By George!

Growing with You in God’s Love and ServiceFebruary 2020

Rule of Life

for St George’s

Based on our spiritual values and practices, this is ourcommitment to each other.

We:

! Nurture ourselves with the Bible and spiritual

books

! Care deeply about each other, including in

prayer.

! Fellowship together and have fun.

! Are grateful, glad and giving stewards of God’s

creation.

! Reach out to the world, living and spreading the

Word.

St.George’s Episcopal Church

5600 Winding Way

Carmichael, CA 95608

(916) 487-5600

By George!February 2020

A monthly publication of

St. George’s Episcopal Church

5600 Winding Way

Carmichael, CA 95608

(916) 487-5600

stgeorge@sgec.us

http://www.saintgeorgeca.com

The Rev. Dr. Ray Hess, III

Priest in Charge

916-753-9939

rhess1947@gmail.com

Mel Rose, Senior Warden

916-835-3885

mmarkrose@comcast.net

Rev. Robert Olsen, Deacon

916-729-1019

rolsen8070@gmail.com

Tess Testeza,

Organist/Choir Director

Sandy Olsen, Editor

sandyolsen8070@gmail.com

Dolores O’Brien, Deacon Bob and

Carol Adkins, Circulation

In this issue

ANNOUNCEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ASH WEDNESDAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES. . . . . . . . . . 3

BOOK CORNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

BOUNTY BAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

DEACON BOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

FROM OUR PIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

HOSPITALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

MARDI GRAS BRUNCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

MINI RETREAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

ROSTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

SENIOR WARDEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

WOMENS GUILD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Thoughts From Our PIC (Priest in Charge)

FIRST THINGS FIRST

It’s easy to get sidetracked in our lives. We easily can put off the really important things and

become tied down with activities that really do not matter. I like to paint watercolors. This is an

important thing in my life that makes a difference for me. Yet it is so easy for me to do all kinds of

other activities and not sit down to paint. I’m a fan of Stephen Covey, who wrote the book, The Seven

Habits of Highly Effective People. One of his principles was “First things first.” In other words, make

the most important aspects of our lives first.

In I Corinthians 13:13, Paul said, “And now faith, hope, love abide, these three; and the

greatest of these is love.” Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our

neighbor. Love is the central part of our lives, the “first thing.” Loving God and loving others are the

most important things to do; everything else is secondary.

When Bishop Megan visited our parish in January, she met after the service with our vestry.

She asked us if we have a mission statement. We knew that it was printed on the cover of each By

George newsletter but had difficulty remembering it. The mission statement is at the top of each

newsletter: Growing with You in God’s Love and Service. A shorter version is Growing in God’s

Love. I think that I can remember this!

I hope this year to make this excellent mission statement more central for our parish, so that

each of us would have this on the tip of our tongues. Growing in God’s love is our “first thing.” In

February, we have Valentine’s Day, which celebrates love, especially romantic love. This is a good

month to focus on God’s love as we see it in Jesus. Jesus’ kind of love is self-giving love, which seeks

the good of the other person. As Paul said, “Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or

resentful…It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (I Corinthians

13:5-7).

This month and through this year, I encourage us to focus on growing in God’s love. We are a

very caring congregation already. How can we grow more deeply in this love and caring? How can

we bring this love to the community and world around us, so that others can experience God’s love?

Let’s make God’s love the First Thing in all that we do!

In Jesus’ love,

Father Ray

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Senior WardenFebruary starts with Super Bowl Sunday and Red verses Red – the San Francisco

49’ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. (By the time you read this, the game will have been

played). Red is the color of celebration as we recently celebrated Nick and Zack’s

confirmation with Bishop Megan’s visit. Valentine’s Day on February 14th is celebrated

with red hearts and flowers plus candy and cards for those we love. This February at St.

George’s will be the Mardi Gras brunch before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday

as we contemplate Jesus’ journey into the desert of 40 days. During Lent, normally we

do a Lenten sacrifice to give up something to remind us of the suffering that Jesus

endured. Along with the sacrifice perhaps do something positive as a random act of

kindness each day. We end the month with Leap Day adding an extra day as we circle

this wonderful universe.

There is a workshop for the Invite, Welcome, Connect series on February 21st &

22nd in Kenwood at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, I will be in Phoenix

at that time so will not be able to attend and will be missing Mardi Gras brunch as well.

Becky Freie is interested in attending however she would need to ride with someone. If

anyone is interested in attending, please contact Becky or me. After listening to the

presentation at Convention in November, I believe we can make this program work at St.

George’s as we already practice many of the methods.

As I begin my journey as your Senior Warden for the coming year, I ask for prayers for a

successful and creative term. God’s love is with us always,

Nancy Sakamoto Landers

**A reminder: please remember to vote by Tuesday, March 3, 2020. New date for the primary election. (I retired from

the office of the Secretary of State – overseer of the Election process)

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February 17th

Mardi gras

brunchFebruary 23rd

following 10:00 serviceAdults $5

Under 12 $3.00

JOIN US FOR FEAST

AND FUN!!

5—JoAnn Cookman17—Dave Allmuth, Sr.

17—Helen Hui17—Sandra Crenshaw

28—John Karsten28—Lana Engler

(If your name was not included, please let Sandy know so shecan add your name.)

27—Ray Hess—Ordination

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WednesdayFebruary 26th @ 7:00 p.m.

Women’sGuildHospitalitySunday willbe the 1stSunday ofeach month,specialofferingenvelopes

are included in the bulletin. These are used bythe Women's Guild to provide weekly coffeehours, special receptions and other events forparish members. Please make checks payableto St. George's Church with a memo note in theleft corner for HOSPITALITY.

The women’sGuild is happyto provide thebook cornerfor yourenjoyment. We appreciate

the books you all donate. However, I would liketo remind you to bring fiction, non-fiction,historical or humorous books. Please NO self-help or study books. Thanks for your attention tothis matter.CDs...$1BOOKS...$1PAPERBACKS...50¢

Happy Reading,Janet Jenkins

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2nd Wednesday @ 6:45 pm

Tuesdays @ 10:45

LastMonday

@ 11a.m.

Saturday @ 3:00

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FEBRUARY/MARCH

FEBRUARY 2nd THE PRESENTATIONMalachi 3: 1-4 Psalm 84: 1-6Hebrews 2: 14-18 Luke 2: 22-40CELEBRANT: ` Ray HessEUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Aaron AdkinsLECTORS: Karen Lolmaugh & Carol AdkinsALTAR GUILD: JoAnn Cookman & Barbara CooperACOLYTE: Ellie NelsonUSHER: Jenny Smith & friend

FEBRUARY 9th

5th SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANYIsaiah 58: 1-9a, [9b-12] Psalm 112: 1-9 [10]1 Corinthians 2: 1-12. [13-16] Matthew 5: 13-20CELEBRANT: ` Anne McKeeverPREACHER: Mel RoseEUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Dave AllmuthLECTORS: Marcia Hutchison & Nick WilcoxALTAR GUILD: Vicki Karsten & Wendy NelsonACOLYTE: Dominic NelsonUSHER: Conrad Cookman & friend

FEBRUARY 16th 6th SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANYDeuteronomy 30: 15-20 Psalm 109: 1-8 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 Matthew 5: 21-37CELEBRANT: ` Julie ViceEUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Aaron AdkinsLECTORS: Nick Wilcox & Marcia HutchisonALTAR GUILD: JoAnn Cookman & Joy AllmuthACOLYTE: Avery KleinmanUSHER: Nick Wilcox & friend

FEBRUARY 23rd LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANYExodus 24: 12-18 Psalm 22 Peter 1: 16-21 Matthew 17: 1-9CELEBRANT: ` Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Diana PerparosLECTORS: Aaron Adkins & JoAnn CookmanALTAR GUILD: Angela Saunders & Joy AllmuthACOLYTE: Ellie NelsonUSHER: Conrad Cookman & friend

MARCH 1st 1st SUNDAY IN LENTGenesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7 Psalm 32Romans 5: 12-19 Matthew 4: 1-11CELEBRANT: ` Anne McKeever EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Aaron AdkinsLECTORS: Carol Adkins & Marcia HutchisonALTAR GUILD: Barbara Cooper & Wendy NelsonACOLYTE: Dominic NelsonUSHER: Jenny Smith & friend

MARCH 8th 2nd SUNDAY IN LENT Genesis 12: 1-4a Psalm 121Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17 John 3: 1-17CELEBRANT: ` Ray HessEUCHARISTIC: Diana PerparosLECTORS: Aaron Adkins & Becky FreieALTAR GUILD: JoAnn Cookman & Joy AllmuthACOLYTE: Avery KleinmanUSHER: Conrad Cookman & friend

Lessons can be found on our websitewww.stgeorgeca.org

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with Evelyn UnderhillOn February 8, 2020, 9:30 - 11:00, we will be spending time with a woman

who was writer; mystic; first women to be chosen as an outside lecturer at Oxford; firstlaywoman to give retreats within the Anglican Church; a Fellow at King's College,London, held an honorary degree from the University of Aberdeen. A self-taught womanin Christian spirituality. Received education at Women's College in Oxford in botany,languages, philosophy, and history. A woman who is acknowledged as the spark in theEnglish study of mysticism. Come and experience a woman just like us with all thefoibles that we have.

Thanks and take care! Lana Engler

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I am continuing a theme, with our continuance in the season of Epiphany – that of light. Ofcourse with our longer nights and shorter days, plus the normal cloudy winter weather, who doesn’twant a bit more light. But sun light isn’t the only light about us. There are folks who light up theworld around them.

Now for some it might be a child or grandchild who lights up their life. For me it is beingaround friends younger children, 4-8 years old, and still at the point they don’t have a lot of filters andsay pretty much what ever is on their minds and that can be fun and yes kids say the darndest things.

But, I find people of all ages and backgrounds have a light to share. A few weeks ago Sandyand I did a quick trip to LA for the opening of our friend Whitney’s art show and of course got to visither and her family as well as continuing our “great donut search.” The last time we were in LA,discovered that Whitney’s brother is as much of a donut fan as Sandy and I. We saw Even again thistrip and as we chatted about donuts and donut shops I saw him light up, if not his girlfriend, as he and Ionce again went over the pros and cons of small family owned donut shops verses national chains andfancy coffee/tea shops masquerading as donut shops. And yes there is a chain of “donut” shops in theLA area that only offers six different donuts on any given day, a sample pack of a dozen is availablefor only $46. Their coffee and tea menu is substantially longer. (No, I didn’t get any)

So to the point, it was nice seeing people enjoy the art, be out and about on a Saturday eveningand chatting with friends. Some of you may have noticed that Sandy is using her walker more andmore to get about and every where we went folks were helpful opening doors, asking others to moveand just being friendly. It didn’t seem to matter race, gender or age folks were nice, even in bustlingLA.

As we progress through the season of Epiphany I will pray that each of us is a light in theworld, reflecting God’s love for us through Christ.

Amen, Deacon Bob

Light in the darkness

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SUNDAY SERVICES

Family Service 9 a.m.Sunday School 9 a.m.Traditional Service 10:30 a.m.

BOUNTY BAGWe’re collecting dry goods, canned

goods, dried cereals, soaps, toothpastetooth brushes or any non-perishables,

We collect Bags ANYTIME!! NO TIME TO SHOP a check to St.

Georges with memo to River city Food Bank (everything is welcome).

The Lenten Season is around the corner! Wewill begin the Lenten Season with two parishevents:

Mardi Gras Brunch - Sunday February 23. We will have one combined service at 10 a.m.followed by the brunch. Please watch for sign-ups for food for the brunch.

Ash Wednesday – February 26 – Eucharistwith imposition of ashes at 7 p.m.

Both the brunch and the Ash Wednesdayservice are wonderful opportunities to invitefriends or family to attend with you.

Women’s GuildFor 2019

It was not a very active year for theWomen’s Guild. Little interest in holding monthlymeetings.

We did put on the annual Mardi GrasBrunch in March. This has been a fun fundraiserthat has kept our savings account filled so we cancontinue purchasing coffee, tea, juices, plates, andcups for the Sunday after services social time andreceptions. Another source of incomecomesfrom the once monthly donation envelopes insertedin the Sunday Bulletin. We appreciate Deacon Boband Sandy purchasing the supplies (they are greatbargain hunters). We do purchase somerefreshments but rely mostly on the volunteers tobring in goodies to share.

Lana Engler presented a mini retreat inSeptember. The topic was “making difficultdecisions.” Lana shares great information. Plan onattending her next presentation on Saturday,February 8th from 9:00 a.m. to noon to learn aboutEvelyn Underhill an English mystic, author, andLecturer at Oxford in the early 20th century.

If anyone is interested in starting a monthlymeeting, please talk with me. St. George’s has somany wonderful ladies, we just need to start up agroup and see where it takes us.

Carol AdkinsPresident

Articles are always welcome...BUT KEEP it short! The best way to submit an article is via my e-mailsandyolsen8070@gmail.com, February 25th will be the deadline for the March issue of the By George.

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