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Saints Alive! The bi-monthly newsletter of

St. George Episcopal Church 1250 Paige Place

The Villages, FL 32159

352-750-1010

www.stgeorge-episcopal.net

The Rev. F. John Kelly, Rector

The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector

The Rev. Tom Bankowski, Deacon

The Rev. Nancy Bryson, Deacon

The Rev. Weldon deMeurers, Pastoral Care Associate

Barbara Coulter, Music Director

Donna Bott, Choir Director

Lana McKinzie, Chimes Director

Bob Lance, Senior Warden

Bob Hasbrouck, Junior Warden

Ruth Wadman, Treasurer

Diane Prather, Asst. Treasurer

Tom Trainor, Sexton

Debbie Shartle, Office Manager

Saints Alive! Number 176 Sept./Oct. 2016

FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK

We will soon enter the fall season with hundreds return-

ing from vacation spots and the joy of grandchil-

dren. Morse Blvd. will get busier and the restaurants

will again overflow. Parking will once again become an

Olympic event as people find that one elusive spot! It is

good to remember the virtue of patience. Happily, the

Spirit is at work as the bustle of activity will return at St. George. We will

welcome back old friends and make new ones.

While we enjoy our life here in The Villages, Christ calls us to be a

Light to others. The Lord Jesus calls us to serve the Christ in those who are

less fortunate than us. At St George we are meeting their needs in a few excit-

ing ways. First, our ministry in Haiti is taking off. We have entered into a

formal partnership with St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Archaia, Haiti. To-

gether with St. Michael’s in Marblehead, MA, we are helping St. Thomas’

School complete its feeding program for its children (pre-k through 6th grade)

and to provide for teachers’ salaries. We are also exploring ways to help them

complete a small scale building program for 7th and 8th grade classes. This is

exciting.

St. George has become a partner of the Soup Kitchen ministry at St.

Patrick’s Church in Northeast Ocala. Presently 38 parishioners help at Gate-

way to Hope, providing meals to homeless veterans and families that reside in

the Ocala forest. Through the auspices of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, pa-

rishioners offer hands on support two days a week. Approximately 150 people

are fed each day. Our church ought to take pride in this work. Our bishop has

taken notice- we are a parish with an Outreach focus. Thank you, everyone.

The Light of Christ shines as we pray for each other, as we read the

Scriptures together, and as we worship together. Soon, all of us will be back in

our places. The Choir will return. The work of Christ will keep moving for-

ward.

Fr. John Kelly

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Our Mission

Our mission is to proclaim by word

and action the healing love

and Good News of God in Christ.

From Your Senior Warden

The Second and Third Quarters were very exciting

times at St. George. The Loop Hearing System was

successfully installed in the sanctuary. The reports I

have received from the parishioners with T-Coils in

their hearing aids have been very positive. If you are

not taking advantage of the system, discuss with your

audiologist how you can do so.

From a technological standpoint, we have made some

significant changes. We have replaced our server

which was no longer supported by Microsoft and

loaded he latest version of Windows server. We have

also replaced our phone system with a VOIP (Voice

over Internet Protocol) system enabling our clergy on

call to receive emergency phone calls after hours and

will be more cost effective in the future. We are close

to finishing the redesign of the website and will go live

this quarter.

On a personnel standpoint, St. George now has position

descriptions for all clergy, staff, committee chair peo-

ple, and ministry heads.

God bless,

Bob Lance, Senior Warden

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September

1 Ruth Melay, Donna Rankin,

Frank Rutty

2 Ron Kiedrowski, Grace Miller,

Pat Shrader

3 Chuck DuPree

4 Eleanor Albertson, Peggy

Pappas

5 Don Smith

6 Lynn Danahy, Barb Ebacher,

Victoria Fernandez, Michael

Pauly

8 Mary Burgett, Linda Nagolski,

Ruth Wadman

9 Dave Haptonstall

10 Ann Taylor

11 Lloyd Clarke, Bernard Grant

12 Bob Mossman, Ben Shrader

13 Keith Bonn, Peggy Gough,

Diane Prather

14 Clyde Teetsel

15 Franklyn Ackley, Jill Tribbet

16 M’Liss Monforte, Gail

Mossman, Sharon Robosan

17 Dotsy Barry, Robert McLane

19 John Ruhsenberger

20 Karen Bigford, Kay Watters

21 Al Ayers, Ruth Graesser

22 Laura deSomer, Nancy Parris,

Rob Yeager

23 Bill Simpson

25 Dianne Carroll, Joellen Davis,

Joseph Fernandez, Tom Ryberg

26 Audra Strolin

27 Stephen Kuhn, Susan Young

28 Nancy Kirchdoerfer, Carolyn

McLane, Ray Souliere

October 1 Deborah Casey, Betsy Joy, Betty

Mark, Jim WIllette, Linda Williams

2 Andy Nelson

3 Pat Hyde

4 Paul Goda, Jan McElroy

5 Jim Mullis, Anne Vilseck

6 Tom Cypher, Neil Pickens

7 Dorothy Franklin, Barbara Turner

8 Bill Clayborn

9 Don Chaplin, Jim Dunnie, Dave

Ebacher, Perry Kelley, Jane Ann

Lance

10 Emil Pignetti, Jean Rutty, Arlene

Weagraff

11 Bob Gunn, Diane Heup, Jim Hubbard,

Joan Martin

12 Sheryl Noland, Lee Southwell

13 Sue Ann Corkish, Carmel Haptonstall

14 May Dahl

15 Audrey Mattocks, Steven Plugge

16 Jackie Preston

17 Pat deMeurers, Linda Lewis

18 Beverly Zubick

19 Jim Castello, Barbara Kelley

20 Karl Fairbanks, Cindy McMahon, Les

Pickance, Marylou Ray

21 Walter Berg

22 Gary Astrologes, Jane MacEllven

23 Marilyn Hood, Marilyn Sundstrom

24 Wayne Bryan, John Portlock

25 Frank Garrison, Lavon Scott,

26 Jackie Bankowski, Fr. John Kelly

28 Shirley Culver, Bob Updike

29 George Guzzardo

31 Phil Partington, Ben Pilla

Birthdays

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October

1 Frank & Bernie Gambino

2 Gerald & Nancy Hurst

7 Perry & Barbara Kelley

9 Ben & Pat Shrader

Tom Hawkinson & Nancy Steiner

10 Hank & Lois Bittner

Bill & Jean Simpson

Bob & Nedra Updike

15 Bob & Audra Strolin

Leroy & Sheree Warner

16 Russ & Marie D’Emidio

18 Richard & Nancy Parks

20 Jack & Karen Bigford

21 Ray & Carlyn Bryan

24 Malcolm & Barbara Strickler

26 Nino & Iris De Rosa

28 Jim & Diane Urquhart

Anniversaries

September

1 Dwight & Donna Davidson

2 Dan & Sharon Vaughn

4 Bob & Pat Turner

5 Dennis & Cindy McMahon

6 Bernie & Mary Ann Roberts

Carl & Lisa Woodward

7 Ron & Barbara Kiedrowski

Lee & Pat Southwell

9 Don & Elaine Carr

10 Richard & Barbara Freed

Frank & Jean Rutty

12 Brian & Carmen Buss

14 Richard & Barbara Veltre

Allan & Ruth Wadman

17 Canon Bill & Margaret Squire

20 Jimmy & Denise Ridge

21 Ron & Susie Barker

22 Chuck & Jean DuPree

23 Dean & Sandy Razzano

24 Jerry & Eleanor Albertson

26 Kirk & Nancy Kirchdoerfe

Chet & Mary Lee Naylor

Bill & Mary Verneer

28 Dave & Barb Ebacher

Barr & Sheryl Noland

29 William & Connie Petree

If you are a member of St. George Episcopal Church and your birthday or

anniversary is not on the list, call the Parish Office at 750-1010 so that

we may update our records.

Thank you.

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From Your Junior Warden

We have replaced the sod in several areas of our

building grounds and performed a review of our sprinkler

system. Several adjustments and repairs were made and the

sod is doing well.

The Church front door stain did not weather well and

the painter and sealant manufacturer met and the door was

repainted at no cost to the Church.

The florescent bulbs in the library had sleeves in-

stalled which will protect the donated bible from damaging

UV rays.

We purchased a battery operated leaf blower to re-

place the old one which was broken.

Several lights were repaired or replaced to correct the

electrical problems we were experiencing.

The reserved parking signs for Father John and Fa-

ther Ed were received and installed.

Bob Hasbrouck, Junior Warden

Important Town Hall Meeting!

The Long-Term Planning Committee is hosting a

Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, September 27, at 6PM in

the parish hall. A presentation will be given outlining the

“12 Keys to an Effective Church”, which identifies the

twelve essential qualities of successful, growing churches

and offers congregations a way to unlock their potential for

effective ministry. It is important to the Committee that eve-

ryone understands its goal and the process being utilized to

meet that goal. Also, updates on our Haiti mission and

Church security will be presented. All parishioners are in-

vited and encouraged to attend! Finger foods will be served.

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Journeying through Grief Support Group

The Journeying through Grief Support Group (formerly known

as Soul Survivors) meet the first Tuesday of each month from

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Library of the Parish Hall. Our mission

is to provide encouragement for healing in any loss, in a small

group setting.

Photo Directory

Hard to believe but it is just about five

years ago that we did our last photo

directory. We are therefore setting up

to do a new directory, and we hope

that we will have a good response

from you, the parishioners, because

there have been many changes, and

many new people have joined us. This

is a wonderful way to get to put faces

with names, and each year I know that I have a harder time re-

membering who’s who.

You will be hearing more on the sign-up for pictures in future

bulletins and by phone calls.

The photos will be taken the first two weeks in November, and

your pictures will be available for Christmas, but the directories

will be delivered after the first of the year.

We are looking forward to having everyone participate in this

parish project.

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Money Matters

YTD Balance through March 31, 2016: $34,068.25

April Operating Budget Income: $54,753.02

May Operating Budget Income: $60,664.96

June Operating Budget Income: $48,293.82

July Operating Budget Income: $52,290.38

April Operating Budget Expense: $53,237.45

May Operating Budget Expense: $56,844.04

June Operating Budget Expense: $57,279.59

July Operating Budget Expense: $46,222.84

YTD Balance through July 31, 2016: $36,486.51

The summer months are almost behind us, traditionally a low

point in the budget year, and our financials are still very en-

couraging - thank you for keeping your pledges current

through this time.

Financial statements will be mailed the beginning of Septem-

ber to all pledging members as we work together to keep St.

George "in the black".

Ruth Wadman, Treasurer

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♫ Music News ♫

On May 15, the choir sponsored a retirement party for outgoing di-

rector Ann Taylor. The Vestry presented her with several gifts in

honor of her dedication to the music ministry at St. George. By the

time you read this, Ann and Jerry will be well into their five-month

road trip, and we hope they are having a very good time.

Choir life is always in flux as is evidenced by the departure of

Sheryl Hutton and her husband Tom, who have returned to Minne-

sota. They will be missed. On the other hand, Danika (Dani) Lamza

has joined the soprano section. Welcome Dani!

Rehearsals will resume Wednesday, September 7 from 4:30 to 6:00

p.m. under the direction of our new choir director Donna Bott. New

members are always welcome! If you wish to join, contact Barbara

Coulter or Donna Bott. The choir’s new year will be launched on

September 11.

According to Lana McKinzie, Chimes Director, rehearsals will be-

gin in September. New members are most welcome. Speak to Lana

or Barb Coulter if you are interested.

Please note that Sunday, September 18 will be a very special day in

that all former choir members are invited to join the choir in the

risers.

We wish to thank Sharon Redding for playing the organ at this

summer’s Saturday service, and Bob Hunt for playing for the Sun-

day 10:00 a.m. service. It is also important to thank the wonderful

soloists and ensembles who provided the offertories at the 5:00 p.m.

and 10:00 a.m. services.

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Women’s Guild

The Women’s Guild held their luncheon and fashion show on

Friday, June 19th. It was a good time had by all. The lunch-

eon prepared by Marilyn Hood and her helpers was excellent.

The fashion show was chaired by Sandy Pack. Manager Amy

O’Brien, from Anthony’s Ladies E\Wear in Colony Plaza, did

the commentary for the six ladies who modeled a dress and

two outfits each.

Haven House is still in need of paper goods like toilet paper

and paper towels.

The Guild would like to thank all the parishioners and their

friends for their generous support and understanding during

our endeavor to raffle the Royale car.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 8th.

Submitted by Diane Wright for Alice McMasters, President

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The Geneva Bible

The Geneva Bible, donated by parishioner Mike Wilmott, has been

repaired and is now on display in the St. George Episcopal Church

Parish Library. The Bible was one of approximately 150 editions

printed in the 16th century. It had originally belonged to one of

Mike’s ancestors, a traveling Wesleyan minister and has been passed

down through his family through the years.

It is a very significant Bible for a number of reasons. For the very

first time, a mechanically printed, mass-produced Bible was made

available directly to the general public. It was the first English Bi-

ble to use verse numbers and to come also with a variety of scrip-

tural study guides. The Bible has elaborate woodcut illustrations,

maps and tables which lead to its reputation as history’s very first

study Bible.

The Geneva Bible was the primary Bible of 16th century English

Protestantism and was the Bible used by William Shakespeare,

Oliver Cromwell, John Knox, John Donne and John Bunyan, author

of Pilgrim’s Progress (1678).

Other interesting facts about the Geneva Bible:

● Scotland passed a law in 1579 requiring every household of suffi-

cient means to buy a copy.

● In the illustration showing Adam and Eve, Adam is shown wear-

ing a typical Elizabethan beard and moustache.

● Geneva Bibles were sometimes referred to as a Breeches Bible

because in Genesis, Chapter 3, Verse 7 reads, “Then the eyes of them

both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they

sewed fig tree leaves together and made themselves

breeches.” Later, the King James Version of 1611 changed the

word “breeches” to “aprons.”

● Despite popular misconception, the Bible initially brought to

North America by the Puritan Separatists or Pilgrim Fathers aboard

the Mayflower in 1620 was the Geneva Bible not the King James

Version.

(Continued on next page)

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The Geneva Bible—continued

Many interesting objects were found in the repair of this Bible by the Con-

servator, Alexandra Von Hawk, American Institute for Conservation of

Historic and Artistic Works.

A few of the more fascinating objects are:

An apple seed: This apple seed is many times larger than the apple

seeds of today. The seed was donated to Cornell University which has

begun genome testing on the seed. Preliminary testing has shown that this

genome is unknown in today’s world and the scientists at Cornell are ex-

cited to begin the process to replicate the species.

Cornell University has authorized a children’s book based on this

seed. The book will be used to inspire the careful use of our environment

and the role that trees play in the ecosystem.

A dead fly: The scientists at Cornell have identified this fly as a blowfly

or corpse fly. These flies are only found where there is a decomposing

body. It is assumed that the person who possessed the Bible at the time

was reading from the Bible (perhaps officiating at a service), and the fly

became trapped when the Bible was closed.

A small blue ribbon – possibly from a baby and/or used as a bookmark

or keepsake

Please take time to come see this historic Bible

located in our parish library!

A dedication ceremony will be held in September.