Bulletin Announcements
This Week's Announcements
Honoring National Native American Heritage Month
November is National Native American Heritage Month. In recognition, St. George’s will introduce a Land Acknowledgement, which we will keep moving forward. For the month of November, we will be reading our New Testament lessons from First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, a cultural translation of the New Testament, which highlights indigenous understandings of Scripture.
See here for more information on land acknowledgements:
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/indigenous-ministries/
Thanksgiving Brunch- Sunday, November 23
Our Thanksgiving Brunch returns! Prepandemic, St. George’s had a tradition of holding a Thanksgiving Brunch on the Sunday before Thanksgiving- inviting parishioners to bring sides/desserts/drinks to share, with the men of the parish signing up to take charge of the meat (turkey, ham, etc.). With our new kitchen in place, we are excited to resurrect this community event and pair it with our Advent Fair activities. Sign up here to cook a turkey or a ham, which St. George’s will provide; or to bring a side, beverages or dessert.
https://bit.ly/StGThanksgivingBrunch
There is no 8.00 am service on this Sunday, only one service at 10.00 am.
Help Pack Food Parcels
During Coffee Hour on Sunday we will be packing food parcels for distribution to the food pantry at Holy Trinity. Please bring in food donations of:
Ramen noodles, tinned soup, tinned Chili;
Cereal, peanut butter & jelly;
Pasta (boxed or canned), spaghetti sauce;
Canned fruit, canned vegetables, a bag of rice;
Canned beef stew, canned tuna, loaf of bread
Youth Formation Opportunities this Fall
These offerings are a time for youth to discuss important topics of faith, and to grow in their walk with Christ.
Doughnuts & Discussion, for Grades 6-8. Gathers monthly in the Mary Lounge on the 4th Sunday of each month following the 10 am service. Contact Becky Kraemer at beckyakraemer@gmail.com for more information.
Breakfast with Rev. Grant, for Grades 9-12. Gathers on September 14 and November 16.
JAM Weekly Action for Justice
A major effort is underway to press our NJ State Legislature to pass the The Immigrant Trust Act, S3672/A4987 (see QR code) now, during the lame duck session. 100 civic organizations, 19 towns, 3 counties, 34 Assembly members and 17 State Senators have endorsed the ITA. Legislative leaders have stalled it, and our governor-elect has not taken a stand on preventing Federal over-reach when it comes to protecting our immigrant neighbors. Please call &/or write Trenton’s leadership frequently to insist they let the bill be heard in committee and be brought to full floor votes.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari: 732-827-7480, senscutari@njleg.org
Speaker Craig Coughlin: 732-855-7441, asmcoughlin@njleg.org
Christmas Cards
At coffee hour from until they sell out, packs of Christmas cards will be available for sale. We will have packs of 10 cards available for $15, and 25 cards for $30. The cards have a photo of St. George’s Nativity Window on the cover and come with a red envelope. All proceeds go to support the Music Ministry at St. George’s.
Fifth Sunday Collection for North Porch
During the month of November, we will be making a special fifth Sunday collection for North Porch Women & Infants’ Centers. We will be collecting baby necessities including diapers size 4, 5, and 6 as well as baby formula and baby wipes.
North Porch provides much needed baby supplies and baby food to clients referred through social services agencies. At this time, when household incomes are extremely stretched, your generosity can help make ends meet. This “loaves and fishes” ministry is only able to thrive and grow due to support from congregations like ours. Drop off donations in the Narthex food barrel or inside the storage container in the vestibule off the parking lot. Questions: contact Lindsay McHugh at mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com.
Exploring Our Stories, Our Community, Our Call
Join Rev. Grant this fall for a 3-session series following the 10am service in the Parish Hall. We’ll share our faith stories, explore how Maplewood/South Orange has changed, and reflect on St. George’s 100+ years in the community—asking, How is God calling us today?
Part 1, Sharing Our Stories – How did you come to St. George’s? – was last Sunday. If you missed it, take a look at the timeline during Coffee Hour, and add your story!
The remaining 2 sessions are:
Nov. 9 – What’s Happened in the Neighborhood? — A look at local history
Dec. 7– Won’t You Be My Neighbor? — How St. George’s serves our community
Come for one or all—your story matters!
Ministry Heads’ Retreat
There will be a Ministry Heads’ Retreat on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Coffee hour will wrap up a few minutes earlier on the 16th to enable the meeting to begin promptly at noon. If you are a Ministry Head, please RSVP for the event if you have not already done so. Contact Denise Brown Allen (dbateach123@gmail.com) for more information.
It’s a Wonderful Life with Sages of All Ages
Sages of All Ages is planning a theater trip on December 7 to ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, described as a “live radio play’ inspired by the beloved holiday film. We will attend the 2:00 pm matinee at the NJ Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University in Madison, NJ. If you’re interested in attending, please buy your tickets separately (prices are about $90 per ticket from www.shakespearenj.org), but please let Jim McHugh (mchugj@verizon.com) know you’ll be attending. If you do come, you’re also invited to get together after the performance for holiday treats at the McHughs in Madison.
Bereavement Support Group
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one and feel that you have no place to tell the story of your grief? Starting this fall is our Bereavement Support Group. It will be a safe place to share and grieve and heal. The next meeting is Sunday, November 23, BEFORE the 10.00 am service. Gather in the Mary Lounge. Contact Tony Bousanti for more information.
Host a Coffee Hour
We’re inviting every St. Georgian to host at least one Coffee Hour each year! You won’t be doing it alone—each Sunday will ideally have a team of 4 parishioners working together to provide setup, treats, and cleanup. Detailed instructions are provided to make it simple and fun.
Hosting doesn’t have to be fancy! Some on your team may handle setup or cleanup, while others bake, buy, or bring goodies to share. The goal is to share the work of fellowship that everyone enjoys.
Please sign up here: https://bit.ly/CoffeeHourNov-Jun to choose your Sunday and task.
You may also join our Coffee Hour email list, which will be used to fill open spots or help when last-minute changes arise.
To join the email list, email Ruth Deane at
parish-office@stgeorges-maplewood.org
We’re also seeking:
- Coffee Hour Leads: A small team is forming to maintain the online signup and send reminder emails. Interested? Email Mark Popham at markpopham@gmail.com or Susan Darwin at mail@susandarwin.com
- Coffee Hour Baking Team: Love to bake? Share your delicious gifts by preparing occasional treats for Coffee Hour through a fun quarterly baking party here at St. George’s! Interested? Email Tina Kelly at tinakelleywriter@gmail.com
Sunday Supper Church
Sunday, September 14 at 4.30 pm
Join us for Sunday Supper Church, monthly at 4.30 pm. Inspired by the traditions of the earliest Christians, Supper Church combines an interactive service with a communal meal. For more information click HERE. Questions? Email Meg at familyministry@stgeorges-
Upcoming 2025 Dates:
October 12, November 9, December 7.
Take Them a Meal Ministry
Just before the start of Covid a new young couple began attending St. George’s. While becoming acquainted with the SG community they asked Rev. Grant if the church offered a meal delivery ministry for those in need of extra support. In describing their previous church they mentioned a program where anyone going through hardship could request meals. They told how meaningful it had been for those experiencing a death in the family, an illness, medical procedure, depression, or a newborn baby. From their story it was clear that this ministry strengthened the entire community. Both those who sought help and those who were able to extend a hand were blessed. A seed was planted at St.George’s and shortly thereafter a small group of “cooks” was gathered to help when meal requests were received. Ironically the couple who told Rev. Grant about the ministry were among the first to ask for help when the entire family were simultaneously overcome with Covid. Ever since this ministry has continued to quietly grow.
If you are looking for a way to participate in the St.George’s community and want to be one of our “on-call-cooks” sign up HERE OR email Glen Hoffs. There’s no obligation. When meal requests are received a signup genius is sent to the “cook” team. Sign up only for what you have time to do. If you can’t help at that time, no problem. Other helpful options include sending the recipients DoorDash or UberEats gift certificates or ordering food for delivery from a local restaurant.
To request meals for yourself, a family member, or make a recommendation for someone who may wish to receive meals, please click HERE or email Glen Hoffs.
Flower Memorials at Saint George’s
You may not be aware of it, but there has been a long-standing tradition at St. George’s to dedicate the floral decorations at each Sunday service in memory of or thanksgiving for people we care about. Alas, we’ve let it slide in the last years, but the Altar Guild is going to revive this charming custom.
The annual fundraising events for Advent/Christmas and Easter, well-known to most St. Georgians, are focused on small gifts to underwrite the large-scale decoration of the sanctuary for these high holidays.
However, EVERY Sunday is a potential flower memorial for someone you love. The Altar Guild normally spends about $50 each weekend on flowers, with the exceptions of Advent and Lent, when flowers are not used.
If there is something YOU would like to commemorate—a birthday, a wedding or anniversary—or a loved one you would like to name with thanks or in loving memory, the Altar Guild would welcome your donation for the altar flowers for that Sunday. We will publish your commemoration in the Sunday bulletin.
Although there is technically no limit to the number of names we can celebrate on any given Sunday, the donation will be the same for everyone—and the extra funds will be used for any unclaimed weekend.
Schedule your flower memorial by clicking HERE. Payments can be made online, details are included on the signup form.
Office Updates
The building is physically open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 – 3, and by appointment only on Wednesdays. Ruth works remotely Mondays and Fridays, email any queries to the office on those days.
Deadline for submission of news and article in the weekly bulletin and Snapshot is noon Wednesday.
We are always looking for photographers! Did you take any great pictures at any church events that you would like to share? Please email them to the office
