Fall Colors 1
The Weekly News
November 9, 2017
32nd Week of the Year
Saturday, November 11, 2017
5:00 pm
Pres ider: Jim Schratz
Homilist:  Jim Schratz
Readers: Joey Leible, Sue Self
Eucharistic Ministers: Mary Ellen Kruger, John Dahlberg, Barbara Harris
Sacristan: Mary Vonderheide
Location: 204 East Lockwood, 63119

Sunday, November 12, 2017
9:00 am
Presider:  Jim Schratz
Homilist:  Jim Schratz
Location:  17 Selma Avenue, 63119
The Green Team, Sts. Clare & Francis and Peace UCC are taking part in a Crayola Company program. We will begin collecting old markers (regular, dry erase and highlighters, any brand) that are no longer usable. In conjunction with a program at an elementary school, we can send them to Crayola cost-free, where they will be re-purposed in various ways to produce items such as asphalt, industrial wax compounds and transportation fuel. Crayola estimates that they will keep hundreds of tons of markers out of landfills and give them a second life. There will be a box on a small table just outside the Fireside Room, on the right side, marked as the marker collection box, with the above emblem. Please save markers and bring them to church. Perhaps you can contact a business that would also be willing to save markers for you to collect.

If you are interested in helping a school begin a program (a great way to get involved at your children/grandchildren’s school!), please go to crayola.com/colorcycle . It is a very painless process and involves little time. Check it out or call for more information.

Marilyn Tenholder       Peggy Kachulis
314.323.1467               314.968.8612
314.842.5089
Christmas Cards

In memory of Ginny Dahlberg we want to continue her project of making Christmas cards for people in nursing homes who may feel forgotten during the holiday season.

The idea is to get some blank cards and envelopes, using the artwork from old Christmas cards, stamps or whatever you have to make them into new Christmas cards. Ginny was a scrap-booker so these skills were definitely in her repertoire.

You can cut out the text or scenes from cards you have received in other years and use Christmas stamps for the insides. A glue stick can be used for the cut outs. The cards can be signed with your first name(s), then add St. Clare & Francis so they know where the cards are coming from. John will be collecting the cards thru December 2. If he is not at Mass, give them to Therese Gabriel, Judy DeFrank, Mary Ellen Kruger, or Jim Schratz. Thanks!
Tithing Grants Awarded

As a parish, we donate 10% of our collections to worthy causes. We do this as an act of faith, trusting that, in doing so, we will still be able to meet our financial needs.
 
Over the past several months, nominations for grant recipients were submitted and voted upon by our SCF Community, and as a result the following grants will be awarded:

  • Arch City Defenders - $1,000
  • Dignity Period - $650
  • Father Dickson Cemetery - $1,000
  • Migrant and Immigration Community Action Project - $1,000
  • Tree House Healing Ministry - $650
  • Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice - $500

We will receive nominations again during January, vote during March and award grants in April.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the process for awarding tithing grants, please contact Marilyn Tenholder ( [email protected] , 314.323.1467 or 314.842.5089) or Clarence Heller ( [email protected] , 314.258.9066).
Communal Work of Service Opportunity: Karen House

Karen House (the Catholic Worker house) is in need of people to cook dinner. Make dinner at your house and bring it, bring food to cook at the house, or cook the food provided by the house according to their meal plan. There are 30 people for dinner every night at 6:00 pm. Cooking is a great option for groups of 3 to 6 people. In the past, this was an on-going work of service for the SCF Community, and it could be again if there is sufficient interest in serving in this way. If interested, please contact Clarence Heller at [email protected] (also indicate whether you would be willing to help organize this activity). More info regarding Karen House at http://newsite.karenhousecw.org .

Fr. Bob's Outreach - Christmas Baskets
St. Augustine Parish

We will again this year collect cereal for the 4000 boxes of Food that Father Bob Gettinger puts together for the needy in December.
This year the distribution will be from December 10 - 16. We will be collecting cereal after Mass thru December 9. Aldi’s has good prices on cereal. On Saturdays, please bring the cereal to Sue Flanagan, Judy DeFrank, Therese Gabriel, or who ever announces after Mass. On Sundays, give cereal to the presider. Any questions call Sue Flanagan 314.409.4899.
Communal Works of Service
Something New, Something Different
 
The Communal Works of Service Committee is soliciting suggestions for service opportunities. These may be one-time events, periodically recurring or on-going. Some examples from past service opportunities have been the work days at Fr. Dickson Cemetery and Feed My Starving Children MobilePack hosted at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Ideally, those offering suggestions would be willing to serve as a liaison between the hosting entity and the SCF Community regarding logistics, and would provide announcement information for our newsletter. Please contact Clarence Heller ( [email protected] , 314.258.9066) with any suggestions or questions.
Homilies

Hear Frank Krebs' homily from October 28:


The text of archived homilies can be found here .
Caring Ministry
The Caring Ministry at Sts. Clare & Francis brings the loving presence of God, through a caring companion on the journey, when life is difficult. When we find ourselves struggling with illness, grief, depression, relationships, stress, the Caring Ministry is a supportive and listening presence - not counseling or problem solving. Don't go it alone; contact Sue Self or one of our priests to find out more, and see if it's a fit for you. We want to care for you.
 
Prayer List
The Sts. Clare & Francis Prayer list is available for you to share prayer requests from you to your sisters and brothers who are walking this faith journey with you. Praying for one another when there are specific needs is one of the greatest ministries we can provide to one another. But, we cannot pray for events and happenings that we do not know about. Please share your prayers requests with the community. You can be as specific or general as you would like. Contact Jim Schratz with all prayer requests.
Parish Office Hours 

The Sts. Clare & Francis Office, [483 E Lockwood Ave, Ste. 3, Schultz Hall (Door B) – Eden Theological Seminary, Webster Groves, MO 63119] will be open each week on Mondays, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Although someone is here more often than that, I am in and out much of the time. So I am making a concerted effort to have posted hours to be more available to people who might want to drop by. 
Thanks! 
Jim
Sponsored by Friends...
The Art of Acceptance
November 18, 2017
1 :00 pm - 4:30 pm
Is there a dragon in your house, in your workplace… is there a dragon living inside of you?
Have you tried to ignore it? Asked it to go away? Yet it remains.
Acceptance can be a challenge both within and without. Let Lisa von Stamwitz guide you through story and reflection. Learn meditation tools that can lead to self-awareness gently transforming you and your dragon.

Lisa von Stamwitz is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Arts in Transforming Spirituality and training in Spiritual Direction from Seattle University. Her background is in church ministry and parish nursing, as well as professional storytelling. In her work with both individuals and groups, her focus is on sharing meditation tools that can deepen self-understanding and access inner wisdom through body/mind/spirit connections.

Click here  for more information and to register.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
 
.....


Tree House

One Day Mini-Retreat
Saturday, November 18, 2017 
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $50.
Call 314.269.3657 for information or financial assistance.
Sts. Clare & Francis Ecumenical Catholic Community
204 E. Lockwood Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119


Prayer Circles  
 
First Wednesday of the month
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sts. Clare & Francis Ecumenical Catholic Community
204 E. Lockwood Avenue
Webster Groves, 63119

Third Wednesday of the month
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Library Headquarters
East Room
St. Louis County Library
1640 S. Lindbergh Boulevard
Frontenac, MO 63131

.....

Mercy Center

► Advent as a Time of Sabbath: A Retreat led by Rev. Wayne Muller, December 1—2, 2017 at Mercy Center, Frontenac.
Friday: Registration 4:30 P.M. , program following.
Saturday: Program 9:00 A.M.—5:00 P.M., followed by optional
5:30 P.M. dinner and fireside chat with Wayne.
Rev. Wayne Muller will lead us through this 28-hour retreat where we take time to step out of the pace of the culture around us and find quiet as we ground ourselves in something deeper, exploring how we are changed when we move at the pace of the heart rather than the pace of the mind and technology. The gifts of this time will take you through the Advent season and beyond.
Presenter: Rev. Wayne Muller is an executive leadership mentor, therapist, minister, community advocate, consultant, and best-selling author of several books including Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest and A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough.
Cost: $145 Commuter
$195 Retreat + Friday Overnight (single occupancy)             
$178 Retreat + Friday Overnight (double occupancy)  
$255 Retreat + Fri & Sat Overnight (single occupancy)         
$221 Retreat + Fri & Sat Overnight (double occupancy)
Total payment is due November 20. 
 
► Advent Quiet Days , Friday—Sunday, December 8—10, 2017 at Mercy Center, Frontenac.
Come for a time of personal Advent Sabbath. Rest for a while from the pace of holiday preparations and celebrations. Slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy one or more days of quiet amid the busyness of December. Enjoy simple meals, a prayerful walk on the beautiful grounds, or reflection time by the fireplace in Heritage Lounge. No presentations or schedules.
Special holiday rates, including registration:
Each overnight: $65, includes three meals
Day only: $30, includes lunch
Total payment is due November 24.
 
► Advent and Christmas Performance by the Catholic Student Center Choir 
Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Mercy Center, Frontenac, 3:00 P.M.
This contemporary choir from Washington University will celebrate in song both Advent waiting and
Christmas joy. The choir, a blend of non-students and students, regularly leads music for the Eucharistic celebrations of the Newman community.
A free will offering will be given to the choir to support their music ministry.
Online registration is appreciated by December 8.
  random sightings
 wisdom...reflection...insight...amusement
Telescope


Be kind, for everyone you meet isn't as caffeinated as you are.

Unvirtuous Abbey
Parish Council News

To see Parish Council meeting minutes or the Parish Constitution and Bylaws, click the appropriate link:



 
Members 
(click name to contact by e-mail)

Ecumenical Catholic Communion


ECC Financials

Balance Sheet , June 30, 2017

IE Statement , June 30, 2017

ECC Midwest Partner Communities 
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Chicago, Illinois
Little Rock, Arkansas
Tulsa, Oklahoma 
  All Saints ECC
Our Mission Church
 
We meet at:
Trinity United Church of Christ
47 North Douglas Avenue
Belleville, IL 62220
 
Our Metro East ECC Mission Church meets every Sunday at 9:30  am. 
Our chapel is in the lower level of Trinity UCC.
 
Directions from St. Louis: 
Hwy. 64 East to Exit 12; 
RIGHT onto #159/IL St. Continue 5 miles to Douglas Ave.
(railroad crossing)
LEFT on Douglas Ave. to church.
 
For information, contact:
Rev. Frank Krebs (314.740.1160) or Rev. Kay Schmitt (314.620.9511). Contact Kay if you wish to ride with her.
All are welcome.
General Info

Want to get connected and involved? Start by taking a look at our  Ministries Brochure  or check out our website at www.scfecc.org
  
The Parish Office  is located at Eden Theological Seminary, 483 East Lockwood, Suite 3, St. Louis, MO 63119.  
Frank  or Jim are available for appointments. You can also reach Frank at 314.740.1160 or Jim at 314.896.0125.
 
To Schedule Meetings at Peace UCC:
 
Contact Kelly, the church secretary, to get it on their calendar.   
314.968.1727
 
Matthew 25
The Matthew 25 Fund helps members in our community who need financial assistance. All information concerning the people with whom we work is held in the strictest confidence. If you would like to contribute to this fund, make your check payable to Matthew 25, and place it in the collection basket. If you need assistance from the fund, contact  Peggy Montgomery
 
We have a SafeChurch Policy to protect our children and other vulnerable populations .
The Sts. Clare & Francis
Lands’ End Store
In partnership with Lands’ End, you can now purchase clothing and other items embroidered with the Sts. Clare & Francis logo (below). Just follow the link above. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] .  
Fundraising

Please keep our Schnucks E-Scrip fund raiser in mind when you shop. If you don't already have an E-Scrip card, please call Marilyn Tenholder (314.323.1467) and she will get one to you. There is no charge and all you have to do is activate it by either a phone call or by going online. Simply show the card when you check out and a percentage of your purchase cost will be rebated back to Sts. Clare & Francis. Thank you!!
Sts. Clare & Francis offers information about other organizations and activities that we feel is useful or relevant to our members and to the public. As an Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) organization, Sts. Clare & Francis is required to abide by certain rules. Sts. Clare & Francis is prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Sts. Clare & Francis is also prohibited from devoting a substantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation. As a result of these rules, we do not specifically endorse these organizations or activities nor do they specifically represent the views of Sts. Clare & Francis, to the extent that doing so would jeopardize Sts. Clare & Francis' standing as a Section 501(c)(3) organization.
If you have an item that you wish to submit for publication in the Weekly News, please send it to Steve Campbell  no later than noon on Wednesday of the week you would like it to appear. If you cannot send an e-mail, you may call or text Steve at 314.603.9991.
Sts. Clare & Francis ECC
Church : 204 East Lockwood Avenue | St. Louis | MO|63119
Office : 483 East Lockwood Ave. | Suite 3 | St. Louis | MO | 63119