By Alicia Warr
I am a member of the Sunday 10:45 prayer team. What a blessing it has been. When someone comes to you and your partner and lays their concerns on the table, it is humbling. Praying for someone is a blessing, yes, but it also takes you away from your own issues and problems and lets you focus on someone else – lets you care for someone else through prayer.
I feel blessed that I was given the opportunity.
By Alana Woods
When I started going to St. George in 2002, it never occurred to me the changes it would make in me. I morphed from being one of those who made a beeline to the car right after the Sunday service to being called a compulsive volunteer (of which I’m proud). It was a slow, gradual change. Here’s my story.
During my first few months at St. George, there was an Alpha class with dinner on Wednesday evenings. The meal was $3, and it was an opportunity to get to know other parishioners. I thoroughly enjoyed going every Wednesday even though it was across town from where I worked and lived. As I was helping set up one evening, Julabeth Carden innocently asked me what I did at Southwest Research Institute. I told her that I worked on the website. She quickly said, “Ray [Cole]! Alana works on the web.” And, that night, I was recruited to help with the St. George website, which I did for a couple of years.
When the first ministry fair was held shortly after I became a member, I cheerily signed up as a Greeter and a volunteer at the Bargain Boutique one Saturday a month. I enjoyed the Bargain Boutique so much that before I knew it, I was working more and more – practically every Saturday. It was an opportunity to serve St. George and the community, and the social butterfly in me was fed as I got to know the regular customers and the other volunteers. In early 2007, I left the Bargain Boutique, but that wasn’t the end of my volunteering. God had other plans for me.
As my daughter Kaycie and I planned her wedding at St. George later that year, she mentioned that she had to call May Awe, the Wedding Coordinator. I had been at St. George five years, and I didn’t know we had a wedding coordinator. Because being a wedding coordinator had been a secret aspiration, I observed May and asked if I could assist her. Of course, she said yes! Before I knew it, I was being introduced as the one taking over Wedding Coordinator duties. But, to be a Wedding Coordinator, I really should be on Altar Guild so I’d know how to set up for a wedding, and it would be a good idea to be a Lay Eucharist Minister so I could help serve Holy Communion during weddings.
I was asked to be on the Willmann Trust Board, and I gladly accepted. The Board meets 4 times a year; it’s a way to help hurting people without being a big time commitment. I knew the Board existed, but I didn’t know how it worked and what an impact it makes on the community. I am so grateful for my time on the Board even though I’m not continuing next year.
For a couple years, Fr. Ram suggested that we attend all services during Holy Week to get the full impact of the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. In 2016, I decided to take that challenge. He was right! By attending all the Holy Week services, I did feel the impact of Christ’s sacrifice for us much more than just attending Sunday services. In 2017, I took it a step further by attending both Sunday services as a sacrifice during Lent. The joke was on me. It wasn’t a sacrifice at all! Not only did I get to hear both versions of the sermon (there’s always a slight difference because of the different demographics in those attending), I also got to see everyone who attended the Sunday services. Again, I attended every Holy Week service with the same results of getting to know Jesus and his sacrifice for our sins a little better. After Lent, I continued attending both services, and I still do today. Heck, if the choir can do it and survive, so can I.
One day, Roy Thompson said something that caused me to make yet another change. He talked about a lady who lived across the street from St. George who was there every time the doors were open. She attended every service and function. Until he said that, it never occurred to me to try that, but I did. I’ve become one of those little old ladies who practically lives at the church, and I love it!
I was hanging around between services one Sunday when Keith Earle asked if I could step in as an usher. Of course, I said, “Yes.” Then, the Connection Center was established, and I agreed to be at the Connection Center table. The Connection Center was a bit of a stretch for me because I’m shy (no lie). I’m not good at meeting new people, but with Marilynne Herbster’s help, I was able to ease into it.
In 2017, Julabeth and Marilynne asked me to help them with posters and brochures for their ministries. In May, all the ministry leaders were gathered to write about our particular ministry to help spread the word about them. I was recruited to help gather the information and put it in a form that could be distributed to the church members. As we were walking out of that meeting, Barbara Simon and I talked about one of her ministries, the Funeral Reception Committee, and I volunteered to help her. This committee has been such a blessing to me and, hopefully, those who mourn the loss of a loved one. The ladies I work with are angels. Not only do they bring food, they volunteer their time to set up, help during the reception, and clean up afterward. This is another opportunity for this shy social butterfly to get to know folks at St. George.
I am now a member of the Vestry. This is my first year of three. Vestry members are “voluntold” to be on committees, which just feeds my wish to be more involved. When I introduced myself to the Vestry last October, I mentioned that I loved St. George, and I couldn’t wait to retire so I could spend more time at St. George. In December, I celebrated 40 years at Southwest Research Institute, and I went up to be blessed during the Sunday service. Fr. Ram had me tell the congregation what I told the Vestry. In June, I was able to make that transition. I retired and spent most of the summer with my grandsons, easing into volunteering at St. George.
I was recently asked to co-lead the Altar Guild, which I happily accepted. It sounds like I have many irons in the fire — that I’m taking on too much. But, honestly, each of the ministries that I’m part of are small time and effort commitments. Each of them gives to me so much more than I give to them.
It took two years for Marti Nodine to convince me to check out St. George Episcopal Church. I joke that she dragged me by my hair, kicking and screaming. I’ll be forever grateful to her for her patience and persistence. I feel like I’m home when I’m at St. George, whether it’s at a social function, a Sunday service, or a meeting. I thank God for putting Marti in my path and for blessing me with my St. George family.
Every year as Christmas approaches, most children become more and more excited about the upcoming festivities and gifts. Sadly, for many children Christmas is just another day looking for a full tummy, a comfortable bed, and a loving family around them. For the fourth year in a row, the Daughters of the King (DOK) at St. George has donated gifts and gift cards to families at Larkspur Elementary School who are struggling with life’s challenges at Christmas.
This year DOK brought Christmas to two families: one in which a mother and father have five children and another in which a single mother has four children.
The mother in the first family had recently been forced to quit her job because of child-care issues, and then her car was robbed of her apartment parking pass among personal belongings. The second family has an eight-year-old daughter fighting a life-threatening illness, and she is staying with family in Mexico during treatment. Both families were doubtful Christmas would happen this year for their children.
The DOK provided some clothing for each family member as well as toys for the children. Each family received a $50 gift card from HEB, and there was enough money to give 2 additional families HEB gift cards.
We will be electing new Vestry members at our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 27. If you are interested, please contact our Senior Warden Susan Alwais (seniorwarden@saintgeorgechurch.org) for more information.
Dear Julabeth,
I would just like to say thank you so much for the generous coat donation your church made to our campus. These past few days I’ve been getting A LOT of requests for kiddos who do not have warm clothing or jackets. Just today I’ve given out 6. One of the students was a little girl in kinder who was so cold that she was on the verge of tears this morning. She’s the one in the tan coat.
It’s heartbreaking to see these kids endure the cold, but it feels so good to be able to do something about it. Thank you for making it possible for us to meet the needs of students.
Grateful,
Ana de la Tejera
Larkspur Elementary
Family Specialist
Direct: (210) 407-4628
We will be electing new Vestry members at our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 27. If you are interested, please contact our Senior Warden Susan Alwais (seniorwarden@saintgeorgechurch.org) for more information.
St. George Episcopal Church will be having our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 27, at 9:30 AM, in between our worship services. Come hear about all that God is doing and be a part of growing the family of God at St. George in 2019. The church will be providing tacos, coffee, juice, and childcare.
Middle school youth group is starting back up this week, Sunday, January 13! We will meet from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Leadership Hall for fun, fellowship, and a meal (meal is provided). Contact Taylor Brown tbrown@saintgeorgechurch.org with any questions. Hope to see your youth there!
Each and every ministry at St. George is vital to the spiritual life that takes place here, and we look forward to your reports about how your ministry has done God’s work in 2018. The reports will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting in January. The reports are PAST DUE. They are due this week. If they are not sent in, your report will not be in the Annual Report. Please send to Keith as soon as possible. Contact Keith if you have any questions at kearle@saintgeorgechurch.org.
Thank you!
