St George s Episcopal Church

St George’s Episcopal Church The Mother Church of the Mohawk Valley Established: 1735 Search Prayer Hear us, O Lord, as we undertake the search for o...
Author: Moris Mills
1 downloads 0 Views 2MB Size
St George’s Episcopal Church The Mother Church of the Mohawk Valley Established: 1735

Search Prayer Hear us, O Lord, as we undertake the search for our new rector. Grant that we may rise, with courage, to the tasks set before us, so that we may bring an individual to our midst who will guide us ever closer to Your ways. Help us to be a people at peace with ourselves, our church community, and the world, so that we can become a beacon of Your will through the testament of our very lives. Increase our faithfulness, our wisdom, and discernment, as well as our joy, as we move as a congregation under Your guidance, into our future. We thank You, almighty God, for the many opportunities this phase of our congregational life sets forth. Grant us a new spiritual leader who will boldly lead us in living and proclaiming the gospel in the loving and compassionate ways taught by Jesus. We pray this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Table of Contents I. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Who We Are ....................................................................................................................................... 5 A. Demographics, Parish Survey.......................................................................................................... 5 1. The Community ........................................................................................................................... 6 B. Our History ..................................................................................................................................... 7 C. Buildings and Grounds .................................................................................................................... 9 1. THE CHURCH ............................................................................................................................ 9 2. THE PARISH HOUSE ................................................................................................................ 9 3. ST. GEORGE’S HOUSE ........................................................................................................... 10 4. THE RECTORY ........................................................................................................................ 11 5. THE PARISH OFFICES ............................................................................................................ 12 6. GROUNDS ................................................................................................................................ 13 III. How We Worship ............................................................................................................................ 14 IV. How We Serve ................................................................................................................................ 18 A. Music Ministry ............................................................................................................................. 18 B. Pastoral Care ................................................................................................................................. 19 C. Good Samaritan Ministry .............................................................................................................. 20 D. Community Outreach .................................................................................................................... 20 E. Assisted Living Facilities Ministry ................................................................................................ 21 V. How We Learn ................................................................................................................................. 22 VI. How We Connect ............................................................................................................................ 23 A. Fellowship Activities .................................................................................................................... 23 B. Community Activities ................................................................................................................... 24 C. Communications ........................................................................................................................... 25 VII. How We Are Stewards ................................................................................................................... 27 A. Parish Administration ................................................................................................................... 27 B. Parish Finances ............................................................................................................................. 27 C. Annual Stewardship Campaign...................................................................................................... 28 VIII. Who We Aspire to Be ................................................................................................................... 29

3

I. Introduction

A Word of Welcome to our Rector Candidate

Greetings to the Rector Candidate of St. George’s Episcopal Church! We are eager to welcome you into our church, our homes, and our hearts. We greet you with our very best wishes and a shared resolve to work with you to bring our church further into the light of Christ in order to fulfill His ultimate mission for us. We have ideas for our future, some of which are well formed and some of which are now emerging. We guide ourselves through consideration of the “Seven Marks of a Healthy Church” as proposed by Robert Warren in his Healthy Churches Handbook. That is, we seek to become a church that is energized by faith, has an outward-looking focus, seeks to find what God wants, faces the cost of change and growth, operates as a community, and makes room for all. We are also a parish with a desire to learn more about our religion and to grow spiritually. We seek to touch as many lives as possible to bring forth the kingdom of God on earth as in heaven. We are committed to welcoming all people at our altar. We recognize our need to reach out in new ways to a broader community. We know that our parish’s vibrancy and viability depends on attracting younger people and families as well as developing more programs for our older parishioners. We have made some progress by doubling our numbers in the last five years and continue to address the many problems facing churches in America today, including lack of attention to faith, competing needs for our time and talents, dwindling resources, and an aging population that is not being replaced by the younger generation at church. These issues are our daily lot, and it is only through our worship, prayer, and our loving connections to each other that we know we will, as a church, continue and grow. We seek your guidance, experience, and love of our church to help us through these challenges. We are a parish of people who have come forward again and again to help with the various needs of St. George’s Church. Whether it be lay ministries, outreach, or capital campaigns, this small congregation has been herculean in its efforts and proud of its accomplishments. But we know that there is much more to do and we look forward to doing it together. Welcome to our faith community. We are prayerfully yours, St. George’s Episcopal Church Vestry and Parishioners

4

Our Mission

The mission of St. George’s is to bring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. As we worship and serve Christ, we come to know Him and make Him known through the Sacraments and through study of Holy Scripture. Nurtured by scripture, tradition and reason; through prayer, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the people of St. George’s know the church of Jesus Christ to be local, universal, and inclusive. We accomplish this mission through prayer and worship, proclamation of the Gospel and by promoting peace, justice and love. The Mass is at the heart of our life and ministry as the chief act of praise and thanksgiving. We offer ourselves to Almighty God through devotion to the fullness of catholic faith and the beauty of the Anglican tradition. St. George’s teaches biblical and theological literacy, Christian charity, love and acceptance of all people, and faithful stewardship of our parish and our community. Our mission involves the ministry of all its members. St. George’s is a vibrant and joyous Christian community of love and grace with a historic past reaching back to colonial America, with a deep commitment to living the faith in new and exciting ways each day. St. George’s is faithful to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church, as well as its comprehensiveness, diversity, and the middle way of tolerance and understanding. All people are welcome to worship with us and encouraged to participate fully in the ministry of this church.

5

II. Who We Are A. Demographics, Parish Survey Our church is located in the beautiful and historic Stockade neighborhood of the City of Schenectady. It draws a portion of its parishioners directly from this neighborhood, but serves predominantly the greater City of Schenectady and the nearby towns of Scotia, Niskayuna, Burnt Hills, and Glenville. We have some parishioners who travel from the city of Albany as well as parishioners who have moved out of state but still feel connected to St. George’s and keep in touch regularly. We average 85 in attendance each Sunday. A recent survey showed a representative sample (N=54) with the following characteristics:

We are a congregation of mature adults who welcome families with young children and cherish their presence among us. We recognize our age and family demographics as evidence of the trends affecting many churches today. We seek to be a faith community that grows by attracting ALL who are interested in our mission, regardless of demographics.

During the past 5 years our faith community has welcomed many new members to St. George’s, bringing with them new and even challenging ideas. We have worked to blend the wishes of all parishioners by scheduling liturgies, educational opportunities, and social programs

which are appealing to all.

About half of our 54 surveyed parishioners have been with St. George’s for many years. An almost equally large portion (1 – 4 years, 40%) has joined us more recently during the tenure of Reverend Blanch.

6 1. The Community St. George’s is an historic parish situated in Schenectady’s Stockade District, an architectural treasure boasting one of the largest collections of pre-Revolutionary buildings in the country. This is the original Dutch settlement of Schenectady, made 350 years ago and enclosed at that time by a palisade of pine logs. It was burned to the ground in 1690 by a party of French and Indian marauders. The Stockade was rebuilt and has flourished for three centuries as a quiet, village-like enclave with many reminders of its colonial past. Two of its famous landmarks are Lawrence the Indian (statue) and Arthur’s Market (local meeting and greeting site and server of light fare). St. George’s, the “Mother Church of the Mohawk Valley”, is the oldest of a network of Episcopal churches in Schenectady County. St. George’s is within the Albany Diocese, with the seat of the Bishop about 15 miles away at Albany’s Cathedral of All Saints. The City of Schenectady itself has recently undergone a multi-million dollar revitalization that is bringing people back to downtown. Schenectady is home of GE Power Systems and GE’s Corporate Research & Development. The area has also seen a rise in advanced technology and has become an international center for nanotechnology, which has led to the area becoming known as “Tech Valley.” Plans are now underway to develop a casino, resort hotel, and shopping district along the Mohawk River, just adjacent to the historic Stockade neighborhood. Union College and Schenectady County Community College are within walking distance of St. George’s. Union College was founded in 1795 by three colonial parishes (all within a 1-block radius of St. George’s) - the Dutch Reformed Church, St. George’s, and First Presbyterian, hence the name “Union.” There are also several branches of the State University of New York system nearby including the University of Albany, Albany Medical College, and Albany Law School. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Siena College, The College of St. Rose, Maria College, the Russell Sage Colleges, and Skidmore College are all within 20 miles. Schenectady’s urban public schools are recognized for their diversity, and have a highly-regarded International Baccalaureate program. Magnet schools and mentoring programs are supported by GE and other local employers. In addition, there are Catholic parochial schools, independent Christian schools, and first-rate private schools. Hospitals include Ellis Hospital, which now incorporates what were once Ellis, St. Clare’s, and Bellevue hospitals, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital (Schenectady), Albany Medical Center, St. Peter’s Hospital and the Veterans Administration Medical Center (Albany). Our community is well served by other nearby healthcare facilities and physicians of every specialty including “Centers of Excellence.” Music, theater, dance and other performing arts are readily available in Schenectady through Proctor’s Theatre, the GE Theatre, Schenectady Civic Theatre, Schenectady Symphony, and Schenectady Light Opera. In Albany, the Palace Theatre and Capital Repertory Theatre bring a diverse mix of performances and live theatre. Times Union Arena features professional and collegiate sporting events and concerts of nationally known popular artists. Less than 30 miles away, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center is the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the NYC Ballet, and the Newport Jazz Festival. Schenectady is at the hub of the Northeast. The region’s major cities – New York, Boston and Montreal – as well as all of New England, are easily accessible by car, bus and Amtrak trains. Albany International Airport, approximately 14 miles away, has recently expanded to meet 21st century needs. Upstate New York is a year-round playground for sportsmen. Summer offers swimming, golfing, tennis, fishing, hunting, hiking; winter activities include skiing, snowmobiling, skating, sledding, and ice fishing.

7 Lake George in the Adirondacks is an hour away; Lake Placid, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, is a little over two hours away. The racetrack in nearby Saratoga Springs is a big draw from around the world each summer. Malls and specialty stores are always convenient and plentiful. Please refer to the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce’s website for a more complete community description, including local demographics. http://www.schenectadychamber.org/pages/Home

B. Our History Saint George’s Church has a long, rich history, beginning with the labors of English missionary priests and garrison chaplains in the late 17th century. British missionaries visited Schenectady as early as 1695 and an Anglican Parish under the patronage of St. George was established in 1735. By 1758, the Vestry’s attention was firmly fixed on raising funds for the construction of a church. The young Parish found a warm and valuable friend in Sir William Johnson, His Majesty’s Superintendent for Indian Affairs in North America. Johnson’s name and generous pledge headed the first Parish subscription list. A succession of able and competent men served as Rector of St. George’s Church throughout the 19th century, including the Right Reverend John Williams, who served the Parish during the 1840s, later becoming Bishop of Connecticut and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. His successor, the Reverend William Payne, presided over St. George’s most substantial period of growth during the 19th century and guided the Parish from one building project to another throughout most of his 36-year tenure. Construction of a new Parish House began soon after his arrival; a new Rectory followed as well as two successive expansions of the church and the addition of a stone tower and spire to the west front of the church. As the population of Schenectady more than doubled in the first decade of the 20th century, St. George’s responded with the establishment of three more parochial missions in the Schenectady area: St. Paul’s Church (1913), St. Andrew’s Church, Scotia (1916), and St. Stephen’s Church (1928). Each, in time, would become an independent Parish. The growing demands of Parish activities and the greater financial stability of this new era brought the first of a long succession of curates to St. George’s Church, following the appointment of the 14th Rector in 1924, the Reverend George F. Bambach. His leadership was well suited to guide the Parish through the difficult years that followed the stock market crash (1929) and, twelve years later, America’s entry into World War II. A discernible change in the Parish style of worship began with the appointment of the 15th Rector in 1947. After accepting the Vestry’s call, the Reverend Darwin Kirby, Jr., prayed for: “the success and eminence of St. George’s as a Catholic witness to Our Lord throughout the Church.” St. George’s began its transformation into an Anglo-Catholic Parish with the introduction of the daily Mass in 1948. Throughout Father Kirby’s tenure, memorials and thank offerings permitted the acquisition of Mass vestments, altar furnishings, and other objects to accommodate the Anglo-Catholic ceremonial instituted by the Rector. In addition, the Parish undertook a major restoration of the church in 1952 - including construction of an enlarged sacristy and two chapels. The Lady Chapel was constructed directly behind the High Altar to provide a more intimate space for small weddings, funerals, and the celebration of the daily Mass. The votive Chapel of All Souls in a northeast corner of the church includes a Columbarium for the dignified keeping of the cremated remains of parishioners and their families. Father Kirby’s 40-year tenure also saw the construction of a second and substantially larger Parish House, and the bequest of a new Rectory by a devoted parishioner.

8 In 1987, the Parish welcomed its 16th Rector, the Reverend Marshall J. Vang, SSC who continued his predecessor’s commitment to traditional Anglo-Catholic worship while working to reinvigorate the Parish’s Christian education programs, including the complete renovation of a chapel dedicated to the Holy Family on the second floor of the Parish House. Father Vang also worked diligently with his clerical colleagues to establish cooperative activities among the Episcopal parishes of Schenectady and its vicinity. In April 1999, the Reverend Dr. W. David McSwain became the 17th Rector of the Parish. Under his guidance, St. George’s embarked on a Capital Funds Campaign for Parish growth in addition to the yearly parishioner pledges. Raising over $300,000, a good portion of the money was delegated to repair of the physical plant of the church proper and accompanying buildings. Our most recent Rector, Reverend Paul Frederick Blanch, came to St. George’s Church in October of 2009 after serving several parishes in England and Scotland. Our parish benefitted greatly from Reverend Blanch’s rejuvenating influence. We added many new members and a second, family-oriented Rite II mass. Pastoral care was an important focus for Fr. Blanch, which led to an expanding team of laity to minister to parishioners and area nursing homes. A Good Samaritan program added rides and meals to the mix for parishioners in need. A music director was hired, leading St. George’s music program into an era of excellence and increased spirituality. Renewed attention was given to the buildings and grounds. Successful efforts to raise capital with church member contributions, numerous fundraising activities, and the securing of grants, enabled us to repair our great hall roof, renovate our church steeple, and refurbish our pipe organ.

2013 St. George's Receives Award from Mayor McCarthy for Steeple Restoration

Much of the story of the Parish is detailed in the privately printed two-volume work St. George’s Church, penned in 1919 by Parish historian Willis Hanson. In 1985, as part of the church’s 250th anniversary celebration, Dr. Harold Martin, former President of Union College and Director of the American Academy at Rome, updated the story through the ensuing seven decades in a one-volume edition.

9

C. Buildings and Grounds 1. THE CHURCH St. George’s Church is an understated but substantial edifice of hand-laid bluestone in the Georgian colonial style of the late 18th century. Bays of arched windows paned in clear glass ensure that the open, lofty interior is well illuminated by the sun’s light. Eighteenth century Venetian brass chandeliers wired for electricity supplement the natural light. The floor plan is cruciform. Two main aisles with a central block of seating, transept pews facing inward toward the main altar, and box-pews with doors secured by pegs are features that preserve the colonial character of the church. The church building was extensively refurbished in 1952 by Perry, Shaw & Hepburn, the architectural firm that was responsible for the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. Additional work in 1984 provided for the installation of a new organ, security alarms and fire detection equipment, and the upgrading of the heating systems. Over a decade ago, the stonework was re-pointed, the slate roofs repaired and completely new roofs installed over the sacristies. The church can accommodate 520 worshippers together with a west end gallery loft for the choir, plus seating in the sanctuary area for acolytes and choir. The Lady Chapel at the east end of the church can seat an additional 38 worshippers. Adjacent to the Lady Chapel is the Chapel of All Souls, which contains the Parish Columbarium. 2. THE PARISH HOUSE The Parish House and its adjacent parking lot are located to the north of the church building. Since its construction in 1956, the Parish House has been the focal point of Parish activities at St. George’s Church. On the second floor are five classrooms available for Sunday school, a nursery, offices for the Christian Education Director, a children’s library, and the Chapel of the Holy Family. This second floor chapel and its sacristy were completely refurbished in 1992 and can accommodate 35 worshippers.

10

The ground floor of the Parish House contains the Shaw Lounge for formal receptions, a spacious and well-equipped kitchen, and the Great Hall, the interior of which was completely refurbished in 1995 through the generosity of the Parish’s ECW (Episcopal Church Women) Guild. This large room provides space for Parish activities and special events as well as Sunday morning coffee hour.

3. ST. GEORGE’S HOUSE Attached to the Parish House is St. George’s House, a three-bedroom home that in the past was for the use of the clergy. After being utilized for many years by the Damien Center operated through the AIDS Council for Schenectady County, it was renovated to become living quarters for our Music Director. The third floor of this dwelling provides a spacious apartment for the Sexton.

11 4. THE RECTORY The present Rectory is located within a half block and easy walking distance to the church. The house is a gracious 18th century residence with full attic and basement, three bedrooms, 3 ½ bathrooms, and several large ground floor reception rooms that provide a comfortable living space for the Rector and family. The long, terraced backyard is fully fenced and slopes down to the Mohawk River, which is a most impressive view. St. George’s received Schenectady’s Heritage Award for historic preservation following the complete exterior restoration of the Rectory in 1996. The Rectory also boasts an attached garage – a luxury in the Stockade. Extensive renovations were undertaken in 2009, amounting to $250,000 in a complete interior overhaul. The next Rector will find a modern kitchen, updated bathrooms, and gleaming wood floors to welcome them to their new home.

12

5. THE PARISH OFFICES The Parish Offices are located on the ground floor of Cranmer House, a large brick structure on the south side of the church. There are offices for the Rector and staff, a conference room, reception area, small lounge, and utility kitchen. Also located on the ground floor, with a separate entrance, is a music studio in which private lessons are given. The second floor has a large hall that is utilized for choir rehearsal space, with anterooms for the choir director, music library, and the parish archives.

13 6. GROUNDS The church is surrounded by a lawn and a graveyard dating back to the 18th century. A large Memorial Garden has been planted next to Cranmer House. Central to this garden is a memorial rose arch, donated by a devoted parish family. Visitors who come to St. George’s are immediately struck by the beautiful cast iron fence that is in front of the church. Once falling into disrepair, it was restored to its former glory and received the Preservation Project Award by the Schenectady Heritage Foundation in 2012.

Memorial Garden

St. George’s also has beautifully landscaped grounds with a number of flower beds full of gorgeous annuals and perennials. There is a Glastonbury thorn tree that has a history that goes back to the church’s founding. Over the years, parishioners have helped improve the gardens by bringing back native, and far hardier, plants such as hollyhock, phlox, and bishop’s weed.

On the church’s north side, there is a rain garden which helps with rain run off problems that have cropped up from time to time. The garden is not only lush and green, but it is also at work protecting the church’s historical cemetery, which holds a number of very old headstones, some of which go back to the 1800s.

As we continue to care for the church’s gardens, we are looking to the past for inspiration. In prior years, we have had parishioners ‘adopt a plot/bed’ by signing up to take care of a specific flower bed for the year. There has been some interest in bringing this back. We also hope to partner with a local Boy Scout troop to help them earn their gardening merit badge.

Memorial Rose Arch

14

III. How We Worship

Blessing of the Pets Outdoor Service

As children of God we are called to worship Him. Worship is central to our mission as a church and is our reason for being a church. Certainly the central act of worship is weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Mass. As a community, we receive Christ’s body and blood in the sacrament of Holy Communion and practice the corporate act that Jesus commanded. As Dom Gregory Dix said in his classic work, The Shape of the Liturgy, “Was ever a command so obeyed?”

Over almost 300 years, there has been a variety of liturgical styles and practices at St. George’s. For the last 70 years and continuing today, our primary liturgical style has been traditional “high church” in an Anglo-Catholic style. We are committed to preserving our beautiful, traditional liturgy. But we are also a progressive and diverse parish that welcomes new people, new ideas and newer liturgical styles and so we offer services in different styles: Our Sunday roster includes both a Rite I Mass and a Rite II Holy Eucharist. Together, we have forged a unified congregation. Throughout the arrivals and departures of rectors and the ensuing interregnums, we have maintained the Catechism’s ministry of the laity and our solidarity as a congregation in the theme “We Are the Church”.

15 Sundays Two Masses are offered on Sundays – a Rite I High Mass at 9:00 AM and a simpler Rite II service at 11:15 AM. Both Masses are sung and our choir often sings at both services, excepting summer break. Many in the congregation freely move between the two services, as they feel comfortable with both styles. The Celebrant is assisted by a trained corps of acolytes and lectors, each offering their talents as their personal ministry. Services for each liturgical season are supported by a comprehensive booklet for all parishioners. Weekly bulletins that provide details such as the lectionary, collects, hymns (1982 hymnal), and parish announcements are distributed at each service by a team of ushers and greeters. The 9:00 Rite I Mass is recorded weekly in our extensive video facility to be taken to shut-ins and broadcast to the community via public access television. Feast Days and Holy Days Reflective ceremony marks the solemnity of church feast days and several other days throughout the year such as our Patronal Festival (St. George, April 23) and Corpus Christi. These are observed as days of great devotion and often great celebration. Solemn and/or Choral Evensong, often with Benediction, are held at special times throughout the year.

2014 St. George's Day Procession

Weekdays Daily Mass has been offered in the Lady Chapel when a rector is present. During time of interregnum, Mass is offered when clergy is available. Currently, that includes each Friday and all BCP Holy Days. Both Rite I & II are used. Weekday congregations are smaller, yet devoted.

16 Lent Lent is a time of special devotion. From imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday to the great Easter Vigil, this quiet time in the church year is often filled with parish activity. Stations of the Cross is offered each week. Bible study has been offered with a rector, as has weekly Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Palm Sunday starts Holy Week as the congregation processes from the Great Hall to the church. We have had Tenebrae for several years now. Maundy Thursday sees the washing of the feet, stripping of the altar and an all-night watch of adoration. Good Friday brings the Mass of the Presanctified and Veneration of the Cross in a noontime service. Finally, the Great Easter Vigil encompasses our celebration of New Fire, the Exultet, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Water, Litany of the Saints and Solemn High Mass. All of this is followed by an Easter feast and preparation for the next day’s Easter liturgy.

2014 Easter Vigil in the Lady Chapel

Daily Office Morning and Evening Prayer has been said in the church each day by the rector. During the interregnum daily prayer is being continued by a team of devoted laity. Morning Prayer is at 8:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM. Compline is chanted by the choir each Tuesday at 9:00 PM.

Liturgy - the Work of the Clergy and the People The comprehensive worship schedule of St. George’s would not be possible without the dedication of clergy and the devotion of the laity.

17 Worship is easier with a permanent rector but we are blessed that our congregation includes a retired priest who assists with weekday and occasional Sunday Masses. Another local retired priest who grew up at St. George’s has shown great dedication and support in celebrating Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, offering pastoral care, and in many other ways during the interregnum. The choir shows uncommon devotion in their rigorous practices and presentation of Mass settings from the great masters. Several choir members are skilled organists and fill in as needed. Another choir member is an expert and published author in Anglican and Gregorian chant. A variety of styles including ancient, traditional Anglican, and more modern settings provide a diverse repertoire for weekly anthems, psalms, and hymns. Our Acolyte corps is dedicated and experienced in virtually every liturgical service throughout the year. A team of Sacristans oversees the sacristies, supplies, and clerical vestments. Our Altar Guild devotes many hours each week caring for chalices and other sacred vessels, altar linens, flowers, and preparing for each Mass. With special training, study and prayer, selected individuals are invited to assist as Chalice Bearers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers. Our Pastoral Care team, along with a Lay Eucharistic Minister and our choir director offer monthly services with Holy Communion at a number of local nursing and elder care facilities. Additional members of the congregation serve as Lectors, Greeters, and Counters. By supporting the clergy, the congregation lives their personal ministry in the liturgical life of the parish.

18

IV. How We Serve A. Music Ministry St. George’s is committed to a robust program of music led by our full time Music Director, Andrew Krystopolski. Mr. Krystopolski is a native of Wilmington, Delaware and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Music from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he studied organ with Canon Mark Laubach. Mr. Krystopolski is a board member of the Easter New York Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and St. George's has been host to several AGO meetings and programs as a result of this professional relationship. He is also a member of The Association of Anglican Musicians. Andrew is the Assistant Director and Accompanist for the Festival Celebration Choir; a 70 voice ecumenical community choir based in Albany. While he does not consider himself to be a concert organist, he does pride himself on being a Pastoral and Liturgical Musician. Mr. Krystopolski also plays the accordion and concertina. The accordion has been used to accompany singing for the Blessing of Pets for the Feast of St. Francis which takes place in the church yard. Since joining St. George’s, Mr. Krystopolski has been instrumental in involving parishioners in musicrelated activities. Ten parishioners and one professional singer now comprise a growing and dedicated choir which provides music to Sunday services and special Holy Days. The choir rehearses from 7:00 PM -9:00 PM on Tuesday evenings. "Super Singers" is held every Friday at 11:00 AM (before 12:15 PM daily office) which is an informal and optional tutoring session to help choristers in all aspects of music. In an effort to serve the whole congregation better, the choir now sings for both 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM services once a month. The “2nd Sunday” 10:00 AM Mass has also been a wonderful way for the entire congregation to benefit from the choir’s leadership in the Mass. In 2010, Mr. Krystopolski identified serious problems facing our Moller Pipe Organ. The instrument had become unreliable in its play, and was in need of major work. By 2014 these renovations were completed. The project funding was the result of three and a half years of hard work and lots of fun for the entire congregation. The themed dinners mentioned under “Fellowship” in this profile are a result of fundraising activities for the organ repair. While the console was in Syracuse undergoing repair, the choir made a temporary home in front of the church next to the pulpit and an Allen organ was used. A celebratory gala at The Stockade Inn said “Thank you” to all who contributed to the fundraising efforts. The music program at St. George’s also serves as a way for us to connect to others through special shared programs. An ongoing relationship with the New York Catholic Chorale continues with joint musical offering during the year. In 2014, we were joined by this Ensemble for The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and will continue this into the future. Additionally, we have partnered with the choir of our neighbors at First Reformed Church to present Choral Evensong for the Feast of All Souls two years running. In 2014 this service was held at First Reformed Church, the first time a Choral Evensong had

19 been offered to their congregation or observed in their sanctuary. The Stockade Art Show Organ Series held at St. George’s annually provides a beautiful complement to the art being shown throughout the Stockade neighborhood. This series features local organists who play thirty minute recitals while Art Show visitors stroll through our beautiful church. In addition to the Art Show Organ Recital Series, St. George's tries to offer two musical concerts a year (spring & fall) as an offering to the greater community. Special music for distinct religious settings is another facet of St. George’s music ministry. Our director has formed a Schola Cantorum chamber ensemble which sings early music, primarily a cappella polyphony. This group is primarily active during Lent and Holy Week. Chanting at St. George’s is an important part of the worship in our Rite I Mass. Choir members study the practice of chant with the help of a choir member, Rembert Herbert, who is a published scholar on Plainsong. His publications include the book, “Entrances: Gregorian Chant in Daily Life”. The choir spends time during each rehearsal learning technique as well as the history and spirituality of chant. Postrehearsal Compline is chanted every Tuesday night in the Lady Chapel at 9:00 PM. This 20 minute Office is a beautiful way to unwind at the end of the day. Choir Outreach is a ministry both gratifying and important for choir members. The choir is scheduled for three “Outreach Outings” a year, visiting two retirement residences on each outing. In the past year, our choir has visited and sung for residents of Heritage Home for Women, Kingsway Manor Assisted Living Facility, The Terrace at Glen Eddy, and Wynwood Assisted Living. Choir members sing various anthems as well as familiar hymns. This is a very positive experience and we will continue this ministry.

2014 Choir Members Singing at a Local Assisted Living Facility

B. Pastoral Care St. George’s Pastoral Care ministry is a thriving calling for a dedicated group of parishioners. In 2014, there were 77 personal visitations, 88 Communions received, 69 telephone calls, and 490 greeting cards sent for birthdays, anniversaries, and well wishes. Although these figures vary yearly according to need, it is easy to see the incredible amount of effort that both lay members and the rector have undertaken to reach those in need. Pastoral care is given in homes as well as in nursing homes and hospitals. As a ministry with a very active “lay” component, Pastoral Care is an area of deep connection among members of St. George’s Church.

20

C. Good Samaritan Ministry The St. George’s Good Samaritan Ministry provides rides, meals, house cleaning, and other services to people who are in need of assistance. Parishioners have signed on as volunteers to help their fellow parishioners whenever they may have a need. One can access this service easily by either calling the volunteer coordinator or the church office. A volunteer coordinator is assigned weekly to accept people’s requests and organize volunteers to respond. The Good Samaritan Ministry works closely with the Rector, parishioners, and the Pastoral Care Ministry to make sure needs identified are fulfilled in the best way possible.

D. Community Outreach “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?” James 2:14. All outreach activities at St. George’s stem from our desire to be a blessing to the local community. We accomplish this currently through a number of on-going and seasonal collections and special projects. Our weekly collections support the Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) food pantry. Bi-monthly drop-offs to the food pantry approach a total of 1000 pounds of food each year. We also collect used cell phones, which are donated to the YWCA for reprogramming. The phones are then given to the women who reside in the YWCA’s domestic violence shelter. Seasonal collections vary, depending on community needs. Examples of St. George’s seasonal collection efforts include a Lenten outreach project where members put together hygiene kits for Bethesda House, a drop-in hospitality house and services site for those who are homeless. In August, school supplies and backpacks are collected for distribution to needy Schenectady County foster children through the program agency Things of My Very Own. Each fall, we collect outerwear such as coats, hats, gloves and scarves to donate to local agencies serving poor and/or homeless individuals. During Advent, we donate holiday gifts and other essential items to foster children through Things of My Very Own. Our current collection, by special request from a social worker at Schenectady City Schools, is underwear and socks for elementary-aged children. Church members also make themselves available to work directly for local charities. For five consecutive years, St. George’s has provided a meal service to The Lighthouse, a group home run by Bethesda House. Church members donate weekend day meals to the home on a monthly basis. Another endeavor occurs in late winter, when young adults from the church between 16 and 23 years of age are invited to apply for a SICM internship. The church provides a $2,500 yearly scholarship to fund one 40-hour/week internship position. Interns assist in the summer programs or within the program offices at SICM. Direct charity work continues during the summer, when St. George’s provides a week of volunteers to serve lunches to Schenectady children through SICM summer lunch program. And finally, we end the year by providing a Saturday shift of bell ringers for the Salvation Army at a local supermarket. While Georgians’ dedication to our outreach ministries is inspiring, our parish continues to seek ways in which it can live our faith and utilize the many talents of our congregation.

21

E. Assisted Living Facilities Ministry Our church has maintained a connection to area nursing homes for many years. Beginning with Father Wampler, a former curate, who initiated this ministry at a local facility, and amplified by Father Blanch to include additional sites, we now have a vibrant program for four facilities which are visited monthly by a team. This ministry grew with Father Blanch’s commitment to bringing a complete Mass, not just Holy Eucharist, to people who can no longer get to church. It is our hope to be able to offer Holy Communion again when we have a new rector. The team includes three to six church members per visit. They lead an Afternoon Prayer service with the residents, using the Order of Service for Noonday from the BCP. The team includes our Music Director, who incorporates music with a mobile keyboard, recently donated by a parish couple for this purpose. There is singing of psalms, hymns, and various responses. Members of the ministry are encouraged to sit among the residents and help them, when necessary, to follow the service leaflet that has been produced by St. George’s as a worship guide. Our regularly scheduled monthly visits occur at the Capital Living and Rehabilitation Center, The Terrace at Glen Eddy, Scotia Mansion Assisted Living Facility, and Kingsway Manor Assisted Living Facility.

22

V. How We Learn Ever seeking to better understand and grow in our faith, St. George’s provides a varied program of education. Lenten Studies start the year with weekly discussions led by the Rector. Lenten courses have considered “Christ and the Chocolaterie” and used course materials to accompany the movie Les Miserables. One Lenten course, “Religious Belief in a Changing World,” included field trips to a synagogue, mosque, and three temples. Teens and young adults were the focus of a monthly program of evening masses and discussions, which featured thought-provoking social/moral topics for each evening’s inter-generational conversation, such as genetics and religion or the Bible as a historical yet living document. The parish has explored variations of Anglican masses through a series of rotating liturgies from Anglican worship in other countries such as India and Scotland.

2014 Visit by Bishop Danaher

Each fall, we start “back to school” with a program series called “God at the Movies”. We recently held discussions about liturgies to explore the nature of “Anglo-Catholicism”. Pilgrimages to Rome and England have also been organized, and a significant number of parishioners participated. Leading scholars and clergy have visited our church, including Michael Fox of California, Bishop Peter Danaher from Australia, Bill Ryan of St. Paul’s Church in Washington, DC, and Fr. Philip Ayers from Portland, Oregon. The Children’s Ministries of St. George’s are based on a monthly forum that is taught in the church between the two Sunday services. We have a total of 15 students within the congregation, grades K-12. On average, seven to nine children attend these forums regularly. We count on the involvement of the clergy and church members to help teach this class. The program is based on the Gospel and the traditions of our parish. In the absence of a Rector, these classes are being taught by three volunteers from the congregation. As members of this parish, the children volunteer and participate in many aspects of parish life. They serve at the altar, in the choir, and in fundraising and social activities.

2014 Easter Hunt and Program for Children

23

VI. How We Connect A. Fellowship Activities In our most recent parish survey, members of St. George’s rated fellowship very high on the list of St. George’s assets, and it ranked #1 for activities attended other than Mass. We seek to actively promote fellowship as a congregation as well as with the greater community. Our post-Midnight Mass dinner at Christmas, for example, is nothing short of legendary! We also pair food and socializing with major church functions such as the kick-off to our stewardship campaign, fundraising, music celebrations, and our annual meeting. As part of our recent fundraising efforts to repair and upgrade our pipe organ, we undertook a significant series of themed dinners over a three year period. These dinners, which included food prepared by parishioners on site, decorations, and often music, attracted many parishioners as well as the community at large. Since completing the organ project last fall, St. George’s plans to continue similar social events as fundraisers for local charities and future church projects. Our church website highlights many of our social events through posted photos. 2013 Mardi Gras Fundraising Dinner

Many parishioners have joined St. George’s over the past four to five years, and in response, St. George’s developed a “Foyers” supper fellowship. The merits of “Foyers” have been many, as it promotes an informal, relaxed atmosphere to get to know other members on a more personal level. Newer members may also informally learn more about the workings and history of the church. Following a kick-off reception, groups of six to eight members are assigned for a rotation of shared suppers; the location and set-up is determined by each group according to its members’ wishes. The program’s success has established it as a mainstay of social activity. Some groups have even reunited for dinners long after their “rotation” was complete. Another fellowship venue for parishioners is the monthly book group, called "On the Same Page". Currently, about 6-10 people participate. This active group offers much in the way of wide-ranging discussions which may include the effects of social media on society to whether an author developed a character sufficiently and everything in between. Most books have been “secular” reading, with discussion often bringing moral, religious, and societal facets to light. Participants describe learning from fellow church members, not only about the books but also about who they are. A stellar summer/vacation reading list is developed by the book group and shared with the entire congregation.

24

B. Community Activities

Giving a Church Tour during the Stockade Art Show

Providing Food for the Stockade Art Show

In addition to the themed, open-to-the-community, fundraising dinners mentioned in our “Fellowship Activities” above, St. George’s connects to its community in other special events. Each fall, the Schenectady Stockade Association holds an annual art show which draws artists from all over the Northeast. The show is held the weekend after Labor Day. St. George’s members go all-out during this community-wide show. We offer hot food, great snacks, and cold drinks on the front lawn, which is in the midst of the displays. The funds raised from this event help the parish with a number of church events and needs. We also give guided tours of our church and often have all-day organ recitals. Under the leadership of our Music Director, St. George’s is transformed into a concert hall at least several times a year. For example, in 2014 two incredible, contrasting organ recitals were held in September,

25 played by Mark Laubach (St. Stephen’s, Wilkes-Barre) and Simone Stella (Florence, Italy). Both events were well attended by members of the church, Stockade community, and the surrounding music community. We also have other extremely talented parishioners who have offered their student recitals as concerts, and have organized concerts such as a singing of Handel’s Messiah. The Stockade Walkabout is an annual autumnal event during which local residents open their homes to visitors curious about the historic and often highly unusual interiors. The neighborhood is brimming with people, and St. George’s opens its doors as well, as another opportunity to connect with the local community. Community spirit also abounds from our talented carpenters and painters through the creation of prize-winning parade floats for the Schenectady Holiday Parade and the Town of Niskayuna’s Niska-Day Parade. Recent themes for the St. George’s float have included Captain Hook’s sailing ship, the Spirit of St. Louis airplane, and “Fantasy Island” complete with Tattoo! Our parade floats have won first place awards in both parades every time. The floats serve as a wonderful, fun vehicle to let the greater community know that we are here, in service to God, and that our members want to reach out to them. 2014 First Prize Niska-Day Fantasy Island Float

C. Communications Thanks to the tremendous efforts of talented parishioners, St. George’s produces a full color 12-page newsletter, The Georgian Report, four times per year. It is available electronically on our website with a few hard copies available in the Narthex for those without computers. It has been published consistently since December 2008 and features news from around the church, including in-depth reporting with pictures on religious, outreach and social events, plus featured articles. This publication is highly anticipated by parishioners as a resource on religious themes, updates on church operations and ministries, and showcasing of good works by and good news about parishioners. St. George’s maintains a web presence at www.stgeorgesschenectady.org. It includes our weekly bulletins, a photo gallery of pictures for most parish events, and information on our vestry and our various ministries. Our quarterly newsletter is also posted on the website, along with copies of articles about St. George’s from our local newspapers.

26

Videographers Hard at Work

Televised Sunday Mass from our audio/video center is distributed to SACC-16 Schenectady for viewing on Sundays at 4:30 PM, Thursdays at 1 PM and Fridays at 2 PM. Time Warner Channel 18 Albany and Guilderland is telecast on Sundays at 2 PM. A dedicated team of parishioners man the camera room each Sunday to make this ministry possible. We have received numerous comments and compliments on this ministry, which has brought new members to St. George’s, and which serves home-bound parishioners unable to attend mass.

27

VII. How We Are Stewards A. Parish Administration St. George’s has an active Vestry comprised of nine members, and two Wardens (each elected for a twoyear term.) There is also a Church Treasurer. Vestry meetings are held monthly on Thursday evenings at 7 PM. The Vestry is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the church, with subcommittees focusing on hospitality, stewardship, buildings and grounds, communications, outreach, education, finances, and other areas as needed. The Vestry is also currently serving as the Rector Search Committee. In addition to the Rector, St. George’s has a staff that includes a part-time Administrative Assistant, a full-time Sexton, a part-time Music Director, and a part-time Financial Secretary.

B. Parish Finances Revenues Pledge & Plate Service/Mass Offering Endowment Facilities Income Total Revenues Expenses Diocesan Assessment and expense Administration Service/Mass/Music/Ministry Evangelism Missions Facilities Other Search Committee for 2015 Total Expenses Net Profit (Deficit)

2014 Actual $170,662 $987 $96,257 $1,001 $268,908

$14,665 $121,641 $32,885 $995 $4,873 $91,163 $6,380 $0 $272,603 ($3,695)

St. George’s has both a general, unrestricted endowment, as well as a number of funds within a restricted endowment. Both endowments are invested, and the church uses the interest income to pay a significant portion of the operating budget. Year-end shortfalls are paid through endowment principle. The vestry is committed to eliminating the reliance on endowment funds, and has made significant progress over the past 5 years in reducing year-end deficits. There are also two outside trusts which contribute income, and are not controlled by St. George’s. In 2014 we received a total of $50, 933 from these trusts.

28

C. Annual Stewardship Campaign

2014 Annual Vestry Dinner for the Congregation

St. George’s maintains a Stewardship Committee whose chairperson sits on the Vestry. We begin our stewardship campaign by giving thanks to the many volunteers in the congregation by hosting a “Vestry Dinner”, when Vestry members prepare the food and serve our congregation. In addition to a series of sermons to discuss the spiritual aspects of Stewardship, the campaign concludes with the collection of two sets of pledge cards; one for “time and talent” and the other for the financial support of the parish.

29

VIII. Who We Aspire to Be Our Next Rector and Our Future Since our rector’s departure on Advent I, St. George’s Church has prayerfully considered who we want to lead our church in the coming years. To start our search process, we conducted a parish survey with two goals in mind: 1) to accurately present “who we are as a parish”, and 2) to answer the question of “who we want to be our next rector”. Fifty-four parishioners and families completed surveys. The survey questions and results are posted on St. George’s Church website, http://www.stgeorgesschenectady.org/ , under the “Search” tab.

We asked our parishioners to rate the importance of 20 characteristics that they want in our next rector, on a scale of 1 – 10 with 10 having the highest relative importance. The results are shown in the graph below. The 20 characteristics are on the bottom and the weighted scores on the side; the higher the score, the more desirable the characteristic.

30 We also asked our parish an open-ended request to comment on their preferences for our next rector. These comments are also summarized in our parish survey results and are posted on our website. As we reviewed the survey results, we saw that the various themes of “who we want” as our next rector paralleled our vision of our future. Here, we meld the two, in our description of what will be important for our next rector: • •







• •

We are a parish who celebrates our diversity. We wish that our next rector will continue our practice to extend a “radical welcome” to all. Historically, St. George’s has supported a strong music program. Our music is an important draw for newcomers and has become an important part of our outreach in the community and to our Assisted Living Ministry. We wish that our next rector will help us to promote our music programs to even higher levels. It is clear from our demographics that we are an aging parish, >70% of our parishioners surveyed are 61 years or older. Thus, it is important that our next rector be active in our ministries to serve our seniors. Also, due to these demographics, , we seek a rector who will lead our quest for the growth of our church by making St. George’s more attractive to younger adults and families, and eventually re-establishing our church school and programs for our youth. St. George’s is blessed to have an endowment funded by memorials from past parishioners. Unfortunately, because our parish and contributions have become smaller, we have taken interest income and principal monies from the endowment for many years to balance our annual budget. Our Vestry has a desire to work with our next rector to promote stewardship, manage our resources, and maintain our buildings and grounds, in order to balance our annual budget without the need for endowment principal, and with a decreasing reliance on endowment interest income. As a parish, we have realized that we cannot meet all parishioner needs with a single style of liturgy. To provide a solution, we offer both our traditional Rite I Anglo Catholic style mass and a Rite II communion service on most Sundays. Both services are well attended by committed parishioners. We seek a rector who will welcome our worship styles and continue to meet our diverse liturgical preferences. Although small in numbers, St. George’s has an active, growing Outreach program with committed volunteers. We wish that our next rector will enthusiastically participate in and promote the growth of our various outreach ministries. And finally, we want our next rector to demonstrate a strong personal faith. We wish to have; 1) a priest who will convey thoughtful, biblically based sermons that relate to our contemporary times, 2) a priest who will pray with us, lead Bible studies, and other activities to share in and promote our spiritual growth, and 3) a person who will become a member of our parish family and fully participate in our church lives.

In conclusion, we look forward to welcoming our next rector into a new era of worship, ministry, and fellowship at St. George’s Church. We await, with joyous anticipation, the many good things to come. We at St. George’s feel that our blessings are many, that our challenges are to be met, and that our future is bright. With God’s guidance, the Spirit’s inspiration, and the love and example of Christ, we are ever yours, The Vestry and Parish Members of St. George’s Church

31

The Parish Search Committee – St. George’s Vestry Christopher Henry, Senior Warden, Richard Forshaw, Warden, Jonathan Pearson, Treasurer, Vestry Members: Robert Paska, Jeffrey Wengrovius, Grant Jaquith, Karen Perka, Jane Moran, Dawn Tonneau, James Whitehead, Louisa Carr

The Parish Profile Sub-Committee Dawn Tonneau – Chair, Louisa Carr, Richard Forshaw, Christopher Henry, Robert Paska, Jon Pearson, Karen Perka, Jeffrey Wengrovius, James Whitehead Contributing Writers/Editors Pauline Holmes, Grant Jaquith, David Kennison, Andrew Krystopolski, Alice Polumbo, Barbara Wengrovius, James Wingate, Joan Pearson, Paul Smigelski Special thanks to those who developed the previous profile, for providing a base of history and community to this most recent version.