One of the things I teach future priests in my liturgical music class at VTS is the rule of 25-50-25. It is a simple guide for the selection of music that states over the course of a year your music choices should reflect 25% “golden oldies,” 50% established repertoire of the parish, and 25% new music.
Read MoreWhile the precipitation in recent days could have justifiably been a cause for concern—with secondary effects ranging from upended people to sliding cars, I’m also reminded as we anticipate the Baptism of our Lord this Sunday that water is the source of all life on Earth.
Read MoreDear Friends,
I hope this finds you well as we begin this new year in faith, hope and love. This Sunday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany (transferred from Jan 6th). Epiphany is an important feast day. It is the day that we celebrate the arrival of the three wise men at Jesus’ birthplace. We think about the star that they followed from their homeland in Persia and reflect on the light of Christ shining in the world today. In Christian tradition, the wise men represent the spread of Christianity throughout the world.
Christmas is almost upon us! I hope that you will be able to join us for one of our four service offerings this year. Please see above for service time and details.
Read MoreAs we approach the fourth Sunday of Advent, I am reminded of the world of dreams, where both God and our subconscious mind can speak to us—in ways that can be both playful and powerful. I think of the dream world like an arid landscape, perhaps untended for years but still providing fertile ground for countless creatures, some more wild than others.
Read MoreI love Advent and I love Advent hymnody even more. Often our Advent hymns get overlooked as we rush to hear or sing our beloved Christmas carols and we miss out on the depth and wonder – the mystery - these Advent gems offer us. This Sunday we get to sing two of what I think are probably everyone’s favorite Advent hymns.
Read MoreAdvent invites us to make space and time for light in the midst of darkness, and to prepare our hearts and our minds for the Christ Child.
Read MoreAs we enter into the holiday season, I pray we all are able to hold on to the lessons of our luncheon: community, generosity, kindness, and love of our neighbors.
Read MoreThis past weekend, the Diocese of Virginia held its 225th annual Diocesan Convention. St. George's was represented by clergy delegates, Shearon Sykes Williams and John Shellito, and lay delegates, Mike Giaquinto and Nina Janopaul.
Read MoreAmerica’s beloved children’s choir expert, Helen Kemp (1918-2005) had a wonderful chant which she uses regularly with her children’s choirs and in her workshops with adults:
“Body, mind, spirit, voice, it takes the whole person to sing and rejoice!”
Read MoreThis past Sunday was a day when our services took us one step closer to Christ’s call: a call described powerfully by Presiding Bishop Curry, to “change the world from the nightmare it often is into the dream that God intends.”
Read MoreThere is a whole lot of happy dancing going on today! The Nats’ victory last night was absolutely incredible and it is so wonderful to see everyone coming together in celebration. We tried to figure out a way to get our cardboard cut-out of Presiding Bishop Curry to do a happy dance but the most we could manage was to give him a World Series Championship cap.
Read MoreAm I addicted to my phone? According to Deloitte Americans check their phones approximately 52 times per day. I am guilty of checking my e-mail on my phone and other apps multiple times daily. I would like to reduce my screen time to be more present in the moment with individuals and in my life.
Read MoreMusic consoles. Music heals. Music alters, and it transforms.
Read MoreOur Gospel reading this Sunday from the seventeenth chapter of Luke brings to mind another instance of Jesus healing a leper. The story shows up in various forms in the first chapter of Mark, the fifth chapter of Luke, and the eighth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew’s rendering, Jesus tells the man who was just healed: “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Read MoreThe psalms are such an important (and often overlooked) part of our worship each Sunday. There are 150 psalms and fully one-third of them are laments, either individual or communal expressions of suffering and trust in God's provision. The fact that these laments are a part of our tradition is very reassuring because it gives us a vehicle for expressing our sorrow.
Read More"You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust."
This image of God as our refuge and stronghold is very comforting during times of trial. There is so much chaos swirling around us these days that threatens to engulf us. So, it is especially important to focus on keeping our center and staying grounded by coming to church each Sunday and keeping a daily prayer practice.
Read MoreI am very excited about all of the things that God is doing at Saint George's this fall through all of our committed lay leaders. It was wonderful to welcome back all of the children and their parents as Sunday school began last Sunday. It was also a blessing to be with everyone at the parish picnic and to have our children playing on the lawn safely within our lovely new fence.
Read More“Dear, Ben. The time has come.”
Read MoreIt's hard to believe that Labor Day is upon us and summer is officially drawing to a close. Summer is a welcome time of being in a different rhythm, having adventures, and being with family and friends in a relaxed way. But it's also nice to return to the more structured schedule of fall. This week-end will be a transition, a time for celebrating summer fun and getting ready for the fall.
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