Fellowship
Harvest Dinner
Held in early Fall, parishioners look forward to the Harvest Dinner every year. Hosts are assigned tables and asked to come up with a theme. Some of the most interesting themes have been Elvis, Cats and Dogs, Harry Potter, and Mardi Gras. The church provides the tenderloin, and the guests enjoy bringing the additional food items! Sometimes fine china even shows up on the tables! It is a wonderful way to meet new people within the church. The 2007 Harvest Dinner is scheduled for October 14.
The Laymen of St. George's
All the men of St. George’s Church are members of the Laymen's group. It is that easy. No forms to fill out or credit checks to run. We have a common commitment to the church and a special bond and friendship as members of St. George’s. Please contact Mike McConnell at mikemcconnell@ahtpc.com for more information.We have monthly prayer breakfast every "first Thursday" of the month. There are speakers at these events who range from Clergy to professional athletes, to business leaders, to laymen from Middle Tennessee. We enjoy the fellowship with each other along with a hardy breakfast. Prayer service starts at 6:45, breakfast at 7:15, speaker 7:30 to 8:00.
There are 3 main “Laymen” events during the year:
• The "Men's Steak Dinner is usually held during April. This event takes place at St. George’s and features delicious steaks with traditional sides and a guest speaker.
• The "Mountain Kick off Dinner," usually held in June, provides an opportunity for fellowship and informs everyone of the upcoming annual Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee Conference.
• Our Main Event of the year is the "Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee Conference." 2007 is the 6st annual event. It is the largest gathering of Episcopal Men in the U.S. The three dioceses of Tennessee have had anywhere from 350 to 500 in attendance the past few years, and St. George's has won the "bucket award" for the largest attendance for as long as anyone can remember. The dates for this year's conference are August 17th through19th. It is held at the Dubose Conference center in Monteagle, TN. On-line conference registration using a credit card is available at www.episcopalchurchmen.net - but registration for the St. George's specific events are made using registration forms available in the church office. You can also download St. George's registration form here.
Parish Family Weekend
Held at Tim’s Ford State Park near Winchester, Tennessee, the Parish Family Weekend is an opportunity for parish families to 'get away' for a weekend of fellowship, liturgy and celebration. It’s also a great occasion for newer families to get to know others at St. George’s. The weekend includes structured activities such as crafts for children, services and meals. It also includes many impromptu offerings such as badminton tourneys, croquet matches, etc. The 2007 Weekend was June 1-3.Parish Renewal Weekend
It is a very good idea for healthy and thriving churches to be intentional from time to time in offering retreats that allow us to come together to enjoy fellowship as well as to rededicate our lives to Christ. The Parish Renewal Weekend is an opportunity to be inspired and encouraged in our life of faith. In 2006, the weekend theme was “A Passionate Life,” and Anglican priest, teacher, and author Mike Breen was the featured speaker. Over a Friday evening and Saturday morning, participants enjoyed food, fellowship, and inspiring talks on such topics as “Kingdom & Covenant,” “Choosing to Learn from Life,” “Rhythm of Life,” and “Knowing Your Role in Life.” A similar event is in the planning stages for 2007, and we hope to make this an annual offering.Prime Timers
Prime Timers presents periodic luncheons and informative talks for the enrichment of all members and guests, especially seniors. These are held generally on third Thursdays. For further information contact Marcy and Seawell Brandau, 352-4824.Reception Committee
The reception committee is made up of approximately 30 women--some are planners, some cooks, some servers or all three. We do approximately 6 receptions a year -- the set ones being Lessons and Carols, Evensong High Tea, Easter Eve reception, Confirmation/ Bishop's Reception plus a couple more as the occasion arises. It is a fun group who like to cook and entertain. We feel it is a ministry we are fulfilling to make the social times of the parish inviting, well-organized occasions to enhance our life together as a parish.Please contact Debbie Townsend.
Summer Picnics
Each summer, church members gather in the back parking lot for food, fellowship, and fun! Children bring riding toys and other games to play, while parents and other adults gather together. The church provides the main dish, and the rest is pot luck. In 2007, a Parish Wide Picnic is tentatively scheduled for Edwin Warner Park. It will be a great time with day long events to entertain everyone!Supper Groups
Supper groups are small groups of people who enjoy meeting others at St. George's for dinner and social interaction. A typical group might consist of 10-12 people, meeting once a month from September through May, who rotate responsibilities for hosting. Members of each group decide on menus and other details of their supper group. Call Sue Claxton at 297-9798 for details on starting or becoming involved in a Supper Group.Parish Christmas Party
Usually held the first Friday in December, adult parishioners gather for a celebration of our shared lives in Christ and to enjoy good food, spirit and fellowship in a festive setting. This event has been held at St. George’s for the last two years, and at private homes prior to that.Aelfric's Readers
Alefrics Readers, St. George’s Book Club, is open to all – come join us for some interesting conversation about books. Please call Paula Snyder, 356-5376, or Lynn Terry, 383-6055, for time and location.Begun in 1989, this reading group chose its name from Aelfric the Grammarian who lived in the first half of the 11th century and was Bishop of Cerne in Dorset and later of Enysham in Oxfordshire. Aelfric’s manuscript can be viewed in the British Museum. Written in Anglo-Saxon, it originally contained the Pentateuch as well as the books of Joshua and Judges and was, thereafter, a Heptateuch. It is the earliest form, apart from the poems of Caedmon, of the Old Testament narrative turned into English.
Fellowship on Foot
Just to prove that we can walk and talk at the same time, the women of St. George's gather each Wednesday morning at 9:00am at Parmer Park and every Saturday at 8:30am at St. George's for our Fellowship on Foot. Please join us anytime! If you'd like more information, email Sally Graham or call her at 356-7264.Needlework Guild
The Needlework Guild is up and running and now meeting twice a month! We will meet the first and third Wednesdays from 11:00am – 12:00pm in the Bride/Family Room. Please join us if you know how to do any sort of needlework or want to learn! We are already working on Chemo Caps and Prayer Scarves as our first outreach project. We are also helping out in-house with the Altar Guild and Children's Catechesis. For more information feel free to email Kendall Flanagan or call her at 370-5771.Working Women's Group
The Working women's group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30pm in the Bride/Family Room. This is a great group of women who are unable to attend many of the fellowship opportunities that are scheduled during working hours. If you would like more information or want to join, please email Sally Graham or call her at 356-7264.
Annual Canoe Trip on the Scenic Buffalo River
St. George's Sixth Annual Canoe Trip will be on August 11th. The caravan will meet at church no later than 7:45am on the 11th. We will gather, sign release forms, have a short devotional, and leave for the river by 8:10am. We should be back by 4:00pm or 5:00pm at the latest. The cost is $30 per canoe - max occupancy is 2 adults and 2 kids (minimum 6 years old - however, some suspicious IDs have been spotted in the past) per canoe.A sign-up desk will be in the hallway after the 10:00am worship service July 29th and August 5th. Or, email Bill Camp or call him at 646-9231 to sign-up or for further information.
Daughters of the King
The Daughters of the King is an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, or churches in communion with it, or churches who are in the Historic Episcopate. Members undertake a Rule of Life, incorporating the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. By reaffirmation of the promises made at Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish.Open to all women of St. George's who want to deepen their commitment to Christ as they balance their prayer and spiritual life with action in the church community. For more information, contact Liz Trabue at 792-1180.