Please join us on Sunday mornings in the basement of the Masonic Lodge at 10th & Noble.
| Bishop's Committee | ||
| Sr Warden | Becky | (907) 456-5849 |
| Jr Warden | Marty | (907) 479-6493 |
| Secretary | Harriette | (907) 799-1648 |
| Treasurer | Marty | (907) 479-6493 |
| Committee Chairs | ||
| Altar Guild | Margaret | (907) 479-6493 |
| Sunday School | Becky | (907) 456-5849 |
| Historian | Connie | (907) 479-4774 |
Scriptural, Liturgical, Evangelical
Rescue Mission Collection in June
During the first couple of weeks in June we will be collecting for the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. The Mission has provided a list (click here) of items they can use best. Please do not bring perishable items. We'll be setting up a collection box in the main lobby of the Lodge the first Sunday in June and clearing it out as needed until we end the collection on June 17th. (May 2012)
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services
Holy week is upon us. This is a special time for prayer and reflection. So much so that even our public schools have traditionally taken a week off from their studies to prepare for Easter. Yes, in the later part of the last century "Spring Break" separated itself from Easter, but that's a whole different discussion.
This year, St George's will be celebrating two special services in the days leading up to Easter. The first will be an evening Maundy Thurday Holy Communion/Tenabrae (Service of Shadows) service at the Hall's residence begining at 6:30pm.
On Good Friday, we'll hold vigil at noon (also at the Hall's) using a traditional meditation based on the 7 Last Words of Christ. (April 2012)
APA—ACA Working Group formed
The Colleges of Bishops of both the APA and ACA have established a single "Working Group" with representatives of both jurisdictions to work through the issues that could become impediments to, what they are calling, reconciliation. Several representatives from each jurisdiction have been appointed (click on "Unity Banner" to read the article).
They will be addressing questions of:
- Constitution and Canons
- Liturgy
- Governance and Structure
This is a wonderful development stemming from the work done last year toward Full Communion between the two jurisdictions. There is work to be done, no doubt, but with open minds and a clear goal of unity it can be done! (February 2012)
Episcopal Visit planned for July 15 - Save the Date!
The Right Reverend Steven Strawn, Episcopal Visitor to the Diocese of the West and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley is planning to visit us on the weekend of July 15th.
Depending upon how much time the Bishop will be able to stay will us, we will be planning some extra activities with the congregation. So please set aside some extra time to get to know the Bishop and spend some extra time in fellowship. (February 2012)
Services for Epiphany 4 canceled due to low weather temps
Annual Meeting postponed until February 12th
Services for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany has been canceled due to rather cold weather. The weather this past couple of days has been pretty wicked. And, temps are predicted for service time below our cutoff of -35°F. I look forward to seeing you next week before the Super Bowl!
Our Annual Meeting was also scheduled following the service. That too is off and postponed to February 12th. (January 2012)
Services for Epiphany 2 canceled due to low weather temps
Services for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany have been canceled due to rather cold weather. We've been seeing temps in the -40°f and below this past week. The weather prediction for services time on Sunday, January 15th is for 36 below. Considering safety for our parishioners and hardship on equipment, we have established a threshold when we will not hold services where temps are expected to be below -35°f at service time. We will still be cognizant of other threats to safety in transit, e.g. freezing rain, etc. for the future. (January 2012)
Annual Parish Meeting scheduled for January 29
The annual meeting of the Anglican Church of St George for 2012 will be held on January 29th following service and a short fellowship time (potluck?). In addition to the usual "business meeting" kind of agenda items, each activity within the church should expect to make a report on what they've been doing this past year. A new member will be elected to the Vestry as Ms Connie Miller will have completed her 3 year term. Thank you Connie for your service. Suggestion are being taken for additional agenda items from the membership. Please pass your suggestions along to the Vicar or Sr Warden. (November 2011)
Bp Williams Resigns, Bp Strawn is Episcopal Visitor
The Rt Rev Daren Williams has resigned as Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the West (DOW/ACA). Until such time as his replacement is elected in Synod, The Rt Rev Steven Strawn of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley (DMV/ACA) will be our Episcopal Visitor. We look forward to working with Bp Strawn as the diocese works toward electing a new bishop. We wish Bp Williams and his wife Joy all the best and God's blessings in their new future. (November 2011)
Succinct Summary of Faith
In ABp Marsh's announcement this week in VOL for the meeting in Boston, the Worldwide Consultation of Continuing Churches, he summarizes our faithful practice quite well:
...seeks to uphold the Catholic Faith, Apostolic Order, Orthodox Worship and Evangelical Witness of the Anglican tradition within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. The Communion upholds the traditional Anglican faith and worship, holds Holy Scripture and the ancient Creeds of the Undivided Church as authentic and authoritative, and maintains the traditional Liturgies of the Church.
We pray for God's guidance and grace upon those attending. (November 2011)
World Consultation of the Continuing Churches
The first week of November; Bishops, Clergy, and Laity will come together in Brockton, Mass to celebrate and discuss the current state of traditional Anglicanism. This could be a significant coming together of the diaspora and a significant step towards inter-communication (if not something more). A very heartening event! (October 2011)
2011 ACA Synod
The Triennial Synod is now complete. The Inter-communion Agreement between the Anglican Church in America (ACA) and Anglican Province of America (APA) was signed at the Synod Mass. There is an overwhelming sense that both organizations want to move ever closer in their inter-communion and in inter-cooperation as well. The House of Clergy has sent a pastoral letter to the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) asking him to resign his position in light of all that has been going on lately. The House of Laity submitted a number of resolutions to the Synod asking that the House of Bishops reassess the relationship between the ACA and TAC. In light of all that's gone on lately, this was a very positive session! Praise God!!!
Also, on a more personal note, I'd like to mention Fr Chad Hart's musical contribution to the Synod Mass. He "played the music" rather than "played the organ"! So often when you combine a huge church and a BIG organ you get an organist who really gets into playing the organ... forgetting about the congregational singers. That did not happen here. Fr Hart played beautifully and well, always remembering that the place of the organ is to accompany the singers rather than it being an end unto itself. Thank you. (September 2011)
APA Approves ACA Inter-communion Offer
The Provincial Synod of the Anglican Province of America (APA) has unanimously passed the resolution considered and passed at the recent DOW Synod embracing an inter-communion agreement with the Anglican Church in America (ACA). The General Synod of the Anglican Church in America will vote on this resolution at its meeting in September. The agreement has already been approved by each of the four domestic ACA dioceses.
In a statement issued by the President of the House of Bishops, the Rt. Rev. Brian Marsh said "The APA action reaffirmed what we have known in both bodies for a number of years, that in Christ and in each other, we are one Church, one body. I applaud Bishop Grundoff and the Synod of the APA for their actions to which I am sure we will respond in kind in September." (July 2011)
2011 DOW Synod (see Bishops's summary)
The Diocese of the West met in Phoenix AZ June 16th & 17th.
Unlike the previous two years, the meeting was free of the rancor and "swirl" caused by the Pope's Bull
(Anglicanorum Coetibus).
We are significantly smaller this year... roughly half the number were in attendance from 2010.(Our prayers go out and with the other congregations that chose different paths: ACNA, REC, UECNA, the Patrimony, etc.) The usual business of the DOW was discussed and the various elections took place. Bishop Stephen Strawn of the ACA Diocese of the Missouri Valley (mid-America) and Bishop Walter Grundorf of the Anglican Province of America were in attendance. Probably the most significant thing that happened was the passing of an Agreement of Communion between the ACA and APA. Although it has several more hurdles before it can become effective, it is a significant step towards reunifying these two jurisdictions. A wonderful development! (June 2011)
New Chaplain Adopted
Please welcome and pray for our newly adopted chaplain. Cpt Billingsley is a Chaplain in the US Army stationed at Ft Wainwright who has recently deployed with the 1/25th Stryker Brigade to Iraq. He and his wife, Sarah, have been married since 2005. They have two sons: Alex, born in Sept of 2008 and Aaron, born in Nov of 2010. Chaplain Billingsley graduated from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009 with an Masters of Divinity. Before that he studied music at Georgia Southern University. This is part of our on-going ministry with the Adopt-a-Chaplain program based out of San Jose, California. (May 2011)
O Lord God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
New Sunday School Curriculum adopted
For the past couple of months, we have been piloting new materials for our Sunday School. Following the discussion at the May Vestry meeting, we are definitely going forward. The materials are scalable from our youngest to older youths and can be aligned with our Lectionary. For the pre-school aged there are coloring sheets. For the early grades, there are additional study sheets with scripture verses. And for the upper elementary grades there are also a word search and a crossword puzzle. Happily, these materials are available without charge from www.higherpraise.com. (May 2011)
For God and Country: Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Army Chaplain of World War II
(Article by Ch Sparks) Ronald Reagan was cast in a series of military training films during World War II that were designed to instruct new recruits from pilots to chaplains. In excerpts from the 1943 film "For God and Country," Reagan portrays a combat chaplain.. read more. (February 2011)
Parish Sends Support to Afghanistan Chaplain
Thirteen boxes of holiday cheer have been sent to Ch (Cpt) Dan Sparks, US Army ( http://danielsparks.com/ ) in Afghanistan as part of our effort through the Adopt-A-Chaplain program. The Adopt-a-Chaplain is a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated to supporting our troops through the ministries of chaplains. (December 2010)
Note: Ch Sparks returned from deployment in February and is now stationed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Food Bank Receives 250 pound of Canned Goods
The holiday spirit is alive and well. On the Sunday following Thanksgiving we collected about 250 pounds of canned and other non-perishable goods for the Fairbanks Food Bank. The Fairbanks Community Food Bank collects and redistributes donated food to individuals and agencies. (November 2010)
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