Bulletin Announcements
This Week's Announcements
Advent Small Group with St. Andrew and Holy Communion
Join us this Advent season for a weekly small group as we journey through Do Not Be Afraid: The Joy of Waiting in a Time of Fear by Rachel Mann. Through meditative readings, prayer, and thoughtful reflection, we’ll explore how waiting—so often marked by anxiety or uncertainty—can become a source of joy and deeper faith.
Each week, we’ll gather to reflect on God’s presence in our own seasons of waiting, drawing closer to the peace and hope promised in the coming of Christ. Let’s prepare our hearts together in anticipation of Christmas, discovering the gifts of patience, courage, and holy joy. All are welcome! You do not need to have read the book to participate!
When: Dec. 4, 11, 18 at 7:30pm
Where: Zoom, Meeting ID: 949 7106 4385
Passcode: 639903
You can purchase the book online.
The Lights of Hope Advent collection
Help Bring Light in the Darkness through Lights of Hope
Once again, this year we will be offering an opportunity to give to those who are less fortunate. There are several ways you can participate either by selecting a gift tag for purchasing individual items or participating in the Adopt a Family program. At this point, we still have many tags for individual gifts and two family-gift cards unclaimed. Help us to reach out to infants, children, the homeless and families in need. If you have questions, find us after service or send an email to mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com, or pebigelow@yahoo.com. Please contact Dominique Vines at vines.dominique@gmail.com to learn more details of the family gift program.
We are collecting baby necessities for clients of North Porch Women & Infants’ Centers; holiday toys for children at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Orange; and adult clothing basics for the Bridges homeless program. Bridges tackles homelessness through street outreach and intensive case management focusing on health, housing, and independence
Looking for Legos!
Do you have Legos and Lego figures at home that you aren’t using? Our youth and children’s programs will be incorporating legos in some of their lessons. We’re hoping to collect them rather than buy them new. If you have some to donate, please drop them off outside the parish office in the box labeled Legos.
Teen & Pre-teen groups
Open invitation to all teens and pre-teens looking for fun, service, faith and community.
Donuts & Discussions (November 24) – explore how faith informs life in your community. Meet in the Lounge after 10am service.
For more information, please reach out to Meg Davis, our Families & Youth Minister @ familyministry@stgeorges-maplewood.com
Monthly Food Pantry Collection
For the next several weeks through November 24th, we will be collecting for Holy Trinity’s Food Pantry. The requested foods are rice in one-pound bags or boxes, and canned beans. We also accept other non-perishable donations. Drop off donations in the Narthex food barrel or in the storage container in the vestibule off the parking lot. Questions: contact Lindsay McHugh at
mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com.
Children’s Christmas Pageant
The children’s Christmas pageant will be happening on December 24th at 4:00pm!! If your child is interested in participating, come to our first rehearsal on Sunday, December 8th at 9:45 in the parish hall. If your child can’t make that rehearsal but still wants to participate, or if you’d like to help, email Meg at
familyministry@stgeorges-maplewood.org.
The other rehearsal dates will be December 15th at 9:45, December 22nd at 9:45, and December 24th at 2:30. There will be parts for all, both speaking and non-speaking, children ages 2 through high school are welcome. We can’t wait to see you there!
Justice & Advocacy Ministry Forum
On December 8th, after 10 am service, we will explore how to pursue “voluntary simplicity” to reduce our environmental impact in our daily living – including our holiday celebrations. For more information and some suggestions, click HERE
Join a Faith Group!
Faith groups are a wonderful way to grow in faith, support one another in everyday life, and build meaningful relationships. all three are essential parts of walking the Christian life. We’re offering both online and in-person groups; choose the option that fits your schedule. After signing up, you’ll be sorted into a group. your group will determine the best meeting time together. We’d love for you to join a group—no matter where you are on your journey, there’s a place for you here.
Signups are open now through Dec. 31. Groups will begin in January 2025. Click HERE to sign up. Questions? Please reach out to Rev. Grant at revgrant@stgeorges-maplewood.org.
Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
Are you called to bring the presence of Christ to those who cannot attend worship? Join us for a Lay Eucharistic Visitor training on Sunday, December 22nd, following the 10am service. This training equips participants to share Holy Communion with those who are homebound, in the hospital, or in care facilities. All are welcome to explore this meaningful ministry!
For more information and sign up, please contact Rev. Grant at revgrant@stgeorges-maplewood.org.
Blue Christmas Service
Wedensday, December 18, 7.00 pm
For many, Christmas isn’t always a season of joy, but a season of grief, of mourning loved ones lost. The Blue Christmas Service will offer a prayerful space for those who are mourning and/or experiencing grief this Christmas season to gather together and be reminded of God’s comforting presence during the holidays.
On December 1, 8 and 15 the Tree of Angels Marks the progress of Advent
Sunday December 1st will mark the first Sunday of Advent, and with it begins the annual Tree of Angels fundraiser! It’s a “short” Advent this year, because of where Christmas falls, and thus there will be only THREE Sundays following (December 1, 8, 15) on which we can raise funds for the Christmas flowers, trees and greens with which we decorate our sanctuary and nave for the holy day. For the modest amount of $5 per name, you can buy an angel for the boughs of our community tree in the Parish Hall, either as a memorial or in thanksgiving. The Altar Guild will inscribe your loved ones’ names on the list of remembrance to be included at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at St. George’s.
This is the way St. George’s Altar Guild funds the holiday greens that fill the church, and makes sure that there are plenty of Christmas flowers and greens, on the high altar and around the Lord’s Table, and throughout the church to welcome parish and visitors alike for the Christmas Eve family and late services.
New this year! You may also donate a wreath or a poinsettia.
An Altar Guild representative will be present at coffee hour each of the three Sundays listed above, to get your names and inscribe them on angels. We will have receipts!
Ulysses Dietz, Chair, Altar Guild
Second Sunday Supper Church
Sunday, December 8, at 4.30 pm
Join us for Second Sunday Supper Church, on the second Sunday of every month 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-
Home Concierge Service for St. Georgians
Homeowners Hub is a local, woman-owned business offering concierge home services. Call or text them to request a service or estimate. They connect you with a reliable tradesperson and manage the project. When the work is complete, they make sure you’re satisfied. You pay them, and they pay the tradesperson. Two amazing benefits in your annual subscription is a complimentary home maintenance service ($200 value), and wholesale pricing on appliances via PC Richards. They are providing two special offers to St. George’s parishioners: 1) Free 90-day trial (services only) and $99 for the first year (almost 25% off!) It is important that you are included in our parish directory for verification as this is a special offer for St. George’s. Go to http://www.hubyourhome.com to learn more and subscribe.
Calling all senior and empty-nesters
Our new Seniors and Empty Nesters Ministry, “Sages of All Ages”, had their first gathering this week. They already have many exciting events planned including:
December 28 – Christmas Open House
Contact Tony Bousanti (abousanti@verizon.net) if you would like to know more!
Host a Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour: important: Kitchen construction has begun!
NOTE: The anteroom and nursery will be used for staging and storage. For everyone’s safety, it is VERY IMPORTANT that children do not play in the smaller room. We thank you for your cooperation, as we await our new kitchen! During kitchen construction (approximately mid-January) coffee hour will continue to be held in the parish hall with the following schedule:
Week 1: Birthday Cake and fruit
Week 2: Loaves & Fishes Coffee Hour (coffee/tea, and whatever parishioners bring to share!)
Week 3: Ministry Coffee Hour
Week 4: Family Hosted Coffee Hour
Week 5: Loaves & Fishes
Beginning November 26 until January 26 (stay tuned for exact reopening and PARTY!), coffee hour should be simple: no cutlery, no plates (can fit on a napkin), juice, tea, coffee. Suggestions are simple baked goods and fruit.
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
