St. George’s youth focus on Episcopal churches

“The Doors of St. George’s 2008” – the calendar mentioned in an earlier Episcopal News story about Donald Vish’s photography class at St. George’s Community Center – is on sale now, the proceeds going to the center. The calendar, however, is much more than a fundraising project for the youths and their teacher. “St. George’s center is one of the diocese’s community ministries, and we regard all of the churches as part of the St. George’s ministry—which is where the name of the calendar comes from,” said Vish. “The Doors of St. George’s are the doors of ALL of the local churches. The way to St. George’s is through the doors of the churches of the diocese.”

Since last January, the youths and Vish made weekly photographic field trips, visiting each of the Episcopal churches in the Louisville area. The church doors were always one of their subjects. Inside the 12- by 12-inch calendar, one will find more full-page photos taken by the youths at the churches and at their community center.

Even though the calendar has “excellent photography,” Vish said it is more than a collection of pictures. “The calendar is not about photography. It is about unity and about 12 inner city children using their after school time to go to all Episcopal churches in Louisville to produce the image that will be used on the front cover.”

The calander is being sold for the special price of $10 to friends of St. George’s center and members of the diocese’s Episcopal congregations. They may be purchased at the community center and will be available at the congregations later this month. They also will be sold at St. George’s fundraising event on Oct. 18. Vish said 1,000 calendars will be printed, so they will have to sell at least 500 to break even. Call the community center at 775-6232 for more information about purchasing a calendar or to arrange to have the photography students visit your church.