ALTAR GUILD

The Altar Guild is directed by the Altar Guild Directress and consists of women of the parish. Its purpose is to insure the Altar is completely dressed and ready for any and all services; such as, regular Sunday services, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, etc. The Altar Guild performs their duties in a reverent manner, working in teams of two. Training sessions sessions are held periodically as a refresher. The Altar Guild is responsible for the cleaning of the Sanctuary and the Sacristy and the Rector's vestments. The Altar and Credence Table are dressed on Saturday mornings with the proper linens and serving pieces.

Our Ministry is always open. If any of you would be interested in joining us  Click here to contact Directress.

Sally Douds, Directress

The Wednesday Bible Study is held in the Parish Hall at 11am. It has become one of the most heavily attended functions at the church. Questions are encouraged and lively discussions often ensue.

Topical subjects often extend over several weeks or months. New members are welcome.

A Holy Eucharist and Healing Service follow at noon.

Click here to contact Fr Hugh

Book Plates

BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is a missionary and evangelism ministry of the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. It is the oldest evangelistic ministry of the Episcopal Church. Our goal is to bring men and boys to Jesus Christ.

The St. George Episcopal Church Chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew meets twice monthly at 6:30 P.M. in the Parish Hall of the Church. Meetings are opened with a hymn, prayers and Bible readings, followed by a short discussion of the readings by brothers and clergy. This is followed by a business meeting and Treasurer’s Report.

Each meeting has an educational or entertainment program. The meeting is closed with general and intercessory prayers and a benediction.

The Brotherhood initiated a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner in 2006 which has become an annual event. Money raised supports their outreach programs. Join the men as they prepare pancakes and sausages on bar-b-que grills.

For information regarding the Brotherhood of St. Andrew or to express an interest in membership in this group, contact us

St George is  utilizing the talents of our members, some of whom are already performing this function. The Care Givers is organizing these efforts making obtaining temporary assistance more streamlined. You can help!

If you are interested in providing a ride to doctor's appointments, picking up prescriptions, sitting with someone to give the caregiver a break, or other such helpful tasks on a temporary basis for a parishioner who is unable at the time to handle these items, contact the office 750-1010.

If you need some assistance, contact the office 750-1010. Requests will be worked as best as possible based on the volunteers available, the task to be done, and the time. We will do our best to help you.

CARE MINISTRY

The purpose of this ministry is to help parishioners who are not able to help themselves. We do this in many ways. 

A. Visitations to homes, hospitals and nursing homes.

B. Provide transportation when necessary.

C. Cards are sent and flowers from the altar are delivered to the sick and shut-ins.

D. The Daughters of the King arrange for receptions at funerals when needed.

E.  The Brotherhood of St. Andrew can help with small home care projects.

You are welcome to join us, contact click here to contact us

Choir

St. George Episcopal Church has a volunteer choir. The choir sings Sundays from September through June, plus special services during Holy Week, Easter, and Christmas, sometimes including "Nine Lessons and Carols."

The choir practices on Wednesdays at 6 p.m., in the church; and again on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m., just before the 10 a.m. service. 

This church has an organ programmed just for St. George, a Johannus Rembrandt 3000 AGO, a state of the art instrument. 

The choir is always seeking new voices, and encourages anyone who enjoys "making a joyful noise unto the Lord" to join the choir.  For information, call the office 750.1010 or email this link.

CHURCH HISTORIAN

All the happenings of each year are maintained in a year book and the year 2004 was highlighted by the installation of our beautiful stained glass windows.

CURSILLO AT ST. GEORGE

The CURSILLO movement is one of the renewal programs within the Catholic and Episcopal Church. Initially developed in Spain, on the island of Majorca, after the Spanish civil war, the three-day weekend retreat is patterned after the pilgrimage known as The Way of Saint James.

Since the autumn of 1998, the Cursillo group of St. George has been meeting monthly. Anyone is welcome to attend any of these meetings to learn more. Watch the bulletin for date and time. We meet on the first Saturday of each month at 6:00 P.M. in the Parish Hall for a pot-luck supper. 

To become a Cursillista, one has to participate in a three-day weekend, a life-changing experience. 

There is nothing Secretive about Cursillo, just lots of great surprises. For information regarding Cursillo, click here.

The Daughters of the King is an international Episcopal ministry of women organized as a religious order. Each Daughter takes a lifetime vow to live by the Rule of the Order. Our rule of life requires the discipline of daily prayer, service and evangelism.

After completing several weeks of study, the new Daughters are admitted to the order at a regular Sunday service.

As a service to our parishioners, we have organized receptions for several funerals. We also are available when our priest hosts the Deanery meetings at St. George

We are always happy to have new women join us in this ministry. For more information or when the next study course is scheduled,

click here to contact us

Contact us: ecw@stgeorge-episcopal.net  750-1010 and visit the Central Florida ECW website: www.cfecw.org

The Episocpal Computer Club is run by a member at home on Monday Mornings 9-12.  It is to answer questions, chat about computer topics, and assist you in using your system. Classes can be arranged on specific topics, such as calendars, slide shows, how to burn a CD, etc. The instructor has taught at several community colleges, The Villages Lifelong Learning College, as well as The Villages Computer Club.

For more information, contact ECC

FINANCIAL COMMITTEE

The Financial Committee was established September 2002. The Committee consists of seven members, including our Treasurer, and meets monthly.

The Committee acts as an Advisory Group, assisting our Treasurer on financial decisions, thus reporting to the Vestry.

FLOWERS

Two vases of flowers are placed on the Altar on Sundays, except during Lent. Parishioners are encouraged to sponsor the flowers in honor of special days such as birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, etc. A  sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall for members to select a date. The cost is $25 per vase and a check for the total amount should be placed in the offering plate. The flowers may be taken home by the sponsor after the 10AM service or taken to parishioners who are in the hospital or ill at home.

For more information,  click here

Gentlemen of St. George

You are invited to join in a review and discussion of the Lessons for the coming Sunday.  Larry has shared this study for several years prior to joining St. George and found the experience both stimulating and rewarding.  The meeting will be held in the Conference Room on Mondays from 9:00AM-10:00AM.  Coffee and donuts will be provided.  If you are interested, please contact Larry Moore, 352-288-0956, so he knows how many to prepare for.

Healing Service

The noon Wednesday Healing Service, begun by Fr Hugh, is a warm and vibrant service to which everyone is welcome, members and visitors alike. It is an informal Holy Communion service. The teaching is always on some aspect of the healing love and power of Christ. After receiving communion there is an opportunity to be prayed for. Or, if you would like to pray for someone else, we would be glad to do that with you.

 Contact FR Hugh

St. George provides Worship Service to the residents of the Village of Homewood, an assisted living home. These services occur on a regular rotation with other churches in the area, approximately every 6th week.

Click here to assist with these services.

The main ministry of the Lay Eucharistic Ministers continues to be that described in Canon Laws.

One of our duties is to bring the Holy Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins. In order to do this singular duty, we need the help of everyone in the church to identify those persons who are in need of this service.

In addition to our duties of Home Communion, we continue to serve on the Altar in various functions in all of our services. We have two (2) teams who rotate in these two LEM duties.

Meetings are held quarterly to discuss the items of mutual concern in our duties and to determine how we can better perform in this important area of our worship. If you have any questions or are interested in serving in this capacity, contact us.

The Memorial Garden Committee oversees and coordinates the Garden’s daily operation and maintenance . 

Anyone wishing additional information on the Garden’s sales or operation may contact the church office or click here.

The Council’s mission is to greet and welcome guests and visitors to St. George by helping them to adjust to a new church, find a new family of friends, and a home to worship our Lord Jesus Christ.

We rely on the church members to identify newcomers and introduce themselves and make sure that visitors sign the register in the Narthex. This extension of the welcoming hand of fellowship has earned a unique status for St. George. We are known as one of the friendliest churches in the community.

Anyone interested in being part of a rewarding, hardworking group with a fun mission are welcome to join us.

OFFICE STAFF

St. George’s office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am to 1pm.  The office is closed on Fridays.

If you are interested in helping or have a skill that might be helpful, let us know and we’ll find a job for you, whether it is a one-time need or ongoing.

Drop us a line.

There is a need for those who will call and for those who wish a call. There is no reason a person who receives a call cannot make other calls....so let's make our parishioners know we care about them.

Contact Phyllis Griffin by clicking here or phone 636-0913

PHOTOGRAHY

Dick Griffith attends and photographs most St. George functions. The photographs are posted on the church bulletin boards and on the internet. Individual photos of new parishioners are taken at the Newcomers socials and posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. A picture of St. George Church is used on thank you notes. Many of the photos in the latest directory were taken by Dick. Some the photos have been used by the Publicity Ministry and published in The Villages Daily Sun. If your picture isn’t in the Church Directory or posted in the hallway, contact Dick.

PRAYER CHAIN

Paul tells the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and that is what eighteen members of St. George do. We are known as the “Prayer Warriors”.

When you or someone you know or love has a need for prayer, call Anne Velseck, 751-0602. She will call the next person on the Prayer Warrior list. This prayer request will be passed on down the list and within a few hours, eighteen people are passing that need to the Lord. This is the Prayer Chain.

We welcome anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry. If you would like more information or want to become a Prayer Warrior, contact us.

Publicity for St. George Episcopal Church involves spreading the news of our church to a wider audience than is reached by our church newsletter, “Saints Alive.” We have been doing that through the local media, primarily The Villages” Media Group DAILY SUN, VNN, and WVLG and the Diocese of Central Florida’s EPISCOPALIAN .

Let our Publicist know about functions that need to be publicized. Drop a note.

“Saints Alive” is the parish monthly newsletter. It is available on the website a week or more before it is mailed. Parishioners are encouraged to utilize the online version (which can be printed) and remove their names from the mailed copy list by contacting the office, thus saving money for the parish. It is mailed bulk mail rate during the first week of the month.

The newsletter is compiled by the editors, with submissions from parishioners and church ministries.

The deadline for copy is usually the third Friday of the month. Copy should be dropped in the Saints Alive mailbox in the Parish Hall, or E-mailed

Members volunteer to serve in these positions and anyone is welcome to add their name to the list.

Lectors read at the services, Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors at the doors, Ushers assist with locating seats or other duties as needed.

The Flag Bearers are only used at the 10 AM service.

Sometimes LEMs (Lay Eucharistic Minister) are called upon at the last minute to fill in for someone who had an emergency and would not be in church on their scheduled date.

Parishioners serve in these capacities for the Sunday services, memorial services, weddings, and the occasional baptism.

If you would like to volunteer in this area, Click Here

ST GEORGE SOLOS

The Solos is open to all single men and women. No membership fee or formal meetings are involved. Social activities are planned each month for fellowship with other single members at the Church.

Some months our socials have taken place in the Church Parish Hall. These have included pot luck dinners, game nights, Bingo, in March an Italian dinner for St. Patrick’s Day and our annual Thanksgiving Dinner in November.

We have taken advantage of the various activities and restaurants in the area that are close by: held a Miniature Golf Tournament, been to a Japanese style dinner, attended the Orange Blossom Opry, ate at Gator Joe’s in Ocklawaha, visited the Oakwood Grill and Chili’s restaurant. We topped off the year with a Christmas dinner party with gift exchange held at the Orange Blossom Hills Country Club.

We are encouraging more membership involvement. Individuals or teams are volunteering to organize monthly activities for the group.

The membership at St. George’s is growing each year and the Solos is a great way to meet other singles. If you are single, join us for fun and fellowship.

On January 27, 1996 St. George became a Parish, having been a mission for just one year. In just six years we had our own home.

Since an overwhelming majority of our Parish is retirees, our needs are considerably different than most congregations, such as having no need for Sunday School rooms for children.

For the Annual Stewardship Drive, we send out letters and pledge cards to each household.

Enthusiasm at St. George is at the highest level. If you are a Newcomer and would like to participate in the rewards of giving along with our fellow Parishioners, please contact the Stewardship Chairmen.

Because there are two services and it is difficult to see everyone, a Hospitality Time is held between the 8am and 10am services with coffee, juice, and light food brought by members of the church. Please join us between services and you are welcome to donate cheese, cookies, muffins, coffee cakes, buns, etc to the church kitchen to help keep the table interesting.

Click here for more information.

When the Sunshine chairman is notified of a parishioner in the hospital, ill or just in need of a word of cheer, a card is sent. Sympathy cards are also sent to the families of deceased parishioners.

Should you know of anyone who needs a bit of sunshine please send a note.

SUPPER SIX

Supper Six is an activity that brings to our individual homes all the warmth and fellowship we experience in our Church. Those who participate are assembled into groups of six, usually couples; however single parishioners who would like to find another single to team with are also welcome.

Each group meets once a month for three months and couples are then changed to a different group. The three month cycles are: January-February-March, April-May-June and October-November-December. Supper Six does not meet during the July-August-September period.

Each individual group has control over when and how they spend their time together. After the April, May June Suppers, there will be a social evening held locally.

For more information

VISUAL AND ARTS DESIGN COMMITTEE

This committee has five members and serves solely in an advisory capacity to the Vestry. It meets in the Parish Hall on the first Saturday of each month. 

Its purpose is to assure an artistic standard for all improvements, furnishings and decorations which may affect the church, parish hall and grounds. Further, it coordinates the acceptance or rejection of non-monetary gifts to the church and outlines the terms of acceptance as it relates to title, use, display or other disposition

For more information.

The webmaster encourages comments and suggestions at any time. Contact the webmaster by clicking here.

The Guild meets the second Thursday of each month at 2pm (unless otherwise announced) and is open to every woman in the church.  Watch the Church Bulletin, Saints Alive Newsletter (print and online) and Calendar for times. We sponsor several fundraisers annually that enable us to donate half of the proceeds to St. George and half to Outreach.

 We have programs at the meetings ranging from church related topics to topics of general interest. The monthly program will be noted in the meeting notices.

 Among our activities:

- Guideposts Sweater Project

   (click here to learn about it,

    click here for Knitting pattern,

    click here for Crochet pattern,

    click here for Aran knit pattern)

 Click here to email the church project coordinator

Craft Workshops - 2008 Tues 1-3pm Parish Hall

April 15  Christmas tree ornaments, bookmarks, bread basket liners, guest towels

April 22, 29 plastic canvas projects, including coasters and door hangars, supplies provided

- Angel Fund... donations for Cherry Lake children School Supplies, given to the sheriff who coordinates with the school

- White Breakfast - gathering to prepare hearts and minds for Lent.

-Treats & Treasures sale – an old fashioned rummage sale with items that can be hidden treasures

-Hat Auction

-Bake Sales

-Fall Bazaar

-Share Christmas program which provides food and gifts for those in need

-Haven House - a shelter for battered women and their children

-Hospice

-El Hogar – sponsor a boy through high school in Honduras

-Our Little Roses - sponsor two little girls in Honduras

-Canine Companions for Independence We have sponsored several puppies and our first one graduated to work with a young boy.

 For more information.