| Dragon Tales November 2008 Newsletter of St. George's Episcopal Church
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From the Rector: It's All About Community & Relationships
Our Stewardship Committee has already said it so well in their recent newsletter that went out with the stewardship packet: church is about community. It is about living out our role as members of the Body of Christ, supporting each other and supporting those in the world whom Christ has called us to serve.
There are so many ways to engage in the community that is St. George's Church, and I hope that, as you read this issue of Dragon Tales, you will pray about how God may be calling you to engage in this community in new or different ways. Are you called to try on a new ministry? Chalice bearer? Lay Eucharistic Visitor? Acolyte? Vestry member? Diocesan Convention delegate? Office volunteer? Other ways? Are you called to commit to this community in a new way, perhaps letting go of other "extracurriculars" so that your relationship to St. George's may deepen? Are you called to give of your treasure in new ways?
Your prayer and contemplation will lead you to the answer. In the meantime, know that I am grateful that you are part of this community.
In Christ,
Paige+
Deacons Corner: Heading to the polls...
by the Rev. Sudie Blanchard
As Christians, we have a moral and civic responsibility to participate in the political life of the society where we live. We must, however, remember that God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat—as Lorrie, our parish administrator says, “God is the ultimate Independent!”
As we head to the polls, I hope each of us prayerfully measures the policies of all candidates against a range of Christian ethics and values. 
Throughout both Hebrew and Christian scriptures, through the words of the law, the prophets and Jesus, it is made clear again and again that care for the poor and concern for “the other” are paramount. And there are issues of justice and stewardship that can’t be ignored. I know we all want a more peaceful planet.
I follow an organization called Sojourners, whose mission is to “articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world.” Each year, they provide a Voter’s Guide that I think is quite good. I thought I would share just a few of the thoughts gleaned from that publication. I commend the complete four-page guide. It can be found online at http://www.sojo.net/action/alerts/VOP_voter-guide.pdf.
As you prepare to vote, consider the candidates’ views on and policies related to these topics. I’ve picked just four of the seven bullet points given in the guide, to save space.
Economic justice—All members of a society should have the resources needed to live a decent life and provide for those who are unable to care for themselves.
Peace and reduction of violence—In a world with terrorists, unilateralist superpowers, and weapons of mass destruction, alternatives to an endless cycle of violence are needed.
Human rights and dignity, along with racial and gender justice—Full humanity and dignity are denied when people are discriminated against. Each human being is created in God’s image. Policies should protect human rights and promote human dignity.
Environmental Stewardship—The earth and the fragile atmosphere that surrounds it are God’s good creation for the sustenance and enjoyment of all things. Our policies must protect creation from interests and activities that damage it.
Voting is vital for advancing a more just and peaceful world. I plan to do a lot of reading, thinking and praying before I mark my ballot this year. I hope each of you will join me in that effort. While no choice is ever perfect, education, careful thinking and prayer – especially prayer – can guide our decisions.
A Perfect Time to Christmas Shop! by Barb Poulin
What a concept! We can do some Christmas shopping and help those less fortunate than ourselves at the same time!
All kidding aside, our third annual St. George’s Outreach Auction on Friday, November 7, is a great place to start your shopping. We have a fine mix of affordable art including several DeWitt Hardy prints, crystal, and 
furniture, even an antique plant stand, services like music or DJ-ing for parties, a gourmet dinner for six, a family photo session early enough for great Christmas cards, a wonderful fall arrangement, a case of red and white wines, 12 one-a-month scrumptious home-baked cakes, a Dakin snowboard/ski carrier, needlework and, thanks to the generosity of many area businesses, a fantastic selection of gift certificates of all kinds.
Your Christmas shopping experience can’t get any better than this! Our auction location will once again be at the York Golf and Tennis Club on Organug Road, York. Don’t worry about missing your dinner. We will offer a delicious light meal as we did last year at a very reasonable price. Beverages may also be purchased. There is no admission charge.
We will be accepting MasterCard and Visa along with cash and checks. What can you do to make our auction a success? COME! Invite your friends and neighbors as well. See you all on Friday, November 7. Silent auction at 5:30 p.m., live auction at 6:30 p.m. FMI contact Barb Poulin at barbpoulin@aol.com, home 207-363-8731, cell 207-337-2623.
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Newcomers MeetingPlease join us on November 3, 7:00 p.m., at my house at 2 Barn Point in York Beach. Please let me know if you can attend. Also, if you can plan to bring something to share—finger foods, crackers, cheese, dips, etc., please let me know.
207-363-1482 fax, 603-595-0418 NH voice mail roosak@yahoo.com e-mail | ||||
Mission Trip 2009 Meeting by Brenda Ervin
Please join us on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. for a Mission Trip Planning Potluck! We welcome returning missioners as well as those thinking about mission trips for the first time. It's time to begin thinking about and planning our 2009 Mission Trip. As previous participants will tell you, mission trips are an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience for everyone involved, whether you are part of the mission trip or part of the planning!
We'll have some pictures from previous mission trips and hope to see you there!
Bible Workbench by Barbara Boschert
We’re looking to build up a community of people who want to discuss scripture—are you interested? The Bible Workbench group will meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: November 5, 12, 19 and December 3, 10. At each meeting, at least one of the lessons for the upcoming Sunday will be discussed, enhancing our experience on Sunday. You are welcome to come to any or all of these meetings. Please contact Linda Huls 363-1506, Barbara Boschert 363-7412 or Kate Bishop 363-1759 to let them know you are coming. Hope to see you there!
Angel Food Ministries
Have you heard about the Angel Food Ministries (AFM)? St. George's is hoping to become a host site for this wonderful ministry. AFM (established throughout the US) offers nutritious restaurant-grade food at affordable prices for any and all who would like to participate. Once St. George's becomes an "approved host site," we will have applications and menus available. Please look for the display at St. George's during the month of November. This is a very exciting opportunity and we look forward to bringing this to St. George's and the surrounding communities. We will need people who are willing to help with the distribution of these meals. For those interested in finding out more, log on to www.angelfoodministries.com. STAY TUNED!!" by Kathy Roosa | ||||
Advent Is Coming! by the Rev. Sudie Blanchard
Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, begins this year on November 30. We all have choices about how we and our families spend this month of preparation. We can jump on the Christmas merry-go-round and head for the mall, or we can be counter-cultural—we can slow down, be quiet and savor this season. That’s what Peter and I chose to do with our family—more than 25 years ago! And what fun we had! I suspect that our son Roger will carry on some of these traditions with his young son Ethan. Traditions and rituals like these help form strong spiritual foundations for our children.
I’ll be sharing some of the Advent traditions we used during the Adult Formation hour at 9:45 on November 30. These will include Christmas plum pudding, Advent wreaths, calendars and more. If you have ideas that your family has enjoyed, you’ll have a chance to share them as well.
On the evening of November 30, we will gather as a community to make Advent wreaths and enjoy a potluck supper. Mark the date and look for event details and order forms for Advent wreath kits in service leaflets early in November.
Many hands make light work, so I’m looking for people to help make this evening event fun and memorable. If you are interested, give me a call at 363-1369 or email me at sblanchard@stgeorgesyorkharbor.org.
