Did You Know . . .

. . . about these ministries of St. George's?

If you have further questions, contact information is provided for each area of ministry described below.

. . . about those little black boxes?

Often, immediately after communion, the Celebrant will walk to the altar rail and distribute one or more little black box(es) to individuals with the words, “In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body because we share one bread and one cup.”

Did you ever wonder what this is all about? The people who come
to the rail to receive the boxes are Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV).
They have been trained to take the blessed wine and bread directly
from the altar of St. George’s to members of our congregation who
are homebound, in rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, or in
the hospital. Since the wine and bread have already been blessed by
a priest, the LEV conducts a very short service (see page 398 in the
Book of Common Prayer) and then provides communion for our
St. George’s member from the “little black box.”

We reach out in the name of Christ by bringing body and blood of
our Lord to our members who cannot come to church. If you would
like to learn more about this important ministry, please contact
Monica Carlson at e.carlson@comcast.net or The Rev. Marcia King
at 385-2150 x 214 or marcia.king@stgeorgesnashville.org.

. . . about hospital admissions?

The church needs to be contacted whenever you or a loved one is admitted to the hospital. Although the hospital admission clerks may ask specific questions about your religious preference, church, or if you would like to be visited, they will NOT notify St. George’s to let us know you are there.

Governmental regulations (HIPPA) prohibit release of health information to third parties. Please get in touch with the church as soon as possible at 385-2150 and let us know which hospital you are in and the room number. If it’s an emergency, you can still call this number and contact a priest via the pager. Please call us! We care.

. . . about prayer lists?

There are two different prayer lists at St. George’s: the Sunday Prayer List and the Weekday Chapel Prayer List. You may add names to one or both lists at any time. It’s easy! Here’s how:
Submit a prayer request on the information form (located in the pews) and put it in the collection plate on Sunday. Or contact Lynn Ragland at 385-2150 x 247 or lynn.ragland@stgeorgesnashville.org. Indicate the list (or both) on which you would like the person’s name to appear. That’s all you need to do!

Those on the Sunday Prayer List are prayed for during the Prayers of the People and the names are printed in the Sunday bulletin so that the congregation may pray for them as well. Individuals on the Weekday Prayer List are prayed for at the 7:00am weekday Chapel services. Please be sure the person we are praying for knows that their name is included, especially for the Sunday list.

Unless otherwise indicated, we will pray for each person four consecutive weeks. The person placing the name on the list is then contacted by the Church office to determine if the name should remain on the list another four weeks. Of course, a name may be removed at any time. Please let us know how the person is doing. We care and God is healing people in our midst.

One final note: letting the church office know about a hospitalization or illness does not mean automatic inclusion on either prayer list as often this information is confidential. Individuals are not placed on the public prayer lists without their permission.

. . . about Vergers?

Historical Perspective

The office of Verger has roots in the Anglican Church as far back as the 16th century in the great cathedrals of England. The verger was not an ordained minister, but a member of the laity who assisted the clergy in public worship, especially in organizing and leading processions.

In the 16th century, the vergers were responsible for guarding the clergy during public processions, upkeep of the church building, preparations for the liturgy and grave-digging [an honor historically shared with sextons]. The clergy and others assisting in the worship service would gather at an appointed spot in the town and be led by the verger to the cathedral.

The verger carried a staff called a “verge” which would be used to clear the path ahead. The verge could also be used as a weapon to fend off people who were not very fond of the clergy. During the early days when the struggle for church property between Rome and England was at its height, the clergy were not popular and had to be protected when out among the general population. Once at the cathedral, the verge was useful in clearing a path through the nave to the sanctuary where the mass was celebrated. In those days, the main part of the cathedral also served as marketplace and public square.

Current Perspective

Today the office of verger is experiencing a rapid expansion within the Episcopal Church. Differing from the Church of England, where vergers are often full-time paid employees of the church, American vergers are usually volunteers with a special calling to the ordering and conduct of the church’s liturgy. Clergy throughout the American Episcopal Church have come to appreciate the ministry of vergers. Vergers can relieve the clergy of the burden of liturgical detail so that they can concentrate on their priestly duties to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments. No longer found primarily in cathedrals and large parishes, vergers are a presence in any worshipping community that has an active parish program.

Vergers at St. George’s

Currently there are five vergers at St. George’s: Gail Thompson (Head), Monica Carlson, Don Greene, David Puryear, and Bob Van Cleave. They perform the traditional duties of the verger: ensuring that there are lay-readers (Lectors) and Lay Eucharistic Ministers (Chalice Bearers) and organizing the procession and communion responsibilities for the 8:45am and 11:15am services. Soon, the St. George’s vergers will wear a distinguishing vestment of a black cassock and a long gray vest. They will also carry the traditional verge. Look for the new vestments in the worship procession soon.

Source: Ministry of the office of the verger

Advent

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” It is the beginning of the Church year. The focus of the season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. This acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live “between the times” and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people.

The Advent wreath is a popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.
The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or blue candles, corresponding to the sanctuary colors of Advent, and one pink or rose candle.
Many Christians have small Advent weaths at home during the Advent season. One of the purple candles is lighted the first Sunday of Advent, a Scripture is read, a short devotional or reading is given, and a prayer offered. On subsequent Sundays, previous candles are re-lighted and an additional one is lit. The pink candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent and symbolizes the joy of the impending birth of Christ. Devotionals and prayers are read each Sunday.

The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. This light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God’s grace to others (Isaiah 42:6). The light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and we rejoice that the promise of long ago was realized in the coming of Jesus.

Source: Excerpts from The Voice-Biblical and Theological Resources for Growing Christians

Consider making the weekday and Saturday 7am Eucharist service part of your observance of Advent. It will add more depth and meaning to this special season before Christmas.