Fear not!
Some of you may have heard that the Planning Committee of PVE has been considering rezoning several properties, including our campus, so that at some future time, if those properties were ever sold, they might be made available to accommodate affordable housing. But do not fear. This is a remote possibility.
Nevertheless the Vestry and I, the Director of Town and Country School and a number of others are actively working, together with outside legal advice, to have our campus removed from this list as soon as possible. We will update the Parish as we know more.
Where is God in all this?
In Romans 8:28, Paul wrote that God works all things for good for those who believe that they are loved by God, and in turn love God. It’s not a quid-quo-pro situation; it’s that God is so considerate of our sovereignty that God won’t intrude unless we ask. God takes our broken pieces and makes something beautiful with them. When I was in seminary one of the questions that we heard all the time was, “Where is God in this situation?”
Is St. Francis a ‘once-a-week’ place?
One of our vestry members asked a very poignant question: why did they choose our church for rezoning, rather than other properties? The assessment of our property incorrectly states that it’s only used once a week for one service; the reality of course is much different.
It’s used at least six days a week by the church, and by Town and Country Nursery School. We host many outside groups, including schools and youth groups, AA and Al-Anon and others. There are many key opportunities for evangelism in these points of contact where we might put energy into doing more.
There are also the countless numbers of people who come to our church to have their pictures taken; there’s hardly a week that goes by without at least one couple being photographed in front of the chapel.
We are known as the pretty church near the flags, but I would love for us to be known as the pretty church that loves Jesus, or the church that loves Jesus and is also pretty…or just...the church that loves Jesus.
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How can you and I make our Sacred Ministry more visible and relevant to those who set foot on our campus all week long, and not just on Sundays?
We can share our light without blinding people; we can tell people what we do without boasting or bragging, and we can invite people without badgering. If you don’t want to invite them to church, invite them to come sort clothes from the blue bin, or make breakfast for St. Luke’s, or listen to the PVPHS Symphony Orchestra. We are so much more than what happens on Sunday morning, and we owe it to ourselves and our community to let people know.
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Rector, St. Francis Episcopal Church
310-594-7984
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Rev. Jason's Week in Review...
May 11: Pastoral meeting; lunch with parishioner; finished funeral prep.
May 12: Memorial service and reception for Michael Moody.
May 13: Day off.
May 14: Mother’s Day! Deacon Celeste preached a poignant and thoughtful sermon, and we had delicious cinnamon rolls after each service.
May 15: Admin tasks; caught up on email; Archie shadowed me for two hours; prepared for vestry meeting; investment meeting.
May 16: Two pastoral meetings; met with Wardens to talk about how to approach PVE rezoning situation.
May 17: Spiritual direction; staff meeting; met with Rev. Paula; finance meeting; vestry meeting.
It's easy to schedule a meeting with Rev. Jason!
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Volunteer! The Breakfast and Showers Program for the Unhoused at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
Our parish provides breakfast for 120 people on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months. To fulfill this obligation, we need at least 10 people at the St. Francis kitchen from 4-6 on the Friday night before to prepare the food. We also need at least eight people at St. Luke's on Saturday morning from 7:15 to about 9:30.
Please consider helping out! Our next event is tomorrow - May 20, with preparation happening on Friday, May 19. If you can't help in May, keep these dates in mind:
July 14, 15
September 16, 17
November 17, 18
Email Gayle Taylor, Minister for Outreach with your interest and availability. This is a wonderful ministry and a great chance to serve others as Christ served. |
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Taizé service - All Invited
Next Tuesday May 23rd, 7pm
Feel free to come 5-10 minutes earlier to enjoy the soft piano music and candlelit ambience inviting your spirit to settle into Peace. Join us after the service for refreshments and connection.
Until then, I'd like to share some words I've taken from an excerpt of a rabbi's meditation:
We recognize each of us enters this sanctuary with a different need.
Some hearts are full of gratitude and joy, and we rejoice with them;
Some hearts ache with sorrow; may our presence and sympathy bring them comfort;
Some hearts are embittered; may the knowledge that we, too, are searching restore their hope and give them courage to believe that not all is emptiness;
Some spirits hunger; they long for friendship, they crave understanding; they yearn for warmth;
May we in our common need and striving gain strength from one another
Ministry Council Lead & Shepherd for Pastoral Care
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Watch and Listen!
Last Sunday's Sermon:
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The 52nd Annual Palos Verdes Antiques Show & Sale is two weeks away!
After a 4 year hiatus the Antiques Show is back! The Show is the fundraiser of the ECW and funds raised from the Show benefit ALL aspects of the parish from a large pledge of between $10,000 & $15,000 to the parish itself and then donations made to outreach, child care, kitchen supplies, Camp Stevens, St. Luke's Homeless Program and so much more!
The Opening Night party celebrating our "Homecoming" will be Wednesday May 31 from 6 - 9pm! Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Always a very fun evening! If you did not receive an invitation in the mail, please RSVP to Blair Hinz and drop off your check in the church office.
Buy an Ad! for our beautiful Show Program. A 1/4 page is $35.00, 1/2 page is $60.00 and a full page is $100.00. Advertise your business, congratulatory wishes or honor a loved one! Please contact Karin Petersen or Wendy Pratt.
Volunteer!
There are many opportunities (sitting or standing) to give your time during the week of May 30-June 3. Call Anna Eakins (310 297-0701) and she will offer you options. No prior experience necessary. YOU can be a part of this parish fundraiser that helps contribute to so many worthy projects for the parish and outside organizations.
Donations for the Opening Night Curated Gala Silent Auction — Have you got theater or concert tickets, gift certificates to good restaurants, or access to a vacation cabin? Have you got some fine collectibles that you might wish to part with? Be creative and think of something wonderful you could donate! Contact Gayle Taylor with questions.
The Harvest Cupboard
Hugely popular - homemade baked goods, candies and preserves for sale
Make a batch of your family’s favorite recipe!
Label it with its name and any ingredient information (nuts, gluten-free etc). We will do the final packaging. Items can be delivered to the end room on the patio level, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 3, before noon if possible.
If you are able to help with packaging or cashiering, please contact Gloria Jones, 310 375-8916 and leave your name and phone number.
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GLEAM Garden Party
RSVP now!
Annual Garden Party this Sunday, May 21, in the gardens of the Pasadena home of Bishop John Taylor and Canon Kathy O'Connor.
To RSVP by May 19 email gleamlainfo@gmail.com. Address and parking details will be sent upon receiving your response.
GLEAM is part of LA Diocese's LGBTQ Ministry. They provide opportunities for fellowship, evangelism, education and spiritual growth. Look out for events, programs and projects including diocesan presence at Southland gay pride events.
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Draw Neighbors to Our Community of Faith!
Saturday, June 17th "Doors Open Peninsula", 9am - 4:30pm
Palos Verdes Archivist Monique Sugimoto is organizing this event to mark the 100th Anniversary of the "Real Estate Rally" that took place in Malaga Cove on June 17th, 1923.
The event will highlight several historical buildings in PV, and our St. Francis chapel is among those that will be featured.
Of course this is a fantastic opportunity for St. Francis to not only share the history of our chapel, but to also highlight our community of faith, through what we have to offer present-day through our church services and various ministries! We have a team of people collecting and creating literature to distribute, refreshments to serve, and docents to share our Chapel's many stories. Watch our enews updates to learn more.
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Weekly Worship
Sundays - Holy Communion
8:00 a.m. - Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with hymns. This service is not live-streamed.
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10:00 a.m. - Rite II in-person worship in the main church with music. L ive-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and available for watching later. Followed by coffee hour for fellowship and community. We have an active Welcoming team so if you're a new visitor we promise we won't leave you alone, staring at your shoes!
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Please contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.
Yoga with Jill!
A spiritual mind and body practice!
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Mondays 11:30am - 1:00pm - Level 1/2 Hatha for Strength and Mobility
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Wednesdays 9:00-10:30am Level 1 Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance
Parish Hall . No set fees - classes are free-will offering. Questions? Jill Fenske
Meditation
Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in our church sanctuary. Please join us for meditation, followed by a time of conversation.
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Coffee Hour Ministry
To volunteer to help one week after the 10am worship service, see the sign-up sheet at Sunday coffee hour.
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Sunday School
Godly Play makes meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. You and your children will be blessed by these teachings.
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Remember - the Parish Directory is Online
Need someone's email, or even map directions to their home?
Bookmark the link on your phone or computer and let your browser save the password and you will always be up to date with information!
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Enews Submission Deadline: 3:00 pm Wednesdays
Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.
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Staff Directory
Office main line - 310 375 4617
You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!
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