Dear Friends,
Each time I walk through the courtyard garden, I can’t help myself — I just have to stop to smell at least one rose! They are abundant and gorgeous right now, as are all the plants, which several of you so carefully tend. Roses and agapanthus, lilies and lavender, good old geraniums and those amazing orange flowers blooming along the back fence… There are so many, I can’t name them all. All beautiful, each in its own way.
They
remind me of all of you in this St. George’s family — all
beautiful, each in your own way.
I am so thankful to God for
planting me among you for a time and for your warm welcome. I
already feel right at home!
Since I will be with you for a number of months, perhaps you’d like to know a little more about me. Kevin and I have lived in Pacific Grove for 40 years, which is also the length of time he has been a reporter for the Monterey County Herald. We have four grown children, ranging in age from 45 to 30 — Erik lives in Denmark, Jennie and Sarah in Oregon, and Walt on the Monterey Peninsula. We are blessed with four delightful grandchildren, ages 18 to 2½ - three boys and one little girl.
My
past endeavors include being a free-lance writer, co-owner of a
quilt shop, and head of Sunday School and administrative assistant
at St. Mary’s in Pacific Grove. God called me to ordained
ministry when I was in my 40’s, and I commuted up to Church
Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley for my master’s of
divinity.
I have served at St. Dunstan’s, Carmel Valley, as associate; at All Saints Episcopal Day School in Carmel as chaplain; and in a variety of supply and interim positions. I love parish ministry in all its parts, and I feel incredibly blessed to get to do this work, which I find so fulfilling.
As
interim here, I am part-time including Sundays (of course) and one
day in the office each week. My principal responsibilities will be
Sunday services, and other services, and pastoral care. Tuesday
will usually be my office day, but it will vary according to some
Diocesan commitments that I have. I will have drop-in hours each
week, and I am also available to appointments — just leave me a message
at the church.
Again, thank you for welcoming me. I can see that in the name of Jesus we will do much good ministry together.
In God's abundant love,
Rev. Wendy
June has been a very busy month for me and for St. George’s. Susan and I took a
vacation trip to Alaska and after returning I had an unexpected trip to the hospital
for a complication to a minor surgery. Thanks to everyone for your prayers. At this
time, I’m on my way to a full recovery.
Rev. Wendy Howe started this month as our interim rector and has been very busy getting settled in her office and getting to know everyone. It is great to see all the energy and enthusiasm she has, especially in the Sunday Services, and I feel this radiate through myself and the entire congregation. Wendy is also in the office one day during the week. Please feel free to drop by and see her or make an appointment. Her hours change each week but are listed in the Sunday Bulletin and the Weekly Update.
Our all-parish meeting on May 27th, to introduce the Search Committee was well
attended by the congregation. Bishop Mary and Brian Nordwick attended also.
It was great to have Bishop Mary here, as she really has a way of lighting up a room.
Both explained the process and answered many questions from the congregation.
The Search Committee is hard at work already with two meetings set for August 1st
and the 8th for the parish to give input for our church profile. Please put this on your
calendar. On those Sundays we will have only one service at 9:00 AM. The meeting
will follow directly and bag lunches will be served.
Again, please feel free to contact me with any concern that you have. I’m very pleased with the progress we have made so far. We are well on our way in our new journey.
Warm Regards,
Richard Smith
We have had the usual repairs for the month of June, running toilets, pulling weeks,
etc. All buildings are now identified with signs which were prepared by Alan Signs
at a great discount to St. George’s. The locks in the kitchen cabinets now are keyed
to the same key. No more fussing with which key fits which lock! The really big
repairs are the replacement of the support beams on the outside corner wall of the
church, Alvin side. This effort was coordinated by John Walworth. John and Richard
Smith have also coordinated the replacement of the plywood under the windows on
the Alvin side of the church, which will take place soon. When this is completed,
work on the Alvin Street Memorial Garden will begin.
Margie Sokotowski
Age: 6
Favorite subject: Recess
Favorite color: Yellow
Favorite food: Eggs, scrambled with hotdogs and cheese
Favorite free-time activity: Play with my cat, Mr. Fluffy
What he likes about St. George’s: “I like going to Sunday School.”
Other things to know about him: “I like to play with my brother, Dylan. When I grow up I might want to be an archeologist like my brother.”
What is the difference between the “Old Testament” and the “New Testament”? Why do you think the Bible is divided in this way? Bring your answer to Sunday school for a prize.
Even though formal Sunday School is on vacation during July and August, the room will be open and available for child care.
The Search Committee has begun meeting to begin the search for our new rector.
Bishop Mary and the Diocesan Staff have been very generous in assisting the Vestry
and the Search Committee with information to make our search a very successful
one. We have been provided a consultant from the Diocesan, Jeff Diehl, who has
been very helpful as well as has Brian Nordwick. The first step is to develop the profile which involves input from the parishioners. On August 1st and August 8th we will have one service at 9am followed by a “bag lunch” (provided by the search committee) and discussion of what each and every one of the congregation would like in a new rector for St. George's. The Search Committee will then compile the information gathered from the congregation to prepare the profile. It is important that everyone attend these meetings to give their input. Anyone who cannot attend either meeting should contact the Church office, 449-6709, and someone from the Search Committee will contact you for your input.
Margie Sokotowski, Search Committee Member
“THE FORWARD MOVEMENT — An official non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church”
This statement is from the catalog of a wealth of pamphlets and books on subjects concerning the faith, ritual, seasons, and spiritual essence of the Episcopal Church.
I am sure you have noticed the rack at the entrance to the Hall. Stop for awhile and see what is available. There may not be a pamphlet that speaks to you now, but if you have questions, examine the catalog where you are likely to find a pamphlet that has an answer. Contact Ginny Price who will place an order. We ask for a donation which can be whatever you are comfortable with.
The most valuable resource from the Forward Movement is the Bible study "Forward Day-by-Day" with Bible readings for each day of the year and a short commentary by various authors. These are available in regular and large print, as well as, cassettes and Braille editions free on request.
Ginny Price
American Express $crip is Now Available For all you Costco shoppers, American Express scrip is accepted there and at Nob Hill and many other retailers. Plan ahead - Order $crip - Help St. George’s!
