CLERGY CORNER

As you might know, our church’s Lenten project this year was entitled “Pray It Forward.”  These words, a twist from the words in the movie, “Pay It Forward,” were crafted, to proclaim the message of God’s love, to get people praying for each other, and then using St. George’s coins to spread this Gospel to others.

If you haven’t yet been a part of this program, I encourage you to do so.  It is so worth your time!  To do so, first and foremost you must see the movie.  You need to watch it, preferably with another, and then to talk about what it meant to you.  We have a short study guide available on it in the office that many have found helpful in gaining more from it.  The film has its stark moments, truthfully because life has those moments, art imitates life.

Once you have seen the movie, our hope is that you will catch the drift.  Young Trevor’s suggested action in the film transforms the receiver, and the giver, and both feel the need to pass it on to others.

As you carry your coin and pray for your friends, as your friends carry their coin and feel your care, the hope is that each will feel the nudge to do the same for another.

And this is such an important part of this project!  When you give out your coin make sure to say, “Pray It Forward.”  Let your 3 friends know that you can get them three coins and that you can see they get their friends three coins so that the message of the Gospel and the ministry of St. George’s

might get out beyond us, transforming the hearts and lives of others.

Often we ask ourselves what we might possibly do to spread the Good News and to grow the church.  Episcopalians especially struggle trying to respect the privacy of others and yet to share about what truly brings meaning to our lives.

Just maybe these coins are the answer.  We have them in the church office and like the Gospel they are a free gift no strings attached.  We’ve purchased them and they are here for you.

It is my prayer that you will take your share and more.  Spread them around and know in doing so that you are spreading God’s forgiveness, power and compassion as well!

Faithfully,

Walt Dawson+  

NEWS OF THE PARISH FAMILY

You’re invited to be present as the ashes of Duane LaMoreaux are interred at 4:00 Friday May 7^th at Commerce Cemetery on Commerce Rd. between Carroll Lake Rd. and Union Lake Rd. 

Jessica Walters recently attended a Youth Group “Happening” weekend in East Lansing.  Ask her about her experience!

Joe and Chris Lisuzzo, along with their oldest son Tony, will be traveling at the end of May to celebrate their youngest son's wedding....Alaskan style!   

Dorothy Welsman is now living with her daughter Sharon DeLuca at 6447 Earhart, Ann Arbor, MI  48152

IN OUR PRAYERS:

Mark Magner who was recently released from Huron Valley Hospital.

Earl Germaine who is in rehab at Medilodge here in Milford.

Thanksgiving for the recovery of Michael Cole from his surgery and Sam Daher from back issues.

For Edgar Warthen’s successful surgery last week.  Edgar is the father of Deb Davies and grandfather of Melissa Marcum.

TRAVELING:

Jim Pashturro and his family have returned from a trip to Disney World.

Don and Sandra Kadar recently visited their daughter in Manhattan, New York.

The Smetana Family is home after a trip to Traverse City to visit Mary’s father.

Laura Dawson recently enjoyed a visit with son Greg in Minnesota.

Joan Basil, Bill and Joanne Floyd, David and Elaine Julien and Chuck and Nancy Kerruish are all back home from their winter respites in Florida.  Welcome Back!

THANK YOU TO:

Bob Hutchison for his years of devoted service to us at the organ.

Robert Reichenbach who gave our annual Earth Day Sunday presentation.

Fred Krey for getting our lawn mower prepared for summer!

Fred Rexius for seeing to the Insulation in the parish hall and doing all of the mowing in April.

The men who recently cleared the brush and the trees at the side of our building!

Mike Fairchild for printing the April Churchmouse newsletter, Judy McNeilly, Elizabeth LaMoreaux, and Glen Grimm for assembling it, and Glen for mailing it. 

D.J. Denton for supervising the creation of our new St. George’s T-Shirts and Sweatshirts.  They are on sale on Sunday mornings and in the church office.

Those in the Organs for Life Speakers Bureau: Cathy Behnke, Betty Lou Neidigh, Tom Herbst, Roberta Carter, David and Lisa Dickey and Lenore Hiscoe for helping us with our presentations to area churches on organ donation.

Lorrie Grabczynski and Kristie Iavasile for helping in the nursery on Easter Sunday.

The Anonymous Donor who bought a brand new computer for our office!!

Jessica and Audrey Ryskamp and Matt Kunder for doing our Easter Egg Hunt.

Tom Herbst for attending the Deanery  Stewardship Conference in Troy.

 Lisa Dickey for her work with the “Litter-A-Thon.”

David Dickey for his continuing efforts with Community Sharing.

Those who deliver for Meals on Wheels, including new volunteer Mike Fairchild, and to St. George’s Meals on Wheels coordinator Delight Hutton.

Ruth and Ken Hathaway for showing their trip slides at Soup and Scripture!

David Brown who is helping Walt out with pastoral calls!

Michelle Metry who recently taught card-making to the Ladies of the Knight!

Wendy Loncar for joining Renee Hanson as an advisor to our Youth!

The ECW for all they do for our church!

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Walt and Georgie Jagner, whose 50^th wedding anniversary is May 7^th!

Elena Robertson who is receiving her First Communion in Church on May 23^rd.

Kirk LaFon, husband of Kristan Dawson LaFon, on his coming graduation from the School of Theology at the University of the South.  Kirk will be ordained to the Diaconate in Knoxvile in the Diocese of East Tennessee on May 29^th.  Kirk begins this summer as the Episcopal Chaplain at the Episcopal School, also in Knoxville.

Lenore Hiscoe who received a Silver Medal for her performance in the National Figure Skating Championships in Minneapolis!

Hollie Campagna for her wonderful direction of the beautiful skating shows recently at Lakeland Arena!  Kudos to Maddy too!

Jill Mondrush for her leadership with “Bark for a Cure”.  It raised over 4,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society.  Ninety-seven dogs participated!

E. J. Knighton who along with his hockey exploits, also recently played at a piano recital here at the church.

Ron VanAssche on his new job with Home Depot!

CONGRATS GRADS!

Mark Carravallah graduates this month from Michigan State with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics.

Jessica Walters graduated last month from International Academy High School and will be attending Kalamazoo College this Fall.

Graduates in our Midst?

Please let us of any St. George’s parishioners who are graduating so that they might be recognized in our newsletter. 

Please Help Mow!

If you’d be willing to mow the church lawn using our riding lawnmower, please e-mail Fred Rexius at frexius@sprynet.com  or call him at 248-207-1925

Welcome Visitors!

Marnie Silk Wright – White Lake Twp.

Michael Scott – Owasso

Kay & Ky Stepper – Wixom

Joan Murphy – Wixom

Shannon Conrad – Riverside, California

Amy Ryder – White Lake

SUNDAY SCHOOL RECOGNITION DAY

Sunday School Recognition Day is June 6^th.  We’ll honor both teachers and students during the 10:30 service that day so please make a special effort to be here to thank your teachers for their work in the past school year! 

Parents Meet to Review & Plan

All parents of our Sunday School students are asked to attend a Sunday School Review Meeting on Tuesday, June 8^th at 7pm. We’ll review our programs from the past year and begin to set goals and plans for 2010-11.  Summer Sunday School activities and sessions, if there is sufficient interest, will be discussed at this time.

Sunday School

The Sunday School begins to wind down substantially after Easter as the numbers diminish as families get into Spring activities and are away more often.  Oftentimes classes are combined on Sunday morning this time of year to make the classes more stimulating. 

Sunday School Flower Power

 - Debbie Corbeau

Our Flower Power Fundraiser was a big success with a profit of just over $200.00. 

A big Thank You to all our children, parents, family and friends who helped us out.  The funds will be used to help support our Sunday School Programs. 

Remember to WEAR RED on Pentecost Sunday May 23^rd!

YOUTH:  Hot Fun

in the Summertime!

Have fun at Camp Chickagami this summer!  Enjoy nature exploration, fine crafts, music, Christian Formation, swimming, boating, sports, campfires, games, fellowship and Bible Study, the camp has special programs for these three age groups:

June 27^th – July 3^rd: Family/Adult Camp.  Bring the whole family to camp,  just bring a friend, or come by yourself.  Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and optional programming.

July 5^th – July 10^th: Junior Camp ages 8-12. Youth camps are intended to help young people experience God’s love for them and to help them more fully live into their baptismal vows. Campers will participate in Christian Formation each morning. Every day also brings opportunities to participate in a wide variety of recreational activities as well.  The whole day is sandwiched between youth friendly worship experiences.

July 5^th – July 10^th: C.I.T. Camp ages 16 & up.  CIT an opportunity for young people to develop leadership skills in working with children.  CITs observe Camp Staff in action and practice leadership skills on a limited basis.  CITs will be invited to apply for future Junior Staff Positions.

July 11^th – July 17^th:  Senior Camp ages 12-17. 

For a camp brochure and application visit www.champchickagami.org. or call Nancy Case toll free at 1-888-440-2267.

Autism Awareness

By Megan McQuillan

April was Autism Awareness month! We are thankful for the blessings and lessons that children with special needs and their families offer.

Choir Rehearsal Cancelled

- Roberta Carter

There will be no choir rehearsal this Thursday (May 6^th) or May 13^th.   

We Serve Crossroads  Soup Kitchen THIS Month!

- Kathy P Naylor

On Saturday, May15^th at 9:00 a.m. in the parish kitchen we’ll be preparing vegetables and getting things ready to take to Crossroads on Sunday.  The most help is needed on Sunday, May 16^th.  We’ll leave St. George’s at 8:00 a.m. and go down to Crossroads.  (If you are driving from home, and have signed up to work the morning or all day, plan to arrive at Crossroads by 9:00 a.m.  If you are coming to work the “afternoon shift”, allow yourself an hour’s travel time.)

There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.   Try to sign up for the entire day if you can (we’re usually done by 3:30 p.m.)  However, if that’s not possible, please sign-up to help in the morning (when we make the soup and sandwiches) or for the afternoon (when we serve the meals).  Bring your family and friends … prepare and share meals with people who are overjoyed to have a full stomach and a friendly smile.  

Keep Filling Those Baskets!

- Chris Lisuzzo

Our monthly food/paper products donation has been ebbing the last couple of months. Yet, the need is still there in our community.  Please consider bringing at least one non-perishable to church each Sunday. If you really want to bring something but keep forgetting, maybe this idea will help you like it helped me:  When I was a busy full time working mother, I put my pledge envelope box in the pantry.  So on Sunday morning I would remember to grab something to bring along with my pledge!

The Community Sharing Garden (at St. George’s) is underway!  I dug it up, raked it, and I will be planting soon.  Any help with weeding and watering would be greatly appreciated this summer.   Also I could really use some help getting the fence up.  I can't seem to get it snug and tight enough!

 Was Jesus an Episcopalian?

An Adult Inquirer’s Class will begin on Tuesday, May 11^th, at 7:00 pm to discuss questions related to our religious faith and to learn more about the Episcopal Church.  We will be using the text, Jesus Was an Episcopalian, by Christopher Yaw.  Chris is the Rector of St. David’s Church in Southfield.  The class will meet 5 times and will conclude on Tuesday night June 15^th.  There is no meeting Tuesday June 8^th.  Participation in the class can lead to Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church.

HONDURAN NEWS

- Mr. “D”

Honduran Sunday is May 2^nd.  Mr. “D” will be talking about our Honduran Ministries in Church and there will be appropriate decorations in the parish hall for the day.

The hope is that we can get Padre Pena up sometime in July to spend a week with us.

As difficult as our economics have been of late in our own state of Michigan, our problems pale in comparison to the difficulties being experienced in Honduras.  That is why it is so essential that we continue to help there and to assist in Haiti, Chile, and other third world countries. 

With our long-standing ministry to Honduras, there are three names you should know.  We pray for each of them each Sunday, and now you can learn more about them:

Padre Francisco Pena-For four years Francisco was the Rector of Epiphany Church in Villanueva and Vicar of Chasnegra Mission up the mountain from there.  He went from Villanueva to mission ministries in the middle of the country and then last year was reassigned essentially to two congregations.  One, “Nuestra Sonora de Los Desemparados” (Our Voice for the Desperate) is in Colonia Episcopal, a community built by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (D.C.) after Hurricane “Mitch.”  The other, “Jesus, El Salvador,” (Jesus, the Savior) is in the port of Puerta Cortes. 

Soon after his move, Honduras experienced an awful earthquake and the building was destroyed.  The bell tower fell over and through the roof.  There are photos of it at the Church.  The congregation is now worshipping in a temporary shelter Francisco and his brothers built next to the old church.  Francisco is married to Patricia and they have 2 children, a daughter Francis and a son Francisquito.

Padre Vicente Vasquez is now the Rector of Villanueva and Dean of the area churches.  I am just getting to know him as we begin to work together at this, our companion church.  Epiphany Church was also damaged in the Earthquake and is facing repair.  Vicente is married and has 2 daughters.

Silvia Pineda is the Principal of the Epiphany School in Villanueva.  It has 130 students and goes through the sixth grade.  For many years Silvia assisted at the school and then became a teacher there and now is its head.  She grew up at Epiphany.  She speaks fluent English and we hope to have her up here one day.  This will have to wait, however, as she is pregnant with her 2^nd child.  Her mother, Vilma Rodriguez, heads up the Epiphany ECW that made the St. George’s banner and many of the  Honduran pieces some of us have here.

Thank you for the continued support that you have offered in Honduras now for over 10 years!

Blanket Maker News

- Chris Lisuzzo

Shirley Ryskamp, Gail Kock and I delivered 45 handmade blankets to the pediatrics and cancer units at Huron Valley Hospital on March 31.  They were very excited to get the new delivery!  The blankets were made by Shirley Ryskamp and I, plus Gail Kock and her daughter Kathy (friends of St. George), and Virgina Gardner. Other helping hands pitched in too!  Our thanks to the ECW who continue to help support this effort.  

VESTRY NEWS

As John Normandeau, our Sr. Warden, mentioned in church this past Sunday, the group is working this year on three specific goals:

1. To work on Fundraising to provide monies for our Outreach ministries and to balance our budget.
2. To look at ways to make our Vestry more efficient and to make the time members spend on the body more enjoyable and meaningful.
3. To review our music program   hoping to make it a more vibrant part of our life together.

2011 Stewardship Theme Chosen

- Tom Herbst

“All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23)   Stewardship of Treasure involves trust in God.  You must believe in God’s providence and trust that, if you give a just portion of your income to His work, God will help you live on the rest. 

Teller News

-        Jim Scott

Welcome to our newest tellers Lynn & Kelly Surmann and John and Michelle Metry.  They will begin working in July when the new schedule comes out.  Thank you for volunteering.  We appreciate it!

 Did you know that if you miss turning in your Sunday envelope  you can just write one check when you return to church.  No need for separate checks and missed envelopes.  Your donations are recorded by envelope number and total amount received.   Christmas, Easter, Altar Guild donations should be separate checks as we record these donations separately.  Building Fund checks also should be written separately and placed in the building fund envelopes so they can be recorded for building purposes only.  The Building Fund checks are then sent to Mr. Forkner. We prefer checks so that we do not have to send cash through the mail.   If you have any questions please let me (Jim) know.

ECW Party

 – Liz LaMoreaux

ECW is having a party on Saturday, May 22^nd at 1:00.  Watch for your invitation in the bulletin. 

Thank you!

Special thanks to all the ECW members who attended my retirement luncheon.  What a special day that was for me!  Thanks also for the beautiful gift.....I can't wait to use it.  Being the "card" person that I am, I so much enjoyed each and every card I received.  Thanks ever so much for all you did for me!!!!!

Laura Dawson  

SOUP AND SCRIPTURE

Soup and Scripture meets each Wednesday night in the Parish Hall at 6:30.  Participants bring a dish to pass for a casual potluck meal .  At 7:30 a program is presented by a member of the group.  These have included a variety of Bible Studies, videos on timely topics and interesting personal presentations.  The first Sunday of each month we do a Healing Service.  We conclude with group prayer at 8:30pm.  Newcomers are always welcome.  Come be a part!

We Need an Organist!

The music committee has agreed on a job description and is beginning the search for a new organist.  If you have a name or suggestions for us, please place a note in Vicki Kett's box at church or call her at 248-669-2934.  Sue Vergeldt, our choir accompanist, has taken over temporarily playing for us in Church.  We thank her for doing so. 

----------------------------

We are still looking for large fund raiser ideas.  If you have suggestions please let the Fundraising Committee know.  – Sandy Scott

Get Your Shirt Now!

- Lynn Surmann  & D.J. Denton

The new St.George’s shirts have arrived and are very popular!  The shirts were designed by vestry member D.J. Denton and sport a likeness of St. George on the back surrounded by the names of many other “popular Georges”.  The logo says, “There’s Only One.  Come Hang with George”.  We ordered extras so hurry to get yours and be proud to wear them around town and at our many upcoming events in the community.  The cost is $20 for T-shirts ($17 each for 3 or more) and $25 for Sweatshirts ($22 each for 3 or more). They will be sold after services or you can call/email D.J. Denton at (248) 684-1369 or djdenton@uhc.com

Rummage Sale

- Sandy Scott

St George's Rummage Sale is scheduled for September 30, October 1 and October 2.  We will start taking your gently used items on September 13.  We will not be accepting heavy furniture, worn underwear, PC or computer printers, no TV's  and no stained or torn clothing.  We will be happy to take clothing, kitchenware, nicknacks, light furniture,books, etc.  More information will be provided in the coming months.

SPECIAL SUMMER DATES 

June 13^th - Summer Schedule begins.  The Sunday morning late service will begin at 10:00 instead of 10:30. This new time continues throughout the summer.

August 1^st - Parish Picnic at Kensington Park!

Volunteer Available

-        Jessica Walters

-         

Recent high school graduate Jessica Walters wants to participate in a Mission Trip in July or August.  She speaks French.

ORGANS FOR LIFE

Our speaker’s bureau continues to speak to surrounding churches about the importance of signing the state registry to make your organs available for transplant upon your death.  We have given presentations in three churches and have six more to go.

ATTENTION, KROGER REWARDS PARTICIPANTS!!

- David Dickey

You must renew your Kroger Community Rewards membership in April in order for Community Sharing to continue receiving funds during the remainder of 2010.  Please go to  www.krogercommunityrewards.com, click on “Michigan” and click on “Enroll.”  Have your Kroger Plus Card number handy.  The organization number for Community Sharing is 83260.