school or provide an adult with the clear vision necessary to maintain employment. The Lions also collect used hearing aids. Your donation of used hearing aids help hearing-impaired who can’t afford hearing aids within our local community. Some can be remanufactured and reused; the monetary credit we get for the others goes towards new hearing aids for those in need. Finally, the Lions also collect used cell phones. They are interested in both cell phones and phone batteries (not AA and AAA, but the small plug in batteries that are used to power cell phones). Older used cell phones that cannot be reused are recycled in accordance with state and federal EPA guidelines. Used cell phones that have an economic value are refurbished and provide less fortunate people a means of obtaining an inexpensive cellular phone. You may place your donations of eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries, and cell phones and cell phone batteries in the green Lions collection box located on the table in Hatlee Hall. Please make sure that your glasses are in a case that protects them from scratching before dropping them in the collection box. Hearing aids and hearing aid batteries should be placed in a small sealed envelope and then dropped in the green collection box. Cell phones do not need a covering. They may be simply dropped in the green box. If you have any question regarding this outreach project, please contact Jo Anne Robbins at (518) 952-7077.

St. George’s School From Sandy Graves It is hard to believe that a new school year is beginning! While it is always difficult to say goodbye to staff and students who move on, there is always an excitement at the start of the new year for all the possibilities it holds! We look forward to all the lessons and memories that this upcoming year will hold for the students and our staff. A new school year also means the return of some of our fundraiser programs. Price Chopper Tools for School, Hannaford Helps, and BoxTops are beginning again. Start saving those BoxTops, as we will be doing a collection competition in the Fall. If you shop Hannaford and receive the Hannaford Helps tapes, please turn them into the school in one of our mailboxes outside the school office or Randles Hall. If you are a Price Chopper (Market 32) shopper, you can register your Advantage Card at https://www.pricechopper.com/tools-schools and enter our school code: 50242 to help us earn points for school supplies. Plans are also under way for our Annual Turkey Trot! Please consider sponsoring (yourself or your business/organization), volunteering, and/or participating at the event. The Turkey Trot is our largest fundraiser of the year and we need everyone’s support to make it a success! Please contact the school for more information! We do have limited openings in our Full Day and Afterschool programs. Should anyone have any questions regarding the school or our programs for your children, please feel free to contact Sandy Graves at stgschoolcp@gmail.com or (518) 280-7196. For updates regarding the school, please join our Remind app and get updates regarding events and school happenings. To join Remind, please click on the following link: https://www.remind.com/join/d762gc or you can text the message @d762gc to the number 81010. Please pray that our staff and students, as well as all others returning to classrooms this Fall, are blessed with a wonderful school year!

For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:16

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St. George’s Episcopal Church

912 Route 146

Clifton Park, NY 12065

Weekly Worship Schedule

Saturday:

4:30 pm – Rite II

Sunday:

7:30 am - Rite I followed by coffee hour

9:00 am - Rite II with organ and choir

10:00 am - Coffee Hour in Hatlee Hall

10:30 am - Sunday School for all ages

11:30 am - Contemporary Service

*Sunday School meets every Sunday until June 23 except the Sunday after Christmas, Easter Sunday,

and Mothers’ Day.

Save The Dates

Sept 8 Kick Off Sunday 9:00 and 11:30am

Sunday School for All Ages Resumes 10:30am

Picnic 4:00pm

Sept 9 Women’s Bible Study “Voice of God” 7:00-9:00pm

Sept 9 Men’s Bible Study 7-8:00pm

Sept 11 Boundaries 7-8:30 pm

Sept 15 Continuing the Conversation 2-3:30pm

Sept 19 Community of Hope 6:30-9:00pm

Sept 29 Narnia Event The Dawn Treader 2 pm

Oct. 27 Harvest Dinner 5:00 pm