Chapel of St. George

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The Chapel of St. George 

 

Welcome

We welcome you to join in the sacred communal life of the Ranch, by way of our offerings of prayer and meditation in The Chapel of St. George. Every Sunday the Chapel celebrates the Mass (Holy Eucharist), and our Chaplain and on-site Prayer Residents offer daily prayer in the Chapel, morning and evening, Tuesday through Saturday, except in the summer months.

Daily Prayer and Meditation

Morning and evening prayer (i.e., Matins and Vespers) are offered Tuesday through Saturday every week, except June-August. Each Liturgy is preceded by thirty minutes of silent meditation. We warmly welcome you to any or all of our offerings in the Chapel. Our daily prayer services are simple and contemplative, and offer an opportunity for communal silence, praise, and thanksgiving. These services are generally led by our volunteer Prayer Residents.

Holy Eucharist

We invite you to join us for Sunday worship at 9:30am in The Chapel of St. George. Our practice is to worship not only in Word and Sacrament, but also in holy silence. We begin with a few minutes of silent meditation, and silence follows each of the readings. After the silence that follows the Gospel reading, the Presider will invite all to share their own reflections on the readings or themes of the day, if they wish. The Presider will offer a final short homily toward the end. All are welcome to receive Holy Communion. For more information about the life of the Chapel, our style of worship, and contact information for our Chaplain, a Chapel information sheet can be found on the entryway table in the narthex.

 

Schedule of Worship:
(September-May)

Tuesday – Saturday:

Morning Meditation: 7:00am

Morning Prayer (Matins): 7:30am

Evening Meditation: 5:30pm

Evening Prayer (Vespers): 6:00pm

Sunday:

Mass (Holy Eucharist): 9:30am

 

The History of The Chapel of St. Georgechapelspring

  • The Chapel of St. George was built in 1955 as a chapel peculiar of Grace Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop Karl Morgan Block. It was the first new building constructed after the Diocese of California purchased the Ranch from the White family in 1947.
  • Saint George of Lydda, the Patron of our Chapel, was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier of Cappadocian Greek origin, who served in the Guard of Diocletian. One of the most venerated Saints in the Anglican jurisdiction, he is considered the Patron Saint of England and also of farmers. He is immortalized in the legend of his defeat of a dragon that had long been harassing a Cappadocian village, demanding annual human sacrifices of its people. Following his slaying of the dragon, St. George is said to have been martyred in 303 in the pre-Constantinian persecutions for refusing to recant his Christian faith.
  • The Windows on the north wall, in the sanctuary, and in the nave are the work of glass artist Irmi Steding. The guiding idea of the windows in the sanctuary is to provide non-representational inspiration for meditation. The windows in the nave follow the theme of the song-prayer of St. Francis, the Canticle of the Sun.
  • Franciscan Friars of the Episcopal Church managed the Ranch and offered daily worship in the Chapel from the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s, and the beautiful marks of their time of stewardship and ministry here can be seen not only in The Chapel of St. George (for instance, in the Franciscan window above the choir loft and the statue of St. Francis to the right of the chancel), but all around the campus of the Ranch.
  • Baptismal Font — As you enter the Chapel and come into the narthex, you will see our beautiful baptismal font, which was handcrafted by two local artists: Philip Caswell and Caryl Castleberry. Mr. Caswell crafted the stand, and Ms. Castleberry sculpted the bronze bowl which holds the blessed water.
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe — To the left of the chancel, above the vigil candles and prayer station, hangs a gorgeous retablo of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas. The Chapel and Ranch community has a great love for the Blessed Mother, and many folks have knelt and prayed at the prayer station to Our Lady over decades of time. The retablo of Our Lady of Guadalupe that currently forms the centerpiece of this shrine was ‘written’ (hand painted) in the traditional Spanish colonial style by renown Santera, Catherine Robles Shaw (of New Mexico and Colorado). The retablo was given as a special gift by our Chaplain Emerita, The Rev. Pat Moore.

Prayer Resident Program

The Volunteer Prayer Resident is a short-term position typically lasting one month. The prayer resident leads daily meditation, Morning and Evening Prayer, and takes part in the spiritual life and ministry of hospitality at the Ranch. [More information and application.]

 

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