ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH ORDINARY TIME SUMMER 2018
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ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • ORDINARY TIME • SUMMER 2018
ST. GEORGE’S
CLERGY The Priority of Worship
I
n reviewing my files of articles, essays, sure are more and more realized in con-
and teachings over the years, the min- trast to those natural interests.” What new
istry to which I return with most fre- realizations might be born in us by weekly
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill quency seems to be the importance Christian worship? Faithfulness, generosity,
Rector of corporate worship in the Christian life. forgiveness, peaceability, service, chastity,
leigh.spruill@stgeorgesnashville.org As I have shared many times, our highest humility, etc. These seem like good things!
priority in ministry is worship. All other min-
istries of the church flow from this central I would never suggest the worship services
The Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess
activity. I am occasionally discouraged that at St. George’s are always as beautiful or
Senior Associate Rector in a parish that values well-ordered, beau- inspiring or well-executed as we want. I
kristine.blaess@stgeorgesnashville.org tiful, and faithful Anglican worship – and so hold a staff liturgy meeting every Monday
routinely delivers it! – so many of our mem- morning to review each service from the day
bers are sporadic attendees. The paradox is before and to plan each one for the coming
The Rev. Samuel Adams
that worship remains at once our greatest Sunday. We would not take such time if we
Associate Rector strength and greatest challenge. thought our worship was already perfect.
samuel.adams@stgeorgesnashville.org But nor would we take such time if we did
As I shared on Easter Sunday this year, I not believe that this ministry was worthy of
The Rev. Michael Blaess have been guilty at times of allowing my the very best that we can possibly offer. We
frustration over worship attendance to worship leaders are human and we often
Associate Rector
seep into snarky comments here and there. disappoint. Of course, the same is true with
michael.blaess@stgeorgesnashville.org I ask forgiveness for that. The gospel does you. Thanks be to God, the one we worship
not flow from a message of “should” and knows this better than we ourselves and
The Rev. Clinton Wilson “ought” and “must.” Our desire to deepen has already dealt with that reality in Christ
Associate Rector a collective commitment to worship is not Jesus. Considering all he gives to us, is there
about criticizing irregular Sunday partici- really anything or anyone more important
clint.wilson@stgeorgesnashville.org
pation in the life of the church even as we on Sunday to which to give yourself?
name it forthrightly. Our desire stems from
The Rev. Chad Jones confidence that routine, rhythmic, weekly Simply put, Christianity exists to offer the
Associate Rector worship attendance births powerful bless- world a vision of God as well as the means
Priest-In-Charge, Church of the Resurrection ings for individuals, families, and the entire to pursue that vision known in the person
parish community. of Jesus. And this double purpose is most
fatherchad@resurrectionfranklin.org
powerfully lived out in worship. The Chris-
One of my favorite spiritual writers, Eve- tian life begins and ends in praise of God. I
The Rev. Richard Kew lyn Underhill, reminds me that one reason want our parish to offer the most meaning-
Priest Associate we may not place worship at the center of ful and faithful liturgical worship in Nash-
richard.kew@stgeorgesnashville.org our lives is because regular commitment ville. I want this not as a competitive goal
to Christian worship may result in genuine but as assent to the idea that there is no
change in the ordering of our lives. In her human endeavor more vital, more edifying,
The Rev. Timus Taylor classic work Worship, Underhill writes that or more needful for today’s terribly broken,
Priest Associate repeated experience in corporate liturgy fractured, and wayward world. Yet the world
may lead us to deeds and renunciations at sure is a fierce competitor.
odds with our natural instincts as well as the
world around us. The fear of being social- Therefore, I have learned that the subject
ly out of step is obviously a great one at of worship is one to which we cannot re-
St. George’s. Yet worship is counter-cultural, turn too often. Worship is the theme for this
speaking “to man from a realm that exceeds issue of The Shield. Please read it, giving
and stands over against all natural good; thanks for the tremendous dedication of so
and may incite him to deeds and renuncia- many in our parish community to our wor-
tions which sharply oppose the interests of ship life. Perhaps it may also help you to a
his natural life, and have no meaning save fresh reappraisal of your own commitment
stgeorgesnashville.org in so far as they point beyond the world. As to this most important ministry our parish –
615-385-2150 man develops, its attraction and its pres- and our faith – has to offer.
info@stgeorgesnashville.org
2
ORDINARY TIME • SUMMER 2018
Table of Contents
2 LETTER FROM THE RECTOR
The Priority of Worship
4 A RECTOR’S GUIDE TO LIFELONG WORSHIP
A Message for Parents
4 ART AS AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH 6 SEEING GOD
4 A RECTOR’S GUIDE TO LIFELONG WORSHIP 8 LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS
Throughthe
Sharing the bread
Trancendent Power of Art
of Life 8 LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS
Sharing the Bread of Life
10 FATHER KAMAL FARAH RETURNS TO ST. GEORGE’S
11 HELPING HOLY LAND CHRISTIANS
Friends and Family
11 ST. GEORGE’S WELCOMES DITA
9 FATHER KAMAL FARAH RETURNS TO ST. GEORGE’S 10 ST. GEORGE’s WELCOMES DITA SUMMER INTERN
SUMMER INTERN
12 WORSHIP AT ST. GEORGE’S
14 A CONVERSATION WITH
Nicole & Wayne Curtis
16 NEWS & NOTES
Summer 2018
12 Worship AT St. George’s 14 A CONVERSATION WITH
Nicole & Wayne Curtis 18 Something for everyone
21 FINANCIALS
23 BOOK NOOK
23 TRANSITIONS
23 INREACH
16 NEWS & NOTES 18 Something for everyone
3
A Rector’s Guide
to Lifelong Worship
By the Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill
4
A M E S S A G E F O R PA R E N TS
“Christianity is never more than one generation from extinction.”
A
young mother approached me af- willfully ignore the subject. But there are also exhaustion by Sunday; and 4) a simple loss of
ter church not long ago with this voluminous studies on contemporary church discipline on the part of many who believe in
strong suggestion: involvement indicating many of the issues the importance of regular church attendance
“You are always gracious encour- affecting the Episcopal Church are common but have difficulty living it. Following years of
aging us on the importance of across today’s spiritual landscape. Fortunately, pastoral observation in this good place, I offer
regular church attendance, but I think you could St. George’s is something of an outlier insofar as one more: 5) many of our members are materi-
stand to be more challenging, especially with we refuse to put our heads in the sand. We want ally well-off allowing families more opportunities
many of our young families.” to be forthright about the challenges we face in to travel or be out of town on weekends than is
this current cultural and church milieu while at found in the average local congregation. This
This parishioner was lamenting the sporad- the same time representing a robust visible ex- is no cause for guilt at all but simply an easily
ic worship attendance of a wide swath of our ception to the rule with a growing membership. observable reality among us.
membership and especially the long-term effects Yet the rate of growth in our overall member-
on children who are not habituated to the central ship is considerably higher than the rate of Of course, you all know of my passion in wanting
importance of Sunday worship at a young age growth in our average Sunday worship atten- St. George’s to be THE place to be on Sundays.
because their parents do not demonstrate a dance. Why is this? And while I love seeing our church filled on the
habit of worship in themselves. Christian parents Lord’s Day, the desire is not primarily about
bear critical spiritual responsibility as trustees of In the many studies, articles, and books I read statistics. Rather, we emphasize the priority of
gospel to the next generation, and we should all on this subject, commonly cited cultural factors worship because, as I argue in the introduction
regard this subject very seriously. I believe the affecting regular worship attendance are these: to this issue of The Shield, God is simply worthy
young mother was correct to encourage greater 1) dissatisfaction with aspects of church or gen- of the very best that we have to offer in the way
challenge. eral distrust of institutional religion; 2) rampant of thanksgiving, adoration, and praise. And yet
individualism leading many to seek spiritual I hasten to add there are tremendously import-
Dramatic numeric decline of mainline denomina- fulfillment outside of community through private ant additional benefits in developing a life-long
tions in the US such as ours is a well-researched expression; 3) over-commitment to work, school, commitment to disciplined worship attendance:
fact of our day even though church leaders may and/or other interests and activities leading to its blessings on our children.
5
“If we do not pass the faith on to our children, who will pass it on to theirs?”
The fundamental goal of Christian parenting is passed down to us. In other words, corporate the other hand, Methodist bishop and popular
not to raise your child to become successful. worship is the most important gift the church preacher and writer Will Willimon recently asked
That is the terrible idol of our age. No, the fun- offers parents to help form Christ-like character a conference of pastors to identify the greatest
damental goal of Christian parenting is to raise and commitment in the home. It is the central threat to their congregational vitality. The num-
your child to become faithful. The Bible is quite activity by which Christians recall, relive, and ber one response was youth soccer!
clear on the importance of parents leading their entrust to future generations our identity, stories,
children well (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua beliefs, purpose, and hopes as the church. And There are plenty of adults today who, by God’s
4:4-7; Psalm 78:1-4; Proverbs 4:1; or Isaiah 38:19 I continually pray it makes a difference that the grace, became Christian despite growing up in
among many others). Nowhere in Scripture is the leadership of your congregation regards beauti- homes of nominal faith commitment. But there
primary responsibility for imparting or model- ful, faithful, and inspiring worship as our highest are far more adults today who never did become
ing godly faithfulness to children farmed-out by priority in ministry. adult Christians growing up in such circumstanc-
parents to others. Rather the primary locus of es. Recalling the encouragement to be more
Christian formation is the home involving both There is a saying that “Christianity is never more challenging on this issue, I do not have confi-
parents (where there are two parents) with the than one generation from extinction.” If we do dence that your children will carry on the faith
church community offering help and support in not pass the faith on to our children, who will into their adulthood if in childhood they do not
that formation. It does not work the other way pass it on to theirs? Do we care? The beloved witness their own parents’ visible commitment to
around. 20th century pastor of Madison Avenue Pres- the faith. The current trends in mainline denomi-
byterian Church in New York, David H.C. Read, nations like ours offer all the evidence one needs
The primary means by which the church com- once told his congregation, “One of the reasons to say such a thing. I would hope this might
munity helps and supports Christian formation I believe in the Resurrection is that my mother motivate all Christian parents who really do care
is through its worship life whereby we remember told me.” His point is that it truly matters who about their personal faith commitments, the fu-
that none of us is in this business of Christi- passes the gospel on to us; the quality and ture of the church in post-Christian culture, and
anity alone and never has been. The faith was nature of the relationship is paramount. On most of all, the salvation of their own children.
6
“God created us to appreciate the beauty of his creation and become creators ourselves.”
Celebrating Sacramental Preparation in 2018.
7
“We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.”
I Corinthians 10:17
The King Family shares Holy Communion and fellowship with parishioner Betty Cook Sanders on a recent visit.
8
8
Lay Eucharistic Visitors:
Sharing the Bread of Life
By John Lewis
T
he Gifts of God for the People of those who might no longer be able to come regular “beat” is Woodcrest Nursing Home.
God” declares the Celebrant just to church any longer due to illness or infirmi- I can’t say I’ve gotten over my aversion to
before the bread and the cup are ty. What happens to them? nursing homes, but I have discovered I have
administered to the congrega- a gift for relating to the elderly, and I always
tion. Communion is a gift, and celebration I discovered that St. George’s has a lay leave a visit with a smile on my face. It is our
of the Eucharist is the focal point of Anglican ministry, the Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs) mission to ensure that these parishioners
worship. From my vantage point as a Verger, a dedicated group of parishioners who know that they have not been forgotten, that
and a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM), I stand take communion out every week to those they are still valued members of our church
in awe of the power this sacrament has over who can’t physically make it to church. You family, and that they are loved. These living
those who partake. Families, arm in arm. may have seen them, receiving from the treasures of our congregation have lived rich
Couples, hand in hand. Eyes—some shut Celebrant at the end of Communion, small and varied lives. I am constantly amazed
tight, some laser beam focused on the cross, black boxes in which contain all the items by the stories and adventures they share
some tearful. Perhaps what moves me the necessary to celebrate the Eucharist. Some and the wisdom they impart. They are all as
most are elders struggling to the rail, insistent of the people LEVs see are recovering from much a blessing to the LEVs as we are to
on getting there under their own power, and accidents, some are bedbound, some are them.
kneeling, if at all possible, with everyone else. very sick, and some are dying. All, however,
This experience is the essence of corporate share a hunger for the Bread of Life. Taking Communion to our absent members
worship. This is part and parcel of what it ensures they are still part of our community,
means to be church family. There are few places I enter into with more our family, our church. “We who are many
dread than a hospital or a nursing home, are one body, because we all share one
Several years ago I considered the plight of and yet after ten years in this ministry, my bread, one cup” (1 Corinthians 10:17).
9
Father Kamal Farah
Returns to St. George’s This Summer
S
t. George’s will be host for a return visit of Fr. Kamal Farah, an Episcopal priest in
the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, who will visit us June 18-25. The first pilgrim-
age from St. George’s met him in Jerusalem in 2007 when he was Senior Lectur-
er-in-Residence at St. George’s College, Jerusalem. Before long, his guidance plus a
nudge from the Holy Spirit helped form Helping Holy Land Christians here at
St. George’s.
He visited us in 2010 for a week of preaching, teaching, visiting former pilgrims and
making new friends with parishioners. Fr. Kamal heads an Education Committee that
helped identify deserving young scholars in Nazareth and Amman, Jordan. With his help,
St. George’s and Helping Holy Land Christians have sponsored five students of high
school age with the first one graduating this past year.
Not a stranger to our clergy, pilgrims, and parishioners, Fr. Kamal will be participating in
activities here at church during his week-long visit. His visit is a great opportunity to meet
and reconnect with him as well as an opportunity to hear from him what it is like to live in
the Holy Land as a Christian.
There will be a reception for him to which all parishioners are invited. He will also speak at
PrimeTime and the Men’s Bible Study. There will be opportunities to meet one on one with
him or in small groups. See Calendar + Connection or stgeorgesnashville.org for details.
10Helping Holy Land ,
Christians:
Friendship and Family
St. George’s Welcomes DITA Summer Intern
As a part of our ongoing partnership with the Duke Initiatives in Theology
and Arts (DITA), St. George’s is blessed to be able to host a summer in-
By Sally Miller tern from the Duke Divinity School for the second year in a row. We are
I
pleased to introduce Griffin Lamb. While here, Griffin will be a familiar
face in our office as well as in worship on Sunday morning. We look for-
was a pilgrim on the first St. George’s pilgrimage to the Holy ward to his presence and contribution.
Land in 2007. At that time, I was deeply touched by the
living conditions and lack of opportunities for the Palestin-
ian Christians. While there, we met Fr. Kamal Farah at St.
George’s College in Jerusalem. I returned to the Holy Land the
next year with Dr. Paul Teschan and Linda Crane to meet with Fr.
Kamal who arranged a marvelous itinerary for us. We met many
people who could tell us what life was like in the Holy Land. After
this trip, Helping Holy Land Christians (HHLC) was formed by Dr.
Paul Teschan with a goal of educating worthy young students who
might not otherwise have an opportunity for education.
This is when I became a volunteer for HHLC. This job involves de-
veloping email friendships with the five students and communicat-
ing with school advisors in schools in Nazareth and Amman. The
students correspond with me in English and share information and
stories about themselves, their families and friends. They might tell
me about their favorite subjects in school or about celebrating their
holidays. One student plays the electronic keyboard and wants to
be an engineer someday.
It has been gratifying to watch five young scholars achieve aca-
demically and establish long-term goals for themselves. When I
went to the Holy Land, I never thought that the pilgrimage would
M
lead me to form friendships with young students over 6,440 miles
from Nashville. I consider all five of them to be my extended family. y name is Griffin and I am a seminarian at Duke Divini-
ty School. I am a Seattle native; so as might be expected,
I hope that HHLC will support these students through the comple- I’m a big fan of good coffee and exploring the outdoors.
tion of high school. I would like to see them complete their educa-
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, poetry, hiking, and pho-
tion at the university level and, when they are able financially, to con-
tography — which gets to one of my larger academic interests of ex-
sider contributing the amount of their scholarship to the next group
ploring the possible ways theology and photography might intersect.
of young scholars. Long term, I hope Fr. Kamal’s selection commit- I look forward to meeting y'all soon!
tee will continue funding financial support for deserving Christian
children in a land where opportunities and hope are scarce.
11WORSHIPat St. George’s 12
L
ife at St. George’s is as rich and varied as the worship services we offer.
Come join us Sundays or any day of the week—365 days a year. We can’t be a brighter light without you.
13NICOLE & WAYNE
A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H
Nicole and Wayne Curtis have recently arrived in Nashville after serving as SAMS missionaries in South Africa. Sarah & Jackson Wray with their children.
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14Q. Nicole, St. George’s is so happy to welcome you home after your time in South Africa. And we are thrilled that you have not come home emp-
ty handed but instead bring your husband Wayne and your twin girls! What a blessing for St. George’s. Tell us what brings you back to the
states after five years in South Africa.
A.
Thank you! It’s great to be back home at St. George’s! When I first went to South Africa, I felt like it would be for a certain season of my life and not for the rest of the life,
and we felt like this season was coming to an end and that it was time to return home. But there were other factors as well. One of us needed to become a permanent resi-
dent of one of our countries, and it was easier for Wayne to become a permanent resident of the US than for me to become a permanent resident of South Africa. I wanted
to be closer to my parents as they grow older, and Wayne and I wanted to raise our girls in the US. Furthermore, the ministry focus of Growing the Church, the organization
Q.
for which we served in South Africa, was changing; and we felt like this was a good time for us to rotate off of the field if we were going to do so.
This issue of The Shield magazine focuses on the importance of regular worship attendance to the health and well-being of one’s relationship
with Christ. Before your time as a SAMS missionary in South Africa you were a very familiar face worshiping and serving in various ways at
St. George’s. Can you tell us some of the things that you missed while you were away? Were you able to carry some of those feelings and
experiences with you to your work in South Africa?
A.
I missed everything about St. George’s while I was away—the people, the worship, the music, the youth, everything. Thankfully, I found a wonderful parish church in Cape
Town and that was Wayne’s home church, All Saints. The worship at All Saints was a bit more casual than St. George’s, but the spirit of the church was warm and welcoming
and the worship was a nice blend of traditional Anglican worship and modern praise and worship. Before I left for South Africa, I worked with the youth at St. George’s for
many years; and Wayne and my main work in South Africa was with youth leaders and youth/young adults, so I was happy that I had the opportunity to continue serving
young people, albeit in different ways. Looking back, it was amazing how God used my involvement at St. George’s to prepare me for my work in South Africa. For exam-
Q.
ple, when I took the Alpha course at St. George’s, I had no idea that one day Wayne and I would be leading Alpha courses at a local high school in Cape Town.
In Leigh’s article, he mentions the importance of regular worship for the youngest of our members. Since you have two very young members,
tell us how you and Wayne plan to make worship a regular part of their lives?
A.
It is Wayne and my greatest desire to bring up our girls in the faith. It was one of our happiest days when they were baptized in their father’s church, All Saints; and they
will be growing up at St. George’s. Even though it is a challenge to get everyone ready on time for Sunday worship, it’s important for us to instill in our girls the impor-
tance of worshiping together as a family and as a church family. Right now, the girls go to the nursery, where they can engage in their own community, being loved and
having the opportunity to play with other little ones. We look forward to them being a part of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and going to Knights Camp when they
are older. But Wayne and I also know that discipleship of children begins in the home, so we have a bedtime rhythm with the girls in which Wayne reads Bible stories to
them in Afrikaans (Wayne’s second language) and in which we pray with them. As a matter of fact, the first things I bought for the girls were two Bibles—one in English
Q.
and one in Afrikaans. We hope that our girls will grow up with a love for the Scriptures and with the knowledge that they can always pray to God at anytime in any way.
In your experience as missionaries, how do you see worship? Is it challenging to get all people to commit to regular worship regardless of
circumstance or do you find that it might be a problem unique to our American culture?
A.
I don’t think this challenge is uniquely American—or perhaps uniquely Western, although that may be the case. As a developing country, South Africa is very complex; it
runs the socio-economic gamut of extreme wealth to extreme poverty. In our experience, we found the challenge of people committing to worship to mainly be in the mid-
dle to upper class communities. People living in poverty or in rural areas were more committed to regular worship. I think there are many reasons for this. For one thing,
people living in poverty, who may not have regular work, or people who live in rural areas tend to have more time to engage in the church and in their communities and
to spend time with their families. Yet I believe people living in these challenging environments tend to depend more on God, as he is their day-to-day hope. I think middle
class/ upper class South Africans have the same challenges that their American peers have—major time constraints, societal pressure to succeed, and lack of dependence
on God as they depend more on themselves and their status and wealth. Those are my personal opinions about why more affluent South Africans fail to commit to regular
Q.
worship.
Finally, is there anything you would like to share with us about your experiences as a missionary, your time re-adjusting to life in Nashville,
or your young family?
A.
In the coming months, we hope to have some opportunities to share with our church family about our experiences in South Africa. We loved the work we did in South Afri-
ca, and we miss it so much. Yet we know it was time to return home—and for Wayne, it is a new home, and for our girls, it will be the home that they will know best. Being
your missionaries to South Africa was an honor and a privilege for us. We could not have done the work that God called us to do without your prayer and financial support,
and we are so grateful for your partnership in ministry to us. We cannot thank you enough. One of the hardest things about being a missionary is rotating off of the field.
The transition is a mixed bag of emotions of uprooting and settling down again, and it is also an expensive undertaking as the missionary is starting over again in every
way imaginable. We are no exception, and we could use your prayers and support as we try to finish well our missionary journey.
15
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ST. GEORGE’S 2020
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16m
In Excelsis Music Series Dignity Donations
j St. George’s Music Department has had a busy spring with several unique
musical offerings through the In Excelsis concert series including the Young
Musicians Corner featuring students from the Blair School of Music and the
During Lent, St. George’s Dignity Donations collection went to the students
at Buena Vista Enhanced Option Elementary School for the first time. Items
included new or gently used books and new uniform clothing for students
St. Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach featuring the Vanderbilt Symphonic Choir, in need.
Chorale, and Orchestra.
n
Stewardship Season
k
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill Our Stewardship season ended on March 31 and we have much for which
In early May our Rector, Leigh Spruill, was awarded a Doctor of Ministry to be thankful. Our final numbers included 701 total pledges with 115 new
(D. Min) degree from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto. We pledges. St. George’s is blessed by your generosity. Thank you for your
celebrate Leigh’s hard work and give thanks to God for this tremendous pledge!
accomplishment. Congratulations, Leigh!
l Good Friday Offering
During Lent our Good Friday plate offering went to support the Diocese of
Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
17Something For Everyone.
Sunday morning worship at The Table.
18St. George’s offers many unique opportunities to come together and worship God.
From morning services, evening services, weekday services and traditional Sunday offerings—we have something for everyone.
Below, your fellow parishioners describe some of our regular worship offerings.
We invite and encourage you to seek out what works for you and find what draws you closer to God.
Monday-Saturday 9:00am Choral Evensong
7:00am The Table
I’ve found The Table takes the Episcopal
When I was a young girl I attended a camp in
North Carolina. Among many things I loved
Daily Service service and puts it in a format that’s stimu- about camp were Vespers. It was a time of
I attend Service daily so I am able start my lating and engaging, both in the spoken and quiet, listening to birdsong and crickets, and
day with God and Jesus. It reminds me written liturgy and in the music. It speaks to thinking about fun activities past and those
that I am loved and that I have partners in my me. to come. At the close, we would all sing ‘Day
life. The daily homilies are so reinforcing and — Clarke Clingenpeel Is Done.’ Our Choral Evensong is a grown-up
special. version of Vespers — a blessed time to ap-
— Don Greene preciate the past, to gain perspective on the
11:15am
Sundays I love moving through the seasons of the
present, and contemplate the future, all set
against magnificent liturgically-based music.
7:30am liturgical calendar. It helps to set my mind’s
rhythm and gives touchpoints for my own
I always leave feeling the possibility of new
When I was growing up, I always wondered beginnings ahead. And I always sleep better
why anyone would go to the early morning life’s seasons. And of course I love the music!
that night!
service. After our children were grown, I be- — Molly Hilton
— Cathy Jackson
gan attending that service and realized what
I had not seen growing up. This service is a 5:00pm Compline
quiet, prayer-filled way to begin the week, The 5:00pm Sunday service is great. You can
where there are essentially no distractions. There really is no place I’d rather be. A dark-
participate in all kinds of activities during the
There are some times in your life when you ened, quiet and sacred place, lit by candle-
day and end the day with a late afternoon
just need simplicity and this service fulfils that light. In the stillness, people gather in silence,
worship service. It’s small, intimate, and less
need. stopping to light a candle for themselves and
formal.
— Julia Aden join in the already palpable praise and prayer
— Joseph Presley
to God. At once my senses are awakened by
8:45am WEDNESDAY
the smell of incense which evokes mystery
and beauty and the sacred. I breathe it in.
Our family regularly attends the 8:45am
service because we love the traditional, 10:00am And breathe out again. Then begins the
ancient liturgy sung with great dignity and
high-church qualities that this service offers: Healing Service beauty by these devoted men of God; their
the beautiful organ and choir music, kneel- I have found the Healing Service to be very words now familiar and yet transcendent. My
ing during prayer, confession and commu- special and meaningful. The intimate setting soul rejoices. And then, just as quietly as it
nion, and the sense of historical continuity of the chapel intensifies the devotion. At one began, the service to end the day concludes.
that you feel in following any of The Book of point you come to the rail and tell the priest I believe God is pleased with this gracious
Common Prayer liturgies. for what or whom you would like prayer. The and lovely way to glorify Him and it is a gift to
— Porter Meadors priest lays hands on you and says an individ- me and a balm to my soul. There really is no
ualized prayer for your concern. It is a very place I’d rather be.
personal and powerful worship experience. — Elizabeth Nash
— Nancy Cheadle
1915a message from
TIM TAYLOR
St. George’s Choristers take a break from serving at the Seder Dinner on Maundy Thursday.
20 20Dana Sherrard, Anita Hayes. and Beth Fernandes
TREASURER’S REPORT APRIL 2018 Year to Date
PLEDGES
$1,800,000
FINANCIALS $1,600,000
UNPLEDGED GIFTS
$1,400,000
$1,200,000 OTHER INCOME
$1,000,000
$800,000
ACTUAL BUDGET PRIOR YEAR EXPENSES
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
NET CASH FLOW
$0
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21
21Men of St. George’s carry the rough-hewn cross on Good Friday 2018. 22
Inreach, a lay ministry of parishioners helping other Births
parishioners, began in 1996. Shepherds of the Month
Charles Russell Iler
coordinate volunteers who serve as members of the son of Hayes and Weston Iler
body of Christ to assist with rides, tasks, running errands,
John Roaten Jarman
or a few meals. Inreach reaches in to help smooth
son of Caylan and Anderson Jarman
out temporary rough spots.
Lillian Reid Schickling
daughter of Whitney and Chris Schickling
Being a Christian parish family means reaching out
to others. If you can spare an hour or two a month,
Baptisms
would you like to join our list of volunteers or
to serve as one of our Shepherds? Lucy Elizabeth Crosby
daughter of Liza and Evan Crosby
For assistance, call the church office
Thomas Armistead Greer
at 615-385-2150 or pick up the Inreach Shepherds son of Aly and Scott Greer
bookmark in the church office.
Luella Marie Kane
To volunteer for Inreach, daughter of Tracy and Jeremy Kane
please contact Jeanne Gore at Catherine Preston McGugin
615-604-9856 daughter of Rankin and Bill McGugin
GODRIC or jengalan@comcast.net. Lillian Reid Schickling PAUL: A BIOGRAPHY
daughter of Whitney and Chris Schickling
Frederick Buechner Thompson Corker Spickard
N.T. Wright
son of Julia and Justin Spickard
Deaths
Frederick Buechner’s fictionalized I know parishioners may tire of hear-
recounting of the life of Godric of Stephanie Balmer ing your clergy quote N.T. Wright in so
Finchale, the twelfth-century English Joel Lehman many sermons, but he is inarguably
saint, is an absolute delight to read. Evelyn Sawyer Lester one of the greatest living Christian
Buechner’s playful and poignant use Barbara Briney Schneider scholars of our time, as well as one
of language would by itself make the H. Roy Slaymaker of our very own – an Anglican bishop.
book worth reading. But more so, the Jane Freeze Sloan While many of his published works
story he tells--of a man who others
can’t help but see as a saint, but who
Upcoming Robert Austin Smith are highly academic, I am thrilled
to recommend this much-anticipated
himself can only see his humanity SHEPHERDS OF THE MONTH Welcome New Members! biography of St. Paul written for the
and brokenness—is true nourishment lay person. An expert interpreter of
for the soul. The story is at once hi- Holt, Jennifer, and Caroline Coltharp
Paul, Wright fleshes out the human
larious and tragic, the subject at once JUNE Perry Howard
side of “the Apostle to the Gentiles”
curmudgeonly and winsome, which in a highly accessible and insightful
Jan Ramsey 615-513-5410 Mark and Pam Lamp
only lends it credibility as an image Jackson, Anna, Baylor, Reese, and Riley Moran
way. I am loving my own copy of this
of the truly spiritual life. great new book.
JULY Alice Broughton Sanders
Michelle Cudd 615-804-2833 Edgar, Elizabeth, and Anna Smith
Marcus, Susan, Audrey, and Eliana Tan
— The Rev. Sam Adams
AUGUST — The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill
Jeanne Gore 615-604-9856
23
23Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Nashville, TN
Permit No. 1228
summer worship schedule
SUNDAY SCHEDULE SCHEDULE Beginning
Sunday, AUGUST 26
7:30am Holy Eucharist 7:30am Holy Eucharist
9:00am The Table* 8:45am Holy Eucharist *+
9:00am Sunday School* with Children’s Chapel
10:00am Holy Eucharist*+ 9:00am The Table*
5:00pm Evening Prayer 10:05am Sunday School*
with Holy Eucharist 11:15am Holy Eucharist*+
5:00pm Evening Prayer
with Holy Eucharist
+Live Video Feed of this service at stgeorgesnashville.org
*Nursery and childcare for ages 6 weeks through 5 years will open 30 minutes prior to each service.You can also read
