St. George’s Episcopal C

hurch105 East D

StreetB

elleville, Illinois 62220

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Office H

ours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m

., Mon. through Fri.

Phone: (618) 233-6320F

or pastoral care after office hours, contactF

r. Dale C

oleman at 213-6071

Office E-m

ail: stgeorgeoffice@sbcglobal.net

Website: w

ww

.stgeorgesbellevilleil.com

Church O

fficersInterim

Rector —

The Rev. D

ale D. C

oleman, Jr.

Rector’s W

arden — Tom

Boschert

Parish Warden —

Brian M

avesTreasurer —

Ruth W

eberC

lerk of the Vestry — K

im C

hristR

ector Em

eritus — The R

ev. Canon Elliot H

. Blackburn

Class of 2010

Robert H

allEd ParsonsG

eorge Schneider

Class of 2008

Tom B

oschertD

an Duncan

Jim G

illispie

Class of 2009

Ellen Blackburn

Maryann Fernandez

Brian M

aves

Vestry Mem

bers

GEORGE

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Saint George is the Patron Saint of England and of our church. A Google search on the

Internet offers many stories, news articles, and images of St. George slaying what always seemsto be a small dragon. What follows is a fairly common understanding of the Dragon Slayer.

In English folklore, Saint George slew the mighty dragon at two places known asDragon Hill. (Apparently the dragon was mighty long.) In reality, St. George probably nevervisited England. We don’t know about the dragon.

George was likely born to noble, Christian parents in Cappadocia. Upon the death ofhis father, George accompanied his mother south to Palestine. She owned land there andGeorge ran the estate. (“George” means “farmer”, after all.) He was also said to be a Tribune inthe Roman army during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (245-313 AD). When the last horriblepersecutions of the Christians began, George complained personally to the Emperor. Georgewas martyred at Lydda in Palestine, probably by beheading. (Is it only coincidence thatDiocletian abdicated to grow heads of cabbage?)

George was canonized in AD 494. Pope Gelasius proclaimed him one of those “whosenames are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God”...

The legends surrounding Saint George are many. One famous legend concerns thedragon which was terrorizing a pagan town in Libya. The townspeople threw sheep to it toplacate it (no doubt also taunting the beast in outrageous Norman accents). The dragonremained unsatisfied, so human sacrifices were offered.. When the local princess, Cleolinda,was about to be thrown to the beast, good Saint George rode up, skewered the dragon, andsaved the distressed damsel. (Shock causes hair loss.) At this the townsfolk converted toChristianity and, it is supposed, made chili out of the dragon flesh.

George was adopted as the Saint of Battles partly because he was a soldier, but alsobecause he appeared to the First Crusaders before the Battle of Antioch. (They were starving atthe time; there were also visions of Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Andrew, St. Demetrius, St.Maurice, and even, yes, the Holy Lance.) It is also said that during the Crusade against theSaracens, St. George appeared to King Richard the Lionheart, which appearance served as agreat encouragement to the English troops, who brought home not Richard but a love for St.George. King Edward III made St. George patron of the Order of the Garter. (Someconjecture that the dragon was a tiny snake.) The Dragon Slayer became the official patronsaint of England in 1425 after Henry V’s victory at the Battle of Agincourt (upon St. Crispin’sDay). St. George’s official feast day is April 23rd.

Editor’s Note: An article really worth reading is at http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/197106/st.george.the.ubiquitous.htm

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May Parish CalendarApril 27 St. George Day

Coffee HourApril 27 Evangelism CommissionMay 4 Sharon Lavely & Vicki HallMay 11 George Schneider & Lynette SchneiderMay 18 Jim Gillispie & Viv GillispieMay 25 Frank Rogers & Betsy Rogers

May Healing Prayer TeamsApril 27th S. Elliott & M. Brown B. Vaughn & S. HelberMay 4th A.Gabriel & M. Brown V. Hall & S. CantonwineMay 11th T.& G. Heiting S. Elliott & S. HelberMay 18th G. Heiting & S. Elliott K. Korte & L. SchneiderMay 25th M. Brown B. Vaughn & B. Korte

Next Order of St. Luke meeting will be May 5th.

May 1 Joint Ascension Day Service–7:00 pm followed by Ice Cream socialMay 2-3 Agape FestivalMay 4 Blood Drive - Parish HallMay 5 Order of St. Luke – 7:00 pm - Conf RmMay 6 Lutheran School of Theology Course 7 – 9:30 pm – Parish HallMay 8 Rector Search Committee – 7:00 pm - Conf RmMay 10 Letter Carrier Food Drive – 1:30 pm - Parish HallMay 13 Lutheran School of Theology Course 7 – 9:30 pm – Parish Hall

WEDG at Castletown Geoghegan – 6:30 pmMay 15 Toddhall Board at Toddhall – 7:00 pmMay 18 Last Day of Church School 2:00 pm St. Mark Piano Recital

4:00 pm - Organ ConcertMay 20 Rector Search Committee – 7:00 pm - Conf RmMay 26 Memorial Day – Office Closed

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DAYS TO CELEBRATE

Birthdays!

Anniversaries!

05/01 Donna Rea,05/01 Nathan Elmore05/01 Adam Deskines05/02 Jordan Harres05/02 Elizabeth Viguerie05/03 Lisa Bryant05/03 Ali Parsons05/07 Susan McConnell05/07 Nicole Troupe05/11 Lumley Bevineau05/12 John LaMonte05/16 George Blistain05/17 Ken Gottschall05/18 Carol Ludwick05/20 Lisa Treadwell05/22 Steven Jung05/23 Robert Mize05/24 Angela Kammann05/25 Kelsey Williams05/29 Patty Gillen05/30 Elaine Sanderson05/31 John Forister

5/02 Bob & Toots Schilling5/05 Michael & Ellen Blackburn5/05 Jeff & Heather Kuehnl5/11 Gilbert & Anna Rauh5/11 Dave & Laura Mannix5/13 Jim & Viv Gillispie5/19 David & Sharon Lavely5/20 Don & Nicole Carroll5/22 Tom & Gail Heiting5/23 Ron & Jodi Rauh5/26 Gary & Donna Rea5/27 Sam & Collette Parsons5/30 Jorge & Maryann Fernandez5/31 Justin & Grace Johnson

On Sunday, May 18, our music director, Nancy Ypma, will present a concertat 4 p.m. with oboist Dawn Striker-Allan to celebrate the 10th birthday of our pipeorgan! They will perform a variety of pieces for organ, piano, and oboe includingsettings of “Danny Boy” and the theme from The Mission.

All are welcome! A reception will follow.

Special Ten-Year-Old

It’s traditional to wear red to church onPentecost Sunday (May 11).

Fashion Tip

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TRANSITIONSTHANK YOU......to the Youth Group and theirleaders, Dana Meyer and BrianMaves, for all their hard work onthe benefit luncheon for Pat Reeseheld on April 6. Thanks, also, toeveryone who supported thisworthy cause.

...to Marilyn Boschert, Kim Christand the Fellowship Commissionfor the coffee hour/receptionhonoring the Bishop and theConfirmands on Sunday, April 13.

...to Frank Rogers for painting thewalls in the Education building.

Our sympathy to Steven andDana Meyer and family on the death ofSteven’s grandmother, Evelyn Schmitz.

Our sympathy to George andMarilee Evans on the death ofMarilee’s grandmother, MaryAtteberry, who died Friday, April 4.

Welcome, Nolan Meise! Nolanwas baptized on Sunday, April 20, byMother Lindy. He is the son of Joe andAngie Meise and brother of Timothy andMorgan.

Welcome, Samuel EdwardRobert Parsons! Samuel was baptizedon Sunday, March 30. He is the son ofSamuel and Collette Parsons, brotherof Ali, and grandson of Ed and KathyParsons.

Congratulations to ColletteParsons, Garrett Evans, Mitch Maves,Kelsey Maves, Susan Reese, KathrynHendrix, Elizabeth Hendrix, JeremyRobinson, Keeliey O’Hara, and LouGrubbs! They were confirmed byBishop Beckwith on Sunday, April 13.

Congratulations, Ellen Treadwell!Ellen received her First Communion onSunday, April 13. She is the daughter ofChris and Lisa Treadwell.

Welcome, Brady Lee White!Brady was baptized on Sunday, April20, by Mother Lindy. He is the son ofSamuel and Amber White, brother ofGracie Rose, and grandson of Hal andCheryl Inabinet.

Congratulations to MichelleZiegler, Brooke Robinson, and LisaTreadwell! They were formallyreceived into the Episcopal Churchon Sunday, April 13, by Bp Beckwith.

7

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Episcopal Church Camp will beJune 29 to July 5 at East Bay Camp onLake Bloomington. Applications areavailable in the church office. Noapplications will be accepted after June1st. For more information, contactDenny Brown (309) 697-5361 or e-mail dcndennis1@aol.com.

Camp fees: $225 for the firstmember of a family; $205 for thesecond member of a family; $185 forall additional family members.

Do you have a family membergraduating from high school or collegethis Spring? Please let the parishoffice know. Include graduate’s name,parents’ names (if applicable), schoolfrom which graduating, graduationdate, and plans for the future. Theoffice would also like to have students’college addresses to add to the parishdirectory and to mail them thenewsletter.

Commencements?

The Letter Carriers FoodDrive is scheduled for Saturday, May10th. If you can help sort the foodthat afternoon at 1:30, please callGeorge Evans (398-8250).

What! Sort?

Church Camp If you schedule an event at St.

George’s for a Saturday and plan to usethe Sanctuary at all that day, please letNancy Ypma and Elaine Lorentzenknow. Our organists practice in theSanctuary on Saturday...every Saturday.

Work Is All Play

Relay for Live“Relay for Life”, a fight against cancer is scheduled to be held at the Belleville West

High School track and stadium on July 18. St. George’s is putting together a team to raisedonations and walking through the night to help fight the deadly disease.

Pat Reese reminds us of the need to support “Relay for Life”, and current teammembers have selected “Patty’s Partners” for the team name. More members for the teamare welcome, as are donations and other support.

If you would like to help, please contact any of the current team members: John andBecky Miller, Nolan Haefner, Rich Hays, Michelle Ziegler, Vicki Hall, Mary Mohrman,Marilyn Boschert, or Tom Boschert

MORE NEWS & NOTES

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SCHEDULES

WEDG at CastletownApril 25-27 Morning Star Church 80

O’Fallon, MO

May Toddhall Retreatants

Please call Mary Mohrman (222-1587) orViv Gillispie (233-4153) to volunteer anhour or two. Thanks!

The WEDG (Women’sEcumenical Dining Group) will begathering at Castletown Geoghegan,104 West Main, Belleville, onTuesday, May 13 at 6:30 pm. ThisIrish pub and restaurant is locatedjust west of the fountain, with streetparking available.* The phonenumber for questions or directionsis 397-5700. WEDG is for allwomen 18 and older and thefellowship is great! Come for goodfun, good food, and goodconversation. Please call the churchoffice (233-6320) for reservations(head count.)

*[Editor’s note: According to the pub’swebsite, “Our neighbors at the Countyoffices and bank across the street have noobjection to evening...use of their lots.”There is also public parking at the cornerof First and “A” Streets (near SchoolDistrict 118 building) and just off SecondStreet, between W. Main and “A”.]

May 2-3 Ballwin Baptist Deacons 30Manchester, MO

May 4 Baby Shower 50May 5-6 Society of the Holy Trinity 10

Clifton, ILMay 9-14 Washington University 73

St. Louis, MOMay 15-16 Ministry to Men 20

St. Charles, MOMay 17 Woman Within International 25May 18 Bridal Shower 60May 19-21 Sew Busy Quilt Shop 7

St. Louis, MOMay 22-25 Absolutely Starving Art Studio 16

Belleville, ILMay 23-26 A Mother/Daughter Retreat 2May 30-Jun 1 Power of Change 20

St. Louis, MOMay 30-Jun 1 Hearts ‘N’ Hands Quilting 16

O’Fallon, IL

Ascension Day will be celebrated on Thursday, May 1st, with a jointservice at 7:00 p.m. We will use the Lutheran liturgy, and Fr. Dale Colemanwill give the homily. An ice cream social will be held after the service.

Interested in your children making their First Communion? Please talk to Fr. Dale.

Looking Upwards

5

NEWS & NOTES

St. George’s will again host anAmerican Red Cross blood drive onSunday, May 4th, from 9:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Donorscan be as young as 16, but anyoneunder 18 will need a parental consentform signed.

Accident victims, cancerpatients, and surgical patients in the St.Louis area need blood products at arate of about 1000 units per month.The demand varies little throughoutthe year, but May is always a criticaltime for the blood supply as donorsare often busy with end-of-schoolactivities, yard work, kids’ activities,and family trips.

Sunday morning is an ideal timeto donate. There is usually a line afterthe 10:30 service so you may want toconsider donating before the service.Donating takes 45 minutes to an hour.It is a simple way to give a gift tosomeone needing help because of anaccident or illness.

The blood drive’s answer man isFrank Rogers (277-1406). We hope tosee you at the drive.

When Frank Cattaneo was inthe hospital for a short stay, thechurch sent him a rose. Frank says,“Thanks, everyone.”

Thanks! For Non-Turnips

In a special run off[?] election[March 2], the parish voted that theparish newsletter should have thename “St. George’s Dragon”. Thevestry approved the vote andformally changed the name of thenewsletter at its April [14] meeting.Alas, it is just now [April 20] gettingthe word to the St. George’s Dragoneditor. Sorry Madame Editor. Theremaybe a page within the newsletterthat could be “the dragon’s tale” andperhaps the rector will get a pageinstead of a curate.

--Tom Boschert

Return of the Dragon

Have you visited our website lately?www.stgeorgesbellevilleil.com

4

NOTES

Travel BulletinsThanks, Margaret Brown, for

bulletin and service guide from St.Mark’s Episcopal Church in Arlington,Texas (Diocese of Fort Worth), and forthe service guide/bulletin from Christthe Redeemer Church in Garland,Texas, a church “affiliated with theConvocation of Anglicans in NorthAmerica, which is a constituentmember of the Church of Nigeria and apart of the worldwide AnglicanCommunion.”

Thank you, Sue & Bob Vaughn,for the copy of the weekly(!)newsletter mailed from your formerparish, St. John’s Episcopal Church,Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Thanks, Cindy Lynk, for thebulletin from Saint Christopher’sEpiscopal Church in Fort Lauderdale,Florida.

Thank you, Mary Mohrman, forthe Holy Week and Easter bulletinsfrom St. John’s Episcopal Church inQuincy, Illinois.

Thanks, Sandra Parks, for theAsh Wednesday and Lenten bulletinsplus a visitor welcome card fromChrist the King Episcopal Church inSanta Rosa Beach, Florida.

Dear Church Family,My sincere thanks for your

prayers, cards, good wishes andbeautiful flowers during my recentillness.

Special thanks to Father Dalefor all his hospital visits.

I am so very blessed havingyou all as my church family! Godbless you all.

Many thanksLove,Toots

Note of Thanks

Three familiar parables of Luke15 became new when seen in thehistorical/cultural context of first-century Palestine (Jesus ThroughMiddle Eastern Eyes by KennethBailey highly recommended) and weregood for eye-opening self-examinationthrough Mother Lindy’s choice ofreflection topics.

Thanks, Spiritual GrowthCommission, for scheduling a leaderwho brought the right balance ofhistory, humor, and spiritual focus tothe retreat. --TMP

Worth Wait

RECTOR SEARCH MEETINGS

3

The Search Committee met Thursday, March 27, with all members present.Betsy Rogers led devotions.

We set the following dates for meetings through June: April 10 and 24,May 8 and 20, June 12 and 26. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

The profile subcommittee reported that it awaits two components, as wellas two remaining pages, for which Chelsea Meyer is creating the graphic design.

The committee spent most of the evening reviewing and revising a pastoralquestionnaire to be distributed to clergy candidates. The meeting adjourned afterconcluding prayers at 9 p.m.

The Search Committee met April 10. Ed Parsons led devotions. Weapproved minutes from the March 27 meeting, with one correction. The profilesubcommittee distributed copies of the profile, still in progress, for the searchcommittee’s discussion.

Chair Bob Vaughn reminded all committee members of the criticalimportance of confidentiality in deliberations about individual candidates. Wereviewed the revised pastoral questionnaire and made a few additional changes.The meeting adjourned after concluding prayers at 9:30 p.m.

Betsy Rogers,Co-Secretary

onave Fr.

The Evangelism Committee sends care packages to deployed military. Military don’t have to

be parish members or Episcopalian. To enroll someone, fill out form below & put in collection basket.

Military Care Package Enrollment

Name: ____________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Deployed to _________________________, from ____/____/____ to ____/____/____Branch of Military: _________________ Denomination: ________________________Allergies/Dislikes: _________________________________________________Submitted by: ______________________________________________________

2

St. George’s

Interim RectorThe Rev. Dale Coleman233-6320 (213-6071)

Senior WardenTom Boschert222-9051

Parish WardenBrian Maves

Administrative AssistantJanet Koch

Parish SecretaryRoselle Derfler

Music DirectorNancy S. Ypma, D.Mus.234-1947

New Member MinistryJoan Barnes233-0735

Rector EmeritusThe Rev. CanonElliot H. Blackburn

Holy EucharistSundays 8 and 10:30 a.m.Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.

Church SchoolSundays (Sept. through May)9 to 10:10 a.m.

NurserySundays9 a.m. to noon

St. George’s Dragon deadline is the third Sunday of the month before issue month. Contributions may be e-mailedto the church office or placed in the folder marked “Newsletter” in the wall file on the landing between classroomsand offices.

Editor: Terry Paeltz tntpaeltz@wisperhome.com Contributing Artist: Mrs. Charles McConnell (Sue)

Send Kids AwayOur Community Outreach Commission is, with your

help, sponsoring the 2008 FNCA Send a Kid to Camp.Franklin Neighborhood Community Association is a

not-for-profit organization that focuses primarily on positivealternatives for youth. $40 will send a child to the SummerCamp Program for eight weeks, June 9th - July 31st (theactual cost is $190 per child). Two camps will be conducted,and we anticipate the maximum enrollment of 200 students.Recreational, educational, and life skill programs will beoffered. In addition, 40 of the campers will arrive a 10:30a.m. for tutoring.

Donations of any size will help provide camperscholarships and pay for college student supervisors, campsupplies, and transportation.

A little white tree with envelopes will appear in theCanterbury Room on Wednesday, April 30th. Please take anenvelope from the tree, make check payable to St. George’sEpiscopal Church (Kid to Camp on memo line), put checkinto envelope, and place envelope in offering plate.

Collections will be taken through the end of May; wewill send Franklin Neighborhood Association a check on theFirst of June.

Thank you again!

The Legendary Newsletter of St. George’s Episcopal Church

Volume 44, No. 5 May 2008 Belleville, Illinois

Send to Camp...2

Rector Search...3

George...5, 11

Vestry Meeting...

Thanks...4, 5, 8

Opportunities.5, 6, 7, 9

Schedules...6, 10

Transitions...8

Days to Celebrate...9

Inside

St. George’s Parish Mission? To Love and Serve the Lord and our Neighbors as Ourselves

S George’s Dragon

Exploring the Stewardship of CreationOur Sunday morning Adult Forum will look at

questions of science, the environment, and ourresponsibilities as stewards in a four-part series beginningApril 27. The series uses A Catechism of Creation, preparedby the Committee on Science, Technology and Faith of thenational church’s Executive Council.

The Catechism’s three sections form our seriesoutline. Kevin Korte will lead the discussion April 27 aboutthe theology of creation. This section draws heavily onscripture and church tradition.

On May 4, Jim Massey, a retired chemistry professor,will present Part II, “Creation and Science.” This sectionrests on contemporary scientific understanding and exploresways to integrate science and traditional church teachings.

Week 3, on May 11, focuses on caring for creation,exploring our responsibility as Christians to care for God’sworld. Betsy Rogers will lead this discussion.

On May 18, we’ll wrap up the series with a paneldiscussion about ways St. George’s can do its part to care forcreation.

We offer lively discussion, occasional toughquestions, strong coffee and a great time. Plan to join us!

t.